10-KPeriod: FY2004

AMEREN CORP Annual Report, Year Ended Dec 31, 2004

Filed March 9, 2005For Securities:AEE

Summary

Ameren Corporation's 2004 10-K filing reveals a significant strategic move with the completion of its acquisition of Illinois Power Company on September 30, 2004. This acquisition, detailed in Note 2, will integrate Illinois Power into Ameren's consolidated reporting, presenting a larger, more diversified entity for investors moving forward. The report lists multiple subsidiaries, including Union Electric Company and Central Illinois Public Service Company, underscoring Ameren's broad operational footprint in the energy sector. For investors, this signals a period of integration and potential synergy realization, alongside the ongoing complexities of managing a diverse utility portfolio across different regulatory environments. The filing also highlights Ameren Corporation's status as an accelerated filer, indicating a certain level of financial maturity and reporting compliance. The company's common stock is listed on the New York Stock Exchange, with a substantial market capitalization reported as of June 30, 2004. Investors should pay close attention to the "Management's Discussion and Analysis" section for detailed insights into financial condition, results of operations, liquidity, capital resources, and future outlook, as well as the "Risk Factors" to understand potential challenges facing the company.

Key Highlights

  • 1Completed the acquisition of Illinois Power Company on September 30, 2004, integrating it into consolidated financial reporting.
  • 2Ameren Corporation is an accelerated filer, meeting key SEC reporting requirements.
  • 3The company's common stock is listed on the New York Stock Exchange, with a market value of approximately $7.87 billion as of June 30, 2004.
  • 4The filing covers multiple subsidiaries, including Union Electric Company, Central Illinois Public Service Company, and Central Illinois Light Company, indicating a complex operational structure.
  • 5Several subsidiaries (Ameren Energy Generating Company, CILCORP Inc.) are utilizing reduced disclosure formats under Form 10-K General Instruction I(1)(a) and (b).
  • 6The report incorporates by reference portions of proxy and information statements for the 2005 annual meetings of shareholders.
  • 7Identifies various classes of preferred stock and mortgage bonds registered with the SEC and traded on exchanges for certain subsidiaries.

Frequently Asked Questions

The acquisition of Illinois Power Company, completed on September 30, 2004, is a major event for Ameren Corporation. It signifies a significant expansion of its operational base and customer reach, and it will be reflected in the consolidated financial statements starting with this filing. Investors should monitor how Ameren integrates Illinois Power to realize potential synergies and manage the combined entity effectively.

Being an 'accelerated filer' means Ameren Corporation meets specific SEC criteria (typically related to public float and filing history) that allow for more streamlined reporting requirements. For investors, this generally suggests a company of a certain size and maturity that has a consistent track record of timely SEC filings.

Ameren Corporation's common stock and preferred stock purchase rights are registered. Union Electric Company has preferred stock registered. Central Illinois Public Service Company has preferred stock registered. Central Illinois Light Company has preferred stock registered. Illinois Power Company has mortgage bonds registered. Ameren Energy Generating Company and CILCORP Inc. do not have securities registered under Section 12(b) or 12(g).

Detailed insights into Ameren's financial condition, results of operations, liquidity, capital resources, and future outlook can be found in 'Item 7. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations' within this 10-K report.