AGL Resources Reports First Quarter 2010 Earnings
-- Diluted earnings per share (EPS) of $1.73 versus $1.55 in first quarter
2009
-- Results reflect improved results in the distribution operations, retail
energy operations and wholesale services segments
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<p><span class="xn-location">ATLANTA</span>, <span class="xn-chron">April 27</span> /CNW/ -- AGL Resources Inc. (NYSE: AGL) today reported first quarter net income of <span class="xn-money">$134 million</span>, or <span class="xn-money">$1.74</span> per basic share (<span class="xn-money">$1.73</span> per diluted share), compared to net income of <span class="xn-money">$119 million</span>, or <span class="xn-money">$1.55</span> per basic (and diluted) share, reported for the same period last year.</p>
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<p>First quarter 2010 results reflect improved earnings contributions from the distribution operations, retail energy operations and wholesale services segments.</p>
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<p>"Our strong first-quarter results put us on track to meet our 2010 goals," said John W. Somerhalder II, AGL Resources chairman, president and chief executive officer. "We are benefiting from the earnings contributions of the Hampton Roads Crossing and Magnolia pipeline projects, and from the rate case settlement we reached in New Jersey last year. We also experienced significantly colder weather that helped drive earnings at SouthStar, and to some extent, in parts of our utility business. Our Sequent business continues to capitalize on market opportunities to grow its earnings base.</p>
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<p>"In addition to maintaining our focus on meeting our earnings targets this year, we remain focused on several key strategic initiatives, including our <span class="xn-location">Georgia</span> and Tennessee rate cases, completion of our announced sale of the AGL Networks business, and the commercial start-up of our Golden Triangle Storage project," Somerhalder said.</p>
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Q1 2010 RESULTS BY BUSINESS SEGMENT
Distribution Operations
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<p>The distribution operations segment contributed EBIT (earnings before interest and taxes) of <span class="xn-money">$136 million</span>, compared to <span class="xn-money">$130 million</span> in the first quarter of 2009. Operating margin increased <span class="xn-money">$12 million</span>, primarily driven by higher revenues from the Hampton Roads Crossing and Magnolia pipeline projects put into service in late 2009; new rates in effect for Elizabethtown Gas as a result of the rate settlement in <span class="xn-chron">December 2009</span>; higher revenues associated with increased usage at Florida City Gas during a period of significantly colder weather relative to the prior year; and higher pipeline replacement revenues in <span class="xn-location">Georgia</span> largely offset by lower operating margins at <span class="xn-location">Atlanta</span> Gas Light due to a decline in the number of average end-use customers.</p>
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<p>Operating expenses increased <span class="xn-money">$6 million</span> relative to the prior-year period, driven mainly by higher payroll and incentive costs as well as an increase in depreciation expenses.</p>
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Retail Energy Operations
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<p>The retail energy operations segment, consisting of SouthStar Energy Services, contributed EBIT of <span class="xn-money">$74 million</span> for the first quarter of 2010, compared to <span class="xn-money">$63 million</span> for the same period in 2009.</p>
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<p>Operating margin increased <span class="xn-money">$12 million</span>, primarily driven by higher retail margins in <span class="xn-location">Georgia</span> due to higher average customer usage resulting from colder weather. The retail energy operations segment recorded a required natural gas inventory valuation adjustment (lower-of-cost-or-market, or LOCOM, adjustment) of <span class="xn-money">$6 million</span> in the first quarter of 2009 as a result of declining NYMEX natural gas prices during the quarter. A similar adjustment was not required this year in the first quarter. Higher operating margins from the Ohio and Florida markets also contributed to the year-over-year increase.</p>
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<p>Operating expenses were up <span class="xn-money">$1 million</span>, mainly due to increased marketing and direct selling expenses and higher bad debt expense, partially offset by lower customer care and outside services expenses.</p>
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Wholesale Services
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<p>The wholesale services segment, consisting primarily of Sequent Energy Management, contributed <span class="xn-money">$43 million</span> in EBIT in first quarter 2010, compared to <span class="xn-money">$38 million</span> reported for the first quarter of 2009.</p>
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<p>Operating margin was flat for the first quarter of 2010 as compared to the prior-year period. During the quarter, Sequent recorded <span class="xn-money">$22 million</span> in gains associated with the instruments used to hedge its natural gas storage and transportation positions, as compared to <span class="xn-money">$32 million</span> of similar gains in the first quarter of 2009. The storage hedge gains resulted from declining NYMEX natural gas prices during the quarter, while the transportation hedge gains reflect the narrowing of transportation basis spreads in the period. The <span class="xn-money">$10 million</span> year-over-year reduction in hedge gains was partially offset by a <span class="xn-money">$6 million</span> increase in commercial activity. Sequent also recorded a required <span class="xn-money">$4 million</span> LOCOM natural gas inventory adjustment during the first quarter of 2010, as compared to an <span class="xn-money">$8 million</span> adjustment required during the first quarter of 2009. These adjustments also were a function of declining NYMEX natural gas prices during both quarters.</p>
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<p>Operating expenses decreased <span class="xn-money">$5 million</span> as compared to the prior-year period, mainly due to decreased incentive compensation and other expenses.</p>
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Energy Investments
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<p>The energy investments segment contributed EBIT of <span class="xn-money">$3 million</span> for the first quarter of 2010, compared to EBIT of <span class="xn-money">$2 million</span> during the prior-year period. Operating margin improved by <span class="xn-money">$2 million</span> due to increased operating revenues at AGL Networks. Operating expenses were up <span class="xn-money">$1 million</span> due to increased payroll and benefits costs.</p>
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INTEREST EXPENSE AND INCOME TAXES
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<p>Interest expense for the first quarter of 2010 was <span class="xn-money">$28 million</span>, up <span class="xn-money">$3 million</span> from the first quarter of 2009. The increase in interest expense resulted from higher average debt outstanding, primarily the result of the company's issuance of <span class="xn-money">$300 million</span> of 10-year senior notes in <span class="xn-chron">August 2009</span>.</p>
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<p>Income taxes for the first quarter of 2010 were <span class="xn-money">$82 million</span>, up <span class="xn-money">$10 million</span> compared to the first quarter of 2009, reflecting higher consolidated earnings for the quarter relative to the prior year.</p>
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2010 EARNINGS OUTLOOK
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<p>AGL Resources continues to expect its 2010 earnings to be in the range of <span class="xn-money">$2.95 to $3.05</span> per diluted share. This earnings expectation assumes normal weather and average volatility in natural gas prices. However, unanticipated changes in these events or other circumstances could materially impact earnings, and could result in earnings for 2010 significantly above or below this outlook.</p>
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EARNINGS CONFERENCE CALL/WEBCAST
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<p>AGL Resources will hold a conference call to discuss its first quarter 2010 results on <span class="xn-chron">April 27</span> at <span class="xn-chron">4 p.m. Eastern Daylight Savings Time</span>. The conference call will be webcast, and can be accessed via the Investor Relations section of the company's Web site (<a href="http://www.aglresources.com">www.aglresources.com</a>), or by dialing 866/314-4865 in the <span class="xn-location">United States</span> or 617/213-8050 outside the <span class="xn-location">United States</span>. The confirmation code is 64804204. A replay of the conference call will be available by dialing 888/286-8010 in the <span class="xn-location">United States</span> or 617/801-6888 outside the <span class="xn-location">United States</span>, with a confirmation code of 84965998. A replay of the call also will be available on the Investor Relations section of the company's Web site for seven days following the call.</p>
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About AGL Resources
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<p>AGL Resources (NYSE: AGL), an Atlanta-based energy services company, serves approximately 2.3 million customers in six states. The company also owns Houston-based Sequent Energy Management, an asset manager serving natural gas wholesale customers throughout <span class="xn-location">North America</span>. As an 85-percent owner in the SouthStar partnership, AGL Resources markets natural gas to consumers in <span class="xn-location">Georgia</span> under the <span class="xn-location">Georgia</span> Natural Gas brand. The company also owns and operates <span class="xn-person">Jefferson Island</span> Storage & Hub, a high-deliverability natural gas storage facility near the Henry Hub in Louisiana. For more information, visit <a href="http://www.aglresources.com">www.aglresources.com</a>.</p>
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Forward-Looking Statements
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<p>Certain expectations and projections regarding our future performance referenced in this press release, in other reports or statements we file with the SEC or otherwise release to the public, and on our website, are forward-looking statements. Senior officers and other employees may also make verbal statements to analysts, investors, regulators, the media and others that are forward-looking. Forward-looking statements involve matters that are not historical facts, such as statements regarding our future operations, prospects, strategies, financial condition, economic performance (including growth and earnings), industry conditions and demand for our products and services. Because these statements involve anticipated events or conditions, forward-looking statements often include words such as "anticipate," "assume," "believe," "can," "could," "estimate," "expect," "forecast," "future," "goal," "indicate," "intend," "may," "outlook," "plan," "potential," "predict," "project," "seek," "should," "target," "would," or similar expressions. Forward-looking statements contained in this press release include, without limitation, the quote from John W. Somerhalder II and the information under the heading "2010 Earnings Outlook." Our expectations are not guarantees and are based on currently available competitive, financial and economic data along with our operating plans. While we believe our expectations are reasonable in view of the currently available information, our expectations are subject to future events, risks and uncertainties, and there are several factors - many beyond our control - that could cause results to differ significantly from our expectations.</p>
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<p>Such events, risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, changes in price, supply and demand for natural gas and related products; the impact of changes in state and federal legislation and regulation including changes related to climate change; actions taken by government agencies on rates and other matters; concentration of credit risk; utility and energy industry consolidation; the impact on cost and timeliness of construction projects by government and other approvals, development project delays, adequacy of supply of diversified vendors, unexpected change in project costs, including the cost of funds to finance these projects; the impact of acquisitions and divestitures; direct or indirect effects on our business, financial condition or liquidity resulting from a change in our credit ratings or the credit ratings of our counterparties or competitors; interest rate fluctuations; financial market conditions, including recent disruptions in the capital markets and lending environment and the current economic downturn; general economic conditions; uncertainties about environmental issues and the related impact of such issues; the impact of changes in weather, including climate change, on the temperature-sensitive portions of our business; the impact of natural disasters such as hurricanes on the supply and price of natural gas; acts of war or terrorism; and other factors which are provided in detail in our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, which we incorporate by reference in this press release. Forward-looking statements are only as of the date they are made, and we do not undertake to update these statements to reflect subsequent changes.</p>
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Supplemental Information
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<p>Company management evaluates segment financial performance based on earnings before interest and taxes (EBIT), which includes the effects of corporate expense allocations and on operating margin. EBIT is a non-GAAP (accounting principles generally accepted in the <span class="xn-location">United States</span> of America) financial measure that includes operating income, other income and expenses. Items that are not included in EBIT are financing costs, including debt and interest expense and income taxes. The company evaluates each of these items on a consolidated level and believes EBIT is a useful measurement of our performance because it provides information that can be used to evaluate the effectiveness of our businesses from an operational perspective, exclusive of the costs to finance those activities and exclusive of income taxes, neither of which is directly relevant to the efficiency of those operations.</p>
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<p>Operating margin is a non-GAAP measure calculated as operating revenues minus cost of gas, excluding operation and maintenance expense, depreciation and amortization, and taxes other than income taxes. These items are included in the company's calculation of operating income. The company believes operating margin is a better indicator than operating revenues of the contribution resulting from customer growth, since cost of gas is generally passed directly through to customers.</p>
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<p>EBIT and operating margin should not be considered as alternatives to, or more meaningful indicators of, the company's operating performance than operating income or net income attributable to AGL Resources Inc. as determined in accordance with GAAP. In addition, the company's EBIT and operating margin may not be comparable to similarly titled measures of another company.</p>
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<p>Reconciliation of non-GAAP financial measures referenced in this press release and otherwise in the earnings conference call and webcast is attached to this press release and is available on the company's Web site at <a href="http://www.aglresources.com/">http://www.aglresources.com/</a> under the Investor Relations section.</p>
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AGL Resources Inc.
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income
For the Three Months Ended
March 31, 2010 and 2009
Unaudited
(In millions, except per share amounts)
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Three Months
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Fav/
3/31/2010 3/31/2009 (Unfav)
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<p>Operating Revenues <span class="xn-money">$1,003</span> <span class="xn-money">$995</span> <span class="xn-money">$8</span></p>
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<p>Cost of Gas 571 589 18</p>
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<p>Operation and Maintenance Expenses 125 125 -</p>
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<p>Depreciation and Amortization 40 39 (1)</p>
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<p>Taxes Other Than Income Taxes 14 12 (2)</p>
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<p>Total Operating Expenses 750 765 15</p>
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Operating Income 253 230 23
Other Income 2 2 -
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Earnings Before Interest & Taxes 255 232 23
Interest Expense, Net 28 25 (3)
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Earnings Before Income Taxes 227 207 20
Income Tax Expense 82 72 (10)
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<p>Net Income 145 135 10</p>
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Less Net Income Attributable to the
Noncontrolling Interest 11 16 5
--- --- ---
Net Income Attributable to AGL
Resources Inc. $134 $119 $15
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Earnings Per Common Share
Basic $1.74 $1.55 $0.19
Diluted $1.73 $1.55 $0.18
Weighted Average Shares Outstanding
Basic 77.2 76.7 (0.5)
Diluted 77.6 76.8 (0.8)
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AGL Resources Inc.
EBIT Schedule
For the Three Months Ended
March 31, 2010 and 2009
Unaudited
(In millions, except per share amounts)
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Three Months
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Fav/
3/31/2010 3/31/2009 (Unfav)
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Distribution Operations $136 $130 $6
Retail Energy Operations 74 63 11
Wholesale Services 43 38 5
Energy Investments 3 2 1
Corporate (1) (1) -
Consolidated EBIT 255 232 23
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Interest Expense, Net 28 25 (3)
Income Tax Expense 82 72 (10)
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Net Income 145 135 10
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Less Net Income Attributable to the
Noncontrolling Interest 11 16 5
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Net Income Attributable to AGL
Resources Inc. $134 $119 $15
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Earnings per Common Share
Basic $1.74 $1.55 $0.19
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Diluted $1.73 $1.55 $0.18
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AGL Resources Inc.
Reconciliation of Operating Margin to Operating Revenues
For the Three Months Ended
March 31, 2010 and 2009
Unaudited
(In millions)
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Three Months
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Fav/
3/31/2010 3/31/2009 (Unfav)
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Operating Revenues $1,003 $995 $8
Cost of Gas 571 589 18
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Operating Margin $432 $406 $26
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For further information: Financial: Steve Cave, Vice President - Finance, +1-404-584-3801, Cell: +1-404-333-4721, [email protected], or Media: Alan Chapple, +1-404-584-4095, Cell: +1-404-783-3011, [email protected] Web Site: http://www.aglresources.com
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