EX-99 3 ex991.htm FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Exhibit 99

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 7, 2003

IDACORP Reports Second Quarter Results;
Reaffirms 2003 Earnings Guidance

BOISE - IDACORP, Inc. (NYSE:IDA) today reported a net loss of $0.9 million or 2 cents per share for the second quarter of 2003 due to continued losses related to the wind down of the energy trading business at IDACORP Energy, the effects of intra-period tax allocations, the continued impact of below normal hydroelectric generating conditions, and increases in operating expenses at Idaho Power.

Year-to-date IDACORP has recorded a net loss of $4.0 million or 10 cents per share.  Last year's earnings were 8 cents per share for the second quarter and 74 cents per share for the first half of the year.

"Certainly these results do not meet our expectations or those of our shareholders," said IDACORP President and Chief Executive Officer Jan B. Packwood.  "However, by continuing to manage through the ongoing drought conditions, combined with the expected reversal of the tax allocation impacts, we remain confident that we will achieve our previously stated earnings guidance for 2003.

"Our main emphasis for the remainder of this year and into 2004 will continue to be strengthening our balance sheet and focusing on our utility operations," he added.  "This requires the continued evaluation of the company's capital spending program, the company's dividend policy, and filing for general rate relief this fall."

The company reaffirms its 2003 annual earnings guidance at between 90 cents and $1.15 per share.  The guidance for the utility is reaffirmed at $1.20 to $1.40 per share.

Business Operations

IDAHO POWER COMPANY

            Idaho Power Company contributed 31 cents per share to second quarter results and 67 cents per share year-to-date.  Last year Idaho Power's earnings were 33 cents per share in the second quarter and 91 cents per share for the first half of the year. Though the second quarter results were nearly the same as last year's depressed earnings, the year-to-date results demonstrate the continuing impact of below-normal hydroelectric generating conditions in the service area; reduced customer energy sales due to weather; and increases in pension, depreciation, and thermal plant maintenance expenses.

            General business revenues decreased $21.0 million in the second quarter compared to a year ago due to the effects of the Power Cost Adjustment order from the Idaho Public Utilities Commission on May 13 that resulted in an approximate 18 percent reduction to Idaho Power's overall retail rates.  Revenues from off-system sales were $8.9 million higher in this year's second quarter due to increased volumes along with higher wholesale electricity prices.

Below-normal water conditions continue to affect the company's hydroelectric production.  April-July inflows into Brownlee Reservoir, Idaho Power's key water storage facility, were 3.5 million acre-feet (maf).  Historically, the average inflow into the reservoir over the period is 6.3 maf.  In 2002 and 2001, the inflows were 3.2 and 2.4 maf, respectively.

IDACORP ENERGY

IDACORP Energy recorded a loss of 11 cents per share for the quarter and a loss of 39 cents per share year-to-date.  General and administrative expenses associated with continued performance of existing contracts along with legal expenses related to regulatory and legal disputes are the primary cause of the second quarter loss.  The year-to-date results also reflect the settlement costs of reaching resolution in three legal disputes, which were recorded in the first quarter.

OTHER SUBSIDIARIES

            IDACORP Financial contributed 7 cents per share to second quarter earnings and 13 cents per share year-to-date.  Ida-West Energy earned 1 cent per share for the second quarter and 1 cent per share for the first half of 2003.  IDACOMM recorded a 3-cent-per-share loss during the quarter and a 3-cent per share loss year-to-date.  IdaTech lost 3 cents per share for the quarter and has lost 5 cents per share so far this year.

INCOME TAXES

            Generally accepted accounting principles require companies to apply an estimated annual effective tax rate to interim periods, which has had the effect of deferring significant intra-period tax benefits from the first and second quarters to later in the year.  The tax benefits deferred consist primarily of Section 42 low-income housing tax credits recorded at IDACORP Financial.  This adjustment is not expected to have an impact on IDACORP's annual earnings because the adjustment will reverse and flow into earnings during the remainder of the year.

DIVIDEND DISCUSSION

            The amount and timing of dividend payments on IDACORP's common stock are within the sole discretion of IDACORP's Board of Directors.  The Board of Directors reviews the common dividend rate quarterly to determine its appropriateness in light of IDACORP's current and long-term financial position and results of operations, capital requirements, rating agency requirements, legislative and regulatory developments affecting the electric utility industry in general and Idaho Power Company in particular, competitive conditions and any other factors the Board of Directors deems relevant.

            The company is challenged by operating results that are significantly below the current annual dividend.  With the wind down of IDACORP Energy, the long-term sustainability of the dividend is primarily dependent upon the earnings and operating cash flow generated by Idaho Power.  Idaho Power's earnings and operating cash flow depend on many factors, but the most significant are weather and hydroelectric generating conditions, the ability to obtain rate relief to cover operating costs, and capital spending requirements.  The impacts of lower-than-anticipated cash flows in 2003, expected increases in investments in utility plant in 2004 and 2005, and credit quality considerations also are factors being considered. Because of these factors the company's ability to sustain the level of dividends paid in the past is less certain and it is possible the Board of Directors may reduce the dividend as early as 2003.  The Board of Directors will continue to evaluate these and other factors in determining the appropriate and sustainable level of payout to IDACORP shareholders going forward. The Board has made no determination at this time as to the long-term sustainability of the existing dividend on common stock.

 

 

 

Conference Call

            The company will hold an analyst conference call today at 2:30 p.m. Mountain (4:30 p.m. Eastern).  All parties interested in listening may do so through a live Web cast.  Details of the conference call logistics are posted on the company's website (http://www.idacorpinc.com).  A replay of the conference call will be available on the company's website for a period of 12 months.

 

Background Information

            Boise, Idaho-based IDACORP, formed in 1998, is a holding company comprising Idaho Power, a regulated electric utility; Ida-West Energy, a manager and developer of independent power projects; IDACORP Financial, an investment vehicle that makes investments primarily in low-income housing projects; IdaTech, a developer of fully integrated fuel cell systems; IDACOMM, a telecommunications subsidiary providing high-speed Internet access technologies; Velocitus, a commercial and residential Internet service provider; and IDACORP Energy, a marketer of energy and energy-related products and services that is winding down its operations.

            Certain statements contained in this news release, including statements with respect to future earnings, ongoing operations, and financial conditions, are "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of federal securities laws.  Although IDACORP and Idaho Power believe that the expectations and assumptions reflected in these forward-looking statements are reasonable, these statements involve a number of risks and uncertainties, and actual results may differ materially from the results discussed in the statements.  Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from the forward-looking statements include: changes in governmental policies and regulatory actions, including those of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC), the Idaho Public Utilities Commission (IPUC) and the Oregon Public Utility Commission (OPUC), with respect to allowed rates of return, industry and rate structure, acquisition and disposal of assets and facilities, operation and construction of plant facilities, recovery of purchased power and other capital investments, and present or prospective wholesale and retail competition (including but not limited to retail wheeling and transmission costs) and other refund proceedings; litigation resulting from the energy situation in the western United States; economic, geographic and political factors and risks; changes in and compliance with environmental and safety laws and policies; weather variations affecting customer energy usage; operating performance of plants and other facilities; system conditions and operating costs; population growth rates and demographic patterns; pricing and transportation of commodities; market demand and prices for energy, including structural market changes; changes in capacity and fuel availability and prices; changes in tax rates or policies, interest rates or rates of inflation; changes in actuarial assumptions; adoption of or changes in critical accounting policies or estimates; exposure to operational, market and credit risk in energy trading and marketing operations; changes in operating expenses and capital expenditures; capital market conditions; rating actions by Moody's, Standard & Poor's and Fitch; competition for new energy development opportunities; results of financing efforts, including the ability to obtain financing on favorable terms, which can be affected by various factors, including credit ratings and general economic conditions; natural disasters, acts of war or terrorism; legal and administrative proceedings (whether civil or criminal) and settlements that influence business and profitability; and new accounting or Securities and Exchange Commission requirements, or new interpretation or application of existing requirements.  Any such forward-looking statements should be considered in light of such factors and others noted in the companies' Form10-K for the year 2002, the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2003 and other reports on file with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

IDACORP, Inc.

Consolidated Statements of Operations
For Periods Ended June 30, 2003 and 2002
(Unaudited)
Summary Financial Information
(Thousands of Dollars, except per share data)

 

Three Months Ended

 

Year-To-Date

 

6/30/03

 

6/30/02

 

6/30/03

 

6/30/02

Operating Revenues:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Electric utility:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

General business

$

166,613 

 

$

187,564 

 

$

341,675 

 

$

373,684 

 

 

Off system sales

 

19,839 

 

 

10,976 

 

 

38,447 

 

 

31,135 

 

 

Other revenues

 

11,176 

 

 

11,041 

 

 

20,928 

 

 

19,862 

 

 

 

Total electric utility revenues

 

197,628 

 

 

209,581 

 

 

401,050 

 

 

424,681 

 

Energy marketing

 

(1,053)

 

 

(3,049)

 

 

2,540 

 

 

17,931 

 

Other

 

3,701 

 

 

3,300 

 

 

8,614 

 

 

6,813 

 

 

Total Operating Revenues

 

200,276 

 

 

209,832 

 

 

412,204 

 

 

449,425 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operating Expenses:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Electric Utility:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Purchased power

 

32,019 

 

 

31,184 

 

 

45,625 

 

 

61,374 

 

 

Fuel expense

 

23,908 

 

 

21,708 

 

 

49,446 

 

 

49,636 

 

 

Power cost adjustment

 

25,383 

 

 

42,165 

 

 

77,230 

 

 

76,225 

 

 

Other operations & maintenance

 

59,537 

 

 

53,351 

 

 

110,122 

 

 

102,611 

 

 

Depreciation

 

24,279 

 

 

23,184 

 

 

48,413 

 

 

46,355 

 

 

Taxes other than income taxes

 

5,251 

 

 

5,160 

 

 

10,408 

 

 

10,346 

 

 

 

Total electric utility expenses

 

170,377 

 

 

176,752 

 

 

341,244 

 

 

346,547 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Energy marketing:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cost of energy commodities and services

 

(15)

 

 

13,005 

 

 

3,705 

 

 

24,467 

 

 

Selling, administrative & general

 

6,481 

 

 

4,551 

 

 

13,184 

 

 

10,583 

 

 

Net loss (gain) on legal disputes

 

 

 

 

 

10,938 

 

 

(2,775)

 

Other

 

9,433 

 

 

7,781 

 

 

17,699 

 

 

15,603 

 

 

 

Total Operating Expenses

 

186,276 

 

 

202,089 

 

 

386,770 

 

 

394,425 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operating Income (Loss):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Electric utility

 

27,251 

 

 

32,829 

 

 

59,806 

 

 

78,134 

 

Energy marketing

 

(7,519)

 

 

(20,605)

 

 

(25,287)

 

 

(14,344)

 

Other

 

(5,732)

 

 

(4,481)

 

 

(9,085)

 

 

(8,790)

 

 

Total Operating Income

 

14,000 

 

 

7,743 

 

 

25,434 

 

 

55,000 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Other Income

 

1,402 

 

 

2,464 

 

 

4,002 

 

 

7,558 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Interest Expense and Other:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Interest on long-term debt

 

14,449 

 

 

12,237 

 

 

29,642 

 

 

25,554 

 

Other interest expense

 

966 

 

 

2,924 

 

 

2,012 

 

 

6,572 

 

Preferred dividends -Idaho Power Co

 

866 

 

 

1,298 

 

 

1,734 

 

 

2,660 

 

 

Total Interest and Other

 

16,281 

 

 

16,459 

 

 

33,388 

 

 

34,786 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Income (Loss) Before Income Taxes

 

(879)

 

 

(6,252)

 

 

(3,952)

 

 

27,772 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Income Taxes

 

 

 

(9,329)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net Income (Loss)

$

(879)

 

$

3,077 

 

$

(3,952)

 

$

27,772 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Average Common Shares

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Outstanding (000's)

 

38,196 

 

 

37,665 

 

 

38,169 

 

 

37,613 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Earnings (loss) per Share

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(Basic and Diluted)

$

(0.02)

 

$

0.08 

 

$

(0.10)

 

$

0.74 

 

 

IDACORP, Inc.
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
For Six Months Ended June 30, 2003 and 2002
(Unaudited)
Summary Financial Information
(Thousands of Dollars)

 

 

Six Months Ended

 

 

6/30/03

 

6/30/02

Operating Activities:

 

 

Net income (loss)

$

(3,952)

 

$

27,772 

 

Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash provided by

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

operating activities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net non-cash loss on legal disputes

 

10,938 

 

 

 

 

Allowance for uncollectible accounts

 

(263)

 

 

 

 

Unrealized (gains) losses from energy marketing activities

 

11,691 

 

 

58,165 

 

 

Depreciation and amortization

 

65,744 

 

 

57,222 

 

 

Deferred taxes and investment tax credits

 

(54,465)

 

 

(45,137)

 

 

Accrued PCA costs

 

75,314 

 

 

71,892 

 

 

Change in:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Receivables and prepayments

 

68,929 

 

 

23,667 

 

 

 

Accounts payable

 

(76,246)

 

 

(121,952)

 

 

 

Taxes receivable/accrued

 

38,928 

 

 

67,760 

 

 

 

Other

 

862 

 

 

(15,485)

 

 

Net cash provided by operating activities

 

137,480 

 

 

123,904 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Investing Activities

 

(64,303)

 

 

(103,029)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Financing Activities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Proceeds from issuance of other long-term debt

 

165,475 

 

 

 

Retirement of long-term debt

 

(167,329)

 

 

(57,521)

 

Increase (decrease) in short-term borrowings

 

(57,150)

 

 

47,650 

 

Dividends on common stock

 

(35,487)

 

 

(34,980)

 

Other

 

(1,297)

 

 

4,394 

 

 

Net cash used in financing activities

 

(95,788)

 

 

(40,457)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents

 

(22,611)

 

 

(19,582)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents beginning of period

 

42,736 

 

 

66,688 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents at end of period

$

20,125 

 

$

47,106 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

IDACORP, Inc.
Consolidated Balance Sheets
As of June 30, 2003 and December 31, 2002
(Unaudited)
Summary Financial Information
(Thousands of Dollars)

 

6/30/03

 

12/31/02

 

 

Assets

 

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents

$

20,125

 

$

42,736

 

Receivables net of allowance

 

97,042

 

 

156,206

 

Energy marketing assets

 

68,006

 

 

85,138

 

Other current assets

 

114,144

 

 

117,488

 

 

Total current assets

 

299,317

 

 

401,568

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Investments

 

208,437

 

 

206,348

 

Property, plant and equipment-net

 

1,910,695

 

 

1,906,498

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Energy marketing assets - long-term

 

42,953

 

 

64,733

 

Regulatory assets

 

409,452

 

 

482,159

 

Other assets

 

165,684

 

 

191,332

 

 

Total other assets

 

618,089

 

 

738,224

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total Assets

$

3,036,538

 

$

3,252,638

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Liabilities And Shareholders' Equity

 

 

 

 

 

 

Current maturities of long-term debt

$

62,788

 

$

89,592

 

Notes payable

 

119,050

 

 

176,200

 

Accounts payable

 

51,539

 

 

130,930

 

Energy marketing liabilities

 

30,726

 

 

59,917

 

Other current liabilities

 

159,250

 

 

119,851

 

 

Total current liabilities

 

423,353

 

 

576,490

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Deferred income taxes

 

536,119

 

 

595,639

 

Energy marketing liabilities - long-term

 

52,193

 

 

51,761

 

Regulatory liabilities

 

114,663

 

 

114,247

 

Other liabilities

 

93,402

 

 

87,605

 

 

Total other liabilities

 

796,377

 

 

849,252

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Long-term debt

 

923,721

 

 

898,676

 

Preferred stock of Idaho Power Co

 

52,562

 

 

53,393

 

Shareholders' equity

 

840,525

 

 

874,827

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total Liabilities & Shareholders' Equity

$

3,036,538

 

$

3,252,638

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Idaho Power Company Supplemental Operating Statistics

 

 

Three Months Ended

 

Year-To-Date

 

6/30/03

 

6/30/02

 

6/30/03

 

6/30/02

Energy Use - MWh

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Residential

 

936,589

 

 

887,471

 

 

2,136,280

 

 

2,243,534

 

Commercial

 

820,559

 

 

836,400

 

 

1,663,652

 

 

1,714,001

 

Industrial

 

758,588

 

 

790,392

 

 

1,528,153

 

 

1,564,059

 

Irrigation

 

675,637

 

 

666,443

 

 

676,706

 

 

669,171

 

Total General Business

 

3,191,373

 

 

3,180,706

 

 

6,004,791

 

 

6,190,765

 

Off-System Sales

 

568,716

 

 

431,027

 

 

981,775

 

 

1,252,983

 

 

Total

 

3,760,089

 

 

3,611,733

 

 

6,986,566

 

 

7,443,748

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Revenue ($000's)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Residential

$

60,031

 

$

60,948

 

$

144,239

 

$

155,102

 

Commercial

 

42,450

 

 

47,863

 

 

90,860

 

 

96,449

 

Industrial

 

29,661

 

 

43,530

 

 

71,920

 

 

86,649

 

Irrigation

 

34,471

 

 

35,223

 

 

34,656

 

 

35,484

 

Total General Business

 

166,613

 

 

187,564

 

 

341,675

 

 

373,684

 

Off-System Sales

 

19,839

 

 

10,976

 

 

38,447

 

 

31,135

 

 

Total

$

186,452

 

$

198,540

 

$

380,122

 

$

404,819

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Customers - Period End

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Residential

 

348,248

 

 

339,081

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Commercial

 

54,136

 

 

52,836

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Industrial

 

116

 

 

114

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Irrigation

 

16,972

 

 

16,691

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total

 

419,472

 

 

408,722

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

IDACORP Energy Unconsolidated Operating Statistics $(000)'s
(Unaudited)

 

Three Months Ended

 

Year-To-Date

 

6/30/03

 

6/30/02

 

6/30/03

 

6/30/02

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Value at Risk:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

End of period 95% confidence level

 

$

 

197

 

 

$

 

1,072

 

 

$

 

197

 

 

$

 

1,072

 

End of period 99% confidence level

 

$

 

278

 

 

$

 

1,516

 

 

$

 

278

 

 

$

 

1,516

 

Avg. over period (95% confidence)

 

$

 

205

 

 

$

 

1,487

 

 

$

 

313

 

 

$

 

1,440

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Settled Volume:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Electricity (mwh's)

 

3,371,171

 

 

13,522,259

 

 

8,156,231

 

 

26,520,038

 

Natural Gas (mmbtu's)

 

8,450

 

 

11,706,894

 

 

2,255,881

 

 

23,880,601