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8-K - FORM 8-K - ITC Holdings Corp.d340138d8k.htm

Exhibit 99.1

 

LOGO

For Immediate Release

ITC HOLDINGS REPORTS INCREASED FIRST QUARTER

2012 RESULTS

Highlights

 

   

First quarter 2012 operating earnings of $0.93 per diluted common share; first quarter 2012 reported earnings of $0.88 per diluted common share

 

   

Capital investments of $203.0 million for the three months ended March 31, 2012

 

   

Reaffirmed 2012 operating earnings guidance of $3.90 to $4.05 per diluted share and capital expenditure guidance of $730 to $830 million

 

     Three months ended
March 31,
 
(in thousands, except per share data)    2012      2011  

OPERATING REVENUES

   $ 196,713       $ 179,386   

REPORTED NET INCOME

     46,051         42,002   

OPERATING EARNINGS

     48,580         42,002   

DILUTED EPS

   $ 0.88       $ 0.81   

OPERATING DILUTED EPS

   $ 0.93       $ 0.81   

NOVI, Mich., April 24, 2012—ITC Holdings Corp. (NYSE: ITC) today announced its first quarter results for the period ended March 31, 2012. Reported net income for the quarter, measured in accordance with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP), was $46.1 million, or $0.88 per diluted common share, compared to $42.0 million, or $0.81 per diluted common share for the first quarter of 2011.

Operating earnings for the quarter were $48.6 million, or $0.93 per diluted common share, compared to operating earnings of $42.0 million, or $0.81 per diluted common share for the first quarter of 2011. Operating earnings are non-GAAP measures that exclude the impact of after-tax expenses of approximately $2.5 million, or $0.05 per share, associated with the previously announced transaction with Entergy Corporation (Entergy).

For the three months ended March 31, 2012, ITC invested $203.0 million in capital projects at its operating companies, including $41.1 million, $39.8 million, $92.4 million and $29.7 million at ITCTransmission, METC, ITC Midwest and ITC Great Plains, respectively.

“Overall, we are quite pleased with our start to 2012,” said Joseph L. Welch, chairman, president and CEO of ITC. “During the first quarter, we experienced strong operational and financial performance, while making solid headway against our annual capital investment plans, which represent the largest in our history. In addition, we also made good progress with the implementation of our Entergy transaction, including initiating our integration activities and preparing to effectively execute the regulatory approval process.”

 

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Operating earnings for the first quarter of 2012 increased $6.6 million, or $0.12 per diluted common share, compared to the same period in 2011. This increase was largely attributable to higher income associated with increased rate base and AFUDC at all of our operating companies, partially offset by 1) lower revenues associated with the amortization of the ITCTransmission rate freeze revenue deferral which expired in May 2011 and 2) lower general and administrative expenses in the first quarter of 2011 due to the recognition of a regulatory asset associated with the Kansas V-Plan Project, which did not reoccur in the first quarter of 2012.

EPS and Capital Expenditure Guidance

For 2012, ITC is reaffirming its full year operating earnings guidance of $3.90 to $4.05 per share, excluding expenses associated with implementing the transaction with Entergy. Capital investment guidance for 2012 is also being maintained at $730 to $830 million, which includes $185 to $210 million, $155 to $180 million, $295 to $325 million and $95 to $115 million for ITCTransmission, METC, ITC Midwest and ITC Great Plains, respectively.

First Quarter 2012 Financial Results Detail

ITC’s operating revenues for the first quarter increased to $196.7 million from $179.4 million for the same period last year. This increase was primarily due to higher network revenues attributable to higher rate base at our regulated operating subsidiaries and higher recoverable expenses associated with operating expenses. In addition, the increase resulted from higher regional cost sharing revenues due primarily to additional capital projects that have been identified by the Midwest ISO as eligible for regional cost sharing and these projects being placed-in-service. Partially offsetting these increases was the impact of the elimination of the amortization of the ITCTransmission rate freeze revenue deferral in 2011.

Operation and maintenance expenses of $28.7 million were $2.4 million higher during the first quarter of 2012 compared to the same period in 2011. This increase was primarily due to increased vegetation management requirements and increased NERC compliance activities associated with surveying transmission overhead lines.

General and administrative expenses of $19.1 million, which excludes $3.9 million of pre-tax expenses related to the Entergy transaction, were $2.6 million higher compared to the same period in 2011. This increase was primarily due to the recognition of the Kansas V-Plan Project regulatory asset, which reduced expenses in 2011 and did not reoccur in 2012, and higher general business expenses primarily related to increased information technology support.

Depreciation and amortization expenses of $25.0 million increased by $1.9 million during the first quarter of 2012 compared to the same period in 2011. This increase was primarily due to a higher depreciable asset base resulting from property, plant and equipment additions.

Taxes other than income taxes of $14.3 million were $0.7 million higher for the first quarter of 2012 compared to the same period in 2011. This increase was due to 2011 capital additions at our regulated operating subsidiaries, which are included in the tax base for 2012 personal property taxes.

Interest expense of $37.9 million for the first quarter of 2012 increased $1.6 million compared to the same period in 2011 due primarily to higher borrowing levels to finance capital expenditures.

The effective income tax rate for the first quarter of 2012 was 36.9 percent, excluding a reduction to income taxes of approximately $1.3 million associated with the Entergy transaction expenses, compared to 37.1 percent for the same period last year.

 

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First Quarter Conference Call

ITC will conduct a conference call to discuss the first quarter results on Wednesday, April 25, 2012 at 11 a.m. Eastern time. Joseph L. Welch, chairman, president and CEO, will provide a business overview, and Cameron M. Bready, executive vice president and CFO, will discuss the financial results. Individuals wishing to participate in the conference call may dial toll-free (877) 644-1296 (domestic) or (914) 495-8555 (international); there is no passcode. A listen-only live webcast of the conference call, including accompanying slides and the Earnings Release, will be available on the investor information page. The conference call replay, available through Monday, April 30, 2012, can be accessed by dialing (855) 859-2056 (toll free) or (404) 537-3406, passcode 69082300. The webcast will also be archived on the ITC website.

Other Available Information

More detail about the 2012 first quarter results may be found in ITC’s Form 10-Q filing. Once filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, an electronic copy of our 10-Q can be found at our website, http://investor.itc-holdings.com. Written copies can also be made available by contacting us either through our website or the phone numbers below.

About ITC Holdings Corp.

ITC Holdings Corp. (NYSE: ITC) is the nation’s largest independent electric transmission company. Based in Novi, Michigan, ITC invests in the electric transmission grid to improve reliability, expand access to markets, lower the overall cost of delivered energy and allow new generating resources to interconnect to its transmission systems. ITC’s regulated operating subsidiaries include ITCTransmission, Michigan Electric Transmission Company, ITC Midwest and ITC Great Plains. Through these subsidiaries, ITC owns and operates high-voltage transmission facilities in Michigan, Iowa, Minnesota, Illinois, Missouri and Kansas, serving a combined peak load exceeding 26,000 megawatts along 15,000 circuit miles of transmission line. Through ITC Grid Development and its subsidiaries, the company also focuses on expansion in areas where significant transmission system improvements are needed. For more information, please visit ITC’s website. (itc-ITC)

GAAP v. Non-GAAP Measures

ITC’s reported earnings are prepared in accordance with GAAP and represent earnings as reported to the Securities and Exchange Commission. ITC’s management believes the company’s operating earnings, or GAAP earnings adjusted for specific items as described in the release, provide a more meaningful representation of the company’s fundamental earnings power. However, such measures should not be considered in isolation or as substitutes for results prepared in accordance with GAAP.

Safe Harbor Statement

This press release contains certain statements that describe our management’s beliefs concerning future business conditions, plans and prospects, growth opportunities and the outlook for our business and the electricity transmission industry based upon information currently available. Such statements are “forward-looking” statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Wherever possible, we have identified these forward-looking statements by words such as “will,” “may,” “anticipates,” “believes,” “intends,” “estimates,” “expects,” “projects” and similar phrases. These forward-looking statements are based upon assumptions our management believes are reasonable. Such forward looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties which could cause our actual results, performance and achievements to differ materially from those expressed in, or implied by, these statements, including, among others, the risks and uncertainties disclosed in our annual report on Form 10-K and our quarterly reports on Form 10-Q filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission from time to time.

 

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Because our forward-looking statements are based on estimates and assumptions that are subject to significant business, economic and competitive uncertainties, many of which are beyond our control or are subject to change, actual results could be materially different and any or all of our forward-looking statements may turn out to be wrong. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date made and can be affected by assumptions we might make or by known or unknown risks and uncertainties. Many factors mentioned in our discussion in this release and in our annual and quarterly reports will be important in determining future results. Consequently, we cannot assure you that our expectations or forecasts expressed in such forward-looking statements will be achieved. Actual future results may vary materially. Except as required by law, we undertake no obligation to publicly update any of our forward-looking or other statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise.

Investor/Analyst contact: Gretchen Holloway, 248-946-3595; gholloway@itctransco.com

Media contact: Robert Doetsch, 248-946-3493; rdoetsch@itctransco.com

 

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ITC HOLDINGS CORP. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS (UNAUDITED)

 

     Three months ended  
     March 31,  
(in thousands, except per share data)    2012     2011  

OPERATING REVENUES

   $ 196,713      $ 179,386   

OPERATING EXPENSES

    

Operation and maintenance

     28,712        26,284   

General and administrative

     23,009        16,580   

Depreciation and amortization

     25,011        23,088   

Taxes other than income taxes

     14,280        13,608   

Other operating (income) and expense — net

     (193     (149
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total operating expenses

     90,819        79,411   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

OPERATING INCOME

     105,894        99,975   

OTHER EXPENSES (INCOME)

    

Interest expense

     37,910        36,277   

Allowance for equity funds used during construction

     (5,624     (3,510

Other income

     (306     (275

Other expense

     831        722   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total other expenses (income)

     32,811        33,214   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

INCOME BEFORE INCOME TAXES

     73,083        66,761   

INCOME TAX PROVISION

     27,032        24,759   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

NET INCOME

   $ 46,051      $ 42,002   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Basic earnings per common share

   $ 0.90      $ 0.83   

Reported diluted earnings per common share

   $ 0.88      $ 0.81   

Operating diluted earnings per common share

   $ 0.93      $ 0.81   

Dividends declared per common share

   $ 0.353      $ 0.335   

RECONCILIATION OF REPORTED NET INCOME (GAAP) TO OPERATING EARNINGS (NON-GAAP MEASURE)—UNAUDITED

 

     Three months ended  
     March 31,  
     2012     2011  

Reported net income

   $ 46,051      $ 42,002   

Pre-tax Entergy transaction related expenses

     3,863        N/A   

Income taxes on adjustments

     (1,334     N/A   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Operating earnings

   $ 48,580      $ 42,002   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

RECONCILIATION OF REPORTED DILUTED EPS (GAAP) TO OPERATING DILUTED EPS (NON-GAAP MEASURE)—UNAUDITED

 

     Three months ended  
     March 31,  
     2012     2011  

Reported diluted EPS

   $ 0.88      $ 0.81   

Pre-tax Entergy transaction related expenses

     0.08        N/A   

Income taxes on adjustments

     (0.03     N/A   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Operating diluted EPS

   $ 0.93      $ 0.81   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

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ITC HOLDINGS CORP. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF FINANCIAL POSITION (UNAUDITED)

 

     March 31,     December 31,  
(in thousands, except share data)    2012     2011  

ASSETS

    

Current assets

    

Cash and cash equivalents

   $ 23,052      $ 58,344   

Accounts receivable

     75,412        76,895   

Inventory

     33,084        34,855   

Deferred income taxes

     21,226        20,636   

Regulatory assets – revenue accruals, including accrued interest

     6,399        6,639   

Other

     8,580        4,159   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total current assets

     167,753        201,528   

Property, plant and equipment (net of accumulated depreciation and amortization of $1,211,584 and $1,193,164, respectively)

     3,593,493        3,415,823   

Other assets

    

Goodwill

     950,163        950,163   

Intangible assets (net of accumulated amortization of $16,051 and $15,276, respectively)

     46,110        46,885   

Regulatory assets – revenue accruals, including accrued interest

     17,509        5,637   

Other regulatory assets

     167,969        161,987   

Deferred financing fees (net of accumulated amortization of $15,486 and $14,594, respectively)

     20,738        20,989   

Other

     19,914        20,354   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total other assets

     1,222,403        1,206,015   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

TOTAL ASSETS

   $ 4,983,649      $ 4,823,366   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

    

Current liabilities

    

Accounts payable

   $ 110,579      $ 136,934   

Accrued payroll

     8,663        18,013   

Accrued interest

     24,194        43,642   

Accrued taxes

     18,042        25,627   

Regulatory liabilities – revenue deferrals, including accrued interest

     47,947        46,579   

Refundable deposits from generators for transmission network upgrades

     50,601        38,805   

Revolving credit agreement maturing within one year

     24,500        —     

Other

     2,227        5,867   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total current liabilities

     286,753        315,467   

Accrued pension and postretirement liabilities

     47,133        44,923   

Deferred income taxes

     401,444        373,268   

Regulatory liabilities – revenue deferrals, including accrued interest

     44,402        50,917   

Regulatory liabilities – accrued asset removal costs

     81,535        83,934   

Refundable deposits from generators for transmission network upgrades

     2,296        14,570   

Other

     32,275        36,373   

Long-term debt

     2,794,388        2,645,022   

STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

    

Common stock, without par value, 100,000,000 shares authorized, 51,362,536 and 51,323,368 shares issued and outstanding at March 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011, respectively

     947,198        943,444   

Retained earnings

     358,766        330,816   

Accumulated other comprehensive loss

     (12,541     (15,368
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total stockholders’ equity

     1,293,423        1,258,892   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

TOTAL LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

   $ 4,983,649      $ 4,823,366   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

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ITC HOLDINGS CORP. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (UNAUDITED)

 

     Three Months Ended
March 31,
 
(in thousands)    2012     2011  

CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES

    

Net income

   $ 46,051      $ 42,002   

Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:

    

Depreciation and amortization expense

     25,011        23,088   

Recognition, refund and collection of revenue accruals and deferrals – including accrued interest

     (16,779     (4,735

Deferred income tax expense

     16,191        16,796   

Allowance for equity funds used during construction

     (5,624     (3,510

Other

     2,974        2,950   

Changes in assets and liabilities, exclusive of changes shown separately:

    

Accounts receivable

     1,232        12,612   

Inventory

     1,771        1,591   

Other current assets

     (4,421     (1,325

Accounts payable

     (4,840     (3,280

Accrued payroll

     (6,726     (8,024

Accrued interest

     (19,448     (19,937

Accrued taxes

     (6,505     1,202   

Other current liabilities

     (3,641     (3,418

Other non-current assets and liabilities, net

     4,429        1,504   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net cash provided by operating activities

     29,675        57,516   

CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES

    

Expenditures for property, plant and equipment

     (224,079     (118,491

Other

     (50     4   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net cash used in investing activities

     (224,129     (118,487

CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES

    

Issuance of long-term debt

     100,000        —     

Borrowings under revolving credit agreements

     342,250        196,300   

Repayments of revolving credit agreements

     (268,500     (155,200

Issuance of common stock

     1,050        8,995   

Dividends on common stock

     (18,101     (17,007

Refundable deposits from generators for transmission network upgrades

     9,636        3,113   

Repayment of refundable deposits from generators for transmission network upgrades

     (5,661     (4,876

Other

     (1,512     (2,082
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net cash provided by financing activities

     159,162        29,243   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

NET DECREASE IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS

     (35,292     (31,728

CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS — Beginning of period

     58,344        95,109   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS — End of period

   $ 23,052      $ 63,381   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

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