EXHIBIT 99.(B) FLORIDA PROGRESS CORPORATION INVESTOR INFORMATION - -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Analysts' Contacts: Mark A. Myers, Manager, Investor Relations (813) 866-4245 John A. Serba, Senior Investor Communications Analyst (813) 866-4247 January 22, 1996 Florida Progress Corporation reports increase in 1995 earnings Florida Progress Corporation, parent of St. Petersburg-based Florida Power Corporation, today reported a 1995 earnings per share increase of 9.6 percent. Earnings for the year were $238.9 million, or $2.50 a share, compared with $212 million, or $2.28 a share in 1994. The company had 1995 revenues totaling $3.06 billion, compared with $2.77 billion for 1994. Significant items influencing 1995 operating results: o An increase in retail energy sales at Florida Power due to a stronger economy and more extremes in summer and winter weather. o Continued customer growth -- up 2.2 percent this year, or about 28,000 over 1994. o The utility's continued commitment to further reductions in operating expenses. Florida Power, the largest subsidiary of Florida Progress, earned $217.3 million, or $2.27 per share, on revenues of $2.27 billion for the year, compared with earnings of $190.7 million, or $2.05 a share, on revenues of $2.08 billion in 1994. Retail kilowatt-hour sales at the utility increased 7.8 percent during 1995 compared with the prior year. A stronger economy and abnormal weather conditions contributed to a 5.4 percent increase in average residential customer usage in 1995. Total industrial kilowatt-hour sales increased by 8 percent for the year, due to better-than-expected improvement in the phosphate industry. Earnings were helped by the ongoing cost-control initiatives at the utility. This has occurred even with the addition of 28,000 customers during 1995. The higher energy sales and the cost reductions offset increased expenses for nuclear decommissioning and depreciation. In 1995, Florida Power absorbed a $6.9 million pre-tax charge for the Florida Public Service Commission-approved amortization of costs of the canceled Lake Tarpon to Kathleen transmission line. - more - In 1994, Florida Power recognized restructuring and voluntary early retirement costs that reduced earnings by $11.5 million, or 12 cents a share. The utility also wrote off an investment in a proposed gas pipeline project that lowered 1994 earnings by $3.9 million, or 4 cents a share. In January 1995, the Florida Public Service Commission ordered Florida Power to begin a three-year test of a revenue decoupling plan for residential sales. The plan separates, or decouples, revenues from energy sales. Decoupling is designed to reconcile the revenues to an authorized target level. For this first year of the test, the decoupling mechanism lowered billed revenues by $17.8 million. Florida Power does not expect the decoupling mechanism to materially affect results for the three-year test period. Electric Fuels Corporation, the energy and transportation subsidiary of Florida Progress' diversified operations, continued its solid performance in the face of depressed market conditions for coal in 1995. Despite the lower demand for coal, Electric Fuels had earnings of $24 million, or 25 cents per share, in 1995. This compares with $22.6 million, or 25 cents per share, in 1994. Excellent performance from Electric Fuels' inland marine and rail services operations contributed to the increased earnings from this business unit. Florida Progress (NYSE:FPC) is a Fortune 500 diversified utility holding company with assets of $5.8 billion. Its principal subsidiary is Florida Power, the state's second-largest electric utility with more than 1.2 million customers. Diversified operations include coal mining and transportation, life insurance, real estate, and lending and leasing. - more - FLORIDA PROGRESS CORPORATION CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME Page 3 (In millions, except per share amounts) Three Months Ended Twelve Months Ended December 31 December 31 ------------------- ------------------- (UNAUDITED) 1995 1994 1995 1994 -------- -------- -------- -------- REVENUES: Electric utility $533.5 $493.5 $2,271.7 $2,080.5 Diversified 213.4 189.4 783.9 691.0 --------- --------- --------- --------- 746.9 682.9 3,055.6 2,771.5 EXPENSES: --------- --------- --------- --------- Electric utility: Fuel used in generation 97.9 85.7 433.7 431.9 Purchased power 109.8 77.7 440.7 294.6 Deferred fuel (2.3) 18.2 (1.7) (1.5) Other operation 90.4 81.3 358.7 388.8 --------- --------- --------- --------- Operation 295.8 262.9 1,231.4 1,113.8 Maintenance 29.2 32.0 114.1 122.9 Depreciation 76.4 66.6 293.7 261.5 Taxes other than income taxes 40.0 38.6 176.2 162.8 --------- --------- --------- --------- 441.4 400.1 1,815.4 1,661.0 --------- --------- --------- --------- Diversified: Cost of sales 174.7 157.7 642.3 571.2 Other 22.0 17.4 74.3 63.3 --------- --------- --------- --------- 196.7 175.1 716.6 634.5 --------- --------- --------- --------- INCOME FROM OPERATIONS 108.8 107.7 523.6 476.0 --------- --------- --------- --------- INTEREST EXPENSE AND OTHER: Interest expense 34.5 35.9 142.0 144.8 Allowance for funds used during construction (1.7) (2.6) (7.3) (10.9) Preferred dividend requirements of Florida Power 2.4 2.5 9.7 10.1 Other expense, net 1.8 2.7 3.9 10.3 --------- --------- --------- --------- 37.0 38.5 148.3 154.3 --------- --------- --------- --------- INCOME BEFORE INCOME TAXES 71.8 69.2 375.3 321.7 Income Taxes 25.8 23.2 136.4 109.7 --------- --------- --------- --------- NET INCOME $46.0 $46.0 $238.9 $212.0 ========= ========= ========= ========= AVERAGE SHARES OF COMMON STOCK OUTSTANDING 96.2 94.9 95.7 93.0 ========= ========= ========= ========= EARNINGS PER AVERAGE COMMON SHARE $0.48 $0.49 $2.50 $2.28 ========= ========= ========= ========= Regarding these financial statements: These are interim statements. Reference should be made to Florida Progress Corporation's 1994 Annual Report to shareholders and S.E.C. Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1994 and all subsequent reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Neither this report nor any statement contained herein is intended to constitute an offer of or solicitation of an offer to buy any securities or is furnished for the purpose of promoting or influencing the sale or purchase of securities. FLORIDA PROGRESS CORPORATION CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS Page 4 (In millions) December 31 ------------------------- (UNAUDITED) 1995 1994 ----------- ----------- ASSETS PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT: Electric utility plant in service and held for for future use $5,867.5 $5,603.4 Less - Accumulated depreciation 2,179.7 1,981.6 Accumulated decommissioning for nuclear plant 165.2 135.2 Accumulated dismantlement for fossil plants 104.4 92.4 ---------- ---------- 3,418.2 3,394.2 Construction work in progress 131.8 222.1 Nuclear fuel, net of amortization of $348.7 in 1995 and $322.8 in 1994 59.1 52.9 ---------- ---------- Net electric utility plant 3,609.1 3,669.2 Other property, net of depreciation of $189.9 in 1995 and $163.5 in 1994 455.2 420.9 ---------- ---------- 4,064.3 4,090.1 ---------- ---------- CURRENT ASSETS: Cash and equivalents 4.7 14.4 Accounts receivable, net 309.5 262.2 Current portion of leases and loans receivable 43.0 15.3 Inventories, primarily at average cost: Fuel 63.0 75.2 Utility materials and supplies 101.3 110.4 Diversified materials 113.2 68.1 Other 44.8 42.8 ---------- ---------- 679.5 588.4 ---------- ---------- OTHER ASSETS: Investments: Leases and loans receivable, net 340.8 438.0 Marketable securities 188.2 148.3 Nuclear plant decommissioning fund 161.1 123.6 Joint ventures and partnerships 73.7 74.5 Deferred insurance policy acquisition costs 106.4 91.9 Other 177.1 163.9 ---------- ---------- 1,047.3 1,040.2 ---------- ---------- $5,791.1 $5,718.7 ========== ========== CAPITAL AND LIABILITIES CAPITAL: Common stock equity $2,078.1 $1,984.4 Cumulative preferred stock of Florida Power 138.5 143.5 Long-term debt 1,685.2 1,859.6 ---------- ---------- 3,901.8 3,987.5 ---------- ---------- CURRENT LIABILITIES: Accounts payable 168.5 147.1 Customers' deposits 85.3 76.9 Income taxes payable 14.4 12.7 Accrued other taxes 15.9 14.8 Accrued interest 47.5 47.3 Other 103.4 69.3 ---------- ---------- 435.0 368.1 Notes payable - 55.3 Current portion of long-term debt 183.9 52.9 ---------- ---------- 618.9 476.3 ---------- ---------- DEFERRED CREDITS AND OTHER LIABILITIES: Deferred income taxes 694.3 744.1 Unamortized investment tax credits 101.5 110.0 Insurance policy benefit reserves 265.0 222.5 Other postretirement benefit costs 84.8 67.8 Other 124.8 110.5 ---------- ---------- 1,270.4 1,254.9 ---------- ---------- $5,791.1 $5,718.7 ========== ========== FLORIDA PROGRESS CORPORATION CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS Page 5 (In millions) Three Months Ended Twelve Months Ended December 31 December 31 ------------------- ------------------- (UNAUDITED) 1995 1994 1995 1994 -------- -------- -------- -------- OPERATING ACTIVITIES: Net income $46.0 $46.0 $238.9 $212.0 Adjustments for noncash items: Depreciation and amortization 93.2 83.7 359.1 321.7 Deferred income taxes and investment tax credits, net (6.8) 8.2 (80.0) (32.3) Increase in accrued other postretirement benefit costs 4.1 2.8 17.0 20.4 Net change in deferred insurance policy acquisition costs (2.8) 1.3 (14.5) (10.4) Net change in insurance policy benefit reserves 11.1 5.5 42.5 36.0 Changes in working capital, net of effects from acquisition or sale of businesses: Accounts receivable 30.0 24.4 (44.3) (17.4) Inventories (29.8) (5.8) (29.8) (10.1) Accounts payable 3.4 17.8 19.4 (4.2) Income taxes payable (42.1) (32.6) 2.0 (29.6) Accrued other taxes (55.5) (44.5) 0.9 3.8 Other 25.2 34.8 41.7 19.6 Other operating activities (10.7) (5.4) 10.1 23.0 --------- --------- --------- --------- 65.3 136.2 563.0 532.5 --------- --------- --------- --------- INVESTING ACTIVITIES: Property additions (including allowance for borrowed funds used during construction) (121.2) (121.9) (335.4) (368.1) Proceeds from sales of properties and businesses 3.5 2.0 13.8 16.3 Purchase of leases, loans and securities (20.1) (5.1) (56.2) (74.1) Proceeds from sale or collection of leases, loans and securities 30.7 34.5 101.2 102.2 Acquisition of businesses (3.3) - (9.2) (17.1) Distributions from (investments in) joint ventures and partnerships, net (1.6) 3.4 (4.8) (1.3) Other investing activities (2.7) (2.6) (11.0) (10.8) --------- --------- --------- --------- (114.7) (89.7) (301.6) (352.9) --------- --------- --------- --------- FINANCING ACTIVITIES: Issuance of long-term debt - - - 103.7 Repayment of long-term debt (16.3) (31.0) (55.5) (86.7) Increase (decrease) in commercial paper with long-term support 106.0 7.4 1.0 (61.2) Redemption of preferred stock (5.0) (5.0) (5.0) (5.0) Sale of common stock 9.6 9.6 38.4 138.0 Dividends paid on common stock (48.6) (47.9) (193.4) (185.9) Increase (decrease) in short-term debt - 27.4 (55.3) (75.6) Other financing activities (1.0) (0.9) (1.3) (1.6) --------- --------- --------- --------- 44.7 (40.4) (271.1) (174.3) --------- --------- --------- --------- NET INCREASE (DECREASE) IN CASH AND EQUIVALENTS (4.7) 6.1 (9.7) 5.3 Beginning cash and equivalents 9.4 8.3 14.4 9.1 --------- --------- --------- --------- ENDING CASH AND EQUIVALENTS $4.7 $14.4 $4.7 $14.4 ========= ========= ========= ========= Florida Progress Corporation Selected Financial Information (Unaudited) Page 6 Three Months Ended Percent Twelve Months Ended Percent December 31 Positive December 31 Positive 1995 1994 (Negative) 1995 1994 (Negative) -------- -------- -------- -------- -------- -------- Earnings Per Share: Florida Power Corporation $0.43 $0.44 (2.3) $2.27 $2.05 10.7 --------- --------- --------- --------- Electric Fuels Corporation 0.07 0.06 16.7 0.25 0.25 - Mid-Continent Life Insurance Co. 0.01 0.02 (50.0) 0.07 0.08 (12.5) Progress Credit Corporation (0.01) (0.01) - (0.05) (0.05) - Corporate and other (0.02) (0.02) - (0.04) (0.05) 20.0 --------- --------- --------- --------- Diversified 0.05 0.05 - 0.23 0.23 - --------- --------- --------- --------- Consolidated $0.48 $0.49 (2.0) $2.50 $2.28 9.6 ========= ========= ========= ========= Avg. shares outstanding (millions) 96.2 94.9 1.4 95.7 93.0 2.9 Dividends per share $0.505 $0.505 - $2.020 $1.990 1.5 Book value per share: Florida Power Corporation $18.19 $17.52 3.8 Consolidated $21.55 $20.85 3.4 December 31 December 31 December 31 1995 1994 1995 1994 Amount Percent Amount Percent --------- --------- ---------------------------------------- Equity investments (percent): Capitalization (in millions): Florida Power Corporation 84 84 Common stock $2,078.1 50.9 $1,984.4 48.5 Electric Fuels Corporation 9 8 Preferred stock 138.5 3.4 143.5 3.5 Mid-Continent Life Insurance Co. 4 4 Long-term debt 1,685.2 41.2 1,859.6 45.4 Progress Credit Corporation 3 4 Short-term capital 183.9 4.5 108.2 2.6 --------- --------- ---------------------------------------- Total 100 100 Total $4,085.7 100.0 $4,095.7 100.0 ========= ========= ======================================== Florida Power Corporation Selected Statistical Data (Unaudited) Page 7 (In millions, except billing degree days) Three Months Ended Twelve Months Ended December 31 Percent December 31 Percent 1995 1994 Change 1995 1994 Change -------- -------- -------- -------- -------- -------- Revenues: Residential $293.0 $265.8 10.2 $1,252.7 $1,142.7 9.6 Commercial 128.6 125.3 2.6 515.3 483.9 6.5 Industrial 49.0 44.9 9.1 189.3 173.1 9.4 Other retail sales 30.0 29.1 3.1 116.5 108.3 7.6 --------- --------- -------------------- 500.6 465.1 7.6 2,073.8 1,908.0 8.7 Sales for resale 38.8 32.5 19.4 149.6 128.7 16.2 --------- --------- -------------------- 539.4 497.6 8.4 2,223.4 2,036.7 9.2 Other electric revenues 3.8 5.6 (32.1) 51.5 50.6 1.8 Deferred fuel (9.7) (9.7) - (3.2) (6.8) - --------- --------- -------------------- Total $533.5 $493.5 8.1 $2,271.7 $2,080.5 9.2 ========= ========= ==================== Kilowatt-hour sales billed: Residential 3,457.3 3,090.8 11.9 14,938.0 13,863.4 7.8 Commercial 2,146.5 2,067.5 3.8 8,612.1 8,252.1 4.4 Industrial 1,012.3 886.7 14.2 3,864.4 3,579.6 8.0 Other retail sales 535.3 511.6 4.6 2,085.0 1,980.1 5.3 --------- --------- -------------------- 7,151.4 6,556.6 9.1 29,499.5 27,675.2 6.6 Sales for resale 882.1 617.6 42.8 2,903.1 2,339.4 24.1 --------- --------- -------------------- Total electric sales 8,033.5 7,174.2 12.0 32,402.6 30,014.6 8.0 ========= ========= ==================== System Requirements (KWH) 7,896 7,073 11.6 33,667 31,174 8.0 Retail KWH Sales (Billed & Unbilled) 7,069 6,380 10.8 29,745 27,598 7.8 Billing Degree Days: Cooling 892 556 60.4 3,929 3,346 17.4 Heating 121 32 278.1 601 515 16.7 Note: Total revenues include billed revenues and unbilled revenues that are accrued for accounting purposes. Statistics for total kilowatt-hour sales include only billed kilowatt-hour sales. Beginning in 1995, Florida Power was ordered by state regulators to conduct a three-year test for residential revenue decoupling. Under the plan, abnormal weather variances will no longer impact earnings with respect to residential revenues.