0001157523-13-001288.txt : 20130307 0001157523-13-001288.hdr.sgml : 20130307 20130307142412 ACCESSION NUMBER: 0001157523-13-001288 CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE: 8-K PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT: 2 CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT: 20130307 ITEM INFORMATION: Other Events ITEM INFORMATION: Financial Statements and Exhibits FILED AS OF DATE: 20130307 DATE AS OF CHANGE: 20130307 FILER: COMPANY DATA: COMPANY CONFORMED NAME: EMPIRE DISTRICT ELECTRIC CO CENTRAL INDEX KEY: 0000032689 STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION: ELECTRIC SERVICES [4911] IRS NUMBER: 440236370 STATE OF INCORPORATION: KS FISCAL YEAR END: 1231 FILING VALUES: FORM TYPE: 8-K SEC ACT: 1934 Act SEC FILE NUMBER: 001-03368 FILM NUMBER: 13672897 BUSINESS ADDRESS: STREET 1: 602 JOPLIN ST CITY: JOPLIN STATE: MO ZIP: 64801 BUSINESS PHONE: 4176255100 MAIL ADDRESS: STREET 1: P.O. BOX 127 CITY: JOPLIN STATE: MO ZIP: 64802 8-K 1 a50586474.htm THE EMPIRE DISTRICT ELECTRIC COMPANY 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: March 7, 2013
(Date of earliest event reported)

THE EMPIRE DISTRICT ELECTRIC COMPANY
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

KS

1-3368

44-0236370

(State or other jurisdiction

of incorporation)

(Commission File
Number)

(IRS Employer

Identification Number)

602 S. Joplin Avenue, Joplin, Missouri

 

64801

(Address of principal executive offices)

(Zip Code)

(417) 625-5100
 (Registrant's telephone number, including area code)

Not Applicable
(Former name or former address, if changed since last report)

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 240.13e-4(c))

Item 8.01 Other Events.

The Empire District Electric Company (the “Company”) reported today that, on March 6, 2013, Standard & Poor's announced that it had upgraded the Company's corporate credit rating to BBB from BBB-, senior secured debt to A- from BBB+, senior unsecured debt to BBB from BBB- and the Company's commercial paper rating to A-2 from A-3.  S&P's outlook for Empire is stable.

A copy of the Company’s press release announcing the credit upgrade is included as Exhibit 99.1 to this Current Report on Form 8-K.


Item 9.01. Financial Statements and Exhibits.

Exhibit No.

Description

99.1 Press Release of THE EMPIRE DISTRICT ELECTRIC COMPANY dated March 7, 2013

2

SIGNATURE

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 EMPIRE DISTRICT ELECTRIC COMPANY

 

 

 

 

By

/s/

Bradley P. Beecher

Name:

Bradley P. Beecher

Title:

President and Chief Executive Officer

 

 

Dated:

March 7, 2013

3

Exhibit Index

Exhibit No.

 

                        Description

 
99.1

Press Release of THE EMPIRE DISTRICT

ELECTRIC COMPANY dated March 7, 2013


4

EX-99.1 2 a50586474-ex991.htm EXHIBIT 99.1

Exhibit 99.1

The Empire District Electric Company Announces Upgrade in Ratings by Standard & Poor's

JOPLIN, Mo.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--March 7, 2013--The Empire District Electric Company (NYSE:EDE) reported today that, on March 6, 2013, Standard & Poor's announced that it had upgraded the Company's corporate credit rating to BBB from BBB-, senior secured debt to A- from BBB+, senior unsecured debt to BBB from BBB- and the Company's commercial paper rating to A-2 from A-3. S&P's outlook for Empire is stable.

S&P indicated in its press release that the upgrade could be traced to Empire’s effective management of regulatory risk, including the recent approval of its rate settlement in Missouri, continued recovery in its service area following the May 2011 tornado, and better-than-expected financial performance. Although S&P stated that they expect key financial measures to slip as Empire’s construction spending accelerates, they indicated their expectation that Empire's overall financial condition should remain suitable for the mid 'BBB' rating category.

In making the announcement, Laurie Delano, Vice-President and CFO, stated, "We are very pleased with the action taken by Standard & Poor's in upgrading our credit ratings. We view this as a positive result of our continued focus on and execution of our operational and financial plans. We expect that the result of these higher ratings will be lower future debt costs for our customers."

Based in Joplin, Missouri, The Empire District Electric Company (NYSE:EDE) is an investor-owned utility providing electric, natural gas (through its wholly owned subsidiary The Empire District Gas Company) and water service, with approximately 216,000 customers in Missouri, Kansas, Oklahoma, and Arkansas. A subsidiary of the Company also provides fiber optic services. For more information regarding Empire, visit www.empiredistrict.com.

Certain matters discussed in this press release are “forward-looking statements” intended to qualify for the safe harbor from liability established by the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such statements address future plans, objectives, expectations, earnings, and events or conditions concerning various matters. Actual results in each case could differ materially from those currently anticipated in such statements, by reason of the factors noted in our filings with the SEC, including the most recent Form 10-K.

CONTACT:
The Empire District Electric Company
Media Communications
Amy Bass, 417-625-5114
Director of Corporate Communications
abass@empiredistrict.com
or
Investor Relations
Jan Watson, 417-625-5108
Secretary – Treasurer
jwatson@empiredistrict.com