ITC Holdings Reports Increased First Quarter 2012 Results

NOVI, Mich., April 24, 2012 /PRNewswire/ --

ITC Holdings Corp. (NYSE: ITC) today announced its first quarter results for the period ended March 31, 2012.  Reported net income for the quarter, measured in accordance with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP), was $46.1 million, or $0.88 per diluted common share, compared to $42.0 million, or $0.81 per diluted common share for the first quarter of 2011. 

Operating earnings for the quarter were $48.6 million, or $0.93 per diluted common share, compared to operating earnings of $42.0 million, or $0.81 per diluted common share for the first quarter of 2011.  Operating earnings are non-GAAP measures that exclude the impact of after-tax expenses of approximately $2.5 million, or $0.05 per share, associated with the previously announced transaction with Entergy Corporation (Entergy).

For the three months ended March 31, 2012, ITC invested $203.0 million in capital projects at its operating companies, including $41.1 million, $39.8 million, $92.4 million and $29.7 million at ITCTransmission, METC, ITC Midwest and ITC Great Plains, respectively.

"Overall, we are quite pleased with our start to 2012," said Joseph L. Welch, chairman, president and CEO of ITC. "During the first quarter, we experienced strong operational and financial performance, while making solid headway against our annual capital investment plans, which represent the largest in our history.  In addition, we also made good progress with the implementation of our Entergy transaction, including initiating our integration activities and preparing to effectively execute the regulatory approval process." 

Operating earnings for the first quarter of 2012 increased $6.6 million, or $0.12 per diluted common share, compared to the same period in 2011.  This increase was largely attributable to higher income associated with increased rate base and AFUDC at all of our operating companies, partially offset by 1) lower revenues associated with the amortization of the ITCTransmission rate freeze revenue deferral which expired in May 2011 and 2) lower general and administrative expenses in the first quarter of 2011 due to the recognition of a regulatory asset associated with the Kansas V-Plan Project, which did not reoccur in the first quarter of 2012. 

EPS and Capital Expenditure Guidance

For 2012, ITC is reaffirming its full year operating earnings guidance of $3.90 to $4.05 per share, excluding expenses associated with implementing the transaction with Entergy.  Capital investment guidance for 2012 is also being maintained at $730 to $830 million, which includes $185 to $210 million, $155 to $180 million, $295 to $325 million and $95 to $115 million for ITCTransmission, METC, ITC Midwest and ITC Great Plains, respectively.

First Quarter 2012 Financial Results Detail

ITC's operating revenues for the first quarter increased to $196.7 million from $179.4 million for the same period last year.  This increase was primarily due to higher network revenues attributable to higher rate base at our regulated operating subsidiaries and higher recoverable expenses associated with operating expenses.  In addition, the increase resulted from higher regional cost sharing revenues due primarily to additional capital projects that have been identified by the Midwest ISO as eligible for regional cost sharing and these projects being placed-in-service.  Partially offsetting these increases was the impact of the elimination of the amortization of the ITCTransmission rate freeze revenue deferral in 2011. 

Operation and maintenance expenses of $28.7 million were $2.4 million higher during the first quarter of 2012 compared to the same period in 2011.  This increase was primarily due to increased vegetation management requirements and increased NERC compliance activities associated with surveying transmission overhead lines.

General and administrative expenses of $19.1 million, which excludes $3.9 million of pre-tax expenses related to the Entergy transaction, were $2.6 million higher compared to the same period in 2011.  This increase was primarily due to the recognition of the Kansas V-Plan Project regulatory asset, which reduced expenses in 2011 and did not reoccur in 2012, and higher general business expenses primarily related to increased information technology support.

Depreciation and amortization expenses of $25.0 million increased by $1.9 million during the first quarter of 2012 compared to the same period in 2011.  This increase was primarily due to a higher depreciable asset base resulting from property, plant and equipment additions.

Taxes other than income taxes of $14.3 million were $0.7 million higher for the first quarter of 2012 compared to the same period in 2011.  This increase was due to 2011 capital additions at our regulated operating subsidiaries, which are included in the tax base for 2012 personal property taxes.

Interest expense of $37.9 million for the first quarter of 2012 increased $1.6 million compared to the same period in 2011 due primarily to higher borrowing levels to finance capital expenditures.   

The effective income tax rate for the first quarter of 2012 was 36.9 percent, excluding a reduction to income taxes of approximately $1.3 million associated with the Entergy transaction expenses, compared to 37.1 percent for the same period last year.

First Quarter Conference Call      

ITC will conduct a conference call to discuss the first quarter results on Wednesday, April 25, 2012 at 11 a.m. Eastern time.  Joseph L. Welch, chairman, president and CEO, will provide a business overview, and Cameron M. Bready, executive vice president and CFO, will discuss the financial results.  Individuals wishing to participate in the conference call may dial toll-free (877) 644-1296 (domestic) or (914) 495-8555 (international); there is no passcode.  A listen-only live webcast of the conference call, including accompanying slides and the Earnings Release, will be available on the investor information page.  The conference call replay, available through Monday, April 30, 2012, can be accessed by dialing (855) 859-2056 (toll free) or (404) 537-3406, passcode 69082300. The webcast will also be archived on the ITC website.

Other Available Information

More detail about the 2012 first quarter results may be found in ITC's Form 10-Q filing. Once filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, an electronic copy of our 10-Q can be found at our website, http://investor.itc-holdings.com. Written copies can also be made available by contacting us either through our website or the phone numbers below.

About ITC Holdings Corp.

ITC Holdings Corp. (NYSE: ITC) is the nation's largest independent electric transmission company. Based in Novi, Michigan, ITC invests in the electric transmission grid to improve reliability, expand access to markets, lower the overall cost of delivered energy and allow new generating resources to interconnect to its transmission systems. ITC's regulated operating subsidiaries include ITCTransmission, Michigan Electric Transmission Company, ITC Midwest and ITC Great Plains. Through these subsidiaries, ITC owns and operates high-voltage transmission facilities in Michigan, Iowa, Minnesota, Illinois, Missouri and Kansas, serving a combined peak load exceeding 26,000 megawatts along 15,000 circuit miles of transmission line. Through ITC Grid Development and its subsidiaries, the company also focuses on expansion in areas where significant transmission system improvements are needed. For more information, please visit ITC's website. (itc-ITC)

GAAP v. Non-GAAP Measures

ITC's reported earnings are prepared in accordance with GAAP and represent earnings as reported to the Securities and Exchange Commission.  ITC's management believes the company's operating earnings, or GAAP earnings adjusted for specific items as described in the release, provide a more meaningful representation of the company's fundamental earnings power.  However, such measures should not be considered in isolation or as substitutes for results prepared in accordance with GAAP.

Safe Harbor Statement

This press release contains certain statements that describe our management's beliefs concerning future business conditions, plans and prospects, growth opportunities and the outlook for our business and the electricity transmission industry based upon information currently available. Such statements are "forward-looking" statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Wherever possible, we have identified these forward-looking statements by words such as "will," "may," "anticipates," "believes," "intends," "estimates," "expects," "projects" and similar phrases. These forward-looking statements are based upon assumptions our management believes are reasonable.  Such forward looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties which could cause our actual results, performance and achievements to differ materially from those expressed in, or implied by, these statements, including, among others, the risks and uncertainties disclosed in our annual report on Form 10-K and our quarterly reports on Form 10-Q filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission from time to time.

Because our forward-looking statements are based on estimates and assumptions that are subject to significant business, economic and competitive uncertainties, many of which are beyond our control or are subject to change, actual results could be materially different and any or all of our forward-looking statements may turn out to be wrong.  Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date made and can be affected by assumptions we might make or by known or unknown risks and uncertainties. Many factors mentioned in our discussion in this release and in our annual and quarterly reports will be important in determining future results. Consequently, we cannot assure you that our expectations or forecasts expressed in such forward-looking statements will be achieved. Actual future results may vary materially. Except as required by law, we undertake no obligation to publicly update any of our forward-looking or other statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise.

ITC HOLDINGS CORP. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS (UNAUDITED)

SOURCE ITC Holdings Corp.