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Last updated on June 20, 2013 at 1:21 EDT

PPL Corporation Reports Strong 2012 Earnings, Increases Common Stock Dividend

February 14, 2013

ALLENTOWN, Pa., Feb. 14, 2013 /PRNewswire/ — PPL Corporation (NYSE: PPL) announced on Thursday (2/14) strong 2012 earnings that exceeded forecast ranges, a 2013 earnings forecast range of $2.25 to $2.50 per share, and an increase in its quarterly common stock dividend — the 11th such increase in the past 12 years.

PPL’s 2012 reported earnings were $1.526 billion, or $2.60 per share, compared with $1.495 billion, or $2.70 per share in 2011. Per share earnings in 2012 include dilution of $0.14 per share because of common stock issued in April 2011 to fund the acquisition of the Midlands businesses in the United Kingdom.

Adjusting for special items, PPL’s earnings from ongoing operations were $1.417 billion, or $2.42 per share, in 2012 compared with $1.509 billion, or $2.73 per share, in 2011.

The increase in the quarterly common stock dividend to $0.3675 per share is payable April 1, 2013, to shareowners of record as of March 8, 2013. On an annualized basis, the dividend is $1.47 per share, up from $1.44 per share. PPL has increased its dividend in 11 of the last 12 years; the new dividend rate reflects a 177 percent increase over that 12-year period.

“Given the significant challenges of 2012, we are very pleased with the earnings we are announcing today, which exceed our forecast ranges,” said William H. Spence, PPL’s chairman, president and chief executive officer. PPL’s forecast ranges for 2012 were $2.37 to $2.47 per share for reported earnings and $2.30 to $2.40 per share for earnings from ongoing operations.

“Our strong earnings — and steadily increasing dividends — deliver significant value to shareowners. Our 2012 performance also demonstrates our ability to meet the commitments we made regarding the major acquisitions in Kentucky and the United Kingdom, and reflects the persistent efforts of PPL people to manage through the challenges of the competitive wholesale power market,” Spence said.

PPL’s reported earnings for the fourth quarter of 2012 were $359 million, or $0.60 per share, compared with $454 million, or $0.78 per share in the fourth quarter of 2011. Adjusting for special items, fourth quarter earnings from ongoing operations were $292 million, or $0.49 per share, compared with $410 million, or $0.71 per share in the fourth quarter of 2011.

PPL also announced its 2013 earnings forecast range of $2.25 to $2.50 per share, with a midpoint of $2.37 per share. PPL is projecting that its rate-regulated businesses will account for 85 percent of 2013 earnings, compared with 72 percent of ongoing earnings in 2012 and 58 percent of ongoing earnings in 2011.

“The 2013 earnings forecast reflects increased revenue from our three regulated businesses and lower energy margins for our supply business resulting largely from the roll-off of higher-priced hedges,” Spence said.

PPL’s 2013 earnings forecast also includes an additional scheduled outage at the Susquehanna nuclear power plant in Pennsylvania that accelerates PPL’s plan to address turbine blade issues that have affected both Susquehanna units.

“While the additional scheduled Susquehanna outage impacts projected 2013 earnings by about 5 cents per share, implementing a long-term solution sooner than previously planned reduces future risk and minimizes the overall financial effect on PPL,” Spence said.

2012 Earnings Details

PPL’s 2012 reported earnings include net special item credits of $109 million, or $0.18 per share, compared with net special item charges of $14 million, or $0.03 per share, in 2011.

The special item credits for 2012 include $0.13 per share to adjust a U.K. liability related to line losses, $0.13 per share for a reduction in the U.K. corporate income tax rate, and $0.07 per share for adjusted energy-related economic activity. These special item credits were partially offset by special item charges that include $0.06 per share for foreign currency-related economic hedges, $0.03 per share for coal contract modification payments and $0.03 per share for an impairment of an equity method investment in the Kentucky Regulated segment.

Reported earnings are calculated in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP). Earnings from ongoing operations, a non-GAAP financial measure, are adjusted for special items that include the impact of adjusted energy-related economic activity (principally changes in fair value of economic hedges and the ineffective portion of qualifying cash flow hedges), acquisition-related adjustments, and other impacts fully detailed at the end of this news release.

    (Dollars in millions, except
     for per share amounts)
                                   2012   2011 % Change
                                   ----   ---- --------
    Reported Earnings            $1,526 $1,495            2%
    Reported Earnings Per Share   $2.60  $2.70           -4%
    Earnings from Ongoing
     Operations                  $1,417 $1,509           -6%
    Earnings from Ongoing
     Operations Per Share         $2.42  $2.73          -11%

Fourth Quarter 2012 Earnings Details

PPL’s reported earnings for the fourth quarter of 2012 include net special item credits of $0.11 per share. The special item credits include $0.13 per share to adjust a U.K. liability related to line losses and $0.02 per share for adjusted energy-related economic activity. The credits were partially offset by special item charges including $0.03 per share for an impairment of an equity method investment in the Kentucky Regulated segment and $0.01 per share for foreign currency-related economic hedges.

(Dollars in millions, except for per share amounts)

                                4th Quarter 4th Quarter
                                             2012        2011 % Change
                                             ----        ---- --------
    Reported Earnings                        $359        $454          -21%
    Reported Earnings Per Share             $0.60       $0.78          -23%
    Earnings from Ongoing
     Operations                              $292        $410          -29%
    Earnings from Ongoing
     Operations Per Share                   $0.49       $0.71          -31%

(See the tables at the end of the news release for details as to the reconciliation of earnings from ongoing operations to reported earnings.)

Annual and Fourth-Quarter 2012 Earnings by Segment

The following chart shows PPL’s earnings by segment for 2012 and the fourth quarter of 2012, compared with the same periods of 2011.

    Per share                        Year   4th Quarter
    Earnings from ongoing operations 2012         2011     2012  2011
                                     ----         ----     ----  ----

    Kentucky Regulated                     $0.33          $0.40        $0.08    $0.06
    U.K. Regulated                          1.19           0.87         0.29     0.28
    Pennsylvania Regulated                  0.22           0.31         0.05     0.10
    Supply                                  0.68           1.15         0.07     0.27
                                            ----           ----         ----     ----
        Total                              $2.42          $2.73        $0.49    $0.71
                                           =====          =====        =====    =====

    Special items

    Kentucky Regulated                    $(0.03)      $      -       $(0.03) $     -
    U.K. Regulated                          0.18          (0.28)        0.12    (0.12)
    Pennsylvania Regulated                     -              -            -        -
    Supply                                  0.03           0.25         0.02     0.19
                                            ----           ----         ----     ----
        Total                              $0.18         $(0.03)       $0.11    $0.07
                                           =====         ======        =====    =====

    Reported earnings

    Kentucky Regulated                     $0.30          $0.40        $0.05    $0.06
    U.K. Regulated                          1.37           0.59         0.41     0.16
    Pennsylvania Regulated                  0.22           0.31         0.05     0.10
    Supply                                  0.71           1.40         0.09     0.46
                                            ----           ----         ----     ----
        Total                              $2.60          $2.70        $0.60    $0.78
                                           =====          =====        =====    =====

(For more details and a breakout of special items by segment, see the reconciliation tables at the end of this news release.)

Key Factors Impacting Segment Earnings from Ongoing Operations

Kentucky Regulated Segment

PPL’s Kentucky Regulated segment primarily consists of the regulated electricity and natural gas operations of Louisville Gas and Electric Company and Kentucky Utilities Company.

Segment earnings from ongoing operations decreased in 2012 by $0.07 per share compared to a year ago primarily due to higher operation and maintenance expense, higher depreciation, higher property taxes, losses from an equity method investment and dilution of $0.02 per share, partially offset by lower income taxes.

Segment earnings from ongoing operations in the fourth quarter of 2012 increased by $0.02 per share compared with the fourth quarter of 2011 primarily due to higher retail margins as a result of returns on new environmental investments, increased residential sales due to customer growth, and more seasonable weather than in 2011.

U.K. Regulated Segment

PPL’s U.K. Regulated segment consists of the regulated electricity delivery operations of Western Power Distribution, serving Southwest and Central England and South Wales.

Segment earnings from ongoing operations in 2012 increased by $0.32 per share compared to a year ago primarily due to four additional months of earnings from the WPD Midlands businesses, higher delivery revenue and lower U.K. income taxes, partially offset by higher U.S. income taxes, higher depreciation, a less favorable currency exchange rate, and dilution of $0.07 per share.

Segment earnings from ongoing operations in the fourth quarter of 2012 increased by $0.01 per share compared with the fourth quarter of 2011 primarily due to higher delivery revenue, partially offset by higher operation and maintenance expense and higher income taxes.

Pennsylvania Regulated Segment

PPL’s Pennsylvania Regulated segment consists of the regulated electricity delivery operations of PPL Electric Utilities.

Segment earnings from ongoing operations in 2012 decreased by $0.09 per share compared to a year ago primarily due to higher operation and maintenance expense, higher income and non-income taxes, lower distribution margins as a result of mild weather early in the year, higher depreciation and dilution of $0.01 per share, partially offset by higher transmission revenue and lower financing costs due to the redemption of $250 million of preferred securities.

Segment earnings from ongoing operations in the fourth quarter of 2012 decreased by $0.05 per share compared with the fourth quarter of 2011 primarily due to higher operation and maintenance expense and higher income and non-income taxes, partially offset by higher transmission revenue, higher distribution margins due to colder weather and lower financing costs.

Supply Segment

PPL’s Supply segment consists primarily of the competitive electricity generation and energy marketing operations of PPL Energy Supply.

Segment earnings from ongoing operations in 2012 decreased by $0.47 per share compared to a year ago primarily due to lower Eastern energy margins resulting from lower baseload energy and capacity prices, lower Western energy margins resulting from an early 2012 contract termination related to the bankruptcy of a large customer, higher operation and maintenance expense, higher depreciation, higher income taxes, higher financing costs and dilution of $0.04 per share.

Segment earnings from ongoing operations in the fourth quarter of 2012 decreased by $0.20 per share compared with the fourth quarter of 2011 primarily due to lower nuclear and fossil-fuel generation output in the East, lower Western energy margins, higher operation and maintenance expense, higher income taxes and higher depreciation, partially offset by higher capacity prices.

2013 Earnings Forecast by Segment

In the fourth quarter of 2012, PPL adopted a new consolidated financing strategy that, beginning in 2013, will change the presentation of operating results for purposes of assessing performance by PPL management. The segments will continue to be Kentucky Regulated, U.K. Regulated, Pennsylvania Regulated and Supply; however, certain corporate-level financing and other costs will not be allocated or assigned to segments, but rather will be presented in a separate category, Corporate and Other, to reconcile segment results to PPL’s consolidated results. Non-financing costs to be presented in this category are not expected to be significant.

PPL’s recent growth in rate-regulated businesses provides the organization with an enhanced corporate level financing alternative, PPL Capital Funding, Inc. (Cap Funding), that further enables PPL to support targeted credit profiles cost effectively across all of PPL’s rated companies. As a result, PPL plans to further utilize Cap Funding in addition to continued direct financing by the operating companies, as appropriate.

Cap Funding participated significantly in the financing for the acquisitions of LKE and WPD Midlands. The associated financing costs, as well as the financing costs associated with prior issuances of certain other Cap Funding securities, are and will continue to be assigned to the appropriate segments. The financing costs associated with Cap Funding’s $400 million of 3.5% Senior Notes issued in October 2012, as well as future securities issuances at Cap Funding, are not expected to be directly assignable or allocable to any segment and will be reflected in Corporate and Other beginning in 2013.

    Earnings per share                  2013         2012 actual
                           forecast midpoint  (ongoing earnings)

    Kentucky Regulated                 $0.47               $0.33
    U.K. Regulated                      1.25                1.19
    Pennsylvania Regulated              0.29                0.22
    Supply                              0.40                0.68
    Corporate and Other                (0.04)                  -
                                       -----                 ---
             Total                     $2.37               $2.42
                                       =====               =====

PPL expects lower earnings in 2013 compared with 2012, primarily due to lower energy margins in the Supply segment, partially offset by higher earnings in PPL’s three regulated segments. These projected earnings also reflect dilution of $0.11 per share associated with 2013 common stock issuances related to PPL’s 2010 Equity Units and April 2012 forward stock sale.

Kentucky Regulated Segment

PPL projects higher segment earnings in 2013 compared with 2012, primarily driven by electric and gas base rate increases effective January 1, 2013, returns on additional environmental capital investments and retail load growth, partially offset by higher operation and maintenance expense. Dilution for 2013 is expected to be $0.02 per share.

U.K. Regulated Segment

PPL projects higher segment earnings in 2013 compared with 2012, primarily driven by higher electricity delivery revenue and lower income taxes, partially offset by higher operation and maintenance expense, higher depreciation and higher interest expense. Dilution for 2013 is expected to be $0.06 per share.

Pennsylvania Regulated Segment

PPL projects higher segment earnings in 2013 compared with 2012, primarily driven by higher distribution revenues from a distribution base rate increase effective January 1, 2013, and higher transmission margins, partially offset by higher depreciation. Dilution for 2013 is expected to be $0.01 per share.

Supply Segment

PPL projects lower segment earnings in 2013 compared with 2012 primarily driven by lower energy prices, higher fuel costs, higher operation and maintenance expense, higher depreciation and higher financing costs, which are partially offset by higher capacity prices and higher nuclear generation output despite scheduled outages for both Susquehanna units to implement a long-term solution to turbine blade issues. Dilution for 2013 is expected to be $0.02 per share.

Corporate and Other

This category primarily includes unallocated corporate-level financing and other costs.

PPL Corporation (NYSE: PPL), with annual revenue of more than $12 billion, is one of the largest companies in the U.S. utility sector. The PPL family of companies delivers electricity and natural gas to about 10 million customers in the United States and the United Kingdom, owns more than 18,000 megawatts of generating capacity in the United States and sells energy in key U.S. markets. More information is available at www.pplweb.com.

(Note: All references to earnings per share in the text and tables of this news release are stated in terms of diluted earnings per share.)

Conference Call and Webcast

PPL invites interested parties to listen to a live Internet webcast of management’s teleconference with financial analysts about annual and fourth quarter 2012 financial results at 9 a.m. (Eastern Time) Thursday, February 14. The meeting is available online live, in audio format, along with slides of the presentation, on PPL’s website: www.pplweb.com. The webcast will be available for replay on the PPL website for 30 days. Interested individuals also can access the live conference call via telephone at 702-696-4769 (ID#97396937).

“Earnings from ongoing operations” should not be considered as an alternative to reported earnings, or net income attributable to PPL, which is an indicator of operating performance determined in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP). PPL believes that “earnings from ongoing operations,” although a non-GAAP financial measure, is also useful and meaningful to investors because it provides management’s view of PPL’s fundamental earnings performance as another criterion in making investment decisions. PPL’s management also uses “earnings from ongoing operations” in measuring certain corporate performance goals. Other companies may use different measures to present financial performance.

“Earnings from ongoing operations” is adjusted for the impact of special items. Special items include:

  • Adjusted energy-related economic activity (as discussed below).
  • Foreign currency-related economic hedges.
  • Gains and losses on sales of assets not in the ordinary course of business.
  • Impairment charges (including impairments of securities in the company’s nuclear decommissioning trust funds).
  • Workforce reduction and other restructuring impacts.
  • Acquisition-related adjustments.
  • Other charges or credits that are, in management’s view, not reflective of the company’s ongoing operations.

Adjusted energy-related economic activity includes the changes in fair value of positions used economically to hedge a portion of the economic value of PPL’s generation assets, full-requirement sales contracts and retail activities. This economic value is subject to changes in fair value due to market price volatility of the input and output commodities (e.g., fuel and power) prior to the delivery period that was hedged. Also included in adjusted energy-related economic activity is the ineffective portion of qualifying cash flow hedges, the monetization of certain full-requirement sales contracts and premium amortization associated with options. This economic activity is deferred, with the exception of the full-requirement sales contracts that were monetized, and included in earnings from ongoing operations over the delivery period of the item that was hedged or upon realization. Management believes that adjusting for such amounts provides a better matching of earnings from ongoing operations to the actual amounts settled for PPL’s underlying hedged assets. Please refer to the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements and MD&A in PPL Corporation’s periodic filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission for additional information on adjusted energy-related economic activity.

Statements contained in this news release, including statements with respect to future earnings, cash flows, financing, regulation and corporate strategy, are “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the federal securities laws. Although PPL Corporation believes that the expectations and assumptions reflected in these forward-looking statements are reasonable, these statements are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties, and actual results may differ materially from the results discussed in the statements. The following are among the important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from the forward-looking statements: market demand and prices for energy, capacity and fuel; weather conditions affecting customer energy usage and operating costs; competition in power markets; the effect of any business or industry restructuring; the profitability and liquidity of PPL Corporation and its subsidiaries; new accounting requirements or new interpretations or applications of existing requirements; operating performance of plants and other facilities; the length of scheduled and unscheduled outages at our plants; environmental conditions and requirements and the related costs of compliance, including environmental capital expenditures and emission allowance and other expenses; system conditions and operating costs; development of new projects, markets and technologies; performance of new ventures; asset or business acquisitions and dispositions, and PPL Corporation’s ability to realize the expected benefits from acquired businesses, including the 2010 acquisition of Louisville Gas and Electric Company and Kentucky Utilities Company and the 2011 acquisition of the Central Networks electricity distribution businesses in the U.K.; any impact of hurricanes or other severe weather on our business, including any impact on fuel prices; receipt of necessary government permits, approvals, rate relief and regulatory cost recovery; capital market conditions and decisions regarding capital structure; the impact of state, federal or foreign investigations applicable to PPL Corporation and its subsidiaries; the outcome of litigation against PPL Corporation and its subsidiaries; stock price performance; the market prices of equity securities and the impact on pension income and resultant cash funding requirements for defined benefit pension plans; the securities and credit ratings of PPL Corporation and its subsidiaries; political, regulatory or economic conditions in states, regions or countries where PPL Corporation or its subsidiaries conduct business, including any potential effects of threatened or actual terrorism or war or other hostilities; foreign exchange rates; new state, federal or foreign legislation, including new tax legislation; and the commitments and liabilities of PPL Corporation and its subsidiaries. Any such forward-looking statements should be considered in light of such important factors and in conjunction with PPL Corporation’s Form 10-K and other reports on file with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

                                                              PPL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
                                                      CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL INFORMATION (a)

                                                     Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (Unaudited)
                                                                   (Millions of Dollars)

                                                            December 31,                             December 31,
                                                                    2012                                     2011
                                                                    ----                                     ----
    Assets
    Cash and cash equivalents                                                                    $901                                                 $1,202
    Price risk management assets - current                                                    1,525                                                  2,548
    Other current assets                                                                      2,642                                                  2,676
    Investments                                                                                 759                                                    718
    Property, Plant and Equipment
                      Regulated
                      utility plant                                                          25,196                                                 22,994
                      Less:
                      Accumulated
                      depreciation
                      -regulated
                      utility plant                                                           4,164                                                  3,534

                     Regulated utility plant, net                                            21,032                                                 19,460
                                                                                             ------                                                 ------
                      Non-regulated
                      property,
                      plant and
                      equipment                                                              12,545                                                 11,608
                      Less:
                      Accumulated
                      depreciation
                      - non-
                      regulated
                      property,
                      plant and
                      equipment                                                               5,942                                                  5,676

                      Non-regulated property,
                      plant and equipment, net                                                6,603                                                  5,932
                      Construction
                      work in
                      progress                                                                2,397                                                  1,874

                      Property,
                      Plant and
                      Equipment,
                      net                                                                    30,032                                                 27,266

    Regulatory assets                                                                         1,483                                                  1,349
    Goodwill and other intangibles                                                            5,083                                                  5,179
    Price risk management assets - noncurrent                                                   572                                                    920
    Other noncurrent assets                                                                     637                                                    790
                                                                                                ---                                                    ---
    Total Assets                                                                            $43,634                                                $42,648
                                                                                            =======                                                =======

    Liabilities and Equity
    Short-term debt                                                                            $652                                                   $578
    Long-term debt due within one year                                                          751
    Accounts payable                                                                          1,252                                                  1,150
    Price risk management liabilities - current                                               1,065                                                  1,570
    Other current liabilities                                                                 1,905                                                  1,957
    Long-term debt                                                                           18,725                                                 17,993
    Deferred income taxes and investment tax credits                                          3,715                                                  3,611
    Price risk management liabilities - noncurrent                                              629                                                    840
    Accrued pension obligations                                                               2,076                                                  1,313
    Regulatory liabilities                                                                    1,010                                                  1,010
    Other noncurrent liabilities                                                              1,356                                                  1,530
    Common stock and additional paid-in-capital                                               6,942                                                  6,819
    Earnings reinvested                                                                       5,478                                                  4,797
    Accumulated other comprehensive loss                                                     (1,940)                                                  (788)
    Noncontrolling interests                                                                     18                                                    268
                                                                                                ---                                                    ---
    Total Liabilities and Equity                                                            $43,634                                                $42,648
                                                                                            =======                                                =======


    (a)            The Financial Statements in this
                   news release have been condensed
                   and summarized for purposes of
                   this presentation.  Please refer
                   to PPL Corporation's periodic
                   filings with the Securities and
                   Exchange Commission for full
                   financial statements, including
                   note disclosure.

                                                                                                                PPL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

                                                                                                     Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income (Unaudited)
                                                                                                            (Millions of Dollars, Except Share Data)

                                                                               Three Months Ended                                  Year Ended
                                                                                  December 31,                                    December 31,
                                                                                  ------------                                    ------------
                                                                                             2012                               2011                      2012 (a)                    2011 (a)
                                                                                             ----                               ----                       -------                     -------

    Operating Revenues
                     Utility                                                               $1,796                                         $1,597                                         $6,808                                         $6,292
                      Unregulated
                      retail electric
                      and gas (b)                                                             224                                            209                                            844                                            726
                      Wholesale energy
                      marketing
                     Realized                                                               1,066                                          1,130                                          4,433                                          3,807
                      Unrealized
                      economic
                      activity (b)                                                             11                                          1,178                                           (311)                                         1,407
                      Net energy
                      trading margins                                                          (3)                                           (16)                                             4                                             (2)
                      Energy-related
                      businesses                                                              128                                            120                                            508                                            507

                      Total Operating
                      Revenues                                                              3,222                                          4,218                                         12,286                                         12,737

    Operating Expenses
                     Operation
                     Fuel (b)                                                                 432                                            454                                          1,837                                          1,946
                      Energy
                      purchases
                                         Realized                                                                       744                                            663                                          2,997                                          2,130
                                          Unrealized economic
                                          activity (b)                                                                  (22)                                         1,074                                           (442)                                         1,123
                      Other
                      operation and
                      maintenance                                                             740                                            626                                          2,835                                          2,667
                     Depreciation                                                             287                                            263                                          1,100                                            960
                      Taxes, other than
                      income                                                                   98                                             88                                            366                                            326
                      Energy-related
                      businesses                                                              121                                            116                                            484                                            484

                      Total Operating
                      Expenses                                                              2,400                                          3,284                                          9,177                                          9,636

    Operating Income                                                                                                    822                                            934                                          3,109                                          3,101
    Other Income (Expense) - net                                                                                         (8)                                             6                                            (39)                                             4
    Other-Than-Temporary Impairments                                                                                     26                                                                                            27                                              6
    Interest Expense                                                                                                    247                                            220                                            961                                            898
                                                                                                                        ---                                            ---                                            ---                                            ---
    Income from Continuing Operations Before Income
     Taxes                                                                                                              541                                            720                                          2,082                                          2,201
    Income Taxes                                                                                                        181                                            262                                            545                                            691
                                                                                                                        ---                                            ---                                            ---                                            ---
    Income from Continuing Operations After Income
     Taxes                                                                                                              360                                            458                                          1,537                                          1,510
    Income (Loss) from Discontinued Operations (net of
     income taxes)                                                                                                                                                                                                     (6)                                             2
                                                                                                                                                                                                                      ---                                            ---
    Net Income                                                                                                          360                                            458                                          1,531                                          1,512
    Net Income Attributable to Noncontrolling Interests                                                                   1                                              4                                              5                                             17
                                                                                                                        ---                                            ---                                            ---                                            ---
    Net Income Attributable to PPL Shareowners                                                                         $359                                           $454                                         $1,526                                         $1,495
                                                                                                                       ====                                           ====                                         ======                                         ======

    Amounts Attributable to PPL Shareowners
                      Income from
                      Continuing
                      Operations After
                      Income Taxes                                                           $359                                           $454                                         $1,532                                         $1,493
                      Income (Loss)
                      from
                      Discontinued
                      Operations (net
                      of income taxes)                                                                                                                                                       (6)                                             2

                     Net Income                                                              $359                                           $454                                         $1,526                                         $1,495

    Earnings Per Share of Common Stock - Basic
                      Net Income
                      Available to PPL
                      Common
                      Shareowners                                                           $0.61                                          $0.78                                          $2.61                                          $2.71

    Earnings Per Share of Common Stock - Diluted (c)
                      Earnings from
                      Ongoing
                      Operations                                                            $0.49                                          $0.71                                          $2.42                                          $2.73
                     Special Items                                                           0.11                                           0.07                                           0.18                                          (0.03)

                      Net Income
                      Available to PPL
                      Common
                      Shareowners                                                           $0.60                                          $0.78                                          $2.60                                          $2.70

    Weighted-Average Shares of Common Stock Outstanding
                     (in thousands)
                     Basic                                                                581,492                                        578,153                                        580,276                                        550,395
                     Diluted                                                              583,644                                        579,347                                        581,626                                        550,952


    (a)            The results of operations for
                   2012 are not comparable with
                   2011 due to the acquisition of
                   WPD Midlands.  WPD Midlands'
                   results are consolidated on a
                   one-month lag, and includes
                   eight months of results in
                   2011, as the date of the
                   acquisition was April 1, 2011.
    (b)            Includes activity from energy-
                   related contracts to hedge
                   future cash flows that are not
                   eligible for hedge accounting,
                   or for which hedge accounting
                   was not elected.
    (c)            Earnings in 2012 and 2011 were
                   impacted by several special
                   items, as described in the text
                   and tables of this news
                   release.  Earnings from ongoing
                   operations exclude the impact
                   of these special items.

                                                                                 PPL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

                                                                   Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (Unaudited)
                                                                                      (Millions of Dollars)

                                                                                  2012                         2011 (a)                     2010 (a)
                                                                                  ----                         -------                      -------
    Cash Flows from Operating Activities
                     Net income                                                 $1,531                                       $1,512                                        $959
                      Adjustments to
                      reconcile net
                      income to net
                      cash provided
                      by operating
                      activities
                     Depreciation                                                1,100                                          961                                         567
                     Amortization                                                  186                                          254                                         213
                      Defined
                      benefit
                      plans -
                      expense                                                      166                                          205                                         102
                      Deferred
                      income taxes
                      and
                      investment
                      tax credits                                                  441                                          582                                         241
                      Impairment of
                      assets                                                        28                                           13                                         120
                      Unrealized
                      (gains)
                      losses on
                      derivatives,
                      and other
                      hedging
                      activities                                                    27                                         (314)                                        542
                      Provision for
                      Montana
                      hydroelectric
                      litigation                                                                                                (74)                                         66
                      Change in
                      current assets
                      and current
                      liabilities
                     Prepayments                                                    (5)                                         294                                        (318)
                      Counterparty
                      collateral                                                   (34)                                        (190)                                        (18)
                     Other                                                         (26)                                          56                                         (20)
                      Other operating
                      activities
                      Defined
                      benefit
                      plans -
                      funding                                                     (607)                                        (667)                                       (396)
                      Other
                      operating
                      activities                                                   (91)                                        (125)                                        (25)
                                                                                   ---                                         ----                                         ---
                                         Net cash provided by
                                         operating activities                                           2,716                                        2,507                                       2,033
                                                                                                        -----                                        -----                                       -----
    Cash Flows from Investing Activities
                      Expenditures for
                      property, plant
                      and equipment                                             (3,057)                                      (2,487)                                     (1,597)
                      Proceeds from
                      the sale of
                      certain non-
                      core generation
                      facilities                                                                                                381
                      Proceeds from
                      the sale of the
                      Long Island
                      generation
                      business                                                                                                                                              124
                      Proceeds from
                      the sale of the
                      Maine
                      hydroelectric
                      generation
                      business                                                                                                                                               38
                      Ironwood
                      Acquisition,
                      net of cash
                      acquired                                                     (84)
                      Acquisition of
                      WPD Midlands                                                                                           (5,763)
                      Acquisition of
                      LKE, net of
                      cash acquired                                                                                                                                      (6,812)
                      Purchases of
                      nuclear plant
                      decommissioning
                      trust
                      investments                                                 (154)                                        (169)                                       (128)
                      Proceeds from
                      the sale of
                      nuclear plant
                      decommissioning
                      trust
                      investments                                                  139                                          156                                         114
                      Proceeds from
                      the sale of
                      other
                      investments                                                   20                                          163
                      Net (increase)
                      decrease in
                      restricted cash
                      and cash
                      equivalents                                                   96                                         (143)                                         85
                      Other investing
                      activities                                                   (35)                                         (90)                                        (53)

                                         Net cash used in
                                         investing activities                                          (3,075)                                      (7,952)                                     (8,229)
                                                                                                       ------                                       ------                                      ------
    Cash Flows from Financing Activities
                      Issuance of
                      long-term debt                                             1,223                                        5,745                                       4,642
                      Retirement of
                      long-term debt                                              (108)                                      (1,210)                                        (20)
                      Issuance of
                      common stock                                                  72                                        2,297                                       2,441
                      Payment of
                      common stock
                      dividends                                                   (833)                                        (746)                                       (566)
                      Redemption of
                      preference
                      stock of a
                      subsidiary                                                  (250)                                                                                     (54)
                      Debt issuance
                      and credit
                      facility costs                                               (17)                                        (102)                                       (175)
                      Contract
                      adjustment
                      payments on
                      Equity Units                                                 (94)                                         (72)                                        (13)
                      Net increase
                      (decrease) in
                      short-term
                      debt                                                          74                                         (125)                                         70
                      Other financing
                      activities                                                   (19)                                         (20)                                        (18)

                                         Net cash provided by
                                         financing activities                                              48                                        5,767                                       6,307
                                                                                                          ---                                        -----                                       -----
    Effect of Exchange Rates on Cash and Cash
     Equivalents                                                                                           10                                          (45)                                         13
                                                                                                          ---                                          ---                                         ---
    Net Increase (Decrease) in Cash and Cash
     Equivalents                                                                                         (301)                                         277                                         124
    Cash and Cash Equivalents at Beginning of Period                                                    1,202                                          925                                         801
                                                                                                        -----                                          ---                                         ---
    Cash and Cash Equivalents at End of Period                                                           $901                                       $1,202                                        $925
                                                                                                         ====                                       ======                                        ====


    (a)            LKE's cash flows are
                   consolidated for two months in
                   2010, as the date of
                   acquisition was November 1,
                   2010.  WPD Midlands' cash flows
                   are consolidated on a one-
                   month lag, and includes eight
                   months of results in 2011, as
                   the date of acquisition was
                   April 1, 2011.


                                                                                                                                          Key Indicators (Unaudited)

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            12 Months Ended
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              December 31,
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              ------------
    Financial                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 2012                                   2011
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              ----                                   ----

    Dividends declared per share                                                                                                                                                                                                                             $1.44                                  $1.40
    Book value per share (a)                                                                                                                                                                                                                                $18.01                                 $18.72
    Market price per share (a)                                                                                                                                                                                                                              $28.63                                 $29.42
    Dividend yield (a)                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       5.0%                                   4.8%
    Dividend payout ratio (b)                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 55%                                    52%
    Dividend payout ratio - earnings from ongoing operations (c)                                                                                                                                                                                              60%                                    51%
    Price/earnings ratio (a)(b)                                                                                                                                                                                                                             11.0                                   10.9
    Price/earnings ratio - earnings from ongoing operations (a)(c)                                                                                                                                                                                          11.8                                   10.8
    Return on average common equity                                                                                                                                                                                                                        13.76%                                 14.93%
    Return on average common equity - earnings from ongoing operations (c)                                                                                                                                                                                 12.78%                                 15.08%

    (a)  End of period.
    (b)  Based on diluted earnings per share.
    (c)  Calculated using earnings from ongoing operations, which excludes the impact of special items, as described in the text and tables of this news release.

                                                                                                               Operating - Domestic & International Electricity Sales (Unaudited)

                                                                                     3 Months Ended December 31,                                  12 Months Ended December 31,
                                                                                     ---------------------------                                  ----------------------------
                                                                                                                                                            Percent                                                                                                           Percent
    (GWh)                                                                                            2012                                 2011              Change                                                   2012                                   2011              Change
                                                                                                     ----                                 ----              ------                                                   ----                                   ----              ------

    Domestic Retail Delivered
                                     PPL Electric
                                     Utilities (a)                                                  8,917                                8,854                                   0.7%                              36,023                                 36,908                                  (2.4%)
                                    LKE                                                             7,215                                7,119                                   1.3%                              30,908                                 30,898                                    0.0%

                                    Total                                                          16,132                               15,973                                   1.0%                              66,931                                 67,806                                  (1.3%)
                                                                                                   ======                               ======                                                                     ======                                 ======

    Domestic Retail Supplied (b)
                                    PPL EnergyPlus                                                  2,938                                2,537                                  15.8%                              11,471                                  9,249                                   24.0%
                                    LKE                                                             7,215                                7,119                                   1.3%                              30,908                                 30,898                                    0.0%

                                    Total                                                          10,153                                9,656                                   5.1%                              42,379                                 40,147                                    5.6%
                                                                                                   ======                                =====                                                                     ======                                 ======

    International Delivered
                                    United Kingdom (c)                                             19,518                               19,487                                   0.2%                              77,467                                 58,245                                   33.0%

    Domestic Wholesale Supplied
                                     PPL EnergyPlus -
                                     East                                                          10,405                               13,427                                (22.5%)                              46,585                                 51,804                                 (10.1%)
                                     PPL EnergyPlus -
                                     West                                                           2,173                                2,465                                (11.8%)                               7,413                                 10,327                                 (28.2%)
                                    LKE (d)                                                           595                                1,039                                (42.7%)                               2,304                                  3,550                                 (35.1%)

                                    Total                                                          13,173                               16,931                                (22.2%)                              56,302                                 65,681                                 (14.3%)
                                                                                                   ======                               ======                                                                     ======                                 ======

    (a)  Prior period volumes were restated to include unbilled volumes.
    (b)  Represents GWh supplied by PPL EnergyPlus to PPL Electric Utilities as PLR, and to other retail customers in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Montana, Delaware and Maryland.  Also includes GWh supplied by LKE to retail customers in Kentucky, Virginia and Tennessee.
    (c)  The WPD Midlands acquisition occurred April 1, 2011 and sales volumes are reported on a one-month lag.  The twelve months ended December 31, 2012 and 2011 include 51,603 GWh and 31,900 GWh delivered by WPD Midlands.
    (d)  Represents FERC-regulated municipal and unregulated off-system sales.


    Reconciliation of Segment Earnings from Ongoing Operations to Reported Earnings
    (After Tax)
    (Unaudited)

    4th Quarter 2012                                                                           (millions of dollars)
                                                                                                --------------------
                                                                          Kentucky            U.K.                   Pennsylvania
                                                                         Regulated         Regulated                   Regulated      Supply       Total
                                                                         ---------         ---------                   ---------      ------       -----
    Earnings from Ongoing
     Operations                                                                       $44                                       $172           $37              $39          $292
    Special Items:
    Adjusted energy-related
     economic activity, net                                                                                                                                15           15
    Foreign currency-related
     economic hedges                                                                                          (5)                                                       (5)
    Impairments:
                              Other asset impairments                                 (15)                                                                       (1)          (16)
    Acquisition-related
     adjustments:
                              WPD Midlands
                              ------------
                              Separation benefits                                                                                 (2)                                          (2)
    Other:
                              Change in U.K. tax rate                                                                              1                                            1
                              Line loss adjustment                                                                                74                                           74

    Total Special Items                                                               (15)                                        68                             14            67
                                                                                      ---                                        ---                            ---           ---
    Reported Earnings                                                                 $29                                       $240           $37              $53          $359
                                                                                      ===                                       ====           ===              ===          ====

                                                                                             (per share - diluted)
                                                                                              --------------------
                                                                          Kentucky            U.K.                   Pennsylvania
                                                                         Regulated         Regulated                   Regulated      Supply       Total
                                                                         ---------         ---------                   ---------      ------       -----
    Earnings from Ongoing
     Operations                                                                     $0.08                                      $0.29         $0.05            $0.07         $0.49
    Special Items:
    Adjusted energy-related
     economic activity, net                                                                                                                              0.02         0.02
    Foreign currency-related
     economic hedges                                                                                       (0.01)                                                    (0.01)
    Impairments:
                              Other asset impairments                               (0.03)                                                                                  (0.03)
    Other:
                              Line loss adjustment                                                                              0.13                                         0.13

    Total Special Items                                                             (0.03)                                      0.12                           0.02          0.11
                                                                                    -----                                       ----                           ----          ----
    Reported Earnings                                                               $0.05                                      $0.41         $0.05            $0.09         $0.60
                                                                                    =====                                      =====         =====            =====         =====


    Reconciliation of Segment Earnings from Ongoing Operations to Reported Earnings
    (After Tax)
    (Unaudited)

    Year-to-Date December 31, 2012                                                                                     (millions of dollars)
                                                                                                                       --------------------
                                                                                           Kentucky                            U.K.                 Pennsylvania
                                                                                          Regulated                       Regulated (a)              Regulated        Supply       Total
                                                                                          ---------                       -------------              ---------        ------       -----
    Earnings from Ongoing Operations                                                                                $193                                        $696          $132        $396         $1,417
    Special Items:
    Adjusted energy-related economic
     activity, net                                                                                                                                                                          38             38
    Foreign currency-related economic
     hedges                                                                                                                                    (33)                                               (33)
    Impairments:
                                        Adjustments -nuclear decommissioning
                                        trust investments                                                                                                                                    2              2
                                       Other asset impairments                                                       (15)                                                                   (1)           (16)
    Acquisition-related adjustments:
                                       WPD Midlands
                                       ------------
                                       Separation benefits                                                                                                       (11)                                     (11)
                                       Other acquisition-related adjustments                                                                                       2                                        2
                                       LKE
                                       ---
                                        Net operating loss carryforward and
                                        other tax-related adjustments                                                  4                                                                                    4
    Other:
                                       LKE discontinued operations                                                    (5)                                                                                  (5)
                                       Change in U.K. tax rate                                                                                                    75                                       75
                                       Counterparty bankruptcy                                                                                                                              (6)            (6)
                                       Wholesale supply cost reimbursement                                                                                                                   1              1
                                       Ash basin leak remediation adjustment                                                                                                                 1              1
                                       Coal contract modification payments                                                                                                                 (17)           (17)
                                       Line loss adjustment                                                                                                       74                                       74

    Total Special Items                                                                                              (16)                                        107                        18            109
                                                                                                                     ---                                         ---                       ---            ---
    Reported Earnings                                                                                               $177                                        $803          $132        $414         $1,526
                                                                                                                    ====                                        ====          ====        ====         ======

                                                                                                                       (per share - diluted)
                                                                                                                       --------------------
                                                                                           Kentucky                            U.K.                 Pennsylvania
                                                                                          Regulated                       Regulated (a)              Regulated        Supply       Total
                                                                                          ---------                       -------------              ---------        ------       -----
    Earnings from Ongoing Operations                                                                               $0.33                                       $1.19         $0.22       $0.68          $2.42
    Special Items:
    Adjusted energy-related economic
     activity, net                                                                                                                                                                        0.07           0.07
    Foreign currency-related economic
     hedges                                                                                                                                  (0.06)                                             (0.06)
    Impairments:
                                       Other asset impairments                                                     (0.03)                                                                               (0.03)
    Acquisition-related adjustments:
                                       WPD Midlands
                                       ------------
                                       Separation benefits                                                                                                     (0.02)                                   (0.02)
                                       LKE
                                       ---
                                        Net operating loss carryforward and
                                        other tax-related adjustments                                               0.01                                                                                 0.01
    Other:
                                       LKE discontinued operations                                                 (0.01)                                                                               (0.01)
                                       Change in U.K. tax rate                                                                                                  0.13                                     0.13
                                       Counterparty bankruptcy                                                                                                                           (0.01)         (0.01)
                                       Coal contract modification payments                                                                                                               (0.03)         (0.03)
                                       Line loss adjustment                                                                                                     0.13                                     0.13

    Total Special Items                                                                                            (0.03)                                       0.18                      0.03           0.18
                                                                                                                   -----                                        ----                      ----           ----
    Reported Earnings                                                                                              $0.30                                       $1.37         $0.22       $0.71          $2.60
                                                                                                                   =====                                       =====         =====       =====          =====

    (a)                                 The results of operations for 2012 are not comparable with 2011 due to the acquisition of WPD
                                        Midlands.  WPD Midlands' results are consolidated on a one-month lag, and include eight
                                        months of results in 2011, as the date of acquisition was April 1, 2011.


    Reconciliation of Segment Earnings from Ongoing Operations to Reported Earnings
    (After Tax)
    (Unaudited)

    4th Quarter 2011                                                                                (millions of dollars)
                                                                                                     --------------------
                                                                                       Kentucky             U.K.            Pennsylvania
                                                                                      Regulated          Regulated            Regulated       Supply           Total
                                                                                      ---------          ---------            ---------       ------           -----
    Earnings from Ongoing Operations                                                                $36                                $164              $58            $152    $410
    Special Items:
    Adjusted energy-related economic activity, net                                                                                                                      69      69
    Foreign currency-related economic hedges                                                                                           (3)                                      (3)
    Acquisition-related adjustments:
              WPD Midlands
              ------------
              Separation benefits                                                                                                      (7)                                      (7)
              Other acquisition-related costs                                                                                         (21)                                     (21)
    Other:
              Montana hydroelectric litigation                                                                                                                          47      47
              Windfall profits tax litigation                                                                                         (39)                                     (39)
              Counterparty bankruptcy                                                                                                                                   (6)     (6)
              Wholesale supply cost reimbursement                                                                                                                        4       4

    Total Special Items                                                                                                               (70)                             114      44
                                                                                                                                      ---                              ---     ---
    Reported Earnings                                                                             $36                                 $94              $58            $266    $454
                                                                                                  ===                                 ===              ===            ====    ====

                                                                                                (per share - diluted)
                                                                                                 --------------------
                                                                                     Kentucky             U.K.            Pennsylvania
                                                                                    Regulated          Regulated            Regulated       Supply           Total
                                                                                    ---------          ---------            ---------       ------           -----
    Earnings from Ongoing Operations                                                            $0.06                               $0.28            $0.10           $0.27   $0.71
    Special Items:
    Adjusted energy-related economic activity, net                                                                                                                    0.11    0.11
    Acquistion-related adjustments:
              WPD Midlands
              ------------
              Separation benefits                                                                                                   (0.01)                                   (0.01)
              Other acquisition-related costs                                                                                       (0.04)                                   (0.04)
    Other:
              Montana hydroelectric litigation                                                                                                                        0.08    0.08
              Windfall profits tax litigation                                                                                       (0.07)                                   (0.07)
              Counterparty bankruptcy                                                                                                                                (0.01)  (0.01)
              Wholesale supply cost reimbursement                                                                                                                     0.01    0.01

    Total Special Items                                                                                                             (0.12)                            0.19    0.07
                                                                                                                                    -----                             ----    ----
    Reported Earnings                                                                           $0.06                               $0.16            $0.10           $0.46   $0.78
                                                                                                =====                               =====            =====           =====   =====
    Reconciliation of Segment Earnings from Ongoing Operations to Reported Earnings
    (After Tax)
    (Unaudited)

    Year-to-Date December 31, 2011                                                                                 (millions of dollars)
                                                                                                                   --------------------
                                                                                        Kentucky                          U.K.                Pennsylvania
                                                                                       Regulated                     Regulated (a)             Regulated        Supply       Total
                                                                                       ---------                     -------------             ---------        ------       -----
    Earnings from Ongoing Operations                                                                           $220                                       $482          $173        $634       $1,509
    Special Items:
    Adjusted energy-related economic
     activity, net                                                                                                1                                                                   72           73
    Foreign currency-related economic
     hedges                                                                                                                                 5                                                5
    Impairments:
                                       Emission allowances                                                                                                                            (1)          (1)
                                       Renewable energy credits                                                                                                                       (3)          (3)
    Acquisition-related adjustments:
                                       WPD Midlands
                                       ------------
                                       2011 Bridge Facility costs                                                                                          (30)                                   (30)
                                        Foreign currency loss on 2011 Bridge
                                        Facility                                                                                                           (38)                                   (38)
                                       Net hedge gains                                                                                                      38                                     38
                                       Hedge ineffectiveness                                                                                                (9)                                    (9)
                                       U.K. stamp duty tax                                                                                                 (21)                                   (21)
                                       Separation benefits                                                                                                 (75)                                   (75)
                                       Other acquisition-related costs                                                                                     (57)                                   (57)
                                       LKE
                                       ---
                                        Sale of certain non-core generation
                                        facilities                                                                                                                                    (2)          (2)
    Other:
                                       Montana hydroelectric litigation                                                                                                               45           45
                                        Litigation settlement -spent nuclear
                                        fuel storage                                                                                                                                  33           33
                                       Change in U.K. tax rate                                                                                              69                                     69
                                       Windfall profits tax litigation                                                                                     (39)                                   (39)
                                       Counterparty bankruptcy                                                                                                                        (6)          (6)
                                       Wholesale supply cost reimbursement                                                                                                             4            4

    Total Special Items                                                                                           1                                       (157)                      142          (14)
                                                                                                                ---                                       ----                       ---          ---
    Reported Earnings                                                                                          $221                                       $325          $173        $776       $1,495
                                                                                                               ====                                       ====          ====        ====       ======

                                                                                                                   (per share - diluted)
                                                                                                                   --------------------
                                                                                        Kentucky                          U.K.                Pennsylvania
                                                                                       Regulated                     Regulated (a)             Regulated        Supply       Total
                                                                                       ---------                     -------------             ---------        ------       -----
    Earnings from Ongoing Operations                                                                          $0.40                                      $0.87         $0.31       $1.15        $2.73
    Special Items:
    Adjusted energy-related economic
     activity, net                                                                                                                                                                  0.12         0.12
    Foreign currency-related economic
     hedges                                                                                                                              0.01                                             0.01
    Impairments:
                                       Renewable energy credits                                                                                                                    (0.01)       (0.01)
    Acquisition-related adjustments:
                                       WPD Midlands
                                       ------------
                                       2011 Bridge Facility costs                                                                                        (0.05)                                 (0.05)
                                        Foreign currency loss on 2011 Bridge
                                        Facility                                                                                                         (0.07)                                 (0.07)
                                       Net hedge gains                                                                                                    0.07                                   0.07
                                       Hedge ineffectiveness                                                                                             (0.02)                                 (0.02)
                                       U.K. stamp duty tax                                                                                               (0.04)                                 (0.04)
                                       Separation benefits                                                                                               (0.13)                                 (0.13)
                                       Other acquisition-related costs                                                                                   (0.10)                                 (0.10)
    Other:
                                       Montana hydroelectric litigation                                                                                                             0.08         0.08
                                        Litigation settlement -spent nuclear
                                        fuel storage                                                                                                                                0.06         0.06
                                       Change in U.K. tax rate                                                                                            0.12                                   0.12
                                       Windfall profits tax litigation                                                                                   (0.07)                                 (0.07)
                                       Counterparty bankruptcy                                                                                                                     (0.01)       (0.01)
                                       Wholesale supply cost reimbursement                                                                                                          0.01         0.01

    Total Special Items                                                                                                                                  (0.28)                     0.25        (0.03)
                                                                                                                                                         -----                      ----        -----
    Reported Earnings                                                                                         $0.40                                      $0.59         $0.31       $1.40        $2.70
                                                                                                              =====                                      =====         =====       =====        =====

    (a)                                 The results of operations for 2012 are not comparable with 2011 due to the acquisition of
                                        WPD Midlands.  WPD Midlands' results are consolidated on a one-month lag, and include
                                        eight months of results in 2011, as the date of the acquisition was April 1, 2011.

SOURCE PPL Corporation


Source: PR Newswire