1 ================================================================================ FORM 8-K CURRENT REPORT SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549 PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 DATE OF REPORT (DATE OF EARLIEST EVENT REPORTED) OCTOBER 18, 1999 COMMISSION REGISTRANT; STATE OF INCORPORATION; IRS EMPLOYER FILE NUMBER ADDRESS; AND TELEPHONE NUMBER IDENTIFICATION NO - ----------- ----------------------------------- ----------------- 1-9513 CMS ENERGY CORPORATION 38-2726431 (A MICHIGAN CORPORATION) FAIRLANE PLAZA SOUTH, SUITE 1100 330 TOWN CENTER DRIVE DEARBORN, MICHIGAN 48126 (313) 436-9261 1-5611 CONSUMERS ENERGY COMPANY 38-0442310 (A MICHIGAN CORPORATION) 212 WEST MICHIGAN AVENUE JACKSON, MICHIGAN (517) 788-1030 ================================================================================ 2 ITEM 5. OTHER EVENTS. CMS Energy has announced that because of the currently low price of its Common Stock it has identified an alternative way to improve its balance sheet through the sale of non-strategic assets. The company has identified for possible sale $1 billion of assets which are expected to contribute little or no earnings benefit in the short to medium term and expects to sell $500 to $700 million of such assets by the end of the first quarter of 2000. The cash raised in this manner should make further issuance of equity securities unnecessary in the near future. The company has also announced that Consumers Energy is making progress in discussions with its major commercial and industrial customers which, if successful, would result in agreement on the need for, and substance of, electric restructuring legislation in Michigan and have the effect of resolving Consumers Energy's major rate proceedings pending before the Michigan Public Service Commission. While there are no assurances that an agreement or legislation will result, the company is optimistic that a positive outcome of the discussions can be achieved. 3 SIGNATURES Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized. CMS ENERGY CORPORATION Dated: October 18, 1999 By: /s/ William T. McCormick, Jr. --------------------------- William T. McCormick, Jr. Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer CONSUMERS ENERGY COMPANY Dated: October 18, 1999 By: /s/ William T. McCormick, Jr. --------------------------- William T. McCormick, Jr. Chairman of the Board