EX-99.1 2 ex99_1.htm AMEREN PRESS RELEASE RE EARNINGS FOR QTR PERIOD 6/30/05 Ameren Press release re earnings for qtr period 6/30/05
Exhibit 99.1
                                                                                One Ameren Plaza
                                                1901 Chouteau Avenue
                                                                                St. Louis, MO 63103
 
[Missing Graphic Reference]
AMEREN NEWS RELEASE
                                                                                    
Contacts:

Media
Analysts
Investors
Tim Fox
Bruce Steinke
Investor Services
(314) 554-3120
(314) 554-2574
(800) 255-2237
tfox2@ameren.com
bsteinke@ameren.com
invest@ameren.com
 
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

AMEREN REPORTS SECOND QUARTER 2005 EARNINGS
Increases 2005 Earnings Guidance
 
St. Louis, Mo., Jul. 28, 2005 --- Ameren Corporation (NYSE: AEE) today announced second quarter 2005 net income of $185 million, or 93 cents per share, compared to second quarter 2004 net income of $118 million, or 65 cents per share. Net income for the first six months of 2005 was $306 million, or $1.55 per share, compared to $215 million, or $1.20 per share, in the first half of 2004.
 
Ameren also announced today that it expects 2005 earnings to be between $3.00 and $3.20 per share, up from the previously expected range of $2.90 to $3.10 per share. Ameren’s guidance assumes normal weather for the rest of the year and is subject to, among other things, plant operations, completion of the scheduled Callaway nuclear plant refueling and maintenance outage later this year as planned, energy market and economic conditions, unusual or otherwise unexpected gains or losses and other risks and uncertainties outlined in Ameren’s Forward-looking Statements.
 
“Ameren’s earnings per share in the second quarter of 2005 benefited from stronger interchange power sales margins, earnings from Illinois Power Company, hotter-than-normal weather and the lack of a refueling and maintenance outage at our Callaway nuclear plant, which had reduced 2004 second quarter earnings,” said Gary L. Rainwater, chairman, chief executive officer and president of Ameren Corporation. “These increases were offset, in part, by higher labor, employee benefits and depreciation expenses in our pre-Illinois Power acquisition business. In addition, Ameren received an $18 million refund in the second quarter of 2004 from the Midwest Independent Transmission System Operator for previously paid exit fees that did not recur in 2005.
 
“We increased our 2005 earnings guidance today by 10 cents per share. This increase is being driven largely by an improved outlook for interchange sales margins in 2005 compared to
 
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our original expectations, due primarily to higher power prices,” added Rainwater.
 
Revenues in the second quarter of 2005 increased to $1.6 billion from $1.1 billion in 2004. Illinois Power Company, acquired in September 2004, added electric revenues of $268 million and gas revenues of $73 million in the second quarter of 2005. In addition, electric revenues increased approximately $13 million due to hotter-than-normal weather in the second quarter of 2005, as compared to the second quarter of 2004. According to the National Weather Service, cooling degree days in the company’s service territory were 22 percent greater than normal in the second quarter of 2005 and 6 percent above 2004 levels.
 
Excluding the effect of the Illinois Power Company acquisition, weather-sensitive residential and commercial electric megawatthour sales increased 9 percent and 3 percent, respectively, in the second quarter of 2005 compared to 2004. Excluding the effect of the Illinois Power Company acquisition, industrial electric megawatthour sales decreased 5 percent in the second quarter of 2005, versus the year-ago period. The net decrease was principally due to the reduction of sales under low-margin power sales contracts, partially offset by the addition of Noranda Aluminum, Inc. as a customer on June 1, 2005.
 
Interchange revenues were up $66 million as sales increased by 39 percent in the second quarter of 2005 over the prior year period. In addition, power prices rose 27 percent, averaging $38 per megawatthour in the second quarter of 2005 versus approximately $30 per megawatthour in last year’s second quarter. Increased plant availability and the new Midwest Independent Transmission System Operator market also provided the opportunity for increased interchange sales versus the year-ago period.
 
Operating expenses rose $319 million in the second quarter of 2005, compared to the year-ago period, principally due to the acquisition of Illinois Power Company, which added $306 million in operating expenses, and higher fuel and purchased power costs resulting principally from increased sales. In the second quarter of 2004, Ameren incurred operating expenses of $63 million related to the 64-day refueling and maintenance outage at its Callaway nuclear plant. There was no refueling outage in the second quarter of 2005.
 
Illinois Power Company contributed net income of $15 million to Ameren’s earnings in the second quarter of 2005. Common shares issued in advance of the September 2004 completion of the Illinois Power acquisition diluted second quarter 2004 earnings by an estimated 8 cents per share.
 

 
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Ameren will conduct a conference call for financial analysts at 9:00 a.m. (Central Time) on Thursday, July 28, to discuss second quarter 2005 earnings and other matters related to the company. Investors, the news media and the public may listen to a live Internet broadcast of the Ameren analyst call at www.ameren.com by clicking on "Q2 2005 Ameren Corporation Earnings Conference Call," then the appropriate audio link. A slide presentation is also available on Ameren’s Web site that reconciles earnings per share between the second quarter and first six months of 2005 and the same periods of 2004 and reconciles 2005 earnings guidance to 2004 actual earnings. This presentation will be posted in the “Investors” section of the site under “Presentations.” The analyst call will also be available for replay on the Internet for one year. Telephone playback of the conference call will also be available beginning at 12:00 p.m. (Central Time), from July 28 through August 5, by dialing, U.S. (888) 457-0820; international (719) 457-1112 and entering the number: 9441502.
 
With assets of more than $17 billion, Ameren serves approximately 2.3 million electric customers and more than 900,000 natural gas customers in a 64,000 square mile area of Missouri and Illinois. Ameren owns a diverse mix of electric generating plants strategically located in its Midwest market with a generating capacity of more than 15,000 megawatts.
 
Regulation G

In addition to presenting electric revenues and statistics on a consolidated basis, Ameren has presented electric revenues and statistics for the first three and six months of 2005, excluding Illinois Power Company. Ameren believes this information is useful because it enables readers to compare results between periods without giving effect to the Illinois Power Company acquisition that was completed in September 2004. 

Forward-looking Statements

Statements made in this release, which are not based on historical facts, are "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 elsewhere in this release and in past and subsequent securities filings, could cause actual results to differ materially from management expectations as suggested by such "forward-looking" statements:

·  
regulatory actions, including changes in regulatory policies and ratemaking determinations;
·  
changes in laws and other governmental actions, including monetary and fiscal policies;
·  
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 when the current electric rate freeze and current power supply contracts expire in Illinois in 2006;
·  
the effects of participation in the Midwest Independent Transmission System Operator;
 
 

 
·  
the availability of fuel for the production of electricity, such as coal and natural gas, and purchased power and natural gas for distribution, and the level and volatility of future market prices for such commodities, including the ability to recover any increased costs;
·  
the effectiveness of our risk management strategies and the use of financial and derivative instruments;
·  
prices for power in the Midwest;
·  
business and economic conditions, including their impact on interest rates;
·  
disruptions of the capital markets or other events that make Ameren’s access to necessary capital more difficult or costly;
·  
the impact of the adoption of new accounting standards and the application of appropriate technical accounting rules and guidance;
·  
actions of credit ratings agencies and the effects of such actions;
·  
weather conditions and other natural phenomena;
·  
generation plant construction, installation and performance;
·  
operation of Ameren’s nuclear power facility, including planned and unplanned outages, and decommissioning costs;
·  
the effects of strategic initiatives, including acquisitions and divestitures;
·  
the impact of current environmental regulations on utilities and power generating companies and the expectation that more stringent requirements will be introduced over time, which could have a negative financial effect;
·  
labor disputes, future wages and employee benefits costs, including changes in returns on benefit plan assets;
·  
difficulties in integrating Illinois Power Company with Ameren’s other businesses;
·  
changes in the energy markets, environmental laws or regulations, interest rates, or other factors that could adversely affect assumptions in connection with the CILCORP Inc. and Illinois Power Company acquisitions;
·  
the impact of conditions imposed by regulators in connection with their approval of Ameren’s acquisition of Illinois Power Company;
·  
the inability of Ameren’s counterparties to meet their obligations with respect to Ameren’s contracts and financial instruments;
·  
the cost and availability of transmission capacity;
·  
legal and administrative proceedings; and
·  
acts of sabotage, war or terrorist activities.

Given these uncertainties, undue reliance should not be placed on these forward-looking statements. Except to the extent required by the federal securities laws, Ameren undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.
 
#    #    #
 

 


AMEREN CORPORATION (AEE)
 
CONSOLIDATED OPERATING STATISTICS
 
                 
 
Three Months Ended
 
Six Months Ended
 
 
June 30,
 
June 30,
 
   
2005
   
2004
   
2005
   
2004
 
Electric Sales - KWH (in millions):
                       
Residential
 
5,563
   
3,984
   
11,838
   
8,927
 
Commercial
 
6,138
   
4,877
   
11,956
   
9,696
 
Industrial
 
5,987
   
4,832
   
11,178
   
9,212
 
Wholesale
 
2,254
   
2,197
   
4,733
   
4,687
 
Other
 
166
   
73
   
360
   
156
 
Native
 
20,108
   
15,963
   
40,065
   
32,678
 
Interchange sales
 
4,051
   
2,922
   
7,059
   
6,167
 
Total
 
24,159
   
18,885
   
47,124
   
38,845
 
                         
Electric Revenues - (in millions):
                       
Residential
$
437
 
$
312
 
$
811
 
$
598
 
Commercial
 
417
   
311
   
733
   
556
 
Industrial
 
269
   
205
   
469
   
370
 
Wholesale
 
80
   
79
   
166
   
164
 
Other
 
12
   
9
   
25
   
14
 
Native
 
1,215
   
916
   
2,204
   
1,702
 
Interchange sales
 
154
   
88
   
267
   
187
 
Other
 
44
   
25
   
71
   
56
 
Total
 
1,413
   
1,029
   
2,542
   
1,945
 
                         
Power Supply (%):
                       
Fossil
 
69.3
   
83.2
   
68.7
   
80.7
 
Nuclear
 
9.9
   
3.2
   
9.8
   
6.8
 
Hydro
 
1.4
   
1.9
   
1.8
   
1.8
 
Purchased
 
19.4
   
11.7
   
19.7
   
10.7
 
                         
Fuel Cost per KWH (cents)
 
1.235
   
1.142
   
1.183
   
1.108
 
Gas Sales - MMBTU (in thousands)
 
13,871
   
12,314
   
65,951
   
47,350
 
                         
 
June 30, 
   
December 31,
             
   
2005
   
2004
             
Common Stock:
                       
Shares outstanding (in millions)
 
203.7
   
195.2
             
Book value per share
$
30.75
 
$
29.71
             
                         
Capitalization Ratios:
                       
Common equity
 
52.7
%
 
49.1
%
           
Preferred stock
 
1.6
%
 
1.7
%
           
Debt, net of cash
 
45.7
%
 
49.2
%
           
                         
 
 

 
 

AMEREN CORPORATION (AEE)
 
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF INCOME
 
(Unaudited, in millions, except per share amounts)
 
                 
                 
                 
 
Three Months Ended
 
Six Months Ended
 
 
June 30,
 
June 30,
 
 
2005
 
2004
 
2005
 
2004
 
                 
Operating Revenues:
                       
Electric
$
1,413
 
$
1,029
 
$
2,542
 
$
1,945
 
Gas
 
174
   
119
   
670
   
420
 
Other
 
3
   
1
   
4
   
3
 
Total operating revenues
 
1,590
   
1,149
   
3,216
   
2,368
 
                         
Operating Expenses:
                       
Fuel and purchased power
 
491
   
279
   
907
   
553
 
Gas purchased for resale
 
106
   
75
   
460
   
288
 
Other operations and maintenance
 
373
   
343
   
718
   
649
 
Depreciation and amortization
 
157
   
132
   
314
   
262
 
Taxes other than income taxes
 
95
   
74
   
186
   
154
 
Total operating expenses
 
1,222
   
903
   
2,585
   
1,906
 
Operating Income
 
368
   
246
   
631
   
462
 
                         
Other Income and (Deductions):
                       
Miscellaneous income
 
6
   
4
   
13
   
12
 
Miscellaneous expense
 
(9
)
 
(4
)
 
(10
)
 
(5
)
Total other income and (deductions)
 
(3
)
 
-
   
3
   
7
 
                         
Interest Charges and Preferred Dividends:
                       
Interest
 
77
   
66
   
151
   
130
 
Preferred dividends of subsidiaries
 
3
   
2
   
6
   
5
 
Net interest charges and preferred dividends
 
80
   
68
   
157
   
135
 
                         
Income Before Income Taxes
 
285
   
178
   
477
   
334
 
                         
Income Taxes
 
100
   
60
   
171
   
119
 
                         
Net Income
$
185
 
$
118
 
$
306
 
$
215
 
                         
                         
Earnings per Common Share - Basic and Diluted:
$
0.93
 
$
0.65
 
$
1.55
 
$
1.20
 
                         
Average Common Shares Outstanding
 
199.7
   
182.7
   
197.5
   
178.5
 
                         
                         
                         
 
 

 

AMEREN CORPORATION (AEE)
 
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET
 
(Unaudited, in millions)
 
         
 
June 30,
 
December 31,
 
 
2005
 
2004
 
             
ASSETS
           
Current Assets:
           
Cash and cash equivalents
$
27
 
$
69
 
Accounts receivable - trade
 
424
   
442
 
Unbilled revenue
 
378
   
336
 
Miscellaneous accounts and notes receivable
 
17
   
38
 
Materials and supplies, at average cost
 
649
   
623
 
Other current assets
 
70
   
74
 
Total current assets
 
1,565
   
1,582
 
Property and Plant, Net
 
13,397
   
13,297
 
Investments and Other Non-Current Assets:
           
Investments in leveraged leases
 
135
   
140
 
Nuclear decommissioning trust fund
 
238
   
235
 
Goodwill and other intangibles, net
 
934
   
940
 
Other assets
 
411
   
411
 
Total investments and other assets
 
1,718
   
1,726
 
Regulatory Assets
 
811
   
829
 
             
TOTAL ASSETS
$
17,491
 
$
17,434
 
             
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
           
Current Liabilities:
           
Current maturities of long-term debt
$
350
 
$
423
 
Short-term debt
 
161
   
417
 
Accounts and wages payable
 
370
   
567
 
Taxes accrued
 
136
   
26
 
Other current liabilities
 
363
   
374
 
Total current liabilities
 
1,380
   
1,807
 
Long-term Debt, Net
 
4,929
   
5,021
 
Preferred Stock of Subsidiary Subject to Mandatory Redemption
 
20
   
20
 
Deferred Credits and Other Non-Current Liabilities:
           
Accumulated deferred income taxes, net
 
1,935
   
1,886
 
Accumulated deferred investment tax credits
 
134
   
139
 
Regulatory liabilities
 
1,067
   
1,042
 
Asset retirement obligations
 
452
   
439
 
Accrued pension and other post-retirement benefits
 
810
   
756
 
Other deferred credits and liabilities
 
290
   
315
 
Total deferred credits and other liabilities
 
4,688
   
4,577
 
Preferred Stock of Subsidiaries Not Subject to Mandatory Redemption
 
195
   
195
 
Minority Interest in Consolidated Subsidiaries
 
15
   
14
 
Stockholders' Equity:
           
Common stock
 
2
   
2
 
Other paid-in capital, principally premium on common stock
 
4,347
   
3,949
 
Retained earnings
 
1,959
   
1,904
 
Accumulated other comprehensive loss
 
(30
)
 
(45
)
Other
 
(14
)
 
(10
)
Total stockholders' equity
 
6,264
   
5,800
 
             
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
$
17,491
 
$
17,434
 
             
 


 
AMEREN CORPORATION (AEE)
       
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS
       
(Unaudited, in millions)
       
         
         
 
Six Months Ended
 
 
June 30,
 
 
2005
 
2004
 
         
Cash Flows From Operating Activities:
           
Net income
$
306
 
$
215
 
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash
           
provided by operating activities:
           
Depreciation and amortization
 
314
   
262
 
Amortization of nuclear fuel
 
17
   
13
 
Amortization of debt issuance costs and premium/discounts
 
7
   
5
 
Deferred income taxes and investment tax credits, net
 
66
   
(11
)
Coal contract settlement
 
-
   
18
 
Pension and other postretirement benefit contributions
 
(35
)
 
(32
)
Other
 
52
   
46
 
Changes in assets and liabilities, excluding the effects of the acquisitions:
           
Receivables, net
 
(8
)
 
(23
)
Materials and supplies
 
(26
)
 
29
 
Accounts and wages payable
 
(163
)
 
(162
)
Taxes accrued
 
112
   
117
 
Assets, other
 
18
   
(57
)
Liabilities, other
 
1
   
16
 
Net cash provided by operating activities
 
661
   
436
 
             
             
Cash Flows From Investing Activities:
           
Capital expenditures
 
(442
)
 
(379
)
Nuclear fuel expenditures
 
(13
)
 
(5
)
Other
 
12
   
17
 
Net cash used in investing activities
 
(443
)
 
(367
)
             
             
Cash Flows From Financing Activities:
           
Dividends on common stock
 
(253
)
 
(232
)
Capital issuance costs
 
(1
)
 
(23
)
Redemptions, Repurchases and Maturities:
           
Nuclear fuel lease
 
-
   
(67
)
Short-term debt
 
(256
)
 
(126
)
Long-term debt
 
(237
)
 
(260
)
Issuances:
           
Common stock
 
402
   
935
 
Long-term debt
 
85
   
104
 
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities
 
(260
)
 
331
 
             
Net Change In Cash and Cash Equivalents
 
(42
)
 
400
 
Cash and Cash Equivalents at Beginning of Year
 
69
   
111
 
             
Cash and Cash Equivalents at End of Period
$
27
 
$
511