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NorthWestern Reports Second Quarter 2013 Financial Results
July 25, 2013
Page 1


 
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:
Travis Meyer (605) 978-2967
travis.meyer@northwestern.com

NORTHWESTERN REPORTS SECOND QUARTER 2013 FINANCIAL RESULTS

Company reports diluted earnings per share of $0.37 for second quarter 2013
Updates and increases earnings guidance for 2013 to $2.45 - $2.60 per diluted share
Declares a quarterly dividend of $0.38 per share, payable September 30, 2013

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. - July 25, 2013 - NorthWestern Corporation d/b/a NorthWestern Energy (NYSE: NWE) reported financial results for the quarter ended June 30, 2013. Net income was $14.3 million or $0.37 per diluted share, for the quarter ended June 30, 2013, compared with net income of $11.4 million, or $0.31 per diluted share, for the quarter ended June 30, 2012

"We are very pleased to have made significant progress toward a large natural gas production acquisition, 'Bear Paw South,' in the Havre Montana area, that will provide long-term value to our customers; and, to have recently conducted the official ribbon cutting at both our Spion Kop Wind facility and our new gas peaker.  We're also happy with our second quarter of full production on our Distribution System Infrastructure Plan,” said Bob Rowe, Chief Executive Officer.  “We are releasing another quarter of earnings demonstrating strong operational and financial results.  Weather that was more seasonal for our service territory and the earnings contribution from both Spion Kop wind and our Bear Paw gas reserves contributed to a $2.9 million improvement over the same quarter last year.” 

Summary Financial Results
 
Three Months Ended June 30,
 
Six Months Ended June 30,
 
2013
 
2012
 
2013
 
2012
Total Revenues
$
260,161

 
$
244,603

 
$
573,181

 
$
553,703

Cost of Sales
106,913

 
96,427

 
239,109

 
234,823

Gross Margin
153,248

 
148,176

 
334,072

 
318,880

Operating Expenses
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Operating, general and administrative
67,364

 
67,096

 
136,201

 
132,669

Property and other taxes
25,810

 
25,934

 
51,569

 
49,599

Depreciation
27,414

 
26,426

 
56,632

 
52,859

Total Operating Expenses
120,588

 
119,456

 
244,402

 
235,127

Operating Income
32,660

 
28,720

 
89,670

 
83,753

Interest Expense, net
(17,141
)
 
(15,893
)
 
(33,920
)
 
(31,855
)
Other Income
928

 
1,176

 
3,643

 
2,160

Income Before Income Taxes
16,447

 
14,003

 
59,393

 
54,058

Income Tax Expense
(2,106
)
 
(2,565
)
 
(7,150
)
 
(10,577
)
Net Income
$
14,341

 
$
11,438

 
$
52,243

 
$
43,481

Average Common Shares Outstanding
38,092

 
36,635

 
37,740

 
36,482

Basic Earnings per Average Common Share
$
0.37

 
$
0.31

 
$
1.38

 
$
1.19

Diluted Earnings per Average Common Share
$
0.37

 
$
0.31

 
$
1.38

 
$
1.19

Dividends Declared per Average Common Share
$
0.38

 
$
0.37

 
$
0.76

 
$
0.74





NorthWestern Reports Second Quarter 2013 Financial Results
July 25, 2013
Page 2


Significant items during the second quarter
Entered into an agreement to purchase additional natural gas production interests in Montana for approximately $70 million;
Placed into service the Aberdeen Generating Station, a 60 MW natural gas peaking facility, which was constructed for a total cost of approximately $54.3 million;
Received net proceeds of approximately $26.1 million from the sale of 634,934 common shares under our Equity Distribution Agreement; and
Improvement in net income of approximately $2.9 million as compared with the same period in 2012, due primarily to:

$5.1 Million - Higher gross margin primarily due to:
An increase in natural gas and electric retail volumes;
The contribution from Bear Paw natural gas and Spion Kop wind projects;
Improved electric transmission capacity revenues;
Lower Qualified Facilities (QF) related supply costs; and
Increased revenues as a result of Montana natural gas rate adjustment.
These were partially offset by lower Demand Side Management (DSM) lost revenues and Dave Gates Generating Station (DGGS) revenues due to increased deferrals.
$0.5 Million - Reduced income tax expense primarily a result of production tax credits generated by Spion Kop.
$0.1 Million - decreased property and other taxes

These improvements were partially offset by:

($0.3 Million) - Increased operating, general & admin. expenses primarily due to:
Increased operating, general, and administrative expense related to our Distribution System Infrastructure Project (DSIP);
Increase labor costs;
Higher plant operator cost related to the Spion Kop addition and planned maintenance at Colstrip Unit 4; and
Higher natural gas production costs due to the Bear Paw acquisition.
These were nearly fully offset by lower pension and other expenses.
($1.0 Million) - Increased depreciation expense
($1.2 Million) - Increased interest expense
($0.3 Million) - Decreased other income



















NorthWestern Reports Second Quarter 2013 Financial Results
July 25, 2013
Page 3


Summary Financial Results
The following table reconciles the primary changes from 2012 to 2013:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Three Months Ended June 30,
 
 
Six Months Ended June 30,
 
 
Pre-tax
Net
EPS
 
 
Pre-tax
Net
EPS
 
($millions, except EPS)
Income
Income(1)
 Diluted
 
 
Income
Income(1)
 Diluted
 
2012 reported
$
14.0

$
11.4

$
0.31

 
 
$
54.1

$
43.5

$
1.19

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Gross Margin
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Natural Gas retail volumes
1.4

0.9

0.02

 
 
3.2

2.0

0.05

 
Electric retail volumes
2.3

1.4

0.04

 
 
3.2

2.0

0.05

 
Natural gas production
2.1

1.3

0.03

 
 
5.8

3.6

0.10

 
Electric transmission capacity
1.5

0.9

0.02

 
 
4.0

2.5

0.07

 
Spion Kop
1.4

0.9

0.02

 
 
3.0

1.8

0.05

 
Electric QF supply costs
1.0

0.6

0.02

 
 
1.0

0.6

0.02

 
Montana natural gas rate increase
0.9

0.6

0.02

 
 
0.9

0.6

0.02

 
Montana property tax tracker
0.5

0.3

0.01

 
 
1.0

0.6

0.02

 
Natural gas transportation capacity



 
 
0.9

0.6

0.02

 
DSM lost revenues
(5.7
)
(3.5
)
(0.09
)
 
 
(4.9
)
(3.0
)
(0.08
)
 
DGGS
(0.8
)
(0.5
)
(0.01
)
 
 
(5.1
)
(3.1
)
(0.08
)
 
Operating expenses recovered in trackers
(0.7
)
(0.4
)
(0.01
)
 
 
(0.4
)
(0.2
)
(0.01
)
 
Other
1.2

0.7

0.02

 
 
2.6

1.6

0.04

 
Subtotal - Gross Margin
5.1

3.2

0.09

 
 
15.2

9.6

0.27

OG&A Expense
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
DSIP expenses
(2.9
)
(1.8
)
(0.05
)
 
 
(5.5
)
(3.4
)
(0.09
)
 
Labor
(1.2
)
(0.7
)
(0.02
)
 
 
(1.1
)
(0.7
)
(0.02
)
 
Plant operator costs
(0.9
)
(0.6
)
(0.02
)
 
 
(1.4
)
(0.9
)
(0.02
)
 
Natural gas production
(0.3
)
(0.2
)
(0.01
)
 
 
(1.6
)
(1.0
)
(0.03
)
 
Pension and employee benefits
3.4

2.1

0.06

 
 
7.6

4.7

0.12

 
Operating expenses recovered in trackers
0.7

0.4

0.01

 
 
0.7

0.4

0.01

 
Nonemployee directors deferred compensation



 
 
(1.1
)
(0.7
)
(0.02
)
 
Other
0.9

0.6

0.02

 
 
(1.1
)
(0.7
)
(0.02
)
 
Subtotal - OG&A Expense
(0.3
)
(0.2
)
(0.01
)
 
 
(3.5
)
(2.3
)
(0.07
)
Other
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Depreciation expense
(1.0
)
(0.6
)
(0.02
)
 
 
(3.8
)
(2.3
)
(0.06
)
 
Property and other taxes
0.1

0.1


 
 
(2.0
)
(1.2
)
(0.03
)
 
Interest Expense
(1.2
)
(0.7
)
(0.02
)
 
 
(2.1
)
(1.3
)
(0.03
)
 
Other Income
(0.2
)
(0.1
)

 
 
1.5

0.9

0.02

Income tax and other items
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Flow-through repairs deductions
 
(0.1
)

 
 
 
2.1

0.06

 
Flow-through of state bonus depreciation deduction
 
0.3

0.01

 
 
 
0.6

0.02

 
Production tax credits
 
0.5

0.01

 
 
 
1.6

0.04

 
Prior year permanent return to accrual adjustments
 
(0.5
)
(0.01
)
 
 
 
(0.5
)
(0.01
)
 
State income tax and other, net
 
1.2

0.03

 
 
 
1.5

0.04

 
Impact of higher share count
 
 
(0.01
)
 
 
 
 
(0.05
)
 
All other, net
(0.1
)
(0.2
)
(0.01
)
 
 

0.1

(0.01
)
 
Total EPS impact of above items
 
 
0.06

 
 
 
 
0.19

 
2013 reported
$
16.4

$
14.3

$
0.37

 
 
$
59.4

$
52.2

$
1.38

(1) Income Tax Benefit (Expense) calculation on reconciling items assumes effective tax rate of 38.5%.
For more information see www.northwesternenergy.com/documents/investor/Q213.pdf






NorthWestern Reports Second Quarter 2013 Financial Results
July 25, 2013
Page 4


Significant Drivers

Gross Margin
Consolidated gross margin for the quarter ended June 30, 2013 was $153.3 million compared with $148.2 million for the same period of 2012. Consolidated gross margin increased $5.1 million primarily due to the following:

An increase in natural gas and electric retail volumes due primarily to colder spring weather;
An increase in natural gas production margin, primarily due to the acquisition of the Bear Paw assets in the third quarter of 2012;
An increase in electric transmission capacity revenues due to market pricing and other conditions;
The acquisition of the Spion Kop wind farm in the fourth quarter of 2012;
Lower QF related supply costs based on actual QF pricing and output;
An increase in Montana natural gas delivery rates implemented in April 2013; and
An increase in Montana property taxes included in a tracker.

These increases were partly offset by:

A decrease in DSM lost revenues recovered through our supply trackers related to efficiency measures implemented by customers. The quarter ending June 30, 2012 included recognition of approximately $6.6 million that we had deferred in prior periods pending approval of our tracker filings;
Lower DGGS revenue primarily due to an increase in our FERC related deferral due to the initial FERC ALJ nonbinding decision; and
Lower revenues for operating expenses recovered in trackers, primarily related to customer efficiency programs.

Consolidated gross margin for the six months ended June 30, 2013 was $334.1 million compared with $318.9 million for the same period of 2012.

Operating, General and Administrative Expenses
Consolidated operating, general and administrative expenses were $67.4 million for the quarter ended June 30, 2013 as compared with $67.1 million during the same period of 2012. The increase in operating, general and administrative expenses of $0.3 million was primarily due to:

Incremental operating and maintenance costs related to DSIP;
Increased labor costs due primarily to compensation increases and a larger number of employees;
Higher plant operator costs due to the Spion Kop acquisition and planned maintenance at Colstrip Unit 4; and
Higher natural gas production costs due to the Bear Paw acquisition.

These increases were partly offset by:

Decreased pension expense, offset in part by increased medical expenses; and
Lower operating expenses recovered in trackers, primarily related to customer efficiency programs.

Consolidated operating, general and administrative expenses were $136.2 million for the six months ended June 30, 2013 as compared with $132.7 million during the same period of 2012.



NorthWestern Reports Second Quarter 2013 Financial Results
July 25, 2013
Page 5


Property and Other Taxes
Property and other taxes remained essentially flat with $25.8 million for the quarter ended June 30, 2013, as compared with $25.9 million in the same period of 2012.

Property and other taxes were $51.6 million for the six months ended June 30, 2013, as compared with $49.6 million in the same period of 2012.

Depreciation Expense
Depreciation expense was $27.4 million for the quarter ended June 30, 2013, as compared with $26.4 million in the same period of 2012. This reflects an increase in depreciation expense due to plant additions, offset in part by a reduction in depreciation rates of approximately $1.5 million as a result of new depreciation studies conducted by an independent consultant and implemented during the second quarter of 2013. These studies reflect longer asset lives on our electric and natural gas assets in Montana, and electric assets in South Dakota. We expect an additional reduction in depreciation expense due to the change in rates of approximately $3.0 million for the remainder of 2013.

Depreciation expense was $56.6 million for the six months ended June 30, 2013, as compared with $52.9 million in the same period of 2012.

Interest Expense
Consolidated interest expense was $17.1 million for the quarter ended June 30, 2013 as compared with $15.9 million during the same period of 2012. This increase was primarily due to higher debt outstanding partially offset by higher capitalization of AFUDC.

Consolidated interest expense was $33.9 million for the six months ended June 30, 2013 as compared with $31.9 million during the same period of 2012.

Income Tax Expense
Consolidated income tax expense for the quarter ended June 30, 2013 was $2.1 million as compared with $2.6 million in same period of 2012. The effective tax rate for the quarter ended June 30, 2013 was 12.8% as compared with 18.3% for the same period of 2012. The effective tax rate differs from the federal statutory tax rate of 35% primarily due to the regulatory impact of flowing through federal and state tax benefit of repairs deductions, state tax benefit of bonus depreciation deductions and production tax credits.

Consolidated income tax expense for the six months ended June 30, 2013 was $7.2 million as compared with $10.6 million in same period of 2012. The effective tax rate for the six months ended June 30, 2013 was 12.0% as compared with 19.6% for the same period of 2012.

The following table summarizes the significant differences from the Federal statutory rate, which result in reduced income tax expense:



NorthWestern Reports Second Quarter 2013 Financial Results
July 25, 2013
Page 6


 
Three Months Ended June 30,
 
Six Months Ended June 30,
 
(in millions)
 
(in millions)
 
2013
 
2012
 
2013
 
2012
Income Before Income Taxes
$
16.4

 
$
14.0

 
$
59.4

 
$
54.1

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Income tax calculated at 35% Federal statutory rate
5.8

 
4.9

 
20.8

 
18.9

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Permanent or flow through adjustments:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Flow-through repairs deductions
(2.1
)
 
(2.2
)
 
(9.8
)
 
(7.7
)
Flow-through of state bonus depreciation deduction
(0.8
)
 
(0.5
)
 
(2.5
)
 
(1.9
)
Production tax credits
(0.5
)
 

 
(1.6
)
 

Prior year permanent return to accrual adjustments
0.5

 

 
0.5

 

State income tax & other, net
(0.8
)
 
0.4

 
(0.2
)
 
1.3

 
(3.7
)
 
(2.3
)
 
(13.6
)
 
(8.3
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Income tax expense
$
2.1

 
$
2.6

 
$
7.2

 
$
10.6


Liquidity and Capital Resources
As of June 30, 2013, cash and cash equivalents were $7.8 million compared with $8.1 million at June 30, 2012. The Company had $232.5 million available from its revolving credit facility at June 30, 2013, compared with $162.0 million at June 30, 2012.

Dividend Declared
NorthWestern's Board of Directors declared a quarterly common stock dividend of $0.38 per share, payable September 30, 2013, to common shareholders of record as of September 13, 2013.
 
2013 Earnings Guidance Increased
NorthWestern updates 2013 earnings range to $2.45 - $2.60 per diluted share from $2.40 - $2.55 as last provided.

Basic assumptions incorporate the following expectations:

A consolidated income tax rate of approximately 12% of pre-tax income;
Normal weather in our electric and natural gas service territories for the remainder of 2013;
Excludes any potential additional impact as a result of the FERC decision regarding revenue allocation at our Dave Gates Generating Station;
Excludes any unanticipated costs due to Colstrip Unit 4 outage; and
Diluted average shares outstanding of 38.1 million.
 
Significant Items Not Contemplated in Guidance
A reconciliation of items not factored into our updated 2013 and final 2012 earnings guidance of $2.45 - $2.60 and $2.30 - $2.40 per diluted share, respectively, is as follows. The amount below represents an after-tax non-GAAP measure that may provide users of this financial information with additional meaningful information regarding the impact of certain items on the Company's expected earnings.  The Company believes the following presentation is more representative of our ongoing earnings than the GAAP EPS, also represented below.  Non-GAAP financial measures should be viewed in addition to, and not as an alternative to, the reported operating results or cash flows from operations or any other measure of performance prepared in


NorthWestern Reports Second Quarter 2013 Financial Results
July 25, 2013
Page 7


accordance with GAAP.  In addition, the presentation of these measures may not be comparable to similarly titled measures other companies use.

2013
Q1 2013
Q2 2013
Q3 2013
Q4 2013
1H 2013
 
 
 
 
 
 
Reported GAAP diluted EPS
$
1.01

$
0.37

 
 
$
1.38

 
 
 
 
 
 
Non-GAAP Adjustments:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Weather
 
(0.02
)
 
 
(0.02
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
Adjusted diluted EPS
$
1.01

$
0.35



$
1.36

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
2012
Q1 2012
Q2 2012
Q3 2012
Q4 2012
FY 2012
 
 
 
 
 
 
Reported GAAP diluted EPS
$
0.88

$
0.31

$
(0.10
)
$
1.57

$
2.66

 
 
 
 
 
 
Non-GAAP Adjustments:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Weather
0.09

0.05

(0.06
)
0.06

0.14

Release of MPSC DGGS deferral
(0.05
)
 
 
 
(0.05
)
DSM Lost revenue recovery related to 2010/2011
(0.05
)
 
 
(0.05
)
DGGS FERC ALJ initial decision - portion related to 2011
 
0.12

 
0.12

MSTI Impairment
 
 
0.40

 
0.40

Favorable CELP arbitration decision
 
 
 
(0.79
)
(0.79
)
Income tax adjustment - benefit from MT NOL
 
 
(0.06
)
(0.06
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
Adjusted diluted EPS
$
0.92

$
0.31

$
0.36

$
0.78

$
2.37


Company Hosting Investor Conference Call
As previously announced, NorthWestern will host an investor conference call today at 3:30 pm Eastern Time to review its financial results for the quarter ended June 30, 2013.

The conference call will be webcast live on the Internet at http://www.northwesternenergy.com under the “About Us / 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 July 25, 2013 through August 25, 2013, at (888) 203-1112 access code 1856638.

About NorthWestern Energy

NorthWestern Energy provides electricity and natural gas in the Upper Midwest and Northwest, serving approximately 673,200 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 “2013 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


NorthWestern Reports Second Quarter 2013 Financial Results
July 25, 2013
Page 8


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;
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.

Non-GAAP Financial Measure

This press release includes financial information prepared in accordance with GAAP, as well as other financial measures, such as Gross Margin, that is considered a “non-GAAP financial measures.” Generally, a non-GAAP financial measure is a numerical measure of a company's financial performance, financial position or cash flows that exclude (or include) amounts that are included in (or excluded from) the most directly comparable measure calculated and presented in accordance with GAAP. Gross Margin (Revenues less Cost of Sales) is a non-GAAP financial measure due to the exclusion of depreciation from the measure. The presentation of Gross Margin is intended to supplement investors' understanding of our operating performance. Gross Margin is used by us to determine whether we are collecting the appropriate amount of energy costs from customers to allow recovery of operating costs. Our Gross Margin measure may not be comparable to other companies' Gross Margin measure. Furthermore, this measure is not intended to replace operating income as determined in accordance with GAAP as an indicator of operating performance.



NorthWestern Reports Second Quarter 2013 Financial Results
July 25, 2013
Page 9



NORTHWESTERN CORPORATION
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
 (Unaudited)
(in thousands, except per share amounts)
 
 
 
Three Months Ended June 30,
 
Six Months Ended June 30,
 
 
2013
 
2012
 
2013
 
2012
Revenues
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Electric
 
$
200,472

 
$
196,176

 
$
410,564

 
$
403,231

Gas
 
59,362

 
48,101

 
161,880

 
149,847

Other
 
327

 
326

 
737

 
625

Total Revenues
 
260,161

 
244,603

 
573,181

 
553,703

Operating Expenses
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Cost of Sales
 
106,913

 
96,427

 
239,109

 
234,823

Operating, general and administrative
 
67,364

 
67,096

 
136,201

 
132,669

Property and other taxes
 
25,810

 
25,934

 
51,569

 
49,599

Depreciation
 
27,414

 
26,426

 
56,632

 
52,859

Total Operating Expenses
 
227,501

 
215,883

 
483,511

 
469,950

Operating Income
 
32,660

 
28,720

 
89,670

 
83,753

Interest Expense, net
 
(17,141
)
 
(15,893
)
 
(33,920
)
 
(31,855
)
Other Income
 
928

 
1,176

 
3,643

 
2,160

Income Before Income Taxes
 
16,447

 
14,003

 
59,393

 
54,058

Income Tax Expense
 
(2,106
)
 
(2,565
)
 
(7,150
)
 
(10,577
)
Net Income
 
$
14,341

 
$
11,438

 
$
52,243

 
$
43,481

Average Common Shares Outstanding
 
38,092

 
36,635

 
37,740

 
36,482

Basic Earnings per Average Common Share
 
$
0.37

 
$
0.31

 
$
1.38

 
$
1.19

Diluted Earnings per Average Common Share
 
$
0.37

 
$
0.31

 
$
1.38

 
$
1.19

Dividends Declared per Average Common Share
 
$
0.38

 
$
0.37

 
$
0.76

 
$
0.74



Average shares used in computing the basic and diluted earnings per share are as follows:
 
 
Three Months Ended June 30,
 
Six Months Ended June 30,
 
 
2013
 
2012
 
2013
 
2012
Basic computation
 
38,092

 
36,635

 
37,740

 
36,482

Dilutive effect of
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Restricted stock and performance share awards
 
129

 
144

 
125

 
143

Diluted computation
 
38,221

 
36,779

 
37,865

 
36,625






NorthWestern Reports Second Quarter 2013 Financial Results
July 25, 2013
Page 10



NORTHWESTERN CORPORATION
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
 (Unaudited)
(in thousands)
 
June 30, 2013
 
December 31, 2012
 
 
 
 
ASSETS
 
 
 
Current Assets
$
246,081

 
$
303,128

Property, Plant, and Equipment, Net
2,532,359

 
2,435,590

Goodwill
355,128

 
355,128

Regulatory Assets
390,511

 
367,890

Other Noncurrent Assets
26,969

 
23,797

Total Assets
$
3,551,048

 
$
3,485,533

LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
 
 
 
Current Maturities of Long-term Debt and Capital Leases
$
1,656

 
$
1,612

Short-term Borrowings
64,994

 
122,934

Other Current Liabilities
285,833

 
324,719

Long-term Capital Leases
30,739

 
31,562

Long-term Debt
1,055,085

 
1,055,074

Noncurrent Regulatory Liabilities
339,304

 
276,618

Deferred Income Taxes
381,155

 
363,928

Other Noncurrent Liabilities
390,032

 
375,054

Total Liabilities
2,548,798

 
2,551,501

Total Shareholders' Equity
1,002,250

 
934,032

Total Liabilities and Shareholders' Equity
$
3,551,048

 
$
3,485,533




NORTHWESTERN CORPORATION
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(in thousands)
 
Six Months Ended June 30,
 
 
2013
 
2012
 
Operating Activities
 
 
 
 
Net income
$
52,243

 
$
43,481

 
Non-cash items
87,568

 
79,791

 
Changes in operating assets and liabilities
(10,000
)
 
21,795

 
Cash Provided by Operating Activities
129,811

 
145,067

 
 
 
 
 
 
Cash Used in Investing Activities
(87,802
)
 
(97,663
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
Cash Used in Financing Activities
(44,038
)
 
(45,227
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
(Decrease) Increase in Cash and Cash Equivalents
(2,029
)
 
2,177

 
Cash and Cash Equivalents, beginning of period
9,822

 
5,928

 
Cash and Cash Equivalents, end of period
$
7,793

 
$
8,105

 




NorthWestern Reports Second Quarter 2013 Financial Results
July 25, 2013
Page 11


NORTHWESTERN CORPORATION
REGULATED ELECTRIC SEGMENT
Three Months Ended June 30,
(Unaudited)

 
Results
 
2013
 
2012
 
Change
 
% Change
 
(dollars in millions)
Retail revenue
$
179.9

 
$
166.7

 
$
13.2

 
7.9
 %
Regulatory amortization
5.9

 
17.2

 
(11.3
)
 
(65.7
)
   Total retail revenues
185.8

 
183.9

 
1.9

 
1.0

Transmission
12.5

 
11.0

 
1.5

 
13.6

Ancillary Services
0.4

 
0.5

 
(0.1
)
 
(20.0
)
Wholesale
0.7

 
0.7

 

 

Other
1.1

 
0.1

 
1.0

 
1,000.0

Total Revenues
$
200.5

 
$
196.2

 
$
4.3

 
2.2

Total Cost of Sales
82.5

 
78.1

 
4.4

 
5.6

Gross Margin
$
118.0

 
$
118.1

 
$
(0.1
)
 
(0.1
)%


 
Revenues
 
Megawatt Hours (MWH)
 
Avg. Customer Counts
 
2013
 
2012
 
2013
 
2012
 
2013
 
2012
 
(in thousands)
 
 
 
 
Retail Electric
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Montana
$
56,915

 
$
52,681

 
495

 
491

 
276,304

 
273,840

South Dakota
10,628

 
10,060

 
123

 
106

 
49,222

 
48,883

Residential 
67,543

 
62,741

 
618

 
597

 
325,526

 
322,723

Montana
77,086

 
71,197

 
753

 
756

 
62,638

 
61,948

South Dakota
16,163

 
16,328

 
222

 
217

 
12,290

 
12,160

Commercial
93,249

 
87,525

 
975

 
973

 
74,928

 
74,108

Industrial
10,583

 
8,537

 
709

 
682

 
74

 
74

Other
8,561

 
7,871

 
54

 
51

 
6,065

 
5,977

Total Retail Electric
$
179,936

 
$
166,674

 
2,356

 
2,303

 
406,593

 
402,882

Total Wholesale Electric
$
670

 
$
733

 
35

 
43

 

 



 
Degree Days
 
2013 as compared with:
Cooling Degree-Days
2013
 
2012
 
Historic Average
 
2012
 
Historic Average
Montana
45

 
55

 
41

 
18% cooler
 
10% warmer
South Dakota
50

 
150

 
66

 
67% cooler
 
24% cooler
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Degree Days
 
2013 as compared with:
Heating Degree-Days
2013
 
2012
 
Historic Average
 
2012
 
Historic Average
Montana
1,267

 
1,205

 
1,357

 
5% colder
 
7% warmer
South Dakota
1,897

 
893

 
1,546

 
112% colder
 
23% colder




NorthWestern Reports Second Quarter 2013 Financial Results
July 25, 2013
Page 12


NORTHWESTERN CORPORATION
REGULATED ELECTRIC SEGMENT
Six Months Ended June 30,
(Unaudited)

 
Results
 
2013
 
2012
 
Change
 
% Change
 
(dollars in millions)
Retail revenue
$
379.9

 
$
358.6

 
$
21.3

 
5.9
 %
Regulatory amortization
0.1

 
16.7

 
(16.6
)
 
(99.4
)
   Total retail revenues
380.0

 
375.3

 
4.7

 
1.3

Transmission
26.1

 
22.1

 
4.0

 
18.1

Ancillary Services
0.8

 
2.7

 
(1.9
)
 
(70.4
)
Wholesale
1.2

 
1.6

 
(0.4
)
 
(25.0
)
Other
2.5

 
1.5

 
1.0

 
66.7

Total Revenues
$
410.6

 
$
403.2

 
$
7.4

 
1.8

Total Cost of Sales
165.6

 
161.1

 
4.5

 
2.8

Gross Margin
$
245.0

 
$
242.1

 
$
2.9

 
1.2
 %


 
Revenues
 
Megawatt Hours (MWH)
 
Avg. Customer Counts
 
2013
 
2012
 
2013
 
2012
 
2013
 
2012
 
(in thousands)
 
 
 
 
Retail Electric
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Montana
$
132,921

 
$
124,818

 
1,177

 
1,162

 
276,452

 
274,003

South Dakota
24,452

 
23,046

 
301

 
266

 
49,198

 
48,861

Residential 
157,373

 
147,864

 
1,478

 
1,428

 
325,650

 
322,864

Montana
154,858

 
146,893

 
1,533

 
1,549

 
62,638

 
61,980

South Dakota
33,508

 
33,244

 
467

 
453

 
12,175

 
12,057

Commercial
188,366

 
180,137

 
2,000

 
2,002

 
74,813

 
74,037

Industrial
20,984

 
18,174

 
1,456

 
1,411

 
74

 
73

Other
13,221

 
12,452

 
77

 
75

 
5,288

 
5,243

Total Retail Electric
$
379,944

 
$
358,627

 
5,011

 
4,916

 
405,825

 
402,217

Total Wholesale Electric
$
1,177

 
$
1,602

 
58

 
96

 

 



 
Degree Days
 
2013 as compared with:
Cooling Degree-Days
2013
 
2012
 
Historic Average
 
2012
 
Historic Average
Montana
45

 
55

 
41

 
18% cooler
 
10% warmer
South Dakota
50

 
150

 
66

 
67% cooler
 
24% cooler
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Degree Days
 
2013 as compared with:
Heating Degree-Days
2013
 
2012
 
Historic Average
 
2012
 
Historic Average
Montana
4,490

 
4,244

 
4,640

 
6% colder
 
3% warmer
South Dakota
6,114

 
4,310

 
5,600

 
42% colder
 
9% colder

 



NorthWestern Reports Second Quarter 2013 Financial Results
July 25, 2013
Page 13


NORTHWESTERN CORPORATION
REGULATED NATURAL GAS SEGMENT
Three Months Ended June 30,
(Unaudited)
 
Results
 
2013
 
2012
 
Change
 
% Change
 
(dollars in millions)
Retail revenues
$
49.1

 
$
34.5

 
$
14.6

 
42.3
 %
Regulatory amortization
1.0

 
5.3

 
(4.3
)
 
(81.1
)
     Total retail revenues
50.1

 
39.8

 
10.3

 
25.9

Wholesale and other
9.3

 
8.3

 
1.0

 
12.0

Total Revenues
59.4

 
48.1

 
11.3

 
23.5

Total Cost of Sales
24.4

 
18.3

 
6.1

 
33.3

Gross Margin
$
35.0

 
$
29.8

 
$
5.2

 
17.4
 %
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 
Revenue
 
Dekatherms (Dkt)
 
Avg. Customer Counts
 
2013
 
2012
 
2013
 
2012
 
2013
 
2012
 
(in thousands)
 
 
 
 
Retail Gas
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Montana
$
19,537

 
$
16,415

 
2,046

 
1,915

 
160,722

 
159,539

South Dakota
6,432

 
3,327

 
719

 
341

 
38,131

 
37,727

Nebraska
5,604

 
2,926

 
579

 
287

 
36,624

 
36,420

Residential
31,573

 
22,668

 
3,344

 
2,543

 
235,477

 
233,686

Montana
9,757

 
8,187

 
1,049

 
965

 
22,526

 
22,380

South Dakota
4,384

 
1,873

 
677

 
323

 
6,029

 
5,950

Nebraska
2,958

 
1,480

 
440

 
263

 
4,594

 
4,556

Commercial
17,099

 
11,540

 
2,166

 
1,551

 
33,149

 
32,886

Industrial
171

 
136

 
19

 
16

 
265

 
274

Other
209

 
178

 
29

 
24

 
158

 
150

Total Retail Gas
$
49,052

 
$
34,522

 
5,558

 
4,134

 
269,049

 
266,996



 
Degree Days
 
2013 as compared with:
Heating Degree-Days
2013
 
2012
 
Historic Average
 
2012
 
Historic Average
Montana
1,267
 
1,205
 
1,357
 
5% colder
 
7% warmer
South Dakota
1,897
 
893
 
1,546
 
112% colder
 
23% colder
Nebraska
1,365
 
635
 
1,273
 
115% colder
 
7% colder



NorthWestern Reports Second Quarter 2013 Financial Results
July 25, 2013
Page 14


NORTHWESTERN CORPORATION
REGULATED NATURAL GAS SEGMENT
Six Months Ended June 30,
(Unaudited)
 
Results
 
2013
 
2012
 
Change
 
% Change
 
(dollars in millions)
Retail revenues
$
150.7

 
$
130.1

 
$
20.6

 
15.8
 %
Regulatory amortization
(9.5
)
 
2.1

 
(11.6
)
 
(552.4
)
     Total retail revenues
141.2

 
132.2

 
9.0

 
6.8

Wholesale and other
20.7

 
17.7

 
3.0

 
16.9

Total Revenues
161.9

 
149.9

 
12.0

 
8.0

Total Cost of Sales
73.5

 
73.7

 
(0.2
)
 
(0.3
)
Gross Margin
$
88.4

 
$
76.2

 
$
12.2

 
16.0
 %
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 



 
Revenue
 
Dekatherms (Dkt)
 
Avg. Customer Counts
 
2013
 
2012
 
2013
 
2012
 
2013
 
2012
 
(in thousands)
 
 
 
 
Retail Gas
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Montana
$
62,401

 
$
58,254

 
7,207

 
6,898

 
160,896

 
159,712

South Dakota
18,310

 
13,690

 
2,230

 
1,597

 
38,296

 
37,913

Nebraska
16,517

 
12,347

 
1,855

 
1,429

 
36,826

 
36,669

Residential
97,228

 
84,291

 
11,292

 
9,924

 
236,018

 
234,294

Montana
31,296

 
29,238

 
3,671

 
3,489

 
22,530

 
22,403

South Dakota
12,202

 
8,526

 
1,948

 
1,373

 
6,056

 
5,976

Nebraska
8,735

 
6,894

 
1,311

 
1,092

 
4,624

 
4,598

Commercial
52,233

 
44,658

 
6,930

 
5,954

 
33,210

 
32,977

Industrial
631

 
579

 
76

 
70

 
266

 
276

Other
626

 
573

 
87

 
77

 
158

 
150

Total Retail Gas
$
150,718

 
$
130,101

 
18,385

 
16,025

 
269,652

 
267,697



 
Degree Days
 
2013 as compared with:
Heating Degree-Days
2013
 
2012
 
Historic Average
 
2012
 
Historic Average
Montana
4,490

 
4,244

 
4,640
 
6% colder
 
3% warmer
South Dakota
6,114

 
4,310

 
5,600
 
42% colder
 
9% colder
Nebraska
4,720

 
3,584

 
4,638
 
32% colder
 
2% colder



NorthWestern Reports Second Quarter 2013 Financial Results
July 25, 2013
Page 15


NORTHWESTERN CORPORATION
SECOND QUARTER SEGMENT RESULTS
(Unaudited)
(in thousands)
Three Months Ended
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
June 30, 2013
Electric
 
Gas
 
Other
 
Eliminations
 
Total
Operating revenues
$
200,472

 
$
59,362

 
$
327

 
$

 
$
260,161

Cost of sales
82,520

 
24,393

 

 

 
106,913

Gross margin
117,952

 
34,969

 
327

 

 
153,248

Operating, general and administrative
47,721

 
18,483

 
1,160

 

 
67,364

Property and other taxes
19,016

 
6,792

 
2

 

 
25,810

Depreciation
21,693

 
5,712

 
9

 

 
27,414

Operating income (loss)
29,522

 
3,982

 
(844
)
 

 
32,660

Interest expense
(14,411
)
 
(2,567
)
 
(163
)
 

 
(17,141
)
Other income
702

 
198

 
28

 

 
928

Income tax expense
(76
)
 
(1,901
)
 
(129
)
 

 
(2,106
)
Net income (loss)
$
15,737

 
$
(288
)
 
$
(1,108
)
 
$

 
$
14,341



Three Months Ended
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
June 30, 2012
Electric
 
Gas
 
Other
 
Eliminations
 
Total
Operating revenues
$
196,176

 
$
48,101

 
$
326

 
$

 
$
244,603

Cost of sales
78,109

 
18,318

 

 

 
96,427

Gross margin
118,067

 
29,783

 
326

 

 
148,176

Operating, general and administrative
47,685

 
18,657

 
754

 

 
67,096

Property and other taxes
19,469

 
6,463

 
2

 

 
25,934

Depreciation
21,565

 
4,853

 
8

 

 
26,426

Operating income (loss)
29,348

 
(190
)
 
(438
)
 

 
28,720

Interest expense
(13,409
)
 
(2,230
)
 
(254
)
 

 
(15,893
)
Other income
801

 
349

 
26

 

 
1,176

Income tax (expense) benefit
(5,910
)
 
1,010

 
2,335

 

 
(2,565
)
Net income (loss)
$
10,830

 
$
(1,061
)
 
$
1,669

 
$

 
$
11,438



NorthWestern Reports Second Quarter 2013 Financial Results
July 25, 2013
Page 16




Six Months Ended
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
June 30, 2013
Electric
 
Gas
 
Other
 
Eliminations
 
Total
Operating revenues
$
410,564

 
$
161,880

 
$
737

 
$

 
$
573,181

Cost of sales
165,615

 
73,494

 

 

 
239,109

Gross margin
244,949

 
88,386

 
737

 

 
334,072

Operating, general and administrative
93,439

 
38,378

 
4,384

 

 
136,201

Property and other taxes
38,168

 
13,396

 
5

 

 
51,569

Depreciation
45,304

 
11,311

 
17

 

 
56,632

Operating income (loss)
68,038

 
25,301

 
(3,669
)
 

 
89,670

Interest expense
(28,538
)
 
(4,993
)
 
(389
)
 

 
(33,920
)
Other income
2,713

 
875

 
55

 

 
3,643

Income tax (expense) benefit
(4,380
)
 
(3,673
)
 
903

 

 
(7,150
)
Net income (loss)
$
37,833

 
$
17,510

 
$
(3,100
)
 
$

 
$
52,243




Six Months Ended
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
June 30, 2012
Electric
 
Gas
 
Other
 
Eliminations
 
Total
Operating revenues
$
403,231

 
$
149,847

 
$
625

 
$

 
$
553,703

Cost of sales
161,088

 
73,735

 

 

 
234,823

Gross margin
242,143

 
76,112

 
625

 

 
318,880

Operating, general and administrative
93,042

 
37,945

 
1,682

 

 
132,669

Property and other taxes
37,007

 
12,587

 
5

 

 
49,599

Depreciation
43,134

 
9,709

 
16

 

 
52,859

Operating income (loss)
68,960

 
15,871

 
(1,078
)
 

 
83,753

Interest expense
(27,076
)
 
(4,297
)
 
(482
)
 

 
(31,855
)
Other income
1,413

 
694

 
53

 

 
2,160

Income tax (expense) benefit
(9,084
)
 
(2,580
)
 
1,087

 

 
(10,577
)
Net income (loss)
$
34,213

 
$
9,688

 
$
(420
)
 
$

 
$
43,481