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8-K - 8-K_EARNINGS RELEASE - NORTHWESTERN CORPek_072711.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 SECOND QUARTER 2011 FINANCIAL RESULTS

 
Reports diluted EPS of $.30/diluted share compared with $.32 diluted share in 2Q 2010
Declares dividend for 3Q 2011


SIOUX FALLS, S.D. – July 27, 2011 – NorthWestern Corporation d/b/a NorthWestern Energy (NYSE: NWE) reported financial results for the quarter ended June 30, 2011.
 
“We are excited about the progress we are making on our distribution infrastructure project and generation projects during the second quarter of 2011,” said Bob Rowe, President and CEO.  “Although our earnings for the quarter were slightly less than the prior year, we still intend to achieve our earnings guidance for 2011.  Due to the seasonality of our business, the second quarter typically has the least impact on earnings for the year.”
 
 
Highlights for the quarter include:
 
  
Upsized our revolving credit facility from $250 million to $300 million, extended the maturity date from June 30, 2012 to June 30, 2016, and significantly lowered the cost of the facility.
 
•  
Filed for approval with the Montana Public Service Commission (MPSC) to purchase and operate the yet to be developed 40 megawatt Spion Kop Wind Project located in Central Montana.
 
o  
The construction of that wind project is contingent on the MPSC approving the project into rate base.
 
•  
Filed an application to adjust our rates for natural gas services in South Dakota. 
 
o  
Company is requesting an increase of $2.7 million annually due to increased operations and maintenance costs and an increase of $1.4 million annually to complete the company’s remediation of a manufactured gas plant (MGP) site in South Dakota.
 
•  
NorthWestern declared a common stock dividend of 36 cents per share, payable on September 30, 2011, to common shareholders of record as of September 15, 2011.
 
Financial Results
 

 
 

 
NorthWestern Reports Second Quarter 2011 Financial Results
July 27, 2011
Page 2




Consolidated net income was $11.0 million or $.30 per diluted share for the quarter ended June 30, 2011, compared with consolidated net income of $11.7 million or $.32 per diluted share for the quarter ended June 30, 2010.
 
Consolidated net income for the six months ended June 30, 2011, was $43.5 million, an increase of $3.1 million from $40.4 million in 2010.
 
 
The following tables reconcile the primary changes from 2010 to 2011:

 
Three Months Ended
   
Six Months Ended
 
Pre-tax
Net
EPS
   
Pre-tax
Net
EPS
($millions, except EPS)
Income
Income1
 Diluted
   
Income
Income1
 Diluted
                 
2010 reported
$12.8
$11.7
$0.32
   
$53.7
$40.4
$1.11
                 
DGGS interim rates (subject to refund)
6.5
4.0
0.11
   
14.0
8.6
0.24
Natural gas volumes
1.2
0.7
0.02
   
4.3
2.6
0.07
Montana electric rate increase
1.5
0.9
0.02
   
3.4
2.1
0.06
Electric volumes
0.6
0.4
0.01
   
3.8
2.3
0.06
Expiration of power sales agreement
1.5
0.9
0.02
   
3.0
1.8
0.05
Property and other taxes
4.4
2.7
0.07
   
2.1
1.3
0.04
Gas production
0.5
0.3
0.01
   
1.5
0.9
0.02
South Dakota wholesale electric
0.0
0.0
0.00
   
(0.8)
(0.5)
(0.01)
Montana natural gas rate decrease
(0.2)
(0.1)
0.00
   
(0.5)
(0.3)
(0.01)
Bad debt expense
(0.5)
(0.3)
(0.01)
   
(0.7)
(0.4)
(0.01)
Pension
(0.3)
(0.2)
(0.01)
   
(0.7)
(0.4)
(0.01)
Reclamation settlement received during 2010
(0.5)
(0.3)
(0.01)
   
(1.0)
(0.6)
(0.02)
Transmission capacity
(1.1)
(0.7)
(0.02)
   
(1.7)
(1.0)
(0.03)
Plant operator costs
(1.4)
(0.9)
(0.02)
   
(1.6)
(1.0)
(0.03)
Interest Expense & Other Income
(1.5)
(0.9)
(0.02)
   
(1.6)
(1.0)
(0.03)
DGGS Operating costs
(0.8)
(0.5)
(0.01)
   
(2.1)
(1.3)
(0.04)
Montana property tax tracker
(2.5)
(1.5)
(0.04)
   
(3.3)
(2.0)
(0.05)
Insurance expense
(2.6)
(1.6)
(0.04)
   
(3.9)
(2.4)
(0.07)
Depreciation
(2.1)
(1.3)
(0.04)
   
(4.5)
(2.8)
(0.08)
Labor
(2.1)
(1.3)
(0.04)
   
(5.5)
(3.4)
(0.09)
Operating and maintenance
(2.7)
(1.7)
(0.05)
   
(5.3)
(3.3)
(0.09)
Items related to income tax
               
Bonus depreciation
 
0.7
0.02
     
3.3
0.09
Repairs tax deduction
 
0.3
0.01
     
0.9
0.02
Valuation allowance (increase) decrease
(0.6)
(0.02)
   
0.0
0.2
0.01
All other, net
(0.2)
0.3
0.02
   
(0.4)
(0.5)
(0.01)
                 
Subtotal
   
         (0.02)
       
           0.08
                 
2011 reported
$10.5
$11.0
$0.30
   
$52.2
$43.5
$1.19
                 
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/Q211.pdf

 
Consolidated gross margin for the second quarter of 2011 was $141.4 million compared with $132.1 million for the second quarter of 2010.  The improvement in consolidated gross margin was substantially due to the following:


 
 

 
NorthWestern Reports Second Quarter 2011 Financial Results
July 27, 2011
Page 3




 
•  
Dave Gates Generating Station (DGGS) revenues based on our current estimate of final resolution of applicable rate proceedings with the MPSC and Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC);
 
•  
An increase in electric and natural gas retail volumes due primarily to colder spring weather and customer growth;
 
•  
An increase in Montana electric transmission and distribution rates implemented in July 2010;
 
•  
The expiration in December 2010 of a power sales agreement related to Colstrip Unit 4; and
 
•  
Gas production margin from the Battle Creek Field.
 
 
These increases were partly offset by the following:
 
•  
A decrease in Montana property taxes included in a tracker as compared to the same period in 2010;
 
•  
Lower transmission capacity revenues due to decreased demand;
 
•  
Higher cost of sales because 2010 results included a settlement related to coal supply costs at Colstrip; and
 
•  
A decrease in Montana natural gas transmission and distribution rates implemented in January 2011.
 
 
Consolidated gross margin for the six months ended June 30, 2011, was $317.6 million compared with $293.5 million in the same period of 2010.
 
Consolidated operating, general and administrative expenses increased to $69.5 million for the quarter ended June 30, 2011, as compared with $57.1 million for the quarter ended June 30, 2010.  The increase was due primarily to the following:
 
•  
Increased operating and maintenance costs, primarily due to accelerated maintenance to enhance system reliability and performance;
 
•  
Higher insurance expense as second quarter 2010 results included a $2.6 million insurance recovery;
 
•  
Increased labor costs due primarily to compensation increases and a larger number of employees;
 
•  
Higher plant operator costs at Colstrip Unit 4 due to scheduled maintenance;
 
•  
The operations of DGGS in 2011;
 
•  
Higher bad debt expense based on slower collections from customers;
 
•  
Higher operating expenses primarily related to costs incurred for customer efficiency programs, which are recovered from customers through supply trackers and have no impact on operating income; and
 
  
Higher pension expense, however, based on current assumptions we expect the annual pension expense for 2011 to be comparable with 2010 due to the regulatory treatment of our Montana pension plan.


 
 

 
NorthWestern Reports Second Quarter 2011 Financial Results
July 27, 2011
Page 4




Consolidated operating, general and administrative expenses were $136.9 million for the six months ended June 30, 2011, as compared with $115.4 million in same period of 2010.
 
Property and other taxes were $20.6 million for the three months ended June 30, 2011, as compared with $25.0 million in the second quarter of 2010.  For the six months ended June 30, 2011, property and other taxes were $45.9 million compared with $48.0 million in the same period of 2010.  The decrease in property and other taxes is primarily attributable to lower actual 2010 property taxes than our initial estimate based on assessed property valuations and mill levy increases in Montana, partially offset by the addition of the DGGS.
Depreciation expense was $25.1 million for the three months ended June 30, 2011, as compared with $23.0 million in the second quarter of 2010.  For the six months ended June 30, 2011, depreciation expense was $50.4 million compared with $45.9 million in the same period of 2010.  These increases were primarily due to plant additions in 2010, including DGGS.
 
Interest expense was $16.9 million for the three months ended June 30, 2011, as compared with $16.1 million in the second quarter of 2010.  This increase was primarily due to lower capitalization of accumulated funds used during construction (AFUDC) as DGGS began operating in January 2011.  This increase was partially offset by lower rates on debt outstanding.  Consolidated interest expense was $34.0 million for the six months ended June 30, 2011 compared with $33.1 million for the second quarter in 2010.
 
Consolidated other income was $1.1 million for the three months ended June 30, 2011, compared with $ 1.9 million in the second quarter of 2010.  The decrease in other income was primarily due to lower capitalization of AFUDC as DGGS began operating in January 2011.  Consolidated other income was $1.9 million for the six months ended June 30, 2011 compared with $2.6 million for the second quarter in 2010.
 
Consolidated income tax expense for the three months ended June 30, 2011 was a $.5 million tax benefit, as compared with $1.1 million tax expense for the second quarter of 2010. The effective tax rate in for the quarter ended June 30, 2011  was -4.9% as compared with 8.7% for the same period of 2010. The reduction in the effective income tax rate versus the statutory rate in 2011 is primarily due to a $1.6 million favorable state net operating loss (NOL) carryforward utilization benefit from higher 2010 taxable income than our original estimate., a tax benefit of $1.5 million recognized for repair costs, due to flow-through regulatory treatment and a flow-through state bonus depreciation related tax benefit of $0.7 million.  Consolidated income tax expense for the six months ended June 30, 2011, was $8.7 million as compared with $13.3 million in the same period of 2010.  The effective tax rate for the six months ended June 30, 2011 was 16.6% as compared with 24.8% for the same period of 2010, and we expect our effective tax rate for 2011 to range between 18% - 22%.
 
Results from Regulated Operations
 
Regulated electric gross margin for the quarter ended June 30, 2011, was $109.9 million, compared with $102.5 million for the same period of 2010.  The improvement in margin is primarily due to DGGS interim rates, an increase in Montana rates, the expiration in December 2010 of a power sales agreement related to Colstrip Unit 4, an increase in retail volumes due primarily to colder spring weather and to a lesser extent customer growth, and higher revenues for operating expenses recovered in supply trackers primarily related to customer efficiency programs.


 
 

 
NorthWestern Reports Second Quarter 2011 Financial Results
July 27, 2011
Page 5




These increases were offset in part by a decrease in Montana property taxes included in a tracker as compared to the same period in 2010, a decline in transmission capacity demand, and the inclusion in the second quarter of 2010 of a settlement to recover previously incurred reclamation costs associated with the coal supply at Colstrip, which reduced cost of sales.
 
Regulated retail electric volumes for the quarter ended June 30, 2011, totaled 2,320,000 megawatt hours compared with 2,285,000 megawatt hours for the quarter ended June 30, 2010.  Retail volumes increased slightly from colder weather and customer growth.  While heating and cooling degree days may fluctuate significantly during the second quarter, our customer usage is not highly sensitive to these changes between the heating and cooling seasons.  Wholesale electric volumes were 42,000 megawatt hours for the quarter ended June 30, 2011, a decrease from 278,000 megawatt hours for the same period in 2010.  Wholesale volumes decreased in South Dakota from lower plant utilization due to market conditions. The Company no longer has 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.
 
Regulated electric gross margin for the six months ended June 30, 2011, was $234.0 million compared with $215.3 million for the same period of 2010.
 
Regulated retail electric volumes for the six months ended June 30, 2011 totaled 5,004,000 megawatt hours compared with 4,867,000 megawatt hours for the six months ended June 30, 2010.  Wholesale electric volumes were 73,000 megawatt hours for the six months ended June 30, 2011, compare with 521,000 megawatt hours for the same period in 2010.
 
Regulated natural gas gross margin was $31.2 million for the quarter ended June 30, 2011 compared with $29.3 million during the second quarter of 2010.  This increase in margin was primarily due to increased retail volumes from colder spring weather and gas production margin from the Battle Creek Field.  Regulated retail natural gas volumes were 5,990,000 dekatherms for the quarter ended June 30, 2011 compared with 5,389,000 dekatherms for the same period in 2010.
 
Regulated natural gas gross margin was $82.8 million for the six months ended June 30, 2011 compared with $77.5 million during the same period of 2010.
 
Regulated retail natural gas volumes were 20,279,000 dekatherms for the six months ended June 30, 2011, compared with 19,074,000 dekatherms for the same period in 2010.  The increase in gross margin and volumes is primarily due to increased retail volumes from colder winter and spring weather.
 
Liquidity and Capital Resources
 
As of June 30, 2011, our total net liquidity was approximately $214.3 million, including $4.5 million of cash and $209.8 million of revolving credit facility availability.  Revolver availability was $222.8 million as of July 22, 2011.
 
As of June 30, 2011, cash and cash equivalents were $4.5 million as compared with $6.2 million at December 31, 2010 and $6.1 million at June 30, 2010. Cash provided by operating activities totaled $163.5 million for the six months ended June 30, 2011 as compared with $132.4 million during the six months ended June 30, 2010. This increase in operating cash flows is primarily related to a $10.0 million decrease in contributions to our qualified pension plans as compared with the same period in 2010 and improvements in the collection of our supply costs.


 
 

 
NorthWestern Reports Second Quarter 2011 Financial Results
July 27, 2011
Page 6



 
Cash used in investing activities totaled approximately $71.7 million, a decrease by approximately $44.5 million as compared with the first six months of 2010 due primarily to additions related to the DGGS project in the prior year.
 
Cash used in financing activities totaled approximately $93.5 million during the six months ended June 30, 2011 as compared with approximately $14.4 million during the six months ended June 30, 2010. During the six months ended June 30, 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 $90.0 million, the repayment of long-term debt of $3.6 million and the payment of dividends of $26.0 million. During the six months ended June 30, 2010, we received proceeds from the issuance of debt of $225.0 million, made debt repayments of $208.4 million, paid deferred financing costs of $6.6 million and paid dividends on common stock of $24.5 million.
 
2011 Earnings Outlook
 
NorthWestern reaffirms its earnings outlook for 2011 to be $2.25 - $2.40 per fully diluted share.
 
The major assumptions include, but are not limited to, the following expectations:
 
·  
We expect strong hydro conditions west of our Colstrip Transmission System to persist, causing additional declines to our wholesale transmission revenues for the third quarter of 2011;
 
·  
We expect a reduction in general & administrative expenses for the rest of 2011 from the second quarter levels;
 
·  
Normal weather in the Company’s electric and natural gas service territories for the remainder of 2011; and
 
·  
Fully diluted average shares of 36.5 million.
 
 
Dividend
 
NorthWestern’s Board of Directors declared a quarterly common stock dividend of 36 cents per share, payable on September 30, 2011, to common shareholders of record as of September 15, 2011.
 
Company Hosting Investor Conference Call
 
NorthWestern will host an investor conference call today at 4:00 pm Eastern Time to review its financial results for the quarter ended June 30, 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.


 
 

 
NorthWestern Reports Second Quarter 2011 Financial Results
July 27, 2011
Page 7



 
A telephonic replay of the call will be available beginning at 1:00 pm Eastern Time today through August 29, 2011, at 800-475-6701, access code 209282.
 
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 $18.6 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 of 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.
 
 
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 Reports Second Quarter 2011 Financial Results
July 27, 2011
Page 8



 

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

 
Three Months Ended June 30,
 
Six Months Ended June 30,
 
2011
 
2010
 
2011
 
2010
Revenues
             
Electric
$
186,789
   
$
184,838
   
$
395,411
   
$
388,677
 
Gas
64,692
   
58,900
   
193,904
   
188,919
 
Other
325
   
321
   
751
   
636
 
Total Revenues
251,806
   
244,059
   
590,066
   
578,232
 
Operating Expenses
             
Cost of sales
110,407
   
111,936
   
272,478
   
284,763
 
Operating, general and administrative
69,539
   
57,126
   
136,922
   
115,434
 
Property and other taxes
20,550
   
24,984
   
45,946
   
47,952
 
Depreciation
25,066
   
22,997
   
50,381
   
45,872
 
Total Operating Expenses
225,562
   
217,043
   
505,727
   
494,021
 
Operating Income
26,244
   
27,016
   
84,339
   
84,211
 
Interest Expense, net
(16,896
)
 
(16,057
)
 
(34,043
)
 
(33,107
)
Other Income
1,106
   
1,853
   
1,911
   
2,606
 
Income Before Income Taxes
10,454
   
12,812
   
52,207
   
53,710
 
Income Tax Benefit (Expense)
516
   
(1,121
)
 
(8,662
)
 
(13,301
)
Net Income
$
10,970
   
$
11,691
   
$
43,545
   
$
40,409
 
Average Common Shares Outstanding
36,258
   
36,179
   
36,250
   
36,174
 
Basic Earnings per Average Common Share
$
0.30
   
$
0.32
   
$
1.20
   
$
1.12
 
Diluted Earnings per Average Common Share
$
0.30
   
$
0.32
   
$
1.19
   
$
1.11
 
Dividends Declared per Average Common Share
$
0.36
   
$
0.34
   
$
0.72
   
$
0.68
 
 


 
 

 
NorthWestern Reports Second Quarter 2011 Financial Results
July 27, 2011
Page 9




 

 NORTHWESTERN CORPORATION
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET
 
(in thousands)
 


     
June 30,
2011
   
December 31,
2010
 
     
(unaudited)
       
ASSETS
             
Current Assets
 
$
244,076
 
$
303,054
 
Property, Plant, and Equipment, Net
   
2,141,348
   
2,117,977
 
Goodwill
   
355,128
   
355,128
 
Regulatory Assets                                                                                            
   
225,953
   
222,341
 
Other Noncurrent Assets                                                                                              
   
40,485
   
39,169
 
Total Assets
 
$
3,006,990
 
$
3,037,669
 
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY
             
Current Maturities of Long-term Debt and Capital Leases
 
$
8,073
 
$
7,854
 
Commercial Paper                                                                                              
   
89,988
   
 
Current Liabilities                                                                                              
   
274,962
   
296,115
 
Long-term Capital Leases
   
33,627
   
34,288
 
Long-term Debt
   
905,018
   
1,061,780
 
Noncurrent Regulatory Liabilities
   
260,110
   
251,133
 
Deferred Income Taxes
   
255,791
   
232,709
 
Other Noncurrent Liabilities
   
340,240
   
333,443
 
Total Liabilities
   
2,167,809
   
2,217,322
 
Total Shareholders’ Equity                                                                                              
   
839,181
   
820,347
 
Total Liabilities and Shareholders’ Equity                                                                                              
 
$
3,006,990
 
$
3,037,669
 
 

 
 
 

 
NorthWestern Reports Second Quarter 2011 Financial Results
July 27, 2011
Page 10




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


 

 
   
Six Months Ended June 30,
 
   
2011
 
2010
 
Operating Activities
         
Net income
 
$
43,545
 
$
40,409
 
Non-cash items
 
77,237
 
65,937
 
Changes in operating assets and liabilities
 
42,678
 
26,112
 
Cash Provided by Operating Activities
 
163,460
 
132,458
 
           
Cash Used in Investing Activities
 
(71,648
)
(116,233
)
           
Cash Used In Financing Activities
 
(93,506
)
(14,420
)
           
Net (Decrease) Increase in Cash and Cash Equivalents
 
$
(1,694
)
$
1,805
 
Cash and Cash Equivalents, beginning of period
 
$
6,234
 
$
4,344
 
Cash and Cash Equivalents, end of period
 
$
4,540
 
$
6,149
 
 

 
 
 

 
NorthWestern Reports Second Quarter 2011 Financial Results
July 27, 2011
Page 11





 
NORTHWESTERN CORPORATION
ELECTRIC SEGMENT
 
Three Months Ended June 30, 2011
 
(Unaudited)
 

 
 
Results
 
2011
 
2010
 
Change
 
% Change
 
(dollars in millions)
Retail revenue
$
166.9
   
$
149.7
   
$
17.2
   
11.5
%
Transmission
9.9
   
11.0
   
(1.1
)
 
(10.0
)
Wholesale
0.8
   
11.9
   
(11.1
)
 
(93.3
)
Regulatory amortization and other
9.2
   
12.2
   
(3.0
)
 
(24.6
)
Total Revenues
186.8
   
184.8
   
2.0
   
1.1
 
Total Cost of Sales
76.9
   
82.3
   
(5.4
)
 
(6.6
)
Gross Margin
$
109.9
   
$
102.5
   
$
7.4
   
7.2
%
 
 
Revenues
 
Megawatt Hours (MWH)
 
Avg. Customer Counts
 
2011
 
2010
 
2011
 
2010
 
2011
 
2010
 
(in thousands)
       
Retail Electric
                     
Montana
$
53,662
   
$
47,213
   
503
   
496
   
272,328
   
270,369
 
South Dakota
10,305
   
9,489
   
119
   
110
   
48,611
   
48,419
 
   Residential
63,967
   
56,702
   
622
   
606
   
320,939
   
318,788
 
Montana
71,789
   
63,640
   
747
   
741
   
61,465
   
60,777
 
South Dakota
15,363
   
14,938
   
213
   
213
   
11,971
   
11,848
 
Commercial
87,152
   
78,578
   
960
   
954
   
73,436
   
72,625
 
Industrial
9,579
   
8,129
   
704
   
684
   
72
   
71
 
Other
6,238
   
6,335
   
34
   
41
   
5,610
   
5,805
 
Total Retail Electric
$
166,936
   
$
149,744
   
2,320
   
2,285
   
400,057
   
397,289
 
Wholesale Electric
                     
Montana
$
   
$
10,231
   
   
188
   
N/A
 
N/A
South Dakota
820
   
1,678
   
42
   
90
   
N/A
 
N/A
Total Wholesale Electric
$
820
   
$
11,909
   
42
   
278
   
   
 

 
   
2011 as compared with:
Cooling Degree-Days
 
2010
 
Historic Average
Montana
 
33% colder
 
61% colder
South Dakota
 
19% colder
 
10% colder
 
   
2011 as compared with:
Heating Degree-Days
 
2010
 
Historic Average
Montana
 
15% colder
 
11% colder
South Dakota
 
9% colder
 
23% warmer
Nebraska    4% colder    10% warmer
 
 
 
 
 

 
NorthWestern Reports Second Quarter 2011 Financial Results
July 27, 2011
Page 12




 
NORTHWESTERN CORPORATION
ELECTRIC SEGMENT
 
Six Months Ended June 30, 2011
 
(Unaudited)
 
 
Results
 
2011
 
2010
 
Change
 
% Change
 
(dollars in millions)
Retail revenue
$
363.1
   
$
320.2
   
$
42.9
   
13.4
%
Transmission
20.8
   
22.5
   
(1.7
)
 
(7.6
)
Wholesale
1.2
   
23.0
   
(21.8
)
 
(94.8
)
Regulatory amortization and other
10.3
   
23.0
   
(12.7
)
 
(55.2
)
Total Revenues
395.4
   
388.7
   
6.7
   
1.7
 
Total Cost of Sales
161.4
   
173.4
   
(12.0
)
 
(6.9
)
Gross Margin
$
234.0
   
$
215.3
   
$
18.7
   
8.7
%
 
 
Revenues
 
Megawatt Hours (MWH)
 
Avg. Customer Counts
 
2011
 
2010
 
2011
 
2010
 
2011
 
2010
 
(in thousands)
       
Retail Electric
                     
Montana
$
129,325
   
$
110,809
   
1,233
   
1,176
   
272,426
   
270,648
 
South Dakota
23,698
   
22,334
   
298
   
286
   
48,658
   
48,421
 
   Residential
153,023
   
133,143
   
1,531
   
1,462
   
321,084
   
319,069
 
Montana
148,922
   
129,858
   
1,567
   
1,529
   
61,462
   
60,788
 
South Dakota
31,672
   
30,746
   
452
   
451
   
11,880
   
11,735
 
Commercial
180,594
   
160,604
   
2,019
   
1,980
   
73,342
   
72,523
 
Industrial
18,762
   
15,896
   
1,396
   
1,360
   
72
   
71
 
Other
10,758
   
10,540
   
58
   
65
   
5,116
   
5,212
 
Total Retail Electric
$
363,137
   
$
320,183
   
5,004
   
4,867
   
399,614
   
396,875
 
Wholesale Electric
                     
Montana
$
   
$
20,165
   
   
392
   
N/A
 
N/A
South Dakota
1,129
   
2,755
   
73
   
129
   
N/A
 
N/A
Total Wholesale Electric
$
1,129
   
$
22,920
   
73
   
521
   
   
 
 
 
   
2011 as compared with:
Cooling Degree-Days
 
2010
 
Historic Average
Montana
 
33% colder
 
61% colder
South Dakota
 
19% colder
 
10% colder
 
   
2011 as compared with:
Heating Degree-Days
 
2010
 
Historic Average
Montana
 
 10% colder
 
Remained flat
South Dakota
 
 9% colder
 
 4% Warmer
Nebraska
 
 1% colder
 
 5% Colder
 
 

 
 

 
NorthWestern Reports Second Quarter 2011 Financial Results
July 27, 2011
Page 13



 

 
NORTHWESTERN CORPORATION
NATURAL GAS SEGMENT
 
Three Months Ended June 30, 2011
 
(Unaudited)
 
 
 
 

 
Results
 
2011
 
2010
 
Change
 
% Change
 
(dollars in millions)
Retail revenue
$
54.7
   
$
45.6
   
$
9.1
   
20.0
%
Wholesale and other
10.0
   
13.3
   
(3.3
)
 
(24.8
)
Total Revenues
64.7
   
58.9
   
5.8
   
9.8
 
Total Cost of Sales
33.5
   
29.6
   
3.9
   
13.2
 
Gross Margin
$
31.2
   
$
29.3
   
$
1.9
   
6.5
%
 
 
Revenues
 
Dekatherms (Dkt)
 
Customer Counts
 
2011
 
2010
 
2011
 
2010
 
2011
 
2010
 
(in thousands)
       
Retail Gas
                     
Montana
$
24,302
   
$
19,841
   
2,455
   
2,303
   
158,851
   
157,867
 
South Dakota
5,565
   
4,513
   
613
   
454
   
37,223
   
37,081
 
Nebraska
4,882
   
4,279
   
500
   
439
   
36,452
   
36,375
 
Residential
34,749
   
28,633
   
3,568
   
3,196
   
232,526
   
231,323
 
Montana
12,085
   
9,656
   
1,227
   
1,124
   
22,267
   
22,077
 
South Dakota
3,978
   
3,649
   
577
   
507
   
5,954
   
5,867
 
Nebraska
3,465
   
3,236
   
566
   
509
   
4,567
   
4,531
 
Commercial
19,528
   
16,541
   
2,370
   
2,140
   
32,788
   
32,475
 
Industrial
228
   
253
   
24
   
30
   
278
   
288
 
Other
231
   
173
   
28
   
23
   
145
   
146
 
Total Retail Gas
$
54,736
   
$
45,600
   
5,990
   
5,389
   
265,737
   
264,232
 
 
 
   
2011 as compared with:
Heating Degree-Days
 
2010
 
Historic Average
Montana
 
 15% colder
 
 9% colder
South Dakota
 
 9% colder
 
 35% colder
Nebraska
 
 4% colder
 
 14% colder

 

 
 

 
NorthWestern Reports Second Quarter 2011 Financial Results
July 27, 2011
Page 14



 
 

NORTHWESTERN CORPORATION
NATURAL GAS SEGMENT
 
Six Months Ended June 30, 2011
 
(Unaudited)
 
 
 
Results
 
2011
 
2010
 
Change
 
% Change
 
(dollars in millions)
Retail revenue
$
175.8
   
$
164.0
   
$
11.8
   
7.2
%
Wholesale and other
18.1
   
24.9
   
(6.8
)
 
(27.3
)
Total Revenues
193.9
   
188.9
   
5.0
   
2.6
 
Total Cost of Sales
111.1
   
111.4
   
(0.3
)
 
(0.3
)
Gross Margin
$
82.8
   
$
77.5
   
$
5.3
   
6.8
%
 
 
Revenues
 
Dekatherms (Dkt)
 
Customer Counts
 
2011
 
2010
 
2011
 
2010
 
2011
 
2010
 
(in thousands)
       
Retail Gas
                     
Montana
$
75,402
   
$
64,460
   
8,093
   
7,256
   
158,940
   
158,080
 
South Dakota
18,871
   
19,064
   
2,212
   
2,021
   
37,467
   
37,328
 
Nebraska
16,367
   
17,112
   
1,882
   
1,888
   
36,700
   
36,625
 
Residential
110,640
   
100,636
   
12,187
   
11,165
   
233,107
   
232,033
 
Montana
38,523
   
32,069
   
4,142
   
3,607
   
22,270
   
22,083
 
South Dakota
13,280
   
16,917
   
1,909
   
2,239
   
5,954
   
5,915
 
Nebraska
11,708
   
12,742
   
1,853
   
1,864
   
4,602
   
4,568
 
Commercial
63,511
   
61,728
   
7,904
   
7,710
   
32,826
   
32,566
 
Industrial
920
   
1,079
   
102
   
125
   
280
   
290
 
Other
680
   
564
   
86
   
74
   
145
   
146
 
Total Retail Gas
$
175,751
   
$
164,007
   
20,279
   
19,074
   
266,358
   
265,035
 
 
   
2011 as compared with:
Heating Degree-Days
 
2010
 
Historic Average
Montana
 
 10% colder
 
 7% colder
South Dakota
 
 9% colder
 
 11% colder
Nebraska
 
 1% colder
 
 4% colder



 
 

 
NorthWestern Reports Second Quarter 2011 Financial Results
July 27, 2011
Page 15




 
 
NORTHWESTERN CORPORATION
 
SEGMENT RESULTS
 
(Unaudited)
(in thousands)

 
Three Months Ended
             
June 30, 2011
Electric
 
Gas
 
Other
 
Eliminations
 
Total
Operating revenues
$
186,789
   
$
64,692
   
$
325
   
$
   
$
251,806
 
Cost of sales
76,925
   
33,482
   
   
   
110,407
 
Gross margin
109,864
   
31,210
   
325
   
   
141,399
 
Operating, general and administrative
49,374
   
19,224
   
941
   
   
69,539
 
Property and other taxes
15,302
   
5,246
   
2
   
   
20,550
 
Depreciation
20,386
   
4,671
   
9
   
   
25,066
 
Operating income (loss)
24,802
   
2,069
   
(627
)
 
   
26,244
 
Interest expense
(13,689
)
 
(2,729
)
 
(478
)
 
   
(16,896
)
Other income
724
   
355
   
27
   
   
1,106
 
Income tax (expense) benefit
(3,670
)
 
326
   
3,860
   
   
516
 
Net income
$
8,167
   
$
21
   
$
2,782
   
$
   
$
10,970
 
 
Total assets
$
2,116,854
   
$
877,235
   
$
12,901
   
$
   
$
3,006,990
 
Capital expenditures
$
28,756
   
$
5,521
   
$
   
$
   
$
34,277
 
 
Three Months Ended
             
June 30, 2010
Electric
 
Gas
 
Other
 
Eliminations
 
Total
Operating revenues
$
184,838
   
$
58,900
   
$
321
   
$
   
$
244,059
 
Cost of sales
82,296
   
29,640
   
   
   
111,936
 
Gross margin
102,542
   
29,260
   
321
   
   
132,123
 
Operating, general and administrative
41,873
   
17,133
   
(1,880
)
 
   
57,126
 
Property and other taxes
18,281
   
6,659
   
44
   
   
24,984
 
Depreciation
18,620
   
4,369
   
8
   
   
22,997
 
Operating income
23,768
   
1,099
   
2,149
   
   
27,016
 
Interest expense
(11,915
)
 
(3,456
)
 
(686
)
 
   
(16,057
)
Other income (expense)
1,949
   
(123
)
 
27
   
   
1,853
 
Income tax (expense) benefit
(4,405
)
 
1,155
   
2,129
   
   
(1,121
)
Net income (loss)
$
9,397
   
$
(1,325
)
 
$
3,619
   
$
   
11,691
 
 
Total assets
$
1,986,414
   
$
831,338
   
$
14,197
   
$
   
$
2,831,949
 
Capital expenditures
$
47,303
   
$
11,134
   
$
   
$
   
$
58,437
 
                   
 
 

 
 

 
NorthWestern Reports Second Quarter 2011 Financial Results
July 27, 2011
Page 16




 
 
Six Months Ended
             
June 30, 2011
Electric
 
Gas
 
Other
 
Eliminations
 
Total
Operating revenues
$
395,411
   
$
193,904
   
$
751
   
$
   
$
590,066
 
Cost of sales
161,371
   
111,107
   
   
   
272,478
 
Gross margin
234,040
   
82,797
   
751
   
   
317,588
 
Operating, general and administrative
94,660
   
40,672
   
1,590
   
   
136,922
 
Property and other taxes
34,043
   
11,898
   
5
   
   
45,946
 
Depreciation
40,740
   
9,624
   
17
   
   
50,381
 
Operating income (loss)
64,597
   
20,603
   
(861
)
 
   
84,339
 
Interest expense
(27,216
)
 
(5,394
)
 
(1,433
)
 
   
(34,043
)
Other income
1,339
   
519
   
53
   
   
1,911
 
Income tax expense
(7,591
)
 
(4,244
)
 
3,173
   
   
(8,662
)
Net income (loss)
$
31,129
   
$
11,484
   
$
932
   
$
   
$
43,545
 
 
Total assets
$
2,116,854
   
$
877,235
   
$
12,901
   
$
   
$
3,006,990
 
Capital expenditures
$
54,850
   
$
17,007
   
$
   
$
   
$
71,857
 

 
Six Months Ended
             
June 30, 2010
Electric
 
Gas
 
Other
 
Eliminations
 
Total
Operating revenues
$
388,677
   
$
188,919
   
$
636
   
$
   
$
578,232
 
Cost of sales
173,361
   
111,402
   
   
   
284,763
 
Gross margin
215,316
   
77,517
   
636
   
   
293,469
 
Operating, general and administrative
81,889
   
35,026
   
(1,481
)
 
   
115,434
 
Property and other taxes
35,055
   
12,812
   
85
   
   
47,952
 
Depreciation
37,124
   
8,731
   
17
   
   
45,872
 
Operating income
61,248
   
20,948
   
2,015
   
   
84,211
 
Interest expense
(25,107
)
 
(6,602
)
 
(1,398
)
 
   
(33,107
)
Other income
2,406
   
147
   
53
   
   
2,606
 
Income tax (expense) benefit
(10,939
)
 
(4,584
)
 
2,222
   
   
(13,301
)
Net income
$
27,608
   
$
9,909
   
$
2,892
   
$
   
$
40,409
 
 
Total assets
$
1,986,414
   
$
831,338
   
$
14,197
   
$
   
$
2,831,949
 
Capital expenditures
$
99,553
   
$
16,680
   
$
   
$
   
$
116,233