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Risk Management And Fair Values
3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2013
Risk Management And Fair Values

NOTE 8. RISK MANAGEMENT AND FAIR VALUES (Entergy Corporation, Entergy Arkansas, Entergy Gulf States Louisiana, Entergy Louisiana, Entergy Mississippi, Entergy New Orleans, Entergy Texas, and System Energy)

 

Market and Commodity Risks

 

In the normal course of business, Entergy is exposed to a number of market and commodity risks. Market risk is the potential loss that Entergy may incur as a result of changes in the market or fair value of a particular instrument or commodity. All financial and commodity-related instruments, including derivatives, are subject to market risk. Entergy is subject to a number of commodity and market risks, including:

 

 

Entergy manages a portion of these risks using derivative instruments, some of which are classified as cash flow hedges due to their financial settlement provisions while others are classified as normal purchase/normal sale transactions due to their physical settlement provisions. Normal purchase/normal sale risk management tools include power purchase and sales agreements, fuel purchase agreements, capacity contracts, and tolling agreements. Financially-settled cash flow hedges can include natural gas and electricity swaps and options, and interest rate swaps. Entergy will occasionally enter into financially settled swap and option contracts to manage market risk under certain hedging transactions which may or may not be designated as hedging instruments. Entergy enters into derivatives only to manage natural risks inherent in its physical or financial assets or liabilities.

 

Entergy manages fuel price volatility for its Louisiana jurisdictions (Entergy Gulf States Louisiana and Entergy Louisiana) and Entergy Mississippi primarily through the purchase of short-term natural gas swaps. These swaps are marked-to-market with offsetting regulatory assets or liabilities. The notional volumes of these swaps are based on a portion of projected annual exposure to gas for electric generation and projected winter purchases for gas distribution at Entergy Gulf States Louisiana.

 

Entergy's exposure to market risk is determined by a number of factors, including the size, term, composition, and diversification of positions held, as well as market volatility and liquidity. For instruments such as options, the time period during which the option may be exercised and the relationship between the current market price of the underlying instrument and the option's contractual strike or exercise price also affects the level of market risk. A significant factor influencing the overall level of market risk to which Entergy is exposed is its use of hedging techniques to mitigate such risk. Entergy manages market risk by actively monitoring compliance with stated risk management policies as well as monitoring the effectiveness of its hedging policies and strategies. Entergy's risk management policies limit the amount of total net exposure and rolling net exposure during the stated periods. These policies, including related risk limits, are regularly assessed to ensure their appropriateness given Entergy's objectives.

 

(a)

Represents the gross amounts of recognized assets/liabilities

(b)

Represents the netting of fair value balances with the same counterparty

(c)

Represents the net amounts of assets /liabilities presented on the Entergy Consolidated Balance Sheets

(d)

Excludes cash collateral in the amounts of $12 million and $56 million held as of March 31, 2013 and December 31, 2012, respectively

 

 

             Certain of the agreements to sell the power produced by Entergy Wholesale Commodities power plants contain provisions that require an Entergy subsidiary to provide collateral to secure its obligations when the current market prices exceed the contracted power prices.  The primary form of collateral to satisfy these requirements is an Entergy Corporation guarantee.  As of March 31, 2013, hedge contracts with six counterparties were in a liability position (approximately $25 million total), but were significantly below the amount of the guarantee provided under the contract and no cash collateral was required. As of March 31, 2012, there were no hedge contracts with counterparties in a liability position. If the Entergy Corporation credit rating falls below investment grade, the effect of the corporate guarantee is typically ignored and Entergy would have to post collateral equal to the estimated outstanding liability under the contract at the applicable date.  

 

            Entergy may effectively liquidate a cash flow hedge instrument by entering into a contract offsetting the original hedge, and then de-designating the original hedge in this situation. Gains or losses accumulated in other comprehensive income prior to de-designation continue to be deferred in other comprehensive income until they are included in income as the original hedged transaction settles. From the point of de-designation, the gains or losses on the original hedge and the offsetting contract are recorded as assets or liabilities on the balance sheet and offset as they flow through to earnings. 

           

            Natural gas over-the-counter swaps that financially settle against NYMEX futures are used to manage fuel price volatility for the Utility's Louisiana and Mississippi customers.  All benefits or costs of the program are recorded in fuel costs.  The total volume of natural gas swaps outstanding as of March 31, 2013 is 60,540,000 MMBtu for Entergy, 18,270,000 MMBtu for Entergy Gulf States Louisiana, 25,140,000 MMBtu for Entergy Louisiana, and 17,130,000 MMBtu for Entergy Mississippi.  Credit support for these natural gas swaps is covered by master agreements that do not require collateralization based on mark-to-market value, but do carry adequate assurance language that may lead to collateralization requests.

 

The effect of Entergy's derivative instruments not designated as hedging instruments on the consolidated income statements for the three months ended March 31, 2013 and 2012 is as follows:

 


Instrument

 

Amount of gain recognized in AOCI

 

Income Statement
location

 

Amount of gain (loss)
recorded in income

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2013

 

 

 

 

 

 

Natural gas swaps

 

-

 

Fuel, fuel-related expenses, and gas purchased for resale

 

$(20) million

Electricity swaps and options de-designated as hedged items

 

$1 million

 

Competitive business operating revenues

 

$(1) million

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2012

 

 

 

 

 

 

Natural gas swaps

 

-

 

Fuel, fuel-related expenses, and gas purchased for resale

 

$(51) million

Electricity swaps and options de-designated as hedged items

 

$3 million

 

Competitive business operating revenues

 

$(2) million

 

Due to regulatory treatment, the natural gas swaps aremarked to market through fuel, fuel-related expenses, and gas purchased forresale and then such amounts are simultaneously reversed and recorded as anoffsetting regulatory asset or liability. The gains or losses recorded as fuel expenses when the swaps are settledare recovered or refunded through fuel cost recovery mechanisms.

 

 

 

 

Fair Values

 

            The estimated fair values of Entergy's financial instruments and derivatives are determined using bid prices, market quotes, and financial modeling. Considerable judgment is required in developing the estimates of fair value. Therefore, estimates are not necessarily indicative of the amounts that Entergy could realize in a current market exchange. Gains or losses realized on financial instruments other than those instruments held by the Entergy Wholesale Commodities business are reflected in future rates and therefore do not accrue to the benefit or detriment of shareholders. Entergy considers the carrying amounts of most financial instruments classified as current assets and liabilities to be a reasonable estimate of their fair value because of the short maturity of these instruments.

 

            Accounting standards define fair value as an exit price, or the price that would be received to sell an asset or the amount that would be paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between knowledgeable market participants at the date of measurement.  Entergy and the Registrant Subsidiaries use assumptions or market input data that market participants would use in pricing assets or liabilities at fair value.  The inputs can be readily observable, corroborated by market data, or generally unobservable.  Entergy and the Registrant Subsidiaries endeavor to use the best available information to determine fair value. 

 

            Accounting standards establish a fair value hierarchy that prioritizes the inputs used to measure fair value. The hierarchy establishes the highest priority for unadjusted market quotes in an active market for the identical asset or liability and the lowest priority for unobservable inputs. The three levels of the fair value hierarchy are:

 

·        Level 1 - Level 1 inputs are unadjusted quoted prices inactive markets for identical assets or liabilities that the entity has theability to access at the measurement date. Active markets are those in which transactions for the asset or liability occur in sufficient frequency and volume to provide pricing information on an ongoing basis. Level 1 primarily consists of individually owned common stocks, cash equivalents (temporary cash investments, securitization recovery trust account, and escrow accounts), debt instruments, and gas hedge contracts. See Note 1 to the financial statements in the Form 10-K for a discussion of cash and cash equivalents.

 

·        Level 2 - Level 2 inputs are inputs other than quoted prices included in Level 1 that are, either directly or indirectly, observable for the asset or liability at the measurement date. Assets are valued based on prices derived by independent third parties that use inputs such as benchmark yields, reported trades, broker/dealer quotes, and issuer spreads. Prices are reviewed and can be challenged with the independent parties and/or overridden by Entergy if it is believed such would be more reflective of fair value. Level 2 inputs include the following:

 

-    quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in active markets;

-    quoted prices for identical assets or liabilities in inactive markets;

-    inputs other than quoted prices that are observable for the asset or liability; or

-    inputs that are derived principally from or corroborated by observable market data

   by correlation or other means.

 

Level 2 consists primarily of individually-owned debt instruments or shares in common trusts. Common trust funds are stated at estimated fair value based on the fair market value of the underlying investments.

 

·        Level 3 - Level 3 inputs are pricing inputs that are generally less observable or unobservable from objective sources. These inputs are used with internally developed methodologies to produce management's best estimate of fair value for the asset or liability. Level 3 consists primarily of derivative power contracts used as cash flow hedges of power sales at merchant power plants.

 

The values for power contract assets or liabilities are based on both observable inputs including public market prices and interest rates, and unobservable inputs such as implied volatilities, unit contingent discounts, expected basis differences, and credit adjusted counterparty interest rates. They are classified as Level 3 assets and liabilities. The valuations of these assets and liabilities are performed by the Entergy Wholesale Commodities Risk Control group and sent to the Entergy Wholesale Commodities Back Office and Entergy Nuclear Finance groups for evaluation. The primary functions of the Entergy Wholesale Commodities Risk Control Group include: gathering, validating and reporting market data, providing market and credit risk analyses and valuations in support of Entergy Wholesale Commodities' commercial transactions, developing and administering protocols for the management of market and credit risks, implementing and maintaining controls around changes to market data in the energy trading and risk management system, reviewing credit worthiness of counterparties, supporting contract negotiations with new counterparties, administering credit support for contracts, and managing the daily margining process. The primary functions of the Entergy Wholesale Commodities Back Office are managing the energy trading and risk management system, forecasting revenues, forward positions and analysis, performing contract administration, market and counterparty settlements and revenue reporting and analysis along with maintaining related controls for Entergy Wholesale Commodities. Both Entergy Wholesale Commodities Risk Control and Entergy Wholesale Commodities Back Office report to the Entergy Wholesale Commodities VP, Finance & Risk Group. Entergy Nuclear Finance is primarily responsible for the financial planning of Entergy's utility and non-utility nuclear businesses and has a significant role in accounting for the activities and transactions of the associated companies. The VP, Chief Financial Officer – Nuclear Operations within Entergy Nuclear Finance reports to the Chief Accounting Officer.

 

The amounts reflected as the fair value of electricity swaps are based on the estimated amount that the contracts are in-the-money at the balance sheet date (treated as an asset) or out-of-the-money at the balance sheet date (treated as a liability) and would equal the estimated amount receivable or payable by Entergy if the contracts were settled at that date. These derivative contracts include cash flow hedges that swap fixed for floating cash flows for sales of the output from the Entergy Wholesale Commodities business. The fair values are based on the mark-to-market comparison between the fixed contract prices and the floating prices determined each period from quoted forward power market prices. The differences between the fixed price in the swap contract and these market-related prices multiplied by the volume specified in the contract and discounted at the counterparties' credit adjusted risk free rate are recorded as derivative contract assets or liabilities. For contracts that have unit contingent terms, a further discount is applied based on the historical relationship between contract and market prices for similar contract terms.

 

The amounts reflected as the fair values of electricity options are valued based on a BlackScholes model, and are calculated at the end of each month for accounting purposes. Inputs to the valuation include end of day forward market prices for the period when the transactions will settle, implied volatilities based on market volatilities provided by a third party data aggregator, and US Treasury rates for a risk-free return rate. As described further below, prices and implied volatilities are reviewed and can be adjusted if it is determined that there is a better representation of fair value. As of March 31, 2013, Entergy had in-the-money derivative contracts with a fair value of $77 million with counterparties or their guarantor who are all currently investment grade. $25 million of the derivative contracts as of March 31, 2013 are out-of-the-money contracts supported by corporate guarantees, which would require additional cash or letters of credit in the event of a decrease in Entergy Corporation's credit rating to below investment grade.

 

On a daily basis, Entergy Wholesale Commodities calculates the mark-to-market for all derivative transactions.  Entergy Wholesale Commodities Risk Control Group also validates forward market prices by comparing them to other sources of forward market prices and/or to settlement prices of actual market transactions. Significant differences are analyzed and potentially adjusted based on these other sources of forward market prices and/or settlement prices of actual market transactions. Implied volatilities used to value options are also validated using actual counterparty quotes for Entergy Wholesale Commodities transactions when available, and using multiple sources of market implied volatilities. Moreover, on at least a monthly basis the Office of Corporate Risk Oversight confirms the mark-to-market calculations and prepares price scenarios and credit downgrade scenario analysis.  The scenario analysis is communicated to senior management within Entergy and within Entergy Wholesale Commodities.  Finally, for all proposed derivative transactions an analysis is completed to assess the risk of adding the proposed derivative to Entergy Wholesale Commodities' portfolio.  In particular, the credit, liquidity, and financial metrics impacts are calculated for this analysis.  This analysis is communicated to senior management within Entergy and Entergy Wholesale Commodities.

 

            The following tables set forth, by level within the fair value hierarchy, Entergy's assets and liabilities that are accounted for at fair value on a recurring basis as of March 31, 2013 and December 31, 2012.  The assessment of the significance of a particular input to a fair value measurement requires judgment and may affect their placement within the fair value hierarchy levels.  

 

 

2013

 

Level 1

 

Level 2

 

Level 3

 

Total

 

 

(In Millions)

Assets:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Temporary cash investments

 

$197

 

$-

 

$-

 

$197

Decommissioning trust funds (a):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Equity securities

 

386

 

2,319

 

-

 

2,705

Debt securities

 

745

 

1,003

 

-

 

1,748

Power contracts

 

-

 

-

 

80

 

80

Gas hedge contracts

 

24

 

-

 

-

 

24

Securitization recovery trust account

 

44

 

-

 

-

 

44

Escrow accounts

 

138

 

-

 

-

 

138

 

 

$1,534

 

$3,322

 

$80

 

$4,936

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Liabilities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Power contracts

 

$-

 

$-

 

$28

 

$28

 

2012

 

Level 1

 

Level 2

 

Level 3

 

Total

 

 

(In Millions)

Assets:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Temporary cash investments

 

$420

 

$-

 

$-

 

$420

Decommissioning trust funds (a):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Equity securities

 

358

 

2,101

 

-

 

2,459

Debt securities

 

769

 

962

 

-

 

1,731

Power contracts

 

-

 

-

 

191

 

191

Securitization recovery trust account

 

46

 

-

 

-

 

46

Escrow accounts

 

386

 

-

 

-

 

386

 

 

$1,979

 

$3,063

 

$191

 

$5,233

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Liabilities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Power contracts

 

$-

 

$-

 

$13

 

$13

Gas hedge contracts

 

8

 

-

 

-

 

8

 

$8

 

$-

 

$13

 

$21

 

(a)

The decommissioning trust funds hold equity and fixed income securities. Equity securities are invested to approximate the returns of major market indexes.  Fixed income securities are held in various governmental and corporate securities.  See Note 9 for additional information on the investment portfolios.

The following table sets forth a description of the types of transactions classified as Level 3 in the fair value hierarchy, and the valuation techniques and significant unobservable inputs to each which cause that classification, as of March 31, 2013:

 

 


Transaction Type

 



Fair Value

as of

March 31, 2013

 

 


Significant
Unobservable Inputs

 

 

Range
from
Average
%

 

 


Effect on
Fair Value

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Electricity swaps

 

$12 million

 

Unit contingent discount

 

+/-3%

 

$1 million

Electricity options

 

$40 million

 

Implied volatility

 

+/-9%

 

$27 million

 

The following table sets forth an analysis of each of the types of unobservable inputs impacting the fair value of items classified as Level 3 within the fair value hierarchy, and the sensitivity to changes to those inputs:

 

 

Significant
Unobservable
Input

 

 


Transaction Type

 

 



Position

 

 


Change to Input

 



Effect on Fair  Value

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Unit contingent
discount

 


Electricity swaps

 


Sell

 


Increase (Decrease)

 


Decrease (Increase)

Implied volatility

 

Electricity options

 

Sell

 

Increase (Decrease)

 

Increase (Decrease)

Implied volatility

 

Electricity options

 

Buy

 

Increase (Decrease)

 

Increase (Decrease)

 

The following table sets forth, by level within the fair value hierarchy, the Registrant Subsidiaries' assets that are accounted for at fair value on a recurring basis as of March 31, 2013 and December 31, 2012. The assessment of the significance of a particular input to a fair value measurement requires judgment and may affect its placement within the fair value hierarchy levels.

 

 

 
 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 


(a)

The decommissioning trust funds hold equity and fixed income securities. Equity securities are invested to approximate the returns of major market indices.  Fixed income securities are held in various governmental and corporate securities.  See Note 9 for additional information on the investment portfolios.

Entergy Arkansas [Member]
 
Risk Management And Fair Values

NOTE 8. RISK MANAGEMENT AND FAIR VALUES (Entergy Corporation, Entergy Arkansas, Entergy Gulf States Louisiana, Entergy Louisiana, Entergy Mississippi, Entergy New Orleans, Entergy Texas, and System Energy)

 

Market and Commodity Risks

 

In the normal course of business, Entergy is exposed to a number of market and commodity risks. Market risk is the potential loss that Entergy may incur as a result of changes in the market or fair value of a particular instrument or commodity. All financial and commodity-related instruments, including derivatives, are subject to market risk. Entergy is subject to a number of commodity and market risks, including:

 

 

Entergy manages a portion of these risks using derivative instruments, some of which are classified as cash flow hedges due to their financial settlement provisions while others are classified as normal purchase/normal sale transactions due to their physical settlement provisions. Normal purchase/normal sale risk management tools include power purchase and sales agreements, fuel purchase agreements, capacity contracts, and tolling agreements. Financially-settled cash flow hedges can include natural gas and electricity swaps and options, and interest rate swaps. Entergy will occasionally enter into financially settled swap and option contracts to manage market risk under certain hedging transactions which may or may not be designated as hedging instruments. Entergy enters into derivatives only to manage natural risks inherent in its physical or financial assets or liabilities.

 

Entergy manages fuel price volatility for its Louisiana jurisdictions (Entergy Gulf States Louisiana and Entergy Louisiana) and Entergy Mississippi primarily through the purchase of short-term natural gas swaps. These swaps are marked-to-market with offsetting regulatory assets or liabilities. The notional volumes of these swaps are based on a portion of projected annual exposure to gas for electric generation and projected winter purchases for gas distribution at Entergy Gulf States Louisiana.

 

Entergy's exposure to market risk is determined by a number of factors, including the size, term, composition, and diversification of positions held, as well as market volatility and liquidity. For instruments such as options, the time period during which the option may be exercised and the relationship between the current market price of the underlying instrument and the option's contractual strike or exercise price also affects the level of market risk. A significant factor influencing the overall level of market risk to which Entergy is exposed is its use of hedging techniques to mitigate such risk. Entergy manages market risk by actively monitoring compliance with stated risk management policies as well as monitoring the effectiveness of its hedging policies and strategies. Entergy's risk management policies limit the amount of total net exposure and rolling net exposure during the stated periods. These policies, including related risk limits, are regularly assessed to ensure their appropriateness given Entergy's objectives.

 

(a)

Represents the gross amounts of recognized assets/liabilities

(b)

Represents the netting of fair value balances with the same counterparty

(c)

Represents the net amounts of assets /liabilities presented on the Entergy Consolidated Balance Sheets

(d)

Excludes cash collateral in the amounts of $12 million and $56 million held as of March 31, 2013 and December 31, 2012, respectively

 

 

             Certain of the agreements to sell the power produced by Entergy Wholesale Commodities power plants contain provisions that require an Entergy subsidiary to provide collateral to secure its obligations when the current market prices exceed the contracted power prices.  The primary form of collateral to satisfy these requirements is an Entergy Corporation guarantee.  As of March 31, 2013, hedge contracts with six counterparties were in a liability position (approximately $25 million total), but were significantly below the amount of the guarantee provided under the contract and no cash collateral was required. As of March 31, 2012, there were no hedge contracts with counterparties in a liability position. If the Entergy Corporation credit rating falls below investment grade, the effect of the corporate guarantee is typically ignored and Entergy would have to post collateral equal to the estimated outstanding liability under the contract at the applicable date.  

 

            Entergy may effectively liquidate a cash flow hedge instrument by entering into a contract offsetting the original hedge, and then de-designating the original hedge in this situation. Gains or losses accumulated in other comprehensive income prior to de-designation continue to be deferred in other comprehensive income until they are included in income as the original hedged transaction settles. From the point of de-designation, the gains or losses on the original hedge and the offsetting contract are recorded as assets or liabilities on the balance sheet and offset as they flow through to earnings. 

           

            Natural gas over-the-counter swaps that financially settle against NYMEX futures are used to manage fuel price volatility for the Utility's Louisiana and Mississippi customers.  All benefits or costs of the program are recorded in fuel costs.  The total volume of natural gas swaps outstanding as of March 31, 2013 is 60,540,000 MMBtu for Entergy, 18,270,000 MMBtu for Entergy Gulf States Louisiana, 25,140,000 MMBtu for Entergy Louisiana, and 17,130,000 MMBtu for Entergy Mississippi.  Credit support for these natural gas swaps is covered by master agreements that do not require collateralization based on mark-to-market value, but do carry adequate assurance language that may lead to collateralization requests.

 

The effect of Entergy's derivative instruments not designated as hedging instruments on the consolidated income statements for the three months ended March 31, 2013 and 2012 is as follows:

 


Instrument

 

Amount of gain recognized in AOCI

 

Income Statement
location

 

Amount of gain (loss)
recorded in income

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2013

 

 

 

 

 

 

Natural gas swaps

 

-

 

Fuel, fuel-related expenses, and gas purchased for resale

 

$(20) million

Electricity swaps and options de-designated as hedged items

 

$1 million

 

Competitive business operating revenues

 

$(1) million

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2012

 

 

 

 

 

 

Natural gas swaps

 

-

 

Fuel, fuel-related expenses, and gas purchased for resale

 

$(51) million

Electricity swaps and options de-designated as hedged items

 

$3 million

 

Competitive business operating revenues

 

$(2) million

 

Due to regulatory treatment, the natural gas swaps aremarked to market through fuel, fuel-related expenses, and gas purchased forresale and then such amounts are simultaneously reversed and recorded as anoffsetting regulatory asset or liability. The gains or losses recorded as fuel expenses when the swaps are settledare recovered or refunded through fuel cost recovery mechanisms.

 

 

 

 

Fair Values

 

            The estimated fair values of Entergy's financial instruments and derivatives are determined using bid prices, market quotes, and financial modeling. Considerable judgment is required in developing the estimates of fair value. Therefore, estimates are not necessarily indicative of the amounts that Entergy could realize in a current market exchange. Gains or losses realized on financial instruments other than those instruments held by the Entergy Wholesale Commodities business are reflected in future rates and therefore do not accrue to the benefit or detriment of shareholders. Entergy considers the carrying amounts of most financial instruments classified as current assets and liabilities to be a reasonable estimate of their fair value because of the short maturity of these instruments.

 

            Accounting standards define fair value as an exit price, or the price that would be received to sell an asset or the amount that would be paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between knowledgeable market participants at the date of measurement.  Entergy and the Registrant Subsidiaries use assumptions or market input data that market participants would use in pricing assets or liabilities at fair value.  The inputs can be readily observable, corroborated by market data, or generally unobservable.  Entergy and the Registrant Subsidiaries endeavor to use the best available information to determine fair value. 

 

            Accounting standards establish a fair value hierarchy that prioritizes the inputs used to measure fair value. The hierarchy establishes the highest priority for unadjusted market quotes in an active market for the identical asset or liability and the lowest priority for unobservable inputs. The three levels of the fair value hierarchy are:

 

·        Level 1 - Level 1 inputs are unadjusted quoted prices inactive markets for identical assets or liabilities that the entity has theability to access at the measurement date. Active markets are those in which transactions for the asset or liability occur in sufficient frequency and volume to provide pricing information on an ongoing basis. Level 1 primarily consists of individually owned common stocks, cash equivalents (temporary cash investments, securitization recovery trust account, and escrow accounts), debt instruments, and gas hedge contracts. See Note 1 to the financial statements in the Form 10-K for a discussion of cash and cash equivalents.

 

·        Level 2 - Level 2 inputs are inputs other than quoted prices included in Level 1 that are, either directly or indirectly, observable for the asset or liability at the measurement date. Assets are valued based on prices derived by independent third parties that use inputs such as benchmark yields, reported trades, broker/dealer quotes, and issuer spreads. Prices are reviewed and can be challenged with the independent parties and/or overridden by Entergy if it is believed such would be more reflective of fair value. Level 2 inputs include the following:

 

-    quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in active markets;

-    quoted prices for identical assets or liabilities in inactive markets;

-    inputs other than quoted prices that are observable for the asset or liability; or

-    inputs that are derived principally from or corroborated by observable market data

   by correlation or other means.

 

Level 2 consists primarily of individually-owned debt instruments or shares in common trusts. Common trust funds are stated at estimated fair value based on the fair market value of the underlying investments.

 

·        Level 3 - Level 3 inputs are pricing inputs that are generally less observable or unobservable from objective sources. These inputs are used with internally developed methodologies to produce management's best estimate of fair value for the asset or liability. Level 3 consists primarily of derivative power contracts used as cash flow hedges of power sales at merchant power plants.

 

The values for power contract assets or liabilities are based on both observable inputs including public market prices and interest rates, and unobservable inputs such as implied volatilities, unit contingent discounts, expected basis differences, and credit adjusted counterparty interest rates. They are classified as Level 3 assets and liabilities. The valuations of these assets and liabilities are performed by the Entergy Wholesale Commodities Risk Control group and sent to the Entergy Wholesale Commodities Back Office and Entergy Nuclear Finance groups for evaluation. The primary functions of the Entergy Wholesale Commodities Risk Control Group include: gathering, validating and reporting market data, providing market and credit risk analyses and valuations in support of Entergy Wholesale Commodities' commercial transactions, developing and administering protocols for the management of market and credit risks, implementing and maintaining controls around changes to market data in the energy trading and risk management system, reviewing credit worthiness of counterparties, supporting contract negotiations with new counterparties, administering credit support for contracts, and managing the daily margining process. The primary functions of the Entergy Wholesale Commodities Back Office are managing the energy trading and risk management system, forecasting revenues, forward positions and analysis, performing contract administration, market and counterparty settlements and revenue reporting and analysis along with maintaining related controls for Entergy Wholesale Commodities. Both Entergy Wholesale Commodities Risk Control and Entergy Wholesale Commodities Back Office report to the Entergy Wholesale Commodities VP, Finance & Risk Group. Entergy Nuclear Finance is primarily responsible for the financial planning of Entergy's utility and non-utility nuclear businesses and has a significant role in accounting for the activities and transactions of the associated companies. The VP, Chief Financial Officer – Nuclear Operations within Entergy Nuclear Finance reports to the Chief Accounting Officer.

 

The amounts reflected as the fair value of electricity swaps are based on the estimated amount that the contracts are in-the-money at the balance sheet date (treated as an asset) or out-of-the-money at the balance sheet date (treated as a liability) and would equal the estimated amount receivable or payable by Entergy if the contracts were settled at that date. These derivative contracts include cash flow hedges that swap fixed for floating cash flows for sales of the output from the Entergy Wholesale Commodities business. The fair values are based on the mark-to-market comparison between the fixed contract prices and the floating prices determined each period from quoted forward power market prices. The differences between the fixed price in the swap contract and these market-related prices multiplied by the volume specified in the contract and discounted at the counterparties' credit adjusted risk free rate are recorded as derivative contract assets or liabilities. For contracts that have unit contingent terms, a further discount is applied based on the historical relationship between contract and market prices for similar contract terms.

 

The amounts reflected as the fair values of electricity options are valued based on a BlackScholes model, and are calculated at the end of each month for accounting purposes. Inputs to the valuation include end of day forward market prices for the period when the transactions will settle, implied volatilities based on market volatilities provided by a third party data aggregator, and US Treasury rates for a risk-free return rate. As described further below, prices and implied volatilities are reviewed and can be adjusted if it is determined that there is a better representation of fair value. As of March 31, 2013, Entergy had in-the-money derivative contracts with a fair value of $77 million with counterparties or their guarantor who are all currently investment grade. $25 million of the derivative contracts as of March 31, 2013 are out-of-the-money contracts supported by corporate guarantees, which would require additional cash or letters of credit in the event of a decrease in Entergy Corporation's credit rating to below investment grade.

 

On a daily basis, Entergy Wholesale Commodities calculates the mark-to-market for all derivative transactions.  Entergy Wholesale Commodities Risk Control Group also validates forward market prices by comparing them to other sources of forward market prices and/or to settlement prices of actual market transactions. Significant differences are analyzed and potentially adjusted based on these other sources of forward market prices and/or settlement prices of actual market transactions. Implied volatilities used to value options are also validated using actual counterparty quotes for Entergy Wholesale Commodities transactions when available, and using multiple sources of market implied volatilities. Moreover, on at least a monthly basis the Office of Corporate Risk Oversight confirms the mark-to-market calculations and prepares price scenarios and credit downgrade scenario analysis.  The scenario analysis is communicated to senior management within Entergy and within Entergy Wholesale Commodities.  Finally, for all proposed derivative transactions an analysis is completed to assess the risk of adding the proposed derivative to Entergy Wholesale Commodities' portfolio.  In particular, the credit, liquidity, and financial metrics impacts are calculated for this analysis.  This analysis is communicated to senior management within Entergy and Entergy Wholesale Commodities.

 

            The following tables set forth, by level within the fair value hierarchy, Entergy's assets and liabilities that are accounted for at fair value on a recurring basis as of March 31, 2013 and December 31, 2012.  The assessment of the significance of a particular input to a fair value measurement requires judgment and may affect their placement within the fair value hierarchy levels.  

 

 

2013

 

Level 1

 

Level 2

 

Level 3

 

Total

 

 

(In Millions)

Assets:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Temporary cash investments

 

$197

 

$-

 

$-

 

$197

Decommissioning trust funds (a):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Equity securities

 

386

 

2,319

 

-

 

2,705

Debt securities

 

745

 

1,003

 

-

 

1,748

Power contracts

 

-

 

-

 

80

 

80

Gas hedge contracts

 

24

 

-

 

-

 

24

Securitization recovery trust account

 

44

 

-

 

-

 

44

Escrow accounts

 

138

 

-

 

-

 

138

 

 

$1,534

 

$3,322

 

$80

 

$4,936

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Liabilities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Power contracts

 

$-

 

$-

 

$28

 

$28

 

2012

 

Level 1

 

Level 2

 

Level 3

 

Total

 

 

(In Millions)

Assets:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Temporary cash investments

 

$420

 

$-

 

$-

 

$420

Decommissioning trust funds (a):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Equity securities

 

358

 

2,101

 

-

 

2,459

Debt securities

 

769

 

962

 

-

 

1,731

Power contracts

 

-

 

-

 

191

 

191

Securitization recovery trust account

 

46

 

-

 

-

 

46

Escrow accounts

 

386

 

-

 

-

 

386

 

 

$1,979

 

$3,063

 

$191

 

$5,233

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Liabilities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Power contracts

 

$-

 

$-

 

$13

 

$13

Gas hedge contracts

 

8

 

-

 

-

 

8

 

$8

 

$-

 

$13

 

$21

 

(a)

The decommissioning trust funds hold equity and fixed income securities. Equity securities are invested to approximate the returns of major market indexes.  Fixed income securities are held in various governmental and corporate securities.  See Note 9 for additional information on the investment portfolios.

The following table sets forth a description of the types of transactions classified as Level 3 in the fair value hierarchy, and the valuation techniques and significant unobservable inputs to each which cause that classification, as of March 31, 2013:

 

 


Transaction Type

 



Fair Value

as of

March 31, 2013

 

 


Significant
Unobservable Inputs

 

 

Range
from
Average
%

 

 


Effect on
Fair Value

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Electricity swaps

 

$12 million

 

Unit contingent discount

 

+/-3%

 

$1 million

Electricity options

 

$40 million

 

Implied volatility

 

+/-9%

 

$27 million

 

The following table sets forth an analysis of each of the types of unobservable inputs impacting the fair value of items classified as Level 3 within the fair value hierarchy, and the sensitivity to changes to those inputs:

 

 

Significant
Unobservable
Input

 

 


Transaction Type

 

 



Position

 

 


Change to Input

 



Effect on Fair  Value

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Unit contingent
discount

 


Electricity swaps

 


Sell

 


Increase (Decrease)

 


Decrease (Increase)

Implied volatility

 

Electricity options

 

Sell

 

Increase (Decrease)

 

Increase (Decrease)

Implied volatility

 

Electricity options

 

Buy

 

Increase (Decrease)

 

Increase (Decrease)

 

The following table sets forth, by level within the fair value hierarchy, the Registrant Subsidiaries' assets that are accounted for at fair value on a recurring basis as of March 31, 2013 and December 31, 2012. The assessment of the significance of a particular input to a fair value measurement requires judgment and may affect its placement within the fair value hierarchy levels.

 

 

 
 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 


(a)

The decommissioning trust funds hold equity and fixed income securities. Equity securities are invested to approximate the returns of major market indices.  Fixed income securities are held in various governmental and corporate securities.  See Note 9 for additional information on the investment portfolios.

Entergy Gulf States Louisiana [Member]
 
Risk Management And Fair Values

NOTE 8. RISK MANAGEMENT AND FAIR VALUES (Entergy Corporation, Entergy Arkansas, Entergy Gulf States Louisiana, Entergy Louisiana, Entergy Mississippi, Entergy New Orleans, Entergy Texas, and System Energy)

 

Market and Commodity Risks

 

In the normal course of business, Entergy is exposed to a number of market and commodity risks. Market risk is the potential loss that Entergy may incur as a result of changes in the market or fair value of a particular instrument or commodity. All financial and commodity-related instruments, including derivatives, are subject to market risk. Entergy is subject to a number of commodity and market risks, including:

 

 

Entergy manages a portion of these risks using derivative instruments, some of which are classified as cash flow hedges due to their financial settlement provisions while others are classified as normal purchase/normal sale transactions due to their physical settlement provisions. Normal purchase/normal sale risk management tools include power purchase and sales agreements, fuel purchase agreements, capacity contracts, and tolling agreements. Financially-settled cash flow hedges can include natural gas and electricity swaps and options, and interest rate swaps. Entergy will occasionally enter into financially settled swap and option contracts to manage market risk under certain hedging transactions which may or may not be designated as hedging instruments. Entergy enters into derivatives only to manage natural risks inherent in its physical or financial assets or liabilities.

 

Entergy manages fuel price volatility for its Louisiana jurisdictions (Entergy Gulf States Louisiana and Entergy Louisiana) and Entergy Mississippi primarily through the purchase of short-term natural gas swaps. These swaps are marked-to-market with offsetting regulatory assets or liabilities. The notional volumes of these swaps are based on a portion of projected annual exposure to gas for electric generation and projected winter purchases for gas distribution at Entergy Gulf States Louisiana.

 

Entergy's exposure to market risk is determined by a number of factors, including the size, term, composition, and diversification of positions held, as well as market volatility and liquidity. For instruments such as options, the time period during which the option may be exercised and the relationship between the current market price of the underlying instrument and the option's contractual strike or exercise price also affects the level of market risk. A significant factor influencing the overall level of market risk to which Entergy is exposed is its use of hedging techniques to mitigate such risk. Entergy manages market risk by actively monitoring compliance with stated risk management policies as well as monitoring the effectiveness of its hedging policies and strategies. Entergy's risk management policies limit the amount of total net exposure and rolling net exposure during the stated periods. These policies, including related risk limits, are regularly assessed to ensure their appropriateness given Entergy's objectives.

 

(a)

Represents the gross amounts of recognized assets/liabilities

(b)

Represents the netting of fair value balances with the same counterparty

(c)

Represents the net amounts of assets /liabilities presented on the Entergy Consolidated Balance Sheets

(d)

Excludes cash collateral in the amounts of $12 million and $56 million held as of March 31, 2013 and December 31, 2012, respectively

 

 

             Certain of the agreements to sell the power produced by Entergy Wholesale Commodities power plants contain provisions that require an Entergy subsidiary to provide collateral to secure its obligations when the current market prices exceed the contracted power prices.  The primary form of collateral to satisfy these requirements is an Entergy Corporation guarantee.  As of March 31, 2013, hedge contracts with six counterparties were in a liability position (approximately $25 million total), but were significantly below the amount of the guarantee provided under the contract and no cash collateral was required. As of March 31, 2012, there were no hedge contracts with counterparties in a liability position. If the Entergy Corporation credit rating falls below investment grade, the effect of the corporate guarantee is typically ignored and Entergy would have to post collateral equal to the estimated outstanding liability under the contract at the applicable date.  

 

            Entergy may effectively liquidate a cash flow hedge instrument by entering into a contract offsetting the original hedge, and then de-designating the original hedge in this situation. Gains or losses accumulated in other comprehensive income prior to de-designation continue to be deferred in other comprehensive income until they are included in income as the original hedged transaction settles. From the point of de-designation, the gains or losses on the original hedge and the offsetting contract are recorded as assets or liabilities on the balance sheet and offset as they flow through to earnings. 

           

            Natural gas over-the-counter swaps that financially settle against NYMEX futures are used to manage fuel price volatility for the Utility's Louisiana and Mississippi customers.  All benefits or costs of the program are recorded in fuel costs.  The total volume of natural gas swaps outstanding as of March 31, 2013 is 60,540,000 MMBtu for Entergy, 18,270,000 MMBtu for Entergy Gulf States Louisiana, 25,140,000 MMBtu for Entergy Louisiana, and 17,130,000 MMBtu for Entergy Mississippi.  Credit support for these natural gas swaps is covered by master agreements that do not require collateralization based on mark-to-market value, but do carry adequate assurance language that may lead to collateralization requests.

 

The effect of Entergy's derivative instruments not designated as hedging instruments on the consolidated income statements for the three months ended March 31, 2013 and 2012 is as follows:

 


Instrument

 

Amount of gain recognized in AOCI

 

Income Statement
location

 

Amount of gain (loss)
recorded in income

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2013

 

 

 

 

 

 

Natural gas swaps

 

-

 

Fuel, fuel-related expenses, and gas purchased for resale

 

$(20) million

Electricity swaps and options de-designated as hedged items

 

$1 million

 

Competitive business operating revenues

 

$(1) million

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2012

 

 

 

 

 

 

Natural gas swaps

 

-

 

Fuel, fuel-related expenses, and gas purchased for resale

 

$(51) million

Electricity swaps and options de-designated as hedged items

 

$3 million

 

Competitive business operating revenues

 

$(2) million

 

Due to regulatory treatment, the natural gas swaps aremarked to market through fuel, fuel-related expenses, and gas purchased forresale and then such amounts are simultaneously reversed and recorded as anoffsetting regulatory asset or liability. The gains or losses recorded as fuel expenses when the swaps are settledare recovered or refunded through fuel cost recovery mechanisms.

 

 

 

 

Fair Values

 

            The estimated fair values of Entergy's financial instruments and derivatives are determined using bid prices, market quotes, and financial modeling. Considerable judgment is required in developing the estimates of fair value. Therefore, estimates are not necessarily indicative of the amounts that Entergy could realize in a current market exchange. Gains or losses realized on financial instruments other than those instruments held by the Entergy Wholesale Commodities business are reflected in future rates and therefore do not accrue to the benefit or detriment of shareholders. Entergy considers the carrying amounts of most financial instruments classified as current assets and liabilities to be a reasonable estimate of their fair value because of the short maturity of these instruments.

 

            Accounting standards define fair value as an exit price, or the price that would be received to sell an asset or the amount that would be paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between knowledgeable market participants at the date of measurement.  Entergy and the Registrant Subsidiaries use assumptions or market input data that market participants would use in pricing assets or liabilities at fair value.  The inputs can be readily observable, corroborated by market data, or generally unobservable.  Entergy and the Registrant Subsidiaries endeavor to use the best available information to determine fair value. 

 

            Accounting standards establish a fair value hierarchy that prioritizes the inputs used to measure fair value. The hierarchy establishes the highest priority for unadjusted market quotes in an active market for the identical asset or liability and the lowest priority for unobservable inputs. The three levels of the fair value hierarchy are:

 

·        Level 1 - Level 1 inputs are unadjusted quoted prices inactive markets for identical assets or liabilities that the entity has theability to access at the measurement date. Active markets are those in which transactions for the asset or liability occur in sufficient frequency and volume to provide pricing information on an ongoing basis. Level 1 primarily consists of individually owned common stocks, cash equivalents (temporary cash investments, securitization recovery trust account, and escrow accounts), debt instruments, and gas hedge contracts. See Note 1 to the financial statements in the Form 10-K for a discussion of cash and cash equivalents.

 

·        Level 2 - Level 2 inputs are inputs other than quoted prices included in Level 1 that are, either directly or indirectly, observable for the asset or liability at the measurement date. Assets are valued based on prices derived by independent third parties that use inputs such as benchmark yields, reported trades, broker/dealer quotes, and issuer spreads. Prices are reviewed and can be challenged with the independent parties and/or overridden by Entergy if it is believed such would be more reflective of fair value. Level 2 inputs include the following:

 

-    quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in active markets;

-    quoted prices for identical assets or liabilities in inactive markets;

-    inputs other than quoted prices that are observable for the asset or liability; or

-    inputs that are derived principally from or corroborated by observable market data

   by correlation or other means.

 

Level 2 consists primarily of individually-owned debt instruments or shares in common trusts. Common trust funds are stated at estimated fair value based on the fair market value of the underlying investments.

 

·        Level 3 - Level 3 inputs are pricing inputs that are generally less observable or unobservable from objective sources. These inputs are used with internally developed methodologies to produce management's best estimate of fair value for the asset or liability. Level 3 consists primarily of derivative power contracts used as cash flow hedges of power sales at merchant power plants.

 

The values for power contract assets or liabilities are based on both observable inputs including public market prices and interest rates, and unobservable inputs such as implied volatilities, unit contingent discounts, expected basis differences, and credit adjusted counterparty interest rates. They are classified as Level 3 assets and liabilities. The valuations of these assets and liabilities are performed by the Entergy Wholesale Commodities Risk Control group and sent to the Entergy Wholesale Commodities Back Office and Entergy Nuclear Finance groups for evaluation. The primary functions of the Entergy Wholesale Commodities Risk Control Group include: gathering, validating and reporting market data, providing market and credit risk analyses and valuations in support of Entergy Wholesale Commodities' commercial transactions, developing and administering protocols for the management of market and credit risks, implementing and maintaining controls around changes to market data in the energy trading and risk management system, reviewing credit worthiness of counterparties, supporting contract negotiations with new counterparties, administering credit support for contracts, and managing the daily margining process. The primary functions of the Entergy Wholesale Commodities Back Office are managing the energy trading and risk management system, forecasting revenues, forward positions and analysis, performing contract administration, market and counterparty settlements and revenue reporting and analysis along with maintaining related controls for Entergy Wholesale Commodities. Both Entergy Wholesale Commodities Risk Control and Entergy Wholesale Commodities Back Office report to the Entergy Wholesale Commodities VP, Finance & Risk Group. Entergy Nuclear Finance is primarily responsible for the financial planning of Entergy's utility and non-utility nuclear businesses and has a significant role in accounting for the activities and transactions of the associated companies. The VP, Chief Financial Officer – Nuclear Operations within Entergy Nuclear Finance reports to the Chief Accounting Officer.

 

The amounts reflected as the fair value of electricity swaps are based on the estimated amount that the contracts are in-the-money at the balance sheet date (treated as an asset) or out-of-the-money at the balance sheet date (treated as a liability) and would equal the estimated amount receivable or payable by Entergy if the contracts were settled at that date. These derivative contracts include cash flow hedges that swap fixed for floating cash flows for sales of the output from the Entergy Wholesale Commodities business. The fair values are based on the mark-to-market comparison between the fixed contract prices and the floating prices determined each period from quoted forward power market prices. The differences between the fixed price in the swap contract and these market-related prices multiplied by the volume specified in the contract and discounted at the counterparties' credit adjusted risk free rate are recorded as derivative contract assets or liabilities. For contracts that have unit contingent terms, a further discount is applied based on the historical relationship between contract and market prices for similar contract terms.

 

The amounts reflected as the fair values of electricity options are valued based on a BlackScholes model, and are calculated at the end of each month for accounting purposes. Inputs to the valuation include end of day forward market prices for the period when the transactions will settle, implied volatilities based on market volatilities provided by a third party data aggregator, and US Treasury rates for a risk-free return rate. As described further below, prices and implied volatilities are reviewed and can be adjusted if it is determined that there is a better representation of fair value. As of March 31, 2013, Entergy had in-the-money derivative contracts with a fair value of $77 million with counterparties or their guarantor who are all currently investment grade. $25 million of the derivative contracts as of March 31, 2013 are out-of-the-money contracts supported by corporate guarantees, which would require additional cash or letters of credit in the event of a decrease in Entergy Corporation's credit rating to below investment grade.

 

On a daily basis, Entergy Wholesale Commodities calculates the mark-to-market for all derivative transactions.  Entergy Wholesale Commodities Risk Control Group also validates forward market prices by comparing them to other sources of forward market prices and/or to settlement prices of actual market transactions. Significant differences are analyzed and potentially adjusted based on these other sources of forward market prices and/or settlement prices of actual market transactions. Implied volatilities used to value options are also validated using actual counterparty quotes for Entergy Wholesale Commodities transactions when available, and using multiple sources of market implied volatilities. Moreover, on at least a monthly basis the Office of Corporate Risk Oversight confirms the mark-to-market calculations and prepares price scenarios and credit downgrade scenario analysis.  The scenario analysis is communicated to senior management within Entergy and within Entergy Wholesale Commodities.  Finally, for all proposed derivative transactions an analysis is completed to assess the risk of adding the proposed derivative to Entergy Wholesale Commodities' portfolio.  In particular, the credit, liquidity, and financial metrics impacts are calculated for this analysis.  This analysis is communicated to senior management within Entergy and Entergy Wholesale Commodities.

 

            The following tables set forth, by level within the fair value hierarchy, Entergy's assets and liabilities that are accounted for at fair value on a recurring basis as of March 31, 2013 and December 31, 2012.  The assessment of the significance of a particular input to a fair value measurement requires judgment and may affect their placement within the fair value hierarchy levels.  

 

 

2013

 

Level 1

 

Level 2

 

Level 3

 

Total

 

 

(In Millions)

Assets:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Temporary cash investments

 

$197

 

$-

 

$-

 

$197

Decommissioning trust funds (a):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Equity securities

 

386

 

2,319

 

-

 

2,705

Debt securities

 

745

 

1,003

 

-

 

1,748

Power contracts

 

-

 

-

 

80

 

80

Gas hedge contracts

 

24

 

-

 

-

 

24

Securitization recovery trust account

 

44

 

-

 

-

 

44

Escrow accounts

 

138

 

-

 

-

 

138

 

 

$1,534

 

$3,322

 

$80

 

$4,936

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Liabilities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Power contracts

 

$-

 

$-

 

$28

 

$28

 

2012

 

Level 1

 

Level 2

 

Level 3

 

Total

 

 

(In Millions)

Assets:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Temporary cash investments

 

$420

 

$-

 

$-

 

$420

Decommissioning trust funds (a):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Equity securities

 

358

 

2,101

 

-

 

2,459

Debt securities

 

769

 

962

 

-

 

1,731

Power contracts

 

-

 

-

 

191

 

191

Securitization recovery trust account

 

46

 

-

 

-

 

46

Escrow accounts

 

386

 

-

 

-

 

386

 

 

$1,979

 

$3,063

 

$191

 

$5,233

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Liabilities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Power contracts

 

$-

 

$-

 

$13

 

$13

Gas hedge contracts

 

8

 

-

 

-

 

8

 

$8

 

$-

 

$13

 

$21

 

(a)

The decommissioning trust funds hold equity and fixed income securities. Equity securities are invested to approximate the returns of major market indexes.  Fixed income securities are held in various governmental and corporate securities.  See Note 9 for additional information on the investment portfolios.

The following table sets forth a description of the types of transactions classified as Level 3 in the fair value hierarchy, and the valuation techniques and significant unobservable inputs to each which cause that classification, as of March 31, 2013:

 

 


Transaction Type

 



Fair Value

as of

March 31, 2013

 

 


Significant
Unobservable Inputs

 

 

Range
from
Average
%

 

 


Effect on
Fair Value

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Electricity swaps

 

$12 million

 

Unit contingent discount

 

+/-3%

 

$1 million

Electricity options

 

$40 million

 

Implied volatility

 

+/-9%

 

$27 million

 

The following table sets forth an analysis of each of the types of unobservable inputs impacting the fair value of items classified as Level 3 within the fair value hierarchy, and the sensitivity to changes to those inputs:

 

 

Significant
Unobservable
Input

 

 


Transaction Type

 

 



Position

 

 


Change to Input

 



Effect on Fair  Value

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Unit contingent
discount

 


Electricity swaps

 


Sell

 


Increase (Decrease)

 


Decrease (Increase)

Implied volatility

 

Electricity options

 

Sell

 

Increase (Decrease)

 

Increase (Decrease)

Implied volatility

 

Electricity options

 

Buy

 

Increase (Decrease)

 

Increase (Decrease)

 

The following table sets forth, by level within the fair value hierarchy, the Registrant Subsidiaries' assets that are accounted for at fair value on a recurring basis as of March 31, 2013 and December 31, 2012. The assessment of the significance of a particular input to a fair value measurement requires judgment and may affect its placement within the fair value hierarchy levels.

 

 

 
 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 


(a)

The decommissioning trust funds hold equity and fixed income securities. Equity securities are invested to approximate the returns of major market indices.  Fixed income securities are held in various governmental and corporate securities.  See Note 9 for additional information on the investment portfolios.

Entergy Louisiana [Member]
 
Risk Management And Fair Values

NOTE 8. RISK MANAGEMENT AND FAIR VALUES (Entergy Corporation, Entergy Arkansas, Entergy Gulf States Louisiana, Entergy Louisiana, Entergy Mississippi, Entergy New Orleans, Entergy Texas, and System Energy)

 

Market and Commodity Risks

 

In the normal course of business, Entergy is exposed to a number of market and commodity risks. Market risk is the potential loss that Entergy may incur as a result of changes in the market or fair value of a particular instrument or commodity. All financial and commodity-related instruments, including derivatives, are subject to market risk. Entergy is subject to a number of commodity and market risks, including:

 

 

Entergy manages a portion of these risks using derivative instruments, some of which are classified as cash flow hedges due to their financial settlement provisions while others are classified as normal purchase/normal sale transactions due to their physical settlement provisions. Normal purchase/normal sale risk management tools include power purchase and sales agreements, fuel purchase agreements, capacity contracts, and tolling agreements. Financially-settled cash flow hedges can include natural gas and electricity swaps and options, and interest rate swaps. Entergy will occasionally enter into financially settled swap and option contracts to manage market risk under certain hedging transactions which may or may not be designated as hedging instruments. Entergy enters into derivatives only to manage natural risks inherent in its physical or financial assets or liabilities.

 

Entergy manages fuel price volatility for its Louisiana jurisdictions (Entergy Gulf States Louisiana and Entergy Louisiana) and Entergy Mississippi primarily through the purchase of short-term natural gas swaps. These swaps are marked-to-market with offsetting regulatory assets or liabilities. The notional volumes of these swaps are based on a portion of projected annual exposure to gas for electric generation and projected winter purchases for gas distribution at Entergy Gulf States Louisiana.

 

Entergy's exposure to market risk is determined by a number of factors, including the size, term, composition, and diversification of positions held, as well as market volatility and liquidity. For instruments such as options, the time period during which the option may be exercised and the relationship between the current market price of the underlying instrument and the option's contractual strike or exercise price also affects the level of market risk. A significant factor influencing the overall level of market risk to which Entergy is exposed is its use of hedging techniques to mitigate such risk. Entergy manages market risk by actively monitoring compliance with stated risk management policies as well as monitoring the effectiveness of its hedging policies and strategies. Entergy's risk management policies limit the amount of total net exposure and rolling net exposure during the stated periods. These policies, including related risk limits, are regularly assessed to ensure their appropriateness given Entergy's objectives.

 

(a)

Represents the gross amounts of recognized assets/liabilities

(b)

Represents the netting of fair value balances with the same counterparty

(c)

Represents the net amounts of assets /liabilities presented on the Entergy Consolidated Balance Sheets

(d)

Excludes cash collateral in the amounts of $12 million and $56 million held as of March 31, 2013 and December 31, 2012, respectively

 

 

             Certain of the agreements to sell the power produced by Entergy Wholesale Commodities power plants contain provisions that require an Entergy subsidiary to provide collateral to secure its obligations when the current market prices exceed the contracted power prices.  The primary form of collateral to satisfy these requirements is an Entergy Corporation guarantee.  As of March 31, 2013, hedge contracts with six counterparties were in a liability position (approximately $25 million total), but were significantly below the amount of the guarantee provided under the contract and no cash collateral was required. As of March 31, 2012, there were no hedge contracts with counterparties in a liability position. If the Entergy Corporation credit rating falls below investment grade, the effect of the corporate guarantee is typically ignored and Entergy would have to post collateral equal to the estimated outstanding liability under the contract at the applicable date.  

 

            Entergy may effectively liquidate a cash flow hedge instrument by entering into a contract offsetting the original hedge, and then de-designating the original hedge in this situation. Gains or losses accumulated in other comprehensive income prior to de-designation continue to be deferred in other comprehensive income until they are included in income as the original hedged transaction settles. From the point of de-designation, the gains or losses on the original hedge and the offsetting contract are recorded as assets or liabilities on the balance sheet and offset as they flow through to earnings. 

           

            Natural gas over-the-counter swaps that financially settle against NYMEX futures are used to manage fuel price volatility for the Utility's Louisiana and Mississippi customers.  All benefits or costs of the program are recorded in fuel costs.  The total volume of natural gas swaps outstanding as of March 31, 2013 is 60,540,000 MMBtu for Entergy, 18,270,000 MMBtu for Entergy Gulf States Louisiana, 25,140,000 MMBtu for Entergy Louisiana, and 17,130,000 MMBtu for Entergy Mississippi.  Credit support for these natural gas swaps is covered by master agreements that do not require collateralization based on mark-to-market value, but do carry adequate assurance language that may lead to collateralization requests.

 

The effect of Entergy's derivative instruments not designated as hedging instruments on the consolidated income statements for the three months ended March 31, 2013 and 2012 is as follows:

 


Instrument

 

Amount of gain recognized in AOCI

 

Income Statement
location

 

Amount of gain (loss)
recorded in income

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2013

 

 

 

 

 

 

Natural gas swaps

 

-

 

Fuel, fuel-related expenses, and gas purchased for resale

 

$(20) million

Electricity swaps and options de-designated as hedged items

 

$1 million

 

Competitive business operating revenues

 

$(1) million

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2012

 

 

 

 

 

 

Natural gas swaps

 

-

 

Fuel, fuel-related expenses, and gas purchased for resale

 

$(51) million

Electricity swaps and options de-designated as hedged items

 

$3 million

 

Competitive business operating revenues

 

$(2) million

 

Due to regulatory treatment, the natural gas swaps aremarked to market through fuel, fuel-related expenses, and gas purchased forresale and then such amounts are simultaneously reversed and recorded as anoffsetting regulatory asset or liability. The gains or losses recorded as fuel expenses when the swaps are settledare recovered or refunded through fuel cost recovery mechanisms.

 

 

 

 

Fair Values

 

            The estimated fair values of Entergy's financial instruments and derivatives are determined using bid prices, market quotes, and financial modeling. Considerable judgment is required in developing the estimates of fair value. Therefore, estimates are not necessarily indicative of the amounts that Entergy could realize in a current market exchange. Gains or losses realized on financial instruments other than those instruments held by the Entergy Wholesale Commodities business are reflected in future rates and therefore do not accrue to the benefit or detriment of shareholders. Entergy considers the carrying amounts of most financial instruments classified as current assets and liabilities to be a reasonable estimate of their fair value because of the short maturity of these instruments.

 

            Accounting standards define fair value as an exit price, or the price that would be received to sell an asset or the amount that would be paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between knowledgeable market participants at the date of measurement.  Entergy and the Registrant Subsidiaries use assumptions or market input data that market participants would use in pricing assets or liabilities at fair value.  The inputs can be readily observable, corroborated by market data, or generally unobservable.  Entergy and the Registrant Subsidiaries endeavor to use the best available information to determine fair value. 

 

            Accounting standards establish a fair value hierarchy that prioritizes the inputs used to measure fair value. The hierarchy establishes the highest priority for unadjusted market quotes in an active market for the identical asset or liability and the lowest priority for unobservable inputs. The three levels of the fair value hierarchy are:

 

·        Level 1 - Level 1 inputs are unadjusted quoted prices inactive markets for identical assets or liabilities that the entity has theability to access at the measurement date. Active markets are those in which transactions for the asset or liability occur in sufficient frequency and volume to provide pricing information on an ongoing basis. Level 1 primarily consists of individually owned common stocks, cash equivalents (temporary cash investments, securitization recovery trust account, and escrow accounts), debt instruments, and gas hedge contracts. See Note 1 to the financial statements in the Form 10-K for a discussion of cash and cash equivalents.

 

·        Level 2 - Level 2 inputs are inputs other than quoted prices included in Level 1 that are, either directly or indirectly, observable for the asset or liability at the measurement date. Assets are valued based on prices derived by independent third parties that use inputs such as benchmark yields, reported trades, broker/dealer quotes, and issuer spreads. Prices are reviewed and can be challenged with the independent parties and/or overridden by Entergy if it is believed such would be more reflective of fair value. Level 2 inputs include the following:

 

-    quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in active markets;

-    quoted prices for identical assets or liabilities in inactive markets;

-    inputs other than quoted prices that are observable for the asset or liability; or

-    inputs that are derived principally from or corroborated by observable market data

   by correlation or other means.

 

Level 2 consists primarily of individually-owned debt instruments or shares in common trusts. Common trust funds are stated at estimated fair value based on the fair market value of the underlying investments.

 

·        Level 3 - Level 3 inputs are pricing inputs that are generally less observable or unobservable from objective sources. These inputs are used with internally developed methodologies to produce management's best estimate of fair value for the asset or liability. Level 3 consists primarily of derivative power contracts used as cash flow hedges of power sales at merchant power plants.

 

The values for power contract assets or liabilities are based on both observable inputs including public market prices and interest rates, and unobservable inputs such as implied volatilities, unit contingent discounts, expected basis differences, and credit adjusted counterparty interest rates. They are classified as Level 3 assets and liabilities. The valuations of these assets and liabilities are performed by the Entergy Wholesale Commodities Risk Control group and sent to the Entergy Wholesale Commodities Back Office and Entergy Nuclear Finance groups for evaluation. The primary functions of the Entergy Wholesale Commodities Risk Control Group include: gathering, validating and reporting market data, providing market and credit risk analyses and valuations in support of Entergy Wholesale Commodities' commercial transactions, developing and administering protocols for the management of market and credit risks, implementing and maintaining controls around changes to market data in the energy trading and risk management system, reviewing credit worthiness of counterparties, supporting contract negotiations with new counterparties, administering credit support for contracts, and managing the daily margining process. The primary functions of the Entergy Wholesale Commodities Back Office are managing the energy trading and risk management system, forecasting revenues, forward positions and analysis, performing contract administration, market and counterparty settlements and revenue reporting and analysis along with maintaining related controls for Entergy Wholesale Commodities. Both Entergy Wholesale Commodities Risk Control and Entergy Wholesale Commodities Back Office report to the Entergy Wholesale Commodities VP, Finance & Risk Group. Entergy Nuclear Finance is primarily responsible for the financial planning of Entergy's utility and non-utility nuclear businesses and has a significant role in accounting for the activities and transactions of the associated companies. The VP, Chief Financial Officer – Nuclear Operations within Entergy Nuclear Finance reports to the Chief Accounting Officer.

 

The amounts reflected as the fair value of electricity swaps are based on the estimated amount that the contracts are in-the-money at the balance sheet date (treated as an asset) or out-of-the-money at the balance sheet date (treated as a liability) and would equal the estimated amount receivable or payable by Entergy if the contracts were settled at that date. These derivative contracts include cash flow hedges that swap fixed for floating cash flows for sales of the output from the Entergy Wholesale Commodities business. The fair values are based on the mark-to-market comparison between the fixed contract prices and the floating prices determined each period from quoted forward power market prices. The differences between the fixed price in the swap contract and these market-related prices multiplied by the volume specified in the contract and discounted at the counterparties' credit adjusted risk free rate are recorded as derivative contract assets or liabilities. For contracts that have unit contingent terms, a further discount is applied based on the historical relationship between contract and market prices for similar contract terms.

 

The amounts reflected as the fair values of electricity options are valued based on a BlackScholes model, and are calculated at the end of each month for accounting purposes. Inputs to the valuation include end of day forward market prices for the period when the transactions will settle, implied volatilities based on market volatilities provided by a third party data aggregator, and US Treasury rates for a risk-free return rate. As described further below, prices and implied volatilities are reviewed and can be adjusted if it is determined that there is a better representation of fair value. As of March 31, 2013, Entergy had in-the-money derivative contracts with a fair value of $77 million with counterparties or their guarantor who are all currently investment grade. $25 million of the derivative contracts as of March 31, 2013 are out-of-the-money contracts supported by corporate guarantees, which would require additional cash or letters of credit in the event of a decrease in Entergy Corporation's credit rating to below investment grade.

 

On a daily basis, Entergy Wholesale Commodities calculates the mark-to-market for all derivative transactions.  Entergy Wholesale Commodities Risk Control Group also validates forward market prices by comparing them to other sources of forward market prices and/or to settlement prices of actual market transactions. Significant differences are analyzed and potentially adjusted based on these other sources of forward market prices and/or settlement prices of actual market transactions. Implied volatilities used to value options are also validated using actual counterparty quotes for Entergy Wholesale Commodities transactions when available, and using multiple sources of market implied volatilities. Moreover, on at least a monthly basis the Office of Corporate Risk Oversight confirms the mark-to-market calculations and prepares price scenarios and credit downgrade scenario analysis.  The scenario analysis is communicated to senior management within Entergy and within Entergy Wholesale Commodities.  Finally, for all proposed derivative transactions an analysis is completed to assess the risk of adding the proposed derivative to Entergy Wholesale Commodities' portfolio.  In particular, the credit, liquidity, and financial metrics impacts are calculated for this analysis.  This analysis is communicated to senior management within Entergy and Entergy Wholesale Commodities.

 

            The following tables set forth, by level within the fair value hierarchy, Entergy's assets and liabilities that are accounted for at fair value on a recurring basis as of March 31, 2013 and December 31, 2012.  The assessment of the significance of a particular input to a fair value measurement requires judgment and may affect their placement within the fair value hierarchy levels.  

 

 

2013

 

Level 1

 

Level 2

 

Level 3

 

Total

 

 

(In Millions)

Assets:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Temporary cash investments

 

$197

 

$-

 

$-

 

$197

Decommissioning trust funds (a):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Equity securities

 

386

 

2,319

 

-

 

2,705

Debt securities

 

745

 

1,003

 

-

 

1,748

Power contracts

 

-

 

-

 

80

 

80

Gas hedge contracts

 

24

 

-

 

-

 

24

Securitization recovery trust account

 

44

 

-

 

-

 

44

Escrow accounts

 

138

 

-

 

-

 

138

 

 

$1,534

 

$3,322

 

$80

 

$4,936

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Liabilities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Power contracts

 

$-

 

$-

 

$28

 

$28

 

2012

 

Level 1

 

Level 2

 

Level 3

 

Total

 

 

(In Millions)

Assets:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Temporary cash investments

 

$420

 

$-

 

$-

 

$420

Decommissioning trust funds (a):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Equity securities

 

358

 

2,101

 

-

 

2,459

Debt securities

 

769

 

962

 

-

 

1,731

Power contracts

 

-

 

-

 

191

 

191

Securitization recovery trust account

 

46

 

-

 

-

 

46

Escrow accounts

 

386

 

-

 

-

 

386

 

 

$1,979

 

$3,063

 

$191

 

$5,233

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Liabilities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Power contracts

 

$-

 

$-

 

$13

 

$13

Gas hedge contracts

 

8

 

-

 

-

 

8

 

$8

 

$-

 

$13

 

$21

 

(a)

The decommissioning trust funds hold equity and fixed income securities. Equity securities are invested to approximate the returns of major market indexes.  Fixed income securities are held in various governmental and corporate securities.  See Note 9 for additional information on the investment portfolios.

The following table sets forth a description of the types of transactions classified as Level 3 in the fair value hierarchy, and the valuation techniques and significant unobservable inputs to each which cause that classification, as of March 31, 2013:

 

 


Transaction Type

 



Fair Value

as of

March 31, 2013

 

 


Significant
Unobservable Inputs

 

 

Range
from
Average
%

 

 


Effect on
Fair Value

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Electricity swaps

 

$12 million

 

Unit contingent discount

 

+/-3%

 

$1 million

Electricity options

 

$40 million

 

Implied volatility

 

+/-9%

 

$27 million

 

The following table sets forth an analysis of each of the types of unobservable inputs impacting the fair value of items classified as Level 3 within the fair value hierarchy, and the sensitivity to changes to those inputs:

 

 

Significant
Unobservable
Input

 

 


Transaction Type

 

 



Position

 

 


Change to Input

 



Effect on Fair  Value

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Unit contingent
discount

 


Electricity swaps

 


Sell

 


Increase (Decrease)

 


Decrease (Increase)

Implied volatility

 

Electricity options

 

Sell

 

Increase (Decrease)

 

Increase (Decrease)

Implied volatility

 

Electricity options

 

Buy

 

Increase (Decrease)

 

Increase (Decrease)

 

The following table sets forth, by level within the fair value hierarchy, the Registrant Subsidiaries' assets that are accounted for at fair value on a recurring basis as of March 31, 2013 and December 31, 2012. The assessment of the significance of a particular input to a fair value measurement requires judgment and may affect its placement within the fair value hierarchy levels.

 

 

 
 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 


(a)

The decommissioning trust funds hold equity and fixed income securities. Equity securities are invested to approximate the returns of major market indices.  Fixed income securities are held in various governmental and corporate securities.  See Note 9 for additional information on the investment portfolios.

Entergy Mississippi [Member]
 
Risk Management And Fair Values

NOTE 8. RISK MANAGEMENT AND FAIR VALUES (Entergy Corporation, Entergy Arkansas, Entergy Gulf States Louisiana, Entergy Louisiana, Entergy Mississippi, Entergy New Orleans, Entergy Texas, and System Energy)

 

Market and Commodity Risks

 

In the normal course of business, Entergy is exposed to a number of market and commodity risks. Market risk is the potential loss that Entergy may incur as a result of changes in the market or fair value of a particular instrument or commodity. All financial and commodity-related instruments, including derivatives, are subject to market risk. Entergy is subject to a number of commodity and market risks, including:

 

 

Entergy manages a portion of these risks using derivative instruments, some of which are classified as cash flow hedges due to their financial settlement provisions while others are classified as normal purchase/normal sale transactions due to their physical settlement provisions. Normal purchase/normal sale risk management tools include power purchase and sales agreements, fuel purchase agreements, capacity contracts, and tolling agreements. Financially-settled cash flow hedges can include natural gas and electricity swaps and options, and interest rate swaps. Entergy will occasionally enter into financially settled swap and option contracts to manage market risk under certain hedging transactions which may or may not be designated as hedging instruments. Entergy enters into derivatives only to manage natural risks inherent in its physical or financial assets or liabilities.

 

Entergy manages fuel price volatility for its Louisiana jurisdictions (Entergy Gulf States Louisiana and Entergy Louisiana) and Entergy Mississippi primarily through the purchase of short-term natural gas swaps. These swaps are marked-to-market with offsetting regulatory assets or liabilities. The notional volumes of these swaps are based on a portion of projected annual exposure to gas for electric generation and projected winter purchases for gas distribution at Entergy Gulf States Louisiana.

 

Entergy's exposure to market risk is determined by a number of factors, including the size, term, composition, and diversification of positions held, as well as market volatility and liquidity. For instruments such as options, the time period during which the option may be exercised and the relationship between the current market price of the underlying instrument and the option's contractual strike or exercise price also affects the level of market risk. A significant factor influencing the overall level of market risk to which Entergy is exposed is its use of hedging techniques to mitigate such risk. Entergy manages market risk by actively monitoring compliance with stated risk management policies as well as monitoring the effectiveness of its hedging policies and strategies. Entergy's risk management policies limit the amount of total net exposure and rolling net exposure during the stated periods. These policies, including related risk limits, are regularly assessed to ensure their appropriateness given Entergy's objectives.

 

(a)

Represents the gross amounts of recognized assets/liabilities

(b)

Represents the netting of fair value balances with the same counterparty

(c)

Represents the net amounts of assets /liabilities presented on the Entergy Consolidated Balance Sheets

(d)

Excludes cash collateral in the amounts of $12 million and $56 million held as of March 31, 2013 and December 31, 2012, respectively

 

 

             Certain of the agreements to sell the power produced by Entergy Wholesale Commodities power plants contain provisions that require an Entergy subsidiary to provide collateral to secure its obligations when the current market prices exceed the contracted power prices.  The primary form of collateral to satisfy these requirements is an Entergy Corporation guarantee.  As of March 31, 2013, hedge contracts with six counterparties were in a liability position (approximately $25 million total), but were significantly below the amount of the guarantee provided under the contract and no cash collateral was required. As of March 31, 2012, there were no hedge contracts with counterparties in a liability position. If the Entergy Corporation credit rating falls below investment grade, the effect of the corporate guarantee is typically ignored and Entergy would have to post collateral equal to the estimated outstanding liability under the contract at the applicable date.  

 

            Entergy may effectively liquidate a cash flow hedge instrument by entering into a contract offsetting the original hedge, and then de-designating the original hedge in this situation. Gains or losses accumulated in other comprehensive income prior to de-designation continue to be deferred in other comprehensive income until they are included in income as the original hedged transaction settles. From the point of de-designation, the gains or losses on the original hedge and the offsetting contract are recorded as assets or liabilities on the balance sheet and offset as they flow through to earnings. 

           

            Natural gas over-the-counter swaps that financially settle against NYMEX futures are used to manage fuel price volatility for the Utility's Louisiana and Mississippi customers.  All benefits or costs of the program are recorded in fuel costs.  The total volume of natural gas swaps outstanding as of March 31, 2013 is 60,540,000 MMBtu for Entergy, 18,270,000 MMBtu for Entergy Gulf States Louisiana, 25,140,000 MMBtu for Entergy Louisiana, and 17,130,000 MMBtu for Entergy Mississippi.  Credit support for these natural gas swaps is covered by master agreements that do not require collateralization based on mark-to-market value, but do carry adequate assurance language that may lead to collateralization requests.

 

The effect of Entergy's derivative instruments not designated as hedging instruments on the consolidated income statements for the three months ended March 31, 2013 and 2012 is as follows:

 


Instrument

 

Amount of gain recognized in AOCI

 

Income Statement
location

 

Amount of gain (loss)
recorded in income

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2013

 

 

 

 

 

 

Natural gas swaps

 

-

 

Fuel, fuel-related expenses, and gas purchased for resale

 

$(20) million

Electricity swaps and options de-designated as hedged items

 

$1 million

 

Competitive business operating revenues

 

$(1) million

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2012

 

 

 

 

 

 

Natural gas swaps

 

-

 

Fuel, fuel-related expenses, and gas purchased for resale

 

$(51) million

Electricity swaps and options de-designated as hedged items

 

$3 million

 

Competitive business operating revenues

 

$(2) million

 

Due to regulatory treatment, the natural gas swaps aremarked to market through fuel, fuel-related expenses, and gas purchased forresale and then such amounts are simultaneously reversed and recorded as anoffsetting regulatory asset or liability. The gains or losses recorded as fuel expenses when the swaps are settledare recovered or refunded through fuel cost recovery mechanisms.

 

 

 

 

Fair Values

 

            The estimated fair values of Entergy's financial instruments and derivatives are determined using bid prices, market quotes, and financial modeling. Considerable judgment is required in developing the estimates of fair value. Therefore, estimates are not necessarily indicative of the amounts that Entergy could realize in a current market exchange. Gains or losses realized on financial instruments other than those instruments held by the Entergy Wholesale Commodities business are reflected in future rates and therefore do not accrue to the benefit or detriment of shareholders. Entergy considers the carrying amounts of most financial instruments classified as current assets and liabilities to be a reasonable estimate of their fair value because of the short maturity of these instruments.

 

            Accounting standards define fair value as an exit price, or the price that would be received to sell an asset or the amount that would be paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between knowledgeable market participants at the date of measurement.  Entergy and the Registrant Subsidiaries use assumptions or market input data that market participants would use in pricing assets or liabilities at fair value.  The inputs can be readily observable, corroborated by market data, or generally unobservable.  Entergy and the Registrant Subsidiaries endeavor to use the best available information to determine fair value. 

 

            Accounting standards establish a fair value hierarchy that prioritizes the inputs used to measure fair value. The hierarchy establishes the highest priority for unadjusted market quotes in an active market for the identical asset or liability and the lowest priority for unobservable inputs. The three levels of the fair value hierarchy are:

 

·        Level 1 - Level 1 inputs are unadjusted quoted prices inactive markets for identical assets or liabilities that the entity has theability to access at the measurement date. Active markets are those in which transactions for the asset or liability occur in sufficient frequency and volume to provide pricing information on an ongoing basis. Level 1 primarily consists of individually owned common stocks, cash equivalents (temporary cash investments, securitization recovery trust account, and escrow accounts), debt instruments, and gas hedge contracts. See Note 1 to the financial statements in the Form 10-K for a discussion of cash and cash equivalents.

 

·        Level 2 - Level 2 inputs are inputs other than quoted prices included in Level 1 that are, either directly or indirectly, observable for the asset or liability at the measurement date. Assets are valued based on prices derived by independent third parties that use inputs such as benchmark yields, reported trades, broker/dealer quotes, and issuer spreads. Prices are reviewed and can be challenged with the independent parties and/or overridden by Entergy if it is believed such would be more reflective of fair value. Level 2 inputs include the following:

 

-    quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in active markets;

-    quoted prices for identical assets or liabilities in inactive markets;

-    inputs other than quoted prices that are observable for the asset or liability; or

-    inputs that are derived principally from or corroborated by observable market data

   by correlation or other means.

 

Level 2 consists primarily of individually-owned debt instruments or shares in common trusts. Common trust funds are stated at estimated fair value based on the fair market value of the underlying investments.

 

·        Level 3 - Level 3 inputs are pricing inputs that are generally less observable or unobservable from objective sources. These inputs are used with internally developed methodologies to produce management's best estimate of fair value for the asset or liability. Level 3 consists primarily of derivative power contracts used as cash flow hedges of power sales at merchant power plants.

 

The values for power contract assets or liabilities are based on both observable inputs including public market prices and interest rates, and unobservable inputs such as implied volatilities, unit contingent discounts, expected basis differences, and credit adjusted counterparty interest rates. They are classified as Level 3 assets and liabilities. The valuations of these assets and liabilities are performed by the Entergy Wholesale Commodities Risk Control group and sent to the Entergy Wholesale Commodities Back Office and Entergy Nuclear Finance groups for evaluation. The primary functions of the Entergy Wholesale Commodities Risk Control Group include: gathering, validating and reporting market data, providing market and credit risk analyses and valuations in support of Entergy Wholesale Commodities' commercial transactions, developing and administering protocols for the management of market and credit risks, implementing and maintaining controls around changes to market data in the energy trading and risk management system, reviewing credit worthiness of counterparties, supporting contract negotiations with new counterparties, administering credit support for contracts, and managing the daily margining process. The primary functions of the Entergy Wholesale Commodities Back Office are managing the energy trading and risk management system, forecasting revenues, forward positions and analysis, performing contract administration, market and counterparty settlements and revenue reporting and analysis along with maintaining related controls for Entergy Wholesale Commodities. Both Entergy Wholesale Commodities Risk Control and Entergy Wholesale Commodities Back Office report to the Entergy Wholesale Commodities VP, Finance & Risk Group. Entergy Nuclear Finance is primarily responsible for the financial planning of Entergy's utility and non-utility nuclear businesses and has a significant role in accounting for the activities and transactions of the associated companies. The VP, Chief Financial Officer – Nuclear Operations within Entergy Nuclear Finance reports to the Chief Accounting Officer.

 

The amounts reflected as the fair value of electricity swaps are based on the estimated amount that the contracts are in-the-money at the balance sheet date (treated as an asset) or out-of-the-money at the balance sheet date (treated as a liability) and would equal the estimated amount receivable or payable by Entergy if the contracts were settled at that date. These derivative contracts include cash flow hedges that swap fixed for floating cash flows for sales of the output from the Entergy Wholesale Commodities business. The fair values are based on the mark-to-market comparison between the fixed contract prices and the floating prices determined each period from quoted forward power market prices. The differences between the fixed price in the swap contract and these market-related prices multiplied by the volume specified in the contract and discounted at the counterparties' credit adjusted risk free rate are recorded as derivative contract assets or liabilities. For contracts that have unit contingent terms, a further discount is applied based on the historical relationship between contract and market prices for similar contract terms.

 

The amounts reflected as the fair values of electricity options are valued based on a BlackScholes model, and are calculated at the end of each month for accounting purposes. Inputs to the valuation include end of day forward market prices for the period when the transactions will settle, implied volatilities based on market volatilities provided by a third party data aggregator, and US Treasury rates for a risk-free return rate. As described further below, prices and implied volatilities are reviewed and can be adjusted if it is determined that there is a better representation of fair value. As of March 31, 2013, Entergy had in-the-money derivative contracts with a fair value of $77 million with counterparties or their guarantor who are all currently investment grade. $25 million of the derivative contracts as of March 31, 2013 are out-of-the-money contracts supported by corporate guarantees, which would require additional cash or letters of credit in the event of a decrease in Entergy Corporation's credit rating to below investment grade.

 

On a daily basis, Entergy Wholesale Commodities calculates the mark-to-market for all derivative transactions.  Entergy Wholesale Commodities Risk Control Group also validates forward market prices by comparing them to other sources of forward market prices and/or to settlement prices of actual market transactions. Significant differences are analyzed and potentially adjusted based on these other sources of forward market prices and/or settlement prices of actual market transactions. Implied volatilities used to value options are also validated using actual counterparty quotes for Entergy Wholesale Commodities transactions when available, and using multiple sources of market implied volatilities. Moreover, on at least a monthly basis the Office of Corporate Risk Oversight confirms the mark-to-market calculations and prepares price scenarios and credit downgrade scenario analysis.  The scenario analysis is communicated to senior management within Entergy and within Entergy Wholesale Commodities.  Finally, for all proposed derivative transactions an analysis is completed to assess the risk of adding the proposed derivative to Entergy Wholesale Commodities' portfolio.  In particular, the credit, liquidity, and financial metrics impacts are calculated for this analysis.  This analysis is communicated to senior management within Entergy and Entergy Wholesale Commodities.

 

            The following tables set forth, by level within the fair value hierarchy, Entergy's assets and liabilities that are accounted for at fair value on a recurring basis as of March 31, 2013 and December 31, 2012.  The assessment of the significance of a particular input to a fair value measurement requires judgment and may affect their placement within the fair value hierarchy levels.  

 

 

2013

 

Level 1

 

Level 2

 

Level 3

 

Total

 

 

(In Millions)

Assets:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Temporary cash investments

 

$197

 

$-

 

$-

 

$197

Decommissioning trust funds (a):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Equity securities

 

386

 

2,319

 

-

 

2,705

Debt securities

 

745

 

1,003

 

-

 

1,748

Power contracts

 

-

 

-

 

80

 

80

Gas hedge contracts

 

24

 

-

 

-

 

24

Securitization recovery trust account

 

44

 

-

 

-

 

44

Escrow accounts

 

138

 

-

 

-

 

138

 

 

$1,534

 

$3,322

 

$80

 

$4,936

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Liabilities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Power contracts

 

$-

 

$-

 

$28

 

$28

 

2012

 

Level 1

 

Level 2

 

Level 3

 

Total

 

 

(In Millions)

Assets:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Temporary cash investments

 

$420

 

$-

 

$-

 

$420

Decommissioning trust funds (a):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Equity securities

 

358

 

2,101

 

-

 

2,459

Debt securities

 

769

 

962

 

-

 

1,731

Power contracts

 

-

 

-

 

191

 

191

Securitization recovery trust account

 

46

 

-

 

-

 

46

Escrow accounts

 

386

 

-

 

-

 

386

 

 

$1,979

 

$3,063

 

$191

 

$5,233

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Liabilities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Power contracts

 

$-

 

$-

 

$13

 

$13

Gas hedge contracts

 

8

 

-

 

-

 

8

 

$8

 

$-

 

$13

 

$21

 

(a)

The decommissioning trust funds hold equity and fixed income securities. Equity securities are invested to approximate the returns of major market indexes.  Fixed income securities are held in various governmental and corporate securities.  See Note 9 for additional information on the investment portfolios.

The following table sets forth a description of the types of transactions classified as Level 3 in the fair value hierarchy, and the valuation techniques and significant unobservable inputs to each which cause that classification, as of March 31, 2013:

 

 


Transaction Type

 



Fair Value

as of

March 31, 2013

 

 


Significant
Unobservable Inputs

 

 

Range
from
Average
%

 

 


Effect on
Fair Value

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Electricity swaps

 

$12 million

 

Unit contingent discount

 

+/-3%

 

$1 million

Electricity options

 

$40 million

 

Implied volatility

 

+/-9%

 

$27 million

 

The following table sets forth an analysis of each of the types of unobservable inputs impacting the fair value of items classified as Level 3 within the fair value hierarchy, and the sensitivity to changes to those inputs:

 

 

Significant
Unobservable
Input

 

 


Transaction Type

 

 



Position

 

 


Change to Input

 



Effect on Fair  Value

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Unit contingent
discount

 


Electricity swaps

 


Sell

 


Increase (Decrease)

 


Decrease (Increase)

Implied volatility

 

Electricity options

 

Sell

 

Increase (Decrease)

 

Increase (Decrease)

Implied volatility

 

Electricity options

 

Buy

 

Increase (Decrease)

 

Increase (Decrease)

 

The following table sets forth, by level within the fair value hierarchy, the Registrant Subsidiaries' assets that are accounted for at fair value on a recurring basis as of March 31, 2013 and December 31, 2012. The assessment of the significance of a particular input to a fair value measurement requires judgment and may affect its placement within the fair value hierarchy levels.

 

 

 
 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 


(a)

The decommissioning trust funds hold equity and fixed income securities. Equity securities are invested to approximate the returns of major market indices.  Fixed income securities are held in various governmental and corporate securities.  See Note 9 for additional information on the investment portfolios.

Entergy New Orleans
 
Risk Management And Fair Values

NOTE 8. RISK MANAGEMENT AND FAIR VALUES (Entergy Corporation, Entergy Arkansas, Entergy Gulf States Louisiana, Entergy Louisiana, Entergy Mississippi, Entergy New Orleans, Entergy Texas, and System Energy)

 

Market and Commodity Risks

 

In the normal course of business, Entergy is exposed to a number of market and commodity risks. Market risk is the potential loss that Entergy may incur as a result of changes in the market or fair value of a particular instrument or commodity. All financial and commodity-related instruments, including derivatives, are subject to market risk. Entergy is subject to a number of commodity and market risks, including:

 

 

Entergy manages a portion of these risks using derivative instruments, some of which are classified as cash flow hedges due to their financial settlement provisions while others are classified as normal purchase/normal sale transactions due to their physical settlement provisions. Normal purchase/normal sale risk management tools include power purchase and sales agreements, fuel purchase agreements, capacity contracts, and tolling agreements. Financially-settled cash flow hedges can include natural gas and electricity swaps and options, and interest rate swaps. Entergy will occasionally enter into financially settled swap and option contracts to manage market risk under certain hedging transactions which may or may not be designated as hedging instruments. Entergy enters into derivatives only to manage natural risks inherent in its physical or financial assets or liabilities.

 

Entergy manages fuel price volatility for its Louisiana jurisdictions (Entergy Gulf States Louisiana and Entergy Louisiana) and Entergy Mississippi primarily through the purchase of short-term natural gas swaps. These swaps are marked-to-market with offsetting regulatory assets or liabilities. The notional volumes of these swaps are based on a portion of projected annual exposure to gas for electric generation and projected winter purchases for gas distribution at Entergy Gulf States Louisiana.

 

Entergy's exposure to market risk is determined by a number of factors, including the size, term, composition, and diversification of positions held, as well as market volatility and liquidity. For instruments such as options, the time period during which the option may be exercised and the relationship between the current market price of the underlying instrument and the option's contractual strike or exercise price also affects the level of market risk. A significant factor influencing the overall level of market risk to which Entergy is exposed is its use of hedging techniques to mitigate such risk. Entergy manages market risk by actively monitoring compliance with stated risk management policies as well as monitoring the effectiveness of its hedging policies and strategies. Entergy's risk management policies limit the amount of total net exposure and rolling net exposure during the stated periods. These policies, including related risk limits, are regularly assessed to ensure their appropriateness given Entergy's objectives.

 

(a)

Represents the gross amounts of recognized assets/liabilities

(b)

Represents the netting of fair value balances with the same counterparty

(c)

Represents the net amounts of assets /liabilities presented on the Entergy Consolidated Balance Sheets

(d)

Excludes cash collateral in the amounts of $12 million and $56 million held as of March 31, 2013 and December 31, 2012, respectively

 

 

             Certain of the agreements to sell the power produced by Entergy Wholesale Commodities power plants contain provisions that require an Entergy subsidiary to provide collateral to secure its obligations when the current market prices exceed the contracted power prices.  The primary form of collateral to satisfy these requirements is an Entergy Corporation guarantee.  As of March 31, 2013, hedge contracts with six counterparties were in a liability position (approximately $25 million total), but were significantly below the amount of the guarantee provided under the contract and no cash collateral was required. As of March 31, 2012, there were no hedge contracts with counterparties in a liability position. If the Entergy Corporation credit rating falls below investment grade, the effect of the corporate guarantee is typically ignored and Entergy would have to post collateral equal to the estimated outstanding liability under the contract at the applicable date.  

 

            Entergy may effectively liquidate a cash flow hedge instrument by entering into a contract offsetting the original hedge, and then de-designating the original hedge in this situation. Gains or losses accumulated in other comprehensive income prior to de-designation continue to be deferred in other comprehensive income until they are included in income as the original hedged transaction settles. From the point of de-designation, the gains or losses on the original hedge and the offsetting contract are recorded as assets or liabilities on the balance sheet and offset as they flow through to earnings. 

           

            Natural gas over-the-counter swaps that financially settle against NYMEX futures are used to manage fuel price volatility for the Utility's Louisiana and Mississippi customers.  All benefits or costs of the program are recorded in fuel costs.  The total volume of natural gas swaps outstanding as of March 31, 2013 is 60,540,000 MMBtu for Entergy, 18,270,000 MMBtu for Entergy Gulf States Louisiana, 25,140,000 MMBtu for Entergy Louisiana, and 17,130,000 MMBtu for Entergy Mississippi.  Credit support for these natural gas swaps is covered by master agreements that do not require collateralization based on mark-to-market value, but do carry adequate assurance language that may lead to collateralization requests.

 

The effect of Entergy's derivative instruments not designated as hedging instruments on the consolidated income statements for the three months ended March 31, 2013 and 2012 is as follows:

 


Instrument

 

Amount of gain recognized in AOCI

 

Income Statement
location

 

Amount of gain (loss)
recorded in income

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2013

 

 

 

 

 

 

Natural gas swaps

 

-

 

Fuel, fuel-related expenses, and gas purchased for resale

 

$(20) million

Electricity swaps and options de-designated as hedged items

 

$1 million

 

Competitive business operating revenues

 

$(1) million

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2012

 

 

 

 

 

 

Natural gas swaps

 

-

 

Fuel, fuel-related expenses, and gas purchased for resale

 

$(51) million

Electricity swaps and options de-designated as hedged items

 

$3 million

 

Competitive business operating revenues

 

$(2) million

 

Due to regulatory treatment, the natural gas swaps aremarked to market through fuel, fuel-related expenses, and gas purchased forresale and then such amounts are simultaneously reversed and recorded as anoffsetting regulatory asset or liability. The gains or losses recorded as fuel expenses when the swaps are settledare recovered or refunded through fuel cost recovery mechanisms.

 

 

 

 

Fair Values

 

            The estimated fair values of Entergy's financial instruments and derivatives are determined using bid prices, market quotes, and financial modeling. Considerable judgment is required in developing the estimates of fair value. Therefore, estimates are not necessarily indicative of the amounts that Entergy could realize in a current market exchange. Gains or losses realized on financial instruments other than those instruments held by the Entergy Wholesale Commodities business are reflected in future rates and therefore do not accrue to the benefit or detriment of shareholders. Entergy considers the carrying amounts of most financial instruments classified as current assets and liabilities to be a reasonable estimate of their fair value because of the short maturity of these instruments.

 

            Accounting standards define fair value as an exit price, or the price that would be received to sell an asset or the amount that would be paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between knowledgeable market participants at the date of measurement.  Entergy and the Registrant Subsidiaries use assumptions or market input data that market participants would use in pricing assets or liabilities at fair value.  The inputs can be readily observable, corroborated by market data, or generally unobservable.  Entergy and the Registrant Subsidiaries endeavor to use the best available information to determine fair value. 

 

            Accounting standards establish a fair value hierarchy that prioritizes the inputs used to measure fair value. The hierarchy establishes the highest priority for unadjusted market quotes in an active market for the identical asset or liability and the lowest priority for unobservable inputs. The three levels of the fair value hierarchy are:

 

·        Level 1 - Level 1 inputs are unadjusted quoted prices inactive markets for identical assets or liabilities that the entity has theability to access at the measurement date. Active markets are those in which transactions for the asset or liability occur in sufficient frequency and volume to provide pricing information on an ongoing basis. Level 1 primarily consists of individually owned common stocks, cash equivalents (temporary cash investments, securitization recovery trust account, and escrow accounts), debt instruments, and gas hedge contracts. See Note 1 to the financial statements in the Form 10-K for a discussion of cash and cash equivalents.

 

·        Level 2 - Level 2 inputs are inputs other than quoted prices included in Level 1 that are, either directly or indirectly, observable for the asset or liability at the measurement date. Assets are valued based on prices derived by independent third parties that use inputs such as benchmark yields, reported trades, broker/dealer quotes, and issuer spreads. Prices are reviewed and can be challenged with the independent parties and/or overridden by Entergy if it is believed such would be more reflective of fair value. Level 2 inputs include the following:

 

-    quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in active markets;

-    quoted prices for identical assets or liabilities in inactive markets;

-    inputs other than quoted prices that are observable for the asset or liability; or

-    inputs that are derived principally from or corroborated by observable market data

   by correlation or other means.

 

Level 2 consists primarily of individually-owned debt instruments or shares in common trusts. Common trust funds are stated at estimated fair value based on the fair market value of the underlying investments.

 

·        Level 3 - Level 3 inputs are pricing inputs that are generally less observable or unobservable from objective sources. These inputs are used with internally developed methodologies to produce management's best estimate of fair value for the asset or liability. Level 3 consists primarily of derivative power contracts used as cash flow hedges of power sales at merchant power plants.

 

The values for power contract assets or liabilities are based on both observable inputs including public market prices and interest rates, and unobservable inputs such as implied volatilities, unit contingent discounts, expected basis differences, and credit adjusted counterparty interest rates. They are classified as Level 3 assets and liabilities. The valuations of these assets and liabilities are performed by the Entergy Wholesale Commodities Risk Control group and sent to the Entergy Wholesale Commodities Back Office and Entergy Nuclear Finance groups for evaluation. The primary functions of the Entergy Wholesale Commodities Risk Control Group include: gathering, validating and reporting market data, providing market and credit risk analyses and valuations in support of Entergy Wholesale Commodities' commercial transactions, developing and administering protocols for the management of market and credit risks, implementing and maintaining controls around changes to market data in the energy trading and risk management system, reviewing credit worthiness of counterparties, supporting contract negotiations with new counterparties, administering credit support for contracts, and managing the daily margining process. The primary functions of the Entergy Wholesale Commodities Back Office are managing the energy trading and risk management system, forecasting revenues, forward positions and analysis, performing contract administration, market and counterparty settlements and revenue reporting and analysis along with maintaining related controls for Entergy Wholesale Commodities. Both Entergy Wholesale Commodities Risk Control and Entergy Wholesale Commodities Back Office report to the Entergy Wholesale Commodities VP, Finance & Risk Group. Entergy Nuclear Finance is primarily responsible for the financial planning of Entergy's utility and non-utility nuclear businesses and has a significant role in accounting for the activities and transactions of the associated companies. The VP, Chief Financial Officer – Nuclear Operations within Entergy Nuclear Finance reports to the Chief Accounting Officer.

 

The amounts reflected as the fair value of electricity swaps are based on the estimated amount that the contracts are in-the-money at the balance sheet date (treated as an asset) or out-of-the-money at the balance sheet date (treated as a liability) and would equal the estimated amount receivable or payable by Entergy if the contracts were settled at that date. These derivative contracts include cash flow hedges that swap fixed for floating cash flows for sales of the output from the Entergy Wholesale Commodities business. The fair values are based on the mark-to-market comparison between the fixed contract prices and the floating prices determined each period from quoted forward power market prices. The differences between the fixed price in the swap contract and these market-related prices multiplied by the volume specified in the contract and discounted at the counterparties' credit adjusted risk free rate are recorded as derivative contract assets or liabilities. For contracts that have unit contingent terms, a further discount is applied based on the historical relationship between contract and market prices for similar contract terms.

 

The amounts reflected as the fair values of electricity options are valued based on a BlackScholes model, and are calculated at the end of each month for accounting purposes. Inputs to the valuation include end of day forward market prices for the period when the transactions will settle, implied volatilities based on market volatilities provided by a third party data aggregator, and US Treasury rates for a risk-free return rate. As described further below, prices and implied volatilities are reviewed and can be adjusted if it is determined that there is a better representation of fair value. As of March 31, 2013, Entergy had in-the-money derivative contracts with a fair value of $77 million with counterparties or their guarantor who are all currently investment grade. $25 million of the derivative contracts as of March 31, 2013 are out-of-the-money contracts supported by corporate guarantees, which would require additional cash or letters of credit in the event of a decrease in Entergy Corporation's credit rating to below investment grade.

 

On a daily basis, Entergy Wholesale Commodities calculates the mark-to-market for all derivative transactions.  Entergy Wholesale Commodities Risk Control Group also validates forward market prices by comparing them to other sources of forward market prices and/or to settlement prices of actual market transactions. Significant differences are analyzed and potentially adjusted based on these other sources of forward market prices and/or settlement prices of actual market transactions. Implied volatilities used to value options are also validated using actual counterparty quotes for Entergy Wholesale Commodities transactions when available, and using multiple sources of market implied volatilities. Moreover, on at least a monthly basis the Office of Corporate Risk Oversight confirms the mark-to-market calculations and prepares price scenarios and credit downgrade scenario analysis.  The scenario analysis is communicated to senior management within Entergy and within Entergy Wholesale Commodities.  Finally, for all proposed derivative transactions an analysis is completed to assess the risk of adding the proposed derivative to Entergy Wholesale Commodities' portfolio.  In particular, the credit, liquidity, and financial metrics impacts are calculated for this analysis.  This analysis is communicated to senior management within Entergy and Entergy Wholesale Commodities.

 

            The following tables set forth, by level within the fair value hierarchy, Entergy's assets and liabilities that are accounted for at fair value on a recurring basis as of March 31, 2013 and December 31, 2012.  The assessment of the significance of a particular input to a fair value measurement requires judgment and may affect their placement within the fair value hierarchy levels.  

 

 

2013

 

Level 1

 

Level 2

 

Level 3

 

Total

 

 

(In Millions)

Assets:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Temporary cash investments

 

$197

 

$-

 

$-

 

$197

Decommissioning trust funds (a):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Equity securities

 

386

 

2,319

 

-

 

2,705

Debt securities

 

745

 

1,003

 

-

 

1,748

Power contracts

 

-

 

-

 

80

 

80

Gas hedge contracts

 

24

 

-

 

-

 

24

Securitization recovery trust account

 

44

 

-

 

-

 

44

Escrow accounts

 

138

 

-

 

-

 

138

 

 

$1,534

 

$3,322

 

$80

 

$4,936

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Liabilities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Power contracts

 

$-

 

$-

 

$28

 

$28

 

2012

 

Level 1

 

Level 2

 

Level 3

 

Total

 

 

(In Millions)

Assets:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Temporary cash investments

 

$420

 

$-

 

$-

 

$420

Decommissioning trust funds (a):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Equity securities

 

358

 

2,101

 

-

 

2,459

Debt securities

 

769

 

962

 

-

 

1,731

Power contracts

 

-

 

-

 

191

 

191

Securitization recovery trust account

 

46

 

-

 

-

 

46

Escrow accounts

 

386

 

-

 

-

 

386

 

 

$1,979

 

$3,063

 

$191

 

$5,233

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Liabilities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Power contracts

 

$-

 

$-

 

$13

 

$13

Gas hedge contracts

 

8

 

-

 

-

 

8

 

$8

 

$-

 

$13

 

$21

 

(a)

The decommissioning trust funds hold equity and fixed income securities. Equity securities are invested to approximate the returns of major market indexes.  Fixed income securities are held in various governmental and corporate securities.  See Note 9 for additional information on the investment portfolios.

The following table sets forth a description of the types of transactions classified as Level 3 in the fair value hierarchy, and the valuation techniques and significant unobservable inputs to each which cause that classification, as of March 31, 2013:

 

 


Transaction Type

 



Fair Value

as of

March 31, 2013

 

 


Significant
Unobservable Inputs

 

 

Range
from
Average
%

 

 


Effect on
Fair Value

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Electricity swaps

 

$12 million

 

Unit contingent discount

 

+/-3%

 

$1 million

Electricity options

 

$40 million

 

Implied volatility

 

+/-9%

 

$27 million

 

The following table sets forth an analysis of each of the types of unobservable inputs impacting the fair value of items classified as Level 3 within the fair value hierarchy, and the sensitivity to changes to those inputs:

 

 

Significant
Unobservable
Input

 

 


Transaction Type

 

 



Position

 

 


Change to Input

 



Effect on Fair  Value

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Unit contingent
discount

 


Electricity swaps

 


Sell

 


Increase (Decrease)

 


Decrease (Increase)

Implied volatility

 

Electricity options

 

Sell

 

Increase (Decrease)

 

Increase (Decrease)

Implied volatility

 

Electricity options

 

Buy

 

Increase (Decrease)

 

Increase (Decrease)

 

The following table sets forth, by level within the fair value hierarchy, the Registrant Subsidiaries' assets that are accounted for at fair value on a recurring basis as of March 31, 2013 and December 31, 2012. The assessment of the significance of a particular input to a fair value measurement requires judgment and may affect its placement within the fair value hierarchy levels.

 

 

 
 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 


(a)

The decommissioning trust funds hold equity and fixed income securities. Equity securities are invested to approximate the returns of major market indices.  Fixed income securities are held in various governmental and corporate securities.  See Note 9 for additional information on the investment portfolios.

Entergy Texas [Member]
 
Risk Management And Fair Values

NOTE 8. RISK MANAGEMENT AND FAIR VALUES (Entergy Corporation, Entergy Arkansas, Entergy Gulf States Louisiana, Entergy Louisiana, Entergy Mississippi, Entergy New Orleans, Entergy Texas, and System Energy)

 

Market and Commodity Risks

 

In the normal course of business, Entergy is exposed to a number of market and commodity risks. Market risk is the potential loss that Entergy may incur as a result of changes in the market or fair value of a particular instrument or commodity. All financial and commodity-related instruments, including derivatives, are subject to market risk. Entergy is subject to a number of commodity and market risks, including:

 

 

Entergy manages a portion of these risks using derivative instruments, some of which are classified as cash flow hedges due to their financial settlement provisions while others are classified as normal purchase/normal sale transactions due to their physical settlement provisions. Normal purchase/normal sale risk management tools include power purchase and sales agreements, fuel purchase agreements, capacity contracts, and tolling agreements. Financially-settled cash flow hedges can include natural gas and electricity swaps and options, and interest rate swaps. Entergy will occasionally enter into financially settled swap and option contracts to manage market risk under certain hedging transactions which may or may not be designated as hedging instruments. Entergy enters into derivatives only to manage natural risks inherent in its physical or financial assets or liabilities.

 

Entergy manages fuel price volatility for its Louisiana jurisdictions (Entergy Gulf States Louisiana and Entergy Louisiana) and Entergy Mississippi primarily through the purchase of short-term natural gas swaps. These swaps are marked-to-market with offsetting regulatory assets or liabilities. The notional volumes of these swaps are based on a portion of projected annual exposure to gas for electric generation and projected winter purchases for gas distribution at Entergy Gulf States Louisiana.

 

Entergy's exposure to market risk is determined by a number of factors, including the size, term, composition, and diversification of positions held, as well as market volatility and liquidity. For instruments such as options, the time period during which the option may be exercised and the relationship between the current market price of the underlying instrument and the option's contractual strike or exercise price also affects the level of market risk. A significant factor influencing the overall level of market risk to which Entergy is exposed is its use of hedging techniques to mitigate such risk. Entergy manages market risk by actively monitoring compliance with stated risk management policies as well as monitoring the effectiveness of its hedging policies and strategies. Entergy's risk management policies limit the amount of total net exposure and rolling net exposure during the stated periods. These policies, including related risk limits, are regularly assessed to ensure their appropriateness given Entergy's objectives.

 

(a)

Represents the gross amounts of recognized assets/liabilities

(b)

Represents the netting of fair value balances with the same counterparty

(c)

Represents the net amounts of assets /liabilities presented on the Entergy Consolidated Balance Sheets

(d)

Excludes cash collateral in the amounts of $12 million and $56 million held as of March 31, 2013 and December 31, 2012, respectively

 

 

             Certain of the agreements to sell the power produced by Entergy Wholesale Commodities power plants contain provisions that require an Entergy subsidiary to provide collateral to secure its obligations when the current market prices exceed the contracted power prices.  The primary form of collateral to satisfy these requirements is an Entergy Corporation guarantee.  As of March 31, 2013, hedge contracts with six counterparties were in a liability position (approximately $25 million total), but were significantly below the amount of the guarantee provided under the contract and no cash collateral was required. As of March 31, 2012, there were no hedge contracts with counterparties in a liability position. If the Entergy Corporation credit rating falls below investment grade, the effect of the corporate guarantee is typically ignored and Entergy would have to post collateral equal to the estimated outstanding liability under the contract at the applicable date.  

 

            Entergy may effectively liquidate a cash flow hedge instrument by entering into a contract offsetting the original hedge, and then de-designating the original hedge in this situation. Gains or losses accumulated in other comprehensive income prior to de-designation continue to be deferred in other comprehensive income until they are included in income as the original hedged transaction settles. From the point of de-designation, the gains or losses on the original hedge and the offsetting contract are recorded as assets or liabilities on the balance sheet and offset as they flow through to earnings. 

           

            Natural gas over-the-counter swaps that financially settle against NYMEX futures are used to manage fuel price volatility for the Utility's Louisiana and Mississippi customers.  All benefits or costs of the program are recorded in fuel costs.  The total volume of natural gas swaps outstanding as of March 31, 2013 is 60,540,000 MMBtu for Entergy, 18,270,000 MMBtu for Entergy Gulf States Louisiana, 25,140,000 MMBtu for Entergy Louisiana, and 17,130,000 MMBtu for Entergy Mississippi.  Credit support for these natural gas swaps is covered by master agreements that do not require collateralization based on mark-to-market value, but do carry adequate assurance language that may lead to collateralization requests.

 

The effect of Entergy's derivative instruments not designated as hedging instruments on the consolidated income statements for the three months ended March 31, 2013 and 2012 is as follows:

 


Instrument

 

Amount of gain recognized in AOCI

 

Income Statement
location

 

Amount of gain (loss)
recorded in income

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2013

 

 

 

 

 

 

Natural gas swaps

 

-

 

Fuel, fuel-related expenses, and gas purchased for resale

 

$(20) million

Electricity swaps and options de-designated as hedged items

 

$1 million

 

Competitive business operating revenues

 

$(1) million

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2012

 

 

 

 

 

 

Natural gas swaps

 

-

 

Fuel, fuel-related expenses, and gas purchased for resale

 

$(51) million

Electricity swaps and options de-designated as hedged items

 

$3 million

 

Competitive business operating revenues

 

$(2) million

 

Due to regulatory treatment, the natural gas swaps aremarked to market through fuel, fuel-related expenses, and gas purchased forresale and then such amounts are simultaneously reversed and recorded as anoffsetting regulatory asset or liability. The gains or losses recorded as fuel expenses when the swaps are settledare recovered or refunded through fuel cost recovery mechanisms.

 

 

 

 

Fair Values

 

            The estimated fair values of Entergy's financial instruments and derivatives are determined using bid prices, market quotes, and financial modeling. Considerable judgment is required in developing the estimates of fair value. Therefore, estimates are not necessarily indicative of the amounts that Entergy could realize in a current market exchange. Gains or losses realized on financial instruments other than those instruments held by the Entergy Wholesale Commodities business are reflected in future rates and therefore do not accrue to the benefit or detriment of shareholders. Entergy considers the carrying amounts of most financial instruments classified as current assets and liabilities to be a reasonable estimate of their fair value because of the short maturity of these instruments.

 

            Accounting standards define fair value as an exit price, or the price that would be received to sell an asset or the amount that would be paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between knowledgeable market participants at the date of measurement.  Entergy and the Registrant Subsidiaries use assumptions or market input data that market participants would use in pricing assets or liabilities at fair value.  The inputs can be readily observable, corroborated by market data, or generally unobservable.  Entergy and the Registrant Subsidiaries endeavor to use the best available information to determine fair value. 

 

            Accounting standards establish a fair value hierarchy that prioritizes the inputs used to measure fair value. The hierarchy establishes the highest priority for unadjusted market quotes in an active market for the identical asset or liability and the lowest priority for unobservable inputs. The three levels of the fair value hierarchy are:

 

·        Level 1 - Level 1 inputs are unadjusted quoted prices inactive markets for identical assets or liabilities that the entity has theability to access at the measurement date. Active markets are those in which transactions for the asset or liability occur in sufficient frequency and volume to provide pricing information on an ongoing basis. Level 1 primarily consists of individually owned common stocks, cash equivalents (temporary cash investments, securitization recovery trust account, and escrow accounts), debt instruments, and gas hedge contracts. See Note 1 to the financial statements in the Form 10-K for a discussion of cash and cash equivalents.

 

·        Level 2 - Level 2 inputs are inputs other than quoted prices included in Level 1 that are, either directly or indirectly, observable for the asset or liability at the measurement date. Assets are valued based on prices derived by independent third parties that use inputs such as benchmark yields, reported trades, broker/dealer quotes, and issuer spreads. Prices are reviewed and can be challenged with the independent parties and/or overridden by Entergy if it is believed such would be more reflective of fair value. Level 2 inputs include the following:

 

-    quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in active markets;

-    quoted prices for identical assets or liabilities in inactive markets;

-    inputs other than quoted prices that are observable for the asset or liability; or

-    inputs that are derived principally from or corroborated by observable market data

   by correlation or other means.

 

Level 2 consists primarily of individually-owned debt instruments or shares in common trusts. Common trust funds are stated at estimated fair value based on the fair market value of the underlying investments.

 

·        Level 3 - Level 3 inputs are pricing inputs that are generally less observable or unobservable from objective sources. These inputs are used with internally developed methodologies to produce management's best estimate of fair value for the asset or liability. Level 3 consists primarily of derivative power contracts used as cash flow hedges of power sales at merchant power plants.

 

The values for power contract assets or liabilities are based on both observable inputs including public market prices and interest rates, and unobservable inputs such as implied volatilities, unit contingent discounts, expected basis differences, and credit adjusted counterparty interest rates. They are classified as Level 3 assets and liabilities. The valuations of these assets and liabilities are performed by the Entergy Wholesale Commodities Risk Control group and sent to the Entergy Wholesale Commodities Back Office and Entergy Nuclear Finance groups for evaluation. The primary functions of the Entergy Wholesale Commodities Risk Control Group include: gathering, validating and reporting market data, providing market and credit risk analyses and valuations in support of Entergy Wholesale Commodities' commercial transactions, developing and administering protocols for the management of market and credit risks, implementing and maintaining controls around changes to market data in the energy trading and risk management system, reviewing credit worthiness of counterparties, supporting contract negotiations with new counterparties, administering credit support for contracts, and managing the daily margining process. The primary functions of the Entergy Wholesale Commodities Back Office are managing the energy trading and risk management system, forecasting revenues, forward positions and analysis, performing contract administration, market and counterparty settlements and revenue reporting and analysis along with maintaining related controls for Entergy Wholesale Commodities. Both Entergy Wholesale Commodities Risk Control and Entergy Wholesale Commodities Back Office report to the Entergy Wholesale Commodities VP, Finance & Risk Group. Entergy Nuclear Finance is primarily responsible for the financial planning of Entergy's utility and non-utility nuclear businesses and has a significant role in accounting for the activities and transactions of the associated companies. The VP, Chief Financial Officer – Nuclear Operations within Entergy Nuclear Finance reports to the Chief Accounting Officer.

 

The amounts reflected as the fair value of electricity swaps are based on the estimated amount that the contracts are in-the-money at the balance sheet date (treated as an asset) or out-of-the-money at the balance sheet date (treated as a liability) and would equal the estimated amount receivable or payable by Entergy if the contracts were settled at that date. These derivative contracts include cash flow hedges that swap fixed for floating cash flows for sales of the output from the Entergy Wholesale Commodities business. The fair values are based on the mark-to-market comparison between the fixed contract prices and the floating prices determined each period from quoted forward power market prices. The differences between the fixed price in the swap contract and these market-related prices multiplied by the volume specified in the contract and discounted at the counterparties' credit adjusted risk free rate are recorded as derivative contract assets or liabilities. For contracts that have unit contingent terms, a further discount is applied based on the historical relationship between contract and market prices for similar contract terms.

 

The amounts reflected as the fair values of electricity options are valued based on a BlackScholes model, and are calculated at the end of each month for accounting purposes. Inputs to the valuation include end of day forward market prices for the period when the transactions will settle, implied volatilities based on market volatilities provided by a third party data aggregator, and US Treasury rates for a risk-free return rate. As described further below, prices and implied volatilities are reviewed and can be adjusted if it is determined that there is a better representation of fair value. As of March 31, 2013, Entergy had in-the-money derivative contracts with a fair value of $77 million with counterparties or their guarantor who are all currently investment grade. $25 million of the derivative contracts as of March 31, 2013 are out-of-the-money contracts supported by corporate guarantees, which would require additional cash or letters of credit in the event of a decrease in Entergy Corporation's credit rating to below investment grade.

 

On a daily basis, Entergy Wholesale Commodities calculates the mark-to-market for all derivative transactions.  Entergy Wholesale Commodities Risk Control Group also validates forward market prices by comparing them to other sources of forward market prices and/or to settlement prices of actual market transactions. Significant differences are analyzed and potentially adjusted based on these other sources of forward market prices and/or settlement prices of actual market transactions. Implied volatilities used to value options are also validated using actual counterparty quotes for Entergy Wholesale Commodities transactions when available, and using multiple sources of market implied volatilities. Moreover, on at least a monthly basis the Office of Corporate Risk Oversight confirms the mark-to-market calculations and prepares price scenarios and credit downgrade scenario analysis.  The scenario analysis is communicated to senior management within Entergy and within Entergy Wholesale Commodities.  Finally, for all proposed derivative transactions an analysis is completed to assess the risk of adding the proposed derivative to Entergy Wholesale Commodities' portfolio.  In particular, the credit, liquidity, and financial metrics impacts are calculated for this analysis.  This analysis is communicated to senior management within Entergy and Entergy Wholesale Commodities.

 

            The following tables set forth, by level within the fair value hierarchy, Entergy's assets and liabilities that are accounted for at fair value on a recurring basis as of March 31, 2013 and December 31, 2012.  The assessment of the significance of a particular input to a fair value measurement requires judgment and may affect their placement within the fair value hierarchy levels.  

 

 

2013

 

Level 1

 

Level 2

 

Level 3

 

Total

 

 

(In Millions)

Assets:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Temporary cash investments

 

$197

 

$-

 

$-

 

$197

Decommissioning trust funds (a):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Equity securities

 

386

 

2,319

 

-

 

2,705

Debt securities

 

745

 

1,003

 

-

 

1,748

Power contracts

 

-

 

-

 

80

 

80

Gas hedge contracts

 

24

 

-

 

-

 

24

Securitization recovery trust account

 

44

 

-

 

-

 

44

Escrow accounts

 

138

 

-

 

-

 

138

 

 

$1,534

 

$3,322

 

$80

 

$4,936

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Liabilities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Power contracts

 

$-

 

$-

 

$28

 

$28

 

2012

 

Level 1

 

Level 2

 

Level 3

 

Total

 

 

(In Millions)

Assets:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Temporary cash investments

 

$420

 

$-

 

$-

 

$420

Decommissioning trust funds (a):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Equity securities

 

358

 

2,101

 

-

 

2,459

Debt securities

 

769

 

962

 

-

 

1,731

Power contracts

 

-

 

-

 

191

 

191

Securitization recovery trust account

 

46

 

-

 

-

 

46

Escrow accounts

 

386

 

-

 

-

 

386

 

 

$1,979

 

$3,063

 

$191

 

$5,233

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Liabilities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Power contracts

 

$-

 

$-

 

$13

 

$13

Gas hedge contracts

 

8

 

-

 

-

 

8

 

$8

 

$-

 

$13

 

$21

 

(a)

The decommissioning trust funds hold equity and fixed income securities. Equity securities are invested to approximate the returns of major market indexes.  Fixed income securities are held in various governmental and corporate securities.  See Note 9 for additional information on the investment portfolios.

The following table sets forth a description of the types of transactions classified as Level 3 in the fair value hierarchy, and the valuation techniques and significant unobservable inputs to each which cause that classification, as of March 31, 2013:

 

 


Transaction Type

 



Fair Value

as of

March 31, 2013

 

 


Significant
Unobservable Inputs

 

 

Range
from
Average
%

 

 


Effect on
Fair Value

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Electricity swaps

 

$12 million

 

Unit contingent discount

 

+/-3%

 

$1 million

Electricity options

 

$40 million

 

Implied volatility

 

+/-9%

 

$27 million

 

The following table sets forth an analysis of each of the types of unobservable inputs impacting the fair value of items classified as Level 3 within the fair value hierarchy, and the sensitivity to changes to those inputs:

 

 

Significant
Unobservable
Input

 

 


Transaction Type

 

 



Position

 

 


Change to Input

 



Effect on Fair  Value

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Unit contingent
discount

 


Electricity swaps

 


Sell

 


Increase (Decrease)

 


Decrease (Increase)

Implied volatility

 

Electricity options

 

Sell

 

Increase (Decrease)

 

Increase (Decrease)

Implied volatility

 

Electricity options

 

Buy

 

Increase (Decrease)

 

Increase (Decrease)

 

The following table sets forth, by level within the fair value hierarchy, the Registrant Subsidiaries' assets that are accounted for at fair value on a recurring basis as of March 31, 2013 and December 31, 2012. The assessment of the significance of a particular input to a fair value measurement requires judgment and may affect its placement within the fair value hierarchy levels.

 

 

 
 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 


(a)

The decommissioning trust funds hold equity and fixed income securities. Equity securities are invested to approximate the returns of major market indices.  Fixed income securities are held in various governmental and corporate securities.  See Note 9 for additional information on the investment portfolios.

System Energy [Member]
 
Risk Management And Fair Values

NOTE 8. RISK MANAGEMENT AND FAIR VALUES (Entergy Corporation, Entergy Arkansas, Entergy Gulf States Louisiana, Entergy Louisiana, Entergy Mississippi, Entergy New Orleans, Entergy Texas, and System Energy)

 

Market and Commodity Risks

 

In the normal course of business, Entergy is exposed to a number of market and commodity risks. Market risk is the potential loss that Entergy may incur as a result of changes in the market or fair value of a particular instrument or commodity. All financial and commodity-related instruments, including derivatives, are subject to market risk. Entergy is subject to a number of commodity and market risks, including:

 

 

Entergy manages a portion of these risks using derivative instruments, some of which are classified as cash flow hedges due to their financial settlement provisions while others are classified as normal purchase/normal sale transactions due to their physical settlement provisions. Normal purchase/normal sale risk management tools include power purchase and sales agreements, fuel purchase agreements, capacity contracts, and tolling agreements. Financially-settled cash flow hedges can include natural gas and electricity swaps and options, and interest rate swaps. Entergy will occasionally enter into financially settled swap and option contracts to manage market risk under certain hedging transactions which may or may not be designated as hedging instruments. Entergy enters into derivatives only to manage natural risks inherent in its physical or financial assets or liabilities.

 

Entergy manages fuel price volatility for its Louisiana jurisdictions (Entergy Gulf States Louisiana and Entergy Louisiana) and Entergy Mississippi primarily through the purchase of short-term natural gas swaps. These swaps are marked-to-market with offsetting regulatory assets or liabilities. The notional volumes of these swaps are based on a portion of projected annual exposure to gas for electric generation and projected winter purchases for gas distribution at Entergy Gulf States Louisiana.

 

Entergy's exposure to market risk is determined by a number of factors, including the size, term, composition, and diversification of positions held, as well as market volatility and liquidity. For instruments such as options, the time period during which the option may be exercised and the relationship between the current market price of the underlying instrument and the option's contractual strike or exercise price also affects the level of market risk. A significant factor influencing the overall level of market risk to which Entergy is exposed is its use of hedging techniques to mitigate such risk. Entergy manages market risk by actively monitoring compliance with stated risk management policies as well as monitoring the effectiveness of its hedging policies and strategies. Entergy's risk management policies limit the amount of total net exposure and rolling net exposure during the stated periods. These policies, including related risk limits, are regularly assessed to ensure their appropriateness given Entergy's objectives.

 

(a)

Represents the gross amounts of recognized assets/liabilities

(b)

Represents the netting of fair value balances with the same counterparty

(c)

Represents the net amounts of assets /liabilities presented on the Entergy Consolidated Balance Sheets

(d)

Excludes cash collateral in the amounts of $12 million and $56 million held as of March 31, 2013 and December 31, 2012, respectively

 

 

             Certain of the agreements to sell the power produced by Entergy Wholesale Commodities power plants contain provisions that require an Entergy subsidiary to provide collateral to secure its obligations when the current market prices exceed the contracted power prices.  The primary form of collateral to satisfy these requirements is an Entergy Corporation guarantee.  As of March 31, 2013, hedge contracts with six counterparties were in a liability position (approximately $25 million total), but were significantly below the amount of the guarantee provided under the contract and no cash collateral was required. As of March 31, 2012, there were no hedge contracts with counterparties in a liability position. If the Entergy Corporation credit rating falls below investment grade, the effect of the corporate guarantee is typically ignored and Entergy would have to post collateral equal to the estimated outstanding liability under the contract at the applicable date.  

 

            Entergy may effectively liquidate a cash flow hedge instrument by entering into a contract offsetting the original hedge, and then de-designating the original hedge in this situation. Gains or losses accumulated in other comprehensive income prior to de-designation continue to be deferred in other comprehensive income until they are included in income as the original hedged transaction settles. From the point of de-designation, the gains or losses on the original hedge and the offsetting contract are recorded as assets or liabilities on the balance sheet and offset as they flow through to earnings. 

           

            Natural gas over-the-counter swaps that financially settle against NYMEX futures are used to manage fuel price volatility for the Utility's Louisiana and Mississippi customers.  All benefits or costs of the program are recorded in fuel costs.  The total volume of natural gas swaps outstanding as of March 31, 2013 is 60,540,000 MMBtu for Entergy, 18,270,000 MMBtu for Entergy Gulf States Louisiana, 25,140,000 MMBtu for Entergy Louisiana, and 17,130,000 MMBtu for Entergy Mississippi.  Credit support for these natural gas swaps is covered by master agreements that do not require collateralization based on mark-to-market value, but do carry adequate assurance language that may lead to collateralization requests.

 

The effect of Entergy's derivative instruments not designated as hedging instruments on the consolidated income statements for the three months ended March 31, 2013 and 2012 is as follows:

 


Instrument

 

Amount of gain recognized in AOCI

 

Income Statement
location

 

Amount of gain (loss)
recorded in income

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2013

 

 

 

 

 

 

Natural gas swaps

 

-

 

Fuel, fuel-related expenses, and gas purchased for resale

 

$(20) million

Electricity swaps and options de-designated as hedged items

 

$1 million

 

Competitive business operating revenues

 

$(1) million

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2012

 

 

 

 

 

 

Natural gas swaps

 

-

 

Fuel, fuel-related expenses, and gas purchased for resale

 

$(51) million

Electricity swaps and options de-designated as hedged items

 

$3 million

 

Competitive business operating revenues

 

$(2) million

 

Due to regulatory treatment, the natural gas swaps aremarked to market through fuel, fuel-related expenses, and gas purchased forresale and then such amounts are simultaneously reversed and recorded as anoffsetting regulatory asset or liability. The gains or losses recorded as fuel expenses when the swaps are settledare recovered or refunded through fuel cost recovery mechanisms.

 

 

 

 

Fair Values

 

            The estimated fair values of Entergy's financial instruments and derivatives are determined using bid prices, market quotes, and financial modeling. Considerable judgment is required in developing the estimates of fair value. Therefore, estimates are not necessarily indicative of the amounts that Entergy could realize in a current market exchange. Gains or losses realized on financial instruments other than those instruments held by the Entergy Wholesale Commodities business are reflected in future rates and therefore do not accrue to the benefit or detriment of shareholders. Entergy considers the carrying amounts of most financial instruments classified as current assets and liabilities to be a reasonable estimate of their fair value because of the short maturity of these instruments.

 

            Accounting standards define fair value as an exit price, or the price that would be received to sell an asset or the amount that would be paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between knowledgeable market participants at the date of measurement.  Entergy and the Registrant Subsidiaries use assumptions or market input data that market participants would use in pricing assets or liabilities at fair value.  The inputs can be readily observable, corroborated by market data, or generally unobservable.  Entergy and the Registrant Subsidiaries endeavor to use the best available information to determine fair value. 

 

            Accounting standards establish a fair value hierarchy that prioritizes the inputs used to measure fair value. The hierarchy establishes the highest priority for unadjusted market quotes in an active market for the identical asset or liability and the lowest priority for unobservable inputs. The three levels of the fair value hierarchy are:

 

·        Level 1 - Level 1 inputs are unadjusted quoted prices inactive markets for identical assets or liabilities that the entity has theability to access at the measurement date. Active markets are those in which transactions for the asset or liability occur in sufficient frequency and volume to provide pricing information on an ongoing basis. Level 1 primarily consists of individually owned common stocks, cash equivalents (temporary cash investments, securitization recovery trust account, and escrow accounts), debt instruments, and gas hedge contracts. See Note 1 to the financial statements in the Form 10-K for a discussion of cash and cash equivalents.

 

·        Level 2 - Level 2 inputs are inputs other than quoted prices included in Level 1 that are, either directly or indirectly, observable for the asset or liability at the measurement date. Assets are valued based on prices derived by independent third parties that use inputs such as benchmark yields, reported trades, broker/dealer quotes, and issuer spreads. Prices are reviewed and can be challenged with the independent parties and/or overridden by Entergy if it is believed such would be more reflective of fair value. Level 2 inputs include the following:

 

-    quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in active markets;

-    quoted prices for identical assets or liabilities in inactive markets;

-    inputs other than quoted prices that are observable for the asset or liability; or

-    inputs that are derived principally from or corroborated by observable market data

   by correlation or other means.

 

Level 2 consists primarily of individually-owned debt instruments or shares in common trusts. Common trust funds are stated at estimated fair value based on the fair market value of the underlying investments.

 

·        Level 3 - Level 3 inputs are pricing inputs that are generally less observable or unobservable from objective sources. These inputs are used with internally developed methodologies to produce management's best estimate of fair value for the asset or liability. Level 3 consists primarily of derivative power contracts used as cash flow hedges of power sales at merchant power plants.

 

The values for power contract assets or liabilities are based on both observable inputs including public market prices and interest rates, and unobservable inputs such as implied volatilities, unit contingent discounts, expected basis differences, and credit adjusted counterparty interest rates. They are classified as Level 3 assets and liabilities. The valuations of these assets and liabilities are performed by the Entergy Wholesale Commodities Risk Control group and sent to the Entergy Wholesale Commodities Back Office and Entergy Nuclear Finance groups for evaluation. The primary functions of the Entergy Wholesale Commodities Risk Control Group include: gathering, validating and reporting market data, providing market and credit risk analyses and valuations in support of Entergy Wholesale Commodities' commercial transactions, developing and administering protocols for the management of market and credit risks, implementing and maintaining controls around changes to market data in the energy trading and risk management system, reviewing credit worthiness of counterparties, supporting contract negotiations with new counterparties, administering credit support for contracts, and managing the daily margining process. The primary functions of the Entergy Wholesale Commodities Back Office are managing the energy trading and risk management system, forecasting revenues, forward positions and analysis, performing contract administration, market and counterparty settlements and revenue reporting and analysis along with maintaining related controls for Entergy Wholesale Commodities. Both Entergy Wholesale Commodities Risk Control and Entergy Wholesale Commodities Back Office report to the Entergy Wholesale Commodities VP, Finance & Risk Group. Entergy Nuclear Finance is primarily responsible for the financial planning of Entergy's utility and non-utility nuclear businesses and has a significant role in accounting for the activities and transactions of the associated companies. The VP, Chief Financial Officer – Nuclear Operations within Entergy Nuclear Finance reports to the Chief Accounting Officer.

 

The amounts reflected as the fair value of electricity swaps are based on the estimated amount that the contracts are in-the-money at the balance sheet date (treated as an asset) or out-of-the-money at the balance sheet date (treated as a liability) and would equal the estimated amount receivable or payable by Entergy if the contracts were settled at that date. These derivative contracts include cash flow hedges that swap fixed for floating cash flows for sales of the output from the Entergy Wholesale Commodities business. The fair values are based on the mark-to-market comparison between the fixed contract prices and the floating prices determined each period from quoted forward power market prices. The differences between the fixed price in the swap contract and these market-related prices multiplied by the volume specified in the contract and discounted at the counterparties' credit adjusted risk free rate are recorded as derivative contract assets or liabilities. For contracts that have unit contingent terms, a further discount is applied based on the historical relationship between contract and market prices for similar contract terms.

 

The amounts reflected as the fair values of electricity options are valued based on a BlackScholes model, and are calculated at the end of each month for accounting purposes. Inputs to the valuation include end of day forward market prices for the period when the transactions will settle, implied volatilities based on market volatilities provided by a third party data aggregator, and US Treasury rates for a risk-free return rate. As described further below, prices and implied volatilities are reviewed and can be adjusted if it is determined that there is a better representation of fair value. As of March 31, 2013, Entergy had in-the-money derivative contracts with a fair value of $77 million with counterparties or their guarantor who are all currently investment grade. $25 million of the derivative contracts as of March 31, 2013 are out-of-the-money contracts supported by corporate guarantees, which would require additional cash or letters of credit in the event of a decrease in Entergy Corporation's credit rating to below investment grade.

 

On a daily basis, Entergy Wholesale Commodities calculates the mark-to-market for all derivative transactions.  Entergy Wholesale Commodities Risk Control Group also validates forward market prices by comparing them to other sources of forward market prices and/or to settlement prices of actual market transactions. Significant differences are analyzed and potentially adjusted based on these other sources of forward market prices and/or settlement prices of actual market transactions. Implied volatilities used to value options are also validated using actual counterparty quotes for Entergy Wholesale Commodities transactions when available, and using multiple sources of market implied volatilities. Moreover, on at least a monthly basis the Office of Corporate Risk Oversight confirms the mark-to-market calculations and prepares price scenarios and credit downgrade scenario analysis.  The scenario analysis is communicated to senior management within Entergy and within Entergy Wholesale Commodities.  Finally, for all proposed derivative transactions an analysis is completed to assess the risk of adding the proposed derivative to Entergy Wholesale Commodities' portfolio.  In particular, the credit, liquidity, and financial metrics impacts are calculated for this analysis.  This analysis is communicated to senior management within Entergy and Entergy Wholesale Commodities.

 

            The following tables set forth, by level within the fair value hierarchy, Entergy's assets and liabilities that are accounted for at fair value on a recurring basis as of March 31, 2013 and December 31, 2012.  The assessment of the significance of a particular input to a fair value measurement requires judgment and may affect their placement within the fair value hierarchy levels.  

 

 

2013

 

Level 1

 

Level 2

 

Level 3

 

Total

 

 

(In Millions)

Assets:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Temporary cash investments

 

$197

 

$-

 

$-

 

$197

Decommissioning trust funds (a):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Equity securities

 

386

 

2,319

 

-

 

2,705

Debt securities

 

745

 

1,003

 

-

 

1,748

Power contracts

 

-

 

-

 

80

 

80

Gas hedge contracts

 

24

 

-

 

-

 

24

Securitization recovery trust account

 

44

 

-

 

-

 

44

Escrow accounts

 

138

 

-

 

-

 

138

 

 

$1,534

 

$3,322

 

$80

 

$4,936

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Liabilities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Power contracts

 

$-

 

$-

 

$28

 

$28

 

2012

 

Level 1

 

Level 2

 

Level 3

 

Total

 

 

(In Millions)

Assets:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Temporary cash investments

 

$420

 

$-

 

$-

 

$420

Decommissioning trust funds (a):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Equity securities

 

358

 

2,101

 

-

 

2,459

Debt securities

 

769

 

962

 

-

 

1,731

Power contracts

 

-

 

-

 

191

 

191

Securitization recovery trust account

 

46

 

-

 

-

 

46

Escrow accounts

 

386

 

-

 

-

 

386

 

 

$1,979

 

$3,063

 

$191

 

$5,233

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Liabilities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Power contracts

 

$-

 

$-

 

$13

 

$13

Gas hedge contracts

 

8

 

-

 

-

 

8

 

$8

 

$-

 

$13

 

$21

 

(a)

The decommissioning trust funds hold equity and fixed income securities. Equity securities are invested to approximate the returns of major market indexes.  Fixed income securities are held in various governmental and corporate securities.  See Note 9 for additional information on the investment portfolios.

The following table sets forth a description of the types of transactions classified as Level 3 in the fair value hierarchy, and the valuation techniques and significant unobservable inputs to each which cause that classification, as of March 31, 2013:

 

 


Transaction Type

 



Fair Value

as of

March 31, 2013

 

 


Significant
Unobservable Inputs

 

 

Range
from
Average
%

 

 


Effect on
Fair Value

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Electricity swaps

 

$12 million

 

Unit contingent discount

 

+/-3%

 

$1 million

Electricity options

 

$40 million

 

Implied volatility

 

+/-9%

 

$27 million

 

The following table sets forth an analysis of each of the types of unobservable inputs impacting the fair value of items classified as Level 3 within the fair value hierarchy, and the sensitivity to changes to those inputs:

 

 

Significant
Unobservable
Input

 

 


Transaction Type

 

 



Position

 

 


Change to Input

 



Effect on Fair  Value

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Unit contingent
discount

 


Electricity swaps

 


Sell

 


Increase (Decrease)

 


Decrease (Increase)

Implied volatility

 

Electricity options

 

Sell

 

Increase (Decrease)

 

Increase (Decrease)

Implied volatility

 

Electricity options

 

Buy

 

Increase (Decrease)

 

Increase (Decrease)

 

The following table sets forth, by level within the fair value hierarchy, the Registrant Subsidiaries' assets that are accounted for at fair value on a recurring basis as of March 31, 2013 and December 31, 2012. The assessment of the significance of a particular input to a fair value measurement requires judgment and may affect its placement within the fair value hierarchy levels.

 

 

 
 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 


(a)

The decommissioning trust funds hold equity and fixed income securities. Equity securities are invested to approximate the returns of major market indices.  Fixed income securities are held in various governmental and corporate securities.  See Note 9 for additional information on the investment portfolios.