Ameren (NYSE: AEE) Announces Third Quarter 2011 Earnings

ST. LOUIS, Nov. 4, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Ameren Corporation (NYSE: AEE) today announced third quarter 2011 net income in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) of $285 million, or $1.18 per share, compared to a third quarter 2010 GAAP net loss of $167 million, or 70 cents per share. Third quarter 2011 GAAP net income included $76 million and the third quarter 2010 GAAP net loss included $522 million of goodwill, impairment and other charges. Excluding these charges and certain other items that are discussed below, Ameren recorded third quarter 2011 core (non-GAAP) net income of $381 million, or $1.57 per share, compared to third quarter 2010 core (non-GAAP) net income of $333 million, or $1.40 per share.

The increase in third quarter 2011 core (non-GAAP) earnings, compared to third quarter 2010 core (non-GAAP) earnings, reflected Illinois and Missouri electric rate increases, lower non-fuel operations and maintenance expenses, warmer weather and lower interest expense. These positive factors were partially offset by reduced margins in the merchant generation segment due to lower realized power prices and higher fuel and transportation-related expenses.  

"Third quarter core earnings were strong, driven by warmer-than-normal weather and continued disciplined cost management," said Thomas R. Voss, chairman, president and CEO of Ameren Corporation. "As a result, today we are raising our 2011 core earnings guidance range to $2.50 to $2.60 per share, up from our prior guidance range of $2.30 to $2.55 per share. In addition, we continue to improve our 2011 positive free cash outlook."

Ameren calculates free cash flow by subtracting its cash flows from investing activities (which include capital expenditures), dividends and net advances for construction from its cash flows from operating activities.  

For the nine months ended Sept. 30, 2011, Ameren recorded GAAP net income of $494 million, or $2.05 per share, compared to $87 million, or 37 cents per share, for the nine months ended Sept. 30, 2010. Excluding certain items that are discussed below, Ameren recorded core (non-GAAP) net income of $585 million, or $2.42 per share, for the first nine months of 2011, compared to core (non-GAAP) net income of $601 million, or $2.53 per share, for the first nine months of 2010.  

The decrease in core (non-GAAP) earnings for the first nine months of 2011, compared to core (non-GAAP) earnings for the first nine months of 2010, reflected reduced margins in the merchant generation segment due primarily to lower realized power prices and higher fuel and transportation-related expenses. Other factors that reduced core (non-GAAP) earnings included a decrease in kilowatthour sales to regulated utility native load customers, increased storm-related expenses and lower capitalized financing expenses. The effects of the above factors were partially offset by Illinois and Missouri electric rate increases and lower interest expense. Core (non-GAAP) earnings for the first nine months of 2011 also reflected the absence of a Callaway Energy Center nuclear refueling and maintenance outage, compared to the first nine months of 2010.

The following items were excluded from third quarter and first nine months of 2011 and 2010 core (non-GAAP) earnings, as applicable:

• A charge for the Missouri Public Service Commission's July 2011 disallowance of costs of enhancements related to the rebuilding of the Taum Sauk Energy Center, which reduced net income by $55 million in both the third quarter and first nine months of 2011;
• Goodwill, impairment and other charges related to Ameren's merchant generation segment, which reduced net income by $21 million in the third quarter of 2011, $22 million in the first nine months of 2011 and $522 million in both the third quarter and first nine months of 2010. The 2011 charges were the result of new environmental rules, the primary impact of which was the decision to cease operations at the Meredosia and Hutsonville energy centers by the end of 2011. The 2010 charges were for goodwill and other impairments;  
• The net effect of unrealized mark-to-market activity, primarily related to non-qualified power and fuel-related hedges, which decreased net income by $20 million and $14 million in the third quarter and first nine months of 2011, respectively, and increased net income by $22 million and $21 million in the third quarter and first nine months of 2010, respectively; and
• A charge for the impact on deferred taxes of changes in federal health care laws, which reduced net income by $13 million in the first nine months of 2010.  

A reconciliation of GAAP to core (non-GAAP) earnings per share is as follows:

2011 Earnings Guidance

Ameren today also announced increased expectations for full-year 2011 earnings. Core (non-GAAP) 2011 earnings are now expected to be in the range of $2.50 to $2.60 per share, up from the prior range of $2.30 to $2.55 per share. GAAP 2011 earnings are now expected to be in the range of $2.18 to $2.28 per share, compared to the prior range of $2.07 to $2.32 per share. The increased core (non-GAAP) earnings guidance reflects strong third quarter core earnings coupled with continued disciplined cost management. The difference between GAAP and core (non-GAAP) guidance is due to the third quarter 2011 charge of 23 cents per share related to the Taum Sauk Energy Center and the 9 cents per share charge primarily related to the planned closure of the Meredosia and Hutsonville energy centers. Any charge that may result from the recently announced voluntary retirement offer to certain employees as well as any net unrealized mark-to-market gains or losses will impact GAAP earnings but are excluded from GAAP earnings guidance because the company is unable to reasonably estimate the impact of any such gains or losses for the full year. Core (non-GAAP) earnings and guidance also exclude any charge resulting from the voluntary retirement offer and any net unrealized mark-to-market gains or losses.

Ameren expects its business segments to provide the following contributions to 2011 core (non-GAAP) earnings per share:

Ameren's earnings guidance for 2011 assumes normal weather for the fourth quarter of the year. In addition, Ameren's future results are subject to the effects of, among other things, regulatory decisions and legislative actions; energy center operations; energy, economic, and 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 segment third quarter 2011 GAAP earnings were $190 million, compared to third quarter 2010 GAAP earnings of $223 million. Third quarter 2011 core (non-GAAP) earnings were $248 million, compared to third quarter 2010 core (non-GAAP) earnings of $221 million. The increase in core (non-GAAP) earnings reflected the Missouri electric rate increase effective in late July 2011, lower non-fuel operations and maintenance expenses and warmer weather. The effects of these positive factors were partially offset by a decrease in kilowatthour sales to native load customers and lower capitalized financing expenses. The GAAP earnings comparison was impacted by the factors mentioned above and by the third quarter 2011 charge related to the Taum Sauk Energy Center. In addition, net unrealized mark-to-market activity resulted in a third quarter 2011 loss, compared to a third quarter 2010 gain.

Ameren Illinois Segment Results

Ameren Illinois segment third quarter 2011 GAAP earnings were $98 million, compared to third quarter 2010 GAAP earnings of $90 million. Third quarter 2011 core (non-GAAP) earnings were $99 million, compared to third quarter 2010 core (non-GAAP) earnings of $90 million. The increase in core (non-GAAP) earnings reflected Illinois electric rate increases effective in 2010, an increase in kilowatthour sales to native load customers and lower financing expenses. The GAAP earnings comparison was impacted by the factors mentioned above and by a third quarter 2011 loss from net unrealized mark-to-market activity.  

Merchant Generation Segment Results

The merchant generation segment third quarter 2011 GAAP loss was $9 million, compared to the third quarter 2010 GAAP loss of $470 million. Third quarter 2011 core (non-GAAP) earnings were $24 million, compared to third quarter 2010 core (non-GAAP) earnings of $34 million. The decline in core (non-GAAP) earnings was due to lower realized power prices and higher fuel and transportation-related expenses. The effects of these negative factors were partially offset by lower interest expense. The GAAP earnings comparison was affected by the factors mentioned above, the third quarter 2011 charge related to the planned closure of the Meredosia and Hutsonville energy centers and the third quarter 2010 charge for goodwill and other impairment charges. In addition, net unrealized mark-to-market activity resulted in a third quarter 2011 loss, compared to a third quarter 2010 gain.  

Analyst Conference Call

Ameren will conduct a conference call for financial analysts at 9 a.m. Central Time on Friday, Nov. 4, to discuss third quarter 2011 earnings and other matters. Investors, the news media and the public may listen to a live Internet broadcast of the call at ameren.com by clicking on "Q3 2011 Ameren Corporation Earnings Conference Call," followed by the appropriate audio link. An accompanying slide presentation will be available on Ameren's website. This presentation will be posted in the "Investors" section of the website under "Webcasts & Presentations." The analyst call will also be available for replay on the Internet for one year. In addition, a telephone playback of the conference call will be available beginning at approximately noon Central Time from Nov. 4 through Nov. 11, by dialing U.S. 877.660.6853 or international 201.612.7415, and entering account number 352 and ID number 381583.

With assets of $23 billion, St. Louis-based Ameren Corporation owns a diverse mix of electric energy centers strategically located in our Midwest market, with a generating capacity of more than 16,500 megawatts. Through our Missouri and Illinois subsidiaries, we serve 2.4 million electric customers and nearly 1 million natural gas customers in a 64,000-square-mile area. Our mission is to meet our customers' energy needs in a safe, reliable, efficient and environmentally-responsible manner. For more information, visit Ameren.com.

Regulation G Statement

Ameren has presented certain information in this release on a diluted cents per share basis. These diluted per share amounts reflect certain factors that directly impact Ameren's total earnings per share. The core (non-GAAP) earnings per share and core (non-GAAP) earnings per share guidance exclude one or more of the following: a charge for the Missouri Public Service Commission's disallowance of certain investments at the Taum Sauk Energy Center, goodwill, impairment and other charges, any charge that may result from the recently announced voluntary retirement offer to certain employees, net unrealized mark-to-market gains or losses and a charge for the deferred tax impact of changes in federal health care laws. Ameren uses core (non-GAAP) earnings internally for financial planning and for analysis of performance. Ameren also uses core (non-GAAP) earnings as primary performance measurements when communicating with analysts and investors regarding our earnings results and outlook, as the company believes that core (non-GAAP) earnings allow the company to more accurately compare its ongoing performance across periods.

In providing consolidated and segment core (non-GAAP) earnings guidance, there could be differences between core (non-GAAP) earnings and earnings prepared in accordance with GAAP as a result of our treatment of certain items, such as those listed above. Ameren is unable to estimate the impact, if any, on future GAAP earnings of such items.

In this release, Ameren has also discussed free cash flow, which is a non-GAAP measure. Ameren calculates free cash flow by subtracting its cash flows from investing activities (which include capital expenditures), dividends on common stock, dividends paid to noncontrolling interest holders and net generator advances for construction from its cash flows from operating activities. Ameren uses free cash flow internally and when communicating with analysts and investors to measure its ability to generate cash.

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 Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2010, 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, including changes in regulatory policies and ratemaking determinations, such as the outcome of the pending Ameren Illinois electric and natural gas rate proceedings; the court appeals related to Ameren Missouri's 2009, 2010 and 2011 electric rate orders, Ameren Illinois' 2010 electric and natural gas rate order, and Ameren Missouri's fuel and purchased power cost recovery mechanism prudence review; and future regulatory, judicial, or legislative actions that seek to change regulatory recovery mechanisms, such as the recent passage of legislation providing for formula ratemaking in Illinois;
• the effects of, or changes to, the Illinois power procurement process;
• changes in laws and other governmental actions, including monetary, fiscal, and tax policies;
• changes in laws or regulations that adversely affect the ability of electric distribution companies and other purchasers of wholesale electricity to pay their suppliers, including Ameren Missouri and Ameren Energy Marketing Company;
• the effects of increased competition in the future due to, among other things, deregulation of certain aspects of our business at both the state and federal levels, and the implementation of deregulation, such as occurred when the electric rate freeze and power supply contracts expired in Illinois at the end of 2006;
• the effects on demand for our services resulting from technological advances, including advances in energy efficiency and distributed generation sources, which generate electricity at the site of consumption;
• increasing capital expenditure and operating expense requirements and our ability to recover these costs through our regulatory frameworks;
• the effects of our and other members' participation in, or potential withdrawal from, the Midwest Independent Transmission System Operator, Inc. (MISO) and the effects of new members joining MISO;
• the cost and availability of fuel such as coal, natural gas and enriched uranium used to produce electricity; the cost and availability of purchased power and natural gas for distribution; and the level and volatility of future market prices for such commodities, including the ability to recover the costs for such commodities;
• the effectiveness of our risk management strategies and the use of financial and derivative instruments;
• the level and volatility of future prices for power in the Midwest;
• business and economic conditions, including their impact on interest rates, bad debt expense, and demand for our products;
• disruptions of the capital markets or other events that make our access to necessary capital, including short-term credit and liquidity, impossible, more difficult, or more costly;
• our assessment of our liquidity;
• the impact of the adoption of new accounting guidance and the application of appropriate technical accounting rules and guidance;
• actions of credit rating agencies and the effects of such actions;
• the impact of weather conditions and other natural phenomena on us and our customers;
• the impact of system outages;
• generation, transmission and distribution asset construction, installation, performance, and cost recovery;
• the extent to which Ameren Missouri prevails in its claims against insurers in connection with its Taum Sauk Energy Center incident;
• the extent to which Ameren Missouri is permitted by its regulators to recover in rates investments made in connection with a proposed second unit at its Callaway Energy Center;
• impairments of long-lived assets, intangible assets, or goodwill;
• operation of Ameren Missouri's Callaway Energy Center, including planned and unplanned outages, decommissioning costs and potential increased costs as a result of recent nuclear-related developments in Japan in 2011;
• the effects of strategic initiatives, including mergers, acquisitions and divestitures;
• the impact of current environmental regulations on utilities and power generating companies and the expectation that new or more stringent requirements, including those related to greenhouse gases, other emissions, and energy efficiency, will be enacted over time, which could limit or terminate the operation of certain of our generating units, increase our costs, result in an impairment of 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 portfolio requirements in Missouri;
• labor disputes, work force reductions, future wage and employee benefits costs, including changes in discount rates and returns on benefit plan assets;
• the inability of our counterparties and affiliates to meet their obligations with respect to contracts, credit facilities and financial instruments;
• the cost and availability of transmission capacity for the energy generated by our energy centers or required to satisfy energy sales made by us;
• legal and administrative proceedings; and
• acts of sabotage, war, terrorism, or intentionally disruptive acts.

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.

SOURCE Ameren Corporation