TransCanada Reports Fourth Quarter and Year-End 2016 Financial Results
10.6% Dividend Increase Reflects Strong Performance and Growth Outlook
(firmenpresse) - CALGARY, ALBERTA -- (Marketwired) -- 02/16/17 -- News Release - TransCanada Corporation (TSX: TRP)(NYSE: TRP) (TransCanada) today announced a net loss attributable to common shares for fourth quarter 2016 of $358 million or $0.43 per share compared to a net loss of $2.5 billion or $3.47 per share for the same period in 2015. For the year ended December 31, 2016, net income attributable to common shares was $124 million or $0.16 per share compared to a net loss of $1.2 billion or $1.75 per share in 2015. Comparable earnings for fourth quarter 2016 were $626 million or $0.75 per share compared to $453 million or $0.64 per share for the same period in 2015. For the year ended December 31, 2016, comparable earnings were $2.1 billion or $2.78 per share compared to $1.8 billion or $2.48 per share in 2015. TransCanada''s Board of Directors also declared a quarterly dividend of $0.625 per common share for the quarter ending March 31, 2017, equivalent to $2.50 per common share on an annualized basis, an increase of 10.6 per cent. This is the seventeenth consecutive year the Board of Directors has raised the dividend.
"Excluding specific items, we generated record financial results in 2016," said Russ Girling, TransCanada''s president and chief executive officer. "Comparable earnings per share increased 12 per cent when compared to 2015 while net cash provided by operations exceeded $5 billion for the first time in the Company''s history."
"It was also a transformational year for TransCanada," added Girling. "The Columbia acquisition reinforced our position as one of North America''s leading energy infrastructure companies with an extensive pipeline network linking the continent''s most prolific natural gas supply basins to its most attractive markets and provided us with another growth platform. Today we are advancing an industry leading $23 billion near-term capital program that is expected to generate significant growth in earnings and cash flow and support an expected annual dividend growth rate at the upper end of an eight to 10 per cent range through 2020."
"We also continue to progress a number of additional medium to longer-term organic growth opportunities in our three core businesses of natural gas pipelines, liquids pipelines and energy. This portfolio is currently comprised of more than $45 billion in large-scale projects that include Keystone XL and the Bruce Power life extension program. Success in advancing these or other growth initiatives could augment or extend the Company''s dividend growth outlook through 2020 and beyond," concluded Girling.
Fourth Quarter and Year-End Highlights
(All financial figures are unaudited and in Canadian dollars unless noted otherwise)
Net loss attributable to common shares decreased by $2.1 billion to a net loss of $358 million or $0.43 per share for the three months ended December 31, 2016 compared to the same period last year. Fourth quarter 2016 included an $870 million after-tax loss related to the monetization of our U.S. Northeast Power business, an additional $68 million after-tax charge to settle the termination of our Alberta PPAs, an after-tax charge of $67 million for costs associated with the acquisition of Columbia Pipeline Group, Inc. (Columbia), and certain other specific items including unrealized gains and losses on risk management activities. Fourth quarter 2015 included a $2.9 billion after-tax impairment charge related to Keystone XL and related projects as well as certain other specific items. All of these specific items are excluded from comparable earnings.
Net income attributable to common shares for the year ended December 31, 2016 was $124 million or $0.16 per share compared to a net loss of $1.2 billion or $1.75 per share in 2015. Results in 2016 included a net loss of $2.0 billion related to specific items including those noted above for the fourth quarter as well as a $656 million after-tax impairment of Ravenswood goodwill, an additional $176 after-tax impairment charge on the carrying value of our Alberta PPAs as a result of our decision to terminate the PPAs, $206 million of additional after-tax costs associated with the acquisition of Columbia, primarily related to the dividend equivalent payments on the subscription receipts, and certain other specific items including unrealized gains and losses on risk management activities. Results in 2015 included the $2.9 billion after-tax impairment charge related to Keystone XL noted above and certain other specific items. These amounts were excluded from comparable earnings.
Comparable earnings for fourth quarter 2016 were $626 million or $0.75 per share compared to $453 million or $0.64 per share for the same period in 2015, an increase of $173 million or $0.11 per share. The increase was primarily the net effect of higher contributions from U.S. Pipelines due to incremental earnings from Columbia following the July 1, 2016 acquisition and higher ANR transportation revenue resulting from higher rates effective August 1, 2016, higher interest expense from debt issuances and lower capitalized interest, a higher contribution from Mexican pipelines primarily due to earnings from Topolobampo beginning in July 2016, reduced earnings from Liquids Pipelines due to the net effect of lower volumes on Marketlink and higher volumes on Keystone pipeline, higher earnings from Western Power due to higher realized prices on generated volumes and termination of the Alberta PPAs, and higher earnings from Natural Gas Storage due to higher realized natural gas storage price spreads.
Comparable earnings for the year ended December 31, 2016 were $2.1 billion or $2.78 per share compared to $1.8 billion or $2.48 per share in 2015. Higher income from our U.S. Pipelines due to incremental earnings from Columbia and ANR, higher AFUDC on our rate-regulated projects, an increased contribution from our Mexico Pipelines due to earnings from Topolobampo and higher earnings from our natural gas storage assets were partially offset by lower earnings from our Liquids Pipelines.
Per share figures in 2016 also include the dilutive effect of issuing 161 million common shares in 2016.
Notable recent developments include:
Corporate:
Natural Gas Pipelines:
Liquids Pipelines:
Energy:
Teleconference and Webcast:
We will hold a teleconference and webcast on Thursday, February 16, 2017 to discuss our fourth quarter 2016 financial results as well as provide an update on our business and financial outlook. Russ Girling, TransCanada President and Chief Executive Officer, and Don Marchand, Executive Vice-President and Chief Financial Officer, along with other members of the TransCanada executive leadership team, will discuss the financial results and Company developments at 1 p.m. (MT) / 3 p.m. (ET).
Members of the investment community and other interested parties are invited to participate by calling 800.377.0758 or 416.340.2218 (Toronto area). Please dial in 10 minutes prior to the start of the call. No pass code is required. A live webcast of the teleconference will be available at .
A replay of the teleconference will be available two hours after the conclusion of the call until midnight (ET) on February 23, 2017. Please call 800.408.3053 or 905.694.9451 (Toronto area) and enter pass code 9119753.
The unaudited interim condensed Consolidated Financial Statements and Management''s Discussion and Analysis (MD&A) are available under TransCanada''s profile on SEDAR at , with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission on EDGAR at and on the TransCanada website at .
With more than 65 years'' experience, TransCanada is a leader in the responsible development and reliable operation of North American energy infrastructure including natural gas and liquids pipelines, power generation and gas storage facilities. TransCanada operates a network of natural gas pipelines that extends more than 91,500 kilometres (56,900 miles), tapping into virtually all major gas supply basins in North America. TransCanada is the continent''s largest provider of gas storage and related services with 653 billion cubic feet of storage capacity. A large independent power producer, TransCanada owns or has interests in over 10,700 megawatts of power generation in Canada and the United States. TransCanada is also the developer and operator of one of North America''s leading liquids pipeline systems that extends over 4,300 kilometres (2,700 miles) connecting growing continental oil supplies to key markets and refineries. TransCanada''s common shares trade on the Toronto and New York stock exchanges under the symbol TRP. Visit TransCanada.com and our blog to learn more, or connect with us on social media and 3BL Media.
Fourth quarter 2016 financial highlights
FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION
We disclose forward-looking information to help current and potential investors understand management''s assessment of our future plans and financial outlook, and our future prospects overall.
Statements that are forward-looking are based on certain assumptions and on what we know and expect today and generally include words like anticipate, expect, believe, may, will, should, estimate or other similar words.
Forward-looking statements in this news release include information about the following, among other things:
Forward-looking statements do not guarantee future performance. Actual events and results could be significantly different because of assumptions, risks or uncertainties related to our business or events that happen after the date of this news release.
Our forward-looking information is based on the following key assumptions, and subject to the following risks and uncertainties:
Assumptions
Risks and uncertainties
You can read more about these factors and others in reports we have filed with Canadian securities regulators and the SEC, including the MD&A in our 2015 Annual Report.
As actual results could vary significantly from the forward-looking information, you should not put undue reliance on forward-looking information and should not use future-oriented information or financial outlooks for anything other than their intended purpose. We do not update our forward-looking statements due to new information or future events, unless we are required to by law.
FOR MORE INFORMATION
You can find more information about TransCanada in our annual information form and other disclosure documents, which are available on SEDAR ().
NON-GAAP MEASURES
This news release references the following non-GAAP measures:
These measures do not have any standardized meaning as prescribed by U.S. GAAP and therefore may not be similar to measures presented by other entities.
Comparable measures
We calculate comparable measures by adjusting certain GAAP and non-GAAP measures for specific items we believe are significant but not reflective of our underlying operations in the period. These comparable measures are calculated on a consistent basis from period to period and are adjusted for specific items in each period, as applicable.
Our decision not to adjust for a specific item is subjective and made after careful consideration. Specific items may include:
We exclude the unrealized gains and losses from changes in the fair value of derivatives used to reduce our exposure to certain financial and commodity price risks. These derivatives generally provide effective economic hedges, but do not meet the criteria for hedge accounting. As a result, the changes in fair value are recorded in net income. As these amounts do not accurately reflect the gains and losses that will be realized at settlement, we do not consider them reflective of our underlying operations.
Comparable earnings
Comparable earnings represents earnings or loss attributable to common shareholders on a consolidated basis adjusted for specific items. Comparable earnings is comprised of segmented earnings, interest expense, AFUDC, interest income and other, income taxes and non-controlling interests adjusted for the specific items.
Comparable EBIT and comparable EBITDA
Comparable EBIT represents segmented earnings adjusted for the specific items described above. We use comparable EBIT as a measure of our earnings from ongoing operations as it is a useful measure of our performance and an effective tool for evaluating trends in each segment. Comparable EBITDA is calculated the same way as comparable EBIT but excludes the non-cash charges for depreciation and amortization.
Funds generated from operations
Funds generated from operations includes net cash provided by operations before changes in operating working capital. We believe it is a useful measure of our consolidated operating cash flow because it does not include fluctuations from working capital balances, which do not necessarily reflect underlying operations in the same period, and is used to provide a consistent measure of the cash generating performance of our assets. See the Reconciliation of non-GAAP measures section for a reconciliation to net cash provided by operations.
Comparable distributable cash flow
Comparable distributable cash flow is defined as comparable funds generated from operations less preferred share dividends, distributions to non-controlling interests and maintenance capital expenditures. Maintenance capital expenditures are expenditures incurred to maintain our operating capacity, asset integrity and reliability, and include amounts attributable to our proportionate share of maintenance capital expenditures on our equity investments. Although we deduct maintenance capital expenditures in determining comparable distributable cash flow, in certain of our rate-regulated businesses, maintenance capital expenditures are included in their respective rate bases, on which we earn a regulated return and recover depreciation through future tolls.
Effective December 31, 2016, we adopted, on a retrospective basis, a new accounting standard under U.S. GAAP which allows us to classify certain distributed earnings received from equity investments as cash from operations on the consolidated statement of cash flows, which had previously been included in Investing activities. As a result, we no longer need to adjust for distributions in excess of equity earnings in the calculation of comparable distributable cash flow.
We believe comparable distributable cash flow is a useful supplemental measure of performance that defines cash available to common shareholders before capital allocation.
The following table identifies our non-GAAP measures against their equivalent GAAP measures.
Consolidated results - fourth quarter 2016
We operate in three core businesses - Natural Gas Pipelines, Liquids Pipelines and Energy. As a result of our acquisition of Columbia on July 1, 2016 and the pending monetization of the U.S. Northeast power business, we have determined that a change in our operating segments is appropriate. Accordingly, we consider ourselves to be operating our business in the following segments: Canadian Natural Gas Pipelines, U.S. Natural Gas Pipelines, Mexico Natural Gas Pipelines, Liquids Pipelines and Energy. This provides information that is aligned with how management decisions about our business are made and how performance of our business is assessed. We also have a non-operational Corporate segment consisting of corporate and administrative functions that provide governance and other support to our operational business segments. Prior period segment information has been adjusted to reflect the new segments.
Certain costs previously reported in our Corporate segment are now being reported within the business segments as a result of our 2015 business transformation initiative. 2015 results have been adjusted to reflect this change. In addition, Columbia results are included in the U.S. Natural Gas Pipelines segment from its acquisition on July 1, 2016. Comparative periods do not include Columbia.
Net loss attributable to common shares decreased by $2,100 million or $3.04 per share to a net loss of $358 million or $0.43 per share for the three months ended December 31, 2016 compared to the same period in 2015. Net (loss)/income per common share in 2016 includes the dilutive effect of issuing 161 million common shares in 2016.
The 2016 results included:
The 2015 results included:
Net income in all periods included unrealized gains and losses from changes in risk management activities which we exclude, along with the above-noted items, to arrive at comparable earnings.
Comparable earnings increased by $173 million for the three months ended December 31, 2016 compared to the same period in 2015 as discussed below in the reconciliation of net income to comparable earnings.
RECONCILIATION OF NET INCOME TO COMPARABLE EARNINGS
Comparable earnings increased by $173 million or $0.11 per share for the three months ended December 31, 2016 compared to the same period in 2015. Comparable earnings per share in 2016 includes the dilutive effect of issuing 161 million common shares in 2016.
The 2016 increase in comparable earnings was primarily the net effect of:
The stronger U.S. dollar on a year-to-date basis compared to the same period in 2015 positively impacted the translated results of our U.S. and Mexican businesses, along with realized gains on foreign exchange hedges used to manage our exposure, however, this impact was partially offset by a corresponding increase in interest expense on U.S. dollar-denominated debt.
Capital Program
We are developing quality projects under our capital program. These long-life infrastructure assets are supported by long-term commercial arrangements with creditworthy counterparties or regulated business models and are expected to generate significant growth in earnings and cash flow.
Our capital program consists of $23 billion of near-term projects and $48 billion of commercially secured medium and longer-term projects. Amounts presented exclude maintenance capital expenditures, capitalized interest and AFUDC.
All projects are subject to cost adjustments due to market conditions, route refinement, permitting conditions, scheduling and timing of regulatory permits.
Near-term projects
Medium to longer-term projects
The medium to longer-term projects have greater uncertainty with respect to timing and estimated project costs. The expected in-service dates of these projects are 2019 and beyond, and costs provided in the schedule below reflect the most recent costs for each project as filed with the various regulatory authorities or otherwise determined. These projects have all been commercially secured but are subject to approvals that include sponsor FID and/or complex regulatory processes.
Canadian Natural Gas Pipelines
The following is a reconciliation of comparable EBITDA and comparable EBIT (our non-GAAP measures) to segmented earnings (the equivalent GAAP measure). Certain costs previously reported in our Corporate segment are now being reported within the business segments as a result of our 2015 business transformation initiative. 2015 results have been adjusted to reflect this change.
Canadian Natural Gas Pipelines comparable EBIT and segmented earnings decreased by $44 million for the three months ended December 31, 2016 compared to the same period in 2015.
Net income and comparable EBITDA for our rate-regulated Canadian Natural Gas Pipelines are generally affected by our approved ROE, our investment base, our level of deemed common equity and incentive earnings or losses. Changes in depreciation, financial charges and income taxes also impact comparable EBITDA but do not have a significant impact on net income as they are almost entirely recovered in revenues on a flow-through basis.
NET INCOME - WHOLLY OWNED CANADIAN NATURAL GAS PIPELINES
Net income for the NGTL System increased by $16 million for the three months ended December 31, 2016 compared to the same period in 2015 mainly due to a higher average investment base and OM&A incentive earnings recorded in 2016.
Net income for the Canadian Mainline increased by $2 million for the three months ended December 31, 2016 compared to the same period in 2015 primarily due to higher incentive earnings, partially offset by a lower average investment base and higher carrying charges to shippers on the 2016 net revenue surplus.
DEPRECIATION AND AMORTIZATION
Depreciation and amortization increased by $7 million for the three months ended December 31, 2016 compared to the same period in 2015 mainly due to new NGTL System facilities that were placed in service in 2016.
OPERATING STATISTICS - WHOLLY OWNED PIPELINES
U.S. Natural Gas Pipelines
The following is a reconciliation of comparable EBITDA and comparable EBIT (our non-GAAP measures) to segmented earnings (the equivalent GAAP measure). Certain costs previously reported in our Corporate segment are now being reported within the business segments as a result of our 2015 business transformation initiative. 2015 results have been adjusted to reflect this change. In addition, Columbia results are included in the U.S. Natural Gas Pipelines segment from its acquisition on July 1, 2016. Comparative periods do not include Columbia.
U.S. Natural Gas Pipelines segmented earnings increased by $317 million for the three months ended December 31, 2016 compared to the same period in 2015 mainly due to the acquisition of Columbia. Segmented earnings for the three months ended December 31, 2016 included an $11 million pre-tax charge, primarily related to retention and severance expenses resulting from the Columbia acquisition. Segmented earnings for the three months ended December 31, 2015 included a $125 million pre-tax loss provision ($86 million after tax) as a result of a December 2015 agreement to sell TC Offshore which closed in early 2016. These amounts have been excluded from our calculation of comparable EBIT.
Earnings for our U.S. natural gas pipelines operations, which include Columbia effective July 1, 2016, are generally affected by contracted volume levels, volumes delivered and the rates charged as well as by the cost of providing services. Columbia and ANR results are also affected by the contracting and pricing of its storage capacity and incidental commodity sales.
Comparable EBITDA for U.S. Pipelines increased by US$213 million for the three months ended December 31, 2016 compared to the same period in 2015. This was the net effect of:
DEPRECIATION AND AMORTIZATION
Depreciation and amortization increased by US$60 million for the three months ended December 31, 2016 compared to the same period in 2015 mainly due to the Columbia acquisition on July 1, 2016 and increased depreciation rates on ANR following its rate settlement effective August 1, 2016.
Mexico Natural Gas Pipelines
The following is a reconciliation of comparable EBITDA and comparable EBIT (our non-GAAP measures) to segmented earnings (the equivalent GAAP measure). Certain costs previously reported in our Corporate segment are now being reported within the business segments as a result of our 2015 business transformation initiative. 2015 results have been adjusted to reflect this change.
Mexico segmented earnings increased by $64 million for the three months ended December 31, 2016 compared to the same period in 2015. Mexico Natural Gas Pipelines segmented earnings are equivalent to comparable EBIT.
Earnings from our Mexico operations are underpinned by long-term, stable, primarily U.S. dollar-denominated revenue contracts, and are affected by the cost of providing service.
Comparable EBITDA for Mexico Natural Gas Pipelines increased by US$49 million for the three months ended December 31, 2016 compared to the same period in 2015. This was the net effect of:
DEPRECIATION AND AMORTIZATION
Depreciation and amortization increased by US$4 million for the three months ended December 31, 2016 compared to the same period in 2015 mainly due to the commencement of depreciation on Topolobampo.
Liquids Pipelines
The following is a reconciliation of comparable EBITDA and comparable EBIT (our non-GAAP measures) to segmented earnings (the equivalent GAAP measure). Certain costs previously reported in our Corporate segment are now being reported within the business segments as a result of our 2015 business transformation initiative. 2015 results have been adjusted to reflect this change.
Liquids Pipelines segmented earnings increased by $3,634 million for the three months ended December 31, 2016 compared to the same period in 2015 and included pre-tax charges related to Keystone XL costs for the maintenance and liquidation of project assets which are being expensed pending further advancement of the project as well as unrealized losses from changes in the fair value of derivatives related to our liquids marketing business. The segmented loss in 2015 included a $3,686 million pre-tax impairment charge related to Keystone XL and related projects in connection with the denial of the U.S. Presidential permit. These amounts have been excluded from our calculation of comparable EBIT. The remainder of the Liquids Pipelines segmented earnings are equivalent to comparable EBIT.
Comparable EBITDA for the Keystone Pipeline System is generated primarily by providing pipeline capacity to shippers for fixed monthly payments that are not linked to actual throughput volumes. Uncontracted capacity is offered to the market on a spot basis and provides opportunities to generate incremental earnings.
Comparable EBITDA for Liquids Pipelines decreased by $34 million for the three months ended December 31, 2016 compared to the same period in 2015 and was the net effect of:
DEPRECIATION AND AMORTIZATION
Depreciation and amortization increased by $7 million for the three months ended December 31, 2016 compared to the same period in 2015 as a result of new facilities being placed in service.
Energy
The following is a reconciliation of comparable EBITDA and comparable EBIT (our non-GAAP measures) to segmented earnings (the equivalent GAAP measure). Certain costs previously reported in our Corporate segment are now being reported within the business segments as a result of our 2015 business transformation initiative. 2015 results have been adjusted to reflect this change.
Energy segmented earnings decreased by $648 million to segmented losses of $571 million for the three months ended December 31, 2016 compared to the same period in 2015 and included the following specific items:
The variances in these unrealized gains and losses reflect the impact of changes in forward natural gas and power prices and the volume of our positions for these derivatives over a certain period of time; however, they do not accurately reflect the gains and losses that will be realized on settlement, or the offsetting impacts of other derivative and non-derivative transactions that make up our business as a whole. As a result, we do not consider them reflective of our underlying operations.
Following the March 17, 2016 announcement of our intention to monetize the U.S. Northeast power business, we were required to discontinue hedge accounting for certain cash flow hedges. This, along with the increased volume of our risk management activities associated with the expansion of our customer base in the PJM market, contributed to higher volatility in U.S. Power risk management activities.
The remainder of the Energy segmented earnings are equivalent to comparable EBIT.
Comparable EBITDA for Energy increased by $35 million to $305 million for the three months ended December 31, 2016 compared to $270 million for the same period in 2015 primarily due to the net effect of:
CANADIAN POWER
Western and Eastern Power
The following are the components of comparable EBITDA and comparable EBIT.
Western Power
Comparable EBITDA for Western Power increased by $27 million for the three months ended December 31, 2016 compared to the same period in 2015 mainly due to higher realized prices on generated volumes and termination of the Alberta PPAs.
Results from the Alberta PPAs are included up to March 7, 2016 when we sent notice to the Balancing Pool to terminate the PPAs for the Sundance A, Sundance B and Sheerness facilities. Income/(loss) from equity investments included earnings from the ASTC Power Partnership which held our 50 per cent ownership in the Sundance B PPA.
Alberta power prices are impacted by several factors including the prevailing power supply and demand conditions and natural gas price levels. Average spot market power prices in Alberta increased five per cent from $21/MWh to $22/MWh for the three months ended December 31, 2016 compared to the same period in 2015. Average AECO natural gas prices increased by 25 per cent from approximately $2.34/GJ to $2.93/GJ for the three months ended December 31, 2016 compared to the same period in 2015. The Alberta power market remained well-supplied and power consumption was down primarily due to a weak economy.
Depreciation and amortization decreased by $24 million for the three months ended December 31, 2016 compared to the same period in 2015 following the termination of the Alberta PPAs.
Eastern Power
Comparable EBITDA for Eastern Power decreased by $1 million for the three months ended December 31, 2016 compared to the same period in 2015.
BRUCE POWER
Bruce Power results reflect our proportionate share. Bruce A and B were merged in December 2015 and comparative information for 2015 is reported on a combined basis to reflect the merged entity. The following is our proportionate share of the components of comparable EBITDA and comparable EBIT.
Comparable EBITDA from Bruce Power remained unchanged for the three months ended December 31, 2016 compared to the same period in 2015 mainly due to our increased ownership interest and higher realized sales price offset by lower volumes from increased outage days compared to the same period in 2015.
In December 2015, Bruce Power entered into an agreement with the IESO to extend the operating life of the Bruce Power facility to 2064. As part of this agreement, Bruce Power began receiving a uniform price of $65.73 per MWh for all units, which includes certain flow-through items such as fuel and lease expenses recovery. Over time, the price will be subject to adjustments for the return of and on capital invested in Bruce Power under the Asset Management and Major Component Replacement capital programs, along with various other pricing adjustments that allow for a better matching of revenues and costs over the long term.
Bruce Power also enters into fixed-price contracts under which it receives or pays the difference between the contract price and the spot price.
The contract with the IESO provides for payment if the IESO reduces Bruce Power''s generation to balance the supply of and demand for electricity and/or manage other operating conditions of the Ontario power grid. The amount of the reduction is considered deemed generation for which Bruce Power is paid the contract price.
U.S. POWER (monetization expected to close in the first half of 2017)
The following are the components of comparable EBITDA and comparable EBIT.
Sales volumes and plant availability
U.S. Power - other information
Comparable EBITDA for U.S. Power decreased US$6 million for the three months ended December 31, 2016 compared to the same period in 2015 primarily due to the net effect of:
Average New York Zone J spot capacity prices were approximately 30 per cent lower for the three months ended December 31, 2016 compared to the same period in 2015. The decrease in spot prices and the offsetting impact of hedging activities resulted in lower realized capacity prices in New York. This was primarily due to an increase in demonstrated capability from existing resources in New York City''s Zone J market. The impact of lower capacity prices in New York was partially offset by capacity revenues earned by our Ironwood power plant.
Insurance recoveries for the 2014 outage at Ravenswood are being recognized in capacity revenues to offset amounts lost during the periods impacted by the lower forced outage rate. As a result of these insurance recoveries, the Unit 30 unplanned outage has not had a significant impact on our earnings although the recording of earnings has not coincided exactly with lost revenues due to timing of the insurance proceeds. In addition, insurance recoveries related to an unplanned outage at the Ravenswood facility that occurred in 2008 were recognized in power revenue in December 2015.
Higher margins and higher sales volumes to wholesale, commercial, and industrial customers in both the New England and PJM markets resulted in higher earnings for the three months ended December 31, 2016 compared to the same period in 2015. The expansion of our customer base in these markets, combined with higher power prices during the three months ended December 31, 2016, provided the opportunity for higher earnings.
Wholesale electricity prices in New York and New England were higher for the three months ended December 31, 2016 compared to the same period in 2015. In New England, spot power prices for the three months ended December 31, 2016 were 13 per cent higher compared to the same period in 2015. In New York City, spot power prices for the three months ended December 31, 2016 were 29 per cent higher compared to the same period in 2015.
Physical generation volumes for the three months ended December 31, 2016 were higher compared to the same period in 2015 due to our acquisition of the Ironwood power plant. Physical purchased volumes sold to wholesale, commercial and industrial customers were higher for the three months ended December 31, 2016 than the same period in 2015 as we have expanded our customer base in the PJM and New England markets.
NATURAL GAS STORAGE AND OTHER
Comparable EBITDA increased by $14 million for the three months ended December 31, 2016 compared to the same period in 2015 mainly due to increased third party storage revenues as a result of higher realized natural gas storage price spreads.
Corporate
The following is a reconciliation of comparable EBITDA and comparable EBIT (our non-GAAP measures) to segmented losses (the equivalent GAAP measure). Certain costs previously reported in our Corporate segment are now being reported within the business segments as a result of our 2015 business transformation initiative. 2015 results have been adjusted to reflect this change.
Corporate segmented losses decreased by $73 million for the three months ended December 31, 2016 compared to the same period in 2015 and included the following specific items that have been excluded from comparable EBIT:
Comparable EBITDA in 2015 included the portion of our corporate restructuring costs that were recovered through our tolling mechanisms. The increase in Corporate depreciation for the three months ended December 31, 2016 compared to 2015 reflected incremental depreciation on our Corporate capital additions, including those in Columbia.
OTHER INCOME STATEMENT ITEMS
Interest expense
Interest expense increased by $162 million for the three months ended December 31, 2016 compared to the same period in 2015 due to the net effect of:
AFUDC increased by $6 million for the three months ended December 31, 2016 compared to the same period in 2015 primarily due to increased investment in our NGTL System expansions, Energy East and Columbia projects, partially offset by bringing into service the Topolobampo and Mazatlan pipelines.
Interest income and other
Interest income and other decreased by $4 million for the three months ended December 31, 2016 compared to the same period in 2015 due to the net effect of:
Income tax expense included in comparable earnings decreased by $24 million for the three months ended December 31, 2016 compared to the same period in 2015 mainly due to a change in the proportion of income earned between Canadian and foreign jurisdictions and lower flow-through taxes in 2016 on Canadian regulated pipelines, partially offset by higher pre-tax earnings in 2016 compared to 2015.
Net income attributable to non-controlling interests
Net income attributable to non-controlling interests increased by $207 million for the three months ended December 31, 2016 compared to the same period in 2015 due to the net effect of a $2 million charge in 2016 related to the non-controlling interests'' portion of retention and severance expenses resulting from the Columbia acquisition and an impairment charge recorded by TC PipeLines, LP in 2015 related to their equity investment goodwill in Great Lakes. On consolidation, we recorded the non-controlling interests'' 72 per cent of this TC PipeLines, LP impairment charge, which was US$143 million, or $199 million (in Canadian dollars). TC PipeLines, LP''s impairment charge is not recognized at the TransCanada consolidation level as a result of our lower carrying value of Great Lakes. Both of these amounts have been excluded from comparable earnings.
Net income attributable to non-controlling interests included in comparable earnings increased by $10 million for the three months ended December 31, 2016 compared to the same period in 2015 primarily due to the acquisition of Columbia which included a non-controlling interest in Columbia Pipeline Partners LP. In addition, the sale of our 30 per cent direct interest in GTN in April 2015 and 49.9 per cent direct interest in PNGTS in January 2016 to TC PipeLines, LP, along with the impact of a stronger U.S. dollar, increased net income attributable to non-controlling interests year-over-year.
Preferred share dividends
Preferred share dividends increased by $9 million for the three months ended December 31, 2016 compared to the same period in 2015 primarily due to the issuance of Series 13 and Series 15 preferred shares in April 2016 and November 2016.
Comparable Distributable Cash Flow
Comparable distributable cash flow, a non-GAAP measure, helps us assess the cash available to common shareholders before capital allocation. The increase from 2015 to 2016 was driven by an increase in funds generated from operations partially offset by higher maintenance capital expenditures primarily on Columbia pipelines since the acquisition on July 1, 2016 and ANR.
Although we deduct maintenance capital expenditures in determining comparable distributable cash flow, in certain of our rate-regulated businesses, maintenance capital expenditures are included in their respective rate bases, on which we earn a regulated return and recover depreciation through future tolls.
The following provides a breakdown of maintenance capital expenditures:
Condensed consolidated statement of income
Condensed consolidated statement of cash flows
Condensed consolidated balance sheet
Segmented information
TOTAL ASSETS
Contacts:
TransCanada Media Enquiries:
Mark Cooper/James Millar
403.920.7859 or 800.608.7859
TransCanada Investor & Analyst Enquiries:
David Moneta/Stuart Kampel
403.920.7911 or 800.361.6522
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Datum: 16.02.2017 - 06:31 Uhr
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Die Pressemitteilung mit dem Titel:
"TransCanada Reports Fourth Quarter and Year-End 2016 Financial Results
"
steht unter der journalistisch-redaktionellen Verantwortung von
TransCanada (Nachricht senden)
Beachten Sie bitte die weiteren Informationen zum Haftungsauschluß (gemäß TMG - TeleMedianGesetz) und dem Datenschutz (gemäß der DSGVO).
