EX-99.1 2 ex99-1dtd110105.htm EXHIBIT 99.1 PRESS RELEASE Exhibit 99.1 Press Release

 
Exhibit 99.1           
 
One Ameren Plaza     
1901 Chouteau           
Avenue                       
St. Louis, MO  63103
 
Ameren News Release
 
Contacts:
Media                            Analysts                        Investors
Tim Fox                              Bruce Steinke                        Investor Services
(314) 554-3120                           (314) 554-2574                       (800) 255-2237
tfox2@ameren.com                      bsteinke@ameren.com                         invest@ameren.com
 
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

AMEREN REPORTS THIRD QUARTER 2005 EARNINGS
Reaffirms 2005 Earnings Guidance
 
St. Louis, Mo., Nov. 1, 2005 --- Ameren Corporation (NYSE: AEE) today announced third quarter 2005 net income of $280 million, or $1.37 per share, compared to third quarter 2004 net income of $232 million, or $1.20 per share. Net income for the first nine months of 2005 was $586 million, or $2.94 per share, compared to $447 million, or $2.44 per share, in the first nine months of 2004.
 
“Significantly warmer summer weather and earnings from Illinois Power, acquired on Sept. 30, 2004, drove an increase in year-over-year per share earnings in the third quarter of 2005,” said Gary L. Rainwater, chairman, chief executive officer and president of Ameren Corporation. “These increases were offset, in part, by higher fuel and purchased power costs and higher operating expenses at our Callaway nuclear plant due to the start of a 70 to 75-day scheduled outage on Sept. 17, 2005.”
 
Revenues in the third quarter of 2005 increased to $1.9 billion from $1.3 billion in 2004. Illinois Power Company, doing business as AmerenIP, added electric revenues of $358 million and gas revenues of $61 million in the third quarter of 2005. In addition, electric revenues increased approximately $86 million due to warmer weather in the third quarter of 2005, as compared to the third quarter of 2004. According to the National Weather Service, cooling degree days in the company’s service territory in the third quarter of 2005 were 53 percent above 2004 levels and 16 percent greater than normal.
 
Excluding the effect of the Illinois Power Company acquisition, weather-sensitive residential megawatthour sales increased 22 percent, and commercial electric megawatthour sales increased 8 percent, in the third quarter of 2005 compared to 2004. In addition, industrial electric megawatthour sales increased 2 percent in the third quarter of 2005 over the year-ago period. The increase in industrial sales was principally due to the addition of Noranda Aluminum, Inc, which became a customer on June 1, 2005.
 
- more -
 
 

 
Add One
 
Interchange sales decreased 42 percent in the third quarter of 2005 as compared to the third quarter of 2004. The decrease in interchange sales was largely due to a reduction in the amount of excess power available for sale principally as a result of the addition of Noranda Aluminum as a customer, increased residential and commercial native load demand due to warmer weather, coal conservation efforts and the planned refueling and maintenance outage at the Callaway nuclear plant. Despite this significant decrease in interchange sales, interchange revenues in the third quarter of 2005 were only $4 million below the prior-year period due to a 65 percent jump in power prices. Interchange revenues averaged $46 per megawatthour in the third quarter of 2005 versus $28 per megawatthour in last year’s third quarter. Higher coal and natural gas prices, coupled with increased electricity demand, led to elevated power prices this quarter.
 
Operating expenses increased $464 million in the third quarter of 2005, compared to the year-ago period, principally due to the acquisition of Illinois Power Company, which added $321 million in operating expenses in the third quarter of 2005. In addition, excluding the effect of the Illinois Power acquisition, fuel and purchased power costs rose $114 million principally due to higher native load sales, unscheduled plant outages and the incremental costs of operating in the Midwest Independent Transmission System Operator Day Two Energy market. The higher fuel and purchased power costs were offset, in part, by gains from emission allowance transactions in the company’s unregulated operations. In addition, the refueling and maintenance outage at the Callaway nuclear plant increased operating costs in the third quarter of 2005 over third quarter 2004, when there was no refueling and maintenance outage.
 
Illinois Power Company contributed net income of $53 million to Ameren’s earnings in the third quarter of 2005. Common shares issued by Ameren in advance of the September 2004 completion of the Illinois Power acquisition diluted third quarter 2004 earnings by an estimated 14 cents per share.
 
Ameren also announced today that it is reaffirming its 2005 earnings guidance. The company continues to expect 2005 earnings to range between $3.00 and $3.20 per share. Ameren’s guidance assumes normal weather for the remainder of the year and is subject to, among other things, plant operations, timely completion of the scheduled Callaway nuclear plant refueling and maintenance outage in November, energy market and economic conditions, unusual or otherwise unexpected gains or losses and other risks and uncertainties outlined in Ameren’s Forward-looking Statements.
 

- more -
 
 
 

 
Add Two
 
Ameren will conduct a conference call for financial analysts at 9:00 a.m. (Central Time) on Tuesday, Nov. 1, to discuss third quarter 2005 earnings and other matters related to the company. Investors, the news media and the public may listen to a live Internet broadcast of the Ameren analyst call at www.ameren.com by clicking on "Q3 2005 Ameren Corporation Earnings Conference Call," then the appropriate audio link. A slide presentation will also be available on Ameren’s web site that reconciles earnings per share between the third quarter and first nine months of 2005 and the same periods of 2004 and reconciles 2005 earnings guidance to 2004 actual earnings. This presentation will be posted in the “Investors” section of the web site under “Presentations.” The analyst call will also be available for replay on the Internet for one year. Telephone playback of the conference call will also be available beginning at 12:00 p.m. noon (Central Time), from Nov. 1 through Nov. 8, by dialing, U.S. (800) 405-2236; international (303) 590-3000 and entering the number: 11041615#.
 
Ameren chairman, chief executive officer and president Gary L. Rainwater and executive vice president and chief financial officer Warner L. Baxter will give a presentation to analysts on Tuesday, Nov. 8, 2005 at the Edison Electric Institute 40th Annual Financial Conference. The presentation will be at 9:45 a.m. Eastern Time (8:45 a.m. Central Time). This presentation is being webcast and can be accessed at www.ameren.com by clicking on "Ameren Corporation at 40th Edison Electric Institute Financial Conference," then the appropriate audio link.
 
With assets of more than $18 billion, Ameren serves approximately 2.3 million electric customers and more than 900,000 natural gas customers in a 64,000 square mile area of Missouri and Illinois. Ameren owns a diverse mix of electric generating plants strategically located in its Midwest market with a generating capacity of more than 15,000 megawatts.
 
Regulation G

In addition to presenting electric revenues and statistics on a consolidated basis, Ameren has presented electric revenues and statistics for the three and nine month periods ending September 30, 2005, excluding Illinois Power Company. Ameren believes this information is useful because it enables readers to compare results between periods without giving effect to the Illinois Power Company acquisition that was completed in September 2004. 

Forward-looking Statements

Statements made in this release, which are not based on historical facts, are "forward-looking" and, accordingly, involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those discussed. Although such "forward-looking" statements have been made in good faith and are based on reasonable assumptions, there is no assurance that the expected results will be achieved. These statements include (without limitation) statements as to future expectations, beliefs, plans, strategies, objectives, events, conditions, and financial performance. In connection with the "safe harbor" provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, we are providing this cautionary statement to identify important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those anticipated. The following factors, in addition to those discussed elsewhere in this release and in past and subsequent securities
 
 
 

 
 
filings, could cause actual results to differ materially from management expectations as suggested by such "forward-looking" statements:

·  
regulatory actions, including changes in regulatory policies and ratemaking determinations;
·  
changes in laws and other governmental actions, including monetary and fiscal policies;
·  
the effects of increased competition in the future due to, among other things, deregulation of certain aspects of our business at both the state and federal levels, and the implementation of deregulation, such as when the current electric rate freeze and current power supply contracts expire in Illinois in 2006;
·  
the effects of participation in the MISO, including the costs associated with operations in the Day Two market of the MISO;
·  
the availability of fuel for the production of electricity, such as coal and natural gas, and purchased power and natural gas for distribution, and the level and volatility of future market prices for such commodities, including the ability to recover any increased costs;
·  
the effectiveness of our risk management strategies and the use of financial and derivative instruments;
·  
prices for power in the Midwest;
·  
business and economic conditions, including their impact on interest rates;
·  
disruptions of the capital markets or other events that make Ameren’s access to necessary capital more difficult or costly;
·  
the impact of the adoption of new accounting standards and the application of appropriate technical accounting rules and guidance;
·  
actions of credit ratings agencies and the effects of such actions;
·  
weather conditions and other natural phenomena;
·  
generation plant construction, installation and performance;
·  
operation of Ameren’s nuclear power facility, including planned and unplanned outages, and decommissioning costs;
·  
the effects of strategic initiatives, including acquisitions and divestitures;
·  
the impact of current environmental regulations on utilities and power generating companies and the expectation that more stringent requirements will be introduced over time, which could have a negative financial effect;
·  
labor disputes, future wages and employee benefits costs, including changes in returns on benefit plan assets;
·  
difficulties in integrating Illinois Power Company with Ameren’s other businesses;
·  
changes in the energy markets, environmental laws or regulations, interest rates, or other factors that could adversely affect assumptions in connection with the CILCORP Inc. and Illinois Power Company acquisitions;
·  
the impact of conditions imposed by regulators in connection with their approval of Ameren’s acquisition of Illinois Power Company;
·  
the inability of Ameren’s counterparties to meet their obligations with respect to Ameren’s contracts and financial instruments;
·  
the cost and availability of transmission capacity;
·  
legal and administrative proceedings; and
·  
acts of sabotage, war or terrorist activities.

Given these uncertainties, undue reliance should not be placed on these forward-looking statements. Except to the extent required by the federal securities laws, Ameren undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.
 
# # #
 
 

 
 

AMEREN CORPORATION (AEE)
CONSOLIDATED OPERATING STATISTICS
                 
   
Three Months Ended
 
Nine Months Ended
   
September 30,
 
September 30,
   
2005
 
2004
 
2005
 
2004
Electric Sales - KWH (in millions):
               
Residential
   
8,042
   
5,002
   
19,879
   
13,930
Commercial
   
7,060
   
5,354
   
19,016
   
15,050
Industrial
   
6,526
   
5,154
   
17,704
   
14,366
Wholesale
   
2,630
   
2,457
   
7,362
   
7,143
Other
   
179
   
80
   
541
   
235
Native
   
24,437
   
18,047
   
64,502
   
50,724
Interchange sales
   
1,974
   
3,417
   
9,033
   
9,584
Total
   
26,411
   
21,464
   
73,535
   
60,308
                         
Electric Revenues - (in millions):
                       
Residential
 
$
650
 
$
408
 
$
1,461
 
$
1,006
Commercial
   
505
   
368
   
1,238
   
925
Industrial
   
310
   
231
   
780
   
601
Wholesale
   
94
   
92
   
260
   
256
Other
   
16
   
7
   
40
   
20
Native
   
1,575
   
1,106
   
3,779
   
2,808
Interchange sales
   
91
   
95
   
358
   
283
Other
   
53
   
27
   
120
   
64
Total
 
$
1,719
 
$
1,227
 
$
4,257
 
$
3,155
                         
Power Supply (%):
                       
Fossil
   
66.9
   
80.3
   
68.0
   
81.0
Nuclear
   
7.8
   
11.6
   
9.1
   
8.3
Hydro
   
0.7
   
1.3
   
1.4
   
1.6
Purchased
   
24.6
   
6.8
   
21.5
   
9.1
                         
Fuel Cost per KWH (cents)
   
1.495
   
1.098
   
1.281
   
1.104
Gas Sales - MMBTU (in thousands)
   
9,743
   
6,467
   
75,693
   
53,817
                         
 
   
 
September 30, 
   
December 31,
           
     
2005
   
2004
           
Common Stock:
                       
Shares outstanding (in millions)
   
204.2
   
195.2
           
Book value per share
 
$
31.61
 
$
29.71
           
                         
Capitalization Ratios:
                       
Common equity
   
54.0%
 
 
49.1%
 
         
Preferred stock
   
1.6%
 
 
1.7%
 
         
Debt, net of cash
   
44.4%
 
 
49.2%
 
         
 
 
 

 
 

AMEREN CORPORATION (AEE)
 
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET
 
(Unaudited, in millions)
 
           
   
September 30,
 
December 31,
 
 
2005
 
2004
 
           
ASSETS
         
Current Assets:
         
Cash and cash equivalents
 
$
278
 
$
69
 
Accounts receivable - trade
   
480
   
442
 
Unbilled revenue
   
305
   
336
 
Miscellaneous accounts and notes receivable
   
21
   
38
 
Materials and supplies, at average cost
   
840
   
623
 
Other current assets
   
59
   
74
 
Total current assets
   
1,983
   
1,582
 
Property and Plant, Net
   
13,402
   
13,297
 
Investments and Other Assets:
             
Investments in leveraged leases
   
124
   
140
 
Nuclear decommissioning trust fund
   
244
   
235
 
Goodwill and other intangibles, net
   
957
   
940
 
Other assets
   
496
   
411
 
Regulatory assets
   
884
   
829
 
Total investments and other assets
   
2,705
   
2,555
 
               
TOTAL ASSETS
 
$
18,090
 
$
17,434
 
               
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
             
Current Liabilities:
             
Current maturities of long-term debt
 
$
347
 
$
423
 
Short-term debt
   
23
   
417
 
Accounts and wages payable
   
461
   
567
 
Taxes accrued
   
196
   
26
 
Other current liabilities
   
369
   
374
 
Total current liabilities
   
1,396
   
1,807
 
Long-term Debt, Net
   
5,201
   
5,021
 
Preferred Stock of Subsidiary Subject to Mandatory Redemption
   
19
   
20
 
Deferred Credits and Other Liabilities:
             
Accumulated deferred income taxes, net
   
1,980
   
1,886
 
Accumulated deferred investment tax credits
   
132
   
139
 
Regulatory liabilities
   
1,207
   
1,042
 
Asset retirement obligations
   
416
   
439
 
Accrued pension and other postretirement benefits
   
763
   
756
 
Other deferred credits and liabilities
   
310
   
315
 
Total deferred credits and other liabilities
   
4,808
   
4,577
 
Preferred Stock of Subsidiaries Not Subject to Mandatory Redemption
   
195
   
195
 
Minority Interest in Consolidated Subsidiaries
   
15
   
14
 
Stockholders' Equity:
             
Common stock
   
2
   
2
 
Other paid-in capital, principally premium on common stock
   
4,375
   
3,949
 
Retained earnings
   
2,109
   
1,904
 
Accumulated other comprehensive loss
   
(17
)
 
(45
)
Other
   
(13
)
 
(10
)
Total stockholders' equity
   
6,456
   
5,800
 
               
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
 
$
18,090
 
$
17,434
 
 
 
 

 
 

AMEREN CORPORATION (AEE)
 
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF INCOME
 
(Unaudited, in millions, except per share amounts)
 
                   
                   
                   
   
Three Months Ended
 
Nine Months Ended
 
   
September 30,
 
September 30,
 
   
2005
 
2004
 
2005
 
2004
 
                   
Operating Revenues:
                 
Electric
 
$
1,719
 
$
1,227
 
$
4,257
 
$
3,155
 
Gas
   
149
   
78
   
819
   
498
 
Other
   
-
   
2
   
3
   
5
 
Total operating revenues
   
1,868
   
1,307
   
5,079
   
3,658
 
                           
Operating Expenses:
                         
Fuel and purchased power
   
621
   
320
   
1,524
   
863
 
Gas purchased for resale
   
90
   
47
   
550
   
335
 
Other operations and maintenance
   
391
   
314
   
1,109
   
956
 
Depreciation and amortization
   
158
   
136
   
472
   
398
 
Taxes other than income taxes
   
98
   
77
   
284
   
231
 
Total operating expenses
   
1,358
   
894
   
3,939
   
2,783
 
Operating Income
   
510
   
413
   
1,140
   
875
 
                           
Other Income and (Deductions):
                         
Miscellaneous income
   
6
   
8
   
19
   
20
 
Miscellaneous expense
   
(3
)
 
(1
)
 
(12
)
 
(6
)
Total other income and (deductions)
   
3
   
7
   
7
   
14
 
                           
Interest Charges and Preferred Dividends:
                         
Interest
   
70
   
62
   
221
   
192
 
Preferred dividends of subsidiaries
   
4
   
3
   
10
   
8
 
Net interest charges and preferred dividends
   
74
   
65
   
231
   
200
 
                           
Income Before Income Taxes
   
439
   
355
   
916
   
689
 
                           
Income Taxes
   
159
   
123
   
330
   
242
 
                           
Net Income
 
$
280
 
$
232
 
$
586
 
$
447
 
                           
                           
Earnings per Common Share - Basic and Diluted:
 
$
1.37
 
$
1.20
 
$
2.94
 
$
2.44
 
                           
Average Common Shares Outstanding
   
203.8
   
193.5
   
199.6
   
183.5
 
 
 
 

 
 

AMEREN CORPORATION (AEE)
 
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS
 
(Unaudited, in millions)
 
           
           
   
Nine Months Ended
 
   
September 30,
 
   
2005
 
2004
 
           
Cash Flows From Operating Activities:
         
Net income
 
$
586
 
$
447
 
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash
             
provided by operating activities:
             
Depreciation and amortization
   
447
   
398
 
Amortization of nuclear fuel
   
25
   
21
 
Amortization of debt issuance costs and premium/discounts
   
11
   
8
 
Deferred income taxes and investment tax credits, net
   
83
   
43
 
Coal contract settlement
   
-
   
28
 
Pension and other postretirement benefit contributions
   
(123
)
 
(327
)
Other
   
134
   
100
 
Changes in assets and liabilities, excluding the effects of the acquisition:
             
Receivables, net
   
(1
)
 
21
 
Materials and supplies
   
(134
)
 
(32
)
Accounts and wages payable
   
(72
)
 
(192
)
Taxes accrued
   
172
   
257
 
Assets, other
   
(28
)
 
(41
)
Liabilities, other
   
(11
)
 
5
 
Net cash provided by operating activities
   
1,089
   
736
 
               
               
Cash Flows From Investing Activities:
             
Capital expenditures
   
(660
)
 
(547
)
Acquisitions, net of cash acquired
   
12
   
(451
)
Nuclear fuel expenditures
   
(16
)
 
(7
)
Other
   
16
   
28
 
Net cash used in investing activities
   
(648
)
 
(977
)
               
               
Cash Flows From Financing Activities:
             
Dividends on common stock
   
(383
)
 
(356
)
Capital issuance costs
   
(4
)
 
(40
)
Redemptions, Repurchases and Maturities:
             
Nuclear fuel lease
   
-
   
(67
)
Short-term debt
   
(394
)
 
(130
)
Long-term debt
   
(262
)
 
(451
)
Preferred stock
   
(1
)
 
(1
)
Issuances:
             
Common stock
   
430
   
1,418
 
Long-term debt
   
382
   
404
 
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities
   
(232
)
 
777
 
               
Net Change In Cash and Cash Equivalents
   
209
   
536
 
Cash and Cash Equivalents at Beginning of Year
   
69
   
111
 
               
Cash and Cash Equivalents at End of Period
 
$
278
 
$
647