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NorthWestern Reports Third Quarter 2009 Financial Results

SIOUX FALLS, S.D., Oct. 28 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- NorthWestern Corporation d/b/a NorthWestern Energy (NYSE: NWE) reported financial results for the quarter ended Sept. 30, 2009.

Highlights for the quarter include:

    --  Net income increased to $18.9 million in the third quarter of 2009
        compared with $13.4 million in the third quarter of 2008, led by a $12.4
        million tax benefit from the repairs expense deduction;

        --  Obtained Internal Revenue Service (IRS) approval of a tax accounting
            method to deduct repairs that would have previously been
            capitalized;.

    --  Operating income for the third quarter of 2009 declined approximately
        $8.4 million from the same period in 2008;
        --  Gross margin for the third quarter of 2009 declined approximately
            $14 million from the same period in 2008;

        --  Third quarter 2009 operating, general, and administrative expenses
            were $5.5 million less than the third quarter of 2008;

    --  Received an upgrade of the Company's senior secured credit ratings by
        Moody's Investors Service from Baa1 to A3;
    --  Priced $55 million of 30-year maturity Montana First Mortgage Bonds at a
        fixed interest rate of 5.71%;
    --  Contributed approximately $76.4 million to qualified pension plans
        during the first nine months of 2009 and have achieved a year-to-date
        return of approximately 20%; and

    --  Quarterly dividend of 33.5 cents per share declared for shareholders of
        record on Dec. 15, 2009, payable on Dec. 31, 2009.

"Net income improved in the third quarter 2009 primarily because we received an IRS approval to change a tax accounting method enabling us to immediately expense certain repairs that we had previously capitalized for tax purposes," said Bob Rowe, President and CEO. "Our gross margin and operating income declined in light of mild weather and a slowing economy but we have improved our cost management, which partially contributed to our reduction in the operating expenses for the quarter."

Financial Results

Consolidated net income was $18.9 million or $.52 per diluted share for the quarter ended Sept. 30, 2009, a 41% increase compared with consolidated net income of $13.4 million or $.35 per diluted share for the quarter ended Sept. 30, 2008. The increase in net income was primarily due to an income tax adjustment, a reduction in pension expense due to timing, the transfer of our interest in Colstrip Unit 4 (CU4) to rate base, and reductions in other operational expenses. These increases were partially offset by the absence of a mark-to-market gain from prior year, a net reduction in insurance recoveries and settlements received compared with 2008, a reduction in retail electric volumes caused by mild weather and the slower economy, and an increase in interest expense. For a reconciliation of the primary drivers for the quarter, see the table below.

Consolidated net income for the nine months ended Sept. 30, 2009 was $47.8 million, an increase of $1.5 million over $46.3 million in 2008. The increase in net income was primarily due to an income tax adjustment, the transfer of CU4 to rate base, and a reduction in the timing of pension expense. These increases were partially offset by a reduction in retail electric and natural gas volumes caused by mild weather, an increase in labor costs, the absence of a mark-to-market gain related to a forward contract in place in 2008, an increase in insurance reserves, a decrease in wholesale revenues related to a reduction in electric pricing in South Dakota, a decrease in transmission capacity revenues, a net reduction in insurance recoveries and settlements received compared with 2008 and an increase of post retirement health care costs.

The following tables reconcile the primary changes in 2009 results from 2008:


                                                      Year-to-Date
                                Third Quarter         Third Quarter
                                -------------         -------------
                                      Net                 Net
                                    Income              Income
                             Pretax  (1)     EPS  Pretax  (1)     EPS
                             ------  ---     ---  ------  ---     ---
     ($millions,
     except EPS)

    2008 reported            $20.9  $13.4   $0.35  $73.1  $46.3   $1.19

    Lower average share
     counts                      -      -    0.02      -      -    0.09
    Tax accounting change        -   12.4    0.34      -   12.4    0.34
    Pension expense (timing)   8.9    5.5    0.15    3.8    2.3    0.06
    Colstrip Unit 4 in rate
     base                      3.7    2.3    0.06   14.1    8.7    0.24
    Bad debt expense           1.0    0.6    0.02    0.3    0.2    0.01
    Legal and professional
     fees                      0.8    0.5    0.01    2.5    1.5    0.04
    Stock based compensation
     and short-term
     incentive                 0.8    0.5    0.01    2.2    1.4    0.04
    Insurance reserves           -      -       -   (3.7)  (2.3)  (0.06)
    QF supply costs              -      -       -   (1.1)  (0.7)  (0.02)
    Loss on capacity
     contract                 (0.3)  (0.2)  (0.01)  (1.5)  (0.9)  (0.03)
    Colstrip Unit 4
     operating expense
     (outage related)         (0.5)  (0.3)  (0.01)  (2.4)  (1.5)  (0.04)
    Wholesale electric
     prices and volumes       (0.7)  (0.4)  (0.01)  (3.5)  (2.2)  (0.06)
    Post retirement health
     care                     (0.7)  (0.4)  (0.01)  (2.1)  (1.3)  (0.04)
    MT property tax tracker   (0.8)  (0.5)  (0.01)  (2.9)  (1.8)  (0.05)
    Labor increases           (1.0)  (0.6)  (0.02)  (4.2)  (2.6)  (0.07)
    Regulated electric
     transmission             (1.7)  (1.0)  (0.03)  (3.3)  (2.0)  (0.06)
    Retail electric and
     natural gas volumes      (2.6)  (1.6)  (0.04)  (4.8)  (3.0)  (0.08)
    Insurance recoveries &
     settlements              (6.3)  (3.9)  (0.11)  (1.7)  (1.0)  (0.03)
    2008 unrealized gain on
     forward contract        (10.2)  (6.3)  (0.17)  (3.8)  (2.3)  (0.06)
    All other, net            (1.2)  (1.0)  (0.02)  (5.3)  (3.5)  (0.09)
                             -----  -----  ------  -----  -----  ------

    Subtotal                                $0.17                 $0.13
                                            -----                 -----

    2009 reported            $10.1  $18.9   $0.52  $55.7  $47.8   $1.32
                             =====  =====   =====  =====  =====   =====

    (1) Net Income calculation on reconciling items assumes normal effective
        tax rate of 38.5%.
    For more information see
    http://www.northwesternenergy.com/documents/investor/Q309.pdf

Consolidated gross margin for the third quarter of 2009 was $127.7 million compared with $141.7 million for the third quarter of 2008. The decrease in gross margin was primarily due to the absence of a third quarter 2008 gain on forward contracts of approximately $10.2 million, mild weather affecting margins by approximately $2.6 million and reduced transmission revenues of approximately $1.7 million. Offsetting the decrease to gross margin was the effect of approximately $3.7 million in rates related to placing CU4 into rate base in 2009.

Consolidated gross margin for the nine months ended Sept. 30, 2009 was $419.5 million, a decrease of $6.3 million over the first nine months of 2008 due primarily to the absence of the mark-to-market gain on the forward contracts, reduced electric and natural gas volumes caused by mild weather, and reduced transmission capacity revenues due to less demand to transmit energy for others across our transmission lines, offset by placing CU4 into rate base in 2009.

Consolidated operating, general and administrative expenses were $57.9 million for the third quarter of 2009 compared with $63.4 million for the third quarter of 2008. The decrease was due primarily to a reduction in pension expenses of approximately $8.9 million compared with the third quarter of 2008. This was offset by a net decrease in insurance recoveries and settlements, increased labor costs due primarily to compensation increases, and higher postretirement health care costs due to changes in actuarial assumptions and plan asset losses.

Consolidated operating, general and administrative expenses were $184.2 million for the nine months ended Sept. 30, 2009 as compared with $177.3 million in same period of 2008. The increase was due primarily to an increase in labor costs, an increase for insurance reserves, a reduction in insurance recoveries and settlements, and higher postretirement health care costs, offset in part by a reduction in pension expenses.

Property and other taxes were $20.8 million in the third quarter of 2009 compared with $21.7 million in the same period of 2008. For the nine months ended Sept. 30, 2009, property and other taxes were $63.4 million compared with $65.9 million in the same period of 2008. The decreases were due to lower assessed property valuations.

Depreciation expense was $22.0 million in the third quarter of 2009 compared with $21.3 million in the same period of 2008. For the nine months ended Sept. 30, 2009, depreciation expense was $67.0 million compared with $63.6 million in the same period of 2008. The increases were due to plant additions.

Interest expense was $17.3 million for the third quarter of 2009 compared with $15.6 million for the third quarter of 2008, primarily related to the additional debt outstanding. For the nine months ended Sept. 30, 2009, interest expense was $50.4 million compared with $47.5 million in the same period of 2008.

Results from Operations

Electric gross margin for the third quarter of 2009 was $106.1 million, down $12.9 million for the same period in 2008, after considering the transfer of CU4 from the unregulated electric segment to the regulated electric segment. The decline in net electric gross margin is primarily due to the absence of a third quarter 2008 $10.2 million gain on forward contracts and by a decrease in South Dakota wholesale margin due to lower sales at lower average prices, decreased retail volumes due to cooler summer weather and lower usage per customer, lower transmission capacity revenues with less demand to transmit energy for others across our lines, and higher QF related supply costs based on actual QF pricing and output. This decline in electric margin was offset in part by the transfer of Colstrip Unit 4 to the regulated utility.

Regulated retail electric volumes for the third quarter of 2009 totaled 2,487,000 megawatt hours compared with 2,626,000 megawatt hours for the third quarter of 2008. The decrease was due primarily to cooler summer weather than the same period in 2008. Wholesale electric volumes were 190,000 megawatt hours for the third quarter 2009, an increase from 71,000 megawatt hours for the same period of 2008, due to transferring CU4 to the regulated utility.

Regulated electric gross margin for the nine months ended Sept. 30, 2009 decreased $1.5 million as compared with the same period in 2008, after considering the transfer of CU4 from unregulated electric segment to the regulated electric segment. The decrease is due primarily to the same reasons discussed above for the quarter ended Sept. 30, 2009.

Regulated retail electric volumes for the nine months ended Sept. 30, 2009 totaled 7,448,000 megawatt hours, a decrease of 2.4% as compared with the same period in 2008. Regulated wholesale electric volumes for the first nine months in 2009 were 587,000 megawatt hours, an increase from 202,000 megawatt hours in the same period in 2008, due primarily to transferring CU4 to the regulated utility.

Regulated natural gas gross margin was $21.9 million for the third quarter of 2009 compared with $22.8 million for the third quarter in 2008. The decrease was primarily due to lower average usage per customer.

Regulated retail natural gas volumes were 2,163,000 dekatherms for the third quarter of 2009, compared with 2,344,000 dekatherms for the same period in 2008. The decrease in volumes was primarily due to milder weather in the Montana service territory, the weaker economy and efficiency measures.

Regulated natural gas gross margin for the first nine months of 2009 was $100.2 million compared with $103.8 million for the same period in 2008. The decrease was primarily due to decreased volumes due to milder weather in Montana and Nebraska.

Regulated retail natural gas volumes were 21,450,000 dekatherms for the first nine months of 2009 compared with 22,571,000 dekatherms for the same period in 2008.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

As of Sept. 30, 2009, our total net liquidity was approximately $226.9 million, including $6.0 million of cash and 220.9 million of revolving credit facility availability. In addition, Moody's upgraded our senior secured credit rating on August 3, 2009, from Baa1 to A3.

Cash provided by operating activities totaled $129.3 million during the first nine months of 2009, compared with $176.7 million during the nine months ended Sept. 30, 2008. This decrease in operating cash flows is primarily related to pension funding of $76.4 million, which was an increase of approximately $54.5 million as compared with the nine months ended Sept. 30, 2008, and a $10.8 million prepayment of a power purchase agreement, offset by lower commodity prices reflected in the change in accounts receivable and accounts payable, as well as decreased cash outflows for natural gas storage injections.

The Company used $115.5 million for investment activities during the nine months ended Sept. 30, 2009 compared with $80.9 million for the nine months ended Sept. 30, 2008. The increase was due to increased property, plant and equipment additions.

Cash used in financing activities totaled approximately $19.1 million during the nine months ended Sept. 30, 2009 as compared with $100.0 million during the nine months ended Sept. 30, 2008. During the nine months ended Sept. 30, 2009, the Company received net proceeds from the issuance of debt of $249.8 million, made net debt repayments of $221.8 million, paid deferred financing costs of $10.4 million and paid dividends on common stock of $36.1 million. During the nine months ended Sept. 30, 2008, the Company had net borrowings of $18.0 million, paid dividends on common stock of $38.0 million and used cash to repurchase shares under a previously approved plan of approximately $77.7 million.

Growth Projects Update

Mill Creek Generation Station:

    --  Construction began in June 2009;
    --  An official ground breaking event occurred on August 27, 2009;
    --  The Company has capitalized approximately $40.5 million in construction
        work in process related to this project;
    --  The total capital cost of the project is expected to be approximately
        $202 million, upon completion; and

    --  The plant is scheduled to be operational by December 31, 2010.

Colstrip Transmission System Upgrade:

    --  The Company and the Colstrip Transmission System owners are conducting a
        technical study to determine the range of improvements and expect it to
        be completed by the end of 2009;
    --  The Company anticipates the Partner Participation Agreement to be
        completed in early 2010;
    --  The Company's capital cost of the project is estimated to be
        approximately $41 million, if all partners to the Colstrip Transmission
        System participate in the upgrade;
    --  The commencement of the construction is expected in the Summer of 2011;
        and

    --  The upgrades to the system are expected to be completed by the end of
        the third quarter of 2012.

Renewable Collector System in Montana:

    --  The Company is planning to conduct a second open season process in the
        first half of 2010;
    --  The Joint System Impact/Facility Study is expected to be completed by
        the end of the first half of 2010;
    --  The Company's assumed capital on the project is approximately $220
        million; and

    --  The lines are scheduled to be operational by the second quarter of 2014.

Mountain States Transmission Intertie (MSTI):

    --  Public meetings educating communities and land owners are planned
        throughout the fourth quarter of 2009 and will continue into 2010;
    --  The Company is planning to conduct a second open season process by the
        end of the first half of 2010;
    --  The draft Environmental Impact Study, which will include the Rate Impact
        Study, is planned to be released by the agencies by the end of the first
        quarter of 2010;
    --  The Company has submitted Part I of the Department of Energy loan
        application for consideration under the Federal Loan Guarantees for
        Electric Power Transmission Infrastructure Investment Projects;
    --  As of Sept. 30, 2009, the Company has capitalized approximately $9.6
        million for preliminary survey, siting, permitting, environmental and
        engineering costs;
    --  The Company estimates capitalizing approximately $2 million more in
        costs by the end of 2009; and expects the total cost of the project will
        be approximately $1 billion;

    --  MSTI is expected to be placed in service by the first quarter of 2015.

Dividend

NorthWestern's Board of Directors declared a quarterly common stock dividend of 33.5 cents per share, payable on Dec. 31, 2009, to common shareholders of record as of Dec. 15, 2009.

2009 Earnings Revised and Fourth Quarter Outlook

The current weak economic conditions have resulted, and we believe will likely continue to result in weaker customer demand. While customer counts increased, retail residential and commercial electric volumes were down 3% and industrial volumes were down 9% for the third quarter of 2009 as compared with the same quarter of 2008. This volume reduction, while due in part to energy efficiency measures and milder weather, is also largely due to weak economic conditions, particularly for commercial and industrial customers. Our margins are minimally impacted by changes in industrial demand due to our rate structure.

We expect to continue to experience relatively flat residential demand as well as reduced commercial and industrial demand during the remainder of 2009. The weak economy also contributed to a 13% decrease in transmission capacity revenues, which we expect to continue through the end of 2009. In addition, we expect the effective tax rate for the year ended Dec. 31, 2009 to be approximately 20.0%, primarily due to the repair expense deduction, discussed above.

NorthWestern's estimate for earnings per share in 2009 had been in the range of

$1.75 - $1.85 per fully diluted share. Due primarily to the IRS approval of a tax accounting method change to deduct repairs that would have previously been capitalized, we are revising the estimate for earnings per share in 2009 to be in the range of $1.95 - $2.05. The guidance assumptions for 2009 include:

    --  Our year to date results through September 30, 2009;
    --  An effective tax rate for the full year 2009 to be approximately 20% and
        about 30% for the fourth quarter of 2009;
    --  Wholesale electric pricing in South Dakota continues at the current
        levels;
    --  The lower transmission capacity demand continues;
    --  We expect to continue to experience relatively flat residential demand
        as well as reduced commercial and industrial demand during the remainder
        of 2009;
    --  No further insurance recoveries for 2009;
    --  Fully diluted average shares outstanding of 36.3 million; and

    --  Normal weather in the Company's electric and natural gas service
        territories for the fourth quarter of 2009.

Company Hosting Investor Conference Call

NorthWestern will host an investor conference call tomorrow (Oct. 29) at 11:00 am Eastern Time (10:00 a.m. Central Time) to review its financial results for the quarter ended Sept. 30, 2009.

The conference call will be webcast live on the Internet at http://www.northwesternenergy.com under the "Investor Information" heading. To listen, please go to the site at least 10 minutes in advance of the call to register. An archived webcast will be available shortly after the call.

A telephonic replay of the call will be available beginning at noon ET on Oct. 29, 2009, through Nov. 29, 2009, at 800-475-6701, access code 118865.

About NorthWestern Energy

NorthWestern Energy is one of the largest providers of electricity and natural gas in the Upper Midwest and Northwest, serving approximately 656,000 customers in Montana, South Dakota and Nebraska. More information on NorthWestern Energy is available on the Company's Web site at www.northwesternenergy.com.

SPECIAL NOTE REGARDING FORWARD--LOOKING STATEMENTS

This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the "safe harbor" provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, including, without limitation, the information under "2009 Earnings Revised and Fourth Quarter Outlook". Forward-looking statements often address our expected future business and financial performance, and often contain words such as "expects," "anticipates," "intends," "plans," "believes," "seeks," or "will." These statements are based upon our current expectations and speak only as of the date hereof. Our actual future business and financial performance may differ materially and adversely from those expressed in any forward-looking statements as a result of various factors and uncertainties, including, but not limited to:

    --  potential adverse federal, state, or local legislation or regulation or
        adverse determinations by regulators could have a material adverse
        effect on our liquidity, results of operations and financial condition;
    --  changes in availability of trade credit, usage, commodity prices, fuel
        supply costs or availability due to higher demand, shortages, weather
        conditions, transportation problems or other developments, may reduce
        revenues or may increase operating costs, each of which would adversely
        affect our liquidity and results of operations;
    --  unscheduled generation outages or forced reductions in output,
        maintenance or repairs, which may reduce revenues and increase operating
        costs or may require additional capital expenditures or other increased
        operating costs; and

    --  adverse changes in general economic and competitive conditions in the
        U.S. financial markets and in our service territories.

Our Annual Report on Form 10-K, recent and forthcoming Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, recent Current Reports on Form 8-K and other Securities and Exchange Commission filings discuss some of the important risk factors that may affect our business, results of operations and financial condition.

We undertake no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.


                             NORTHWESTERN CORPORATION
                            CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
                                  (in thousands)

                                                    September 30, December 31,
                                                        2009        2008
                                                        ----        ----
                                                     (unaudited)

    ASSETS
    Current Assets                                     $237,412   $313,417
      Property, Plant, and Equipment, Net             1,899,525  1,839,699
      Goodwill                                          355,128    355,128
    Regulatory Assets                                   233,525    233,102
    Other Noncurrent Assets                              28,888     20,691
                                                         ------     ------
         Total Assets                                $2,754,478 $2,762,037
                                                     ========== ==========
    LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
    Current Maturities of Long-term Debt and Capital
     Leases                                              $7,310   $229,238
    Current Liabilities                                 319,749    359,339
      Long-term Capital Leases                           35,882     36,798
      Long-term Debt                                    884,280    634,011
      Noncurrent Regulatory Liabilities                 235,881    222,969
      Deferred Income Taxes                             149,072    114,707
      Other Noncurrent Liabilities                      346,670    401,442
                                                        -------    -------
         Total Liabilities                            1,978,844  1,998,504
                                                      ---------  ---------
    Total Shareholders' Equity                          775,634    763,533
                                                        -------    -------
    Total Liabilities and Shareholders' Equity       $2,754,478 $2,762,037
                                                     ========== ==========

                             NORTHWESTERN CORPORATION
                         CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
                                   (Unaudited)
                    (in thousands, except per share amounts)

                                      Three                  Nine
                                   Months Ended          Months Ended
                                    September 30,        September 30,
                                  2009       2008       2009       2008
                                  ----       ----       ----       ----

    Revenues
       Electric               $198,416   $207,687   $579,277   $582,687
       Gas                      34,179     45,603    253,976    297,357
       Other                       291     18,954      6,249     54,681
                                   ---     ------      -----     ------
         Total Revenues        232,886    272,244    839,502    934,725
                               -------    -------    -------    -------
    Operating Expenses
       Cost of sales           105,183    130,503    420,033    508,941
       Operating, general
        and
        administrative          57,893     63,411    184,210    177,348
       Property and other
        taxes                   20,866     21,718     63,401     65,898
       Depreciation             21,977     21,292     66,959     63,608
                                ------     ------     ------     ------
         Total Operating
            Expenses           205,919    236,924    734,603    815,795
                               -------    -------    -------    -------
    Operating Income            26,967     35,320    104,899    118,930
                                ------     ------    -------    -------
    Interest Expense           (17,267)   (15,629)   (50,403)   (47,478)
    Other Income                   403      1,218      1,192      1,640
                                   ---      -----      -----      -----
    Income Before
     Income Taxes               10,103     20,909     55,688     73,092
    Income Tax Benefit
     (Expense)                   8,797     (7,530)    (7,877)   (26,759)
                                 -----     ------     ------    -------
    Net Income                 $18,900    $13,379    $47,811    $46,333
                               -------    -------    -------    -------
    Average Common
     Shares Outstanding         35,968     38,057     35,947     38,665
                                ------     ------     ------     ------
    Basic Earnings per
     Average Common Share        $0.53      $0.35      $1.33      $1.20
                                 -----        ---      -----      -----
    Diluted Earnings
     per Average
     Common Share                $0.52      $0.35      $1.32      $1.19
                                   ---        ---      -----      -----
    Dividends Declared
     per Average
     Common Share               $0.335      $0.33      $1.01      $0.99
                                ------      -----      -----      -----


                               NORTHWESTERN CORPORATION
                         CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
                                     (Unaudited)
                                   (in thousands)


                                 Nine Months Ended September 30,
                                        2009           2008
                                        ----           ----
    Operating Activities
    Net income                        $47,811        $46,333
    Non-cash items                     95,416         92,607
    Changes in operating
     assets and liabilities           (13,916)        37,809
                                      -------         ------
    Cash Provided by Operating
     Activities                       129,311        176,749

    Cash Used in Investing
     Activities                      (115,529)       (80,930)

    Cash Used In Financing
     Activities                       (19,031)      (100,017)

    Net Decrease in Cash and
     Cash Equivalents                 $(5,249)       $(4,198)
                                      -------        -------
    Cash and Cash Equivalents,
     beginning of period              $11,292        $12,773
                                      -------        -------
    Cash and Cash Equivalents,
     end of period                     $6,043         $8,575
                                       ======         ======


                             NORTHWESTERN CORPORATION
                            REGULATED ELECTRIC SEGMENT
                         Three months ended Sept. 30, 2009
                                  (Unaudited)


                                            Results
                                            -------
                                  2009   2008    Change % Change
                                  ----   ----    ------ -------
                                        (in millions)

     Retail revenue              $163.3 $191.2 $(27.9)  (14.6)%
     Transmission                  11.2   12.9   (1.7)  (13.2)
     Wholesale                     11.1    2.3    8.8   382.6
     Regulatory Amortization and
      Other                        13.1    1.6   11.5   718.8
                                   ----    ---   ----   -----
     Total Revenues               198.7  208.0   (9.3)   (4.5)
     Total Cost of Sales           92.6  113.3  (20.7)  (18.3)
                                   ----  -----  -----   -----
     Gross Margin                $106.1  $94.7  $11.4    12.0%
                                 ------  -----  -----    ----



                                               Megawatt     Avg. Customer
                                 Revenues     Hours (MWH)      Counts
                                 --------     ----------       ------
                             2009       2008  2009  2008    2009     2008
                             ----       ----  ----  ----    ----     ----
                                      (in thousands)

    Retail Electric
            Montana       $49,248    $58,008   515   532 267,382  265,258
            South Dakota   10,776     11,984   122   130  48,256   47,947
                           ------     ------   ---   ---  ------   ------
         Residential       60,024     69,992   637   662 315,638  313,205
                           ------     ------   ---   --- -------  -------
            Montana        70,030     80,770   828   853  60,602   59,817
            South Dakota   16,539     18,148   230   237  11,792   11,605
                           ------     ------   ---   ---  ------   ------
       Commercial          86,569     98,918 1,058 1,090  72,394   71,422
                           ------     ------ ----- -----  ------   ------
            Industrial      8,079     11,914   717   786      71       71
            Other           8,592     10,411    75    88   7,728    7,640
                            -----     ------    --    --   -----    -----
    Total Retail
     Electric            $163,264   $191,235 2,487 2,626 395,831  392,338
                         ========   ======== ===== ===== =======  =======
      Wholesale
       Electric
            Montana        $9,464 $        -   126     -     N/A      N/A
            South Dakota    1,636      2,268    64    71     N/A      N/A
                            -----      -----    --    --     ---      ---
      Total Wholesale
       Electric           $11,100     $2,268   190    71     N/A      N/A
                          =======     ======   ===    ==     ===      ===



                                 2009 as compared to:
                                 --------------------
                                                 Historic
    Cooling Degree-Days          2008            Average
    ----------------------       ----            -------
    Montana                  5% colder          10% warmer
    South Dakota            30% colder          37% colder


                                NORTHWESTERN CORPORATION
                               REGULATED ELECTRIC SEGMENT
                            Nine months ended Sept. 30, 2009
                                     (Unaudited)

                                                  Results
                                                  -------
                                    2009   2008           Change     % Change
                                    ----   ----           ------     --------
                                               (in millions)
      Retail revenue              $494.8 $538.6          $(43.8)      (8.1)%
      Transmission                  33.5   36.8            (3.3)      (9.0)
      Wholesale                     32.8    8.1            24.7      304.9
      Regulatory Amortization and
       Other                        19.0    0.1            18.9    18900.0
                                    ----    ---            ----    -------
    Total Revenues                 580.1  583.6            (3.5)      (0.6)
    Total Cost of Sales            258.9  303.5           (44.6)     (14.7)
                                   -----  -----           -----      -----
    Gross Margin                  $321.2 $280.1           $41.1       14.7%
                                  ------ ------           -----       ----



                                                            Avg. Customer
                                 Revenues        MWHs          Counts
                                 --------        ----          ------
                             2009       2008  2009  2008    2009     2008
                             ----       ----  ----  ----    ----     ----
                                      (in thousands)

    Retail Electric
            Montana      $162,708   $178,571 1,682 1,699 268,337  265,727
            South Dakota   33,818     34,417   402   394  48,211   47,912
                           ------     ------   ---   ---  ------   ------
         Residential      196,526    212,988 2,084 2,093 316,548  313,639
                          -------    ------- ----- ----- -------  -------
            Montana       203,324    220,209 2,373 2,408  60,374   59,471
            South Dakota   47,960     49,208   660   658  11,656   11,486
                           ------     ------   ---   ---  ------   ------
       Commercial         251,284    269,417 3,033 3,066  72,030   70,957
                          -------    ------- ----- -----  ------   ------
            Industrial     27,292     35,026 2,183 2,320      72       71
            Other          19,743     21,129   148   151   6,070    5,951
                           ------     ------   ---   ---   -----    -----
    Total Retail
     Electric            $494,845   $538,560 7,448 7,630 394,720  390,618
                         ========   ======== ===== ===== =======  =======
      Wholesale
       Electric
            Montana       $28,355 $        -   426     -     N/A      N/A
            South Dakota    4,429      8,115   161   202     N/A      N/A
                            -----      -----   ---   ---     ---      ---
      Wholesale
       Electric           $32,784     $8,115   587   202     N/A      N/A
                          =======     ======   ===   ===     ===      ===



                                 2009 as compared to:
                                 --------------------
                                                Historic
    Cooling Degree-Days        2008             Average
    -------------------        ----             -------
    Montana                  6% colder          5% colder
    South Dakota            24% colder         37% colder


                            NORTHWESTERN CORPORATION
                          REGULATED NATURAL GAS SEGMENT
                        Three months ended Sept. 30, 2009
                                    (Unaudited)

                                  Results
                                  -------
                         2009  2008  Change  % Change
                         ----  ----  ------  --------
                              (in millions)

    Retail revenue      $23.0 $37.5 $(14.5)  (38.7)%
    Wholesale and other  11.2   8.1    3.1    38.3
                         ----   ---    ---    ----
    Total Revenues       34.2  45.6  (11.4)  (25.0)
    Total Cost of Sales  12.3  22.8  (10.5)  (46.1)
                         ----  ----  -----   -----
    Gross Margin        $21.9 $22.8  $(0.9)   (3.9)%
                        ----- -----  -----    ----



                                         Dekatherms       Customer
                               Revenues     (Dkt)          Counts
                               --------     -----          ------
                            2009    2008  2009  2008    2009    2008
                            ----    ----  ----  ----    ----    ----
                                   (in thousands)

    Retail Gas
            Montana      $10,259 $16,189   822   941 155,546 154,403
            South Dakota   1,698   2,496   124   126  36,353  36,169
            Nebraska       1,973   2,922   164   160  36,008  35,960
                           -----   -----   ---   ---  ------  ------
       Residential        13,930  21,607 1,110 1,227 227,907 226,532
                          ------  ------ ----- ----- ------- -------
            Montana        5,987   9,266   527   571  21,780  21,601
            South Dakota   1,357   3,156   212   246   5,749   5,684
            Nebraska       1,560   3,127   297   278   4,408   4,461
                           -----   -----   ---   ---   -----   -----
       Commercial          8,904  15,549 1,036 1,095  31,937  31,746
                           -----  ------ ----- -----  ------  ------
            Industrial       134     228    12    15     293     301
            Other             58     107     5     7     142     140
                              --     ---     -     -     ---     ---
    Total Retail Gas     $23,026 $37,491 2,163 2,344 260,279 258,719
                         ======= ======= ===== ===== ======= =======



                                                2009 as compared with:
                                                ---------------------
                                                              Historic
    Heating Degree-Days                         2008           Average
    -------------------                         ----           -------
    Montana                                   34% warmer      35% warmer
    South Dakota                              10% colder       4% colder
    Nebraska                                   2% colder       6% colder


                         NORTHWESTERN CORPORATION
                       REGULATED NATURAL GAS SEGMENT
                     Nine months ended Sept. 30, 2009
                               (Unaudited)

                                  Results
                                  -------
                          2009   2008  Change % Change
                          ----   ----  ------ --------
                               (in millions)

    Retail revenue      $217.9 $267.9 $(50.0)  (18.7)%
    Wholesale and other   36.4   29.9    6.5    21.7
                          ----   ----    ---    ----
    Total Revenues       254.3  297.8  (43.5)  (14.6)
    Total Cost of Sales  154.1  194.0  (39.9)  (20.6)
                         -----  -----  -----   -----
    Gross Margin        $100.2 $103.8  $(3.6)   (3.5)%
                        ------ ------  -----    ----



                                                              Customer
                                Revenues         Dkt           Counts
                                --------         ---           ------
                             2009     2008   2009   2008    2009    2008
                             ----     ----   ----   ----    ----    ----
                                   (in thousands)

    Retail Gas
            Montana       $86,934 $110,886  8,338  9,033 156,662 155,236
            South Dakota   26,132   29,284  2,251  2,322  36,676  36,527
          Nebraska         22,432   25,068  1,981  2,091  36,360  36,397
                           ------   ------  -----  -----  ------  ------
       Residential        135,498  165,238 12,570 13,446 229,698 228,160
                          -------  ------- ------ ------ ------- -------
            Montana        44,401   56,202  4,311  4,563  21,945  21,685
            South Dakota   19,984   23,333  2,282  2,166   5,810   5,761
            Nebraska       16,152   20,384  2,094  2,157   4,496   4,524
                           ------   ------  -----  -----   -----   -----
       Commercial          80,537   99,919  8,687  8,886  32,251  31,970
                           ------   ------  -----  -----  ------  ------
            Industrial      1,149    1,765    114    150     296     304
            Other             727      950     79     89     142     140
                              ---      ---     --     --     ---     ---
    Total Retail Gas     $217,911 $267,872 21,450 22,571 262,387 260,574
                         ======== ======== ====== ====== ======= =======



                                                  2009 as compared with:
                                                  ----------------------
                                                                Historic
    Heating Degree-Days                        2008              Average
    -------------------                        ----              -------
    Montana                                  8% warmer           5% warmer
    South Dakota                            Remained flat        5% colder
    Nebraska                                 7% warmer           2% warmer



                              NORTHWESTERN CORPORATION
                               SEGMENT INFORMATION
                      Three Months Ended September 30, 2009
                                   (Unaudited)
                                  (in thousands)


                               Regulated
    Three Months Ended         ---------
    September 30, 2009    Electric     Gas    Other  Eliminations    Total
                          -------      ---    -----  ------------    -----
    Operating
     revenues             $198,689   $34,205   $291    $(299)     $232,886
    Cost of
     sales                  92,592    12,326    265        -       105,183
                            ------    ------    ---      ---       -------
    Gross
     margin                106,097    21,879     26     (299)      127,703
                           -------    ------     --     ----       -------
    Operating,
     general
     and
     administrative         40,834    17,701   (343)    (299)       57,893
    Property
     and other
     taxes                  15,351     5,479     36        -        20,866
    Depreciation            17,772     4,197      8        -        21,977
                            ------     -----    ---      ---        ------
    Operating
     income
     (loss)                 32,140    (5,498)   325        -        26,967
                            ------    ------    ---      ---        ------
    Interest
     expense               (13,056)   (3,243)  (968)       -       (17,267)
    Other
     income                    310        67     26        -           403
    Income tax
     benefit                   789     5,694  2,314        -         8,797
                               ---     -----  -----      ---         -----
    Net income
     (loss)                $20,183   $(2,980)  $1,697     $-       $18,900
                               ---     -----   ------    ---       -------





    Three Months Ended  Regulated      Unregulated
    September 30,       ---------      -----------
    2008             Electric    Gas     Electric  Other  Eliminations Total
                     --------    ---     --------  -----  ------------ -----
    Operating
     revenues        $208,020   $45,651   $20,091   $7,889   (9,407) $272,244
    Cost of sales     113,299    22,803    (4,184)   7,611   (9,026)  130,503
                      -------    ------    ------    -----    -----   -------
    Gross margin       94,721    22,848    24,275      278     (381)  141,741
                       ------    ------    ------      ---      ---   -------
    Operating,
     general and
     administrative    45,882    20,058     3,563   (5,711)   ( 381)   63,411
    Property and
     other taxes       15,380     5,543       792        3        -    21,718
    Depreciation       15,416     4,041     1,827        8        -    21,292
                       ------     -----     -----      ---      ---    ------
    Operating
     income
     (loss)            18,043    (6,794)   18,093    5,978        -    35,320
                       ------    ------    ------    -----      ---    ------
    Interest
     expense           (9,679)   (3,389)   (2,189)    (372)       -   (15,629)
    Other income          306       298         1      613      ---     1,218
    Income tax
     (expense)
     benefit           (3,477)    3,750    (6,303)  (1,500)       -    (7,530)
                       ------     -----    ------   ------      ---     ------
    Net income
     (loss)            $5,193   $(6,135)   $9,602   $4,719       $-   $13,379
                       ------   -------    ------   ------      ---   -------

                              NORTHWESTERN CORPORATION
                                 SEGMENT INFORMATION
                        Nine Months Ended September 30, 2009
                                    (Unaudited)
                                  (in thousands)



    Nine Months Ended   Regulated
    September 30,       ---------
    2009           Electric      Gas      Other    Eliminations   Total
                   --------      ---      -----    ------------   -----
    Operating
     revenues       $580,139   $254,338   $6,248     $(1,223)  $839,502
    Cost of
     sales           258,964    154,105    6,964           -    420,033
                     -------    -------    -----           -    -------
    Gross
     margin          321,175    100,233     (716)     (1,223)   419,469
                     -------    -------     ----      ------    -------
    Operating,
     general
     and
     administrative  128,575     58,806   (1,948)     (1,223)   184,210
    Property
     and other
     taxes            46,433     16,857      111           -     63,401
    Depreciation      54,113     12,821       25           -     66,959
                      ------     ------       --         ---     ------
    Operating
     income           92,054     11,749    1,096           -    104,899
                      ------     ------    -----         ---    -------
    Interest
     expense         (37,963)    (9,629)  (2,811)          -    (50,403)
    Other
     income              783        322       87         ---      1,192
    Income tax
     (expense)
     benefit         (12,066)     1,571    2,618           -      (7,87)
                     -------      -----    -----         ---     ------
    Net income       $42,808     $4,013     $990          $-     47,811
                          ---        ---     ----        ---     ------






    Nine Months Ended  Regulated      Unregulated
    September 30,      ---------      -----------
    2008          Electric  Gas       Electric   Other  Eliminations  Total
                  --------  ---       --------   -----  ------------  -----
    Operating
     revenues     $583,606  $297,825   $57,064  $24,464   $(28,234) $934,725
    Cost of
     sales        303,550    193,996    14,472   23,770    (26,847)  508,941
                  -------    -------    ------   ------    -------   -------
    Gross
      margin       280,056   103,829    42,592      694     (1,387)  425,784
                   -------   -------    ------      ---     ------   -------
    Operating,
     general
     and
     administrative  115,755  53,717    10,459   (1,196)    (1,387)  177,348
    Property
     and
     other
     taxes           46,147   17,355     2,386       10          -    65,898
    Depreciation     46,203   11,925     5,455       25          -    63,608
                      ------  ------     -----       --          -    ------
    Operating
     income          71,951   20,832    24,292    1,855          -   118,930
                      ------  ------    ------    -----          -   -------
    Interest
     expense        (28,138 ) (9,874)   (8,358)  (1,108)         -   (47,478)
    Other
     income
     (expense)           891     857       133     (241)         -     1,640
    Income
     tax
     expense        (15,810 )  (4,413)  (6,457)     (79)         -   (26,759)
                     -------    -----   ------       ---       ---    -------
    Net
     income         $28,894     $7,402  $9,610     $427         $-   $46,333
                     -------    ------  ------     ----        ---   -------

SOURCE NorthWestern Corporation

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