UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 8-K
CURRENT REPORT
Pursuant to Section 13 OR 15(d) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934
Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported) May 6, 2010
WESTAR ENERGY, INC.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
| KANSAS | 1-3523 | 48-0290150 | ||
| (State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization) |
(Commission File Number) |
(IRS Employer Identification No.) |
| 818 South Kansas Avenue, Topeka, Kansas | 66612 | |
| (Address of principal executive offices) | (Zip Code) |
Registrant’s telephone number, including area code (785) 575-6300
Not Applicable
(Former name or former address, if changed since last report)
Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions:
| ¨ | Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425) |
| ¨ | Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12) |
| ¨ | Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b)) |
| ¨ | Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c)) |
WESTAR ENERGY, INC.
| Item 2.02. | Results of Operations and Financial Condition |
On May 6, 2010, we issued a press release announcing our earnings for the period ended March 31, 2010. A copy of our May 6, 2010 press release is attached hereto as Exhibit 99.1 and is incorporated herein by this reference. The press release contains statements intended as “forward-looking statements” which are subject to the cautionary statements about forward-looking statements set forth herein and therein.
The information above is being furnished, not filed, pursuant to Item 2.02 of Form 8-K. Accordingly, the information in Item 2.02 of this Current Report, including the press release attached hereto as Exhibit 99.1, will not be incorporated by reference into any registration statement filed by the Company under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, unless specifically identified therein as being incorporated by reference.
| Item 9.01. | Financial Statements and Exhibits. |
| Exhibit 99.1 | Press Release dated May 6, 2010 |
Forward-looking statements: Certain matters discussed in this Current Report on Form 8-K are “forward-looking statements.” The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 has established that these statements qualify for safe harbors from liability. Forward-looking statements may include words like “believe,” “anticipate,” “target,” “expect,” “pro forma,” “estimate,” “intend,” “guidance” or words of similar meaning. Forward-looking statements describe future plans, objectives, expectations or goals. Although believe that our expectations are based on reasonable assumptions, all forward-looking statements involve risk and uncertainty. The factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from these forward-looking statements include those discussed herein as well as (1) those discussed in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended Dec. 31, 2009 (a) under the heading, “Forward-Looking Statements,” (b) in ITEM 1A. Risk Factors, (c) in ITEM 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations, and (d) in ITEM 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data: Notes 13 and 15; (2) those discussed in our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed May 6, 2010 (a) in ITEM 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations and (b) in Part I, Financial Information, ITEM 1. Financial Statements: Notes 7 and 8; and (3) other factors discussed in our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Any forward-looking statement speaks only as of the date such statement was made, and we do not undertake any obligation to update any forward-looking statement to reflect events or circumstances after the date on which such statement was made.
The information contained in this report is summary information that is intended to be considered in the context of our SEC filings and other public announcements that we may make, by press release or otherwise, from time to time. We disclaim any current intention to revise or update the information contained in this report, although we may do so from time to time as our management believes is warranted. Any such updating may be made through the filing of other reports or documents with the SEC, through press releases or through other public disclosures.
SIGNATURE
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.
| Westar Energy, Inc. | ||||||
| Date: May 6, 2010 |
By: | /s/ Larry D. Irick | ||||
| Name: | Larry D. Irick | |||||
| Title: | Vice President, General Counsel and Corporate Secretary | |||||
Exhibit 99.1
|
Media contact: | |
| Karla Olsen, | ||
| director, corporate communications | ||
| Phone: 316.299.7463 | ||
| karla.olsen@WestarEnergy.com | ||
|
Investor contact: | ||
| Bruce Burns, | ||
| director, investor relations | ||
| Phone: 785.575.8227 | ||
| bruce.burns@WestarEnergy.com |
WESTAR ENERGY ANNOUNCES FIRST QUARTER 2010 RESULTS
TOPEKA, Kan., May 6, 2010 — Westar Energy, Inc. (NYSE:WR) today announced earnings of $30 million, or $0.27 per share, for the first quarter 2010 compared with earnings of $44 million, or $0.40 per share, for the first quarter 2009. Earnings for 2009 included federal tax benefits related to prior period activity which contributed $0.30 per share.
Following is a reconciliation of basic earnings per share:
| Three Months Ended | ||||||
| Mar. 31, 2010 | Mar. 31, 2009 | |||||
| Earnings available from continuing operations |
$ | 0.27 | $ | 0.10 | ||
| Discontinued operations, net of tax |
— | 0.30 | ||||
| Earnings per share, basic |
$ | 0.27 | $ | 0.40 | ||
Per share results for the first quarter 2010 reflect more shares outstanding as a result of the company having issued shares to fund capital investments.
Income from continuing operations for the first quarter increased $20 million compared with the same period in 2009 due principally to greater electricity sales and higher prices. Retail electricity sales increased 7 percent due primarily to improved economic conditions and the effects of colder weather. Partially offsetting the higher retail revenues were higher interest and income tax expense.
Page 1 of 4
| Westar Energy announces first quarter 2010 results | Page 2 of 4 |
Earnings Guidance
The company affirmed its 2010 earnings guidance of $1.65 to $1.80 per share. The company has posted to its website a summary of factors it considers to be principal drivers and adjustments used in arriving at its earnings guidance. The summary is located under Investor Presentations within the Investors section of the company website at www.WestarEnergy.com.
Conference Call and Additional Company Information
Westar Energy management will host a conference call Friday, May 7 with the investment community at 8:30 a.m. ET (7:30 a.m. CT). Investors, media and the public may listen to the conference call by dialing 866-700-7477, participant code 69107716. A webcast of the live conference call will be available at www.WestarEnergy.com.
Members of media are invited to listen to the conference call and then contact Karla Olsen with any follow-up questions.
This earnings announcement, a package of detailed first quarter 2010 financial information, the company’s quarterly report on Form 10-Q for the period ended Mar. 31, 2010 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission May 6, 2010, and other filings the company has made with the Securities and Exchange Commission are available on the company’s website at www.WestarEnergy.com.
- 30 -
Westar Energy, Inc. (NYSE: WR) is the largest electric utility in Kansas, providing electric service to about 685,000 customers in the state. Westar Energy has about 6,800 megawatts of electric generation capacity and operates and coordinates more than 35,000 miles of electric distribution and transmission lines.
For more information about Westar Energy, visit us on the Internet at http://www.WestarEnergy.com.
Forward-looking statements: Certain matters discussed in this news release are “forward-looking statements.” The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 has established that these statements qualify for safe harbors from liability. Forward-looking statements may include words like “believe,” “anticipate,” “target,” “expect,” “pro forma,” “estimate,” “intend,” “guidance” or words of similar meaning. Forward-looking statements describe future plans, objectives, expectations or goals.
| Westar Energy announces first quarter 2010 results | Page 3 of 4 |
Although Westar Energy believes that its expectations are based on reasonable assumptions, all forward-looking statements involve risk and uncertainty. The factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from these forward-looking statements include those discussed herein as well as (1) those discussed in the company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended Dec. 31, 2009 (a) under the heading, “Forward-Looking Statements,” (b) in ITEM 1A. Risk Factors, (c) in ITEM 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations, and (d) in ITEM 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data: Notes 13 and 15; (2) those discussed in the company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed May 6, 2010 (a) in ITEM 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations and (b) in Part I, Financial Information, ITEM 1. Financial Statements: Notes 7 and 8; and (3) other factors discussed in the company’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Any forward-looking statement speaks only as of the date such statement was made, and the company does not undertake any obligation to update any forward-looking statement to reflect events or circumstances after the date on which such statement was made.
| Westar Energy announces first quarter 2010 results | Page 4 of 4 |
WESTAR ENERGY, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
(UNAUDITED)
(IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE AMOUNTS)
| Three Months Ended March 31, |
||||||||||||
| 2010 | 2009 | Change | ||||||||||
| Retail |
$ | 333,245 | $ | 290,661 | $ | 42,584 | ||||||
| Wholesale |
82,748 | 85,744 | (2,996 | ) | ||||||||
| Transmission |
36,629 | 26,897 | 9,732 | |||||||||
| Other |
7,208 | 18,465 | (11,257 | ) | ||||||||
| Total Revenues |
$ | 459,830 | $ | 421,767 | $ | 38,063 | ||||||
| Fuel and purchased power |
133,800 | 140,644 | (6,844 | ) | ||||||||
| Operating and maintenance |
121,172 | 122,167 | (995 | ) | ||||||||
| Depreciation and amortization |
66,930 | 58,214 | 8,716 | |||||||||
| Selling, general and administrative |
45,927 | 47,982 | (2,055 | ) | ||||||||
| Total Operating Expenses |
367,829 | 369,007 | (1,178 | ) | ||||||||
| Income from Operations |
92,001 | 52,760 | 39,241 | |||||||||
| Other expense |
(1,883 | ) | (2,096 | ) | 213 | |||||||
| Interest expense |
44,616 | 35,077 | 9,539 | |||||||||
| Income tax expense |
13,820 | 4,401 | 9,419 | |||||||||
| Income from Continuing Operations |
31,682 | 11,186 | 20,496 | |||||||||
| Results of discontinued operations, net of tax |
— | 32,978 | (32,978 | ) | ||||||||
| Net Income |
31,682 | 44,164 | (12,482 | ) | ||||||||
| Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests |
1,002 | — | 1,002 | |||||||||
| Net income attributable to Westar Energy |
30,680 | 44,164 | (13,484 | ) | ||||||||
| Preferred dividends |
242 | 242 | — | |||||||||
| Net Income Attributable to Common Stock |
$ | 30,438 | $ | 43,922 | $ | (13,484 | ) | |||||
| Basic Earnings Per Share: |
||||||||||||
| Earnings available from continuing operations |
$ | 0.27 | $ | 0.10 | $ | 0.17 | ||||||
| Discontinued operations, net of tax |
— | 0.30 | (0.30 | ) | ||||||||
| Earnings per common share, basic |
$ | 0.27 | $ | 0.40 | $ | (0.13 | ) | |||||
| Average equivalent common shares outstanding |
110,925 | 109,331 | 1,594 | |||||||||
| Dividends declared per share |
$ | 0.31 | $ | 0.30 | $ | 0.01 | ||||||