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Long-Term Debt And Equity Financings
6 Months Ended
Jun. 30, 2016
Long-Term Debt And Equity Financings [Abstract]  
LONG-TERM DEBT AND EQUITY FINANCINGS
LONG-TERM DEBT AND EQUITY FINANCINGS
Ameren Missouri
In February 2016, Ameren Missouri's $260 million 5.40% senior secured notes matured and were repaid with cash on hand and commercial paper borrowings.
In June 2016, Ameren Missouri issued $150 million of 3.65% senior secured notes due April 15, 2045, with interest payable semiannually on April 15 and October 15 of each year, beginning October 15, 2016. Ameren Missouri received proceeds of $148 million, which were used to repay short-term debt.
Ameren Illinois
In June 2016, Ameren Illinois’ $54 million 6.20% senior secured notes and $75 million 6.25% senior secured notes matured and were repaid with commercial paper borrowings.
Indenture Provisions and Other Covenants
Ameren Missouri’s and Ameren Illinois’ indentures, credit facilities, and articles of incorporation include covenants and provisions related to issuances of first mortgage bonds and preferred stock. Ameren Missouri and Ameren Illinois are required to meet certain ratios to issue additional first mortgage bonds and preferred stock. A failure to achieve these ratios would not result in a default under these covenants and provisions, but would restrict the companies’ ability to issue first mortgage bonds or preferred stock. The following table summarizes the required and actual interest coverage ratios for interest charges, dividend coverage ratios, and first mortgage bonds and preferred stock issuable as of June 30, 2016, at an assumed annual interest rate of 5% and dividend rate of 6%.
 
 
Required Interest
Coverage Ratio(a)
 
Actual Interest
Coverage Ratio
 
Bonds Issuable(b)
 
Required Dividend
Coverage Ratio(c)
 
Actual Dividend
Coverage Ratio
 
Preferred Stock
Issuable
 
Ameren Missouri
 
≥2.0
 
4.7
$
3,793
 
≥2.5
 
105.4
$
2,346
 
Ameren Illinois
 
≥2.0
 
6.9
 
3,827
(d) 
≥1.5
 
2.8
 
203
(e) 
(a)
Coverage required on the annual interest charges on first mortgage bonds outstanding and to be issued. Coverage is not required in certain cases when additional first mortgage bonds are issued on the basis of retired bonds.
(b)
Amount of first mortgage bonds issuable based either on required coverage ratios or unfunded property additions, whichever is more restrictive. The amounts shown also include first mortgage bonds issuable based on retired bond capacity of $1,206 million and $279 million at Ameren Missouri and Ameren Illinois, respectively.
(c)
Coverage required on the annual dividend on preferred stock outstanding and to be issued, as required in the respective company’s articles of incorporation.
(d)
Amount of first mortgage bonds issuable by Ameren Illinois based on unfunded property additions and retired bonds solely under the former IP mortgage indenture. The amount of first mortgage bonds issuable by Ameren Illinois is also subject to the lien restrictions contained in the Illinois Credit Agreement.
(e)
Preferred stock issuable is restricted by the amount of preferred stock that is currently authorized by Ameren Illinois’ articles of incorporation.
Ameren's indenture does not require Ameren to comply with any quantitative financial covenants. The indenture does, however, include certain cross-default provisions. Specifically, either (1) the failure by Ameren to pay when due and upon expiration of any applicable grace period any portion of any Ameren indebtedness in excess of $25 million, or (2) the acceleration upon default of the maturity of any Ameren indebtedness in excess of $25 million under any indebtedness agreement, including borrowings under the Credit Agreements or the Ameren commercial paper program, constitutes a default under the indenture, unless such past due or accelerated debt is discharged or the acceleration is rescinded or annulled within a specified period.

Ameren Missouri and Ameren Illinois and certain other Ameren subsidiaries are subject to Section 305(a) of the Federal Power Act, which makes it unlawful for any officer or director of a public utility, as defined in the Federal Power Act, to participate in the making or paying of any dividend from any funds “properly included in capital account.” The FERC has consistently interpreted the provision to allow dividends to be paid as long as (1) the source of the dividends is clearly disclosed, (2) the dividends are not excessive, and (3) there is no self-dealing on the part of corporate officials. At a minimum, Ameren believes that dividends can be paid by its subsidiaries that are public utilities from retained earnings. In addition, under Illinois law, Ameren Illinois may not pay any dividend on its stock, unless, among other things, its earnings and earned surplus are sufficient to declare and pay a dividend after provision is made for reasonable and proper reserves, or unless Ameren Illinois has specific authorization from the ICC.

Ameren Illinois’ articles of incorporation require dividend payments on its common stock to be based on ratios of common stock to total capitalization and other provisions related to certain operating expenses and accumulations of earned surplus. Ameren Illinois committed to the FERC to maintain a minimum of 30% equity in its capital structure. As of June 30, 2016, Ameren Illinois had 51% equity in its capital structure.
In order for the Ameren Companies to issue securities in the future, we have to comply with all applicable requirements in effect at the time of any such issuances.
Off-Balance-Sheet Arrangements
At June 30, 2016, none of the Ameren Companies had off-balance-sheet financing arrangements, other than operating leases entered into in the ordinary course of business, letters of credit, and Ameren parent guarantee arrangements on behalf of its subsidiaries. None of the Ameren Companies expect to engage in any significant off-balance-sheet financing arrangements in the near future.