10-QPeriod: Q2 FY2004

EXELON CORP Quarterly Report for Q2 Ended Jun 30, 2004

Filed July 28, 2004For Securities:EXC

Summary

Exelon Corporation reported a significant increase in diluted earnings per share for both the three-month and six-month periods ended June 30, 2004, compared to the prior year. This growth was driven by improved performance in the Generation segment, aided by a substantial gain on the sale of Boston Generating, and reduced losses in the Enterprises segment, bolstered by the sale of Exelon Thermal. Favorable tax effects from investments in synthetic fuel-producing facilities also contributed positively. The company continued its strategic divestiture of non-core assets within the Enterprises segment, including the sale of several businesses of Exelon Services, Inc., and its investment in PECO TelCove. In financing activities, Exelon increased its quarterly dividend, implemented a stock split, and completed a discretionary share repurchase program. The company also refinanced its credit facilities to extend maturities. Operationally, Energy Delivery saw increased revenues due to higher delivery volumes and favorable weather, while Generation benefited from higher nuclear capacity factors and improved average margins. However, regulatory developments concerning ComEd's transmission rates with PJM and potential changes to through-and-out rates could impact future results.

Key Highlights

  • 1Diluted earnings per share increased by 37% for the three months ended June 30, 2004, and by 25% for the six months ended June 30, 2004, compared to the prior year.
  • 2Generation segment's net income increased significantly, boosted by an $85 million pre-tax gain from the sale of Boston Generating.
  • 3Enterprises segment showed reduced losses, partly due to a $36 million gain on the sale of Exelon Thermal Holdings.
  • 4Exelon completed a 2-for-1 stock split and increased its quarterly dividend by 10% in the first half of 2004.
  • 5ComEd fully integrated its transmission facilities into PJM Interconnection on May 1, 2004.
  • 6The company repurchased $75 million of its common stock under a discretionary share repurchase program in the second quarter of 2004.
  • 7Exelon refinanced its credit facilities, replacing a 364-day revolving credit agreement with a $1 billion five-year facility.

Frequently Asked Questions

The primary driver for Exelon's improved earnings was a combination of factors including reduced losses at the Enterprises segment, an increase in net income at the Generation segment (significantly boosted by an $85 million pre-tax gain from the sale of Boston Generating), and favorable tax effects from investments in synthetic fuel-producing facilities.

Exelon undertook several key financial actions, including completing a 2-for-1 stock split, increasing its quarterly dividend by 10%, and initiating a discretionary share repurchase program, during which it bought back $75 million of its common stock in the second quarter. The company also refinanced its credit facilities.

Yes, ComEd's full integration into PJM Interconnection, while aimed at providing benefits of more transparent and competitive markets, will result in annual administrative fees of approximately $30 million. Additionally, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission's (FERC) decision to eliminate ComEd's through-and-out (T&O) transmission rates and replace them with a new long-term pricing structure could adversely impact Exelon's results of operations, though the exact financial impact is yet to be determined.

The Energy Delivery segment saw a 4.1% increase in net income, driven by higher electric revenues from increased volume and favorable weather. The Generation segment's net income rose by 25.4%, largely due to the gain on the sale of Boston Generating and improved margins. The Enterprises segment swung from a net loss in the prior year to a net income of $27 million, primarily due to gains from asset sales.