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8-K - 2012 YEAR END EARNINGS RELEASE 8-K - WEC ENERGY GROUP, INC.wec12312012earningsrelease.htm


Exhibit 99



From:    Brian Manthey (news media)
414-221-4444
brian.manthey@we-energies.com

Colleen F. Henderson, CFA (analysts)
414-221-2592
colleen.henderson@wisconsinenergy.com

Jan. 30, 2013

Wisconsin Energy posts fourth quarter and full-year results for 2012

MILWAUKEE -- Wisconsin Energy (NYSE: WEC) today reported net income from continuing operations of $98.8 million or 43 cents a share for the fourth quarter of 2012. This compares with net income from continuing operations of $114.1 million or 49 cents a share for the fourth quarter of 2011.

Fourth quarter 2012 revenues were $1.07 billion, compared with $1.11 billion in the corresponding quarter a year ago. For the full year 2012, revenues were $4.25 billion, compared to $4.49 billion in 2011.

Net income from continuing operations for the full year totaled $546.3 million or $2.35 a share -- up from $512.8 million or $2.18 a share in 2011. Major factors contributing to the year's strong performance include lower operation and maintenance expenses, favorable summer weather, and positive recovery of fuel costs.

For the year, consumption of electricity by small commercial and industrial customers rose by 0.7 percent. Residential electricity use grew by 0.5 percent.

Compared to 2011, electricity use by large commercial and industrial customers dropped by 2.8 percent. The decline in this customer segment was driven primarily by a planned outage at a major iron ore mine. The mine returned to normal operation in September.

“Overall, sales to our large commercial and industrial customers came in better than forecast,” said Gale Klappa, chairman, president, and chief executive. “Based on customer input, we had expected a decline in sales. As the year progressed, however, we saw strength in several sectors -- including food products, chemical manufacturing, metal fabrication and plastics.”

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During the year, customer growth continued at a modest pace. At the end of December, the company was serving 3,200 more electric customers and 5,800 more natural gas customers than the previous year.

“By virtually every meaningful measure, 2012 was an exceptional year for Wisconsin Energy,” noted Klappa. “We achieved milestones in customer satisfaction, employee safety and network reliability. We delivered solid earnings growth and made significant progress toward a dividend payout that is more competitive with our peers.”

Earnings per share listed in this news release are on a fully diluted basis.

Conference call
A conference call is scheduled for 1:30 p.m. Central time on Jan. 30, 2013. The presentation will review 2012 fourth quarter and year-end earnings and will discuss the company's outlook for the future.

All interested parties, including stockholders, news media and general public, are invited to listen to the presentation. The conference call may be accessed by dialing
866-439-9410 up to 15 minutes before the call begins. International callers may dial 706-643-5658. The conference ID is 80336760. Access also may be gained through the company's website (wisconsinenergy.com). Click 'Fourth Quarter, Year-End Earnings Release and Conference Call' and then click 'Go to webcast.' In conjunction with this earnings announcement, Wisconsin Energy will post on its website a package of detailed financial information on its fourth quarter and year-end performance. The materials will be available at 6:30 a.m. Central time on Jan. 30, 2013.

Replay
A replay will be available on the website and by phone after the presentation. Access to the webcast replay will be available on the website about two hours after the presentation. Access to a phone replay also will be available approximately two hours after the presentation and remain accessible through Feb. 13, 2013. Domestic callers should dial 855-859-2056. International callers should dial 404-537-3406. The replay conference ID is 80336760.

Wisconsin Energy Corporation (NYSE: WEC), based in Milwaukee, is one of the nation's premier energy companies, serving more than 1.1 million electric customers in Wisconsin and Michigan's Upper Peninsula and approximately 1.1 million natural gas customers in Wisconsin. The company's principal utility is We Energies. The company's other major subsidiary, We Power, designs, builds and owns electric generating plants.

Wisconsin Energy Corporation (www.wisconsinenergy.com), a component of the
S&P 500, has nearly $14 billion of assets, approximately 4,600 employees and more than 41,000 stockholders of record.

# # #
Tables Follow


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WISCONSIN ENERGY CORPORATION
CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED INCOME STATEMENTS
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Three Months Ended December 31
 
Year Ended December 31
 
2012
 
2011
 
2012
 
2011
 
(Millions of Dollars, Except Per Share Amounts)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Operating Revenues
$
1,071.2

 
$
1,113.2

 
$
4,246.4

 
$
4,486.4

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Operating Expenses
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Fuel and purchased power
249.7

 
265.2

 
1,098.6

 
1,169.7

Cost of gas sold
177.8

 
195.3

 
545.8

 
728.7

Other operation and maintenance
317.3

 
347.5

 
1,116.1

 
1,256.8

Depreciation and amortization
94.5

 
84.0

 
364.2

 
330.2

Property and revenue taxes
30.5

 
28.2

 
121.4

 
113.7

Total Operating Expenses
869.8

 
920.2

 
3,246.1

 
3,599.1

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Operating Income
201.4

 
193.0

 
1,000.3

 
887.3

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Equity in Earnings of Transmission Affiliate
16.8

 
16.1

 
65.7

 
62.5

Other Income and Deductions, net
1.2

 
19.6

 
34.8

 
62.7

Interest Expense, net
66.9

 
58.2

 
248.2

 
235.8

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Income from Continuing Operations Before Income Taxes
152.5

 
170.5

 
852.6

 
776.7

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Income Tax Expense
53.7

 
56.4

 
306.3

 
263.9

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Income from Continuing Operations
98.8

 
114.1

 
546.3

 
512.8

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Income from Discontinued Operations, Net of Tax

 
1.9

 

 
13.4

Net Income
$
98.8

 
$
116.0

 
$
546.3

 
$
526.2

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Earnings Per Share (Basic)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Continuing operations
$
0.43

 
$
0.49

 
$
2.37

 
$
2.20

Discontinued operations

 
0.01

 

 
0.06

Total Earnings Per Share (Basic)
$
0.43

 
$
0.50

 
$
2.37

 
$
2.26

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Earnings Per Share (Diluted)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Continuing operations
$
0.43

 
$
0.49

 
$
2.35

 
$
2.18

Discontinued operations

 
0.01

 

 
0.06

Total Earnings Per Share (Diluted)
$
0.43

 
$
0.50

 
$
2.35

 
$
2.24

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Weighted Average Common Shares Outstanding (Millions)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Basic
229.5

 
230.9

 
230.2

 
232.6

Diluted
231.9

 
233.6

 
232.8

 
235.4

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Dividends Per Share of Common Stock
$
0.30

 
$
0.26

 
$
1.20

 
$
1.04




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WISCONSIN ENERGY CORPORATION
CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED BALANCE SHEETS
 
 
December 31
 
2012
 
2011
 
(Millions of Dollars)
Assets
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Property, Plant and Equipment, Net
$
10,572.2

 
$
10,160.4

 
 
 
 
Investments
 
 
 
Equity investment in transmission affiliate
378.3

 
349.7

Other
35.5

 
43.6

Total Investments
413.8

 
393.3

 
 
 
 
Current Assets
 
 
 
Cash and cash equivalents
35.6

 
14.1

Restricted cash
2.7

 
45.5

Accounts receivable, net
285.3

 
349.4

Income taxes receivable
98.1

 
155.1

Accrued revenues
278.1

 
252.7

Materials, supplies and inventories
360.7

 
382.0

Prepayments
145.5

 
140.3

Other
107.9

 
87.1

Total Current Assets
1,313.9

 
1,426.2

 
 
 
 
Deferred Charges and Other Assets
 
 
 
Regulatory assets
1,339.0

 
1,238.7

Goodwill
441.9

 
441.9

Other
204.2

 
201.6

Total Deferred Charges and Other Assets
1,985.1

 
1,882.2

 
 
 
 
Total Assets
$
14,285.0

 
$
13,862.1

 
 
 
 
Capitalization and Liabilities
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Capitalization
 
 
 
Common equity
$
4,135.1

 
$
3,963.3

Preferred stock of subsidiary
30.4

 
30.4

Long-term debt
4,453.8

 
4,614.3

Total Capitalization
8,619.3

 
8,608.0

 
 
 
 
Current Liabilities
 
 
 
Long-term debt due currently
412.1

 
32.6

Short-term debt
394.6

 
669.9

Accounts payable
368.4

 
325.7

Accrued payroll and benefits
100.9

 
105.9

Other
167.3

 
230.4

Total Current Liabilities
1,443.3

 
1,364.5

 
 
 
 
Deferred Credits and Other Liabilities
 
 
 
Regulatory liabilities
866.5

 
902.0

Deferred income taxes - long-term
2,117.0

 
1,696.1

Deferred revenue, net
709.7

 
754.5

Pension and other benefit obligations
244.0

 
222.7

Other
285.2

 
314.3

Total Deferred Credits and Other Liabilities
4,222.4

 
3,889.6

 
 
 
 
Total Capitalization and Liabilities
$
14,285.0

 
$
13,862.1

 
 
 
 

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WISCONSIN ENERGY CORPORATION
CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
 
 
 
 
 
 
Year Ended December 31
 
2012
 
2011
 
(Millions of Dollars)
Operating Activities
 
 
 
Net income
$
546.3

 
$
526.2

Reconciliation to cash
 
 
 
Depreciation and amortization
371.7

 
336.4

Regulatory amortization in O&M
60.0

 
208.0

Contributions to qualified benefit plans
(100.0
)
 
(277.4
)
Deferred income taxes and investment tax credits, net
352.2

 
430.6

Working capital and other
(56.3
)
 
(230.4
)
Cash Provided by Operating Activities
1,173.9

 
993.4

 
 
 
 
Investing Activities
 
 
 
Capital expenditures
(707.0
)
 
(830.8
)
Investment in transmission affiliate
(15.7
)
 
(6.6
)
Proceeds from asset sales
8.7

 
41.5

Change in restricted cash
42.8

 
(37.2
)
Other, net
(58.4
)
 
(59.4
)
Cash Used in Investing Activities
(729.6
)
 
(892.5
)
 
 
 
 
Financing Activities
 
 
 
Common stock issued (repurchased), net
(103.4
)
 
(139.5
)
Dividends paid on common stock
(276.3
)
 
(242.0
)
Change in debt, net
(43.8
)
 
265.4

Other, net
0.7

 
4.8

Cash Used in Financing Activities
(422.8
)
 
(111.3
)
 
 
 
 
Change in Cash
21.5

 
(10.4
)
 
 
 
 
Cash at Beginning of Year
14.1

 
24.5

 
 
 
 
Cash at End of Year
$
35.6

 
$
14.1

 
 
 
 


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