UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION Washington, D.C. 20549 FORM 11-K (Mark One) [X] ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 15 (d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT 1934 For the Fiscal Year Ended August 31, 1998 OR [ ] TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 For the transition period from _____________ to ____________ Commission file number 1-3789 New Century Energies, Inc. Employee Investment Plan for Bargaining Unit Employees and Former Non-Bargaining Unit Employees (Title of plan) NEW CENTURY ENERGIES, INC. (Name of issuer of the securities held pursuant to the plan) 1225 17th Street Denver, Colorado 80202 (Address of principal executive offices) NEW CENTURY ENERGIES, INC. EMPLOYEE INVESTMENT PLAN FOR BARGAINING UNIT EMPLOYEES AND FORMER NON-BARGAINING UNIT EMPLOYEES INDEX TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTAL SCHEDULES Page Report of Independent Public Accountants 1 Financial Statements and Supplemental Schedules: Statements of Net Assets Available for Plan Benefits as of August 31, 1998 and 1997 2 Statements of Changes in Net Assets Available for Plan Benefits for the Years Ended August 31, 1998 and 1997 3 Notes to Financial Statements 5 Supplemental Schedules: Item 27a - Schedule of Assets Held for Investment Purposes as of August 31, 1998 (Schedule 1) 10 Item 27b - Schedule of Loans or Fixed-Income Obligations in Default or Uncollectible as of August 31, 1998 (Schedule 2) 11 Item 27c - Schedule of Leases in Default or Uncollectible as of August 31, 1998 (Schedule 2) 11 Item 27d - Schedule of Reportable Transactions for the Year Ended August 31, 1998 (Schedule 3) 12 Items 27e and 27f - Schedule of Nonexempt Transactions with Parties-in-Interest for the Year Ended August 31, 1998 (Schedule 4) 13 REPORT OF INDEPENDENT PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS To the New Century Energies, Inc. ERISA Committee: We have audited the accompanying statements of net assets available for plan benefits of New Century Energies, Inc. Employee Investment Plan for Bargaining Unit Employees and Former Non-Bargaining Unit Employees (the "Plan"), formerly known as the Southwestern Public Service Company Employee Investment Plan, as of August 31, 1998 and 1997, and the related statements of changes in net assets available for plan benefits for the years then ended. These financial statements are the responsibility of the Plan's management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements based on our audits. We conducted our audits in accordance with generally accepted auditing standards. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion. In our opinion, the financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the net assets available for plan benefits of the Plan as of August 31, 1998 and 1997, and the changes in net assets available for plan benefits for the years then ended in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles. Our audits were performed for the purpose of forming an opinion on the basic financial statements taken as a whole. The supplemental schedules of assets held for investment purposes, loans or fixed-income obligations in default or uncollectible, leases in default or uncollectible, reportable transactions and nonexempt transactions with parties-in-interest are presented for the purpose of additional analysis and are not a required part of the basic financial statements but are supplementary information required by the Department of Labor's Rules and Regulations for Reporting and Disclosure under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974. These supplemental schedules are the responsibility of the Plan's management. The Fund Information in the statements of changes in net assets available for plan benefits is presented for purposes of additional analysis rather than to present the changes in net assets available for plan benefits of each fund. The supplemental schedules and Fund Information have been subjected to the auditing procedures applied in the audits of the basic financial statements and, in our opinion, are fairly stated in all material respects in relation to the basic financial statements taken as a whole. ARTHUR ANDERSEN LLP Denver, Colorado January 8, 1999 NEW CENTURY ENERGIES, INC. EMPLOYEE INVESTMENT PLAN FOR BARGAINING UNIT EMPLOYEES AND FORMER NON-BARGAINING UNIT EMPLOYEES STATEMENTS OF NET ASSETS AVAILABLE FOR PLAN BENEFITS AS OF AUGUST 31, 1998 AND 1997 ASSETS: 1998 1997 ---- ---- Investments, at Fair Value: Company Common Stock Fund (Notes 1 and 6) Participant Directed $37,938,424 $11,484,530 Non-Participant Directed 10,289,615 74,427,804 Investments in Registered Investment Companies (Note 6) American Century Value Fund 1,327,794 - Europacific Growth Fund 407,129 - Bond Market Fund 249,745 - Index 500 Fund 39,536 - PRIMECAP Fund 18,712 - Wellington Fund 3,593 - SMALLCAP World Fund 2,418 - Fidelity Value Fund - 3,027,877 T Rowe Price International Stock Fund - 775,935 Strong Government Securities Fund - 445,796 Investment in Common/Collective Trust (Note 6) Vanguard Retirement Savings Trust Fund 224,254 - Boatmen's Short-Term Investment Fund (Note 6) - 283,871 -------- ---------- Total Investments 50,501,220 90,445,813 Receivables: Employer contributions (Note 1) 210,383 77,801 Participant contributions (Note 1) - 259,408 Accrued interest and dividends (Notes 2 and 3) - 1,071,131 --------- --------- Total Receivables 210,383 1,408,340 Total Assets 50,711,603 91,854,153 ---------- ---------- LIABILITIES: - - -------- --------- Net Assets Available for Plan Benefits $50,711,603 $91,854,153 =========== =========== The accompanying notes to financial statements are an integral part of these financial statements. 2 NEW CENTURY ENERGIES, INC. EMPLOYEE INVESTMENT PLAN FOR BARGAINING UNIT EMPLOYEES AND FORMER NON-BARGAINING UNIT EMPLOYEES STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN NET ASSETS AVAILABLE FOR PLAN BENEFITS FOR THE YEAR ENDED AUGUST 31, 1998 (WITH FUND INFORMATION) ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Company American Euro- Common Century SMALLCAP pacific Welling- Stock Fund Value Index 500 Primecap World Growth ton (Notes 1 & 2) Fund Fund Fund Fund Fund Fund ------------- ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- Net Investment Income: Interest and dividend income $ 4,269,920 $ 72,347 $ - $ - $ - $ 28,317 $ - Net appreciation(depreciation)in in fair value of investments 11,741,379 37,783 (8,297) (4,353) (648) 9,682 (349) ---------- ------ ------ ------ ----- ----- ----- 16,011,299 110,130 (8,297) (4,353) (648) 37,999 (349) Contributions: Employer contributions 1,989,147 54,359 582 510 105 18,881 162 Participant contributions 4,666,568 258,235 2,044 1,411 405 90,995 637 Rollover contributions 59,992 - - - - - - ------ ----- ----- ----- ----- ------ ----- 6,715,707 312,594 2,626 1,921 510 109,876 799 Transfers: Transfers from the plan (Note 1) (47,079,390) (3,005,224) - - - (602,060) - Transfers to the plan (Note 1) - - - - - - - Interfund transfers, net (1,007,028) 4,045,065 45,207 21,144 2,556 900,783 3,143 ---------- --------- ------ ------ ----- ------- ----- (48,086,418) 1,039,841 45,207 21,144 2,556 298,723 3,143 Withdrawals and Distributions: Distributions to participants- cash & common stock (7,797,299) (134,771) - - - (39,469) - Dividends paid to participants (5,716,669) - - - - - - Administrative expenses (7,560) - - - - - - ------ ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- (13,521,528) (134,771) - - - (39,469) - ---------- --------- ------ ------ ----- ------ ----- Net Increase (Decrease) (38,880,940) 1,327,794 39,536 18,712 2,418 407,129 3,593 Net Assets Available for Plan Benefits, Beginning of Year 87,319,362 - - - - - - ---------- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- Net Assets Available for Plan Benefits, End of Year $48,438,422 $1,327,794 $ 39,536 $ 18,712 $ 2,418 $407,129 $ 3,593 =========== ========== ======== ======== ======== ======== ======== The accompanying notes to financial statements are an integral part of these financial statements. 3 NEW CENTURY ENERGIES, INC. EMPLOYEE INVESTMENT PLAN FOR BARGAINING UNIT EMPLOYEES AND FORMER NON-BARGAINING UNIT EMPLOYEES STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN NET ASSETS AVAILABLE FOR PLAN BENEFITS FOR THE YEAR ENDED AUGUST 31, 1998 (WITH FUND INFORMATION) Participant Directed ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Retirement T Rowe Price Strong Bond Savings Fidelity International Government Short-Term QPS Trust Market Trust Value Stock Securities Investment Funds Fund Fund Fund Fund Fund Fund (Notes 5 & 6) ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ------------- Net Investment Income: Interest and dividend income $ 16,299 $ 9,999 $ 23,308 $ 10,744 $ 14,010 $ 6,741 $ 450 Net appreciation (depreciation)in fair value of investments 2,133 - 33,408 27,554 11,778 - (736) ----- ------ ------ ------ ------ ----- ---- 18,432 9,999 56,716 38,298 25,788 6,741 (286) Contributions: Employer contirbutions 8,212 4,631 69,071 24,201 11,182 6,158 5,512 Participants contributions 38,873 22,084 230,226 80,669 37,274 20,527 7,746 Rollover contributions - - 5,471 - - - 8,319 ---- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- 47,085 26,715 304,768 104,870 48,456 26,685 21,577 Transfers: Transfers from the plan (Note 1) (399,147) (145,230) - - - - (27,643) Transfers to the plan (Note 1) - - - - - - 15,725 Interfund transfers, net 595,777 349,456 (3,260,276) (896,016) (492,354) (307,457) - ------- ------- ---------- -------- -------- -------- ----- 196,630 204,226 (3,260,276) (896,016) (492,354) (307,457) (11,918) Withdrawls and Distributions: Distributions to participants- cash & common stock (12,168) (16,530) (129,085) (23,087) (27,686) (11,152) (9,373) Dividends paid to participants - - - - - - - Administrative expenses (234) (156) - - - - - ---- ---- ----- ----- ----- ------- ------ (12,402) (16,686) (129,085) (23,087) (27,686) (11,152) (9,373) ------- ------- ---------- ------- -------- --------- ----- Net Increase(Decrease) 249,745 224,254 (3,027,877) (775,935) (445,796) (285,183) - Net Assets Available for Plan Benefits, Beginning of Year - - 3,027,877 775,935 445,796 285,183 - ------ ----- --------- ------- ------- ------- ------ Net Assets Available for Plan Benefits, End of Year $ 249,745 $ 224,254 $ - $ - $ - $ - $ - ========= ========= ========== ======== ======= ======== ====== The accompanying notes to financial statements are an integral part of these financial statements. 3 NEW CENTURY ENERGIES, INC. EMPLOYEE INVESTMENT PLAN FOR BARGAINING UNIT EMPLOYEES AND FORMER NON-BARGAINING UNIT EMPLOYEES STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN NET ASSETS AVAILABLE FOR PLAN BENEFITS FOR THE YEAR ENDED AUGUST 31, 1998 (WITH FUND INFORMATION) Total ----- Net Investment Income: Interest and dividend income $ 4,452,135 Net appreciation(depreciation)in in fair value of investments 11,849,334 ---------- 16,301,469 Contributions: Employer contributions 2,192,713 Participant contributions 5,457,694 Rollover contributions 73,782 ------ 7,724,189 Transfers: Transfers from the plan (Note 1) (51,258,694) Transfers to the plan (Note 1) 15,725 Interfund transfers, net - ----- (51,242,969) Withdrawals and Distributions: Distributions to participants- cash & common stock (8,200,620) Dividends paid to participants (5,716,669) Administrative expenses (7,950) ------ (13,925,239) ---------- Net Increase (Decrease) (41,142,550) Net Assets Available for Plan Benefits, Beginning of Year 91,854,153 ---------- Net Assets Available for Plan Benefits, End of Year $50,711,603 =========== The accompanying notes to financial statements are an integral part of these financial statements. 3 NEW CENTURY ENERGIES, INC. EMPLOYEE INVESTMENT PLAN FOR BARGAINING UNIT EMPLOYEES AND FORMER NON-BARGAINING UNIT EMPLOYEES STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN NET ASSETS AVAILABLE FOR PLAN BENEFITS FOR THE YEAR ENDED AUGUST 31, 1997 (WITH FUND INFORMATION) Participant Directed ----------------------------------------------------------- Company T Rowe Price Strong Common Fidelity International Government Short-Term Stock Value Stock Securities Investment Fund (Note 1,2) Fund Fund Fund Fund Total --------------- ---- ---- ---- ---- ----- Net Investment Income: Interest and dividend income $ 4,948,951 $ 28,142 $ 12,763 $ 19,243 $ 10,092 $ 5,019,191 Net appreciation in in fair value of investments 12,863,034 573,482 42,715 12,735 - 13,491,966 ---------- -------- -------- -------- -------- ----------- 17,811,985 601,624 55,478 31,978 10,092 18,511,157 Contributions: Employer contributions 2,339,824 186,705 63,632 34,884 17,978 2,643,023 Participant contributions 5,722,772 622,651 212,091 116,268 59,923 6,733,705 --------- ------- -------- -------- -------- ---------- 8,062,596 809,356 275,723 151,152 77,901 9,376,728 Transfers: Interfund transfers, net and rollovers (649,189) 511,707 95,756 14,505 94,173 66,952 Withdrawals and Distributions: Distributions to participants- cash & common stock (10,457,022) - - - - (10,457,022) Dividends paid to participants (4,936,292) (39,169) (8,718) - - (4,984,179) ---------- ------- ------ -------- ------ ----------- (15,393,314) (39,169) (8,718) - - (15,441,201) ------------ ------- ------ -------- ------ ----------- Net Increase in Net Assets Available for Plan Benefits 9,832,078 1,883,518 418,239 197,635 182,166 12,513,636 Net Assets Available for Plan Benefits, Beginning of Year 77,487,284 1,144,359 357,696 248,161 103,017 79,340,517 ------------ --------- ------- -------- ------- ---------- Net Assets Available for Plan Benefits, End of Year $ 87,319,362 $ 3,027,877 $ 775,935 $ 445,796 $ 285,183 $ 91,854,153 ============ =========== ========= ========= ======== ============ The accompanying notes to financial statements are an integral part of these financial statements. 4 NEW CENTURY ENERGIES, INC. EMPLOYEE INVESTMENT PLAN FOR BARGAINING UNIT EMPLOYEES AND FORMER NON-BARGAINING UNIT EMPLOYEES NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEARS ENDED AUGUST 31, 1998 and 1997 1. DESCRIPTION OF PLAN The following description of the New Century Energies, Inc. Employee Investment Plan for Bargaining Unit Employees and Former Non-Bargaining Unit Employees (the "Plan"), formerly known as the Southwestern Public Service Company Employee Investment Plan, provides general information about the Plan. Participants should refer to the Plan agreement and to the "Propectus and Supplemental Summary Plan Description Report" for a more complete description of the Plan's provisions. Company Merger - Effective August 1, 1997, Southwestern Public Service Company ("SPS") merged with Public Service Company of Colorado ("PSCo") to form and become wholly owned subsidiaries of New Century Energies, Inc. ("NCE"). As a result, each outstanding share of SPS company common stock was cancelled and converted into the right to receive 0.95 of one share of NCE common stock in accordance with the terms of the merger agreement. Company Common Stock, referred to in these financial statements, may consist of either NCE or SPS common stock. General - The Plan is a defined contribution plan covering certain full-time employees of NCE and participating subsidiaries, who have completed one year of service, as defined. It is subject to the provisions of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 ("ERISA"). The Plan is administered by a committee appointed by NCE's Board of Directors. Participation - Beginning July 1, 1998, active employees of SPS/NCE, who are covered by a collective bargaining agreement that specificly provides that its members are eligible for this Plan, shall be eligible to participate in the Plan following the date the employee completes one year of service. Employees are eligible to participate in the Plan on the June 1, September 1, December 1 or March 1 following the date the employee completes one year of service. On July 1, 1998, participants who were eligible to participate on June 30, 1998 and were not covered by a collective bargaining agreement, were transferred into a new plan, to form the New Century Energies, Inc. Employee Savings and Stock Ownership Plan for Non-Bargaining Unit Employees. The net investment balances of the participants' accounts, which were transferred to the new plan, totaled $51,258,694. Contributions - Participants may elect to contribute up to 15 percent of their pre-tax annual compensation, as defined in the Plan. The Employer, at its descretion, may make matching contributions and/or additional contributions to the Plan each Plan quarter in cash or shares of the Company's common stock. Employer contributions are subject to certain limitations. For years ended August 31, 1998 and 1997, SPS/NCE contributed to the Plan amounts in accordance with the plan agreement. These contributions were calculated based on the common stock dividends paid to participants on shares of Company Common Stock and the tax savings resulting from these dividends, Company matching contribution and any discretionary contributions to the Plan. For the year ended August 31, 1997, the employer's contribution was reduced by administrative and investment expenses of $148,649, as salary match, deferral match and optional employer contributions. Change in Trustee and Recordkeepers - Effective February 1, 1998, The Vanguard Fiduciary Trust Company ("Vanguard" or the "Trustee") was selected, by the Board of Directors of NCE, to be the trustee 5 and recordkeeper of the Plan. Boatmen's National Bank of Amarillo ("Boatmen's") and KPMG Peat Marwick were the former trustee and recordkeeper, respectively, for the period prior to February 1, 1998. In connection with these changes, plan assets held by Boatmen's were transferred to Vanguard. Investment Options - Participants may direct up to 25 percent of their contributions and the Employer matching contributions. Effective with the change in trustees and recordkeepers, participants may direct their contributions, the Employer contributions and any rollovers into any or all of nine available investment options (see Note 6). Any dividends and interest earned on investments directed by participants will be reinvested in each of those same investments automatically. If participants did not select one of the investment options, all of their contributions were invested in shares of the Company's common stock. Allocations - The Employer deferral match and optional contributions are allocated in the proportion each participant's contribution to the Plan bears to the contributions of all participants. The Employer salary match is allocated in the proportion each participant's salary bears to the salaries of all participants. Vesting - Employees are fully vested in their contributions and in their allocated amount of the Company's contributions. Distributions - Beginning July 1, 1998, upon termination of employment for any reason, distributions of benefits to participants, which are less than $5,000 ($3,500 for periods prior to July 1, 1998), are to be made within a reasonable period of time, generally not to exceed 60 days following the close of the plan year in which such termination occurs. Distributions of benefits to participants which exceed $5,000 are generally made when the participant reaches age 65. However, terminated participants may provide a written request to the administrative committee to receive benefits at an earlier date. The Plan provides for hardship withdrawls under certain conditions. Distributions are made in full shares of Company common stock and cash for any partial shares. The balance of the account is paid in cash. Termination of the Plan - While NCE expects to continue the Plan, NCE may terminate the Plan at any time. In the event of termination, NCE shall direct the Trustee to distribute the assets remaining in the Plan to participants and beneficiaries in proportion to their respective account balances, as defined in the Plan agreement. Administrative Expenses - The Plan provides that administrative expenses may be paid by the Plan; however, administrative expenses and fees incurred in connection with the investment of funds for the Plan have been paid by the Company in 1998 and 1997. Such amounts have reduced the amount of the Employer contributions to the Plan for the year-end August 31, 1997. 2. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES Basis of Accounting - The accompanying financial statements of the Plan have been prepared under the accrual method of accounting. Use of Estimates - The preparation of financial statements in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates. Investment Valuation and Income Recognition - The Plan's investments are stated at fair value. Shares of registered investment companies are valued at quoted market prices, which represent the net asset value of shares held by the Plan at year-end. The Company's common stock is valued at its quoted market price. The change in the difference between fair value and the cost of investments, including realized gains and 6 losses and unrealized appreciation (depreciation) are reflected in the statement of changes in net assets available for plan benefits. During 1998, the Plan invested in a common/collective trust fund, which invests mainly in guaranteed investment contracts and alternative investment contracts. These contracts are carried in the common/collective trust fund's audited financial statements at fair value, which approximates contract value. The investment in the common/collective trust fund in the accompanying financial statements is valued at the Plan's proportionate interest in the fund as of the financial statement date. Interest rates earned on the investment change daily. In general, the investments in this fund are of a high credit quality and short-term average maturities. Securities transactions are recognized on the trade date (the date the order to buy or sell is executed). Dividend income is recorded on the ex-dividend date. Payment of Benefits - Benefits are recorded when paid. Statement of Changes in Net Assets - The net changes reported for the Company Common Stock Fund represent both the participant and non-participant directed amounts. Accrued interest and dividends - For the year ended August 31, 1997, accrued interest & dividends totaling $1,069,819 is for the Company Common Stock Fund and accrued interest & dividends totaling $1,312 is for the Boatmen's Short-term Investment Fund. Reclassifications - Certain prior year amounts have been reclassified to conform with the current year presentation. 3. DIVIDENDS PAYABLE Dividends received on shares of Company common stock are distributed to participants. Prior to the end of the 1998 Plan year, dividends were declared July 24, 1998 and paid to participants August 15, 1998. Dividends declared prior to the end of the 1997 plan year, but not received until after the Plan's year-end, totaled approximately $1,062,085, were distributed in accordance with the Plan provisions in fiscal year 1998. 4. FEDERAL INCOME TAX STATUS The Internal Revenue Service has determined and informed the Company by a letter dated March 12, 1998 that the Plan and related trust are designed in accordance with applicable sections of the Internal Revenue Code ("IRC"). The Plan has been amended since receiving the determination letter. However, the Plan administrator believes that the Plan is designed and is currently being operated in compliance with the applicable provisions of the IRC. 5. PLAN AMENDMENTS SPS, PSCo and the Board of Directors of NCE approved an amendment to the Plan on March 25, 1997. In summary, this amendment allowed former employees of SPS, who were transferred to NCE or a subsidiary company of NCE, to continue to be eligible to participate in the Plan until July 1, 1998. On October 15, 1997, the SPS Board of Directors approved an amendment to the Plan to merge the Quixx Power Services, Inc. 401(k) Plan ("QPS Plan") net assets into the Plan. On December 16, 1997, the NCE Board of Directors approved the spin-off of the assets and accrued benefits for actively-employed participants, who are not covered by a collective bargaining agreement, to create a separate defined contribution savings plan. This separate plan was established July 1, 1998, as discussed in Note 1. The Plan will be amended from time to time, as required, to comply with legal requirements upon the advice of the Plan's legal counsel. 7 6. INVESTMENTS The Plan assets, including all investment funds available at August 31, 1998 and August 31, 1997, are summarized below: Company Common Stock Fund: Investments in Company Common Stock, at August 31, 1998 and August 31, 1997, comprise 95.1% and 93.5%, respectively, of Net Assets Available for Plan Benefits. Registered Investment Companies: American Century Value Fund (Growth & Income Stock Fund) - invested in equity securities. Europacific Growth Fund (International Stock Fund) - invested in companies outside the U.S., which offer above average growth potential. Bond Market Fund (Bond Fund) - invested in U.S. government and corporate bonds and mortgage-backed securities. Index 500 Fund (Growth & Income Stock Fund) - invested in all stocks in the Standard & Poor's 500 Index. PRIMECAP Fund (Growth Stock Fund) - invested in common stocks with the emphasis on growth. Wellington Fund (Balanced Fund) - invested in common stocks and bonds. SMALLCAP World Fund (Growth Stock Fund) - invested in common stocks of smaller companies in the U.S. and around the world. Fidelity Value Fund (Growth Stock Fund, Boatmen's) - invested in common stocks of companies believed to be undervalued in relation to the companies' assets, earnings or growth potential. T Rowe Price International Stock Fund (Growth & Income Stock Fund, Boatmen's) invested in a diversified portfolio of established non-U.S. stocks with a emphasis on long-term growth of capital and income. Strong Government Securities Fund (Bond Fund, Boatmen's) - invested in a diversified portfolio of securities issued or guaranteed as to principal and interest by the U.S. Government and its agencies or instrumentalities. Common/Collective Investment Trust: Vanguard Retirement Savings Trust Fund - invested in various investment contracts issued and backed by financial institutions. It also invests in "alternative" contracts backed by high quality bonds and bond mutual funds owned by the Trust. Boatmen's Short-Term Investment Fund - invested in a diversified portfolio of money market instruments such as U.S. Treasury Bills, certificates of deposit, commercial paper and demand notes. 8 The Fund seeks to preserve investment capital and as a secondary objective, seeks to provide a reasonable level of current income. QSP Trust Funds - These investments were held solely by participants in the former QSP Plan which was merged ($15,725) into the Plan in October 1997 and subsequently transferred ($27,643) to a separate defined contribution savings plan on July 1, 1998 (see Note 5). These funds consisted of collective investments held by the Amarillo National Bank in money market, bond and equity investments. 7. RECONCILIATION OF FINANCIAL STATEMENTS TO FORM 5500 The following is a reconciliation of net assets available for benefits per the financial statements to the Form 5500 for the plan year ending August 31, 1998 and 1997: August 31, 1998 August 31, 1997 Net assets available for benefits per the financial statements $50,711,603 $ 91,854,153 Amounts allocated to withdrawing participants - (34,281) ---------- ------------ Net assets available for benefits per the Form 5500 $50,711,603 $ 91,819,872 =========== ============ The following is a reconciliation of benefits paid to participants per the financial statements to the Form 5500 for the year-end: August 31, 1998 August 31, 1997 Benefits paid to participants per the financial statements $13,917,289 $ 15,441,201 Add: Amounts allocated to withdrawing participants at end of year - 34,281 Less: Amounts allocated to withdrawing participants at beginning of year 34,281 - ----------- ----- Benefits paid to participants per the Form 5500 $13,883,008 $ 15,475,482 =========== ============ 8. RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS Certain Plan investments are shares of Company Common Stock. Certain Plan investments are shares of registered investment companies, common/collective trust funds and short-term investments managed by Boatmen's during the period September 1, 1997 to January 31, 1998 and by Vanguard during the period February 1, 1998 to August 31, 1998. Vanguard and Boatmen's are the trustees as defined by the Plan and therefore these transactions qualify as party-in-interest. Fees incurred for investment management services are paid by the Company on behalf of the Plan. 9. RISKS AND UNCERTAINTIES The Plan provides for investment in a variety of investment funds general investment fund. Investments, in general, are exposed to various risks, such as interest rate, credit and overall market volatility risk. Due to the level of risk associated with certain investments, it is reasonably possible that changes in the values of the investments will occur in the near term and that such changes could materially affect participants' account balances and the amounts reported in the statements of net assets available for plan benefits. 9 NEW CENTURY ENERGIES, INC. EMPLOYEE Schedule 1 INVESTMENT PLAN FOR BARGAINING UNIT EMPLOYEES AND FORMER NON-BARGAINING UNIT EMPLOYEES ITEM 27a - SCHEDULE OF ASSETS HELD FOR INVESTMENT PURPOSES AS OF AUGUST 31, 1998 Identity of Issue Number of Cost Fair Value Shares - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Company Common Stock Fund(1) 1,045,594 $31,027,262 $ 48,228,039 Registered Investment Companies: American Century Value Fund 215,551 1,504,576 1,327,794 Europacific Growth Fund 16,227 446,530 407,129 Bond Market Fund 24,294 246,542 249,745 Index 500 Fund 444 47,833 39,536 PRIMECAP Fund 514 23,065 18,712 Wellington Fund 125 3,942 3,593 SMALLCAP World Fund 112 3,065 2,418 Common/ Collective Trust Vanguard Retirement 224,254 224,254 224,254 Savings Trust Fund (1) ----------- ----------- Total Assets Held for Investment Purposes $33,527,069 $50,501,220 =========== =========== (1)Represents transaction with party-in-interest (Note 8) The accompanying notes to financial statements are an integral part of this schedule. 10 NEW CENTURY ENERGIES, INC. EMPLOYEE Schedule 2 INVESTMENT PLAN FOR BARGAINING UNIT EMPLOYEES AND FORMER NON-BARGAINING UNIT EMPLOYEES ITEM 27b - SCHEDULE OF LOANS OR FIXED-INCOME OBLIGATIONS IN DEFAULT OR UNCOLLECTIBLE ITEM 27c - SCHEDULE OF LEASES IN DEFAULT OR UNCOLLECTIBLE AS OF AUGUST 31, 1998 A schedule of loans or fixed-income obligations in default or classified as uncollectible and a schedule of leases in default or classified as uncollectible were not presented because there were no loans, fixed-income obligations or leases which are in default or classified as uncollectible as of August 31, 1998. 11 NEW CENTURY ENERGIES, INC. EMPLOYEE INVESTMENT PLAN Schedule 3 FOR BARGAINING UNIT EMPLOYEES AND FORMER NON-BARGAINING UNIT EMPLOYEES ITEM 27d - SCHEDULE OF REPORTABLE TRANSACTIONS FOR THE YEAR ENDED AUGUST 31, 1998 Current Value of Asset on Net Identity of Party Purchase Selling Cost of Transaction Gain Involved Description of Asset Price Price Asset Date (Loss) Boatmen's Trust Co. * Purchase- Short-Term $ 6,897,047 $ - $ 6,897,047 $ 6,897,047 $ - Investment Company Prime Portfolio Boatmen's Trust Co. * Sale- Short-Term - 8,417,389 8,417,389 8,417,389 - Investment Company Prime Portfolio The Vanguard Group * NCE Common Stock 97,194,700 - - 97,194,700 - The Vanguard Group * NCE Common Stock - 50,033,039 32,061,803 50,033,039 17,971,236 *Represents transaction with party-in-interest (Note 8) The accompanying notes to financial statements are an integral part of this schedule. 12 NEW CENTURY ENERGIES, INC. EMPLOYEE Schedule 4 INVESTMENT PLAN FOR BARGAINING UNIT EMPLOYEES AND FORMER NON-BARGAINING UNIT EMPLOYEES ITEM 27e & f - SCHEDULE OF NONEXEMPT TRANSACTIONS WITH PARTIES-IN-INTEREST FOR THE YEAR ENDED AUGUST 31, 1998 A schedule of nonexempt transactions with parties-in-interest has not been presented because there were no nonexempt transactions which are prohibited by ERISA Section 406 and for which there is no statutory or administrative exemption for the year ended August 31, 1998. 13 NEW CENTURY ENERGIES, INC. SIGNATURES Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the New Century Energies, Inc. ERISA Committee has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized on the 25th day of February, 1999. NEW CENTURY ENERGIES, INC. EMPLOYEE INVESTMENT PLAN FOR BARGAINING UNIT EMPLOYEES AND FORMER NON-BARGAINING UNIT EMPLOYEES (The Plan) By /s/R. C. Kelly --------------------------------- R. C. KELLY Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of New Century Energies, Inc. and Member of the New Century Energies, Inc. ERISA Committee 14 Exhibit 23(a). Consent of Arthur Andersen LLP Consent of Independent Public Accountant As independent public accountants, we hereby consent to the incorporation by reference of our report dated January 8, 1999, included in this Form 11-K, into New Century Energies, Inc.'s previously filed Registration Statement (Form S-3, File No. 333-28637) pertaining to the Dividend Reinvestment and Cash Payment Plan; New Century Energies, Inc.'s Registration Statement (Form S-8, File No. 333-28639) pertaining to the Omnibus Incentive Plan; New Century Energies, Inc.'s Registration Statements (Forms S-3, File Nos. 333-40361 and 333-64067) pertaining to the registration of NCE Common Stock and New Century Energies, Inc.'s Registration Statement (Form S-8, File No. 333-58117) pertaining to the New Century Energies, Inc. Employee Investment Plan for Bargaining Unit Employees and Former Non-Bargaining Unit Employees, and New Century Energies, Inc. Employee's Savings and Stock Ownership Plan for Non-Bargaining Unit Employees and to all references to our Firm included in this Form 11-K. ARTHUR ANDERSEN LLP Denver, Colorado Feburary 25, 1999 15