NorthWestern Reports First Quarter 2012 Financial Results
SIOUX FALLS, S.D., April 25, 2012 /PRNewswire/ — NorthWestern Corporation d/b/a NorthWestern Energy (NYSE: NWE) reported financial results for the quarter ended March 31, 2012. Net income was $32.0 million, or $.88 per fully diluted share, for the quarter ended March 31, 2012, compared with net income of $32.6 million, or $.89 per fully diluted share, for the quarter ended March 31, 2011. Gross margin declined $5.5 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2012, compared with the first quarter of 2011, due primarily to mild winter weather that caused an approximately $8.2 million reduction in gross margin but this was largely offset by increased Dave Gates Generating Station (“DGGS”) related revenues of $4.5 million, including approximately $2.7 million that had been deferred in prior periods pending outcome of allocation uncertainty in Montana. This was based on a March 2012 decision by the Montana Public Service Commission (“MPSC”) approving total project costs and establishing final rates for DGGS. In addition, operating expenses and interest expense were lower than the same period in 2011.
“Despite the significantly milder heating season, we provided stable earnings in the first quarter of 2012,” said Bob Rowe, President and CEO. “In addition, we made progress in advancing electric supply investments by beginning construction on both the Spion Kop 40 MW wind project in Montana and the 60 MW natural gas peaking facility near Aberdeen, SD.”
Summary Financial Results
The following table reconciles the primary changes from the first quarter 2012 results compared with the same period in 2011:
Three Months Ended
------------------
Pre-tax Net EPS
($millions,
except EPS) Income Income(1) Diluted
------ ------ --------
2011 reported $41.8 $32.6 $0.89
Gross Margin
Electric retail
volumes (4.2) (2.6) (0.07)
Natural gas
retail volumes (4.0) (2.5) (0.07)
Montana property
tax tracker (1.3) (0.8) (0.02)
Gas production (0.7) (0.4) (0.01)
Operating
expenses
recovered in
energy supply
trackers (0.3) (0.2) (0.01)
DGGS 4.5 2.8 0.08
South Dakota
natural gas
rate increase 0.6 0.4 0.01
Other (0.1) (0.1) -
----- ---- ---
Subtotal -Gross
Margin (5.5) (3.4) (0.09)
OG&A Expense
Operating and
maintenance 1.8 1.1 0.03
Operating
expenses
recovered in
energy supply
trackers 0.3 0.2 0.01
Other (0.3) (0.2) (0.01)
----- ---- ----
Subtotal -OG&A
Expense 1.8 1.1 0.03
Other
Depreciation
expense (1.1) (0.7) (0.02)
Property and
other taxes 1.7 1.0 0.03
Interest Expense 1.2 0.7 0.02
Other Income 0.2 0.1 -
Items related to income tax
Flow-through
repairs
deductions 1.6 0.04
Flow-through of
state bonus
depreciation
deduction (1.2) (0.03)
Recognition of
state NOL
benefit/
valuation
allowance
release (0.8) (0.02)
State income tax
& other, net 1.1 0.03
All other, net 0.0 0.1 $ -
--- --- ---
Total EPS impact
of above items (0.01)
2012 reported $40.1 $32.0 $0.88
===== ===== =====
(1) Income Tax Benefit (Expense)
calculation on reconciling items
assumes normal effective tax rate of
38.5%.
For more information see www.northwesternenergy.com/documents/investor/Q112.pdf
Significant Drivers
Gross Margin
Consolidated gross margin for the first quarter of 2012 was $170.7 million compared with $176.2 million for same period of 2011. The decrease in gross margin was due primarily to a decrease in electric and natural gas volumes caused by warmer winter weather, a decrease in the Montana property taxes included in a tracker compared with the same period of 2011, a decrease in production margin from lower market prices and a reduction in revenues of operating expenses recovered in monthly supply trackers. These reductions to margin were offset by an increase in DGGS related revenues, including approximately $2.7 million that the Company had deferred in previous periods, pending the outcome of allocation uncertainty in Montana, and an increase in South Dakota natural gas rates.
Operating, General and Administrative Expenses
Consolidated operating, general and administrative expenses were $65.6 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2012 as compared with $67.4 million during the same period of 2011. The decrease in operating, general and administrative expenses was primarily due to the timing of line maintenance compared with the same period of 2011, which we expect to be higher for the remainder of the year.
Property and Other Taxes
Consolidated property and other taxes were $23.7 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2012 as compared with $25.4 million during the same period of 2011. This decrease was due primarily to lower actual 2011 property taxes than our initial estimate based on assessed property valuations and mill levy increases in Montana, offset in part by plant additions. We estimate property taxes throughout each year and update to the actual expense when we receive our Montana property tax bills in November.
Interest Expense
Consolidated interest expense was $16.0 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2012 as compared with $17.1 million during the same period of 2011. The decrease was primarily due to lower interest rates on debt outstanding.
Income Tax Expense
Consolidated income tax expense in the first quarter of 2012 was $8.0 million as compared with $9.2 million in same period of 2011. The effective tax rate for the three months ended March 31, 2012 was 20% as compared with 22% for the same period of 2011. The reduction in income tax expense was primarily due to lower taxable income and higher repairs tax deductions. The effective tax rate differs from the federal statutory tax rate of 35% primarily due to repairs and state tax bonus depreciation deductions.
The following table summarizes the significant differences from the Federal statutory rate, which result in reduced income tax expense:
Quarter Ended March 31,
(in millions)
2012 2011
---- ----
Income Before Income Taxes $40.1 $41.8
----- -----
Income tax calculated at 35%
federal statutory rate (14.0) (14.6)
Permanent or flow through
adjustments:
-------------------------
Flow-through repairs deductions 5.6 4.0
Flow-through of state bonus
depreciation deduction 1.3 2.6
Recognition of state NOL
benefit/valuation allowance
release 0.0 0.8
State income tax & other, net (0.9) (2.0)
$6.0 $5.4
---- ----
Income tax expense $(8.0) $(9.2)
===== =====
Regulated Operations
In the regulated operations, electric net income improved $0.4 million, due primarily to an increase in DGGS related revenues, including approximately $2.7 million that the Company had previously deferred pending the outcome of allocation uncertainty in Montana, and lower income taxes, offset by a decrease in gross margin caused by warmer winter weather in our service territories. Natural gas net income declined $0.7 million, due primarily to a decrease in gross margins caused by warmer winter weather in our service territories, offset in part by a reduction in operating expenses, property taxes, interest expenses and income tax expense.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
As of March 31, 2012, cash and cash equivalents were $7.8 million compared with $5.9 million at Dec. 31, 2011. The Company had $177.0 million available from its revolving credit facility at March 31, 2012, compared with $130.1 million at Dec. 31, 2011.
Dividend Declaration
NorthWestern’s Board of Directors declared a quarterly common stock dividend of 37 cents per share, payable on June 30, 2012, to common shareholders of record as of June 15, 2012.
Update on DGGS Outage
DGGS was shut down on January 31, 2012 after problems were discovered in the power turbines of two of the generation units. Similar problems were subsequently found in the third unit. We expect two of the three units to be returned to service by April 30, 2012 using either the original turbines after servicing by their supplier Pratt & Whitney Power Systems (PWPS) or turbines on loan from PWPS. We expect the turbine repair costs to be covered under the manufacturer’s warranty; however, we are also incurring incremental costs for contracts with third parties for replacement regulation service. During the first quarter of 2012, our incremental costs for replacement regulation service totaled approximately $0.5 million. We have been actively managing our contracted service in an effort to reduce these costs as much as possible as DGGS is brought back into service. We believe the incremental contracted costs for regulation service are recoverable from customers through our normal course of business; however, there can be no assurance that the MPSC and/or FERC will allow us full recovery of such costs.
Highlights for first quarter of 2012
- Received a final order from the MPSC approving total project costs and establishing final rates for DGGS;
- Received approval from the MPSC for the Spion Kop wind project in Montana; and
- Submitted an application with the MPSC to place our majority interest in the Battle Creek Field natural gas production fields and gathering system acquired into regulated natural gas rate base in Montana;
2012 Earnings Outlook
NorthWestern reaffirms its earnings for 2012 to be $2.35 – $2.50 per fully diluted share.
Basic assumptions include the following expectations:
- A consolidated income tax rate of approximately 18% – 20% of pre-tax income;
- No scheduled maintenance at Colstrip Unit 4 and Big Stone Plants;
- DGGS outage costs fully recovered;
- Fully diluted average shares outstanding of 37.0 million; and
- Normal weather in the Company’s electric and natural gas service territories for the remainder of 2012.
Company Hosting Investor Conference Call
NorthWestern will host an investor conference call today at 4:00 p.m. Eastern Time (3:00 p.m. Central Time) to review its financial results for the quarter ended March 31, 2012.
The conference call will be webcast live on the Internet at http://www.northwesternenergy.com under the “Investor Information” heading. To listen, please go to the site at least 10 minutes in advance of the call to register. An archived webcast will be available shortly after the call.
A telephonic replay of the call will be available beginning at 6:00 p.m. ET on April 25, 2012, through May 25, 2012, at (800) 723-0498.
Annual Meeting
The Company’s Annual Meeting of Stockholders will be today, Wednesday, April 25, 2012, at 10:00 a.m. Mountain Daylight Time at Montana Tech Student Union Building, 1300 W. Park Street, Butte, Montana.
The annual stockholders meeting will be webcast live on the Internet at http://www.northwesternenergy.com under the “Investor Information” heading.
To listen, please go to the site at least 10 minutes in advance of the call to register. An archived webcast will be available shortly after the call.
About NorthWestern Energy
NorthWestern Energy is one of the largest providers of electricity and natural gas in the Upper Midwest and Northwest, serving approximately 668,300 customers in Montana, South Dakota and Nebraska. More information on NorthWestern Energy is available on the Company’s Web site at www.northwesternenergy.com.
SPECIAL NOTE REGARDING FORWARD–LOOKING STATEMENTS
This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the “safe harbor” provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, including, without limitation, the information under “2012 Earnings Outlook”. Forward-looking statements often address our expected future business and financial performance, and often contain words such as “expects,” “anticipates,” “intends,” “plans,” “believes,” “seeks,” or “will.” These statements are based upon our current expectations and speak only as of the date hereof. Our actual future business and financial performance may differ materially and adversely from those expressed in any forward-looking statements as a result of various factors and uncertainties, including, but not limited to:
- potential adverse federal, state, or local legislation or regulation or adverse determinations by regulators could have a material effect on our liquidity, results of operations and financial condition;
- we have capitalized approximately $22.3 million in preliminary survey and investigative costs related to our proposed Mountain States Transmission Intertie (MSTI) transmission project. If our efforts to complete MSTI are not successful, we may have to write-off all or a portion these costs, which could have a material effect on our results of operations;
- changes in availability of trade credit, creditworthiness of counterparties, usage, commodity prices, fuel supply costs or availability due to higher demand, shortages, weather conditions, transportation problems or other developments, may reduce revenues or may increase operating costs, each of which could adversely affect our liquidity and results of operations;
- unscheduled generation outages or forced reductions in output, maintenance or repairs, which may reduce revenues and increase cost of sales or may require additional capital expenditures or other increased operating costs; and
- adverse changes in general economic and competitive conditions in the U.S. financial markets and in our service territories.
Our Annual Report on Form 10-K, recent and forthcoming Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, recent Current Reports on Form 8-K and other Securities and Exchange Commission filings discuss some of the important risk factors that may affect our business, results of operations and financial condition.
We undertake no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.
NORTHWESTERN CORPORATION
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(in thousands)
March 31, December 31,
2012 2011
---- ----
(unaudited)
ASSETS
Current Assets $263,856 $290,199
Property,
Plant, and
Equipment, Net 2,230,788 2,213,267
Goodwill 355,128 355,128
Regulatory
Assets 321,448 308,804
Other
Noncurrent
Assets 46,151 43,040
------ ------
Total Assets $3,217,371 $3,210,438
========== ==========
LIABILITIES AND
SHAREHOLDERS'
EQUITY
Current
Maturities of
Long-term
Debt and
Capital Leases $1,538 $5,162
Commercial
Paper 112,978 166,943
Current
Liabilities 300,721 303,858
Long-term
Capital Leases 32,784 32,918
Long-term Debt 905,055 905,049
Noncurrent
Regulatory
Liabilities 270,594 265,987
Deferred Income
Taxes 320,698 282,406
Other
Noncurrent
Liabilities 393,301 389,012
------- -------
Total
Liabilities 2,337,669 2,351,326
--------- ---------
Total
Shareholders'
Equity 879,702 859,112
------- -------
Total
Liabilities
and
Shareholders'
Equity $3,217,371 $3,210,438
========== ==========
NORTHWESTERN CORPORATION
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(in thousands)
Three Months Ended March 31,
2012 2011
---- ----
Operating
Activities
Net income $32,043 $32,575
Non-cash items 46,807 45,608
Changes in
operating assets
and liabilities 41,075 43,897
------ ------
Cash Provided by
Operating
Activities 119,925 122,080
Cash Used in
Investing
Activities (47,027) (37,580)
Cash Used In
Financing
Activities (71,034) (83,554)
Net Increase in
Cash and Cash
Equivalents $1,864 $946
------ ----
Cash and Cash
Equivalents,
beginning of
period $5,928 $6,234
------ ------
Cash and Cash
Equivalents, end
of period $7,792 $7,180
====== ======
NORTHWESTERN CORPORATION
REGULATED ELECTRIC SEGMENT
(Unaudited)
Results
-------
2012 2011 Change % Change
---- ---- ------ --------
(dollars in millions)
Retail revenue $192.0 $196.2 $(4.2) (2.1)%
Transmission 11.1 10.9 0.2 1.8
Wholesale 0.9 0.3 0.6 200.0
Regulatory
amortization and
other 3.1 1.2 1.9 158.3
--- --- --- -----
Total Revenues 207.1 208.6 (1.5) (0.7)
Total Cost of Sales 83.0 84.4 (1.4) (1.7)
---- ---- ---- ----
Gross Margin $124.1 $124.2 $(0.1) (0.1)%
------ ------ ----- -----
Revenues Megawatt Hours (MWH) Avg. Customer Counts
-------- ------------------- --------------------
2012 2011 2012 2011 2012 2011
---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ----
(in thousands)
Retail Electric
Montana $72,137 $75,663 671 731 274,164 272,526
South Dakota 12,986 13,393 160 179 48,840 48,705
------ ------ --- --- ------ ------
Residential 85,123 89,056 831 910 323,004 321,231
------ ------ --- --- ------- -------
Montana 75,696 77,133 794 820 62,010 61,459
South Dakota 16,916 16,309 235 238 11,954 11,789
------ ------ --- --- ------ ------
Commercial 92,612 93,442 1,029 1,058 73,964 73,248
------ ------ ----- ----- ------ ------
Industrial 9,637 9,183 730 692 73 72
Other 4,581 4,520 23 24 4,511 4,620
----- ----- --- --- -----
Total Retail Electric $191,953 $196,201 2,613 2,684 401,552 399,171
======== ======== ===== ===== ======= =======
Total Wholesale
Electric $869 $309 53 31 - -
==== ==== === === === ===
Degree Days 2012 as compared with:
----------- ----------------------
Heating
Degree-
Days 2012 2011 Historic Average 2011 Historic Average
---- ---- ---------------- ---- ----------------
Montana 3,039 3,490 3,319 13% warmer 8% warmer
South
Dakota 3,417 4,569 4,103 25% warmer 17% warmer
NORTHWESTERN CORPORATION
REGULATED NATURAL GAS SEGMENT
(Unaudited)
Results
-------
2012 2011 Change % Change
---- ---- ------ --------
(dollars in millions)
Retail
revenue $95.6 $121.0 $(25.4) (21.0)%
Wholesale
and
other 6.1 8.2 (2.1) (25.6)
--- --- ---- -----
Total
Revenues 101.7 129.2 (27.5) (21.3)
Total
Cost
of
Sales 55.4 77.6 (22.2) (28.6)
---- ---- ----- -----
Gross
Margin $46.3 $51.6 $(5.3) (10.3)%
----- ----- ----- ------
Revenues Dekatherms (Dkt) Customer Counts
-------- --------------- ---------------
2012 2011 2012 2011 2012 2011
---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ----
(in thousands)
Retail Gas
Montana $41,839 $51,100 4,983 5,638 159,886 159,029
South Dakota 10,363 13,306 1,256 1,599 38,098 37,712
Nebraska 9,421 11,486 1,141 1,382 36,918 36,949
----- ------ ----- ----- ------ ------
Residential 61,623 75,892 7,380 8,619 234,902 233,690
------ ------ ----- ----- ------- -------
Montana 21,050 26,438 2,524 2,915 22,427 22,273
South Dakota 6,653 9,302 1,051 1,332 6,001 5,954
Nebraska 5,415 8,242 829 1,287 4,639 4,636
----- ----- --- ----- ----- -----
Commercial 33,118 43,982 4,404 5,534 33,067 32,863
------ ------ ----- ----- ------ ------
Industrial 443 691 54 78 277 282
Other 395 449 53 58 150 145
--- --- --- --- --- ---
Total Retail Gas $95,579 $121,014 11,891 14,289 268,396 266,980
======= ======== ====== ====== ======= =======
Degree Days 2012 as compared with:
----------- ----------------------
Heating
Degree-
Days 2012 2011 Historic Average 2011 Historic Average
---- ---- ---------------- ---- ----------------
Montana 3,039 3,490 3,319 13% warmer 8% warmer
South Dakota 3,417 4,569 4,103 25% warmer 17% warmer
Nebraska 2,949 3,573 3,410 17% warmer 14% warmer
NORTHWESTERN CORPORATION
FIRST QUARTER SEGMENT RESULTS
(Unaudited)
(in thousands)
Three Months Ended
March 31, 2012 Electric Gas Other Eliminations Total
-------- --- ----- ------------ -----
Operating revenues $207,055 $101,746 $299 $ - $309,100
Cost of sales 82,979 55,417 - - 138,396
------ ------ --- --- -------
Gross margin 124,076 46,329 299 - 170,704
------- ------ --- --- -------
Operating, general
and administrative 45,357 19,288 928 - 65,573
Property and other
taxes 17,538 6,124 3 - 23,665
Depreciation 21,569 4,856 8 - 26,433
------ ----- --- --- ------
Operating income
(loss) 39,612 16,061 (640) - 55,033
------ ------ ---- --- ------
Interest expense (13,667) (2,067) (228) - (15,962)
Other income 612 345 27 - 984
Income tax expense (3,174) (3,590) (1,248) - (8,012)
------ ------ ------ --- ------
Net income (loss) $23,383 $10,749 $(2,089) $ - $32,043
------- ------- ------- --- --- -------
Three Months Ended
March 31, 2011 Electric Gas Other Eliminations Total
-------- --- ----- ------------ -----
Operating revenues $208,622 $129,212 $426 $ - $338,260
Cost of sales 84,446 77,625 - - 162,071
Gross margin 124,176 51,587 426 - 176,189
------- ------ --- --- -------
Operating, general
and administrative 45,286 21,448 649 - 67,383
Property and other
taxes 18,741 6,652 3 - 25,396
Depreciation 20,354 4,953 8 - 25,315
Operating income
(loss) 39,795 18,534 (234) - 58,095
------ ------ ---- --- ------
Interest expense (13,527) (2,665) (955) - (17,147)
Other income 615 164 26 - 805
Income tax expense (3,921) (4,570) (687) - (9,178)
Net income (loss) 22,962 11,463 (1,850) - 32,575
------ ------ ------ --- ------
SOURCE NorthWestern Corporation
