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EX-99.2 - EX. 99-2_ANNUAL MEETING PRESENTATION - NORTHWESTERN CORPex99-2_annualpresent.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 FIRST QUARTER 2012 FINANCIAL RESULTS
 
Reports earnings per share of 88 cents for quarter
Reaffirms guidance for 2012 of $2.35 - $2.50 per fully diluted share
Announced a quarterly dividend of 37 cents per share, payable June 30, 2012
 
 
SIOUX FALLS, S.D. – April 25, 2012 NorthWestern Corporation d/b/a NorthWestern Energy (NYSE: NWE) reported financial results for the quarter ended March 31, 2012.  Net income was $32.0 million, or $.88 per fully diluted share, for the quarter ended March 31, 2012, compared with net income of $32.6 million, or $.89 per fully diluted share, for the quarter ended March 31, 2011.  Gross margin declined $5.5 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2012, compared with the first quarter of 2011, due primarily to mild winter weather that caused an approximately $8.2 million reduction in gross margin but this was largely offset by increased Dave Gates Generating Station (“DGGS”) related revenues of $4.5 million, including approximately $2.7 million that had been deferred in prior periods pending outcome of allocation uncertainty in Montana.  This was based on a March 2012 decision by the Montana Public Service Commission (“MPSC”) approving total project costs and establishing final rates for DGGS.  In addition, operating expenses and interest expense were lower than the same period in 2011.
 
“Despite the significantly milder heating season, we provided stable earnings in the first quarter of 2012,” said Bob Rowe, President and CEO. “In addition, we made progress in advancing electric supply investments by beginning construction on both the Spion Kop 40 MW wind project in Montana and the 60 MW natural gas peaking facility near Aberdeen, SD .” 
 
 
 
 

 
NorthWestern Reports First Quarter 2012 Financial Results
April 25, 2012
Page 2
 
 
 
Summary Financial Results
 
The following table reconciles the primary changes from the first quarter 2012 results compared with the same period in 2011:
 
   
Three Months Ended
 
   
Pre-tax
Net
EPS
 
 
($millions, except EPS)
Income
Income1
 Diluted
 
           
 
2011 reported
$41.8
$32.6
$        0.89 
 
Gross Margin
 
Electric retail volumes
           (4.2)
           (2.6)
(0.07)  
 
Natural gas retail volumes
           (4.0)
           (2.5)
(0.07)  
 
Montana property tax tracker
           (1.3)
           (0.8)
 (0.02)  
 
Gas production
           (0.7)
           (0.4)
(0.01)    
 
Operating expenses recovered in energy supply trackers
           (0.3)
           (0.2)
(0.01)   
 
DGGS
             4.5
             2.8
 0.08  
 
South Dakota natural gas rate increase
             0.6
             0.4
 0.01  
 
Other
           (0.1)
           (0.1)
  -    
   Subtotal - Gross Margin (5.5) (3.4) (0.09)  
OG&A Expense
 
Operating and maintenance
           1.8
         1.1
0.03  
 
Operating expenses recovered in energy supply trackers
          0.3
          0.2
0.01  
 
Other
           (0.3)
           (0.2)
 (0.01  
 
Subtotal - OG&A Expense
1.8 1.1 0.03  
Other
 
Depreciation expense
           (1.1)
         (0.7)
(0.02)  
  Property and other taxes  1.7  1.0  0.03  
 
Interest Expense
          1.2
          0.7
0.02  
 
Other Income
           0.2
           0.1
 
OG&A Expense
 
Flow-through repairs deductions
     
      1.6
0.03  
 
Flow-through of state bonus depreciation deduction
 
          (1.2)
0.01  
 
Recognition of state NOL benefit/valuation allowance release
  (0.8)    
 
State income tax & other, net
  1.1    
 
All other, net
         
           0.1
 (0.01  
           
           
 
Total EPS impact of above items
       (0.01)  
           
 
2012 reported
$40.1
$32.0
 $        0.88
 
 
 
(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/Q112.pdf
 
Significant Drivers
 
Gross Margin
 
Consolidated gross margin for the first quarter of 2012 was $170.7 million compared with $176.2 million for same period of 2011.  The decrease in gross margin was due primarily to a decrease in electric and natural gas volumes caused by warmer winter weather, a decrease in the Montana property taxes included in a tracker compared with the same period of 2011, a decrease in production margin from lower market prices and a reduction in revenues of operating expenses recovered in monthly supply trackers.  These reductions to margin were offset by an increase in DGGS related revenues, including approximately $2.7 million that the Company had deferred in previous periods, pending the outcome of allocation uncertainty in Montana, and an increase in South Dakota natural gas rates.
 
 
 
 

 
NorthWestern Reports First Quarter 2012 Financial Results
April 25, 2012
Page 3
 
 
 
Operating, General and Administrative Expenses
 
Consolidated operating, general and administrative expenses were $65.6 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2012 as compared with $67.4 million during the same period of 2011.  The decrease in operating, general and administrative expenses was primarily due to the timing of line maintenance compared with the same period of 2011, which we expect to be higher for the remainder of the year.
 
Property and Other Taxes
 
Consolidated property and other taxes were $23.7 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2012 as compared with $25.4 million during the same period of 2011.  This decrease was due primarily to lower actual 2011 property taxes than our initial estimate based on assessed property valuations and mill levy increases in Montana, offset in part by plant additions.  We estimate property taxes throughout each year and update to the actual expense when we receive our Montana property tax bills in November.
 
Interest Expense
 
Consolidated interest expense was $16.0 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2012 as compared with $17.1 million during the same period of 2011.  The decrease was primarily due to lower interest rates on debt outstanding.
 
Income Tax Expense
 
Consolidated income tax expense in the first quarter of 2012 was $8.0 million as compared with $9.2 million in same period of 2011.  The effective tax rate for the three months ended March 31, 2012 was 20% as compared with 22% for the same period of 2011.  The reduction in income tax expense was primarily due to lower taxable income and higher repairs tax deductions.  The effective tax rate differs from the federal statutory tax rate of 35% primarily due to repairs and state tax bonus depreciation deductions.
 
 
 
 

 
NorthWestern Reports First Quarter 2012 Financial Results
April 25, 2012
Page 4
 
 
 
The following table summarizes the significant differences from the Federal statutory rate, which result in reduced income tax expense:
 
 
Quarter Ended March 31,
 
(in millions)
 
2012
 
2011
Income Before Income Taxes
$
40.1
   
$
41.8
 
       
Income tax calculated at 35% federal statutory rate
(14.0
)
 
(14.6
)
       
Permanent or flow through adjustments:
     
Flow-through repairs deductions
5.6
   
4.0
 
Flow-through of state bonus depreciation deduction
1.3
   
2.6
 
Recognition of state NOL benefit/valuation allowance release
0.0
   
0.8
 
State income tax & other, net
 (0.9
)
 
(2.0
)
           
 
$
6.0
   
$
5.4
 
       
Income tax expense
$
(8.0
)
 
$
(9.2
)

 
Regulated Operations
 
In the regulated operations, electric net income improved $0.4 million, due primarily to an increase in DGGS related revenues, including approximately $2.7 million that the Company had previously deferred pending the outcome of allocation uncertainty in Montana, and lower income taxes, offset by a decrease in gross margin caused by warmer winter weather in our service territories.  Natural gas net income declined $0.7 million, due primarily to a decrease in gross margins caused by warmer winter weather in our service territories, offset in part by a reduction in operating expenses, property taxes, interest expenses and income tax expense.
 
Liquidity and Capital Resources
 
As of March 31, 2012, cash and cash equivalents were $7.8 million compared with $5.9 million at Dec. 31, 2011.  The Company had $177.0 million available from its revolving credit facility at March 31, 2012, compared with $130.1 million at Dec. 31, 2011.
 
Dividend Declaration
 
NorthWestern’s Board of Directors declared a quarterly common stock dividend of 37 cents per share, payable on June 30, 2012, to common shareholders of record as of June 15, 2012.
 
Update on DGGS Outage
 
DGGS was shut down on January 31, 2012 after problems were discovered in the power turbines of two of the generation units. Similar problems were subsequently found in the third unit. We expect two of the three units to be returned to service by April 30, 2012 using either the original turbines after servicing by their supplier Pratt & Whitney Power Systems (PWPS) or turbines on loan from PWPS.  We expect the turbine repair costs to be covered under the manufacturer's warranty; however, we are also incurring incremental costs for contracts with third parties for replacement regulation service.  During the first quarter of 2012, our incremental costs for replacement regulation service totaled approximately $0.5 million.  We have been actively managing our contracted service in an effort to reduce these costs as much as possible as DGGS is brought back into service.  We believe the incremental contracted costs for regulation service are recoverable from customers through our normal course of business; however, there can be no assurance that the MPSC and/or FERC will allow us full recovery of such costs.
 
 
 
 

 
NorthWestern Reports First Quarter 2012 Financial Results
April 25, 2012
Page 5
 
 
 
Highlights for first quarter of 2012
 
 
•  
Received a final order from the MPSC approving total project costs and establishing final rates for DGGS;
 
•  
Received approval from the MPSC for the Spion Kop wind project in Montana; and
 
•  
Submitted an application with the MPSC to place our majority interest in the Battle Creek Field natural gas production fields and gathering system acquired into regulated natural gas rate base in Montana;
 
 
2012 Earnings Outlook
 
NorthWestern reaffirms its earnings for 2012 to be $2.35 - $2.50 per fully diluted share.
 
Basic assumptions include the following expectations:
 
·  
A consolidated income tax rate of approximately 18% - 20% of pre-tax income;
·  
No scheduled maintenance at Colstrip Unit 4 and Big Stone Plants;
·  
DGGS outage costs fully recovered;
·  
Fully diluted average shares outstanding of 37.0 million; and
·  
Normal weather in the Company’s electric and natural gas service territories for the remainder of 2012.
 
Company Hosting Investor Conference Call
 
NorthWestern will host an investor conference call today at 4:00 pm Eastern Time (3:00 p.m. Central Time) to review its financial results for the quarter ended March 31, 2012.
 
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.
 
A telephonic replay of the call will be available beginning at 6:00 p.m. ET on April 25, 2012, through May 25, 2012, at (800) 723-0498.
 
Annual Meeting
 
The Company's Annual Meeting of Stockholders will be today, Wednesday, April 25, 2012, at 10:00 a.m. Mountain Daylight Time at Montana Tech Student Union Building, 1300 W. Park Street, Butte, Montana.
 
The annual stockholders meeting will be webcast live on the Internet at http://www.northwesternenergy.com under the “Investor Information” heading. 
 
 
 
 

 
NorthWestern Reports First Quarter 2012 Financial Results
April 25, 2012
Page 6
 
 
 
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.
 
About NorthWestern Energy
 
NorthWestern Energy is one of the largest providers of electricity and natural gas in the Upper Midwest and Northwest, serving approximately 668,300 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 “2012 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 or adverse determinations by regulators could have a material effect on our liquidity, results of operations and financial condition;
·  
we have capitalized approximately $22.3 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 these costs, which could have a material 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 First Quarter 2012 Financial Results
April 25, 2012
Page 7
 
 
 
 NORTHWESTERN CORPORATION
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
 
(in thousands)
 
     
March 31,
2012
   
December 31, 2011
 
     
(unaudited)
       
ASSETS
             
Current Assets
 
$
263,856
 
$
290,199
 
Property, Plant, and Equipment, Net
   
2,230,788
   
2,213,267
 
Goodwill
   
355,128
   
355,128
 
Regulatory Assets
   
321,448
   
308,804
 
Other Noncurrent Assets
   
46,151
   
43,040
 
Total Assets
 
$
3,217,371
 
$
3,210,438
 
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY
             
Current Maturities of Long-term Debt and Capital Leases
 
$
1,538
 
$
5,162
 
Commercial Paper
   
112,978
   
166,943
 
Current Liabilities
   
300,721
   
303,858
 
Long-term Capital Leases
   
32,784
   
32,918
 
Long-term Debt
   
905,055
   
905,049
 
Noncurrent Regulatory Liabilities
   
270,594
   
265,987
 
Deferred Income Taxes
   
320,698
   
282,406
 
Other Noncurrent Liabilities
   
393,301
   
389,012
 
Total Liabilities
   
2,337,669
   
2,351,326
 
Total Shareholders’ Equity
   
879,702
   
859,112
 
Total Liabilities and Shareholders’ Equity
 
$
3,217,371
 
$
3,210,438
 
 
 
 NORTHWESTERN CORPORATION
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(in thousands)
 
   
Three Months Ended March 31,
 
   
2012
 
2011
 
 Operating Activities
         
Net income
 
$
32,043
 
$
32,575
 
Non-cash items
 
46,807
 
45,608
 
Changes in operating assets and liabilities
 
41,075
 
43,897
 
Cash Provided by Operating Activities
 
119,925
 
122,080
 
           
Cash Used in Investing Activities
 
(47,027
)
(37,580
)
           
Cash Used In Financing Activities
 
(71,034
)
(83,554
)
           
Net Increase in Cash and Cash Equivalents
 
$
1,864
 
$
946
 
Cash and Cash Equivalents, beginning of period
 
$
5,928
 
$
6,234
 
Cash and Cash Equivalents, end of period
 
$
7,792
 
$
7,180
 
 


 
 

 
NorthWestern Reports First Quarter 2012 Financial Results
April 25, 2012
Page 8
 
 
 
NORTHWESTERN CORPORATION
 
REGULATED ELECTRIC SEGMENT
 
(Unaudited)
 
 
Results
 
2012
 
2011
 
Change
 
% Change
 
(dollars in millions)
Retail revenue
$
192.0
   
$
196.2
   
$
(4.2
)
 
(2.1
)%
Transmission
11.1
   
10.9
   
0.2
   
1.8
 
Wholesale
0.9
   
0.3
   
0.6
   
200.0
 
Regulatory amortization and other
3.1
   
1.2
   
1.9
   
158.3
 
Total Revenues
207.1
   
208.6
   
(1.5
)
 
(0.7
)
Total Cost of Sales
83.0
   
84.4
   
(1.4
)
 
(1.7
)
Gross Margin
$
124.1
   
$
124.2
   
$
(0.1
)
 
(0.1
)%
 
 
Revenues
 
Megawatt Hours (MWH)
 
Avg. Customer Counts
 
2012
 
2011
 
2012
 
2011
 
2012
 
2011
 
(in thousands)
       
Retail Electric
                     
Montana
$
72,137
   
$
75,663
   
671
   
731
   
274,164
   
272,526
 
South Dakota
12,986
   
13,393
   
160
   
179
   
48,840
   
48,705
 
   Residential
85,123
   
89,056
   
831
   
910
   
323,004
   
321,231
 
Montana
75,696
   
77,133
   
794
   
820
   
62,010
   
61,459
 
South Dakota
16,916
   
16,309
   
235
   
238
   
11,954
   
11,789
 
Commercial
92,612
   
93,442
   
1,029
   
1,058
   
73,964
   
73,248
 
Industrial
9,637
   
9,183
   
730
   
692
   
73
   
72
 
Other
4,581
   
4,520
   
23
   
24
   
4,511
   
4,620
 
Total Retail Electric
$
191,953
   
$
196,201
   
2,613
   
2,684
   
401,552
   
399,171
 
Total Wholesale Electric
$
869
   
$
309
   
53
   
31
   
   
 
 
 
Degree Days
 
2012 as compared with:
Heating Degree-Days
2012
 
2011
 
Historic Average
 
2011
 
Historic Average
Montana
3,039
   
3,490
   
3,319
 
13% warmer
 
8% warmer
South Dakota
3,417
   
4,569
   
4,103
 
25% warmer
 
17% warmer
 
 

 
 

 
NorthWestern Reports First Quarter 2012 Financial Results
April 25, 2012
Page 9
 
 
 
NORTHWESTERN CORPORATION
 
REGULATED NATURAL GAS SEGMENT
 
(Unaudited)
 
 
Results
 
2012
 
2011
 
Change
 
% Change
 
(dollars in millions)
Retail revenue
$
95.6
   
$
121.0
   
$
(25.4
)
 
(21.0
)%
Wholesale and other
6.1
   
8.2
   
(2.1
)
 
(25.6
)
Total Revenues
101.7
   
129.2
   
(27.5
)
 
(21.3
)
Total Cost of Sales
55.4
   
77.6
   
(22.2
)
 
(28.6
)
Gross Margin
$
46.3
   
$
51.6
   
$
(5.3
)
 
(10.3
)%
 
 
 
Revenues
 
Dekatherms (Dkt)
 
Customer Counts
 
2012
 
2011
 
2012
 
2011
 
2012
 
2011
 
(in thousands)
       
Retail Gas
                     
Montana
$
41,839
   
$
51,100
   
4,983
   
5,638
   
159,886
   
159,029
 
South Dakota
10,363
   
13,306
   
1,256
   
1,599
   
38,098
   
37,712
 
Nebraska
9,421
   
11,486
   
1,141
   
1,382
   
36,918
   
36,949
 
Residential
61,623
   
75,892
   
7,380
   
8,619
   
234,902
   
233,690
 
Montana
21,050
   
26,438
   
2,524
   
2,915
   
22,427
   
22,273
 
South Dakota
6,653
   
9,302
   
1,051
   
1,332
   
6,001
   
5,954
 
Nebraska
5,415
   
8,242
   
829
   
1,287
   
4,639
   
4,636
 
Commercial
33,118
   
43,982
   
4,404
   
5,534
   
33,067
   
32,863
 
Industrial
443
   
691
   
54
   
78
   
277
   
282
 
Other
395
   
449
   
53
   
58
   
150
   
145
 
Total Retail Gas
$
95,579
   
$
121,014
   
11,891
   
14,289
   
268,396
   
266,980
 
 
 
 
 
Degree Days
 
2012 as compared with:
Heating Degree-Days
2012
 
2011
 
Historic Average
 
2011
 
Historic Average
Montana
3,039
   
3,490
   
3,319
 
13% warmer
 
8% warmer
South Dakota
3,417
   
4,569
   
4,103
 
25% warmer
 
17% warmer
Nebraska
2,949
   
3,573
   
3,410
 
17% warmer
 
14% warmer
 

 
 

 
NorthWestern Reports First Quarter 2012 Financial Results
April 25, 2012
Page 10
 
 
 
NORTHWESTERN CORPORATION
 
FIRST QUARTER SEGMENT RESULTS
 
(Unaudited)
 
(in thousands)
 
 
Three Months Ended
                 
March 31, 2012
Electric
 
Gas
 
Other
 
Eliminations
 
Total
Operating revenues
$
207,055
   
$
101,746
   
$
299
   
$
   
$
309,100
 
Cost of sales
82,979
   
55,417
   
   
   
138,396
 
Gross margin
124,076
   
46,329
   
299
   
   
170,704
 
Operating, general and administrative
45,357
   
19,288
   
928
   
   
65,573
 
Property and other taxes
17,538
   
6,124
   
3
   
   
23,665
 
Depreciation
21,569
   
4,856
   
8
   
   
26,433
 
Operating income (loss)
39,612
   
16,061
   
(640
)
 
   
55,033
 
Interest expense
(13,667
)
 
(2,067
)
 
(228
)
 
   
(15,962
)
Other income
612
   
345
   
27
   
   
984
 
Income tax expense
(3,174
)
 
(3,590
)
 
(1,248
)
 
   
(8,012
)
Net income (loss)
$
23,383
   
$
10,749
   
$
(2,089
)
 
$
   
$
32,043
 
 
 
Three Months Ended
                 
March 31, 2011
Electric
 
Gas
 
Other
 
Eliminations
 
Total
Operating revenues
$
208,622
   
$
129,212
   
$
426
   
$
   
$
338,260
 
Cost of sales
84,446
   
77,625
   
   
   
162,071
 
Gross margin
124,176
   
51,587
   
426
   
   
176,189
 
Operating, general and administrative
45,286
   
21,448
   
649
   
   
67,383
 
Property and other taxes
18,741
   
6,652
   
3
   
   
25,396
 
Depreciation
20,354
   
4,953
   
8
   
   
25,315
 
Operating income (loss)
39,795
   
18,534
   
(234
)
 
   
58,095
 
Interest expense
(13,527
)
 
(2,665
)
 
(955
)
 
   
(17,147
)
Other income
615
   
164
   
26
   
   
805
 
Income tax expense
(3,921
)
 
(4,570
)
 
(687
)
 
   
(9,178
)
Net income (loss)
22,962
   
11,463
   
(1,850
)
 
   
32,575