FERGUS FALLS, Minn., May 7 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Otter Tail Corporation announced financial results for the quarter ended March 31, 2007 with the following highlights:
-- Record first quarter revenues of $301 million.
-- Consolidated net income from continuing operations of $10.4 million
for the first quarter of 2007 compared with $14.9 million for the
first quarter of 2006.
-- Diluted earnings per share from continuing operations of $0.34 for the
first quarter of 2007 compared with $0.50 for the first quarter of
2006.
Announcements:
-- On March 29, 2007 Otter Tail Power Company and Minnkota Power
Cooperative jointly announced an agreement with FPL Energy to develop
the Langdon Wind Project, projected to be the largest wind farm in
North Dakota. Otter Tail Power Company will own 40.5 megawatts of the
farm's installed capacity, and will purchase the energy from an
additional 19.5 megawatts of installed capacity annually for a 25-year
period.
-- On April 9, 2007 the Board of Directors declared a quarterly common
stock dividend of 29.25 cents per share.
-- On April 13, 2007 the corporation increased the amount available under
its line of credit used to support the working capital needs and other
capital requirements of its electric operations from $25 million to
$50 million.
-- On May 2, 2007 the corporation's wind tower manufacturer, DMI
Industries, Inc., announced plans to add a third wind tower production
facility, which will give the company one of the largest annual tower
fabrication capacities in North America. The new location is in Tulsa,
Oklahoma, and if approvals and permits are obtained, the plant is
expected to be operational in 2008.
-- The corporation reaffirms its 2007 diluted earnings per share guidance
from continuing operations to be in the range of $1.60 to $1.80.
"Our first quarter operating results for 2007 -- while lower than last year's exceptional results -- are close to our internal expectations," said John Erickson, president and chief executive officer of Otter Tail Corporation. "We are pleased to reach record revenues for the first quarter and are satisfied with net income results. Our electric segment earnings were down, in part from nonrecurring items affecting wholesale energy marketing results. Although earnings from our plastics companies were lower than the prior year, this segment continues to perform at levels higher than anticipated. Our manufacturing, health services and food ingredient processing segments all improved over the same quarter a year ago. We reaffirm our 2007 diluted earnings per share guidance to be within the range of $1.60 to $1.80."
Erickson noted Otter Tail Corporation once again has been listed in Mergent's Dividend Achievers, which each year recognizes those companies that consistently reward their shareholders through outstanding records of dividend increases. To qualify as a dividend achiever, a company must have raised its annual cash dividend for at least 10 consecutive calendar years. The 2007 Dividend Achievers Index consists of 330 stocks. Otter Tail Corporation has paid dividends on its common stock each quarter since 1938 without interruption or reduction and has increased its dividends annually since 1975.
Segment Performance Summary
Electric
Electric revenues increased 9.0% to $90.0 million in the first quarter of 2007 from $82.6 million in the first quarter of 2006 mainly due to a $7.8 million increase in retail electric revenues. Net income in the electric segment decreased for the quarter ended March 31, 2007 to $5.9 million compared with $9.5 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2006.
The main contributor to the increase in retail revenues was a $6.3 million increase in Fuel Clause Adjustment (FCA) revenues related to increased fuel and purchased power costs incurred to serve retail customers. The remaining $1.5 million increase in retail revenues was due to a 3.8% increase in retail kilowatt-hour (kwh) sales resulting from a 10.4% increase in heating degree days between the quarters. FCA revenues in the first quarter of 2006 included the reversal of a $1.9 million refund provision established in December 2005 for FCA revenues collected in 2005 related to certain Midwest Independent Transmission System Operator (MISO) costs incurred in 2005. Wholesale electric revenues from company-owned generation were $6.0 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2007 compared with $5.4 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2006. Wholesale revenues from company-owned generation increased as a result of a 137% increase in the price per kwh sold despite a 52.5% decrease in wholesale kwh sales from company-owned generation. Net losses from the resale of purchased power combined with net mark-to-market losses on forward energy contracts were $1.8 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2007 compared with $0.6 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2006. In the first quarter of 2007, the net losses from energy trading activities were the result of a $1.7 million charge to earnings for the expected reallocation of MISO revenue sufficiency guarantee (RSG) charges on virtual supply transactions going back to April 25, 2006 as a result of a March 15, 2007 Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) order. Electric operating and maintenance expenses increased $3.4 million between the quarters mainly as a result of increased labor costs related to wage increases and a reduction in capitalizable expenses between the quarters.
Plastics
The plastics segment's revenues and net income were $37.8 million and $2.8 million, respectively, in the quarter ended March 31, 2007 compared with $38.1 million and $4.6 million in the quarter ended March 31, 2006. The decrease in revenues and net income reflects the effect of falling resin prices for PVC and PE pipe compared with the same period a year ago. A 35.9% increase in pounds of pipe sold between the quarters was offset by a 26.6% decrease in revenue per pound of pipe sold. While the price per pound of pipe sold decreased by 26.6%, the cost per pound sold only decreased by 20.0%, resulting in a $1.7 million decrease in net income between the periods.
Manufacturing
The manufacturing segment's revenues and net income were $86.2 million and $2.5 million, respectively, in the quarter ended March 31, 2007 compared with $68.3 million and $2.2 million in the quarter ended March 31, 2006. DMI Industries, Inc. recorded increases of $17.2 million in revenue and $0.7 million in net income between the quarters as a result of increased wind tower production and sales activity. At BTD Manufacturing, Inc., revenues were down $0.7 million but net income was up slightly between the quarters as a 10% decrease in units sold was more than offset by a 15.2% increase in average profit margin per unit sold. At T.O. Plastics, Inc., a $1.1 million increase in revenue was more than offset by a $1.1 million increase in cost of goods sold and a $0.3 million increase in other operating expenses, resulting in a $0.2 million decrease in net income between the quarters. At ShoreMaster, Inc., revenues increased $0.4 million while net income decreased $0.3 million between the quarters as a result of higher operating and maintenance expenses mainly related to increased labor, sales commission and marketing expenditures.
Health Services
The health services segment's revenues and net income were $33.0 million and $0.9 million, respectively, in the quarter ended March 31, 2007 compared with $32.1 million and $0.3 million in the quarter ended March 31, 2006. Revenues from equipment sales and servicing increased $0.6 million and revenues from scanning and other related services increased $0.3 million between the quarters. Revenue per scan increased 14.2% while the number of scans completed decreased 14.0% between the quarters. Cost of goods sold decreased $0.4 million between the quarters primarily as a result of higher commissions earned by the health services segment on sales made by Phillips in the health services segment service territory compared with equipment sales made directly by the health services segment. The $0.3 million increase in operating expenses is mainly due to higher labor expenses.
Food Ingredient Processing
The food ingredient processing segment recorded revenues of $19.5 million and net income of $0.4 million in the quarter ended March 31, 2007 compared with revenues of $9.4 million and a net loss of $1.0 million in the quarter ended March 31, 2006. A 70.3% increase in pounds of product sold combined with a 22.4% increase in the price per pound of product sold between the quarters was partially offset by a 7.1% increase in the cost per pound of product sold.
Other Business Operations
Other business operations had a net loss of $2.3 million in the quarter ended March 31, 2007 compared with a net loss of $0.7 million in the quarter ended March 31, 2006. The increase in net losses between the periods was due to a $0.8 million after-tax increase in corporate expenses, mainly related to higher labor and professional service costs. The corporation's construction companies had a $0.7 million decrease in net income due to lower profit margins on work completed in the first quarter of 2007 compared to the first quarter of 2006.
2007 Expectations
Otter Tail Corporation anticipates 2007 diluted earnings per share from continuing operations to be in a range from $1.60 to $1.80. Contributing to the earnings guidance for 2007 are the following items:
-- The corporation expects earnings in the range of $19.0 million to
$22.5 million in the electric segment in 2007. This change from the
original guidance is impacted primarily by lower than expected margins
on virtual supply transactions in 2007 relating to the FERC order
requiring RSG charges on virtual supply transactions going back to
April 25, 2006. This order is expected to have a downward impact on
the margins from virtual supply transactions for the remainder of
2007.
-- The corporation expects the plastics segment's earnings performance to
be in the range of $5.5 million to $8.0 million in 2007 because of
stronger than expected first quarter performance.
-- Continued enhancements in productivity and capacity utilization,
strong backlogs and an announced expansion of DMI's Fort Erie, Ontario
facility that will increase the facility's production capacity by 30%,
are expected to result in increased net income in the manufacturing
segment in 2007.
-- The corporation expects moderate net income growth in the health
services segment in 2007.
-- The corporation expects its food ingredient processing business to
generate net income in the range of $2.0 million to $4.0 million in
2007.
-- The other business operations segment is expected to have lower
earnings in 2007 compared with 2006 due to an expected return to more
normal unallocated corporate cost levels. The construction companies
are expected to have a strong 2007 given current backlogs.
Risk Factors and Forward-Looking Statements that Could Affect Future Results
The information in this release includes certain forward-looking information, including 2007 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:
-- The corporation is subject to federal and state legislation,
regulations and actions that may have a negative impact on its
business and results of operations.
-- Future operating results of the electric segment will be impacted by
the outcome of a rate case to be filed in Minnesota in late 2007.
-- Certain MISO-related costs currently included in the FCA in Minnesota
retail rates may be excluded from recovery through the FCA and subject
to future recovery through rates established in a general rate case.
-- Weather conditions can adversely affect the corporation's operations
and revenues.
-- Electric wholesale margins could be further reduced as the MISO market
becomes more efficient.
-- Electric wholesale trading margins could be reduced or eliminated by
losses due to trading activities.
-- The corporation's electric generating facilities are subject to
operational risks that could result in unscheduled plant outages,
unanticipated operation and maintenance expenses and increased power
purchase costs.
-- Wholesale sales of electricity from excess generation could be reduced
by reductions in coal shipments to the Big Stone and Hoot Lake plants
due to supply constraints or rail transportation problems beyond the
corporation's control.
-- The corporation's electric segment has capitalized $6.5 million in
costs related to the planned construction of a second electric
generating unit at its Big Stone Plant site as of March 31, 2007.
Should approvals of permits not be received on a timely basis, the
project could be at risk. If the project is abandoned for permitting
or other reasons, these capitalized costs and others incurred in
future periods may be subject to expense and may not be recoverable.
-- The corporation's manufacturer of wind towers operates in a market
that has been dependent on the Federal Production Tax Credit. This tax
credit is currently in place through December 31, 2008. Should this
tax credit not be renewed, the revenues and earnings of this business
could be reduced.
-- Federal and state environmental regulation could cause the corporation
to incur substantial capital expenditures which could result in
increased operating costs.
-- The corporation's plans to grow and diversify through acquisitions may
not be successful and could result in poor financial performance.
-- The corporation's plan to grow its nonelectric businesses could be
limited by state law.
-- Competition is a factor in all of the corporation's businesses.
-- Economic uncertainty could have a negative impact on the corporation's
future revenues and earnings.
-- Volatile financial markets could restrict the corporation's ability to
access capital and could increase borrowing costs and pension plan
expenses.
-- The price and availability of raw materials could affect the revenue
and earnings of the corporation's manufacturing segment.
-- The corporation's food ingredient processing segment operates in a
highly competitive market and is dependent on adequate sources of raw
materials for processing. Should the supply of these raw materials be
affected by poor growing conditions, this could negatively impact the
results of operations for this segment. This segment could also be
impacted by foreign currency changes between Canadian and United
States currency and prices of natural gas.
-- The corporation's plastics segment is highly dependent on a limited
number of vendors for PVC resin, many of which are located in the Gulf
Coast regions, and a limited supply of resin. The loss of a key vendor
or an interruption or delay in the supply of PVC resin could result in
reduced sales or increased costs for this business. Reductions in PVC
resin prices could negatively impact PVC pipe prices, profit margins
on PVC pipe sales and the value of PVC pipe held in inventory.
-- Changes in the rates or method of third-party reimbursements for
diagnostic imaging services could result in reduced demand for those
services or create downward pricing pressure, which would decrease
revenues and earnings for the corporation's health services segment.
-- The corporation's health services businesses may not be able to retain
or comply with the dealership arrangement and other agreements with
Philips Medical.
-- A significant failure or an inability to properly bid or perform on
projects by the corporation's construction businesses could lead to
adverse financial results.
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, plastics, manufacturing, health services, food ingredient processing and other 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 http://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 months ended March 31, 2007 and 2006 in the attached financial statements.
Consolidated Statements of Income, Consolidated Balance Sheets - Assets, Consolidated Balance Sheets - Liabilities and Equity
Otter Tail Corporation
Consolidated Statements of Income
For the three months ended March 31, 2007 and 2006
In thousands, except share and per share amounts
(not audited)
Quarter Ended March 31,
2007 2006
Operating revenues by segment:
Electric $89,980 $82,584
Plastics 37,819 38,105
Manufacturing 86,225 68,257
Health services 32,963 32,076
Food ingredient processing 19,495 9,350
Other business operations 35,796 28,279
Intersegment eliminations (1,157) (844)
Total operating revenues 301,121 257,807
Operating expenses:
Fuel and purchase power 42,436 33,542
Nonelectric cost of goods sold
(excludes depreciation; included
below) 164,659 132,394
Electric operating and
maintenance expense 29,401 26,025
Nonelectric operating and
maintenance expense 30,758 26,248
Depreciation and amortization 13,093 12,224
Total operating expenses 280,347 230,433
Operating income (loss) by segment:
Electric 11,473 16,660
Plastics 4,867 7,747
Manufacturing 5,938 5,074
Health services 1,812 783
Food ingredient processing 781 (1,572)
Other business operations (4,097) (1,318)
Total operating income -
continuing operations 20,774 27,374
Interest charges 4,868 4,444
Other income and deductions 273 428
Income taxes - continuing operations 5,771 8,503
Net income (loss) by segment -
continuing operations:
Electric 5,922 9,458
Plastics 2,828 4,576
Manufacturing 2,539 2,245
Health services 948 321
Food ingredient processing 449 (1,010)
Other business operations (2,278) (735)
Total net income - continuing
operations 10,408 14,855
Net income from discontinued
operations net of taxes of
$0 and $69 for the respective
periods - 105
Total net income 10,408 14,960
Preferred stock dividend 184 184
Balance for common: $10,224 $14,776
Average number of common shares
outstanding--basic 29,503,252 29,325,986
Average number of common shares
outstanding--diluted 29,756,904 29,676,117
Basic earnings per common share:
Continuing operations (net of
preferred dividend requirement) $0.35 $0.50
Discontinued operations $- $-
$0.35 $0.50
Diluted earnings per common share:
Continuing operations (net of
preferred dividend requirement) $0.34 $0.50
Discontinued operations $- $-
$0.34 $0.50
Otter Tail Corporation
Consolidated Balance Sheets
Assets
In thousands
(not audited)
March 31, December 31,
2007 2006
Current assets
Cash and cash equivalents $- $6,791
Accounts receivable:
Trade--net 151,645 135,011
Other 10,388 10,265
Inventories 100,570 103,002
Deferred income taxes 8,179 8,069
Accrued utility revenues 28,676 23,931
Costs and estimated earnings in
excess of billings 48,227 38,384
Other 16,929 9,611
Assets of discontinued operations 289 289
Total current assets 364,903 335,353
Investments and other assets 31,241 29,946
Goodwill--net 98,110 98,110
Other intangibles--net 20,858 20,080
Deferred debits:
Unamortized debt expense and
reacquisition premiums 5,994 6,133
Regulatory assets and other deferred
debits 49,177 50,419
Total deferred debits 55,171 56,552
Plant
Electric plant in service 936,575 930,689
Nonelectric operations 242,745 239,269
Total 1,179,320 1,169,958
Less accumulated depreciation and
amortization 488,769 479,557
Plant-net of accumulated depreciation
and amortization 690,551 690,401
Construction work in progress 37,603 28,208
Net plant 728,154 718,609
Total $1,298,437 $1,258,650
Otter Tail Corporation
Consolidated Balance Sheets
Liabilities and Equity
In thousands
(not audited)
March 31, December 31,
2007 2006
Current liabilities
Short-term debt $74,100 $38,900
Current maturities of long-term debt 3,114 3,125
Accounts payable 122,219 120,195
Accrued salaries and wages 21,059 28,653
Accrued federal and state income
taxes 6,076 2,383
Other accrued taxes 11,202 11,509
Other accrued liabilities 13,114 10,495
Liabilities of discontinued
operations 197 197
Total current liabilities 251,081 215,457
Pensions benefit liability 42,915 44,035
Other postretirement benefits
liability 32,764 32,254
Other noncurrent liabilities 20,122 18,866
Deferred credits
Deferred income taxes 112,136 112,740
Deferred investment tax credit 7,896 8,181
Regulatory liabilities 62,995 63,875
Other 1,204 281
Total deferred credits 184,231 185,077
Capitalization
Long-term debt, net of current
maturities 254,804 255,436
Class B stock options of subsidiary 1,255 1,255
Cumulative preferred shares 15,500 15,500
Cumulative preference shares -
authorized 1,000,000
shares without par value;
outstanding - none - -
Common shares, par value $5 per share 148,251 147,609
Premium on common shares 101,985 99,223
Retained earnings 246,467 245,005
Accumulated other comprehensive loss (938) (1,067)
Total common equity 495,765 490,770
Total capitalization 767,324 762,961
Total $1,298,437 $1,258,650
