Increased rates, tornado recovery add millions to Empire District bottom line

(From Empire District Electric Company)

At the Board of Directors meeting of The Empire District Electric Company held today (NYSE:EDE), the Directors declared a quarterly dividend of $0.25 per share on common stock payable September 16, 2013, to holders of record as of September 3, 2013. The Company, an operator of regulated electric, gas and water utilities, announced today the results for the quarter and twelve months ended June 30, 2013.

Highlights

• The Company reported consolidated earnings for the second quarter of 2013 of $11.7 million, or $0.27 per share, compared to same quarter 2012 earnings of $10.7 million, or $0.25 per share. Earnings for the twelve months ended June 30, 2013 were $59.5 million, or $1.40 per share, compared to earnings of $54.4 million, or $1.29 per share, for the 2012 twelve month period.
• Key drivers for the quarter were increased Missouri electric rates, which became effective April 1, 2013, offset by weather impacts from a cooler June in the quarter ended 2013 and higher electric operating, depreciation and amortization expenses.
• On May 30, 2013, the Company completed the settlement of $30.0 million of 3.73% First Mortgage Bonds due May 30, 2033 and $120.0 million of 4.32% First Mortgage Bonds due May 30, 2043. A portion of the proceeds from the sale of these bonds was used to redeem all $98.0 million aggregate principal amount of the Company’s Senior Notes, 4.50% Series due June 15, 2013. The remaining proceeds will be used for general corporate purposes.

Second Quarter Results

Electric segment gross margin (electric revenue less cost of fuel and purchased power) increased approximately $6.4 million during the second quarter 2013 compared to the 2012 quarter. Increased electric rates for Missouri customers added an estimated $7.8 million to revenue during the quarter. Average customer counts increased period over period, adding about $1.1 million to revenue. Miscellaneous revenues also increased $1.1 million. Each of these items had a positive impact on gross margin. These revenue increases were offset by weather impacts, which reduced revenue an estimated $4.6 million, negatively impacting margin. A $3.2 million decrease in fuel recovery revenues reduced total revenue during the 2013 quarter, however, the reduced fuel recovery revenue is offset by a corresponding reduction in fuel expense, resulting in no net impact on gross margin. Off-system and other revenues made up the balance of the increase in revenue during the period, but have little impact on margin. The cumulative effect of these changes increased total revenue approximately $2.9 million quarter over quarter.

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Gas segment retail sales were positively impacted by cooler second quarter 2013 weather, increasing nearly 78% compared to the previous year’s quarter. This resulted in a quarter over quarter gas segment gross margin (gas revenues less cost of gas sold and transported) increase of approximately $0.7 million on increased revenue of $2.0 million.

Electric segment operating expenses increased approximately $3.9 million quarter over quarter, primarily reflecting increases in transmission and production operations, labor, uncollectable customer accounts, and other miscellaneous expenses. Electric segment depreciation expense increased approximately $2.4 million during the quarter, primarily due to increased levels of plant in service and higher depreciation rates resulting from the recently settled Missouri rate case. Electric segment maintenance expenses were lower by approximately $1.0 million compared to the 2012 quarter. Other income and deductions increased $0.7 million during the quarter due to increases in AFUDC resulting from higher levels of construction activity, positively impacting earnings. Interest expense increased approximately $0.6 million during the 2013 quarter reflecting a higher level of long-term debt outstanding compared to the previous quarter.

Consolidated net income improved approximately $1.0 million during the 2013 quarter as compared to the 2012 quarter.

Twelve Month Ended Results

Electric segment gross margin increased approximately $17.4 million during the twelve month period. Increased Missouri customer electric rates added an estimated $8.2 million to revenue. Increased customer counts, reflecting recovery from the May 2011 tornado, added an estimated $7.4 million to revenues. A change in the Company’s estimate for unbilled revenue in the third quarter of 2012 positively impacted revenue by $3.4 million. Miscellaneous revenue increased $2.1 million. Each of these revenue items had a positive impact on gross margin. Weather impacts, primarily a milder June 2013 and August 2012, reduced revenue during the 2013 twelve month period by an estimated $5.1 million, negatively impacting gross margin. A decrease in fuel recovery revenue of approximately $13.7 million reduced total revenue during the 2013 period. As discussed above, the reduced fuel recovery revenue has no net impact on gross margin due to the offsetting reduction in fuel expense. Off-system revenues made up the balance of the increase in revenue during the twelve month 2013 period, but as noted previously, have little impact on gross margin. The cumulative effective of the changes mentioned above increased total revenue approximately $3.2 million during the twelve month 2013 period.

A colder first half of 2013 positively impacted gas segment results. Gas segment gross margin increased $2.0 million during the 2013 period on increased gas segment revenues of approximately $7.0 million.

Electric segment operating expenses increased $9.5 million period over period. Increases in transmission, employee health care, labor, plant operating expenses, and a regulatory reversal of a gain on sale of assets negatively impacted earnings during the period. Depreciation expense increased approximately $4.9 million during the 2013 twelve month period. Other taxes were $1.7 million higher. The impact of a pre-tax write off of $2.4 million resulting from the recently settled Missouri rate case also negatively impacted period over period earnings. Electric segment maintenance expenses decreased approximately $1.6 million. Other income and deductions increased earnings around $2.0 million due to an increase in AFUDC. Reduced interest expense contributed approximately $1.6 million to 2013 twelve month earnings compared to the 2012 period.

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Consolidated net income increased approximately $5.1 million in the 2013 twelve month period compared to the 2012 period.