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8-K - FORM 8-K - ITC Holdings Corp. | k49736e8vk.htm |
Exhibit 99.1
For Immediate Release
ITC HOLDINGS REPORTS INCREASED THIRD QUARTER
AND YEAR-TO-DATE 2010 RESULTS; RAISES 2010
EARNINGS PER SHARE GUIDANCE
AND YEAR-TO-DATE 2010 RESULTS; RAISES 2010
EARNINGS PER SHARE GUIDANCE
Highlights
| Net income for the third quarter of $38.4 million, or $0.75 per diluted common share | ||
| Net income for the nine months ended September 30, 2010 of $108.9 million, or $2.13 per diluted common share | ||
| Capital investments of $333.2 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2010 | ||
| 2010 earnings per share guidance increased to $2.75 to $2.80 per share; reaffirmed 2010 capital expenditure guidance of $420 to $460 million | ||
| Reaffirmed 2011 earnings per share guidance of $3.20 to $3.30 per share and capital expenditure guidance of $560 to $640 million |
Three months ended | Nine months ended | |||||||||||||||
September 30, | September 30, | |||||||||||||||
(in thousands, except per share data) | 2010 | 2009 | 2010 | 2009 | ||||||||||||
OPERATING REVENUES
|
$ | 178,020 | $ | 151,328 | $ | 507,776 | $ | 464,507 | ||||||||
NET INCOME
|
$ | 38,394 | $ | 37,818 | $ | 108,899 | $ | 97,336 | ||||||||
DILUTED EPS
|
$ | 0.75 | $ | 0.74 | $ | 2.13 | $ | 1.92 |
NOVI, Mich., October 27, 2010 ITC Holdings Corp. (NYSE: ITC) today announced its third
quarter and year-to-date results for the period ended September 30, 2010. Net income for the
quarter was $38.4 million, or $0.75 per diluted common share, compared to $37.8 million, or $0.74
per diluted common share for the third quarter of 2009. Net income for the nine months ended
September 30, 2010 was $108.9 million, or $2.13 per diluted common share, compared to $97.3
million, or $1.92 per diluted common share for the same period last year. Diluted earnings per
share in the third quarter and year-to-date 2009 periods include $0.11 associated with the
recognition of regulatory assets at ITC Great Plains that did not reoccur in 2010.
For the nine months ended September 30, 2010, ITC invested $333.2 million in capital projects at
its operating companies, including $45.5 million, $102.0 million, $175.6 million and $10.1 million
at ITCTransmission, METC, ITC Midwest and ITC Great Plains, respectively.
ITC continues to extend its strong track record of superior operational and financial
performance, said Joseph L. Welch, chairman, president and CEO of ITC. Our year-to-date results
further demonstrate our ability to deliver on our commitments to customers and shareholders through
the execution of our strategic plan. Importantly, while delivering near-term results, we are also
building
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a solid foundation to support execution of our new five-year capital plan, which provides for
significant investment in transmission infrastructure to improve energy delivery, reliability and
efficiency, and allow for non-discriminatory access to all generating sources.
Reported net income for the third quarter of 2010 increased $0.6 million, or $0.01 per diluted
common share, compared to the same period in 2009. For the nine months ended September 30, 2010,
net income increased $11.6 million, or $0.21 per diluted common share, compared to the same period
in 2009. Results for the third quarter and year-to-date 2009 periods reflect the impacts of the
recognition of $9.3 million, or $0.11 per diluted common share, of regulatory assets at ITC Great
Plains. 2010 results do not include the recognition of any such regulatory assets. In addition to
this item, other key drivers that contributed to year-over-year variances include:
| An increase in net income for the quarter and year-to-date period due to higher rate base and Allowance for Funds Used During Construction (AFUDC) at all operating companies. | ||
| Higher net income for the quarter and year-to-date period due to lower non-recoverable expenses. | ||
| Higher net income for the quarter and year-to-date period due to a lower consolidated effective income tax rate. | ||
| These increases in net income for the quarter and year-to-date period were partially offset by higher interest expense resulting from our financing activities for ITC Holdings which were completed in late 2009. |
EPS and Capital Expenditure Guidance
As a result of ITCs financial performance for the nine months ended September 30, 2010, ITC is
today raising its 2010 earnings per share guidance to a range of $2.75 to $2.80 per share, from a
previous range of $2.70 to $2.75 per share.
2010 capital expenditure guidance remains in the range of $420 to $460 million, including $50 to
$60 million, $130 to $140 million, $220 to $235 million and $20 to $25 million for ITCTransmission,
METC, ITC Midwest and ITC Great Plains, respectively.
ITC is also reaffirming its 2011 earnings per share guidance of $3.20 to $3.30 and capital
expenditure guidance of $560 to $640 million. Capital expenditure guidance reflects $60 to $75
million, $155 to $170 million, $225 to $250 million and $120 to $145 million for ITCTransmission,
METC, ITC Midwest and ITC Great Plains, respectively.
Third Quarter 2010 Financial Results Detail
ITCs operating revenues for the third quarter increased to $178.0 million from $151.3 million for
the same period last year. This increase was primarily due to higher network revenues attributable
to higher recoverable expenses associated with operating and maintenance expense and higher rate
base at our regulated operating subsidiaries. In addition, the increase resulted from higher
point-to-point revenues due primarily to an increase in scheduled transmission flow over our
transmission systems.
Operation and maintenance (O&M) expenses of $33.7 million were $11.6 million higher during the
third quarter of 2010 compared to the same period in 2009. This increase was a result of higher
equipment and structure maintenance expenses, higher vegetation management expenses and higher
tower painting expenses. The lower operation and maintenance expenses in 2009 were due in part to
the expense mitigation efforts in 2009.
General and administrative (G&A) expenses of $18.2 million were $8.7 million higher during the
third quarter of 2010 compared to the same period in 2009. This increase was largely a result of
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the reduction of expenses in 2009 in connection with the recognition of regulatory assets at ITC
Great Plains which did not reoccur in 2010. In addition, G&A expenses increased due to personnel
additions and higher stock compensation expense. G&A expenses for the quarter include $2.1 million
of development costs at ITC Grid Development and its subsidiaries and at Green Power Express which
were $0.2 million higher than the same period in 2009, absent the impacts of the recognition of the
regulatory assets in 2009.
Depreciation and amortization expenses of $20.9 million increased by $1.3 million during the third
quarter of 2010 compared to the same period in 2009. This increase was primarily due to a higher
depreciable asset base resulting from property, plant and equipment additions. The increase was
partially offset by the reduced depreciation rates that went into effect at ITCTransmission and
METC in the third and fourth quarter of 2009, respectively. In addition, the increase in
depreciation expense was further offset by lower depreciation expense at ITC Midwest due primarily
to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) approval in July 2010 of a depreciation study
for ITC Midwest which revised the depreciation rates used to calculate depreciation expense for the
entire 2010 calendar year.
Interest expense of $36.1 million increased by $3.7 million for the third quarter of 2010 compared
to the same period in 2009, due primarily to higher borrowing levels to finance capital
expenditures.
The effective income tax rate for the third quarter of 2010 was 37.1 percent compared to 37.6
percent the same period last year.
Year-To-Date 2010 Financial Results Detail
ITCs operating revenues for the nine months ended September 30, 2010 increased to $507.8 million
from $464.5 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 due primarily to higher operating and maintenance expenses, partially
offset by lower recoverable depreciation and amortization expenses. In addition, the increase
resulted from higher regional cost sharing revenues in 2010, due primarily to capital projects
placed in-service that have been identified by MISO as eligible for regional cost sharing, and due
to higher point-to-point revenues due primarily to an increase in scheduled transmission flow over
our transmission systems. Lastly, other revenues increased due primarily to revenue recognized at
METC for utilization of its jointly-owned transmission lines under its transmission ownership and
operating agreements.
O&M expenses of $86.0 million were $18.2 million higher for the nine months ended September 30,
2010 compared to the same period in 2009. This increase was a result of higher equipment and
structure maintenance expenses, higher vegetation management expenses and higher tower painting
expenses. The lower operation and maintenance expenses in 2009 were due in part to the expense
mitigation efforts in 2009.
G&A expenses of $53.4 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2010 were $3.7 million higher
compared to the same period in 2009. This increase was largely a result of the reduction of
expenses in 2009 in connection with the recognition of regulatory assets at ITC Great Plains which
did not reoccur in 2010. In addition, G&A expenses increased due to personnel additions and higher
stock compensation expense. These increases were partially offset by lower professional advisory
and consulting services as well as lower general business expenses. G&A expenses for the nine
months ended September 30, 2010 include $5.6 million of development costs at ITC Grid Development
and its subsidiaries and at Green Power Express which were $1.5 million lower than the same period
in 2009, absent the impacts of the recognition of the regulatory assets in 2009.
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Depreciation and amortization expenses of $65.5 million decreased by $6.8 million during the nine
months ended September 30, 2010, compared to the same period in 2009. This decrease was due the
reduced depreciation rates that went into effect at ITCTransmission and METC in the third and
fourth quarters of 2009, respectively. In addition, the decrease was partially attributable to
lower depreciation expense at ITC Midwest due primarily to the FERC approval in July 2010 of a
depreciation study for ITC Midwest which revised the depreciation rates used to calculate
depreciation expense for the entire 2010 calendar year.
Interest expense of $106.5 million increased $9.8 million in the first nine months of 2010 compared
to the same period in 2009, due primarily to higher borrowing levels to finance capital
expenditures.
The effective income tax rate for the nine months ended September 30, 2010 was 36.7 percent
compared to 37.5 percent in 2009.
Third Quarter Conference Call
ITC will conduct a conference call to discuss third quarter and year-to-date 2010 earnings results
at 11:00 a.m. ET on October 28, 2010. Joseph L. Welch, chairman, president and CEO, will provide
a business overview, and Cameron M. Bready, senior vice president, treasurer 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 audio webcast of the conference call will be available on the companys investor
information page at http://investor.itc-holdings.com/events.cfm. The conference call replay,
available through Tuesday, November 2, 2010, can be accessed by dialing toll-free (800) 642-1687
(domestic) or (706) 645-9291 (international), passcode 17923639. The webcast will also be archived
on the ITC website at http://investor.itc-holdings.com/events.cfm.
Other Available Information
More detail about the 2010 third quarter results and year-to-date results may be found in ITCs
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 listings below.
About ITC Holdings Corp.
ITC Holdings Corp. (NYSE: ITC) invests in the electricity transmission grid to improve electric
reliability, expand access to markets, lower the overall cost of delivered energy and allow new
generating resources to interconnect to its transmission systems. The largest independent
electricity transmission company in the country, ITC operates high-voltage transmission systems in
Michigans Lower Peninsula and portions of Iowa, Minnesota, Illinois, Missouri and Kansas, serving
a combined peak load in excess of 25,000 megawatts through its regulated operating subsidiaries,
ITCTransmission, Michigan Electric Transmission Company (METC), ITC Midwest and ITC Great Plains.
ITC also focuses on new areas where significant transmission system improvements are needed through
ITC Grid Development and its subsidiaries. For more information, please visit:
http://www.itc-holdings.com. (itc-ITC)
Safe Harbor Statement
This press release contains certain statements that describe our managements 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
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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.
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: Louise Beller (248.946.3479, lbeller@itctransco.com)
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ITC HOLDINGS CORP. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS (UNAUDITED)
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS (UNAUDITED)
Three months ended | Nine months ended | |||||||||||||||
September 30, | September 30, | |||||||||||||||
(in thousands, except per share data) | 2010 | 2009 | 2010 | 2009 | ||||||||||||
OPERATING REVENUES |
$ | 178,020 | $ | 151,328 | $ | 507,776 | $ | 464,507 | ||||||||
OPERATING EXPENSES |
||||||||||||||||
Operation and maintenance |
33,748 | 22,132 | 85,971 | 67,792 | ||||||||||||
General and administrative |
18,199 | 9,507 | 53,393 | 49,653 | ||||||||||||
Depreciation and amortization |
20,856 | 19,590 | 65,538 | 72,325 | ||||||||||||
Taxes other than income taxes |
12,143 | 11,049 | 36,077 | 32,759 | ||||||||||||
Other operating income and expense net |
(139 | ) | (7 | ) | (622 | ) | (7 | ) | ||||||||
Total operating expenses |
84,807 | 62,271 | 240,317 | 222,522 | ||||||||||||
OPERATING INCOME |
93,213 | 89,057 | 267,459 | 241,985 | ||||||||||||
OTHER EXPENSES (INCOME) |
||||||||||||||||
Interest expense |
36,088 | 32,412 | 106,450 | 96,666 | ||||||||||||
Allowance for equity funds used during construction |
(3,585 | ) | (3,764 | ) | (10,163 | ) | (9,762 | ) | ||||||||
Other income |
(878 | ) | (738 | ) | (2,550 | ) | (2,125 | ) | ||||||||
Other expense |
586 | 521 | 1,617 | 1,487 | ||||||||||||
Total other expenses (income) |
32,211 | 28,431 | 95,354 | 86,266 | ||||||||||||
INCOME BEFORE INCOME TAXES |
61,002 | 60,626 | 172,105 | 155,719 | ||||||||||||
INCOME TAX PROVISION |
22,608 | 22,808 | 63,206 | 58,383 | ||||||||||||
NET INCOME |
$ | 38,394 | $ | 37,818 | $ | 108,899 | $ | 97,336 | ||||||||
Basic earnings per common share |
$ | 0.76 | $ | 0.76 | $ | 2.17 | $ | 1.95 | ||||||||
Diluted earnings per common share |
$ | 0.75 | $ | 0.74 | $ | 2.13 | $ | 1.92 | ||||||||
Dividends declared per common share |
$ | 0.335 | $ | 0.320 | $ | 0.975 | $ | 0.930 |
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ITC HOLDINGS CORP. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF FINANCIAL POSITION (UNAUDITED)
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF FINANCIAL POSITION (UNAUDITED)
September 30, | December 31, | |||||||
(in thousands, except share data) | 2010 | 2009 | ||||||
ASSETS |
||||||||
Current assets |
||||||||
Cash and cash equivalents |
$ | 74,263 | $ | 74,853 | ||||
Accounts receivable |
89,454 | 72,352 | ||||||
Inventory |
42,639 | 36,834 | ||||||
Deferred income taxes |
29,642 | 23,859 | ||||||
Regulatory assets revenue accrual, including accrued interest |
39,687 | 82,871 | ||||||
Other |
6,257 | 3,244 | ||||||
Total current assets |
281,942 | 294,013 | ||||||
Property, plant and equipment (net of
accumulated depreciation and amortization of $1,116,060 and $1,051,045, respectively) |
2,768,971 | 2,542,064 | ||||||
Other assets |
||||||||
Goodwill |
950,163 | 950,163 | ||||||
Intangible assets (net of accumulated amortization
of $11,406 and $9,095, respectively) |
49,755 | 51,987 | ||||||
Regulatory assets revenue accrual, including accrued interest |
6,838 | 20,406 | ||||||
Other regulatory assets |
134,095 | 134,924 | ||||||
Deferred financing fees (net of accumulated amortization of
$11,082 and $9,616, respectively) |
20,554 | 21,672 | ||||||
Other |
17,224 | 14,487 | ||||||
Total other assets |
1,178,629 | 1,193,639 | ||||||
TOTAL ASSETS |
$ | 4,229,542 | $ | 4,029,716 | ||||
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS EQUITY |
||||||||
Current liabilities |
||||||||
Accounts payable |
$ | 67,586 | $ | 43,508 | ||||
Accrued payroll |
12,801 | 13,648 | ||||||
Accrued interest |
23,225 | 39,099 | ||||||
Accrued taxes |
10,138 | 21,188 | ||||||
Regulatory liabilities revenue deferral, including accrued interest |
10,353 | | ||||||
Refundable deposits from generators for transmission network upgrades |
26,134 | 25,891 | ||||||
Other |
3,419 | 3,344 | ||||||
Total current liabilities |
153,656 | 146,678 | ||||||
Accrued pension and postretirement liabilities |
29,502 | 31,158 | ||||||
Deferred income taxes |
324,124 | 255,516 | ||||||
Regulatory liabilities revenue deferral, including accrued interest |
63,549 | 10,238 | ||||||
Regulatory liabilities accrued asset removal costs |
91,297 | 112,430 | ||||||
Refundable deposits from generators for transmission network upgrades |
6,804 | 17,664 | ||||||
Other |
12,181 | 10,111 | ||||||
Long-term debt |
2,460,180 | 2,434,398 | ||||||
Commitments and contingent liabilities |
||||||||
STOCKHOLDERS EQUITY |
||||||||
Common stock, without par value, 100,000,000 shares authorized,
50,633,705 and 50,084,061 shares issued and outstanding at September 30,
2010 and December 31, 2009, respectively |
879,360 | 862,512 | ||||||
Retained earnings |
209,606 | 149,776 | ||||||
Accumulated other comprehensive loss |
(717 | ) | (765 | ) | ||||
Total stockholders equity |
1,088,249 | 1,011,523 | ||||||
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS EQUITY |
$ | 4,229,542 | $ | 4,029,716 | ||||
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ITC HOLDINGS CORP. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (UNAUDITED)
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (UNAUDITED)
Nine months ended | ||||||||
September 30, | ||||||||
(in thousands) | 2010 | 2009 | ||||||
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES |
||||||||
Net income |
$ | 108,899 | $ | 97,336 | ||||
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities: |
||||||||
Depreciation and amortization expense |
65,538 | 72,325 | ||||||
Revenue accrual and deferral including accrued interest |
120,416 | 16,861 | ||||||
Deferred income tax expense |
56,768 | 57,330 | ||||||
Allowance for equity funds used during construction |
(10,163 | ) | (9,762 | ) | ||||
Recognition of ITC Great Plains regulatory assets |
| (8,191 | ) | |||||
Other |
10,077 | 8,260 | ||||||
Changes in assets and liabilities, exclusive of changes shown separately: |
||||||||
Accounts receivable |
(18,091 | ) | (4,717 | ) | ||||
Inventory |
(5,805 | ) | (10,130 | ) | ||||
Other current assets |
(3,013 | ) | (799 | ) | ||||
Accounts payable |
5,372 | (5,360 | ) | |||||
Accrued payroll |
(223 | ) | 234 | |||||
Accrued interest |
(15,874 | ) | (18,817 | ) | ||||
Accrued taxes |
(9,742 | ) | (8,038 | ) | ||||
Other current liabilities |
76 | (2,713 | ) | |||||
Other non-current assets and liabilities, net |
(6,567 | ) | 2,896 | |||||
Net cash provided by operating activities |
297,668 | 186,715 | ||||||
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES |
||||||||
Expenditures for property, plant and equipment |
(270,183 | ) | (327,611 | ) | ||||
Proceeds from sale of securities |
14,576 | 920 | ||||||
Purchases of securities |
(14,587 | ) | (1,255 | ) | ||||
Other |
(78 | ) | (2,585 | ) | ||||
Net cash used in investing activities |
(270,272 | ) | (330,531 | ) | ||||
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES |
||||||||
Issuance of long-term debt |
90,000 | 100,000 | ||||||
Borrowings under revolving credit agreements |
329,027 | 482,466 | ||||||
Repayments of revolving credit agreements |
(393,593 | ) | (426,529 | ) | ||||
Issuance of common stock |
7,049 | 2,324 | ||||||
Dividends on common stock |
(49,064 | ) | (46,389 | ) | ||||
Refundable deposits from generators for transmission network upgrades |
16,203 | 35,188 | ||||||
Repayment of refundable deposits from generators for transmission network upgrades |
(26,567 | ) | (5,228 | ) | ||||
Other |
(1,041 | ) | (1,945 | ) | ||||
Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities |
(27,986 | ) | 139,887 | |||||
NET DECREASE IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS |
(590 | ) | (3,929 | ) | ||||
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS Beginning of period |
74,853 | 58,110 | ||||||
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS End of period |
$ | 74,263 | $ | 54,181 | ||||
8