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Atmos Energy Corporation Reports Earnings for Fiscal 2016 Second Quarter and Six Months; Tightens Fiscal 2016 Guidance Range

May 4, 2016 5:05 PM EDT

DALLAS--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Atmos Energy Corporation (NYSE: ATO) today reported consolidated results for its fiscal 2016 second quarter and six months ended March 31, 2016.

  • Fiscal 2016 second quarter consolidated net income, excluding net unrealized margins, was $143.9 million, or $1.40 per diluted share, compared with consolidated net income, excluding net unrealized margins of $138.5 million, or $1.36 per diluted share in the prior-year quarter.
  • Fiscal 2016 second quarter consolidated net income was $141.8 million, or $1.38 per diluted share, after including unrealized net losses of $2.1 million, or $0.02 per diluted share. Net income was $137.7 million, or $1.35 per diluted share in the prior-year quarter, after including unrealized net losses of $0.8 million, or $0.01 per diluted share.
  • The company's Board of Directors has declared a quarterly dividend of $0.42 per common share. The indicated annual dividend for fiscal 2016 is $1.68, which represents a 7.7 percent increase over fiscal 2015.
  • Fiscal 2016 earnings guidance was tightened to $3.25 to $3.35 per diluted share from $3.20 to $3.40 per diluted share, excluding unrealized margins.

For the six months ended March 31, 2016, consolidated net income was $244.7 million, or $2.38 per diluted share, compared with net income of $235.3 million, or $2.31 per diluted share for the same period last year. Results from nonregulated operations include noncash, unrealized net gains of $5.2 million, or $0.05 per diluted share for the six months ended March 31, 2016, compared with unrealized net gains of $4.0 million, or $0.04 per diluted share for the prior-year period. For the current six-month period, regulated operations contributed $238.3 million of net income, or $2.32 per diluted share, and nonregulated operations contributed net income of $6.3 million, or $0.06 per diluted share.

“Our performance through the second quarter of fiscal 2016 reflects the impact of investments made to our infrastructure to safely meet the energy needs of our customers,” said Kim Cocklin, chief executive officer of Atmos Energy Corporation. “With the winter heating season essentially behind us, we believe we can achieve earnings in the tightened range of $3.25 to $3.35 per diluted share. Looking forward, we are positioned to continue delivering annual earnings growth in the 6 percent to 8 percent range,” Cocklin concluded.

Results for the Quarter Ended March 31, 2016

Regulated distribution gross profit increased $2.9 million to $409.1 million for the fiscal 2016 second quarter, compared with $406.2 million in the prior-year quarter. Gross profit reflects a net $17.1 million increase in rates, primarily in the Mid-Tex, Mississippi and West Texas Divisions. This increase was partially offset by a $12.6 million decrease in revenue-related taxes and a $2.2 million decline in weather-related consumption. Weather was 25 percent warmer than the prior-year quarter, before adjusting for weather normalization mechanisms, which resulted in a 21 percent decrease in sales volumes.

Regulated pipeline gross profit increased $4.0 million to $95.7 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2016, compared with $91.7 million for the same quarter last year. This increase is primarily the result of a $7.0 million increase in revenues from the Gas Reliability Infrastructure Program (GRIP) filing approved in 2015, partially offset by decreased through-system volumes and lower storage and blending fees due to warmer weather in the current-year quarter.

Nonregulated gross profit decreased $9.8 million to $13.1 million for the fiscal 2016 second quarter, compared with $22.9 million for the prior-year quarter, as a result of a $7.8 million decrease in realized margins, combined with a $2.0 million decrease in unrealized margins. The quarter-over-quarter decrease in realized margins reflects larger losses on the settlement of financial positions during a period of falling natural gas prices.

Results for the Six Months Ended March 31, 2016

Regulated distribution gross profit increased $12.6 million to $742.6 million for the six months ended March 31, 2016, compared with $730.0 million in the prior-year period. Gross profit reflects a net $30.6 million increase in rates, primarily in the Mid-Tex, Mississippi and West Texas Divisions. This increase was partially offset by a $13.9 million decrease in revenue-related taxes and a $3.3 million decrease in consumption. Weather was 26 percent warmer than the prior-year period, before adjusting for weather normalization mechanisms, which resulted in a 21 percent decrease in sales volumes.

Regulated pipeline gross profit increased $15.1 million to $190.4 million for the six months ended March 31, 2016, compared with $175.3 million in the prior-year period. This increase primarily reflects a $17.1 million increase in revenue from the GRIP filing approved in 2015. This increase was partially offset by decreased through-system volumes and lower storage and blending fees due to warmer weather in the current-year period.

Nonregulated gross profit decreased $10.0 million to $28.9 million for the six months ended March 31, 2016, compared with $38.9 million for the prior-year period, as a result of a $12.2 million decrease in realized margins, combined with a $2.1 million increase in unrealized margins. The year-over-year decrease in realized margins reflects the aforementioned losses on the settlement of financial positions during a period of falling natural gas prices.

Consolidated operation and maintenance expense for the six months ended March 31, 2016, was $258.5 million, compared with $252.0 million for the prior-year period. This increase was primarily driven by increased pipeline maintenance spending.

Capital expenditures increased to $538.2 million for the six months ended March 31, 2016, compared with $441.6 million in the prior-year period driven by a planned increase in spending in the company's regulated operations.

For the six months ended March 31, 2016, the company generated operating cash flow of $455.8 million, an $85.1 million decrease compared with the six months ended March 31, 2015. The year-over-year decrease primarily reflects the timing of deferred gas cost recoveries.

The debt capitalization ratio at March 31, 2016 was 48.0 percent, compared with 47.7 percent at September 30, 2015 and 46.1 percent at March 31, 2015. At March 31, 2016, there was $626.9 million of short-term debt outstanding, compared with $457.9 million at September 30, 2015 and $225.0 million at March 31, 2015.

Outlook

The leadership of Atmos Energy remains focused on enhancing system safety and reliability through infrastructure investment while delivering shareholder value and consistent earnings growth. Atmos Energy expects fiscal 2016 earnings to be in the tightened range of $3.25 to $3.35 per diluted share, excluding unrealized margins. Net income from regulated operations is expected to be in the range of $320 million to $335 million. Net income from nonregulated operations is expected to be in the range of $14 million to $19 million. Capital expenditures for fiscal 2016 are expected to range between $1.0 billion and $1.1 billion.

Conference Call to be Webcast May 5, 2016

Atmos Energy will host a conference call with financial analysts to discuss the financial results for the fiscal 2016 second quarter on Thursday, May 5, 2016, at 10:00 a.m. Eastern. The domestic telephone number is 877-485-3107 and the international telephone number is 201-689-8427. Kim Cocklin, chief executive officer, Mike Haefner, president and chief operating officer, and Bret Eckert, senior vice president and chief financial officer, along with other members of the leadership team, will participate in the conference call. The conference call will be webcast live on the Atmos Energy website at www.atmosenergy.com. A playback of the call will be available on the website later that day.

Highlights and Recent Developments

Election of Director

Effective March 1, 2016, Rafael G. Garza was elected to the board of directors of the company. Mr. Garza is co-founder and Managing Director of Bravo Equity Partners, a Fort Worth-based firm, which provides capital to middle-market companies in the U.S. and Mexico. He is a member of the board's Audit Committee and Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee.

This news release should be read in conjunction with the attached unaudited financial information.

Forward-Looking Statements

The matters discussed in this news release may contain “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. All statements other than statements of historical fact included in this news release are forward-looking statements made in good faith by the company and are intended to qualify for the safe harbor from liability established by the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. When used in this news release or in any of the company's other documents or oral presentations, the words “anticipate,” “believe,” “estimate,” “expect,” “forecast,” “goal,” “intend,” “objective,” “plan,” “projection,” “seek,” “strategy” or similar words are intended to identify forward-looking statements. Such forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those discussed in this news release, including the risks and uncertainties relating to regulatory trends and decisions, the company's ability to continue to access the capital markets and the other factors discussed in the company's reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. These factors include the risks and uncertainties discussed in the company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2015 and in the company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the three and six months ended March 31, 2016. Although the company believes these forward-looking statements to be reasonable, there can be no assurance that they will approximate actual experience or that the expectations derived from them will be realized. The company undertakes no obligation to update or revise forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

About Atmos Energy

Atmos Energy Corporation, headquartered in Dallas, is one of the country's largest natural-gas-only distributors, serving over three million natural gas distribution customers in over 1,400 communities in eight states from the Blue Ridge Mountains in the East to the Rocky Mountains in the West. Atmos Energy also manages company-owned natural gas pipeline and storage assets, including one of the largest intrastate natural gas pipeline systems in Texas and provides natural gas marketing and procurement services to industrial, commercial and municipal customers primarily in the Midwest and Southeast. For more information, visit www.atmosenergy.com.

       
 

Atmos Energy Corporation

Financial Highlights (Unaudited)

 
 

Statements of Income

Three Months EndedMarch 31,
(000s except per share) 2016 2015
Gross Profit:
Regulated distribution segment $ 409,142 $ 406,235
Regulated pipeline segment 95,703 91,730
Nonregulated segment 13,099 22,906
Intersegment eliminations   (133 )   (133 )
Gross profit 517,811 520,738
Operation and maintenance expense 133,666 133,460
Depreciation and amortization 71,972 68,022
Taxes, other than income   62,157     69,046  
Total operating expenses 267,795 270,528
Operating income 250,016 250,210
Miscellaneous expense (685 ) (1,561 )
Interest charges   27,560     27,447  
Income before income taxes 221,771 221,202
Income tax expense   79,961     83,518  
Net income $ 141,810   $ 137,684  
Basic and diluted earnings per share $ 1.38 $ 1.35
Cash dividends per share $ 0.42 $ 0.39
Basic and diluted weighted average shares outstanding 102,946 101,746
 
 
 
Three Months EndedMarch 31,

Summary Net Income (Loss) by Segment (000s)

2016 2015
Regulated distribution $ 114,312 $ 101,853
Regulated pipeline 25,185 27,682
Nonregulated 4,365 8,955
Unrealized margins, net of tax   (2,052 )   (806 )
Consolidated net income $ 141,810   $ 137,684  
   
 
Atmos Energy Corporation

Financial Highlights, continued (Unaudited)

 

Statements of Income

Six Months EndedMarch 31,
(000s except per share) 2016     2015
Gross Profit:
Regulated distribution segment $ 742,603 $ 730,047
Regulated pipeline segment 190,380 175,297
Nonregulated segment 28,857 38,945
Intersegment eliminations   (266 )   (266 )
Gross profit 961,574 944,023
Operation and maintenance expense 258,514 252,042
Depreciation and amortization 143,211 135,615
Taxes, other than income   113,628     118,431  
Total operating expenses 515,353 506,088
Operating income 446,221 437,935
Miscellaneous expense (1,894 ) (3,268 )
Interest charges   58,043     57,211  
Income before income taxes 386,284 377,456
Income tax expense   141,613     142,177  
Net income $ 244,671   $ 235,279  
Basic and diluted earnings per share $ 2.38 $ 2.31
Cash dividends per share $ 0.84 $ 0.78
Basic and diluted weighted average shares outstanding 102,837 101,667
 
 
Six Months EndedMarch 31,

Summary Net Income by Segment (000s)

2016 2015
Regulated distribution $ 187,567 $ 173,240
Regulated pipeline 50,771 49,717
Nonregulated 1,124 8,371
Unrealized margins, net of tax   5,209     3,951  
Consolidated net income $ 244,671   $ 235,279  
       
 
Atmos Energy Corporation

Financial Highlights, continued (Unaudited)

 

Condensed Balance Sheets

March 31, September 30,
(000s) 2016 2015
Net property, plant and equipment $ 7,839,413 $ 7,430,580
Cash and cash equivalents 47,918 28,653
Accounts receivable, net 361,582 295,160
Gas stored underground 190,961 236,603
Other current assets   52,451   65,890
Total current assets 652,912 626,306
Goodwill 742,702 742,702
Deferred charges and other assets   308,899   293,357
$ 9,543,926 $ 9,092,945
 
Shareholders' equity $ 3,344,565 $ 3,194,797
Long-term debt   2,455,559   2,455,388
Total capitalization 5,800,124 5,650,185
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities 226,641 238,942
Other current liabilities 373,783 457,954
Short-term debt   626,929   457,927
Total current liabilities 1,227,353 1,154,823
Deferred income taxes 1,557,790 1,411,315
Deferred credits and other liabilities   958,659   876,622
$ 9,543,926 $ 9,092,945
   
 
Atmos Energy Corporation

Financial Highlights, continued (Unaudited)

 

Condensed Statements of Cash Flows

Six Months EndedMarch 31,
(000s) 2016     2015
Cash flows from operating activities
Net income $ 244,671 $ 235,279
Depreciation and amortization 143,211 135,615
Deferred income taxes 132,456 131,292
Other 11,000 10,898
Changes in assets and liabilities   (75,562 )   27,764  
Net cash provided by operating activities 455,776 540,848
Cash flows from investing activities
Capital expenditures (538,233 ) (441,644 )
Other, net   1,888     (1,346 )
Net cash used in investing activities (536,345 ) (442,990 )
Cash flows from financing activities
Net increase in short-term debt 169,002 21,839
Net proceeds from issuance of long-term debt 493,538
Settlement of Treasury lock agreements 13,364
Repayment of long-term debt (500,000 )
Cash dividends paid (86,809 ) (78,074 )
Repurchase of equity awards (7,985 )
Issuance of common stock   17,641     12,727  
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities   99,834     (44,591 )
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents 19,265 53,267
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period   28,653     42,258  
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period $ 47,918   $ 95,525  
       
 
Three Months EndedMarch 31, Six Months EndedMarch 31,

Statistics

2016     2015   2016     2015
Consolidated distribution throughput (MMcf as metered) 152,609 183,014 253,537 306,448
Consolidated pipeline transportation volumes (MMcf) 115,040 126,371 244,199 247,005
Consolidated nonregulated delivered gas sales volumes (MMcf) 95,804 105,401 180,935 196,331
Regulated distribution meters in service 3,176,367 3,136,441 3,176,367 3,136,441
Regulated distribution average cost of gas $ 3.94 $ 5.08 $ 4.13 $ 5.44
Nonregulated net physical position (Bcf) 36.4 17.0 36.4 17.0

Atmos Energy Corporation
Susan Giles, 972-855-3729

Source: Atmos Energy Corporation



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