For the fiscal year ended September 30, 2011, non-GAAP operating earnings were $115.5 million, or $2.25 per share, compared to non-GAAP operating earnings of $115.0 million, or $2.27 per share, for the prior fiscal year. For the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2011, our non-GAAP operating loss was $(13.4) million, or $(0.26) per share, compared to a non-GAAP operating loss of $(14.8) million, or $(0.29) per share, for the same quarter of the prior fiscal year.
“Strong performance in our retail energy-marketing segment and our ongoing focus on cost control helped us to deliver annual earnings that exceeded our most recent guidance, recovering to 2010 levels,” said Terry D. McCallister, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of WGL Holdings. “I am pleased with this achievement in light of the headwinds we’ve faced this year from increased pension and operating costs, and given the amount of time that has passed since our last rate adjustments. We have also continued to make investments to support our strategy of delivering clean and efficient energy solutions, recently announcing an investment of up to $30 million in an agreement with Skyline Innovations to install and own commercial-scale solar water heating systems. We now look forward to further earnings improvements in 2012 as we conclude rate cases in Maryland and Virginia and continue to benefit from the growth of our non-utility businesses.”
Fiscal Year and Fourth Quarter Results by Business Segment
Regulated Utility Segment
For the fiscal year ended September 30, 2011, our regulated utility segment reported net income of $69.2 million, or $1.35 per share, compared to net income of $101.7 million, or $2.00 per share, for the prior fiscal year. Net income for the 2011 fiscal year was impacted by one-time adjustments in the fourth quarter as a result of charges associated with regulatory proceedings. After adjustments, non-GAAP operating earnings for the regulated utility segment were $86.2 million, or $1.68 per share, for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2011, compared to non-GAAP operating earnings of $96.0 million, or $1.89 per share, for the prior fiscal year. The year-over-year comparisons of non-GAAP operating earnings reflect:(i) higher employee benefit expense due to changes in pension and retiree medical plan valuation assumptions;(ii) the impact of the reduction in the Maryland depreciation rates effective on June 1, 2010, creating a timing difference between the recognition and recovery of depreciation expense in 2010;(iii) higher depreciation expense due to the growth in, and mix of, our investment in utility plant;(iv) higher costs for weather protection products related to the District of Columbia;(v) a comparison to 2010 results which were favorably impacted by a one-time retroactive recovery of hexane costs and(vi) higher operating expenses primarily attributable to system software upgrades and workforce planning initiatives. Partially offsetting these unfavorable variances were:(i) higher revenues from an increase in average active customer meters of more than 9,800 over the same twelve month period of the prior fiscal year;(ii) a decrease in recurring business process outsourcing costs and(iii) a decrease in incentive plan benefit costs.
For the quarter ended September 30, 2011, our regulated utility segment reported a seasonal net loss of $(38.4) million, or $(0.75) per share, compared to a net loss of $(19.6) million, or $(0.38) per share, reported for the fourth quarter of the prior fiscal year. After adjustments, the non-GAAP operating loss for the regulated utility segment was $(24.2) million, or $(0.47) per share, for the quarter ended September 30, 2011, compared to a non-GAAP operating loss of $(19.1) million, or $(0.37) per share, for the same quarter of the prior fiscal year. This three month comparison of non-GAAP operating earnings reflects:(i) higher employee benefit expense due to changes in pension and retiree medical plan valuation assumptions;(ii) higher depreciation expense due to the growth in, and mix of, our investment in utility plant and (iii) a comparison to 2010 results which were favorably impacted by a one-time retroactive recovery of hexane costs. Partially offsetting these unfavorable variances was lower uncollectible accounts expense which was associated with a reserve adjustment recorded in the prior year.
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