-----BEGIN PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE----- Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov Originator-Key-Asymmetric: MFgwCgYEVQgBAQICAf8DSgAwRwJAW2sNKK9AVtBzYZmr6aGjlWyK3XmZv3dTINen TWSM7vrzLADbmYQaionwg5sDW3P6oaM5D3tdezXMm7z1T+B+twIDAQAB MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA, WZ5pjQm8JEKOhjZk0hoUJMTEgDl2VUkWsgBXqXbLLuYz1ZzLhojs8FiaaNuiEi8U 1AY9quDNf2i0f5wsxSJP1A== 0001126956-06-000032.txt : 20061027 0001126956-06-000032.hdr.sgml : 20061027 20061027170333 ACCESSION NUMBER: 0001126956-06-000032 CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE: 8-K PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT: 2 CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT: 20061027 ITEM INFORMATION: Results of Operations and Financial Condition ITEM INFORMATION: Regulation FD Disclosure ITEM INFORMATION: Financial Statements and Exhibits FILED AS OF DATE: 20061027 DATE AS OF CHANGE: 20061027 FILER: COMPANY DATA: COMPANY CONFORMED NAME: LACLEDE GROUP INC CENTRAL INDEX KEY: 0001126956 STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION: NATURAL GAS DISTRIBUTION [4924] IRS NUMBER: 742976504 STATE OF INCORPORATION: MO FISCAL YEAR END: 0930 FILING VALUES: FORM TYPE: 8-K SEC ACT: 1934 Act SEC FILE NUMBER: 001-16681 FILM NUMBER: 061169565 BUSINESS ADDRESS: STREET 1: 720 OLIVE ST CITY: ST LOUIS STATE: MO ZIP: 63101 BUSINESS PHONE: 3143420500 MAIL ADDRESS: STREET 1: 720 OLIVE ST STREET 2: RM 1517 CITY: ST LOUIS STATE: MO ZIP: 63101 8-K 1 fye2006earning8-k.htm FYE 2006 EARNINGS RELEASE 8-K

 


United States

Securities and Exchange Commission

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

Form 8-K

Current Report

Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

 

 

Date of Report (Date of Earliest Event Reported):

October 27, 2006

 

The Laclede Group, Inc.

720 Olive Street

St. Louis, Missouri 63101

314-342-0500


(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

(Address of principal executive offices, including zip code)

(Registrant’s telephone number including area code)

 

Missouri


1-16681


74-2976504


(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation)

(Commission File Number)

(IRS Employer Identification No.)

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions:

[ ] Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)

[ ] Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)

[ ] Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))

[ ] Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 13e-4(c))

 


 

 



 

 

Item 2.02 Results of Operations and Financial Condition

See Item 7.01

Item 7.01 Regulation FD Disclosure

On October 27, 2006, the Company issued its earnings news release announcing its unaudited earnings for the year ended September 30, 2006. The text of that release is included in Exhibit 99.1 attached to this report.

Item 9.01 Financial Statements and Exhibits

(c ) Exhibits

99.1 Press release of The Laclede Group, Inc. dated October 27, 2006.

 

The information contained in this report, including Exhibit 99.1, is being furnished and shall not be deemed “filed” for purposes of Section 18 of the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, nor shall it be deemed incorporated by reference into any filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission whether made before or after the date hereof and regardless of any general incorporation language in such filings.

 

 



 

 

SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.

 

 

 

 

THE LACLEDE GROUP, INC.


Date: October 27, 2006

 

By: 


/s/ D. H. Yaeger

 

 

 

D. H. Yaeger

Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer

 

 

 



 

 

Exhibit Index

 

 

Exhibit
Number

Description

 

 

99.1

Press release of The Laclede Group, Inc. dated October 27, 2006.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


 

 

 

 

 

EX-99 2 fye2006ex8k.htm THE LACLEDE GROUP 2006 FYE EARNINGS PRESS RELEASE

 

NEWS RELEASE

THE LACLEDE GROUP

 

720 Olive Street, St. Louis, MO 63101

 

 

CONTACT: George Csolak

(314)342-0652

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

 

Laclede Energy Resources Provides

Earnings Growth in 2006 for The Laclede Group

 

ST. LOUIS, October 27, 2006 — The Laclede Group, Inc., (NYSE: LG) today released earnings results for its fiscal year ended September 30, 2006.

Reported results for 2006 represent the fourth consecutive fiscal year of earnings growth for The Laclede Group, which was formed in October 2001. Consolidated earnings were $49.0 million, an increase of $8.9 million, or approximately 22% over earnings reported for fiscal 2005. Earnings per share were $2.31 for fiscal 2006 as compared to $1.90 last year.

Laclede Group’s higher earnings as compared with last year are primarily attributable to significantly better results at Laclede Energy Resources, Inc. (LER), a wholly-owned subsidiary that offers non-regulated natural gas commodity services to customers within and outside of the St. Louis area. LER posted a $12.7 million earnings increase over last year as a result of higher margins attributable to increased price volatility and hurricane-related regional supply/demand imbalances, as well as higher wholesale sales volumes.

 

1

 



 

 

 

Earnings reported by Laclede Group’s core subsidiary, Laclede Gas Company, Missouri’s largest natural gas distribution utility, were $28.8 million, down $1.7 million compared to last year. The gas company’s results declined primarily due to higher operating and depreciation expenses and lower system sales volumes. These factors were partially offset by the net benefit of rate changes implemented at the utility October 1, 2005.

Earnings from SM&P Utility Resources, Inc., Laclede Group’s non-regulated underground facility locating and marking business, declined $2.6 million compared to last year. The reduction in earnings resulted primarily from higher than anticipated growth related expenses, including those associated with the startup of new business in existing markets, and the net effect of resolution of the previously reported collective action lawsuit and related matters.

For further details concerning The Laclede Group’s fiscal 2006 results, see the accompanying unaudited Statements of Consolidated Income.

Note: 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 year ended June 30, 2006, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

 

# # #

 

 

 

 

2

 



 

 

 

UNAUDITED

 

STATEMENTS OF CONSOLIDATED INCOME

 

THE LACLEDE GROUP, INC.

(Thousands, Except Per Share Amounts)

 

 

 

Three Months Ended

September 30,

 

Twelve Months Ended

September 30,

 

 

2006

 

2005

 

2006

 

2005

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

OPERATING REVENUES

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Regulated

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Gas distribution

 

$ 91,637

 

$ 89,575

 

$1,141,011

 

$ 978,195

 

Non-Regulated

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Services

 

46,089

 

44,568

 

162,523

 

141,478

 

Gas marketing

 

130,135

 

131,765

 

689,572

 

469,559

 

Other

 

1,133

 

757

 

4,445

 

7,800

 

Total operating revenues

 

268,994

 

266,665

 

1,997,551

 

1,597,032

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

OPERATING EXPENSES

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Regulated

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Natural and propane gas

 

47,989

 

46,284

 

821,721

 

676,931

 

Other operation expenses

 

26,282

 

31,868

 

128,180

 

125,364

 

Maintenance

 

5,463

 

5,172

 

21,198

 

19,226

 

Depreciation and amortization

 

8,368

 

6,117

 

30,904

 

23,036

 

Taxes, other than income taxes

 

8,127

 

7,361

 

71,038

 

62,859

 

Total regulated operating expenses

 

96,229

 

96,802

 

1,073,041

 

907,416

 

Non-Regulated

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Services

 

41,070

 

38,266

 

155,133

 

129,636

 

Gas marketing

 

126,446

 

131,403

 

662,391

 

462,348

 

Other

 

603

 

800

 

3,711

 

7,803

 

Total operating expenses

 

264,348

 

267,271

 

1,894,276

 

1,507,203

Operating Income (Loss)

 

4,646

 

(606)

 

103,275

 

89,829

Other Income and (Income Deductions) – Net

 

1,659

 

(696)

 

5,508

 

1,606

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Interest Charges:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Interest on long-term debt

 

5,626

 

5,642

 

22,329

 

22,835

 

Interest on long-term debt to unconsolidated affiliate trust

 

893

 

893

 

3,573

 

3,573

 

Other interest charges

 

2,524

 

970

 

10,277

 

4,141

 

Total interest charges

 

9,043

 

7,505

 

36,179

 

30,549

Income (Loss) Before Income Taxes

 

(2,738)

 

(8,807)

 

72,604

 

60,886

Income Tax Expense (Benefit)

 

(1,913)

 

(3,731)

 

23,567

 

20,761

Net Income (Loss)

 

(825)

 

(5,076)

 

49,037

 

40,125

Dividends on Redeemable Preferred Stock – Laclede Gas

 

11

 

12

 

48

 

55

Net Income (Loss) Applicable to Common Stock

 

$ (836)

 

$ (5,088)

 

$ 48,989

 

$ 40,070

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Average Number of Common Shares Outstanding

 

21,298

 

21,139

 

21,247

 

21,080

Basic Earnings (Loss) Per Share of Common Stock

 

$ (0.04)

 

$ (0.24)

 

$2.31

 

$ 1.90

Diluted Earnings (Loss) Per Share of Common Stock

 

$ (0.04)

 

$ (0.24)

 

$2.30

 

$ 1.90

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

3

 

 

 

-----END PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE-----