Duke Energy Posts Strong Second Quarter Adjusted Earnings; Increases Outlook for 2010

CHARLOTTE, N.C., Aug. 3 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ --

• 2010 adjusted diluted earnings per share (EPS) outlook range increased from $1.25 - $1.30 to $1.30 - $1.35
• Second quarter 2010 adjusted diluted EPS was 34 cents, compared with 26 cents for the second quarter 2009
• Due to non-cash goodwill and other impairment charges, reported diluted net loss per share for second quarter 2010 was 17 cents, compared to diluted earnings per share of 21 cents for the second quarter 2009

Duke Energy (NYSE: DUK) today announced second quarter 2010 adjusted diluted EPS of 34 cents, compared to 26 cents for second quarter 2009. Reported diluted net loss per share for the second quarter 2010 was 17 cents, compared to diluted earnings per share of 21 cents for the same period last year.

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The company has increased its 2010 adjusted diluted EPS guidance from $1.25 - $1.30 to $1.30 - $1.35 based upon its strong performance during the first half of 2010.  

Reported results for the second quarter 2010 were impacted by non-cash impairment charges of approximately $660 million, primarily related to the remaining goodwill associated with non-regulated generation operations in the Midwest. These charges have no impact on the company's liquidity position and have been excluded from adjusted diluted EPS. After these charges, there is no remaining goodwill associated with the non-regulated Midwest generation operations.

Duke Energy's quarterly results were driven by temperatures that were above normal in all five of the company's service territories for each month in the second quarter. The Carolinas experienced the hottest June on record. Also, the company saw improved weather-normalized retail sales volumes as well as increased pricing.

"Our second quarter results were very strong," said James E. Rogers, chairman, president and chief executive officer. "We continue to see signs of an improving economy, particularly with our industrial load. Our results were also driven by higher than normal temperatures. Our generation and power delivery teams performed very well during this period of extreme weather.  

"Based on our strong first half results and a continued focus on cost management, we are increasing our 2010 adjusted diluted EPS outlook range from $1.25 - $1.30 to $1.30 - $1.35 per share."

Mark-to-market impacts of economic hedges in the Commercial Power segment and special items affecting Duke Energy's adjusted diluted EPS for the quarters include:

Reconciliation of reported to adjusted diluted EPS for the quarters:

BUSINESS UNIT RESULTS (ON A REPORTED BASIS)

U.S. Franchised Electric and Gas (USFE&G)

USFE&G reported second-quarter 2010 segment EBIT from continuing operations of $671 million, compared with $500 million in the second quarter of 2009. Results increased primarily due to favorable pricing, above normal weather in all jurisdictions, higher Allowance for Funds Used During Construction (AFUDC) from Duke Energy's ongoing construction program, and increased weather-normalized volumes, most notably in the industrial sector. Partially offsetting these increases were higher operation and maintenance costs primarily due to timing of planned outages.

Commercial Power

Commercial Power reported a second-quarter 2010 segment EBIT loss from continuing operations of $604 million, compared to $79 million of segment EBIT income in the second quarter 2009. Results were impacted by non-cash impairment charges of $660 million primarily related to goodwill associated with non-regulated generation operations and other asset impairments in the Midwest. These charges reflect the current estimated value of the operations, which has declined principally as a result of sustained lower power prices, as well as the potential enactment of more stringent environmental regulations.

Excluding the effects of the impairment charges, results were also impacted by lower retail sales volumes due to competition in Ohio, the effects of which were partially offset by customer acquisition efforts by our competitive retail subsidiary. Additionally, wholesale margins increased due to higher volumes and prices offset by lower gains on coal sales.  

Duke Energy International (DEI)

DEI reported second-quarter 2010 segment EBIT from continuing operations of $126 million, compared to $68 million in the second quarter 2009. DEI's results for the quarter were driven primarily by favorable foreign exchange rates, favorable hydrology in Brazil and an increased contribution from National Methanol. Additionally, results benefitted from a prior year adverse ruling on transmission fees.

Other

Other includes corporate governance expenses, costs associated with the company's voluntary employee separation plan and results from Duke Energy's captive insurance company.  

Other reported second-quarter 2010 net expense from continuing operations of $122 million, compared to $38 million in the second quarter 2009. The increase in net expense was due primarily to severance costs associated with the voluntary employee separation program and office consolidation that was announced in the first quarter.

INTEREST EXPENSE

Interest expense was $212 million for the second quarter 2010, compared to $186 million for the second quarter 2009. The increase is primarily due to increased debt balances that are the result of financing the company's ongoing construction program.  

INCOME TAX EXPENSE

Income tax expense from continuing operations for the second quarter of 2010 was $116 million, compared to $177 million for the second quarter of 2009. The effective tax rate for full-year 2010 is forecasted to be approximately 40 percent, reflecting the effect of the goodwill impairment, which is non-deductible for tax purposes. The effective tax rate excluding the impairment charge is forecasted to be approximately 31 percent.

NON-GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES

The primary performance measure used by management to evaluate segment performance is segment EBIT from continuing operations, which at the segment level represents all profits from continuing operations (both operating and non-operating), including any equity in earnings of unconsolidated affiliates, before deducting interest and taxes, and is net of the income attributable to non-controlling interests.

Management believes segment EBIT from continuing operations, which is the GAAP measure used to report segment results, is a good indicator of each segment's operating performance as it represents the results of Duke Energy's ownership interests in continuing operations without regard to financing methods or capital structures. Duke Energy's management uses adjusted diluted EPS, which is a non-GAAP financial measure as it represents diluted EPS from continuing operations attributable to Duke Energy Corporation common shareholders, adjusted for the per-share impact of special items and the mark-to-market impacts of economic hedges in the Commercial Power segment, as a measure to evaluate operations of the company.

Special items represent certain charges and credits, which management believes will not be recurring on a regular basis, although it is reasonably possible such charges and credits could recur. Mark-to-market adjustments reflect the mark-to-market impact of derivative contracts, which is recognized in GAAP earnings immediately as such derivative contracts do not qualify for hedge accounting or regulatory accounting treatment, used in Duke Energy's hedging of a portion of the economic value of its generation assets in the Commercial Power segment. The economic value of the generation assets is subject to fluctuations in fair value due to market price volatility of the input and output commodities (e.g. coal, power) and, as such, the economic hedging involves both purchases and sales of those input and output commodities related to the generation assets. Because the operations of the generation assets are accounted for under the accrual method, management believes that excluding the impact of mark-to-market changes of the economic hedge contracts from adjusted earnings until settlement better matches the financial impacts of the hedge contract with the portion of the economic value of the underlying hedged asset. Management believes that the presentation of adjusted diluted EPS provides useful information to investors, as it provides them an additional relevant comparison of the company's performance across periods. Adjusted diluted EPS is also used as a basis for employee incentive bonuses.

The most directly comparable GAAP measure for adjusted diluted EPS is reported diluted EPS from continuing operations attributable to Duke Energy Corporation common shareholders, which includes the impact of special items and the mark-to-market impacts of economic hedges in the Commercial Power segment. Due to the forward-looking nature of adjusted diluted EPS for future periods, information to reconcile such non-GAAP financial measures to the most directly comparable GAAP financial measures is not available at this time, as the company is unable to forecast special items and the mark-to-market impacts of economic hedges in the Commercial Power segment for future periods.

Duke Energy also uses adjusted segment EBIT and adjusted Other net expenses (including adjusted equity earnings for Crescent Resources) as a measure of historical and anticipated future segment and Other performance. When used for future periods, adjusted segment EBIT and adjusted Other net expenses may also include any amounts that may be reported as discontinued operations or extraordinary items. Adjusted segment EBIT and adjusted Other net expenses are non-GAAP financial measures, as they represent reported segment EBIT and Other net expenses adjusted for special items and the mark-to-market impacts of economic hedges in the Commercial Power segment. Management believes that the presentation of adjusted segment EBIT and adjusted Other net expenses provides useful information to investors, as it provides them an additional relevant comparison of a segment's or Other's performance across periods. The most directly comparable GAAP measure for adjusted segment EBIT or adjusted Other net expenses is reported segment EBIT or Other net expenses, which represents segment EBIT and Other net expenses from continuing operations, including any special items and the mark-to-market impacts of economic hedges in the Commercial Power segment. Due to the forward-looking nature of any forecasted adjusted segment EBIT or adjusted Other net expenses and any related growth rates for future periods, information to reconcile these non-GAAP financial measures to the most directly comparable GAAP financial measures is not available at this time, as the company is unable to forecast special items, the mark-to-market impacts of economic hedges in the Commercial Power segment, or any amounts that may be reported as discontinued operations or extraordinary items for future periods.

Duke Energy is the third largest electric power holding company in the United States, based on kilowatt-hour sales. Its regulated utility operations serve approximately 4 million customers located in five states – North Carolina, South Carolina, Indiana, Ohio and Kentucky -- representing a population of approximately 11 million people. Duke Energy's commercial power and international business segments operate diverse power generation assets in North America and Latin America, including a growing portfolio of renewable energy assets in the United States. Headquartered in Charlotte, N.C., Duke Energy is a Fortune 500 company traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol DUK. More information about the company is available on the Internet at: www.duke-energy.com.

Analyst Call

An earnings conference call for analysts is scheduled for 10 a.m. ET Tuesday, Aug. 3. The conference call can be accessed via the investors' section (http://www.duke-energy.com/investors/) of Duke Energy's website or by dialing 913-312-0645 outside the United States or 866-454-4209 in the United States. The confirmation code is 4865293. Please call in 10 to 15 minutes prior to the scheduled start time. A replay of the conference call will be available until midnight ET, Sept. 3, 2010, by calling 719-457-0820 outside the United States or 888-203-1112 in the United States, and using the code 4865293. A replay and transcript also will be available by accessing the investors' section of the company's Web site.

Forward-looking statement

This release includes forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Forward-looking statements are based on management's beliefs and assumptions. These forward-looking statements are identified by terms and phrases such as "anticipate," "believe," "intend," "estimate," "expect," "continue," "should," "could," "may," "plan," "project," "predict," "will," "potential," "forecast," "target," and similar expressions. Forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results to be materially different from the results predicted. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those indicated in any forward-looking statement include, but are not limited to: State, federal and foreign legislative and regulatory initiatives, including costs of compliance with existing and future environmental requirements, as well as rulings that affect cost and investment recovery or have an impact on rate structures; costs and effects of legal and administrative proceedings, settlements, investigations and claims; industrial, commercial and residential growth or decline in Duke Energy Corporation's (Duke Energy) service territories, customer base or customer usage patterns; additional competition in electric markets and continued industry consolidation; political and regulatory uncertainty in other countries in which Duke Energy conducts business; the influence of weather and other natural phenomena on Duke Energy operations, including the economic, operational and other effects of hurricanes, droughts, and tornadoes; the timing and extent of changes in commodity prices, interest rates and foreign currency exchange rates; unscheduled generation outages, unusual maintenance or repairs and electric transmission system constraints; the performance of electric generation facilities and of projects undertaken by Duke Energy's non-regulated businesses; the results of financing efforts, including Duke Energy's ability to obtain financing on favorable terms, which can be affected by various factors, including Duke Energy's credit ratings and general economic conditions; declines in the market prices of equity securities and resultant cash funding requirements for Duke Energy's defined benefit pension plans; the level of credit worthiness of counterparties to Duke Energy's transactions; employee workforce factors, including the potential inability to attract and retain key personnel; growth in opportunities for Duke Energy's business units, including the timing and success of efforts to develop domestic and international power and other projects; construction and development risks associated with the completion of Duke Energy's capital investment projects in existing and new generation facilities, including risks related to financing, obtaining and complying with terms of permits, meeting construction budgets and schedules, and satisfying operating and environmental performance standards, as well as the ability to recover costs from ratepayers in a timely manner or at all; the effect of accounting pronouncements issued periodically by accounting standard-setting bodies; and the ability to successfully complete merger, acquisition or divestiture plans. In light of these risks, uncertainties and assumptions, the events described in the forward-looking statements might not occur or might occur to a different extent or at a different time than Duke Energy has described. Duke Energy undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

SOURCE Duke Energy