AEP Reports Strong 2020 Earnings; Raises 2021 Operating Earnings Guidance

COLUMBUS, Ohio, Feb. 25, 2021 /PRNewswire/ --



                                                                                                       
            
              AMERICAN ELECTRIC POWER

                                                                                                   
            
              Preliminary, unaudited results




                                                                                                                          Fourth Quarter ended December 31             Year-to-date ended December 31


                                                                                                       2020         2019                        Variance   2020   2019                   Variance



       
              Revenue ($ in billions):                                                     3.6                    3.6                                                                   14.9             15.6         (0.7)



       
              Earnings ($ in millions):


                                               
            GAAP                                            435.5                                       153.5   282.0                                     2,200.1      1,921.1       279.0


                                               
            Operating (non-GAAP)                            432.7                                       294.1   138.6                                     2,198.6      2,094.8       103.8





       
              EPS ($):


                                               
            GAAP                                             0.88                                        0.31    0.57                                        4.44         3.89        0.55


                                               
            Operating (non-GAAP)                             0.87                                        0.60    0.27                                        4.44         4.24        0.20





       EPS based on 496 million shares 4Q 2020, 494 million shares 4Q 2019, 496 million shares YTD 2020 and 494 million shares YTD 2019.

    ---

American Electric Power (Nasdaq: AEP) today reported fourth-quarter 2020 earnings, prepared in accordance with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP), of $436 million or $0.88 per share, compared with GAAP earnings of $154 million or $0.31 per share in fourth-quarter 2019. Operating earnings for fourth-quarter 2020 were $433 million or $0.87 per share, compared with operating earnings of $294 million or $0.60 per share in fourth-quarter 2019. Operating earnings is a non-GAAP measure representing GAAP earnings excluding special items.

Year-end 2020 GAAP earnings were $2.2 billion or $4.44 per share, compared with GAAP earnings of $1.921 billion or $3.89 per share for year-end 2019. Year-end 2020 operating earnings were $2.199 billion or $4.44 per share, compared with operating earnings of $2.095 billion or $4.24 per share for year-end 2019.

A full reconciliation of GAAP earnings to operating earnings for the quarter and year-to-date is included in the tables at the end of this news release.

"Throughout 2020, our employees continued their critical work to keep safe, reliable power flowing to our customers during the pandemic. I'm grateful for their agility and commitment to providing this essential service in our communities. We remain focused on working proactively with our customers to help them manage their energy bills and offer support for those who are facing economic hardships during this time," said Nicholas K. Akins, AEP's chairman, president and chief executive officer.

"Our earnings performance in 2020 was driven by our long-term strategy to invest in the infrastructure and energy solutions that enhance service for our customers and support the transition to a clean energy future, while remaining focused on cost efficiency. We've raised our 2021 operating earnings guidance range to $4.55 to $4.75 per share based on these results and are committed to our long-term growth rate of 5% to 7% from this revised guidance.

"We continue to transform our generation fleet and plan to add more than 10,000 megawatts of wind and solar generation in our regulated states by 2030. We've also established revised carbon dioxide emissions reduction goals as we accelerate our transition to a clean energy future. Our new goals are to achieve an 80% reduction in emissions by 2030 from our 2000 baseline and reach net zero emissions by 2050. We are focused on diversifying our fuel mix, deploying and investing in new technologies, and modernizing the grid to help us meet these targets and deliver clean energy to our customers," Akins said.

"Investments in our transmission system will help ensure we can maintain a reliable and resilient grid and advance the adoption of efficient, cost-effective renewables to support the path to net zero emissions. In 2020, our Transmission Holding Co. contributed $1.03 per share to operating earnings, and net plant assets grew by $1.3 billion, or 13%.

"We saw some improvement in load at the end of 2020 as the economy began to bounce back from the impacts of the pandemic. Overall, we expect modest load growth this year as the economy continues to recover, led by expected growth in industrial sales," Akins said.

                                              
     
        SUMMARY OF RESULTS BY SEGMENT

                                                                                                               
        $ in millions




               GAAP Earnings      4Q 20 4Q 19     Variance                         YTD 20 YTD 19   Variance


     Vertically
      Integrated
      Utilities (a)               166.9                64.3                                  102.6          1,061.6              982.0    79.6


     Transmission &
      Distribution
      Utilities (b)                93.3                29.4                                   63.9            496.4              451.0    45.4


     AEP Transmission
      Holdco (c)                  134.4               111.5                                   22.9            504.8              516.3  (11.5)


     Generation &
      Marketing (d)                15.9              (26.7)                                  42.6            226.9              112.8   114.1


     All Other                     25.0              (25.0)                                  50.0           (89.6)           (141.0)   51.4



               Total GAAP
                Earnings (Loss)   435.5               153.5                                  282.0          2,200.1            1,921.1   279.0




               Operating Earnings
                (non-GAAP)        4Q 20 4Q 19     Variance                         YTD 20 YTD 19   Variance


     Vertically
      Integrated
      Utilities (a)               155.1               136.5                                   18.6          1,095.2            1,072.1    23.1


     Transmission &
      Distribution
      Utilities (b)                93.8                71.0                                   22.8            508.3              492.8    15.5


     AEP Transmission
      Holdco (c)                  134.6               111.5                                   23.1            508.7              516.4   (7.7)


     Generation &
      Marketing (d)                24.2                 0.1                                   24.1            178.0              148.9    29.1


     All Other                     25.0              (25.0)                                  50.0           (91.6)           (135.4)   43.8



               Total Operating
                Earnings (non-
                GAAP)             432.7               294.1                                  138.6          2,198.6            2,094.8   103.8



               A full reconciliation of GAAP earnings with
                operating earnings is included in tables at the
                end of this news release.



              (a)                Includes AEP Generating Co.,
                                   Appalachian Power, Indiana
                                   Michigan Power, Kentucky Power,
                                   Kingsport Power, Public Service
                                   Co. of Oklahoma, Southwestern
                                   Electric Power and Wheeling Power



              (b)                Includes Ohio Power and AEP Texas



              (c)                Includes wholly-owned
                                   transmission-only subsidiaries
                                   and transmission-only joint
                                   ventures



              (d)                Includes AEP OnSite Partners, AEP
                                   Renewables, competitive
                                   generation in ERCOT and PJM as
                                   well as marketing, risk
                                   management and retail activities
                                   in ERCOT, PJM and MISO

EARNINGS GUIDANCE

AEP management raised its 2021 operating earnings guidance range to $4.55 to $4.75 per share. Operating earnings could differ from GAAP earnings for matters such as impairments, divestitures or changes in accounting principles. AEP management is not able to forecast if any of these items will occur or any amounts that may be reported for future periods. Therefore, AEP is not able to provide a corresponding GAAP equivalent for earnings guidance.

WEBCAST

AEP's quarterly discussion with financial analysts and investors will be broadcast live over the internet at 9 a.m. Eastern today at http://www.aep.com/webcasts. The webcast will include audio of the discussion and visuals of charts and graphics referred to by AEP management. The charts and graphics will be available for download at http://www.aep.com/webcasts.

AEP's earnings are prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States and represent the company's earnings as reported to the Securities and Exchange Commission. The company's operating earnings, a non-GAAP measure representing GAAP earnings excluding special items as described in the news release and charts, provide another representation for investors to evaluate the performance of the company's ongoing business activities. AEP uses operating earnings as the primary performance measurement when communicating with analysts and investors regarding its earnings outlook and results. The company uses operating earnings data internally to measure performance against budget, to report to AEP's Board of Directors and also as an input in determining performance-based compensation under the company's employee incentive compensation plans.

American Electric Power, based in Columbus, Ohio, is focused on building a smarter energy infrastructure and delivering new technologies and custom energy solutions to our customers. AEP's approximately 16,800 employees operate and maintain the nation's largest electricity transmission system and more than 223,000 miles of distribution lines to efficiently deliver safe, reliable power to nearly 5.5 million regulated customers in 11 states. AEP also is one of the nation's largest electricity producers with approximately 30,000 megawatts of diverse generating capacity, including more than 5,300 megawatts of renewable energy. AEP's family of companies includes utilities AEP Ohio, AEP Texas, Appalachian Power (in Virginia and West Virginia), AEP Appalachian Power (in Tennessee), Indiana Michigan Power, Kentucky Power, Public Service Company of Oklahoma, and Southwestern Electric Power Company (in Arkansas, Louisiana, east Texas and the Texas Panhandle). AEP also owns AEP Energy, AEP Energy Partners, AEP OnSite Partners, and AEP Renewables, which provide innovative competitive energy solutions nationwide. For more information, visit aep.com.

This report made by American Electric Power and its Registrant Subsidiaries contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Although AEP and each of its Registrant Subsidiaries believe that their expectations are based on reasonable assumptions, any such statements may be influenced by factors that could cause actual outcomes and results to be materially different from those projected. Among the factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements are: changes in economic conditions, electric market demand and demographic patterns in AEP service territories; the impact of pandemics, including COVID-19, and any associated disruption of AEP's business operations due to impacts on economic or market conditions, electricity usage, employees, customers, service providers, vendors and suppliers; inflationary or deflationary interest rate trends; volatility in the financial markets, particularly developments affecting the availability or cost of capital to finance new capital projects and refinance existing debt; the availability and cost of funds to finance working capital and capital needs, particularly during periods when the time lag between incurring costs and recovery is long and the costs are material; decreased demand for electricity; weather conditions, including storms and drought conditions, and AEP's ability to recover significant storm restoration costs; the cost of fuel and its transportation, the creditworthiness and performance of fuel suppliers and transporters and the cost of storing and disposing of used fuel, including coal ash and spent nuclear fuel; the availability of fuel and necessary generation capacity and the performance of AEP's generation plants; AEP's ability to recover fuel and other energy costs through regulated or competitive electric rates; AEP's ability to build or acquire renewable generation, transmission lines and facilities (including the ability to obtain any necessary regulatory approvals and permits) when needed at acceptable prices and terms, including favorable tax treatment, and to recover those costs; new legislation, litigation and government regulation, including changes to tax laws and regulations, oversight of nuclear generation, energy commodity trading and new or heightened requirements for reduced emissions of sulfur, nitrogen, mercury, carbon, soot or particulate matter and other substances that could impact the continued operation, cost recovery, and/or profitability of AEP's generation plants and related assets; evolving public perception of the risks associated with fuels used before, during and after the generation of electricity, including coal ash and nuclear fuel; timing and resolution of pending and future rate cases, negotiations and other regulatory decisions, including rate or other recovery of new investments in generation, distribution and transmission service and environmental compliance; resolution of litigation; AEP's ability to constrain operation and maintenance costs; prices and demand for power generated and sold at wholesale; changes in technology, particularly with respect to energy storage and new, developing, alternative or distributed sources of generation; AEP's ability to recover through rates any remaining unrecovered investment in generation units that may be retired before the end of their previously projected useful lives; volatility and changes in markets for coal and other energy-related commodities, particularly changes in the price of natural gas; changes in utility regulation and the allocation of costs within regional transmission organizations, including ERCOT, PJM and SPP; changes in the creditworthiness of the counterparties with whom AEP has contractual arrangements, including participants in the energy trading market; actions of rating agencies, including changes in the ratings of AEP debt; the impact of volatility in the capital markets on the value of the investments held by AEP's pension, OPEB, captive insurance entity and nuclear decommissioning trust and the impact of such volatility on future funding requirements; accounting standards periodically issued by accounting standard-setting bodies; other risks and unforeseen events, including wars, the effects of terrorism (including increased security costs), embargoes, naturally occurring and human-caused fires, cyber security threats and other catastrophic events; and the ability to attract and retain the requisite work force and key personnel.

                                                                                                                     
              
                American Electric Power


                                                                                                          
             
                Financial Results for the Fourth Quarter of 2020


                                                                                                        
            
               Reconciliation of GAAP to Operating Earnings (non-GAAP)




                                                                                                                                                                      2020

                                                                                                                                                                 ---

                                                                   Vertically         Transmission                           AEP                          Generation                    Corporate           Total 
     EPS
                                                              Integrated               &
                                                                                   Distribution                      Transmission                           &                        and Other
                                                              Utilities           Utilities                           Holdco                          Marketing



                                                                                
              ($ millions)





                            GAAP Earnings (Loss)                       166.9                                93.3                                                 134.4                              15.9                25.0    435.5             $
          0.88




                            Special Items


                            Mark-to-Market Impact of
                             Commodity Hedging Activities (a)                                                                                                                                        4.4                         4.4    0.01


                 
              COVID-19                      (b)               1.7                                 0.5                                                   0.2                               0.1                         2.5


                 
              CARES Act                     (d)                                                                                                                                        3.8                         3.8    0.01


                            Virginia Triennial Review     (e)            (13.5)                                                                                                                                              (13.5)          $
          (0.03)




              Total Special Items                                    (11.8)                                0.5                                                   0.2                               8.3                       (2.8)          $
          (0.01)





                            Operating Earnings (Loss)                  155.1                                93.8                                                 134.6                              24.2                25.0    432.7             $
          0.87
    (non-GAAP)






                                                                                                          
             
                Financial Results for the Fourth Quarter of 2019


                                                                                                        
            
               Reconciliation of GAAP to Operating Earnings (non-GAAP)




                                                                                                                                                                      2019

                                                                                                                                                                 ---

                                                                   Vertically         Transmission                           AEP                          Generation                    Corporate           Total 
     EPS
                                                              Integrated               &
                                                                                   Distribution                      Transmission                           &                        and Other
                                                                                  Utilities                           Holdco                          Marketing
                                                                   Utilities



                                                                                
              ($ millions)





                            GAAP Earnings (Loss)                        64.3                                29.4                                                 111.5                            (26.7)             (25.0)   153.5             $
          0.31




                            Special Items


                            Mark-to-Market Impact of
                             Commodity Hedging Activities (a)                                                                                                                                        2.3                         2.3    0.01


                 
              Severance Charges             (c)             (1.2)                                                                                                                                               (1.2)


                            Previously Retired Coal
                             Generation Assets            (f)              73.4                                                                                                                                                 73.4    0.15


                            Conesville Impairment         (f)                                                                                                                                       24.5                        24.5    0.05


                            Texas Base Rate Case          (g)                                                 41.6                                                                                                              41.6    0.08




              Total Special Items                                      72.2                                41.6                                                                                   26.8                       140.6             $
          0.29





                            Operating Earnings (Loss)                  136.5                                71.0                                                 111.5                               0.1              (25.0)   294.1             $
          0.60
    (non-GAAP)




              (a)                  Reflected in Revenues and Income
                                     Tax Expense



              (b)                  Reflected in Fuel Expenses,
                                     Other Operation Expenses and
                                     Income Tax Expense



              (c)                  Reflected in Other Related
                                     Charges and Income Tax Expense



              (d)                  Reflected in Income Tax Expense



              (e)                  Reflected in Revenues, Other
                                     Operation Expenses and Income
                                     Tax Expense



              (f)                  Reflected in Asset Impairments
                                     and Other Related Charges and
                                     Income Tax Expense



              (g)                  Reflected in Revenues, Asset
                                     Impairments and Other Related
                                     Charges, Interest Expense and
                                     Income Tax Expense

                                     
              
                American Electric Power


                                 
              
                Summary of Selected Sales Data


                                    
              
                Regulated Connected Load


                                
              (Data based on preliminary, unaudited results)




                                                                                 Three Months Ended December 31


                ENERGY & DELIVERY SUMMARY                    2020                     2019                      Change





                Vertically Integrated Utilities


                Retail Electric (in millions of
                 kWh):



     Residential                                           7,222                               7,574                   (4.6)

                                                                                                                          %



     Commercial                                            5,452                               5,656                   (3.6)

                                                                                                                          %



     Industrial                                            8,525                               8,719                   (2.2)

                                                                                                                          %



     Miscellaneous                                           549                                 568                   (3.3)

                                                                                                                          %



                Total Retail                               21,748                              22,517                   (3.4)

                                                                                                                          %





                   Wholesale Electric (in millions of       3,871                               3,596                     7.6
                    kWh): (a)                                                                                             %




                   Total KWHs                              25,619                              26,113                   (1.9)

                                                                                                                          %





                Transmission & Distribution
                 Utilities


                Retail Electric (in millions of
                 kWh):



     Residential                                           5,642                               5,793                   (2.6)

                                                                                                                          %



     Commercial                                            5,844                               5,949                   (1.8)

                                                                                                                          %



     Industrial                                            5,959                               5,797                     2.8
                                                                                                                          %



     Miscellaneous                                           181                                 184                   (1.6)

                                                                                                                          %



                Total Retail (b)                           17,626                              17,723                   (0.5)

                                                                                                                          %





                   Wholesale Electric (in millions of         512                                 804                  (36.3)
                    kWh): (a)                                                                                             %




                   Total KWHs                              18,138                              18,527                   (2.1)

                                                                                                                          %





              (a)               Includes off-system sales,
                                  municipalities and cooperatives,
                                  unit power and other wholesale
                                  customers



              (b)               Represents energy delivered to
                                  distribution customers

                                                                                                                                            
          
                American Electric Power


                                                                                                                                    
             
             Financial Results for Year-to-Date 2020


                                                                                                                            
              
            Reconciliation of GAAP to Operating Earnings (non-GAAP)




                                                                                                                                                                                                             2020

                                                                                                                                                                                                         ---

                                                                                               Vertically              Transmission                                         AEP                              Generation                Corporate            Total       
       EPS
                                                                                          Integrated                    &
                                                                                                                    Distribution                                    Transmission                              &                     and Other
                                                                                           Utilities               Utilities                                         Holdco                             Marketing



                                                                                                                      
              ($ millions)





                            GAAP Earnings (Loss)                              1,061.6                        496.4                                                                 504.8                                      226.9                              (89.6)                  2,200.1                  $
      4.44




                            Special Items


                                                        Mark-to-Market Impact of
                                                         Commodity Hedging Activities (a)                                                                                                                                                          (6.1)                                           (6.1)                    (0.01)


                                                      
     COVID-19                      (b)               15.6                                             4.8                                                             0.8                            0.2                                             21.4                       0.05


                                                        Achieving Excellence Program  (c)               30.7                                             9.1                                                             3.1                            1.3                          0.4                 44.6                       0.09


                                                      
     CARES Act                     (d)                0.8                                           (2.0)                                                                                       (44.3)                       (2.4)              (47.9)                    (0.10)


                                                        Virginia Triennial Review     (e)             (13.5)                                                                                                                                                                                      (13.5)                    (0.03)




              Total Special Items                                               33.6                         11.9                                                                   3.9                                     (48.9)                              (2.0)                    (1.5)               
     $





                            Operating Earnings (Loss)                         1,095.2                        508.3                                                                 508.7                                      178.0                              (91.6)                  2,198.6                  $
      4.44
    (non-GAAP)






                                                                                                                                    
             
             Financial Results for Year-to-Date 2019


                                                                                                                            
              
            Reconciliation of GAAP to Operating Earnings (non-GAAP)




                                                                                                                                                                                                             2019

                                                                                                                                                                                                         ---

                                                                                               Vertically              Transmission                                         AEP
                                                                                                                                                                          Transmission
                                                                                                                                                                             Holdco                            Generation                Corporate            Total       
       EPS
                                                                                          Integrated                    &
                                                                                                                    Distribution                                                                              &                     and Other
                                                                                           Utilities               Utilities                                                                            Marketing



                                                                                                                      
              ($ millions)





                            GAAP Earnings (Loss)                                982.0                        451.0                                                                 516.3                                      112.8                             (141.0)                  1,921.1                  $
      3.89




                            Special Items


                                                        Mark-to-Market Impact of
                                                         Commodity Hedging Activities (a)                                                                                                                                                            5.9                                              5.9                       0.01


                                                      
     Severance Charges             (c)               16.7                                             0.2                                                             0.1                          (0.1)                         0.5                 17.4                       0.04


                                                      
     Acquisition Fees              (c)                                                                                                                                                            5.8                          5.1                 10.9                       0.02


                                                        Previously Retired Coal
                                                         Generation Assets            (f)               73.4                                                                                                                                                                                         73.4                       0.15


                                                        Conesville Impairment         (f)                                                                                                                                                           24.5                                             24.5                       0.05


                                                        Texas Base Rate Case          (g)                                                              41.6                                                                                                                                          41.6                       0.08




              Total Special Items                                               90.1                         41.8                                                                   0.1                                       36.1                                 5.6                     173.7                  $
      0.35





                            Operating Earnings (Loss)                         1,072.1                        492.8                                                                 516.4                                      148.9                             (135.4)                  2,094.8                  $
      4.24
    (non-GAAP)




              (a)                  Reflected in Revenues and Income
                                     Tax Expense



              (b)                  Reflected in Fuel Expenses,
                                     Other Operation Expenses and
                                     Income Tax Expense



              (c)                  Reflected in Other Related
                                     Charges and Income Tax Expense



              (d)                  Reflected in Income Tax Expense



              (e)                  Reflected in Revenues, Other
                                     Operation Expenses and Income
                                     Tax Expense



              (f)                  Reflected in Asset Impairments
                                     and Other Related Charges and
                                     Income Tax Expense



              (g)                  Reflected in Revenues, Asset
                                     Impairments and Other Related
                                     Charges, Interest Expense and
                                     Income Tax Expense

                                    
              
                American Electric Power


                                 
              
                Summary of Selected Sales Data


                                    
              
                Regulated Connected Load


                               
              (Data based on preliminary, unaudited results)




                                                                              Twelve Months Ended December 31



                ENERGY & DELIVERY SUMMARY                  2020                     2019                      Change





                Vertically Integrated Utilities


                Retail Electric (in millions of
                 kWh):



        Residential                                     31,526                               32,359                  (2.6)

                                                                                                                        %



        Commercial                                      22,225                               23,839                  (6.8)

                                                                                                                        %



        Industrial                                      32,860                               35,252                  (6.8)

                                                                                                                        %



        Miscellaneous                                    2,185                                2,302                  (5.1)

                                                                                                                        %




     Total Retail                                       88,796                               93,752                  (5.3)

                                                                                                                        %





                   Wholesale Electric (in millions       16,987                               20,090                 (15.4)
                    of kWh): (a)                                                                                        %




                   Total KWHs                           105,783                              113,842                  (7.1)

                                                                                                                        %





                Transmission & Distribution
                 Utilities


                Retail Electric (in millions of
                 kWh):



        Residential                                     26,518                               26,407                    0.4
                                                                                                                        %



        Commercial                                      23,998                               25,018                  (4.1)

                                                                                                                        %



        Industrial                                      22,432                               23,289                  (3.7)

                                                                                                                        %



        Miscellaneous                                      749                                  779                  (3.9)

                                                                                                                        %




     Total Retail (b)                                   73,697                               75,493                  (2.4)

                                                                                                                        %





                   Wholesale Electric (in millions        1,859                                2,335                 (20.4)
                    of kWh): (a)                                                                                        %




                   Total KWHs                            75,556                               77,828                  (2.9)

                                                                                                                        %





              (a)               Includes off-system sales,
                                  municipalities and cooperatives,
                                  unit power and other wholesale
                                  customers



              (b)               Represents energy delivered to
                                  distribution customers

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SOURCE American Electric Power