EX-99.1 2 secondquarterpressrelease.htm SEDONDQUARTERPRESSRELEASE sedondquarterpressrelease
Exhibit 99.1
 
   
             For Immediate Release
       
   
Media Contact:
Investor Contact:
   
Eric Boomhower
John Winn
   
(803) 217-7701
(803) 217-9240
   
eboomhower@scana.com
jwinn@scana.com

SCANA Reports Financial Results for Second Quarter 2006


Columbia, SC, July 28, 2006...SCANA Corporation (NYSE: SCG) reported earnings for the quarter ended June 30, 2006, of $58 million, or 50 cents per share, compared to $44 million, or 39 cents per share for the same period in 2005. Reported earnings for the current quarter include approximately $5 million, or 4 cents per share, related to the favorable settlement of litigation associated with the sale of the Company’s propane assets in 1999, as more fully discussed below. Reported earnings for the second quarter of 2005 include an after-tax gain of $4 million, or 3 cents per share, related to monetization of the Company’s telecommunications investments. Excluding these items in both periods, GAAP-adjusted net earnings from operations for the second quarter of 2006 were $53 million, or 46 cents per share, compared to $40 million, or 36 cents per share, for the same period in 2005.

SCANA’s reported earnings are prepared in accordance with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP). SCANA’s management believes that, in addition to reported earnings under GAAP, the GAAP-adjusted net earnings from operations provides a meaningful representation of the Company’s fundamental earnings power and can aid in performing period-over-period financial analysis and comparison with peer group data. In management’s opinion, the GAAP-adjusted net earnings from operations is a useful indicator of the financial results of the Company’s primary businesses. This measure is also a basis for management’s provision of earnings guidance and growth projections, and it is used by management in making resource allocation and other budgetary and operational decisions. This non-GAAP performance measure is not intended to replace the GAAP measure of net earnings, but is offered as a supplement to it. A reconciliation of reported (GAAP) earnings per share to GAAP-adjusted net earnings per share from operations for the three months and six months ended June 30, 2006 and 2005 is provided in the following table:


   
3 Months Ended June 30,
 
6 Months Ended June 30, 
 
   
2006
 
2005
 
2006
 
2005
 
Reported (GAAP) Earnings per Share
 
$
.50
 
$
.39
 
$
1.35
 
$
1.28
 
Deduct:
                         
Gain on Sale of Telecommunications Investment
   
--
   
(.03
)
 
--
   
(.03
)
Reduction of Accrual Related to Propane Litigation Settlement
   
(.04
)
 
--
   
(.04
)
 
--
 
Cumulative Effect of Accounting Change, re: SFAS 123(R)
   
--
   
--
   
(.05
)
 
--
 
                           
GAAP-Adjusted Net Earnings per Share From Operations
 
$
.46
 
$
.36
 
$
1.26
 
$
1.25
 
 
“The improvement in earnings was primarily attributable to 28 percent warmer weather across the Company’s electric service area during the second quarter, as measured by cooling degree days, compared to the same period last year, ” said Jimmy Addison, senior vice president and chief financial officer. “We also recorded a small increase in margins on sales of natural gas to industry during the quarter. “

At June 30, 2006, the Company was serving approximately 1.2 million natural gas customers in South Carolina, North Carolina and Georgia, a 2.2 percent increase compared to the same date last year.

For the first six months of 2006, SCANA reported GAAP earnings of $156 million, or $1.35 per share, compared to $145 million, or $1.28 per share, for the same period in 2005. The 2006 year- to- date results include an after- tax gain of $6 million, or 5 cents per share, reflecting the cumulative effect of a change in accounting for equity based compensation [SFAS 123(R)] recorded in the first quarter, and the reduced accrual of $5 million, or 4 cents per share, related to the propane litigation settlement in the second quarter. The 2005 year- to - date results include the after- tax gain of $4 million, or 3 cents per share, related to the sale of the Company’s telecommunications investment in the second quarter. Excluding these items, GAAP-adjusted net earnings from operations for the first six months of 2006 were $145 million, or $1.26 per share compared to $141 million, or $1.25 per share, for the same period last year.

“The one cent per share improvement in year- to- date GAAP- adjusted net earnings per share from operations reflects a higher electric margin driven by customer growth and off-system sales, offset by a lower natural gas margin principally reflecting the impact of milder weather and customer conservation efforts in the first quarter,” said Addison.

RESULTS BY MAJOR LINES OF BUSINESS
 
South Carolina Electric & Gas Company

Reported earnings in the second quarter of 2006 at South Carolina Electric & Gas Company (SCE&G) were $52 million, or 45 cents per share, compared to $39 million, or 34 cents per share, in the second quarter of 2005. The increase was due primarily to higher electric sales arising from warmer weather, and to customer growth. At June 30, 2006, SCE&G was serving approximately 617,000 electric customers and 292,000 natural gas customers, up 2.8 percent and 3.1 percent, respectively, over the past year.

PSNC Energy

PSNC Energy, the Company’s North Carolina-based retail natural gas distribution subsidiary, reported a seasonal loss of $4 million, or 3 cents per share, in the second quarter of 2006, compared to a loss of $2 million, or 1 cent per share, in the second quarter of 2005. Lower sales of natural gas due primarily to warmer weather more than offset the favorable impact of customer growth. At June 30, 2006, PSNC Energy was serving approximately 421,000 customers, an increase of 4.1 percent over the last twelve months.

South Carolina Pipeline Corporation

South Carolina Pipeline, SCANA’s intrastate natural gas transmission subsidiary, reported earnings of $4 million, or 4 cents per share, in the second quarter of 2006, compared to earnings of $2 million, or 2 cents per share, in the same quarter last year. The increase was due primarily to improved margins on competitive sales of natural gas to industrial interruptible customers combined with higher transportation revenues.

SCANA Energy - Georgia

SCANA Energy, the Company’s retail natural gas marketing business in Georgia, reported earnings of $2 million, or 2 cents per share, in the second quarter of 2006, compared to $1 million, or 1 cent per share, in the second quarter of 2005. That increase was due primarily to slightly higher margins on sales driven by a lower cost of gas. At June 30, 2006, SCANA Energy was serving approximately 475,000 customers, maintaining the company’s position as the second largest natural gas marketer in Georgia with about a 30 percent market share.

Corporate and Other

SCANA’s corporate and other businesses, which include Primesouth, SCANA Communications, ServiceCare, SCANA Energy Marketing, SCG Pipeline, SCANA Services and the holding company, reported combined earnings of $3 million, or 2 cents per share, in the second quarter of 2006, compared to earnings of $4 million, or 3 cents per share, in the same quarter last year. Excluding the previously mentioned impact of the propane litigation settlement in the second quarter of this year and the sale of telecommunications assets in the second quarter of last year, these companies recorded a GAAP-adjusted loss in the second quarter of 2006 of $2 million, or 2 cents per share, compared to breakeven results in the second quarter of 2005. That decline was primarily attributable to a reduction in estimated royalties earned by Primesouth for its operation of a non-affiliated synthetic fuel production facility.

FERC APPROVES APPLICATION TO MERGE NATURAL GAS TRANSMISSION SUBSIDIARIES

On July 20, 2006, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) approved the merger of SCG Pipeline, Inc. into South Carolina Pipeline Corporation to form Carolina Gas Transmission Corporation. The merger of the Company’s two wholly-owned natural gas transmission subsidiaries is expected to be effective by October 1, 2006. 
 
South Carolina Pipeline is an intrastate company that purchases, transports and sells natural gas to distribution companies and industrial customers through an extensive pipeline system in South Carolina. SCG Pipeline is an interstate pipeline that transports natural gas in Georgia and South Carolina. Carolina Gas Transmission Corporation will operate as an open access, interstate pipeline company that provides only transportation services rather than bundled services, and its operations and rates will be subject to FERC regulation.

“We are pleased that the FERC approved our application to merge these two companies into a single interstate natural gas transportation company,” said Paul Fant, president and chief operating officer of South Carolina Pipeline and SCG Pipeline. “We believe the combination of these companies will give our customers increased control and flexibility over their natural gas supply options while helping to stabilize future earnings and broaden opportunities for growth in this segment of our business.”

PROPANE LITIGATION SETTLED

In 1999, an unsuccessful bidder for the purchase of certain propane gas assets of the Company filed suit against SCANA in Circuit Court, seeking unspecified damages. Following a jury verdict in October 2004, and in accordance with GAAP, the Company had accrued a liability of $18 million dollars, or 10 cents per share after- tax. In the second quarter of 2006, SCANA reached a settlement agreement under which the Company paid $11 million, or 6 cents per share after - tax, to settle the lawsuit. Because the consideration ultimately paid under the settlement agreement is less than what was accrued, the Company reduced that accrual by $5 million, or 4 cents per share, in the second quarter of 2006. The Court’s procedural process for disposing of the litigation is underway.

2006 EARNINGS OUTLOOK

The Company currently expects that GAAP-adjusted net earnings from operations in 2006 will be within the previously announced range of $2.80 - $2.95 per share. Taking into consideration the gain of 5 cents per share from an accounting change in the first quarter and the reduced accrual of 4 cents per share related to the propane litigation settlement in the second quarter, the Company anticipates that reported (GAAP) earnings in 2006 will be 9 cents per share higher than the GAAP-adjusted net earnings per share from operations. The 2006 guidance assumes normal weather in the Company’s electric and natural gas service areas during the remainder of the year. Other factors that may impact future earnings are discussed in the Company’s Securities and Exchange Commission filings and below under the Safe Harbor Statement. The Company’s goal is to achieve average annual earnings growth of 4-6 percent over the next 3-5 years.

CONFERENCE CALL NOTICE

SCANA will host its quarterly conference call for security analysts at 10:00 a.m. Eastern Time today. The call-in numbers for the conference call are 1-866-831-6267 (US/Canada) and 1-617-213-8857 (International). The event code is 75607234. Participants should call in 5 to 10 minutes prior to the scheduled start time. A replay of the conference call will be available approximately 2 hours after conclusion of the call through August 11, 2005. To access the telephone replay, call 1-888-286-8010 (US/Canada) or 1-617-801-6888 (International) and enter the event code 42332005.
 
All interested persons, including investors, media and the general public, may listen to a live web cast of the conference call at the Company’s web site at www.scana.com. Participants should go to the web site at least 5 to 10 minutes prior to the call start time and follow the instructions. A replay of the web cast will also be available on the Company’s web site approximately 2 hours after conclusion of the call through August 11, 2006.

PROFILE  

SCANA Corporation, a Fortune 500 company headquartered in Columbia, SC, is an energy-based holding company principally engaged, through subsidiaries, in electric and natural gas utility operations and other energy-related businesses. Information about SCANA and its businesses is available on the Company’s web site at www.scana.com.

 
SAFE HARBOR STATEMENT 

Statements included in this press release which are not statements of historical fact are intended to be, and are hereby identified as, "forward-looking statements" for purposes of the safe harbor provided by Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Readers are cautioned that any such forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve a number of risks and uncertainties, and that actual results could differ materially from those indicated by such forward-looking statements. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those indicated by such forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, the following: (1) that the information is of a preliminary nature and may be subject to further and/or continuing review and adjustment, (2) regulatory actions or changes in the utility and non-utility regulatory environment, (3) current and future litigation, (4) changes in the economy, especially in areas served by the Company's subsidiaries, (5) the impact of competition from other energy suppliers, including competition from alternate fuels in industrial interruptible markets, (6) growth opportunities for the Company's regulated and diversified subsidiaries, (7) the results of financing efforts, (8) changes in accounting principles, (9) weather conditions, especially in areas served by the Company's subsidiaries, (10) performance of the Company's pension plan assets, (11) inflation, (12) changes in environmental regulations, (13) volatility in commodity natural gas markets and (14) the other risks and uncertainties described from time to time in the Company's periodic reports filed with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission. The Company disclaims any obligation to update any forward-looking statements.

# # #



FINANCIAL AND OPERATING INFORMATION
 
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income
(Millions, except per share amounts) (Unaudited)
 
   
Three Months Ended June 30,
 
Six Months Ended June 30,
 
Operating Revenues:
 
2006
 
2005
 
2006
 
2005
 
Electric
   $
461
   $
438
   $
859
   $
853
 
Gas-Regulated
   
215
   
219
   
730
   
680
 
Gas-Nonregulated
   
268
   
234
   
744
   
624
 
Total Operating Revenues
   
944
   
891
   
2,333
   
2,157
 
                           
Operating Expenses:
                         
Fuel Used in Electric Generation
   
147
   
137
   
264
   
265
 
Purchased Power
   
8
   
11
   
12
   
18
 
Gas Purchased for Resale-Regulated
   
152
   
163
   
538
   
498
 
Gas Purchased for Resale - Nonregulated
   
251
   
213
   
675
   
539
 
Other Operation and Maintenance
   
150
   
153
   
307
   
312
 
Depreciation and Amortization (1)
   
77
   
89
   
153
   
334
 
Other Taxes
   
37
   
40
   
76
   
78
 
Total Operating Expenses (1)
   
822
   
806
   
2,025
   
2,044
 
                           
Operating Income (1)
   
122
   
85
   
308
   
113
 
                           
Other Income, Net (1)
   
16
   
21
   
28
   
33
 
                           
Interest charges, net of allowance for funds
   
(53
)
 
(54
)
 
(107
)
 
(108
)
Income Tax (Expense) Benefit (1)
   
(23
)
 
(3
)
 
(69
)
 
176
 
Losses from Equity Method
Investments (1)
   
(2
)
 
(3
)
 
(6
)
 
(65
)
Preferred Stock Cash Dividends of SCE&G
   
(2
)
 
(2
)
 
(4
)
 
(4
)
                           
Cumulative Effect of Accounting Change
   
--
   
--
   
6
   
--
 
                           
Net Income (1)
   $
58
   $
44
   $
156
   $
145
 
                           
Common Stock Data:
                         
Wgt. Avg. Common Shares Outstanding
   
115.5
   
113.6
   
115.3
   
113.3
 
Basic & Diluted Earnings Per Share
 
$
.50
 
$
.39
 
$
1.35
 
$
1.28
 
 
Note (1): In January 2005, the South Carolina Public Service Commission approved an accounting methodology which allows the Company to recover the cost of the Lake Murray back-up dam project through the application of net synthetic fuel tax credits generated from its synthetic fuel partnerships. Under this methodology, beginning January 1, 2005, the Company recognized its accumulated synthetic fuel tax credits to offset an equal amount of accelerated depreciation on the dam project, net of partnership losses and income tax benefits. Recognition of accelerated depreciation related to the back-up dam costs will continue quarterly to the extent net synthetic fuel tax credits are available. While these entries result in a reduction in operating income, there is no impact on net income. The Company is allowed to record non-cash carrying costs on the un-recovered investment. The impact of these entries in the Income Statement and Balance Sheet is shown in the tables below:
 
Income Statement Impact (millions):

   
Three Months Ended
 
Six Months Ended
 
   
June 30,
 
June 30,
 
   
2006
 
2005
 
2006
 
2005
 
Synthetic fuel tax credits recognized
 
$
3
 
$
11
 
$
7
 
$
155
 
                           
Partnership losses recognized
   
(4
)
 
(4
)
 
(9
)
 
(68
)
Tax benefit of depreciation and partnership losses
   
2
   
7
   
4
   
96
 
Accelerated depreciation recognized
   
(1
)
 
(14
)
 
(2
)
 
(183
)
Impact to Net Income
 
$
0
 
$
0
 
$
0
 
$
0
 
Carrying costs recognized
 
$
2
 
$
3
 
$
4
 
$
6
 

Balance Sheet Impact (millions):

   
June 30,
 
   
2006
 
Dam costs incurred, including
     
Allowance for Funds Used During Construction
     
and Carrying Costs
 
$
308
 
         
Accelerated depreciation recognized
   
216
 
         
Un-recovered Dam Costs
 
$
92
 

 
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets  
(Millions) (Unaudited)
 
   
June 30,
 
December 31,
 
   
2006
 
2005
 
ASSETS:
         
Utility Plant, Net
 
$
6,911
 
$
6,744
 
Other Property and Investments
   
264
   
247
 
Current Assets
   
1,148
   
1,417
 
Regulatory Assets and Deferred Debits
   
1,075
   
1,121
 
Total Assets
 
$
9,398
 
$
9,529
 
 
CAPITALIZATION AND LIABILITIES
             
Capitalization:
             
Common Equity
 
$
2,773
 
$
2,677
 
Preferred Stock
   
114
   
114
 
Long-term Debt, Net
   
3,043
   
2,948
 
Total Capitalization
   
5,930
   
5,739
 
Current Liabilities:
             
Short-Term Borrowings
   
249
   
427
 
Current Portion of Long-Term Debt
   
213
   
188
 
Other Current Liabilities
   
607
   
885
 
Total Current Liabilities
   
1,069
   
1,500
 
Regulatory Liabilities and Deferred Credits
   
2,399
   
2,290
 
Total Capitalization and Liabilities
 
$
9,398
 
$
9,529
 

 

Reported Earnings (Loss) per Share by Company (GAAP Basis):
(Unaudited)
 
   
Three Months Ended June 30,
 
Six Months Ended June 30,
 
   
2006
 
2005
 
2006
 
2005
 
SC Electric & Gas
 
$
.45
 
$
.34
 
$
.84
 
$
.80
 
PSNC Energy
   
(.03
)
 
(.01
)
 
.16
   
.20
 
SC Pipeline
   
.04
   
.02
   
.07
   
.05
 
SCANA Energy-Georgia
   
.02
   
.01
   
.20
   
.21
 
Corporate and Other
   
.02
   
.03
   
.08
   
.02
 
Basic and Diluted Reported
(GAAP) Earnings per Share
 
$
.50
 
$
.39
 
$
1.35
 
$
1.28
 
    
 
GAAP-Adjusted Net Earnings (Loss) per Share From Operations by Company:
(Unaudited)
 
   
Three Months Ended June 30,
 
Six Months Ended June 30,
 
   
2006
 
2005
 
2006
 
2005
 
SC Electric & Gas
 
$
.45
 
$
.34
 
$
.84
 
$
.80
 
PSNC Energy
   
(.03
)
 
(.01
)
 
.16
   
.20
 
SC Pipeline
   
.04
   
.02
   
.07
   
.05
 
SCANA Energy-Georgia
   
.02
   
.01
   
.20
   
.21
 
Corporate and Other
   
(.02
)
 
.00
   
(.01
)
 
(.01
)
Basic and Diluted GAAP-Adjusted Net Earnings from Operations per Share
 
$
.46
 
$
.36
 
$
1.26
 
$
1.25
 

 
Variances in Reported (GAAP) Earnings per Share (2):
(Unaudited)
 
 
     
   
Three Months Ended
 
Six Months Ended
 
   
June 30
 
June 30
 
2005 Basic and Diluted Reported (GAAP) Earnings Per Share
 
$
.39
 
$
1.28
 
               
Variances:
             
Electric Margin
   
.09
   
.07
 
Natural Gas Margin
   
.02
   
(.04
)
O&M Expense
   
.01
   
.03
 
Depreciation
   
--
   
(.01
)
Interest Expense (net of AFC)
   
--
   
.01
 
Property Taxes
   
.01
   
.01
 
Additional Shares Outstanding (Dilution)
   
(.01
)
 
(.02
)
Other 
   
(.02
)
 
(.04
)
Variance in GAAP-Adjusted Net Earnings per Share From Operations
   
.10
   
.01
 
Cumulative Effect of Accounting Change, re: SFAS 123 (R)
   
--
   
.05
 
Reduction of Accrual Related to Propane Litigation Settlement
   
.04
   
.04
 
Gain on Sale of Telecommunications Investment
   
(.03
)
 
(.03
)
Variance in Reported (GAAP) Earnings per Share
   
.11
   
.07
 
               
2006 Basic and Diluted Reported (GAAP) Earnings Per Share
 
$
.50
 
$
1.35
 
               
Note (2): This variance analysis reflects earnings per share (EPS) components on an after-tax basis, with income tax benefits applied as per the January 6, 2005 electric rate order. See Note (1) to the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income.
 
 
Consolidated Operating Statistics
       
 
Three Months Ended June 30,
 
Six Months Ended June 30,
 
2006
2005
% Change
 
2006
2005
% Change
               
Electric Operations:
           
               
Sales (Million KWH):
             
Residential
1,798
1,637
9.8
 
3,490
3,432
1.7
Commercial
1,826
1,716
6.4
 
3,427
3,293
4.1
Industrial
1,570
1,675
(6.3)
 
3,084
3,249
(5.1)
Other
132
128
3.1
 
252
248
1.6
Total Retail Sales
5,326
5,156
3.3
 
10,253
10,222
0.3
Wholesale
813
695
17.0
 
1,648
1,566
5.2
Total Sales
6,139
5,851
4.9
 
11,901
11,788
1.0
               
Customers (Period-End, Thousands)
   
617
600
2.8

Natural Gas Operations:
           
Sales (Thousand Dekatherms):
         
Residential
6,254
7,616
(17.9)
 
34,126
40,286
(15.3)
Commercial
6,252
6,524
  (4.2)
 
19,905
21,427
(7.1)
Industrial
34,194
30,409
 12.4
 
62,753
61,425
2.2
Total Retail Sales
46,700
44,549
  4.8
 
116,784
123,138
(5.2)
Sales for Resale
2,996
3,382
(11.4)
 
7,230
8,562
(15.6)
Transportation Volumes
15,581
15,137
   2.9
 
30,577
 
35,619
 
(14.2)
Total Sales
65,277
63,068
   3.5
 
154,591
167,319
(7.6)
               
Customers (Period-End, Thousands)
 
1,181
1,156
2.2
 
Weather Data - Electric Service Territory:
     
Three Months Ended June 30,
Six Months Ended June 30,
 
Actual
Percent Change
 
Actual
Percent Change
 
 2006
vs 2005
vs Normal
 
 2006
vs 2005
vs Normal
Heating Degree Days
  75
(44.0)
(32.3)
 
1,219
  (8.9)
(2.8)
Cooling Degree Days
772
27.9
  1.5
 
  794
27.6
(1.0)
 




Security Credit Ratings (as of 07/28/06):
   
 
Standard & Poor’s
Moody’s
Fitch
SCANA Corporation:
     
Corporate / Issuer Rating
A-
A3
-
Senior Unsecured
BBB+
A3
A-
Outlook
Stable
Negative
Stable
       
South Carolina
Electric & Gas Company:
     
Corporate / Issuer Rating
A-
A2
-
Senior Secured
A-
A1
A+
Senior Unsecured
BBB+
A2
A
Commercial Paper
A-2
P-1
F1
Outlook
Stable
Negative
Stable
       
PSNC Energy:
     
Senior Unsecured
A-
A2
NR
Commercial Paper
A-2
P-1
NR
Outlook
Stable
Stable
NR
       
NR = Not Rated