Duke Energy Reports Strong 2010 Results

CHARLOTTE, N.C., Feb. 17, 2011 /PRNewswire/ --

• Company attains adjusted diluted earnings per share (EPS) of $1.43 in 2010, compared to $1.22 in 2009; reported diluted EPS $1.00 for 2010, compared to $0.83 in 2009
• Fourth quarter 2010 adjusted diluted EPS 21 cents, compared with 28 cents for the fourth quarter 2009; reported diluted EPS 32 cents, compared to 26 cents in 2009
• Significantly favorable weather and strong operational performance drive results for the year
• Company establishes 2011 adjusted diluted earnings guidance range of $1.35 to $1.40 per share

Favorable weather and solid operational performance resulted in Duke Energy posting full-year adjusted diluted EPS of $1.43, achieving its increased guidance range of $1.40 to $1.45 per share for 2010. Adjusted diluted EPS in 2009 was $1.22. Duke Energy's full-year reported diluted EPS was $1.00 for 2010, compared to $0.83 in 2009.

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The company has established its 2011 adjusted diluted earnings guidance range at $1.35 to $1.40 per share.

"Weather grabbed the headlines in 2010, but the real story was the performance of our employees," said Jim Rogers, chairman, president and chief executive officer We consistently delivered strong operational and financial results during the year.

"In 2011, we will first and foremost continue to deliver on our obligations to our customers, investors and the communities we serve," he added. "We also will work toward timely approval of our merger and subsequent integration with Progress Energy."

Duke Energy's regulated generation fleet met the challenge of increased load requirements resulting from the weather, led by the nuclear fleet's record-setting capacity factor of approximately 95.9 percent in 2010, eclipsing its previous fleet record of approximately 95.2 percent in 2002. This is the 11th consecutive year that the nuclear fleet has had a capacity factor above 90 percent. Additionally, the company's non-regulated Midwest generation fleet experienced strong operational results during the year and generating levels were at an all time high.

The economy continues to show signs of recovery in the company's regulated service territories. Excluding the impact of weather, customer demand in 2010 was up nearly 2 percent compared to 2009 levels, principally driven by a 7 percent increase in the industrial class.

Fourth quarter 2010 adjusted diluted EPS was 21 cents, compared to 28 cents for fourth quarter 2009.

Fourth quarter 2010 reported diluted EPS was 32 cents, compared to 26 cents for fourth quarter 2009. Reported results for the quarter include gains on sales of non-core businesses.

Special items affecting Duke Energy's adjusted diluted EPS for fourth quarter 2009 and fourth quarter 2010 include:

Reconciliation of reported to adjusted diluted EPS for the quarters:

Reconciliation of reported to adjusted diluted EPS for the annual periods:

BUSINESS UNIT RESULTS (ON A REPORTED BASIS)

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

USFE&G reported fourth-quarter 2010 segment EBIT from continuing operations of $605 million, compared to $548 million in the fourth quarter 2009.

USFE&G results increased due to favorable pricing principally caused by rate adjustments in the Carolinas, favorable weather and higher Allowance for Funds Used During Construction (AFUDC) from Duke Energy's ongoing construction program. These increases were partially offset by higher operation and maintenance expenses and higher depreciation expenses.

Full-year 2010 segment EBIT from continuing operations for USFE&G was $2,966 million, compared to $2,321 million in 2009. The increase in full-year results was principally due to the favorable weather in 2010, favorable pricing and increased earnings from Duke Energy's ongoing construction program.

Commercial Power

Commercial Power reported fourth-quarter 2010 segment EBIT from continuing operations of $58 million, compared to $68 million in the fourth quarter 2009.

Commercial Power results decreased primarily because of lower retail sales volumes due to competition in Ohio, net of customer acquisition efforts by our competitive retail subsidiary, and higher operation and maintenance costs caused by planned outage timing.

Full-year 2010 segment EBIT from continuing operations for Commercial Power was a loss of $229 million, compared to income of $27 million in 2009. The reduction from 2009 was primarily due to 2010 non-cash goodwill and other impairment charges of approximately $660 million related to non-regulated generation operations in the Midwest, as compared to similar non-cash goodwill and other impairment charges of approximately $400 million in 2009.

Duke Energy International (DEI)

Duke Energy International (DEI) reported fourth-quarter 2010 segment EBIT from continuing operations of $110 million, compared to $104 million in the fourth quarter 2009.

DEI's results for the quarter were driven primarily by favorable pricing in Brazil, offset by unfavorable results in Central America.

Full-year 2010 segment EBIT from continuing operations for DEI was $486 million, compared to $365 million in 2009.

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 fourth-quarter 2010 net pretax earnings from continuing operations of $113 million, compared to a net expense of $58 million in the fourth quarter 2009. The improvement was the result of gains on sales of non-core businesses offset by lower results from our captive insurance company and a donation to the Duke Energy Foundation, which supports the communities in which we serve.

Full-year 2010 net expense from continuing operations for Other was $255 million, compared to $251 million in 2009. In addition to the quarterly drivers noted above, the 2010 results included the offsetting impacts of gains on the sale of non-core businesses and severance costs associated with the company's voluntary employee separation program and office consolidation.

INTEREST EXPENSE

Fourth quarter 2010 interest expense was $216 million compared to $191 million in the fourth quarter 2009. Full-year 2010 interest expense was $840 million, compared to $751 million for 2009. The increase in interest expense for the fourth quarter and full-year 2010 was primarily due to higher debt balances that are the result of financing the company's ongoing construction program.

INCOME TAX

Income tax expense from continuing operations in fourth quarter 2010 was $247 million, compared to $158 million in fourth quarter 2009. The effective tax rate in fourth quarter 2010 was approximately 37 percent, compared to 32 percent in fourth quarter 2009. The increase was principally driven by the elimination of the company's ability to utilize the manufacturing tax deduction.

Full-year 2010 income tax expense from continuing operations was $890 million, compared to $758 million in 2009. The effective tax rate for full-year 2010 was approximately 40 percent, compared to approximately 41 percent in 2009. The effective tax rate for both 2010 and 2009 reflects the effect of goodwill impairments, which are non-deductible for tax purposes.

ANALYST CONFERENCE CALL

An earnings conference call for investors and analysts is scheduled for 10 a.m. EST Thursday, Feb. 17. In addition to discussing fourth quarter and year-end 2010 earnings, the company will provide details on its 2011 adjusted diluted earnings per share guidance range.

The conference call can be accessed via the investors' section (http://www.duke-energy.com/investors/) of Duke Energy's website or by dialing 888-820-9409 in the United States or 913-981-5534 outside the United States. The confirmation code is 4503920. Please call in 10 to 15 minutes prior to the scheduled start time. A replay of the conference call will be available until midnight EST, Feb. 26, 2011, by calling 888-203-1112 in the United States or 719-457-0820 outside the United States, and using the code 4503920. A replay and transcript also will be available by accessing the investors' section of the company's website.

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 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 one of the largest electric power holding companies in the United States. Its regulated utility operations serve approximately 4 million customers located in five states in the Southeast and Midwest, representing a population of approximately 11 million people. Its commercial power and international business segments own and 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.

Forward-looking statement

This release includes forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A f 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. Such forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements about Duke Energy's plans, objectives, expectations and intentions, the expected timing of completion of the proposed merger with Progress Energy, and other statements that are not historical facts. 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 storms, 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 creditworthiness 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; the ability to obtain the requisite Duke Energy and Progress Energy shareholder approvals to complete the merger; the risk that Progress Energy or Duke Energy may be unable to obtain governmental and regulatory approvals required for the merger, or required governmental and regulatory approvals may delay the merger or result in the imposition of conditions that could cause the parties to abandon the merger; the risk that a condition to closing of the merger may not be satisfied; the timing to consummate the proposed mergers; the diversion of management time on merger-related issues and other factors. These risks, as well as other risks associated with the merger, will be more fully discussed in the joint proxy statement/prospectus that will be included in the Registration Statement on Form S-4 that will be filed with the SEC in connection with the merger. Additional risks and uncertainties are identified and discussed in Progress Energy's and Duke Energy's reports filed with the SEC and available at the SEC's website at www.sec.gov.

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