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Otter Tail Corporation Announces Second Quarter Earnings; Expects to be in Middle to Upper Half of Consolidated Earnings From Continuing Operations Guidance Range of $1.50 to $1.65 Per Share, Board of

August 3, 2015 6:13 PM

FERGUS FALLS, Minn., Aug. 03, 2015 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) --

Otter Tail Corporation (NASDAQ: OTTR) today announced financial results for the quarter ended June 30, 2015.

Summary:

CEO Overview

“We are pleased to announce stronger earnings from continuing operations for the second quarter of 2015, as our second quarter results were bolstered by significant reductions in operating expenses and continued rate base cost recovery,” said Otter Tail Corporation CEO Chuck MacFarlane.

“At Otter Tail Power Company higher transmission tariff revenues from increased investments in transmission lines and reduced operating and maintenance expenses contributed to increased earnings quarter over quarter in the Electric segment.

“At BTD Manufacturing, our net earnings were lower quarter over quarter due to lower sales to customers who serve the oil and gas exploration and agriculture equipment industries, and less scrap‑metal revenue related to lower commodity prices. These reductions were partially offset by related cost reductions and increased sales to manufacturers of lawn and garden and recreational equipment. In addition, T.O. Plastics, our manufacturer of thermoformed plastic and horticultural products, achieved higher net income quarter over quarter. We continue to work to improve earnings at BTD in the face of economic challenges in the metalworking and manufacturing industries.

“BTD’s Minnesota facilities expansion plan is generally on budget and on schedule. In May, BTD moved equipment into its new Detroit Lakes space, which provides for growth in stamping and tooling business. In July the new paint system at Lakeville produced its first runs of painted sample parts and began the customer qualification process. Combined with related equipment costs and lease agreements, BTD’s total commitment to these projects is $33.3 million.

“Earnings from the PVC pipe manufacturing companies that make up our Plastics segment improved over last year’s second quarter mainly as a result of lower resin costs that have exceeded actual reductions in PVC pipe prices.

“The significant decrease in corporate operating expenses between the quarters is primarily because we did not have an expense this quarter similar to the airplane lease early termination expense incurred in the second quarter of 2014.

“We are maintaining our overall guidance for 2015 diluted earnings per share of $1.50 to $1.65, but now expect to be in the middle to upper end of the range. In spite of continued market challenges facing BTD, we expect to achieve a return on equity in a range of 9.5% to 10.4%.”

Cash Flow from Operations, Liquidity and Financing

The corporation’s consolidated cash provided by continuing operations for the six months ended June 30, 2015 was $52.7 million compared with $20.5 million for the six months ended June 30, 2014. Contributing to the increase in cash provided by continuing operations were changes in deferred debits and credits and other long-term assets and liabilities totaling $16.3 million, mainly related to a reduction in net regulatory assets at Otter Tail Power Company, a $10.0 million decrease in discretionary contributions to the corporation’s pension plan and an $8.0 million reduction in cash used for working capital items, which includes a $3.2 million reduction in inventories at the PVC pipe companies in the first six months of 2015 compared with a $6.8 million increase in PVC pipe company inventories in the first six months of 2014. These increases were offset by a $2.2 million decrease in net income from continuing operations between the periods.

The following table shows the status of the corporation’s lines of credit as of June 30, 2015:

(in thousands)Line LimitIn Use onJune 30, 2015Restricted due to Outstanding Letters of CreditAvailable onJune 30, 2015
Otter Tail Corporation Credit Agreement$150,000 $ 38,494 $ 150 $111,356
Otter Tail Power Company Credit Agreement 170,000 4,546 310 165,144
Total$320,000 $ 43,040 $ 460 $276,500

Board of Directors Declared Quarterly Dividend

On August 3, 2015 the corporation’s Board of Directors declared a quarterly common stock dividend of $0.3075 per share. This dividend is payable September 10, 2015 to shareholders of record on August 14, 2015.

Segment Performance Summary

Electric

Electric revenues and net income were $91.0 million and $8.3 million, respectively, compared with $92.9 million and $5.2 million for the second quarter of 2014.

The following table shows Degree Days for the electric utility business as a percent of normal:

Three Months ended June 30,
2015 2014
Heating Degree Days 82.7% 127.7%
Cooling Degree Days 78.9% 101.8%

Retail electric revenues decreased $3.9 million due to the following:

offset by:

Wholesale electric revenues from company-owned generation decreased $1.5 million as a result of an 85.3% reduction in wholesale kwh sales combined with a 17.3% decrease in revenue per wholesale kwh sold. The decreases in wholesale kwh sales and prices were driven by decreased wholesale market demand resulting from milder weather in the second quarter of 2015. Also, Otter Tail Power Company had fewer resources available for selling into the wholesale market as Big Stone Plant was off line for the entire second quarter of 2015 for an extended maintenance outage that required off-site turbine blade replacements and repairs. Coyote Station was operating at reduced load due to ongoing repairs related to a December 2014 boiler feed pump failure and ensuing fire.

Net revenues from energy trading activities decreased $0.4 million as a result of Otter Tail Power Company ending its trading activities not directly associated with serving its retail customers in December 2014.

Other electric revenues increased $3.8 million due to a $4.2 million increase in Midcontinent Independent System Operator, Inc. (MISO) transmission tariff revenues related to increased investment in regional transmission lines, offset by a $0.4 million decrease in steam sales to an ethanol plant next to Big Stone Plant as a result of Big Stone Plant being down for maintenance and turbine repairs in the second quarter of 2015.

Production fuel costs decreased $7.5 million to serve retail customers and $0.9 million for wholesale sales as a result of a 68.4% decrease in kwhs generated from Otter Tail Power Company’s steam-powered and combustion turbine generators primarily due to the factors discussed above.

The cost of purchased power to serve retail customers increased $3.2 million, reflecting a $7.4 million volume variance due to a 60.4% increase in kwhs purchased, partially offset by a $4.2 million price variance due to a 25.5% decrease in the cost per kwh purchased. The increase in power purchases for retail sales was necessitated by the reduced availability of company-owned generating capacity discussed above. The decreased cost per kwh purchased was driven by lower market demand mainly resulting from milder weather in the second quarter of 2015.

Electric operating and maintenance expenses decreased $2.1 million mainly as a result of:

offset by:

Manufacturing

Manufacturing revenues and net income were $51.3 million and $1.9 million, respectively, compared with $53.4 million and $2.3 million for the second quarter of 2014.

Plastics

Plastics revenues and net income were $46.0 million and $4.3 million, respectively, compared with $48.1 million and $3.4 million for the second quarter of 2014. The $2.1 million decrease in Plastics segment revenues is the result of a 5.5% decrease in the price per pound of polyvinyl chloride (PVC) pipe sold related to falling resin prices, partially offset by a 0.4% increase in pounds of pipe sold. A $3.5 million decrease in costs of products sold between quarters is due to a 9.4% decrease in the cost per pound of pipe sold, mainly related to a decrease in material costs due to lower resin prices, which were partially offset by an increase in allocated overhead costs and the 0.4% increase in sales volume.

Corporate

Corporate costs, net-of-tax, decreased $2.3 million reflecting:

Discontinued Operations

On February 28, 2015 the corporation sold the assets of AEV, Inc. its former energy and electric construction contractor headquartered in Moorhead, Minnesota for $22.3 million in cash plus an estimated $0.9 million in adjustments for working capital and fixed assets, which are expected to be finalized before the end of the third quarter of 2015. On April 30, 2015 the corporation completed the sale of Foley Company, its former water, wastewater, power and industrial construction contractor headquartered in Kansas City, Missouri, for $12.0 million in cash plus an estimated $5.7 million adjustment for working capital and other related items, which is expected to be finalized within 120 days of the April 30, 2015 closing.

The following summary presentation of the results of discontinued operations for the three-month periods ended June 30, 2015 and 2014, include operating results for Foley Company and AEV, Inc., and residual expenses from the corporation’s former wind tower and waterfront equipment manufacturers which were sold in 2012 and 2013, respectively:

For the Three Months Ended June 30,
(in thousands) 2015 2014
Operating Revenues$ 5,899 $40,247
Operating Expenses 9,209 36,751
Operating (Loss) Income (3,310) 3,496
Interest Charges -- 1
Other (Deductions) Income (11) 14
Income Tax (Benefit) Expense (1,329) 1,402
Net (Loss) Income from Operations (1,992) 2,107
Loss on Disposition Before Taxes (509) --
Income Tax Benefit on Disposition (280) --
Net Loss on Disposition (229) --
Net (Loss) Income$(2,221)$ 2,107

The above results for the three months ended June 30, 2015 include a net loss from operations of $1.5 million for Foley Company and $0.5 million from the corporation’s former waterfront equipment manufacturer related to a settlement of a warranty claim. Included in net income from operations for the three months ended June 30, 2014 are $1.1 million for Foley Company and $1.0 million from AEV, Inc.

2015 Business Outlook

The corporation is maintaining its consolidated diluted earnings per share guidance for 2015 to be in the range of $1.50 to $1.65, but now expects to be in the middle to upper end of the range. This guidance reflects the current mix of businesses owned by the corporation. It considers the cyclical nature of some of the corporation’s businesses and reflects challenges, as well as the corporation’s plans and strategies for improving future operating results.

Segment components of the corporation’s 2014 diluted earnings per share and 2015 diluted earnings per share guidance range for continuing operations are as follows:

Diluted Earnings Per Share 2014 Initial 2015 GuidanceFebruary 9, 20152015 GuidanceRevised May 4, 20152015 GuidanceAugust 3, 2015
LowHighLowHighLowHigh
Electric$1.19 $1.26 $1.29 $1.23 $1.26 $1.23 $1.26
Manufacturing$0.25 $0.37 $0.41 $0.21 $0.25 $0.21 $0.25
Plastics$0.33 $0.25 $0.29 $0.29 $0.33 $0.29 $0.33
Corporate($0.22)($0.23)($0.19)($0.23)($0.19)($0.23)($0.19)
Total – Continuing Operations$1.55 $1.65 $1.80 $1.50 $1.65 $1.50 $1.65
Expected Return on Equity 9.5% 10.4% 9.5% 10.4%

Contributing to the corporation’s earnings guidance for 2015 are the following items:

• Rider recovery increases, including environmental riders in Minnesota, North Dakota and South Dakota related to the Big Stone AQCS environmental upgrades while under construction.• Expected increases in sales to pipeline customers.• A decrease in plant maintenance costs, as unanticipated maintenance issues encountered during the 2014 Hoot Lake Plant shutdown are not expected to occur in 2015.

offset by:

• Lower retail sales due to milder than normal weather.• Higher than expected claim costs and more participants associated with the long-term disability plans.• An increase in coal plant reagent costs that were determined unrecoverable under rider by the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission in March 2015.• A decrease in transmission revenues for a potential reduction in the rate of return on equity granted by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission under the MISO Open Access Transmission, Energy and Operating Reserve Markets Tariff.• An increase in pension costs as a result of an increase in projected benefit obligations based on a decrease in the discount rate from 5.30% to 4.35% and adoption of new mortality tables which have longer life expectancy assumptions.• Higher depreciation and property tax expense due to increased investment in transmission, generation, distribution and general plant placed in service in 2014 and 2015.• Higher short-term interest costs as major projects continue to be funded under Otter Tail Power Company’s credit agreement.

• Continued softness in the agriculture, energy, mining and oil and gas equipment end markets served by BTD’s customers, declining commodity prices for scrap and increased costs of manufacturing due to lower productivity.• Backlog for the manufacturing companies of approximately $85 million for 2015 compared with $86 million one year ago.

CONFERENCE CALL AND WEBCAST

The corporation will host a live webcast on Tuesday, August 4, 2015, at 10:00 a.m. CDT to discuss its financial and operating performance.

The presentation will be posted on the corporation’s website before the webcast. To access the live webcast go to www.ottertail.com/presentations.cfm and select “Webcast”. Please allow extra time prior to the call to visit the site and download any necessary software that may be needed to listen to the webcast. An archived copy of the webcast will be available on the corporation’s website shortly following the call.

If you are interested in asking a question during the live webcast, the Dial-In Number is: 877-312-8789.

Risk Factors and Forward-Looking Statements that Could Affect Future Results

The information in this release includes certain forward-looking information, including 2015 expectations, made under the Safe Harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Although the corporation believes its expectations are based on reasonable assumptions, actual results may differ materially from those expectations. The following factors, among others, could cause actual results for the corporation to differ materially from those discussed in the forward-looking statements:

For a further discussion of other risk factors and cautionary statements, refer to reports the corporation files with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

About The Corporation: Otter Tail Corporation has interests in diversified operations that include an electric utility and manufacturing businesses. Otter Tail Corporation stock trades on the NASDAQ Global Select Market under the symbol OTTR. The latest investor and corporate information is available at www.ottertail.com. Corporate offices are located in Fergus Falls, Minnesota, and Fargo, North Dakota.

See Otter Tail Corporation’s results of operations for the three and six months ended June 30, 2015 and 2014 in the following financial statements: Consolidated Statements of Income, Consolidated Balance Sheets – Assets, Consolidated Balance Sheets – Liabilities and Equity, and Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows.

Otter Tail Corporation
Consolidated Statements of Income
In thousands, except share and per share amounts
(not audited)
Quarter Ended June 30,Year-to-Date June 30,
2015 2014 2015 2014
Operating Revenues by Segment
Electric$ 90,964 $ 92,911 $ 204,511 $ 211,999
Manufacturing 51,273 53,370 108,032 108,805
Plastics 45,954 48,090 78,506 88,573
Intersegment Eliminations (38) (7) (55) (47)
Total Operating Revenues 188,153 194,364 390,994 409,330
Operating Expenses
Fuel and Purchased Power 23,867 29,079 62,158 72,894
Nonelectric Cost of Goods Sold (depreciation included below) 74,986 80,178 146,484 154,117
Electric Operating and Maintenance Expense 41,016 43,161 82,045 80,754
Nonelectric Operating and Maintenance Expense 8,823 12,722 21,286 22,673
Depreciation and Amortization 14,661 14,472 29,196 28,739
Total Operating Expenses 163,353 179,612 341,169 359,177
Operating Income (Loss) by Segment
Electric 14,944 9,745 38,107 36,662
Manufacturing 3,891 4,435 6,421 9,826
Plastics 7,221 5,801 10,836 11,572
Corporate (1,256) (5,229) (5,539) (7,907)
Total Operating Income 24,800 14,752 49,825 50,153
Interest Charges 7,702 7,626 15,445 14,221
Other Income 567 844 1,139 2,379
Income Tax Expense – Continuing Operations 4,008 84 8,081 8,646
Net Income (Loss) by Segment – Continuing Operations
Electric 8,252 5,242 21,430 21,895
Manufacturing 1,912 2,300 3,096 5,196
Plastics 4,265 3,433 6,385 6,893
Corporate (772) (3,089) (3,473) (4,319)
Net Income from Continuing Operations 13,657 7,886 27,438 29,665
Discontinued Operations
(Loss) Income - net of Income Tax (Benefit) Expense of
($1,329), $1,402, ($2,705) and $1,177 for the respective periods (1,992) 2,107 (4,064) 1,758
Impairment Loss - net of Income Tax Benefit of
$0 for the Six Months ended June 30, 2015 -- -- (1,000) --
(Loss) Gain on Disposition - net of Income Tax (Benefit) Expense of
($280) and $4,536 for the three and six months ended June 30, 2015 (229) -- 6,997 --
Net (Loss) Income from Discontinued Operations (2,221) 2,107 1,933 1,758
Net Income$ 11,436 $ 9,993 $ 29,371 $ 31,423
Average Number of Common Shares Outstanding
Basic 37,433,318 36,409,753 37,338,218 36,325,052
Diluted 37,653,103 36,652,684 37,558,103 36,568,030
Basic Earnings (Loss) Per Common Share:
Continuing Operations$ 0.37 $ 0.21 $ 0.74 $ 0.82
Discontinued Operations (0.06) 0.06 0.05 0.05
$ 0.31 $ 0.27 $ 0.79 $ 0.87
Diluted Earnings (Loss) Per Common Share:
Continuing Operations$ 0.36 $ 0.21 $ 0.73 $ 0.81
Discontinued Operations (0.06) 0.06 0.05 0.05
$ 0.30 $ 0.27 $ 0.78 $ 0.86

Otter Tail Corporation
Consolidated Balance Sheets
Assets
in thousands
(not audited)
June 30,December 31,
2015 2014
Current Assets
Cash and Cash Equivalents $ -- $ --
Accounts Receivable:
Trade—Net 67,315 60,172
Other 18,248 13,179
Inventories 81,803 85,203
Deferred Income Taxes 54,498 49,482
Unbilled Revenues 14,352 17,996
Regulatory Assets 17,736 25,273
Other 8,588 7,187
Assets of Discontinued Operations 133 48,657
Total Current Assets 262,673 307,149
Investments 10,679 8,582
Other Assets 30,827 30,111
Goodwill 31,488 31,488
Other Intangibles—Net 10,863 11,251
Deferred Debits
Unamortized Debt Expense 3,949 4,300
Regulatory Assets 127,475 129,868
Total Deferred Debits 131,424 134,168
Plant
Electric Plant in Service 1,583,169 1,545,112
Nonelectric Operations 180,309 175,159
Construction Work in Progress 269,060 248,677
Total Gross Plant 2,032,538 1,968,948
Less Accumulated Depreciation and Amortization 699,113 700,418
Net Plant 1,333,425 1,268,530
Total$1,811,379 $1,791,279

Otter Tail Corporation
Consolidated Balance Sheets
Liabilities and Equity
in thousands
(not audited)
June 30,December 31,
2015 2014
Current Liabilities
Short-Term Debt$ 43,040 $ 10,854
Current Maturities of Long-Term Debt 207 201
Accounts Payable 101,020 107,013
Accrued Salaries and Wages 14,077 19,256
Accrued Taxes 9,997 13,793
Derivative Liabilities 14,388 14,230
Other Accrued Liabilities 12,099 8,793
Liabilities of Discontinued Operations 3,260 27,559
Total Current Liabilities 198,088 201,699
Pensions Benefit Liability 93,545 102,711
Other Postretirement Benefits Liability 54,357 53,638
Other Noncurrent Liabilities 24,319 26,794
Deferred Credits
Deferred Income Taxes 248,581 230,810
Deferred Tax Credits 25,445 26,384
Regulatory Liabilities 77,972 77,013
Other 977 975
Total Deferred Credits 352,975 335,182
Capitalization
Long-Term Debt, Net of Current Maturities 498,384 498,489
Cumulative Preferred Shares -- --
Cumulative Preference Shares -- --
Common Equity
Common Shares, Par Value $5 Per Share 187,828 186,090
Premium on Common Shares 287,066 278,436
Retained Earnings 119,239 112,903
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss (4,422) (4,663)
Total Common Equity 589,711 572,766
Total Capitalization 1,088,095 1,071,255
Total$1,811,379 $1,791,279

Otter Tail Corporation
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
In thousands
(not audited)
For the Six Months Ended June 30,
In thousands 2015 2014
Cash Flows from Operating Activities
Net Income$ 29,371 $ 31,423
Adjustments to Reconcile Net Income to Net Cash Provided by Operating Activities:
Net Gain from Sale of Discontinued Operations (6,997) --
Net Loss (Gain) from Discontinued Operations 5,064 (1,758)
Depreciation and Amortization 29,196 28,739
Deferred Tax Credits (939) (907)
Deferred Income Taxes 12,707 13,402
Change in Deferred Debits and Other Assets 11,470 129
Discretionary Contribution to Pension Plan (10,000) (20,000)
Change in Noncurrent Liabilities and Deferred Credits 4,025 (936)
Allowance for Equity/Other Funds Used During Construction (576) (759)
Change in Derivatives Net of Regulatory Deferral (123) 95
Stock Compensation Expense – Equity Awards 1,126 736
Other—Net 200 193
Cash (Used for) Provided by Current Assets and Current Liabilities:
Change in Receivables (5,918) (15,736)
Change in Inventories 3,400 (10,070)
Change in Other Current Assets 1,913 1,523
Change in Payables and Other Current Liabilities (21,294) (8,208)
Change in Interest and Income Taxes Receivable/Payable 96 2,664
Net Cash Provided by Continuing Operations 52,721 20,530
Net Cash Used in Discontinued Operations (10,966) (16,359)
Net Cash Provided by Operating Activities 41,755 4,171
Cash Flows from Investing Activities
Capital Expenditures (83,418) (79,574)
Proceeds from Disposal of Noncurrent Assets 2,628 1,386
Net Increase in Other Investments (5,763) (1,639)
Net Cash Used in Investing Activities - Continuing Operations (86,553) (79,827)
Net Proceeds from Sale of Discontinued Operations 32,765 --
Net Cash (Used in) Provided by Investing Activities - Discontinued Operations (1,770) 630
Net Cash Used in Investing Activities (55,558) (79,197)
Cash Flows from Financing Activities
Changes in Checks Written in Excess of Cash (947) 2,014
Net Short-Term Borrowings (Repayments) 32,186 (23,051)
Proceeds from Issuance of Common Stock 7,096 8,452
Common Stock Issuance Expenses (248) (310)
Payments for Retirement of Capital Stock (1,421) (459)
Proceeds from Issuance of Long-Term Debt -- 150,000
Short-Term and Long-Term Debt Issuance Expenses (4) (516)
Payments for Retirement of Long-Term Debt (99) (40,993)
Dividends Paid and Other Distributions (23,035) (22,029)
Net Cash Provided by Financing Activities – Continuing Operations 13,528 73,108
Net Cash Provided by Financing Activities – Discontinued Operations 322 760
Net Cash Provided by Financing Activities 13,850 73,868
Net Change in Cash and Cash Equivalents – Discontinued Operations (47) (849)
Net Change in Cash and Cash Equivalents -- (2,007)
Cash and Cash Equivalents at Beginning of Period -- 2,007
Cash and Cash Equivalents at End of Period $ -- $ --

Media contact: Cris Oehler, Vice President of Corporate Communications, (218) 531-0099 or (866) 410-8780
Investor contact: Loren Hanson, Manager of Investor Relations, (218) 739-8481 or (800) 664-1259       

Source: Otter Tail Corporation

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