NEWSROOM

ITC HOLDINGS REPORTS INCREASED THIRD QUARTER AND YEAR-TO-DATE 2011 RESULTS

NOVI, Mich., Oct. 26, 2011 /PRNewswire/ —

Highlights

  • Net income for the third quarter of $44.0 million, or $0.85 per diluted common share
  • Net income for the nine months ended September 30, 2011 of $129.0 million, or $2.49 per diluted common share
  • Capital investments of $420.5 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2011
  • Reaffirmed 2011 earnings per share guidance of $3.25 to $3.35 per share
  • Reaffirmed total 2011 capital expenditure guidance of $600 to $645 million

ITC Holdings Corp. (NYSE: ITC) today announced its third quarter and year-to-date results for the period ended September 30, 2011. Net income for the quarter was $44.0 million, or $0.85 per diluted common share, compared to $38.4 million, or $0.75 per diluted common share for the third quarter of 2010. Net income for the nine months ended September 30, 2011 was $129.0 million, or $2.49 per diluted common share, compared to $108.9 million, or $2.13 per diluted common share for the same period last year.

For the nine months ended September 30, 2011, ITC invested $420.5 million in capital projects at its operating companies, including $55.8 million, $103.2 million, $191.2 million and $70.3 million at ITCTransmission, METC, ITC Midwest and ITC Great Plains, respectively.

“We are pleased with our overall performance for both the quarter and first nine months of the year,” said Joseph L. Welch , chairman, president and CEO of ITC. “As we continue to build on our core foundation of operational excellence, we are positioning the company as a premier owner, operator and developer of transmission facilities and further strengthening our ability to achieve long-term, sustainable growth as a leader in the build-out of much needed transmission infrastructure.”

Reported net income for the third quarter of 2011 increased $5.6 million, or $0.10 per diluted common share, compared to the same period in 2010. For the nine months ended September 30, 2011, net income increased $20.1 million, or $0.36 per diluted common share, compared to the same period last year. Key drivers that contributed to these results include:

  • An increase in net income for the quarter and the year-to-date period due to higher rate base and AFUDC at our operating companies resulting from our capital investments.
  • An increase in net income for the quarter and the year-to-date period due to a lower effective tax rate.
  • Partially offsetting these increases in net income for the quarter and the year-to-date period was the impact of the expiration in May 2011 of the amortization of the ITCTransmission rate freeze revenue deferral.

EPS and Capital Expenditure Guidance

For 2011, ITC is reaffirming its full year earnings per share guidance of $3.25 to $3.35. Total capital investment guidance for 2011 is also being maintained at $600 to $645 million, which includes $75 to $85 million, $155 to $165 million, $255 to $270 million and $115 to $125 million for ITCTransmission, METC, ITC Midwest and ITC Great Plains, respectively. Capital guidance ranges for ITCTransmission and ITC Great Plains have been slightly refined to reflect current expectations for each of those operating companies.

Third Quarter 2011 Financial Results Detail

ITC’s operating revenues for the third quarter increased to $191.3 million from $178.0 million for the same period last year. This increase was primarily due to higher network revenues attributable to higher rate base at all of our regulated operating subsidiaries and higher recoverable expenses due to higher operating costs. In addition, the increase resulted from higher regional cost sharing revenues primarily due to additional capital projects that have been identified by the Midwest Independent Transmission System Operator, Inc. (MISO) as eligible for regional cost sharing and these projects being placed in-service. Partially offsetting these increases was the impact of the final monthly recognition of the ITCTransmission rate freeze revenue deferral in May 2011. Increases in operating revenues were further offset by lower point-to-point revenues primarily due to fewer point-to-point reservations and lower scheduling, control and dispatch revenues primarily due to a change in MISO’s revenue distribution methodology for these types of revenues in 2011 compared to 2010.

Operation and maintenance (O&M) expenses of $37.4 million were $3.6 million higher compared to the third quarter of 2010. This increase was primarily due to additional expenses associated with new North American Electric Reliability Corporation (NERC) compliance requirements.

General and administrative (G&A) expenses were largely consistent when compared to the same period in 2010.

Depreciation and amortization expenses of $23.9 million increased by $3.0 million during the third quarter of 2011 compared to the same period in 2010. This increase was primarily due to a higher depreciable base resulting from property, plant and equipment additions.

Taxes other than income taxes of $12.5 million were largely consistent when compared to the same period in 2010.

Interest expense of $37.2 million increased by $1.2 million for the third quarter of 2011 compared to the same period in 2010, primarily due to higher borrowing levels to finance capital expenditures.

The effective income tax rate for the third quarter of 2011 was 34.0 percent compared to 37.1 percent the same period last year. This decrease was primarily due to a lower state income tax provision in the three months ended September 30, 2011.

Year-To-Date 2011 Financial Results Detail

ITC’s operating revenues for the nine months ended September 30, 2011 increased to $555.8 million from $507.8 million for the same period last year. This increase was primarily due to higher network revenues attributable to higher rate base at all of our regulated operating subsidiaries and higher recoverable expenses due to higher operating costs. In addition, the increase resulted from higher regional cost sharing revenues primarily due to additional capital projects that have been identified by MISO as eligible for regional cost sharing and these projects being placed in-service. Partially offsetting these increases was the impact of the final monthly recognition of the ITCTransmission rate freeze revenue deferral in May 2011. Increases in operating revenues were further offset by lower point-to-point revenues primarily due to fewer point-to-point reservations and lower scheduling, control and dispatch revenues primarily due to a change in MISO’s revenue distribution methodology for these types of revenues in 2011 compared to 2010.

O&M expenses of $92.5 million were $6.5 million higher for the nine months ended September 30, 2011 compared to the same period in 2010. This increase was a result of higher expenses associated with NERC compliance activities, higher operating and training expenses, and increased relay work for certain preventative maintenance activities. These increases were partially offset by lower tower painting activities in 2011.

G&A expenses of $54.9 million were $1.5 million higher compared to the same period in 2010. This increase was primarily due to higher professional and advisory consulting services primarily related to legal and financial services and higher general business expenses associated with increased information technology support for new applications. These increases were partially offset by the reduction of expenses in the first quarter of 2011 in connection with the recognition of the Kansas V-Plan Project regulatory asset.

Depreciation and amortization expenses of $70.3 million increased by $4.8 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2011 compared to the same period in 2010. This increase was primarily due to a higher depreciable base resulting from property, plant and equipment additions.

Taxes other than income taxes of $39.6 million were $3.5 million higher compared to the same period in 2010. This increase was due to the impact of 2010 capital additions at our regulated operating subsidiaries, which are included in the tax base for purposes of calculating 2011 personal property taxes.

Interest expense of $110.0 million increased $3.6 million in the first nine months of 2011 compared to the same period in 2010, primarily due to higher borrowing levels to finance capital expenditures.

The effective income tax rate for the nine months ended September 30, 2011 was 35.5 percent compared to 36.7 percent in 2010.

Third Quarter Conference Call

ITC will conduct a conference call to discuss the third quarter results on Thursday, October 27, 2011 at 11 a.m. Eastern time. Joseph L. Welch, chairman, president and CEO, will provide a business overview, and Cameron M. Bready , executive vice president, treasurer and CFO, will discuss the financial results. Individuals wishing to participate in the conference call can dial toll-free 877-644-1296 (domestic) or 914-495-8555 (international); there is no passcode. A listen-only live webcast of the conference call, including accompanying slides and the earnings release, will be available on the company’s INVESTOR INFORMATION PAGE. The conference call replay, available through Tuesday, November 1, 2011, can be accessed by dialing toll-free 855-859-2056 (toll-free) or 404-537-3406 (toll), passcode 18425589. The webcast will also be ARCHIVED on the ITC website.

Other Available Information

More detail about the 2011 third quarter and year-to-date results may be found in ITC’s Form 10-Q filing. Once filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, an electronic copy of our 10-Q can be found at our website, HTTPS://WWW.ITC-HOLDINGS.COM/ITC/ABOUT-US/FIXED-INCOME-INVESTORS. Written copies can also be made available by contacting us through our website.

About ITC Holdings Corp.

ITC Holdings Corp. (NYSE: ITC) is the nation’s largest independent electricity transmission company. Based in Novi, Mich., ITC invests in the electric transmission grid to improve system reliability, expand access to markets, lower the overall cost of delivered energy and allow new generating resources to interconnect to its transmission systems. ITC’s regulated operating subsidiaries include ITCTransmission, Michigan Electric Transmission Company, ITC Midwest and ITC Great Plains. Through these subsidiaries, ITC owns and operates high-voltage transmission facilities in Michigan, Iowa, Minnesota, Illinois, Missouri and Kansas, serving a combined peak load exceeding 25,000 megawatts along 15,000 circuit miles of transmission line. Through ITC Grid Development and its subsidiaries, the company also focuses on expansion in areas where significant transmission system improvements are needed. For more information, please visit our WEBSITE.(itc-ITC)

Safe Harbor Statement

This press release contains certain statements that describe our management’s beliefs concerning future business conditions, plans and prospects, growth opportunities and the outlook for our business and the electricity transmission industry based upon information currently available. Such statements are “forward-looking” statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Wherever possible, we have identified these forward-looking statements by words such as “will,” “may,” “anticipates,” “believes,” “intends,” “estimates,” “expects,” “projects” and similar phrases. These forward-looking statements are based upon assumptions our management believes are reasonable. Such forward looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties which could cause our actual results, performance and achievements to differ materially from those expressed in, or implied by, these statements, including, among others, the risks and uncertainties disclosed in our annual report on Form 10-K and our quarterly reports on Form 10-Q filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission from time to time.

Because our forward-looking statements are based on estimates and assumptions that are subject to significant business, economic and competitive uncertainties, many of which are beyond our control or are subject to change, actual results could be materially different and any or all of our forward-looking statements may turn out to be wrong. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date made and can be affected by assumptions we might make or by known or unknown risks and uncertainties. Many factors mentioned in our discussion in this release and in our annual and quarterly reports will be important in determining future results. Consequently, we cannot assure you that our expectations or forecasts expressed in such forward-looking statements will be achieved. Actual future results may vary materially. Except as required by law, we undertake no obligation to publicly update any of our forward-looking or other statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise.

ITC HOLDINGS CORP. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS (UNAUDITED)


 

Three months ended


Nine months ended

 

September 30,


September 30,

 

(in thousands, except per share data)

2011


2010


2011


2010

 

OPERATING REVENUES

$

191,303



$

178,020



$

555,787



$

507,776


 

OPERATING EXPENSES








 

Operation and maintenance

37,365



33,748



92,486



85,971


 

General and administrative

19,046



18,199



54,915



53,393


 

Depreciation and amortization

23,898



20,856



70,338



65,538


 

Taxes other than income taxes

12,456



12,143



39,620



36,077


 

Other operating (income) and expense — net

(295)



(139)



(611)



(662)


 

Total operating expenses

92,470



84,807



256,748



240,317


 

OPERATING INCOME

98,833



93,213



299,039



267,459


 

OTHER EXPENSES (INCOME)








 

Interest expense

37,248



36,088



110,002



106,450


 

Allowance for equity funds used during construction

(4,469)



(3,585)



(12,078)



(10,163)


 

Other income

(1,417)



(878)



(2,136)



(2,550)


 

Other expense

793



586



3,063



1,617


 

Total other expenses (income)

32,155



32,211



98,851



95,354


 

INCOME BEFORE INCOME TAXES

66,678



61,002



200,188



172,105


 

INCOME TAX PROVISION

22,654



22,608



71,166



63,206


 

NET INCOME

$

44,024



$

38,394



$

129,022



$

108,899


 

Basic earnings per common share

$

0.86



$

0.76



$

2.52



$

2.17


 

Diluted earnings per common share

$

0.85



$

0.75



$

2.49



$

2.13


 

Dividends declared per common share

$

0.353



$

0.335



$

1.023



$

0.975


 

 
                


 

ITC HOLDINGS CORP. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (UNAUDITED)


 

Nine months ended

 

September 30,

 

(in thousands)

2011


2010

 

CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES




 

Net income

$

129,022


$

108,899

 

Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:




 

Depreciation and amortization expense

70,338


65,538

 

Recognition of and refund and collection of revenue accruals and deferrals — including accrued interest

82,854


120,416

 

Deferred income tax expense

44,894


56,768

 

Allowance for equity funds used during construction

(12,078)


(10,163)

 

Other

12,224


10,077

 

Changes in assets and liabilities, exclusive of changes shown separately:




 

Accounts receivable

(14,845)


(18,091)

 

Inventory

1,807


(5,805)

 

Other current assets

(171)


(3,013)

 

Accounts payable

2,853


5,372

 

Accrued payroll

(3,753)


(223)

 

Accrued interest

(19,384)


(15,874)

 

Accrued taxes

(7,315)


(9,742)

 

Other current liabilities

1,699


76

 

Other non-current assets and liabilities, net

(1,577)


(6,567)

 

Net cash provided by operating activities

286,568


297,668

 

CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES




 

Expenditures for property, plant and equipment

(388,402)


(270,183)

 

Proceeds from sale of securities

3,839


14,576

 

Purchases of securities

(7,341)


(14,587)

 

Other

769


(78)

 

Net cash used in investing activities

(391,135)


(270,272)

 

CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES




 

Issuance of long-term debt


90,000

 

Borrowings under revolving credit agreements

592,515


329,027

 

Repayments of revolving credit agreements

(512,355)


(393,593)

 

Issuance of common stock

18,081


7,049

 

Dividends on common stock

(52,276)


(49,064)

 

Refundable deposits from generators for transmission network upgrades

24,618


16,203

 

Repayment of refundable deposits from generators for transmission network upgrades

(4,876)


(26,567)

 

Other

(7,922)


(1,041)

 

Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities

57,785


(27,986)

 

NET DECREASE IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS

(46,782)


(590)

 

CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS — Beginning of period

95,109


74,853

 

CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS — End of period

$

48,327


$

74,263

 

 
      


ITC HOLDINGS CORP. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF FINANCIAL POSITION (UNAUDITED)


 

September 30,


December 31,

 

(in thousands, except share data)

2011


2010

 

ASSETS




 

Current assets




 

Cash and cash equivalents

$

48,327



$

95,109


 

Accounts receivable

92,605



80,417


 

Inventory

40,479



42,286


 

Deferred income taxes

15,445




 

Regulatory assets — revenue accrual, including accrued interest

12,151



28,637


 

Other

5,464



5,293


 

Total current assets

214,471



251,742


 

Property, plant and equipment(net of accumulated depreciation and amortization of $1,177,227 and $1,129,669, respectively)

3,221,523



2,872,277


 

Other assets




 

Goodwill

950,163



950,163


 

Intangible assets (net of accumulated amortization of $14,501 and $12,176, respectively)

47,660



49,985


 

Other regulatory assets

148,100



138,152


 

Deferred financing fees (net of accumulated amortization of $13,719 and $11,750, respectively)

21,366



19,949


 

Other

29,576



25,605


 

Total other assets

1,196,865



1,183,854


 

TOTAL ASSETS

$

4,632,859



$

4,307,873


 

LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY




 

Current liabilities




 

Accounts payable

$

82,534



$

66,953


 

Accrued payroll

14,290



18,606


 

Accrued interest

23,341



42,725


 

Accrued taxes

12,147



19,461


 

Regulatory liabilities — revenue deferral, including accrued interest

39,152



17,658


 

Refundable deposits from generators for transmission network upgrades

37,606



10,492


 

Other

7,814



6,509


 

Total current liabilities

216,884



182,404


 

Accrued pension and postretirement liabilities

39,322



35,811


 

Deferred income taxes

380,057



314,979


 

Regulatory liabilities — revenue deferral, including accrued interest

88,111



43,202


 

Regulatory liabilities — accrued asset removal costs

85,476



90,987


 

Refundable deposits from generators for transmission network upgrades

6,720



14,515


 

Other

32,882



11,646


 

Long-term debt

2,577,405



2,496,896


 

Commitments and contingent liabilities




 

STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY




 

Common stock, without par value, 100,000,000 shares authorized, 51,329,501 and 50,715,805 shares issued and outstanding at September 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010, respectively

913,280



886,808


 

Retained earnings

306,183



229,437


 

Accumulated other comprehensive income

(13,461)



1,188


 

Total stockholders’ equity

1,206,002



1,117,433


 

TOTAL LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

$

4,632,859



$

4,307,873


 

 
           

 

(in thousands, except per share data)

Three months ended

September 30,


Nine months ended

September 30,

 

2011


2010


2011


2010

 

OPERATING REVENUES

$ 191,303


$ 178,020


$ 555,787


$ 507,776

 








 

NET INCOME

$ 44,024


$ 38,394


$ 129,022


$ 108,899

 








 

DILUTED EPS

$ 0.85


$ 0.75


$ 2.49


$ 2.13

 








 

 
        

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