NiSource Reports 2010 Earnings

MERRILLVILLE, Ind., Feb. 1, 2011 /PRNewswire/ --

• Solid results from infrastructure, regulatory and growth initiatives
• Financial strength to fund up to $1.1 billion in 2011 capital investments
• 2011 earnings guidance range of $1.25 to $1.35 per share

NiSource Inc. (NYSE: NI) today announced net operating earnings (non-GAAP) of $339.7 million, or $1.22 per share, for the twelve months ended Dec. 31, 2010, compared to net operating earnings of $295.1 million, or $1.07 per share for 2009 – an increase of 14 percent. NiSource's consolidated operating earnings (non-GAAP) for the twelve months ended Dec. 31, 2010, were $917.5 million compared to $880.8 million in 2009.

On a GAAP basis, NiSource reported income from continuing operations for the twelve months ended Dec. 31, 2010, of $294.6 million, or $1.06 per share, compared with $230.5 million, or $0.84 per share in 2009. Operating income was $921.3 million for 2010 versus $801.0 million in the year-ago period. Schedules 1 and 2 of this news release contain a reconciliation of net operating earnings and operating earnings to GAAP- Income from continuing operations.

For the three months ended Dec. 31, 2010, net operating earnings (non-GAAP) were $94.0 million, or $0.33 per share, compared with $99.1 million, or $0.36 per share, for the same period in 2009. On a GAAP basis, income from continuing operations for the three months ended Dec. 31, 2010, was $35.8 million, or $0.13 per share, compared with $88.5 million, or $0.32 per share for the fourth quarter of 2009.

“NiSource’s established infrastructure investment-driven strategy continues to generate positive customer benefits, enhanced shareholder value and sustainable long-term earnings growth,” NiSource President and Chief Executive Officer Robert C. Skaggs, Jr. said.

“During 2010, our team executed on a broad array of key regulatory and financial initiatives, infrastructure enhancement programs and new growth projects. These achievements, combined with improved margins and increased usage in our industrial electric markets, enabled us to deliver on our earnings commitments for the fourth consecutive year, while remaining responsive to the needs of our customers and other key stakeholders.”

Notably, NiSource’s year-end results included:

• Significant operating earnings growth – more than $50 million over 2009 – in its electric business primarily from improved industrial margins and increased usage;
• More than $50 million in additional revenue generated from infrastructure enhancement and regulatory initiatives at NiSource’s gas distribution companies; and
• More than $20 million in increased demand margin revenue primarily tied to the successful completion of NiSource Gas Transmission & Storage growth projects.

Financial strength to fund increased 2011 capital investments

During 2010, NiSource successfully completed several important initiatives which strengthened its financial profile and position it to fund the company’s broad array of infrastructure investment opportunities.

• On Sept. 14, the company completed a $400 million equity offering of common stock. This offering, structured as a forward-sale arrangement, aligns with – and helps support – the company’s optimal annual capital investment level, which for 2011 is targeted at up to $1.1 billion.
• In December, NiSource finalized a successful debt tender offer of $273.1 million and a concurrent 30-year debt offering of $250 million. This transaction will reduce the company’s interest expense by approximately $10 million in 2011 and extend the average maturity of its debt portfolio.
• NiSource also remained true to its commitment to preserve a stable, investment-grade credit rating and maintain its attractive, secure dividend.

“With the successful completion of our equity offering and other key elements of our financial strategy, we are well-positioned to take advantage of the deep inventory of investment opportunities available across all of our business units and continue growing our earnings on a sustainable basis,” Skaggs said.

Milestones in Indiana, Marcellus growth, gas distribution enhancements

Among NiSource’s business units, significant progress continues at Northern Indiana Public Service Company (NIPSCO), as the company takes steps to improve customer service and reliability, while addressing a number of important regulatory matters.

• In November, NIPSCO filed a new electric rate case with the Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission (IURC) designed to address items that had changed since the company's 2008 rate filing, including factors related to the economic downturn, changes in customer usage and operating conditions. The filing also reflects efforts to enhance customer programs and rate design. The case, which is targeted to be completed during 2011, is expected to restore the company’s earnings to a reasonable and appropriate level by the beginning of 2012 and position the company for ongoing investment-driven growth.
• Also in November, NIPSCO received IURC approval of the unanimous settlement of its 2010 natural gas rate case – the company’s first in 20 years. The settlement resulted in an overall rate decrease for customers while enhancing operating earnings. The settlement also improved rate design and continued strong support for low-income customer assistance, energy efficiency and conservation programs.
• On Dec. 29, NIPSCO secured IURC approval of its request to install a Flue Gas Desulfurization unit at its Schahfer generating station. This unit represents the initial phase of a significant series of new environmental investments, conservation initiatives and clean energy programs designed to improve the environmental sustainability of northern Indiana, create hundreds of jobs and enhance the overall economic vitality of the region. The investments, which are expected to total approximately $600 million over the next 6 to 8 years, will help drive NIPSCO’s long-term earnings growth. Notably, these initiatives are fully in line with the New Source Review settlement with the EPA announced earlier this year.

Capitalizing on its unparalleled geographic footprint, NiSource Gas Transmission & Storage Operations (NGT&S) continues to complete and advance customer-driven growth projects across its system, primarily surrounding the Marcellus Shale production area.

• During 2010, NGT&S advanced or completed more than $150 million in strategic growth projects serving the Marcellus Shale production area and capable of providing market access to more than 500,000 dekatherms per day of natural gas. In addition to NGT&S’ $80 million cornerstone Majorsville series of projects in the strategic liquid-rich natural gas region of the Marcellus Shale area, the projects include:
  • $22 million Line 1570 project, last phase completed April 2010
  • $15 million Cobb compressor expansion project, completed May 2010
  • $14 million Line WB expansion, completed Jan. 2011
  • $4 million Southern Appalachia project, scheduled for completion Q2 2011
  • $18 million Clendenin project, scheduled for completion Q2 2011
• Columbia Gulf Transmission filed its first rate case in more than 14 years on Oct. 29 with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC). The filing seeks an increase in revenues of approximately $50 million per year, reflecting updated costs and operating conditions. The FERC authorized the company to place new rates into effect, subject to refund, in May 2011.

“While growth project revenue increased in 2010, NGT&S’ operating earnings for the year were adversely impacted by a variety of anticipated expense increases and reduced short-term transportation revenue resulting from a lack of natural gas price volatility,” Skaggs said. “Looking forward, we remain very enthusiastic about NGT&S’ growth prospects for 2011 and beyond – driven by accretive infrastructure investments which we expect to amount to about $200 million annually.”

NiSource Gas Distribution Operations (NGD) also continues to execute its strategy of combining long-term infrastructure replacement programs with complementary regulatory initiatives.

• NGD continues to proactively advance replacement and upgrades of its infrastructure to ensure safe and reliable service to its millions of customers. This includes significant, revenue-producing programs at our largest utilities, Columbia Gas of Ohio, Columbia Gas of Pennsylvania and Columbia Gas of Massachusetts (formerly known as Bay State Gas Company). In aggregate, these programs provide NGD with an investment opportunity in excess of $4.35 billion over the next 20 to 25 years.
• In December, Columbia Gas of Virginia received approval from the Virginia State Corporation Commission on a proposed settlement of its first base rate case in twelve years. The settlement, unanimously agreed to by all parties involved in the case, authorized an increase in revenues of approximately $5 million and changes to the company's rate design, including increases to fixed monthly customer charges and the introduction of a weather normalization adjustment. New rates took effect Jan. 1, 2011.
• On Jan. 14, 2011, Columbia Gas of Pennsylvania filed a rate case with the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission. In addition to reflecting ongoing infrastructure investments, the proposal includes a request for a modernized rate structure, as well as new programs for senior customers and a pilot energy efficiency program. The filing seeks an increase in annual revenues of approximately $38 million.

“Across each of our business units, the NiSource team continues to successfully deliver on an impressive portfolio of infrastructure enhancement, customer service and new growth investment opportunities,” Skaggs noted. “These types of long-term regulated investments, which enhance the reliability, safety and environmental sustainability of NiSource’s business operations, are fundamental to our growth strategy and will continue to be our focus for 2011 and beyond.”

Earnings growth outlook continues with 2011 guidance of $1.25 to $1.35 (non-GAAP)

Based on the continued success of its balanced business strategy and an extensive array of growth investment opportunities, Skaggs noted that NiSource remains confident that it will sustainably grow long-term earnings in the range of 3 to 5 percent annually.

Skaggs indicated that, in the near term – particularly as the company executes a number of regulatory initiatives – operating earnings growth may exceed the longer-term range. Accordingly, NiSource expects its 2011 net operating earnings (non-GAAP) to fall within a range of $1.25 to $1.35 per share. He noted that the company’s outlook continues to be premised on a relatively modest and gradual economic recovery across the markets served by its utilities.

There will likely be differences between net operating earnings and GAAP earnings, but, due to the unpredictability of weather and other factors, NiSource is not providing GAAP earnings guidance.

“Thanks to solid execution by the team, we made significant progress on our business plan during 2010 – all built on a foundation of ongoing investment across all of our companies,” said Skaggs. “This core strategy remains unchanged for 2011, although our ability to invest in our businesses has been enhanced by the steps taken over the last several years. As a result, the company is well positioned to sustainably grow shareholder value while meeting the needs of our customers and other stakeholders.”

Full Year 2010 Operating Earnings – Segment Results (non-GAAP)

NiSource’s consolidated operating earnings (non-GAAP) for the year ended Dec. 31, 2010, were $917.5 million, compared to $880.8 million in 2009. Refer to Schedule 2 for the items included in 2010 and 2009 GAAP operating income but excluded from operating earnings. Operating earnings for NiSource’s business segments for the full year ended Dec. 31, 2010, are discussed below.

Gas Distribution Operations reported operating earnings of $342.9 million versus operating earnings of $329.4 million in 2009. Net revenues, excluding the impact of regulatory and tax trackers, increased $22.8 million, primarily attributable to regulatory and service programs including impacts from rate cases at various utilities and the implementation of new rates under Columbia Gas of Ohio’s approved infrastructure replacement program, partially offset by decreased residential and commercial margins, customer credits issued as a result of a rate case and decreased forfeited discounts and late payments.

Operating expenses, excluding trackers, were $9.3 million higher than the comparable period, reflecting higher employee and administrative costs. This increase was partially offset by decreases in depreciation costs and uncollectible expense.

Gas Transmission and Storage Operations reported operating earnings of $377.2 million versus operating earnings of $408.9 million in 2009. Net revenues, excluding regulatory trackers, increased $12.8 million as a result of increased demand margin revenues due to the completion of growth projects and an increase due to the recognition of revenue for a previously deferred gain for native gas contributed to Hardy Storage Company from Columbia Transmission following Hardy Storage securing permanent financing. Additionally, there was an increase in the fees received from a contract buyout and higher mineral rights royalty revenues. These increases were partially offset by decreases in shorter-term transportation and storage services and lower mineral rights leasing revenues.

Equity earnings decreased by $1.0 million due primarily to a decrease in earnings from Millennium Pipeline primarily resulting from higher interest costs from Millennium’s August 2010 debt refinancing.

Operating expenses increased by $43.5 million, excluding trackers, due to higher maintenance and outside service costs, including accelerated maintenance programs and pipeline integrity management expenses. Additionally, there was an increase in employee and administration expenses, primarily pension and depreciation costs.

Electric Operations reported operating earnings of $218.3 million for 2010, compared with $162.3 million in 2009. Excluding regulatory trackers, net revenue increased by $71.2 million primarily from increased industrial margins and usage, due to the improved economy, increased recovery under NIPSCO’s environmental investment mechanism and higher off-system sales.

Operating expenses increased by $15.2 million, excluding trackers, due to increases in other taxes, primarily property, inventory disposal and other costs resulting from the rate case, and higher electric generation costs. These were partially offset by a decrease in a legal reserve, which was recorded in 2009, and lower uncollectible expense.

Corporate and Other Operations reported an operating earnings loss of $20.9 million for 2010 compared to a loss of $19.8 million for 2009.

In the first quarter of 2010, the company eliminated the “Other” segment. Results previously recorded as “Other” are now included within “Corporate and Other Operations.”

Other Items

Interest expense decreased by $7.0 million primarily due to the Nov. 2010 long-term debt maturity, the Dec. 2009 term loan repayment, the maturity of the company’s Nov. 2009 floating rate note and lower short-term interest rates. The benefits were partially offset by incremental interest expense associated with the issuance of $250.0 million of long-term debt in Dec. 2010, the issuance of the Dec. 2009 long-term debt and the effect of the adoption of new accounting requirements related to the company’s accounts receivable facilities.

Other, net increased from an expense of $1.4 million in 2009 to income of $3.8 million in 2010 related to the classification of interest expense as a result of the adoption of the new accounting requirements noted above.  

The effective tax rate of net operating earnings was 35.8 percent compared to 38.5 percent for the same period last year. During 2010, rate settlements were approved that reduced income tax expense for accelerated tax deductions on property differences, whereas the company experienced increases in income tax expense in 2009 for additional deferred income tax expense related to state apportionment changes.

Fourth Quarter 2010 Operating Earnings – Segment Results (non-GAAP)

NiSource’s consolidated fourth-quarter 2010 operating earnings (non-GAAP) were $248.5 million, compared to $259.2 million for the same period in 2009. Refer to Schedule 2 for the items included in the fourth quarter 2010 and 2009 GAAP operating income but excluded from operating earnings. Operating earnings for NiSource’s business segments for the fourth quarter ended Dec. 31, 2010, are discussed below.

Gas Distribution Operations reported operating earnings of $113.0 million versus operating earnings of $114.6 million in the fourth quarter of 2009. Net revenues excluding the impact of regulatory and tax trackers decreased $5.2 million, primarily attributable to lower residential and commercial margins, as well as lower off-system sales. These decreases were partially offset by an increase in regulatory and service programs including impacts from rate cases at various utilities and the implementation of new rates under Columbia Gas of Ohio’s approved infrastructure replacement program.

Operating expenses, excluding trackers, were $3.6 million lower than the comparable period due to decreases in depreciation and uncollectible expense which were partially offset by an increase in employee and administration costs, environmental expense and maintenance costs.

Gas Transmission and Storage Operations reported operating earnings of $100.0 million versus operating earnings of $116.7 million in the fourth quarter of 2009. Net revenues, excluding the impact of regulatory and tax trackers, decreased $1.3 million, primarily attributable to decreased shorter-term transportation and storage services partially offset by increased demand due to completed growth projects and commodity margin revenues.

Equity earnings decreased by $2.7 million due to decreased earnings from Millennium driven by higher interest costs from the Aug. 2010 debt refinancing.

Operating expenses increased $12.7 million, excluding trackers, due primarily to higher maintenance, depreciation and pension costs.

Electric Operations reported operating earnings of $43.8 million versus operating earnings of $35.5 million from the same quarter last year. Net revenues, excluding regulatory trackers, were $11.3 million higher than last year. The increase was primarily the result of increased industrial usage and margins.

Operating expenses increased by $3.0 million, excluding trackers, due primarily to higher electric generation costs and line maintenance expenses which were partially offset by decreased environmental costs.

Corporate and Other Operations reported an operating earnings loss of $8.3 million in the fourth quarter of 2010 compared to an operating earnings loss of $7.6 million in 2009.

Other Items

Interest expense decreased by $1.1 million in 2010 compared to 2009 due to the change in long-term debt. See above for more information.

Other, net reflected an expense of $3.5 million compared to income of $0.9 million in 2009. The change in expense was the result of lower Allowance for Funds Used During Construction (AFUDC) equity recorded in the fourth quarter of 2010 compared to 2009 due to lower average construction in process.

The effective tax rate of net operating earnings was 36.3 percent compared to 38.6 percent for the same period last year. During 2010, rate settlements were approved that reduced income tax expense for accelerated tax deductions on property differences, whereas the company experienced increases in income tax expense in 2009 for additional deferred income tax expense related to state apportionment changes.

Income from Continuing Operations (GAAP)

On a GAAP basis, NiSource reported income from continuing operations for the twelve months ended Dec. 31, 2010, of $294.6 million, or $1.06 per share, compared with $230.5 million, or $0.84 per share in 2009.

On a GAAP basis, NiSource reported income from continuing operations for the three months ended Dec. 31, 2010, of $35.8 million, or $0.13 per share, compared with $88.5 million, or $0.32 per share for the fourth quarter of 2009.

On Dec. 30, 2010, NiSource finalized a cash tender offer for $273.1 million aggregate principal amount of its outstanding 10.75 percent notes due 2016. As a result of this tender offer, NiSource incurred $96.7 million in early redemption fees, primarily attributable to early redemption premiums and unamortized discounts and fees, which are recorded as a loss on the early extinguishment of long-term debt.

About NiSource

NiSource Inc. (NYSE: NI), based in Merrillville, Ind., is a Fortune 500 company engaged in natural gas transmission, storage and distribution, as well as electric generation, transmission and distribution. NiSource operating companies deliver energy to 3.8 million customers located within the high-demand energy corridor stretching from the Gulf Coast through the Midwest to New England. Information about NiSource and its subsidiaries is available via the Internet at www.nisource.com. NI-F

Forward-Looking Statements

This news release includes forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Those statements include statements regarding the intent, belief or current expectations of NiSource and its management. Although NiSource believes that its expectations are based on reasonable assumptions, it can give no assurance that its goals will be achieved. Readers are cautioned that the forward-looking statements in this presentation are not guarantees of future performance and involve a number of risks and uncertainties, and that actual results could differ materially from those indicated by such forward-looking statements. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those indicated by such forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, the following: weather; fluctuations in supply and demand for energy commodities; growth opportunities for NiSource's businesses; increased competition in deregulated energy markets; the success of regulatory and commercial initiatives; dealings with third parties over whom NiSource has no control; the effectiveness of NiSource's restructured outsourcing agreement; actual operating experience of NiSource’s assets; the regulatory process; regulatory and legislative changes; the impact of potential new environmental laws or regulations; the results of material litigation; changes in pension funding requirements; changes in general economic, capital and commodity market conditions; and counterparty credit risk, many of which are risks beyond the control of NiSource. In addition, the relative contributions to profitability by each segment, and the assumptions underlying the forward-looking statements relating thereto, may change over time. NiSource expressly disclaims a duty to update any of the forward-looking statements contained in this release.

SOURCE NiSource Inc.