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Otter Tail Corporation Announces Second Quarter Earnings, Reaffirms 2016 Earnings Guidance Range; Board of Directors Declares Quarterly Dividend

August 8, 2016 6:00 PM

FERGUS FALLS, Minn., Aug. 08, 2016 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Otter Tail Corporation (NASDAQ: OTTR) today announced financial results for the quarter ended June 30, 2016.

Summary:

CEO Overview“Our team delivered broad-based and solid earnings growth for the second quarter of 2016 over the second quarter of 2015,” said Otter Tail Corporation President and CEO Chuck MacFarlane. “Our Manufacturing segment drove operating margin improvements while our Electric segment benefited from strong sales to pipeline customers and higher revenue from interim rates, which are subject to refund.

“We continue to execute our capital investment plan at Otter Tail Power Company under a constructive regulatory framework. Our $858 million utility capital spending plan for 2016 through 2020 includes two large regional transmission projects and several generation investments. We expect these to drive a compounded annual growth rate of 8.0% in utility rate base through 2020, using 2014 as the base year.

“A resource plan filed with the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission (MPUC) in June proposes a 248‑megawatt simple-cycle natural gas combustion turbine, 200 megawatts of additional wind energy and 30 megawatts of solar energy in the next five years.

“Meanwhile, the two 345-kilovolt transmission projects that are part of our capital investment plan have begun construction. They are on budget and on schedule for completion in 2017 and 2019, respectively. Named Big Stone South-Brookings and Big Stone South-Ellendale, both are Midcontinent Independent System Operator-approved multi-value projects. Otter Tail Power Company is a 50% owner with other regional utilities in both and manages the Big Stone South-Ellendale project.

“Otter Tail Power Company filed a rate case with the MPUC in February, seeking permission to increase rates by approximately $19.3 million annually, or 9.8%. We expect intervenors to file testimony in mid-August and the MPUC to make a final determination in 2017. The MPUC granted a 9.56% interim rate increase, subject to refund, which began April 16 while it considers the overall request. We expect to recognize 8.5 months of increased revenues under interim rates, subject to refund, in 2016.

“Quarter-over-quarter net income at BTD, our custom metal fabricator, improved mainly due to improved productivity at all its facilities and increased sales at its Illinois plant. The recreational vehicle market continues to soften, adding to depressed markets for manufactured equipment in oil and gas extraction and agriculture. Original equipment manufacturers in these markets are BTD’s customers. We expect BTD to be in a good position to enhance earnings when market conditions improve. BTD’s Minnesota facilities expansion is complete. All plants have streamlined operations and the new state-of-the-art paint system is receiving orders.

“Our Plastics segment, Northern Pipe Products and Vinyltech, experienced a significant 19.2% increase in pipe sales quarter over quarter but at lower margins as the spread between sales and raw material prices has narrowed in 2016. Both companies are efficient, low-cost operators, but we expect margins to remain compressed for the balance of the year.

“We are reaffirming our 2016 diluted earnings per share guidance range of $1.50 to $1.65.”

Operating Cash Flows and Liquidity Consolidated cash provided by continuing operations for the six months ended June 30, 2016 was $64.2 million compared with $52.7 million for the six months ended June 30, 2015. Contributing to the increase in cash provided by continuing operations between the quarters was a $10.9 million decrease in cash used for working capital items between periods, which includes:

offset by:

The following table presents the status of our lines of credit as of June 30, 2016:

Restricted due to Available on
In Use OnOutstandingAvailable onDecember 31,
(in thousands)Line LimitJune 30, 2016Letters of CreditJune 30, 2016 2015
Otter Tail Corporation Credit Agreement$ 150,000 $19,289 $ -- $130,711 $ 90,334
Otter Tail Power Company Credit Agreement 170,000 29,985 50 139,965 148,694
Total$ 320,000 $49,274 $ 50 $270,676 $239,028

Board of Directors Declared Quarterly Dividend On August 5, 2016 the corporation’s Board of Directors declared a quarterly common stock dividend of $0.3125 per share. This dividend is payable September 10, 2016 to shareholders of record on August 15, 2016.

Segment Performance SummaryElectric

Three Months ended June 30,
(in thousands) 2016 2015 Increase
Revenues$97,925 $90,964 $6,961
Net Income$ 9,148 $ 8,252 $ 896

Three Months ended June 30,
2016 2015 % Change
Heating Degree Days 455 435 4.6%
Cooling Degree Days133 83 60.2%

The following table shows heating and cooling degree days as a percent of normal:

Three Months ended June 30,
2016 2015
Heating Degree Days 87.7% 82.7%
Cooling Degree Days 125.5% 76.1%

The following table summarizes the estimated impact of weather changes on diluted earnings per share compared with sales under normal weather conditions and to the second quarter of 2015:

Three Months ended June 30,
2016 vs 2015 vs 2016 vs
NormalNormal2015
Effect on Diluted Earnings Per Share $ -- $(0.01)$0.01

Retail electric revenues increased $6.5 million as a result of:

Revenue from wholesale electric sales from company-owned generation increased $0.6 million while fuel costs for wholesale generation increased $0.5 million, resulting in a $0.1 million increase in wholesale revenue net of fuel costs.

Other electric revenues included a quarter-over-quarter increase of $0.9 million in transmission service charges related to a regional transmission cooperative terminating its integrated transmission agreement with Otter Tail Power Company and joining the Southwest Power Pool (SPP) beginning in 2016. This increase was offset by a $0.8 million increase in the accrual for an estimated refund obligation that would arise if the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) orders a reduction in the return on equity (ROE) component of the Midcontinent Independent System Operator, Inc. (MISO) Open Access Transmission, Energy and Operating Reserve Markets Tariff for revenues billed under the tariff from December 2013 through May 2016. This is related to the non-binding initial decision of the presiding administrative law judge on June 30, 2016 recommending a lower FERC-allowed ROE.

Production fuel costs increased $5.8 million as a result of a 109.7% increase in kwhs generated from our steam-powered and combustion turbine generators, mainly related to Big Stone Plant being fully operational in the second quarter of 2016 compared to being down for maintenance during the entire second quarter of 2015.

The cost of purchased power to serve retail customers decreased $4.6 million due to a 14.3% decrease in the cost per kwh purchased combined with a 10.3% decrease in kwhs purchased. The decreased cost per kwh purchased was driven by lower wholesale energy prices in the second quarter of 2016 compared with the second quarter of 2015. The decrease in kwhs purchased was the result of increased availability and generation from company-owned resources.

Electric operating and maintenance expenses increased $1.2 million as a result of:

offset by:

Depreciation expense increased $2.3 million due to the AQCS at Big Stone Plant being placed in service at the end of December 2015 along with increased investment in transmission plant with the final phases of the Fargo‑Monticello and Brookings-Southeast Twin Cities 345-kilovolt transmission lines placed in service in 2015. Property tax expense increased $0.3 million as a result of property additions in Minnesota and North Dakota in 2015.

Manufacturing

Three Months ended June 30,
(in thousands) 2016 2015 Increase
Revenues$58,452 $51,273 $7,179
Net Income$ 3,009 $ 1,912 $1,097

At BTD, revenues increased $7.8 million, including:

offset by:

Cost of products sold at BTD increased $3.5 million. This included $5.7 million in cost of products sold at BTD-Georgia in the second quarter of 2016, offset by a $2.2 million net decrease in cost of products sold at BTD’s other facilities. The $2.2 million decrease is related to the decrease in sales to recreational and agricultural product manufacturers and to productivity improvements, partially offset by an increase in costs of products sold at BTD’s Illinois plant. Gross margins were also positively impacted in the second quarter of 2016 by changes in customer product mix between quarters. Operating expenses at BTD increased $0.4 million, primarily as a result of the BTD-Georgia acquisition. Depreciation and amortization expenses at BTD increased $1.5 million, including $0.8 million at BTD-Georgia in the second quarter of 2016 and a $0.7 million increase as a result of BTD placing new assets in service in Minnesota. BTD’s interest expense, income taxes and net income increased $0.2 million, $0.8 million and $1.4 million, respectively, in the second quarter of 2016 compared with the second quarter of 2015.

At T.O. Plastics, revenues decreased $0.6 million reflecting:

offset by:

The decreased revenues in combination with a $0.2 million increase in cost of products sold was partially offset by a $0.3 million decrease in incentive benefits and selling expenses, resulting in a $0.3 million decrease in net income at T.O. Plastics between the quarters.

Plastics

Three Months ended June 30,
(in thousands) 2016 2015 Increase/(decrease)
Revenues$47,112 $45,954 $1,158
Net Income$ 3,485 $ 4,265 $ (780)

The increase in revenues is the result of a 19.2% increase in pounds of polyvinyl chloride (PVC) pipe sold, mostly offset by a 14.0% decrease in the price per pound of pipe sold. The Plastics segment reported increased sales in the western United States, Texas and Missouri. The decline in sales price per pound is due to softening sales prices as a result of lower raw material prices between the quarters. Cost of products sold increased $2.2 million due to the increase in sales volume, partially offset by a 10.9% decrease in the cost per pound of PVC pipe sold.

Corporate

Corporate costs net of tax decreased $0.7 million between the quarters mainly as a result of receiving $0.7 million in nontaxable benefit proceeds from corporate-owned life insurance.

Discontinued OperationsFollowing are summary presentations of the results of discontinued operations for the three-month periods ended June 30:

(in thousands) 2016 2015
Operating Revenues$ -- $ 5,899
Operating Expenses (199) 9,209
Operating Income (Loss) 199 (3,310)
Other Deductions -- (11)
Income Tax Expense (Benefit) 80 (1,329)
Net Income (Loss) from Operations 119 (1,992)
Loss on Disposition Before Taxes -- (509)
Income Tax Benefit on Disposition -- (280)
Net Loss on Disposition -- (229)
Net Income (Loss)$ 119 $ (2,221)

On April 30, 2015 we sold Foley Company (Foley), our former water, wastewater, power and industrial construction contractor, resulting in a net loss on disposition of $0.2 million. The above results for the three months ended June 30, 2015 include net losses from operations of $1.5 million from Foley and $0.5 million from our former waterfront equipment manufacturer related to settlement of a warranty claim.

2016 Business OutlookWe are reaffirming our consolidated diluted earnings per share guidance for 2016 to be in the range of $1.50 to $1.65. This guidance reflects the current mix of businesses we own, considers the cyclical nature of some of our businesses and reflects current economic challenges facing our Manufacturing and Plastics segments and strategies for improving future operating results. We expect capital expenditures for 2016 to be $175 million compared with $160 million in capital expenditures in 2015. Major projects in our planned expenditures for 2016 include investments in two large transmission line projects for the Electric segment, which positively impact earnings by providing an immediate return on invested funds.

Segment components of our 2016 earnings per share initial and revised guidance range compared with 2015 actual earnings are as follows:

Diluted Earnings Per Share 2015 EPS by Segment 2016 GuidanceFebruary 8, 20162016 GuidanceRevised May 2, 20162016 GuidanceRevised August 8, 2016
LowHighLowHighLowHigh
Electric$1.29 $1.29 $1.32 $1.29 $1.32 $1.27 $1.30
Manufacturing$0.11 $0.11 $0.15 $0.12 $0.16 $0.14 $0.18
Plastics$0.32 $0.26 $0.30 $0.24 $0.28 $0.24 $0.28
Corporate$(0.16)$(0.16)$(0.12)$(0.15)$(0.11)$(0.15)$(0.11)
Total – Continuing Operations$1.56 $1.50 $1.65 $1.50 $1.65 $1.50 $1.65
Expected Return on Equity 9.3% 10.2% 9.3% 10.2% 9.3% 10.2%

Contributing to our earnings guidance for 2016 are the following items:

CONFERENCE CALL AND WEBCAST Otter Tail Corporation will host a live webcast on Tuesday, August 9, 2016, at 10:00 a.m. CDT to discuss its financial and operating performance.

The presentation will be posted on our 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 our 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 ResultsThe information in this release includes certain forward-looking information, including 2016 expectations, made under the Safe Harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Although we believe our expectations are based on reasonable assumptions, actual results may differ materially from those expectations. The following factors, among others, could cause our actual results 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 we file 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, 2016 and 2015 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,
2016 2015 2016 2015
Operating Revenues by Segment
Electric$ 97,925 $ 90,964 $ 210,919 $ 204,511
Manufacturing 58,452 51,273 118,272 108,032
Plastics 47,112 45,954 80,549 78,506
Intersegment Eliminations (7) (38) (16) (55)
Total Operating Revenues 203,482 188,153 409,724 390,994
Operating Expenses
Fuel and Purchased Power 25,117 23,867 57,703 62,158
Nonelectric Cost of Goods Sold (depreciation included below) 80,949 74,986 153,588 146,484
Electric Operating and Maintenance Expense 38,981 37,754 78,999 75,281
Nonelectric Operating and Maintenance Expense 9,238 8,823 20,693 21,286
Depreciation and Amortization 18,525 14,661 36,814 29,196
Property Taxes - Electric 3,589 3,262 7,268 6,764
Total Operating Expenses 176,399 163,353 355,065 341,169
Operating Income (Loss) by Segment
Electric 16,806 14,944 40,034 38,107
Manufacturing 5,805 3,891 9,660 6,421
Plastics 6,005 7,221 9,752 10,836
Corporate (1,533) (1,256) (4,787) (5,539)
Total Operating Income 27,083 24,800 54,65 49,825
Interest Charges 7,976 7,702 15,970 15,445
Other Income 1,532 567 1,932 1,139
Income Tax Expense – Continuing Operations 5,083 4,008 10,575 8,081
Net Income (Loss) by Segment – Continuing Operations
Electric 9,148 8,252 21,686 21,430
Manufacturing 3,009 1,912 4,862 3,096
Plastics 3,485 4,265 5,637 6,385
Corporate (86) (772) (2,139) (3,473)
Net Income from Continuing Operations 15,556 13,657 30,046 27,438
Discontinued Operations
Income (Loss) - net of Income Tax Expense (Benefit) of $80, ($1,329), $100 and ($2,705) for the respective periods 119 (1,992) 149 (4,064)
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 $4,536 for the three and six months ended June 30, 2015 -- (229) -- 6,997
Net Income (Loss) from Discontinued Operations 119 (2,221) 149 1,933
Net Income$ 15,675 $ 11,436 $ 30,195 $ 29,371
Average Number of Common Shares Outstanding
Basic 38,179,371 37,433,318 38,058,157 37,338,218
Diluted 38,321,289 37,653,203 38,183,249 37,558,103
Basic Earnings (Loss) Per Common Share:
Continuing Operations$ 0.41 $ 0.37 $ 0.79 $ 0.74
Discontinued Operations -- (0.06) -- 0.05
$ 0.41 $ 0.31 $ 0.79 $ 0.79
Diluted Earnings (Loss) Per Common Share:
Continuing Operations$ 0.41 $ 0.36 $ 0.79 $ 0.73
Discontinued Operations -- (0.06) -- 0.05
$ 0.41 $ 0.30 $ 0.79 $ 0.78

Otter Tail Corporation
Consolidated Balance Sheets
Assets
in thousands
(not audited)
June 30, December 31,
2016 2015
Current Assets
Cash and Cash Equivalents$ -- $ --
Accounts Receivable:
Trade—Net 78,677 62,974
Other 7,144 9,073
Inventories 81,396 85,416
Unbilled Revenues 15,909 17,869
Income Taxes Receivable -- 4,000
Regulatory Assets 17,205 18,904
Other 14,065 8,453
Total Current Assets 214,396 206,689
Investments 8,413 8,284
Other Assets 33,605 32,784
Goodwill 37,572 39,732
Other Intangibles—Net 15,639 15,673
Regulatory Assets 123,706 127,707
Plant
Electric Plant in Service 1,834,157 1,820,763
Nonelectric Operations 218,007 201,343
Construction Work in Progress 116,848 79,612
Total Gross Plant 2,169,012 2,101,718
Less Accumulated Depreciation and Amortization 740,440 713,904
Net Plant 1,428,572 1,387,814
Total$1,861,903 $1,818,683

Otter Tail Corporation
Consolidated Balance Sheets
Liabilities and Equity
in thousands
(not audited)
June 30,December 31,
2016 2015
Current Liabilities
Short-Term Debt$ 49,274 $ 80,672
Current Maturities of Long-Term Debt 52,497 52,422
Accounts Payable 86,210 89,499
Accrued Salaries and Wages 14,774 16,182
Accrued Taxes 10,562 14,827
Other Accrued Liabilities 17,951 15,416
Liabilities of Discontinued Operations 1,868 2,098
Total Current Liabilities 233,136 271,116
Pensions Benefit Liability 95,520 104,912
Other Postretirement Benefits Liability 49,659 48,730
Other Noncurrent Liabilities 24,980 23,854
Deferred Credits
Deferred Income Taxes 217,523 207,669
Deferred Tax Credits 23,678 24,506
Regulatory Liabilities 77,915 77,432
Other 9,580 11,595
Total Deferred Credits 328,696 321,202
Capitalization
Long-Term Debt—Net 493,804 443,846
Cumulative Preferred Shares -- --
Cumulative Preference Shares -- --
Common Equity
Common Shares, Par Value $5 Per Share 193,516 189,286
Premium on Common Shares 313,839 293,610
Retained Earnings 132,401 126,025
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss (3,648) (3,898)
Total Common Equity 636,108 605,023
Total Capitalization 1,129,912 1,048,869
Total$1,861,903 $1,818,683

Otter Tail Corporation
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
In thousands
(not audited)
For the Six Months Ended June 30,
In thousands 2016 2015
Cash Flows from Operating Activities
Net Income$ 30,195 $ 29,371
Adjustments to Reconcile Net Income to Net Cash Provided by Operating Activities:
Net Gain from Sale of Discontinued Operations -- (6,997)
Net (Income) Loss from Discontinued Operations (149) 5,064
Depreciation and Amortization 36,814 29,196
Deferred Tax Credits (828) (939)
Deferred Income Taxes 9,679 12,707
Change in Deferred Debits and Other Assets 2,680 11,470
Discretionary Contribution to Pension Plan (10,000) (10,000)
Change in Noncurrent Liabilities and Deferred Credits 6,404 4,025
Allowance for Equity/Other Funds Used During Construction (475) (576)
Change in Derivatives Net of Regulatory Deferral -- (123)
Stock Compensation Expense – Equity Awards 828 1,126
Other—Net (76) 200
Cash (Used for) Provided by Current Assets and Current Liabilities:
Change in Receivables (12,673) (5,918)
Change in Inventories 4,218 3,400
Change in Other Current Assets (1,043) 1,913
Change in Payables and Other Current Liabilities (5,441) (21,294)
Change in Interest and Income Taxes Receivable/Payable 4,018 96
Net Cash Provided by Continuing Operations 64,151 52,721
Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Discontinued Operations 11 (10,966)
Net Cash Provided by Operating Activities 64,162 41,755
Cash Flows from Investing Activities
Capital Expenditures (79,158) (83,418)
Proceeds from Disposal of Noncurrent Assets 1,080 2,628
Final Purchase Price Adjustment – BTD-Georgia Acquisition 1,500 --
Cash Used for Investments and Other Assets (1,719) (5,763)
Net Cash Used in Investing Activities - Continuing Operations (78,297) (86,553)
Net Proceeds from Sale of Discontinued Operations -- 32,765
Net Cash Used in Investing Activities - Discontinued Operations -- (1,770)
Net Cash Used in Investing Activities (78,297) (55,558)
Cash Flows from Financing Activities
Changes in Checks Written in Excess of Cash (2,024) (947)
Net Short-Term Debt (Repayments) Borrowings (31,398) 32,186
Proceeds from Issuance of Common Stock – net of Issuance Expenses 21,645 6,848
Payments for Retirement of Capital Stock (104) (1,421)
Proceeds from Issuance of Long-Term Debt 50,000 --
Short-Term and Long-Term Debt Issuance Expenses (59) (4)
Payments for Retirement of Long-Term Debt (106) (99)
Dividends Paid and Other Distributions (23,819) (23,035)
Net Cash Provided by Financing Activities – Continuing Operations 14,135 13,528
Net Cash Provided by Financing Activities – Discontinued Operations -- 322
Net Cash Provided by Financing Activities 14,135 13,850
Net Change in Cash and Cash Equivalents – Discontinued Operations -- (47)
Net Change in Cash and Cash Equivalents -- --
Cash and Cash Equivalents at Beginning of Period -- --
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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