Ameren Announces Second Quarter 2019 Results
ST. LOUIS, Mo., Aug. 2, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Ameren Corporation (NYSE: AEE) today announced second quarter 2019 net income attributable to common shareholders of $179 million, or $0.72 per diluted share, compared to second quarter 2018 net income attributable to common shareholders of $239 million, or $0.97 per diluted share.
The decrease in year-over-year second quarter earnings was due to lower earnings at Ameren Missouri and Ameren Illinois Natural Gas partially offset by higher earnings at Ameren Transmission and Ameren Illinois Electric Distribution. Ameren Missouri's earnings reflected lower electric retail sales due to mild early summer temperatures compared to extremely warm early summer temperatures in the year-ago period. In addition, the Callaway Energy Center refueling and maintenance outage increased Ameren Missouri's operations and maintenance expenses compared to 2018 when there was no such outage. These factors were partially offset by the comparative impacts of timing differences in 2018 between income tax expense and revenue reductions related to federal tax reform. Ameren Illinois Natural Gas earnings also declined reflecting a change in rate design. Finally, increased infrastructure investments drove higher earnings at Ameren Transmission and Ameren Illinois Electric Distribution.
"Despite mild early summer weather, we remain on track to deliver within our 2019 earnings guidance range of $3.15 to $3.35," said Warner L. Baxter, chairman, president and chief executive officer of Ameren Corporation. "Our team continues to execute our strategy, which includes significant investment in energy infrastructure in each of our business segments and managing costs in a disciplined manner to deliver significant customer benefits while keeping rates affordable."
Ameren recorded net income attributable to common shareholders for the six months ended June 30, 2019, of $370 million, or $1.50 per diluted share, compared to net income attributable to common shareholders for the six months ended June 30, 2018, of $390 million, or $1.59 per diluted share.
The decrease in year-over-year six-month earnings was due to lower earnings at Ameren Missouri partially offset by higher earnings at Ameren's other business segments. Ameren Missouri's earnings reflected lower electric retail sales primarily due to mild early summer temperatures compared to extremely warm early summer temperatures in the year-ago period. In addition, the Callaway Energy Center refueling and maintenance outage increased Ameren Missouri's operations and maintenance expenses compared to 2018 when there was no such outage. These factors were partially offset by higher energy efficiency performance incentives at Ameren Missouri. Higher earnings at Ameren Transmission and Ameren Illinois Electric Distribution reflected increased infrastructure investments. Ameren Illinois Natural Gas earnings also rose reflecting higher delivery service rates and a change in rate design. Finally, the earnings comparison also benefited from a lower consolidated effective income tax rate in 2019.
Earnings Guidance
Today, Ameren reaffirmed its 2019 earnings guidance range of $3.15 to $3.35 per diluted share. Earnings guidance for 2019 assumes normal temperatures for the last six months of this year and is subject to the effects of, among other things: 30-year U.S. Treasury bond yields; regulatory, judicial and legislative actions; energy center and energy distribution operations; energy, economic, capital and credit market conditions; severe storms; unusual or otherwise unexpected gains or losses; and other risks and uncertainties outlined, or referred to, in the Forward-looking Statements section of this press release.
Ameren Missouri Segment Results
Ameren Missouri second quarter 2019 earnings were $107 million, compared to second quarter 2018 earnings of $168 million. The year-over-year decline reflected lower electric retail sales, which decreased earnings by an estimated $53 million, due primarily to mild early summer temperatures compared to extremely warm early summer temperatures in the year-ago period. In addition, the Callaway Energy Center refueling and maintenance outage decreased earnings by $18 million compared to 2018 when there was no such outage. These factors were partially offset by the comparative impacts of $14 million of timing differences in 2018 between income tax expense and revenue reductions related to the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017. This timing difference will impact 2019 quarterly earnings comparisons but is not expected to impact the full-year comparison.
Ameren Illinois Electric Distribution Segment Results
Ameren Illinois Electric Distribution second quarter 2019 earnings were $37 million, compared to second quarter 2018 earnings of $33 million. The year-over-year improvement reflected increased earnings on infrastructure investments largely offset by a lower allowed return on equity due to a lower projected average 30-year U.S. Treasury bond yield in 2019 compared to 2018.
Ameren Illinois Natural Gas Segment Results
Ameren Illinois Natural Gas second quarter 2019 earnings were $1 million, compared to second quarter 2018 earnings of $7 million. The year-over-year decline primarily related to a change in rate design, which is not expected to impact full-year results.
Ameren Transmission Segment Results
Ameren Transmission second quarter 2019 earnings were $42 million, compared to second quarter 2018 earnings of $36 million. The year-over-year improvement reflected increased earnings on infrastructure investments.
Other Results (includes items not reported in a business segment)
Other results for the second quarter of 2019 reflected a loss of $8 million, compared to a second quarter 2018 loss of $5 million. The year-over-year loss increased primarily due to an increase in income tax expense, which is not expected to impact full-year results.
Analyst Conference Call
Ameren will conduct a conference call for financial analysts at 9 a.m. Central Time on Friday, Aug. 2, to discuss 2019 earnings, earnings guidance and other matters. Investors, the news media and the public may listen to a live broadcast of the call at AmerenInvestors.com by clicking on "Webcast" under "Q2 2019 Earnings Conference Call," where an accompanying slide presentation will also be available. The conference call and presentation will be archived for one year in the "Investor News & Events" section of the website under "Events and Presentations."
About Ameren
St. Louis-based Ameren Corporation powers the quality of life for 2.4 million electric customers and more than 900,000 natural gas customers in a 64,000-square-mile area through its Ameren Missouri and Ameren Illinois rate-regulated utility subsidiaries. Ameren Illinois provides electric transmission and distribution service and natural gas distribution service. Ameren Missouri provides electric generation, transmission and distribution service, as well as natural gas distribution service. Ameren Transmission Company of Illinois develops, owns and operates rate-regulated regional electric transmission projects. For more information, visit Ameren.com, or follow us on Twitter at @AmerenCorp, Facebook.com/AmerenCorp, or LinkedIn/company/Ameren.
Forward-looking Statements
Statements in this release not based on historical facts are considered "forward-looking" and, accordingly, involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those discussed. Although such forward-looking statements have been made in good faith and are based on reasonable assumptions, there is no assurance that the expected results will be achieved. These statements include (without limitation) statements as to future expectations, beliefs, plans, strategies, objectives, events, conditions, and financial performance. In connection with the "safe harbor" provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, we are providing this cautionary statement to identify important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those anticipated. The following factors, in addition to those discussed under Risk Factors in Ameren's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year-ended December 31, 2018, and elsewhere in this release and in our other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, could cause actual results to differ materially from management expectations suggested in such forward-looking statements:
-- regulatory, judicial, or legislative actions, and any changes in
regulatory policies and ratemaking determinations, such as those that
may result from the complaint case filed in February 2015 with the
Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC), a new methodology to
determine the allowed base return on common equity under the
Midcontinent Independent System Operator (MISO) tariff proposed by the
FERC in November 2018, the Notices of Inquiry issued by the FERC in
March 2019, Ameren Missouri's electric regulatory rate review filed with
the Missouri Public Service Commission (MoPSC) in July 2019, Ameren
Missouri's natural gas regulatory rate review filed with the MoPSC in
December 2018, an appeal filed by the Missouri Office of Public Counsel
in January 2019 in Ameren Missouri's Renewable Energy Standard Rate
Adjustment Mechanism case, Ameren Illinois' May 2019 annual electric
energy-efficiency formula rate update, Ameren Illinois' April 2019
annual electric distribution formula rate update filing, and future
regulatory, judicial, or legislative actions that change regulatory
recovery mechanisms;
-- the effect of Ameren Illinois' participation in performance-based
formula ratemaking frameworks under the Illinois Energy Infrastructure
Modernization Act and the Illinois Future Energy Jobs Act (FEJA),
including the direct relationship between Ameren Illinois' return on
common equity and the 30-year United States Treasury bond yields, and
the related financial commitments;
-- the effect of Missouri Senate Bill 564 on Ameren Missouri, including
customer rate caps pursuant to Ameren Missouri's election to use
plant-in-service accounting;
-- the effects of changes in federal, state, or local laws and other
governmental actions, including monetary, fiscal, and energy policies;
-- the effects of changes in federal, state, or local tax laws,
regulations, interpretations, or rates, amendments or technical
corrections to the TCJA, and challenges to the tax positions we have
taken;
-- the effects on demand for our services resulting from technological
advances, including advances in customer energy efficiency, energy
storage, and private generation sources, which generate electricity at
the site of consumption and are becoming more cost-competitive;
-- the effectiveness of Ameren Missouri's customer energy-efficiency
programs and the related revenues and performance incentives earned
under its Missouri Energy Efficiency Investment Act programs;
-- Ameren Illinois' ability to achieve the performance standards applicable
to its electric distribution business and the FEJA electric customer
energy-efficiency goals and the resulting impact on its allowed return
on equity;
-- our ability to align overall spending, both operating and capital, with
frameworks established by our regulators and to recover these costs in a
timely manner in our attempt to earn our allowed returns on equity;
-- the cost and availability of fuel, such as ultra-low-sulfur coal,
natural gas, and enriched uranium used to produce electricity; the cost
and availability of purchased power, zero emission credits, renewable
energy credits, and natural gas for distribution; and the level and
volatility of future market prices for such commodities and credits,
including our ability to recover the costs for such commodities and
credits and our customers' tolerance for any related price increases;
-- disruptions in the delivery of fuel, failure of our fuel suppliers to
provide adequate quantities or quality of fuel, or lack of adequate
inventories of fuel, including nuclear fuel assemblies from the one
Nuclear Regulatory Commission-licensed supplier of Ameren Missouri's
Callaway Energy Center's assemblies;
-- the cost and availability of transmission capacity for the energy
generated by Ameren Missouri's energy centers or required to satisfy
Ameren Missouri's energy sales;
-- the effectiveness of our risk management strategies and our use of
financial and derivative instruments;
-- the ability to obtain sufficient insurance, including insurance for
Ameren Missouri's Callaway Energy Center, or, in the absence of
insurance, the ability to recover uninsured losses from our customers;
-- the impact of cyberattacks on us or our suppliers, which could, among
other things, result in the loss of operational control of energy
centers and electric and natural gas transmission and distribution
systems and/or the loss of data, such as customer, employee, financial,
and operating system information;
-- business and economic conditions, including their impact on interest
rates, collection of our receivable balances, and demand for our
products;
-- disruptions of the capital markets, deterioration in our credit metrics,
including as a result of the implementation of the TCJA, or other events
that may have an adverse effect on the cost or availability of capital,
including short-term credit and liquidity;
-- the actions of credit rating agencies and the effects of such actions;
-- the inability of our counterparties to meet their obligations with
respect to contracts, credit agreements, and financial instruments;
-- the impact of weather conditions and other natural phenomena on us and
our customers, including the impact of system outages;
-- the construction, installation, performance, and cost recovery of
generation, transmission, and distribution assets;
-- the effects of failures of equipment in the operation of natural gas
transmission and distribution systems and storage facilities, such as
leaks, explosions, and mechanical problems, and compliance with natural
gas safety regulations;
-- the effects of failures of electric generation, transmission, or
distribution equipment or facilities, which could result in
unanticipated liabilities or unplanned outages;
-- the operation of Ameren Missouri's Callaway Energy Center, including
planned and unplanned outages, and decommissioning costs;
-- the impact of current environmental laws and new, more stringent, or
changing requirements, including those related to carbon dioxide and the
adoption and implementation of the Affordable Clean Energy Rule, other
emissions and discharges, cooling water intake structures, coal
combustion residuals, and energy efficiency, that could limit or
terminate the operation of certain of Ameren Missouri's energy centers,
increase our operating costs or investment requirements, result in an
impairment of our assets, cause us to sell our assets, reduce our
customers' demand for electricity or natural gas, or otherwise have a
negative financial effect;
-- the impact of complying with renewable energy requirements in Missouri
and Illinois and with the zero emission standard in Illinois;
-- Ameren Missouri's ability to acquire wind and other renewable energy
generation facilities and recover its cost of investment and related
return in a timely manner, which is affected by the ability to obtain
all necessary project approvals; the availability of federal production
and investment tax credits related to renewable energy and Ameren
Missouri's ability to use such credits; the cost of wind and solar
generation technologies; and Ameren Missouri's ability to obtain timely
interconnection agreements with MISO or other Regional Transmission
Organizations at an acceptable cost for each facility;
-- labor disputes, work force reductions, changes in future wage and
employee benefits costs, including those resulting from changes in
discount rates, mortality tables, returns on benefit plan assets, and
other assumptions;
-- the impact of negative opinions of us or our utility services that our
customers, legislators, or regulators may have or develop, which could
result from a variety of factors, including failures in system
reliability, failure to implement our investment plans or to protect
sensitive customer information, increases in rates, or negative media
coverage;
-- the impact of adopting new accounting guidance;
-- the effects of strategic initiatives, including mergers, acquisitions,
and divestitures;
-- legal and administrative proceedings; and
-- acts of sabotage, war, terrorism, or other intentionally disruptive
acts.
New factors emerge from time to time, and it is not possible for management to predict all of such factors, nor can it assess the impact of each such factor on the business or the extent to which any factor, or combination of factors, may cause actual results to differ materially from those contained or implied in any forward-looking statement. Given these uncertainties, undue reliance should not be placed on these forward-looking statements. Except to the extent required by the federal securities laws, we undertake no obligation to update or revise publicly any forward-looking statements to reflect new information or future events.
AMEREN CORPORATION (AEE)
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF INCOME
(Unaudited, in millions, except per share amounts)
Three Months Ended Six Months Ended
June 30, June 30,
2019 2018 2019 2018
---
Operating Revenues:
Electric $
1,218 $
1,396 $
2,400 $
2,619
Natural gas 161 167 535 529
Total operating revenues 1,379 1,563 2,935 3,148
Operating Expenses:
Fuel 102 186 262 374
Purchased power 136 142 292 305
Natural gas purchased for resale 44 51 205 222
Other operations and maintenance 450 439 867 870
Depreciation and amortization 249 238 497 472
Taxes other than income taxes 118 122 244 247
Total operating expenses 1,099 1,178 2,367 2,490
Operating Income 280 385 568 658
Other Income, Net 36 29 65 52
Interest Charges 97 100 194 201
Income Before Income Taxes 219 314 439 509
Income Taxes 39 74 66 116
Net Income 180 240 373 393
Less: Net Income Attributable to
Noncontrolling Interests 1 1 3 3
Net Income Attributable to
Ameren Common Shareholders $
179 $
239 $
370 $
390
---
Earnings per Common Share -
Basic $
0.73 $
0.98 $
1.51 $
1.60
Earnings per Common Share -
Diluted $
0.72 $
0.97 $
1.50 $
1.59
Weighted-average Common Shares
Outstanding - Basic 245.6 243.7 245.3 243.3
Weighted-average Common Shares
Outstanding - Diluted 247.2 245.8 246.8 245.1
---
AMEREN CORPORATION (AEE)
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET
(Unaudited, in millions)
June 30, December 31,
2019 2018
---
ASSETS
Current Assets:
Cash and cash equivalents $
6 $
16
Accounts receivable -trade (less
allowance for doubtful accounts) 461 463
Unbilled revenue 326 295
Miscellaneous accounts receivable 91 79
Inventories 433 483
Current regulatory assets 107 134
Other current assets 90 63
Total current assets 1,514 1,533
Property, Plant, and Equipment, Net 23,479 22,810
Investments and Other Assets:
Nuclear decommissioning trust fund 783 684
Goodwill 411 411
Regulatory assets 1,175 1,127
Other assets 741 650
Total investments and other assets 3,110 2,872
---
TOTAL ASSETS $
28,103 $
27,215
---
LIABILITIES AND EQUITY
Current Liabilities:
Current maturities of long-term debt $
336 $
580
Short-term debt 999 597
Accounts and wages payable 593 817
Current regulatory liabilities 156 149
Other current liabilities 668 544
Total current liabilities 2,752 2,687
Long-term Debt, Net 8,222 7,859
Deferred Credits and Other Liabilities:
Accumulated deferred income taxes and
investment tax credits, net 2,758 2,666
Regulatory liabilities 4,768 4,637
Asset retirement obligations 667 627
Pension and other postretirement
benefits 539 558
Other deferred credits and
liabilities 464 408
Total deferred credits and other
liabilities 9,196 8,896
Ameren Corporation Shareholders' Equity:
Common stock 2 2
Other paid-in capital, principally
premium on common stock 5,649 5,627
Retained earnings 2,161 2,024
Accumulated other comprehensive loss (21) (22)
Total Ameren Corporation
shareholders' equity 7,791 7,631
Noncontrolling Interests 142 142
Total equity 7,933 7,773
---
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND EQUITY $
28,103 $
27,215
---
AMEREN CORPORATION (AEE)
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS
(Unaudited, in millions)
Six Months Ended June 30,
2019 2018
---
Cash Flows From Operating Activities:
Net income $
373 $
393
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by
operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization 494 463
Amortization of nuclear fuel 33 48
Amortization of debt issuance costs and premium/
discounts 9 11
Deferred income taxes and investment tax
credits, net 54 81
Allowance for equity funds used during
construction (13) (14)
Stock-based compensation costs 10 10
Other (5) 11
Changes in assets and liabilities (76) (183)
Net cash provided by operating activities 879 820
---
Cash Flows From Investing Activities:
Capital expenditures (1,125) (1,112)
Nuclear fuel expenditures (25) (16)
Purchases of securities - nuclear
decommissioning trust fund (96) (129)
Sales and maturities of securities - nuclear
decommissioning trust fund 95 122
Purchase of bonds (97)
Proceeds from sale of remarketed bonds 97
Other (3) 6
Net cash used in investing activities (1,154) (1,129)
---
Cash Flows From Financing Activities:
Dividends on common stock (233) (223)
Dividends paid to noncontrolling interest
holders (3) (3)
Short-term debt, net 401 21
Maturities of long-term debt (329) (323)
Issuances of long-term debt 450 853
Issuances of common stock 37 40
Employee payroll taxes related to stock-based
compensation (29) (19)
Debt issuance costs (4) (9)
Net cash provided by financing activities 290 337
Net change in cash, cash equivalents, and
restricted cash 15 28
Cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash at
beginning of year 107 68
Cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash at
end of period $
122 $
96
---
AMEREN CORPORATION (AEE)
OPERATING STATISTICS
Three Months Ended Six Months Ended
June 30,
June 30,
2019 2018 2019 2018
---
Electric Sales -kilowatthours (in millions):
Ameren Missouri
Residential 2,688 3,346 6,526 7,126
Commercial 3,426 3,724 6,975 7,252
Industrial 1,080 1,137 2,092 2,190
Street lighting and public authority 21 25 49 54
Ameren Missouri retail load subtotal 7,215 8,232 15,642 16,622
Off-system 719 2,316 2,555 4,865
Ameren Missouri total 7,934 10,548 18,197 21,487
Ameren Illinois Electric Distribution
Residential 2,381 2,859 5,514 5,930
Commercial 2,919 3,137 5,876 6,114
Industrial 3,021 2,921 5,765 5,735
Street lighting and public authority 116 113 253 259
Ameren Illinois Electric Distribution
total 8,437 9,030 17,408 18,038
Eliminate affiliate sales (32) (84) (49) (162)
Ameren Total 16,339 19,494 35,556 39,363
---
Electric Revenues (in millions):
Ameren Missouri
Residential $
333 $
432 $
645 $
764
Commercial 310 364 549 616
Industrial 77 87 132 148
Other, including street lighting and
public authority 29 (15) 70 12
Ameren Missouri retail load subtotal $
749 $
868 $
1,396 $
1,540
Off-system 24 62 81 131
Ameren Missouri total $
773 $
930 $
1,477 $
1,671
Ameren Illinois Electric Distribution
Residential $
199 $
221 $
416 $
440
Commercial 124 126 247 250
Industrial 33 33 67 68
Other, including street lighting and
public authority 3 7 16 29
Ameren Illinois Electric Distribution
total $
359 $
387 $
746 $
787
Ameren Transmission
Ameren Illinois Transmission(a) $
66 $
62 $
136 $
124
ATXI 43 41 87 83
Ameren Transmission total $
109 $
103 $
223 $
207
Other and intersegment
eliminations(a) (23) (24) (46) (46)
Ameren Total $
1,218 $
1,396 $
2,400 $
2,619
---
(a) Includes $14 million, $13
million, $29 million and $26
million, respectively, of
electric operating revenues
from transmission services
provided to the Ameren Illinois
Electric Distribution segment.
AMEREN CORPORATION (AEE)
OPERATING STATISTICS
Three Months Ended Six Months Ended
June 30, June 30,
2019 2018 2019 2018
---
Gas Sales -dekatherms (in millions):
Ameren Missouri 3 3 12 12
Ameren Illinois Natural
Gas 30 34 103 102
Ameren Total 33 37 115 114
---
Gas Revenues (in millions):
Ameren Missouri $
25 $
25 $
79 $
76
Ameren Illinois Natural
Gas 136 142 456 453
Ameren Total $
161 $
167 $
535 $
529
---
June 30, December 31,
2019 2018
Common Stock:
Shares outstanding (in millions) 245.8 244.5
Book value per share $
31.70 $
31.21
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