The Laclede Group Reports Increased Earnings

Results Improved Despite Record Warmth

News provided by

The Laclede Group

Apr 27, 2012, 08:30 ET

ST. LOUIS, April 27, 2012 /PRNewswire/ --

Highlights

Three Months Ended March 31, 2012

  • Consolidated net income was $29.7 million, or $1.32 diluted earnings per share, a 6% increase from the prior fiscal year
  • Net economic earnings were $28.4 million ($1.27 per share), a 4% increase from the prior year
  • Non-regulated marketing activities produced higher sales margins, while lower utility sales margins were offset with operational efficiencies, including lower maintenance expenses and cost containment

Six Months Ended March 31, 2012

  • Consolidated net income was $54.9 million ($2.45 per share), a 7% increase from the prior year
  • Net economic earnings were $53.3 million ($2.38 per share), a 5% increase from the prior year
  • Capital spending for the first six months of fiscal 2012 was higher by 37%, as Laclede Gas continued its investments in distribution system improvements and information system technology

The Laclede Group (NYSE: LG) today reported consolidated net income for its second quarter ending March 31, 2012 totaling $29.7 million, or $1.32 diluted earnings per share, compared to $27.9 million, or $1.25 per share for the same quarter last year.  Net economic earnings totaled $28.4 million, or $1.27 per share, compared to $27.5 million, or $1.23 per share for the same quarter last year.  A table of net economic earnings and reconciliation to GAAP follows.

For the first half of fiscal 2012, The Laclede Group reported net income totaling $54.9 million, or $2.45 per share, compared to $51.3 million, or $2.30 per share for the same period last year.  Net economic earnings for the first six months were $53.3 million, or $2.38 per share, compared to $50.9 million, or $2.28 per share, for the same period last year.

Additionally, the Company declared a quarterly dividend of 41 1/2 cents per share on its common stock payable July 3, 2012 to shareholders of record on June 11, 2012.

The increased earnings were driven by Laclede Energy Resources, Inc. (LER), Laclede Group's non-regulated natural gas service provider, which generated year-over-year increases in earnings for both the quarter and six months ended March 31, 2012.  Laclede Gas Company, the Company's core utility subsidiary, reported slightly lower earnings in both periods primarily due to the effect of record warm weather in its service area.

"We are pleased with the results of operations for the first half of our fiscal 2012," said Suzanne Sitherwood, who assumed the role of president and chief executive officer of The Laclede Group during the quarter.  "We continue to successfully navigate the ongoing challenges of our marketplace and the record warm weather through our initiatives to manage costs and re-invest in our business.  Our businesses are solidly profitable and continue to deliver, providing us with a core foundation on which to pursue future opportunities."

LACLEDE GAS COMPANY

Laclede Gas Company reported net income of $25.9 million for the second quarter of fiscal 2012, compared to $26.2 million for the second quarter of fiscal 2011.  Net income for the first half of fiscal 2012 totaled $47.6 million, compared to $47.7 million for the same period last year.

The earnings in both periods were negatively impacted by warm weather in its service territory.  The winter heating season through March has been the warmest based on records that date back more than 100 years, and Laclede has successfully managed through this period as a result of its ongoing cost reduction initiatives and weather-mitigation strategies in its rate structure.  Lower weather-related sales margins and higher pension and benefit costs were nearly offset by higher Infrastructure System Replacement Surcharge (ISRS) revenues, lower maintenance costs, and other cost reductions.  Laclede Gas continued to invest in distribution system improvements and its multi-year effort to replace its major technology platforms and, as a result, capital spending for the first half of fiscal 2012 increased by $10.9 million, or 36.8%, compared to the same period last year.

Today, Laclede Gas intends to file with the Missouri Public Service Commission (MPSC) a request for an increase in its ISRS that allows Laclede to recover increased costs primarily related to the operation, maintenance and safety of its more than 16,000 miles of pipeline infrastructure.  The increase, totaling $3.1 million, is anticipated to increase an average residential customer's bills by 38 cents per month.  It is expected that the MPSC will act on this request next month.

LACLEDE ENERGY RESOURCES

LER reported net income of $3.8 million for the second quarter of fiscal 2012, compared to $1.7 million for the same quarter last year. Net economic earnings totaled $2.5 million for the second quarter of fiscal 2012, compared to $1.3 million for the same quarter last year.  Net income for the six months ended March 31, 2012 totaled $7.5 million, compared to $3.6 million for the same period last year.  LER's net economic earnings for the first half of fiscal 2012 totaled $6.0 million, compared to $3.3 million for the same period last year. 

The improved results reflect higher margins primarily due to the effect of lower transportation costs resulting from the renegotiation of contracts that were renewed in the latter half of fiscal 2011. On a GAAP basis, the increased sales margins also included higher unrealized net gains on energy-related derivatives.    LER's results also include those of its wholly owned subsidiary, LER Storage Services, Inc., which began operations in January 2012 and currently leases 1 Bcf of natural gas storage capacity in Northern Louisiana.

ABOUT THE LACLEDE GROUP

The Laclede Group's earnings are seasonal in nature and generally correspond with the heating season for Laclede Gas Company, its largest subsidiary.

For additional details on The Laclede Group's fiscal 2012 second quarter results, please see the accompanying unaudited Statements of Consolidated Income.

Headquartered in St. Louis, Missouri, The Laclede Group, Inc. is a public utility holding company committed to providing reliable natural gas service through its regulated core utility operations, while engaging in non-regulated activities that provide opportunities for sustainable growth.  Its regulated utility business, conducted by Laclede Gas Company, serves approximately 625,000 residential, commercial and industrial customers in St. Louis City and parts of 10 counties in eastern Missouri.  Laclede Group's primary non-regulated business is conducted by Laclede Energy Resources, Inc., a natural gas commodity service provider, and includes its wholly owned subsidiary LER Storage Services, Inc.  For more information about Laclede Group and its subsidiaries, visit www.TheLacledeGroup.com.

CAUTIONARY STATEMENTS ON FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION AND NON-GAAP MEASURES

This news release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. The Company's future operating results may be affected by various uncertainties and risk factors, many of which are beyond the Company's control, including weather conditions, governmental and regulatory policy and action, the competitive environment and economic factors. For a more complete description of these uncertainties and risk factors, see the Company's Form 10-Q for the quarter ended December 31, 2011, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

This news release includes the non-GAAP financial measures of "net economic earnings" and "net economic earnings per share."  Management also uses these non-GAAP measures internally when evaluating the Company's performance. Net economic earnings exclude from net income the after-tax impacts of fair value accounting and timing adjustments associated with energy-related transactions. These adjustments, which primarily impact LER, include net unrealized gains and losses on energy-related derivatives resulting from the current changes in the fair value of financial and physical transactions prior to their completion and settlement, lower of cost or market inventory adjustments, and realized gains and losses on economic hedges prior to the sale of the physical commodity. Management will also exclude from net income the after-tax costs related to acquisition, divestiture, and restructuring activities, if any.  Management believes that excluding these items provides a useful representation of the economic impact of actual settled transactions and overall results of ongoing operations. These internal non-GAAP operating metrics should not be considered as an alternative to, or more meaningful than, GAAP measures such as net income.


STATEMENTS OF CONSOLIDATED INCOME—UNAUDITED

THE LACLEDE GROUP, INC.

(Thousands, Except Per Share Amounts)

Three Months Ended

March 31,

Six Months Ended

March 31,

2012

2011

2012

2011















OPERATING REVENUES
















Regulated Gas Distribution

$

298,620

$

388,375

$

549,522

$

665,818

Non-Regulated Gas Marketing

59,434


155,111


218,022


321,519

Other

121


292


1,544


643

          Total Operating Revenues

358,175


543,778


769,088


987,980

OPERATING EXPENSES
















Regulated Gas Distribution
















   Natural and propane gas

171,164


260,706


317,915


434,071

   Other operation expenses

38,043


39,500


75,608


74,362

   Maintenance

5,761


6,441


11,069


12,581

   Depreciation and amortization

10,175


9,739


20,264


19,377

   Taxes, other than income taxes

20,093


24,686


34,760


40,434

          Total Regulated Gas Distribution Operating Expenses

245,236


341,072


459,616


580,825

Non-Regulated Gas Marketing

61,805


152,302


214,364


315,655

Other

551


461


1,420


806

          Total Operating Expenses            



307,592


493,835


675,400


897,286

Operating Income

50,583


49,943


93,688


90,694

Other Income and (Income Deductions) - Net

1,381


467


3,320


2,312

Interest Charges:
















Interest on long-term debt

5,740


5,740


11,479


11,682

Other interest charges

539


549


1,114


1,293

         Total Interest Charges

6,279


6,289


12,593


12,975

Income Before Income Taxes

45,685


44,121


84,415


80,031

Income Tax Expense

16,001


16,228


29,557


28,769

Net Income

$

29,684

$

27,893

$

54,858

$

51,262


















Weighted Average Number of Common Shares Outstanding:
















Basic

22,254


22,100


22,223


22,070

Diluted

22,336


22,172


22,299


22,145


















Basic Earnings Per Share of Common Stock

$

1.33

$

1.25

$

2.45

$

2.30

Diluted Earnings Per Share of Common Stock

$

1.32

$

1.25

$

2.45

$

2.30





















NET ECONOMIC EARNINGS AND RECONCILIATION TO GAAP


(Millions, except per share amounts)

Laclede Gas Company

Laclede Energy Resources, Inc.

Other

Total

Per Share Amounts (2)

















Quarter Ended March 31, 2012


















Net Economic Earnings (Non-GAAP)

$

25.9

$

2.5

$

—

$

28.4

$

1.27

Add:  Unrealized gain (loss) on energy-related

     derivatives (1)

—


2.0


—


2.0

0.09

Add:  Lower of cost or market inventory adjustments (1)

—


(0.6)


—


(0.6)

(0.03)

Add:  Realized gain (loss) on economic hedges prior to

     the sale of the physical commodity (1)

—


(0.1)


—


(0.1)

(0.01)

Net Income (GAAP)

$

25.9

$

3.8

$

—

$

29.7

$

1.32

Net Economic EPS (Non-GAAP) (2)

$

1.15

$

0.11

$

0.01

$

1.27



Diluted EPS (GAAP)

$

1.15

$

0.17

$

—

$

1.32





















Quarter Ended March 31, 2011


















Net Economic Earnings (Non-GAAP)

$

26.2

$

1.3

$

—

$

27.5

$

1.23

Add:  Unrealized gain (loss) on energy-related

     derivatives (1)

—


0.4


—


0.4

0.02

Add:  Lower of cost or market inventory adjustments (1)

—


—


—


—

—

Add:  Realized gain (loss) on economic hedges prior to

     the sale of the physical commodity (1)

—


—


—


—

—

Net Income (GAAP)

$

26.2

$

1.7

$

—

$

27.9

$

1.25

Net Economic EPS (Non-GAAP) (2)

$

1.17

$

0.06

$

—

$

1.23



Diluted EPS (GAAP)

$

1.17

$

0.08

$

—

$

1.25






















Six Months Ended March 31, 2012


















Net Economic Earnings (Losses) (Non-GAAP)

$

47.5

$

6.0

$

(0.2)

$

53.3

$

2.38

Add:  Unrealized gain (loss) on energy-related

     derivatives (1)

0.1


2.2


—


2.3

0.11

Add:  Lower of cost or market inventory adjustments (1)

—


(0.6)


—


(0.6)

(0.03)

Add:  Realized gain (loss) on economic hedges prior to

     the sale of the physical commodity (1)

—


(0.1)


—


(0.1)

(0.01)

Net Income (Loss) (GAAP)

$

47.6

$

7.5

$

(0.2)

$

54.9

$

2.45

Net Economic EPS (Non-GAAP) (2)

$

2.12

$

0.27

$

(0.01)

$

2.38



Diluted EPS (GAAP)

$

2.12

$

0.33

$

—

$

2.45





















Six Months Ended March 31, 2011


















Net Economic Earnings (Non-GAAP)

$

47.6

$

3.3

$

—

$

50.9

$

2.28

Add:  Unrealized gain (loss) on energy-related

     derivatives (1)

0.1


0.3


—


0.4

0.02

Add:  Lower of cost or market inventory adjustments (1)

—


—


—


—

—

Add:  Realized gain (loss) on economic hedges prior to

     the sale of the physical commodity (1)

—


—


—


—

—

Net Income (GAAP)

$

47.7

$

3.6

$

—

$

51.3

$

2.30

Net Economic EPS (Non-GAAP) (2)

$

2.13

$

0.15

$

—

$

2.28



Diluted EPS (GAAP)

$

2.14

$

0.16

$

—

$

2.30


(1)

Amounts presented net of income taxes. Income taxes are calculated by applying federal, state, and local income tax rates applicable to ordinary income to the amounts of the pre-tax reconciling items. For the quarters ended March 31, 2012 and 2011, the total net amount of income tax expense included in the reconciling items is $0.8 million and $0.3 million, respectively. For the six months ended March 31, 2012 and 2011, the total net amount of income tax expense included in the reconciling items is $1.0 million and $0.3 million, respectively.

(2)

Consolidated net economic earnings per share (EPS) are calculated by replacing consolidated net income with consolidated net economic earnings in the GAAP diluted EPS calculation.

Note: EPS amounts by company represent contributions to Laclede Group's consolidated EPS.

SOURCE The Laclede Group