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Fri, October 29, 2010

ALLETE, Inc. Reports Third Quarter Earnings of 56 Cents Per Share


Published on 2010-10-29 05:36:53 - Market Wire
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DULUTH, Minn.--([ BUSINESS WIRE ])--ALLETE (NYSE:ALE) today reported third quarter 2010 earnings of 56 cents per share on net income of $19.6 million and revenue of $224.1 million.

"And we are particularly pleased that economic improvement was seen by customers in our service territory compared to what was experienced a year ago."

In the third quarter of 2009, company earnings were 49 cents per share and net income was $16 million on revenue of $178.8 million. Higher industrial sales were a primary reason for the 23 percent year-over-year increase in net income.

aWea™re pleased with these financial results,a said ALLETE CEO and President Alan R. Hodnik. aAnd we are particularly pleased that economic improvement was seen by customers in our service territory compared to what was experienced a year ago.a

Quarterly net income in ALLETEa™s Regulated Operations segment improved from $16.6 million in 2009 to $22.1 million in 2010, due to a number of factors. The combination of higher rates and electric sales were partially offset by significant increases in operating, interest and depreciation expenses.

The Investments and Other segment recorded a quarterly net loss of $2.5 million versus a net loss of $600,000 in the same period a year ago. Higher operating expenses were a primary contributor to the period over period decrease.

An increase in the average number of common shares outstanding, with issuance proceeds used to fund the capital expenditure program, had a dilutive impact of four cents per share for the quarter.

Hodnik said he expects ALLETE to finish 2010 by recording earnings in a range between $2.25 and $2.35 per share, excluding the first quarter 12 cent per share non-recurring charge as a result of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act.

ALLETEa™s corporate headquarters are located in Duluth, Minnesota. In addition to its electric utilities, Minnesota Power in northeast Minnesota and Superior Water, Light & Power Co. in northwest Wisconsin, ALLETE owns BNI Coal in Center, N.D. and has an 8 percent equity interest in the American Transmission Co. In late 2009, it purchased a 465-mile direct current transmission line between Duluth, Minn. and Center, N.D. to transport renewable wind energy from its Bison I Wind Energy Center, which is currently under construction near New Salem, N.D. More information about the company is available on ALLETEa™s Web site at [ www.allete.com ].

The statements contained in this release and statements that ALLETE may make orally in connection with this release that are not historical facts, are forward-looking statements. Actual results may differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties and investors are directed to the risks discussed in documents filed by ALLETE with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

ALLETEa™s press releases and other communications may include certain non-Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP)financial measures. A anon-GAAP financial measurea is defined as a numerical measure of a companya™s financial performance, financial position or cash flows that excludes (or includes) amounts that are included in (or excluded from) the most directly comparable measure calculated and presented in accordance with GAAP in the companya™s financial statements.

Non-GAAP financial measures utilized by the Company include presentations of earnings (loss)per share. ALLETEa™s management believes that these non-GAAP financial measures provide useful information to investors by removing the effect of variances in GAAP reported results of operations that are not indicative of changes in the fundamental earnings power of the Companya™s operations. Management believes that the presentation of the non-GAAP financial measures isappropriate and enables investors and analysts to more accurately compare the companya™s ongoing financial performance over the periods presented.

ALLETE, Inc.

Consolidated Statement of Income

For the Periods Ended September 30, 2010 and 2009

Millions Except Per Share Amounts a" Unaudited

Quarter EndedYear to Date

2010

200920102009
Operating Revenue
Operating Revenue $ 224.1 $ 178.8 $ 668.9 $ 550.7
Prior Year Rate Refunds a" a" a" (7.6 )
Total Operating Revenue 224.1 178.8 668.9 543.1
Operating Expenses
Fuel and Purchased Power 79.0 69.8 233.1 199.4
Operating and Maintenance 89.8 67.5 262.9 224.7
Depreciation 20.0 16.1 59.8 46.8
Total Operating Expenses 188.8 153.4 555.8 470.9
Operating Income 35.3 25.4 113.1 72.2
Other Income (Expense)
Interest Expense (9.7 ) (8.3 ) (28.1 ) (25.4 )
Equity Earnings in ATC 4.5 4.4 13.4 12.9
Other 0.6 0.8 3.8 3.8
Total Other Income (Expense) (4.6 ) (3.1 ) (10.9 ) (8.7 )
Income Before Non-Controlling Interest and Income Taxes 30.7 22.3 102.2 63.5
Income Tax Expense 11.2 6.5 40.5 21.5
Net Income 19.5 15.8 61.7 42.0
Less: Non-Controlling Interest in Subsidiaries (0.1 ) (0.2 ) (0.3 ) (0.3 )
Net Income Attributable to ALLETE $ 19.6 $ 16.0 $ 62.0 $ 42.3
Average Shares of Common Stock
Basic 34.4 32.8 34.1 31.8
Diluted 34.5 32.9 34.2 31.9
Basic Earnings Per Share of Common Stock $ 0.57 $ 0.49 $ 1.82 $ 1.33
Diluted Earnings Per Share of Common Stock $ 0.56 $ 0.49 $ 1.81 $ 1.33
Dividends Per Share of Common Stock $ 0.44 $ 0.44 $ 1.32 $ 1.32

Consolidated Balance Sheet

Millions a" Unaudited

Sep. 30, Dec. 31, Sep. 30, Dec. 31,
2010 2009 2010 2009
AssetsLiabilities and Equity

Cash and Short-Term Investments

$ 92.3 $ 25.7 Current Liabilities $ 131.0 $ 133.1
Other Current Assets 201.7 199.8 Long-Term Debt 784.2 695.8
Property, Plant and Equipment 1,742.6 1,622.7 Other Liabilities 312.8 325.0
Regulatory Assets 282.5 293.2 Regulatory Liabilities 46.0 47.1
Investment in ATC 92.0 88.4 Deferred Income Taxes 321.0 253.1
Investments 134.4 130.5 Equity 984.1 939.0
Other 33.6 32.8
Total Assets $ 2,579.1 $ 2,393.1 Total Liabilities and Equity $ 2,579.1 $ 2,393.1
Quarter EndedYear to Date
September 30,September 30,
ALLETE, Inc.2010200920102009
Income (Loss)
Millions
Regulated Operations $ 22.1 $ 16.6 $ 65.2 $ 45.0
Investments and Other (2.5 ) (0.6 ) (3.2 ) (2.7 )
Net Income Attributable to ALLETE $ 19.6 $ 16.0 $ 62.0 $ 42.3
Diluted Earnings Per Share $ 0.56 $ 0.49 $ 1.81 $ 1.33
Statistical Data
Corporate
Common Stock
High $ 37.75 $ 34.57 $ 37.87 $ 34.57
Low $ 33.16 $ 27.75 $ 29.99 $ 23.35
Close $ 36.43 $ 33.57 $ 36.43 $ 33.57
Book Value $ 27.23 $ 25.95 $ 27.23 $ 25.95
Kilowatt-hours Sold
Millions
Regulated Utility
Retail and Municipals
Residential 262 240 847 857
Commercial 374 352 1,074 1,061
Municipals 253 243 746 729
Industrial 1,799 984 4,956 3,182
Total Retail and Municipal 2,688 1,819 7,623 5,829
Other Power Suppliers 629 1,051 2,168 3,075
Total Regulated Utility 3,317 2,870 9,791 8,904
Non-regulated Energy Operations 27 56 87 162
Total Kilowatt-hours Sold 3,344 2,926 9,878 9,066

This exhibit has been furnished and shall not be deemed afileda for purposes of Section18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, nor shall it be deemed incorporated by reference in any filing under the Securities Act of 1933, except as shall be expressly set forth by specific reference in such filing.

Contributing Sources