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Risk Management And Fair Values
3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2012
Risk Management And Fair Values

NOTE 8. RISK MANAGEMENT AND FAIR VALUES (Entergy Corporation, Entergy Arkansas, Entergy Gulf States Louisiana, Entergy Louisiana, Entergy Mississippi, Entergy New Orleans, Entergy Texas, and System Energy)

 

Market and Commodity Risks

 

In the normal course of business, Entergy is exposed to a number of market and commodity risks. Market risk is the potential loss that Entergy may incur as a result of changes in the market or fair value of a particular instrument or commodity. All financial and commodity-related instruments, including derivatives, are subject to market risk. Entergy is subject to a number of commodity and market risks, including:

 

Type of Risk

 

Affected Businesses

 

 

 

Power price risk

 

Utility, Entergy Wholesale Commodities

Fuel price risk

 

Utility, Entergy Wholesale Commodities

Equity price and interest rate risk - investments

 

Utility, Entergy Wholesale Commodities

 

Entergy manages a portion of these risks using derivative instruments, some of which are classified as cash flow hedges due to their financial settlement provisions while others are classified as normal purchase/normal sales transactions due to their physical settlement provisions. Normal purchase/normal sale risk management tools include power purchase and sales agreements, fuel purchase agreements, capacity contracts, and tolling agreements. Financially-settled cash flow hedges can include natural gas and electricity swaps and options, and interest rate swaps. Entergy will occasionally enter into financially settled swap and option contracts to manage market risk under certain hedging transactions which may or may not be designated as hedging instruments. Entergy enters into derivatives only to manage natural risks inherent in its physical or financial assets or liabilities.

 

Entergy manages fuel price volatility for its Louisiana jurisdictions (Entergy Gulf States Louisiana, Entergy Louisiana, and Entergy New Orleans) and Entergy Mississippi primarily through the purchase of short-term natural gas swaps. These swaps are marked-to-market with offsetting regulatory assets or liabilities. The notional volumes of these swaps are based on a portion of projected annual exposure to gas for electric generation and projected winter purchases for gas distribution at Entergy Gulf States Louisiana and Entergy New Orleans.

 

Entergy's exposure to market risk is determined by a number of factors, including the size, term, composition, and diversification of positions held, as well as market volatility and liquidity. For instruments such as options, the time period during which the option may be exercised and the relationship between the current market price of the underlying instrument and the option's contractual strike or exercise price also affects the level of market risk. A significant factor influencing the overall level of market risk to which Entergy is exposed is its use of hedging techniques to mitigate such risk. Entergy manages market risk by actively monitoring compliance with stated risk management policies as well as monitoring the effectiveness of its hedging policies and strategies. Entergy's risk management policies limit the amount of total net exposure and rolling net exposure during the stated periods. These policies, including related risk limits, are regularly assessed to ensure their appropriateness given Entergy's objectives.

 

Derivatives

 

The fair values of Entergy's derivative instruments in the consolidated balance sheet as of March 31, 2012 are as follows:

 

Instrument

 

Balance Sheet Location

 

Fair Value (a)

 

Offset (a)

 

Business

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Derivatives designated as hedging instruments

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Assets:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Electricity swaps and options

 

Prepayments and other (current portion)

 

$332 million

 

($46) million

 

Entergy Wholesale Commodities

Electricity swaps and options

 

Other deferred debits and other assets (non-current portion)

 

$196 million

 

($-)

 

Entergy Wholesale Commodities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Assets:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Electricity swaps and options

 

Prepayments and other (current portion)

 

$65 million

 

($19) million

 

Entergy Wholesale Commodities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Liabilities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Electricity swaps and options

 

Other current liabilities (current portion)

 

$65 million

 

($65) million

 

Entergy Wholesale Commodities

Natural gas swaps

 

Other current liabilities

 

$45 million

 

($-)

 

Utility

           


The fair values of Entergy's derivative instruments in the consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 2011 are as follows:

 

Instrument

 

Balance Sheet Location

 

Fair Value (a)

 

Offset (a)

 

Business

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Derivatives designated as hedging instruments

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Assets:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Electricity swaps and options

 

Prepayments and other (current portion)

 

$197 million

 

($25) million

 

Entergy Wholesale Commodities

Electricity swaps and options

 

Other deferred debits and other assets (non-current portion)

 

$112 million

 

($1) million

 

Entergy Wholesale Commodities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Liabilities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Electricity swaps and options

 

Other non-current liabilities (non-current portion)

 

$1 million

 

($1) million

 

Entergy Wholesale Commodities

 

Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Assets:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Electricity swaps and options

 

Prepayments and other (current portion)

 

$37 million

 

($8) million

 

Entergy Wholesale Commodities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Liabilities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Electricity swaps and options

 

Other current liabilities (current portion)

 

$33 million

 

($33) million

 

Entergy Wholesale Commodities

Natural gas swaps

 

Other current liabilities

 

$30 million

 

($-)

 

Utility

 

(a)

The balances of derivative assets and liabilities in these tables are presented gross.  Certain investments, including those not designated as hedging instruments, are subject to master netting agreements and are presented on the Entergy Consolidated Balance Sheets on a net basis in accordance with accounting guidance for Derivatives and Hedging.

 

The effect of Entergy's derivative instruments designated as cash flow hedges on the consolidated income statements for the three months ended March 31, 2012 and 2011 are as follows:

 




Instrument

 


Amount of gain (loss)
recognized in AOCI
(effective portion)

 




Income Statement location

 

Amount of gain
 reclassified from
accumulated OCI into
income (effective portion)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2012

 

 

 

 

 

 

Electricity swaps and options

 

$291 million

 

Competitive businesses operating revenues

 

$71 million

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2011

 

 

 

 

 

 

Electricity swaps and options

 

($74) million

 

Competitive businesses operating revenues

 

$29 million

           

Electricity over-the-counter instruments that financially settle against day-ahead power pool prices are used to manage price exposure for Entergy Wholesale Commodities generation.  Based on market prices as of March 31, 2012, cash flow hedges relating to power sales totaled $528 million of net unrealized gains.  Approximately $332 million is expected to be reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (OCI) to operating revenues in the next twelve months.  The actual amount reclassified from accumulated OCI, however, could vary due to future changes in market prices.  Gains totaling approximately $71 million and $29 million were realized on the maturity of cash flow hedges, before taxes of $25 million and $10 million, for the three months ended March 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively.  Unrealized gains or losses recorded in OCI result from hedging power output at the Entergy Wholesale Commodities power plants.  The related gains or losses from hedging power are included in operating revenues when realized.  The maximum length of time over which Entergy is currently hedging the variability in future cash flows with derivatives for forecasted power transactions at March 31, 2012 is approximately 2.75 years.  Planned generation currently sold forward from Entergy Wholesale Commodities nuclear power plants is 89% for the remaining three quarters of 2012, of which approximately 44% is sold under financial derivatives and the remainder under normal purchase/sale contracts.  The change in the value of Entergy's cash flow hedges due to ineffectiveness during the three months ended March 31, 2012 and 2011 was insignificant.  The ineffective portion of cash flow hedges is recorded in competitive business operating revenues.  Certain of the agreements to sell the power produced by Entergy Wholesale Commodities power plants contain provisions that require an Entergy subsidiary to provide collateral to secure its obligations when the current market prices exceed the contracted power prices.  The primary form of collateral to satisfy these requirements is an Entergy Corporation guaranty.  As of March 31, 2012, there were no hedge contracts with counterparties in a liability position.  Entergy may effectively liquidate a cash flow hedge instrument by entering into a contract offsetting the original hedge, and then de-designating the original hedge in this situation.  Gains or losses accumulated in OCI prior to de-designation continue to be deferred in OCI until they are included in income as the original hedged transaction occurs. From the point of de-designation, the gains or losses on the original hedge and the offsetting contract are recorded as assets or liabilities on the balance sheet and offset as they flow through to earnings. 

 

            Natural gas over-the-counter swaps that financially settle against NYMEX futures are used to manage fuel price volatility for the Utility's Louisiana and Mississippi customers.  All benefits or costs of the program are recorded in fuel costs.  The total volume of natural gas swaps outstanding as of March 31, 2012 is 56,330,000 MMBtu for Entergy, 16,610,000 MMBtu for Entergy Gulf States Louisiana, 23,700,000 MMBtu for Entergy Louisiana, and 16,020,000 MMBtu for Entergy Mississippi.  Credit support for these natural gas swaps is covered by master agreements that do not require collateralization based on mark-to-market value, but do carry adequate assurance language that may lead to collateralization requests.

 

 

Due to regulatory treatment, the natural gas swaps are marked-to-market through fuel, fuel-related expenses, and gas purchased for resale and then such amounts are simultaneously reversed and recorded as an offsetting regulatory asset or liability. The gains or losses recorded as fuel expenses when the swaps are settled are recovered or refunded through fuel cost recovery mechanisms.

 

The fair values of the Registrant Subsidiaries' derivative instruments on their balance sheets as of March 31, 2012 are as follows:

 

Instrument

 

Balance Sheet Location

 

Fair Value

 

Registrant

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Liabilities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Natural gas swaps

 

Gas hedge contracts

 

$13.5 million

 

Entergy Gulf States Louisiana

Natural gas swaps

 

Gas hedge contracts

 

$19.1 million

 

Entergy Louisiana

Natural gas swaps

 

Other current liabilities

 

$12.8 million

 

Entergy Mississippi

 

            The fair values of the Registrant Subsidiaries' derivative instruments on their balance sheets as of December 31, 2011 are as follows:

 

Instrument

 

Balance Sheet Location

 

Fair Value

 

Registrant

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Liabilities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Natural gas swaps

 

Gas hedge contracts

 

$8.6 million

 

Entergy Gulf States Louisiana

Natural gas swaps

 

Gas hedge contracts

 

$12.4 million

 

Entergy Louisiana

Natural gas swaps

 

Other current liabilities

 

$7.8 million

 

Entergy Mississippi

Natural gas swaps

 

Other current liabilities

 

$1.5 million

 

Entergy New Orleans

 

           

The effects of the Registrant Subsidiaries' derivative instruments not designated as hedging instruments on their income statements for the three months ended March 31, 2012 and 2011 are as follows:

 



Instrument

 



Statement of Income Location

 

Amount of gain (loss) recorded
in income

 



Registrant

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2012

 

 

 

 

 

 

Natural gas swaps

 

Fuel, fuel-related expenses, and gas purchased for resale

 

($15.0) million

 

Entergy Gulf States Louisiana

Natural gas swaps

 

Fuel, fuel-related expenses, and gas purchased for resale

 

($20.7) million

 

Entergy Louisiana

Natural gas swaps

 

Fuel, fuel-related expenses, and gas purchased for resale

 

($13.4) million

 

Entergy Mississippi

Natural gas swaps

 

Fuel, fuel-related expenses, and gas purchased for resale

 

($1.5) million

 

Entergy New Orleans

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2011

 

 

 

 

 

 

Natural gas swaps

 

Fuel, fuel-related expenses, and gas purchased for resale

 

($1.9) million

 

Entergy Gulf States Louisiana

Natural gas swaps

 

Fuel, fuel-related expenses, and gas purchased for resale

 

($1.1) million

 

Entergy Louisiana

Natural gas swaps

 

Fuel, fuel-related expenses, and gas purchased for resale

 

$0.3 million

 

Entergy Mississippi

Natural gas swaps

 

Fuel, fuel-related expenses, and gas purchased for resale

 

($0.8) million

 

Entergy New Orleans

Fair Values

 

            The estimated fair values of Entergy's financial instruments and derivatives are determined using bid prices, market quotes, and financial modeling.  Considerable judgment is required in developing the estimates of fair value.  Therefore, estimates are not necessarily indicative of the amounts that Entergy could realize in a current market exchange.  Gains or losses realized on financial instruments other than electricity swap and option contracts held by competitive businesses are reflected in future rates and therefore do not accrue to the benefit or detriment of shareholders.  Entergy considers the carrying amounts of most financial instruments classified as current assets and liabilities to be a reasonable estimate of their fair value because of the short maturity of these instruments.

 

            Accounting standards define fair value as an exit price, or the price that would be received to sell an asset or the amount that would be paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between knowledgeable market participants at the date of measurement.  Entergy and the Registrant Subsidiaries use assumptions or market input data that market participants would use in pricing assets or liabilities at fair value.  The inputs can be readily observable, corroborated by market data, or generally unobservable.  Entergy and the Registrant Subsidiaries endeavor to use the best available information to determine fair value. 

 

            Accounting standards establish a fair value hierarchy that prioritizes the inputs used to measure fair value.  The hierarchy establishes the highest priority for unadjusted market quotes in an active market for the identical asset or liability and the lowest priority for unobservable inputs.  The three levels of the fair value hierarchy are:

 

·         Level 1 - Level 1 inputs are unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities that the entity has the ability to access at the measurement date. Active markets are those in which transactions for the asset or liability occur in sufficient frequency and volume to provide pricing information on an ongoing basis. Level 1 primarily consists of individually owned common stocks, cash equivalents, debt instruments, and gas hedge contracts.

 

·         Level 2 - Level 2 inputs are inputs other than quoted prices included in Level 1 that are, either directly or indirectly, observable for the asset or liability at the measurement date. Assets are valued based on prices derived by independent third parties that use inputs such as benchmark yields, reported trades, broker/dealer quotes, and issuer spreads. Prices are reviewed and can be challenged with the independent parties and/or overridden by Entergy if it is believed such would be more reflective of fair value. Level 2 inputs include the following:

 

-                          quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in active markets;

-                          quoted prices for identical assets or liabilities in inactive markets;

-                          inputs other than quoted prices that are observable for the asset or liability; or

-    inputs that are derived principally from or corroborated by observable market data by correlation or other means.

 

Level 2 consists primarily of individually owned debt instruments or shares in common trusts. Common trust funds are stated at estimated fair value based on the fair market value of the underlying investments.

 

·         Level 3 - Level 3 inputs are pricing inputs that are generally less observable or unobservable from objective sources. These inputs are used with internally developed methodologies to produce management's best estimate of fair value for the asset or liability. Level 3 consists primarily of derivative power contracts used as cash flow hedges of power sales at merchant power plants.

 

The values for power contract assets or liabilities are based on both observable inputs including public market prices and interest rates, and unobservable inputs such as implied volatilities, unit contingent discounts, expected basis differences, and credit adjusted counterparty interest rates. They are classified as Level 3 assets and liabilities. The valuations of these assets and liabilities are performed by the Entergy Wholesale Commodities Risk Control group and sent to the Entergy Wholesale Commodities Back Office and Entergy Nuclear Finance groups for evaluation. The primary functions of the Entergy Wholesale Commodities Risk Control Group include: gathering, validating and reporting market data, providing market and credit risk analyses and valuations in support of Entergy Wholesale Commodities' commercial transactions, developing and administering protocols for the management of market and credit risks, implementing and maintaining controls around changes to market data in the energy trading and risk management system, reviewing creditworthiness of counterparties, supporting contract negotiations with new counterparties, administering credit support for contracts, and managing the daily margining process. The primary functions of the Entergy Wholesale Commodities Back Office are managing the energy trading and risk management system, forecasting revenues, forward positions and analysis, performing contract administration, market and counterparty settlements and revenue reporting and analysis along with maintaining related controls for Entergy Wholesale Commodities. Both Entergy Wholesale Commodities Risk Control and Entergy Wholesale Commodities Back Office report to the Entergy Wholesale Commodities VP, Finance & Risk Group. Entergy Nuclear Finance is primarily responsible for the financial planning of Entergy's regulated and unregulated nuclear businesses and has a significant role in accounting for the activities and transactions of the associated companies. The VP of Finance within Entergy Nuclear Finance reports to the Chief Accounting Officer.

 

The amounts reflected as the fair value of electricity swaps are based on the estimated amount that the contracts are in-the-money at the balance sheet date (treated as an asset) or out-of-the-money at the balance sheet date (treated as a liability) and would equal the estimated amount receivable or payable by Entergy if the contracts were settled at that date. These derivative contracts include cash flow hedges that swap fixed for floating cash flows for sales of the output from Entergy's Entergy Wholesale Commodities business. The fair values are based on the mark-to-market comparison between the fixed contract prices and the floating prices determined each period from quoted forward power market prices. The differences between the fixed price in the swap contract and these market-related prices multiplied by the volume specified in the contract and discounted at the counterparties' credit adjusted risk free rate are recorded as derivative contract assets or liabilities. For contracts that have unit contingent terms, a further discount is applied based on the historical relationship between contract and market prices for similar contract terms.

 

The amounts reflected as the fair value of electricity options are valued based on a Black Scholes model, and are calculated at the end of each month for accounting purposes. Inputs to the valuation include end of day forward market prices for the period when the transactions will settle, implied volatilities based on market volatilities provided by a third party data aggregator, and US Treasury rates for a risk-free return rate. As described further below, prices and implied volatilities are reviewed and can be adjusted if it is determined that there is a better representation of fair value. As of March 31, 2012, Entergy had in-the-money derivative contracts with a fair value of $528 million with counterparties or their guarantor who are all currently investment grade. As of March 31, 2012 there are no out-of-the-money contracts supported by corporate guarantees, which would require additional cash or letters of credit in the event of a decrease in Entergy Corporation's credit rating to below investment grade.

 

On a daily basis, Entergy Wholesale Commodities calculates the mark-to-market for all derivative transactions.  Entergy Wholesale Commodities Risk Control Group also validates forward market prices by comparing them to settlement prices of actual market transactions. Significant differences are analyzed and potentially adjusted based on actual transaction clearing prices, or a methodology that considers natural gas prices and market heat rates. Implied volatilities used to value options are also validated using actual counterparty quotes for Entergy Wholesale Commodities transactions. Moreover, on at least a monthly basis the Office of Corporate Risk Oversight confirms the mark to market calculations and prepares price scenarios and credit downgrade scenario analysis.  The scenario analysis is communicated to senior management within Entergy and within Entergy Wholesale Commodities.  Finally, for all proposed derivative transactions an analysis is completed to assess the risk of adding the proposed derivative to Entergy Wholesale Commodities' portfolio.  In particular, the credit, liquidity and financial metrics impacts are calculated for this analysis.  This analysis is communicated to senior management within Entergy and Entergy Wholesale Commodities.

 

The following tables set forth, by level within the fair value hierarchy, Entergy's assets and liabilities that are accounted for at fair value on a recurring basis as of March 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011.  The assessment of the significance of a particular input to a fair value measurement requires judgment and may affect their placement within the fair value hierarchy levels.  

 

 

2012

 

Level 1

 

Level 2

 

Level 3

 

Total

 

 

(In Millions)

Assets:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Temporary cash investments

 

$622

 

$-

 

$-

 

$622

Decommissioning trust funds (a):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Equity securities

 

428

 

1,942

 

-

 

2,370

Debt securities

 

670

 

999

 

-

 

1,669

Power contracts

 

-

 

-

 

528

 

528

Securitization recovery trust account

 

49

 

-

 

-

 

49

Storm reserve escrow account

 

336

 

-

 

-

 

336

 

 

$2,105

 

$2,941

 

$528

 

$5,574

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Liabilities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Gas hedge contracts

 

$45

 

$-

 

$-

 

$45

 


 

2011

 

Level 1

 

Level 2

 

Level 3

 

Total

 

 

(In Millions)

Assets:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Temporary cash investments

 

$613

 

$-

 

$-

 

$613

Decommissioning trust funds (a):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Equity securities

 

397

 

1,732

 

-

 

2,129

Debt securities

 

639

 

1,020

 

-

 

1,659

Power contracts

 

-

 

-

 

312

 

312

Securitization recovery trust account

 

50

 

-

 

-

 

50

Storm reserve escrow account

 

335

 

-

 

-

 

335

 

 

$2,034

 

$2,752

 

$312

 

$5,098

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Liabilities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Gas hedge contracts

 

$30

 

$-

 

$-

 

$30

 

(a)

The decommissioning trust funds hold equity and fixed income securities. Equity securities are invested to approximate the returns of major market indexes.  Fixed income securities are held in various governmental and corporate securities.  See Note 9 for additional information on the investment portfolios.

 

The following table sets forth a reconciliation of changes in the net assets (liabilities) for the fair value of derivatives classified as Level 3 in the fair value hierarchy for the three months ended March 31, 2012 and 2011:

 

 

 

2012

 

2011

 

 

(In Millions)

 

 

 

 

 

Balance as of January 1,

 

$312 

 

$197 

 

 

 

 

 

Unrealized gains/(losses) from price changes

 

286 

 

(62)

Unrealized gains/(losses) on originations

 

 

(2)

Realized gains on settlements

 

(71)

 

(29)

 

 

 

 

 

Balance as of March 31,

 

$528 

 

$104 

 

The following table sets forth a description of the types of transactions classified as Level 3 in the fair value hierarchy, and the valuation techniques and significant unobservable inputs to each which cause that classification, as of March 31, 2012:

 

 

 

 

Transaction Type

 

 

 

FV as of

March 31, 2012

 

 

 

Significant Unobservable Inputs

 

Range from Average %

 

 

 

Effect on Fair Value

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Electricity swaps

 

$435 million

 

Unit contingent discount

 

+/-3%

 

$20 million

Electricity options

 

$93 million

 

Implied volatility

 

+/-11%

 

$19 million

 

The following table sets forth an analysis of each of the types of unobservable inputs impacting the fair value of items classified as Level 3 within the fair value hierarchy, and the sensitivity to changes to those inputs:

 

Significant Unobservable Input

 

 

 

Transaction Type

 

 

 

Position

 

 

 

Change to Input

 

 

 

Effect on FMV

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Unit contingent discount

 

 

Electricity swaps

 

 

Sell

 

 

Increase (Decrease)

 

 

Decrease (Increase)

Implied volatility

 

Electricity options

 

Sell

 

Increase (Decrease)

 

Increase (Decrease)

Implied volatility

 

Electricity options

 

Buy

 

Increase (Decrease)

 

Increase (Decrease)

 

The following table sets forth, by level within the fair value hierarchy, the Registrant Subsidiaries' assets that are accounted for at fair value on a recurring basis as of March 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011. The assessment of the significance of a particular input to a fair value measurement requires judgment and may affect its placement within the fair value hierarchy levels.

 

Entergy Arkansas

 

2012

 

Level 1

 

Level 2

 

Level 3

 

Total

 

 

(In Millions)

Assets:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Decommissioning trust funds (a):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Equity securities

 

$2.1

 

$365.1

 

$-

 

$367.2

Debt securities

 

90.3

 

127.0

 

-

 

217.3

Securitization recovery trust account

 

7.9

 

-

 

-

 

7.9

 

 

$100.3

 

$492.1

 

$-

 

$592.4

 

2011

 

Level 1

 

Level 2

 

Level 3

 

Total

 

 

(In Millions)

Assets:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Temporary cash investments

 

$17.9

 

$-

 

$-

 

$17.9

Decommissioning trust funds (a):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Equity securities

 

6.3

 

323.1

 

-

 

329.4

Debt securities

 

82.8

 

129.5

 

-

 

212.3

Securitization recovery trust account

 

3.9

 

-

 

-

 

3.9

 

 

$110.9

 

$452.6

 

$-

 

$563.5

 


Entergy Gulf States Louisiana

 

2012

 

Level 1

 

Level 2

 

Level 3

 

Total

 

 

(In Millions)

Assets:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Temporary cash investments

 

$128.9

 

$-

 

$-

 

$128.9

Decommissioning trust funds (a):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Equity securities

 

5.2

 

270.8

 

-

 

276.0

Debt securities

 

39.0

 

140.4

 

-

 

179.4

Storm reserve escrow account

 

90.2

 

-

 

-

 

90.2

 

 

$263.3

 

$411.2

 

$-

 

$674.5

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Liabilities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Gas hedge contracts

 

$13.5

 

$-

 

$-

 

$13.5

 

2011

 

Level 1

 

Level 2

 

Level 3

 

Total

 

 

(In Millions)

Assets:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Temporary cash investments

 

$24.6

 

$-

 

$-

 

$24.6

Decommissioning trust funds (a):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Equity securities

 

5.1

 

233.6

 

-

 

238.7

Debt securities

 

39.5

 

142.7

 

-

 

182.2

Storm reserve escrow account

 

90.2

 

-

 

-

 

90.2

 

 

$159.4

 

$376.3

 

$-

 

$535.7

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Liabilities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Gas hedge contracts

 

$8.6

 

$-

 

$-

 

$8.6

 

Entergy Louisiana

 

2012

 

Level 1

 

Level 2

 

Level 3

 

Total

 

 

(In Millions)

Assets:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Temporary cash investments

 

$23.5

 

$-

 

$-

 

$23.5

Decommissioning trust funds (a):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Equity securities

 

0.8

 

167.0

 

-

 

167.8

Debt securities

 

53.4

 

53.3

 

-

 

106.7

Securitization recovery trust account

 

11.9

 

-

 

-

 

11.9

Storm reserve escrow account

 

200.5

 

-

 

-

 

200.5

 

 

$290.1

 

$220.3

 

$-

 

$510.4

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Liabilities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Gas hedge contracts

 

$19.1

 

$-

 

$-

 

$19.1

 


 

2011

 

Level 1

 

Level 2

 

Level 3

 

Total

 

 

(In Millions)

Assets:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Decommissioning trust funds (a):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Equity securities

 

$2.9

 

$146.3

 

$-

 

$149.2

Debt securities

 

51.6

 

53.2

 

-

 

104.8

Securitization recovery trust account

 

5.2

 

-

 

-

 

5.2

Storm reserve escrow account

 

201.2

 

-

 

-

 

201.2

 

 

$260.9

 

$199.5

 

$-

 

$460.4

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Liabilities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Gas hedge contracts

 

$12.4

 

$-

 

$-

 

$12.4

 

Entergy Mississippi

 

2012

 

Level 1

 

Level 2

 

Level 3

 

Total

 

 

(In Millions)

Assets:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Temporary cash investments

 

$14.0

 

$-

 

$-

 

$14.0

Storm reserve escrow account

 

31.9

 

-

 

-

 

31.9

 

 

$45.9

 

$-

 

$-

 

$45.9

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Liabilities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Gas hedge contracts

 

$12.8

 

$-

 

$-

 

$12.8

 

2011

 

Level 1

 

Level 2

 

Level 3

 

Total

 

 

(In Millions)

Assets:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Storm reserve escrow account

 

$31.8

 

$-

 

$-

 

$31.8

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Liabilities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Gas hedge contracts

 

$7.8

 

$-

 

$-

 

$7.8

 

Entergy New Orleans

 

2012

 

Level 1

 

Level 2

 

Level 3

 

Total

 

 

(In Millions)

Assets:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Storm reserve escrow account

 

$13.4

 

$-

 

$-

 

$13.4

 

2011

 

Level 1

 

Level 2

 

Level 3

 

Total

 

 

(In Millions)

Assets:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Temporary cash investments

 

$9.3

 

$-

 

$-

 

$9.3

Storm reserve escrow account

 

12.0

 

-

 

-

 

12.0

 

 

$21.3

 

$-

 

$-

 

$21.3

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Liabilities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Gas hedge contracts

 

$1.5

 

$-

 

$-

 

$1.5

 

Entergy Texas

 

2012

 

Level 1

 

Level 2

 

Level 3

 

Total

 

 

(In Millions)

Assets:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Temporary cash investments

 

$98.2

 

$-

 

$-

 

$98.2

Securitization recovery trust account

 

29.6

 

-

 

-

 

29.6

 

 

$127.8

 

$-

 

$-

 

$127.8

 

2011

 

Level 1

 

Level 2

 

Level 3

 

Total

 

 

(In Millions)

Assets:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Temporary cash investments

 

$65.1

 

$-

 

$-

 

$65.1

Securitization recovery trust account

 

41.2

 

-

 

-

 

41.2

 

 

$106.3

 

$-

 

$-

 

$106.3

 

System Energy

 

2012

 

Level 1

 

Level 2

 

Level 3

 

Total

 

 

(In Millions)

Assets:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Temporary cash investments

 

$82.6

 

$-

 

$-

 

$82.6

Decommissioning trust funds (a):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Equity securities

 

2.7

 

268.0

 

-

 

270.7

Debt securities

 

125.5

 

63.7

 

-

 

189.2

 

 

$210.8

 

$331.7

 

$-

 

$542.5

 

2011

 

Level 1

 

Level 2

 

Level 3

 

Total

 

 

(In Millions)

Assets:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Temporary cash investments

 

$154.2

 

$-

 

$-

 

$154.2

Decommissioning trust funds (a):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Equity securities

 

2.7

 

234.5

 

-

 

237.2

Debt securities

 

123.2

 

63.0

 

-

 

186.2

 

 

$280.1

 

$297.5

 

$-

 

$577.6

 

(a)

The decommissioning trust funds hold equity and fixed income securities. Equity securities are invested to approximate the returns of major market indices.  Fixed income securities are held in various governmental and corporate securities.  See Note 9 for additional information on the investment portfolios.

 

Entergy Arkansas [Member]
 
Risk Management And Fair Values

NOTE 8. RISK MANAGEMENT AND FAIR VALUES (Entergy Corporation, Entergy Arkansas, Entergy Gulf States Louisiana, Entergy Louisiana, Entergy Mississippi, Entergy New Orleans, Entergy Texas, and System Energy)

 

Market and Commodity Risks

 

In the normal course of business, Entergy is exposed to a number of market and commodity risks. Market risk is the potential loss that Entergy may incur as a result of changes in the market or fair value of a particular instrument or commodity. All financial and commodity-related instruments, including derivatives, are subject to market risk. Entergy is subject to a number of commodity and market risks, including:

 

Type of Risk

 

Affected Businesses

 

 

 

Power price risk

 

Utility, Entergy Wholesale Commodities

Fuel price risk

 

Utility, Entergy Wholesale Commodities

Equity price and interest rate risk - investments

 

Utility, Entergy Wholesale Commodities

 

Entergy manages a portion of these risks using derivative instruments, some of which are classified as cash flow hedges due to their financial settlement provisions while others are classified as normal purchase/normal sales transactions due to their physical settlement provisions. Normal purchase/normal sale risk management tools include power purchase and sales agreements, fuel purchase agreements, capacity contracts, and tolling agreements. Financially-settled cash flow hedges can include natural gas and electricity swaps and options, and interest rate swaps. Entergy will occasionally enter into financially settled swap and option contracts to manage market risk under certain hedging transactions which may or may not be designated as hedging instruments. Entergy enters into derivatives only to manage natural risks inherent in its physical or financial assets or liabilities.

 

Entergy manages fuel price volatility for its Louisiana jurisdictions (Entergy Gulf States Louisiana, Entergy Louisiana, and Entergy New Orleans) and Entergy Mississippi primarily through the purchase of short-term natural gas swaps. These swaps are marked-to-market with offsetting regulatory assets or liabilities. The notional volumes of these swaps are based on a portion of projected annual exposure to gas for electric generation and projected winter purchases for gas distribution at Entergy Gulf States Louisiana and Entergy New Orleans.

 

Entergy's exposure to market risk is determined by a number of factors, including the size, term, composition, and diversification of positions held, as well as market volatility and liquidity. For instruments such as options, the time period during which the option may be exercised and the relationship between the current market price of the underlying instrument and the option's contractual strike or exercise price also affects the level of market risk. A significant factor influencing the overall level of market risk to which Entergy is exposed is its use of hedging techniques to mitigate such risk. Entergy manages market risk by actively monitoring compliance with stated risk management policies as well as monitoring the effectiveness of its hedging policies and strategies. Entergy's risk management policies limit the amount of total net exposure and rolling net exposure during the stated periods. These policies, including related risk limits, are regularly assessed to ensure their appropriateness given Entergy's objectives.

 


Derivatives

 

The fair values of Entergy's derivative instruments in the consolidated balance sheet as of March 31, 2012 are as follows:

 

Instrument

 

Balance Sheet Location

 

Fair Value (a)

 

Offset (a)

 

Business

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Derivatives designated as hedging instruments

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Assets:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Electricity swaps and options

 

Prepayments and other (current portion)

 

$332 million

 

($46) million

 

Entergy Wholesale Commodities

Electricity swaps and options

 

Other deferred debits and other assets (non-current portion)

 

$196 million

 

($-)

 

Entergy Wholesale Commodities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Assets:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Electricity swaps and options

 

Prepayments and other (current portion)

 

$65 million

 

($19) million

 

Entergy Wholesale Commodities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Liabilities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Electricity swaps and options

 

Other current liabilities (current portion)

 

$65 million

 

($65) million

 

Entergy Wholesale Commodities

Natural gas swaps

 

Other current liabilities

 

$45 million

 

($-)

 

Utility

           


The fair values of Entergy's derivative instruments in the consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 2011 are as follows:

 

Instrument

 

Balance Sheet Location

 

Fair Value (a)

 

Offset (a)

 

Business

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Derivatives designated as hedging instruments

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Assets:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Electricity swaps and options

 

Prepayments and other (current portion)

 

$197 million

 

($25) million

 

Entergy Wholesale Commodities

Electricity swaps and options

 

Other deferred debits and other assets (non-current portion)

 

$112 million

 

($1) million

 

Entergy Wholesale Commodities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Liabilities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Electricity swaps and options

 

Other non-current liabilities (non-current portion)

 

$1 million

 

($1) million

 

Entergy Wholesale Commodities

 

Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Assets:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Electricity swaps and options

 

Prepayments and other (current portion)

 

$37 million

 

($8) million

 

Entergy Wholesale Commodities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Liabilities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Electricity swaps and options

 

Other current liabilities (current portion)

 

$33 million

 

($33) million

 

Entergy Wholesale Commodities

Natural gas swaps

 

Other current liabilities

 

$30 million

 

($-)

 

Utility

 

(a)

The balances of derivative assets and liabilities in these tables are presented gross.  Certain investments, including those not designated as hedging instruments, are subject to master netting agreements and are presented on the Entergy Consolidated Balance Sheets on a net basis in accordance with accounting guidance for Derivatives and Hedging.

 

The effect of Entergy's derivative instruments designated as cash flow hedges on the consolidated income statements for the three months ended March 31, 2012 and 2011 are as follows:

 




Instrument

 


Amount of gain (loss)
recognized in AOCI
(effective portion)

 




Income Statement location

 

Amount of gain
 reclassified from
accumulated OCI into
income (effective portion)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2012

 

 

 

 

 

 

Electricity swaps and options

 

$291 million

 

Competitive businesses operating revenues

 

$71 million

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2011

 

 

 

 

 

 

Electricity swaps and options

 

($74) million

 

Competitive businesses operating revenues

 

$29 million

 

            Electricity over-the-counter instruments that financially settle against day-ahead power pool prices are used to manage price exposure for Entergy Wholesale Commodities generation.  Based on market prices as of March 31, 2012, cash flow hedges relating to power sales totaled $528 million of net unrealized gains.  Approximately $332 million is expected to be reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (OCI) to operating revenues in the next twelve months.  The actual amount reclassified from accumulated OCI, however, could vary due to future changes in market prices.  Gains totaling approximately $71 million and $29 million were realized on the maturity of cash flow hedges, before taxes of $25 million and $10 million, for the three months ended March 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively.  Unrealized gains or losses recorded in OCI result from hedging power output at the Entergy Wholesale Commodities power plants.  The related gains or losses from hedging power are included in operating revenues when realized.  The maximum length of time over which Entergy is currently hedging the variability in future cash flows with derivatives for forecasted power transactions at March 31, 2012 is approximately 2.75 years.  Planned generation currently sold forward from Entergy Wholesale Commodities nuclear power plants is 89% for the remaining three quarters of 2012, of which approximately 44% is sold under financial derivatives and the remainder under normal purchase/sale contracts.  The change in the value of Entergy's cash flow hedges due to ineffectiveness during the three months ended March 31, 2012 and 2011 was insignificant.  The ineffective portion of cash flow hedges is recorded in competitive business operating revenues.  Certain of the agreements to sell the power produced by Entergy Wholesale Commodities power plants contain provisions that require an Entergy subsidiary to provide collateral to secure its obligations when the current market prices exceed the contracted power prices.  The primary form of collateral to satisfy these requirements is an Entergy Corporation guaranty.  As of March 31, 2012, there were no hedge contracts with counterparties in a liability position.  Entergy may effectively liquidate a cash flow hedge instrument by entering into a contract offsetting the original hedge, and then de-designating the original hedge in this situation.  Gains or losses accumulated in OCI prior to de-designation continue to be deferred in OCI until they are included in income as the original hedged transaction occurs. From the point of de-designation, the gains or losses on the original hedge and the offsetting contract are recorded as assets or liabilities on the balance sheet and offset as they flow through to earnings. 

 

            Natural gas over-the-counter swaps that financially settle against NYMEX futures are used to manage fuel price volatility for the Utility's Louisiana and Mississippi customers.  All benefits or costs of the program are recorded in fuel costs.  The total volume of natural gas swaps outstanding as of March 31, 2012 is 56,330,000 MMBtu for Entergy, 16,610,000 MMBtu for Entergy Gulf States Louisiana, 23,700,000 MMBtu for Entergy Louisiana, and 16,020,000 MMBtu for Entergy Mississippi.  Credit support for these natural gas swaps is covered by master agreements that do not require collateralization based on mark-to-market value, but do carry adequate assurance language that may lead to collateralization requests.

 

           


The effect of Entergy's derivative instruments not designated as hedging instruments on the consolidated income statements for the three months ended March 31, 2012 and 2011 is as follows:

 


Instrument

 

Amount of gain
recognized in AOCI

 

 

Income Statement location

 

Amount of gain (loss)
recorded in income

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2012

 

 

 

 

 

 

Natural gas swaps

 

$-

 

Fuel, fuel-related expenses, and gas purchased for resale

 

($51) million

Electricity swaps and options de-designated as hedged items

 

$3 million

 

Competitive business operating revenues

 

($2) million

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2011

 

 

 

 

 

 

Natural gas swaps

 

$-

 

Fuel, fuel-related expenses, and gas purchased for resale

 

($3) million

Electricity swaps and options de-designated as hedged items

 

$10 million

 

Competitive business operating revenues

 

$2 million

 

Due to regulatory treatment, the natural gas swaps are marked-to-market through fuel, fuel-related expenses, and gas purchased for resale and then such amounts are simultaneously reversed and recorded as an offsetting regulatory asset or liability. The gains or losses recorded as fuel expenses when the swaps are settled are recovered or refunded through fuel cost recovery mechanisms.

 

The fair values of the Registrant Subsidiaries' derivative instruments on their balance sheets as of March 31, 2012 are as follows:

 

Instrument

 

Balance Sheet Location

 

Fair Value

 

Registrant

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Liabilities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Natural gas swaps

 

Gas hedge contracts

 

$13.5 million

 

Entergy Gulf States Louisiana

Natural gas swaps

 

Gas hedge contracts

 

$19.1 million

 

Entergy Louisiana

Natural gas swaps

 

Other current liabilities

 

$12.8 million

 

Entergy Mississippi

 

            The fair values of the Registrant Subsidiaries' derivative instruments on their balance sheets as of December 31, 2011 are as follows:

 

Instrument

 

Balance Sheet Location

 

Fair Value

 

Registrant

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Liabilities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Natural gas swaps

 

Gas hedge contracts

 

$8.6 million

 

Entergy Gulf States Louisiana

Natural gas swaps

 

Gas hedge contracts

 

$12.4 million

 

Entergy Louisiana

Natural gas swaps

 

Other current liabilities

 

$7.8 million

 

Entergy Mississippi

Natural gas swaps

 

Other current liabilities

 

$1.5 million

 

Entergy New Orleans

 

           


The effects of the Registrant Subsidiaries' derivative instruments not designated as hedging instruments on their income statements for the three months ended March 31, 2012 and 2011 are as follows:

 



Instrument

 



Statement of Income Location

 

Amount of gain (loss) recorded
in income

 



Registrant

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2012

 

 

 

 

 

 

Natural gas swaps

 

Fuel, fuel-related expenses, and gas purchased for resale

 

($15.0) million

 

Entergy Gulf States Louisiana

Natural gas swaps

 

Fuel, fuel-related expenses, and gas purchased for resale

 

($20.7) million

 

Entergy Louisiana

Natural gas swaps

 

Fuel, fuel-related expenses, and gas purchased for resale

 

($13.4) million

 

Entergy Mississippi

Natural gas swaps

 

Fuel, fuel-related expenses, and gas purchased for resale

 

($1.5) million

 

Entergy New Orleans

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2011

 

 

 

 

 

 

Natural gas swaps

 

Fuel, fuel-related expenses, and gas purchased for resale

 

($1.9) million

 

Entergy Gulf States Louisiana

Natural gas swaps

 

Fuel, fuel-related expenses, and gas purchased for resale

 

($1.1) million

 

Entergy Louisiana

Natural gas swaps

 

Fuel, fuel-related expenses, and gas purchased for resale

 

$0.3 million

 

Entergy Mississippi

Natural gas swaps

 

Fuel, fuel-related expenses, and gas purchased for resale

 

($0.8) million

 

Entergy New Orleans

 

Fair Values

 

            The estimated fair values of Entergy's financial instruments and derivatives are determined using bid prices, market quotes, and financial modeling.  Considerable judgment is required in developing the estimates of fair value.  Therefore, estimates are not necessarily indicative of the amounts that Entergy could realize in a current market exchange.  Gains or losses realized on financial instruments other than electricity swap and option contracts held by competitive businesses are reflected in future rates and therefore do not accrue to the benefit or detriment of shareholders.  Entergy considers the carrying amounts of most financial instruments classified as current assets and liabilities to be a reasonable estimate of their fair value because of the short maturity of these instruments.

 

            Accounting standards define fair value as an exit price, or the price that would be received to sell an asset or the amount that would be paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between knowledgeable market participants at the date of measurement.  Entergy and the Registrant Subsidiaries use assumptions or market input data that market participants would use in pricing assets or liabilities at fair value.  The inputs can be readily observable, corroborated by market data, or generally unobservable.  Entergy and the Registrant Subsidiaries endeavor to use the best available information to determine fair value. 

 

            Accounting standards establish a fair value hierarchy that prioritizes the inputs used to measure fair value.  The hierarchy establishes the highest priority for unadjusted market quotes in an active market for the identical asset or liability and the lowest priority for unobservable inputs.  The three levels of the fair value hierarchy are:

 

·         Level 1 - Level 1 inputs are unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities that the entity has the ability to access at the measurement date. Active markets are those in which transactions for the asset or liability occur in sufficient frequency and volume to provide pricing information on an ongoing basis. Level 1 primarily consists of individually owned common stocks, cash equivalents, debt instruments, and gas hedge contracts.

 

·         Level 2 - Level 2 inputs are inputs other than quoted prices included in Level 1 that are, either directly or indirectly, observable for the asset or liability at the measurement date. Assets are valued based on prices derived by independent third parties that use inputs such as benchmark yields, reported trades, broker/dealer quotes, and issuer spreads. Prices are reviewed and can be challenged with the independent parties and/or overridden by Entergy if it is believed such would be more reflective of fair value. Level 2 inputs include the following:

 

-                          quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in active markets;

-                          quoted prices for identical assets or liabilities in inactive markets;

-                          inputs other than quoted prices that are observable for the asset or liability; or

-    inputs that are derived principally from or corroborated by observable market data by correlation or other means.

 

Level 2 consists primarily of individually owned debt instruments or shares in common trusts. Common trust funds are stated at estimated fair value based on the fair market value of the underlying investments.

 

·         Level 3 - Level 3 inputs are pricing inputs that are generally less observable or unobservable from objective sources. These inputs are used with internally developed methodologies to produce management's best estimate of fair value for the asset or liability. Level 3 consists primarily of derivative power contracts used as cash flow hedges of power sales at merchant power plants.

 

The values for power contract assets or liabilities are based on both observable inputs including public market prices and interest rates, and unobservable inputs such as implied volatilities, unit contingent discounts, expected basis differences, and credit adjusted counterparty interest rates. They are classified as Level 3 assets and liabilities. The valuations of these assets and liabilities are performed by the Entergy Wholesale Commodities Risk Control group and sent to the Entergy Wholesale Commodities Back Office and Entergy Nuclear Finance groups for evaluation. The primary functions of the Entergy Wholesale Commodities Risk Control Group include: gathering, validating and reporting market data, providing market and credit risk analyses and valuations in support of Entergy Wholesale Commodities' commercial transactions, developing and administering protocols for the management of market and credit risks, implementing and maintaining controls around changes to market data in the energy trading and risk management system, reviewing creditworthiness of counterparties, supporting contract negotiations with new counterparties, administering credit support for contracts, and managing the daily margining process. The primary functions of the Entergy Wholesale Commodities Back Office are managing the energy trading and risk management system, forecasting revenues, forward positions and analysis, performing contract administration, market and counterparty settlements and revenue reporting and analysis along with maintaining related controls for Entergy Wholesale Commodities. Both Entergy Wholesale Commodities Risk Control and Entergy Wholesale Commodities Back Office report to the Entergy Wholesale Commodities VP, Finance & Risk Group. Entergy Nuclear Finance is primarily responsible for the financial planning of Entergy's regulated and unregulated nuclear businesses and has a significant role in accounting for the activities and transactions of the associated companies. The VP of Finance within Entergy Nuclear Finance reports to the Chief Accounting Officer.

 

The amounts reflected as the fair value of electricity swaps are based on the estimated amount that the contracts are in-the-money at the balance sheet date (treated as an asset) or out-of-the-money at the balance sheet date (treated as a liability) and would equal the estimated amount receivable or payable by Entergy if the contracts were settled at that date. These derivative contracts include cash flow hedges that swap fixed for floating cash flows for sales of the output from Entergy's Entergy Wholesale Commodities business. The fair values are based on the mark-to-market comparison between the fixed contract prices and the floating prices determined each period from quoted forward power market prices. The differences between the fixed price in the swap contract and these market-related prices multiplied by the volume specified in the contract and discounted at the counterparties' credit adjusted risk free rate are recorded as derivative contract assets or liabilities. For contracts that have unit contingent terms, a further discount is applied based on the historical relationship between contract and market prices for similar contract terms.

 

The amounts reflected as the fair value of electricity options are valued based on a Black Scholes model, and are calculated at the end of each month for accounting purposes. Inputs to the valuation include end of day forward market prices for the period when the transactions will settle, implied volatilities based on market volatilities provided by a third party data aggregator, and US Treasury rates for a risk-free return rate. As described further below, prices and implied volatilities are reviewed and can be adjusted if it is determined that there is a better representation of fair value. As of March 31, 2012, Entergy had in-the-money derivative contracts with a fair value of $528 million with counterparties or their guarantor who are all currently investment grade. As of March 31, 2012 there are no out-of-the-money contracts supported by corporate guarantees, which would require additional cash or letters of credit in the event of a decrease in Entergy Corporation's credit rating to below investment grade.

 

On a daily basis, Entergy Wholesale Commodities calculates the mark-to-market for all derivative transactions.  Entergy Wholesale Commodities Risk Control Group also validates forward market prices by comparing them to settlement prices of actual market transactions. Significant differences are analyzed and potentially adjusted based on actual transaction clearing prices, or a methodology that considers natural gas prices and market heat rates. Implied volatilities used to value options are also validated using actual counterparty quotes for Entergy Wholesale Commodities transactions. Moreover, on at least a monthly basis the Office of Corporate Risk Oversight confirms the mark to market calculations and prepares price scenarios and credit downgrade scenario analysis.  The scenario analysis is communicated to senior management within Entergy and within Entergy Wholesale Commodities.  Finally, for all proposed derivative transactions an analysis is completed to assess the risk of adding the proposed derivative to Entergy Wholesale Commodities' portfolio.  In particular, the credit, liquidity and financial metrics impacts are calculated for this analysis.  This analysis is communicated to senior management within Entergy and Entergy Wholesale Commodities.

 

The following tables set forth, by level within the fair value hierarchy, Entergy's assets and liabilities that are accounted for at fair value on a recurring basis as of March 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011.  The assessment of the significance of a particular input to a fair value measurement requires judgment and may affect their placement within the fair value hierarchy levels.  

 

 

2012

 

Level 1

 

Level 2

 

Level 3

 

Total

 

 

(In Millions)

Assets:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Temporary cash investments

 

$622

 

$-

 

$-

 

$622

Decommissioning trust funds (a):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Equity securities

 

428

 

1,942

 

-

 

2,370

Debt securities

 

670

 

999

 

-

 

1,669

Power contracts

 

-

 

-

 

528

 

528

Securitization recovery trust account

 

49

 

-

 

-

 

49

Storm reserve escrow account

 

336

 

-

 

-

 

336

 

 

$2,105

 

$2,941

 

$528

 

$5,574

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Liabilities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Gas hedge contracts

 

$45

 

$-

 

$-

 

$45

 


 

2011

 

Level 1

 

Level 2

 

Level 3

 

Total

 

 

(In Millions)

Assets:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Temporary cash investments

 

$613

 

$-

 

$-

 

$613

Decommissioning trust funds (a):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Equity securities

 

397

 

1,732

 

-

 

2,129

Debt securities

 

639

 

1,020

 

-

 

1,659

Power contracts

 

-

 

-

 

312

 

312

Securitization recovery trust account

 

50

 

-

 

-

 

50

Storm reserve escrow account

 

335

 

-

 

-

 

335

 

 

$2,034

 

$2,752

 

$312

 

$5,098

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Liabilities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Gas hedge contracts

 

$30

 

$-

 

$-

 

$30

 

(a)

The decommissioning trust funds hold equity and fixed income securities. Equity securities are invested to approximate the returns of major market indexes.  Fixed income securities are held in various governmental and corporate securities.  See Note 9 for additional information on the investment portfolios.

 

The following table sets forth a reconciliation of changes in the net assets (liabilities) for the fair value of derivatives classified as Level 3 in the fair value hierarchy for the three months ended March 31, 2012 and 2011:

 

 

 

2012

 

2011

 

 

(In Millions)

 

 

 

 

 

Balance as of January 1,

 

$312 

 

$197 

 

 

 

 

 

Unrealized gains/(losses) from price changes

 

286 

 

(62)

Unrealized gains/(losses) on originations

 

 

(2)

Realized gains on settlements

 

(71)

 

(29)

 

 

 

 

 

Balance as of March 31,

 

$528 

 

$104 

 

The following table sets forth a description of the types of transactions classified as Level 3 in the fair value hierarchy, and the valuation techniques and significant unobservable inputs to each which cause that classification, as of March 31, 2012:

 

 

 

 

Transaction Type

 

 

 

FV as of

March 31, 2012

 

 

 

Significant Unobservable Inputs

 

Range from Average %

 

 

 

Effect on Fair Value

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Electricity swaps

 

$435 million

 

Unit contingent discount

 

+/-3%

 

$20 million

Electricity options

 

$93 million

 

Implied volatility

 

+/-11%

 

$19 million

 


The following table sets forth an analysis of each of the types of unobservable inputs impacting the fair value of items classified as Level 3 within the fair value hierarchy, and the sensitivity to changes to those inputs:

 

Significant Unobservable Input

 

 

 

Transaction Type

 

 

 

Position

 

 

 

Change to Input

 

 

 

Effect on FMV

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Unit contingent discount

 

 

Electricity swaps

 

 

Sell

 

 

Increase (Decrease)

 

 

Decrease (Increase)

Implied volatility

 

Electricity options

 

Sell

 

Increase (Decrease)

 

Increase (Decrease)

Implied volatility

 

Electricity options

 

Buy

 

Increase (Decrease)

 

Increase (Decrease)

 

The following table sets forth, by level within the fair value hierarchy, the Registrant Subsidiaries' assets that are accounted for at fair value on a recurring basis as of March 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011. The assessment of the significance of a particular input to a fair value measurement requires judgment and may affect its placement within the fair value hierarchy levels.

 

Entergy Arkansas

 

2012

 

Level 1

 

Level 2

 

Level 3

 

Total

 

 

(In Millions)

Assets:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Decommissioning trust funds (a):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Equity securities

 

$2.1

 

$365.1

 

$-

 

$367.2

Debt securities

 

90.3

 

127.0

 

-

 

217.3

Securitization recovery trust account

 

7.9

 

-

 

-

 

7.9

 

 

$100.3

 

$492.1

 

$-

 

$592.4

 

2011

 

Level 1

 

Level 2

 

Level 3

 

Total

 

 

(In Millions)

Assets:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Temporary cash investments

 

$17.9

 

$-

 

$-

 

$17.9

Decommissioning trust funds (a):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Equity securities

 

6.3

 

323.1

 

-

 

329.4

Debt securities

 

82.8

 

129.5

 

-

 

212.3

Securitization recovery trust account

 

3.9

 

-

 

-

 

3.9

 

 

$110.9

 

$452.6

 

$-

 

$563.5

 


Entergy Gulf States Louisiana

 

2012

 

Level 1

 

Level 2

 

Level 3

 

Total

 

 

(In Millions)

Assets:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Temporary cash investments

 

$128.9

 

$-

 

$-

 

$128.9

Decommissioning trust funds (a):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Equity securities

 

5.2

 

270.8

 

-

 

276.0

Debt securities

 

39.0

 

140.4

 

-

 

179.4

Storm reserve escrow account

 

90.2

 

-

 

-

 

90.2

 

 

$263.3

 

$411.2

 

$-

 

$674.5

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Liabilities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Gas hedge contracts

 

$13.5

 

$-

 

$-

 

$13.5

 

2011

 

Level 1

 

Level 2

 

Level 3

 

Total

 

 

(In Millions)

Assets:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Temporary cash investments

 

$24.6

 

$-

 

$-

 

$24.6

Decommissioning trust funds (a):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Equity securities

 

5.1

 

233.6

 

-

 

238.7

Debt securities

 

39.5

 

142.7

 

-

 

182.2

Storm reserve escrow account

 

90.2

 

-

 

-

 

90.2

 

 

$159.4

 

$376.3

 

$-

 

$535.7

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Liabilities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Gas hedge contracts

 

$8.6

 

$-

 

$-

 

$8.6

 

Entergy Louisiana

 

2012

 

Level 1

 

Level 2

 

Level 3

 

Total

 

 

(In Millions)

Assets:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Temporary cash investments

 

$23.5

 

$-

 

$-

 

$23.5

Decommissioning trust funds (a):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Equity securities

 

0.8

 

167.0

 

-

 

167.8

Debt securities

 

53.4

 

53.3

 

-

 

106.7

Securitization recovery trust account

 

11.9

 

-

 

-

 

11.9

Storm reserve escrow account

 

200.5

 

-

 

-

 

200.5

 

 

$290.1

 

$220.3

 

$-

 

$510.4

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Liabilities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Gas hedge contracts

 

$19.1

 

$-

 

$-

 

$19.1

 


 

2011

 

Level 1

 

Level 2

 

Level 3

 

Total

 

 

(In Millions)

Assets:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Decommissioning trust funds (a):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Equity securities

 

$2.9

 

$146.3

 

$-

 

$149.2

Debt securities

 

51.6

 

53.2

 

-

 

104.8

Securitization recovery trust account

 

5.2

 

-

 

-

 

5.2

Storm reserve escrow account

 

201.2

 

-

 

-

 

201.2

 

 

$260.9

 

$199.5

 

$-

 

$460.4

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Liabilities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Gas hedge contracts

 

$12.4

 

$-

 

$-

 

$12.4

 

Entergy Mississippi

 

2012

 

Level 1

 

Level 2

 

Level 3

 

Total

 

 

(In Millions)

Assets:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Temporary cash investments

 

$14.0

 

$-

 

$-

 

$14.0

Storm reserve escrow account

 

31.9

 

-

 

-

 

31.9

 

 

$45.9

 

$-

 

$-

 

$45.9

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Liabilities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Gas hedge contracts

 

$12.8

 

$-

 

$-

 

$12.8

 

2011

 

Level 1

 

Level 2

 

Level 3

 

Total

 

 

(In Millions)

Assets:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Storm reserve escrow account

 

$31.8

 

$-

 

$-

 

$31.8

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Liabilities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Gas hedge contracts

 

$7.8

 

$-

 

$-

 

$7.8

 

Entergy New Orleans

 

2012

 

Level 1

 

Level 2

 

Level 3

 

Total

 

 

(In Millions)

Assets:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Storm reserve escrow account

 

$13.4

 

$-

 

$-

 

$13.4

 

2011

 

Level 1

 

Level 2

 

Level 3

 

Total

 

 

(In Millions)

Assets:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Temporary cash investments

 

$9.3

 

$-

 

$-

 

$9.3

Storm reserve escrow account

 

12.0

 

-

 

-

 

12.0

 

 

$21.3

 

$-

 

$-

 

$21.3

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Liabilities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Gas hedge contracts

 

$1.5

 

$-

 

$-

 

$1.5

 

Entergy Texas

 

2012

 

Level 1

 

Level 2

 

Level 3

 

Total

 

 

(In Millions)

Assets:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Temporary cash investments

 

$98.2

 

$-

 

$-

 

$98.2

Securitization recovery trust account

 

29.6

 

-

 

-

 

29.6

 

 

$127.8

 

$-

 

$-

 

$127.8

 

2011

 

Level 1

 

Level 2

 

Level 3

 

Total

 

 

(In Millions)

Assets:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Temporary cash investments

 

$65.1

 

$-

 

$-

 

$65.1

Securitization recovery trust account

 

41.2

 

-

 

-

 

41.2

 

 

$106.3

 

$-

 

$-

 

$106.3

 

System Energy

 

2012

 

Level 1

 

Level 2

 

Level 3

 

Total

 

 

(In Millions)

Assets:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Temporary cash investments

 

$82.6

 

$-

 

$-

 

$82.6

Decommissioning trust funds (a):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Equity securities

 

2.7

 

268.0

 

-

 

270.7

Debt securities

 

125.5

 

63.7

 

-

 

189.2

 

 

$210.8

 

$331.7

 

$-

 

$542.5

 

2011

 

Level 1

 

Level 2

 

Level 3

 

Total

 

 

(In Millions)

Assets:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Temporary cash investments

 

$154.2

 

$-

 

$-

 

$154.2

Decommissioning trust funds (a):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Equity securities

 

2.7

 

234.5

 

-

 

237.2

Debt securities

 

123.2

 

63.0

 

-

 

186.2

 

 

$280.1

 

$297.5

 

$-

 

$577.6

 

(a)

The decommissioning trust funds hold equity and fixed income securities. Equity securities are invested to approximate the returns of major market indices.  Fixed income securities are held in various governmental and corporate securities.  See Note 9 for additional information on the investment portfolios.

 

 

Entergy Gulf States Louisiana [Member]
 
Risk Management And Fair Values

NOTE 8. RISK MANAGEMENT AND FAIR VALUES (Entergy Corporation, Entergy Arkansas, Entergy Gulf States Louisiana, Entergy Louisiana, Entergy Mississippi, Entergy New Orleans, Entergy Texas, and System Energy)

 

Market and Commodity Risks

 

In the normal course of business, Entergy is exposed to a number of market and commodity risks. Market risk is the potential loss that Entergy may incur as a result of changes in the market or fair value of a particular instrument or commodity. All financial and commodity-related instruments, including derivatives, are subject to market risk. Entergy is subject to a number of commodity and market risks, including:

 

Type of Risk

 

Affected Businesses

 

 

 

Power price risk

 

Utility, Entergy Wholesale Commodities

Fuel price risk

 

Utility, Entergy Wholesale Commodities

Equity price and interest rate risk - investments

 

Utility, Entergy Wholesale Commodities

 

Entergy manages a portion of these risks using derivative instruments, some of which are classified as cash flow hedges due to their financial settlement provisions while others are classified as normal purchase/normal sales transactions due to their physical settlement provisions. Normal purchase/normal sale risk management tools include power purchase and sales agreements, fuel purchase agreements, capacity contracts, and tolling agreements. Financially-settled cash flow hedges can include natural gas and electricity swaps and options, and interest rate swaps. Entergy will occasionally enter into financially settled swap and option contracts to manage market risk under certain hedging transactions which may or may not be designated as hedging instruments. Entergy enters into derivatives only to manage natural risks inherent in its physical or financial assets or liabilities.

 

Entergy manages fuel price volatility for its Louisiana jurisdictions (Entergy Gulf States Louisiana, Entergy Louisiana, and Entergy New Orleans) and Entergy Mississippi primarily through the purchase of short-term natural gas swaps. These swaps are marked-to-market with offsetting regulatory assets or liabilities. The notional volumes of these swaps are based on a portion of projected annual exposure to gas for electric generation and projected winter purchases for gas distribution at Entergy Gulf States Louisiana and Entergy New Orleans.

 

Entergy's exposure to market risk is determined by a number of factors, including the size, term, composition, and diversification of positions held, as well as market volatility and liquidity. For instruments such as options, the time period during which the option may be exercised and the relationship between the current market price of the underlying instrument and the option's contractual strike or exercise price also affects the level of market risk. A significant factor influencing the overall level of market risk to which Entergy is exposed is its use of hedging techniques to mitigate such risk. Entergy manages market risk by actively monitoring compliance with stated risk management policies as well as monitoring the effectiveness of its hedging policies and strategies. Entergy's risk management policies limit the amount of total net exposure and rolling net exposure during the stated periods. These policies, including related risk limits, are regularly assessed to ensure their appropriateness given Entergy's objectives.

 


Derivatives

 

The fair values of Entergy's derivative instruments in the consolidated balance sheet as of March 31, 2012 are as follows:

 

Instrument

 

Balance Sheet Location

 

Fair Value (a)

 

Offset (a)

 

Business

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Derivatives designated as hedging instruments

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Assets:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Electricity swaps and options

 

Prepayments and other (current portion)

 

$332 million

 

($46) million

 

Entergy Wholesale Commodities

Electricity swaps and options

 

Other deferred debits and other assets (non-current portion)

 

$196 million

 

($-)

 

Entergy Wholesale Commodities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Assets:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Electricity swaps and options

 

Prepayments and other (current portion)

 

$65 million

 

($19) million

 

Entergy Wholesale Commodities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Liabilities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Electricity swaps and options

 

Other current liabilities (current portion)

 

$65 million

 

($65) million

 

Entergy Wholesale Commodities

Natural gas swaps

 

Other current liabilities

 

$45 million

 

($-)

 

Utility

           


The fair values of Entergy's derivative instruments in the consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 2011 are as follows:

 

Instrument

 

Balance Sheet Location

 

Fair Value (a)

 

Offset (a)

 

Business

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Derivatives designated as hedging instruments

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Assets:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Electricity swaps and options

 

Prepayments and other (current portion)

 

$197 million

 

($25) million

 

Entergy Wholesale Commodities

Electricity swaps and options

 

Other deferred debits and other assets (non-current portion)

 

$112 million

 

($1) million

 

Entergy Wholesale Commodities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Liabilities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Electricity swaps and options

 

Other non-current liabilities (non-current portion)

 

$1 million

 

($1) million

 

Entergy Wholesale Commodities

 

Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Assets:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Electricity swaps and options

 

Prepayments and other (current portion)

 

$37 million

 

($8) million

 

Entergy Wholesale Commodities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Liabilities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Electricity swaps and options

 

Other current liabilities (current portion)

 

$33 million

 

($33) million

 

Entergy Wholesale Commodities

Natural gas swaps

 

Other current liabilities

 

$30 million

 

($-)

 

Utility

 

(a)

The balances of derivative assets and liabilities in these tables are presented gross.  Certain investments, including those not designated as hedging instruments, are subject to master netting agreements and are presented on the Entergy Consolidated Balance Sheets on a net basis in accordance with accounting guidance for Derivatives and Hedging.

 

The effect of Entergy's derivative instruments designated as cash flow hedges on the consolidated income statements for the three months ended March 31, 2012 and 2011 are as follows:

 




Instrument

 


Amount of gain (loss)
recognized in AOCI
(effective portion)

 




Income Statement location

 

Amount of gain
 reclassified from
accumulated OCI into
income (effective portion)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2012

 

 

 

 

 

 

Electricity swaps and options

 

$291 million

 

Competitive businesses operating revenues

 

$71 million

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2011

 

 

 

 

 

 

Electricity swaps and options

 

($74) million

 

Competitive businesses operating revenues

 

$29 million

 

            Electricity over-the-counter instruments that financially settle against day-ahead power pool prices are used to manage price exposure for Entergy Wholesale Commodities generation.  Based on market prices as of March 31, 2012, cash flow hedges relating to power sales totaled $528 million of net unrealized gains.  Approximately $332 million is expected to be reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (OCI) to operating revenues in the next twelve months.  The actual amount reclassified from accumulated OCI, however, could vary due to future changes in market prices.  Gains totaling approximately $71 million and $29 million were realized on the maturity of cash flow hedges, before taxes of $25 million and $10 million, for the three months ended March 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively.  Unrealized gains or losses recorded in OCI result from hedging power output at the Entergy Wholesale Commodities power plants.  The related gains or losses from hedging power are included in operating revenues when realized.  The maximum length of time over which Entergy is currently hedging the variability in future cash flows with derivatives for forecasted power transactions at March 31, 2012 is approximately 2.75 years.  Planned generation currently sold forward from Entergy Wholesale Commodities nuclear power plants is 89% for the remaining three quarters of 2012, of which approximately 44% is sold under financial derivatives and the remainder under normal purchase/sale contracts.  The change in the value of Entergy's cash flow hedges due to ineffectiveness during the three months ended March 31, 2012 and 2011 was insignificant.  The ineffective portion of cash flow hedges is recorded in competitive business operating revenues.  Certain of the agreements to sell the power produced by Entergy Wholesale Commodities power plants contain provisions that require an Entergy subsidiary to provide collateral to secure its obligations when the current market prices exceed the contracted power prices.  The primary form of collateral to satisfy these requirements is an Entergy Corporation guaranty.  As of March 31, 2012, there were no hedge contracts with counterparties in a liability position.  Entergy may effectively liquidate a cash flow hedge instrument by entering into a contract offsetting the original hedge, and then de-designating the original hedge in this situation.  Gains or losses accumulated in OCI prior to de-designation continue to be deferred in OCI until they are included in income as the original hedged transaction occurs. From the point of de-designation, the gains or losses on the original hedge and the offsetting contract are recorded as assets or liabilities on the balance sheet and offset as they flow through to earnings. 

 

            Natural gas over-the-counter swaps that financially settle against NYMEX futures are used to manage fuel price volatility for the Utility's Louisiana and Mississippi customers.  All benefits or costs of the program are recorded in fuel costs.  The total volume of natural gas swaps outstanding as of March 31, 2012 is 56,330,000 MMBtu for Entergy, 16,610,000 MMBtu for Entergy Gulf States Louisiana, 23,700,000 MMBtu for Entergy Louisiana, and 16,020,000 MMBtu for Entergy Mississippi.  Credit support for these natural gas swaps is covered by master agreements that do not require collateralization based on mark-to-market value, but do carry adequate assurance language that may lead to collateralization requests.

 

           


The effect of Entergy's derivative instruments not designated as hedging instruments on the consolidated income statements for the three months ended March 31, 2012 and 2011 is as follows:

 


Instrument

 

Amount of gain
recognized in AOCI

 

 

Income Statement location

 

Amount of gain (loss)
recorded in income

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2012

 

 

 

 

 

 

Natural gas swaps

 

$-

 

Fuel, fuel-related expenses, and gas purchased for resale

 

($51) million

Electricity swaps and options de-designated as hedged items

 

$3 million

 

Competitive business operating revenues

 

($2) million

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2011

 

 

 

 

 

 

Natural gas swaps

 

$-

 

Fuel, fuel-related expenses, and gas purchased for resale

 

($3) million

Electricity swaps and options de-designated as hedged items

 

$10 million

 

Competitive business operating revenues

 

$2 million

 

Due to regulatory treatment, the natural gas swaps are marked-to-market through fuel, fuel-related expenses, and gas purchased for resale and then such amounts are simultaneously reversed and recorded as an offsetting regulatory asset or liability. The gains or losses recorded as fuel expenses when the swaps are settled are recovered or refunded through fuel cost recovery mechanisms.

 

The fair values of the Registrant Subsidiaries' derivative instruments on their balance sheets as of March 31, 2012 are as follows:

 

Instrument

 

Balance Sheet Location

 

Fair Value

 

Registrant

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Liabilities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Natural gas swaps

 

Gas hedge contracts

 

$13.5 million

 

Entergy Gulf States Louisiana

Natural gas swaps

 

Gas hedge contracts

 

$19.1 million

 

Entergy Louisiana

Natural gas swaps

 

Other current liabilities

 

$12.8 million

 

Entergy Mississippi

 

            The fair values of the Registrant Subsidiaries' derivative instruments on their balance sheets as of December 31, 2011 are as follows:

 

Instrument

 

Balance Sheet Location

 

Fair Value

 

Registrant

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Liabilities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Natural gas swaps

 

Gas hedge contracts

 

$8.6 million

 

Entergy Gulf States Louisiana

Natural gas swaps

 

Gas hedge contracts

 

$12.4 million

 

Entergy Louisiana

Natural gas swaps

 

Other current liabilities

 

$7.8 million

 

Entergy Mississippi

Natural gas swaps

 

Other current liabilities

 

$1.5 million

 

Entergy New Orleans

 

           


The effects of the Registrant Subsidiaries' derivative instruments not designated as hedging instruments on their income statements for the three months ended March 31, 2012 and 2011 are as follows:

 



Instrument

 



Statement of Income Location

 

Amount of gain (loss) recorded
in income

 



Registrant

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2012

 

 

 

 

 

 

Natural gas swaps

 

Fuel, fuel-related expenses, and gas purchased for resale

 

($15.0) million

 

Entergy Gulf States Louisiana

Natural gas swaps

 

Fuel, fuel-related expenses, and gas purchased for resale

 

($20.7) million

 

Entergy Louisiana

Natural gas swaps

 

Fuel, fuel-related expenses, and gas purchased for resale

 

($13.4) million

 

Entergy Mississippi

Natural gas swaps

 

Fuel, fuel-related expenses, and gas purchased for resale

 

($1.5) million

 

Entergy New Orleans

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2011

 

 

 

 

 

 

Natural gas swaps

 

Fuel, fuel-related expenses, and gas purchased for resale

 

($1.9) million

 

Entergy Gulf States Louisiana

Natural gas swaps

 

Fuel, fuel-related expenses, and gas purchased for resale

 

($1.1) million

 

Entergy Louisiana

Natural gas swaps

 

Fuel, fuel-related expenses, and gas purchased for resale

 

$0.3 million

 

Entergy Mississippi

Natural gas swaps

 

Fuel, fuel-related expenses, and gas purchased for resale

 

($0.8) million

 

Entergy New Orleans

 

Fair Values

 

            The estimated fair values of Entergy's financial instruments and derivatives are determined using bid prices, market quotes, and financial modeling.  Considerable judgment is required in developing the estimates of fair value.  Therefore, estimates are not necessarily indicative of the amounts that Entergy could realize in a current market exchange.  Gains or losses realized on financial instruments other than electricity swap and option contracts held by competitive businesses are reflected in future rates and therefore do not accrue to the benefit or detriment of shareholders.  Entergy considers the carrying amounts of most financial instruments classified as current assets and liabilities to be a reasonable estimate of their fair value because of the short maturity of these instruments.

 

            Accounting standards define fair value as an exit price, or the price that would be received to sell an asset or the amount that would be paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between knowledgeable market participants at the date of measurement.  Entergy and the Registrant Subsidiaries use assumptions or market input data that market participants would use in pricing assets or liabilities at fair value.  The inputs can be readily observable, corroborated by market data, or generally unobservable.  Entergy and the Registrant Subsidiaries endeavor to use the best available information to determine fair value. 

 

            Accounting standards establish a fair value hierarchy that prioritizes the inputs used to measure fair value.  The hierarchy establishes the highest priority for unadjusted market quotes in an active market for the identical asset or liability and the lowest priority for unobservable inputs.  The three levels of the fair value hierarchy are:

 

·         Level 1 - Level 1 inputs are unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities that the entity has the ability to access at the measurement date. Active markets are those in which transactions for the asset or liability occur in sufficient frequency and volume to provide pricing information on an ongoing basis. Level 1 primarily consists of individually owned common stocks, cash equivalents, debt instruments, and gas hedge contracts.

 

·         Level 2 - Level 2 inputs are inputs other than quoted prices included in Level 1 that are, either directly or indirectly, observable for the asset or liability at the measurement date. Assets are valued based on prices derived by independent third parties that use inputs such as benchmark yields, reported trades, broker/dealer quotes, and issuer spreads. Prices are reviewed and can be challenged with the independent parties and/or overridden by Entergy if it is believed such would be more reflective of fair value. Level 2 inputs include the following:

 

-                          quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in active markets;

-                          quoted prices for identical assets or liabilities in inactive markets;

-                          inputs other than quoted prices that are observable for the asset or liability; or

-    inputs that are derived principally from or corroborated by observable market data by correlation or other means.

 

Level 2 consists primarily of individually owned debt instruments or shares in common trusts. Common trust funds are stated at estimated fair value based on the fair market value of the underlying investments.

 

·         Level 3 - Level 3 inputs are pricing inputs that are generally less observable or unobservable from objective sources. These inputs are used with internally developed methodologies to produce management's best estimate of fair value for the asset or liability. Level 3 consists primarily of derivative power contracts used as cash flow hedges of power sales at merchant power plants.

 

The values for power contract assets or liabilities are based on both observable inputs including public market prices and interest rates, and unobservable inputs such as implied volatilities, unit contingent discounts, expected basis differences, and credit adjusted counterparty interest rates. They are classified as Level 3 assets and liabilities. The valuations of these assets and liabilities are performed by the Entergy Wholesale Commodities Risk Control group and sent to the Entergy Wholesale Commodities Back Office and Entergy Nuclear Finance groups for evaluation. The primary functions of the Entergy Wholesale Commodities Risk Control Group include: gathering, validating and reporting market data, providing market and credit risk analyses and valuations in support of Entergy Wholesale Commodities' commercial transactions, developing and administering protocols for the management of market and credit risks, implementing and maintaining controls around changes to market data in the energy trading and risk management system, reviewing creditworthiness of counterparties, supporting contract negotiations with new counterparties, administering credit support for contracts, and managing the daily margining process. The primary functions of the Entergy Wholesale Commodities Back Office are managing the energy trading and risk management system, forecasting revenues, forward positions and analysis, performing contract administration, market and counterparty settlements and revenue reporting and analysis along with maintaining related controls for Entergy Wholesale Commodities. Both Entergy Wholesale Commodities Risk Control and Entergy Wholesale Commodities Back Office report to the Entergy Wholesale Commodities VP, Finance & Risk Group. Entergy Nuclear Finance is primarily responsible for the financial planning of Entergy's regulated and unregulated nuclear businesses and has a significant role in accounting for the activities and transactions of the associated companies. The VP of Finance within Entergy Nuclear Finance reports to the Chief Accounting Officer.

 

The amounts reflected as the fair value of electricity swaps are based on the estimated amount that the contracts are in-the-money at the balance sheet date (treated as an asset) or out-of-the-money at the balance sheet date (treated as a liability) and would equal the estimated amount receivable or payable by Entergy if the contracts were settled at that date. These derivative contracts include cash flow hedges that swap fixed for floating cash flows for sales of the output from Entergy's Entergy Wholesale Commodities business. The fair values are based on the mark-to-market comparison between the fixed contract prices and the floating prices determined each period from quoted forward power market prices. The differences between the fixed price in the swap contract and these market-related prices multiplied by the volume specified in the contract and discounted at the counterparties' credit adjusted risk free rate are recorded as derivative contract assets or liabilities. For contracts that have unit contingent terms, a further discount is applied based on the historical relationship between contract and market prices for similar contract terms.

 

The amounts reflected as the fair value of electricity options are valued based on a Black Scholes model, and are calculated at the end of each month for accounting purposes. Inputs to the valuation include end of day forward market prices for the period when the transactions will settle, implied volatilities based on market volatilities provided by a third party data aggregator, and US Treasury rates for a risk-free return rate. As described further below, prices and implied volatilities are reviewed and can be adjusted if it is determined that there is a better representation of fair value. As of March 31, 2012, Entergy had in-the-money derivative contracts with a fair value of $528 million with counterparties or their guarantor who are all currently investment grade. As of March 31, 2012 there are no out-of-the-money contracts supported by corporate guarantees, which would require additional cash or letters of credit in the event of a decrease in Entergy Corporation's credit rating to below investment grade.

 

On a daily basis, Entergy Wholesale Commodities calculates the mark-to-market for all derivative transactions.  Entergy Wholesale Commodities Risk Control Group also validates forward market prices by comparing them to settlement prices of actual market transactions. Significant differences are analyzed and potentially adjusted based on actual transaction clearing prices, or a methodology that considers natural gas prices and market heat rates. Implied volatilities used to value options are also validated using actual counterparty quotes for Entergy Wholesale Commodities transactions. Moreover, on at least a monthly basis the Office of Corporate Risk Oversight confirms the mark to market calculations and prepares price scenarios and credit downgrade scenario analysis.  The scenario analysis is communicated to senior management within Entergy and within Entergy Wholesale Commodities.  Finally, for all proposed derivative transactions an analysis is completed to assess the risk of adding the proposed derivative to Entergy Wholesale Commodities' portfolio.  In particular, the credit, liquidity and financial metrics impacts are calculated for this analysis.  This analysis is communicated to senior management within Entergy and Entergy Wholesale Commodities.

 

The following tables set forth, by level within the fair value hierarchy, Entergy's assets and liabilities that are accounted for at fair value on a recurring basis as of March 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011.  The assessment of the significance of a particular input to a fair value measurement requires judgment and may affect their placement within the fair value hierarchy levels.  

 

 

2012

 

Level 1

 

Level 2

 

Level 3

 

Total

 

 

(In Millions)

Assets:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Temporary cash investments

 

$622

 

$-

 

$-

 

$622

Decommissioning trust funds (a):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Equity securities

 

428

 

1,942

 

-

 

2,370

Debt securities

 

670

 

999

 

-

 

1,669

Power contracts

 

-

 

-

 

528

 

528

Securitization recovery trust account

 

49

 

-

 

-

 

49

Storm reserve escrow account

 

336

 

-

 

-

 

336

 

 

$2,105

 

$2,941

 

$528

 

$5,574

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Liabilities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Gas hedge contracts

 

$45

 

$-

 

$-

 

$45

 


 

2011

 

Level 1

 

Level 2

 

Level 3

 

Total

 

 

(In Millions)

Assets:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Temporary cash investments

 

$613

 

$-

 

$-

 

$613

Decommissioning trust funds (a):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Equity securities

 

397

 

1,732

 

-

 

2,129

Debt securities

 

639

 

1,020

 

-

 

1,659

Power contracts

 

-

 

-

 

312

 

312

Securitization recovery trust account

 

50

 

-

 

-

 

50

Storm reserve escrow account

 

335

 

-

 

-

 

335

 

 

$2,034

 

$2,752

 

$312

 

$5,098

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Liabilities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Gas hedge contracts

 

$30

 

$-

 

$-

 

$30

 

(a)

The decommissioning trust funds hold equity and fixed income securities. Equity securities are invested to approximate the returns of major market indexes.  Fixed income securities are held in various governmental and corporate securities.  See Note 9 for additional information on the investment portfolios.

 

The following table sets forth a reconciliation of changes in the net assets (liabilities) for the fair value of derivatives classified as Level 3 in the fair value hierarchy for the three months ended March 31, 2012 and 2011:

 

 

 

2012

 

2011

 

 

(In Millions)

 

 

 

 

 

Balance as of January 1,

 

$312 

 

$197 

 

 

 

 

 

Unrealized gains/(losses) from price changes

 

286 

 

(62)

Unrealized gains/(losses) on originations

 

 

(2)

Realized gains on settlements

 

(71)

 

(29)

 

 

 

 

 

Balance as of March 31,

 

$528 

 

$104 

 

The following table sets forth a description of the types of transactions classified as Level 3 in the fair value hierarchy, and the valuation techniques and significant unobservable inputs to each which cause that classification, as of March 31, 2012:

 

 

 

 

Transaction Type

 

 

 

FV as of

March 31, 2012

 

 

 

Significant Unobservable Inputs

 

Range from Average %

 

 

 

Effect on Fair Value

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Electricity swaps

 

$435 million

 

Unit contingent discount

 

+/-3%

 

$20 million

Electricity options

 

$93 million

 

Implied volatility

 

+/-11%

 

$19 million

 


The following table sets forth an analysis of each of the types of unobservable inputs impacting the fair value of items classified as Level 3 within the fair value hierarchy, and the sensitivity to changes to those inputs:

 

Significant Unobservable Input

 

 

 

Transaction Type

 

 

 

Position

 

 

 

Change to Input

 

 

 

Effect on FMV

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Unit contingent discount

 

 

Electricity swaps

 

 

Sell

 

 

Increase (Decrease)

 

 

Decrease (Increase)

Implied volatility

 

Electricity options

 

Sell

 

Increase (Decrease)

 

Increase (Decrease)

Implied volatility

 

Electricity options

 

Buy

 

Increase (Decrease)

 

Increase (Decrease)

 

The following table sets forth, by level within the fair value hierarchy, the Registrant Subsidiaries' assets that are accounted for at fair value on a recurring basis as of March 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011. The assessment of the significance of a particular input to a fair value measurement requires judgment and may affect its placement within the fair value hierarchy levels.

 

Entergy Arkansas

 

2012

 

Level 1

 

Level 2

 

Level 3

 

Total

 

 

(In Millions)

Assets:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Decommissioning trust funds (a):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Equity securities

 

$2.1

 

$365.1

 

$-

 

$367.2

Debt securities

 

90.3

 

127.0

 

-

 

217.3

Securitization recovery trust account

 

7.9

 

-

 

-

 

7.9

 

 

$100.3

 

$492.1

 

$-

 

$592.4

 

2011

 

Level 1

 

Level 2

 

Level 3

 

Total

 

 

(In Millions)

Assets:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Temporary cash investments

 

$17.9

 

$-

 

$-

 

$17.9

Decommissioning trust funds (a):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Equity securities

 

6.3

 

323.1

 

-

 

329.4

Debt securities

 

82.8

 

129.5

 

-

 

212.3

Securitization recovery trust account

 

3.9

 

-

 

-

 

3.9

 

 

$110.9

 

$452.6

 

$-

 

$563.5

 


Entergy Gulf States Louisiana

 

2012

 

Level 1

 

Level 2

 

Level 3

 

Total

 

 

(In Millions)

Assets:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Temporary cash investments

 

$128.9

 

$-

 

$-

 

$128.9

Decommissioning trust funds (a):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Equity securities

 

5.2

 

270.8

 

-

 

276.0

Debt securities

 

39.0

 

140.4

 

-

 

179.4

Storm reserve escrow account

 

90.2

 

-

 

-

 

90.2

 

 

$263.3

 

$411.2

 

$-

 

$674.5

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Liabilities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Gas hedge contracts

 

$13.5

 

$-

 

$-

 

$13.5

 

2011

 

Level 1

 

Level 2

 

Level 3

 

Total

 

 

(In Millions)

Assets:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Temporary cash investments

 

$24.6

 

$-

 

$-

 

$24.6

Decommissioning trust funds (a):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Equity securities

 

5.1

 

233.6

 

-

 

238.7

Debt securities

 

39.5

 

142.7

 

-

 

182.2

Storm reserve escrow account

 

90.2

 

-

 

-

 

90.2

 

 

$159.4

 

$376.3

 

$-

 

$535.7

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Liabilities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Gas hedge contracts

 

$8.6

 

$-

 

$-

 

$8.6

 

Entergy Louisiana

 

2012

 

Level 1

 

Level 2

 

Level 3

 

Total

 

 

(In Millions)

Assets:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Temporary cash investments

 

$23.5

 

$-

 

$-

 

$23.5

Decommissioning trust funds (a):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Equity securities

 

0.8

 

167.0

 

-

 

167.8

Debt securities

 

53.4

 

53.3

 

-

 

106.7

Securitization recovery trust account

 

11.9

 

-

 

-

 

11.9

Storm reserve escrow account

 

200.5

 

-

 

-

 

200.5

 

 

$290.1

 

$220.3

 

$-

 

$510.4

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Liabilities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Gas hedge contracts

 

$19.1

 

$-

 

$-

 

$19.1

 


 

2011

 

Level 1

 

Level 2

 

Level 3

 

Total

 

 

(In Millions)

Assets:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Decommissioning trust funds (a):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Equity securities

 

$2.9

 

$146.3

 

$-

 

$149.2

Debt securities

 

51.6

 

53.2

 

-

 

104.8

Securitization recovery trust account

 

5.2

 

-

 

-

 

5.2

Storm reserve escrow account

 

201.2

 

-

 

-

 

201.2

 

 

$260.9

 

$199.5

 

$-

 

$460.4

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Liabilities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Gas hedge contracts

 

$12.4

 

$-

 

$-

 

$12.4

 

Entergy Mississippi

 

2012

 

Level 1

 

Level 2

 

Level 3

 

Total

 

 

(In Millions)

Assets:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Temporary cash investments

 

$14.0

 

$-

 

$-

 

$14.0

Storm reserve escrow account

 

31.9

 

-

 

-

 

31.9

 

 

$45.9

 

$-

 

$-

 

$45.9

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Liabilities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Gas hedge contracts

 

$12.8

 

$-

 

$-

 

$12.8

 

2011

 

Level 1

 

Level 2

 

Level 3

 

Total

 

 

(In Millions)

Assets:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Storm reserve escrow account

 

$31.8

 

$-

 

$-

 

$31.8

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Liabilities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Gas hedge contracts

 

$7.8

 

$-

 

$-

 

$7.8

 

Entergy New Orleans

 

2012

 

Level 1

 

Level 2

 

Level 3

 

Total

 

 

(In Millions)

Assets:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Storm reserve escrow account

 

$13.4

 

$-

 

$-

 

$13.4

 

2011

 

Level 1

 

Level 2

 

Level 3

 

Total

 

 

(In Millions)

Assets:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Temporary cash investments

 

$9.3

 

$-

 

$-

 

$9.3

Storm reserve escrow account

 

12.0

 

-

 

-

 

12.0

 

 

$21.3

 

$-

 

$-

 

$21.3

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Liabilities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Gas hedge contracts

 

$1.5

 

$-

 

$-

 

$1.5

 

Entergy Texas

 

2012

 

Level 1

 

Level 2

 

Level 3

 

Total

 

 

(In Millions)

Assets:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Temporary cash investments

 

$98.2

 

$-

 

$-

 

$98.2

Securitization recovery trust account

 

29.6

 

-

 

-

 

29.6

 

 

$127.8

 

$-

 

$-

 

$127.8

 

2011

 

Level 1

 

Level 2

 

Level 3

 

Total

 

 

(In Millions)

Assets:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Temporary cash investments

 

$65.1

 

$-

 

$-

 

$65.1

Securitization recovery trust account

 

41.2

 

-

 

-

 

41.2

 

 

$106.3

 

$-

 

$-

 

$106.3

 

System Energy

 

2012

 

Level 1

 

Level 2

 

Level 3

 

Total

 

 

(In Millions)

Assets:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Temporary cash investments

 

$82.6

 

$-

 

$-

 

$82.6

Decommissioning trust funds (a):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Equity securities

 

2.7

 

268.0

 

-

 

270.7

Debt securities

 

125.5

 

63.7

 

-

 

189.2

 

 

$210.8

 

$331.7

 

$-

 

$542.5

 

2011

 

Level 1

 

Level 2

 

Level 3

 

Total

 

 

(In Millions)

Assets:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Temporary cash investments

 

$154.2

 

$-

 

$-

 

$154.2

Decommissioning trust funds (a):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Equity securities

 

2.7

 

234.5

 

-

 

237.2

Debt securities

 

123.2

 

63.0

 

-

 

186.2

 

 

$280.1

 

$297.5

 

$-

 

$577.6

 

(a)

The decommissioning trust funds hold equity and fixed income securities. Equity securities are invested to approximate the returns of major market indices.  Fixed income securities are held in various governmental and corporate securities.  See Note 9 for additional information on the investment portfolios.

 

 

Entergy Louisiana [Member]
 
Risk Management And Fair Values

NOTE 8. RISK MANAGEMENT AND FAIR VALUES (Entergy Corporation, Entergy Arkansas, Entergy Gulf States Louisiana, Entergy Louisiana, Entergy Mississippi, Entergy New Orleans, Entergy Texas, and System Energy)

 

Market and Commodity Risks

 

In the normal course of business, Entergy is exposed to a number of market and commodity risks. Market risk is the potential loss that Entergy may incur as a result of changes in the market or fair value of a particular instrument or commodity. All financial and commodity-related instruments, including derivatives, are subject to market risk. Entergy is subject to a number of commodity and market risks, including:

 

Type of Risk

 

Affected Businesses

 

 

 

Power price risk

 

Utility, Entergy Wholesale Commodities

Fuel price risk

 

Utility, Entergy Wholesale Commodities

Equity price and interest rate risk - investments

 

Utility, Entergy Wholesale Commodities

 

Entergy manages a portion of these risks using derivative instruments, some of which are classified as cash flow hedges due to their financial settlement provisions while others are classified as normal purchase/normal sales transactions due to their physical settlement provisions. Normal purchase/normal sale risk management tools include power purchase and sales agreements, fuel purchase agreements, capacity contracts, and tolling agreements. Financially-settled cash flow hedges can include natural gas and electricity swaps and options, and interest rate swaps. Entergy will occasionally enter into financially settled swap and option contracts to manage market risk under certain hedging transactions which may or may not be designated as hedging instruments. Entergy enters into derivatives only to manage natural risks inherent in its physical or financial assets or liabilities.

 

Entergy manages fuel price volatility for its Louisiana jurisdictions (Entergy Gulf States Louisiana, Entergy Louisiana, and Entergy New Orleans) and Entergy Mississippi primarily through the purchase of short-term natural gas swaps. These swaps are marked-to-market with offsetting regulatory assets or liabilities. The notional volumes of these swaps are based on a portion of projected annual exposure to gas for electric generation and projected winter purchases for gas distribution at Entergy Gulf States Louisiana and Entergy New Orleans.

 

Entergy's exposure to market risk is determined by a number of factors, including the size, term, composition, and diversification of positions held, as well as market volatility and liquidity. For instruments such as options, the time period during which the option may be exercised and the relationship between the current market price of the underlying instrument and the option's contractual strike or exercise price also affects the level of market risk. A significant factor influencing the overall level of market risk to which Entergy is exposed is its use of hedging techniques to mitigate such risk. Entergy manages market risk by actively monitoring compliance with stated risk management policies as well as monitoring the effectiveness of its hedging policies and strategies. Entergy's risk management policies limit the amount of total net exposure and rolling net exposure during the stated periods. These policies, including related risk limits, are regularly assessed to ensure their appropriateness given Entergy's objectives.

 


Derivatives

 

The fair values of Entergy's derivative instruments in the consolidated balance sheet as of March 31, 2012 are as follows:

 

Instrument

 

Balance Sheet Location

 

Fair Value (a)

 

Offset (a)

 

Business

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Derivatives designated as hedging instruments

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Assets:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Electricity swaps and options

 

Prepayments and other (current portion)

 

$332 million

 

($46) million

 

Entergy Wholesale Commodities

Electricity swaps and options

 

Other deferred debits and other assets (non-current portion)

 

$196 million

 

($-)

 

Entergy Wholesale Commodities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Assets:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Electricity swaps and options

 

Prepayments and other (current portion)

 

$65 million

 

($19) million

 

Entergy Wholesale Commodities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Liabilities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Electricity swaps and options

 

Other current liabilities (current portion)

 

$65 million

 

($65) million

 

Entergy Wholesale Commodities

Natural gas swaps

 

Other current liabilities

 

$45 million

 

($-)

 

Utility

           


The fair values of Entergy's derivative instruments in the consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 2011 are as follows:

 

Instrument

 

Balance Sheet Location

 

Fair Value (a)

 

Offset (a)

 

Business

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Derivatives designated as hedging instruments

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Assets:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Electricity swaps and options

 

Prepayments and other (current portion)

 

$197 million

 

($25) million

 

Entergy Wholesale Commodities

Electricity swaps and options

 

Other deferred debits and other assets (non-current portion)

 

$112 million

 

($1) million

 

Entergy Wholesale Commodities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Liabilities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Electricity swaps and options

 

Other non-current liabilities (non-current portion)

 

$1 million

 

($1) million

 

Entergy Wholesale Commodities

 

Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Assets:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Electricity swaps and options

 

Prepayments and other (current portion)

 

$37 million

 

($8) million

 

Entergy Wholesale Commodities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Liabilities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Electricity swaps and options

 

Other current liabilities (current portion)

 

$33 million

 

($33) million

 

Entergy Wholesale Commodities

Natural gas swaps

 

Other current liabilities

 

$30 million

 

($-)

 

Utility

 

(a)

The balances of derivative assets and liabilities in these tables are presented gross.  Certain investments, including those not designated as hedging instruments, are subject to master netting agreements and are presented on the Entergy Consolidated Balance Sheets on a net basis in accordance with accounting guidance for Derivatives and Hedging.

 

The effect of Entergy's derivative instruments designated as cash flow hedges on the consolidated income statements for the three months ended March 31, 2012 and 2011 are as follows:

 




Instrument

 


Amount of gain (loss)
recognized in AOCI
(effective portion)

 




Income Statement location

 

Amount of gain
 reclassified from
accumulated OCI into
income (effective portion)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2012

 

 

 

 

 

 

Electricity swaps and options

 

$291 million

 

Competitive businesses operating revenues

 

$71 million

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2011

 

 

 

 

 

 

Electricity swaps and options

 

($74) million

 

Competitive businesses operating revenues

 

$29 million

 

            Electricity over-the-counter instruments that financially settle against day-ahead power pool prices are used to manage price exposure for Entergy Wholesale Commodities generation.  Based on market prices as of March 31, 2012, cash flow hedges relating to power sales totaled $528 million of net unrealized gains.  Approximately $332 million is expected to be reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (OCI) to operating revenues in the next twelve months.  The actual amount reclassified from accumulated OCI, however, could vary due to future changes in market prices.  Gains totaling approximately $71 million and $29 million were realized on the maturity of cash flow hedges, before taxes of $25 million and $10 million, for the three months ended March 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively.  Unrealized gains or losses recorded in OCI result from hedging power output at the Entergy Wholesale Commodities power plants.  The related gains or losses from hedging power are included in operating revenues when realized.  The maximum length of time over which Entergy is currently hedging the variability in future cash flows with derivatives for forecasted power transactions at March 31, 2012 is approximately 2.75 years.  Planned generation currently sold forward from Entergy Wholesale Commodities nuclear power plants is 89% for the remaining three quarters of 2012, of which approximately 44% is sold under financial derivatives and the remainder under normal purchase/sale contracts.  The change in the value of Entergy's cash flow hedges due to ineffectiveness during the three months ended March 31, 2012 and 2011 was insignificant.  The ineffective portion of cash flow hedges is recorded in competitive business operating revenues.  Certain of the agreements to sell the power produced by Entergy Wholesale Commodities power plants contain provisions that require an Entergy subsidiary to provide collateral to secure its obligations when the current market prices exceed the contracted power prices.  The primary form of collateral to satisfy these requirements is an Entergy Corporation guaranty.  As of March 31, 2012, there were no hedge contracts with counterparties in a liability position.  Entergy may effectively liquidate a cash flow hedge instrument by entering into a contract offsetting the original hedge, and then de-designating the original hedge in this situation.  Gains or losses accumulated in OCI prior to de-designation continue to be deferred in OCI until they are included in income as the original hedged transaction occurs. From the point of de-designation, the gains or losses on the original hedge and the offsetting contract are recorded as assets or liabilities on the balance sheet and offset as they flow through to earnings. 

 

            Natural gas over-the-counter swaps that financially settle against NYMEX futures are used to manage fuel price volatility for the Utility's Louisiana and Mississippi customers.  All benefits or costs of the program are recorded in fuel costs.  The total volume of natural gas swaps outstanding as of March 31, 2012 is 56,330,000 MMBtu for Entergy, 16,610,000 MMBtu for Entergy Gulf States Louisiana, 23,700,000 MMBtu for Entergy Louisiana, and 16,020,000 MMBtu for Entergy Mississippi.  Credit support for these natural gas swaps is covered by master agreements that do not require collateralization based on mark-to-market value, but do carry adequate assurance language that may lead to collateralization requests.

 

           


The effect of Entergy's derivative instruments not designated as hedging instruments on the consolidated income statements for the three months ended March 31, 2012 and 2011 is as follows:

 


Instrument

 

Amount of gain
recognized in AOCI

 

 

Income Statement location

 

Amount of gain (loss)
recorded in income

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2012

 

 

 

 

 

 

Natural gas swaps

 

$-

 

Fuel, fuel-related expenses, and gas purchased for resale

 

($51) million

Electricity swaps and options de-designated as hedged items

 

$3 million

 

Competitive business operating revenues

 

($2) million

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2011

 

 

 

 

 

 

Natural gas swaps

 

$-

 

Fuel, fuel-related expenses, and gas purchased for resale

 

($3) million

Electricity swaps and options de-designated as hedged items

 

$10 million

 

Competitive business operating revenues

 

$2 million

 

Due to regulatory treatment, the natural gas swaps are marked-to-market through fuel, fuel-related expenses, and gas purchased for resale and then such amounts are simultaneously reversed and recorded as an offsetting regulatory asset or liability. The gains or losses recorded as fuel expenses when the swaps are settled are recovered or refunded through fuel cost recovery mechanisms.

 

The fair values of the Registrant Subsidiaries' derivative instruments on their balance sheets as of March 31, 2012 are as follows:

 

Instrument

 

Balance Sheet Location

 

Fair Value

 

Registrant

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Liabilities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Natural gas swaps

 

Gas hedge contracts

 

$13.5 million

 

Entergy Gulf States Louisiana

Natural gas swaps

 

Gas hedge contracts

 

$19.1 million

 

Entergy Louisiana

Natural gas swaps

 

Other current liabilities

 

$12.8 million

 

Entergy Mississippi

 

            The fair values of the Registrant Subsidiaries' derivative instruments on their balance sheets as of December 31, 2011 are as follows:

 

Instrument

 

Balance Sheet Location

 

Fair Value

 

Registrant

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Liabilities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Natural gas swaps

 

Gas hedge contracts

 

$8.6 million

 

Entergy Gulf States Louisiana

Natural gas swaps

 

Gas hedge contracts

 

$12.4 million

 

Entergy Louisiana

Natural gas swaps

 

Other current liabilities

 

$7.8 million

 

Entergy Mississippi

Natural gas swaps

 

Other current liabilities

 

$1.5 million

 

Entergy New Orleans

 

           


The effects of the Registrant Subsidiaries' derivative instruments not designated as hedging instruments on their income statements for the three months ended March 31, 2012 and 2011 are as follows:

 



Instrument

 



Statement of Income Location

 

Amount of gain (loss) recorded
in income

 



Registrant

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2012

 

 

 

 

 

 

Natural gas swaps

 

Fuel, fuel-related expenses, and gas purchased for resale

 

($15.0) million

 

Entergy Gulf States Louisiana

Natural gas swaps

 

Fuel, fuel-related expenses, and gas purchased for resale

 

($20.7) million

 

Entergy Louisiana

Natural gas swaps

 

Fuel, fuel-related expenses, and gas purchased for resale

 

($13.4) million

 

Entergy Mississippi

Natural gas swaps

 

Fuel, fuel-related expenses, and gas purchased for resale

 

($1.5) million

 

Entergy New Orleans

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2011

 

 

 

 

 

 

Natural gas swaps

 

Fuel, fuel-related expenses, and gas purchased for resale

 

($1.9) million

 

Entergy Gulf States Louisiana

Natural gas swaps

 

Fuel, fuel-related expenses, and gas purchased for resale

 

($1.1) million

 

Entergy Louisiana

Natural gas swaps

 

Fuel, fuel-related expenses, and gas purchased for resale

 

$0.3 million

 

Entergy Mississippi

Natural gas swaps

 

Fuel, fuel-related expenses, and gas purchased for resale

 

($0.8) million

 

Entergy New Orleans

 

Fair Values

 

            The estimated fair values of Entergy's financial instruments and derivatives are determined using bid prices, market quotes, and financial modeling.  Considerable judgment is required in developing the estimates of fair value.  Therefore, estimates are not necessarily indicative of the amounts that Entergy could realize in a current market exchange.  Gains or losses realized on financial instruments other than electricity swap and option contracts held by competitive businesses are reflected in future rates and therefore do not accrue to the benefit or detriment of shareholders.  Entergy considers the carrying amounts of most financial instruments classified as current assets and liabilities to be a reasonable estimate of their fair value because of the short maturity of these instruments.

 

            Accounting standards define fair value as an exit price, or the price that would be received to sell an asset or the amount that would be paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between knowledgeable market participants at the date of measurement.  Entergy and the Registrant Subsidiaries use assumptions or market input data that market participants would use in pricing assets or liabilities at fair value.  The inputs can be readily observable, corroborated by market data, or generally unobservable.  Entergy and the Registrant Subsidiaries endeavor to use the best available information to determine fair value. 

 

            Accounting standards establish a fair value hierarchy that prioritizes the inputs used to measure fair value.  The hierarchy establishes the highest priority for unadjusted market quotes in an active market for the identical asset or liability and the lowest priority for unobservable inputs.  The three levels of the fair value hierarchy are:

 

·         Level 1 - Level 1 inputs are unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities that the entity has the ability to access at the measurement date. Active markets are those in which transactions for the asset or liability occur in sufficient frequency and volume to provide pricing information on an ongoing basis. Level 1 primarily consists of individually owned common stocks, cash equivalents, debt instruments, and gas hedge contracts.

 

·         Level 2 - Level 2 inputs are inputs other than quoted prices included in Level 1 that are, either directly or indirectly, observable for the asset or liability at the measurement date. Assets are valued based on prices derived by independent third parties that use inputs such as benchmark yields, reported trades, broker/dealer quotes, and issuer spreads. Prices are reviewed and can be challenged with the independent parties and/or overridden by Entergy if it is believed such would be more reflective of fair value. Level 2 inputs include the following:

 

-                          quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in active markets;

-                          quoted prices for identical assets or liabilities in inactive markets;

-                          inputs other than quoted prices that are observable for the asset or liability; or

-    inputs that are derived principally from or corroborated by observable market data by correlation or other means.

 

Level 2 consists primarily of individually owned debt instruments or shares in common trusts. Common trust funds are stated at estimated fair value based on the fair market value of the underlying investments.

 

·         Level 3 - Level 3 inputs are pricing inputs that are generally less observable or unobservable from objective sources. These inputs are used with internally developed methodologies to produce management's best estimate of fair value for the asset or liability. Level 3 consists primarily of derivative power contracts used as cash flow hedges of power sales at merchant power plants.

 

The values for power contract assets or liabilities are based on both observable inputs including public market prices and interest rates, and unobservable inputs such as implied volatilities, unit contingent discounts, expected basis differences, and credit adjusted counterparty interest rates. They are classified as Level 3 assets and liabilities. The valuations of these assets and liabilities are performed by the Entergy Wholesale Commodities Risk Control group and sent to the Entergy Wholesale Commodities Back Office and Entergy Nuclear Finance groups for evaluation. The primary functions of the Entergy Wholesale Commodities Risk Control Group include: gathering, validating and reporting market data, providing market and credit risk analyses and valuations in support of Entergy Wholesale Commodities' commercial transactions, developing and administering protocols for the management of market and credit risks, implementing and maintaining controls around changes to market data in the energy trading and risk management system, reviewing creditworthiness of counterparties, supporting contract negotiations with new counterparties, administering credit support for contracts, and managing the daily margining process. The primary functions of the Entergy Wholesale Commodities Back Office are managing the energy trading and risk management system, forecasting revenues, forward positions and analysis, performing contract administration, market and counterparty settlements and revenue reporting and analysis along with maintaining related controls for Entergy Wholesale Commodities. Both Entergy Wholesale Commodities Risk Control and Entergy Wholesale Commodities Back Office report to the Entergy Wholesale Commodities VP, Finance & Risk Group. Entergy Nuclear Finance is primarily responsible for the financial planning of Entergy's regulated and unregulated nuclear businesses and has a significant role in accounting for the activities and transactions of the associated companies. The VP of Finance within Entergy Nuclear Finance reports to the Chief Accounting Officer.

 

The amounts reflected as the fair value of electricity swaps are based on the estimated amount that the contracts are in-the-money at the balance sheet date (treated as an asset) or out-of-the-money at the balance sheet date (treated as a liability) and would equal the estimated amount receivable or payable by Entergy if the contracts were settled at that date. These derivative contracts include cash flow hedges that swap fixed for floating cash flows for sales of the output from Entergy's Entergy Wholesale Commodities business. The fair values are based on the mark-to-market comparison between the fixed contract prices and the floating prices determined each period from quoted forward power market prices. The differences between the fixed price in the swap contract and these market-related prices multiplied by the volume specified in the contract and discounted at the counterparties' credit adjusted risk free rate are recorded as derivative contract assets or liabilities. For contracts that have unit contingent terms, a further discount is applied based on the historical relationship between contract and market prices for similar contract terms.

 

The amounts reflected as the fair value of electricity options are valued based on a Black Scholes model, and are calculated at the end of each month for accounting purposes. Inputs to the valuation include end of day forward market prices for the period when the transactions will settle, implied volatilities based on market volatilities provided by a third party data aggregator, and US Treasury rates for a risk-free return rate. As described further below, prices and implied volatilities are reviewed and can be adjusted if it is determined that there is a better representation of fair value. As of March 31, 2012, Entergy had in-the-money derivative contracts with a fair value of $528 million with counterparties or their guarantor who are all currently investment grade. As of March 31, 2012 there are no out-of-the-money contracts supported by corporate guarantees, which would require additional cash or letters of credit in the event of a decrease in Entergy Corporation's credit rating to below investment grade.

 

On a daily basis, Entergy Wholesale Commodities calculates the mark-to-market for all derivative transactions.  Entergy Wholesale Commodities Risk Control Group also validates forward market prices by comparing them to settlement prices of actual market transactions. Significant differences are analyzed and potentially adjusted based on actual transaction clearing prices, or a methodology that considers natural gas prices and market heat rates. Implied volatilities used to value options are also validated using actual counterparty quotes for Entergy Wholesale Commodities transactions. Moreover, on at least a monthly basis the Office of Corporate Risk Oversight confirms the mark to market calculations and prepares price scenarios and credit downgrade scenario analysis.  The scenario analysis is communicated to senior management within Entergy and within Entergy Wholesale Commodities.  Finally, for all proposed derivative transactions an analysis is completed to assess the risk of adding the proposed derivative to Entergy Wholesale Commodities' portfolio.  In particular, the credit, liquidity and financial metrics impacts are calculated for this analysis.  This analysis is communicated to senior management within Entergy and Entergy Wholesale Commodities.

 

The following tables set forth, by level within the fair value hierarchy, Entergy's assets and liabilities that are accounted for at fair value on a recurring basis as of March 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011.  The assessment of the significance of a particular input to a fair value measurement requires judgment and may affect their placement within the fair value hierarchy levels.  

 

 

2012

 

Level 1

 

Level 2

 

Level 3

 

Total

 

 

(In Millions)

Assets:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Temporary cash investments

 

$622

 

$-

 

$-

 

$622

Decommissioning trust funds (a):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Equity securities

 

428

 

1,942

 

-

 

2,370

Debt securities

 

670

 

999

 

-

 

1,669

Power contracts

 

-

 

-

 

528

 

528

Securitization recovery trust account

 

49

 

-

 

-

 

49

Storm reserve escrow account

 

336

 

-

 

-

 

336

 

 

$2,105

 

$2,941

 

$528

 

$5,574

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Liabilities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Gas hedge contracts

 

$45

 

$-

 

$-

 

$45

 


 

2011

 

Level 1

 

Level 2

 

Level 3

 

Total

 

 

(In Millions)

Assets:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Temporary cash investments

 

$613

 

$-

 

$-

 

$613

Decommissioning trust funds (a):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Equity securities

 

397

 

1,732

 

-

 

2,129

Debt securities

 

639

 

1,020

 

-

 

1,659

Power contracts

 

-

 

-

 

312

 

312

Securitization recovery trust account

 

50

 

-

 

-

 

50

Storm reserve escrow account

 

335

 

-

 

-

 

335

 

 

$2,034

 

$2,752

 

$312

 

$5,098

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Liabilities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Gas hedge contracts

 

$30

 

$-

 

$-

 

$30

 

(a)

The decommissioning trust funds hold equity and fixed income securities. Equity securities are invested to approximate the returns of major market indexes.  Fixed income securities are held in various governmental and corporate securities.  See Note 9 for additional information on the investment portfolios.

 

The following table sets forth a reconciliation of changes in the net assets (liabilities) for the fair value of derivatives classified as Level 3 in the fair value hierarchy for the three months ended March 31, 2012 and 2011:

 

 

 

2012

 

2011

 

 

(In Millions)

 

 

 

 

 

Balance as of January 1,

 

$312 

 

$197 

 

 

 

 

 

Unrealized gains/(losses) from price changes

 

286 

 

(62)

Unrealized gains/(losses) on originations

 

 

(2)

Realized gains on settlements

 

(71)

 

(29)

 

 

 

 

 

Balance as of March 31,

 

$528 

 

$104 

 

The following table sets forth a description of the types of transactions classified as Level 3 in the fair value hierarchy, and the valuation techniques and significant unobservable inputs to each which cause that classification, as of March 31, 2012:

 

 

 

 

Transaction Type

 

 

 

FV as of

March 31, 2012

 

 

 

Significant Unobservable Inputs

 

Range from Average %

 

 

 

Effect on Fair Value

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Electricity swaps

 

$435 million

 

Unit contingent discount

 

+/-3%

 

$20 million

Electricity options

 

$93 million

 

Implied volatility

 

+/-11%

 

$19 million

 


The following table sets forth an analysis of each of the types of unobservable inputs impacting the fair value of items classified as Level 3 within the fair value hierarchy, and the sensitivity to changes to those inputs:

 

Significant Unobservable Input

 

 

 

Transaction Type

 

 

 

Position

 

 

 

Change to Input

 

 

 

Effect on FMV

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Unit contingent discount

 

 

Electricity swaps

 

 

Sell

 

 

Increase (Decrease)

 

 

Decrease (Increase)

Implied volatility

 

Electricity options

 

Sell

 

Increase (Decrease)

 

Increase (Decrease)

Implied volatility

 

Electricity options

 

Buy

 

Increase (Decrease)

 

Increase (Decrease)

 

The following table sets forth, by level within the fair value hierarchy, the Registrant Subsidiaries' assets that are accounted for at fair value on a recurring basis as of March 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011. The assessment of the significance of a particular input to a fair value measurement requires judgment and may affect its placement within the fair value hierarchy levels.

 

Entergy Arkansas

 

2012

 

Level 1

 

Level 2

 

Level 3

 

Total

 

 

(In Millions)

Assets:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Decommissioning trust funds (a):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Equity securities

 

$2.1

 

$365.1

 

$-

 

$367.2

Debt securities

 

90.3

 

127.0

 

-

 

217.3

Securitization recovery trust account

 

7.9

 

-

 

-

 

7.9

 

 

$100.3

 

$492.1

 

$-

 

$592.4

 

2011

 

Level 1

 

Level 2

 

Level 3

 

Total

 

 

(In Millions)

Assets:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Temporary cash investments

 

$17.9

 

$-

 

$-

 

$17.9

Decommissioning trust funds (a):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Equity securities

 

6.3

 

323.1

 

-

 

329.4

Debt securities

 

82.8

 

129.5

 

-

 

212.3

Securitization recovery trust account

 

3.9

 

-

 

-

 

3.9

 

 

$110.9

 

$452.6

 

$-

 

$563.5

 


Entergy Gulf States Louisiana

 

2012

 

Level 1

 

Level 2

 

Level 3

 

Total

 

 

(In Millions)

Assets:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Temporary cash investments

 

$128.9

 

$-

 

$-

 

$128.9

Decommissioning trust funds (a):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Equity securities

 

5.2

 

270.8

 

-

 

276.0

Debt securities

 

39.0

 

140.4

 

-

 

179.4

Storm reserve escrow account

 

90.2

 

-

 

-

 

90.2

 

 

$263.3

 

$411.2

 

$-

 

$674.5

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Liabilities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Gas hedge contracts

 

$13.5

 

$-

 

$-

 

$13.5

 

2011

 

Level 1

 

Level 2

 

Level 3

 

Total

 

 

(In Millions)

Assets:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Temporary cash investments

 

$24.6

 

$-

 

$-

 

$24.6

Decommissioning trust funds (a):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Equity securities

 

5.1

 

233.6

 

-

 

238.7

Debt securities

 

39.5

 

142.7

 

-

 

182.2

Storm reserve escrow account

 

90.2

 

-

 

-

 

90.2

 

 

$159.4

 

$376.3

 

$-

 

$535.7

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Liabilities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Gas hedge contracts

 

$8.6

 

$-

 

$-

 

$8.6

 

Entergy Louisiana

 

2012

 

Level 1

 

Level 2

 

Level 3

 

Total

 

 

(In Millions)

Assets:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Temporary cash investments

 

$23.5

 

$-

 

$-

 

$23.5

Decommissioning trust funds (a):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Equity securities

 

0.8

 

167.0

 

-

 

167.8

Debt securities

 

53.4

 

53.3

 

-

 

106.7

Securitization recovery trust account

 

11.9

 

-

 

-

 

11.9

Storm reserve escrow account

 

200.5

 

-

 

-

 

200.5

 

 

$290.1

 

$220.3

 

$-

 

$510.4

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Liabilities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Gas hedge contracts

 

$19.1

 

$-

 

$-

 

$19.1

 


 

2011

 

Level 1

 

Level 2

 

Level 3

 

Total

 

 

(In Millions)

Assets:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Decommissioning trust funds (a):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Equity securities

 

$2.9

 

$146.3

 

$-

 

$149.2

Debt securities

 

51.6

 

53.2

 

-

 

104.8

Securitization recovery trust account

 

5.2

 

-

 

-

 

5.2

Storm reserve escrow account

 

201.2

 

-

 

-

 

201.2

 

 

$260.9

 

$199.5

 

$-

 

$460.4

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Liabilities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Gas hedge contracts

 

$12.4

 

$-

 

$-

 

$12.4

 

Entergy Mississippi

 

2012

 

Level 1

 

Level 2

 

Level 3

 

Total

 

 

(In Millions)

Assets:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Temporary cash investments

 

$14.0

 

$-

 

$-

 

$14.0

Storm reserve escrow account

 

31.9

 

-

 

-

 

31.9

 

 

$45.9

 

$-

 

$-

 

$45.9

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Liabilities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Gas hedge contracts

 

$12.8

 

$-

 

$-

 

$12.8

 

2011

 

Level 1

 

Level 2

 

Level 3

 

Total

 

 

(In Millions)

Assets:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Storm reserve escrow account

 

$31.8

 

$-

 

$-

 

$31.8

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Liabilities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Gas hedge contracts

 

$7.8

 

$-

 

$-

 

$7.8

 

Entergy New Orleans

 

2012

 

Level 1

 

Level 2

 

Level 3

 

Total

 

 

(In Millions)

Assets:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Storm reserve escrow account

 

$13.4

 

$-

 

$-

 

$13.4

 

2011

 

Level 1

 

Level 2

 

Level 3

 

Total

 

 

(In Millions)

Assets:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Temporary cash investments

 

$9.3

 

$-

 

$-

 

$9.3

Storm reserve escrow account

 

12.0

 

-

 

-

 

12.0

 

 

$21.3

 

$-

 

$-

 

$21.3

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Liabilities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Gas hedge contracts

 

$1.5

 

$-

 

$-

 

$1.5

 

Entergy Texas

 

2012

 

Level 1

 

Level 2

 

Level 3

 

Total

 

 

(In Millions)

Assets:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Temporary cash investments

 

$98.2

 

$-

 

$-

 

$98.2

Securitization recovery trust account

 

29.6

 

-

 

-

 

29.6

 

 

$127.8

 

$-

 

$-

 

$127.8

 

2011

 

Level 1

 

Level 2

 

Level 3

 

Total

 

 

(In Millions)

Assets:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Temporary cash investments

 

$65.1

 

$-

 

$-

 

$65.1

Securitization recovery trust account

 

41.2

 

-

 

-

 

41.2

 

 

$106.3

 

$-

 

$-

 

$106.3

 

System Energy

 

2012

 

Level 1

 

Level 2

 

Level 3

 

Total

 

 

(In Millions)

Assets:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Temporary cash investments

 

$82.6

 

$-

 

$-

 

$82.6

Decommissioning trust funds (a):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Equity securities

 

2.7

 

268.0

 

-

 

270.7

Debt securities

 

125.5

 

63.7

 

-

 

189.2

 

 

$210.8

 

$331.7

 

$-

 

$542.5

 

2011

 

Level 1

 

Level 2

 

Level 3

 

Total

 

 

(In Millions)

Assets:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Temporary cash investments

 

$154.2

 

$-

 

$-

 

$154.2

Decommissioning trust funds (a):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Equity securities

 

2.7

 

234.5

 

-

 

237.2

Debt securities

 

123.2

 

63.0

 

-

 

186.2

 

 

$280.1

 

$297.5

 

$-

 

$577.6

 

(a)

The decommissioning trust funds hold equity and fixed income securities. Equity securities are invested to approximate the returns of major market indices.  Fixed income securities are held in various governmental and corporate securities.  See Note 9 for additional information on the investment portfolios.

 

 

Entergy Mississippi [Member]
 
Risk Management And Fair Values

NOTE 8. RISK MANAGEMENT AND FAIR VALUES (Entergy Corporation, Entergy Arkansas, Entergy Gulf States Louisiana, Entergy Louisiana, Entergy Mississippi, Entergy New Orleans, Entergy Texas, and System Energy)

 

Market and Commodity Risks

 

In the normal course of business, Entergy is exposed to a number of market and commodity risks. Market risk is the potential loss that Entergy may incur as a result of changes in the market or fair value of a particular instrument or commodity. All financial and commodity-related instruments, including derivatives, are subject to market risk. Entergy is subject to a number of commodity and market risks, including:

 

Type of Risk

 

Affected Businesses

 

 

 

Power price risk

 

Utility, Entergy Wholesale Commodities

Fuel price risk

 

Utility, Entergy Wholesale Commodities

Equity price and interest rate risk - investments

 

Utility, Entergy Wholesale Commodities

 

Entergy manages a portion of these risks using derivative instruments, some of which are classified as cash flow hedges due to their financial settlement provisions while others are classified as normal purchase/normal sales transactions due to their physical settlement provisions. Normal purchase/normal sale risk management tools include power purchase and sales agreements, fuel purchase agreements, capacity contracts, and tolling agreements. Financially-settled cash flow hedges can include natural gas and electricity swaps and options, and interest rate swaps. Entergy will occasionally enter into financially settled swap and option contracts to manage market risk under certain hedging transactions which may or may not be designated as hedging instruments. Entergy enters into derivatives only to manage natural risks inherent in its physical or financial assets or liabilities.

 

Entergy manages fuel price volatility for its Louisiana jurisdictions (Entergy Gulf States Louisiana, Entergy Louisiana, and Entergy New Orleans) and Entergy Mississippi primarily through the purchase of short-term natural gas swaps. These swaps are marked-to-market with offsetting regulatory assets or liabilities. The notional volumes of these swaps are based on a portion of projected annual exposure to gas for electric generation and projected winter purchases for gas distribution at Entergy Gulf States Louisiana and Entergy New Orleans.

 

Entergy's exposure to market risk is determined by a number of factors, including the size, term, composition, and diversification of positions held, as well as market volatility and liquidity. For instruments such as options, the time period during which the option may be exercised and the relationship between the current market price of the underlying instrument and the option's contractual strike or exercise price also affects the level of market risk. A significant factor influencing the overall level of market risk to which Entergy is exposed is its use of hedging techniques to mitigate such risk. Entergy manages market risk by actively monitoring compliance with stated risk management policies as well as monitoring the effectiveness of its hedging policies and strategies. Entergy's risk management policies limit the amount of total net exposure and rolling net exposure during the stated periods. These policies, including related risk limits, are regularly assessed to ensure their appropriateness given Entergy's objectives.

 


Derivatives

 

The fair values of Entergy's derivative instruments in the consolidated balance sheet as of March 31, 2012 are as follows:

 

Instrument

 

Balance Sheet Location

 

Fair Value (a)

 

Offset (a)

 

Business

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Derivatives designated as hedging instruments

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Assets:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Electricity swaps and options

 

Prepayments and other (current portion)

 

$332 million

 

($46) million

 

Entergy Wholesale Commodities

Electricity swaps and options

 

Other deferred debits and other assets (non-current portion)

 

$196 million

 

($-)

 

Entergy Wholesale Commodities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Assets:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Electricity swaps and options

 

Prepayments and other (current portion)

 

$65 million

 

($19) million

 

Entergy Wholesale Commodities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Liabilities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Electricity swaps and options

 

Other current liabilities (current portion)

 

$65 million

 

($65) million

 

Entergy Wholesale Commodities

Natural gas swaps

 

Other current liabilities

 

$45 million

 

($-)

 

Utility

           


The fair values of Entergy's derivative instruments in the consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 2011 are as follows:

 

Instrument

 

Balance Sheet Location

 

Fair Value (a)

 

Offset (a)

 

Business

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Derivatives designated as hedging instruments

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Assets:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Electricity swaps and options

 

Prepayments and other (current portion)

 

$197 million

 

($25) million

 

Entergy Wholesale Commodities

Electricity swaps and options

 

Other deferred debits and other assets (non-current portion)

 

$112 million

 

($1) million

 

Entergy Wholesale Commodities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Liabilities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Electricity swaps and options

 

Other non-current liabilities (non-current portion)

 

$1 million

 

($1) million

 

Entergy Wholesale Commodities

 

Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Assets:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Electricity swaps and options

 

Prepayments and other (current portion)

 

$37 million

 

($8) million

 

Entergy Wholesale Commodities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Liabilities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Electricity swaps and options

 

Other current liabilities (current portion)

 

$33 million

 

($33) million

 

Entergy Wholesale Commodities

Natural gas swaps

 

Other current liabilities

 

$30 million

 

($-)

 

Utility

 

(a)

The balances of derivative assets and liabilities in these tables are presented gross.  Certain investments, including those not designated as hedging instruments, are subject to master netting agreements and are presented on the Entergy Consolidated Balance Sheets on a net basis in accordance with accounting guidance for Derivatives and Hedging.

 

The effect of Entergy's derivative instruments designated as cash flow hedges on the consolidated income statements for the three months ended March 31, 2012 and 2011 are as follows:

 




Instrument

 


Amount of gain (loss)
recognized in AOCI
(effective portion)

 




Income Statement location

 

Amount of gain
 reclassified from
accumulated OCI into
income (effective portion)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2012

 

 

 

 

 

 

Electricity swaps and options

 

$291 million

 

Competitive businesses operating revenues

 

$71 million

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2011

 

 

 

 

 

 

Electricity swaps and options

 

($74) million

 

Competitive businesses operating revenues

 

$29 million

 

            Electricity over-the-counter instruments that financially settle against day-ahead power pool prices are used to manage price exposure for Entergy Wholesale Commodities generation.  Based on market prices as of March 31, 2012, cash flow hedges relating to power sales totaled $528 million of net unrealized gains.  Approximately $332 million is expected to be reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (OCI) to operating revenues in the next twelve months.  The actual amount reclassified from accumulated OCI, however, could vary due to future changes in market prices.  Gains totaling approximately $71 million and $29 million were realized on the maturity of cash flow hedges, before taxes of $25 million and $10 million, for the three months ended March 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively.  Unrealized gains or losses recorded in OCI result from hedging power output at the Entergy Wholesale Commodities power plants.  The related gains or losses from hedging power are included in operating revenues when realized.  The maximum length of time over which Entergy is currently hedging the variability in future cash flows with derivatives for forecasted power transactions at March 31, 2012 is approximately 2.75 years.  Planned generation currently sold forward from Entergy Wholesale Commodities nuclear power plants is 89% for the remaining three quarters of 2012, of which approximately 44% is sold under financial derivatives and the remainder under normal purchase/sale contracts.  The change in the value of Entergy's cash flow hedges due to ineffectiveness during the three months ended March 31, 2012 and 2011 was insignificant.  The ineffective portion of cash flow hedges is recorded in competitive business operating revenues.  Certain of the agreements to sell the power produced by Entergy Wholesale Commodities power plants contain provisions that require an Entergy subsidiary to provide collateral to secure its obligations when the current market prices exceed the contracted power prices.  The primary form of collateral to satisfy these requirements is an Entergy Corporation guaranty.  As of March 31, 2012, there were no hedge contracts with counterparties in a liability position.  Entergy may effectively liquidate a cash flow hedge instrument by entering into a contract offsetting the original hedge, and then de-designating the original hedge in this situation.  Gains or losses accumulated in OCI prior to de-designation continue to be deferred in OCI until they are included in income as the original hedged transaction occurs. From the point of de-designation, the gains or losses on the original hedge and the offsetting contract are recorded as assets or liabilities on the balance sheet and offset as they flow through to earnings. 

 

            Natural gas over-the-counter swaps that financially settle against NYMEX futures are used to manage fuel price volatility for the Utility's Louisiana and Mississippi customers.  All benefits or costs of the program are recorded in fuel costs.  The total volume of natural gas swaps outstanding as of March 31, 2012 is 56,330,000 MMBtu for Entergy, 16,610,000 MMBtu for Entergy Gulf States Louisiana, 23,700,000 MMBtu for Entergy Louisiana, and 16,020,000 MMBtu for Entergy Mississippi.  Credit support for these natural gas swaps is covered by master agreements that do not require collateralization based on mark-to-market value, but do carry adequate assurance language that may lead to collateralization requests.

 

           


The effect of Entergy's derivative instruments not designated as hedging instruments on the consolidated income statements for the three months ended March 31, 2012 and 2011 is as follows:

 


Instrument

 

Amount of gain
recognized in AOCI

 

 

Income Statement location

 

Amount of gain (loss)
recorded in income

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2012

 

 

 

 

 

 

Natural gas swaps

 

$-

 

Fuel, fuel-related expenses, and gas purchased for resale

 

($51) million

Electricity swaps and options de-designated as hedged items

 

$3 million

 

Competitive business operating revenues

 

($2) million

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2011

 

 

 

 

 

 

Natural gas swaps

 

$-

 

Fuel, fuel-related expenses, and gas purchased for resale

 

($3) million

Electricity swaps and options de-designated as hedged items

 

$10 million

 

Competitive business operating revenues

 

$2 million

 

Due to regulatory treatment, the natural gas swaps are marked-to-market through fuel, fuel-related expenses, and gas purchased for resale and then such amounts are simultaneously reversed and recorded as an offsetting regulatory asset or liability. The gains or losses recorded as fuel expenses when the swaps are settled are recovered or refunded through fuel cost recovery mechanisms.

 

The fair values of the Registrant Subsidiaries' derivative instruments on their balance sheets as of March 31, 2012 are as follows:

 

Instrument

 

Balance Sheet Location

 

Fair Value

 

Registrant

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Liabilities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Natural gas swaps

 

Gas hedge contracts

 

$13.5 million

 

Entergy Gulf States Louisiana

Natural gas swaps

 

Gas hedge contracts

 

$19.1 million

 

Entergy Louisiana

Natural gas swaps

 

Other current liabilities

 

$12.8 million

 

Entergy Mississippi

 

            The fair values of the Registrant Subsidiaries' derivative instruments on their balance sheets as of December 31, 2011 are as follows:

 

Instrument

 

Balance Sheet Location

 

Fair Value

 

Registrant

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Liabilities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Natural gas swaps

 

Gas hedge contracts

 

$8.6 million

 

Entergy Gulf States Louisiana

Natural gas swaps

 

Gas hedge contracts

 

$12.4 million

 

Entergy Louisiana

Natural gas swaps

 

Other current liabilities

 

$7.8 million

 

Entergy Mississippi

Natural gas swaps

 

Other current liabilities

 

$1.5 million

 

Entergy New Orleans

 

           


The effects of the Registrant Subsidiaries' derivative instruments not designated as hedging instruments on their income statements for the three months ended March 31, 2012 and 2011 are as follows:

 



Instrument

 



Statement of Income Location

 

Amount of gain (loss) recorded
in income

 



Registrant

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2012

 

 

 

 

 

 

Natural gas swaps

 

Fuel, fuel-related expenses, and gas purchased for resale

 

($15.0) million

 

Entergy Gulf States Louisiana

Natural gas swaps

 

Fuel, fuel-related expenses, and gas purchased for resale

 

($20.7) million

 

Entergy Louisiana

Natural gas swaps

 

Fuel, fuel-related expenses, and gas purchased for resale

 

($13.4) million

 

Entergy Mississippi

Natural gas swaps

 

Fuel, fuel-related expenses, and gas purchased for resale

 

($1.5) million

 

Entergy New Orleans

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2011

 

 

 

 

 

 

Natural gas swaps

 

Fuel, fuel-related expenses, and gas purchased for resale

 

($1.9) million

 

Entergy Gulf States Louisiana

Natural gas swaps

 

Fuel, fuel-related expenses, and gas purchased for resale

 

($1.1) million

 

Entergy Louisiana

Natural gas swaps

 

Fuel, fuel-related expenses, and gas purchased for resale

 

$0.3 million

 

Entergy Mississippi

Natural gas swaps

 

Fuel, fuel-related expenses, and gas purchased for resale

 

($0.8) million

 

Entergy New Orleans

 

Fair Values

 

            The estimated fair values of Entergy's financial instruments and derivatives are determined using bid prices, market quotes, and financial modeling.  Considerable judgment is required in developing the estimates of fair value.  Therefore, estimates are not necessarily indicative of the amounts that Entergy could realize in a current market exchange.  Gains or losses realized on financial instruments other than electricity swap and option contracts held by competitive businesses are reflected in future rates and therefore do not accrue to the benefit or detriment of shareholders.  Entergy considers the carrying amounts of most financial instruments classified as current assets and liabilities to be a reasonable estimate of their fair value because of the short maturity of these instruments.

 

            Accounting standards define fair value as an exit price, or the price that would be received to sell an asset or the amount that would be paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between knowledgeable market participants at the date of measurement.  Entergy and the Registrant Subsidiaries use assumptions or market input data that market participants would use in pricing assets or liabilities at fair value.  The inputs can be readily observable, corroborated by market data, or generally unobservable.  Entergy and the Registrant Subsidiaries endeavor to use the best available information to determine fair value. 

 

            Accounting standards establish a fair value hierarchy that prioritizes the inputs used to measure fair value.  The hierarchy establishes the highest priority for unadjusted market quotes in an active market for the identical asset or liability and the lowest priority for unobservable inputs.  The three levels of the fair value hierarchy are:

 

·         Level 1 - Level 1 inputs are unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities that the entity has the ability to access at the measurement date. Active markets are those in which transactions for the asset or liability occur in sufficient frequency and volume to provide pricing information on an ongoing basis. Level 1 primarily consists of individually owned common stocks, cash equivalents, debt instruments, and gas hedge contracts.

 

·         Level 2 - Level 2 inputs are inputs other than quoted prices included in Level 1 that are, either directly or indirectly, observable for the asset or liability at the measurement date. Assets are valued based on prices derived by independent third parties that use inputs such as benchmark yields, reported trades, broker/dealer quotes, and issuer spreads. Prices are reviewed and can be challenged with the independent parties and/or overridden by Entergy if it is believed such would be more reflective of fair value. Level 2 inputs include the following:

 

-                          quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in active markets;

-                          quoted prices for identical assets or liabilities in inactive markets;

-                          inputs other than quoted prices that are observable for the asset or liability; or

-    inputs that are derived principally from or corroborated by observable market data by correlation or other means.

 

Level 2 consists primarily of individually owned debt instruments or shares in common trusts. Common trust funds are stated at estimated fair value based on the fair market value of the underlying investments.

 

·         Level 3 - Level 3 inputs are pricing inputs that are generally less observable or unobservable from objective sources. These inputs are used with internally developed methodologies to produce management's best estimate of fair value for the asset or liability. Level 3 consists primarily of derivative power contracts used as cash flow hedges of power sales at merchant power plants.

 

The values for power contract assets or liabilities are based on both observable inputs including public market prices and interest rates, and unobservable inputs such as implied volatilities, unit contingent discounts, expected basis differences, and credit adjusted counterparty interest rates. They are classified as Level 3 assets and liabilities. The valuations of these assets and liabilities are performed by the Entergy Wholesale Commodities Risk Control group and sent to the Entergy Wholesale Commodities Back Office and Entergy Nuclear Finance groups for evaluation. The primary functions of the Entergy Wholesale Commodities Risk Control Group include: gathering, validating and reporting market data, providing market and credit risk analyses and valuations in support of Entergy Wholesale Commodities' commercial transactions, developing and administering protocols for the management of market and credit risks, implementing and maintaining controls around changes to market data in the energy trading and risk management system, reviewing creditworthiness of counterparties, supporting contract negotiations with new counterparties, administering credit support for contracts, and managing the daily margining process. The primary functions of the Entergy Wholesale Commodities Back Office are managing the energy trading and risk management system, forecasting revenues, forward positions and analysis, performing contract administration, market and counterparty settlements and revenue reporting and analysis along with maintaining related controls for Entergy Wholesale Commodities. Both Entergy Wholesale Commodities Risk Control and Entergy Wholesale Commodities Back Office report to the Entergy Wholesale Commodities VP, Finance & Risk Group. Entergy Nuclear Finance is primarily responsible for the financial planning of Entergy's regulated and unregulated nuclear businesses and has a significant role in accounting for the activities and transactions of the associated companies. The VP of Finance within Entergy Nuclear Finance reports to the Chief Accounting Officer.

 

The amounts reflected as the fair value of electricity swaps are based on the estimated amount that the contracts are in-the-money at the balance sheet date (treated as an asset) or out-of-the-money at the balance sheet date (treated as a liability) and would equal the estimated amount receivable or payable by Entergy if the contracts were settled at that date. These derivative contracts include cash flow hedges that swap fixed for floating cash flows for sales of the output from Entergy's Entergy Wholesale Commodities business. The fair values are based on the mark-to-market comparison between the fixed contract prices and the floating prices determined each period from quoted forward power market prices. The differences between the fixed price in the swap contract and these market-related prices multiplied by the volume specified in the contract and discounted at the counterparties' credit adjusted risk free rate are recorded as derivative contract assets or liabilities. For contracts that have unit contingent terms, a further discount is applied based on the historical relationship between contract and market prices for similar contract terms.

 

The amounts reflected as the fair value of electricity options are valued based on a Black Scholes model, and are calculated at the end of each month for accounting purposes. Inputs to the valuation include end of day forward market prices for the period when the transactions will settle, implied volatilities based on market volatilities provided by a third party data aggregator, and US Treasury rates for a risk-free return rate. As described further below, prices and implied volatilities are reviewed and can be adjusted if it is determined that there is a better representation of fair value. As of March 31, 2012, Entergy had in-the-money derivative contracts with a fair value of $528 million with counterparties or their guarantor who are all currently investment grade. As of March 31, 2012 there are no out-of-the-money contracts supported by corporate guarantees, which would require additional cash or letters of credit in the event of a decrease in Entergy Corporation's credit rating to below investment grade.

 

On a daily basis, Entergy Wholesale Commodities calculates the mark-to-market for all derivative transactions.  Entergy Wholesale Commodities Risk Control Group also validates forward market prices by comparing them to settlement prices of actual market transactions. Significant differences are analyzed and potentially adjusted based on actual transaction clearing prices, or a methodology that considers natural gas prices and market heat rates. Implied volatilities used to value options are also validated using actual counterparty quotes for Entergy Wholesale Commodities transactions. Moreover, on at least a monthly basis the Office of Corporate Risk Oversight confirms the mark to market calculations and prepares price scenarios and credit downgrade scenario analysis.  The scenario analysis is communicated to senior management within Entergy and within Entergy Wholesale Commodities.  Finally, for all proposed derivative transactions an analysis is completed to assess the risk of adding the proposed derivative to Entergy Wholesale Commodities' portfolio.  In particular, the credit, liquidity and financial metrics impacts are calculated for this analysis.  This analysis is communicated to senior management within Entergy and Entergy Wholesale Commodities.

 

The following tables set forth, by level within the fair value hierarchy, Entergy's assets and liabilities that are accounted for at fair value on a recurring basis as of March 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011.  The assessment of the significance of a particular input to a fair value measurement requires judgment and may affect their placement within the fair value hierarchy levels.  

 

 

2012

 

Level 1

 

Level 2

 

Level 3

 

Total

 

 

(In Millions)

Assets:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Temporary cash investments

 

$622

 

$-

 

$-

 

$622

Decommissioning trust funds (a):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Equity securities

 

428

 

1,942

 

-

 

2,370

Debt securities

 

670

 

999

 

-

 

1,669

Power contracts

 

-

 

-

 

528

 

528

Securitization recovery trust account

 

49

 

-

 

-

 

49

Storm reserve escrow account

 

336

 

-

 

-

 

336

 

 

$2,105

 

$2,941

 

$528

 

$5,574

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Liabilities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Gas hedge contracts

 

$45

 

$-

 

$-

 

$45

 


 

2011

 

Level 1

 

Level 2

 

Level 3

 

Total

 

 

(In Millions)

Assets:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Temporary cash investments

 

$613

 

$-

 

$-

 

$613

Decommissioning trust funds (a):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Equity securities

 

397

 

1,732

 

-

 

2,129

Debt securities

 

639

 

1,020

 

-

 

1,659

Power contracts

 

-

 

-

 

312

 

312

Securitization recovery trust account

 

50

 

-

 

-

 

50

Storm reserve escrow account

 

335

 

-

 

-

 

335

 

 

$2,034

 

$2,752

 

$312

 

$5,098

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Liabilities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Gas hedge contracts

 

$30

 

$-

 

$-

 

$30

 

(a)

The decommissioning trust funds hold equity and fixed income securities. Equity securities are invested to approximate the returns of major market indexes.  Fixed income securities are held in various governmental and corporate securities.  See Note 9 for additional information on the investment portfolios.

 

The following table sets forth a reconciliation of changes in the net assets (liabilities) for the fair value of derivatives classified as Level 3 in the fair value hierarchy for the three months ended March 31, 2012 and 2011:

 

 

 

2012

 

2011

 

 

(In Millions)

 

 

 

 

 

Balance as of January 1,

 

$312 

 

$197 

 

 

 

 

 

Unrealized gains/(losses) from price changes

 

286 

 

(62)

Unrealized gains/(losses) on originations

 

 

(2)

Realized gains on settlements

 

(71)

 

(29)

 

 

 

 

 

Balance as of March 31,

 

$528 

 

$104 

 

The following table sets forth a description of the types of transactions classified as Level 3 in the fair value hierarchy, and the valuation techniques and significant unobservable inputs to each which cause that classification, as of March 31, 2012:

 

 

 

 

Transaction Type

 

 

 

FV as of

March 31, 2012

 

 

 

Significant Unobservable Inputs

 

Range from Average %

 

 

 

Effect on Fair Value

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Electricity swaps

 

$435 million

 

Unit contingent discount

 

+/-3%

 

$20 million

Electricity options

 

$93 million

 

Implied volatility

 

+/-11%

 

$19 million

 


The following table sets forth an analysis of each of the types of unobservable inputs impacting the fair value of items classified as Level 3 within the fair value hierarchy, and the sensitivity to changes to those inputs:

 

Significant Unobservable Input

 

 

 

Transaction Type

 

 

 

Position

 

 

 

Change to Input

 

 

 

Effect on FMV

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Unit contingent discount

 

 

Electricity swaps

 

 

Sell

 

 

Increase (Decrease)

 

 

Decrease (Increase)

Implied volatility

 

Electricity options

 

Sell

 

Increase (Decrease)

 

Increase (Decrease)

Implied volatility

 

Electricity options

 

Buy

 

Increase (Decrease)

 

Increase (Decrease)

 

The following table sets forth, by level within the fair value hierarchy, the Registrant Subsidiaries' assets that are accounted for at fair value on a recurring basis as of March 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011. The assessment of the significance of a particular input to a fair value measurement requires judgment and may affect its placement within the fair value hierarchy levels.

 

Entergy Arkansas

 

2012

 

Level 1

 

Level 2

 

Level 3

 

Total

 

 

(In Millions)

Assets:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Decommissioning trust funds (a):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Equity securities

 

$2.1

 

$365.1

 

$-

 

$367.2

Debt securities

 

90.3

 

127.0

 

-

 

217.3

Securitization recovery trust account

 

7.9

 

-

 

-

 

7.9

 

 

$100.3

 

$492.1

 

$-

 

$592.4

 

2011

 

Level 1

 

Level 2

 

Level 3

 

Total

 

 

(In Millions)

Assets:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Temporary cash investments

 

$17.9

 

$-

 

$-

 

$17.9

Decommissioning trust funds (a):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Equity securities

 

6.3

 

323.1

 

-

 

329.4

Debt securities

 

82.8

 

129.5

 

-

 

212.3

Securitization recovery trust account

 

3.9

 

-

 

-

 

3.9

 

 

$110.9

 

$452.6

 

$-

 

$563.5

 


Entergy Gulf States Louisiana

 

2012

 

Level 1

 

Level 2

 

Level 3

 

Total

 

 

(In Millions)

Assets:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Temporary cash investments

 

$128.9

 

$-

 

$-

 

$128.9

Decommissioning trust funds (a):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Equity securities

 

5.2

 

270.8

 

-

 

276.0

Debt securities

 

39.0

 

140.4

 

-

 

179.4

Storm reserve escrow account

 

90.2

 

-

 

-

 

90.2

 

 

$263.3

 

$411.2

 

$-

 

$674.5

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Liabilities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Gas hedge contracts

 

$13.5

 

$-

 

$-

 

$13.5

 

2011

 

Level 1

 

Level 2

 

Level 3

 

Total

 

 

(In Millions)

Assets:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Temporary cash investments

 

$24.6

 

$-

 

$-

 

$24.6

Decommissioning trust funds (a):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Equity securities

 

5.1

 

233.6

 

-

 

238.7

Debt securities

 

39.5

 

142.7

 

-

 

182.2

Storm reserve escrow account

 

90.2

 

-

 

-

 

90.2

 

 

$159.4

 

$376.3

 

$-

 

$535.7

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Liabilities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Gas hedge contracts

 

$8.6

 

$-

 

$-

 

$8.6

 

Entergy Louisiana

 

2012

 

Level 1

 

Level 2

 

Level 3

 

Total

 

 

(In Millions)

Assets:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Temporary cash investments

 

$23.5

 

$-

 

$-

 

$23.5

Decommissioning trust funds (a):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Equity securities

 

0.8

 

167.0

 

-

 

167.8

Debt securities

 

53.4

 

53.3

 

-

 

106.7

Securitization recovery trust account

 

11.9

 

-

 

-

 

11.9

Storm reserve escrow account

 

200.5

 

-

 

-

 

200.5

 

 

$290.1

 

$220.3

 

$-

 

$510.4

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Liabilities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Gas hedge contracts

 

$19.1

 

$-

 

$-

 

$19.1

 


 

2011

 

Level 1

 

Level 2

 

Level 3

 

Total

 

 

(In Millions)

Assets:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Decommissioning trust funds (a):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Equity securities

 

$2.9

 

$146.3

 

$-

 

$149.2

Debt securities

 

51.6

 

53.2

 

-

 

104.8

Securitization recovery trust account

 

5.2

 

-

 

-

 

5.2

Storm reserve escrow account

 

201.2

 

-

 

-

 

201.2

 

 

$260.9

 

$199.5

 

$-

 

$460.4

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Liabilities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Gas hedge contracts

 

$12.4

 

$-

 

$-

 

$12.4

 

Entergy Mississippi

 

2012

 

Level 1

 

Level 2

 

Level 3

 

Total

 

 

(In Millions)

Assets:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Temporary cash investments

 

$14.0

 

$-

 

$-

 

$14.0

Storm reserve escrow account

 

31.9

 

-

 

-

 

31.9

 

 

$45.9

 

$-

 

$-

 

$45.9

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Liabilities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Gas hedge contracts

 

$12.8

 

$-

 

$-

 

$12.8

 

2011

 

Level 1

 

Level 2

 

Level 3

 

Total

 

 

(In Millions)

Assets:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Storm reserve escrow account

 

$31.8

 

$-

 

$-

 

$31.8

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Liabilities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Gas hedge contracts

 

$7.8

 

$-

 

$-

 

$7.8

 

Entergy New Orleans

 

2012

 

Level 1

 

Level 2

 

Level 3

 

Total

 

 

(In Millions)

Assets:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Storm reserve escrow account

 

$13.4

 

$-

 

$-

 

$13.4

 

2011

 

Level 1

 

Level 2

 

Level 3

 

Total

 

 

(In Millions)

Assets:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Temporary cash investments

 

$9.3

 

$-

 

$-

 

$9.3

Storm reserve escrow account

 

12.0

 

-

 

-

 

12.0

 

 

$21.3

 

$-

 

$-

 

$21.3

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Liabilities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Gas hedge contracts

 

$1.5

 

$-

 

$-

 

$1.5

 

Entergy Texas

 

2012

 

Level 1

 

Level 2

 

Level 3

 

Total

 

 

(In Millions)

Assets:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Temporary cash investments

 

$98.2

 

$-

 

$-

 

$98.2

Securitization recovery trust account

 

29.6

 

-

 

-

 

29.6

 

 

$127.8

 

$-

 

$-

 

$127.8

 

2011

 

Level 1

 

Level 2

 

Level 3

 

Total

 

 

(In Millions)

Assets:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Temporary cash investments

 

$65.1

 

$-

 

$-

 

$65.1

Securitization recovery trust account

 

41.2

 

-

 

-

 

41.2

 

 

$106.3

 

$-

 

$-

 

$106.3

 

System Energy

 

2012

 

Level 1

 

Level 2

 

Level 3

 

Total

 

 

(In Millions)

Assets:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Temporary cash investments

 

$82.6

 

$-

 

$-

 

$82.6

Decommissioning trust funds (a):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Equity securities

 

2.7

 

268.0

 

-

 

270.7

Debt securities

 

125.5

 

63.7

 

-

 

189.2

 

 

$210.8

 

$331.7

 

$-

 

$542.5

 

2011

 

Level 1

 

Level 2

 

Level 3

 

Total

 

 

(In Millions)

Assets:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Temporary cash investments

 

$154.2

 

$-

 

$-

 

$154.2

Decommissioning trust funds (a):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Equity securities

 

2.7

 

234.5

 

-

 

237.2

Debt securities

 

123.2

 

63.0

 

-

 

186.2

 

 

$280.1

 

$297.5

 

$-

 

$577.6

 

(a)

The decommissioning trust funds hold equity and fixed income securities. Equity securities are invested to approximate the returns of major market indices.  Fixed income securities are held in various governmental and corporate securities.  See Note 9 for additional information on the investment portfolios.

 

 

Entergy New Orleans [Member]
 
Risk Management And Fair Values

NOTE 8. RISK MANAGEMENT AND FAIR VALUES (Entergy Corporation, Entergy Arkansas, Entergy Gulf States Louisiana, Entergy Louisiana, Entergy Mississippi, Entergy New Orleans, Entergy Texas, and System Energy)

 

Market and Commodity Risks

 

In the normal course of business, Entergy is exposed to a number of market and commodity risks. Market risk is the potential loss that Entergy may incur as a result of changes in the market or fair value of a particular instrument or commodity. All financial and commodity-related instruments, including derivatives, are subject to market risk. Entergy is subject to a number of commodity and market risks, including:

 

Type of Risk

 

Affected Businesses

 

 

 

Power price risk

 

Utility, Entergy Wholesale Commodities

Fuel price risk

 

Utility, Entergy Wholesale Commodities

Equity price and interest rate risk - investments

 

Utility, Entergy Wholesale Commodities

 

Entergy manages a portion of these risks using derivative instruments, some of which are classified as cash flow hedges due to their financial settlement provisions while others are classified as normal purchase/normal sales transactions due to their physical settlement provisions. Normal purchase/normal sale risk management tools include power purchase and sales agreements, fuel purchase agreements, capacity contracts, and tolling agreements. Financially-settled cash flow hedges can include natural gas and electricity swaps and options, and interest rate swaps. Entergy will occasionally enter into financially settled swap and option contracts to manage market risk under certain hedging transactions which may or may not be designated as hedging instruments. Entergy enters into derivatives only to manage natural risks inherent in its physical or financial assets or liabilities.

 

Entergy manages fuel price volatility for its Louisiana jurisdictions (Entergy Gulf States Louisiana, Entergy Louisiana, and Entergy New Orleans) and Entergy Mississippi primarily through the purchase of short-term natural gas swaps. These swaps are marked-to-market with offsetting regulatory assets or liabilities. The notional volumes of these swaps are based on a portion of projected annual exposure to gas for electric generation and projected winter purchases for gas distribution at Entergy Gulf States Louisiana and Entergy New Orleans.

 

Entergy's exposure to market risk is determined by a number of factors, including the size, term, composition, and diversification of positions held, as well as market volatility and liquidity. For instruments such as options, the time period during which the option may be exercised and the relationship between the current market price of the underlying instrument and the option's contractual strike or exercise price also affects the level of market risk. A significant factor influencing the overall level of market risk to which Entergy is exposed is its use of hedging techniques to mitigate such risk. Entergy manages market risk by actively monitoring compliance with stated risk management policies as well as monitoring the effectiveness of its hedging policies and strategies. Entergy's risk management policies limit the amount of total net exposure and rolling net exposure during the stated periods. These policies, including related risk limits, are regularly assessed to ensure their appropriateness given Entergy's objectives.

 


Derivatives

 

The fair values of Entergy's derivative instruments in the consolidated balance sheet as of March 31, 2012 are as follows:

 

Instrument

 

Balance Sheet Location

 

Fair Value (a)

 

Offset (a)

 

Business

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Derivatives designated as hedging instruments

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Assets:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Electricity swaps and options

 

Prepayments and other (current portion)

 

$332 million

 

($46) million

 

Entergy Wholesale Commodities

Electricity swaps and options

 

Other deferred debits and other assets (non-current portion)

 

$196 million

 

($-)

 

Entergy Wholesale Commodities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Assets:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Electricity swaps and options

 

Prepayments and other (current portion)

 

$65 million

 

($19) million

 

Entergy Wholesale Commodities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Liabilities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Electricity swaps and options

 

Other current liabilities (current portion)

 

$65 million

 

($65) million

 

Entergy Wholesale Commodities

Natural gas swaps

 

Other current liabilities

 

$45 million

 

($-)

 

Utility

           


The fair values of Entergy's derivative instruments in the consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 2011 are as follows:

 

Instrument

 

Balance Sheet Location

 

Fair Value (a)

 

Offset (a)

 

Business

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Derivatives designated as hedging instruments

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Assets:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Electricity swaps and options

 

Prepayments and other (current portion)

 

$197 million

 

($25) million

 

Entergy Wholesale Commodities

Electricity swaps and options

 

Other deferred debits and other assets (non-current portion)

 

$112 million

 

($1) million

 

Entergy Wholesale Commodities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Liabilities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Electricity swaps and options

 

Other non-current liabilities (non-current portion)

 

$1 million

 

($1) million

 

Entergy Wholesale Commodities

 

Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Assets:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Electricity swaps and options

 

Prepayments and other (current portion)

 

$37 million

 

($8) million

 

Entergy Wholesale Commodities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Liabilities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Electricity swaps and options

 

Other current liabilities (current portion)

 

$33 million

 

($33) million

 

Entergy Wholesale Commodities

Natural gas swaps

 

Other current liabilities

 

$30 million

 

($-)

 

Utility

 

(a)

The balances of derivative assets and liabilities in these tables are presented gross.  Certain investments, including those not designated as hedging instruments, are subject to master netting agreements and are presented on the Entergy Consolidated Balance Sheets on a net basis in accordance with accounting guidance for Derivatives and Hedging.

 

The effect of Entergy's derivative instruments designated as cash flow hedges on the consolidated income statements for the three months ended March 31, 2012 and 2011 are as follows:

 




Instrument

 


Amount of gain (loss)
recognized in AOCI
(effective portion)

 




Income Statement location

 

Amount of gain
 reclassified from
accumulated OCI into
income (effective portion)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2012

 

 

 

 

 

 

Electricity swaps and options

 

$291 million

 

Competitive businesses operating revenues

 

$71 million

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2011

 

 

 

 

 

 

Electricity swaps and options

 

($74) million

 

Competitive businesses operating revenues

 

$29 million

 

            Electricity over-the-counter instruments that financially settle against day-ahead power pool prices are used to manage price exposure for Entergy Wholesale Commodities generation.  Based on market prices as of March 31, 2012, cash flow hedges relating to power sales totaled $528 million of net unrealized gains.  Approximately $332 million is expected to be reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (OCI) to operating revenues in the next twelve months.  The actual amount reclassified from accumulated OCI, however, could vary due to future changes in market prices.  Gains totaling approximately $71 million and $29 million were realized on the maturity of cash flow hedges, before taxes of $25 million and $10 million, for the three months ended March 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively.  Unrealized gains or losses recorded in OCI result from hedging power output at the Entergy Wholesale Commodities power plants.  The related gains or losses from hedging power are included in operating revenues when realized.  The maximum length of time over which Entergy is currently hedging the variability in future cash flows with derivatives for forecasted power transactions at March 31, 2012 is approximately 2.75 years.  Planned generation currently sold forward from Entergy Wholesale Commodities nuclear power plants is 89% for the remaining three quarters of 2012, of which approximately 44% is sold under financial derivatives and the remainder under normal purchase/sale contracts.  The change in the value of Entergy's cash flow hedges due to ineffectiveness during the three months ended March 31, 2012 and 2011 was insignificant.  The ineffective portion of cash flow hedges is recorded in competitive business operating revenues.  Certain of the agreements to sell the power produced by Entergy Wholesale Commodities power plants contain provisions that require an Entergy subsidiary to provide collateral to secure its obligations when the current market prices exceed the contracted power prices.  The primary form of collateral to satisfy these requirements is an Entergy Corporation guaranty.  As of March 31, 2012, there were no hedge contracts with counterparties in a liability position.  Entergy may effectively liquidate a cash flow hedge instrument by entering into a contract offsetting the original hedge, and then de-designating the original hedge in this situation.  Gains or losses accumulated in OCI prior to de-designation continue to be deferred in OCI until they are included in income as the original hedged transaction occurs. From the point of de-designation, the gains or losses on the original hedge and the offsetting contract are recorded as assets or liabilities on the balance sheet and offset as they flow through to earnings. 

 

            Natural gas over-the-counter swaps that financially settle against NYMEX futures are used to manage fuel price volatility for the Utility's Louisiana and Mississippi customers.  All benefits or costs of the program are recorded in fuel costs.  The total volume of natural gas swaps outstanding as of March 31, 2012 is 56,330,000 MMBtu for Entergy, 16,610,000 MMBtu for Entergy Gulf States Louisiana, 23,700,000 MMBtu for Entergy Louisiana, and 16,020,000 MMBtu for Entergy Mississippi.  Credit support for these natural gas swaps is covered by master agreements that do not require collateralization based on mark-to-market value, but do carry adequate assurance language that may lead to collateralization requests.

 

           


The effect of Entergy's derivative instruments not designated as hedging instruments on the consolidated income statements for the three months ended March 31, 2012 and 2011 is as follows:

 


Instrument

 

Amount of gain
recognized in AOCI

 

 

Income Statement location

 

Amount of gain (loss)
recorded in income

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2012

 

 

 

 

 

 

Natural gas swaps

 

$-

 

Fuel, fuel-related expenses, and gas purchased for resale

 

($51) million

Electricity swaps and options de-designated as hedged items

 

$3 million

 

Competitive business operating revenues

 

($2) million

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2011

 

 

 

 

 

 

Natural gas swaps

 

$-

 

Fuel, fuel-related expenses, and gas purchased for resale

 

($3) million

Electricity swaps and options de-designated as hedged items

 

$10 million

 

Competitive business operating revenues

 

$2 million

 

Due to regulatory treatment, the natural gas swaps are marked-to-market through fuel, fuel-related expenses, and gas purchased for resale and then such amounts are simultaneously reversed and recorded as an offsetting regulatory asset or liability. The gains or losses recorded as fuel expenses when the swaps are settled are recovered or refunded through fuel cost recovery mechanisms.

 

The fair values of the Registrant Subsidiaries' derivative instruments on their balance sheets as of March 31, 2012 are as follows:

 

Instrument

 

Balance Sheet Location

 

Fair Value

 

Registrant

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Liabilities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Natural gas swaps

 

Gas hedge contracts

 

$13.5 million

 

Entergy Gulf States Louisiana

Natural gas swaps

 

Gas hedge contracts

 

$19.1 million

 

Entergy Louisiana

Natural gas swaps

 

Other current liabilities

 

$12.8 million

 

Entergy Mississippi

 

            The fair values of the Registrant Subsidiaries' derivative instruments on their balance sheets as of December 31, 2011 are as follows:

 

Instrument

 

Balance Sheet Location

 

Fair Value

 

Registrant

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Liabilities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Natural gas swaps

 

Gas hedge contracts

 

$8.6 million

 

Entergy Gulf States Louisiana

Natural gas swaps

 

Gas hedge contracts

 

$12.4 million

 

Entergy Louisiana

Natural gas swaps

 

Other current liabilities

 

$7.8 million

 

Entergy Mississippi

Natural gas swaps

 

Other current liabilities

 

$1.5 million

 

Entergy New Orleans

 

           


The effects of the Registrant Subsidiaries' derivative instruments not designated as hedging instruments on their income statements for the three months ended March 31, 2012 and 2011 are as follows:

 



Instrument

 



Statement of Income Location

 

Amount of gain (loss) recorded
in income

 



Registrant

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2012

 

 

 

 

 

 

Natural gas swaps

 

Fuel, fuel-related expenses, and gas purchased for resale

 

($15.0) million

 

Entergy Gulf States Louisiana

Natural gas swaps

 

Fuel, fuel-related expenses, and gas purchased for resale

 

($20.7) million

 

Entergy Louisiana

Natural gas swaps

 

Fuel, fuel-related expenses, and gas purchased for resale

 

($13.4) million

 

Entergy Mississippi

Natural gas swaps

 

Fuel, fuel-related expenses, and gas purchased for resale

 

($1.5) million

 

Entergy New Orleans

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2011

 

 

 

 

 

 

Natural gas swaps

 

Fuel, fuel-related expenses, and gas purchased for resale

 

($1.9) million

 

Entergy Gulf States Louisiana

Natural gas swaps

 

Fuel, fuel-related expenses, and gas purchased for resale

 

($1.1) million

 

Entergy Louisiana

Natural gas swaps

 

Fuel, fuel-related expenses, and gas purchased for resale

 

$0.3 million

 

Entergy Mississippi

Natural gas swaps

 

Fuel, fuel-related expenses, and gas purchased for resale

 

($0.8) million

 

Entergy New Orleans

 

Fair Values

 

            The estimated fair values of Entergy's financial instruments and derivatives are determined using bid prices, market quotes, and financial modeling.  Considerable judgment is required in developing the estimates of fair value.  Therefore, estimates are not necessarily indicative of the amounts that Entergy could realize in a current market exchange.  Gains or losses realized on financial instruments other than electricity swap and option contracts held by competitive businesses are reflected in future rates and therefore do not accrue to the benefit or detriment of shareholders.  Entergy considers the carrying amounts of most financial instruments classified as current assets and liabilities to be a reasonable estimate of their fair value because of the short maturity of these instruments.

 

            Accounting standards define fair value as an exit price, or the price that would be received to sell an asset or the amount that would be paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between knowledgeable market participants at the date of measurement.  Entergy and the Registrant Subsidiaries use assumptions or market input data that market participants would use in pricing assets or liabilities at fair value.  The inputs can be readily observable, corroborated by market data, or generally unobservable.  Entergy and the Registrant Subsidiaries endeavor to use the best available information to determine fair value. 

 

            Accounting standards establish a fair value hierarchy that prioritizes the inputs used to measure fair value.  The hierarchy establishes the highest priority for unadjusted market quotes in an active market for the identical asset or liability and the lowest priority for unobservable inputs.  The three levels of the fair value hierarchy are:

 

·         Level 1 - Level 1 inputs are unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities that the entity has the ability to access at the measurement date. Active markets are those in which transactions for the asset or liability occur in sufficient frequency and volume to provide pricing information on an ongoing basis. Level 1 primarily consists of individually owned common stocks, cash equivalents, debt instruments, and gas hedge contracts.

 

·         Level 2 - Level 2 inputs are inputs other than quoted prices included in Level 1 that are, either directly or indirectly, observable for the asset or liability at the measurement date. Assets are valued based on prices derived by independent third parties that use inputs such as benchmark yields, reported trades, broker/dealer quotes, and issuer spreads. Prices are reviewed and can be challenged with the independent parties and/or overridden by Entergy if it is believed such would be more reflective of fair value. Level 2 inputs include the following:

 

-                          quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in active markets;

-                          quoted prices for identical assets or liabilities in inactive markets;

-                          inputs other than quoted prices that are observable for the asset or liability; or

-    inputs that are derived principally from or corroborated by observable market data by correlation or other means.

 

Level 2 consists primarily of individually owned debt instruments or shares in common trusts. Common trust funds are stated at estimated fair value based on the fair market value of the underlying investments.

 

·         Level 3 - Level 3 inputs are pricing inputs that are generally less observable or unobservable from objective sources. These inputs are used with internally developed methodologies to produce management's best estimate of fair value for the asset or liability. Level 3 consists primarily of derivative power contracts used as cash flow hedges of power sales at merchant power plants.

 

The values for power contract assets or liabilities are based on both observable inputs including public market prices and interest rates, and unobservable inputs such as implied volatilities, unit contingent discounts, expected basis differences, and credit adjusted counterparty interest rates. They are classified as Level 3 assets and liabilities. The valuations of these assets and liabilities are performed by the Entergy Wholesale Commodities Risk Control group and sent to the Entergy Wholesale Commodities Back Office and Entergy Nuclear Finance groups for evaluation. The primary functions of the Entergy Wholesale Commodities Risk Control Group include: gathering, validating and reporting market data, providing market and credit risk analyses and valuations in support of Entergy Wholesale Commodities' commercial transactions, developing and administering protocols for the management of market and credit risks, implementing and maintaining controls around changes to market data in the energy trading and risk management system, reviewing creditworthiness of counterparties, supporting contract negotiations with new counterparties, administering credit support for contracts, and managing the daily margining process. The primary functions of the Entergy Wholesale Commodities Back Office are managing the energy trading and risk management system, forecasting revenues, forward positions and analysis, performing contract administration, market and counterparty settlements and revenue reporting and analysis along with maintaining related controls for Entergy Wholesale Commodities. Both Entergy Wholesale Commodities Risk Control and Entergy Wholesale Commodities Back Office report to the Entergy Wholesale Commodities VP, Finance & Risk Group. Entergy Nuclear Finance is primarily responsible for the financial planning of Entergy's regulated and unregulated nuclear businesses and has a significant role in accounting for the activities and transactions of the associated companies. The VP of Finance within Entergy Nuclear Finance reports to the Chief Accounting Officer.

 

The amounts reflected as the fair value of electricity swaps are based on the estimated amount that the contracts are in-the-money at the balance sheet date (treated as an asset) or out-of-the-money at the balance sheet date (treated as a liability) and would equal the estimated amount receivable or payable by Entergy if the contracts were settled at that date. These derivative contracts include cash flow hedges that swap fixed for floating cash flows for sales of the output from Entergy's Entergy Wholesale Commodities business. The fair values are based on the mark-to-market comparison between the fixed contract prices and the floating prices determined each period from quoted forward power market prices. The differences between the fixed price in the swap contract and these market-related prices multiplied by the volume specified in the contract and discounted at the counterparties' credit adjusted risk free rate are recorded as derivative contract assets or liabilities. For contracts that have unit contingent terms, a further discount is applied based on the historical relationship between contract and market prices for similar contract terms.

 

The amounts reflected as the fair value of electricity options are valued based on a Black Scholes model, and are calculated at the end of each month for accounting purposes. Inputs to the valuation include end of day forward market prices for the period when the transactions will settle, implied volatilities based on market volatilities provided by a third party data aggregator, and US Treasury rates for a risk-free return rate. As described further below, prices and implied volatilities are reviewed and can be adjusted if it is determined that there is a better representation of fair value. As of March 31, 2012, Entergy had in-the-money derivative contracts with a fair value of $528 million with counterparties or their guarantor who are all currently investment grade. As of March 31, 2012 there are no out-of-the-money contracts supported by corporate guarantees, which would require additional cash or letters of credit in the event of a decrease in Entergy Corporation's credit rating to below investment grade.

 

On a daily basis, Entergy Wholesale Commodities calculates the mark-to-market for all derivative transactions.  Entergy Wholesale Commodities Risk Control Group also validates forward market prices by comparing them to settlement prices of actual market transactions. Significant differences are analyzed and potentially adjusted based on actual transaction clearing prices, or a methodology that considers natural gas prices and market heat rates. Implied volatilities used to value options are also validated using actual counterparty quotes for Entergy Wholesale Commodities transactions. Moreover, on at least a monthly basis the Office of Corporate Risk Oversight confirms the mark to market calculations and prepares price scenarios and credit downgrade scenario analysis.  The scenario analysis is communicated to senior management within Entergy and within Entergy Wholesale Commodities.  Finally, for all proposed derivative transactions an analysis is completed to assess the risk of adding the proposed derivative to Entergy Wholesale Commodities' portfolio.  In particular, the credit, liquidity and financial metrics impacts are calculated for this analysis.  This analysis is communicated to senior management within Entergy and Entergy Wholesale Commodities.

 

The following tables set forth, by level within the fair value hierarchy, Entergy's assets and liabilities that are accounted for at fair value on a recurring basis as of March 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011.  The assessment of the significance of a particular input to a fair value measurement requires judgment and may affect their placement within the fair value hierarchy levels.  

 

 

2012

 

Level 1

 

Level 2

 

Level 3

 

Total

 

 

(In Millions)

Assets:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Temporary cash investments

 

$622

 

$-

 

$-

 

$622

Decommissioning trust funds (a):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Equity securities

 

428

 

1,942

 

-

 

2,370

Debt securities

 

670

 

999

 

-

 

1,669

Power contracts

 

-

 

-

 

528

 

528

Securitization recovery trust account

 

49

 

-

 

-

 

49

Storm reserve escrow account

 

336

 

-

 

-

 

336

 

 

$2,105

 

$2,941

 

$528

 

$5,574

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Liabilities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Gas hedge contracts

 

$45

 

$-

 

$-

 

$45

 


 

2011

 

Level 1

 

Level 2

 

Level 3

 

Total

 

 

(In Millions)

Assets:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Temporary cash investments

 

$613

 

$-

 

$-

 

$613

Decommissioning trust funds (a):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Equity securities

 

397

 

1,732

 

-

 

2,129

Debt securities

 

639

 

1,020

 

-

 

1,659

Power contracts

 

-

 

-

 

312

 

312

Securitization recovery trust account

 

50

 

-

 

-

 

50

Storm reserve escrow account

 

335

 

-

 

-

 

335

 

 

$2,034

 

$2,752

 

$312

 

$5,098

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Liabilities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Gas hedge contracts

 

$30

 

$-

 

$-

 

$30

 

(a)

The decommissioning trust funds hold equity and fixed income securities. Equity securities are invested to approximate the returns of major market indexes.  Fixed income securities are held in various governmental and corporate securities.  See Note 9 for additional information on the investment portfolios.

 

The following table sets forth a reconciliation of changes in the net assets (liabilities) for the fair value of derivatives classified as Level 3 in the fair value hierarchy for the three months ended March 31, 2012 and 2011:

 

 

 

2012

 

2011

 

 

(In Millions)

 

 

 

 

 

Balance as of January 1,

 

$312 

 

$197 

 

 

 

 

 

Unrealized gains/(losses) from price changes

 

286 

 

(62)

Unrealized gains/(losses) on originations

 

 

(2)

Realized gains on settlements

 

(71)

 

(29)

 

 

 

 

 

Balance as of March 31,

 

$528 

 

$104 

 

The following table sets forth a description of the types of transactions classified as Level 3 in the fair value hierarchy, and the valuation techniques and significant unobservable inputs to each which cause that classification, as of March 31, 2012:

 

 

 

 

Transaction Type

 

 

 

FV as of

March 31, 2012

 

 

 

Significant Unobservable Inputs

 

Range from Average %

 

 

 

Effect on Fair Value

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Electricity swaps

 

$435 million

 

Unit contingent discount

 

+/-3%

 

$20 million

Electricity options

 

$93 million

 

Implied volatility

 

+/-11%

 

$19 million

 


The following table sets forth an analysis of each of the types of unobservable inputs impacting the fair value of items classified as Level 3 within the fair value hierarchy, and the sensitivity to changes to those inputs:

 

Significant Unobservable Input

 

 

 

Transaction Type

 

 

 

Position

 

 

 

Change to Input

 

 

 

Effect on FMV

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Unit contingent discount

 

 

Electricity swaps

 

 

Sell

 

 

Increase (Decrease)

 

 

Decrease (Increase)

Implied volatility

 

Electricity options

 

Sell

 

Increase (Decrease)

 

Increase (Decrease)

Implied volatility

 

Electricity options

 

Buy

 

Increase (Decrease)

 

Increase (Decrease)

 

The following table sets forth, by level within the fair value hierarchy, the Registrant Subsidiaries' assets that are accounted for at fair value on a recurring basis as of March 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011. The assessment of the significance of a particular input to a fair value measurement requires judgment and may affect its placement within the fair value hierarchy levels.

 

Entergy Arkansas

 

2012

 

Level 1

 

Level 2

 

Level 3

 

Total

 

 

(In Millions)

Assets:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Decommissioning trust funds (a):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Equity securities

 

$2.1

 

$365.1

 

$-

 

$367.2

Debt securities

 

90.3

 

127.0

 

-

 

217.3

Securitization recovery trust account

 

7.9

 

-

 

-

 

7.9

 

 

$100.3

 

$492.1

 

$-

 

$592.4

 

2011

 

Level 1

 

Level 2

 

Level 3

 

Total

 

 

(In Millions)

Assets:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Temporary cash investments

 

$17.9

 

$-

 

$-

 

$17.9

Decommissioning trust funds (a):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Equity securities

 

6.3

 

323.1

 

-

 

329.4

Debt securities

 

82.8

 

129.5

 

-

 

212.3

Securitization recovery trust account

 

3.9

 

-

 

-

 

3.9

 

 

$110.9

 

$452.6

 

$-

 

$563.5

 


Entergy Gulf States Louisiana

 

2012

 

Level 1

 

Level 2

 

Level 3

 

Total

 

 

(In Millions)

Assets:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Temporary cash investments

 

$128.9

 

$-

 

$-

 

$128.9

Decommissioning trust funds (a):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Equity securities

 

5.2

 

270.8

 

-

 

276.0

Debt securities

 

39.0

 

140.4

 

-

 

179.4

Storm reserve escrow account

 

90.2

 

-

 

-

 

90.2

 

 

$263.3

 

$411.2

 

$-

 

$674.5

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Liabilities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Gas hedge contracts

 

$13.5

 

$-

 

$-

 

$13.5

 

2011

 

Level 1

 

Level 2

 

Level 3

 

Total

 

 

(In Millions)

Assets:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Temporary cash investments

 

$24.6

 

$-

 

$-

 

$24.6

Decommissioning trust funds (a):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Equity securities

 

5.1

 

233.6

 

-

 

238.7

Debt securities

 

39.5

 

142.7

 

-

 

182.2

Storm reserve escrow account

 

90.2

 

-

 

-

 

90.2

 

 

$159.4

 

$376.3

 

$-

 

$535.7

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Liabilities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Gas hedge contracts

 

$8.6

 

$-

 

$-

 

$8.6

 

Entergy Louisiana

 

2012

 

Level 1

 

Level 2

 

Level 3

 

Total

 

 

(In Millions)

Assets:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Temporary cash investments

 

$23.5

 

$-

 

$-

 

$23.5

Decommissioning trust funds (a):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Equity securities

 

0.8

 

167.0

 

-

 

167.8

Debt securities

 

53.4

 

53.3

 

-

 

106.7

Securitization recovery trust account

 

11.9

 

-

 

-

 

11.9

Storm reserve escrow account

 

200.5

 

-

 

-

 

200.5

 

 

$290.1

 

$220.3

 

$-

 

$510.4

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Liabilities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Gas hedge contracts

 

$19.1

 

$-

 

$-

 

$19.1

 


 

2011

 

Level 1

 

Level 2

 

Level 3

 

Total

 

 

(In Millions)

Assets:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Decommissioning trust funds (a):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Equity securities

 

$2.9

 

$146.3

 

$-

 

$149.2

Debt securities

 

51.6

 

53.2

 

-

 

104.8

Securitization recovery trust account

 

5.2

 

-

 

-

 

5.2

Storm reserve escrow account

 

201.2

 

-

 

-

 

201.2

 

 

$260.9

 

$199.5

 

$-

 

$460.4

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Liabilities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Gas hedge contracts

 

$12.4

 

$-

 

$-

 

$12.4

 

Entergy Mississippi

 

2012

 

Level 1

 

Level 2

 

Level 3

 

Total

 

 

(In Millions)

Assets:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Temporary cash investments

 

$14.0

 

$-

 

$-

 

$14.0

Storm reserve escrow account

 

31.9

 

-

 

-

 

31.9

 

 

$45.9

 

$-

 

$-

 

$45.9

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Liabilities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Gas hedge contracts

 

$12.8

 

$-

 

$-

 

$12.8

 

2011

 

Level 1

 

Level 2

 

Level 3

 

Total

 

 

(In Millions)

Assets:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Storm reserve escrow account

 

$31.8

 

$-

 

$-

 

$31.8

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Liabilities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Gas hedge contracts

 

$7.8

 

$-

 

$-

 

$7.8

 

Entergy New Orleans

 

2012

 

Level 1

 

Level 2

 

Level 3

 

Total

 

 

(In Millions)

Assets:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Storm reserve escrow account

 

$13.4

 

$-

 

$-

 

$13.4

 

2011

 

Level 1

 

Level 2

 

Level 3

 

Total

 

 

(In Millions)

Assets:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Temporary cash investments

 

$9.3

 

$-

 

$-

 

$9.3

Storm reserve escrow account

 

12.0

 

-

 

-

 

12.0

 

 

$21.3

 

$-

 

$-

 

$21.3

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Liabilities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Gas hedge contracts

 

$1.5

 

$-

 

$-

 

$1.5

 

Entergy Texas

 

2012

 

Level 1

 

Level 2

 

Level 3

 

Total

 

 

(In Millions)

Assets:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Temporary cash investments

 

$98.2

 

$-

 

$-

 

$98.2

Securitization recovery trust account

 

29.6

 

-

 

-

 

29.6

 

 

$127.8

 

$-

 

$-

 

$127.8

 

2011

 

Level 1

 

Level 2

 

Level 3

 

Total

 

 

(In Millions)

Assets:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Temporary cash investments

 

$65.1

 

$-

 

$-

 

$65.1

Securitization recovery trust account

 

41.2

 

-

 

-

 

41.2

 

 

$106.3

 

$-

 

$-

 

$106.3

 

System Energy

 

2012

 

Level 1

 

Level 2

 

Level 3

 

Total

 

 

(In Millions)

Assets:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Temporary cash investments

 

$82.6

 

$-

 

$-

 

$82.6

Decommissioning trust funds (a):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Equity securities

 

2.7

 

268.0

 

-

 

270.7

Debt securities

 

125.5

 

63.7

 

-

 

189.2

 

 

$210.8

 

$331.7

 

$-

 

$542.5

 

2011

 

Level 1

 

Level 2

 

Level 3

 

Total

 

 

(In Millions)

Assets:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Temporary cash investments

 

$154.2

 

$-

 

$-

 

$154.2

Decommissioning trust funds (a):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Equity securities

 

2.7

 

234.5

 

-

 

237.2

Debt securities

 

123.2

 

63.0

 

-

 

186.2

 

 

$280.1

 

$297.5

 

$-

 

$577.6

 

(a)

The decommissioning trust funds hold equity and fixed income securities. Equity securities are invested to approximate the returns of major market indices.  Fixed income securities are held in various governmental and corporate securities.  See Note 9 for additional information on the investment portfolios.

 

 

Entergy Texas [Member]
 
Risk Management And Fair Values

NOTE 8. RISK MANAGEMENT AND FAIR VALUES (Entergy Corporation, Entergy Arkansas, Entergy Gulf States Louisiana, Entergy Louisiana, Entergy Mississippi, Entergy New Orleans, Entergy Texas, and System Energy)

 

Market and Commodity Risks

 

In the normal course of business, Entergy is exposed to a number of market and commodity risks. Market risk is the potential loss that Entergy may incur as a result of changes in the market or fair value of a particular instrument or commodity. All financial and commodity-related instruments, including derivatives, are subject to market risk. Entergy is subject to a number of commodity and market risks, including:

 

Type of Risk

 

Affected Businesses

 

 

 

Power price risk

 

Utility, Entergy Wholesale Commodities

Fuel price risk

 

Utility, Entergy Wholesale Commodities

Equity price and interest rate risk - investments

 

Utility, Entergy Wholesale Commodities

 

Entergy manages a portion of these risks using derivative instruments, some of which are classified as cash flow hedges due to their financial settlement provisions while others are classified as normal purchase/normal sales transactions due to their physical settlement provisions. Normal purchase/normal sale risk management tools include power purchase and sales agreements, fuel purchase agreements, capacity contracts, and tolling agreements. Financially-settled cash flow hedges can include natural gas and electricity swaps and options, and interest rate swaps. Entergy will occasionally enter into financially settled swap and option contracts to manage market risk under certain hedging transactions which may or may not be designated as hedging instruments. Entergy enters into derivatives only to manage natural risks inherent in its physical or financial assets or liabilities.

 

Entergy manages fuel price volatility for its Louisiana jurisdictions (Entergy Gulf States Louisiana, Entergy Louisiana, and Entergy New Orleans) and Entergy Mississippi primarily through the purchase of short-term natural gas swaps. These swaps are marked-to-market with offsetting regulatory assets or liabilities. The notional volumes of these swaps are based on a portion of projected annual exposure to gas for electric generation and projected winter purchases for gas distribution at Entergy Gulf States Louisiana and Entergy New Orleans.

 

Entergy's exposure to market risk is determined by a number of factors, including the size, term, composition, and diversification of positions held, as well as market volatility and liquidity. For instruments such as options, the time period during which the option may be exercised and the relationship between the current market price of the underlying instrument and the option's contractual strike or exercise price also affects the level of market risk. A significant factor influencing the overall level of market risk to which Entergy is exposed is its use of hedging techniques to mitigate such risk. Entergy manages market risk by actively monitoring compliance with stated risk management policies as well as monitoring the effectiveness of its hedging policies and strategies. Entergy's risk management policies limit the amount of total net exposure and rolling net exposure during the stated periods. These policies, including related risk limits, are regularly assessed to ensure their appropriateness given Entergy's objectives.

 


Derivatives

 

The fair values of Entergy's derivative instruments in the consolidated balance sheet as of March 31, 2012 are as follows:

 

Instrument

 

Balance Sheet Location

 

Fair Value (a)

 

Offset (a)

 

Business

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Derivatives designated as hedging instruments

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Assets:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Electricity swaps and options

 

Prepayments and other (current portion)

 

$332 million

 

($46) million

 

Entergy Wholesale Commodities

Electricity swaps and options

 

Other deferred debits and other assets (non-current portion)

 

$196 million

 

($-)

 

Entergy Wholesale Commodities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Assets:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Electricity swaps and options

 

Prepayments and other (current portion)

 

$65 million

 

($19) million

 

Entergy Wholesale Commodities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Liabilities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Electricity swaps and options

 

Other current liabilities (current portion)

 

$65 million

 

($65) million

 

Entergy Wholesale Commodities

Natural gas swaps

 

Other current liabilities

 

$45 million

 

($-)

 

Utility

           


The fair values of Entergy's derivative instruments in the consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 2011 are as follows:

 

Instrument

 

Balance Sheet Location

 

Fair Value (a)

 

Offset (a)

 

Business

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Derivatives designated as hedging instruments

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Assets:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Electricity swaps and options

 

Prepayments and other (current portion)

 

$197 million

 

($25) million

 

Entergy Wholesale Commodities

Electricity swaps and options

 

Other deferred debits and other assets (non-current portion)

 

$112 million

 

($1) million

 

Entergy Wholesale Commodities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Liabilities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Electricity swaps and options

 

Other non-current liabilities (non-current portion)

 

$1 million

 

($1) million

 

Entergy Wholesale Commodities

 

Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Assets:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Electricity swaps and options

 

Prepayments and other (current portion)

 

$37 million

 

($8) million

 

Entergy Wholesale Commodities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Liabilities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Electricity swaps and options

 

Other current liabilities (current portion)

 

$33 million

 

($33) million

 

Entergy Wholesale Commodities

Natural gas swaps

 

Other current liabilities

 

$30 million

 

($-)

 

Utility

 

(a)

The balances of derivative assets and liabilities in these tables are presented gross.  Certain investments, including those not designated as hedging instruments, are subject to master netting agreements and are presented on the Entergy Consolidated Balance Sheets on a net basis in accordance with accounting guidance for Derivatives and Hedging.

 

The effect of Entergy's derivative instruments designated as cash flow hedges on the consolidated income statements for the three months ended March 31, 2012 and 2011 are as follows:

 




Instrument

 


Amount of gain (loss)
recognized in AOCI
(effective portion)

 




Income Statement location

 

Amount of gain
 reclassified from
accumulated OCI into
income (effective portion)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2012

 

 

 

 

 

 

Electricity swaps and options

 

$291 million

 

Competitive businesses operating revenues

 

$71 million

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2011

 

 

 

 

 

 

Electricity swaps and options

 

($74) million

 

Competitive businesses operating revenues

 

$29 million

 

            Electricity over-the-counter instruments that financially settle against day-ahead power pool prices are used to manage price exposure for Entergy Wholesale Commodities generation.  Based on market prices as of March 31, 2012, cash flow hedges relating to power sales totaled $528 million of net unrealized gains.  Approximately $332 million is expected to be reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (OCI) to operating revenues in the next twelve months.  The actual amount reclassified from accumulated OCI, however, could vary due to future changes in market prices.  Gains totaling approximately $71 million and $29 million were realized on the maturity of cash flow hedges, before taxes of $25 million and $10 million, for the three months ended March 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively.  Unrealized gains or losses recorded in OCI result from hedging power output at the Entergy Wholesale Commodities power plants.  The related gains or losses from hedging power are included in operating revenues when realized.  The maximum length of time over which Entergy is currently hedging the variability in future cash flows with derivatives for forecasted power transactions at March 31, 2012 is approximately 2.75 years.  Planned generation currently sold forward from Entergy Wholesale Commodities nuclear power plants is 89% for the remaining three quarters of 2012, of which approximately 44% is sold under financial derivatives and the remainder under normal purchase/sale contracts.  The change in the value of Entergy's cash flow hedges due to ineffectiveness during the three months ended March 31, 2012 and 2011 was insignificant.  The ineffective portion of cash flow hedges is recorded in competitive business operating revenues.  Certain of the agreements to sell the power produced by Entergy Wholesale Commodities power plants contain provisions that require an Entergy subsidiary to provide collateral to secure its obligations when the current market prices exceed the contracted power prices.  The primary form of collateral to satisfy these requirements is an Entergy Corporation guaranty.  As of March 31, 2012, there were no hedge contracts with counterparties in a liability position.  Entergy may effectively liquidate a cash flow hedge instrument by entering into a contract offsetting the original hedge, and then de-designating the original hedge in this situation.  Gains or losses accumulated in OCI prior to de-designation continue to be deferred in OCI until they are included in income as the original hedged transaction occurs. From the point of de-designation, the gains or losses on the original hedge and the offsetting contract are recorded as assets or liabilities on the balance sheet and offset as they flow through to earnings. 

 

            Natural gas over-the-counter swaps that financially settle against NYMEX futures are used to manage fuel price volatility for the Utility's Louisiana and Mississippi customers.  All benefits or costs of the program are recorded in fuel costs.  The total volume of natural gas swaps outstanding as of March 31, 2012 is 56,330,000 MMBtu for Entergy, 16,610,000 MMBtu for Entergy Gulf States Louisiana, 23,700,000 MMBtu for Entergy Louisiana, and 16,020,000 MMBtu for Entergy Mississippi.  Credit support for these natural gas swaps is covered by master agreements that do not require collateralization based on mark-to-market value, but do carry adequate assurance language that may lead to collateralization requests.

 

           


The effect of Entergy's derivative instruments not designated as hedging instruments on the consolidated income statements for the three months ended March 31, 2012 and 2011 is as follows:

 


Instrument

 

Amount of gain
recognized in AOCI

 

 

Income Statement location

 

Amount of gain (loss)
recorded in income

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2012

 

 

 

 

 

 

Natural gas swaps

 

$-

 

Fuel, fuel-related expenses, and gas purchased for resale

 

($51) million

Electricity swaps and options de-designated as hedged items

 

$3 million

 

Competitive business operating revenues

 

($2) million

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2011

 

 

 

 

 

 

Natural gas swaps

 

$-

 

Fuel, fuel-related expenses, and gas purchased for resale

 

($3) million

Electricity swaps and options de-designated as hedged items

 

$10 million

 

Competitive business operating revenues

 

$2 million

 

Due to regulatory treatment, the natural gas swaps are marked-to-market through fuel, fuel-related expenses, and gas purchased for resale and then such amounts are simultaneously reversed and recorded as an offsetting regulatory asset or liability. The gains or losses recorded as fuel expenses when the swaps are settled are recovered or refunded through fuel cost recovery mechanisms.

 

The fair values of the Registrant Subsidiaries' derivative instruments on their balance sheets as of March 31, 2012 are as follows:

 

Instrument

 

Balance Sheet Location

 

Fair Value

 

Registrant

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Liabilities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Natural gas swaps

 

Gas hedge contracts

 

$13.5 million

 

Entergy Gulf States Louisiana

Natural gas swaps

 

Gas hedge contracts

 

$19.1 million

 

Entergy Louisiana

Natural gas swaps

 

Other current liabilities

 

$12.8 million

 

Entergy Mississippi

 

            The fair values of the Registrant Subsidiaries' derivative instruments on their balance sheets as of December 31, 2011 are as follows:

 

Instrument

 

Balance Sheet Location

 

Fair Value

 

Registrant

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Liabilities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Natural gas swaps

 

Gas hedge contracts

 

$8.6 million

 

Entergy Gulf States Louisiana

Natural gas swaps

 

Gas hedge contracts

 

$12.4 million

 

Entergy Louisiana

Natural gas swaps

 

Other current liabilities

 

$7.8 million

 

Entergy Mississippi

Natural gas swaps

 

Other current liabilities

 

$1.5 million

 

Entergy New Orleans

 

           


The effects of the Registrant Subsidiaries' derivative instruments not designated as hedging instruments on their income statements for the three months ended March 31, 2012 and 2011 are as follows:

 



Instrument

 



Statement of Income Location

 

Amount of gain (loss) recorded
in income

 



Registrant

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2012

 

 

 

 

 

 

Natural gas swaps

 

Fuel, fuel-related expenses, and gas purchased for resale

 

($15.0) million

 

Entergy Gulf States Louisiana

Natural gas swaps

 

Fuel, fuel-related expenses, and gas purchased for resale

 

($20.7) million

 

Entergy Louisiana

Natural gas swaps

 

Fuel, fuel-related expenses, and gas purchased for resale

 

($13.4) million

 

Entergy Mississippi

Natural gas swaps

 

Fuel, fuel-related expenses, and gas purchased for resale

 

($1.5) million

 

Entergy New Orleans

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2011

 

 

 

 

 

 

Natural gas swaps

 

Fuel, fuel-related expenses, and gas purchased for resale

 

($1.9) million

 

Entergy Gulf States Louisiana

Natural gas swaps

 

Fuel, fuel-related expenses, and gas purchased for resale

 

($1.1) million

 

Entergy Louisiana

Natural gas swaps

 

Fuel, fuel-related expenses, and gas purchased for resale

 

$0.3 million

 

Entergy Mississippi

Natural gas swaps

 

Fuel, fuel-related expenses, and gas purchased for resale

 

($0.8) million

 

Entergy New Orleans

 

Fair Values

 

            The estimated fair values of Entergy's financial instruments and derivatives are determined using bid prices, market quotes, and financial modeling.  Considerable judgment is required in developing the estimates of fair value.  Therefore, estimates are not necessarily indicative of the amounts that Entergy could realize in a current market exchange.  Gains or losses realized on financial instruments other than electricity swap and option contracts held by competitive businesses are reflected in future rates and therefore do not accrue to the benefit or detriment of shareholders.  Entergy considers the carrying amounts of most financial instruments classified as current assets and liabilities to be a reasonable estimate of their fair value because of the short maturity of these instruments.

 

            Accounting standards define fair value as an exit price, or the price that would be received to sell an asset or the amount that would be paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between knowledgeable market participants at the date of measurement.  Entergy and the Registrant Subsidiaries use assumptions or market input data that market participants would use in pricing assets or liabilities at fair value.  The inputs can be readily observable, corroborated by market data, or generally unobservable.  Entergy and the Registrant Subsidiaries endeavor to use the best available information to determine fair value. 

 

            Accounting standards establish a fair value hierarchy that prioritizes the inputs used to measure fair value.  The hierarchy establishes the highest priority for unadjusted market quotes in an active market for the identical asset or liability and the lowest priority for unobservable inputs.  The three levels of the fair value hierarchy are:

 

·         Level 1 - Level 1 inputs are unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities that the entity has the ability to access at the measurement date. Active markets are those in which transactions for the asset or liability occur in sufficient frequency and volume to provide pricing information on an ongoing basis. Level 1 primarily consists of individually owned common stocks, cash equivalents, debt instruments, and gas hedge contracts.

 

·         Level 2 - Level 2 inputs are inputs other than quoted prices included in Level 1 that are, either directly or indirectly, observable for the asset or liability at the measurement date. Assets are valued based on prices derived by independent third parties that use inputs such as benchmark yields, reported trades, broker/dealer quotes, and issuer spreads. Prices are reviewed and can be challenged with the independent parties and/or overridden by Entergy if it is believed such would be more reflective of fair value. Level 2 inputs include the following:

 

-                          quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in active markets;

-                          quoted prices for identical assets or liabilities in inactive markets;

-                          inputs other than quoted prices that are observable for the asset or liability; or

-    inputs that are derived principally from or corroborated by observable market data by correlation or other means.

 

Level 2 consists primarily of individually owned debt instruments or shares in common trusts. Common trust funds are stated at estimated fair value based on the fair market value of the underlying investments.

 

·         Level 3 - Level 3 inputs are pricing inputs that are generally less observable or unobservable from objective sources. These inputs are used with internally developed methodologies to produce management's best estimate of fair value for the asset or liability. Level 3 consists primarily of derivative power contracts used as cash flow hedges of power sales at merchant power plants.

 

The values for power contract assets or liabilities are based on both observable inputs including public market prices and interest rates, and unobservable inputs such as implied volatilities, unit contingent discounts, expected basis differences, and credit adjusted counterparty interest rates. They are classified as Level 3 assets and liabilities. The valuations of these assets and liabilities are performed by the Entergy Wholesale Commodities Risk Control group and sent to the Entergy Wholesale Commodities Back Office and Entergy Nuclear Finance groups for evaluation. The primary functions of the Entergy Wholesale Commodities Risk Control Group include: gathering, validating and reporting market data, providing market and credit risk analyses and valuations in support of Entergy Wholesale Commodities' commercial transactions, developing and administering protocols for the management of market and credit risks, implementing and maintaining controls around changes to market data in the energy trading and risk management system, reviewing creditworthiness of counterparties, supporting contract negotiations with new counterparties, administering credit support for contracts, and managing the daily margining process. The primary functions of the Entergy Wholesale Commodities Back Office are managing the energy trading and risk management system, forecasting revenues, forward positions and analysis, performing contract administration, market and counterparty settlements and revenue reporting and analysis along with maintaining related controls for Entergy Wholesale Commodities. Both Entergy Wholesale Commodities Risk Control and Entergy Wholesale Commodities Back Office report to the Entergy Wholesale Commodities VP, Finance & Risk Group. Entergy Nuclear Finance is primarily responsible for the financial planning of Entergy's regulated and unregulated nuclear businesses and has a significant role in accounting for the activities and transactions of the associated companies. The VP of Finance within Entergy Nuclear Finance reports to the Chief Accounting Officer.

 

The amounts reflected as the fair value of electricity swaps are based on the estimated amount that the contracts are in-the-money at the balance sheet date (treated as an asset) or out-of-the-money at the balance sheet date (treated as a liability) and would equal the estimated amount receivable or payable by Entergy if the contracts were settled at that date. These derivative contracts include cash flow hedges that swap fixed for floating cash flows for sales of the output from Entergy's Entergy Wholesale Commodities business. The fair values are based on the mark-to-market comparison between the fixed contract prices and the floating prices determined each period from quoted forward power market prices. The differences between the fixed price in the swap contract and these market-related prices multiplied by the volume specified in the contract and discounted at the counterparties' credit adjusted risk free rate are recorded as derivative contract assets or liabilities. For contracts that have unit contingent terms, a further discount is applied based on the historical relationship between contract and market prices for similar contract terms.

 

The amounts reflected as the fair value of electricity options are valued based on a Black Scholes model, and are calculated at the end of each month for accounting purposes. Inputs to the valuation include end of day forward market prices for the period when the transactions will settle, implied volatilities based on market volatilities provided by a third party data aggregator, and US Treasury rates for a risk-free return rate. As described further below, prices and implied volatilities are reviewed and can be adjusted if it is determined that there is a better representation of fair value. As of March 31, 2012, Entergy had in-the-money derivative contracts with a fair value of $528 million with counterparties or their guarantor who are all currently investment grade. As of March 31, 2012 there are no out-of-the-money contracts supported by corporate guarantees, which would require additional cash or letters of credit in the event of a decrease in Entergy Corporation's credit rating to below investment grade.

 

On a daily basis, Entergy Wholesale Commodities calculates the mark-to-market for all derivative transactions.  Entergy Wholesale Commodities Risk Control Group also validates forward market prices by comparing them to settlement prices of actual market transactions. Significant differences are analyzed and potentially adjusted based on actual transaction clearing prices, or a methodology that considers natural gas prices and market heat rates. Implied volatilities used to value options are also validated using actual counterparty quotes for Entergy Wholesale Commodities transactions. Moreover, on at least a monthly basis the Office of Corporate Risk Oversight confirms the mark to market calculations and prepares price scenarios and credit downgrade scenario analysis.  The scenario analysis is communicated to senior management within Entergy and within Entergy Wholesale Commodities.  Finally, for all proposed derivative transactions an analysis is completed to assess the risk of adding the proposed derivative to Entergy Wholesale Commodities' portfolio.  In particular, the credit, liquidity and financial metrics impacts are calculated for this analysis.  This analysis is communicated to senior management within Entergy and Entergy Wholesale Commodities.

 

The following tables set forth, by level within the fair value hierarchy, Entergy's assets and liabilities that are accounted for at fair value on a recurring basis as of March 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011.  The assessment of the significance of a particular input to a fair value measurement requires judgment and may affect their placement within the fair value hierarchy levels.  

 

 

2012

 

Level 1

 

Level 2

 

Level 3

 

Total

 

 

(In Millions)

Assets:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Temporary cash investments

 

$622

 

$-

 

$-

 

$622

Decommissioning trust funds (a):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Equity securities

 

428

 

1,942

 

-

 

2,370

Debt securities

 

670

 

999

 

-

 

1,669

Power contracts

 

-

 

-

 

528

 

528

Securitization recovery trust account

 

49

 

-

 

-

 

49

Storm reserve escrow account

 

336

 

-

 

-

 

336

 

 

$2,105

 

$2,941

 

$528

 

$5,574

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Liabilities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Gas hedge contracts

 

$45

 

$-

 

$-

 

$45

 


 

2011

 

Level 1

 

Level 2

 

Level 3

 

Total

 

 

(In Millions)

Assets:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Temporary cash investments

 

$613

 

$-

 

$-

 

$613

Decommissioning trust funds (a):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Equity securities

 

397

 

1,732

 

-

 

2,129

Debt securities

 

639

 

1,020

 

-

 

1,659

Power contracts

 

-

 

-

 

312

 

312

Securitization recovery trust account

 

50

 

-

 

-

 

50

Storm reserve escrow account

 

335

 

-

 

-

 

335

 

 

$2,034

 

$2,752

 

$312

 

$5,098

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Liabilities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Gas hedge contracts

 

$30

 

$-

 

$-

 

$30

 

(a)

The decommissioning trust funds hold equity and fixed income securities. Equity securities are invested to approximate the returns of major market indexes.  Fixed income securities are held in various governmental and corporate securities.  See Note 9 for additional information on the investment portfolios.

 

The following table sets forth a reconciliation of changes in the net assets (liabilities) for the fair value of derivatives classified as Level 3 in the fair value hierarchy for the three months ended March 31, 2012 and 2011:

 

 

 

2012

 

2011

 

 

(In Millions)

 

 

 

 

 

Balance as of January 1,

 

$312 

 

$197 

 

 

 

 

 

Unrealized gains/(losses) from price changes

 

286 

 

(62)

Unrealized gains/(losses) on originations

 

 

(2)

Realized gains on settlements

 

(71)

 

(29)

 

 

 

 

 

Balance as of March 31,

 

$528 

 

$104 

 

The following table sets forth a description of the types of transactions classified as Level 3 in the fair value hierarchy, and the valuation techniques and significant unobservable inputs to each which cause that classification, as of March 31, 2012:

 

 

 

 

Transaction Type

 

 

 

FV as of

March 31, 2012

 

 

 

Significant Unobservable Inputs

 

Range from Average %

 

 

 

Effect on Fair Value

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Electricity swaps

 

$435 million

 

Unit contingent discount

 

+/-3%

 

$20 million

Electricity options

 

$93 million

 

Implied volatility

 

+/-11%

 

$19 million

 


The following table sets forth an analysis of each of the types of unobservable inputs impacting the fair value of items classified as Level 3 within the fair value hierarchy, and the sensitivity to changes to those inputs:

 

Significant Unobservable Input

 

 

 

Transaction Type

 

 

 

Position

 

 

 

Change to Input

 

 

 

Effect on FMV

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Unit contingent discount

 

 

Electricity swaps

 

 

Sell

 

 

Increase (Decrease)

 

 

Decrease (Increase)

Implied volatility

 

Electricity options

 

Sell

 

Increase (Decrease)

 

Increase (Decrease)

Implied volatility

 

Electricity options

 

Buy

 

Increase (Decrease)

 

Increase (Decrease)

 

The following table sets forth, by level within the fair value hierarchy, the Registrant Subsidiaries' assets that are accounted for at fair value on a recurring basis as of March 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011. The assessment of the significance of a particular input to a fair value measurement requires judgment and may affect its placement within the fair value hierarchy levels.

 

Entergy Arkansas

 

2012

 

Level 1

 

Level 2

 

Level 3

 

Total

 

 

(In Millions)

Assets:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Decommissioning trust funds (a):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Equity securities

 

$2.1

 

$365.1

 

$-

 

$367.2

Debt securities

 

90.3

 

127.0

 

-

 

217.3

Securitization recovery trust account

 

7.9

 

-

 

-

 

7.9

 

 

$100.3

 

$492.1

 

$-

 

$592.4

 

2011

 

Level 1

 

Level 2

 

Level 3

 

Total

 

 

(In Millions)

Assets:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Temporary cash investments

 

$17.9

 

$-

 

$-

 

$17.9

Decommissioning trust funds (a):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Equity securities

 

6.3

 

323.1

 

-

 

329.4

Debt securities

 

82.8

 

129.5

 

-

 

212.3

Securitization recovery trust account

 

3.9

 

-

 

-

 

3.9

 

 

$110.9

 

$452.6

 

$-

 

$563.5

 


Entergy Gulf States Louisiana

 

2012

 

Level 1

 

Level 2

 

Level 3

 

Total

 

 

(In Millions)

Assets:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Temporary cash investments

 

$128.9

 

$-

 

$-

 

$128.9

Decommissioning trust funds (a):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Equity securities

 

5.2

 

270.8

 

-

 

276.0

Debt securities

 

39.0

 

140.4

 

-

 

179.4

Storm reserve escrow account

 

90.2

 

-

 

-

 

90.2

 

 

$263.3

 

$411.2

 

$-

 

$674.5

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Liabilities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Gas hedge contracts

 

$13.5

 

$-

 

$-

 

$13.5

 

2011

 

Level 1

 

Level 2

 

Level 3

 

Total

 

 

(In Millions)

Assets:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Temporary cash investments

 

$24.6

 

$-

 

$-

 

$24.6

Decommissioning trust funds (a):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Equity securities

 

5.1

 

233.6

 

-

 

238.7

Debt securities

 

39.5

 

142.7

 

-

 

182.2

Storm reserve escrow account

 

90.2

 

-

 

-

 

90.2

 

 

$159.4

 

$376.3

 

$-

 

$535.7

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Liabilities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Gas hedge contracts

 

$8.6

 

$-

 

$-

 

$8.6

 

Entergy Louisiana

 

2012

 

Level 1

 

Level 2

 

Level 3

 

Total

 

 

(In Millions)

Assets:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Temporary cash investments

 

$23.5

 

$-

 

$-

 

$23.5

Decommissioning trust funds (a):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Equity securities

 

0.8

 

167.0

 

-

 

167.8

Debt securities

 

53.4

 

53.3

 

-

 

106.7

Securitization recovery trust account

 

11.9

 

-

 

-

 

11.9

Storm reserve escrow account

 

200.5

 

-

 

-

 

200.5

 

 

$290.1

 

$220.3

 

$-

 

$510.4

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Liabilities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Gas hedge contracts

 

$19.1

 

$-

 

$-

 

$19.1

 


 

2011

 

Level 1

 

Level 2

 

Level 3

 

Total

 

 

(In Millions)

Assets:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Decommissioning trust funds (a):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Equity securities

 

$2.9

 

$146.3

 

$-

 

$149.2

Debt securities

 

51.6

 

53.2

 

-

 

104.8

Securitization recovery trust account

 

5.2

 

-

 

-

 

5.2

Storm reserve escrow account

 

201.2

 

-

 

-

 

201.2

 

 

$260.9

 

$199.5

 

$-

 

$460.4

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Liabilities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Gas hedge contracts

 

$12.4

 

$-

 

$-

 

$12.4

 

Entergy Mississippi

 

2012

 

Level 1

 

Level 2

 

Level 3

 

Total

 

 

(In Millions)

Assets:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Temporary cash investments

 

$14.0

 

$-

 

$-

 

$14.0

Storm reserve escrow account

 

31.9

 

-

 

-

 

31.9

 

 

$45.9

 

$-

 

$-

 

$45.9

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Liabilities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Gas hedge contracts

 

$12.8

 

$-

 

$-

 

$12.8

 

2011

 

Level 1

 

Level 2

 

Level 3

 

Total

 

 

(In Millions)

Assets:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Storm reserve escrow account

 

$31.8

 

$-

 

$-

 

$31.8

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Liabilities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Gas hedge contracts

 

$7.8

 

$-

 

$-

 

$7.8

 

Entergy New Orleans

 

2012

 

Level 1

 

Level 2

 

Level 3

 

Total

 

 

(In Millions)

Assets:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Storm reserve escrow account

 

$13.4

 

$-

 

$-

 

$13.4

 

2011

 

Level 1

 

Level 2

 

Level 3

 

Total

 

 

(In Millions)

Assets:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Temporary cash investments

 

$9.3

 

$-

 

$-

 

$9.3

Storm reserve escrow account

 

12.0

 

-

 

-

 

12.0

 

 

$21.3

 

$-

 

$-

 

$21.3

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Liabilities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Gas hedge contracts

 

$1.5

 

$-

 

$-

 

$1.5

 

Entergy Texas

 

2012

 

Level 1

 

Level 2

 

Level 3

 

Total

 

 

(In Millions)

Assets:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Temporary cash investments

 

$98.2

 

$-

 

$-

 

$98.2

Securitization recovery trust account

 

29.6

 

-

 

-

 

29.6

 

 

$127.8

 

$-

 

$-

 

$127.8

 

2011

 

Level 1

 

Level 2

 

Level 3

 

Total

 

 

(In Millions)

Assets:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Temporary cash investments

 

$65.1

 

$-

 

$-

 

$65.1

Securitization recovery trust account

 

41.2

 

-

 

-

 

41.2

 

 

$106.3

 

$-

 

$-

 

$106.3

 

System Energy

 

2012

 

Level 1

 

Level 2

 

Level 3

 

Total

 

 

(In Millions)

Assets:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Temporary cash investments

 

$82.6

 

$-

 

$-

 

$82.6

Decommissioning trust funds (a):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Equity securities

 

2.7

 

268.0

 

-

 

270.7

Debt securities

 

125.5

 

63.7

 

-

 

189.2

 

 

$210.8

 

$331.7

 

$-

 

$542.5

 

2011

 

Level 1

 

Level 2

 

Level 3

 

Total

 

 

(In Millions)

Assets:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Temporary cash investments

 

$154.2

 

$-

 

$-

 

$154.2

Decommissioning trust funds (a):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Equity securities

 

2.7

 

234.5

 

-

 

237.2

Debt securities

 

123.2

 

63.0

 

-

 

186.2

 

 

$280.1

 

$297.5

 

$-

 

$577.6

 

(a)

The decommissioning trust funds hold equity and fixed income securities. Equity securities are invested to approximate the returns of major market indices.  Fixed income securities are held in various governmental and corporate securities.  See Note 9 for additional information on the investment portfolios.

 

 

System Energy [Member]
 
Risk Management And Fair Values

NOTE 8. RISK MANAGEMENT AND FAIR VALUES (Entergy Corporation, Entergy Arkansas, Entergy Gulf States Louisiana, Entergy Louisiana, Entergy Mississippi, Entergy New Orleans, Entergy Texas, and System Energy)

 

Market and Commodity Risks

 

In the normal course of business, Entergy is exposed to a number of market and commodity risks. Market risk is the potential loss that Entergy may incur as a result of changes in the market or fair value of a particular instrument or commodity. All financial and commodity-related instruments, including derivatives, are subject to market risk. Entergy is subject to a number of commodity and market risks, including:

 

Type of Risk

 

Affected Businesses

 

 

 

Power price risk

 

Utility, Entergy Wholesale Commodities

Fuel price risk

 

Utility, Entergy Wholesale Commodities

Equity price and interest rate risk - investments

 

Utility, Entergy Wholesale Commodities

 

Entergy manages a portion of these risks using derivative instruments, some of which are classified as cash flow hedges due to their financial settlement provisions while others are classified as normal purchase/normal sales transactions due to their physical settlement provisions. Normal purchase/normal sale risk management tools include power purchase and sales agreements, fuel purchase agreements, capacity contracts, and tolling agreements. Financially-settled cash flow hedges can include natural gas and electricity swaps and options, and interest rate swaps. Entergy will occasionally enter into financially settled swap and option contracts to manage market risk under certain hedging transactions which may or may not be designated as hedging instruments. Entergy enters into derivatives only to manage natural risks inherent in its physical or financial assets or liabilities.

 

Entergy manages fuel price volatility for its Louisiana jurisdictions (Entergy Gulf States Louisiana, Entergy Louisiana, and Entergy New Orleans) and Entergy Mississippi primarily through the purchase of short-term natural gas swaps. These swaps are marked-to-market with offsetting regulatory assets or liabilities. The notional volumes of these swaps are based on a portion of projected annual exposure to gas for electric generation and projected winter purchases for gas distribution at Entergy Gulf States Louisiana and Entergy New Orleans.

 

Entergy's exposure to market risk is determined by a number of factors, including the size, term, composition, and diversification of positions held, as well as market volatility and liquidity. For instruments such as options, the time period during which the option may be exercised and the relationship between the current market price of the underlying instrument and the option's contractual strike or exercise price also affects the level of market risk. A significant factor influencing the overall level of market risk to which Entergy is exposed is its use of hedging techniques to mitigate such risk. Entergy manages market risk by actively monitoring compliance with stated risk management policies as well as monitoring the effectiveness of its hedging policies and strategies. Entergy's risk management policies limit the amount of total net exposure and rolling net exposure during the stated periods. These policies, including related risk limits, are regularly assessed to ensure their appropriateness given Entergy's objectives.

 


Derivatives

 

The fair values of Entergy's derivative instruments in the consolidated balance sheet as of March 31, 2012 are as follows:

 

Instrument

 

Balance Sheet Location

 

Fair Value (a)

 

Offset (a)

 

Business

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Derivatives designated as hedging instruments

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Assets:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Electricity swaps and options

 

Prepayments and other (current portion)

 

$332 million

 

($46) million

 

Entergy Wholesale Commodities

Electricity swaps and options

 

Other deferred debits and other assets (non-current portion)

 

$196 million

 

($-)

 

Entergy Wholesale Commodities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Assets:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Electricity swaps and options

 

Prepayments and other (current portion)

 

$65 million

 

($19) million

 

Entergy Wholesale Commodities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Liabilities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Electricity swaps and options

 

Other current liabilities (current portion)

 

$65 million

 

($65) million

 

Entergy Wholesale Commodities

Natural gas swaps

 

Other current liabilities

 

$45 million

 

($-)

 

Utility

           


The fair values of Entergy's derivative instruments in the consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 2011 are as follows:

 

Instrument

 

Balance Sheet Location

 

Fair Value (a)

 

Offset (a)

 

Business

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Derivatives designated as hedging instruments

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Assets:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Electricity swaps and options

 

Prepayments and other (current portion)

 

$197 million

 

($25) million

 

Entergy Wholesale Commodities

Electricity swaps and options

 

Other deferred debits and other assets (non-current portion)

 

$112 million

 

($1) million

 

Entergy Wholesale Commodities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Liabilities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Electricity swaps and options

 

Other non-current liabilities (non-current portion)

 

$1 million

 

($1) million

 

Entergy Wholesale Commodities

 

Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Assets:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Electricity swaps and options

 

Prepayments and other (current portion)

 

$37 million

 

($8) million

 

Entergy Wholesale Commodities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Liabilities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Electricity swaps and options

 

Other current liabilities (current portion)

 

$33 million

 

($33) million

 

Entergy Wholesale Commodities

Natural gas swaps

 

Other current liabilities

 

$30 million

 

($-)

 

Utility

 

(a)

The balances of derivative assets and liabilities in these tables are presented gross.  Certain investments, including those not designated as hedging instruments, are subject to master netting agreements and are presented on the Entergy Consolidated Balance Sheets on a net basis in accordance with accounting guidance for Derivatives and Hedging.

 

The effect of Entergy's derivative instruments designated as cash flow hedges on the consolidated income statements for the three months ended March 31, 2012 and 2011 are as follows:

 




Instrument

 


Amount of gain (loss)
recognized in AOCI
(effective portion)

 




Income Statement location

 

Amount of gain
 reclassified from
accumulated OCI into
income (effective portion)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2012

 

 

 

 

 

 

Electricity swaps and options

 

$291 million

 

Competitive businesses operating revenues

 

$71 million

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2011

 

 

 

 

 

 

Electricity swaps and options

 

($74) million

 

Competitive businesses operating revenues

 

$29 million

 

            Electricity over-the-counter instruments that financially settle against day-ahead power pool prices are used to manage price exposure for Entergy Wholesale Commodities generation.  Based on market prices as of March 31, 2012, cash flow hedges relating to power sales totaled $528 million of net unrealized gains.  Approximately $332 million is expected to be reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (OCI) to operating revenues in the next twelve months.  The actual amount reclassified from accumulated OCI, however, could vary due to future changes in market prices.  Gains totaling approximately $71 million and $29 million were realized on the maturity of cash flow hedges, before taxes of $25 million and $10 million, for the three months ended March 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively.  Unrealized gains or losses recorded in OCI result from hedging power output at the Entergy Wholesale Commodities power plants.  The related gains or losses from hedging power are included in operating revenues when realized.  The maximum length of time over which Entergy is currently hedging the variability in future cash flows with derivatives for forecasted power transactions at March 31, 2012 is approximately 2.75 years.  Planned generation currently sold forward from Entergy Wholesale Commodities nuclear power plants is 89% for the remaining three quarters of 2012, of which approximately 44% is sold under financial derivatives and the remainder under normal purchase/sale contracts.  The change in the value of Entergy's cash flow hedges due to ineffectiveness during the three months ended March 31, 2012 and 2011 was insignificant.  The ineffective portion of cash flow hedges is recorded in competitive business operating revenues.  Certain of the agreements to sell the power produced by Entergy Wholesale Commodities power plants contain provisions that require an Entergy subsidiary to provide collateral to secure its obligations when the current market prices exceed the contracted power prices.  The primary form of collateral to satisfy these requirements is an Entergy Corporation guaranty.  As of March 31, 2012, there were no hedge contracts with counterparties in a liability position.  Entergy may effectively liquidate a cash flow hedge instrument by entering into a contract offsetting the original hedge, and then de-designating the original hedge in this situation.  Gains or losses accumulated in OCI prior to de-designation continue to be deferred in OCI until they are included in income as the original hedged transaction occurs. From the point of de-designation, the gains or losses on the original hedge and the offsetting contract are recorded as assets or liabilities on the balance sheet and offset as they flow through to earnings. 

 

            Natural gas over-the-counter swaps that financially settle against NYMEX futures are used to manage fuel price volatility for the Utility's Louisiana and Mississippi customers.  All benefits or costs of the program are recorded in fuel costs.  The total volume of natural gas swaps outstanding as of March 31, 2012 is 56,330,000 MMBtu for Entergy, 16,610,000 MMBtu for Entergy Gulf States Louisiana, 23,700,000 MMBtu for Entergy Louisiana, and 16,020,000 MMBtu for Entergy Mississippi.  Credit support for these natural gas swaps is covered by master agreements that do not require collateralization based on mark-to-market value, but do carry adequate assurance language that may lead to collateralization requests.

 

           


The effect of Entergy's derivative instruments not designated as hedging instruments on the consolidated income statements for the three months ended March 31, 2012 and 2011 is as follows:

 


Instrument

 

Amount of gain
recognized in AOCI

 

 

Income Statement location

 

Amount of gain (loss)
recorded in income

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2012

 

 

 

 

 

 

Natural gas swaps

 

$-

 

Fuel, fuel-related expenses, and gas purchased for resale

 

($51) million

Electricity swaps and options de-designated as hedged items

 

$3 million

 

Competitive business operating revenues

 

($2) million

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2011

 

 

 

 

 

 

Natural gas swaps

 

$-

 

Fuel, fuel-related expenses, and gas purchased for resale

 

($3) million

Electricity swaps and options de-designated as hedged items

 

$10 million

 

Competitive business operating revenues

 

$2 million

 

Due to regulatory treatment, the natural gas swaps are marked-to-market through fuel, fuel-related expenses, and gas purchased for resale and then such amounts are simultaneously reversed and recorded as an offsetting regulatory asset or liability. The gains or losses recorded as fuel expenses when the swaps are settled are recovered or refunded through fuel cost recovery mechanisms.

 

The fair values of the Registrant Subsidiaries' derivative instruments on their balance sheets as of March 31, 2012 are as follows:

 

Instrument

 

Balance Sheet Location

 

Fair Value

 

Registrant

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Liabilities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Natural gas swaps

 

Gas hedge contracts

 

$13.5 million

 

Entergy Gulf States Louisiana

Natural gas swaps

 

Gas hedge contracts

 

$19.1 million

 

Entergy Louisiana

Natural gas swaps

 

Other current liabilities

 

$12.8 million

 

Entergy Mississippi

 

            The fair values of the Registrant Subsidiaries' derivative instruments on their balance sheets as of December 31, 2011 are as follows:

 

Instrument

 

Balance Sheet Location

 

Fair Value

 

Registrant

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Liabilities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Natural gas swaps

 

Gas hedge contracts

 

$8.6 million

 

Entergy Gulf States Louisiana

Natural gas swaps

 

Gas hedge contracts

 

$12.4 million

 

Entergy Louisiana

Natural gas swaps

 

Other current liabilities

 

$7.8 million

 

Entergy Mississippi

Natural gas swaps

 

Other current liabilities

 

$1.5 million

 

Entergy New Orleans

 

           


The effects of the Registrant Subsidiaries' derivative instruments not designated as hedging instruments on their income statements for the three months ended March 31, 2012 and 2011 are as follows:

 



Instrument

 



Statement of Income Location

 

Amount of gain (loss) recorded
in income

 



Registrant

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2012

 

 

 

 

 

 

Natural gas swaps

 

Fuel, fuel-related expenses, and gas purchased for resale

 

($15.0) million

 

Entergy Gulf States Louisiana

Natural gas swaps

 

Fuel, fuel-related expenses, and gas purchased for resale

 

($20.7) million

 

Entergy Louisiana

Natural gas swaps

 

Fuel, fuel-related expenses, and gas purchased for resale

 

($13.4) million

 

Entergy Mississippi

Natural gas swaps

 

Fuel, fuel-related expenses, and gas purchased for resale

 

($1.5) million

 

Entergy New Orleans

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2011

 

 

 

 

 

 

Natural gas swaps

 

Fuel, fuel-related expenses, and gas purchased for resale

 

($1.9) million

 

Entergy Gulf States Louisiana

Natural gas swaps

 

Fuel, fuel-related expenses, and gas purchased for resale

 

($1.1) million

 

Entergy Louisiana

Natural gas swaps

 

Fuel, fuel-related expenses, and gas purchased for resale

 

$0.3 million

 

Entergy Mississippi

Natural gas swaps

 

Fuel, fuel-related expenses, and gas purchased for resale

 

($0.8) million

 

Entergy New Orleans

 

Fair Values

 

            The estimated fair values of Entergy's financial instruments and derivatives are determined using bid prices, market quotes, and financial modeling.  Considerable judgment is required in developing the estimates of fair value.  Therefore, estimates are not necessarily indicative of the amounts that Entergy could realize in a current market exchange.  Gains or losses realized on financial instruments other than electricity swap and option contracts held by competitive businesses are reflected in future rates and therefore do not accrue to the benefit or detriment of shareholders.  Entergy considers the carrying amounts of most financial instruments classified as current assets and liabilities to be a reasonable estimate of their fair value because of the short maturity of these instruments.

 

            Accounting standards define fair value as an exit price, or the price that would be received to sell an asset or the amount that would be paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between knowledgeable market participants at the date of measurement.  Entergy and the Registrant Subsidiaries use assumptions or market input data that market participants would use in pricing assets or liabilities at fair value.  The inputs can be readily observable, corroborated by market data, or generally unobservable.  Entergy and the Registrant Subsidiaries endeavor to use the best available information to determine fair value. 

 

            Accounting standards establish a fair value hierarchy that prioritizes the inputs used to measure fair value.  The hierarchy establishes the highest priority for unadjusted market quotes in an active market for the identical asset or liability and the lowest priority for unobservable inputs.  The three levels of the fair value hierarchy are:

 

·         Level 1 - Level 1 inputs are unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities that the entity has the ability to access at the measurement date. Active markets are those in which transactions for the asset or liability occur in sufficient frequency and volume to provide pricing information on an ongoing basis. Level 1 primarily consists of individually owned common stocks, cash equivalents, debt instruments, and gas hedge contracts.

 

·         Level 2 - Level 2 inputs are inputs other than quoted prices included in Level 1 that are, either directly or indirectly, observable for the asset or liability at the measurement date. Assets are valued based on prices derived by independent third parties that use inputs such as benchmark yields, reported trades, broker/dealer quotes, and issuer spreads. Prices are reviewed and can be challenged with the independent parties and/or overridden by Entergy if it is believed such would be more reflective of fair value. Level 2 inputs include the following:

 

-                          quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in active markets;

-                          quoted prices for identical assets or liabilities in inactive markets;

-                          inputs other than quoted prices that are observable for the asset or liability; or

-    inputs that are derived principally from or corroborated by observable market data by correlation or other means.

 

Level 2 consists primarily of individually owned debt instruments or shares in common trusts. Common trust funds are stated at estimated fair value based on the fair market value of the underlying investments.

 

·         Level 3 - Level 3 inputs are pricing inputs that are generally less observable or unobservable from objective sources. These inputs are used with internally developed methodologies to produce management's best estimate of fair value for the asset or liability. Level 3 consists primarily of derivative power contracts used as cash flow hedges of power sales at merchant power plants.

 

The values for power contract assets or liabilities are based on both observable inputs including public market prices and interest rates, and unobservable inputs such as implied volatilities, unit contingent discounts, expected basis differences, and credit adjusted counterparty interest rates. They are classified as Level 3 assets and liabilities. The valuations of these assets and liabilities are performed by the Entergy Wholesale Commodities Risk Control group and sent to the Entergy Wholesale Commodities Back Office and Entergy Nuclear Finance groups for evaluation. The primary functions of the Entergy Wholesale Commodities Risk Control Group include: gathering, validating and reporting market data, providing market and credit risk analyses and valuations in support of Entergy Wholesale Commodities' commercial transactions, developing and administering protocols for the management of market and credit risks, implementing and maintaining controls around changes to market data in the energy trading and risk management system, reviewing creditworthiness of counterparties, supporting contract negotiations with new counterparties, administering credit support for contracts, and managing the daily margining process. The primary functions of the Entergy Wholesale Commodities Back Office are managing the energy trading and risk management system, forecasting revenues, forward positions and analysis, performing contract administration, market and counterparty settlements and revenue reporting and analysis along with maintaining related controls for Entergy Wholesale Commodities. Both Entergy Wholesale Commodities Risk Control and Entergy Wholesale Commodities Back Office report to the Entergy Wholesale Commodities VP, Finance & Risk Group. Entergy Nuclear Finance is primarily responsible for the financial planning of Entergy's regulated and unregulated nuclear businesses and has a significant role in accounting for the activities and transactions of the associated companies. The VP of Finance within Entergy Nuclear Finance reports to the Chief Accounting Officer.

 

The amounts reflected as the fair value of electricity swaps are based on the estimated amount that the contracts are in-the-money at the balance sheet date (treated as an asset) or out-of-the-money at the balance sheet date (treated as a liability) and would equal the estimated amount receivable or payable by Entergy if the contracts were settled at that date. These derivative contracts include cash flow hedges that swap fixed for floating cash flows for sales of the output from Entergy's Entergy Wholesale Commodities business. The fair values are based on the mark-to-market comparison between the fixed contract prices and the floating prices determined each period from quoted forward power market prices. The differences between the fixed price in the swap contract and these market-related prices multiplied by the volume specified in the contract and discounted at the counterparties' credit adjusted risk free rate are recorded as derivative contract assets or liabilities. For contracts that have unit contingent terms, a further discount is applied based on the historical relationship between contract and market prices for similar contract terms.

 

The amounts reflected as the fair value of electricity options are valued based on a Black Scholes model, and are calculated at the end of each month for accounting purposes. Inputs to the valuation include end of day forward market prices for the period when the transactions will settle, implied volatilities based on market volatilities provided by a third party data aggregator, and US Treasury rates for a risk-free return rate. As described further below, prices and implied volatilities are reviewed and can be adjusted if it is determined that there is a better representation of fair value. As of March 31, 2012, Entergy had in-the-money derivative contracts with a fair value of $528 million with counterparties or their guarantor who are all currently investment grade. As of March 31, 2012 there are no out-of-the-money contracts supported by corporate guarantees, which would require additional cash or letters of credit in the event of a decrease in Entergy Corporation's credit rating to below investment grade.

 

On a daily basis, Entergy Wholesale Commodities calculates the mark-to-market for all derivative transactions.  Entergy Wholesale Commodities Risk Control Group also validates forward market prices by comparing them to settlement prices of actual market transactions. Significant differences are analyzed and potentially adjusted based on actual transaction clearing prices, or a methodology that considers natural gas prices and market heat rates. Implied volatilities used to value options are also validated using actual counterparty quotes for Entergy Wholesale Commodities transactions. Moreover, on at least a monthly basis the Office of Corporate Risk Oversight confirms the mark to market calculations and prepares price scenarios and credit downgrade scenario analysis.  The scenario analysis is communicated to senior management within Entergy and within Entergy Wholesale Commodities.  Finally, for all proposed derivative transactions an analysis is completed to assess the risk of adding the proposed derivative to Entergy Wholesale Commodities' portfolio.  In particular, the credit, liquidity and financial metrics impacts are calculated for this analysis.  This analysis is communicated to senior management within Entergy and Entergy Wholesale Commodities.

 

The following tables set forth, by level within the fair value hierarchy, Entergy's assets and liabilities that are accounted for at fair value on a recurring basis as of March 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011.  The assessment of the significance of a particular input to a fair value measurement requires judgment and may affect their placement within the fair value hierarchy levels.  

 

 

2012

 

Level 1

 

Level 2

 

Level 3

 

Total

 

 

(In Millions)

Assets:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Temporary cash investments

 

$622

 

$-

 

$-

 

$622

Decommissioning trust funds (a):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Equity securities

 

428

 

1,942

 

-

 

2,370

Debt securities

 

670

 

999

 

-

 

1,669

Power contracts

 

-

 

-

 

528

 

528

Securitization recovery trust account

 

49

 

-

 

-

 

49

Storm reserve escrow account

 

336

 

-

 

-

 

336

 

 

$2,105

 

$2,941

 

$528

 

$5,574

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Liabilities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Gas hedge contracts

 

$45

 

$-

 

$-

 

$45

 


 

2011

 

Level 1

 

Level 2

 

Level 3

 

Total

 

 

(In Millions)

Assets:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Temporary cash investments

 

$613

 

$-

 

$-

 

$613

Decommissioning trust funds (a):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Equity securities

 

397

 

1,732

 

-

 

2,129

Debt securities

 

639

 

1,020

 

-

 

1,659

Power contracts

 

-

 

-

 

312

 

312

Securitization recovery trust account

 

50

 

-

 

-

 

50

Storm reserve escrow account

 

335

 

-

 

-

 

335

 

 

$2,034

 

$2,752

 

$312

 

$5,098

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Liabilities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Gas hedge contracts

 

$30

 

$-

 

$-

 

$30

 

(a)

The decommissioning trust funds hold equity and fixed income securities. Equity securities are invested to approximate the returns of major market indexes.  Fixed income securities are held in various governmental and corporate securities.  See Note 9 for additional information on the investment portfolios.

 

The following table sets forth a reconciliation of changes in the net assets (liabilities) for the fair value of derivatives classified as Level 3 in the fair value hierarchy for the three months ended March 31, 2012 and 2011:

 

 

 

2012

 

2011

 

 

(In Millions)

 

 

 

 

 

Balance as of January 1,

 

$312 

 

$197 

 

 

 

 

 

Unrealized gains/(losses) from price changes

 

286 

 

(62)

Unrealized gains/(losses) on originations

 

 

(2)

Realized gains on settlements

 

(71)

 

(29)

 

 

 

 

 

Balance as of March 31,

 

$528 

 

$104 

 

The following table sets forth a description of the types of transactions classified as Level 3 in the fair value hierarchy, and the valuation techniques and significant unobservable inputs to each which cause that classification, as of March 31, 2012:

 

 

 

 

Transaction Type

 

 

 

FV as of

March 31, 2012

 

 

 

Significant Unobservable Inputs

 

Range from Average %

 

 

 

Effect on Fair Value

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Electricity swaps

 

$435 million

 

Unit contingent discount

 

+/-3%

 

$20 million

Electricity options

 

$93 million

 

Implied volatility

 

+/-11%

 

$19 million

 


The following table sets forth an analysis of each of the types of unobservable inputs impacting the fair value of items classified as Level 3 within the fair value hierarchy, and the sensitivity to changes to those inputs:

 

Significant Unobservable Input

 

 

 

Transaction Type

 

 

 

Position

 

 

 

Change to Input

 

 

 

Effect on FMV

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Unit contingent discount

 

 

Electricity swaps

 

 

Sell

 

 

Increase (Decrease)

 

 

Decrease (Increase)

Implied volatility

 

Electricity options

 

Sell

 

Increase (Decrease)

 

Increase (Decrease)

Implied volatility

 

Electricity options

 

Buy

 

Increase (Decrease)

 

Increase (Decrease)

 

The following table sets forth, by level within the fair value hierarchy, the Registrant Subsidiaries' assets that are accounted for at fair value on a recurring basis as of March 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011. The assessment of the significance of a particular input to a fair value measurement requires judgment and may affect its placement within the fair value hierarchy levels.

 

Entergy Arkansas

 

2012

 

Level 1

 

Level 2

 

Level 3

 

Total

 

 

(In Millions)

Assets:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Decommissioning trust funds (a):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Equity securities

 

$2.1

 

$365.1

 

$-

 

$367.2

Debt securities

 

90.3

 

127.0

 

-

 

217.3

Securitization recovery trust account

 

7.9

 

-

 

-

 

7.9

 

 

$100.3

 

$492.1

 

$-

 

$592.4

 

2011

 

Level 1

 

Level 2

 

Level 3

 

Total

 

 

(In Millions)

Assets:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Temporary cash investments

 

$17.9

 

$-

 

$-

 

$17.9

Decommissioning trust funds (a):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Equity securities

 

6.3

 

323.1

 

-

 

329.4

Debt securities

 

82.8

 

129.5

 

-

 

212.3

Securitization recovery trust account

 

3.9

 

-

 

-

 

3.9

 

 

$110.9

 

$452.6

 

$-

 

$563.5

 


Entergy Gulf States Louisiana

 

2012

 

Level 1

 

Level 2

 

Level 3

 

Total

 

 

(In Millions)

Assets:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Temporary cash investments

 

$128.9

 

$-

 

$-

 

$128.9

Decommissioning trust funds (a):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Equity securities

 

5.2

 

270.8

 

-

 

276.0

Debt securities

 

39.0

 

140.4

 

-

 

179.4

Storm reserve escrow account

 

90.2

 

-

 

-

 

90.2

 

 

$263.3

 

$411.2

 

$-

 

$674.5

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Liabilities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Gas hedge contracts

 

$13.5

 

$-

 

$-

 

$13.5

 

2011

 

Level 1

 

Level 2

 

Level 3

 

Total

 

 

(In Millions)

Assets:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Temporary cash investments

 

$24.6

 

$-

 

$-

 

$24.6

Decommissioning trust funds (a):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Equity securities

 

5.1

 

233.6

 

-

 

238.7

Debt securities

 

39.5

 

142.7

 

-

 

182.2

Storm reserve escrow account

 

90.2

 

-

 

-

 

90.2

 

 

$159.4

 

$376.3

 

$-

 

$535.7

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Liabilities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Gas hedge contracts

 

$8.6

 

$-

 

$-

 

$8.6

 

Entergy Louisiana

 

2012

 

Level 1

 

Level 2

 

Level 3

 

Total

 

 

(In Millions)

Assets:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Temporary cash investments

 

$23.5

 

$-

 

$-

 

$23.5

Decommissioning trust funds (a):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Equity securities

 

0.8

 

167.0

 

-

 

167.8

Debt securities

 

53.4

 

53.3

 

-

 

106.7

Securitization recovery trust account

 

11.9

 

-

 

-

 

11.9

Storm reserve escrow account

 

200.5

 

-

 

-

 

200.5

 

 

$290.1

 

$220.3

 

$-

 

$510.4

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Liabilities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Gas hedge contracts

 

$19.1

 

$-

 

$-

 

$19.1

 


 

2011

 

Level 1

 

Level 2

 

Level 3

 

Total

 

 

(In Millions)

Assets:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Decommissioning trust funds (a):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Equity securities

 

$2.9

 

$146.3

 

$-

 

$149.2

Debt securities

 

51.6

 

53.2

 

-

 

104.8

Securitization recovery trust account

 

5.2

 

-

 

-

 

5.2

Storm reserve escrow account

 

201.2

 

-

 

-

 

201.2

 

 

$260.9

 

$199.5

 

$-

 

$460.4

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Liabilities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Gas hedge contracts

 

$12.4

 

$-

 

$-

 

$12.4

 

Entergy Mississippi

 

2012

 

Level 1

 

Level 2

 

Level 3

 

Total

 

 

(In Millions)

Assets:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Temporary cash investments

 

$14.0

 

$-

 

$-

 

$14.0

Storm reserve escrow account

 

31.9

 

-

 

-

 

31.9

 

 

$45.9

 

$-

 

$-

 

$45.9

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Liabilities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Gas hedge contracts

 

$12.8

 

$-

 

$-

 

$12.8

 

2011

 

Level 1

 

Level 2

 

Level 3

 

Total

 

 

(In Millions)

Assets:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Storm reserve escrow account

 

$31.8

 

$-

 

$-

 

$31.8

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Liabilities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Gas hedge contracts

 

$7.8

 

$-

 

$-

 

$7.8

 

Entergy New Orleans

 

2012

 

Level 1

 

Level 2

 

Level 3

 

Total

 

 

(In Millions)

Assets:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Storm reserve escrow account

 

$13.4

 

$-

 

$-

 

$13.4

 

2011

 

Level 1

 

Level 2

 

Level 3

 

Total

 

 

(In Millions)

Assets:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Temporary cash investments

 

$9.3

 

$-

 

$-

 

$9.3

Storm reserve escrow account

 

12.0

 

-

 

-

 

12.0

 

 

$21.3

 

$-

 

$-

 

$21.3

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Liabilities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Gas hedge contracts

 

$1.5

 

$-

 

$-

 

$1.5

 

Entergy Texas

 

2012

 

Level 1

 

Level 2

 

Level 3

 

Total

 

 

(In Millions)

Assets:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Temporary cash investments

 

$98.2

 

$-

 

$-

 

$98.2

Securitization recovery trust account

 

29.6

 

-

 

-

 

29.6

 

 

$127.8

 

$-

 

$-

 

$127.8

 

2011

 

Level 1

 

Level 2

 

Level 3

 

Total

 

 

(In Millions)

Assets:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Temporary cash investments

 

$65.1

 

$-

 

$-

 

$65.1

Securitization recovery trust account

 

41.2

 

-

 

-

 

41.2

 

 

$106.3

 

$-

 

$-

 

$106.3

 

System Energy

 

2012

 

Level 1

 

Level 2

 

Level 3

 

Total

 

 

(In Millions)

Assets:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Temporary cash investments

 

$82.6

 

$-

 

$-

 

$82.6

Decommissioning trust funds (a):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Equity securities

 

2.7

 

268.0

 

-

 

270.7

Debt securities

 

125.5

 

63.7

 

-

 

189.2

 

 

$210.8

 

$331.7

 

$-

 

$542.5

 

2011

 

Level 1

 

Level 2

 

Level 3

 

Total

 

 

(In Millions)

Assets:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Temporary cash investments

 

$154.2

 

$-

 

$-

 

$154.2

Decommissioning trust funds (a):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Equity securities

 

2.7

 

234.5

 

-

 

237.2

Debt securities

 

123.2

 

63.0

 

-

 

186.2

 

 

$280.1

 

$297.5

 

$-

 

$577.6

 

(a)

The decommissioning trust funds hold equity and fixed income securities. Equity securities are invested to approximate the returns of major market indices.  Fixed income securities are held in various governmental and corporate securities.  See Note 9 for additional information on the investment portfolios.