EX-99.4 5 c96464exv99w4.htm EXHIBIT 99.4 Exhibit 99.4
Exhibit 99.4
Last Updated
2/19/10
Pinnacle West Capital Corporation
Earnings Variance Explanations
For the Three-Month and Twelve-Month Periods Ended December 31, 2009 and 2008
The following discussion includes the earnings variance explanations for Pinnacle West Capital Corporation (“Pinnacle West”) for the three months and twelve months ended December 31, 2009 and 2008. We suggest that this discussion be read in connection with the Pinnacle West/APS Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2009. Additional operating and financial statistics and a glossary of terms are available on our website (www.pinnaclewest.com).
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
Our results of operations, provided below, are based upon our two reportable business segments:
    our regulated electricity segment, which consists of traditional regulated retail and wholesale electricity businesses (primarily electric service to Native Load customers) and related activities and includes electricity generation, transmission and distribution; and
    our real estate segment, which consists of SunCor’s real estate development and investment activities.
Operating Results — Three-month period ended December 31, 2009 compared with three-month period ended December 31, 2008
Our consolidated net loss attributable to common shareholders for the three months ended December 31, 2009 was $30 million, compared with a net loss of $39 million for the comparable prior-year period. The improved results were primarily due to lower real estate impairment charges recorded in 2009 compared with the prior-year period by SunCor, the Company’s real estate subsidiary.

 

 


 

Last Updated
2/19/10
The following table presents net loss attributable to common shareholders by business segment compared with the prior-year period:
                         
                    Increase  
                    (Decrease)  
                    in Net Income  
    Three Months Ended     Attributable  
    December 31,     to Common  
    2009     2008     Shareholders  
    (dollars in millions)  
Regulated Electricity Segment:
                       
 
                       
Operating revenues less fuel and purchased power expenses
  $ 392     $ 367     $ 25  
Operations and maintenance
    (229 )     (207 )     (22 )
Depreciation and amortization
    (101 )     (96 )     (5 )
Taxes other than income taxes
    (22 )     (30 )     8  
Other income (expenses), net
    (3 )     (9 )     6  
Interest charges, net of capitalized financing costs
    (52 )     (50 )     (2 )
Income taxes
    1       8       (7 )
 
                 
Regulated electricity segment net loss
    (14 )     (17 )     3  
 
                 
 
                       
Real Estate Segment:
                       
 
                       
Real estate impairment charges
    (20 )     (53 )     33  
Other real estate operations
    (4 )     (2 )     (2 )
Income taxes
    10       21       (11 )
 
                 
Real estate segment net loss
    (14 )     (34 )     20  
 
                 
 
                       
All other (a)
    (2 )     12       (14 )
 
                 
 
                       
Net Loss Attributable to Common Shareholders
  $ (30 )   $ (39 )   $ 9  
 
                 
     
(a)   Includes activities related to marketing and trading, APSES and El Dorado. Income for 2008 includes income from discontinued operations of $8 million related to the resolution of certain tax issues associated with the sale of Silverhawk in 2005. None of these segments is a reportable segment.
Regulated electricity segment
This section includes a discussion of major variances in income and expense amounts for the regulated electricity segment.

 

2


 

Last Updated
2/19/10
Operating revenues less fuel and purchased power expenses
Regulated electricity segment operating revenues less fuel and purchased power expenses were $25 million higher for the three months ended December 31, 2009 compared with the prior-year period. The following table describes the major components of this change:
                         
    Increase (Decrease)  
            Purchased        
    Operating     power and fuel        
    revenues     expenses     Net change  
    (dollars in millions)  
Higher renewable energy and demand-side management surcharges (substantially offset in operations and maintenance expense)
  $ 14     $       $ 14  
Interim retail rate increases effective January 1, 2009
    11               11  
Increased mark-to-market valuations of fuel and purchased power contracts related to favorable changes in market prices, net of related PSA deferrals
            (9 )     9  
Transmission rate increases
    5               5  
Lower retail sales primarily due to lower usage per customer, including the effects of the Company’s energy efficiency programs, but excluding the effects of weather
    (17 )     (8 )     (9 )
Higher retail revenues related to recovery of PSA deferrals, offset by amortization of the same amount recorded as fuel and purchased power expense
    7       7        
Miscellaneous items, net
    (4 )     1       (5 )
 
                 
Total
  $ 16     $ (9 )   $ 25  
 
                 
Operations and maintenance Operations and maintenance expenses increased $22 million for the three months ended December 31, 2009 compared with the prior-year period primarily because of:
    An increase of $14 million related to renewable energy and demand-side management programs, which are offset in operating revenues;
    An increase of $13 million in generation costs, including more planned maintenance; and
    A decrease of $5 million associated with cost saving measures and other factors, including decreased severance costs in 2009.
Depreciation and amortization Depreciation and amortization expenses increased $5 million for the three months ended December 31, 2009 compared with the prior-year period primarily because of increases in utility plant in service. The increases in utility plant in service are the result of various improvements to APS’ existing fossil and nuclear generating plants and distribution and transmission infrastructure additions and upgrades.

 

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Last Updated
2/19/10
Taxes other than income taxes Taxes other than income taxes decreased $8 million for the three months ended December 31, 2009 compared with the prior-year period primarily because of the timing of property tax rate adjustments.
Other income (expenses), net Other income (expenses), net improved $6 million for the three months ended December 31, 2009 compared with the prior-year period primarily because of improved investment gains. Other income (expenses), net is comprised of the regulated electricity segment portions of the line items other income and other expense from the Consolidated Statements of Income.
Income taxes Income tax benefits were $7 million lower for the three months ended December 31, 2009 compared with the prior-year period primarily because of lower pretax losses.
Real estate segment
The real estate segment net loss attributable to common shareholders was $20 million lower for the three months ended December 31, 2009 compared with the prior-year period primarily because of:
    A decrease in real estate impairment charges of $33 million; and
    A decrease in income tax benefits of $11 million primarily because of a lower net loss for the 2009 period.
All Other
All other earnings were $14 million lower for the three months ended December 31, 2009 compared to the prior-year period primarily because of planned reductions of marketing and trading activities and the absence of the 2008 resolution of certain tax issues associated with the sale of Silverhawk in 2005.
Operating Results — 2009 Compared with 2008
Our consolidated net income attributable to common shareholders for 2009 was $68 million, compared with net income of $242 million for the prior year. The decrease in net income was primarily due to 2009 real estate impairment charges recorded by SunCor.
In addition, regulated electricity segment net income decreased approximately $13 million from the prior year primarily due to lower retail sales resulting from lower usage per customer; higher interest charges, net of capitalized financing costs; higher depreciation and amortization expenses; and the absence of income tax benefits related to prior years recorded in 2008. These negative factors were partially offset by increased revenues due to the interim rate increase effective January 1, 2009 and transmission rate increases.

 

4


 

Last Updated
2/19/10
The following table presents net income attributable to common shareholders by business segment compared with the prior year:
                         
                    Increase  
                    (Decrease)  
                    in Net Income  
    Year Ended     Attributable  
    December 31,     to Common  
    2009     2008     Shareholders  
    (dollars in millions)  
Regulated Electricity Segment:
                       
 
                       
Operating revenues less fuel and purchased power expenses
  $ 1,970     $ 1,843     $ 127  
Operations and maintenance
    (862 )     (796 )     (66 )
Depreciation and amortization
    (400 )     (383 )     (17 )
Taxes other than income taxes
    (123 )     (125 )     2  
Other income (expenses), net
    (1 )     (20 )     19  
Interest charges, net of capitalized financing costs
    (199 )     (171 )     (28 )
Income taxes
    (142 )     (92 )     (50 )
 
                 
Regulated electricity segment net income
    243       256       (13 )
 
                 
 
                       
Real Estate Segment:
                       
 
                       
Real estate impairment charges
    (266 )     (53 )     (213 )
Other real estate operations
    (10 )     10       (20 )
Income taxes
    109       17       92  
 
                 
Real estate segment net loss
    (167 )     (26 )     (141 )
 
                 
 
                       
All Other (a)
    (8 )     12       (20 )
 
                 
 
                       
Net Income Attributable to Common Shareholders
  $ 68     $ 242     $ (174 )
 
                 
(a)   Includes activities related to marketing and trading, APSES and El Dorado. Income for 2008 includes income from discontinued operations of $8 million related to the resolution of certain tax issues associated with the sale of Silverhawk in 2005. None of these segments is a reportable segment.
Regulated electricity segment
This section includes a discussion of major variances in income and expense amounts for the regulated electricity segment.

 

5


 

Last Updated
2/19/10
Operating revenues less fuel and purchased power expenses
Regulated electricity segment operating revenues less fuel and purchased power expenses were $127 million higher for the year ended 2009 compared with the prior year. The following table describes the major components of this change:
                         
    Increase (Decrease)  
            Purchased        
    Operating     power and fuel        
    revenues     expenses     Net change  
    (dollars in millions)  
Higher renewable energy and demand-side management surcharges (substantially offset in operations and maintenance expense)
  $ 63     $       $ 63  
Interim retail rate increases effective January 1, 2009
    61               61  
Transmission rate increases
    21               21  
Increased mark-to-market valuations of fuel and purchased power contracts related to favorable changes in market prices, net of related PSA deferrals
            (18 )     18  
Effects of weather on retail sales, primarily due to hotter weather in the third quarter of 2009
    12       3       9  
Lower retail sales primarily due to lower usage per customer, including the effects of the Company’s energy efficiency programs, but excluding the effects of weather
    (58 )     (26 )     (32 )
Higher fuel and purchased power costs including the effects of lower off-system sales, net of related PSA deferrals
    (30 )     (19 )     (11 )
Lower retail revenues related to recovery of PSA deferrals, offset by lower amortization of the same amount recorded as fuel and purchased power expense
    (36 )     (36 )      
Miscellaneous items, net
    (11 )     (9 )     (2 )
 
                 
Total
  $ 22     $ (105 )   $ 127  
 
                 
Operations and maintenance Operations and maintenance expenses increased $66 million for the year ended 2009 compared with the prior year primarily because of:
    An increase of $62 million related to renewable energy and demand-side management programs, which are offset in operating revenues;
    An increase of $29 million in generation costs, including more planned maintenance, partially offset by lower costs at Palo Verde due to cost efficiency measures; and
    A decrease of $25 million associated with cost saving measures and other factors, including the absence of employee severance costs in 2009.

 

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Last Updated
2/19/10
Depreciation and amortization Depreciation and amortization expenses increased $17 million for the year ended 2009 compared with the prior year primarily because of increases in utility plant in service. The increases in utility plant in service are the result of various improvements to APS’ existing fossil and nuclear generating plants and distribution and transmission infrastructure additions and upgrades.
Interest charges, net of capitalized financing costs Interest charges, net of capitalized financing costs increased $28 million for the year ended 2009 compared with the prior year primarily because of higher debt balances, partially offset by the effects of lower interest rates. Interest charges, net of capitalized financing costs are comprised of the regulated electricity segment portions of the line items interest expense, capitalized interest and allowance for equity funds used during construction from the Consolidated Statements of Income.
Other income (expenses), net Other income (expenses), net improved $19 million for the year ended 2009 compared with the prior year primarily because of improved investment gains. Other income (expenses), net is comprised of the regulated electricity segment portions of the line items other income and other expense from the Consolidated Statements of Income.
Income taxes Income taxes were $50 million higher for the year ended 2009 compared with the prior year primarily because of $30 million of income tax benefits related to prior years recorded in 2008 and higher pretax income.
Real estate segment
During the first quarter of 2009, we decided to restructure SunCor through the sale of substantially all of its assets. The real estate segment net loss attributable to common shareholders was $141 million higher for the year ended 2009 compared with the prior year primarily because of:
    An increase in real estate impairment charges of $213 million;
    A decrease of $20 million in income from other real estate operations primarily due to 2008 income from a commercial property sale; and
    An increase in income tax benefits of $92 million primarily because of a higher net loss.
All Other
All other earnings were $20 million lower for the year ended 2009 compared with the prior year primarily because of planned reductions of marketing and trading activities and the absence of the 2008 resolution of certain tax issues associated with the sale of Silverhawk in 2005.

 

7


 

PINNACLE WEST CAPITAL CORPORATION
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME

(unaudited)
(dollars and shares in thousands, except per share amounts)
                                 
    THREE MONTHS ENDED        
    DECEMBER 31,     Increase (Decrease)  
    2009     2008     Amount     Percent  
Operating Revenues
                               
Regulated electricity segment
  $ 650,349     $ 634,756     $ 15,593       2.5 % B
Real estate segment
    28,030       19,460       8,570       44.0 % B
Marketing and trading
          9,274       (9,274 )     100.0 % W
Other revenues
    14,678       14,905       (227 )     1.5 % W
 
                         
Total
    693,057       678,395       14,662       2.2 % B
 
                         
 
                               
Operating Expenses
                               
Regulated electricity segment fuel and purchased power
    257,990       267,198       (9,208 )     3.4 % B
Real estate segment operations
    30,968       22,509       8,459       37.6 % W
Real estate impairment charge
    16,984       18,108       (1,124 )     6.2 % B
Marketing and trading fuel and purchased power
          1,443       (1,443 )     100.0 % B
Operations and maintenance
    232,812       209,797       23,015       11.0 % W
Depreciation and amortization
    102,165       98,374       3,791       3.9 % W
Taxes other than income taxes
    22,537       30,510       (7,973 )     26.1 % B
Other expenses
    10,309       13,090       (2,781 )     21.2 % B
 
                         
Total
    673,765       661,029       12,736       1.9 % W
 
                         
 
                               
Operating Income
    19,292       17,366       1,926       11.1 % B
 
                         
 
                               
Other
                               
Allowance for equity funds used during construction
    3,080       2,425       655       27.0 % B
Other income
    849       2,325       (1,476 )     63.5 % W
Other expense
    (5,382 )     (9,523 )     4,141       43.5 % B
 
                         
Total
    (1,453 )     (4,773 )     3,320       69.6 % B
 
                         
 
                               
Interest Expense
                               
Interest charges
    59,139       58,570       569       1.0 % W
Capitalized interest
    (2,177 )     (4,227 )     2,050       48.5 % W
 
                         
Total
    56,962       54,343       2,619       4.8 % W
 
                         
 
                               
Loss From Continuing Operations Before Income Taxes
    (39,123 )     (41,750 )     2,627       6.3 % B
 
                               
Income Taxes
    (10,255 )     (14,489 )     4,234       29.2 % W
 
                         
 
                               
Loss From Continuing Operations
    (28,868 )     (27,261 )     (1,607 )     5.9 % W
 
                               
Loss From Discontinued Operations Net of Income Taxes
    (1,122 )     (11,589 )     10,467       90.3 % B
 
                         
 
                               
Net Loss
    (29,990 )     (38,850 )     8,860       22.8 % B
 
Less: Net loss attributable to noncontrolling interests
    169             169       100.0 % B
 
                         
 
                               
Net Loss Attributable To Common Shareholders
  $ (30,159 )   $ (38,850 )   $ 8,691       22.4 % B
 
                         
 
                               
Weighted-Average Common Shares Outstanding — Basic
    101,320       100,836       484       0.5 %
 
                               
Weighted-Average Common Shares Outstanding — Diluted
    101,320       100,836       484       0.5 %
 
                               
Earnings Per Weighted-Average Common Share Outstanding
                               
Loss from continuing operations attributable to common shareholders — basic
  $ (0.29 )   $ (0.27 )   $ (0.02 )     7.4 % W
Net loss attributable to common shareholders — basic
  $ (0.30 )   $ (0.39 )   $ 0.09       23.1 % B
Loss from continuing operations attributable to common shareholders — diluted
  $ (0.29 )   $ (0.27 )   $ (0.02 )     7.4 % W
Net loss attributable to common shareholders — diluted
  $ (0.30 )   $ (0.39 )   $ 0.09       23.1 % B
 
                               
Amounts Attributable To Common Shareholders
                               
Loss from continuing operations, net of tax
  $ (29,037 )   $ (27,261 )   $ (1,776 )     6.5 % W
Discontinued operations, net of tax
    (1,122 )     (11,589 )     10,467       90.3 % B
 
                         
Net loss attributable to common shareholders
  $ (30,159 )   $ (38,850 )   $ 8,691       22.4 % B
 
                         
     
B —   Better
 
W —   Worse

 

 


 

PINNACLE WEST CAPITAL CORPORATION
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME

(unaudited)
(in thousands, except per share amounts)
                                 
    TWELVE MONTHS ENDED        
    DECEMBER 31,     Increase (Decrease)  
    2009     2008     Amount     Percent  
Operating Revenues
                               
Regulated electricity segment
  $ 3,149,187     $ 3,127,383     $ 21,804       0.7 % B
Real estate segment
    103,152       74,549       28,603       38.4 % B
Marketing and trading
          66,897       (66,897 )     100.0 % W
Other revenues
    44,762       41,729       3,033       7.3 % B
 
                         
Total
    3,297,101       3,310,558       (13,457 )     0.4 % W
 
                         
 
                               
Operating Expenses
                               
Regulated electricity segment fuel and purchased power
    1,178,620       1,284,116       (105,496 )     8.2 % B
Real estate segment operations
    102,381       100,102       2,279       2.3 % W
Real estate impairment charge
    258,453       18,108       240,345       1327.3 % W
Marketing and trading fuel and purchased power
          45,572       (45,572 )     100.0 % B
Operations and maintenance
    875,357       807,852       67,505       8.4 % W
Depreciation and amortization
    404,331       390,093       14,238       3.6 % W
Taxes other than income taxes
    123,663       125,336       (1,673 )     1.3 % B
Other expenses
    32,523       34,171       (1,648 )     4.8 % B
 
                         
Total
    2,975,328       2,805,350       169,978       6.1 % W
 
                         
 
                               
Operating Income
    321,773       505,208       (183,435 )     36.3 % W
 
                         
 
                               
Other
                               
Allowance for equity funds used during construction
    14,999       18,636       (3,637 )     19.5 % W
Other income
    5,669       12,797       (7,128 )     55.7 % W
Other expense
    (14,269 )     (31,576 )     17,307       54.8 % B
 
                         
Total
    6,399       (143 )     6,542       4574.8 % B
 
                         
 
                               
Interest Expense
                               
Interest charges
    233,859       215,684       18,175       8.4 % W
Capitalized interest
    (10,745 )     (18,820 )     8,075       42.9 % W
 
                         
Total
    223,114       196,864       26,250       13.3 % W
 
                         
 
                               
Income From Continuing Operations Before Income Taxes
    105,058       308,201       (203,143 )     65.9 % W
 
                               
Income Taxes
    37,827       76,897       (39,070 )     50.8 % B
 
                         
 
                               
Income From Continuing Operations
    67,231       231,304       (164,073 )     70.9 % W
 
                               
Income (Loss) From Discontinued Operations
                               
Net of Income Taxes
    (13,676 )     10,821       (24,497 )     226.4 % W
 
                         
 
                               
Net Income
    53,555       242,125       (188,570 )     77.9 % W
 
Less: Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests
    (14,775 )           (14,775 )     100.0 % W
 
                         
 
                               
Net Income Attributable To Common Shareholders
  $ 68,330     $ 242,125     $ (173,795 )     71.8 % W
 
                         
 
                               
Weighted-Average Common Shares Outstanding — Basic
    101,161       100,691       470       0.5 %
 
                               
Weighted-Average Common Shares Outstanding — Diluted
    101,264       100,965       299       0.3 %
 
                               
Earnings Per Weighted-Average Common Share Outstanding
                               
Income from continuing operations attributable to common shareholders — basic
  $ 0.81     $ 2.30     $ (1.49 )     64.8 % W
Net income attributable to common shareholders — basic
  $ 0.68     $ 2.40     $ (1.72 )     71.7 % W
Income from continuing operations attributable to common shareholders — diluted
  $ 0.81     $ 2.29     $ (1.48 )     64.6 % W
Net income attributable to common shareholders — diluted
  $ 0.67     $ 2.40     $ (1.73 )     72.1 % W
 
                               
Amounts Attributable To Common Shareholders
                               
Income from continuing operations, net of tax
  $ 82,006     $ 231,304     $ (149,298 )     64.5 % W
Discontinued operations, net of tax
    (13,676 )     10,821       (24,497 )     226.4 % W
 
                         
Net Income attributable to common shareholders
  $ 68,330     $ 242,125     $ (173,795 )     71.8 % W
 
                         
     
B —   Better
 
W —   Worse