Exhibit 99.1
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DUKE ENERGY CINERGY
May 9, 2005 DUKE ENERGY MEDIA CONTACT: Pete Sheffield
Phone: 980/373-4503
24-Hour: 704/382-8333
CINERGY MEDIA CONTACT: Steve Brash
Phone: 513/287-2226
DUKE ENERGY ANALYST CONTACT: Julie Dill
Cell Phone: 704/307-9035
Phone: 980/373-4332
CINERGY ANALYST CONTACT: Brad Arnett
Phone: 513/287-3024
CINERGY AND DUKE ENERGY AGREE TO MERGE;
CREATES ENERGY COMPANY WITH $36 BILLION MARKET CAPITALIZATION
o Duke Energy dividend to be increased 12.7 percent for an annual
dividend of $1.24
o Combined company to have more than $70 billion in total assets
o All stock transaction; each common share of Cinergy to be converted
into 1.56 shares of Duke Energy
o Duke Energy's Anderson to be chairman of combined company; Cinergy's
Rogers to be president and CEO
CHARLOTTE, N.C. and CINCINNATI, OHIO - Cinergy (CIN) and Duke Energy (DUK)
today announced they have entered into a definitive merger agreement to create
an energy company with approximately $36 billion in market capitalization and
5.4 million retail customers.
The merger, which was unanimously approved by both companies' boards of
directors, will create a combined energy company with assets totaling more
than $70 billion.
The combined company, to be named Duke Energy Corporation, will have
approximately $27 billion in annual revenues and $1.9 billion in annual net
income (combined figures as of Dec. 31, 2004). It will own and/or operate
approximately 54,000 megawatts of electric generation domestically and
internationally - relying on a diverse fuel mix of nuclear, coal, natural gas
and hydroelectric power to meet customers' needs. Duke Energy also operates
more than 17,500 miles of natural gas transmission pipeline with 250 billion
cubic feet of natural gas storage capacity and, through its joint venture with
ConocoPhillips, is the largest producer of natural gas liquids (NGLs) in North
America. The combined company will have operations in two-thirds of the United
States, as well as Canada and several other international locations -
primarily in Latin America.
By combining resources and best practices, the merger will enhance operations
and create efficiencies at all levels of the new company, including
generation, transmission and distribution as well as power and gas marketing.
Under the merger agreement, each common share of Cinergy will be converted
into 1.56 shares of Duke Energy upon closing of the merger. Based on the
closing prices on May 6, Cinergy investors will receive a premium of 13.4
percent. Following the merger, Cinergy shareholders will own approximately 24
percent, or about 310 million shares, of Duke Energy pro-forma shares
outstanding, and Duke Energy shareholders will own approximately 76 percent of
the total 1.3 billion shares. The transaction will be accretive to Duke
Energy's earnings in the first full year of operation.
Upon completion of the merger, Paul M. Anderson, currently chairman and chief
executive officer of Duke Energy, will become chairman of the board of the
combined company. James E. Rogers, currently chairman, president and chief
executive officer of Cinergy, will become president and chief executive
officer. The new board will be comprised initially of 10 members named by Duke
Energy and five members named by Cinergy.
"The combination of Duke Energy and Cinergy will create a rock-solid portfolio
of electric and gas businesses, increasing value for our shareholders
immediately and in the longer term," said Anderson. "This union is a great
strategic fit and leaves us well positioned for continued consolidation in the
energy sector as both the electric and gas businesses will have the scale to
stand alone. Importantly, it also provides an immediate and significant
improvement for our merchant operations and enhances their future prospects.
"Just as significant as the strong strategic fit of our companies is the
cultural fit. Duke Energy and Cinergy share compatible values, operating
philosophies and views of the future," Anderson said.
"The increased scope and scale will make the combined company a major industry
leader with a strong balance sheet, complementary assets and a low-cost
generation portfolio," said Rogers. "Both companies are known for operational
excellence as well as strong customer service and reliability.
"We are creating a top-tier energy company that will assume a key leadership
role in the future of our industry while delivering benefits to all of our
stakeholders. Moreover, this combination creates a stronger platform from
which to continue our leadership in finding practical solutions to the
environmental challenges facing our industry and country."
Benefits of the Merger
The merger will deliver significant value to customers and shareholders of
both companies:
Increased Scale and Scope of Regulated Businesses: The combined company will
create a stronger portfolio of utility businesses with 3.7 million retail
electric customers and 1.7 million retail gas customers in Ohio, Kentucky,
Indiana, North Carolina, South Carolina and Ontario, Canada. The retail
electric businesses will have more than 25,000 megawatts of generation and
broad operational and regulatory experience. Coupled with the company's
pipeline operations, the regulated businesses will contribute a substantial
percentage of stable earnings and create the financial strength and scale to
participate in the continuing consolidation of the utility sector.
Stronger Merchant Power Platform: With a fleet of more than 16,000 megawatts
of unregulated generation, the combined merchant power operation will benefit
from increased fuel and market diversity. Consolidation of the trading and
marketing units and midwestern merchant generating fleets will enhance scale
and efficiencies -- reducing the cost structure of merchant operations by
approximately $95 million during year one and $125 million per year
subsequently. Significantly, Duke Energy's gas-fired generation in the Midwest
complements Cinergy's coal-fired generation in that region. The merchant
operations, with a competitive market presence in North America and South
America, will be well positioned to participate in the continuing
consolidation of the wholesale power sector.
Increased Duke Energy Dividend Creates Immediate Shareholder Value: In
conjunction with today's merger announcement, Duke Energy's board of directors
said it intends to increase Duke Energy's dividend by 12.7 percent, or 14
cents a year, for an annual dividend of $1.24. The dividend increase, which
will be voted on during the board's June meeting, would be effective with the
September 2005 disbursement. As a result of the merger transaction and the
Duke Energy dividend increase, Cinergy shareholders will be kept whole at
closing with respect to their current dividend.
Continued Financial Strength: Increased scale and scope will also strengthen
the balance sheet of the combined company, improving financial flexibility and
positioning it well for the future. The combined company will have electric
and gas businesses with stand-alone scale. Based on implied market
capitalization, the electric business would be one of the top five in the
United States; the gas business would be the largest in North America.
Significant Synergies: The merger offers both strategic and financial
advantages in serving the energy marketplace. Not including implementation
costs, the combination will generate approximately $400 million in annual
gross synergies -- when fully realized in year three -- from across corporate
activities, regulated utilities and non-regulated marketing, trading and
generation businesses. These cost savings will result from elimination of
duplicate spending and overlapping functions, improved sourcing strategies,
avoidance of planned expenditures and the consolidation of non-regulated
business unit operations. The combined companies currently employ
approximately 29,350 and expect a reduction of approximately 1,500, primarily
through attrition, early retirements and other severance programs. The
companies anticipate that upon review with state commissions, regulated
savings will be shared between customers and shareholders over time in an
equitable manner.
Steadfast Community Involvement: Duke Energy and Cinergy have long been
committed to the communities in which they operate. That demonstrated
commitment will continue through local presence, economic development efforts
and corporate contributions.
Structure and Organization
Following the merger, the combined company will be a registered holding
company with corporate headquarters in Charlotte, N.C. Local headquarters of
the operating utilities will remain unchanged by the merger: Cincinnati Gas &
Electric Company and Union Light, Heat & Power will remain in Cincinnati; PSI
Energy will remain in Plainfield, Indiana; and Duke Power will continue to be
headquartered in Charlotte. Duke Energy Gas Transmission (DEGT) and certain
commercial operations will remain in Houston. Duke Energy Field Services
(DEFS) will remain headquartered in Denver and Crescent Resources will
continue to be located in Charlotte.
At the completion of the merger, Rogers will have responsibility for all Duke
Energy's business units, corporate functions and support services with the
exception of the company's gas businesses: DEGT and DEFS. At closing, Fred
Fowler, currently president of Duke Energy, will become president and chief
executive officer of these gas operations, reporting to Rogers on operations
and to Anderson on strategy, pending completion of a strategic review of the
portfolio.
Approvals and Timing
The merger is conditioned upon approval by the shareholders of both companies,
as well as a number of regulatory approvals or reviews by federal and state
energy authorities, including the North Carolina Utilities Commission, the
Public Service Commission of South Carolina, the Public Utilities Commission
of Ohio, the Kentucky Public Service Commission, the Indiana Utility
Regulatory Commission, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC), the
Nuclear Regulatory Commission (for assurance of continuing financial
qualifications and operational standards), the Securities and Exchange
Commission (SEC) and the Department of Justice.
The new company intends to register as a holding company with SEC under the
Public Utility Holding Company Act. The companies anticipate making required
regulatory filings by July 2005, with necessary approvals obtained in about 12
months. The companies will work to secure necessary government approvals
consistent with FERC's Merger Policy Statement and the Hart-Scott-Rodino
Antitrust Improvements Act.
Analyst and Media Webcast Information
Analyst Presentation: Duke Energy and Cinergy will host a conference call and
webcast for the investment community today at 10:30 a.m. EDT, in the
Versailles room of the St. Regis Hotel at 2 East 55th Street and Fifth Avenue
in New York, N.Y. The conference call can be accessed via the investors'
section of both companies at: www.duke-energy.com and www.cinergy.com or by
dialing 888/578-6632 in the United States or 719/955-1565 outside the United
States. The confirmation code is 6483076. Please call in five to 10 minutes
prior to the scheduled start time. A replay of the conference call will be
available until May 18, 2005, midnight EDT, by dialing 888/203-1112 with a
confirmation code of 6483076. The international replay number is 719/457-0820
with a confirmation code of 6483076. A replay and transcript also will be
available by accessing the investors' section of each company's Web site.
Media Availability: Duke Energy and Cinergy will also host a separate
conference call for members of the media today at 1:30 p.m. EDT. Dial-in
numbers for the media are: 800/946-0713 in the United States or 719/457-2642
outside the United States. The confirmation code is 8894744. Please call in
five to 10 minutes prior to the scheduled start time.
More Merger Information
Merger Fact Sheet:
http://www.duke-energy.com/company/aboutus/merger/merger_factsheet.pdf
Combined Company's North American Asset Map:
http://www.duke-energy.com/company/aboutus/merger/map.asp
Advisors
Duke Energy's financial advisor was UBS Investment Bank and the company also
received a fairness opinion from Lazard Ltd. Cinergy was advised by and
received a fairness opinion from Merrill Lynch and Co. Legal counsel to Duke
Energy was Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher and Flom LLP; and Cinergy's legal
counsel was Wachtell, Lipton, Rosen & Katz.
Corporate Profiles
Cinergy has a balanced, integrated portfolio consisting of two core
businesses: regulated operations and commercial businesses. Cinergy's
integrated businesses make it a Midwest leader in providing both low-cost
generation and reliable electric and gas service. More information about the
company is available on the Internet at: http://www.cinergy.com
Duke Energy is a diversified energy company with a portfolio of natural gas
and electric businesses, both regulated and unregulated, and an affiliated
real estate company. Duke Energy supplies, delivers and processes energy for
customers in the Americas. Headquartered in Charlotte, N.C., Duke Energy is a
Fortune 500 company traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol
DUK. More information about the company is available on the Internet at:
http://www.duke-energy.com.
Forward-Looking Statement
This document includes statements that do not directly or exclusively relate
to historical facts. Such statements are "forward-looking statements" within
the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of
the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. These forward-looking statements include
statements regarding benefits of the proposed mergers and Restructuring
Transactions, integration plans and expected synergies, anticipated future
financial operating performance and results, including estimates of growth.
These statements are based on the current expectations of management of Duke
Energy and Cinergy. There are a number of risks and uncertainties that could
cause actual results to differ materially from the forward-looking statements
included in this document. For example, (1) the companies may be unable to
obtain shareholder approvals required for the transaction; (2) the companies
may be unable to obtain regulatory approvals required for the transaction, or
required regulatory approvals may delay the transaction or result in the
imposition of conditions that could have a material adverse effect on the
combined company or cause the companies to abandon the transaction; (3)
conditions to the closing of the mergers and the restructuring transactions
may not be satisfied; (4) problems may arise in successfully integrating the
businesses of the companies, which may result in the combined company not
operating as effectively and efficiently as expected; (5) the combined company
may be unable to achieve cost-cutting synergies or it may take longer than
expected to achieve those synergies; (6) the transaction may involve
unexpected costs or unexpected liabilities, or the effects of purchase
accounting may be different from the companies' expectations; (7) the credit
ratings of the combined company or its subsidiaries may be different from what
the companies expect; (8) the businesses of the companies may suffer as a
result of uncertainty surrounding the transaction; (9) the industry may be
subject to future regulatory or legislative actions that could adversely
affect the companies; and (10) the companies may be adversely affected by
other economic, business, and/or competitive factors. Additional factors that
may affect the future results of Duke Energy and Cinergy are set forth in
their respective filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC"),
which are available at www.duke-energy.com/investors and
www.cinergy.com/investors, respectively. Duke Energy and Cinergy undertake no
obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements,
whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.
Additional Information and Where to Find It
In connection with the proposed transaction, a registration statement of Deer
Holding Corp., which will include a joint proxy statement of Duke Energy and
Cinergy, and other materials, will be filed with SEC. WE URGE INVESTORS TO
READ THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT AND PROXY STATEMENT AND THESE OTHER MATERIALS
CAREFULLY WHEN THEY BECOME AVAILABLE BECAUSE THEY WILL CONTAIN IMPORTANT
INFORMATION ABOUT DUKE ENERGY, CINERGY, DEER HOLDING CORP., AND THE PROPOSED
TRANSACTION. Investors will be able to obtain free copies of the registration
statement and proxy statement (when available) as well as other filed
documents containing information about Duke Energy and Cinergy at
http://www.sec.gov, SEC's Web site. Free copies of Duke Energy's SEC filings
are also available on Duke Energy's Web site at www.duke-energy.com/investors
and free copies of Cinergy's SEC filings are also available on Cinergy's Web
site at www.cinergy.com/investors.
Participants in the Solicitation
Duke Energy, Cinergy and their respective executive officers and directors may
be deemed, under SEC rules, to be participants in the solicitation of proxies
from Duke Energy's or Cinergy's stockholders with respect to the proposed
transaction. Information regarding the officers and directors of Duke Energy
is included in its definitive proxy statement for its 2005 annual meeting
filed with SEC on March 31, 2005. Information regarding the officers and
directors of Cinergy is included in its definitive proxy statement for its
2005 annual meeting filed with SEC on March 28, 2005. More detailed
information regarding the identity of potential participants, and their direct
or indirect interests, by securities, holdings or otherwise, will be set forth
in the registration statement and proxy statement and other materials to be
filed with SEC in connection with the proposed transaction.
* * *
Forward-Looking Statements
This document includes statements that do not directly or exclusively
relate to historical facts. Such statements are "forward-looking statements"
within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section
21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. These forward-looking statements
include statements regarding benefits of the proposed mergers and
Restructuring Transactions, integration plans and expected synergies,
anticipated future financial operating performance and results, including
estimates of growth. These statements are based on the current expectations of
management of Duke and Cinergy. There are a number of risks and uncertainties
that could cause actual results to differ materially from the forward-looking
statements included in this document. For example, (1) the companies may be
unable to obtain shareholder approvals required for the transaction; (2) the
companies may be unable to obtain regulatory approvals required for the
transaction, or required regulatory approvals may delay the transaction or
result in the imposition of conditions that could have a material adverse
effect on the combined company or cause the companies to abandon the
transaction; (3) conditions to the closing of the mergers and the
restructuring transactions may not be satisfied; (4) problems may arise in
successfully integrating the businesses of the companies, which may result in
the combined company not operating as effectively and efficiently as expected;
(5) the combined company may be unable to achieve cost-cutting synergies or it
may take longer than expected to achieve those synergies; (6) the transaction
may involve unexpected costs or unexpected liabilities, or the effects of
purchase accounting may be different from the companies' expectations; (7) the
credit ratings of the combined company or its subsidiaries may be different
from what the companies expect; (8) the businesses of the companies may suffer
as a result of uncertainty surrounding the transaction; (9) the industry may
be subject to future regulatory or legislative actions that could adversely
affect the companies; and (10) the companies may be adversely affected by
other economic, business, and/or competitive factors. Additional factors that
may affect the future results of Duke and Cinergy are set forth in their
respective filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC"), which
are available at www.duke-energy.com/investors and www.cinergy.com/investors,
respectively. Duke and Cinergy undertake no obligation to publicly update or
revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information,
future events or otherwise.
Additional Information and Where to Find It
In connection with the proposed transaction, a registration statement
of Deer Holding Corp., which will include a joint proxy statement of Duke and
Cinergy, and other materials will be filed with the SEC. WE URGE INVESTORS TO
READ THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT AND PROXY STATEMENT AND THESE OTHER MATERIALS
CAREFULLY WHEN THEY BECOME AVAILABLE BECAUSE THEY WILL CONTAIN IMPORTANT
INFORMATION ABOUT DUKE, CINERGY, DEER HOLDING CORP., AND THE PROPOSED
TRANSACTION. Investors will be able to obtain free copies of the registration
statement and proxy statement (when available) as well as other filed
documents containing information about Duke and Cinergy at http://www.sec.gov,
the SEC's website. Free copies of Duke's SEC filings are also available on
Duke's website at www.duke-energy.com/investors, and free copies of Cinergy's
SEC filings are also available on Cinergy's website at
www.cinergy.com/investors.
Participants in the Solicitation
Duke, Cinergy and their respective executive officers and directors
may be deemed, under SEC rules, to be participants in the solicitation of
proxies from Duke's or Cinergy's stockholders with respect to the proposed
transaction. Information regarding the officers and directors of Duke is
included in its definitive proxy statement for its 2005 Annual Meeting filed
with the SEC on March 31, 2005. Information regarding the officers and
directors of Cinergy is included in its definitive proxy statement for its
2005 Annual Meeting filed with the SEC on March 28, 2005. More detailed
information regarding the identity of potential participants, and their direct
or indirect interests, by securities, holdings or otherwise, will be set forth
in the registration statement and proxy statement and other materials to be
filed with the SEC in connection with the proposed transaction.