CMS Energy Announces Fourth Quarter Earnings of $0.15 Per Share, 2011 Earnings of $1.58 Per Share, or $1.45 Per Share on an Adjusted Basis, and 2012 Adjusted Earnings Guidance of $1.52 to $1.55 Per Share

JACKSON, Mich., Feb. 23, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- CMS Energy announced today reported net income of $415 million, or $1.58 per share, for 2011 compared to reported net income of $324 million, or $1.28 per share, in 2010.

The company's 2011 adjusted (non-Generally Accepted Accounting Principles) net income, which excludes the effects of one-time items – primarily a $32 million non-cash tax gain related to the company's non-utility operations – was $382 million, or $1.45 per share, compared to $345 million, or $1.36 per share, in 2010.  The 2011 adjusted earnings slightly exceeded CMS Energy's guidance of $1.44 per share.

For the fourth quarter of 2011, the company's reported net income was $41 million, or $0.15 per share, compared to $25 million, or $0.09 per share, in the same quarter of 2010.  

The 2011 fourth quarter adjusted net income was $42 million, or $0.15 per share, compared to $55 million, or $0.21 per share, for the same period of 2010.

For 2012, CMS Energy expects adjusted earnings of $1.52 to $1.55 per share, consistent with the company's long-term plan of 5 percent to 7 percent annual earnings per share growth.  While the company expects 2012 reported earnings to be about the same as its adjusted earnings, reported earnings could vary because of several factors, such as legacy issues associated with prior asset sales.  Because of those uncertainties, the company isn't providing reported earnings guidance.

John Russell, CMS Energy's president and chief executive officer, said the strong 2011 results reflect the successful execution of the company's business strategy and the solid operational performance of Consumers Energy, the company's Michigan electric and natural gas utility.

"Our strategy is based on making capital investments to serve customers and improve the environment.  These investments provide value to our customers and to our investors.  Over the past nine years, we have produced consistent earnings results and since 2006 have increased our dividend six times," he said. "The company recently increased its common stock dividend by 14 percent to 96 cents per share on an annualized basis, bringing its yield and payout in line with the utility industry average.

"We're aggressively managing our costs and constantly working to serve our customers more efficiently and effectively.  Our long-term plan calls for holding base rate increases for customers at or below the rate of inflation for the next five years while maintaining annual earnings per share growth of 5 percent to 7 percent."

Russell said Consumers Energy plans to invest $6.6 billion in its operations through 2016, making it one of the largest investors, as well as one of the largest employers, in the state.

"We're making substantial investments in renewable energy, environmental quality, energy efficiency, and our natural gas infrastructure. These investments are creating jobs and improving the state's economy," he said.

Russell noted that Consumers Energy is celebrating 125 years of serving customers.  "Since 1886, our customers have been counting on our company and its employees for the energy they need to run their businesses and bring comfort and convenience to their homes," he said. "We're proud that we've reached this significant milestone and we're looking forward to continue serving customers for many years to come."

In reviewing major events of 2011, Russell noted the company:

• Met the highest customer demand for electricity in its 125-year history on July 21 while reducing heat-related customer outages by 50 percent compared to the previous record day.
• Started construction of its first wind farm, the 100-megawatt Lake Winds Energy Park.  The $235 million facility is expected to begin operation late this year and increase the amount of renewable energy that the utility supplies to its customers from 5 percent today to 8 percent.
• Reduced its renewable energy surcharge by $54 million a year, saving the typical residential customer about $22 per year.
• Continued a $1.6 billion program to install additional environmental controls at its five major coal-fired generating units, while planning to suspend operations at seven small coal-fired units in 2015, and cancelling a proposed clean coal plant near Bay City, Mich.
• Committed to spend an additional $250 million on competitively priced, quality products and services over the next five years with other businesses in the state as part of the Pure Michigan Business Connect initiative.  That is in addition to the $2 billion a year the utility already spends with other Michigan companies.

CMS Energy (NYSE: CMS) is a Michigan-based company that has an electric and natural gas utility, Consumers Energy, as its primary business and also owns and operates independent power generation businesses.

CMS Energy provides financial results on both a reported (Generally Accepted Accounting Principles) and adjusted (non-GAAP) basis. Management views adjusted earnings as a key measure of the company's present operating financial performance, unaffected by discontinued operations, asset sales, impairments, or other items detailed in the attached summary financial statements. Certain contingent obligations arising in connection with previously disposed assets or discontinued operations have the potential to impact, favorably or unfavorably, the company's reported earnings in 2012.

This news release contains "forward-looking statements" as defined in Rule 3b-6 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, Rule 175 of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and relevant legal decisions. The forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties. They should be read in conjunction with "FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS AND INFORMATION" and "RISK FACTORS" sections of CMS Energy's Form 10-K and Consumers Energy's Form 10-K each for the Year Ended December 31, 2010 and as updated in CMS Energy's and Consumers Energy's Forms 10-Q for the Quarters Ended March 31, 2011, June 30, 2011, and Sept. 30, 2011.

CMS Energy's and Consumers Energy's "FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS AND INFORMATION" and "RISK FACTORS" sections are incorporated herein by reference and discuss important factors that could cause CMS Energy's and Consumers Energy's results to differ materially from those anticipated in such statements.

For more information on CMS Energy, please visit our web site at: www.cmsenergy.com

SOURCE CMS Energy