CEG Constellation Energy Grp. Common Stock

Constellation Energy Reports Strong Third Quarter Earnings -- Affirms 14 - 18 Percent 2004 Earnings Growth BALTIMORE, Oct. 29 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Constellation Energy (NYSE:CEG) today reported earnings of $1.19 per share for the three months ending Sept. 30, 2004, compared to the $1.15 per share earned during the same period last year. Excluding special items of $(0.03) per share, Constellation Energy earned $1.22 per share, compared to the company's earnings guidance range provided in July of $1.03 - $1.18 per share. Earnings excluding special items for the first nine months of 2004 were $2.45 per share, up $0.36 per share or 17 percent compared to earnings excluding special items of $2.09 per share in 2003. Reported earnings for the first nine months of 2004 were $2.36 per share compared to earnings of $0.95 per share for the first nine months of 2003. The company affirmed calendar year 2004 earnings per share guidance of $3.15 - $3.25. "I am pleased to report another strong quarter," said Mayo A. Shattuck III, chairman, president and chief executive officer of Constellation Energy. "Our focus on customer service, energy logistics and risk management continues to yield superior results. Our leading wholesale and retail competitive supply business platform is strategically positioned to realize the opportunities presented by competitive energy procurement. We view the expansion of the PJM interconnection and the coming adoption of competitive market rules by the Midwest ISO, as well as ongoing discussions of competitive procurement in Ohio and California, to be extremely positive. These are early signs that the consumer benefits of deregulation and enhanced grid reliability offered by well-functioning wholesale markets are stimulating renewed interest in competitive procurement. We have the right business model for open competitive markets and are well positioned to realize their potential," said Shattuck. The following table summarizes both earnings per share excluding special items and earnings per share reported in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) for the three and nine months ended Sept. 30, 2004 and 2003: Three Months Ended September 30, 2004 2003 Reported EPS Reported EPS GAAP Excluding GAAP Excluding EARNINGS PER COMMON SHARE EPS Special Items EPS Special Items Baltimore Gas and Electric $0.16 $0.16 $0.12 $0.12 Merchant energy 1.07 1.07 1.03 1.03 Other nonregulated (0.04) (0.01)(1) - - Diluted EPS $1.19 $1.22 $1.15 $1.15 GAAP EPS was adjusted by the following amounts to calculate EPS excluding special items: (1) Loss on sale of investments and other assets - $0.03 per share. Nine Months Ended September 30, 2004 2003 Reported EPS Reported EPS GAAP Excluding GAAP Excluding EARNINGS PER COMMON SHARE EPS Special Items EPS Special Items Baltimore Gas and Electric $0.72 $0.72 $0.73 $0.73 Merchant energy 1.96 1.75 (1) 1.37 1.37 Other nonregulated (0.04) (0.02)(2) 0.05 (0.01)(3) Diluted EPS from Continuing Operations and Before Cumulative Effects of Changes in Accounting Principles $2.64 $2.45 $2.15 $2.09 Loss from discontinued operations - Assuming Dilution (0.28) - Cumulative effects of changes in accounting principles - Assuming Dilution - (1.20) Diluted EPS $2.36 $0.95 GAAP EPS was adjusted by the following amounts to calculate EPS excluding special items: (1) Synfuel tax credits associated with 2003 production at S.C. facility - ($0.21) per share. (2) Net loss on sales of investments and other assets - $0.01 per share and impairment losses and other costs - $0.01 per share. (3) Gain on sales of investments and other assets - ($0.06) per share. Baltimore Gas and Electric (BGE) BGE reported earnings of $0.16 per share for the third quarter of 2004, consistent with the $0.13 - $0.17 earnings per share guidance range provided in July and $0.04 higher than the $0.12 per share earned for the third quarter of 2003. Compared to last year, the benefit from the absence of the 2003 costs of Hurricane Isabel and several other severe summer storms was partially offset by, the absence of 2003 favorable Market Based Rate gas and property tax recoveries, Sarbanes-Oxley 404 attestation, enterprise information systems, and other costs. Merchant Energy For the third quarter of 2004, our merchant energy business earned $1.07 per share. These results were above the $0.89 - $1.03 per share earnings guidance range and the $1.03 per share earned during the third quarter of 2003. Earnings contributions from our Constellation Energy Commodities Group and Constellation NewEnergy competitive supply businesses, our synfuel investments, and our newly acquired Ginna nuclear facility added to earnings compared to last year. The favorable items were partially offset by Sarbanes- Oxley 404 attestation, enterprise systems and other costs, and a decrease in the Mid-Atlantic generation fleet's gross margin. As expected, the Mid- Atlantic fleet's gross margin decreased in the third quarter of 2004 compared to last year and will increase in the fourth quarter. The September 2004 Financial Statements and selected supplemental information are attached. Earnings Excluding Special Items Constellation Energy presents earnings excluding special items in addition to its reported earnings per share in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles (reported GAAP EPS). Earnings excluding special items is a non-GAAP financial measure that differs from reported GAAP EPS because it excludes the cumulative effects of changes in accounting principles, losses from discontinued operations, gains or losses on the sale of non-core assets, and other special items (which we define as significant items that are not related to our ongoing, underlying business or which distort comparability of results) included in operations. We present earnings excluding special items because we believe that it is appropriate for investors to consider results excluding these items in addition to our results in accordance with GAAP. We believe such a measure provides a picture of our results that is comparable among periods since it excludes the impact of items such as gains or losses on sales of non-core investments and workforce reduction costs, which may recur occasionally, but tend to be irregular as to timing, thereby distorting comparisons between periods. However, investors should note that these non- GAAP measures involve judgments by management (in particular, judgments as to what is or is not classified as a special item). These non-GAAP measures are also used to evaluate management's performance and for compensation purposes. Constellation Energy also provides its earnings guidance in terms of earnings excluding special items. Constellation Energy is unable to reconcile its 2004 earnings guidance excluding special items to GAAP earnings per share because we do not predict the future impact of special items due to the difficulty of doing so. The impact of special items could be material to our operating results computed in accordance with GAAP. SEC Filings The Company plans to file its Form 10-Q for the three months ended Sept. 30, 2004 on or about Nov. 8, 2004. Forward-Looking Statements We make statements in this news release that are considered forward- looking statements within the meaning of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. These statements are not guarantees of our future performance and are subject to risks, uncertainties, and other important factors that could cause our actual performance or achievements to be materially different from those we project. For a full discussion of these risks, uncertainties, and factors, we encourage you to read our documents on file with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including those set forth in our Form 10-K under the forward- looking statements section. Conference Call Oct. 29, 2004 Constellation Energy will host a conference call at 8:30 a.m. EDT on Oct. 29, 2004, to review its results. To participate, investors, analysts, and members of the media in the United States may dial 1-800-862-9098 shortly before 8:30 a.m. The international dial-in number is 1-785-424-1051. The conference call host is Constellation Energy, and the password is "Energy." A replay of the call will be available for one week. The replay number is 1-800-938-2376; the number for international callers is 1-402-220-1129. A live audio webcast of the conference call, as well as presentation slides and the third quarter 2004 earnings press release will be available on the Investor Relations page of the company Web site, http://www.constellation.com/. The reference to our Web site is an active textual reference and the contents of our Web site are not part of this press release. About Constellation Energy Constellation Energy (http://www.constellation.com/), a Fortune 500 company based in Baltimore, is the nation's leading competitive supplier of electricity to large commercial and industrial customers and one of the nation's largest wholesale power sellers. Constellation Energy also manages fuels and energy services on behalf of energy intensive industries and utilities. It owns and operates a 12,500 MW diversified generation fleet in 11 states. The company delivers electricity and natural gas through the Baltimore Gas and Electric Company (BGE), its regulated utility in Central Maryland. In 2003, the combined revenues of the integrated energy company totaled $9.7 billion. Addendum - Special Items Recognized in Third Quarter 2004 Net Loss on Sale of Investments and Other Assets - before-tax loss of $7.5 million, or $(0.03) per share In the third quarter of 2004, we recognized a $(7.5) million pretax or $(4.6) million after-tax loss relating to the liquidation of a non-core financial investment. We have classified this as a special item for consistency with prior treatment of non-core asset dispositions. Constellation Energy Group and Subsidiaries Consolidated Statements of Income (Unaudited) Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended September 30, September 30, 2004 2003 2004 2003 (In Millions, Except Per Share Amounts) Revenues Nonregulated revenues $2,777.9 $1,940.0 $7,216.5 $5,173.8 Regulated electric revenues 582.0 582.3 1,543.6 1,505.5 Regulated gas revenues 74.6 78.3 504.0 514.0 Total revenues 3,434.5 2,600.6 9,264.1 7,193.3 Expenses Operating expenses 2,808.8 2,012.6 7,806.0 5,834.1 Impairment losses and other costs 1.1 - 3.7 - Workforce reduction costs - 0.7 - 2.1 Depreciation and amortization 138.4 127.7 391.6 355.6 Accretion of asset retirement obligations 14.5 10.7 38.1 32.0 Taxes other than income taxes 67.7 61.8 195.0 191.7 Total expenses 3,030.5 2,213.5 8,434.4 6,415.5 Net (Loss) Gain on Sales of Investments and Other Assets (7.5) 2.1 (1.6) 16.3 Income from Operations 396.5 389.2 828.1 794.1 Other (Expense) Income (2.7) 4.5 7.6 19.3 Fixed Charges Interest expense 80.7 85.3 249.0 251.2 Interest capitalized and allowance for borrowed funds used during construction (2.3) (2.3) (8.1) (9.5) BGE preference stock dividends 3.3 3.3 9.9 9.9 Total fixed charges 81.7 86.3 250.8 251.6 Income from Continuing Operations Before Income Taxes 312.1 307.4 584.9 561.8 Income Taxes 101.5 114.5 130.9 205.1 Income from Continuing Operations and Before Cumulative Effects of Changes in Accounting Principles 210.6 192.9 454.0 356.7 Loss from discontinued operations, net of income taxes of $0.1 and $26.5, respectively (0.2) - (49.2) - Cumulative effects of changes in accounting principles, net of income taxes of $119.5 - - - (198.4) Net Income $210.4 $192.9 $404.8 $158.3 Earnings Applicable to Common Stock $210.4 $192.9 $404.8 $158.3 Average Shares of Common Stock Outstanding - Basic 175.5 167.0 170.7 165.9 Average Shares of Common Stock Outstanding - Diluted 176.4 167.7 171.8 166.2 Earnings Per Common Share from Continuing Operations and Before Cumulative Effects of Changes in Accounting Principles - Basic $1.20 $1.16 $2.66 $2.15 Loss from discontinued operations - Basic - - (0.29) - Cumulative effects of changes in accounting principles - Basic - - - (1.20) Earnings Per Common Share - Basic $1.20 $1.16 $2.37 $0.95 Earnings Per Common Share from Continuing Operations and Before Cumulative Effects of Changes in Accounting Principles - Diluted $1.19 $1.15 $2.64 $2.15 Loss from discontinued operations - Diluted - - (0.28) - Cumulative effects of changes in accounting principles - Diluted - - - (1.20) Earnings Per Common Share - Diluted $1.19 $1.15 $2.36 $0.95 Certain prior-period amounts have been reclassified to conform with the current period's presentation. Constellation Energy Group and Subsidiaries Consolidated Balance Sheets (Unaudited) September 30, December 31, 2004 2003 ASSETS (In Millions) Current Assets Cash and cash equivalents $528.9 $721.3 Accounts receivable (net of allowance for uncollectibles of $41.6 and $51.7, respectively) 1,392.8 1,563.0 Mark-to-market energy assets 568.8 488.3 Risk management assets 594.9 249.5 Materials and supplies 201.4 203.2 Fuel stocks 327.5 196.8 Other 236.7 221.4 Total current assets 3,851.0 3,643.5 Investments And Other Assets Nuclear decommissioning trust funds 986.8 736.1 Investments in qualifying facilities and power projects 326.8 332.6 Mark-to-market energy assets 412.1 261.9 Risk management assets 341.2 158.4 Goodwill 142.5 144.0 Other 289.6 343.8 Total investments and other assets 2,499.0 1,976.8 Property, Plant And Equipment Nonregulated property, plant and equipment 8,600.4 8,110.0 Regulated property, plant and equipment 5,381.5 5,266.7 Nuclear fuel (net of amortization) 232.6 202.9 Accumulated depreciation (4,191.7) (3,978.1) Net property, plant and equipment 10,022.8 9,601.5 Deferred Charges Regulatory assets (net) 206.6 229.5 Other 157.0 149.6 Total deferred charges 363.6 379.1 Total Assets $16,736.4 $15,600.9 LIABILITIES AND EQUITY Current Liabilities Short-term borrowings $1.5 $9.6 Current portion of long-term debt 528.7 343.2 Accounts payable 849.0 1,149.2 Customer deposits and collateral 187.4 194.5 Mark-to-market energy liabilities 578.1 474.6 Risk management liabilities 174.8 134.6 Other 572.0 552.2 Total current liabilities 2,891.5 2,857.9 Deferred Credits And Other Liabilities Deferred income taxes 1,490.3 1,384.4 Asset retirement obligations 809.5 595.9 Mark-to-market energy liabilities 355.2 258.0 Risk management liabilities 505.9 170.1 Postretirement and postemployment benefits 375.5 361.8 Net pension liability 196.5 225.7 Deferred investment tax credits 73.0 78.4 Other 172.5 185.6 Total deferred credits and other liabilities 3,978.4 3,259.9 Long-Term Debt Long-term debt of nonregulated businesses 3,747.1 3,739.2 Long-term debt of BGE 1,265.9 1,395.7 6.20% deferrable interest subordinated debentures due October 15, 2043 to BGE wholly owned BGE Capital Trust II relating to trust preferred securities 257.7 257.7 Unamortized discount and premium (11.2) (10.2) Current portion of long-term debt (528.7) (343.2) Total long-term debt 4,730.8 5,039.2 Minority Interests 125.4 113.4 BGE Preference Stock Not Subject To Mandatory Redemption 190.0 190.0 Common Shareholders' Equity Common stock 2,478.6 2,179.8 Retained earnings 2,341.2 2,081.9 Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) 0.5 (121.2) Total common shareholders' equity 4,820.3 4,140.5 Total Liabilities And Equity $16,736.4 $15,600.9 Certain prior-period amounts have been reclassified to conform with the current period's presentation. Constellation Energy Group and Subsidiaries Merchant Energy Operating Statistics (Unaudited) Nine Months Ended September 30, Hydro & Nuclear Coal Oil Gas Other Total Generation by Fuel Type (%) 2004 49.9 33.3 2.0 12.7 2.1 100.0 2003 48.7 36.2 1.8 10.9 2.4 100.0 Utility Operating Statistics (Unaudited) Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended September 30, September 30, 2004 2003 2004 2003 ELECTRIC Revenues (In Millions) Residential --with househeating $97.3 $89.1 $310.7 $300.0 --other 203.0 190.7 490.6 448.1 --total 300.3 279.8 801.3 748.1 Commercial --excluding delivery service 221.8 225.9 556.9 553.2 --delivery service 19.8 20.1 52.8 46.9 Industrial --excluding delivery service 19.3 39.2 80.1 107.9 --delivery service 6.7 4.9 15.2 13.3 System Sales 567.9 569.9 1,506.3 1,469.4 Other 14.1 12.4 37.3 36.2 Total $582.0 $582.3 $1,543.6 $1,505.6 Sales (In Thousands) - MWH Residential --with househeating 1,183 1,109 4,255 4,200 --other 2,385 2,255 6,096 5,598 --total 3,568 3,364 10,351 9,798 Commercial --excluding delivery service 2,479 2,814 7,429 7,691 --delivery service 1,713 1,454 4,037 3,666 Industrial --excluding delivery service 222 651 1,269 1,905 --delivery service 854 492 1,904 1,332 Total System Sales 8,836 8,775 24,990 24,392 GAS Revenues (In Millions) Residential --excluding delivery service $48.6 $46.4 $332.9 $320.0 --delivery service 0.8 0.8 10.0 9.9 --total 49.4 47.2 342.9 329.9 Commercial --excluding delivery service 14.3 14.3 98.2 95.7 --delivery service 3.7 3.4 19.7 17.0 Industrial --excluding delivery service 1.1 1.2 7.0 8.3 --delivery service 1.6 2.2 5.6 8.0 System Sales 70.1 68.3 473.4 458.9 Off-System Sales 4.0 11.4 28.6 60.1 Other 1.2 1.3 5.4 5.5 Total $75.3 $81.0 $507.4 $524.5 Sales (In Thousands) - DTH Residential --excluding delivery service 2,633 2,909 27,741 29,144 --delivery service 362 422 4,398 4,812 --total 2,995 3,331 32,139 33,956 Commercial --excluding delivery service 1,056 1,170 9,644 10,074 --delivery service 5,759 5,019 24,375 20,932 Industrial --excluding delivery service 77 75 635 765 --delivery service 3,090 3,662 10,903 13,610 System Sales 12,977 13,257 77,696 79,337 Off-System Sales 594 1,965 4,005 8,701 Total 13,571 15,222 81,701 88,038 Utility operating statistics do not reflect the elimination of intercompany transactions. Heating/Cooling Degree Days (Calendar-Month Basis) Heating Degree Days - Actual 49 57 3,111 3,482 - Normal 87 87 3,078 3,034 Cooling Degree Days - Actual 538 580 831 733 - Normal 581 577 818 816 Constellation Energy Group and Subsidiaries Supplemental Financial Statistics (Unaudited) Nine Months Ended September 30, 2004 2003 Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges 3.13 3.03 Effective Tax Rate (includes $102.5 million of synthetic fuel tax credits for the nine months ended September 30, 2004) 22.0% 35.9% Equity Investment In Nonregulated Businesses -- End of Period $3,377.8 $2,448.3 Equity Investment In Utility Business -- End of Period $1,442.5 $1,473.4 Common Stock Data Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended September 30, September 30, 2004 2003 2004 2003 Common Stock Dividends - Per Share --Declared $0.285 $0.260 $0.855 $0.780 --Paid $0.285 $0.260 $0.830 $0.760 Market Value Per Share --High $41.18 $37.65 $41.47 $37.65 --Low $36.76 $31.75 $35.89 $25.17 --Close $39.84 $35.78 $39.84 $35.78 Shares Outstanding--End of Period (In Millions) 175.7 167.1 175.7 167.1 Book Value per Share-- End of Period $27.43 $23.47 $27.43 $23.47 DATASOURCE: Constellation Energy CONTACT: Robert L. Gould (Media), +1-410-234-7433, or Jack Thayer (Investors), +1-410-783-3647, both of Constellation Energy Web site: http://www.constellation.com/ Company News On-Call: http://www.prnewswire.com/comp/084087.html

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