EX-99.1 32 ex99_1.htm EXHIBIT 99.1 PRESS RELEASE REGARDING EARNINGS FOR THE QUARTER ENDING 3/31/07, ISSUED ON MAY 10, 2007 BY AMEREN CORP. Exhibit 99.1 Press release regarding earnings for the quarter ending 3/31/07, issued on May 10, 2007 by Ameren Corp.
Exhibit 99.1

One Ameren Plaza
1901 Chouteau Avenue
St. Louis, MO 63103
 NEWS RELEASE
 
Contacts:

Analysts
Missouri Media
Illinois Media
Investors
Bruce Steinke
Tim Fox
Shelley Epstein
Investor Services
(314) 554-2574
(314) 554-3120
(309) 677-5489
(800) 255-2237
bsteinke@ameren.com
tfox@ameren.com
sepstein@ameren.com
invest@ameren.com
 
 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 
 
AMEREN ANNOUNCES FIRST QUARTER 2007 EARNINGS
Reaffirms 2007 Earnings Guidance
 
ST. LOUIS, MO., May 10, 2007—Ameren Corporation (NYSE: AEE) today announced first quarter 2007 net income of $123 million, or 59 cents per share, compared to first quarter 2006 net income of $70 million, or 34 cents per share.
 
Ameren’s Missouri regulated business segment, which includes AmerenUE’s electric and gas utility operations, contributed $23 million to Ameren’s net income in the first quarter of 2007, or $12 million less than the year-ago period. The Illinois regulated business segment, which includes the electric and gas distribution utility businesses of AmerenCIPS, AmerenCILCO and AmerenIP, contributed $29 million to Ameren’s net income in the first quarter of 2007, compared to $9 million in the year-ago period. The company’s non-rate-regulated electric generation segment contributed $70 million to Ameren’s net income in the first quarter of 2007, or $43 million more than the year-ago period.
 
“Our financial results in the first quarter of this year, excluding storm costs, were consistent with the expectations embedded in our full year 2007 earnings guidance,” said Gary L. Rainwater, chairman, president and chief executive officer of Ameren Corporation. “More noteworthy is our continued focus on developing a constructive solution for our customers in Illinois to help them adjust to higher electric rates resulting from the end of a decade-long rate freeze and expiration of power supply contracts. Such a solution would be far superior to legislation proposed in the Illinois General Assembly this year to roll back rates to 2006 levels, freeze rates and provide refunds that, if enacted, would render the Ameren Illinois utilities financially insolvent and bankrupt unless the courts promptly intervened. Among other things, a rate rollback would mean that reliability would suffer and our customers would face even higher electric bills in the long run, as was the case in California a few years ago. Notably, if rate rollback legislation had been in place on Jan. 1, 2007, the Ameren Illinois utilities would have collected approximately $100 million less in revenues in the first quarter of 2007. This shortfall would likely increase over time as commercial and industrial
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customers that chose alternative energy suppliers return to the utility to take advantage of below-market electric rates.”
 
Ameren’s earnings in the first quarter of 2007 were reduced by $19 million (after taxes), or 9 cents per share, as a result of the cost of restoration efforts associated with severe January ice storms. Storm-related costs in the first quarter of 2006 reduced net income by an estimated $6 million (after taxes), or 3 cents per share. Ameren’s net income in the first quarter of 2007 benefited from the reversal of a $10 million charge (after taxes), or 5 cents per share, originally recorded in 2006 related to funding commitments for low-income energy assistance and energy efficiency programs. These commitments were terminated in the first quarter of 2007 as a result of credit rating downgrades resulting from Illinois legislative actions in the first quarter of 2007.
 
Ameren’s earnings in the first quarter of 2007 were favorably affected by higher electric margins in its non-rate-regulated electric generation business segment due to the replacement of below-market power sales contracts that expired in 2006. Those contracts were replaced with higher-priced contracts in 2007. Electric and gas margins in Ameren’s Missouri and Illinois rate-regulated business segments benefited from greater heating demand caused by colder winter weather. In fact, heating degree days were up 13 percent in the first quarter of 2007 over the same period in 2006. Ameren’s first quarter 2007 earnings also benefited from new rate tariffs for the delivery of electricity. However, these positive results were reduced by increases in fuel and related transportation costs, labor and benefit costs, bad debt expenses, higher depreciation expenses, greater dilution and rising financing costs. In addition, costs related to participation in the Midwest Independent Transmission System Operator (MISO) market were higher in the first quarter of 2007 over the same period in 2006 because of a March 2007 Federal Energy Regulatory Commission order that reallocated costs among market participants, retroactive to 2005.
 
Missouri Regulated Operations
 
First quarter 2007 earnings for the Missouri regulated business segment were down as compared to the same period in 2006, primarily because of the $17 million (after taxes) of costs for restoring power to customers following severe January 2007 ice storms. Net earnings in the first quarter of 2007 were also reduced by higher MISO, fuel, labor and plant maintenance costs. In addition, depreciation and financing costs increased as a result of continued investments in the segment’s power generation and delivery systems. These decreases were offset, in part, by increased electric margins principally resulting from the termination of the joint dispatch agreement on December 31, 2006.
 
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During the second quarter of 2007, Missouri regulated earnings will be affected by a refueling and maintenance outage at AmerenUE’s Callaway nuclear plant that began on April 1 and was successfully completed today.
 
Illinois Regulated Operations
 
The increase in earnings for the Illinois regulated business segment for the first quarter of 2007 over the same period in 2006 was due, in part, to the reversal of a $10 million charge (after taxes) related to funding commitments for low-income energy assistance and energy efficiency programs. This funding commitment was terminated as a result of credit rating downgrades due to Illinois legislative actions in the first quarter of 2007. Ameren’s Illinois regulated business segment first quarter earnings also rose due to colder weather, compared to the prior year period, and new delivery service tariffs. Net earnings improvements in the first quarter of 2007 were reduced by the reallocation of MISO costs (discussed above), and higher labor costs and bad debt expenses. Depreciation and financing costs also increased as a result of continued investments in the energy delivery system and greater borrowing costs resulting from credit rating downgrades.
 
For the full year 2007, Illinois regulated segment earnings are expected to be comparable to 2006 (excluding any earnings impact from commitments made to avoid rate rollback and generation tax legislation, or the enactment of such legislation). Earnings are expected to be well below the Illinois Commerce Commission (ICC)-allowed 10 percent return on equity because the ICC disallowed recovery of certain costs in the most recent delivery service rate increase requests. These requests were also based on 2004 expense levels.
 
Non-Rate-Regulated Generation Operations
 
The replacement of below-market power sales contracts, which expired in 2006, with higher-priced contracts in 2007, lower MISO costs as a result of the reallocation discussed above and improved power plant output resulted in increased quarter-over-quarter earnings for Ameren’s non-rate-regulated generation business segment. These benefits were offset, in part, by the termination of the joint dispatch agreement discussed earlier, which reduced non-rate-regulated generation margins.
 
Ameren also announced today that it is reaffirming its 2007 non-GAAP earnings guidance, which excludes the earnings impact of the severe January 2007 storms of 9 cents per share and any earnings impact that may result from commitments made to avoid rate rollback and generation tax legislation, or the enactment of such legislation. The company continues to expect non-GAAP 2007 earnings to range between $3.15 and $3.60 per share. Ameren’s consolidated and segment guidance for 2007 assumes normal weather and is subject to, among other things, regulatory and
 
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legislative decisions, plant operations, energy market and economic conditions, severe storms, unusual or otherwise unexpected gains or losses and other risks and uncertainties outlined in Ameren’s Forward-looking Statements. Segment earnings contribution guidance reflects single point estimates, but a range of outcomes could occur around each segment’s earnings.
 
Ameren will conduct a conference call for financial analysts at 9:00 a.m. (Central Time) on Friday, May 11, to discuss first quarter 2007 earnings and other matters. Investors, the news media and the public may listen to a live Internet broadcast of the call at www.ameren.com by clicking on "Q1 2007 Ameren Corporation Earnings Conference Call," then the appropriate audio link. A slide presentation will also be available on Ameren’s Web site reconciling earnings per share for first quarter of 2007 to the first quarter of 2006, and reconciling 2007 non-GAAP earnings per share guidance to 2006 earnings per share on a comparable share basis. This presentation will be posted in the “Investors” section of the Web 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 11:00 a.m. (Central Time), from May 11 through May 18, by dialing, U.S. (800) 405-2236; international (303) 590-3000 and entering the number: 11089184#.
 
With assets of over $19 billion, Ameren serves approximately 2.4 million electric customers and almost one million 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 16,200 megawatts.
 
Regulation G Statement

Ameren has presented certain information in this release on a diluted cents per share basis. These diluted per share amounts reflect certain factors that directly impact Ameren’s total earnings per share. 2007 and 2006 non-GAAP earnings per share excludes the impact of severe storms and 2007 non-GAAP earnings per share guidance excludes any earnings impact that may result from commitments made to avoid rate rollback and generation tax legislation, or the enactment of such legislation. Ameren believes this information is useful because it enables readers to better understand the impact of these factors on Ameren’s results of operations and earnings per share.

Forward-looking Statements

Statements in this release not based on historical facts are considered “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 our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, could cause actual results to differ materially from management expectations as suggested by such forward-looking statements:
 


·  
regulatory or legislative actions, including changes in regulatory policies and ratemaking determinations, such as in AmerenUE’s pending electric rate case and the outcome of AmerenCIPS, AmerenCILCO and AmerenIP rate rehearing proceedings, or the enactment of legislation freezing electric rates at 2006 levels or similar actions that impair the full and timely recovery of costs in Illinois;
·  
the contribution by the Ameren Illinois utilities, Ameren Energy Generating Company or Ameren Energy Resources Generating Company to an electric rate increase phase-in plan, customer credits or energy efficiency and assistance programs to avoid rate freeze, generation tax or similar legislation;
·  
the impact of the termination of the joint dispatch agreement;
·  
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 occurred when the electric rate freeze and power supply contracts expired in Illinois at the end of 2006;
·  
the effects of participation in the Midwest Independent Transmission System Operator;
·  
the availability of fuel such as coal, natural gas, and enriched uranium used to produce electricity; the availability of purchased power and natural gas for distribution; and the level and volatility of future market prices for such commodities, including the ability to recover the costs for such commodities;
·  
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 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 rating agencies and the effects of such actions;
·  
weather conditions and other natural phenomena;
·  
the impact of system outages caused by severe weather conditions or other events;
·  
generation plant construction, installation and performance, including costs associated with AmerenUE’s Taum Sauk pumped-storage hydroelectric plant incident and the plant’s future operation;
·  
recoverability through insurance of costs associated with AmerenUE’s Taum Sauk pumped-storage hydroelectric plant incident;
·  
operation of AmerenUE’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, including those related to greenhouse gases, will be introduced over time, which could have a negative financial effect;
·  
labor disputes, future wage and employee benefits costs, including changes in returns on benefit plan assets;
·  
the inability of our counterparties and affiliates to meet their obligations with respect to contracts and financial instruments;
·  
the cost and availability of transmission capacity for the energy generated or required to satisfy energy sales;
·  
legal and administrative proceedings; and
·  
acts of sabotage, war, terrorism or intentionally disruptive acts.

Given these uncertainties, undue reliance should not be placed on these forward-looking statements. Except to the extent required by the federal securities laws, we undertake no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements to reflect new information, future events, or otherwise.
#   #   #
 

 

 
 

 
AMEREN CORPORATION (AEE)
CONSOLIDATED OPERATING STATISTICS
             
 
 
Three Months Ended
 
March 31,  
   
2007
   
2006
 
             
Electric Sales - KWH (in millions):
           
Missouri Regulated
           
Residential
 
3,524
   
3,236
 
Commercial
 
3,388
   
3,226
 
Industrial
 
2,316
   
2,283
 
Other
 
184
   
174
 
Native
 
9,412
   
8,919
 
Interchange sales
 
2,748
   
3,559
 
Subtotal
 
12,160
   
12,478
 
             
Illinois Regulated
           
Residential
           
Generation and delivery service
 
2,802
   
2,894
 
Commercial
           
Generation and delivery service
 
1,974
   
2,652
 
Delivery service only
 
1,072
   
66
 
Industrial
           
Generation and delivery service
 
842
   
2,295
 
Delivery service only
 
2,604
   
914
 
Other
 
148
   
157
 
Subtotal
 
9,442
   
8,978
 
             
Non-rate-regulated Generation
           
Non-affiliate sales
 
6,119
   
5,613
 
Affiliate sales
 
1,826
   
5,080
 
Subtotal
 
7,945
   
10,693
 
             
Eliminate affiliate sales
 
(1,806
)
 
(7,129
)
Eliminate Illinois Regulated/Non-rate-regulated Generation common customers
 
(1,556
)
 
(743
)
             
Ameren Total
 
26,185
   
24,277
 
             
Electric Revenues (in millions):
           
Missouri Regulated
           
Residential
$
191
 
$
181
 
Commercial
 
157
   
151
 
Industrial
 
79
   
76
 
Other
 
24
   
20
 
Native
 
451
   
428
 
Non-affiliate interchange sales
 
122
   
66
 
Affiliate interchange sales
 
-
   
72
 
Subtotal
 
573
   
566
 
             
Illinois Regulated
           
Residential
           
Generation and delivery service
 
289
   
189
 
Commercial
           
Generation and delivery service
 
184
   
168
 
Delivery service only
 
8
   
1
 
Industrial
           
Generation and delivery service
 
51
   
97
 
Delivery service only
 
2
   
1
 
Other
 
48
   
28
 
Subtotal
 
582
   
484
 
             
Non-rate-regulated Generation
           
Non-affiliate energy sales
 
318
   
239
 
Affiliate native energy sales
 
124
   
160
 
Affiliate other sales
 
9
   
31
 
Subtotal
 
451
   
430
 
             
Eliminate affiliate sales
 
(148
)
 
(269
)
Ameren Total
$
1,458
 
$
1,211
 
 

AMEREN CORPORATION (AEE)
CONSOLIDATED OPERATING STATISTICS
             
 
Three Months Ended
 
March 31,  
   
2007
   
2006
 
             
Electric Generation - KWH (in millions):
           
Missouri Regulated
 
12.3
   
12.7
 
Non-rate-regulated
           
Genco
 
4.2
   
3.6
 
AERG
 
1.5
   
1.7
 
EEI
 
2.0
   
2.0
 
Subtotal
 
7.7
   
7.3
 
Ameren Total
 
20.0
   
20.0
 
             
Fuel Cost per KWH (cents)
           
Missouri Regulated
 
1.078
   
0.972
 
Non-rate-regulated
 
1.713
   
1.511
 
             
Gas Sales - Dth (in thousands)
           
Missouri Regulated
 
5,729
   
4,873
 
Illinois Regulated
 
44,809
   
40,447
 
             
Net Income by Segment (in millions):
           
Missouri Regulated
$
23
 
$
35
 
Illinois Regulated
 
29
   
9
 
Non-rate-regulated Generation
 
70
   
27
 
Other
 
1
   
(1
)
Ameren Total
$
123
 
$
70
 
             
 
March 31, 
   
December 31,
 
   
2007
   
2006
 
Common Stock:
           
Shares outstanding (in millions)
 
207.0
   
206.6
 
Book value per share
$
31.68
 
$
31.87
 
             
Capitalization Ratios:
           
Common equity
 
50.0
%
 
50.6
%
Preferred stock
 
1.5
%
 
1.5
%
Debt, net of cash
 
48.5
%
 
47.9
%
             
             

 

AMEREN CORPORATION (AEE)
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF INCOME
(Unaudited, in millions, except per share amounts)
             
             
             
 
 
Three Months Ended 
 
March 31, 
   
2007
   
2006
 
             
Operating Revenues:
           
Electric
$
1,458
 
$
1,211
 
Gas
 
561
   
589
 
Total operating revenues
 
2,019
   
1,800
 
             
Operating Expenses:
           
Fuel
 
263
   
252
 
Purchased power
 
373
   
273
 
Gas purchased for resale
 
421
   
453
 
Other operations and maintenance
 
396
   
352
 
Depreciation and amortization
 
176
   
161
 
Taxes other than income taxes
 
102
   
113
 
Total operating expenses
 
1,731
   
1,604
 
Operating Income
 
288
   
196
 
             
Other Income and Expenses:
           
Miscellaneous income
 
16
   
4
 
Total other income
 
16
   
4
 
             
Interest Charges
 
100
   
76
 
             
Income Before Income Taxes, Minority Interest and Preferred Dividends of
           
Subsidiaries
 
204
   
124
 
             
Income Taxes
 
71
   
44
 
             
Income Before Minority Interest and Preferred Dividends of Subsidiaries
 
133
   
80
 
             
Minority Interest and Preferred Dividends of Subsidiaries
 
10
   
10
 
             
Net Income
$
123
 
$
70
 
             
Earnings per Common Share - Basic and Diluted
$
0.59
 
$
0.34
 
             
Average Common Shares Outstanding
 
206.6
   
204.8
 
             
             
 
 

 

AMEREN CORPORATION (AEE)
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET
(Unaudited, in millions)
             
 
March 31, 
   
December 31,
 
   
2007
   
2006
 
             
ASSETS
           
Current Assets:
           
Cash and cash equivalents
$
161
 
$
137
 
Accounts receivable - trade
 
687
   
418
 
Unbilled revenue
 
216
   
309
 
Miscellaneous accounts and notes receivable
 
177
   
160
 
Materials and supplies, at average cost
 
489
   
647
 
Other current assets
 
130
   
203
 
Total current assets
 
1,860
   
1,874
 
Property and Plant, Net
 
14,353
   
14,286
 
Investments and Other Assets:
           
Investments in leveraged leases
 
13
   
13
 
Nuclear decommissioning trust fund
 
288
   
285
 
Goodwill
 
831
   
831
 
Intangible Assets
 
210
   
217
 
Other assets
 
650
   
641
 
Regulatory assets
 
1,421
   
1,431
 
Total investments and other assets
 
3,413
   
3,418
 
             
TOTAL ASSETS
$
19,626
 
$
19,578
 
             
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
           
Current Liabilities:
           
Current maturities of long-term debt
$
303
 
$
456
 
Short-term debt
 
953
   
612
 
Accounts and wages payable
 
454
   
671
 
Taxes accrued
 
137
   
58
 
Other current liabilities
 
402
   
405
 
Total current liabilities
 
2,249
   
2,202
 
Long-term Debt, Net
 
5,260
   
5,285
 
Preferred Stock of Subsidiary Subject to Mandatory Redemption
 
18
   
18
 
Deferred Credits and Other Liabilities:
           
Accumulated deferred income taxes, net
 
2,000
   
2,144
 
Accumulated deferred investment tax credits
 
116
   
118
 
Regulatory liabilities
 
1,185
   
1,234
 
Asset retirement obligations
 
557
   
549
 
Accrued pension and other postretirement benefits
 
1,086
   
1,065
 
Other deferred credits and liabilities
 
385
   
169
 
Total deferred credits and other liabilities
 
5,329
   
5,279
 
Preferred Stock of Subsidiaries Not Subject to Mandatory Redemption
 
195
   
195
 
Minority Interest in Consolidated Subsidiaries
 
18
   
16
 
Stockholders' Equity:
           
Common stock
 
2
   
2
 
Other paid-in capital, principally premium on common stock
 
4,521
   
4,495
 
Retained earnings
 
2,011
   
2,024
 
Accumulated other comprehensive loss
 
23
   
62
 
Total stockholders' equity
 
6,557
   
6,583
 
             
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
$
19,626
 
$
19,578
 
             
 
 

 

AMEREN CORPORATION (AEE)
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS
(Unaudited, in millions)
 
Three Months Ended 
 
March 31,  
   
2007
   
2006
 
Cash Flows From Operating Activities:
           
Net income
$
123
 
$
70
 
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
           
Gains on sales of emission allowances
 
(4
)
 
(4
)
Depreciation and amortization
 
182
   
169
 
Amortization of nuclear fuel
 
9
   
9
 
Amortization of debt issuance costs and premium/discounts
 
5
   
4
 
Deferred income taxes and investment tax credits, net
 
(12
)
 
8
 
Minority interest
 
7
   
7
 
Other
 
6
   
7
 
Changes in assets and liabilities:
           
Receivables, net
 
(193
)
 
104
 
Materials and supplies
 
158
   
151
 
Accounts and wages payable
 
(81
)
 
(282
)
Taxes accrued
 
77
   
(1
)
Assets, other
 
24
   
44
 
Liabilities, other
 
36
   
40
 
Pension and other postretirement obligations, net
 
21
   
47
 
Net cash provided by operating activities
 
358
   
373
 
             
Cash Flows From Investing Activities:
           
Capital expenditures
 
(357
)
 
(220
)
CT acquisitions
 
-
   
(292
)
Nuclear fuel expenditures
 
(23
)
 
(24
)
Purchases of securities - Nuclear Decommissioning Trust Fund
 
(47
)
 
(30
)
Sales of securities - Nuclear Decommissioning Trust Fund
 
43
   
27
 
Purchases of emission allowances
 
(5
)
 
(38
)
Sales of emission allowances
 
2
   
4
 
Other
 
1
   
-
 
Net cash used in investing activities
 
(386
)
 
(573
)
             
Cash Flows From Financing Activities:
           
Dividends on common stock
 
(131
)
 
(130
)
Short-term debt, net
 
341
   
274
 
Dividends paid to minority interest
 
(5
)
 
(7
)
Redemptions, repurchases and maturities of long-term debt
 
(174
)
 
(31
)
Issuances of common stock
 
21
   
27
 
Net cash provided by financing activities
 
52
   
133
 
             
Net Change In Cash and Cash Equivalents
 
24
   
(67
)
Cash and Cash Equivalents at Beginning of Year
 
137
   
96
 
             
Cash and Cash Equivalents at End of Period
$
161
 
$
29