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8-K - SOUTHERN UNION COMPANY FORM 8-K, FEBRUARY 25, 2011 - SOUTHERN UNION COsuform8k_022511.htm
SU LETTERHEAD

11-03
For further information:
John F. Walsh
Vice President - Investor Relations
Southern Union Company
212-659-3208


SOUTHERN UNION ANNOUNCES FOURTH QUARTER AND FISCAL 2010 RESULTS; ISSUES 2011 GUIDANCE

 
 
·   2010 EPS from continuing operations of $1.87 vs. $1.37 in prior year
 
 
·   2010 EPS of $1.73 vs. $1.37 in prior year
 
 
·   2010 Adjusted EPS of $1.79 vs. $1.82 in prior year
 
 
  ·   2011 Guidance: GAAP EPS of $1.87 to $2.07; Adjusted EPS of $1.75 to $1.95

HOUSTON, February 25, 2011 – Southern Union Company (NYSE: SUG) today reported net earnings available for common stockholders for the year ended December 31, 2010 of $216.2 million ($1.73 per share), compared with $170.9 million ($1.37 per share) in the prior year.  Net earnings from continuing operations were $234.3 million ($1.87 per share) compared with $170.9 million ($1.37 per share) in the prior year.  Adjusted net earnings available for common stockholders for the same period were $224.2 million ($1.79 per share), compared with $226.1 million ($1.82 per share) in the prior year.  The following table provides a reconciliation of net earnings available for common stockholders to adjusted net earnings available for common stockholders:


Select Non-GAAP Financial Information
 
Years ended December 31,
 
($000s, except per share amounts)
 
2010
   
2009
 
Net earnings available for common stockholders
  $ 216,213     $ 170,897  
Loss from discontinued operations
  $ 18,100     $ -  
Net earnings from continuing operations available
               
     for common stockholders
  $ 234,313     $ 170,897  
After-tax adjustments:
               
     MTM loss on open economic hedges
  $ 11,705     $ 28,175  
     MTM (loss) gain recorded in prior accounting period
  $ (21,641 )   $ 37,410  
     Environmental insurance settlements
  $ -     $ (12,771 )
     Provision for hurricane related repair and abandonment costs
  $ (7,650 )   $ 6,401  
     Reversal of provision for take-or-pay obligations
  $ -     $ (4,017 )
     Loss on extinguishment of preferred stock
  $ 3,295     $ -  
     Tax expense related to elimination of Medicare Part D subsidy
  $ 4,216     $ -  
Adjusted net earnings available for common stockholders
  $ 224,238     $ 226,095  
Net earnings per share available to common stockholders from
               
     continuing operations
  $ 1.87     $ 1.37  
Net earnings per share available for common stockholders
  $ 1.73     $ 1.37  
Adjusted net earnings per share available for common stockholders
  $ 1.79     $ 1.82  

 
 

 
 
For the three month period ended December 31, 2010, the company reported net earnings available for common stockholders of $55.9 million ($.45 per share), compared with $51.0 million ($.41 per share) in the prior year.  Net earnings from continuing operations were $74.0 million ($.59 per share) compared with $51.0 million ($.41 per share) in the prior year.  Adjusted net earnings available for common stockholders for the same period were $65.9 million ($.53 per share), compared with $70.1 million ($.56 per share) in the prior year.  The following table provides a reconciliation of net earnings available for common stockholders to adjusted net earnings available for common stockholders:
 

Select Non-GAAP Financial Information
 
Three months ended Dec. 31,
 
($000s, except per share amounts)
 
2010
   
2009
 
Net earnings available for common stockholders
  $ 55,868     $ 50,953  
Loss from discontinued operations
  $ 18,100     $ -  
Net earnings from continuing operations available
               
     for common stockholders
  $ 73,968     $ 50,953  
After-tax adjustments:
               
     MTM loss on open economic hedges
  $ 3,801     $ 24,414  
     MTM (loss) gain recorded in prior accounting period
  $ (4,224 )   $ 9,325  
     Environmental insurance settlements
  $ -     $ (9,278 )
     Provision for hurricane related repair and abandonment costs
  $ (7,650 )   $ (1,333 )
     Reversal of provision for take-or-pay obligations
  $ -     $ (4,017 )
Adjusted net earnings available for common stockholders
  $ 65,895     $ 70,064  
Net earnings per share from continuing operations available
               
     for common stockholders
  $ 0.59     $ 0.41  
Net earnings per share available for common stockholders
  $ 0.45     $ 0.41  
Adjusted net earnings per share available for common stockholders
  $ 0.53     $ 0.56  

Commenting on the year, George L. Lindemann, chairman and CEO, said, “Our business units produced solid results in 2010 and I expect they will do so again in 2011.  I am happy to announce that within the next few days, we plan to restart our Halley processing facility in the Permian Basin, adding over 60 million cubic feet per day of much needed processing capacity.  We are also making excellent progress on the second phase of the Halley restart which will add another 50 million cubic feet per day of capacity during the third quarter of 2011.  Given the high level of producer activity in the Bone Spring and Avalon Shale plays adjacent to our system, we expect significant growth opportunities to arise over the next several years.”

Vice chairman, president and COO Eric D. Herschmann added, “The past several years have seen Southern Union executing on a major capital investment program, including the Florida Gas Transmission Phase VIII expansion.  The capital projects are expected to be completed and contributing to our cash flows and earnings in the next few months.  Additionally, once the Florida Gas Transmission Phase VIII expansion goes in-service, we will begin generating increased free cash flow.  We will look to redeploy that free cash flow in a manner that will create the greatest value for our shareholders.”
 
 
 
 

 

Fiscal 2010 Highlights:

·  
Southern Union’s transportation and storage segment posted adjusted EBIT of $446.1 million, compared with adjusted EBIT of $414.4 million in the prior year.   The increase was primarily attributable to higher revenues at Trunkline LNG as a result of the LNG infrastructure enhancement construction project placed in service in March 2010, offset partially by lower revenues from interruptible parking and short-term firm transportation services.  Contributions from the company’s unconsolidated investment in Citrus Corp., parent of Florida Gas Transmission Company, LLC (“FGT”), were higher largely due to increased equity AFUDC resulting from the FGT Phase VIII expansion project.
·  
The gathering and processing segment reported adjusted EBIT of $25.9 million, compared with adjusted EBIT of $64.1 million in the prior year.  The decrease is primarily due to lower realized natural gas and natural gas liquids prices compared to the prior period.   Total processed volumes were 430,683 MMBtu/d in the 2010 period compared with 401,715 MMBtu/d in 2009.  For the year, equity volumes, which the company primarily receives through its percentage of proceeds contracts with producers, averaged 35,000 MMBtu/d of natural gas liquids equivalents and 20,000 MMBtu/d of natural gas.
·  
The company’s distribution segment posted EBIT and adjusted EBIT of $63.7 million compared to adjusted EBIT of $59.2 million in the prior year.  The increase was largely due to higher net operating revenue at Missouri Gas Energy, primarily a result of new rates that went into effect on February 28, 2010, partially offset by higher operating, maintenance and general expenses.
·  
Interest expense was $216.7 million for the year compared with $196.8 million in the prior year.  The increase was primarily due to the lower level of interest costs capitalized in 2010 compared to 2009, largely a result of the Trunkline LNG infrastructure enhancement construction project being placed in service in March 2010.
·  
Income taxes were $107.0 million in the current period compared with $71.9 million in the prior year.  The increase was primarily due to higher reported pre-tax earnings.
·  
The company recorded a loss on discontinued operations of $18.1 million as a result of an adverse ruling from the U.S. Court of Appeals for the First Circuit in Rhode Island related to its alleged violation of permitting requirements under the federal RCRA.  The Company now intends to petition for a writ of certiorari review by the United States Supreme Court.  The Government has agreed to stay enforcement of the sentence, including payment of the fine and community service, pending resolution of the Company's petition to the United States Supreme Court.

2011 Earnings Guidance

Southern Union expects 2011 net earnings available for common stockholders of $1.87 to $2.07 per share (GAAP basis) and adjusted net earnings available for common stockholders of $1.75 to $1.95 per share.  Adjusted net earnings exclude the mark-to-market impact of open economic hedges of processing spreads.  Additionally, the company has posted its 2011 Financial Outlook presentation, which includes certain financial and operating guidance, to the Investor’s page on its website at www.sug.com.
 

Annual Report on Form 10-K

Southern Union will provide additional information about its 2010 results in its annual report on Form 10-K expected to be filed today with the Securities and Exchange Commission.  Once made, this filing may be accessed through the Investors section of the company’s web site at www.sug.com.

 
Investor Call & Webcast

Southern Union will host a live investor call and webcast today at 9:00 a.m. Eastern time to discuss results, recent events and outlook.  To access the call, dial 800-798-2884 (international callers dial 617-614-6207) and enter passcode 96190805.  A replay of the call will be available for one week after the event by dialing 888-286-8010 (international callers dial 617-801-6888) and entering passcode 37861172.  The webcast may be accessed online through the Investor’s section of the company's web site at www.sug.com.
 

Non-GAAP Financial Measures

The company uses adjusted net earnings (per share) and earnings before interest and taxes (“EBIT”), or adjusted EBIT, as appropriate, as its primary measures of evaluating financial performance.  The company also believes these measures present its financial performance in a manner that is more consistent with the presentation used by the investment community in its evaluation of the company’s financial performance.  Adjusted net earnings (per share), EBIT and adjusted EBIT are non-GAAP measures and should be used in conjunction with net earnings and other financial measures such as operating income or net cash flows provided by operating activities.

About Southern Union Company

Southern Union Company, headquartered in Houston, is one of the nation’s leading diversified natural gas companies, engaged primarily in the transportation, storage, gathering, processing and distribution of natural gas. The company owns and operates one of the nation’s largest natural gas pipeline systems with more than 20,000 miles of gathering and transportation pipelines and one of North America’s largest liquefied natural gas import terminals, along with serving more than half a million natural gas end-user customers in Missouri and Massachusetts.  For further information, visit www.sug.com.
 

 
 
 

 
 
 
Cautionary Statements

This release contains “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.  Forward-looking statements are based on management’s beliefs and assumptions.  These forward-looking statements, which address the Company’s expected business and financial performance, among other matters, are identified by terms and phrases such as:  anticipate, believe, intend, estimate, expect, continue, should, could, may, plan, project, predict, will, potential, forecast and similar expressions.  Forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties that may or could cause actual results to be materially different from the results predicted.  Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those indicated in any forward-looking statement include, but are not limited to: changes in demand for natural gas or NGL and related services by customers, in the composition of the Company’s customer base and in the sources of natural gas or NGL available to the Company; the effects of inflation and the timing and extent of changes in the prices and overall demand for and availability of natural gas or NGL as well as electricity, oil, coal and other commodities, bulk materials and chemicals; adverse weather conditions, such as warmer or colder than normal weather in the Company’s service territories, as applicable, and the operational impact of natural disasters; changes in laws or regulations, third-party relations and approvals, and decisions of courts, regulators and/or governmental bodies affecting or involving the Company, including deregulation initiatives and the impact of rate and tariff proceedings before FERC and various state regulatory commissions; the speed and degree to which additional competition, including competition from alternative forms of energy, is introduced to the Company’s business and the resulting effect on revenues; the impact and outcome of pending and future litigation and/or regulatory investigations, proceedings or inquiries; the ability to comply with or to successfully challenge existing and/or  new environmental, safety and other laws and regulations; unanticipated environmental liabilities; the uncertainty of estimates, including accruals and costs of environmental remediation; the impact of potential impairment charges; exposure to highly competitive commodity businesses and the effectiveness of the Company's hedging program; the ability to acquire new businesses and assets and integrate those operations into its existing operations, as well as its ability to expand its existing businesses and facilities; the timely receipt of required approvals by applicable governmental entities for the construction and operation of pipelines and other projects; the ability to complete expansion projects on time and on budget; the ability to control costs successfully and achieve operating efficiencies, including the purchase and implementation of new technologies for achieving such efficiencies; the impact of factors affecting operations such as maintenance or repairs, environmental incidents, natural gas pipeline system constraints and relations with labor unions representing bargaining-unit employees; the performance of contractual obligations by customers, service providers and contractors; exposure to customer concentrations with a significant portion of revenues realized from a relatively small number of customers and any credit risks associated with the financial position of those customers; changes in the ratings of the Company’s debt securities; the risk of a prolonged slow-down in growth or decline in the United States economy or the risk of delay in growth or decline in the United States economy, including liquidity risks in United States credit markets; the impact of unsold pipeline capacity being greater than expected; changes in interest rates and other general market and economic conditions, and in the Company’s ability to continue to access its revolving credit facility and to obtain additional financing on acceptable terms, whether in the capital markets or otherwise; declines in the market prices of equity and debt securities and resulting funding requirements for defined benefit pension plans and other postretirement benefit plans; acts of nature, sabotage, terrorism or other similar acts that cause damage to the Company’s facilities or  the Company’s  suppliers' or customers' facilities; market risks beyond the Company’s control affecting its risk management activities including market liquidity, commodity price volatility and counterparty creditworthiness; the availability/cost of insurance coverage and the ability to collect under existing insurance policies; the risk that material weaknesses or significant deficiencies in internal controls over financial reporting could emerge or that minor problems could become significant; changes in accounting rules, regulations and pronouncements that impact the measurement of  results of operations, the timing of when such measurements are to be made and recorded, and the disclosures surrounding these activities; the effects of changes in governmental policies and regulatory actions, including changes with respect to income and other taxes, environmental compliance, climate change initiatives and authorized rates of recovery of costs (including pipeline relocation costs); and other risks and unforeseen events, including other financial, operational and legal risks and uncertainties detailed from time to time in filings with the SEC.
 
These factors are not necessarily all of the important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed in any of the Company’s forward-looking statements.  Other factors could also have material adverse effects on the Company’s future results.  These and other risks are described in greater detail in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2010 and its other reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.  In light of these risks, uncertainties and assumptions, the events described in forward-looking statements might not occur or might occur to a different extent or at a different time than the Company has described.  The Company undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as may be required by law.
 

 
 

 


Select Financial Information
 
The following table sets forth financial information for the company for the three months and years ended December 31, 2010 and 2009.
 

   
Three Months Ended
   
Years Ended
 
   
December 31,
   
December 31,
 
   
(Unaudited)
   
(Audited)
 
   
2010
   
2009
   
2010
   
2009
 
   
(In thousands of dollars, except per share amounts)
 
                         
Operating revenues
  $ 670,296     $ 603,679     $ 2,489,913     $ 2,179,018  
                                 
Operating expenses:
                               
Cost of gas and other energy
    340,186       323,884       1,243,749       1,060,892  
Operating, maintenance and general
    112,884       110,235       463,517       468,721  
Depreciation and amortization
    58,579       54,511       228,637       213,827  
Revenue-related taxes
    11,449       10,793       37,619       36,375  
Taxes, other than on income and revenues
    14,012       12,703       55,776       53,114  
   Total operating expenses
    537,110       512,126       2,029,298       1,832,929  
                                 
Operating income
    133,186       91,553       460,615       346,089  
                                 
Other income (expenses):
                               
Interest expense
    (55,114 )     (49,831 )     (216,665 )     (196,800 )
Earnings from unconsolidated investments
    26,959       17,102       105,415       80,790  
Other, net
    23       13,030       312       21,401  
   Total other income (expenses), net
    (28,132 )     (19,699 )     (110,938 )     (94,609 )
                                 
Earnings before income taxes
    105,054       71,854       349,677       251,480  
                                 
Federal and state income tax expense
    31,086       18,730       107,029       71,900  
                                 
Earnings from continuing operations
    73,968       53,124       242,648       179,580  
                                 
Loss from discontinued operations
    (18,100 )     -       (18,100 )     -  
                                 
Net earnings
    55,868       53,124       224,548       179,580  
                                 
Preferred stock dividends
    -       (2,171 )     (5,040 )     (8,683 )
                                 
Loss on extinguishment of preferred stock
    -       -       (3,295 )     -  
                                 
Net earnings available for common stockholders
  $ 55,868     $ 50,953     $ 216,213     $ 170,897  
                                 
Net earnings available for common stockholders
                               
from continuing operations per share:
                               
           Basic
  $ 0.59     $ 0.41     $ 1.88     $ 1.38  
           Diluted
  $ 0.59     $ 0.41     $ 1.87     $ 1.37  
                                 
Net earnings available for common stockholders per share:
                               
           Basic
  $ 0.45     $ 0.41     $ 1.74     $ 1.38  
           Diluted
  $ 0.45     $ 0.41     $ 1.73     $ 1.37  
                                 
Dividends declared on common stock per share
  $ 0.15     $ 0.15     $ 0.60     $ 0.60  
                                 
Weighted average shares outstanding:
                               
           Basic
    124,522       124,152       124,474       124,076  
           Diluted
    125,311       124,771       125,191       124,409  

 
 

 

Select Financial Information Continued
 
The following table sets forth certain selected financial information for the company for the periods presented.
 


   
December 31,
   
December 31,
 
   
2010
   
2009
 
   
(In thousands of dollars)
 
Total assets
  $ 8,238,543     $ 8,075,074  
                 
Long Term Debt
  $ 3,520,906     $ 3,421,236  
Short term debt and notes payable
    298,134       220,500  
Preferred stock
    -       115,000  
Common equity
    2,526,982       2,354,946  
Total capitalization
  $ 6,346,022     $ 6,111,682  
                 
                 
   
Years ended December 31,
 
      2010       2009  
Cash flow information:
 
(In thousands of dollars)
 
Cash flow provided by operating activities
  $ 424,671     $ 579,213  
Changes in working capital
    (90,510 )     78,934  
Net cash flow provided by operating activities
               
   before changes in working capital
    515,181       500,279  
Net cash flow used in investing activities
    (392,491 )     (419,424 )
Net cash flow  used in financing activities
    (39,426 )     (153,562 )
Change in cash and cash equivalents
  $ (7,246 )   $ 6,227  

 
 

 
 
Select Segment and Non-GAAP Financial Information
 
The following table sets forth certain selected financial information for the company’s segments and a reconciliation of EBIT to net earnings for the periods presented.
 

   
Three Months Ended Dec. 31,
   
Years Ended Dec. 31,
 
Segment Data
 
2010
   
2009
   
2010
   
2009
 
   
(In thousands of dollars)
 
Revenues from external customers:
                       
Transportation and Storage
  $ 209,122     $ 208,158     $ 769,450     $ 749,161  
Gathering and Processing
    249,563       199,305       1,008,023       732,251  
Distribution
    208,400       194,955       698,513       692,904  
   Total segment operating revenues
    667,085       602,418       2,475,986       2,174,316  
Corporate and other
    3,211       1,261       13,927       4,702  
Total consolidated revenues from external customers
  $ 670,296     $ 603,679     $ 2,489,913     $ 2,179,018  
                                 
Depreciation and amortization:
                               
Transportation and Storage
  $ 31,745     $ 28,964     $ 123,009     $ 113,648  
Gathering and Processing
    17,614       17,001       70,056       66,690  
Distribution
    8,405       7,910       32,544       31,269  
    Total segment depreciation and amortization
    57,764       53,875       225,609       211,607  
Corporate and other
    815       636       3,028       2,220  
Total depreciation and amortization expense
  $ 58,579     $ 54,511     $ 228,637     $ 213,827  
                                 
EBIT:
                               
Transportation and Storage segment
  $ 132,503     $ 119,671     $ 458,273     $ 411,935  
Gathering and Processing segment
    6,041       (35,248 )     41,756       (40,470 )
Distribution segment
    21,683       30,852       63,692       67,302  
Corporate and other
    (59 )     6,410       2,621       9,513  
    Total EBIT
    160,168       121,685       566,342       448,280  
Interest expense
    55,114       49,831       216,665       196,800  
Earnings before income taxes
    105,054       71,854       349,677       251,480  
Federal and state income tax expense
    31,086       18,730       107,029       71,900  
Earnings from continuing operations
    73,968       53,124       242,648       179,580  
Loss from discontinued operations
    (18,100 )     -       (18,100 )     -  
Net earnings
    55,868       53,124       224,548       179,580  
Preferred stock dividends
    -       2,171       5,040       8,683  
Loss on extinguishment of preferred stock
    -       -       3,295       -  
          Net earnings available for common stockholders
  $ 55,868     $ 50,953     $ 216,213     $ 170,897  

[
The Company evaluates segment performance based on several factors, of which the primary financial measure is earnings before interest and taxes (EBIT).  EBIT allows management and investors to more effectively evaluate the performance of all of the Company’s consolidated subsidiaries and unconsolidated investments.  The Company defines EBIT as net earnings available for common shareholders, adjusted for: (i) items that do not impact earnings, such as extraordinary items, discontinued operations and the impact of changes in accounting principles; (ii) income taxes; (iii) interest; (iv) dividends on preferred stock; and (v) loss on extinguishment of preferred stock.

 
 

 


Select Non-GAAP Financial Information
 
The following tables set forth a reconciliation of EBIT to adjusted EBIT for the company and select business segments for the three months and years ended December 31, 2010 and 2009.
 

   
Three Months ended Dec. 31,
   
Years ended Dec. 31,
 
   
2010
   
2009
   
2010
   
2009
 
   
(In thousands of dollars)
 
Southern Union Company:
                       
   Reported EBIT
  $ 160,168     $ 121,685     $ 566,342     $ 448,280  
   Adjustments:
                               
     Mark-to-market loss on open economic hedges
    6,055       38,896       18,647       44,887  
     Mark-to-market (loss) gain recognized in prior periods
    (6,729 )     14,884       (34,477 )     59,706  
     Environmental insurance settlements
    -       (14,781 )     -       (20,346 )
     Reversal of provision for take-or-pay obligations
    -       (6,400 )     -       (6,400 )
     Provision for hurricane repair and abandonment costs
    (12,173 )     (2,123 )     (12,173 )     10,198  
   Adjusted EBIT
  $ 147,321     $ 152,161     $ 538,339     $ 536,325  
                                 
Transportation & storage segment:
                               
   Reported EBIT
  $ 132,503     $ 119,671     $ 458,273     $ 411,935  
   Adjustments:
                               
     Provision for hurricane repair and abandonment costs
    (12,173 )     (2,123 )     (12,173 )     10,198  
     Reversal of provision for take-or-pay obligations
    -       (6,400 )     -       (6,400 )
     Environmental insurance settlements
    -       (1,258 )     -       (1,327 )
   Adjusted EBIT
  $ 120,330     $ 109,890     $ 446,100     $ 414,406  
                                 
Gathering & processing segment:
                               
   Reported EBIT
  $ 6,041     $ (35,248 )   $ 41,756     $ (40,470 )
   Adjustments:
                               
     Mark-to-market loss on open economic hedges
    6,055       38,896       18,647       44,887  
     Mark-to-market (loss) gain recognized in prior periods
    (6,729 )     14,884       (34,477 )     59,706  
   Adjusted EBIT
  $ 5,367     $ 18,532     $ 25,926     $ 64,123  
                                 
Distribution segment:
                               
   Reported EBIT
  $ 21,683     $ 30,852     $ 63,692     $ 67,302  
   Adjustments:
                               
     Environmental insurance settlements
    -       (4,531 )     -       (8,125 )
   Adjusted EBIT
  $ 21,683     $ 26,321     $ 63,692     $ 59,177  
                                 
Corporate & Other segment:
                               
   Reported EBIT
  $ (59 )   $ 6,410     $ 2,621     $ 9,513  
   Adjustments:
                               
     Environmental insurance settlements
    -       (8,992 )     -       (10,894 )
   Adjusted EBIT
  $ (59 )   $ (2,582 )   $ 2,621     $ (1,381 )



 
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