10-QPeriod: Q3 FY2003

EXELON CORP Quarterly Report for Q3 Ended Sep 30, 2003

Filed October 29, 2003For Securities:EXC

Summary

Exelon Corporation's (EXC) Q3 2003 10-Q filing reveals a challenging quarter, with the company reporting a net loss of $102 million, or $0.31 per diluted share, for the three months ended September 30, 2003. This contrasts sharply with a net income of $551 million, or $1.70 per diluted share, in the same period of the prior year. The significant decline was primarily driven by a substantial $945 million impairment charge related to long-lived assets in its Exelon Boston Generating, LLC (EBG) subsidiary, ongoing restructuring costs associated with "The Exelon Way" initiative, and further impairments on its investment in Sithe Energies. Despite the net loss for the quarter, the Energy Delivery segment showed resilience, reporting net income of $303 million. However, the Generation segment incurred a significant net loss of $428 million, heavily impacted by the aforementioned impairment charges. Enterprises' net income was relatively stable at $16 million. Management highlighted the ongoing implementation of "The Exelon Way" initiative, which aims to achieve significant cash savings over the coming years, and noted prudent management of capital expenditures and debt levels. The company is also navigating various regulatory and litigation matters across its segments.

Key Highlights

  • 1Exelon reported a net loss of $102 million ($0.31/share) for Q3 2003, a significant decline from net income of $551 million ($1.70/share) in Q3 2002.
  • 2A major factor for the net loss was a $945 million impairment charge on long-lived assets at Exelon Boston Generating, LLC (EBG).
  • 3Restructuring costs related to "The Exelon Way" initiative, including severance and benefit accruals, and pension curtailments, impacted results.
  • 4Generation segment incurred a substantial loss of $428 million due to the EBG impairment and further impairments on its Sithe investment.
  • 5Energy Delivery segment remained profitable, with net income of $303 million, although down from $370 million in the prior year's quarter.
  • 6Capital expenditures were managed, with total investments for the nine months ending September 30, 2003, at $1.4 billion, down from $1.5 billion in the prior year.
  • 7The company is actively managing its debt and liquidity, with access to a $1.5 billion revolving credit facility and $2.7 billion remaining under an SEC financing authorization.

Frequently Asked Questions

The primary driver for the net loss in the third quarter of 2003 was a substantial $945 million impairment charge related to long-lived assets at its Exelon Boston Generating, LLC (EBG) subsidiary. This was compounded by restructuring costs associated with 'The Exelon Way' initiative, including severance and benefit accruals, and pension and postretirement curtailment costs. Additionally, further impairments on its investment in Sithe Energies negatively impacted the results.

The implementation of 'The Exelon Way' initiative led to charges of $46 million (net of income taxes) in severance and related postretirement health and welfare benefits accruals, along with pension and postretirement curtailment costs, impacting the Generation segment. Similar charges were recorded across other segments, totaling $167 million for Exelon in the third quarter for these restructuring-related items.

Exelon Generation decided to transition out of its ownership of EBG and its projects. This strategic decision led to the recognition of a $945 million impairment charge (before income taxes) on EBG's long-lived assets. Exelon is in the process of an orderly transition out of ownership and will continue to provide administrative and operational services for a period. The company cannot predict the timing of this transition.

Exelon manages its liquidity through internally generated cash flows, commercial paper issuances by Exelon Corporate, ComEd, and PECO, and participation in a $1.5 billion revolving credit facility. The company has $2.7 billion remaining under an SEC financing authorization and continues to explore strategic divestitures and debt management. Capital expenditures for the nine months ending September 30, 2003, were $1.4 billion, reflecting investments in reliability and growth across its segments.

Yes, the report details several matters. ComEd settled a FERC complaint with municipal customers for $3 million. PECO and Generation are involved in real estate tax appeals concerning nuclear plants. Generation is also facing litigation related to EBG and has entered into agreements concerning its investment in Sithe. Additionally, ComEd is awaiting a decision on its transmission rate adjustment filing with the FERC.