Attached files

file filename
8-K - EARNING RELEASE AND ANNUAL MEETING PRESENTATION - NORTHWESTERN CORPek042711-press_annualmtg.htm
EX-99.2 - ANNUAL MEETING PPT PRESENTATION - NORTHWESTERN CORPex992_annualmtg-pptpresent.htm
 
 
 
   
NorthWestern Corporation
d/b/a NorthWestern Energy
3010 W. 69th Street
Sioux Falls, SD  57108
www.northwesternenergy.com
 
NYSE: NWE
News Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
 
 
Media Contact:
Claudia Rapkoch
(866) 622-8081
claudia.rapkoch@northwestern.com
 
Investor Relations Contact:
Dan Rausch
(605) 978-2902
daniel.rausch@northwestern.com

 


NORTHWESTERN REPORTS FIRST QUARTER 2011 FINANCIAL RESULTS


Reports improvement in diluted earnings per share of 12.7% over Q1 2010
Reaffirms guidance for 2011 of $2.25 - $2.40 per fully diluted share
Announces quarterly dividend of 36 cents per share


SIOUX FALLS, S.D. – Apr. 27, 2011 – NorthWestern Corporation d/b/a NorthWestern Energy (NYSE: NWE) reported financial results for the quarter ended March 31, 2011.

Highlights for the quarter include:
 
·  
Net income improved $3.9 million to $32.6 million, or $.89 per fully diluted share, for the first quarter of 2011 compared with $28.7 million, or $.79 per fully diluted share, in the first quarter of 2010 due primarily to:
 
o  
An increase in gross margin of $14.9 million primarily due to the addition of the Dave Gates Generating Station at Mill Creek (DGGS), and an increase in electric and natural gas volumes largely due to  colder winter weather;
 
o  
Lower income tax expense of $3.0 million, primarily due to the regulatory flow-through treatment of accelerated depreciation deductions;
 
o  
Offset by an increase of $13.9 million in our operating expenses due primarily to increased operating costs, property taxes, and depreciation related to the addition of DGGS.  In addition, we had increased labor costs and increased operating and maintenance costs primarily for proactive line maintenance.
 
·  
The Company’s Board of Directors declared a common stock dividend of 36 cents per share, payable on June 30, 2011, to common shareholders of record as of June 15, 2011;
 
·  
In March, NorthWestern received an accounting order from the Montana Public Service Commission (MPSC) to defer and amortize certain incremental operating and maintenance costs up to $16.9 million on our Distribution System Infrastructure Project for 2011 and 2012 over a 5 year period beginning 2013; and
 
·  
Finally, we recently signed an asset purchase agreement, contingent on the MPSC approving the project into rate base, to develop a 40 megawatt wind project in central Montana.
 
“We are pleased with the solid financial results of the first quarter 2011,” said Bob Rowe, President and CEO.  “These strong results and our free cash flow allow us to advance our strategy of bringing supply assets back into our rate base to provide our customers greater supply stability.”

 

 



“Accordingly, we plan to file for pre-approval with the MPSC to add a 40 MW wind farm in Central Montana into our rate base,” added Rowe.  “We are also focused on investing in our electric and natural gas distribution systems to ensure their long-term reliability, capacity and safety for our customers.” 

First Quarter Financial Results

Consolidated net income was $32.6 million or $.89 per diluted share for the quarter ended March 31, 2011, compared with consolidated net income of $28.7 million or $.79 per diluted share for the quarter ended March 31, 2010.

The following table reconciles the primary changes in 2011 results from 2010:

   
Three Months Ended
   
Pre-tax
 
Net
 
EPS - Fully
($millions, except EPS)
 
Income
 
Income 1
 
 Diluted
             
2010 reported
 
 $         40.9
 
 $         28.7
 
 $         0.79
             
DGGS interim rates (subject to refund)
 
              7.5
 
              4.6
 
            0.13
Electric volumes
 
              3.1
 
              1.9
 
            0.05
Natural gas volumes
 
              3.1
 
              1.9
 
            0.05
Montana electric rate increase
 
              1.9
 
              1.2
 
            0.03
Expiration of power sales agreement
 
              1.5
 
              0.9
 
            0.03
South Dakota wholesale electric
 
            (0.7)
 
            (0.4)
 
          (0.01)
Transmission Capacity
 
            (0.6)
 
            (0.4)
 
          (0.01)
Reclamation settlement received during 2010
 
            (0.5)
 
            (0.3)
 
          (0.01)
Montana natural gas rate decrease
 
            (0.3)
 
            (0.2)
 
          (0.01)
Pension
 
            (0.4)
 
            (0.2)
 
          (0.01)
Insurance reserves
 
            (1.3)
 
            (0.8)
 
          (0.02)
DGGS Operating Costs
 
            (1.3)
 
            (0.8)
 
          (0.02)
Operating and maintenance
 
            (2.0)
 
            (1.2)
 
          (0.03)
Property and other taxes (partially due to DGGS)
 
            (2.4)
 
            (1.5)
 
          (0.04)
Depreciation (partially due to DGGS)
 
            (2.4)
 
            (1.5)
 
          (0.04)
Labor (more expensed maintenance work vs capital project work)
 
            (3.4)
 
            (2.1)
 
          (0.06)
Items related to income tax
           
Repairs tax deduction
     
              0.6
 
            0.02
Accelerated depreciation
     
              2.6
 
            0.07
All other, net
 
            (0.9)
 
            (0.4)
 
          (0.02)
             
Subtotal
         
            0.10
             
2011 reported
 
 $         41.8
 
 $         32.6
 
 $         0.89
             
1.) Income Tax Benefit (Expense) calculation on reconciling items assumes normal effective tax rate of 38.5%.
 For more information see www.northwesternenergy.com/documents/investor/Q111.pdf


 
  2

 

Consolidated gross margin for the first quarter of 2011 was $176.2 million compared with $161.3 million for the first quarter of 2010.  The increase in gross margin was due to:
·  
the DGGS interim rates charged to Montana retail customers, which are based on total Montana retail volumes and will fluctuate quarterly based on the cyclical nature of our business;
·  
an increase in electric and natural gas retail volumes due primarily to colder winter weather;
 
·  
a net increase in our Montana electric and natural gas distribution rates; and
 
·  
the expiration at the end of 2010 of a power sales agreement related to Colstrip Unit 4.
 
These increases were partially offset by:
 
·  
 lower wholesale electric sales in South Dakota;
 
·  
lower transmission capacity revenues caused by decreased demand; and
 
·  
higher cost of sales due to a settlement in 2010 to recover previously incurred reclamation costs associated with the coal supply at Colstrip.
 
 
Consolidated operating, general and administrative expenses were $67.4 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2011 as compared with $58.3 million during the first quarter of 2010.  The increase in operating, general and administrative expenses of $9.1 million was primarily due to the following: 
 
•  
Increased labor costs due primarily to compensation increases and more time spent by employees on maintenance projects (which are expensed) rather than capital projects;
 
•  
Increased operating and maintenance costs due primarily to proactive line maintenance.
 
•  
Higher insurance reserves due to workers compensation and general liability matters.  In addition, results for the three months ended March 31, 2010 included a favorable arbitration decision of $0.8 million.
 
•  
Higher plant operator costs due primarily to operations of DGGS; and
 
•  
Higher pension expense.
 
 
Property and other taxes was $25.4 million for the three months ended March 31, 2011 as compared with $23.0 million in the first quarter of 2010, due primarily to plant additions, including the addition of DGGS.

Depreciation expense was $25.3 million for the three months ended March 31, 2011 as compared with $22.9 million in the first quarter of 2010. This increase was primarily due to plant additions, including DGGS.

Consolidated interest expense for the three months ended March 31, 2011 remained flat at $17.1 million, as compared to the same period in 2010, with lower rates on debt outstanding offset by lower capitalization of AFUDC as DGGS began operating in January 2011.

Consolidated other income in the first quarter of 2011 remained flat at $0.8 million.

Consolidated income tax expense for the three months ended March 31, 2011 was $9.2 million as compared with a $12.2 million in the same period of 2010. The effective tax rate in 2011 was

 

 

22.0% as compared with 29.8% for the same period of 2010. The decrease in the effective tax rate was primarily due to the regulatory flow-through treatment of state accelerated depreciation deductions.  For the three months ended March 31, 2011, we recognized a total bonus depreciation related tax benefit of approximately $2.6 million as compared with no related benefit during the same period in 2010.

Results from Electric Operations

Regulated electric gross margin for the quarter ended March 31, 2011, was $124.2 million, up 10.1%, compared with $112.8 million for 2010.  The improvement in margin is primarily due to DGGS interim rates, increased volumes largely due to colder weather in Montana, an increase in Montana rates, and the expiration in December 2010 of a power sales agreement related to Colstrip Unit 4.  These increases were offset in part by lower wholesale sales in South Dakota at lower average prices, lower revenues for operating expenses recovered in supply trackers primarily related to customer efficiency programs, a decline in transmission capacity demand, and the inclusion in the first quarter of 2010 of a settlement to recover previously incurred reclamation costs associated with the coal supply at Colstrip, which reduced cost of sales. Demand for transmission capacity can fluctuate substantially from year to year based on weather and market conditions in states to the South and West. For example, increased availability of local natural gas fired generation due to low natural gas prices and increased generation in the Pacific Northwest due to favorable hydro conditions may make it more economically viable to utilize local generation rather than transmit electricity from Montana over our transmission lines.

Regulated retail electric volumes for the quarter ended March 31, 2011, totaled 2,684,000 megawatt hours compared with 2,582,000 megawatt hours for the quarter ended 2010.  Retail volumes increased primarily due to colder weather and customer growth.

Wholesale electric volumes were 31,000 megawatt hours for the quarter ended March 31, 2011, a decrease from 243,000 megawatt hours for 2010.  We no longer have Montana wholesale volumes due to the expiration of a remaining wholesale supply contract associated with Colstrip. Beginning January 1, 2011 these volumes are used to supply our retail demand. Wholesale volumes decreased in South Dakota from lower plant utilization due to market conditions.
 
 
Results from Natural Gas Operations

Regulated natural gas gross margin was $51.6 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2011, compared with $48.2 million during 2010.  This increase in margin was primarily due to colder winter weather in Montana and South Dakota and higher revenues for operating expenses recovered in supply trackers primarily related to customer efficiency programs.  These increases were offset in part by a decrease in Montana natural gas rates.

Regulated retail natural gas volumes were 14,289,000 dekatherms for the quarter ended March 31, 2011, compared with 13,685,000 dekatherms for the same period in 2010.
 
 
Liquidity and Capital Resources

As of March 31, 2011, cash and cash equivalents were $7.2 million as compared with $6.2 million at December 31, 2010 and $7.1 million at March 31, 2010.  The Company had $163.5 million available from its revolving credit facility at March 31, 2011.

 
  4

 

Cash provided by operating activities totaled $122.1 million for the three months ended March 31, 2011 as compared with $106.3 million during the three months ended March 31, 2010. This increase in operating cash flows is primarily related to improvements in the collection of our supply costs and increased net income.

Cash used in investing activities decreased by approximately $20.2 million as compared with the first quarter of 2010 due primarily to additions related to the DGGS project in the prior year.

Cash used in financing activities totaled approximately $83.5 million in the first quarter of 2011 as compared with approximately $45.7 million during the three months ended March 31, 2010. During the first quarter of 2011, net cash used in financing activities consisted of the net revolving credit facility repayments of $153.0 million, net issuance of commercial paper of $86.0 million, the repayment of long-term debt of $3.6 million and the payment of dividends of $13.0 million. During the first quarter of 2010, we made debt repayments of $33.4 million and paid dividends on common stock of $12.2 million.

Dividend Declaration

NorthWestern’s Board of Directors declared a quarterly common stock dividend of 36 cents per share, payable on June 30, 2011, to common shareholders of record as of June 15, 2011.

Rate Case Update

In December 2010, the Company received a final order approving our joint Stipulation and Settlement Agreement (Stipulation) with the Montana Consumer Counsel regarding the revenue requirement portion of the rate filing.  Key provisions of the final order are as follows:
 
 
•  
An increase in base electric rates of $6.4 million;
•  
A decrease in base natural gas rates of approximately $1.0 million; and
•  
An authorized return on equity of 10.0% and 10.25% for base electric and natural gas rates, respectively.
•  
The overall authorized rates of return are based on the equity percentages above, long-term debt cost of 5.76% and a capital structure of 52% debt and 48% equity.
 
The order included an additional MPSC requirement to implement a modified lost revenue adjustment mechanism (previously proposed as a decoupling mechanism), an inclining block rate structure for electric energy supply customers, and a reduction to the authorized return on equity in the Stipulation for base electric rates from 10.25% to 10.0%. The change in return on equity reduced the electric revenue requirement increase from $7.7 million to $6.4 million.  NorthWestern recognized revenue and implemented rates consistent with the MPSC's final order; however, we appealed the MPSC's decision to the Montana district court due to the required implementation of a modified lost revenue adjustment mechanism and the related reduction in return on equity and the block rate design.

The MPSC and the Company entered into settlement discussions and exchanged counter offers with the MPSC to settle this matter.  In April 2011, the MPSC accepted our district court counteroffer, which removes the modified lost revenue adjustment mechanism, inclining block rate structure and reinstates a 10.25% return on equity, previously contained in the Stipulation.  In addition, to settle the district court case we agreed to a $0.7 million reduction of electric rates as compared to the original Stipulation.

 

 


2011 Earnings Outlook

NorthWestern reaffirms its earnings for 2011 to be $2.25 - $2.40 per fully diluted share.

Basic assumptions include the following expectations:

·  
Adding the DGGS to rate base and the associated earnings;
 
·  
A full year effect of the increase related to our Montana transmission and distribution electric rates;
 
·  
The expiration of a power sale agreement associated with our ownership in Colstrip Unit 4;
 
·  
Increased electric and natural gas volumes due to an assumption of some additional economic recovery in 2011;
 
·  
The Battle Creek Field will contribute for the full year;
 
·  
In addition, we expect a small tax benefit from additional bonus tax depreciation related to the Small Business Jobs Act of 2010
 
·  
Offsetting these positive drivers for 2011 are negative drivers such as:
 
o  
We expect labor and other operating expenses to increase in 2011 compared with 2010;
 
o  
We will be experiencing some scheduled maintenance at the Big Stone Plant in South Dakota in 2011 decreasing output and revenues;
 
o  
We expect an increase in property taxes and depreciation expense in 2011 as we continue to increase our capital investment
 
o  
Finally, the strong hydro conditions in the Northwest US began to negatively impact margins in March related to our off-system transmission sales.
 
§  
The strong hydro conditions are expected to continue through the second quarter of 2011.
 
·  
A consolidated effective income tax rate of approximately 20% - 24%;
 
·  
Fully diluted average shares outstanding of 36.5 million; and
 
·  
Normal weather in the Company’s electric and natural gas service territories for 2011.
 

Company Hosting Investor Conference Call

NorthWestern will host an investor conference call today at 4:00 pm Eastern Time (3:00 p.m. Central Time) to review its financial results for the quarter ended March 31, 2011.

The conference call will be webcast live on the Internet at http://www.northwesternenergy.com under the “Investor Information” heading.  To listen, please go to the site at least 10 minutes in advance of the call to register.  An archived webcast will be available shortly after the call.
 
 
A telephonic replay of the call will be available beginning at 5:00 p.m. ET on Feb. 11, 2011, through May 27, 2011, at 800-475-6701, access code 199056.

 

 

Annual Meeting

NorthWestern will hold its annual stockholders meeting today, at 9:30 a.m. Central Time at the Holiday Inn Midtown, 2503 S. Locust Street, Grand Island, Nebraska.

The annual stockholders meeting will be webcast live on the Internet at http://www.northwesternenergy.com under the “Investor Information” heading.

To listen, please go to the site at least 10 minutes in advance of the call to register.  An archived webcast will be available shortly after the call.


About NorthWestern Energy

NorthWestern Energy is one of the largest providers of electricity and natural gas in the Upper Midwest and Northwest, serving approximately 665,000 customers in Montana, South Dakota and Nebraska.  More information on NorthWestern Energy is available on the Company's Web site at www.northwesternenergy.com.


SPECIAL NOTE REGARDING FORWARD—LOOKING STATEMENTS

This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the “safe harbor” provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, including, without limitation, the information under “2011 Earnings Outlook”.  Forward-looking statements often address our expected future business and financial performance, and often contain words such as “expects,” “anticipates,” “intends,” “plans,” “believes,” “seeks,” or “will.”  These statements are based upon our current expectations and speak only as of the date hereof.  Our actual future business and financial performance may differ materially and adversely from those expressed in any forward-looking statements as a result of various factors and uncertainties, including, but not limited to:

•  
potential adverse federal, state, or local legislation or regulation, including costs of compliance with existing and future environmental requirements, as well as adverse determinations by regulators, could have a material adverse effect on our liquidity, results of operations and financial condition;
•  
we have capitalized approximately $17.3 million in preliminary survey and investigative costs related to our proposed Mountain States Transmission Intertie (MSTI) transmission project. If our efforts to complete MSTI are not successful we may have to write-off all or a portion these costs which could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations;
•  
changes in availability of trade credit, creditworthiness of counterparties, usage, commodity prices, fuel supply costs or availability due to higher demand, shortages, weather conditions, transportation problems or other developments, may reduce revenues or may increase operating costs, each of which could adversely affect our liquidity and results of operations;
•  
unscheduled generation outages or forced reductions in output, maintenance or repairs, which may reduce revenues and increase cost of sales or may require additional capital expenditures or other increased operating costs; and
•  
adverse changes in general economic and competitive conditions in the U.S. financial markets and in our service territories.
 
 
 
 
7

 

 
Our Annual Report on Form 10-K, recent and forthcoming Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, recent Current Reports on Form 8-K and other Securities and Exchange Commission filings discuss some of the important risk factors that may affect our business, results of operations and financial condition. 

We undertake no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

 

 

 
 
 
NORTHWESTERN CORPORATION
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
 
(in thousands)
 

 
     
March 31,
2011
   
December 31, 2010
 
     
(unaudited)
       
ASSETS
             
Current Assets
 
$
271,032
 
$
303,054
 
Property, Plant, and Equipment, Net
   
2,127,254
   
2,117,977
 
Goodwill
   
355,128
   
355,128
 
Regulatory Assets
   
224,896
   
222,341
 
Other Noncurrent Assets
   
38,129
   
39,169
 
Total Assets
 
$
3,016,439
 
$
3,037,669
 
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY
             
Current Maturities of Long-term Debt and Capital Leases
 
$
8,050
 
$
7,854
 
Short-term Borrowings
   
85,989
   
 
Current Liabilities
   
300,724
   
296,115
 
Long-term Capital Leases
   
33,957
   
34,288
 
Long-term Debt
   
905,003
   
1,061,780
 
Noncurrent Regulatory Liabilities
   
256,079
   
251,133
 
Deferred Income Taxes
   
248,487
   
232,709
 
Other Noncurrent Liabilities
   
337,318
   
333,443
 
Total Liabilities
   
2,175,607
   
2,217,322
 
Total Shareholders’ Equity
   
840,832
   
820,347
 
Total Liabilities and Shareholders’ Equity
 
$
3,016,439
 
$
3,037,669
 


 

 



NORTHWESTERN CORPORATION
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
(unaudited)
(in thousands, except per share amounts)

   
Three Months Ended March 31,
 
   
2011
 
2010
 
Revenues
             
   Electric c
 
$
208,622
 
$
203,839
 
   Gas
 
129,212
 
130,019
 
   Other
 
426
 
315
 
     Total Revenues
 
338,260
 
334,173
 
Operating Expenses
         
   Cost of sales
 
162,071
 
172,827
 
   Operating, general and administrative
 
67,383
 
58,308
 
   Property and other taxes
 
25,396
 
22,968
 
   Depreciation
 
25,315
 
22,875
 
     Total Operating Expenses
 
280,165
 
276,978
 
Operating Income
 
58,095
 
57,195
 
Interest Expense
 
(17,147
)
(17,050
)
Other Income
 
805
 
753
 
Income Before Income Taxes
 
41,753
 
40,898
 
Income Tax Expense
 
(9,178
)
(12,180
)
Net Income
 
$
32,575
 
$
28,718
 
 
Average Common Shares Outstanding
 
36,242
 
36,169
 
Basic Earnings per Average Common Share
 
$
0.90
 
$
0.79
 
Diluted Earnings per Average Common Share
 
$
0.89
 
$
0.79
 
Dividends Declared per Average Common Share
 
$
0.360
 
$
0.340
 



10 
 

 




NORTHWESTERN CORPORATION
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(unaudited)
(in thousands)

 

 
   
Three Months Ended March 31,
 
   
2011
 
2010
 
Operating Activities
         
Net income
 
$
32,575
 
$
28,718
 
Non-cash items
 
45,608
 
39,897
 
Changes in operating assets and liabilities
 
43,897
 
37,655
 
Cash Provided by Operating Activities
 
122,080
 
106,270
 
           
Cash Used in Investing Activities
 
(37,580
)
(57,796
)
           
Cash Used In Financing Activities
 
(83,554
)
(45,690
)
           
Net Increase in Cash and Cash Equivalents
 
$
946
 
$
2,784
 
Cash and Cash Equivalents, beginning of period
 
$
6,234
 
$
4,344
 
Cash and Cash Equivalents, end of period
 
$
7,180
 
$
7,128
 

 
11 

 

NORTHWESTERN CORPORATION
 
QUARTER ENDED MARCH 31, 2011 AND 2010 SEGMENT RESULTS
 
(Unaudited)
 

 

Three Months Ended
             
March 31, 2011
Electric
 
Gas
 
Other
 
Eliminations
 
Total
Operating revenues
$
208,622
   
$
129,212
   
$
426
   
$
   
$
338,260
 
Cost of sales
84,446
   
77,625
   
   
   
162,071
 
Gross margin
124,176
   
51,587
   
426
   
   
176,189
 
Operating, general and administrative
45,286
   
21,448
   
649
   
   
67,383
 
Property and other taxes
18,741
   
6,652
   
3
   
   
25,396
 
Depreciation
20,354
   
4,953
   
8
   
   
25,315
 
Operating income (loss)
39,795
   
18,534
   
(234
)
 
   
58,095
 
Interest expense
(13,527
)
 
(2,665
)
 
(955
)
 
   
(17,147
)
Other income
615
   
164
   
26
   
   
805
 
Income tax expense
(3,921
)
 
(4,570
)
 
(687
)
 
   
(9,178
)
Net income (loss)
$
22,962
   
$
11,463
   
$
(1,850
)
 
$
   
$
32,575
 

 

 
Three Months Ended
             
March 31, 2010
Electric
 
Gas
 
Other
 
Eliminations
 
Total
Operating revenues
$
203,839
   
$
130,019
   
$
315
   
$
   
$
334,173
 
Cost of sales
91,065
   
81,762
   
   
   
172,827
 
Gross margin
112,774
   
48,257
   
315
   
   
161,346
 
Operating, general and administrative
40,016
   
17,893
   
399
   
   
58,308
 
Property and other taxes
16,773
   
6,154
   
41
   
   
22,968
 
Depreciation
18,504
   
4,363
   
8
   
   
22,875
 
Operating income (loss)
37,481
   
19,847
   
(133
)
 
   
57,195
 
Interest expense
(13,193
)
 
(3,145
)
 
(712
)
 
   
(17,050
)
Other income
457
   
269
   
27
   
   
753
 
Income tax (expense) benefit
(6,534
)
 
(5,739
)
 
93
   
   
(12,180
)
Net income (loss)
$
18,211
   
$
11,232
   
$
(725
)
 
$
   
28,718
 

 

 

 

 

  12
 

 


 
NORTHWESTERN CORPORATION
ELECTRIC SEGMENT
 
Three Months Ended March 31, 2011
 
(Unaudited)
 




 
Results
 
2011
 
2010
 
Change
 
% Change
 
(in millions)
Retail revenue
$
196.2
   
$
170.4
   
$
25.8
   
15.1
%
Transmission
10.9
   
11.5
   
(0.6
)
 
(5.2
)
Wholesale
0.3
   
11.0
   
(10.7
)
 
(97.3
)
Regulatory amortization and other
1.2
   
10.9
   
(9.7
)
 
(89.0
)
Total Revenues
208.6
   
203.8
   
4.8
   
2.4
 
Total Cost of Sales
84.4
   
91.0
   
(6.6
)
 
(7.3
)
Gross Margin
$
124.2
   
$
112.8
   
$
11.4
   
10.1
%



 
Revenues
 
Megawatt Hours (MWH)
 
Avg. Customer Counts
 
2011
 
2010
 
2011
 
2010
 
2011
 
2010
 
(in thousands)
       
Retail Electric
                     
Montana
$
75,663
   
$
63,596
   
731
   
680
   
272,526
   
270,923
 
South Dakota
13,393
   
12,845
   
179
   
176
   
48,705
   
48,422
 
   Residential
89,056
   
76,441
   
910
   
856
   
321,231
   
319,345
 
Montana
77,133
   
66,218
   
820
   
788
   
61,459
   
60,799
 
South Dakota
16,309
   
15,808
   
238
   
238
   
11,789
   
11,622
 
Commercial
93,442
   
82,026
   
1,058
   
1,026
   
73,248
   
72,421
 
Industrial
9,183
   
7,767
   
692
   
676
   
72
   
71
 
Other
4,520
   
4,205
   
24
   
24
   
4,620
   
4,623
 
Total Retail Electric
$
196,201
   
$
170,439
   
2,684
   
2,582
   
399,171
   
396,460
 
Wholesale Electric
                     
Montana
$
   
$
9,934
   
   
204
   
N/A
 
N/A
South Dakota
309
   
1,078
   
31
   
39
   
N/A
 
N/A
Total Wholesale Electric
$
309
   
$
11,012
   
31
   
243
   
   
 

13 
 

 

 
 

NORTHWESTERN CORPORATION
NATURAL GAS SEGMENT
 
Three Months Ended March 31, 2011
 
(Unaudited)
 

 
 
Results
 
2011
 
2010
 
Change
 
% Change
 
(in millions)
Retail revenue
$
121.0
   
$
118.4
   
$
2.6
   
2.2
%
Wholesale and other
8.2
   
11.6
   
(3.4
)
 
(29.3
)
Total Revenues
129.2
   
130.0
   
(0.8
)
 
(0.6
)
Total Cost of Sales
77.6
   
81.8
   
(4.2
)
 
(5.1
)
Gross Margin
$
51.6
   
$
48.2
   
$
3.4
   
7.1
%




 
Revenues
 
Dekatherms (Dkt)
 
Customer Counts
 
2011
 
2010
 
2011
 
2010
 
2011
 
2010
 
(in thousands)
       
Retail Gas
                     
Montana
$
51,100
   
$
44,620
   
5,638
   
4,954
   
159,029
   
158,294
 
South Dakota
13,306
   
14,551
   
1,599
   
1,567
   
37,712
   
37,574
 
Nebraska
11,486
   
12,833
   
1,382
   
1,448
   
36,949
   
36,875
 
Residential
75,892
   
72,004
   
8,619
   
7,969
   
233,690
   
232,743
 
Montana
26,438
   
22,413
   
2,915
   
2,484
   
22,273
   
22,090
 
South Dakota
9,302
   
13,268
   
1,332
   
1,732
   
5,954
   
5,962
 
Nebraska
8,242
   
9,506
   
1,287
   
1,355
   
4,636
   
4,606
 
Commercial
43,982
   
45,187
   
5,534
   
5,571
   
32,863
   
32,658
 
Industrial
691
   
826
   
78
   
94
   
282
   
292
 
Other
449
   
390
   
58
   
51
   
145
   
146
 
Total Retail Gas
$
121,014
   
$
118,407
   
14,289
   
13,685
   
266,980
   
265,839
 

 

 

14