Central Vermont Public Service (NYSE: CV) today reported revised
consolidated 2005 earnings. As previously reported, subsequent to
CV's February 27, 2006 announcement of 2005 earnings, management
determined that CV's subsidiary, Eversant, incorrectly recorded a
fourth-quarter 2005 impairment charge related to its remaining $1.4
million investment in The Home Service Store, Inc. ("HSS"),
resulting in a $0.8 million after-tax charge to earnings. In the
fourth quarter of 2005, Eversant had determined that its remaining
investment was impaired based on HSS's current financial
information and slower-than-expected growth experience. However,
based on further review and analysis it was determined that the
impairment should have been recorded in 2002. On March 14, 2006, CV
announced the need to restate prior year financial statements due
to the HSS impairment and other balance sheet misclassifications
that it identified during its 2005 year-end closing and reporting
process. These matters are described in more detail in CV's Form
10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 31,
2005. In addition to the correction for the HSS impairment, CV
recorded late entries discovered during the year-end closing and
reporting process that increased previously reported 2005 earnings
by $0.1 million or 1 cent per diluted share of common stock. CV's
2005 earnings have been adjusted upward from $5.4 million to $6.3
million, and diluted earnings per share of common stock have been
adjusted upward from 41 cents to 48 cents. This compares to 2004
earnings of $23.8 million, or $1.90 per diluted share of common
stock. CV's fourth-quarter 2005 earnings have been adjusted upward
from $5.3 million to $6.2 million, and diluted earnings per share
of common stock have been adjusted upward from 42 cents to 48
cents. This compares to fourth-quarter 2004 earnings of $3.8
million, or 34 cents per diluted share of common stock. Earnings
from discontinued operations were $4.9 million in 2005, or 40 cents
per diluted share of common stock, and $5.4 million, or 43 cents
per diluted share of common stock, in the quarter. This compares to
earnings from discontinued operations of $16.3 million, or $1.32
per diluted share of common stock, and $1.6 million, or 13 cents
per diluted share of common stock, for the respective periods in
2004. Earnings from continuing operations were revised to $1.4
million in 2005, or 8 cents per diluted share of common stock, and
fourth-quarter 2005 earnings were revised to $0.8 million, or 5
cents per diluted share of common stock. This compares to earnings
from continuing operations of $7.5 million, or 58 cents per diluted
share of common stock, and $2.2 million, or 21 cents per diluted
share of common stock, for the respective periods in 2004. 2005
Highlights CV's fourth quarter and year-end 2005 results include
the favorable effect of a gain on the sale of all of its interest
in Catamount Energy Corporation ("Catamount") to Diamond Castle, a
New York-based private equity investment firm. CV announced its
decision to sell Catamount on November 21, 2005 and the sale was
consummated on December 20, 2005. CV received cash proceeds of
$59.25 million resulting in an after-tax gain of $5.6 million, or
45 cents per diluted share of common stock. For accounting
purposes, Catamount's results of operations, including the gain on
sale, are reported as discontinued operations in the Company's
financial statements. In addition to the gain on sale, our share of
Catamount's 2005 losses through the sale date amounted to $0.7
million, or a 5 cent loss per diluted share of common stock. Our
share of Catamount's fourth-quarter 2005 losses through the sale
date amounted to $0.2 million, or a 2 cent loss per diluted share
of common stock. The results of discontinued operations are
described in more detail below. CV's 2005 results also include a
$21.8 million pre-tax charge to earnings in the first quarter
related to a March 29, 2005 Rate Order ("Rate Order"). The effects
of the Rate Order are described in more detail below. "The past
year was a difficult one, but we have a solid plan to restore CV to
a position of financial strength, which is critical to customers
and shareholders alike," CV President Bob Young said. That plan
includes: -- Securing a $25 million revolving credit facility in
October 2005; -- Restructuring the board of directors and reducing
board compensation beginning in 2006; -- Efforts to improve
communication with Vermont regulators and find common ground on
customer and company needs. -- Budget reductions of $2.7 million in
2006, including a 10 percent cut in Young's salary and a 5 percent
reduction in other officers' salaries, to partly offset higher
pension, retiree medical and other operating costs. Quarterly
Performance Summary Utility Business Operating revenues increased
$7.8 million, pre-tax, compared to the same period in 2004, due to
the following factors: -- Resale sales increased $8.9 million as a
result of: 1) more mWh available for resale partly due to a
shorter-than-expected Vermont Yankee scheduled refueling outage in
the fourth quarter of 2005, and 2) higher average prices reflecting
an overall increase in wholesale power market prices in New
England. In total, higher average prices contributed about $4.9
million to the favorable variance and higher volume contributed
about $4.0 million. -- Other operating revenue increased $0.1
million primarily due to higher transmission revenue and
third-party billings related to the Vermont Yankee refueling
outage, partly offset by revenue from mutual aid work in Florida in
2004. -- Retail sales decreased $1.2 million due to a 2.75 percent
rate reduction beginning in April 2005, pursuant to the Rate Order,
and lower average unit prices due to customer sales mix, offset by
a 1.9 percent increase in sales volume. In total, the rate
reduction decreased revenue by about $1.9 million, and lower
average unit prices decreased revenue by $0.8 million, partly
offset by $1.5 million from increased sales volume. Purchased power
expense increased $14.0 million, pre-tax, compared to the same
period in 2004, due to the following factors: -- Short-term
purchases increased $14.9 million primarily due to the cost of
replacement energy purchases for the Vermont Yankee scheduled
refueling outage. The high level of replacement power costs were
due in part to high wholesale power market prices driven by the
extraordinary effects of hurricanes Katrina and Rita on the price
of natural gas. These costs are partially offset by increased
resale sales due to a shorter-than-anticipated outage. -- Power
purchases under long-term contracts decreased $1.9 million due to
fewer purchases under the power contract with Vermont Yankee
Nuclear Power Corporation ("VYNPC") as a result of the scheduled
refueling outage, partly offset by higher output from Independent
Power Producers and more deliveries under CV's contract with
Hydro-Quebec. -- Other power-related costs increased $1.0 million
due to higher Connecticut Yankee rates under FERC-approved tariffs
and elimination of accounting deferrals for incremental Yankee
Atomic dismantling costs per the Rate Order. Other operating costs
decreased $3.8 million, pre-tax, primarily due to the following
factors: -- A fourth-quarter 2004 deferral of certain utility
earnings based on a Vermont Public Service Board ("PSB") approved
accounting order that permitted the Company to record 2004 utility
earnings in excess of an 11 percent return on equity as other
regulatory liabilities. Pursuant to the accounting order, the
Company reduced 2004 utility earnings by $3.8 million pre-tax. This
results in a favorable variance when comparing 2005 versus 2004
since there was no comparable deferral in 2005. -- Other offsetting
operating items included: lower employee benefit costs including
incentive compensation and active medical, lower transmission costs
and the favorable effect of Rate Order required amortizations that
began April 1, 2005. These favorable items were offset by higher
distribution expenses due to storm restoration costs associated
with a major storm in October 2005 and higher costs associated with
our wholly and jointly owned production facilities. Non-utility
Business CV's wholly owned subsidiary, Eversant, sells and rents
electric water heaters through a subsidiary, SmartEnergy Water
Heating Services. Eversant's fourth quarter 2005 and 2004 earnings
were less than $0.1 million. Year-End Performance Summary The
analysis of year-over-year earnings for the utility business is
discussed in two parts: recurring earnings from continuing
operations and impacts of the first-quarter 2005 charge to earnings
related to the Rate Order. Utility Business - continuing operations
Operating revenues increased $15.3 million, pre-tax, excluding
first-quarter 2005 effects of the Rate Order, compared to the same
period in 2004, due to the following factors: -- Resale sales
increased $14.7 million primarily due to more mWh available for
resale and higher average rates in 2005 versus the same period in
2004, including the sale of excess replacement power for the
fourth-quarter 2005 Vermont Yankee scheduled refueling outage which
was shorter than expected. In 2005, CV sold most of its excess
power supply through forward sale contracts and the remainder to
ISO-New England. In 2004, CV sold its excess power supply to
ISO-New England and other third parties, but there were fewer mWh
available for resale, mostly due to an unscheduled Vermont Yankee
plant outage in 2004. In total, higher average prices contributed
about $9.0 million to the favorable variance, increased resale
sales volume contributed about $5.2 million and higher
capacity-related revenues contributed about $0.5 million. -- Retail
sales increased $0.8 million primarily due to a 2.6 percent
increase in sales volume, partly offset by the 2.75 percent rate
reduction beginning in April 2005 and lower average unit prices due
to customer sales mix. Average customer usage increased primarily
due to a warmer summer in 2005. In total, the increased sales
volume contributed about $7.5 million to the favorable variance,
while the rate reduction decreased revenue by about $5.3 million
and lower average unit prices decreased revenue by $1.4 million. --
Other operating revenue decreased by $0.2 million. Purchased Power
costs increased $3.6 million, pre-tax, excluding first-quarter 2005
effects of the Rate Order, compared to the same period in 2004 due
to the following factors: -- Short-term purchases increased $15.2
million primarily due to replacement energy purchases for the
fourth-quarter 2005 Vermont Yankee scheduled refueling outage. The
high level of replacement power costs were due in part to high
wholesale power market prices driven by the extraordinary effects
of hurricanes Katrina and Rita on the price of natural gas. These
costs are partially offset by increased resale sales due to a
shorter-than-anticipated outage. -- Long-term purchases decreased
$1.0 million primarily related to the following: 1) lower-priced
energy under the power contract with VYNPC, partly offset by more
purchases due to higher plant output, and 2) lower output from
Independent Power Producers, offset by 3) more deliveries under
CV's contract with Hydro-Quebec. -- Other power-related costs
increased $3.8 million due to higher Connecticut Yankee rates under
FERC-approved tariffs and elimination of accounting deferrals for
incremental Yankee Atomic dismantling costs per the Rate Order. --
In the first quarter of 2004, in accordance with Statement of
Financial Accounting Standards ("SFAS") No. 5, Accounting for
Contingencies ("SFAS No. 5"), CV recorded a $14.4 million pre-tax
loss accrual due to termination of the long-term power contract
with Connecticut Valley Electric Company ("CVEC"). The loss accrual
represented management's best estimate of the difference between
expected future sales revenue, in the wholesale market, for the
purchased power that was formerly sold to CVEC and the cost of that
power. The loss accrual is being reversed and amortized against
power expense on a straight-line basis through 2015, the estimated
life of the power contracts that were in place to source the CVEC
power contract. Other operating costs decreased $0.5 million,
pre-tax, compared to the same period in 2004, primarily due to the
following factors: -- A fourth-quarter 2004 deferral of certain
utility earnings based on the PSB-approved accounting order as
described above and the favorable effect of Rate Order-required
amortizations that began April 1, 2005, offset by -- Higher
distribution expense mostly related to restoration costs associated
with a major storm in October 2005, higher property taxes and
depreciation expense, and a favorable environmental insurance
settlement in 2004 with no comparable item in 2005. Other factors
affecting 2005 results compared to the same period in 2004
included: -- A second-quarter 2004 tax settlement that resulted in
a $1.5 million pre-tax ($1.1 million after-tax) favorable effect in
2004 with no comparable item in 2005. -- Lower interest expense of
about $1.1 million pre-tax due to the August 2004 bond refinancing.
Utility Business - Rate Order On March 29, 2005, the PSB issued its
Order on the rate investigation and CV's request for a rate
increase. For accounting purposes, the Rate Order resulted in a
$21.8 million pre-tax charge to utility earnings in March 2005, or
a 91 cent loss per diluted share of common stock. The primary
components of the charge to earnings included: 1) a revised
calculation of overearnings for the period 2001 - 2003; 2)
application of the gain resulting from the CVEC sale to reduce
costs; 3) a customer refund for over-collections for the period
April 7, 2004 through March 31, 2005; and 4) amortization of costs
and other adjustments required in the Rate Order. The table below
summarizes the unfavorable pre-tax effects of the Rate Order on
specific income statement line items for 2005 (in millions): -0- *T
Income Statement Line Item -------------------------- Operating
Revenue $(6.2) Purchased Power (2.5) Other Operations (10.7) Other
Income (0.8) Other Deductions (0.4) Other Interest (1.2) -----
Total Rate Order Impact $(21.8) ------- *T Non-utility Business
Eversant's earnings were about $0.4 million in 2005 and 2004.
Discontinued Operations In 2005, earnings from discontinued
operations amounted to $4.9 million or 40 cents per diluted share
of common stock, and $5.4 million in the fourth quarter, or 43
cents per diluted share of common stock. This compares to earnings
from discontinued operations of $16.3 million in 2004, or $1.32 per
diluted share of common stock, and $1.6 million, or 13 cents per
diluted share of common stock, in the fourth quarter. The
components of the year-over-year variances for discontinued
operations are shown below. -0- *T year-over-year variances
(dollars in Diluted earnings millions) per share Fourth Year-to-
Fourth Year-to- quarter date quarter date -------- --------
-------- -------- Gain on Dec. 20, 2005 Catamount sale $ 5.6 $ 5.6
$ .45 $ .45 Catamount results of operations (1.9) (4.6) (.15) (.37)
Gain on Jan. 1, 2004 CVEC sale - (12.3) - (1.00) -------- --------
-------- -------- $ 3.7 $ (11.3) $ .30 (.92) ======== ========
======== ======== *T 2005 Catamount Sale CV began reporting
Catamount's results of operations as discontinued operations in the
fourth quarter of 2005 based on its decision to sell Catamount in
November 2005 and the consummation of the sale on December 20,
2005. The sale resulted in a $10.8 million pre-tax gain, or $5.6
million after-tax. In addition to the gain on the sale, Catamount's
2005 results of operations were $4.6 million less than the same
period in 2004 primarily due to 2004 gains and related tax benefits
totaling $4.4 million from sale of certain of its investments.
Catamount's fourth quarter 2005 results of operations were $1.9
million less than the same period in 2004 primarily due to the
realization of $2.5 million of income tax benefits in 2004
associated with the sale of one of its investments. 2004 CVEC Asset
Sale In 2004, CVEC contributed $12.3 million to consolidated
earnings, or $1.00 per diluted share of common stock, reflecting an
after-tax gain resulting from the January 1, 2004 sale of the
assets of CVEC. There are no remaining significant business
activities related to CVEC. For accounting purposes, components of
the CVEC transaction were recorded in both continuing and
discontinued operations on the consolidated 2004 income statement.
In addition to the gain, CV recorded a loss on power costs of $8.4
million, after-tax, relating to termination of the power contract
between CV and CVEC. Combining the two accounting transactions to
assess the total impact of the transaction resulted in a
first-quarter 2004 after-tax gain of $3.9 million, or 31 cents per
diluted share of common stock. 2006 Financial Guidance CV's 2006
earnings available for common stock are expected to be in the range
of $12.3 million to $13.3 million. CV also expects to make capital
expenditures of about $18 million and to invest $22.5 million into
Vermont Electric Power Company, Inc. About CV CV is Vermont's
largest electric utility, serving more than 151,000 customers
statewide. CV's non-regulated subsidiary, Eversant Corporation,
sells and rents electric water heaters through a subsidiary,
SmartEnergy Water Heating Services. Forward Looking Statements
Statements contained in this report that are not historical fact
are forward-looking statements intended to qualify for the
safe-harbors from the liability established by the Private
Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Statements made that are
not historical facts are forward-looking and, accordingly, involve
estimates, assumptions, risks and uncertainties that could cause
actual results or outcomes to differ materially from those
expressed in the forward-looking statements. Actual results will
depend, among other things, upon the actions of regulators,
performance of the Vermont Yankee nuclear power plant, effects of
and changes in weather and economic conditions, volatility in
wholesale electric markets and our ability to maintain our current
credit ratings. These and other risk factors are detailed in CV's
Securities and Exchange Commission filings. CV cannot predict the
outcome of any of these matters; accordingly, there can be no
assurance that such indicated results will be realized. Readers are
cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking
statements that speak only as of the date of this press release. CV
does not undertake any obligation to publicly release any revision
to these forward-looking statements to reflect events or
circumstances after the date of this press release. -0- *T Central
Vermont Public Service Corporation Revised Earnings per Diluted
Share Reconciliation Fourth quarter 2005 versus fourth quarter
2004: Year-over-Year Effects on Earnings 2004 Earnings per diluted
share $.34 Continuing Operations: Higher resale sales .43 Vermont
utility 11 percent allowed rate of return in 2004 .18 Lower retail
revenue (.06) Higher distribution costs (.11) Higher purchased
power costs (.67) Other .07 ----- Sub-total (.16) Discontinued
Operations: Gain on December 20, 2005 Catamount sale .45 Results of
discontinued operations (excluding gain on sale) (.15) -----
Sub-total .30 ----- 2005 Earnings per diluted share $.48 =====
Twelve months 2005 versus twelve months 2004: Year-over-Year
Effects on Earnings 2004 Earnings per diluted share $1.90
Continuing Operations: Higher resale sales .70 SFAS No. 5 loss
accrual - termination of CVEC power contract in 2004 .69 Vermont
utility 11 percent allowed rate of return in 2004 .18 Higher retail
revenue (a) .04 IRS tax settlement received in 2004 (.09) Higher
transmission and distribution costs (.17) Higher purchased power
costs (b) (.85) Other (.09) ----- Sub-total .41 Net impact of March
29, 2005 Rate Order recorded in the first quarter of 2005 (.91)
Discontinued Operations: Gain on December 20, 2005 Catamount sale
.45 Gain on January 1, 2004 CVEC sale (1.00) Results of
discontinued operations (excluding gains on sales) (.37) Sub-total
(.92) ----- 2005 Earnings per diluted share $.48 ===== (a) excludes
effect of Rate Order charge recorded in the first quarter of 2005
(b) excludes effect of Rate Order charge recorded in the first
quarter of 2005 and 2004 SFAS No. 5 loss accrual Central Vermont
Public Service Corporation - Consolidated Revised Earnings Release
(unaudited) (dollars in thousands, except per share amounts) Three
Months Ended Twelve Months Ended December 31, December 31, As
Revised As Revised 2005 2004 2005 2004 -------------------
------------------- Utility Operating Data Retail and firm sales
(mWh) 591,529 580,431 2,304,550 2,246,237 Operating revenues:
Retail and firm sales $68,368 $69,556 $268,252 $267,461 Resale
sales 15,091 6,160 41,197 26,507 Retail customer refund - - (6,194)
- Other operating revenue 2,085 2,016 8,104 8,318 ---------
--------- --------- --------- Total operating revenue $85,544
$77,732 $311,359 $302,286 Operating expenses: Purchased power
$51,692 $37,737 $171,643 $165,651 Other operating expenses 31,885
36,357 131,148 123,986 --------- --------- --------- ---------
Total operating expenses $83,577 $74,094 $302,791 $289,637
Consolidated Net Income and Common Stock Income from continuing
operations $802 $2,181 $1,410 $7,493 Income from discontinued
operations, net of taxes 5,360 1,655 4,936 16,262 Net Income 6,162
3,836 6,346 23,755 Preferred stock dividend requirements 92 (407)
368 368 --------- ---------- --------- --------- Earnings available
for common stock $6,070 $4,243 $5,978 $23,387 Average shares of
common stock outstanding: Basic 12,280,635 12,176,059 12,258,508
12,118,048 Diluted 12,352,381 12,378,095 12,366,315 12,301,187
Earnings per share of common stock - basic: Continuing operations
$0.06 $0.21 $0.09 $0.59 Discontinued operations 0.43 0.14 0.40 1.34
--------- ---------- --------- --------- Earnings per share $0.49
$0.35 $0.49 $1.93 Earnings per share of common stock - diluted:
Continuing operations $.05 $0.21 $0.08 $0.58 Discontinued
operations 0.43 0.13 0.40 1.32 --------- ---------- ---------
--------- Earnings per share $0.48 $0.34 $0.48 $1.90 Dividends
declared per share of common stock $0.23 $0.23 $1.15 $0.92 Eversant
Corporation Earnings per basic and diluted common share $0.00 $0.00
$0.03 $0.03 *T
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