EX-99.1 2 q12019exhibit991earningsre.htm EXHIBIT 99.1 Exhibit
 
 
Exhibit 99.1

NEWS RELEASE
amerenheadera07.jpg
1901 Chouteau Avenue: St. Louis, MO 63103: Ameren.com
 
Contacts
 
 
 
Media
 
Analysts
Investors
Erin Davis
 
Andrew Kirk
Investor Services
314.554.2182
 
314.554.3942
800.255.2237
edavis@ameren.com
 
akirk@ameren.com
invest@ameren.com
For Immediate Release
Ameren Announces First Quarter 2019 Results
First Quarter Diluted Earnings Per Share were $0.78 in 2019 vs. $0.62 in 2018
Guidance Range for 2019 Affirmed at $3.15 to $3.35 Per Diluted Share
ST. LOUIS (May 9, 2019) — Ameren Corporation (NYSE: AEE) today announced first quarter 2019 net income attributable to common shareholders of $191 million, or $0.78 per diluted share, compared to first quarter 2018 net income attributable to common shareholders of $151 million, or $0.62 per diluted share.
The increase in year-over-year earnings reflected the benefits of increased infrastructure investments, which contributed to higher net income at each of Ameren’s business segments. Ameren Illinois Natural Gas earnings increased as a result of higher delivery service rates and a change in rate design. Increased infrastructure investments drove higher earnings at Ameren Transmission and Ameren Illinois Electric Distribution, each of which benefits from formulaic ratemaking. Ameren Missouri earnings also rose reflecting higher weather-driven electric retail sales and energy efficiency performance incentives that offset the comparative impacts of timing differences in 2018 between income tax expense and revenue reductions related to federal tax reform. The first quarter earnings comparison also benefited from a lower consolidated effective income tax rate.  
"Our first quarter results reflect the strong execution of our strategy across all of our jurisdictions, which we believe will continue to deliver superior value to our customers and shareholders," said Warner L. Baxter, chairman, president and chief executive officer of Ameren Corporation. "We remain on track to deliver within our 2019 earnings per share guidance range of $3.15 to $3.35."
Earnings Guidance
Today, Ameren also affirmed its 2019 earnings guidance range of $3.15 to $3.35 per diluted share. Earnings guidance for 2019 assumes normal temperatures for the last nine months of this year and is subject to the effects of, among other things: 30-year U.S. Treasury bond yields; regulatory, judicial and legislative actions; energy center and energy distribution operations; energy, economic, capital and credit market conditions; severe storms; unusual or otherwise unexpected gains or losses; and other risks and uncertainties outlined, or referred to, in the Forward-looking Statements section of this press release.

 
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Ameren Missouri Segment Results
Ameren Missouri first quarter 2019 earnings were $39 million, compared to first quarter 2018 earnings of $38 million. The year-over-year improvement reflected higher electric retail sales due, in part, to colder winter temperatures and energy efficiency performance incentives. These positive factors offset the comparative impacts of $19 million of timing differences in 2018 between income tax expense and revenue reductions related to the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 (TCJA). These timing differences will impact 2019 quarterly earnings comparisons but are not expected to impact the full-year comparison.
Ameren Illinois Electric Distribution Segment Results
Ameren Illinois Electric Distribution first quarter 2019 earnings were $36 million, compared to first quarter 2018 earnings of $33 million. The year-over-year improvement reflected increased earnings on infrastructure investments partially offset by a lower allowed return on equity due to a lower average 30-year U.S. Treasury bond yield in 2019 compared to 2018.
Ameren Illinois Natural Gas Segment Results
Ameren Illinois Natural Gas first quarter 2019 earnings were $57 million, compared to first quarter 2018 earnings of $42 million. The year-over-year improvement reflected higher delivery service rates, which incorporated increased infrastructure investments, effective in November 2018. First quarter 2019 earnings also benefited by $9 million from a change in rate design, which is not expected to impact full-year results.
Ameren Transmission Segment Results
Ameren Transmission first quarter 2019 earnings were $44 million, compared to first quarter 2018 earnings of $37 million. The year-over-year improvement reflected increased earnings on infrastructure investments.
Other Results (includes items not reported in a business segment)
Other results for the first quarter of 2019 reflected earnings of $15 million, compared to first quarter 2018 earnings of $1 million. The year-over-year improvement reflected a lower effective income tax rate primarily due to recognition of tax benefits associated with stock-based compensation. In addition, the comparison benefited from a $5 million decrease in income tax expense, which is not expected to impact full-year results.
Analyst Conference Call
Ameren will conduct a conference call for financial analysts at 9 a.m. Central Time on Thursday, May 9, to discuss 2019 earnings, earnings guidance and other matters. Investors, the news media and the public may listen to a live broadcast of the call at AmerenInvestors.com by clicking on "Webcast" under "Q1 2019 Earnings Conference Call," where an accompanying slide presentation will also be available. The conference call and presentation will be archived for one year in the “Investor News & Events” section of the website under “Events and Presentations.”



 
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About Ameren
St. Louis-based Ameren Corporation powers the quality of life for 2.4 million electric customers and more than 900,000 natural gas customers in a 64,000-square-mile area through its Ameren Missouri and Ameren Illinois rate-regulated utility subsidiaries. Ameren Illinois provides electric transmission and distribution service and natural gas distribution service. Ameren Missouri provides electric generation, transmission and distribution service, as well as natural gas distribution service. Ameren Transmission Company of Illinois develops, owns and operates rate-regulated regional electric transmission projects. For more information, visit Ameren.com, or follow us on Twitter at @AmerenCorp, Facebook.com/AmerenCorp, or LinkedIn/company/Ameren.

Forward-looking Statements
Statements in this release not based on historical facts are considered “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 under Risk Factors in Ameren’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year-ended December 31, 2018, and elsewhere in this release and in our other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, could cause actual results to differ materially from management expectations suggested in such forward-looking statements:
regulatory, judicial, or legislative actions, and any changes in regulatory policies and ratemaking determinations, such as those that may result from the complaint case filed in February 2015 with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC), a new methodology to determine the allowed base return on common equity under the Midwest Independent System Operator (MISO) tariff proposed by the FERC in November 2018, the Notices of Inquiry issued by the FERC in March 2019, Ameren Missouri’s natural gas regulatory rate review filed with the Missouri Public Service Commission in December 2018, an appeal filed by the Missouri Office of Public Counsel in January 2019 in Ameren Missouri's Renewable Energy Standard Rate Adjustment Mechanism case, Ameren Illinois’ April 2019 annual electric distribution formula rate update filing, and future regulatory, judicial, or legislative actions that change regulatory recovery mechanisms;
the effect of Ameren Illinois’ participation in performance-based formula ratemaking frameworks under the Illinois Energy Infrastructure Modernization Act and the Illinois Future Energy Jobs Act (FEJA), including the direct relationship between Ameren Illinois’ return on common equity and the 30-year United States Treasury bond yields, and the related financial commitments;
the effect of Missouri Senate Bill 564 on Ameren Missouri, including as a result of Ameren Missouri’s election to use plant-in-service accounting and the resulting customer rate caps;
the effects of changes in federal, state, or local laws and other governmental actions, including monetary, fiscal, and energy policies;
the effects of changes in federal, state, or local tax laws, regulations, interpretations, or rates, amendments or technical corrections to the TCJA, and challenges to the tax positions we have taken;
the effects on demand for our services resulting from technological advances, including advances in customer energy efficiency, energy storage, and private generation sources, which generate electricity at the site of consumption and are becoming more cost-competitive;
the effectiveness of Ameren Missouri’s customer energy-efficiency programs and the related revenues and performance incentives earned under its Missouri Energy Efficiency Investment Act programs;
Ameren Illinois’ ability to achieve the performance standards applicable to its electric distribution business and the FEJA electric customer energy-efficiency goals and the resulting impact on its allowed return on equity;
our ability to align overall spending, both operating and capital, with frameworks established by our regulators and to recover these costs in a timely manner in our attempt to earn our allowed returns on equity;
the cost and availability of fuel, such as ultra-low-sulfur coal, natural gas, and enriched uranium used to produce electricity; the cost and availability of purchased power, zero emission credits, renewable energy credits, and natural gas for distribution; and the level and volatility of future market prices for such commodities and credits, including our ability to recover the costs for such commodities and credits and our customers’ tolerance for any related price increases;
disruptions in the delivery of fuel, failure of our fuel suppliers to provide adequate quantities or quality of fuel, or lack of adequate inventories of fuel, including nuclear fuel assemblies from the one Nuclear Regulatory Commission-licensed supplier of Ameren Missouri's Callaway Energy Center's assemblies;
the cost and availability of transmission capacity for the energy generated by Ameren Missouri's energy centers or required to satisfy Ameren Missouri's energy sales;
the effectiveness of our risk management strategies and our use of financial and derivative instruments;
the ability to obtain sufficient insurance, including insurance for Ameren Missouri’s Callaway Energy Center, or, in the absence of insurance, the ability to recover uninsured losses from our customers;
the impact of cyberattacks on us or our suppliers, which could, among other things, result in the loss of operational control of energy centers and electric and natural gas transmission and distribution systems and/or the loss of data, such as customer, employee, financial, and operating system information;
business and economic conditions, including their impact on interest rates, collection of our receivable balances, and demand for our products;
disruptions of the capital markets, deterioration in our credit metrics, including as a result of the implementation of the TCJA, or other events that may have an adverse effect on the cost or availability of capital, including short-term credit and liquidity;
the actions of credit rating agencies and the effects of such actions;
the inability of our counterparties to meet their obligations with respect to contracts, credit agreements, and financial instruments;
the impact of weather conditions and other natural phenomena on us and our customers, including the impact of system outages;
the construction, installation, performance, and cost recovery of generation, transmission, and distribution assets;
the effects of breakdowns or failures of equipment in the operation of natural gas transmission and distribution systems and storage facilities, such as leaks, explosions, and mechanical problems, and compliance with natural gas safety regulations;

 
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the effects of breakdowns or failures of electric generation, transmission, or distribution equipment or facilities, which could result in unanticipated liabilities or unplanned outages;
the operation of Ameren Missouri’s Callaway Energy Center, including planned and unplanned outages, and decommissioning costs;
the impact of current environmental laws and new, more stringent, or changing requirements, including those related to carbon dioxide and the proposed repeal and replacement of the Clean Power Plan and potential adoption and implementation of the Affordable Clean Energy Rule, other emissions and discharges, cooling water intake structures, coal combustion residuals, and energy efficiency, that could limit or terminate the operation of certain of Ameren Missouri's energy centers, increase our operating costs or investment requirements, result in an impairment of our assets, cause us to sell our assets, reduce our customers’ demand for electricity or natural gas, or otherwise have a negative financial effect;
the impact of complying with renewable energy requirements in Missouri and Illinois and with the zero emission standard in Illinois;
Ameren Missouri’s ability to acquire wind and other renewable generation facilities and recover its cost of investment and related return in a timely manner, which is affected by the ability to obtain all necessary project approvals; the availability of federal production and investment tax credits related to renewable energy and Ameren Missouri’s ability to use such credits; the cost of wind and solar generation technologies; and Ameren Missouri’s ability to obtain timely interconnection agreements with MISO or other Regional Transmission Organizations, including the costs of such interconnections;
labor disputes, work force reductions, changes in future wage and employee benefits costs, including those resulting from changes in discount rates, mortality tables, returns on benefit plan assets, and other assumptions;
the impact of negative opinions of us or our utility services that our customers, legislators, or regulators may have or develop, which could result from a variety of factors, including failures in system reliability, failure to implement our investment plans or to protect sensitive customer information, increases in rates, or negative media coverage;
the impact of adopting new accounting guidance;
the effects of strategic initiatives, including mergers, acquisitions, and divestitures;
legal and administrative proceedings; and
acts of sabotage, war, terrorism, or other intentionally disruptive acts.

New factors emerge from time to time, and it is not possible for management to predict all of such factors, nor can it assess the impact of each such factor on the business or the extent to which any factor, or combination of factors, may cause actual results to differ materially from those contained or implied in any forward-looking statement. Given these uncertainties, undue reliance should not be placed on these forward-looking statements. Except to the extent required by the federal securities laws, we undertake no obligation to update or revise publicly any forward-looking statements to reflect new information or future events.

# # #



 
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AMEREN CORPORATION (AEE)
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF INCOME
(Unaudited, in millions, except per share amounts)
 
 
Three Months Ended March 31,
 
2019
 
2018
Operating Revenues:
 
 
 
Electric
$
1,182

 
$
1,223

Natural gas
374

 
362

Total operating revenues
1,556

 
1,585

Operating Expenses:
 
 
 
Fuel
160

 
188

Purchased power
156

 
163

Natural gas purchased for resale
161

 
171

Other operations and maintenance
417

 
431

Depreciation and amortization
248

 
234

Taxes other than income taxes
126

 
125

Total operating expenses
1,268

 
1,312

Operating Income
288

 
273

Other Income, Net
29

 
23

Interest Charges
97

 
101

Income Before Income Taxes
220

 
195

Income Taxes
27

 
42

Net Income
193

 
153

Less: Net Income Attributable to Noncontrolling Interests
2

 
2

Net Income Attributable to Ameren Common Shareholders
$
191

 
$
151

 
 
 
 
Earnings per Common Share – Basic and Diluted
$
0.78

 
$
0.62

 
 
 
 
Weighted-average Common Shares Outstanding – Basic
244.9

 
242.9

Weighted-average Common Shares Outstanding – Diluted
246.4

 
244.4




AMEREN CORPORATION (AEE)
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET
(Unaudited, in millions)

 
March 31, 2019
 
December 31, 2018
ASSETS
 
 
 
Current Assets:
 
 
 
Cash and cash equivalents
$
8

 
$
16

Accounts receivable - trade (less allowance for doubtful accounts)
517

 
463

Unbilled revenue
238

 
295

Miscellaneous accounts receivable
74

 
79

Inventories
402

 
483

Current regulatory assets
113

 
134

Other current assets
70

 
63

Total current assets
1,422

 
1,533

Property, Plant, and Equipment, Net
23,044

 
22,810

Investments and Other Assets:
 
 
 
Nuclear decommissioning trust fund
754

 
684

Goodwill
411

 
411

Regulatory assets
1,134

 
1,127

Other assets
744

 
650

Total investments and other assets
3,043

 
2,872

TOTAL ASSETS
$
27,509

 
$
27,215

LIABILITIES AND EQUITY
 
 
 
Current Liabilities:
 
 
 
Current maturities of long-term debt
$
336

 
$
580

Short-term debt
799

 
597

Accounts and wages payable
522

 
817

Taxes accrued
81

 
53

Interest accrued
81

 
93

Customer deposits
111

 
116

Current regulatory liabilities
161

 
149

Other current liabilities
301

 
282

Total current liabilities
2,392

 
2,687

Long-term Debt, Net
8,221

 
7,859

Deferred Credits and Other Liabilities:
 
 
 
Accumulated deferred income taxes, net
2,666

 
2,623

Accumulated deferred investment tax credits
42

 
43

Regulatory liabilities
4,731

 
4,637

Asset retirement obligations
630

 
627

Pension and other postretirement benefits
558

 
558

Other deferred credits and liabilities
422

 
408

Total deferred credits and other liabilities
9,049

 
8,896

Ameren Corporation Shareholders’ Equity:
 
 
 
Common stock
2

 
2

Other paid-in capital, principally premium on common stock
5,625

 
5,627

Retained earnings
2,099

 
2,024

Accumulated other comprehensive loss
(21
)
 
(22
)
Total Ameren Corporation shareholders’ equity
7,705

 
7,631

Noncontrolling Interests
142

 
142

Total equity
7,847

 
7,773

TOTAL LIABILITIES AND EQUITY
$
27,509

 
$
27,215




AMEREN CORPORATION (AEE)
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS
(Unaudited, in millions)
 
 
Three Months Ended March 31,
 
2019
 
2018
Cash Flows From Operating Activities:
 
 
 
Net income
$
193

 
$
153

Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
 
 
 
Depreciation and amortization
245

 
230

Amortization of nuclear fuel
23

 
24

Amortization of debt issuance costs and premium/discounts
5

 
5

Deferred income taxes and investment tax credits, net
32

 
26

Allowance for equity funds used during construction
(6
)
 
(5
)
Stock-based compensation costs
6

 
6

Other
(8
)
 
2

Changes in assets and liabilities
(103
)
 
(183
)
Net cash provided by operating activities
387

 
258

Cash Flows From Investing Activities:
 
 
 
Capital expenditures
(544
)
 
(579
)
Nuclear fuel expenditures
(21
)
 
(12
)
Purchases of securities – nuclear decommissioning trust fund
(39
)
 
(38
)
Sales and maturities of securities – nuclear decommissioning trust fund
36

 
34

Other
1

 
(2
)
Net cash used in investing activities
(567
)
 
(597
)
Cash Flows From Financing Activities:
 
 
 
Dividends on common stock
(116
)
 
(111
)
Dividends paid to noncontrolling interest holders
(2
)
 
(2
)
Short-term debt, net
202

 
475

Maturities of long-term debt
(329
)
 

Issuances of long-term debt
450

 

Issuances of common stock
19

 
17

Employee payroll taxes related to stock-based compensation
(29
)
 
(19
)
Debt issuance costs
(4
)
 

Net cash provided by financing activities
191

 
360

Net change in cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash
11

 
21

Cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash at beginning of year
107

 
68

Cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash at end of period
$
118

 
$
89




AMEREN CORPORATION (AEE)
OPERATING STATISTICS
 
 
Three Months Ended
 
March 31,
 
2019

2018
Electric Sales - kilowatthours (in millions):
 
 
 
Ameren Missouri
 
 
 
Residential
3,838

 
3,780

Commercial
3,549

 
3,528

Industrial
1,012

 
1,053

Street lighting and public authority
28

 
29

Ameren Missouri retail load subtotal
8,427

 
8,390

Off-system
1,836

 
2,549

Ameren Missouri total
10,263

 
10,939

Ameren Illinois Electric Distribution
 
 
 
Residential
3,133

 
3,071

Commercial
2,957

 
2,977

Industrial
2,744

 
2,814

Street lighting and public authority
137

 
146

Ameren Illinois Electric Distribution total
8,971

 
9,008

Eliminate affiliate sales
(17
)
 
(78
)
Ameren Total
19,217

 
19,869

Electric Revenues (in millions):
 
 
 
Ameren Missouri
 
 
 
Residential
$
312

 
$
332

Commercial
239

 
252

Industrial
55

 
61

Other, including street lighting and public authority
41

 
27

Ameren Missouri retail load subtotal
$
647

 
$
672

Off-system
57

 
69

Ameren Missouri total
$
704

 
$
741

Ameren Illinois Electric Distribution
 
 
 
Residential
$
217

 
$
219

Commercial
123

 
124

Industrial
34

 
35

Other, including street lighting and public authority
13

 
22

Ameren Illinois Electric Distribution total
$
387

 
$
400

Ameren Transmission
 
 
 
Ameren Illinois Transmission(a)
$
70

 
$
62

       ATXI
44

 
42

Ameren Transmission total
$
114

 
$
104

Other and intersegment eliminations(a)
(23
)
 
(22
)
Ameren Total
$
1,182

 
$
1,223


(a)
Includes $15 million and $13 million, respectively, of electric operating revenues from transmission services provided to the Ameren Illinois Electric Distribution segment.



AMEREN CORPORATION (AEE)
OPERATING STATISTICS

 
Three Months Ended
 
March 31,
 
2019
 
2018
Gas Sales - dekatherms (in millions):
 
 
 
Ameren Missouri
9

 
9

Ameren Illinois Natural Gas
73

 
68

Ameren Total
82

 
77

Gas Revenues (in millions):
 
 
Ameren Missouri
$
54

 
$
51

Ameren Illinois Natural Gas
320

 
311

Ameren Total
$
374

 
$
362

 
March 31,
 
December 31,
 
2019
 
2018
Common Stock:
 
 
 
Shares outstanding (in millions)
245.6

 
244.5

Book value per share
$
31.37

 
$
31.21