EX-99.2 3 ex99_2.htm EXHIBIT 99.2 - CONSOLIDATED REPORT TO THE FINANCIAL COMMUNITY, DATED FEBRUARY 25. 2008 ex99_2.htm
                                                                    
Exhibit 99.2
 
 
    
Consolidated Report to the Financial Community                            
Fourth Quarter 2007                                                       
(Released February 25, 2008)                       
 
             
 HIGHLIGHTS
    After-Tax EPS Variance Analysis  
4th Qtr.
       4Q 2006 Basic EPS - GAAP Basis     $0.85  
 §  Normalized non-GAAP* earnings, excluding       Special Items - 2006      (0.01 )
   special items, were $0.90 per share for the    4Q 2006 Normalized Earnings - Non-GAAP Basis*     $0.84  
   fourth quarter of 2007, compared with $0.84       Distribution Deliveries     0.05  
   per share for the fourth quarter of 2006.       Met-Ed and Penelec Distribution Rate Decrease     (0.05 )         
   GAAP earnings for the fourth quarter of 2007       Generation Revenues                     0.26  
   were $0.88 per share compared with $0.85 per      Fuel & Purchased Power     (0.20 )
   share in the prior year.      Energy Delivery Expenses     (0.05 )
          Pensions and Other Post-retirement Benefits     0.06  
 §  Normalized non-GAAP* earnings for 2007,       Corporate-Owned Life Insurance (COLI)     (0.06 )
   excluding special items, were $4.23 per share,      Depreciation     (0.02 )
   near the top of our earnings guidance of $4.15       General Taxes     (0.01 )
   to $4.25 per share.  This also compares      Financing Costs     0.05  
   favorably with 2006 normalized, non-GAAP       Reduced Common Shares Outstanding     0.04  
   earnings of $3.88 per share.  GAAP earnings       Other     (0.01 )
   for 2007 were $4.27 per share, compared with    4Q 2007 Normalized Earnings - Non-GAAP Basis*     $0.90  
   $3.84 per share in 2006.      Special Items - 2007     (0.02 )
       4Q 2007 Basic EPS - GAAP Basis       $0.88  
               
 
4Q 2007 Results vs. 4Q 2006
 
 §
Electric distribution deliveries increased 3%, primarily due to colder weather.   Heating-degree-days were 6% higher than in the same period last year, but 8% below normal.  Commercial and residential deliveries increased 5% and 4%, respectively, while industrial deliveries increased slightly.  The resulting higher distribution delivery revenues increased earnings by $0.05 per share, but were offset by a $0.05 per share reduction in earnings resulting from the Metropolitan Edison Company (Met-Ed) and Pennsylvania Electric Company (Penelec) distribution rate decrease effective in January 2007.
 
 §
Total electric generation sales increased 4%. Wholesale sales increased 0.7 million megawatt-hours (MWh) or 13%, while retail generation sales increased 0.4 million MWh or 1%.  Generation revenues, excluding power sourced from third-party auction suppliers for our Jersey Central Power & Light Company (JCP&L) and Pennsylvania Power Company (Penn Power) customers, increased earnings by $0.26 per share. This increase was attributable to higher wholesale and retail prices, as well as higher sales volume.
 
 §
Higher purchased power expense, excluding JCP&L and Penn Power purchases from third-party auction suppliers, reduced earnings by $0.18 per share, primarily due to higher market prices compared to the same period last year.  Higher fuel costs reduced earnings by $0.02 per share.
 
 §
Increased Energy Delivery expenses reduced earnings by $0.05 per share, reflecting higher storm-related maintenance and increased system reliability spending.
 
 
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Consolidated Report to the Financial Community – 4th Quarter 2007
 
 
 
 §
 
Reduced pension and other post-retirement benefit costs increased earnings by $0.06 per share, mainly due to retiree health care design changes and the impact of the $300 million voluntary contribution to the pension plan made in January 2007. 
 
 §
Decreased investment income related to corporate-owned life insurance reduced earnings by $0.06 per share.
 
 §
Incremental property additions increased depreciation expense by $0.02 per share.
 
 §
Higher general taxes reduced earnings by $0.01 per share, primarily due to higher Pennsylvania gross receipts taxes.
 
 §
 
Lower financing costs increased earnings by $0.05 per share.  The decrease in financing costs is attributable to reduced short-term borrowings, interest capitalized on higher construction spending, and lower refinancing costs.
 
 §
The reduction in shares outstanding, due to the accelerated repurchase of 14.4 million common shares in March 2007, enhanced earnings by $0.04 per share.
 
 §
During the quarter, a $0.02 per share reduction in earnings was recognized from the impairment of securities held in trust for future nuclear decommissioning activities.
 
 
2008 Earnings Guidance
 
 §
Normalized non-GAAP* earnings guidance for 2008, excluding special items, is $4.15 to $4.35 per share.  Our estimate for the quarterly pattern of our 2008 earnings guidance is:
 
1st Quarter 19%  
  2nd Quarter 22%
 3rd Quarter 35%
  4th Quarter 24%
 
 
* The 2007 and 2008 GAAP to non-GAAP reconciliation statements can be found on page 10 of this report and all GAAP to non-GAAP reconciliation statements are available on the Investor Information section of FirstEnergy Corp.'s Web site at www.firstenergycorp.com/ir.
 
 
 
 

 
For additional information, please contact:
 
Ronald E. Seeholzer
Kurt E. Turosky
Rey Y. Jimenez
Vice President, Investor Relations
Director, Investor Relations
Principal, Investor Relations
(330) 384-5783
(330) 384-5500
(330) 761-4239
 
 
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Consolidated Report to the Financial Community – 4th Quarter 2007                                                            2
 
 
FirstEnergy Corp.
Consolidated Statements of Income
(In millions, except for per share amounts)


                                         
       
Three Months Ended Dec. 31,
    
Twelve Months Ended Dec. 31,
  
       
2007
    
2006
    
Change
    
2007
    
2006
    
Change
  
   
Revenues
                                    
(1 )
Electric sales
   $ 2,882     $ 2,492     $ 390     $ 11,944     $ 10,671     $ 1,273  
(2 )
FE Facilities
     -       -       -       -       48       (48 )
(3 )
Other
     197       188       9       858       782       76  
(4 )
Total Revenues
     3,079       2,680       399       12,802       11,501       1,301  
                                                     
   
Expenses
                                                
(5 )
Fuel
     291       283       8       1,178       1,212       (34 )
(6 )
Purchased power
     922       664       258       3,836       3,041       795  
(7 )
Other operating expenses
     831       735       96       3,086       2,924       162  
(8 )
FE Facilities
     -       -       -       -       41       (41 )
(9 )
Provision for depreciation
     161       151       10       638       596       42  
(10 )
Amortization of regulatory assets
     234       197       37       1,019       861       158  
(11 )
Deferral of new regulatory assets
     (125 )     (121 )     (4 )     (524 )     (500 )     (24 )
(12 )
General taxes
     165       167       (2 )     754       720       34  
(13 )
Total Expenses
     2,479       2,076       403       9,987       8,895       1,092  
                                                     
(14 )
Operating Income
     600       604       (4 )     2,815       2,606       209  
                                                     
   
Other Income (Expense)
                                                
(15 )
Investment income
     27       29       (2 )     120       149       (29 )
(16 )
Interest expense
     (182 )     (193 )     11       (775 )     (721 )     (54 )
(17 )
Capitalized interest
     11       5       6       32       26       6  
(18 )
Subsidiaries' preferred stock dividends
     -       (1 )     1       -       (7 )     7  
(19 )
Total Other Expense
     (144 )     (160 )     16       (623 )     (553 )     (70 )
                                                     
(20 )
Income From Continuing Operations
                                                
   
Before Income Taxes
     456       444       12       2,192       2,053       139  
(21 )
Income taxes
     188       170       18       883       795       88  
(22 )
Income From Continuing Operations
     268       274       (6 )     1,309       1,258       51  
(23 )
Discontinued operations
     -       -       -       -       (4 )     4  
(24 )
Net Income
   $ 268     $ 274     $ (6 )   $ 1,309     $ 1,254     $ 55  
                                                     
   
Basic Earnings Per Common Share:
                                                
(25 )
Income from continuing operations
   $ 0.88     $ 0.85     $ 0.03     $ 4.27     $ 3.85     $ 0.42  
(26 )
Discontinued operations
     -       -       -       -       (0.01 )     0.01  
(27 )
Basic Earnings Per Common Share
   $ 0.88     $ 0.85     $ 0.03     $ 4.27     $ 3.84     $ 0.43  
(28 )
Weighted Average Number of
                                                
   
Basic Shares Outstanding
     304       318       (14 )     306       324       (18 )
                                                     
   
Diluted Earnings Per Common Share:
                                                
(29 )
Income from continuing operations
   $ 0.87     $ 0.84     $ 0.03     $ 4.22     $ 3.82     $ 0.40  
(30 )
Discontinued operations
     -       -       -       -       (0.01 )     0.01  
(31 )
Diluted Earnings Per Common Share
   $ 0.87     $ 0.84     $ 0.03     $ 4.22     $ 3.81     $ 0.41  
(32 )
Weighted Average Number of
                                                
   
Diluted Shares Outstanding
     308       321       (13 )     310       327       (17 )
                                                     





____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Consolidated Report to the Financial Community – 4th Quarter 2007                                                            3
 
 

FirstEnergy Corp.
Consolidated Income Segments
 (In millions)

 


                                         
       
Twelve Months Ended December 31, 2007
  
                   
Ohio
                    
       
Energy
    
Competitive
    
Transitional
                    
       
Delivery
    
Energy
    
Generation
          
Reconciling
        
       
Services (a)
    
Services (b)
    
Services (c)
    
Other (d)
    
Adjustments
    
Consolidated
  
   
Revenues
                                    
(1 )
Electric sales
   $ 8,069     $ 1,316     $ 2,559     $ -     $ -     $ 11,944  
(2 )
FE Facilities
     -       -       -       -       -       -  
(3 )
Other
     657       152       37       39       (27 )     858  
(4 )
Internal revenues
     -       2,901       -       -       (2,901 )     -  
(5 )
Total Revenues
     8,726       4,369       2,596       39       (2,928 )     12,802  
                                                     
   
Expenses
                                                
(6 )
Fuel
     5       1,173       -       -       -       1,178  
(7 )
Purchased power
     3,733       764       2,240       -       (2,901 )     3,836  
(8 )
Other operating expenses
     1,700       1,160       305       15       (94 )     3,086  
(9 )
FE Facilities
     -       -       -       -       -       -  
(10 )
Provision for depreciation
     404       204       -       4       26       638  
(11 )
Amortization of regulatory assets
     991       -       28       -       -       1,019  
(12 )
Deferral of new regulatory assets
     (371 )     -       (153 )     -       -       (524 )
(13 )
General taxes
     623       107       4       1       19       754  
(14 )
Total Expenses
     7,085       3,408       2,424       20       (2,950 )     9,987  
                                                     
(15 )
Operating Income
     1,641       961       172       19       22       2,815  
                                                     
   
Other Income (Expense)
                                                
(16 )
Investment income
     240       16       1       1       (138 )     120  
(17 )
Interest expense
     (456 )     (172 )     (1 )     (4 )     (142 )     (775 )
(18 )
Capitalized interest
     11       20       -       -       1       32  
(19 )
Subsidiaries' preferred stock dividends
     -       -       -       -       -       -  
(20 )
Total Other Expense
     (205 )     (136 )     -       (3 )     (279 )     (623 )
                                                     
(21 )
Income From Continuing Operations
                                                
   
Before Income Taxes
     1,436       825       172       16       (257 )     2,192  
(22 )
Income taxes
     574       330       69       4       (94 )     883  
                                                     
(23 )
Income From Continuing Operations
     862       495       103       12       (163 )     1,309  
(24 )
Discontinued operations
     -       -       -       -       -       -  
(25 )
Net Income
   $ 862     $ 495     $ 103     $ 12     $ (163 )   $ 1,309  
                                                     
(a
 ) Consists of regulated transmission and distribution operations, including transition cost recovery, and provider of last resort generation service for  
    FirstEnergy's Pennsylvania and New Jersey electric utility subsidiaries.  
(b ) Consists of unregulated generation and commodity operations, including competitive electric sales, and generation sales to affiliated electric utilities.  
(c ) Represents provider of last resort generation service by FirstEnergy's Ohio electric utility subsidiaries.  
(d ) Primarily consists of telecommunications services.  
                                                     





____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Consolidated Report to the Financial Community – 4th Quarter 2007                                                            4
 
 
 

FirstEnergy Corp.
Consolidated Income Segments
 (In millions)

 

                                         
       
Twelve Months Ended December 31, 2006
  
                   
Ohio
                    
       
Energy
    
Competitive
    
Transitional
                    
       
Delivery
    
Energy
    
Generation
          
Reconciling
        
       
Services (a)
    
Services (b)
    
Services (c)
    
Other (d)
    
Adjustments
    
Consolidated
  
   
Revenues
                                    
(1 )
Electric sales
   $ 7,039     $ 1,266     $ 2,366     $ -     $ -     $ 10,671  
(2 )
FE Facilities
     -       -       -       48       -       48  
(3 )
Other
     584       163       24       47       (36 )     782  
(4 )
Internal revenues
     14       2,609       -       -       (2,623 )     -  
(5 )
Total Revenues
     7,637       4,038       2,390       95       (2,659 )     11,501  
                                                     
   
Expenses
                                                
(6 )
Fuel
     5       1,207       -       -       -       1,212  
(7 )
Purchased power
     3,010       605       2,050       -       (2,624 )     3,041  
(8 )
Other operating expenses
     1,585       1,138       247       24       (70 )     2,924  
(9 )
FE Facilities
     -       -       -       41       -       41  
(10 )
Provision for depreciation
     379       190       -       4       23       596  
(11 )
Amortization of regulatory assets
     841       -       20       -       -       861  
(12 )
Deferral of new regulatory assets
     (375 )     -       (125 )     -       -       (500 )
(13 )
General taxes
     599       90       10       (2 )     23       720  
(14 )
Total Expenses
     6,044       3,230       2,202       67       (2,648 )     8,895  
                                                     
(15 )
Operating Income
     1,593       808       188       28       (11 )     2,606  
                                                     
   
Other Income (Expense)
                                                
(16 )
Investment income
     328       35       -       1       (215 )     149  
(17 )
Interest expense
     (431 )     (200 )     (1 )     (6 )     (83 )     (721 )
(18 )
Capitalized interest
     14       12       -       -       -       26  
(19 )
Subsidiaries' preferred stock dividends
     (16 )     -       -       -       9       (7 )
(20 )
Total Other Expense
     (105 )     (153 )     (1 )     (5 )     (289 )     (553 )
                                                     
(21 )
Income From Continuing Operations
                                                
   
Before Income Taxes
     1,488       655       187       23       (300 )     2,053  
(22 )
Income taxes
     595       262       75       (21 )     (116 )     795  
(23 )
Income From Continuing Operations
     893       393       112       44       (184 )     1,258  
(24 )
Discontinued operations
     -       -       -       (4 )     -       (4 )
(25 )
Net Income
   $ 893     $ 393     $ 112     $ 40     $ (184 )   $ 1,254  
                                                     
(a ) Consists of regulated transmission and distribution operations, including transition cost recovery, and provider of last resort generation service for  
    FirstEnergy's Pennsylvania and New Jersey electric utility subsidiaries.  
(b ) Consists of unregulated generation and commodity operations, including competitive electric sales, and generation sales to affiliated electric utilities.  
(c ) Represents provider of last resort generation service by FirstEnergy's Ohio electric utility subsidiaries.  
(d ) Consists of telecommunications services and non-core businesses divested in 2006 (Facilities Services Group and MYR).  
                                                     

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Consolidated Report to the Financial Community – 4th Quarter 2007                                                            5
 
 
 

FirstEnergy Corp.
Consolidated Income Segments
 (In millions)

 
       
 
  
       
Twelve Months Ended Dec. 31, 2007 vs. Twelve Months Ended Dec. 31, 2006
  
                   
Ohio
                    
       
Energy
    
Competitive
    
Transitional
                    
       
Delivery
    
Energy
    
Generation
          
Reconciling
        
       
Services (a)
    
Services (b)
    
Services (c)
    
Other (d)
    
Adjustments
    
Consolidated
  
   
Revenues
                                    
(1 )
Electric sales
   $ 1,030     $ 50     $ 193     $ -     $ -     $ 1,273  
(2 )
FE Facilities
     -       -       -       (48 )     -       (48 )
(3 )
Other
     73       (11 )     13       (8 )     9       76  
(4 )
Internal revenues
     (14 )     292       -       -       (278 )     -  
(5 )
Total Revenues
     1,089       331       206       (56 )     (269 )     1,301  
                                                     
   
Expenses
                                                
(6 )
Fuel
     -       (34 )     -       -       -       (34 )
(7 )
Purchased power
     723       159       190       -       (277 )     795  
(8 )
Other operating expenses
     115       22       58       (9 )     (24 )     162  
(9 )
FE Facilities
     -       -       -       (41 )     -       (41 )
(10 )
Provision for depreciation
     25       14       -       -       3       42  
(11 )
Amortization of regulatory assets
     150       -       8       -       -       158  
(12 )
Deferral of new regulatory assets
     4       -       (28 )     -       -       (24 )
(13 )
General taxes
     24       17       (6 )     3       (4 )     34  
(14 )
Total Expenses
     1,041       178       222       (47 )     (302 )     1,092  
                                                     
(15 )
Operating Income
     48       153       (16 )     (9 )     33       209  
                                                     
   
Total Other Expense
                                                
(16 )
Investment income
     (88 )     (19 )     1       -       77       (29 )
(17 )
Interest expense
     (25 )     28       -       2       (59 )     (54 )
(18 )
Capitalized interest
     (3 )     8       -       -       1       6  
(19 )
Subsidiaries' preferred stock dividends
     16       -       -       -       (9 )     7  
(20 )
Total Other Expense
     (100 )     17       1       2       10       (70 )
                                                     
(21 )
Income From Continuing Operations
                                                
   
Before Income Taxes
     (52 )     170       (15 )     (7 )     43       139  
                                                     
(22 )
Income taxes
     (21 )     68       (6 )     25       22       88  
                                                     
(23 )
Income From Continuing Operations
     (31 )     102       (9 )     (32 )     21       51  
(24 )
Discontinued operations
     -       -       -       4       -       4  
(25 )
Net Income
   $ (31 )   $ 102     $ (9 )   $ (28 )   $ 21     $ 55  
                                                     
(a ) Consists of regulated transmission and distribution operations, including transition cost recovery, and provider of last resort generation service for  
    FirstEnergy's Pennsylvania and New Jersey electric utility subsidiaries.  
(b ) Consists of unregulated generation and commodity operations, including competitive electric sales, and generation sales to affiliated electric utilities.  
(c ) Represents provider of last resort generation service by FirstEnergy's Ohio electric utility subsidiaries.  
(d ) Consists of telecommunications services and non-core businesses divested in 2006 (Facilities Services Group and MYR).  
                                                     


 
 
 

 
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Consolidated Report to the Financial Community – 4th Quarter 2007                                                                    6
 
 
 

FirstEnergy Corp.
Financial Statements
 (In millions)

 
                 
 
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets
            
       
 
As of
Dec. 31,
2007
    
As of
Dec. 31,
2006
  
 
Assets
            
 
Current Assets:
            
   
Cash and cash equivalents
   $ 129     $ 90  
   
Receivables
     1,421       1,267  
   
Other
     680       726  
 
Total Current Assets
     2,230       2,083  
                     
 
Property, Plant and Equipment
     15,383       14,667  
 
Investments
     3,598       3,534  
 
Deferred Charges and Other Assets
     10,857       10,912  
 
Total Assets
   $ 32,068     $ 31,196  
                     
 
Liabilities and Capitalization
                
 
Current Liabilities:
                
   
Currently payable long-term debt
   $ 2,014     $ 1,867  
   
Short-term borrowings
     903       1,108  
   
Accounts payable
     777       726  
   
Other
     1,454       1,554  
 
Total Current Liabilities
     5,148       5,255  
                     
 
Capitalization:
                
   
Common stockholders' equity (a)
     8,977       9,035  
   
Long-term debt and other long-term obligations
     8,869       8,535  
 
Total Capitalization
     17,846       17,570  
 
Noncurrent Liabilities
     9,074       8,371  
 
Total Liabilities and Capitalization
   $ 32,068     $ 31,196  
                     
 
 (a)
Reduction reflects $942 million common share repurchase in 2007.
          
                     
 

 
                           
 
General Information
  
Three Months Ended Dec. 31,
    
Twelve Months Ended Dec. 31,
  
                           
     
2007
    
2006
    
2007
    
2006
  
                           
 
Debt and equity securities redemptions
   $ (502 )   $ (1,629 )   $ (2,067 )   $ (3,329 )
 
New long-term debt issues
   $ 427     $ 1,504     $ 1,527     $ 2,739  
 
Short-term debt increase/(decrease)
   $ 330     $ (96 )   $ (205 )   $ 386  
 
Capital expenditures
   $ 506     $ 325     $ 1,633     $ 1,315  
                                   


                     
 
Adjusted Capitalization (Including Off-Balance Sheet Items) - Rating Agency View
      
     
As of December 31,
  
     
2007
  
% Total
  
2006
  
% Total
  
 
Total common equity
 $
8,977
  
40
 % $ 
           9,035
  
42
% 
 
Long-term debt (a)
  
           10,486
  
47
 % 
             9,973
  
47
% 
 
Short-term debt
  
                903
  
4
 %
             1,108
  
5
% 
 
Off-balance sheet debt equivalents:
                  
 
Sale-leaseback net debt equivalents (b)
 
1,990
  
9
 %
1,231
  
6
 %
 
Total
 $
22,356
  
100
 % $ 
         21,347
  
100
% 
                     
   (a)    Includes amounts due to be paid within one year and excludes JCP&L securitization debt of $397 million and $429  
            million in 2007 and 2006, respectively.  
   (b)    Associated with 1987 and 2007 sale and leaseback transactions.  
     

 

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Consolidated Report to the Financial Community – 4th Quarter 2007                                                            7
 
 
FirstEnergy Corp.
Financial Statements
(In millions)


 
                             
 
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
                    
       
Three Months Ended Dec. 31,
    
Twelve Months Ended Dec. 31,
  
       
2007
    
2006
    
2007
    
2006
  
 
Cash flows from operating activities:
                        
 
Net income
   $ 268     $ 274     $ 1,309     $ 1,254  
 
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash from operating activities:
          
   
Depreciation, amortization, and deferral of regulatory assets
     270       227       1,133       957  
   
Deferred purchased power and other costs
     (81 )     (122 )     (346 )     (445 )
   
Deferred income taxes and investment tax credits*
     149       123       (9 )     159  
   
Deferred rents and lease market valuation liability
     (58 )     (59 )     (99 )     (113 )
   
Electric service prepayment programs
     (23 )     (19 )     (75 )     (64 )
   
Cash collateral, net
     (18 )     21       (68 )     (77 )
   
Pension trust contribution
     -       -       (300 )     -  
   
Change in working capital and other
     (22 )     251       149       268  
 
Cash flows provided from operating activities
     485       696       1,694       1,939  
                                     
 
Cash flows provided from (used for) financing activities
     100       (360 )     (1,342 )     (804 )
                                     
 
Cash flows used for investing activities
     (486 )     (287 )     (313 )     (1,109 )
 
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents
   $ 99     $ 49     $ 39     $ 26  
                                     
 
*
The Bruce Mansfield sale and leaseback transaction reduced deferred income taxes by $187 million in the twelve months ended December 31, 2007.
  
                                     
 
 
 
     
 
Deferrals and Amortizations
  
     
Three Months Ended Dec. 31,
    
Twelve Months Ended Dec. 31,
  
     
2007
    
2006
    
Change
    
2007
    
2006
    
Change
  
  Ohio Regulatory Assets - Rate Plans/Transmission                                    
                                       
 
Deferred Balance - Beginning
   $ 1,788     $ 1,857           $ 1,844     $ 1,924        
                                               
 
Deferral of shopping incentives
     -       -     $ -       -       3     $ (3 )
 
Interest on shopping incentives
     8       10       (2 )     36       42       (6 )
 
Deferral of MISO costs and interest
     11       4       7       56       15       41  
 
Deferral of RCP distribution reliability costs
     23       35       (12 )     166       155       11  
 
Deferral of RCP fuel costs
     45       19       26       107       113       (6 )
 
Current period deferrals
   $ 87     $ 68     $ 19     $ 365     $ 328     $ 37  
                                                   
 
Amortization
                                                
 
Ohio transition costs amortization
   $ (69 )   $ (59 )   $ (10 )   $ (291 )   $ (270 )   $ (21 )
 
Shopping incentives amortization
     (29 )     (28 )     (1 )     (123 )     (121 )     (2 )
 
MISO costs amortization
     (9 )     (5 )     (4 )     (29 )     (20 )     (9 )
 
Other
     (7 )     4       (11 )     (23 )     (12 )     (11 )
 
Current period amortization
   $ (114 )   $ (88 )   $ (26 )   $ (466 )   $ (423 )   $ (43 )
                                                   
 
Deferred Balance - Ending
   $ 1,812     $ 1,844             $ 1,812     $ 1,844          
                                                   
 
Pennsylvania Deferred PJM Costs
                                                
 
Beginning Balance
   $ 227     $ 111             $ 157     $ -          
 
Deferrals
     30       46     $ (16 )     111       157     $ (46 )
 
Interest
     1       -       1       4       -       4  
 
Amortizations
     (4 )     -       (4 )     (18 )     -       (18 )
 
Ending Balance
   $ 254     $ 157             $ 254     $ 157          
                                                   
 
New Jersey Deferred Energy Costs
                                                
 
Beginning Balance
   $ 330     $ 340             $ 369     $ 541          
 
Deferral (recovery) of energy costs
     (94 )     29     $ (123 )     (133 )     (172 )   $ 39  
 
Ending Balance
   $ 236     $ 369             $ 236     $ 369          
                                                   

 
 

 
 
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Consolidated Report to the Financial Community – 4th Quarter 2007                                                        8
 
 
FirstEnergy Corp.
Statistical Summary


               
    ELECTRIC SALES STATISTICS
  
Three Months Ended December 31,
    
Twelve Months Ended December 31,
    
    (in millions of kWhs)
  
2007
    
2006
    
Change
    
2007
    
2006
    
Change
    
                                         
    Electric Generation Sales
                                      
    Retail - Regulated
     23,404       23,247       0.7 %     97,057       96,125       1.0 %  
    Retail - Competitive
     3,056       2,833       7.9 %     12,995       11,734       10.7 %  
    Total Retail
     26,460       26,080       1.5 %     110,052       107,859       2.0 %  
    Wholesale
       6,543       5,804       12.7 %     24,115       23,083       4.5 %  
    Total Electric Generation Sales
     33,003       31,884       3.5 %     134,167       130,942       2.5 %  
                                                     
    Electric Distribution Deliveries
                                                  
    Ohio                      - Residential     4,244       4,095       3.6 %     17,586       16,761       4.9 %  
 
- Commercial
     3,610       3,521       2.5 %     15,107       14,667       3.0 %  
 
- Industrial
     5,686       5,651       0.6 %     23,346       23,324       0.1 %  
 
- Other
     93       94       -1.1 %     372       374       -0.5 %  
 
Total Ohio
     13,633       13,361       2.0 %     56,411       55,126       2.3 %  
                                                     
    Pennsylvania - Residential     2,927       2,834       3.3 %     11,782       11,278       4.5 %  
 
- Commercial
     2,769       2,643       4.8 %     11,268       10,826       4.1 %  
 
- Industrial
     2,499       2,537       -1.5 %     10,229       10,382       -1.5 %  
 
- Other
     21       21       -       82       82       -    
 
Total Pennsylvania
     8,216       8,035       2.3 %     33,361       32,568       2.4 %  
                                                     
    New Jersey         - Residential     2,222       2,101       5.8 %     9,839       9,548       3.0 %  
 
- Commercial
     2,423       2,247       7.8 %     9,867       9,450       4.4 %  
 
- Industrial
     719       689       4.4 %     2,885       2,831       1.9 %  
 
- Other
     22       21       4.8 %     88       86       2.3 %  
 
Total New Jersey
     5,386       5,058       6.5 %     22,679       21,915       3.5 %  
                                                     
    Total Residential
     9,393       9,030       4.0 %     39,207       37,587       4.3 %  
    Total Commercial
     8,802       8,411       4.6 %     36,242       34,943       3.7 %  
    Total Industrial
     8,904       8,877       0.3 %     36,460       36,537       -0.2 %  
    Total Other
       136       136       -       542       542       -    
    Total Distribution Deliveries
     27,235       26,454       3.0 %     112,451       109,609       2.6 %  
                                                     
    Electric Sales Shopped
                                                  
    Ohio  - Residential     518       519       -0.2 %     2,201       2,289       -3.8 %  
 
- Commercial
     825       878       -6.0 %     3,534       3,787       -6.7 %  
 
- Industrial
     645       673       -4.2 %     2,689       2,874       -6.4 %  
 
Total Ohio
     1,988       2,070       -4.0 %     8,424       8,950       -5.9 %  
                                                     
    Pennsylvania - Residential     29       -       -       73       -       -    
 
- Commercial
     186       2       -       632       4       -    
 
- Industrial
     507       132       284.1 %     1,895       501       278.2 %  
 
Total Pennsylvania
     722       134       438.8 %     2,600       505       414.9 %  
                                                     
    New Jersey  - Residential     -       -       -       -       -       -
 
  
 
- Commercial
     559       478       16.9 %     2,156       1,926       11.9 %  
 
- Industrial
     559       525       6.5 %     2,200       2,103       4.6 %  
 
Total New Jersey
     1,118       1,003       11.5 %     4,356       4,029       8.1 %  
                                                     
    Total Electric Sales Shopped
     3,828       3,207       19.4 %     15,380       13,484       14.1 %  
                                                     
 
 
                               
 
Operating Statistics
                            
          Three Months Ended Dec. 31,       Twelve Months Ended Dec. 31,      
         
2007
  
2006
      
2007
  
2006
      
 
Capacity Factors:
                            
   
Fossil - Baseload
81%
  
83%
      
80%
  
89%
      
   
Fossil - Load Following
  
67%
  
69%
      
71%
  
69%
      
   
Nuclear
    
88%
  
85%
      
89%
  
87%
      
 
Generation Output:
                            
   
Fossil - Baseload
  
40%
  
41%
      
39%
  
42%
      
   
Fossil - Load Following
  
22%
  
23%
      
23%
  
22%
      
   
Peaking
    
0%
  
0%
      
0%
  
0%
      
   
Nuclear
    
38%
  
36%
      
38%
  
36%
      
                                 
         
Three Months Ended Dec. 31,
  
Twelve Months Ended Dec. 31,
  
 
Weather
    
2007
  
2006
  
Normal
  
2007
  
2006
  
Normal
  
 
Composite Heating-Degree-Days
1,824
  
1,715
  
1,977
  
5,443
  
4,900
  
5,534
  
 
Composite Cooling-Degree-Days
  
70
  
5
  
15
  
1,039
  
892
  
921
  
                             

 
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Consolidated Report to the Financial Community – 4th Quarter 2007                                                                9
 
 
FirstEnergy Corp.
2007 EPS Reconciliations
(In millions, except for per share amounts)

 
                           
 
  Special Items
                          
   
Three Months Ended Dec. 31,
    
Twelve Months Ended Dec. 31,
    
   
2007
    
2006
    
2007
    
2006
    
                           
      Pre-tax Items - Income Increase (Decrease)
                      
      Gain on Non-Core Asset Sales of:
                          
      Gain on sale of First Communications (h)
   $ -     $ -     $ 21     $ -    
      All other (a)(f)
     -       11       -       12    
      Total Gain on Non-Core Asset Sales
     -       11       21       12    
      Saxton decommissioning costs regulatory assets (b)
     -       -       27       -    
      Trust securities impairment (c)
     (10 )     (13 )     (26 )     (13 )  
      Marbel property tax liability adjustment
     -       3       -       3    
      FE Facilities sales/impairment (d)(e)(g)
     -       -       -       (13 )  
      PA NUG purchased power adjustment applicable to 2005 (i)
     -       -       -       (10 )  
      Total-Pretax Items
   $ (10 )   $ 1     $ 22     $ (21 )  
                                   
                                     
 
 EPS Effect
   $ (0.02 )   $ 0.01     $ 0.04     $ (0.04 )  
                                     
  (a)    Included in "Other operating expenses" (f)     Before first quarter 2006 tax benefit of $2.5 million  
  (b)    Included in "Deferral of new regulatory assets" (g)    Non-tax deductible    
  (c)    Included in "Investment income" (h)    Included in "Other Revenue"    
  (d)    Included in "FE Facilities expenses" (i)     Included in "Purchased Power"  
  (e)    Included in "Discontinued Operations"    
       
 


 
       
 
2007 Earnings Per Share (EPS)
    
 
(Reconciliation of GAAP to Non-GAAP)
    
                 
      Three Months      Twelve Months    
       Ended Dec. 31      Ended Dec. 31    
 
Basic EPS (GAAP basis)
   $ 0.88     $ 4.27    
 
Excluding Special Items:
                  
 
   New regulatory asset authorized by PPUC
     -       (0.05 )  
 
   Gain on sale of non-core assets
     -       (0.04 )  
 
   Trust securities impairment
     0.02       0.05    
 
Basic EPS (Non-GAAP basis)
   $ 0.90     $ 4.23    
                     
 
 
 

           
Non-GAAP 2008 Basic Earnings Per Share Guidance
  
(Reconciliation of GAAP to Non-GAAP)
  
           
       
2008 EPS
  
           
 
Basic EPS (GAAP basis)
  
 $4.23 - $4.43
  
 
Excluding Special Items
  
(0.08)
  
 
Basic EPS (Non-GAAP basis)
  
 $4.15 - $4.35
  
           

 
 
 

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Consolidated Report to the Financial Community – 4th Quarter 2007                                                                       10
 
 
 
 
 
RECENT DEVELOPMENTS

Ohio Substitute Senate Bill 221
On October 31, 2007, the Ohio Senate passed Substitute Senate Bill 221 which seeks to revise state energy policy.  Among other things, the bill outlines a process for establishing electricity prices for generation beginning in 2009, and includes a requirement that at least 25% of the state’s electricity come from advanced energy technologies by 2025, with at least one-half of the 25% requirement coming from renewable resources.

The Ohio House of Representatives referred the bill to the House Public Utilities Committee which conducted various hearings between November 2007 and February 2008.  During the November 14, 2007, hearing, President and Chief Executive Officer Tony Alexander provided testimony on the history and status of deregulation in Ohio.  In his remarks, Mr. Alexander indicated that Ohioans should have the opportunity to participate in the competitive electricity marketplace as provided for under Ohio's 1999 deregulation law, Senate Bill 3, which set the stage for long-term price moderation as well as more reliable and responsive service for Ohio's customers. On November 28, 2007, Senior Vice President and General Counsel Leila Vespoli provided testimony on the bill’s alternative options for establishing electric generation pricing in 2009.  In her remarks, Ms. Vespoli expressed the industry’s concerns with Substitute Senate Bill 221, saying the legislation should be modified to provide the PUCO with expanded regulatory tools and statutory authority to negotiate rate plans, and to include a true market rate option.  On January 16, 2008, Vice President of Rates and Regulatory Affairs David Blank provided testimony on special discounted-rate contracts indicating that the rationale to support their continued use no longer exists.

Ohio Distribution Rate Case Filing
On December 4, 2007, the PUCO Staff issued its Staff Reports containing the results of their investigation into the distribution rate requests for FirstEnergy subsidiaries Ohio Edison Company, The Cleveland Electric Illuminating Company, and The Toledo Edison Company (collectively the Ohio Companies).  In its Reports, the PUCO Staff recommended a distribution rate increase of $161 million to $180 million compared to the Ohio Companies’ request of $332 million.  However, during the evidentiary hearings, the PUCO Staff submitted testimony decreasing their recommended revenue increase to a range of $114 million to $132 million.  The revisions primarily related to property tax, depreciation, and deferred tax corrections, as well as other miscellaneous adjustments.  Key differences between the Staff Reports’ recommendation and the Ohio Companies’ request include:  matters to be considered in separate proceedings ($115 million), and a recommended return on equity of 10% to 11% versus the Ohio Companies’ request of 11.75% ($16 million to $35 million).

On January 3, 2008, the Ohio Companies and intervening parties filed objections to the Staff Reports and on January 10, 2008, the Ohio Companies filed supplemental testimony, while intervening parties filed their direct testimony.  Evidentiary hearings began on January 29 and are expected to conclude in late February 2008.  The PUCO is expected to render its decision during the 2nd or 3rd quarter of 2008.

Ohio Supreme Court Remand on Rate Certainty Plan
On January 9, 2008, the PUCO issued its Finding and Order on the Ohio Companies’ application on remand seeking to recover incremental fuel costs deferred in 2006 and 2007, and fuel costs that would otherwise be deferred in 2008, via two generation-related fuel cost tariff riders.  The Order approved the implementation of the tariff rider to recover actual incremental fuel costs incurred from January 1, 2008 through December 31, 2008 (estimated to be $167 million), but directed the Ohio Companies to file a separate application with an alternative recovery mechanism to collect the 2006 and 2007 deferred fuel costs and associated carrying charges ($220 million balance as of December 31, 2007).  On February 8, 2008, the Ohio Companies filed an application proposing to recover the deferred fuel costs and carrying charges for 2006 and 2007 via a separate fuel rider, with alternative options for the recovery period ranging from 5 to 25 years.  This second application is pending before the PUCO.

 

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Consolidated Report to the Financial Community – 4th Quarter 2007                                                                       11
 
 
 


 
Penn Power Default Service Plan
On October 30, 2007, an Administrative Law Judge (ALJ) recommended that the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission (PPUC) approve the Joint Petition for Settlement for Pennsylvania Power Company’s (Penn Power) Interim Default Service Supply Plan for the period covering June 1, 2008 through May 31, 2011.  On December 20, 2007, the PPUC accepted all provisions of the Settlement Agreement except for the provision related to the procurement of default service supply for residential customers, which was remanded to the ALJ for further proceedings.  The PPUC encouraged Penn Power to further consider adopting a portfolio approach that incorporates the use of a variety of energy products in lieu of load-following, full requirements contracts for default service procurement for residential customers. Under the terms of the Settlement Agreement, the default service procurement for small commercial customers will be done with multiple requests for proposals (RFPs), while the default service procurement for large commercial and industrial customers will utilize hourly pricing.  Bids in the first RFP for small commercial load were received on February 20, 2008.  In February 2008, parties filed direct and rebuttal testimony in the remand proceeding for the residential procurement approach.   An evidentiary hearing is scheduled for February 26, 2008, and this matter is expected to be presented to the PPUC for its consideration by March 13, 2008.

Met-Ed and Penelec NUG Accounting Case
On November 8, 2007, the PPUC denied Metropolitan Edison Company’s and Pennsylvania Electric Company’s request to modify their Non-Utility Generation (NUG) stranded cost accounting methodology to eliminate reductions of the deferred cost balance during periods in which market prices exceeded NUG payments.

Nuclear Generation Record Output
FirstEnergy Nuclear Operating Company (FENOC) set a new annual generation output record of 30.3 million megawatt-hours, surpassing FENOC’s previous best of 29.9 million megawatt-hours, set in 2004.  Top-quartile capability factor performance at Beaver Valley Unit 2 and Davis-Besse of 99.8 percent and 98.6 percent, respectively, along with unit uprates of 43 MW and 24 MW at our Beaver Valley Units 1 and 2, respectively, contributed to this accomplishment.

Nuclear Operations Update
On February 14, 2008, the 893-MW Davis-Besse Nuclear Power Station returned to service following completion of its scheduled refueling outage, which began on December 30, 2007, and replacement of a component on the generator rotor which was damaged during the outage.  In addition to replacing 76 of the 177 fuel assemblies, several improvement projects were completed, including rewinding the turbine generator and reinforcing welds on plant equipment.

On December 10, 2007, the 1,258-MW Perry Nuclear Plant returned to service following the completion of repairs to the Digital Feedwater Control and Reactor Core Isolation Cooling systems.  The plant experienced an automatic shutdown on November 28 due to two failed power supplies in the Digital Feedwater Control system.  A Nuclear Regulatory Commission special inspection team monitored the plant’s repair and restart efforts.

Power Uprates
Mansfield Unit 3 achieved a power uprate of 30 MW during the fourth quarter of 2007 after returning to service following a scheduled maintenance outage.  This uprate was achieved in support of FirstEnergy’s operating strategy to maximize the full potential of its existing generation assets.  This brings the total amount of generating capacity added through power uprates in 2007 to 105 MW.  Our supply portfolio was also enhanced during the year through the reduction of seasonal derates by 149 MW at our peaking units and through long-term contracts to purchase the output of 115 MW from wind generators.

 

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Consolidated Report to the Financial Community – 4th Quarter 2007                                                                       12
 
 
 

 

Partially Complete Combined-Cycle Generating Plant Acquired
On January 28, 2008, FirstEnergy Generation Corp. (FGCO) entered into definitive agreements to acquire a partially complete 707 MW natural gas fired generating plant in Fremont, Ohio from Calpine Corporation for $253.6 million. Construction of the facility began in September 2001 and aggregate construction costs expended to date are approximately $300 million.  The facility includes two combined-cycle combustion turbines and a steam turbine capable of producing 544 MW of load-following capacity and 163 MW of peaking capacity. In court documents, Calpine has estimated that the plant is 70% complete and could become operational within 12 to 18 months.  Based on those documents, FGCO estimates the additional expenditures to complete the Facility to be approximately $150 million to $200 million.  While FGCO believes these timing and cost estimates to be accurate, the final cost and timeframe for construction are subject to a pending engineering study.  The plant is connected to both the Midwest Independent Transmission System Operator and the PJM Interconnection. The acquisition will enhance the diversity of FirstEnergy’s generation fleet and further reduce its average carbon dioxide emission rate.

Common Stock Dividend Increase
On December 18, 2007, FirstEnergy’s Board of Directors declared a quarterly dividend of $0.55 per share on outstanding common stock, a 10% increase, payable March 1, 2008.  The new indicated annual dividend is $2.20 per share.  This action brings FirstEnergy’s cumulative dividend increase to 47% since the beginning of 2005, and is consistent with FirstEnergy’s policy, which targets sustainable annual dividend growth and a payout that is appropriate for FirstEnergy’s level of earnings.

Share Repurchase Program Completed
On December 10, 2007, Morgan Stanley completed its acquisition of common shares under FirstEnergy’s accelerated share repurchase program for 14.4 million shares executed in March 2007.  FirstEnergy subsequently paid Morgan Stanley approximately $51 million for a purchase price adjustment (direct charge to common stockholders’ equity) that resulted in a final purchase price of $942 million, or $65.54 per share.

Extension and Amendment of Credit Facility
On November 20, 2007, FirstEnergy and certain of its subsidiaries, including all of its operating utility subsidiaries, agreed, pursuant to a Consent and Amendment with the lenders under the $2.75 billion credit facility dated as of August 24, 2006, to extend the termination date of the facility for one year to August 24, 2012.  The parties also agreed to amendments that will permit the FirstEnergy parties to request an unlimited number of additional one-year extensions of the facility termination date upon shorter notice than provided by the original facility terms, which permitted only two extensions. In addition, the amendments increase FirstEnergy Solutions Corp.’s (FES) borrowing sub-limit under the credit facility to up to $1 billion and remove any requirements for the delivery of a FirstEnergy guaranty of FES’ obligations.

Establishment of the FirstEnergy Fund for Advanced Energy Research
On December 13, 2007, FirstEnergy announced a $2 million pledge to The University of Akron to establish the FirstEnergy Fund for Advanced Energy Research.  The fund will be used to create the FirstEnergy Advanced Energy Research Center at the University and support development of carbon capture and coal-based fuel cells.  The Advanced Energy Research Center initially will focus on development of carbon capture technologies that could be used by fossil-fueled power plants and the development of coal-based fuel cells for commercial use.

 

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Consolidated Report to the Financial Community – 4th Quarter 2007                                                                       13
 
 
 

 
 

Forward-looking Statements.  This Consolidated Report to the Financial Community includes forward-looking statements based on information currently available to management. Such statements are subject to certain risks and uncertainties. These statements include declarations regarding our, or our management’s, intents, beliefs and current expectations.  These statements typically contain, but are not limited to, the terms “anticipate,” “potential,” “expect,” “believe,” “estimate” and similar words.   Forward-looking statements involve estimates, assumptions, known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause our actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements.  Actual results may differ materially due to the speed and nature of increased competition in the electric utility industry and legislative and regulatory changes affecting how generation rates will be determined following the expiration of existing rate plans in Ohio and Pennsylvania, economic or weather conditions affecting future sales and margins, changes in markets for energy services, changing energy and commodity market prices, replacement power costs being higher than anticipated or inadequately hedged, the continued ability of FirstEnergy’s regulated utilities to collect transition and other charges or to recover increased transmission costs, maintenance costs being higher than anticipated, other legislative and regulatory changes including revised environmental requirements and possible greenhouse gas emissions regulation, the uncertainty of the timing and amounts of the capital expenditures needed to, among other things, implement the Air Quality Compliance Plan (including that such amounts could be higher than anticipated) or levels of emission reductions related to the Consent Decree resolving the New Source Review litigation or other potential regulatory initiatives, adverse regulatory or legal decisions and outcomes (including, but not limited to, the revocation of necessary licenses or operating permits and oversight by the Nuclear Regulatory Commission including, but not limited to, the Demand for Information issued to FENOC on May 14, 2007) as disclosed in our SEC filings, the timing and outcome of various proceedings before the PUCO (including, but not limited to, the Distribution Rate Cases and the generation supply plan filing for the Ohio Companies and the successful resolution of the issues remanded to the PUCO by the Supreme Court of Ohio regarding the Rate Stabilization Plan and the Rate Certainty Plan, including the deferral of fuel costs) and the PPUC (including the resolution of the Petitions for Review filed with the Commonwealth Court of Pennsylvania with respect to the transition rate plan for Met-Ed and Penelec), the continuing availability of generating units and their ability to continue to operate at or near full capacity, the ability to comply with applicable state and federal reliability standards, the inability to accomplish or realize anticipated benefits from strategic goals (including employee workforce initiatives), the ability to improve electric commodity margins and to experience growth in the distribution business, changing market conditions that could affect the value of assets held in our nuclear decommissioning trust fund, pension fund and other trust funds, the ability to access the public securities and other capital markets and the cost of such capital, the risks and other factors discussed from time to time in our SEC filings, and other similar factors.  The foregoing review of factors should not be construed as exhaustive.  New factors emerge from time to time, and it is not possible for us to predict all such factors, nor can we assess the impact of any such factor on our business or the extent to which any factor, or combination of factors, may cause results to differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statements. Dividends declared from time to time on FirstEnergy's common stock during any annual period may in aggregate vary from the indicated amounts due to circumstances considered by FirstEnergy's Board of Directors at the time of the actual declarations.  Also, a security rating is not a recommendation to buy, sell or hold securities, and it may be subject to revision or withdrawal at any time and each such rating should be evaluated independently of any other rating.  We expressly disclaim any current intention to update any forward-looking statements contained herein as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise.


 

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Consolidated Report to the Financial Community – 4th Quarter 2007                                                                       14