NiSource Reports Third Quarter 2015 Earnings

MERRILLVILLE, Ind., Nov. 3, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- NiSource Inc. (NYSE: NI) today announced net operating earnings (non-GAAP) of $18.5 million, or $0.06 per share, for the three months ended Sept. 30, 2015, compared with a loss of $8.7 million, or $0.03 per share, for the same period in 2014. Operating earnings (non-GAAP) for the third quarter were $115.8 million, compared to $84.7 million in the same prior year period.

On a GAAP basis, NiSource reported income from continuing operations of $14.8 million, or $0.05 per share, for the three months ended Sept. 30, 2015, compared with a loss of $17.2 million, or $0.05 per share, for the same period in 2014. Operating income for the third quarter was $109.7 million, compared to $71.1 million in the same prior year period. Schedules 1 and 2 of this news release contain a reconciliation of net operating earnings and operating earnings to GAAP net income and operating income, respectively.

On July 1, 2015, NiSource successfully completed the separation of Columbia Pipeline Group (CPG) through a distribution of all of the common stock of CPG held by NiSource to NiSource shareholders. As a result, CPG financial results for all periods are classified as discontinued operations.

"Our solid results during our first quarter as a pure-play utility company demonstrate that we're well-positioned for sustainable long-term growth powered by steady and consistent earnings drivers," said NiSource President and CEO Joseph Hamrock. "Our ongoing infrastructure and environmental investments deliver value for our customers and the communities we serve by enhancing safety and reliability and benefitting our environment."

Third Quarter 2015 Highlights

During the third quarter, NiSource remained on track to invest approximately $1.3 billion in 2015 as part of its $30 billion of long-term regulated utility infrastructure investment opportunities. It also made significant progress in advancing regulatory and customer programs in several key states.

Gas Distribution Operations

• On Oct. 7, 2015, Columbia Gas of Massachusetts (CMA) received approval of its base rate case settlement by the Massachusetts Department of Public Utilities. The settlement with the Massachusetts Attorney General supports CMA's continued effort to modernize its pipeline infrastructure and transform its operations to continue to serve customers safely and reliably. The approved settlement provides for increased annual revenues of $32.8 million beginning Nov. 1, 2015, with an additional $3.6 million annual increase starting Nov. 1, 2016.

• Columbia Gas of Pennsylvania (CPA) has reached a settlement with parties to its base rate case pending before the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission. Under terms of the settlement, CPA's annual revenues would increase by approximately $28 million, an outcome which supports continued infrastructure replacement, pipeline safety upgrades and enhanced employee training. The settlement also includes a tariff supporting the expansion of natural gas service into unserved areas. A decision on the settlement from the Pennsylvania commission, with new rates in effect, is expected by the end of the year.

• On Aug. 21, 2015, Columbia Gas of Virginia (CVA) received final commission approval of its 2014 base rate case. The commission reaffirmed the $25.2 million annual revenue increase. The approved case supports continued capital investments by CVA to improve its system and accommodate customer growth, as well as initiatives to enhance safety and reliability.

• On Oct. 23, 2015, CVA received regulatory approval of its application for a five-year extension of its infrastructure replacement program under the SAVE Act (Steps to Advance Virginia's Energy Plan). The company plans to invest $150 million on its infrastructure modernization programs from 2016-2020. The approval provides for timely recovery of such investments through an annual tracker mechanism.

• Northern Indiana Public Service Co. (NIPSCO) continued executing on its seven-year, $817 million natural gas system modernization program. NIPSCO filed its semi-annual tracker update on Aug. 31, 2015 and expects to make its next filing in spring 2016.

Electric Operations

• Consistent with a May 26, 2015 settlement NIPSCO reached with the Indiana Office of Utility Consumer Counselor and NIPSCO's largest industrial customers, the company filed a rate case and is expected to file a new seven-year electric infrastructure modernization plan with the Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission (IURC). The May 26 settlement remains pending before the IURC.

• NIPSCO's first electric rate case in five years was filed with the IURC on Oct. 1, 2015. The case seeks to update rates to reflect the current costs of generating and distributing power, plus ongoing investments which are delivering substantial benefits to customers including programs that have reduced the duration of power outages by 40 percent. The request also seeks to create a bill payment assistance program for low-income electric customers during the summer cooling season. A decision by the IURC is expected in the third quarter of 2016.

• NIPSCO's Michigan City flue gas desulfurization unit is set to be placed in service by the end of the year - on schedule and on budget. The approximately $255 million project, supported with cost recovery, improves air quality and helps ensure NIPSCO's generation fleet remains in compliance with current environmental regulations. It also helps ensure that NIPSCO can continue offering low-cost, reliable and efficient generating capacity for its customers.

• Progress also continued on two major electric transmission projects designed to enhance region-wide system flexibility and reliability. Right-of-way acquisition and permitting are under way for both projects and substation construction has begun on both projects. These projects involve an investment of approximately $500 million for NIPSCO and are anticipated to be in service by the end of 2018.

2016 Guidance, Growth Commitments Reaffirmed

NiSource CEO Joseph Hamrock reaffirmed that NiSource expects to deliver non-GAAP net operating earnings per share of $1.00 to $1.10 in 2016.

As previously disclosed, NiSource expects to make approximately $1.4 billion in planned infrastructure enhancement investments in 2016 as part of its $30 billion in infrastructure investment opportunities, which should support the company's projected long-term earnings and dividend growth projections of 4-6% annually.

NiSource remains committed to maintaining solid, investment grade credit ratings. Standard & Poor's rates NiSource at BBB+, Fitch Ratings' outlook on NiSource is BBB- (positive) and Moody's rates NiSource at Baa2. As of Sept. 30, 2015, NiSource maintained $1.6 billion in net available liquidity.

Third Quarter 2015 Operating Earnings - Segment Results (non-GAAP)

NiSource's consolidated operating earnings (non-GAAP) for the three months ended Sept. 30, 2015, were $115.8 million, compared to $84.7 million for the same period in 2014. Operating earnings (non-GAAP) for NiSource's business segments for the three months ended Sept. 30, 2015, are discussed below. Refer to Schedule 2 for a reconciliation of operating earnings (non-GAAP) to GAAP operating income.

Gas Distribution Operations reported operating earnings of $21.6 million for the three months ended Sept. 30, 2015, compared with operating earnings of $1.0 million for the same prior year period. Net revenues, excluding the impact of trackers, increased by $18.5 million primarily attributable to the implementation of rates under Columbia Gas of Ohio's (COH) approved infrastructure replacement program, as well as the impact of new rates at CVA and CPA.

Operating expenses, excluding the impact of trackers, decreased by $2.1 million from the comparable 2014 period.

Electric Operations reported operating earnings of $101.6 million for the three months ended Sept. 30, 2015, compared with operating earnings of $90.2 million for the same prior year period. Net revenues, excluding the impact of trackers, decreased by $0.8 million from the comparable 2014 period.

Operating expenses, excluding the impact of trackers, decreased by $12.2 million from the comparable 2014 period primarily as a result of lower employee and administrative costs.

Corporate and Other Operations reported an operating earnings loss of $7.4 million for the three months ended Sept. 30, 2015, compared with an operating earnings loss of $6.5 million for the three months ended Sept. 30, 2014.

Other Items
Interest expense, net was $94.9 million for the three months ended Sept. 30, 2015 compared to interest expense, net of $94.7 million for the same prior year period.

Other, net reflected income of $5.8 million compared to income of $5.7 million in the comparable 2014 period.

Income taxes were $8.2 million for the three months ended Sept. 30, 2015 compared to $4.4 million for the same prior year period.

Nine Month Period 2015 Operating Earnings - Segment Results (non-GAAP)

NiSource's consolidated operating earnings (non-GAAP) for the nine months ended Sept. 30, 2015, were $583.2 million, compared to $550.7 million for the same period in 2014. Operating earnings (non-GAAP) for NiSource's business segments for the nine months ended Sept. 30, 2015, are discussed below. Refer to Schedule 2 for a reconciliation of operating earnings (non-GAAP) to GAAP operating income.

Gas Distribution Operations reported operating earnings of $383.0 million for the nine months ended Sept. 30, 2015, compared with operating earnings of $343.6 million for the same prior year period. Net revenues, excluding the impact of trackers, increased by $78.6 million primarily attributable to increases in regulatory and service programs, including the impact of new rates at CPA and CVA and the implementation of rates under COH's approved infrastructure replacement program.

Operating expenses, excluding the impact of trackers, increased by $39.2 million due primarily to increased employee and administrative costs, higher depreciation and increased property taxes.

Electric Operations reported operating earnings of $225.4 million for the nine months ended Sept. 30, 2015, compared with operating earnings of $224.2 million for the same prior year period. Net revenues, excluding the impact of trackers, decreased by $2.8 million from the comparable 2014 period.

Operating expenses, excluding the impact of trackers, decreased by $4.0 million from the comparable 2014 period.

Corporate and Other Operations reported an operating earnings loss of $25.2 million for the nine months ended Sept. 30, 2015, compared with an operating earnings loss of $17.1 million for the nine months ended Sept. 30, 2014. The increase in operating earnings loss is primarily due to higher employee and administrative costs.

Other Items
Interest expense, net was $285.9 million for the nine months ended Sept. 30, 2015 compared to interest expense, net of $287.4 million for the same prior year period.

Other, net reflected income of $11.6 million compared to income of $13.4 million in 2014.

The effective tax rate of net operating earnings was 35.5 percent compared to 36.1 percent for the same period last year.

About NiSource
NiSource Inc. (NYSE: NI) is one of the largest fully-regulated utility companies in the United States, serving approximately 3.5 million natural gas customers and 500,000 electric customers across seven states through its local Columbia Gas and NIPSCO brands. Based in Merrillville, Indiana, NiSource's more than 7,000 employees are focused on safely delivering reliable and affordable energy to our customers and communities we serve. NiSource has been designated a World's Most Ethical Company by the Ethisphere Institute since 2012 and is a member of the Dow Jones Sustainability – North America Index. Additional information about NiSource, its investments in modern infrastructure and systems, its commitments and its local brands can be found at www.nisource.com. NI-F

Regulation G Disclosure Statement
This press release includes NiSource's financial results with respect to net operating earnings from continuing operations and operating earnings, which are non-GAAP financial measures as defined by the SEC's Regulation G. The Company includes such measures because management believes they permit investors to view the Company's performance using the same tools that management uses and to better evaluate the Company's ongoing business performance. It should be noted that there will likely be differences between these non-GAAP financial measures and GAAP equivalents due to various factors, including, but not limited to, weather, restructuring, environmental, the impact of asset sales and asset impairments, and separation related costs and expenses and accounting changes. NiSource is not able to estimate the impact of such factors on GAAP earnings and, as such, is not providing earnings guidance on a GAAP basis.

Forward-Looking Statements
This news release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of federal securities laws. These forward-looking statements are subject to various risks and uncertainties. Examples of forward-looking statements in this release include statements and expectations regarding NiSource's business, performance and growth. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from the projections, forecasts, estimates and expectations discussed in this release include, but are not limited to, NiSource's debt obligations and ability to comply with related covenants, changes in NiSource's credit rating, growth opportunities for NiSource's businesses, changes in general economic and market conditions, regulatory rate reviews and proceedings, increased competition in deregulated energy markets, compliance with environmental laws, fluctuations in weather, climate change, natural disasters, acts of terrorism and other catastrophic events, economic conditions in certain industries, fluctuations in the price of energy commodities, counterparty credit risk, any impairment of goodwill and definite-lived intangible assets, changes in taxation or accounting principles, accidents and other operating risks, aging infrastructure, disruptions in information technology and cyber-attacks, NiSource's ability to achieve the intended benefits of the separation and other matters set forth in the "Risk Factors" section in NiSource's 2014 Form 10-K and  other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, many of which are beyond the control of NiSource. In addition, the relative contributions to profitability by each segment, and the assumptions underlying the forward-looking statements relating thereto, may change over time. NiSource expressly disclaims any duty to update, supplement or amend any of its forward-looking statements contained in this release, whether as a result of new information, subsequent events or otherwise, except as required by applicable law.