HispanicBusiness

September 2012/September 2011: Net earnings attributable to common equity shareholders were $45 million, or $0.24 per common share, for the third quarter of 2012 compared to earnings of $56 million, or $0.30 per common share, for the third quarter of 2011. Earnings for the third quarter of 2012 were reduced by $3.5 million related to foreign exchange and CH Energy Group acquisition-related expenses. Earnings for the third quarter of 2011 were favourably impacted by a one-time $11 million after-tax merger termination fee paid to Fortis by CVPS and $2.5 million of foreign exchange. Excluding the above impacts, higher earnings at FortisAlberta and FortisBC Electric for the quarter were partially offset by decreased non-regulated hydroelectric generation in Belize, due to lower rainfall, and a higher loss incurred at the FortisBC Energy companies. The improved performance at FortisAlberta was due to net transmission revenue of $3.5 million recognized in the third quarter of 2012, rate base growth and the timing of operating expenses during 2012, partially offset by a lower allowed ROE. At FortisBC Electric, improved performance was driven by rate base growth, higher pole-attachment revenue and lower-than-expected finance charges. The higher loss at the FortisBC Energy companies related to the unfavourable impact of the difference in the timing of recognition of revenue associated with seasonal gas consumption and certain increased regulator-approved expenses in 2012, lower capitalized AFUDC and lower-than-expected customer additions in 2012. The above items were partially offset by higher gas transportation volumes to industrial customers and the timing of certain operating and maintenance expenses during 2012.

June 2012/June 2011: Net earnings attributable to common equity shareholders were $62 million, or $0.33 per common share, for the second quarter of 2012 compared to earnings of $57 million, or $0.32 per common share, for the second quarter of 2011. The increase in earnings was mainly due to higher contribution from FortisAlberta, increased non-regulated hydroelectric production in Belize associated with higher rainfall, and higher earnings at Newfoundland Power, partially offset by higher corporate expenses and decreased earnings at the FortisBC Energy companies. Higher contribution from FortisAlberta related to rate base growth, net transmission revenue of $3 million recognized in the second quarter of 2012 and reduced depreciation as approved by the regulator, were partially offset by a lower allowed ROE. Higher earnings at Newfoundland Power were the result of lower effective income taxes and a higher allowed ROE. The cumulative impact of the increase in the regulator-approved allowed ROE, effective January 1, 2012, was recorded in the second quarter of 2012. The increase in corporate expenses was due to approximately $4 million ($3 million after tax) of costs incurred during the second quarter of 2012 related to the pending acquisition of CH Energy Group and a lower income tax recovery, partially offset by a foreign exchange gain of approximately $1.5 million recognized in the second quarter of 2012. Decreased earnings at the FortisBC Energy companies mainly related to lower-than-expected customer additions in 2012 and lower capitalized AFUDC, partially offset by higher gas transportation volumes to industrial customers. A 7% increase in the weighted average number of common shares outstanding quarter over quarter, largely associated with the issuance of common equity mid-2011, had the impact of tempering earnings per common share in the second quarter of 2012.