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Fair Value Measurements and Credit Concentration
3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2013
Fair Value Measurements and Credit Concentration [Abstract]  
Fair Value Measurements and Credit Concentration

13. Fair Value Measurements and Credit Concentration

 

(PPL, PPL Energy Supply, PPL Electric, LKE, LG&E and KU)

 

Fair value is the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date (an exit price). A market approach (generally, data from market transactions), an income approach (generally, present value techniques and option-pricing models), and/or a cost approach (generally, replacement cost) are used to measure the fair value of an asset or liability, as appropriate. These valuation approaches incorporate inputs such as observable, independent market data and/or unobservable data that management believes are predicated on the assumptions market participants would use to price an asset or liability. These inputs may incorporate, as applicable, certain risks such as nonperformance risk, which includes credit risk. The fair value of a group of financial assets and liabilities is measured on a net basis. Transfers between levels are recognized at end-of-reporting-period values. During the three months ended March 31, 2013 and 2012, there were no transfers between Level 1 and Level 2. See Note 1 in each Registrant's 2012 Form 10-K for information on the levels in the fair value hierarchy.

 

Recurring Fair Value Measurements

 

The assets and liabilities measured at fair value were:

     March 31, 2013 December 31, 2012
     Total Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Total Level 1 Level 2 Level 3
PPL                        
Assets                        
 Cash and cash equivalents  $ 853 $ 853       $ 901 $ 901      
 Restricted cash and cash equivalents (a)   186   186         135   135      
 Price risk management assets:                        
  Energy commodities   1,676   3 $ 1,651 $ 22   2,068   2 $ 2,037 $ 29
  Interest rate swaps   27      27      15      15   
  Foreign currency contracts   96      96               
  Cross-currency swaps   83      83      14      13   1
 Total price risk management assets   1,882   3   1,857   22   2,097   2   2,065   30
 NDT funds:                        
  Cash and cash equivalents   8   8         11   11      
  Equity securities                        
   U.S. large-cap   457   342   115      412   308   104   
   U.S. mid/small-cap   68   28   40      60   25   35   
  Debt securities                        
   U.S. Treasury   95   95         95   95      
   U.S. government sponsored agency   9      9      9      9   
   Municipality   83      83      82      82   
   Investment-grade corporate   40      40      40      40   
   Other   3      3      3      3   
  Receivables (payables), net   1   (1)   2         (2)   2   
 Total NDT funds   764   472   292      712   437   275   
 Auction rate securities (b)   19      3   16   19      3   16
Total assets $ 3,704 $ 1,514 $ 2,152 $ 38 $ 3,864 $ 1,475 $ 2,343 $ 46
                            
Liabilities                        
 Price risk management liabilities:                        
  Energy commodities $ 1,432 $ 2 $ 1,422 $ 8 $ 1,566 $ 2 $ 1,557 $ 7
  Interest rate swaps   69      69      80      80   
  Foreign currency contracts   3      3      44      44   
  Cross-currency swaps   1      1      4      4   
 Total price risk management liabilities $ 1,505 $ 2 $ 1,495 $ 8 $ 1,694 $ 2 $ 1,685 $ 7
                            
PPL Energy Supply                        
Assets                        
 Cash and cash equivalents $ 147 $ 147       $ 413 $ 413      
 Restricted cash and cash equivalents (a)   122   122         63   63      
 Price risk management assets:                        
  Energy commodities   1,676   3 $ 1,651 $ 22   2,068   2 $ 2,037 $ 29
 Total price risk management assets   1,676   3   1,651   22   2,068   2   2,037   29
 NDT funds:                        
  Cash and cash equivalents   8   8         11   11      
  Equity securities                        
   U.S. large-cap   457   342   115      412   308   104   
   U.S. mid/small-cap   68   28   40      60   25   35   
  Debt securities                        
   U.S. Treasury   95   95         95   95      
   U.S. government sponsored agency   9      9      9      9   
   Municipality   83      83      82      82   
   Investment-grade corporate   40      40      40      40   
   Other   3      3      3      3   
  Receivables (payables), net   1   (1)   2         (2)   2   
 Total NDT funds   764   472   292      712   437   275   
 Auction rate securities (b)   16      3   13   16      3   13
Total assets $ 2,725 $ 744 $ 1,946 $ 35 $ 3,272 $ 915 $ 2,315 $ 42
                            
Liabilities                        
 Price risk management liabilities:                        
  Energy commodities $ 1,432 $ 2 $ 1,422 $ 8 $ 1,566 $ 2 $ 1,557 $ 7
 Total price risk management liabilities $ 1,432 $ 2 $ 1,422 $ 8 $ 1,566 $ 2 $ 1,557 $ 7
                            
PPL Electric                        
Assets                        
 Cash and cash equivalents $ 31 $ 31       $ 140 $ 140      
 Restricted cash and cash equivalents (c)   12   12         13   13      
Total assets $ 43 $ 43       $ 153 $ 153      

LKE                        
Assets                        
 Cash and cash equivalents  $ 52 $ 52       $ 43 $ 43      
 Restricted cash and cash equivalents (d)   27   27         32   32      
 Price risk management assets:                        
   Interest rate swaps   24    $ 24      14    $ 14   
 Total price risk management assets   24      24      14      14   
Total assets $ 103 $ 79 $ 24    $ 89 $ 75 $ 14   
                            
Liabilities                        
 Price risk management liabilities:                        
  Interest rate swaps  $ 54    $ 54    $ 58    $ 58   
Total price risk management liabilities $ 54    $ 54    $ 58    $ 58   
                            
LG&E                        
Assets                        
 Cash and cash equivalents $ 34 $ 34       $ 22 $ 22      
 Restricted cash and cash equivalents (d)   27   27         32   32      
 Price risk management assets:                        
   Interest rate swaps   12    $ 12      7    $ 7   
Total price risk management assets   12      12      7      7   
Total assets $ 73 $ 61 $ 12    $ 61 $ 54 $ 7   
                            
Liabilities                        
 Price risk management liabilities:                        
  Interest rate swaps  $ 54    $ 54    $ 58    $ 58   
Total price risk management liabilities $ 54    $ 54    $ 58    $ 58   
                            
KU                        
Assets                        
 Cash and cash equivalents $ 16 $ 16       $ 21 $ 21      
 Price risk management assets:                        
   Interest rate swaps   12    $ 12      7    $ 7   
 Total price risk management assets   12      12      7      7   
Total assets $ 28 $ 16 $ 12    $ 28 $ 21 $ 7   

(a)       Current portion is included in "Restricted cash and cash equivalents" and the long-term portion is included in "Other noncurrent assets" on the Balance Sheets.

(b)       Included in "Other investments" on the Balance Sheets.

(c)       Current portion is included in "Other current assets" and the long-term portion is included in "Other noncurrent assets" on the Balance Sheets.

(d)       Included in "Other noncurrent assets" on the Balance Sheets.        

A reconciliation of net assets and liabilities classified as Level 3 for the three months ended March 31 is as follows:
                             
      Fair Value Measurements Using Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3)
      2013 2012
      Energy  Auction  Cross-    Energy  Auction Cross-   
      Commodities, Rate  Currency    Commodities,  Rate  Currency   
       net Securities Swaps Total  net Securities Swaps Total
PPL                        
Balance at beginning of                        
 period $ 22 $ 16 $ 1 $ 39 $ 13 $ 24 $ 4 $ 41
  Total realized/unrealized                         
   gains (losses)                        
    Included in earnings   (8)         (8)   18         18
    Included in OCI (a)         3   3   2      2   4
  Settlements   (1)         (1)   (6)         (6)
  Transfers into Level 3   1         1            
  Transfers out of Level 3         (4)   (4)   (8)      (3)   (11)
Balance at end of period $ 14 $ 16 $  $ 30 $ 19 $ 24 $ 3 $46
                             
PPL Energy Supply                        
Balance at beginning of                         
 period $ 22 $ 13    $ 35 $ 13 $ 19    $ 32
  Total realized/unrealized                         
   gains (losses)                        
    Included in earnings   (8)         (8)   18         18
    Included in OCI (a)               2         2
  Settlements   (1)         (1)   (6)         (6)
  Transfers into Level 3   1         1            
  Transfers out of Level 3               (8)         (8)
Balance at end of period $ 14 $ 13    $ 27 $ 19 $ 19    $ 38

(a)       "Energy Commodities, net" and "Cross-Currency Swaps" are included in "Qualifying derivatives" and "Auction Rate Securities" are included in "Available-for-sale securities" on the Statements of Comprehensive Income.

The significant unobservable inputs used in and quantitative information about the fair value measurement of assets and liabilities classified as Level 3 are as follows:

    March 31, 2013
    Fair Value, net     Range
    Asset Valuation  Unobservable (Weighted
    (Liability) Technique Input(s) Average) (a)
PPL            
Energy commodities       
 Retail natural gas sales contracts (b) $ 16 Discounted cash flow Observable wholesale prices used as proxy for retail delivery points 23% - 100% (96%)
 Power sales contracts (c)   (4) Discounted cash flow Proprietary model used to calculate forward basis prices  21% (21%)
 FTR purchase contracts (d)   2 Discounted cash flow Historical settled prices used to model forward prices  100% (100%)
           
Auction rate securities (e)   16 Discounted cash flow Modeled from SIFMA Index 55% - 74% (64%)
           
              
PPL Energy Supply             
Energy commodities            
 Retail natural gas sales contracts (b) $ 16 Discounted cash flow Observable wholesale prices used as proxy for retail delivery points 23% - 100% (96%)
 Power sales contracts (c)   (4) Discounted cash flow Proprietary model used to calculate forward basis prices  21% (21%)
 FTR purchase contracts (d)   2 Discounted cash flow Historical settled prices used to model forward prices  100% (100%)
           
Auction rate securities (e)   13 Discounted cash flow Modeled from SIFMA Index 58% - 74% (65%)

    December 31, 2012
    Fair Value, net     Range
    Asset Valuation  Unobservable (Weighted
    (Liability) Technique Input(s) Average) (a)
PPL            
Energy commodities       
 Retail natural gas sales contracts (b) $ 24 Discounted cash flow Observable wholesale prices used as proxy for retail delivery points 21% - 100% (75%)
 Power sales contracts (c)   (4) Discounted cash flow Proprietary model used to calculate forward basis prices  24% (24%)
 FTR purchase contracts (d)   2 Discounted cash flow Historical settled prices used to model forward prices  100% (100%)
           
Auction rate securities (e)   16 Discounted cash flow Modeled from SIFMA Index 54% - 74% (64%)
           
Cross-currency swaps (f)   1 Discounted cash flow Credit valuation adjustment  22% (22%)
              
PPL Energy Supply            
Energy commodities            
 Retail natural gas sales contracts (b) $ 24 Discounted cash flow Observable wholesale prices used as proxy for retail delivery points 21% - 100% (75%)
 Power sales contracts (c)   (4) Discounted cash flow Proprietary model used to calculate forward basis prices  24% (24%)
 FTR purchase contracts (d)   2 Discounted cash flow Historical settled prices used to model forward prices 100% (100%)
           
Auction rate securities (e)   13 Discounted cash flow Modeled from SIFMA Index 57% - 74% (65%)

(a)       For energy commodities and auction rate securities, the range and weighted average represent the percentage of fair value derived from the unobservable inputs. For cross-currency swaps, the range and weighted average represent the percentage decrease in fair value due to the unobservable inputs used in the model to calculate the credit valuation adjustment.

(b)       At March 31, 2013, retail natural gas sales contracts extend through 2017, and $3 million of the fair value is scheduled to deliver within the next 12 months. As the forward price of natural gas increases/(decreases), the fair value of the contracts (decreases)/increases.

(c)       At March 31, 2013, power sales contracts extend into 2014, and $(4) million of the fair value is scheduled to deliver within the next 12 months. As the forward price of basis increases/(decreases), the fair value of the contracts (decreases)/increases.

(d)       At March 31, 2013, FTR purchase contracts extend through 2015, and $1 million of the fair value is scheduled to deliver within the next 12 months. As the forward implied spread increases/(decreases), the fair value of the contracts increases/(decreases).

(e)       At March 31, 2013, auction rate securities have a weighted average contractual maturity of 23 years. The model used to calculate fair value incorporates an assumption that the auctions will continue to fail. As the modeled forward rates of the SIFMA Index increase/(decrease), the fair value of the securities increases/(decreases).

(f)       The credit valuation adjustment incorporates projected probabilities of default and estimated recovery rates. As the credit valuation adjustment increases/(decreases), the fair value of the swaps (decreases)/increases.

Net gains and losses on assets and liabilities classified as Level 3 and included in earnings for the periods ended March 31 are reported in the Statements of Income as follows:

   Three Months
                          
   Energy Commodities, net
   Unregulated Retail Wholesale Energy Net Energy Energy
   Electric and Gas Marketing Trading Margins Purchases
   2013 2012 2013 2012 2013 2012 2013 2012
PPL and PPL Energy Supply                        
Total gains (losses) included in earnings $ (7) $ 16 $ (2) $ 4    $ (1) $ 1 $ (1)
Change in unrealized gains (losses) relating to                        
  positions still held at the reporting date   (7)   46   (2)   (18)      (1)   1   (5)

Price Risk Management Assets/Liabilities - Energy Commodities (PPL and PPL Energy Supply)

 

Energy commodity contracts for electricity, gas, oil and/or emission allowances are generally valued using the income approach, except for exchange-traded derivative gas and oil contracts, which are valued using the market approach and are classified as Level 1. When the lowest level inputs that are significant to the fair value measurement of a contract are observable, the contract is classified as Level 2. Level 2 contracts are valued using inputs which may include quotes obtained from an exchange (where there is insufficient market liquidity to warrant inclusion in Level 1), binding and non-binding broker quotes, prices posted by ISOs or published tariff rates. Furthermore, independent quotes are obtained from the market to validate the forward price curves. Energy commodity contracts include forwards, futures, swaps, options and structured transactions and may be offset with similar positions in exchange-traded markets. To the extent possible, fair value measurements utilize various inputs that include quoted prices for similar contracts or market-corroborated inputs. In certain instances, these contracts may be valued using models, including standard option valuation models and standard industry models. For example, the fair value of a full-requirement sales contract that delivers power to an illiquid delivery point may be measured by valuing the nearest liquid trading point plus the value of the basis between the two points. The basis input may be from market quotes or historical prices.

 

When unobservable inputs are significant to the fair value measurement, a contract is classified as Level 3. Level 3 contracts are valued using PPL proprietary models which include significant unobservable inputs such as delivery at a location where pricing is unobservable, assumptions for customer migration or delivery dates that are beyond the dates for which independent quotes are available. Forward transactions, including forward transactions classified as Level 3, are analyzed by PPL's Risk Management department, which reports to the Chief Financial Officer (CFO). Accounting personnel, who also report to the CFO, interpret the analysis quarterly to appropriately classify the forward transactions in the fair value hierarchy. Valuation techniques are evaluated periodically. Additionally, Level 2 and Level 3 fair value measurements include adjustments for credit risk based on PPL's own creditworthiness (for net liabilities) and its counterparties' creditworthiness (for net assets). PPL's credit department assesses all reasonably available market information which is used by accounting personnel to calculate the credit valuation adjustment.

 

In certain instances, energy commodity contracts are transferred between Level 2 and Level 3. The primary reasons for the transfers during 2013 and 2012 were changes in the availability of market information and changes in the significance of the unobservable inputs utilized in the valuation of the contract. As the delivery period of a contract becomes closer, market information may become available. When this occurs, the model's unobservable inputs are replaced with observable market information.

Price Risk Management Assets/Liabilities - Interest Rate Swaps/Foreign Currency Contracts/Cross-Currency Swaps (PPL, LKE, LG&E and KU)

 

To manage interest rate risk, PPL, LKE, LG&E and KU use interest rate contracts such as forward-starting swaps, floating-to-fixed swaps and fixed-to-floating swaps. To manage foreign currency exchange risk, PPL uses foreign currency contracts such as forwards, options and cross-currency swaps that contain characteristics of both interest rate and foreign currency contracts. An income approach is used to measure the fair value of these contracts, utilizing readily observable inputs, such as forward interest rates (e.g., LIBOR and government security rates) and forward foreign currency exchange rates (e.g., GBP and Euro), as well as inputs that may not be observable, such as credit valuation adjustments. In certain cases, market information cannot practicably be obtained to value credit risk and therefore internal models are relied upon. These models use projected probabilities of default and estimated recovery rates based on historical observances. When the credit valuation adjustment is significant to the overall valuation, the contracts are classified as Level 3. For PPL, the primary reason for the transfers during 2013 and 2012 was the change in the significance of the credit valuation adjustment. Cross-currency swaps classified as Level 3 are valued by PPL's Corporate Finance department, which reports to the CFO. Accounting personnel, who also report to the CFO, interpret analysis quarterly to appropriately classify the contracts in the fair value hierarchy. Valuation techniques are evaluated periodically.

(PPL and PPL Energy Supply)

 

NDT Funds

 

The market approach is used to measure the fair value of equity securities held in the NDT funds.

 

       The fair value measurements of equity securities classified as Level 1 are based on quoted prices in active markets and are comprised of securities that are representative of the Wilshire 5000 Total Market Index.

 

       Investments in commingled equity funds are classified as Level 2 and represent securities that track the S&P 500 Index, Dow Jones U.S. Total Stock Market Index and the Dow Jones U.S. Completion Total Stock Market Index. These fair value measurements are based on firm quotes of net asset values per share, which are not obtained from a quoted price in an active market.

 

Debt securities are generally measured using a market approach, including the use of matrix pricing. Common inputs include reported trades, broker/dealer bid/ask prices, benchmark securities and credit valuation adjustments. When necessary, the fair value of debt securities is measured using the income approach, which incorporates similar observable inputs as well as benchmark yields, credit valuation adjustments, reference data from market research publications, monthly payment data, collateral performance and new issue data.

 

The debt securities held in the NDT funds at March 31, 2013 have a weighted-average coupon of 4.12% and a weighted-average maturity of 8.1 years.

Auction Rate Securities

 

Auction rate securities include Federal Family Education Loan Program guaranteed student loan revenue bonds, as well as various municipal bond issues. The exposure to realize losses on these securities is not significant.

 

The fair value of auction rate securities is estimated using an income approach that includes readily observable inputs, such as principal payments and discount curves for bonds with credit ratings and maturities similar to the securities, and unobservable inputs, such as future interest rates that are estimated based on the SIFMA Index, creditworthiness, and liquidity assumptions driven by the impact of auction failures. When the present value of future interest payments is significant to the overall valuation, the auction rate securities are classified as Level 3.

 

Auction rate securities are valued by PPL's Treasury department, which reports to the CFO. Accounting personnel, who also report to the CFO, interpret the analysis quarterly to appropriately classify the contracts in the fair value hierarchy. Valuation techniques are evaluated periodically.

Financial Instruments Not Recorded at Fair Value (PPL, PPL Energy Supply, PPL Electric, LKE, LG&E and KU)

 

The carrying amounts of contract adjustment payments related to the Purchase Contract component of the Equity Units and long-term debt on the Balance Sheets and their estimated fair values are set forth below. The fair values of these instruments were estimated using an income approach by discounting future cash flows at estimated current cost of funding rates, which incorporate the credit risk of the Registrants. These instruments are classified as Level 2. The effect of third-party credit enhancements is not included in the fair value measurement.

   March 31, 2013 December 31, 2012
   Carrying    Carrying   
   Amount Fair Value Amount Fair Value
PPL            
 Contract adjustment payments (a) $ 81 $ 82 $ 105 $ 106
 Long-term debt    19,632   21,872   19,476   21,671
PPL Energy Supply            
 Long-term debt    3,264   3,568   3,272   3,556
PPL Electric            
 Long-term debt    1,967   2,304   1,967   2,333

LKE             
 Long-term debt    4,075   4,413   4,075   4,423
LG&E            
 Long-term debt    1,112   1,177   1,112   1,178
KU            
 Long-term debt    1,842   2,052   1,842   2,056

(a)       Reflected in "Other current liabilities" and "Other deferred credits and noncurrent liabilities" on the Balance Sheets.

 

The carrying value of short-term debt (including notes between affiliates), when outstanding, represents or approximates fair value due to the variable interest rates associated with the financial instruments and is classified as Level 2.

Credit Concentration Associated with Financial Instruments

 

(PPL, PPL Energy Supply, PPL Electric, LKE, LG&E and KU)

 

Contracts are entered into with many entities for the purchase and sale of energy. Many of these contracts qualify for NPNS and, as such, the fair value of these contracts is not reflected in the financial statements. However, the fair value of these contracts is considered when committing to new business from a credit perspective. See Note 14 for information on credit policies used to manage credit risk, including master netting arrangements and collateral requirements.

 

(PPL)

 

At March 31, 2013, PPL had credit exposure of $1.3 billion from energy trading partners, excluding the effects of netting arrangements, reserves and collateral. As a result of netting arrangements, reserves and collateral, PPL's credit exposure was reduced to $544 million. The top ten counterparties accounted for $324 million, or 60%, of this exposure and all had investment grade credit ratings from S&P or Moody's.

 

(PPL Energy Supply)

 

At March 31, 2013, PPL Energy Supply had credit exposure of $1.3 billion from energy trading partners, excluding exposure from related parties and the effects of netting arrangements, reserves and collateral. As a result of netting arrangements, reserves and collateral, this credit exposure was reduced to $543 million. The top ten counterparties accounted for $324 million, or 60%, of this exposure and all had investment grade credit ratings from S&P or Moody's. See Note 11 for information regarding the related party credit exposure.

(PPL Electric)

 

PPL Electric is exposed to credit risk under energy supply contracts (including its supply contracts with PPL EnergyPlus); however, its PUC-approved cost recovery mechanism is anticipated to substantially eliminate this exposure.

(LKE, LG&E and KU)

 

At March 31, 2013, LKE's, LG&E's and KU's credit exposure was not significant.