sr-10q_20190331.htm

 

 

 

 

 

 

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D. C. 20549

 

FORM 10-Q

(Mark One)

 

[ X ]

QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 or 15 (d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the quarterly period ended March 31, 2019

 

or

[   ]

TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 or 15 (d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the transition period from                        to

 

Commission

File Number

 

Name of Registrant, Address of Principal

Executive Offices and Telephone Number

 

State of Incorporation

 

I.R.S. Employer Identification Number

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1-16681

 

Spire Inc.

700 Market Street

St. Louis, MO 63101

314-342-0500

 

Missouri

 

74-2976504

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1-1822

 

Spire Missouri Inc.
700 Market Street
St. Louis, MO 63101
314-342-0500

 

Missouri

 

43-0368139

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2-38960

 

Spire Alabama Inc.

2101 6th Avenue North

Birmingham, AL 35203

205-326-8100

 

Alabama

 

63-0022000

 

Indicate by check mark whether each registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such report) and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.

Spire Inc.

 

Yes [ X ]

 

No [    ]

Spire Missouri Inc.

 

Yes [ X ]

 

No [    ]

Spire Alabama Inc.

 

Yes [ X ]

 

No [    ]

 

Indicate by check mark whether each registrant has submitted electronically every Interactive Data File required to be submitted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit such files).

Spire Inc.

 

Yes [ X ]

 

No [    ]

Spire Missouri Inc.

 

Yes [ X ]

 

No [    ]

Spire Alabama Inc.

 

Yes [ X ]

 

No [    ]

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” “smaller reporting company,” and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.

 

 

Large

accelerated filer

 

Accelerated

filer

 

Non-

accelerated filer

 

Smaller

reporting company

 

Emerging growth company

Spire Inc.

 

X

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Spire Missouri Inc.

 

 

 

 

 

X

 

 

 

 

Spire Alabama Inc.

 

 

 

 

 

X

 

 

 

 

 

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act.

Spire Inc.

 

       [    ]

 

 

Spire Missouri Inc.

 

       [    ]

 

 

Spire Alabama Inc.

 

       [    ]

 

 

 

Indicate by check mark whether each registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).

Spire Inc.

 

Yes [    ]

 

No [ X ]

Spire Missouri Inc.

 

Yes [    ]

 

No [ X ]

Spire Alabama Inc.

 

Yes [    ]

 

No [ X ]

 


The number of shares outstanding of each registrant’s common stock as of April 29, 2019, was as follows:

Spire Inc.

 

Common Stock, par value $1.00 per share

 

50,745,880

 

Spire Missouri Inc.

 

Common Stock, par value $1.00 per share (all owned by Spire Inc.)

 

24,577

 

Spire Alabama Inc.

 

Common Stock, par value $0.01 per share (all owned by Spire Inc.)

 

1,972,052

 

 

Spire Missouri Inc. and Spire Alabama Inc. meet the conditions set forth in General Instructions H(1)(a) and (b) to Form 10-Q and are therefore filing this Form 10-Q with the reduced disclosure format specified in General Instructions H(2) to Form 10-Q.

 

This combined Form 10-Q represents separate filings by Spire Inc., Spire Missouri Inc., and Spire Alabama Inc. Information contained herein relating to an individual registrant is filed by that registrant on its own behalf. Each registrant makes no representation as to information relating to the other registrants, except that information relating to Spire Missouri Inc. and Spire Alabama Inc. are also attributed to Spire Inc.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

 

 

 

 

Page No.

 

 

 

GLOSSARY

2

 

 

 

PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION

 

 

 

 

Item 1

Financial Statements (Unaudited)

 

 

Spire Inc.

 

 

 

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income

4

 

 

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income

5

 

 

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets

6

 

 

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Shareholders’ Equity

8

 

 

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

9

 

Spire Missouri Inc.

 

 

 

Condensed Statements of Comprehensive Income

10

 

 

Condensed Balance Sheets

11

 

 

Condensed Statements of Shareholder’s Equity

13

 

 

Condensed Statements of Cash Flows

14

 

Spire Alabama Inc.

 

 

 

Condensed Statements of Income

15

 

 

Condensed Balance Sheets

16

 

 

Condensed Statements of Shareholder’s Equity

18

 

 

Condensed Statements of Cash Flows

19

 

Notes to Financial Statements

 

 

 

Note 1. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

20

 

 

Note 2. Revenue

23

 

 

Note 3. Earnings Per Share

25

 

 

Note 4. Regulatory Matters

26

 

 

Note 5. Financing Arrangements and Long-term Debt

29

 

 

Note 6. Fair Value of Financial Instruments

30

 

 

Note 7. Fair Value Measurements

31

 

 

Note 8. Concentrations of Credit Risk

35

 

 

Note 9. Pension Plans and Other Postretirement Benefits

35

 

 

Note 10. Information by Operating Segment

38

 

 

Note 11. Commitments and Contingencies

41

 

 

Note 12. Income Taxes

44

 

 

 

Item 2

Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

45

 

 

 

 

 

Item 3

Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

62

 

 

 

 

 

Item 4

Controls and Procedures

62

 

 

 

 

PART II. OTHER INFORMATION

 

 

 

 

 

Item 1

Legal Proceedings

63

 

 

 

 

Item 2

Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds

63

 

 

 

Item 5

Other Information

63

 

 

 

Item 6

Exhibits

64

 

 

 

 

SIGNATURES

65

 

1


 

GLOSSARY OF KEY TERMS AND ABBREVIATIONS

 

AFUDC

Allowance for Funds Used During Construction

 

PGA

Purchased Gas Adjustment

APSC

Alabama Public Service Commission

 

RSE

Rate Stabilization and Equalization

ASC

Accounting Standards Codification

 

SEC

U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission

Company

Spire Inc.

 

Spire

Spire Inc.

Degree days

The average of a day’s high and low temperature below 65, subtracted from 65, multiplied by the number of days impacted

 

Spire Alabama

Spire Alabama Inc.

FASB

Financial Accounting Standards Board

 

Spire EnergySouth

Spire EnergySouth Inc., the parent of Spire Gulf and Spire Mississippi

FERC

Federal Energy Regulatory Commission

 

Spire Gulf

Spire Gulf Inc.

GAAP

Accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America

 

Spire Marketing

Spire Marketing Inc.

Gas Marketing

Segment including Spire Marketing, which is engaged in the non-regulated marketing of natural gas and related activities

 

Spire Mississippi

Spire Mississippi Inc.

Gas Utility

Segment including the regulated operations of the Utilities

 

Spire Missouri

Spire Missouri Inc.

GSA

Gas Supply Adjustment

 

Spire Missouri East

Spire Missouri’s eastern service territory

ISRS

Infrastructure System Replacement Surcharge

 

Spire Missouri West

Spire Missouri’s western service territory

Missouri Utilities

Spire Missouri, including Spire Missouri East and Spire Missouri West, the utilities serving Missouri

 

Spire STL Pipeline

Spire STL Pipeline LLC

MMBtu

Million British thermal units

 

Spire Storage

Spire’s physical natural gas storage operations at two facilities in Wyoming

MoPSC

Missouri Public Service Commission

 

TCJA

The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017

MSPSC

Mississippi Public Service Commission

 

U.S.

United States

NYSE

New York Stock Exchange

 

Utilities

Spire Missouri, Spire Alabama and the subsidiaries of Spire EnergySouth

O&M

Operation and maintenance expense

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2


 

PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION

The interim financial statements included herein have been prepared by three separate registrants — Spire Inc. (“Spire” or the “Company”), Spire Missouri Inc. (“Spire Missouri” or “Missouri Utilities”) and Spire Alabama Inc. (“Spire Alabama”) — without audit, pursuant to the rules and regulations of the United States (“U.S.”) Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”). These financial statements should be read in conjunction with the financial statements and the notes thereto included in the registrants’ combined Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2018.

The Financial Information in this Part I includes separate financial statements (i.e., balance sheets, statements of income and comprehensive income, statements of shareholders’ equity and statements of cash flows) for Spire, Spire Missouri and Spire Alabama. The Notes to Financial Statements and Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations are also included and presented herein on a combined basis for Spire, Spire Missouri and Spire Alabama.

3


 

Item 1. Financial Statements

SPIRE INC.

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME

(UNAUDITED)

 

 

 

Three Months Ended

March 31,

 

 

Six Months Ended

March 31,

 

(In millions, except per share amounts)

 

2019

 

 

2018

 

 

2019

 

 

2018

 

Operating Revenues:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Gas Utility

 

$

776.7

 

 

$

790.6

 

 

$

1,350.5

 

 

$

1,332.5

 

Gas Marketing and other

 

 

26.8

 

 

 

22.8

 

 

 

55.0

 

 

 

42.7

 

Total Operating Revenues

 

 

803.5

 

 

 

813.4

 

 

 

1,405.5

 

 

 

1,375.2

 

Operating Expenses:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Gas Utility

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Natural and propane gas

 

 

337.4

 

 

 

383.7

 

 

 

589.1

 

 

 

624.5

 

Operation and maintenance

 

 

109.5

 

 

 

135.3

 

 

 

212.0

 

 

 

234.3

 

Depreciation and amortization

 

 

44.4

 

 

 

41.1

 

 

 

88.1

 

 

 

81.4

 

Taxes, other than income taxes

 

 

57.4

 

 

 

58.0

 

 

 

96.6

 

 

 

94.7

 

Total Gas Utility Operating Expenses

 

 

548.7

 

 

 

618.1

 

 

 

985.8

 

 

 

1,034.9

 

Gas Marketing and other

 

 

45.3

 

 

 

45.2

 

 

 

105.1

 

 

 

86.2

 

Total Operating Expenses

 

 

594.0

 

 

 

663.3

 

 

 

1,090.9

 

 

 

1,121.1

 

Operating Income

 

 

209.5

 

 

 

150.1

 

 

 

314.6

 

 

 

254.1

 

Other Income (Expense), Net

 

 

6.1

 

 

 

(7.6

)

 

 

8.9

 

 

 

(4.3

)

Interest Charges:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Interest on long-term debt

 

 

21.5

 

 

 

21.0

 

 

 

41.9

 

 

 

41.7

 

Other interest charges

 

 

6.1

 

 

 

4.4

 

 

 

11.6

 

 

 

8.1

 

Total Interest Charges

 

 

27.6

 

 

 

25.4

 

 

 

53.5

 

 

 

49.8

 

Income Before Income Taxes

 

 

188.0

 

 

 

117.1

 

 

 

270.0

 

 

 

200.0

 

Income Tax Expense (Benefit)

 

 

33.4

 

 

 

18.9

 

 

 

48.1

 

 

 

(14.2

)

Net Income

 

$

154.6

 

 

$

98.2

 

 

$

221.9

 

 

$

214.2

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Weighted Average Number of Shares Outstanding:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Basic

 

 

50.6

 

 

 

48.2

 

 

 

50.6

 

 

 

48.2

 

Diluted

 

 

50.8

 

 

 

48.4

 

 

 

50.8

 

 

 

48.4

 

Basic Earnings Per Share

 

$

3.05

 

 

$

2.03

 

 

$

4.37

 

 

$

4.43

 

Diluted Earnings Per Share

 

$

3.04

 

 

$

2.03

 

 

$

4.36

 

 

$

4.42

 

 

 

See the accompanying Notes to Financial Statements.

4


 

SPIRE INC.

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

(UNAUDITED)

 

 

 

Three Months Ended

March 31,

 

 

Six Months Ended

March 31,

 

(In millions)

 

2019

 

 

2018

 

 

2019

 

 

2018

 

Net Income

 

$

154.6

 

 

$

98.2

 

 

$

221.9

 

 

$

214.2

 

Other Comprehensive (Loss) Income, Before Tax:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash flow hedging derivative instruments:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net hedging (loss) gain arising during the period

 

 

(7.7

)

 

 

1.8

 

 

 

(18.1

)

 

 

1.9

 

Reclassification adjustment for gains included in net income

 

 

(0.4

)

 

 

(0.4

)

 

 

(0.7

)

 

 

(0.8

)

Net unrealized (loss) gain on cash flow hedging derivative

   instruments

 

 

(8.1

)

 

 

1.4

 

 

 

(18.8

)

 

 

1.1

 

Net gain on defined benefit pension and other postretirement plans

 

 

0.1

 

 

 

 

 

 

0.1

 

 

 

0.1

 

Net unrealized gain (loss) on available for sale securities

 

 

0.1

 

 

 

 

 

 

0.1

 

 

 

(0.1

)

Other Comprehensive (Loss) Income, Before Tax

 

 

(7.9

)

 

 

1.4

 

 

 

(18.6

)

 

 

1.1

 

Income Tax (Benefit) Expense Related to Items of Other

   Comprehensive (Loss) Income

 

 

(1.9

)

 

 

0.3

 

 

 

(4.4

)

 

 

0.2

 

Other Comprehensive (Loss) Income, Net of Tax

 

 

(6.0

)

 

 

1.1

 

 

 

(14.2

)

 

 

0.9

 

Comprehensive Income

 

$

148.6

 

 

$

99.3

 

 

$

207.7

 

 

$

215.1

 

 

See the accompanying Notes to Financial Statements.

5


 

SPIRE INC.

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(UNAUDITED)

 

 

 

March 31,

 

 

September 30,

 

 

March 31,

 

(Dollars in millions, except per share amounts)

 

2019

 

 

2018

 

 

2018

 

ASSETS

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Utility Plant

 

$

5,856.8

 

 

$

5,653.3

 

 

$

5,403.4

 

Less: Accumulated depreciation and amortization

 

 

1,738.5

 

 

 

1,682.8

 

 

 

1,645.0

 

Net Utility Plant

 

 

4,118.3

 

 

 

3,970.5

 

 

 

3,758.4

 

Non-utility Property (net of accumulated depreciation and

   amortization of $11.9, $10.4 and $9.1 at March 31, 2019,

   September 30, 2018, and March 31, 2018, respectively)

 

 

329.1

 

 

 

174.5

 

 

 

116.9

 

Goodwill

 

 

1,171.6

 

 

 

1,171.6

 

 

 

1,171.6

 

Other Investments

 

 

68.4

 

 

 

68.7

 

 

 

66.4

 

Total Other Property and Investments

 

 

1,569.1

 

 

 

1,414.8

 

 

 

1,354.9

 

Current Assets:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents

 

 

11.1

 

 

 

4.4

 

 

 

17.8

 

Accounts receivable:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Utility

 

 

318.6

 

 

 

151.9

 

 

 

302.4

 

Other

 

 

196.5

 

 

 

167.3

 

 

 

111.3

 

Allowance for doubtful accounts

 

 

(28.1

)

 

 

(22.4

)

 

 

(25.7

)

Delayed customer billings

 

 

43.8

 

 

 

6.9

 

 

 

45.6

 

Inventories:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Natural gas

 

 

91.3

 

 

 

175.2

 

 

 

94.3

 

Propane gas

 

 

10.7

 

 

 

12.0

 

 

 

12.0

 

Materials and supplies

 

 

24.3

 

 

 

23.1

 

 

 

22.2

 

Natural gas receivable

 

 

0.3

 

 

 

1.8

 

 

 

3.0

 

Derivative instrument assets

 

 

24.5

 

 

 

13.3

 

 

 

7.3

 

Regulatory assets

 

 

75.3

 

 

 

72.8

 

 

 

97.7

 

Prepayments

 

 

21.0

 

 

 

31.0

 

 

 

18.3

 

Other

 

 

4.3

 

 

 

22.3

 

 

 

12.1

 

Total Current Assets

 

 

793.6

 

 

 

659.6

 

 

 

718.3

 

Deferred Charges and Other Assets:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Regulatory assets

 

 

659.9

 

 

 

669.8

 

 

 

673.6

 

Other

 

 

132.7

 

 

 

128.9

 

 

 

81.6

 

Total Deferred Charges and Other Assets

 

 

792.6

 

 

 

798.7

 

 

 

755.2

 

Total Assets

 

$

7,273.6

 

 

$

6,843.6

 

 

$

6,586.8

 

 

6


 

SPIRE INC.

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (Continued)

(UNAUDITED)

 

 

 

March 31,

 

 

September 30,

 

 

March 31,

 

 

 

2019

 

 

2018

 

 

2018

 

CAPITALIZATION AND LIABILITIES

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Capitalization:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Common stock (par value $1.00 per share; 70.0 million

   shares authorized; 50.7 million, 50.7 million and

   48.4 million shares issued and outstanding at

   March 31, 2019, September 30, 2018, and

   March 31, 2018, respectively)

 

$

50.7

 

 

$

50.7

 

 

$

48.4

 

Paid-in capital

 

 

1,485.6

 

 

 

1,482.7

 

 

 

1,327.3

 

Retained earnings

 

 

877.5

 

 

 

715.6

 

 

 

773.7

 

Accumulated other comprehensive (loss) income

 

 

(7.8

)

 

 

6.4

 

 

 

4.1

 

Total Shareholders' Equity

 

 

2,406.0

 

 

 

2,255.4

 

 

 

2,153.5

 

Redeemable noncontrolling interest

 

 

 

 

 

7.9

 

 

 

6.5

 

Long-term debt (less current portion)

 

 

2,041.9

 

 

 

1,900.1

 

 

 

2,073.9

 

Total Capitalization

 

 

4,447.9

 

 

 

4,163.4

 

 

 

4,233.9

 

Current Liabilities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Current portion of long-term debt

 

 

215.0

 

 

 

175.5

 

 

 

105.5

 

Notes payable

 

 

512.0

 

 

 

553.6

 

 

 

391.7

 

Accounts payable

 

 

324.8

 

 

 

290.1

 

 

 

194.8

 

Advance customer billings

 

 

6.5

 

 

 

22.7

 

 

 

8.1

 

Wages and compensation accrued

 

 

32.2

 

 

 

39.7

 

 

 

30.0

 

Dividends payable

 

 

31.1

 

 

 

30.0

 

 

 

28.3

 

Customer deposits

 

 

36.7

 

 

 

35.5

 

 

 

36.1

 

Interest accrued

 

 

18.9

 

 

 

15.2

 

 

 

15.8

 

Taxes accrued

 

 

50.9

 

 

 

65.4

 

 

 

49.1

 

Regulatory liabilities

 

 

35.3

 

 

 

35.7

 

 

 

22.2

 

Other

 

 

73.3

 

 

 

58.3

 

 

 

46.4

 

Total Current Liabilities

 

 

1,336.7

 

 

 

1,321.7

 

 

 

928.0

 

Deferred Credits and Other Liabilities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Deferred income taxes

 

 

490.2

 

 

 

435.8

 

 

 

465.6

 

Pension and postretirement benefit costs

 

 

178.3

 

 

 

180.2

 

 

 

233.4

 

Asset retirement obligations

 

 

325.5

 

 

 

321.1

 

 

 

302.8

 

Regulatory liabilities

 

 

431.3

 

 

 

354.6

 

 

 

353.1

 

Other

 

 

63.7

 

 

 

66.8

 

 

 

70.0

 

Total Deferred Credits and Other Liabilities

 

 

1,489.0

 

 

 

1,358.5

 

 

 

1,424.9

 

Commitments and Contingencies (Note 11)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total Capitalization and Liabilities

 

$

7,273.6

 

 

$

6,843.6

 

 

$

6,586.8

 

 

See the accompanying Notes to Financial Statements.

7


 

SPIRE INC.

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY

(UNAUDITED)

 

 

 

Common Stock

Outstanding

 

 

Paid-in

 

 

Retained

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(Dollars in millions)

 

Shares

 

 

Par

 

 

Capital

 

 

Earnings

 

 

AOCI*

 

 

Total

 

Balance at September 30, 2017

 

 

48,263,243

 

 

$

48.3

 

 

$

1,325.6

 

 

$

614.2

 

 

$

3.2

 

 

$

1,991.3

 

Net income

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

116.0

 

 

 

 

 

 

116.0

 

Dividend reinvestment plan

 

 

4,618

 

 

 

 

 

 

0.3

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

0.3

 

Stock-based compensation costs

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1.9

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1.9

 

Stock issued under stock-based compensation

   plans

 

 

105,434

 

 

 

0.1

 

 

 

(0.1

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Employees’ tax withholding for stock-based

   compensation

 

 

(33,581

)

 

 

(0.1

)

 

 

(2.8

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(2.9

)

Dividends declared ($0.5625 per share)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(27.2

)

 

 

 

 

 

(27.2

)

Other comprehensive loss, net of tax

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(0.2

)

 

 

(0.2

)

Balance at December 31, 2017

 

 

48,339,714

 

 

$

48.3

 

 

$

1,324.9

 

 

$

703.0

 

 

$

3.0

 

 

$

2,079.2

 

Net income

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

98.2

 

 

 

 

 

 

98.2

 

Dividend reinvestment plan

 

 

6,385

 

 

 

 

 

 

0.5

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

0.5

 

Stock-based compensation costs

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1.9

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1.9

 

Stock issued under stock-based compensation

   plans

 

 

8,680

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Employees’ tax withholding for stock-based

   compensation

 

 

 

 

 

0.1

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

0.1

 

Dividends declared ($0.5625 per share)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(27.5

)

 

 

 

 

 

(27.5

)

Other comprehensive income, net of tax

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1.1

 

 

 

1.1

 

Balance at March 31, 2018

 

 

48,354,779

 

 

$

48.4

 

 

$

1,327.3

 

 

$

773.7

 

 

$

4.1

 

 

$

2,153.5

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Balance at September 30, 2018

 

 

50,671,903

 

 

$

50.7

 

 

$

1,482.7

 

 

$

715.6

 

 

$

6.4

 

 

$

2,255.4

 

Net income

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

67.3

 

 

 

 

 

 

67.3

 

Dividend reinvestment plan

 

 

5,063

 

 

 

 

 

 

0.4

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

0.4

 

Stock-based compensation costs

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2.0

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2.0

 

Stock issued under stock-based compensation

   plans

 

 

74,835

 

 

 

0.1

 

 

 

(0.1

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Employees’ tax withholding for stock-based

   compensation

 

 

(27,633

)

 

 

(0.1

)

 

 

(2.2

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(2.3

)

Dividends declared ($0.5925 per share)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(30.0

)

 

 

 

 

 

(30.0

)

Other comprehensive loss, net of tax

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(8.2

)

 

 

(8.2

)

Balance at December 31, 2018

 

 

50,724,168

 

 

$

50.7

 

 

$

1,482.8

 

 

$

752.9

 

 

$

(1.8

)

 

$

2,284.6

 

Net income

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

154.6

 

 

 

 

 

 

154.6

 

Dividend reinvestment plan

 

 

6,204

 

 

 

 

 

 

0.4

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

0.4

 

Stock-based compensation costs

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2.4

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2.4

 

Stock issued under stock-based compensation

   plans

 

 

12,633

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Employees’ tax withholding for stock-based

   compensation

 

 

(368

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Dividends declared ($0.5925 per share)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(30.0

)

 

 

 

 

 

(30.0

)

Other comprehensive loss, net of tax

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(6.0

)

 

 

(6.0

)

Balance at March 31, 2019

 

 

50,742,637

 

 

$

50.7

 

 

$

1,485.6

 

 

$

877.5

 

 

$

(7.8

)

 

$

2,406.0

 

 

* Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)

See the accompanying Notes to Financial Statements.

8


 

SPIRE INC.

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(UNAUDITED)

 

 

 

Six Months Ended

March 31,

 

(In millions)

 

2019

 

 

2018

 

Operating Activities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net Income

 

$

221.9

 

 

$

214.2

 

Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Depreciation and amortization

 

 

89.1

 

 

 

81.9

 

Deferred income taxes and investment tax credits

 

 

45.5

 

 

 

(15.2

)

Changes in assets and liabilities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Accounts receivable

 

 

(194.3

)

 

 

(122.8

)

Inventories

 

 

83.9

 

 

 

97.3

 

Regulatory assets and liabilities

 

 

105.9

 

 

 

149.5

 

Accounts payable

 

 

33.6

 

 

 

(50.0

)

Delayed/advance customer billings, net

 

 

(53.2

)

 

 

(66.0

)

Taxes accrued

 

 

(12.9

)

 

 

(11.9

)

Other assets and liabilities

 

 

(20.6

)

 

 

(8.9

)

Other

 

 

(1.4

)

 

 

41.5

 

Net cash provided by operating activities

 

 

297.5

 

 

 

309.6

 

Investing Activities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Capital expenditures

 

 

(376.8

)

 

 

(215.8

)

Business acquisitions

 

 

(7.9

)

 

 

(17.1

)

Other

 

 

(1.9

)

 

 

(0.4

)

Net cash used in investing activities

 

 

(386.6

)

 

 

(233.3

)

Financing Activities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Issuance of long-term debt

 

 

190.0

 

 

 

75.0

 

Repayment of long-term debt

 

 

(9.1

)

 

 

 

Repayment of short-term debt, net

 

 

(41.6

)

 

 

(85.6

)

Issuance of common stock

 

 

1.0

 

 

 

0.8

 

Dividends paid

 

 

(58.8

)

 

 

(53.0

)

Other

 

 

(2.7

)

 

 

(3.1

)

Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities

 

 

78.8

 

 

 

(65.9

)

Net (Decrease) Increase in Cash, Cash Equivalents, and Restricted Cash

 

 

(10.3

)

 

 

10.4

 

Cash, Cash Equivalents, and Restricted Cash at Beginning of Period

 

 

21.4

 

 

 

7.4

 

Cash and Cash Equivalents at End of Period

 

$

11.1

 

 

$

17.8

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Supplemental disclosure of cash paid for:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Interest, net of amounts capitalized

 

$

(49.0

)

 

$

(47.2

)

Income taxes

 

 

(2.0

)

 

 

(0.6

)

 

See the accompanying Notes to Financial Statements.

9


 

SPIRE MISSOURI INC.

CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

(UNAUDITED)

 

 

 

Three Months Ended

March 31,

 

 

Six Months Ended

March 31,

 

(In millions)

 

2019

 

 

2018

 

 

2019

 

 

2018

 

Operating Revenues:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Utility

 

$

556.6

 

 

$

533.2

 

 

$

969.8

 

 

$

925.5

 

Total Operating Revenues

 

 

556.6

 

 

 

533.2

 

 

 

969.8

 

 

 

925.5

 

Operating Expenses:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Utility

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Natural and propane gas

 

 

313.8

 

 

 

311.2

 

 

 

537.2

 

 

 

517.4

 

Operation and maintenance

 

 

70.7

 

 

 

94.0

 

 

 

133.8

 

 

 

154.1

 

Depreciation and amortization

 

 

27.8

 

 

 

25.2

 

 

 

55.0

 

 

 

50.0

 

Taxes, other than income taxes

 

 

41.9

 

 

 

41.2

 

 

 

70.0

 

 

 

67.4

 

Total Operating Expenses

 

 

454.2

 

 

 

471.6

 

 

 

796.0

 

 

 

788.9

 

Operating Income

 

 

102.4

 

 

 

61.6

 

 

 

173.8

 

 

 

136.6

 

Other Income (Expense), Net

 

 

2.5

 

 

 

(9.9

)

 

 

1.8

 

 

 

(8.9

)

Interest Charges:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Interest on long-term debt

 

 

10.0

 

 

 

9.8

 

 

 

19.4

 

 

 

19.7

 

Other interest charges

 

 

3.2

 

 

 

2.1

 

 

 

5.9

 

 

 

3.8

 

Total Interest Charges

 

 

13.2

 

 

 

11.9

 

 

 

25.3

 

 

 

23.5

 

Income Before Income Taxes

 

 

91.7

 

 

 

39.8

 

 

 

150.3

 

 

 

104.2

 

Income Tax Expense (Benefit)

 

 

11.7

 

 

 

1.4

 

 

 

19.1

 

 

 

(23.6

)

Net Income

 

 

80.0

 

 

 

38.4

 

 

 

131.2

 

 

 

127.8

 

Other Comprehensive Loss, Net of Tax

 

 

-

 

 

 

(0.1

)

 

 

-

 

 

 

(0.1

)

Comprehensive Income

 

$

80.0

 

 

$

38.3

 

 

$

131.2

 

 

$

127.7

 

 

See the accompanying Notes to Financial Statements.

10


 

SPIRE MISSOURI INC.

CONDENSED BALANCE SHEETS

(UNAUDITED)

 

 

 

March 31,

 

 

September 30,

 

 

March 31,

 

(Dollars in millions, except per share amounts)

 

2019

 

 

2018

 

 

2018

 

ASSETS

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Utility Plant

 

$

3,460.1

 

 

$

3,331.0

 

 

$

3,163.8

 

Less: Accumulated depreciation and amortization

 

 

736.7

 

 

 

705.8

 

 

 

687.2

 

Net Utility Plant

 

 

2,723.4

 

 

 

2,625.2

 

 

 

2,476.6

 

Goodwill

 

 

210.2

 

 

 

210.2

 

 

 

210.2

 

Other Property and Investments

 

 

52.8

 

 

 

55.0

 

 

 

59.0

 

Total Other Property and Investments

 

 

263.0

 

 

 

265.2

 

 

 

269.2

 

Current Assets:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents

 

 

6.9

 

 

 

2.0

 

 

 

10.2

 

Accounts receivable:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Utility

 

 

231.8

 

 

 

103.9

 

 

 

222.4

 

Associated companies

 

 

2.4

 

 

 

2.7

 

 

 

1.3

 

Other

 

 

18.5

 

 

 

16.6

 

 

 

26.0

 

Allowance for doubtful accounts

 

 

(21.9

)

 

 

(16.0

)

 

 

(20.7

)

Delayed customer billings

 

 

43.8

 

 

 

6.9

 

 

 

45.6

 

Inventories:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Natural gas

 

 

53.1

 

 

 

127.9

 

 

 

60.0

 

Propane gas

 

 

10.7

 

 

 

12.0

 

 

 

12.0

 

Materials and supplies

 

 

14.4

 

 

 

13.2

 

 

 

13.1

 

Regulatory assets

 

 

30.0

 

 

 

30.7

 

 

 

51.7

 

Prepayments

 

 

11.1

 

 

 

19.1

 

 

 

10.7

 

Total Current Assets

 

 

400.8

 

 

 

319.0

 

 

 

432.3

 

Deferred Charges and Other Assets:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Regulatory assets

 

 

433.6

 

 

 

441.1

 

 

 

446.6

 

Other

 

 

53.0

 

 

 

50.8

 

 

 

9.0

 

Total Deferred Charges and Other Assets

 

 

486.6

 

 

 

491.9

 

 

 

455.6

 

Total Assets

 

$

3,873.8

 

 

$

3,701.3

 

 

$

3,633.7

 

 

11


 

SPIRE MISSOURI INC.

CONDENSED BALANCE SHEETS (Continued)

(UNAUDITED)

 

 

 

March 31,

 

 

September 30,

 

 

March 31,

 

 

 

2019

 

 

2018

 

 

2018

 

CAPITALIZATION AND LIABILITIES

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Capitalization:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Paid-in capital and common stock (par value $1.00 per share;

   50.0 million shares authorized; 24,577 shares issued and

   outstanding)

 

$

762.8

 

 

$

760.4

 

 

$

758.4

 

Retained earnings

 

 

612.8

 

 

 

501.1

 

 

 

517.3

 

Accumulated other comprehensive loss

 

 

(1.6

)

 

 

(1.6

)

 

 

(1.8

)

Total Shareholder's Equity

 

 

1,374.0

 

 

 

1,259.9

 

 

 

1,273.9

 

Long-term debt (less current portion)

 

 

924.7

 

 

 

824.4

 

 

 

874.0

 

Total Capitalization

 

 

2,298.7

 

 

 

2,084.3

 

 

 

2,147.9

 

Current Liabilities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Current portion of long-term debt

 

 

50.0

 

 

 

50.0

 

 

 

100.0

 

Notes payable – associated companies

 

 

232.9

 

 

 

345.3

 

 

 

175.8

 

Accounts payable

 

 

72.6

 

 

 

81.7

 

 

 

69.2

 

Accounts payable – associated companies

 

 

8.1

 

 

 

5.8

 

 

 

3.6

 

Advance customer billings

 

 

 

 

 

9.5

 

 

 

 

Wages and compensation accrued

 

 

24.5

 

 

 

31.3

 

 

 

23.4

 

Dividends payable

 

 

 

 

 

9.0

 

 

 

13.5

 

Customer deposits

 

 

13.0

 

 

 

13.1

 

 

 

13.2

 

Interest accrued

 

 

8.6

 

 

 

7.8

 

 

 

8.2

 

Taxes accrued

 

 

27.2

 

 

 

32.0

 

 

 

25.2

 

Regulatory liabilities

 

 

24.2

 

 

 

16.7

 

 

 

2.7

 

Other

 

 

22.4

 

 

 

20.1

 

 

 

19.4

 

Total Current Liabilities

 

 

483.5

 

 

 

622.3

 

 

 

454.2

 

Deferred Credits and Other Liabilities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Deferred income taxes

 

 

390.5

 

 

 

361.0

 

 

 

388.6

 

Pension and postretirement benefit costs

 

 

132.7

 

 

 

136.9

 

 

 

161.9

 

Asset retirement obligations

 

 

177.8

 

 

 

174.1

 

 

 

161.9

 

Regulatory liabilities

 

 

345.1

 

 

 

274.9

 

 

 

272.5

 

Other

 

 

45.5

 

 

 

47.8

 

 

 

46.7

 

Total Deferred Credits and Other Liabilities

 

 

1,091.6

 

 

 

994.7

 

 

 

1,031.6

 

Commitments and Contingencies (Note 11)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total Capitalization and Liabilities

 

$

3,873.8

 

 

$

3,701.3

 

 

$

3,633.7

 

 

See the accompanying Notes to Financial Statements.

12


 

SPIRE MISSOURI INC.

CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF SHAREHOLDER’S EQUITY

(UNAUDITED)

 

 

 

Common Stock

Outstanding

 

 

Paid-in

 

 

Retained

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(Dollars in millions)

 

Shares

 

 

Par

 

 

Capital

 

 

Earnings

 

 

AOCI*

 

 

Total

 

Balance at September 30, 2017

 

 

24,577

 

 

$

0.1

 

 

$

756.1

 

 

$

416.5

 

 

$

(1.7

)

 

$

1,171.0

 

Net income

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

89.4

 

 

 

 

 

 

89.4

 

Stock-based compensation costs

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1.1

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1.1

 

Dividends declared

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(13.5

)

 

 

 

 

 

(13.5

)

Balance at December 31, 2017

 

 

24,577

 

 

$

0.1

 

 

$

757.2

 

 

$

492.4

 

 

$

(1.7

)

 

$

1,248.0

 

Net income

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

38.4

 

 

 

 

 

 

38.4

 

Stock-based compensation costs

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1.1

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1.1

 

Dividends declared

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(13.5

)

 

 

 

 

 

(13.5

)

Other comprehensive loss, net of tax

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(0.1

)

 

 

(0.1

)

Balance at March 31, 2018

 

 

24,577

 

 

$

0.1

 

 

$

758.3

 

 

$

517.3

 

 

$

(1.8

)

 

$

1,273.9

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Balance at September 30, 2018

 

 

24,577

 

 

$

0.1

 

 

$

760.3

 

 

$

501.1

 

 

$

(1.6

)

 

$

1,259.9

 

Net income

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

51.2

 

 

 

 

 

 

51.2

 

Stock-based compensation costs

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1.2

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1.2

 

Dividends declared

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(9.8

)

 

 

 

 

 

(9.8

)

Balance at December 31, 2018

 

 

24,577

 

 

$

0.1

 

 

$

761.5

 

 

$

542.5

 

 

$

(1.6

)

 

$

1,302.5

 

Net income

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

80.0

 

 

 

 

 

 

80.0

 

Stock-based compensation costs

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1.2

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1.2

 

Dividends declared

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(9.7

)

 

 

 

 

 

(9.7

)

Balance at March 31, 2019

 

 

24,577

 

 

$

0.1

 

 

$

762.7

 

 

$

612.8

 

 

$

(1.6

)

 

$

1,374.0

 

 

* Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)

See the accompanying Notes to Financial Statements.

13


 

SPIRE MISSOURI INC.

CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(UNAUDITED)

 

 

 

Six Months Ended

March 31,

 

(In millions)

 

2019

 

 

2018

 

Operating Activities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net Income

 

$

131.2

 

 

$

127.8

 

Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Depreciation and amortization

 

 

55.0

 

 

 

50.0

 

Deferred income taxes and investment tax credits

 

 

19.1

 

 

 

(23.6

)

Changes in assets and liabilities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Accounts receivable

 

 

(123.5

)

 

 

(123.2

)

Inventories

 

 

74.9

 

 

 

76.4

 

Regulatory assets and liabilities

 

 

107.3

 

 

 

111.7

 

Accounts payable

 

 

11.1

 

 

 

(10.8

)

Delayed/advance customer billings, net

 

 

(46.4

)

 

 

(55.5

)

Taxes accrued

 

 

(4.8

)

 

 

(8.9

)

Other assets and liabilities

 

 

(14.4

)

 

 

(6.7

)

Other

 

 

2.6

 

 

 

40.9

 

Net cash provided by operating activities

 

 

212.1

 

 

 

178.1

 

Investing Activities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Capital expenditures

 

 

(167.1

)

 

 

(129.6

)

Other

 

 

0.8

 

 

 

(0.1

)

Net cash used in investing activities

 

 

(166.3

)

 

 

(129.7

)

Financing Activities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Issuance of long-term debt

 

 

100.0

 

 

 

 

Repayments to Spire, net

 

 

(112.4

)

 

 

(27.2

)

Dividends paid

 

 

(28.5

)

 

 

(13.5

)

Net cash used in financing activities

 

 

(40.9

)

 

 

(40.7

)

Net Increase in Cash and Cash Equivalents

 

 

4.9

 

 

 

7.7

 

Cash and Cash Equivalents at Beginning of Period

 

 

2.0

 

 

 

2.5

 

Cash and Cash Equivalents at End of Period

 

$

6.9

 

 

$

10.2

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Supplemental disclosure of cash paid for:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Interest, net of amounts capitalized

 

$

(23.8

)

 

$

(22.8

)

Income taxes

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

See the accompanying Notes to Financial Statements.

14


 

SPIRE ALABAMA INC.

CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF INCOME

(UNAUDITED)

 

 

 

Three Months Ended

March 31,

 

 

Six Months Ended

March 31,

 

(In millions)

 

2019

 

 

2018

 

 

2019

 

 

2018

 

Operating Revenues:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Utility

 

$

180.4

 

 

$

218.3

 

 

$

313.9

 

 

$

339.1

 

Total Operating Revenues

 

 

180.4

 

 

 

218.3

 

 

 

313.9

 

 

 

339.1

 

Operating Expenses:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Utility

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Natural gas

 

 

41.1

 

 

 

78.5

 

 

 

100.6

 

 

 

127.5

 

Operation and maintenance

 

 

33.4

 

 

 

35.2

 

 

 

67.8

 

 

 

68.0

 

Depreciation and amortization

 

 

13.7

 

 

 

13.1

 

 

 

27.3

 

 

 

25.9

 

Taxes, other than income taxes

 

 

12.6

 

 

 

14.4

 

 

 

21.5

 

 

 

22.6

 

Total Operating Expenses

 

 

100.8

 

 

 

141.2

 

 

 

217.2

 

 

 

244.0

 

Operating Income

 

 

79.6

 

 

 

77.1

 

 

 

96.7

 

 

 

95.1

 

Other Income, Net

 

 

1.5

 

 

 

1.6

 

 

 

3.3

 

 

 

3.0

 

Interest Charges:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Interest on long-term debt

 

 

4.4

 

 

 

3.5

 

 

 

8.0

 

 

 

6.4

 

Other interest charges

 

 

1.0

 

 

 

0.9

 

 

 

2.5

 

 

 

2.0

 

Total Interest Charges

 

 

5.4

 

 

 

4.4

 

 

 

10.5

 

 

 

8.4

 

Income Before Income Taxes

 

 

75.7

 

 

 

74.3

 

 

 

89.5

 

 

 

89.7

 

Income Tax Expense

 

 

19.0

 

 

 

18.7

 

 

 

22.5

 

 

 

83.7

 

Net Income

 

$

56.7

 

 

$

55.6

 

 

$

67.0

 

 

$

6.0

 

 

See the accompanying Notes to Financial Statements.

 

15


 

SPIRE ALABAMA INC.

CONDENSED BALANCE SHEETS

(UNAUDITED)

 

 

 

March 31,

 

 

September 30,

 

 

March 31,

 

(Dollars in millions, except per share amounts)

 

2019

 

 

2018

 

 

2018

 

ASSETS

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Utility Plant

 

$

2,032.5

 

 

$

1,964.3

 

 

$

1,885.4

 

Less: Accumulated depreciation and amortization

 

 

852.8

 

 

 

830.2

 

 

 

803.9

 

Net Utility Plant

 

 

1,179.7

 

 

 

1,134.1

 

 

 

1,081.5

 

Current Assets:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents

 

 

0.1

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Accounts receivable:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Utility

 

 

69.8

 

 

 

39.6

 

 

 

64.1

 

Associated companies

 

 

0.1

 

 

 

0.5

 

 

 

0.1

 

Other

 

 

8.4

 

 

 

8.5

 

 

 

6.4

 

Allowance for doubtful accounts

 

 

(3.8

)

 

 

(3.9

)

 

 

(2.7

)

Inventories:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Natural gas

 

 

30.1

 

 

 

33.9

 

 

 

26.2

 

Materials and supplies

 

 

7.8

 

 

 

7.8

 

 

 

7.8

 

Regulatory assets

 

 

30.4

 

 

 

26.2

 

 

 

32.1

 

Prepayments

 

 

3.9

 

 

 

6.0

 

 

 

3.6

 

Other

 

 

0.2

 

 

 

2.4

 

 

 

2.0

 

Total Current Assets

 

 

147.0

 

 

 

121.0

 

 

 

139.6

 

Deferred Charges and Other Assets:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Regulatory assets

 

 

198.9

 

 

 

201.5

 

 

 

198.9

 

Deferred income taxes

 

 

79.3

 

 

 

101.8

 

 

 

100.3

 

Other

 

 

58.9

 

 

 

57.8

 

 

 

57.9

 

Total Deferred Charges and Other Assets

 

 

337.1

 

 

 

361.1

 

 

 

357.1

 

Total Assets

 

$

1,663.8

 

 

$

1,616.2

 

 

$

1,578.2

 

 

16


 

SPIRE ALABAMA INC.

CONDENSED BALANCE SHEETS (Continued)

(UNAUDITED)

 

 

 

March 31,

 

 

September 30,

 

 

March 31,

 

 

 

2019

 

 

2018

 

 

2018

 

CAPITALIZATION AND LIABILITIES

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Capitalization:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Paid-in capital and common stock (par value $0.01 per share;

   3.0 million shares authorized; 2.0 million shares issued and

   outstanding)

 

$

370.9

 

 

$

390.9

 

 

$

390.9

 

Retained earnings

 

 

467.8

 

 

 

417.8

 

 

 

437.5

 

Total Shareholder's Equity

 

 

838.7

 

 

 

808.7

 

 

 

828.4

 

Long-term debt (less current portion)

 

 

372.1

 

 

 

322.6

 

 

 

322.5

 

Total Capitalization

 

 

1,210.8

 

 

 

1,131.3

 

 

 

1,150.9

 

Current Liabilities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Current portion of long-term debt

 

 

40.0

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Notes payable – associated companies

 

 

73.7

 

 

 

142.5

 

 

 

82.3

 

Accounts payable

 

 

54.6

 

 

 

48.4

 

 

 

42.9

 

Accounts payable – associated companies

 

 

3.1

 

 

 

2.1

 

 

 

1.5

 

Advance customer billings

 

 

5.3

 

 

 

13.1

 

 

 

7.9

 

Wages and compensation accrued

 

 

5.3

 

 

 

6.7

 

 

 

5.3

 

Customer deposits

 

 

20.5

 

 

 

18.6

 

 

 

19.0

 

Interest accrued

 

 

5.4

 

 

 

3.9

 

 

 

4.1

 

Taxes accrued

 

 

21.2

 

 

 

28.3

 

 

 

21.9

 

Regulatory liabilities

 

 

6.1

 

 

 

7.6

 

 

 

10.8

 

Other

 

 

4.6

 

 

 

3.2

 

 

 

2.4

 

Total Current Liabilities

 

 

239.8

 

 

 

274.4

 

 

 

198.1

 

Deferred Credits and Other Liabilities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Pension and postretirement benefit costs

 

 

37.4

 

 

 

35.0

 

 

 

55.3

 

Asset retirement obligations

 

 

138.6

 

 

 

135.7

 

 

 

131.1

 

Regulatory liabilities

 

 

30.5

 

 

 

31.3

 

 

 

35.0

 

Other

 

 

6.7

 

 

 

8.5

 

 

 

7.8

 

Total Deferred Credits and Other Liabilities

 

 

213.2

 

 

 

210.5

 

 

 

229.2

 

Commitments and Contingencies (Note 11)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total Capitalization and Liabilities

 

$

1,663.8

 

 

$

1,616.2

 

 

$

1,578.2

 

 

See the accompanying Notes to Financial Statements.

17


 

SPIRE ALABAMA INC.

CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF SHAREHOLDER’S EQUITY

(UNAUDITED)

 

 

 

Common Stock

Outstanding

 

 

Paid-in

 

 

Retained

 

 

 

 

 

(Dollars in millions)

 

Shares

 

 

Par

 

 

Capital

 

 

Earnings

 

 

Total

 

Balance at September 30, 2017

 

 

1,972,052

 

 

$

 

 

$

420.9

 

 

$

446.5

 

 

$

867.4

 

Net loss

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(49.6

)

 

 

(49.6

)

Dividends declared

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(7.5

)

 

 

(7.5

)

Balance at December 31, 2017

 

 

1,972,052

 

 

$

 

 

$

420.9

 

 

$

389.4

 

 

$

810.3

 

Net income

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

55.6

 

 

 

55.6

 

Return of capital to Spire

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(30.0

)

 

 

 

 

 

(30.0

)

Dividends declared

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(7.5

)

 

 

(7.5

)

Balance at March 31, 2018

 

 

1,972,052

 

 

$

 

 

$

390.9

 

 

$

437.5

 

 

$

828.4

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Balance at September 30, 2018

 

 

1,972,052

 

 

$

 

 

$

390.9

 

 

$

417.8

 

 

$

808.7

 

Net income

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

10.3

 

 

 

10.3

 

Dividends declared

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(8.5

)

 

 

(8.5

)

Balance at December 31, 2018

 

 

1,972,052

 

 

$

 

 

$

390.9

 

 

$

419.6

 

 

$

810.5

 

Net income

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

56.7

 

 

 

56.7

 

Return of capital to Spire

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(20.0

)

 

 

 

 

 

(20.0

)

Dividends declared

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(8.5

)

 

 

(8.5

)

Balance at March 31, 2019

 

 

1,972,052

 

 

$

 

 

$

370.9

 

 

$

467.8

 

 

$

838.7

 

 

See the accompanying Notes to Financial Statements.

18


 

SPIRE ALABAMA INC.

CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(UNAUDITED)

 

 

 

Six Months Ended

March 31,

 

(In millions)

 

2019

 

 

2018

 

Operating Activities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net Income

 

$

67.0

 

 

$

6.0

 

Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Depreciation and amortization

 

 

27.3

 

 

 

25.9

 

Deferred income taxes and investment tax credits

 

 

22.5

 

 

 

83.7

 

Changes in assets and liabilities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Accounts receivable

 

 

(33.5

)

 

 

(38.6

)

Inventories

 

 

3.7

 

 

 

6.4

 

Regulatory assets and liabilities

 

 

0.6

 

 

 

34.6

 

Accounts payable

 

 

4.0

 

 

 

0.3

 

Advance customer billings

 

 

(7.8

)

 

 

(10.6

)

Taxes accrued

 

 

(7.1

)

 

 

(1.5

)

Other assets and liabilities

 

 

8.9

 

 

 

4.3

 

Other

 

 

(2.4

)

 

 

(0.5

)

Net cash provided by operating activities

 

 

83.2

 

 

 

110.0

 

Investing Activities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Capital expenditures

 

 

(65.7

)

 

 

(51.8

)

Other

 

 

(1.1

)

 

 

(0.4

)

Net cash used in investing activities

 

 

(66.8

)

 

 

(52.2

)

Financing Activities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Issuance of long-term debt

 

 

90.0

 

 

 

75.0

 

Repayments to Spire, net

 

 

(68.8

)

 

 

(87.6

)

Return of capital to Spire

 

 

(20.0

)

 

 

(30.0

)

Dividends paid

 

 

(17.0

)

 

 

(15.0

)

Other

 

 

(0.5

)

 

 

(0.3

)

Net cash used in financing activities

 

 

(16.3

)

 

 

(57.9

)

Net Increase (Decrease) in Cash and Cash Equivalents

 

 

0.1

 

 

 

(0.1

)

Cash and Cash Equivalents at Beginning of Period

 

 

 

 

 

0.1

 

Cash and Cash Equivalents at End of Period

 

$

0.1

 

 

$

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Supplemental disclosure of cash paid for:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Interest, net of amounts capitalized

 

$

(8.7

)

 

$

(7.0

)

Income taxes

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

See the accompanying Notes to Financial Statements.

 

19


 

SPIRE INC., SPIRE MISSOURI INC. AND SPIRE ALABAMA INC.

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(UNAUDITED)

(Dollars in millions, except per share amounts)

1. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

BASIS OF PRESENTATION  These notes are an integral part of the accompanying unaudited financial statements of Spire Inc. (“Spire” or the “Company”) presented on a consolidated basis, Spire Missouri Inc. (“Spire Missouri” or the “Missouri Utilities”) and Spire Alabama Inc. (“Spire Alabama”). Spire Missouri and Spire Alabama are wholly owned subsidiaries of Spire. Spire Missouri, Spire Alabama and the subsidiaries of Spire EnergySouth Inc. (“Spire EnergySouth”) are collectively referred to as the “Utilities.” The subsidiaries of Spire EnergySouth are Spire Gulf Inc. and Spire Mississippi Inc.

The accompanying unaudited financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”) for interim financial information with the instructions to Form 10-Q and Rule 10-01 of Regulation S‑X. Accordingly, they do not include all the disclosures required for complete financial statements. In the opinion of management, the accompanying unaudited financial statements include all adjustments (consisting of only normal recurring adjustments) necessary for the fair presentation of the results of operations for the periods presented. This Form 10-Q should be read in conjunction with the Notes to Financial Statements contained in Spire’s, Spire Missouri’s and Spire Alabama’s combined Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2018.

The consolidated financial position, results of operations, and cash flows of Spire include the accounts of the Company and all its subsidiaries. Transactions and balances between consolidated entities have been eliminated from the consolidated financial statements of Spire. In compliance with GAAP, transactions between Spire Missouri and Spire Alabama and their affiliates, as well as intercompany balances on their balance sheets, have not been eliminated from their separate financial statements.

NATURE OF OPERATIONS – Spire has two reportable segments: Gas Utility and Gas Marketing. The Gas Utility segment consists of the regulated natural gas distribution operations of the Company and is the core business segment of Spire in terms of revenue and earnings. The Gas Utility segment is comprised of the operations of: the Missouri Utilities, serving St. Louis and eastern Missouri (“Spire Missouri East”) and Kansas City and western Missouri (“Spire Missouri West”); Spire Alabama, serving central and northern Alabama; and the subsidiaries of Spire EnergySouth, serving southern Alabama and south-central Mississippi. The Gas Marketing segment includes Spire’s primary gas-related business, Spire Marketing Inc. (“Spire Marketing”), which provides non-regulated natural gas services. The activities of other subsidiaries are reported as Other and are described in Note 10, Information by Operating Segment. Spire Missouri and Spire Alabama each have a single reportable segment.

Nearly all the Company’s earnings are derived from its Gas Utility segment. Due to the seasonal nature of the Utilities’ business and the Spire Missouri rate design, earnings are typically concentrated during the heating season of November through April each fiscal year. As a result, the interim statements of income for Spire, Spire Missouri and Spire Alabama are not necessarily indicative of annual results or representative of succeeding quarters of the fiscal year.

20


 

DERIVATIVESIn the course of their business, certain subsidiaries of Spire enter into commitments associated with the purchase or sale of natural gas. Certain of their derivative natural gas contracts are designated as normal purchases or normal sales and, as such, are excluded from the scope of Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) Accounting Standards Codification (ASC) Topic 815, Derivatives and Hedging. Those contracts are accounted for as executory contracts and recorded on an accrual basis. Revenues and expenses from such contracts are recorded using a gross presentation. Contracts not designated as normal purchases or normal sales are recorded as derivatives with changes in fair value recognized in earnings in the periods prior to physical delivery. Certain of Spire Marketing’s wholesale purchase and sale transactions are classified as trading activities for financial reporting purposes. Under GAAP, revenues and expenses associated with trading activities are presented on a net basis in Gas Marketing operating revenues (or expenses, if negative) in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income. This net presentation has no effect on operating income or net income.

REGULATED OPERATIONS The Utilities account for their regulated operations in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 980, Regulated Operations. This topic sets forth the application of GAAP for those companies whose rates are established by or are subject to approval by an independent third-party regulator. The provisions of this accounting guidance require, among other things, that financial statements of a regulated enterprise reflect the actions of regulators, where appropriate. These actions may result in the recognition of revenues and expenses in time periods that are different than non-regulated enterprises. When this occurs, costs are deferred as assets in the balance sheet (regulatory assets) and recorded as expenses when those amounts are reflected in rates. In addition, regulators can impose liabilities upon a regulated company for amounts previously collected from customers and for recovery of costs that are expected to be incurred in the future (regulatory liabilities). Management believes that the current regulatory environment supports the continued use of these regulatory accounting principles and that all regulatory assets and regulatory liabilities are recoverable or refundable through the regulatory process.

As authorized by the Missouri Public Service Commission (“MoPSC”), the Mississippi Public Service Commission (“MSPSC”) and the Alabama Public Service Commission (“APSC”), the Purchased Gas Adjustment (“PGA”) clauses and Gas Supply Adjustment (“GSA”) riders allow the Utilities to pass through to customers the cost of purchased gas supplies. Regulatory assets and liabilities related to the PGA clauses and the GSA riders are both labeled Unamortized Purchased Gas Adjustments herein. See additional information about regulatory assets and liabilities in Note 4, Regulatory Matters.

TRANSACTIONS WITH AFFILIATES Transactions between affiliates of the Company have been eliminated from the consolidated statements of Spire. Spire Missouri and Spire Alabama borrowed funds from the Company and incurred related interest, as reflected in their separate financial statements, and they participated in normal intercompany shared services transactions. In addition, Spire Missouri’s other transactions with affiliates included:

 

 

 

 

Three Months Ended

March 31,

 

 

Six Months Ended

March 31,

 

 

 

2019

 

 

2018

 

 

2019

 

 

2018

 

Purchases of natural gas from Spire Marketing

 

$

29.2

 

 

$

19.3

 

 

$

69.0

 

 

$

41.6

 

Sales of natural gas to Spire Marketing

 

 

 

 

 

0.2

 

 

 

1.4

 

 

 

0.3

 

Transportation services received from Spire NGL Inc.

 

 

0.2

 

 

 

0.2

 

 

 

0.5

 

 

 

0.5

 

 

 

ACCRUED CAPITAL EXPENDITURES – Accrued capital expenditures, shown in the following table, are excluded from capital expenditures in the statements of cash flows until paid.

 

 

 

March 31,

 

 

September 30,

 

 

March 31,

 

 

 

2019

 

 

2018

 

 

2018

 

Spire

 

$

63.6

 

 

$

62.1

 

 

$

29.1

 

Spire Missouri

 

 

19.0

 

 

 

36.7

 

 

 

17.9

 

Spire Alabama

 

 

12.1

 

 

 

8.9

 

 

 

7.0

 

 

NEW ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS – Spire, Spire Missouri and Spire Alabama adopted the guidance in Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) No. 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers, and related

21


 

amendments (collectively, “ASC 606”), in the first quarter of fiscal year 2019 using the modified retrospective method applied to all contracts at October 1, 2018. The core principle of ASC 606 is that revenue should be recognized to depict the transfer of control of promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. Under the new standard, an entity must identify the performance obligations in a contract, determine the transaction price and allocate the price to specific performance obligations to recognize revenue when the obligation is completed. In addition, ASC 606 requires disclosure of the nature, amount, timing and uncertainty of revenue and cash flows arising from contracts with customers. The adoption of ASC 606 did not result in significant changes to how Spire, Spire Missouri and Spire Alabama recognize revenue, and therefore, no cumulative effect adjustment to the opening balance of retained earnings was required, and there was no significant impact to financial results after adoption. The adoption did result in changes to the disclosures about revenue, which are included in Note 2, Revenue. Some revenue arrangements, such as alternative revenue programs and certain derivative contracts, are excluded from the scope of ASC 606 and, therefore, are presented separately in disclosures.

Also effective October 1, 2018, Spire, Spire Missouri and Spire Alabama adopted ASU No. 2017-07, Compensation – Retirement Benefits: Improving the Presentation of Net Periodic Pension Cost and Net Periodic Postretirement Benefit Cost, with no material impact on interim or annual financial statements. The amended guidance requires that the service cost component of net periodic pension and postretirement benefit costs be presented within the same line item in the income statement as other compensation costs (except for the amount being capitalized), while other components are to be presented outside the subtotal of operating income and are no longer eligible for capitalization (e.g., as part of utility plant). The amended guidance is applied retrospectively for income statement presentation and prospectively for capitalization. The Company, Spire Missouri and Spire Alabama elected the practical expedient permitting the use of the amounts disclosed in its pension and other postretirement benefit plan note for the prior comparative periods as the estimation basis for applying the retrospective presentation requirements. Accordingly, for the three months ended March 31, 2018, the Company, Spire Missouri and Spire Alabama reclassified net benefit (income) costs of $8.3, $9.5 and $(1.1), respectively, from “operation and maintenance” to “other income, net” or “other income (expense), net.” The corresponding amounts for the six months ended March 31, 2018 were $7.2, $9.7 and $(2.1), respectively. The corresponding annual amounts to be reclassified for the years ended September 30, 2018, 2017 and 2016 are $14.4, $19.2 and $9.6 for the Company, respectively, $17.2, $17.2 and $11.2 for Spire Missouri, respectively, and $(2.0), $2.2 and $(1.6) for Spire Alabama, respectively. For Spire Missouri, Spire Alabama, and the Company’s other rate-regulated entities, all components of net benefit cost have historically been recovered from customers as a component of utility plant and will continue to be recovered in the same manner over the depreciable lives of the related plant assets; therefore, for those entities, the components that are no longer eligible to be capitalized as a component of plant under GAAP will be reported as regulatory assets.

Effective January 1, 2019, the Company, Spire Missouri and Spire Alabama adopted ASU No. 2018-15, Intangibles – Goodwill and Other – Internal-Use Software: Customer’s Accounting for Implementation Costs Incurred in a Cloud Computing Arrangement That Is a Service Contract. Previous GAAP did not specifically address the accounting for implementation costs of a hosting arrangement that is a service contract. The amendments in this update clarify that accounting and align the accounting for implementation costs for hosting arrangements, regardless of whether they convey a license to the hosted software. As a result, certain categories of implementation costs that previously would have been charged to expense as incurred are now capitalized and amortized over the term of the arrangement. The new guidance is being applied prospectively to implementation costs incurred after adoption. Related amounts capitalized were not material.

22


 

In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-02, Leases. The new standard requires lessees to recognize a right-of-use asset and lease liability for almost all lease contracts based on the present value of lease payments. There is an exemption for short-term leases. The ASU provides new guidelines for identifying and classifying a lease, and classification affects the pattern and income statement line item for the related expense. ASU Nos. 2018-01, 2018-10, 2018-11, 2018-20 and 2019-01 subsequently amended several aspects of the new lease guidance, including providing an additional practical expedient, an additional transition method, and clarification of the related transition and accounting for land easements. The updates (collectively, “ASC 842”), may be applied using a modified retrospective transition method for leases existing at, or entered into after, the beginning of (1) the earliest comparative period presented in the financial statements or (2) the period of adoption. ASC 842 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018, including interim periods within those fiscal years. The Company, Spire Missouri and Spire Alabama are currently assessing the impacts of adopting ASC 842 in the first quarter of fiscal 2020. They expect to elect all available practical expedients and apply the second transition method.

In June 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-13, Financial Instruments – Credit Losses: Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments, which was subsequently amended by ASU No. 2018-19 in November 2018. The standard introduces new guidance for the accounting for credit losses on instruments within its scope, including trade receivables. It is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019, including interim periods within those fiscal years, and may be adopted a year earlier. The new guidance will be initially applied through a cumulative-effect adjustment to retained earnings as of the beginning of the period of adoption. The Company, Spire Missouri and Spire Alabama are currently assessing the timing and impacts of adopting this standard, which must be adopted by the first quarter of fiscal 2021.

In August 2017, the FASB issued ASU No. 2017-12, Derivatives and Hedging: Targeted Improvements to Accounting for Hedging Activities. The amendments in this ASU more closely align the results of hedge accounting with risk management activities through changes to both the designation and measurement guidance for qualifying hedging relationships and the presentation of hedge results in the financial statements. They are effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018, and interim periods within those fiscal years, and early application is permitted. The Company, Spire Missouri and Spire Alabama are currently assessing the effects of this new guidance, as well as the timing of adoption.

2. REVENUE

The following tables show revenue disaggregated by source and customer type.

 

 

Three Months Ended March 31, 2019

 

 

Six Months Ended March 31, 2019

 

Spire

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Gas Utility:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Residential

 

$

551.3

 

 

$

944.9

 

Commercial & industrial

 

 

185.9

 

 

 

316.2

 

Transportation

 

 

31.3

 

 

 

60.8

 

Off-system & other incentive

 

 

11.5

 

 

 

26.4

 

Other customer revenue

 

 

10.9

 

 

 

23.6

 

Total revenue from contracts with customers

 

 

790.9

 

 

 

1,371.9

 

Changes in accrued revenue under alternative revenue programs

 

 

(14.1

)

 

 

(19.9

)

Total Gas Utility operating revenues

 

 

776.8

 

 

 

1,352.0

 

Gas Marketing:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Revenue from contracts with retail customers

 

 

25.5

 

 

 

51.3

 

Revenue from wholesale derivative contracts

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total Gas Marketing operating revenues

 

 

25.5

 

 

 

51.3

 

Other

 

 

4.3

 

 

 

9.7

 

Total before eliminations

 

 

806.6

 

 

 

1,413.0

 

Intersegment eliminations (see Note 10, Information by Operating Segment)

 

 

(3.1

)

 

 

(7.5

)

Total Operating Revenues

 

$

803.5

 

 

$

1,405.5

 

23


 

 

 

 

Three Months Ended March 31, 2019

 

 

Six Months Ended March 31, 2019

 

Spire Missouri

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Residential

 

$

410.9

 

 

$

713.0

 

Commercial & industrial

 

 

129.2

 

 

 

218.3

 

Transportation

 

 

9.9

 

 

 

18.9

 

Off-system & other incentive

 

 

11.5

 

 

 

26.4

 

Other customer revenue

 

 

4.2

 

 

 

6.8

 

Total revenue from contracts with customers

 

 

565.7

 

 

 

983.4

 

Changes in accrued revenue under alternative revenue programs

 

 

(9.1

)

 

 

(13.6

)

Total Operating Revenues

 

$

556.6

 

 

$

969.8

 

 

Spire Alabama

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Residential

 

$

116.9

 

 

$

192.3

 

Commercial & industrial

 

 

44.1

 

 

 

75.5

 

Transportation

 

 

18.8

 

 

 

37.0

 

Other customer revenue

 

 

5.3

 

 

 

14.9

 

Total revenue from contracts with customers

 

 

185.1

 

 

 

319.7

 

Changes in accrued revenue under alternative revenue programs

 

 

(4.7

)

 

 

(5.8

)

Total Operating Revenues

 

$

180.4

 

 

$

313.9

 

The Utilities sell natural gas to residential and other customers. The sale of natural gas is governed by the various state utility commissions, which set rates, charges, and terms and conditions of service, collectively included in a “tariff.” The performance obligation, which relates to the promise to provide natural gas, is satisfied over time as the customer simultaneously receives and consumes the natural gas, and revenue is recognized accordingly.

The Utilities’ transportation revenue relates to the promise to transport the specified quantities of natural gas at tariff rates. This performance obligation is satisfied over time as the gas is transported, and revenue is recognized as invoiced monthly.

The Utilities have alternative revenue programs (“ARPs”), which represent an agreement between the utility and its regulator, currently consisting of decoupling mechanisms (also known as weather normalization adjustments) and incentive programs (primarily Alabama’s Cost Control Measure). When the criteria to recognize additional (or reduced) revenue from ARPs have been met, the Utilities establish a regulatory asset (or liability). When amounts previously recognized for ARPs are billed, the Utilities reduce the regulatory asset (or liability) and increase (or decrease) accounts receivable. Billed amounts, which are part of the overall tariff paid by customers, are included in revenue from contracts with customers, while the change in the related regulatory asset or liability is presented as revenue from ARPs. Depending on whether the beginning accrued ARP balance was a regulatory asset or liability and depending on the size and direction of the current period accrual, the amount presented as revenue from ARPs could be negative.

The Utilities read meters and bill customers on monthly cycles. The Missouri Utilities, Spire Gulf and Spire Mississippi record their gas utility revenues from gas sales and transportation services on an accrual basis that includes estimated amounts for gas delivered but not yet billed. The accruals for unbilled revenues are reversed in the subsequent accounting period when meters are actually read and customers are billed. Spire Alabama records natural gas distribution revenues in accordance with the tariff established by the APSC. Unbilled revenue is accrued in an amount equal to the related gas cost, as profit margin is not considered earned until billed. Spire’s other subsidiaries, including Spire Marketing, record revenues when earned, as the product is delivered or as services are performed.

Gas Marketing’s contracts are derivatives. The wholesale contracts (with producers, municipalities, and utility companies) are subject to derivative accounting. The retail contracts (with large commercial and industrial customers) are designated as “normal purchase, normal sale” arrangements and are therefore accounted for as revenue from contracts with customers. The performance obligation is satisfied over time by the transfer of control of natural gas to the customer, and revenue is recognized as invoiced monthly.

24


 

Payments are generally required within 30 days of billing, and contracts generally do not have a significant financing component. Spire’s revenues are not subject to significant returns, refunds, or warranty obligations.

Spire, Spire Missouri, and Spire Alabama have elected to apply a “right to invoice” practical expedient, recognizing revenue for volumes delivered for which they have a right to invoice, as long as that amount corresponds with the value to the customer. Disclosures about remaining performance obligations are not required because either contracts have an original expected duration of one year or less, or revenue is recognized under the right to invoice practical expedient, or both.

Sales taxes imposed on applicable Spire Alabama and Spire Missouri sales are billed to customers. These amounts are not recorded in the statements of income but are recorded as tax collections payable and included in the “Other” line of the Current Liabilities section of the balance sheets.

Gross receipts taxes associated with the Company’s natural gas utility services are imposed on the Company, Spire Missouri, and Spire Alabama and billed to its customers. The revenue and expense amounts are recorded gross in the “Operating Revenues” and “Taxes, other than income taxes” lines, respectively, in the statements of income. The following table presents gross receipts taxes recorded as revenues:

 

 

Three Months Ended

March 31,

 

 

Six Months Ended

March 31,

 

 

 

2019

 

 

2018

 

 

2019

 

 

2018

 

Spire

 

$

43.5

 

 

$

43.6

 

 

$

69.4

 

 

$

66.7

 

Spire Missouri

 

 

32.1

 

 

 

30.6

 

 

 

50.6

 

 

 

46.8

 

Spire Alabama

 

 

9.6

 

 

 

11.6

 

 

 

15.9

 

 

 

17.2

 

 

3. EARNINGS PER SHARE

 

 

Three Months Ended

March 31,

 

 

Six Months Ended

March 31,

 

 

 

2019

 

 

2018

 

 

2019

 

 

2018

 

Basic Earnings Per Share:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net Income

 

$

154.6

 

 

$

98.2

 

 

$

221.9

 

 

$

214.2

 

Less: Income allocated to participating securities

 

 

0.3

 

 

 

0.2

 

 

 

0.5

 

 

 

0.5

 

Income Available to Common Shareholders

 

$

154.3

 

 

$

98.0

 

 

$

221.4

 

 

$

213.7

 

Weighted Average Shares Outstanding (in millions)

 

 

50.6

 

 

 

48.2

 

 

 

50.6

 

 

 

48.2

 

Basic Earnings Per Share

 

$

3.05

 

 

$

2.03

 

 

$

4.37

 

 

$

4.43

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Diluted Earnings Per Share:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net Income

 

$

154.6

 

 

$

98.2

 

 

$

221.9

 

 

$

214.2

 

Less: Income allocated to participating securities

 

 

0.3

 

 

 

0.2

 

 

 

0.5

 

 

 

0.5

 

Income Available to Common Shareholders

 

$

154.3

 

 

$

98.0

 

 

$

221.4

 

 

$

213.7

 

Weighted Average Shares Outstanding (in millions)

 

 

50.6

 

 

 

48.2

 

 

 

50.6

 

 

 

48.2

 

Dilutive Effect of Restricted Stock and Restricted Stock Units (in millions)*

 

 

0.2

 

 

 

0.2

 

 

 

0.2

 

 

 

0.2

 

Weighted Average Diluted Shares (in millions)

 

 

50.8

 

 

 

48.4

 

 

 

50.8

 

 

 

48.4

 

Diluted Earnings Per Share

 

$

3.04

 

 

$

2.03

 

 

$

4.36

 

 

$

4.42

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

* Calculation excludes certain outstanding shares (shown in millions by period

   at the right) attributable to stock units subject to performance or market

   conditions and restricted stock, which could have a dilutive effect in the future

 

 

0.3

 

 

 

0.4

 

 

 

0.3

 

 

 

0.4

 

 

25


 

4. REGULATORY MATTERS

As explained in Note 1, Summary of Significant Accounting Policies, the Utilities account for regulated operations in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 980, Regulated Operations. The following regulatory assets and regulatory liabilities were reflected in the balance sheets of the Company, Spire Missouri and Spire Alabama as of March 31, 2019, September 30, 2018, and March 31, 2018.

 

 

 

March 31,

 

 

September 30,

 

 

March 31,

 

Spire

 

2019

 

 

2018

 

 

2018

 

Regulatory Assets:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Current:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Pension and postretirement benefit costs

 

$

30.2

 

 

$

30.2

 

 

$

43.0

 

Unamortized purchased gas adjustments

 

 

19.3

 

 

 

8.2

 

 

 

32.6

 

Other

 

 

25.8

 

 

 

34.4

 

 

 

22.1

 

Total Current Regulatory Assets

 

 

75.3

 

 

 

72.8

 

 

 

97.7

 

Noncurrent:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Pension and postretirement benefit costs

 

 

345.8

 

 

 

364.9

 

 

 

358.2

 

Cost of removal

 

 

134.6

 

 

 

133.4

 

 

 

125.0

 

Future income taxes due from customers

 

 

102.2

 

 

 

96.3

 

 

 

113.0

 

Energy efficiency

 

 

32.0

 

 

 

32.8

 

 

 

31.3

 

Other

 

 

45.3

 

 

 

42.4

 

 

 

46.1

 

Total Noncurrent Regulatory Assets

 

 

659.9

 

 

 

669.8

 

 

 

673.6

 

Total Regulatory Assets

 

$

735.2

 

 

$

742.6

 

 

$

771.3

 

Regulatory Liabilities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Current:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Pension and postretirement benefit costs

 

$

5.8

 

 

$

2.2

 

 

$

2.2

 

Unamortized purchased gas adjustments

 

 

3.4

 

 

 

2.9

 

 

 

1.5

 

Other

 

 

26.1

 

 

 

30.6

 

 

 

18.5

 

Total Current Regulatory Liabilities

 

 

35.3

 

 

 

35.7

 

 

 

22.2

 

Noncurrent:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Deferred taxes due to customers

 

 

155.7

 

 

 

178.3

 

 

 

170.7

 

Pension and postretirement benefit costs

 

 

115.3

 

 

 

27.8

 

 

 

30.8

 

Accrued cost of removal

 

 

53.7

 

 

 

63.6

 

 

 

71.0

 

Unamortized purchased gas adjustments

 

 

75.7

 

 

 

4.7

 

 

 

50.3

 

Other

 

 

30.9

 

 

 

80.2

 

 

 

30.3

 

Total Noncurrent Regulatory Liabilities

 

 

431.3

 

 

 

354.6

 

 

 

353.1

 

Total Regulatory Liabilities

 

$

466.6

 

 

$

390.3

 

 

$

375.3

 

26


 

 

 

 

March 31,

 

 

September 30,

 

 

March 31,

 

Spire Missouri

 

2019

 

 

2018

 

 

2018

 

Regulatory Assets:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Current:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Pension and postretirement benefit costs

 

$

21.9

 

 

$

21.9

 

 

$

34.9

 

Unamortized purchased gas adjustments

 

 

0.6

 

 

 

1.0

 

 

 

13.5

 

Other

 

 

7.5

 

 

 

7.8

 

 

 

3.3

 

Total Current Regulatory Assets

 

 

30.0

 

 

 

30.7

 

 

 

51.7

 

Noncurrent:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Future income taxes due from customers

 

 

99.0

 

 

 

94.4

 

 

 

111.4

 

Pension and postretirement benefit costs

 

 

277.9

 

 

 

292.5

 

 

 

279.0

 

Energy efficiency

 

 

32.0

 

 

 

32.8

 

 

 

31.3

 

Other

 

 

24.7

 

 

 

21.4

 

 

 

24.9

 

Total Noncurrent Regulatory Assets

 

 

433.6

 

 

 

441.1

 

 

 

446.6

 

Total Regulatory Assets

 

$

463.6

 

 

$

471.8

 

 

$

498.3

 

Regulatory Liabilities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Current:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Pension and postretirement benefit costs

 

$

3.6

 

 

$

 

 

$

 

Unamortized purchased gas adjustments

 

 

2.7

 

 

 

1.9

 

 

 

 

Other

 

 

17.9

 

 

 

14.8

 

 

 

2.7

 

Total Current Regulatory Liabilities

 

 

24.2

 

 

 

16.7

 

 

 

2.7

 

Noncurrent:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Deferred taxes due to customers

 

 

138.3

 

 

 

161.1

 

 

 

152.6

 

Pension and postretirement benefit costs

 

 

79.4

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Accrued cost of removal

 

 

26.8

 

 

 

39.8

 

 

 

48.7

 

Unamortized purchased gas adjustments

 

 

75.7

 

 

 

4.7

 

 

 

50.3

 

Other

 

 

24.9

 

 

 

69.3

 

 

 

20.9

 

Total Noncurrent Regulatory Liabilities

 

 

345.1

 

 

 

274.9

 

 

 

272.5

 

Total Regulatory Liabilities

 

$

369.3

 

 

$

291.6

 

 

$

275.2

 

 

 

 

March 31,

 

 

September 30,

 

 

March 31,

 

Spire Alabama

 

2019

 

 

2018

 

 

2018

 

Regulatory Assets:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Current:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Pension and postretirement benefit costs

 

$

7.3

 

 

$

7.3

 

 

$

7.1

 

Unamortized purchased gas adjustments

 

 

18.0

 

 

 

6.4

 

 

 

19.0

 

Other

 

 

5.1

 

 

 

12.5

 

 

 

6.0

 

Total Current Regulatory Assets

 

 

30.4

 

 

 

26.2

 

 

 

32.1

 

Noncurrent:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Pension and postretirement benefit costs

 

 

61.1

 

 

 

64.8

 

 

 

71.2

 

Cost of removal

 

 

134.6

 

 

 

133.4

 

 

 

125.0

 

Other

 

 

3.2

 

 

 

3.3

 

 

 

2.7

 

Total Noncurrent Regulatory Assets

 

 

198.9

 

 

 

201.5

 

 

 

198.9

 

Total Regulatory Assets

 

$

229.3

 

 

$

227.7

 

 

$

231.0

 

Regulatory Liabilities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Current:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Pension and postretirement benefit costs

 

$

2.2

 

 

$

2.2

 

 

$

2.2

 

Other

 

 

3.9

 

 

 

5.4

 

 

 

8.6

 

Total Current Regulatory Liabilities

 

 

6.1

 

 

 

7.6

 

 

 

10.8

 

Noncurrent:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Pension and postretirement benefit costs

 

 

26.5

 

 

 

27.8

 

 

 

30.8

 

Other

 

 

4.0

 

 

 

3.5

 

 

 

4.2

 

Total Noncurrent Regulatory Liabilities

 

 

30.5

 

 

 

31.3

 

 

 

35.0

 

Total Regulatory Liabilities

 

$

36.6

 

 

$

38.9

 

 

$

45.8

 

 

27


 

A portion of the Company’s and Spire Missouri’s regulatory assets are not earning a return, as shown in the table below:

 

 

March 31,

 

 

September 30,

 

 

March 31,

 

 

 

2019

 

 

2018

 

 

2018

 

Spire

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Pension and postretirement benefit costs

 

$

144.7

 

 

$

148.4

 

 

$

185.8

 

Future income taxes due from customers

 

 

102.2

 

 

 

96.3

 

 

 

113.0

 

Other

 

 

14.8

 

 

 

15.1

 

 

 

11.0

 

Total Regulatory Assets Not Earning a Return

 

$

261.7

 

 

$

259.8

 

 

$

309.8

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Spire Missouri

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Pension and postretirement benefit costs

 

$

144.7

 

 

$

148.4

 

 

$

185.8

 

Future income taxes due from customers

 

 

99.0

 

 

 

94.4

 

 

 

111.4

 

Other

 

 

14.8

 

 

 

15.1

 

 

 

11.0

 

Total Regulatory Assets Not Earning a Return

 

$

258.5

 

 

$

257.9

 

 

$

308.2

 

 

Like all the Company’s regulatory assets, these regulatory assets are expected to be recovered from customers in future rates. The recovery period for the future income taxes due from customers and pension and other postretirement benefit costs could be 20 years or longer, based on current Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”) guidelines and average remaining service life of active participants, respectively. The other items not earning a return are expected to be recovered over a period not to exceed 15 years, consistent with precedent set by the MoPSC. Spire Alabama does not have any regulatory assets that are not earning a return.

On March 7, 2018, the MoPSC issued its order in two general rate cases, approving new tariffs that became effective on April 19, 2018. On April 25, 2018, Spire Missouri filed an appeal of the MoPSC’s order related to the disallowance of certain pension costs incurred prior to 1997 ($28.8), real estate sold in 2014 ($1.8), and rate case expenses ($0.9) to Missouri’s Southern District Court of Appeals. On March 15, 2019, the appeal was denied by the Southern District, and Spire Missouri has requested review by the Missouri Supreme Court.

In September 2016 and February 2017, Spire Missouri filed Infrastructure System Replacement Surcharge (“ISRS”) cases for both Spire Missouri East and Spire Missouri West (the “2016/2017 ISRS Cases”). The Missouri Office of the Public Counsel (“OPC”) appealed the MoPSC’s decisions approving these cases to Missouri’s Western District Court of Appeals, arguing that they contained ISRS-ineligible costs. In November 2017, the appellate court reversed the MoPSC’s decision in the 2016/2017 ISRS Cases and remanded the case back to the MoPSC. In June 2018, Spire Missouri filed to establish new ISRS rates in both its East and West divisions (the “2018 ISRS Cases”). In September 2018, the MoPSC issued a report and order finding that Spire Missouri’s ISRS petitions in the 2016/2017 ISRS Cases contained ISRS costs related to the replacement of plastic pipe components that should be removed from the requested revenue requirement; however, the MoPSC ordered that no adjustment to Spire Missouri’s revenues was necessary as the ISRS revenues approved in these cases had been rebased as part of its last general rate cases. Also in September 2018, the MoPSC issued a report and order in the 2018 ISRS Cases stating additional evidence was required to support all investments included in the Spire Missouri’s applications in order to support the recovery of costs related to the replacement of plastic pipe components and approved rates in the 2018 ISRS Cases providing annual revenues of $2.6 for Spire Missouri East and $5.4 for Spire Missouri West. Spire is appealing the removal of costs related to plastic in all cases in the Western District Court. On January 14, 2019, Spire Missouri refiled requests with additional information for approximately $3.2 of the ISRS revenues that were removed by the MoPSC in the 2018 ISRS Cases and filed new ISRS applications for both its East and West service territories. After updating the pro-forma months of December 2018 and January 2019, Spire Missouri is requesting approval of ISRS revenues of $7.4 for Spire Missouri East and $7.4 for Spire Missouri West related to investments made from July 1, 2018, through January 31, 2019. Evidentiary hearings were held in the 2019 cases in April 2019, and Spire Missouri expects an order from the MoPSC prior to the effective date. Per Missouri statute, new rates must become effective within 120 days of the application, or by May 14, 2019.

28


 

As part of the annual update for Rate Stabilization and Equalization (“RSE”), on November 30, 2018, Spire Alabama filed an increase for rate year 2019 of $8.7, which became effective December 1, 2018. There was no RSE reduction for the January 31, 2019 quarterly point of test. At March 31, 2019, an estimated RSE reduction for the April 30, 2019 quarterly point of test of $3.3 was recorded to bring the expected rate of return on average common equity at the end of the year to within the allowed rate of return.

On January 25, 2019, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (“FERC”) approved the Company’s application to combine its two adjacent natural gas storage facilities in Wyoming into one FERC certificate with a market-based tariff. On February 13, 2019, Spire Storage filed a prior notice request pursuant to the FERC’s regulations and Spire Storage’s blanket certificate authority proposing to construct and operate 10.1 miles of dual 20-inch-diameter pipeline, one new pipeline interconnection with measurement equipment, and related facilities in Uinta County, Wyoming. If authorized by the FERC, the pipeline, interconnection and measurement facilities, will allow Spire Storage to enhance the link between its two storage facilities, provide new, bi-directional access to Kern River Gas Transmission Company’s mainline and afford enhanced access with other interstate pipelines. On April 26, 2019, FERC staff filed a protest stating that Spire Storage did not provide documentation of the project’s compliance with the National Historic Preservation Act. Under the FERC’s regulations, a protested prior notice filing will be treated like a traditional application under Section 7 of the Natural Gas Act unless the protest is withdrawn within 30 days from the date upon which protests are due.

Under the terms of the January 2017 Precedent Agreement between Spire STL Pipeline and Spire Missouri, if Spire STL Pipeline files with FERC to increase its initial recourse rate at any time before the pipeline’s in-service date, and if FERC approves such request in whole or in part, then Spire Missouri’s negotiated rate will automatically increase by the same percentage increase to the initial recourse rate, up to a maximum increase of two cents per dekatherm per day.

5. FINANCING ARRANGEMENTS AND LONG-TERM DEBT

Spire, Spire Missouri and Spire Alabama have a syndicated revolving credit facility pursuant to a loan agreement with 11 banks, expiring October 31, 2023. The loan agreement has an aggregate credit commitment of $975.0, including sublimits of $300.0 for Spire, $475.0 for Spire Missouri, and $200.0 for Spire Alabama. These sublimits may be reallocated from time to time among the three borrowers within the $975.0 aggregate commitment, with commitments fees applied for each borrower relative to its credit rating. Spire may use its line to provide for the funding needs of various subsidiaries. The agreement also contains financial covenants limiting each borrower’s consolidated total debt, including short-term debt, to no more than 70% of its total capitalization. As defined in the line of credit, on March 31, 2019, total debt was 54% of total capitalization for the consolidated Company, 47% for Spire Missouri, and 37% for Spire Alabama. There were no borrowings against this credit facility as of March 31, 2019, September 30, 2018, or March 31, 2018.

Spire has a commercial paper program (“CP Program”) pursuant to which Spire may issue short-term, unsecured commercial paper notes. Amounts available under the CP Program may be borrowed, repaid and re-borrowed from time to time, with the aggregate face or principal amount of the notes outstanding under the CP Program at any time not to exceed $975.0. The notes may have maturities of up to 365 days from date of issue.

Information about Spire’s consolidated short-term borrowings and about Spire Missouri’s and Spire Alabama’s borrowings from Spire is presented in the following table. As of March 31, 2019, $344.6 of Spire’s short-term borrowings were used to support lending to the Utilities.

29


 

 

 

Spire Commercial

Paper

Borrowings

 

Spire Missouri Borrowings from Spire

 

Spire Alabama Borrowings from Spire

Six Months Ended March 31, 2019

 

 

 

 

 

 

Weighted average borrowings outstanding

 

$598.3

 

$313.5

 

$117.3

Weighted average interest rate

 

2.8%

 

2.8%

 

2.8%

Range of borrowings outstanding

 

$482.5 – $689.3

 

$205.1 – $404.9

 

$43.8 – $169.2

As of March 31, 2019

 

 

 

 

 

 

Borrowings outstanding

 

$512.0

 

$232.9

 

$73.7

Weighted average interest rate

 

2.8%

 

2.8%

 

2.8%

As of September 30, 2018

 

 

 

 

 

 

Borrowings outstanding

 

$553.6

 

$345.3

 

$142.5

Weighted average interest rate

 

2.4%

 

2.3%

 

2.3%

As of March 31, 2018

 

 

 

 

 

 

Borrowings outstanding

 

$391.7

 

$175.8

 

$82.3

Weighted average interest rate

 

2.2%

 

2.2%

 

2.2%

The long-term debt agreements of Spire, Spire Missouri and Spire Alabama contain customary covenants and default provisions. As of March 31, 2019, there were no events of default under these covenants.

Interest expense shown on Spire’s consolidated statements of income and Spire Missouri’s statements of comprehensive income is net of the capitalized interest amounts shown in the following table.

 

 

Three Months Ended

March 31,

 

 

Six Months Ended

March 31,

 

 

 

2019

 

 

2018

 

 

2019

 

 

2018

 

Spire

 

$

1.4

 

 

$

0.6

 

 

$

2.6

 

 

$

1.0

 

Spire Missouri

 

 

0.4

 

 

 

0.2

 

 

 

0.9

 

 

 

0.4

 

In October 2018, the Company settled a $10.0 non-interest-bearing note. In December 2018, Spire Missouri entered into a new loan agreement providing for a term loan of $100.0, which was fully funded on December 3, 2018, and which matures on December 1, 2021, subject to optional prepayment by Spire Missouri. Borrowings under the loan agreement bear interest at a rate determined by reference to the London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR), plus a margin based on Spire Missouri’s senior debt rating as determined by Standard & Poor’s Rating Services or Moody’s Investors Services, Inc.

On January 15, 2019, Spire Alabama entered into the Second Supplement to Master Note Purchase Agreement with certain institutional investors. Pursuant to the terms of that supplement, Spire Alabama issued and sold to those institutional investors in a private placement $90.0 of 4.64% Series 2019A Senior Notes due January 15, 2049. The notes bear interest from the date of issuance, payable semi-annually on the 15th day of July and January of each year, commencing on July 15, 2019. The notes are senior unsecured obligations of Spire Alabama, rank equal in right to payment with all its other senior unsecured indebtedness, and have make-whole and par call options. Spire Alabama used the proceeds to repay short-term debt and for general corporate purposes.

6. FAIR VALUE OF FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS

The carrying amounts and estimated fair values of financial instruments not measured at fair value on a recurring basis are shown in the following tables, classified according to the fair value hierarchy. There were no such instruments classified as Level 3 (significant unobservable inputs) as of March 31, 2019, September 30, 2018, or March 31, 2018.

30


 

The carrying amounts of cash and cash equivalents and short-term debt approximate fair value due to the short maturity of these instruments. The fair values of long-term debt are estimated based on market prices for similar issues. Refer to Note 7, Fair Value Measurements, for information on financial instruments measured at fair value on a recurring basis.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Classification of Estimated

Fair Value

 

 

 

Carrying

Amount

 

 

Fair

Value

 

 

Quoted

Prices in

Active Markets

(Level 1)

 

 

Significant Observable Inputs

(Level 2)

 

Spire

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

As of March 31, 2019

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents

 

$

11.1

 

 

$

11.1

 

 

$

11.1

 

 

$

 

Notes payable

 

 

512.0

 

 

 

512.0

 

 

 

 

 

 

512.0

 

Long-term debt, including current portion

 

 

2,256.9

 

 

 

2,319.9

 

 

 

 

 

 

2,319.9

 

As of September 30, 2018

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents

 

$

4.4

 

 

$

4.4

 

 

$

4.4

 

 

$

 

Notes payable

 

 

553.6

 

 

 

553.6

 

 

 

 

 

 

553.6

 

Long-term debt, including current portion

 

 

2,075.6

 

 

 

2,074.0

 

 

 

 

 

 

2,074.0

 

As of March 31, 2018

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents

 

$

17.8

 

 

$

17.8

 

 

$

17.8

 

 

$

 

Notes payable

 

 

391.7

 

 

 

391.7

 

 

 

 

 

 

391.7

 

Long-term debt, including current portion

 

 

2,179.4

 

 

 

2,241.3

 

 

 

 

 

 

2,241.3

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Spire Missouri

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

As of March 31, 2019

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents

 

$

6.9

 

 

$

6.9

 

 

$

6.9

 

 

$

 

Notes payable associated companies

 

 

232.9

 

 

 

232.9

 

 

 

 

 

 

232.9

 

Long-term debt, including current portion

 

 

974.7

 

 

 

1,036.9

 

 

 

 

 

 

1,036.9

 

As of September 30, 2018

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents

 

$

2.0

 

 

$

2.0

 

 

$

2.0

 

 

$

 

Notes payable associated companies

 

 

345.3

 

 

 

345.3

 

 

 

 

 

 

345.3

 

Long-term debt, including current portion

 

 

874.4

 

 

 

906.6

 

 

 

 

 

 

906.6

 

As of March 31, 2018

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents

 

$

10.2

 

 

$

10.2

 

 

$

10.2

 

 

$

 

Notes payable associated companies

 

 

175.8

 

 

 

175.8

 

 

 

 

 

 

175.8

 

Long-term debt, including current portion

 

 

974.0

 

 

 

1,033.6

 

 

 

 

 

 

1,033.6

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Spire Alabama

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

As of March 31, 2019

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents

 

$

0.1

 

 

$

0.1

 

 

$

0.1

 

 

$

 

Notes payable associated companies

 

 

73.7

 

 

 

73.7

 

 

 

 

 

 

73.7

 

Long-term debt, including current portion

 

 

412.1

 

 

 

423.8

 

 

 

 

 

 

423.8

 

As of September 30, 2018

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Notes payable associated companies

 

$

142.5

 

 

$

142.5

 

 

$

 

 

$

142.5

 

Long-term debt

 

 

322.6

 

 

 

321.7

 

 

 

 

 

 

321.7

 

As of March 31, 2018

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Notes payable associated companies

 

$

82.3

 

 

$

82.3

 

 

$

 

 

$

82.3

 

Long-term debt

 

 

322.5

 

 

 

332.7

 

 

 

 

 

 

332.7

 

 

7. FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS

The information presented below categorizes the assets and liabilities in the balance sheets that are accounted for at fair value on a recurring basis in periods subsequent to initial recognition.

The mutual funds included in Level 1 are valued based on exchange-quoted market prices of individual securities. The mutual funds included in Level 2 are valued based on the closing net asset value per unit.

31


 

Derivative instruments included in Level 1 are valued using quoted market prices on the New York Mercantile Exchange (NYMEX) or the Intercontinental Exchange (ICE). Derivative instruments classified in Level 2 include physical commodity derivatives that are valued using broker or dealer quotation services whose prices are derived principally from, or are corroborated by, observable market inputs. Also included in Level 2 are certain derivative instruments that have values that are similar to, and correlate with, quoted prices for exchange-traded instruments in active markets. Derivative instruments included in Level 3 are valued using generally unobservable inputs that are based upon the best information available and reflect management’s assumptions about how market participants would price the asset or liability. The Level 3 balances as of March 31, 2019, September 30, 2018, and March 31, 2018, consisted of gas commodity contracts. The Company’s and the Utilities’ policy is to recognize transfers between the levels of the fair value hierarchy, if any, as of the beginning of the interim reporting period in which circumstances change or events occur to cause the transfer.

The mutual funds are included in “Other Investments” on the Company’s balance sheets and in “Other Property and Investments” on Spire Missouri’s balance sheets. Derivative assets and liabilities, including receivables and payables associated with cash margin requirements, are presented net in the balance sheets when a legally enforceable netting agreement exists between the Company, Spire Missouri, or Spire Alabama and the counterparty to a derivative contract.

Spire

 

 

Quoted

Prices in

Active

Markets

(Level 1)

 

 

Significant

Observable

Inputs

(Level 2)

 

 

Significant

Unobservable

Inputs

(Level 3)

 

 

Effects of

Netting and

Cash Margin

Receivables

/Payables

 

 

Total

 

As of March 31, 2019

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

ASSETS

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Gas Utility:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

U.S. stock/bond mutual funds

 

$

19.7

 

 

$

 

 

$

 

 

$

 

 

$

19.7

 

NYMEX/ICE natural gas contracts

 

 

2.5

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(2.5

)

 

 

 

Gas Marketing:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

NYMEX/ICE natural gas contracts

 

 

0.2

 

 

 

7.1

 

 

 

 

 

 

(4.3

)

 

 

3.0

 

Natural gas commodity contracts

 

 

 

 

 

30.4

 

 

 

 

 

 

(3.4

)

 

 

27.0

 

Other:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

U.S. stock/bond mutual funds

 

 

11.9

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

11.9

 

Total

 

$

34.3

 

 

$

37.5

 

 

$

 

 

$

(10.2

)

 

$

61.6

 

LIABILITIES

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Gas Marketing:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

NYMEX/ICE natural gas contracts

 

$

0.4

 

 

$

4.1

 

 

$

-

 

 

$

(4.5

)

 

$

-

 

Natural gas commodity contracts

 

 

 

 

 

18.9

 

 

 

0.2

 

 

 

(3.5

)

 

 

15.6

 

Other:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Interest rate swaps

 

 

 

 

 

15.2

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

15.2

 

Total

 

$

0.4

 

 

$

38.2

 

 

$

0.2

 

 

$

(8.0

)

 

$

30.8

 

32


 

 

 

 

Quoted

Prices in

Active

Markets

(Level 1)

 

 

Significant

Observable

Inputs

(Level 2)

 

 

Significant

Unobservable

Inputs

(Level 3)

 

 

Effects of

Netting and

Cash Margin

Receivables

/Payables

 

 

Total

 

As of September 30, 2018

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

ASSETS

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Gas Utility:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

U.S. stock/bond mutual funds

 

$

20.3

 

 

$

 

 

$

 

 

$

 

 

$

20.3

 

NYMEX/ICE natural gas contracts

 

 

2.7

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(2.7

)

 

 

 

Gas Marketing:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

NYMEX/ICE natural gas contracts

 

 

0.2

 

 

 

4.0

 

 

 

 

 

 

(4.2

)

 

 

 

Natural gas commodity contracts

 

 

 

 

 

17.5

 

 

 

 

 

 

(1.5

)

 

 

16.0

 

Other:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

U.S. stock/bond mutual funds

 

 

8.9

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

8.9

 

Interest rate swaps

 

 

 

 

 

3.0

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

3.0

 

Total

 

$

32.1

 

 

$

24.5

 

 

$

 

 

$

(8.4

)

 

$

48.2

 

LIABILITIES

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Gas Utility:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

NYMEX/ICE natural gas contracts

 

$

1.9

 

 

$

 

 

$

 

 

$

(1.9

)

 

$

 

Gas Marketing:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

NYMEX/ICE natural gas contracts

 

 

0.9

 

 

 

10.5

 

 

 

 

 

 

(11.4

)

 

 

 

Natural gas commodity contracts

 

 

 

 

 

7.5

 

 

 

0.2

 

 

 

(1.5

)

 

 

6.2

 

Total

 

$

2.8

 

 

$

18.0

 

 

$

0.2

 

 

$

(14.8

)

 

$

6.2

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

As of March 31, 2018

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

ASSETS

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Gas Utility:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

U.S. stock/bond mutual funds

 

$

19.1

 

 

$

4.1

 

 

$

 

 

$

 

 

$

23.2

 

NYMEX/ICE natural gas contracts

 

 

0.1

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(0.1

)

 

 

 

Gas Marketing:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

NYMEX/ICE natural gas contracts

 

 

0.2

 

 

 

3.3

 

 

 

 

 

 

(3.5

)

 

 

 

Natural gas commodity contracts

 

 

 

 

 

7.4

 

 

 

0.1

 

 

 

(2.1

)

 

 

5.4

 

Other:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Interest rate swaps

 

 

 

 

 

1.0

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1.0

 

Total

 

$

19.4

 

 

$

15.8

 

 

$

0.1

 

 

$

(5.7

)

 

$

29.6

 

LIABILITIES

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Gas Utility:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

NYMEX/ICE natural gas contracts

 

$

0.2

 

 

$

 

 

$

 

 

$

(0.2

)

 

$

 

Gas Marketing:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

NYMEX/ICE natural gas contracts

 

 

0.6

 

 

 

9.8

 

 

 

 

 

 

(10.4

)

 

 

 

Natural gas commodity contracts

 

 

 

 

 

14.3

 

 

 

 

 

 

(2.1

)

 

 

12.2

 

Total

 

$

0.8

 

 

$

24.1

 

 

$

 

 

$

(12.7

)

 

$

12.2

 

 

33


 

Spire Missouri

 

 

Quoted

Prices in

Active

Markets

(Level 1)

 

 

Significant

Observable

Inputs

(Level 2)

 

 

Significant

Unobservable

Inputs

(Level 3)

 

 

Effects of

Netting and

Cash Margin

Receivables

/Payables

 

 

Total

 

As of March 31, 2019

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

ASSETS

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

U.S. stock/bond mutual funds

 

$

19.7

 

 

$

 

 

$

 

 

$

 

 

$

19.7

 

NYMEX/ICE natural gas contracts

 

 

2.5

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(2.5

)

 

 

 

Total

 

$

22.2

 

 

$

 

 

$

 

 

$

(2.5

)

 

$

19.7

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

As of September 30, 2018

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

ASSETS

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

U.S. stock/bond mutual funds

 

$

20.3

 

 

$

 

 

$

 

 

$

 

 

$

20.3

 

NYMEX/ICE natural gas contracts

 

 

2.7

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(2.7

)

 

 

 

Total

 

$

23.0

 

 

$

 

 

$

 

 

$

(2.7

)

 

$

20.3

 

LIABILITIES

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

NYMEX/ICE natural gas contracts

 

$

1.9

 

 

$

 

 

$

 

 

$

(1.9

)

 

$

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

As of March 31, 2018

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

ASSETS

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

U.S. stock/bond mutual funds

 

$

19.1

 

 

$

4.1

 

 

$

 

 

$

 

 

$

23.2

 

NYMEX/ICE natural gas contracts

 

 

0.1

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(0.1

)

 

 

 

Total

 

$

19.2

 

 

$

4.1

 

 

$

 

 

$

(0.1

)

 

$

23.2

 

LIABILITIES

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

NYMEX/ICE natural gas contracts

 

$

0.2

 

 

$

 

 

$

 

 

$

(0.2

)

 

$

 

 

Spire Alabama

Spire Alabama occasionally utilizes a gasoline derivative program to stabilize the cost of fuel used in operations. As of March 31, 2019, September 30, 2018, and March 31, 2018, Spire Alabama had no outstanding derivative contracts.

34


 

8. CONCENTRATIONS OF CREDIT RISK

Other than in Spire Marketing, Spire has no significant concentrations of credit risk.

A significant portion of Spire Marketing’s transactions are with (or are associated with) energy producers, utility companies, and pipelines. The concentration of transactions with these counterparties has the potential to affect the Company’s overall exposure to credit risk, either positively or negatively, in that each of these three groups may be affected similarly by changes in economic, industry, or other conditions. To manage this risk, as well as credit risk from significant counterparties in these and other industries, Spire Marketing has established procedures to determine the creditworthiness of its counterparties. These procedures include obtaining credit ratings and credit reports, analyzing counterparty financial statements to assess financial condition, and considering the industry environment in which the counterparty operates. This information is monitored on an ongoing basis. In some instances, Spire Marketing may require credit assurances such as prepayments, letters of credit, or parental guarantees. In addition, Spire Marketing may enter into netting arrangements to mitigate credit risk with counterparties in the energy industry with whom it conducts both sales and purchases of natural gas. Sales are typically made on an unsecured credit basis with payment due the month following delivery. Accounts receivable amounts are closely monitored and provisions for uncollectible amounts are accrued when losses are probable. Spire Marketing records accounts receivable, accounts payable, and prepayments for physical sales and purchases of natural gas on a gross basis. The amount included in its accounts receivable attributable to energy producers and their marketing affiliates totaled $18.1 at March 31, 2019 ($7.3 reflecting netting arrangements). Spire Marketing’s accounts receivable attributable to utility companies and their marketing affiliates totaled $94.8 at March 31, 2019 ($84.0 reflecting netting arrangements).

Spire Marketing also has concentrations of credit risk with pipeline companies associated with its natural gas receivable and with certain individually significant counterparties. At March 31, 2019, the amounts included in accounts receivable from its five largest counterparties (in terms of net accounts receivable exposure) totaled $31.5 ($27.3 reflecting netting arrangements). Four of these five counterparties are investment-grade rated companies. The fifth is not rated but is a subsidiary of an investment-grade rated company.

9. PENSION PLANS AND OTHER POSTRETIREMENT BENEFITS

Pension Plans

Spire and the Utilities maintain pension plans for their employees.

The Missouri Utilities have non-contributory, defined benefit, trusteed forms of pension plans covering the majority of their employees. Plan assets consist primarily of corporate and United States (“U.S.”) government obligations and a growth segment consisting of exposure to equity markets, commodities, real estate and inflation-indexed securities, achieved through derivative instruments.

Spire Alabama has non-contributory, defined benefit, trusteed forms of pension plans covering the majority of its employees. Qualified plan assets are comprised of mutual and commingled funds consisting of U.S. equities with varying strategies, global equities, alternative investments, and fixed income investments.

35


 

The net periodic pension cost included the following components:

 

 

 

Three Months Ended

March 31,

 

 

Six Months Ended

March 31,

 

 

 

2019

 

 

2018

 

 

2019

 

 

2018

 

Spire

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Service cost – benefits earned during the period

 

$

4.9

 

 

$

5.2

 

 

$

9.7

 

 

$

10.4

 

Interest cost on projected benefit obligation*

 

 

7.0

 

 

 

6.9

 

 

 

14.1

 

 

 

13.8

 

Expected return on plan assets*

 

 

(8.9

)

 

 

(9.5

)

 

 

(18.0

)

 

 

(19.2

)

Amortization of prior service credit*

 

 

(0.3

)

 

 

(0.2

)

 

 

(0.6

)

 

 

(0.5

)

Amortization of actuarial loss*

 

 

2.3

 

 

 

2.9

 

 

 

4.6

 

 

 

6.0

 

Loss on lump-sum settlements*

 

 

 

 

 

9.4

 

 

 

 

 

 

9.4

 

Subtotal

 

 

5.0

 

 

 

14.7

 

 

 

9.8

 

 

 

19.9

 

Regulatory adjustment

 

 

9.8

 

 

 

24.0

 

 

 

19.7

 

 

 

28.3

 

Net pension cost

 

$

14.8

 

 

$

38.7

 

 

$

29.5

 

 

$

48.2

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Spire Missouri

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Service cost – benefits earned during the period

 

$

3.1

 

 

$

3.2

 

 

$

6.2

 

 

$

6.5

 

Interest cost on projected benefit obligation*

 

 

4.9

 

 

 

4.9

 

 

 

9.9

 

 

 

9.8

 

Expected return on plan assets*

 

 

(6.3

)

 

 

(7.0

)

 

 

(12.7

)

 

 

(14.2

)

Amortization of prior service cost*

 

 

0.2

 

 

 

0.2

 

 

 

0.4

 

 

 

0.4

 

Amortization of actuarial loss*

 

 

2.2

 

 

 

2.5

 

 

 

4.3

 

 

 

5.1

 

Loss on lump-sum settlements*

 

 

 

 

 

9.4

 

 

 

 

 

 

9.4

 

Subtotal

 

 

4.1

 

 

 

13.2

 

 

 

8.1

 

 

 

17.0

 

Regulatory adjustment

 

 

7.9

 

 

 

21.9

 

 

 

15.9

 

 

 

24.3

 

Net pension cost

 

$

12.0

 

 

$

35.1

 

 

$

24.0

 

 

$

41.3

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Spire Alabama

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Service cost – benefits earned during the period

 

$

1.6

 

 

$

1.7

 

 

$

3.1

 

 

$

3.3

 

Interest cost on projected benefit obligation*

 

 

1.5

 

 

 

1.4

 

 

 

3.0

 

 

 

2.8

 

Expected return on plan assets*

 

 

(1.8

)

 

 

(1.7

)

 

 

(3.6

)

 

 

(3.4

)

Amortization of prior service credit*

 

 

(0.5

)

 

 

(0.4

)

 

 

(0.9

)

 

 

(0.9

)

Amortization of actuarial loss*

 

 

0.2

 

 

 

0.4

 

 

 

0.4

 

 

 

0.9

 

Subtotal

 

 

1.0

 

 

 

1.4

 

 

 

2.0

 

 

 

2.7

 

Regulatory adjustment

 

 

1.7

 

 

 

1.9

 

 

 

3.4

 

 

 

3.6

 

Net pension cost

 

$

2.7

 

 

$

3.3

 

 

$

5.4

 

 

$

6.3

 

* Denotes pension expense line items that are recorded below the operating income line in the income statements, in the line items “Other Income, Net” or “Other Income (Expense), Net.”

 

Pursuant to the provisions of the Missouri Utilities’ and Spire Alabama’s pension plans, pension obligations may be satisfied by monthly annuities, lump-sum cash payments, or special termination benefits. Lump-sum payments are recognized as settlements (which can result in gains or losses) only if the total of such payments exceeds the sum of service and interest costs in a specific year. Special termination benefits, when offered, are also recognized as settlements which can result in gains or losses. For the second quarter and first six months of fiscal 2019, no pension plans met the criteria for settlement recognition. In the quarter ended March 31, 2018, the two Spire Missouri plans met the criteria for settlement recognition, resulting in the remeasurement of the obligation of the plans using updated census data and assumptions for discount and mortality. For these plans the total lump-sum payments recognized as settlements for plan remeasurement was $39.5 and the lump-sum settlements resulted in losses of $9.4. As part of the remeasurement, the discount rate on the one Missouri plan was updated to 4.0% from 3.75%, while the other Missouri plan had its discount rate updated to 4.0% from 3.70%.

36


 

The funding policy of the Utilities is to contribute an amount not less than the minimum required by government funding standards, nor more than the maximum deductible amount for federal income tax purposes. Fiscal 2019 contributions to Spire Missouri’s pension plans through March 31, 2019 were $8.5 to the qualified trusts and none to non-qualified plans. There were no fiscal 2019 contributions to the Spire Alabama pension plans through March 31, 2019.

Contributions to the qualified trusts of the Missouri Utilities’ pension plans for the remainder of fiscal 2019 are anticipated to be $18.2. No material contributions to Spire Alabama’s pension plans are expected to be required for the remainder of fiscal 2019.

Other Postretirement Benefits

Spire and the Utilities provide certain life insurance benefits at retirement. Spire Missouri plans provide for medical insurance after early retirement until age 65. For retirements prior to January 1, 2015, the Spire Missouri West plans provided medical insurance after retirement until death. The Spire Alabama plans provide medical insurance upon retirement until death for certain retirees depending on the type of employee and the date the employee was originally hired.

Net periodic postretirement benefit costs consisted of the following components:

 

 

 

Three Months Ended

March 31,

 

 

Six Months Ended

March 31,

 

 

 

2019

 

 

2018

 

 

2019

 

 

2018

 

Spire

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Service cost – benefits earned during the period

 

$

1.8

 

 

$

2.4

 

 

$

3.7

 

 

$

4.7

 

Interest cost on accumulated postretirement benefit obligation*

 

 

2.1

 

 

 

2.2

 

 

 

4.4

 

 

 

4.4

 

Expected return on plan assets*

 

 

(3.9

)

 

 

(3.5

)

 

 

(8.0

)

 

 

(7.0

)

Amortization of prior service credit*

 

 

(0.1

)

 

 

(0.1

)

 

 

(0.1

)

 

 

(0.1

)

Amortization of actuarial (gain) loss*

 

 

(0.2

)

 

 

0.2

 

 

 

(0.3

)

 

 

0.4

 

Subtotal

 

 

(0.3

)

 

 

1.2

 

 

 

(0.3

)

 

 

2.4

 

Regulatory adjustment

 

 

2.6

 

 

 

 

 

 

5.0

 

 

 

0.1

 

Net postretirement benefit cost

 

$

2.3

 

 

$

1.2

 

 

$

4.7

 

 

$

2.5

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Spire Missouri

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Service cost – benefits earned during the period

 

$

1.7

 

 

$

2.3

 

 

$

3.4

 

 

$

4.5

 

Interest cost on accumulated postretirement benefit obligation*

 

 

1.7

 

 

 

1.8

 

 

 

3.4

 

 

 

3.6

 

Expected return on plan assets*

 

 

(2.7

)

 

 

(2.5

)

 

 

(5.5

)

 

 

(4.9

)

Amortization of prior service cost*

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

0.1

 

 

 

0.1

 

Amortization of actuarial (gain) loss*

 

 

(0.2

)

 

 

0.2

 

 

 

(0.3

)

 

 

0.4

 

Subtotal

 

 

0.5

 

 

 

1.8

 

 

 

1.1

 

 

 

3.7

 

Regulatory adjustment

 

 

3.0

 

 

 

0.5

 

 

 

5.9

 

 

 

1.0

 

Net postretirement benefit cost

 

$

3.5

 

 

$

2.3

 

 

$

7.0

 

 

$

4.7

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Spire Alabama

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Service cost – benefits earned during the period

 

$

0.1

 

 

$

0.1

 

 

$

0.2

 

 

$

0.1

 

Interest cost on accumulated postretirement benefit obligation*

 

 

0.4

 

 

 

0.3

 

 

 

0.9

 

 

 

0.7

 

Expected return on plan assets*

 

 

(1.2

)

 

 

(1.0

)

 

 

(2.4

)

 

 

(2.0

)

Amortization of prior service credit*

 

 

(0.1

)

 

 

(0.1

)

 

 

(0.2

)

 

 

(0.2

)

Subtotal

 

 

(0.8

)

 

 

(0.7

)

 

 

(1.5

)

 

 

(1.4

)

Regulatory adjustment

 

 

(0.4

)

 

 

(0.5

)

 

 

(0.9

)

 

 

(0.9

)

Net postretirement benefit income

 

$

(1.2

)

 

$

(1.2

)

 

$

(2.4

)

 

$

(2.3

)

 

* Denotes other postretirement expense line items that are recorded below the operating income line in the income statements, in the line items “Other Income, Net” or “Other Income (Expense), Net.”

 

37


 

Missouri and Alabama state laws provide for the recovery in rates of costs accrued pursuant to GAAP provided that such costs are funded through an independent, external funding mechanism. The Utilities have established Voluntary Employees’ Beneficiary Association (VEBA) and Rabbi Trusts as external funding mechanisms. The assets of the VEBA and Rabbi Trusts consist primarily of money market securities and mutual funds invested in stocks and bonds.

The Utilities’ funding policy is to contribute amounts to the trusts equal to the periodic benefit cost calculated pursuant to GAAP as recovered in rates. There have been no contributions to the postretirement plans through March 31, 2019 for the Missouri Utilities or Spire Alabama, and none are expected to be required for the remainder of the fiscal year.

10. INFORMATION BY OPERATING SEGMENT

The Company has two reportable segments: Gas Utility and Gas Marketing. The Gas Utility segment is the aggregation of the operations of the Utilities. The Gas Marketing segment includes the results of Spire Marketing, a subsidiary engaged in the non-regulated marketing of natural gas and related activities, including utilizing natural gas storage contracts for providing natural gas sales. Other components of the Company’s consolidated information include:

 

unallocated corporate items, including certain debt and associated interest costs;

 

Spire STL Pipeline LLC, a subsidiary of Spire constructing and planning the operation of a 65-mile FERC-regulated pipeline to deliver natural gas into eastern Missouri;

 

Spire Storage, providing physical natural gas storage services; and

 

Spire’s subsidiaries engaged in the operation of a propane pipeline, compression of natural gas, and risk management, among other activities.

Accounting policies are described in Note 1, Summary of Significant Accounting Policies. Intersegment transactions include sales of natural gas from Spire Marketing to Spire Missouri, sales of natural gas from Spire Missouri to Spire Marketing, propane transportation services provided by Spire NGL Inc. to Spire Missouri, and propane storage services provided by Spire Missouri to Spire NGL Inc.

Management evaluates the performance of the operating segments based on the computation of net economic earnings. Net economic earnings exclude from reported net income the after-tax impacts of fair value accounting and timing adjustments associated with energy-related transactions, the impacts of acquisition, divestiture and restructuring activities, and the largely non-cash impacts of other non-recurring or unusual items such as certain regulatory, legislative, or GAAP standard-setting actions.

 

 

 

Gas Utility

 

 

Gas Marketing

 

 

Other

 

 

Eliminations

 

 

Consolidated

 

Three Months Ended March 31, 2019

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operating Revenues:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Revenues from external customers

 

$

776.7

 

 

$

25.4

 

 

$

1.4

 

 

$

 

 

$

803.5

 

Intersegment revenues

 

 

0.1

 

 

 

0.1

 

 

 

2.9

 

 

 

(3.1

)

 

 

 

Total Operating Revenues

 

 

776.8

 

 

 

25.5

 

 

 

4.3

 

 

 

(3.1

)

 

 

803.5

 

Operating Expenses:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Gas Utility

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Natural and propane gas

 

 

366.7

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(29.3

)

 

 

337.4

 

Operation and maintenance

 

 

112.0

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(2.5

)

 

 

109.5

 

Depreciation and amortization

 

 

44.4

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

44.4

 

Taxes, other than income taxes

 

 

57.4

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

57.4

 

Total Gas Utility Operating Expenses

 

 

580.5

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(31.8

)

 

 

548.7

 

Gas Marketing and Other

 

 

 

 

 

8.7

 

 

 

7.9

 

 

 

28.7

 

 

 

45.3

 

Total Operating Expenses

 

 

580.5

 

 

 

8.7

 

 

 

7.9

 

 

 

(3.1

)

 

 

594.0

 

Operating Income (Loss)

 

$

196.3

 

 

$

16.8

 

 

$

(3.6

)

 

$

 

 

$

209.5

 

Net Economic Earnings (Loss)

 

$

146.7

 

 

$

6.2

 

 

$

(5.0

)

 

$

 

 

$

147.9

 

38


 

 

 

 

Gas Utility

 

 

Gas Marketing

 

 

Other

 

 

Eliminations

 

 

Consolidated

 

Three Months Ended March 31, 2018

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operating Revenues:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Revenues from external customers

 

$

790.6

 

 

$

21.3

 

 

$

1.5

 

 

$

 

 

$

813.4

 

Intersegment revenues

 

 

0.2

 

 

 

 

 

 

2.9

 

 

 

(3.1

)

 

 

 

Total Operating Revenues

 

 

790.8

 

 

 

21.3

 

 

 

4.4

 

 

 

(3.1

)

 

 

813.4

 

Operating Expenses:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Gas Utility

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Natural and propane gas

 

 

403.2

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(19.5

)

 

 

383.7

 

Operation and maintenance

 

 

137.5

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(2.2

)

 

 

135.3

 

Depreciation and amortization

 

 

41.1

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

41.1

 

Taxes, other than income taxes

 

 

58.0

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

58.0

 

Total Gas Utility Operating Expenses

 

 

639.8

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(21.7

)

 

 

618.1

 

Gas Marketing and Other

 

 

 

 

 

20.2

 

 

 

6.4

 

 

 

18.6

 

 

 

45.2

 

Total Operating Expenses

 

 

639.8

 

 

 

20.2

 

 

 

6.4

 

 

 

(3.1

)

 

 

663.3

 

Operating Income (Loss)

 

$

151.0

 

 

$

1.1

 

 

$

(2.0

)

 

$

 

 

$

150.1

 

Net Economic Earnings (Loss)

 

$

131.7

 

 

$

10.2

 

 

$

(4.7

)

 

$

 

 

$

137.2

 

 

39


 

 

 

Gas Utility

 

 

Gas Marketing

 

 

Other

 

 

Eliminations

 

 

Consolidated

 

Six Months Ended March 31, 2019

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operating Revenues:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Revenues from external customers

 

$

1,350.5

 

 

$

51.2

 

 

$

3.8

 

 

$

 

 

$

1,405.5

 

Intersegment revenues

 

 

1.5

 

 

 

0.1

 

 

 

5.9

 

 

 

(7.5

)

 

 

 

Total Operating Revenues

 

 

1,352.0

 

 

 

51.3

 

 

 

9.7

 

 

 

(7.5

)

 

 

1,405.5

 

Operating Expenses:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Gas Utility

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Natural and propane gas

 

 

658.5

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(69.4

)

 

 

589.1

 

Operation and maintenance

 

 

216.9

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(4.9

)

 

 

212.0

 

Depreciation and amortization

 

 

88.1

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

88.1

 

Taxes, other than income taxes

 

 

96.6

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

96.6

 

Total Gas Utility Operating Expenses

 

 

1,060.1

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(74.3

)

 

 

985.8

 

Gas Marketing and Other

 

 

 

 

 

22.0

 

 

 

16.3

 

 

 

66.8

 

 

 

105.1

 

Total Operating Expenses

 

 

1,060.1

 

 

 

22.0

 

 

 

16.3

 

 

 

(7.5

)

 

 

1,090.9

 

Operating Income (Loss)

 

$

291.9

 

 

$

29.3

 

 

$

(6.6

)

 

$

 

 

$

314.6

 

Net Economic Earnings (Loss)

 

$

213.1

 

 

$

14.5

 

 

$

(13.8

)

 

$

 

 

$

213.8

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Gas Utility

 

 

Gas Marketing

 

 

Other

 

 

Eliminations

 

 

Consolidated

 

Six Months Ended March 31, 2018

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operating Revenues:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Revenues from external customers

 

$

1,332.5

 

 

$

40.9

 

 

$

1.8

 

 

$

 

 

$

1,375.2

 

Intersegment revenues

 

 

0.3

 

 

 

 

 

 

5.4

 

 

 

(5.7

)

 

 

 

Total Operating Revenues

 

 

1,332.8

 

 

 

40.9

 

 

 

7.2

 

 

 

(5.7

)

 

 

1,375.2

 

Operating Expenses:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Gas Utility

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Natural and propane gas

 

 

666.6

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(42.1

)

 

 

624.5

 

Operation and maintenance

 

 

238.4

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(4.1

)

 

 

234.3

 

Depreciation and amortization

 

 

81.4

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

81.4

 

Taxes, other than income taxes

 

 

94.7

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

94.7

 

Total Gas Utility Operating Expenses

 

 

1,081.1

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(46.2

)

 

 

1,034.9

 

Gas Marketing and Other

 

 

 

 

 

34.8

 

 

 

10.9

 

 

 

40.5

 

 

 

86.2

 

Total Operating Expenses

 

 

1,081.1

 

 

 

34.8

 

 

 

10.9

 

 

 

(5.7

)

 

 

1,121.1

 

Operating Income (Loss)

 

$

251.7

 

 

$

6.1

 

 

$

(3.7

)

 

$

 

 

$

254.1

 

Net Economic Earnings (Loss)

 

$

191.2

 

 

$

13.8

 

 

$

(9.9

)

 

$

 

 

$

195.1

 

The Company’s total assets by segment were as follows:

 

 

March 31,

 

 

September 30,

 

 

March 31,

 

 

 

2019

 

 

2018

 

 

2018

 

Total Assets:

 

 

 

Gas Utility

 

$

5,850.1

 

 

$

5,606.7

 

 

$

5,484.3

 

Gas Marketing

 

 

366.7

 

 

 

295.3

 

 

 

208.6

 

Other

 

 

2,396.8

 

 

 

2,508.0

 

 

 

2,211.9

 

Eliminations

 

 

(1,340.0

)

 

 

(1,566.4

)

 

 

(1,318.0

)

Total Assets

 

$

7,273.6

 

 

$

6,843.6

 

 

$

6,586.8

 

 

40


 

The following table reconciles the Company’s net economic earnings to net income.

 

 

Three Months Ended

March 31,

 

 

Six Months Ended

March 31,

 

 

 

2019

 

 

2018

 

 

2019

 

 

2018

 

Net Income

 

$

154.6

 

 

$

98.2

 

 

$

221.9

 

 

$

214.2

 

Adjustments, pre-tax:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Missouri regulatory adjustments

 

 

 

 

 

30.6

 

 

 

 

 

 

30.6

 

Unrealized (gain) loss on energy-related derivatives

 

 

(9.1

)

 

 

11.8

 

 

 

(11.3

)

 

 

12.6

 

Realized gain on economic hedges prior to the sale of the physical commodity

 

 

 

 

 

(0.2

)

 

 

 

 

 

(0.3

)

Acquisition, divestiture and restructuring activities

 

 

 

 

 

2.0

 

 

 

0.4

 

 

 

3.7

 

Income tax effect of adjustments

 

 

2.4

 

 

 

(11.1

)

 

 

2.8

 

 

 

(11.7

)

Effect of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act

 

 

 

 

 

5.9

 

 

 

 

 

 

(54.0

)

Net Economic Earnings

 

$

147.9

 

 

$

137.2

 

 

$

213.8

 

 

$

195.1

 

 

11. COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

Commitments

The Company and the Utilities have entered into contracts with various counterparties, expiring on dates through 2032, for the storage, transportation, and supply of natural gas. Minimum payments required under the contracts in place at March 31, 2019, are estimated at $1,826.5, $648.2, and $385.8 for the Company, Spire Missouri, and Spire Alabama, respectively. Additional contracts are generally entered into prior to or during the heating season of November through April. The Utilities recover their costs from customers in accordance with their PGA clauses or GSA riders.

Contingencies

The Company and the Utilities account for contingencies, including environmental liabilities, in accordance with accounting standards under the loss contingency guidance of ASC Topic 450, Contingencies, when it is probable that a liability has been incurred and the amount of the loss can be reasonably estimated.

In addition to matters noted below, the Company and the Utilities are involved in other litigation, claims, and investigations arising in the normal course of business. Management, after discussion with counsel, believes the final outcome will not have a material effect on the statements of income, balance sheets, and statements of cash flows of the Company, Spire Missouri, or Spire Alabama. However, there is uncertainty in the valuation of pending claims and prediction of litigation results.

The Company and the Utilities own and operate natural gas distribution, transmission, and storage facilities, the operations of which are subject to various environmental laws, regulations, and interpretations. While environmental issues resulting from such operations arise in the ordinary course of business, such issues have not materially affected the Company’s or Utilities’ financial position and results of operations. As environmental laws, regulations, and their interpretations change, the Company or the Utilities may incur additional environmental liabilities that may result in additional costs, which may be material.

In the natural gas industry, many gas distribution companies have incurred environmental liabilities associated with sites they or their predecessor companies formerly owned or operated where manufactured gas operations took place. The Utilities each have former manufactured gas plant (“MGP”) operations in their respective service territories. To the extent costs are incurred associated with environmental remediation activities, the Utilities would request authority from their respective regulators to defer such costs (less any amounts received from insurance proceeds or as contributions from other potentially responsible parties (“PRPs”)) and collect them through future rates.

41


 

Spire Missouri

Spire Missouri has identified three former MGP sites in the city of St. Louis, Missouri (the “City”) where costs have been incurred and claims have been asserted. Spire Missouri has enrolled two of the sites in the Missouri Department of Natural Resources (“MDNR”) Brownfields/Voluntary Cleanup Program (“BVCP”). The third site is the result of a relatively new claim assertion by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (“EPA”) and such claim is currently being investigated.

In conjunction with redevelopment of one of the sites, Spire Missouri and another former owner of the site entered into an agreement (the “Remediation Agreement”) with the City development agencies, the developer, and an environmental consultant that obligates one of the City agencies and the environmental consultant to remediate the site and obtain a No Further Action letter from the MDNR. The Remediation Agreement also provides for a release of Spire Missouri and the other former site owner from certain liabilities related to the past and current environmental condition of the site and requires the developer and the environmental consultant to maintain certain insurance coverage, including remediation cost containment, premises pollution liability, and professional liability. The operative provisions of the Remediation Agreement were triggered on December 20, 2010, on which date Spire Missouri and the other former site owner, as full consideration under the Remediation Agreement, paid a small percentage of the cost of remediation of the site. The amount paid by Spire Missouri did not materially impact the financial condition, results of operations, or cash flows of the Company.

Spire Missouri has not owned the second site for many years. In a letter dated June 29, 2011, the Attorney General for the State of Missouri informed Spire Missouri that the MDNR had completed an investigation of the site. The Attorney General requested that Spire Missouri participate in the follow up investigations of the site. In a letter dated January 10, 2012, Spire Missouri stated that it would participate in future environmental response activities at the site in conjunction with other PRPs that are willing to contribute to such efforts in a meaningful and equitable fashion. Accordingly, Spire Missouri entered into a cost sharing agreement for remedial investigation with other PRPs. To date, MDNR has not approved the agreement, so remedial investigation has not yet occurred.

Additionally, in correspondence dated November 30, 2016, Region 7 of the EPA has asserted that Spire Missouri is liable under Section 107(a) of the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act of 1980 (“CERCLA”) for alleged coal gas waste contamination at a third site in the northern portion of the City on which Spire Missouri operated a MGP. Spire Missouri has not owned or operated the site for over 70 years. Spire Missouri and the site owner have met with the EPA and reviewed its assertions. Both Spire Missouri and the site owner have notified the EPA that information and data provided by the EPA to date does not rise to the level of documenting a threat to the public health or environment. As such, Spire Missouri requested more information from the EPA, some of which would also be utilized to identify other former owners and operators of the site that could be added as PRPs. To date, Spire Missouri has not received a response from the EPA.

Spire Missouri has notified its insurers that it seeks reimbursement for costs incurred in the past and future potential liabilities associated with the MGP sites. While some of the insurers have denied coverage and reserved their rights, Spire Missouri retains the right to seek potential reimbursements from them.

On March 10, 2015, Spire Missouri received a Section 104(e) information request under CERCLA from EPA Region 7 regarding the former Thompson Chemical/Superior Solvents site in the City. In turn, Spire Missouri issued a Freedom of Information Act (“FOIA”) request to the EPA on April 3, 2015, in an effort to identify the basis of the inquiry. The FOIA response from the EPA was received on July 15, 2015 and a response was provided to the EPA on August 15, 2015. Spire Missouri has received no further inquiry from the EPA regarding this matter.

42


 

In its western service area, Spire Missouri has seven owned MGP sites enrolled in the BVCP, including Joplin MGP #1, St. Joseph MGP #1, Kansas City Coal Gas Station B, Kansas City Station A Railroad area, Kansas City Coal Gas Station A North, Kansas City Coal Gas Station A South, and Independence MGP #2. Source removal has been conducted at all of the owned sites since 2003 with the exception of Joplin. On September 15, 2016, a request was made with the MDNR for a restrictive covenant use limitation with respect to Joplin. Remediation efforts at the seven sites are at various stages of completion, ranging from groundwater monitoring and sampling following source removal activities to the aforementioned request in respect to Joplin. As part of its participation in the BVCP, Spire Missouri communicates regularly with the MDNR with respect to its remediation efforts and monitoring activities at these sites. On May 11, 2015, MDNR approved the next phase of investigation at the Kansas City Station A North and Railroad areas.

To date, costs incurred for all Missouri Utilities’ MGP sites for investigation, remediation and monitoring these sites have not been material. However, the amount of costs relative to future remedial actions at these and other sites is unknown and may be material. The actual future costs that Spire Missouri may incur could be materially higher or lower depending upon several factors, including whether remediation actions will be required, final selection and regulatory approval of any remedial actions, changing technologies and government regulations, the ultimate ability of other PRPs to pay, and any insurance recoveries.

In 2013, Spire Missouri retained an outside consultant to conduct probabilistic cost modeling of 19 former MGP sites owned or operated by Spire Missouri. The purpose of this analysis was to develop an estimated range of probabilistic future liability for each site. That analysis, completed in August 2014, provided a range of demonstrated possible future expenditures to investigate, monitor and remediate all 19 MGP sites. Spire Missouri has recorded its best estimate of the probable expenditures that relate to these matters. The amount is not material.

Spire Missouri and the Company do not expect potential liabilities that may arise from remediating these sites to have a material impact on their future financial condition or results of operations.

Spire Alabama

On December 17, 2013, an incident occurred at a Housing Authority apartment complex in Birmingham, Alabama that resulted in one fatality, personal injuries and property damage. Spire Alabama cooperated with the National Transportation Safety Board (“NTSB”) which investigated the incident. The NTSB report of findings was issued on March 30, 2016 and no safety recommendations, fines, or penalties were contained therein. Spire Alabama has been named as a defendant in several lawsuits arising from the incident, some of which remain pending. Spire Alabama does not expect potential liabilities that may arise from these lawsuits to have a material impact on its future financial condition or results of operations.

Spire Alabama is in the chain of title of nine former MGP sites, four of which it still owns, and five former manufactured gas distribution sites, one of which it still owns. Spire Alabama does not foresee a probable or reasonably estimable loss associated with these sites. Spire Alabama and the Company do not expect potential liabilities that may arise from remediating these sites to have a material impact on their future financial condition or results of operations.

In 2012, Spire Alabama responded to an EPA Request for Information Pursuant to Section 104 of CERCLA relating to the 35th Avenue Superfund Site located in North Birmingham, Jefferson County, Alabama. Spire Alabama was identified as a PRP under CERCLA for the cleanup of the site or costs the EPA incurs in cleaning up the site. At this point, Spire Alabama has not been provided information that would allow it to determine the extent, if any, of its potential liability with respect to the 35th Avenue Superfund Site and vigorously denies its inclusion as a PRP.

Spire

In addition to those discussed above for Spire Missouri and Spire Alabama, Spire is aware of the following contingent matters.

Since April 2012, a total of 14 lawsuits encompassing more than 1,600 plaintiffs have been filed against Spire Gulf in Mobile County Circuit Court alleging that in the first half of 2008, Spire Gulf spilled tert-butyl mercaptan, an

43


 

odorant added to natural gas for safety reasons, in Eight Mile, Alabama. All of the lawsuits have been substantially settled, with the exception of 13 individuals who rejected their settlement offers and whose claims remain pending. Those remaining claims allege nuisance, fraud and negligence causes of actions and seek unspecified compensatory and punitive damages. A claim has been made against the insurance carriers requesting reimbursement for costs accrued in respect to this spill, and a related receivable has been recorded. The Company does not expect potential liabilities that may arise from these lawsuits to have a material impact on its future financial condition or results of operations.

12. INCOME TAXES

The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (“TCJA”) was signed into law on December 22, 2017, with an effective date of January 1, 2018, for substantially all of the provisions. The specific provisions related to regulated public utilities in the TCJA generally allow for the continued deductibility of interest expense, the elimination of full expensing for tax purposes of certain property acquired after September 27, 2017, and the continuation of certain rate normalization requirements for accelerated depreciation benefits. The Department of the Treasury (“Treasury”) has issued proposed regulations associated with the deductibility of interest expense, but further clarification of certain provisions is expected. Treasury has also issued proposed regulations on bonus depreciation which allow full expensing for certain property acquired in tax years beginning prior to January 1, 2018.

As indicated in Note 1, Summary of Significant Accounting Policies, the Company’s regulated operations accounting for income taxes is impacted by ASC 980, Regulated Operations. Reductions in deferred income tax balances due to the reduction in the corporate income tax rate will result in amounts previously collected from utility customers for these deferred taxes to be refundable to such customers, generally through reductions in future rates. The TCJA includes provisions that stipulate how these excess deferred taxes are to be passed back to customers for certain accelerated tax depreciation benefits. In the third quarter of fiscal 2018, the MoPSC Amended Report and Order took effect and the estimated excess accumulated deferred income tax began to be returned to customers in rates. The amount being returned is estimated with a tracker established to defer the difference from the estimated amounts to the actual amounts once the actual amounts have been calculated. During the three and six months ended March 31, 2019, Spire Missouri returned excess accumulated deferred taxes of $2.1 and $4.2, respectively. The treatment for accumulated deferred income tax balances for Spire Alabama, Spire Gulf and Spire Mississippi is yet to be determined by state regulators.

44


 

Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

(Dollars in millions, except per unit and per share amounts)

This section analyzes the financial condition and results of operations of Spire Inc. (“Spire” or the “Company”), Spire Missouri Inc. (“Spire Missouri” or the “Missouri Utilities”), and Spire Alabama Inc. (“Spire Alabama”). Spire Missouri, Spire Alabama, and Spire EnergySouth Inc. (“Spire EnergySouth”) are wholly owned subsidiaries of the Company. Spire Missouri, Spire Alabama and the subsidiaries of Spire EnergySouth, are collectively referred to as the “Utilities.” The subsidiaries of Spire EnergySouth are Spire Gulf Inc. (“Spire Gulf”) and Spire Mississippi Inc. (“Spire Mississippi”). This section includes management’s view of factors that affect the respective businesses of the Company, Spire Missouri, and Spire Alabama, explanations of financial results including changes in earnings and costs from the prior periods, and the effects of such factors on the Company’s, Spire Missouri’s and Spire Alabama’s overall financial condition and liquidity.

Certain matters discussed in this report, excluding historical information, include forward-looking statements. Certain words, such as “may,” “anticipate,” “believe,” “estimate,” “expect,” “intend,” “plan,” “seek,” and similar words and expressions identify forward-looking statements that involve uncertainties and risks. Future developments may not be in accordance with our current expectations or beliefs and the effect of future developments may not be those anticipated. Among the factors that may cause results to differ materially from those contemplated in any forward-looking statement are:

 

Weather conditions and catastrophic events, particularly severe weather in the natural gas producing areas of the country;

 

Volatility in gas prices, particularly sudden and sustained changes in natural gas prices, including the related impact on margin deposits associated with the use of natural gas derivative instruments, and the impact on our competitive position in relation to suppliers of alternative heating sources, such as electricity;

 

Changes in gas supply and pipeline availability, including decisions by natural gas producers to reduce production or shut in producing natural gas wells, expiration of existing supply and transportation arrangements that are not replaced with contracts with similar terms and pricing, as well as other changes that impact supply for and access to the markets in which our subsidiaries transact business;

 

Acquisitions may not achieve their intended results;

 

The Spire STL Pipeline project may be hindered or halted by regulatory, legal, operational or other obstacles;

 

Legislative, regulatory and judicial mandates and decisions, some of which may be retroactive, including those affecting:

 

allowed rates of return,

 

incentive regulation,

 

industry structure,

 

purchased gas adjustment provisions,

 

rate design structure and implementation,

 

regulatory assets,

 

non-regulated and affiliate transactions,

 

franchise renewals,

 

environmental or safety matters, including the potential impact of legislative and regulatory actions related to climate change and pipeline safety,

 

taxes,

 

pension and other postretirement benefit liabilities and funding obligations, or

 

accounting standards;

 

The results of litigation;

 

The availability of and access to, in general, funds to meet our debt obligations prior to or when they become due and to fund our operations and necessary capital expenditures, either through (i) cash on hand, (ii) operating cash flow, or (iii) access to the capital markets;

45


 

 

Retention of, ability to attract, ability to collect from, and conservation efforts of, customers;

 

Our ability to comply with all covenants in our indentures and credit facilities any violations of which, if not cured in a timely manner, could trigger a default of our obligation;

 

Capital and energy commodity market conditions, including the ability to obtain funds with reasonable terms for necessary capital expenditures and general operations and the terms and conditions imposed for obtaining sufficient gas supply;

 

Discovery of material weakness in internal controls;

 

The disruption, failure or malfunction of our information technology systems including due to cyberattacks; and

 

Employee workforce issues, including but not limited to labor disputes and future wage and employee benefit costs, including changes in discount rates and returns on benefit plan assets.

Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations should be read in conjunction with the Company’s Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements, Spire Missouri’s and Spire Alabama’s Condensed Financial Statements, and the notes thereto.

OVERVIEW

The Company has two reportable segments: Gas Utility and Gas Marketing. Nearly all of Spire’s earnings are derived from its Gas Utility segment, which reflects the regulated activities of the Utilities. The Gas Utility segment consists of the regulated businesses of Spire Missouri, Spire Alabama and the subsidiaries of Spire EnergySouth. Due to the seasonal nature of the Utilities’ business, earnings of Spire, Spire Missouri and Spire Alabama are typically concentrated during the heating season of November through April each fiscal year.

Gas Utility - Spire Missouri

Spire Missouri is Missouri’s largest natural gas distribution utility and is regulated by the Missouri Public Service Commission (“MoPSC”). Spire Missouri serves St. Louis and eastern Missouri through Spire Missouri East and serves Kansas City and western Missouri through Spire Missouri West. Spire Missouri purchases natural gas in the wholesale market from producers and marketers and ships the gas through interstate pipelines into our distribution facilities for sale to residential, commercial and industrial customers. Spire Missouri also transports gas through its distribution system for certain larger customers who buy their own gas on the wholesale market. Spire Missouri delivers natural gas to customers at rates and in accordance with tariffs authorized by the MoPSC. The earnings of Spire Missouri are primarily generated by the sale of heating energy. The rate design for each service territory serves to lessen the impact of weather volatility on its customers during cold winters and stabilize Spire Missouri’s earnings.

Gas Utility - Spire Alabama

Spire Alabama is the largest natural gas distribution utility in the state of Alabama. Spire Alabama’s service territory is located in central and northern Alabama. Among the cities served by Spire Alabama are Birmingham, the center of the largest metropolitan area in the state, and Montgomery, the state capital. Spire Alabama is regulated by the Alabama Public Service Commission (“APSC”). Spire Alabama purchases natural gas through interstate and intrastate suppliers and distributes the purchased gas through its distribution facilities for sale to residential, commercial, and industrial customers and other end-users of natural gas. Spire Alabama also provides transportation services to large industrial and commercial customers located on its distribution system. These transportation customers, using Spire Alabama as their agent or acting on their own, purchase gas directly from marketers or suppliers and arrange for delivery of the gas into the Spire Alabama distribution system. Spire Alabama charges a fee to transport such customer-owned gas through its distribution system to the customers’ facilities.

46


 

Gas Utility - Spire EnergySouth

Spire Gulf and Spire Mississippi are utilities engaged in the purchase, retail distribution and sale of natural gas to 0.1 million customers in southern Alabama and south-central Mississippi. Spire Gulf is regulated by the APSC and Spire Mississippi is regulated by the Mississippi Public Service Commission (“MSPSC”).

Gas Marketing

Spire Marketing Inc. (“Spire Marketing”) is engaged in the marketing of natural gas and related activities on a non-regulated basis and is reported in the Gas Marketing segment. Spire Marketing markets natural gas across the central and southern United States (“U.S.”). It holds firm transportation and storage contracts in order to effectively manage its transactions with counterparties, which primarily include producers, municipalities, electric and gas utility companies, and large commercial and industrial customers.

Other

Other components of the Company’s consolidated information include:

 

unallocated corporate items, including certain debt and associated interest costs;

 

Spire STL Pipeline LLC (“STL Pipeline”) and Spire Storage West LLC (“Spire Storage”), described below; and

 

Spire’s subsidiaries engaged in the operation of a propane pipeline, compression of natural gas, and risk management, among other activities.

Spire STL Pipeline LLC is a wholly owned subsidiary of Spire constructing and planning the operation of a 65-mile pipeline to connect to the Rockies Express Pipeline in Scott County, Illinois, to delivery points in St. Louis County, Missouri, including Spire Missouri’s storage facility. The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (“FERC”) issued a Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity in August 2018 and a Notice to Proceed in November 2018, allowing construction to begin. The pipeline will operate under FERC jurisdiction and will be capable of delivering up to 4 million therms per day of natural gas into eastern Missouri. Spire Missouri will be the foundational shipper with a contractual commitment of 3.5 million therms per day. Construction is underway and is anticipated to be completed by the end of the fiscal year.

Spire Storage is engaged in the storage of natural gas in the Western region of the United States. Spire Storage consists of two adjacent storage facilities: Ryckman Creek acquired in December 2017 and Clear Creek acquired in May 2018. The acquisition of Clear Creek created an opportunity to develop a larger, more flexible, and more reliable combined storage platform that optimizes the commercial opportunity in the region. Accordingly, Spire Storage filed an application with the FERC to operate both facilities in an integrated fashion under a single market-based tariff, which the FERC approved seven months later on January 25, 2019. The timing of the FERC approval, coupled with the additional review of the geological and operational capabilities of the combined facilities, has lengthened the time required to finalize a new development plan that will position Spire Storage to optimize the combined facilities. It is anticipated that the final development plan will result in added investments in resources, infrastructure and pipeline connectivity between the facilities and with nearly interstate pipelines to ensure Spire Storage can deliver the enhanced deliverability, services and value that exists in the region.

NON-GAAP MEASURES

Net income, earnings per share and operating income reported by Spire, Spire Missouri and Spire Alabama are determined in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”). Spire, Spire Missouri and Spire Alabama also provide the non-GAAP financial measures of net economic earnings, net economic earnings per share and contribution margin. Management and the Board of Directors use non-GAAP financial measures, in addition to GAAP financial measures, to understand and compare operating results across accounting periods, for financial and operational decision making, for planning and forecasting, to determine incentive compensation and to evaluate financial performance. These non-GAAP operating metrics should not be considered as alternatives to, or more meaningful than, the related GAAP measures. Reconciliations of non-GAAP financial measures to the most directly comparable GAAP measures are provided on the following pages.

47


 

Net Economic Earnings and Net Economic Earnings Per Share

Net economic earnings and net economic earnings per share are non-GAAP measures that exclude from net income the impacts of fair value accounting and timing adjustments associated with energy-related transactions, the impacts of acquisition, divestiture and restructuring activities, and the largely non-cash impacts of other non-recurring or unusual items such as certain regulatory, legislative or GAAP standard-setting actions. In fiscal 2018, these items included the revaluation of deferred tax assets and liabilities due to the federal Tax Cuts and Jobs Act and the write-off of certain long-standing assets as a result of disallowances in our Missouri rate proceedings. In addition, net economic earnings per share excludes the impact, in the fiscal year of issuance, of shares issued to finance acquisitions that have yet to be included in net economic earnings.

The fair value and timing adjustments are made in instances where the accounting treatment differs from what management considers the economic substance of the underlying transaction, including the following:

 

Net unrealized gains and losses on energy-related derivatives that are required by GAAP fair value accounting associated with current changes in the fair value of financial and physical transactions prior to their completion and settlement. These unrealized gains and losses result primarily from two sources:

 

1)

changes in the fair values of physical and/or financial derivatives prior to the period of settlement; and,

 

2)

ineffective portions of accounting hedges, required to be recorded in earnings prior to settlement, due to differences in commodity price changes between the locations of the forecasted physical purchase or sale transactions and the locations of the underlying hedge instruments;

 

Lower of cost or market adjustments to the carrying value of commodity inventories resulting when the market price of the commodity falls below its original cost, to the extent that those commodities are economically hedged; and

 

Realized gains and losses resulting from the settlement of economic hedges prior to the sale of the physical commodity.

These adjustments eliminate the impact of timing differences and the impact of current changes in the fair value of financial and physical transactions prior to their completion and settlement. Unrealized gains or losses are recorded in each period until being replaced with the actual gains or losses realized when the associated physical transactions occur. Management believes that excluding the earnings volatility caused by recognizing changes in fair value prior to settlement and other timing differences associated with related purchase and sale transactions provides a useful representation of the economic effects of only the actual settled transactions and their effects on results of operations. While management uses these non-GAAP measures to evaluate both Spire’s Utilities and its other gas-related businesses, the net effect of these fair value and timing adjustments on the Utilities’ earnings is minimal because gains or losses on their natural gas derivative instruments are deferred pursuant to state regulation.

Contribution Margin

In addition to operating revenues and operating expenses, management also uses the non-GAAP measure of contribution margin when evaluating results of operations. Contribution margin is defined as operating revenues less natural and propane gas costs and gross receipts tax expense. The Utilities pass to their customers (subject to prudence review by, as applicable, the MoPSC, APSC, or MSPSC) increases and decreases in the wholesale cost of natural gas in accordance with their Purchased Gas Adjustment (“PGA”) clauses or Gas Supply Adjustment (“GSA”) riders. The volatility of the wholesale natural gas market results in fluctuations from period to period in the recorded levels of, among other items, revenues and natural gas cost expense. Nevertheless, increases and decreases in the cost of gas associated with system gas sales volumes and gross receipts tax expense (which are calculated as a percentage of revenues), with the same amount (excluding immaterial timing differences) included in revenues, have no direct effect on operating income. Therefore, management believes that contribution margin is a useful supplemental measure, along with the remaining operating expenses, for assessing the Company’s and the Utilities’ performance.

48


 

EARNINGS – THREE MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31, 2019

Spire

Net Income and Net Economic Earnings

The following tables reconcile the Company’s net economic earnings to the most comparable GAAP number, net income.

 

 

Gas Utility

 

 

Gas Marketing

 

 

Other

 

 

Total

 

 

Per Diluted Share**

 

Three Months Ended March 31, 2019

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net Income (Loss) [GAAP]

 

$

146.7

 

 

$

12.9

 

 

$

(5.0

)

 

$

154.6

 

 

$

3.04

 

Adjustments, pre-tax:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Unrealized gain on energy-related derivatives

 

 

 

 

 

(9.1

)

 

 

 

 

 

(9.1

)

 

 

(0.18

)

Income tax effect of adjustments*

 

 

 

 

 

2.4

 

 

 

 

 

 

2.4

 

 

 

0.04

 

Net Economic Earnings (Loss) [Non-GAAP]**

 

$

146.7

 

 

$

6.2

 

 

$

(5.0

)

 

$

147.9

 

 

$

2.90

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Three Months Ended March 31, 2018

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net Income (Loss) [GAAP]

 

$

102.5

 

 

$

0.3

 

 

$

(4.6

)

 

$

98.2

 

 

$

2.03

 

Adjustments, pre-tax:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Missouri regulatory adjustments

 

 

30.6

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

30.6

 

 

 

0.63

 

Unrealized loss on energy-related derivatives

 

 

 

 

 

11.8

 

 

 

 

 

 

11.8

 

 

 

0.24

 

Realized gain on economic hedges prior to the sale of the physical commodity

 

 

 

 

 

(0.2

)

 

 

 

 

 

(0.2

)

 

 

(0.01

)

Acquisition, divestiture and restructuring activities

 

 

0.2

 

 

 

 

 

 

1.8

 

 

 

2.0

 

 

 

0.04

 

Income tax effect of adjustments*

 

 

(7.6

)

 

 

(3.0

)

 

 

(0.5

)

 

 

(11.1

)

 

 

(0.22

)

Effect of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (“TCJA”)

 

 

6.0

 

 

 

1.3

 

 

 

(1.4

)

 

 

5.9

 

 

 

0.12

 

Net Economic Earnings (Loss) [Non-GAAP]**

 

$

131.7

 

 

$

10.2

 

 

$

(4.7

)

 

$

137.2

 

 

$

2.83

 

 

*

Income tax effect is calculated by applying federal, state, and local income tax rates applicable to ordinary income to the amounts of the pre-tax reconciling items and then adding any estimated effects of enacted state or local income tax laws for periods before the related effective date.

**

Net economic earnings per share is calculated by replacing consolidated net income with consolidated net economic earnings in the GAAP diluted earnings per share calculation.

Consolidated

Spire’s net income was $154.6 for the three months ended March 31, 2019, compared with $98.2 for the three months ended March 31, 2018. Basic and diluted earnings per share for the three months ended March 31, 2019, were $3.05 and $3.04, respectively, compared with basic and diluted earnings per share of $2.03 for the three months ended March 31, 2018. Net income increased $56.4, reflecting a $44.2 increase in the Gas Utility segment and a $12.6 increase in Gas Marketing. The Gas Utility increase reflects a $38.4 ($23.6 after-tax) expense for Missouri rate case write-offs recorded in the prior-year quarter and a rate design change at the Missouri Utilities in the current quarter. Gas Marketing net income increased due to a $20.7 ($15.3 after-tax) improvement in derivative activity and fair value measurements, as well as the benefit of its geographic expansion, offset by a return to more normalized basis differentials in the current quarter as compared to the prior year.

Spire’s net economic earnings were $147.9 ($2.90 per diluted share) for the three months ended March 31, 2019, an increase of $10.7 from the $137.2 ($2.83 per diluted share) reported for the same period last year. For the current quarter both net income per share and net economic earnings per share were impacted by 2.3 million shares that were issued in May 2018. The principal drivers of the increase in net economic earnings was the rate design impact at the Missouri Utilities, offset partly by lower Gas Marketing earnings, as reflected in the table. These impacts are described in further detail below.

49


 

Gas Utility

For the three months ended March 31, 2019, net economic earnings for the Gas Utility segment increased $15.0 from the second quarter last year, with earnings growth across all the Utilities.  The new rate design at the Missouri Utilities lowered the fixed monthly charge and increased the volumetric component, resulting in the shifting of revenues and earnings from April - October to the November - March time periods when the highest volume of gas is used by customers. The Utilities also experienced $3.3 higher operation and maintenance (“O&M”) expense in the second quarter of fiscal 2019 after removal of Missouri rate case write-offs and a $9.6 net quarter-over-quarter increase due to the mix of service and non-service postretirement benefits costs now recorded in other income and expense, combined with higher depreciation expenses resulting from the continued infrastructure investment at all the Utilities. These impacts are discussed in further detail below.

Gas Marketing

For the three months ended March 31, 2019, net economic earnings for the Gas Marketing segment decreased $4.0 compared with the second quarter last year. Second quarter NEE was $6.2, down from $10.2 in the prior year that included incremental earnings from unusually favorable weather-driven market conditions. The solid performance in the current year period reflects the benefit of geographic expansion that created additional opportunities to optimize the segment’s supply, transportation and storage portfolio. This was more than offset by a return to more normal market conditions with narrower basis differentials.

Other

For the three months ended March 31, 2019, net economic loss for Other increased $0.3 compared with the second quarter last year. This increase reflects a $4.8 operating loss associated with Spire Storage (where operating and restructuring costs were excluded from NEE in the prior year) and higher interest expense due to increased short-term rates, both of which were largely offset by higher Allowance for Funds Used During Construction (“AFUDC”) income for Spire STL Pipeline.

Operating Revenues and Expenses and Contribution Margin

Reconciliations of the Company’s contribution margin to the most directly comparable GAAP measure are shown below.

 

 

Gas Utility

 

 

Gas Marketing

 

 

Other

 

 

Eliminations

 

 

Consolidated

 

Three Months Ended March 31, 2019

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operating Income (Loss) [GAAP]

 

$

196.3

 

 

$

16.8

 

 

$

(3.6

)

 

$

 

 

$

209.5

 

Operation and maintenance expenses

 

 

112.0

 

 

 

2.7

 

 

 

6.5

 

 

 

(2.9

)

 

 

118.3

 

Depreciation and amortization

 

 

44.4

 

 

 

 

 

 

0.5

 

 

 

 

 

 

44.9

 

Taxes, other than income taxes

 

 

57.4

 

 

 

0.3

 

 

 

0.4

 

 

 

 

 

 

58.1

 

Less: Gross receipts tax expense

 

 

(43.4

)

 

 

(0.1

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(43.5

)

Contribution Margin [Non-GAAP]

 

 

366.7

 

 

 

19.7

 

 

 

3.8

 

 

 

(2.9

)

 

 

387.3

 

Natural and propane gas costs

 

 

366.7

 

 

 

5.7

 

 

 

0.5

 

 

 

(0.2

)

 

 

372.7

 

Gross receipts tax expense

 

 

43.4

 

 

 

0.1

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

43.5

 

Operating Revenues

 

$

776.8

 

 

$

25.5

 

 

$

4.3

 

 

$

(3.1

)

 

$

803.5

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Three Months Ended March 31, 2018

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operating Income (Loss) [GAAP]

 

$

151.0

 

 

$

1.1

 

 

$

(2.0

)

 

$

 

 

$

150.1

 

Operation and maintenance expenses

 

 

137.5

 

 

 

1.5

 

 

 

5.8

 

 

 

(2.6

)

 

 

142.2

 

Depreciation and amortization

 

 

41.1

 

 

 

 

 

 

0.4

 

 

 

 

 

 

41.5

 

Taxes, other than income taxes

 

 

58.0

 

 

 

0.1

 

 

 

0.1

 

 

 

 

 

 

58.2

 

Less: Gross receipts tax expense

 

 

(43.5

)

 

 

(0.1

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(43.6

)

Contribution Margin [Non-GAAP]

 

 

344.1

 

 

 

2.6

 

 

 

4.3

 

 

 

(2.6

)

 

 

348.4

 

Natural and propane gas costs

 

 

403.2

 

 

 

18.6

 

 

 

0.1

 

 

 

(0.5

)

 

 

421.4

 

Gross receipts tax expense

 

 

43.5

 

 

 

0.1

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

43.6

 

Operating Revenues

 

$

790.8

 

 

$

21.3

 

 

$

4.4

 

 

$

(3.1

)

 

$

813.4

 

50


 

Consolidated

As shown in the table above, Spire reported operating revenue of $803.5, a decrease of $9.9 for the three months ended March 31, 2019, compared with the same period last year, primarily due to a $14.0 reduction in the Gas Utility segment. Spire’s contribution margin increased $38.9 compared with last year, due to increases in the Gas Utility and Gas Marketing segments of $22.6 and $17.1, respectively, before intersegment eliminations. Depreciation and amortization expenses were up $3.3 in the Gas Utility segment, reflecting the higher overall capital investments across all utilities. Gas Utility O&M expenses in the quarter were $25.5 lower than the prior-year quarter, driven primarily by Missouri rate case write-offs of $38.4 recorded in the prior-year quarter, offset by $9.6 net quarter-over-quarter increase due to the mix of service and non-service postretirement benefits costs now recorded in other income and expense. Excluding these impacts, Gas Utility O&M expenses increased approximately $3.3 versus the second quarter in the prior year, as a net $4.0 increase in employee benefits and energy efficiency costs from the Missouri rate cases were partially offset by lower other discretionary costs. These impacts are described in further detail below.

Gas Utility

Operating Revenues Gas Utility operating revenues for the three months ended March 31, 2019, were $776.8, or $14.0 lower than the same period last year. The decrease in Gas Utility operating revenues was attributable to the following factors:

 

Missouri Utilities – 2018 rate case resets (net of TCJA giveback)

 

$

19.6

 

Spire Alabama – Rate Stabilization and Equalization (“RSE”): net renewal and giveback

 

 

2.4

 

Missouri Utilities and Spire Alabama – Lower PGA/GSA cost recoveries

 

 

(20.2

)

Missouri Utilities and Spire Alabama – Volumetric usage (net of weather mitigation)

 

 

(12.1

)

Missouri Utilities – Off-system sales and capacity release

 

 

(3.6

)

All other factors

 

 

(0.1

)

Total Variation

 

$

(14.0

)

 

The decrease in revenues was driven by lower gas cost recoveries, and lower volumetric usage. Although the Missouri Utilities saw a $3.3 increase in revenues due to higher volumetric usage (net of weather mitigation), which was a function of colder weather patterns experienced across their service areas in the current quarter, Spire Alabama’s usage declined by $15.4, more than offsetting the increase in Missouri. These impacts were only partly offset by the $19.6 increase in revenues due to rate design changes (net of TCJA giveback) at the Missouri Utilities as a result of the 2018 rate cases, and the $2.4 RSE regulatory adjustment at Spire Alabama. The new Missouri rate design lowered the fixed monthly charge and increased the volumetric component, resulting in the shifting of revenues from April - October to the November - March time periods when the highest volume of gas is used by customers.

Contribution Margin – Gas Utility contribution margin was $366.7 for the three months ended March 31, 2019, a $22.6 increase over the same period last year. The increase was attributable to the following factors:

 

Missouri Utilities – 2018 rate case resets (net of TCJA giveback)

 

$

19.6

 

Spire Alabama – RSE: net renewal and giveback

 

 

2.4

 

Missouri Utilities and Spire Alabama – Volumetric usage (net of weather mitigation)

 

 

(1.5

)

All other factors

 

 

2.1

 

Total Variation

 

$

22.6

 

The increase in contribution margin was primarily attributable to the Missouri Utilities’ rate case resets, as discussed under Operating Revenues above. Contribution margin was also slightly favorable due to the $2.4 RSE adjustment at Spire Alabama. Offsetting these positive impacts was a slightly negative volume usage impact (net of weather mitigation) of $1.5.

51


 

Operating Expenses – O&M expenses for the three months ended March 31, 2019 were $25.5 lower than the same period in the prior year. The decrease reflects $38.4 in Missouri rate case write-offs in the prior year, offset by $9.6 net quarter-over-quarter increase due to the mix of service and non-service postretirement benefits costs now recorded in other income and expense. Excluding these adjustments, O&M increased $3.3 versus the prior year, due primarily to higher employee benefits and energy efficiency costs resulting from the 2018 Missouri rate cases of $4.0, with other discretionary spend down marginally from last year. Depreciation and amortization expenses for the three months ended March 31, 2019, increased $3.3 from last year, the result of higher levels of capital expenditures across all the Utilities.

Gas Marketing

Operating Revenues – Operating revenues increased $4.2 versus the prior-year period resulting from higher volumetric gas sales, higher transport activity and higher general pricing. Average pricing for the three months ended March 31, 2019, was approximately $2.969/MMBtu versus approximately $2.828/MMBtu for the quarter ended March 31, 2018.

Contribution Margin – Gas Marketing contribution margin during the three months ended March 31, 2019 increased $17.1 from the same period last year, largely reflecting a $20.7 increase of gas contract derivative activity excluded from net economic earnings. Excluding these gains, margins decreased by $3.6 from the prior year reflecting a return to more normal market conditions with narrower basis differentials, offset in part by geographic expansion that created additional opportunities to optimize the segment’s supply, transportation and storage portfolio.

Interest Charges

Consolidated interest charges during the three months ended March 31, 2019, increased by $2.2 from the same period last year. The increase was primarily driven by net long-term debt issuances and higher rates and levels of short-term borrowings. For the three months ended March 31, 2019 and 2018, average short-term borrowings were $573.1 and $545.8, respectively, and the average interest rates on these borrowings were 2.93% and 2.05%, respectively. Partly offsetting these factors was an increase in the non-cash AFUDC income for Spire STL Pipeline compared to the prior year.

Income Taxes

Consolidated income tax expense during the three months ended March 31, 2019, increased $14.5 from the same period last year, primarily due to an increase in pre-tax book income and the prior year benefiting from a TCJA adjustment, offset in part by the amortization of excess deferred taxes in the current year.

Spire Missouri

 

 

Three Months Ended March 31,

 

 

 

2019

 

 

2018

 

Operating Income [GAAP]

 

$

102.4

 

 

$

61.6

 

Operation and maintenance expenses

 

 

70.7

 

 

 

94.0

 

Depreciation and amortization

 

 

27.8

 

 

 

25.2

 

Taxes, other than income taxes

 

 

41.9

 

 

 

41.2

 

Less: Gross receipts tax expense

 

 

(32.1

)

 

 

(30.6

)

Contribution Margin [Non-GAAP]

 

 

210.7

 

 

 

191.4

 

Natural and propane gas costs

 

 

313.8

 

 

 

311.2

 

Gross receipts tax expense

 

 

32.1

 

 

 

30.6

 

Operating Revenues

 

$

556.6

 

 

$

533.2

 

Net Income

 

$

80.0

 

 

$

38.4

 

52


 

Operating revenues for the three months ended March 31, 2019, increased $23.4 from the same period last year primarily due to a $19.6 increase attributable to rate design changes (net of TCJA giveback) resulting from the 2018 rate case resets, and a $3.3 increase in volumetric usage (net of weather mitigation) resulting from colder weather. Contribution margin for the three months ended March 31, 2019, increased $19.3 from the same period last year, largely due to the $19.6 from the rate design changes mentioned above.

O&M expenses for the three months ended March 31, 2019 decreased $23.3 primarily due to $38.4 in Missouri rate case write-offs recorded in the prior-year quarter, offset by $9.6 net quarter-over-quarter increase due to the mix of service and non-service postretirement benefits costs now recorded in other income and expense. Excluding these items, operating expenses increased by $5.5, primarily due to an increase in higher employee benefits and energy efficiency costs resulting from the 2018 rate case that is fully recovered in operating revenues. Depreciation and amortization increased $2.6 in the current quarter versus the prior-year quarter due to higher capital investments.

For the quarter ended March 31, 2019, net income increased $41.6 versus the prior-year quarter, which was primarily the result of the $23.6 after-tax rate case charge in the prior year, combined with the higher contribution margin in the current-year quarter.

Degree days in Spire Missouri’s service areas during the three months ended March 31, 2019, were 10% colder than normal and 6% colder than the same period last year, resulting in higher usage on a year-over-year comparative basis. The Missouri Utilities’ total system therms sold and transported were 829.0 million for the three months ended March 31, 2019, compared with 786.5 million for the same period last year. Total off-system therms sold and transported were 11.7 million for the three months ended March 31, 2019, compared with 37.0 million for the same period last year, as a 5% increase in current-year system demand reduced therm availability for off-system sales. Revenues and margins were not significantly impacted from colder weather due to weather mitigation in our rate design.

Spire Alabama

 

 

Three Months Ended March 31,

 

 

 

2019

 

 

2018

 

Operating Income [GAAP]

 

$

79.6

 

 

$

77.1

 

Operation and maintenance expenses

 

 

33.4

 

 

 

35.2

 

Depreciation and amortization

 

 

13.7

 

 

 

13.1

 

Taxes, other than income taxes

 

 

12.6

 

 

 

14.4

 

Less: Gross receipts tax expense

 

 

(9.6

)

 

 

(11.6

)

Contribution Margin [Non-GAAP]

 

 

129.7

 

 

 

128.2

 

Natural and propane gas costs

 

 

41.1

 

 

 

78.5

 

Gross receipts tax expense

 

 

9.6

 

 

 

11.6

 

Operating Revenues

 

$

180.4

 

 

$

218.3

 

Net Income

 

$

56.7

 

 

$

55.6

 

Operating revenues for the three months ended March 31, 2019, decreased $37.9 from the same period last year. The change in operating revenue was driven principally by a $22.9 decrease in gas cost recoveries versus the prior year and lower current-year volumetric usage impacts of $15.4. Contribution margin increased $1.5, primarily due to the 2019 rate reset (RSE renewal and giveback) of $2.4, partly offset by lower volumes.

Depreciation and amortization expenses for the three months ended March 31, 2019, were $0.6 higher than the same period last year, the result of continued infrastructure investment. O&M expenses were $1.8 lower, primarily due to lower employee-related costs.

As measured in degree days, temperatures in Spire Alabama’s service area during the three months ended March 31, 2019 were 21% warmer than normal and 18% warmer than a year ago. Spire Alabama’s total system therms sold and transported were 316.5 million for the three months ended March 31, 2019, compared with 333.7 million for the same period last year.

53


 

EARNINGS – SIX MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31, 2019

Spire

Net Income and Net Economic Earnings

The following tables reconcile the Company’s net economic earnings to the most comparable GAAP number, net income.

 

 

Gas Utility

 

 

Gas Marketing

 

 

Other

 

 

Total

 

 

Per Diluted Share**

 

Six Months Ended March 31, 2019

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net Income (Loss) [GAAP]

 

$

213.1

 

 

$

22.9

 

 

$

(14.1

)

 

$

221.9

 

 

$

4.36

 

Adjustments, pre-tax:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Unrealized gain on energy-related derivatives

 

 

 

 

 

(11.3

)

 

 

 

 

 

(11.3

)

 

 

(0.22

)

Acquisition, divestiture and restructuring activities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

0.4

 

 

 

0.4

 

 

 

0.01

 

Income tax effect of adjustments*

 

 

 

 

 

2.9

 

 

 

(0.1

)

 

 

2.8

 

 

 

0.05

 

Net Economic Earnings (Loss) [Non-GAAP]

 

$

213.1

 

 

$

14.5

 

 

$

(13.8

)

 

$

213.8

 

 

$

4.20

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Six Months Ended March 31, 2018

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net Income [GAAP]

 

$

147.7

 

 

$

3.8

 

 

$

62.7

 

 

$

214.2

 

 

$

4.42

 

Adjustments, pre-tax:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Missouri regulatory adjustments

 

 

30.6

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

30.6

 

 

 

0.63

 

Unrealized loss on energy-related derivatives

 

 

 

 

 

12.6

 

 

 

 

 

 

12.6

 

 

 

0.26

 

Realized gain on economic hedges prior to the sale of the physical commodity

 

 

 

 

 

(0.3

)

 

 

 

 

 

(0.3

)

 

 

(0.01

)

Acquisition, divestiture and restructuring activities

 

 

0.2

 

 

 

 

 

 

3.5

 

 

 

3.7

 

 

 

0.08

 

Income tax effect of adjustments*

 

 

(7.6

)

 

 

(3.2

)

 

 

(0.9

)

 

 

(11.7

)

 

 

(0.24

)

Effect of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act

 

 

20.3

 

 

 

0.9

 

 

 

(75.2

)

 

 

(54.0

)

 

 

(1.12

)

Net Economic Earnings (Loss) [Non-GAAP]

 

$

191.2

 

 

$

13.8

 

 

$

(9.9

)

 

$

195.1

 

 

$

4.02

 

*

Income tax effect is calculated by applying federal, state, and local income tax rates applicable to ordinary income to the amounts of the pre-tax reconciling items and then adding any estimated effects of enacted state or local income tax laws for periods before the related effective date.

**

Net economic earnings per share is calculated by replacing consolidated net income with consolidated net economic earnings in the GAAP diluted earnings per share calculation.

Consolidated

Spire’s net income was $221.9 for the six months ended March 31, 2019, compared with $214.2 for the six months ended March 31, 2018. Basic and diluted earnings per share for the six months ended March 31, 2019, were $4.37 and $4.36, respectively, compared with basic and diluted earnings per share of $4.43 and $4.42, respectively, for the six months ended March 31, 2018. The increase in net income of $7.7 reflects a $54.0 prior year income benefit relating to the implementation of the TCJA, partly offset by $38.4 in pre-tax ($23.6 after-tax) expense for Missouri rate case write-offs recorded in the prior year. Excluding these amounts, net income growth was $38.1, driven by higher operating results of the Gas Utility segment primarily attributable to Spire Missouri’s new rate design.

The Gas Marketing segment also experienced strong operating results, due to favorable fair value mark-to-market adjustments, geographic expansion, and solid market conditions in the current year.

Net economic earnings were $213.8 ($4.20 per diluted share) for the six months ended March 31, 2019, up from $195.1 ($4.02 per diluted share) for the same period last year, reflecting a $21.9 increase for Gas Utility and a $0.7 net economic earnings increase experienced by Gas Marketing, partially offset by a $3.9 higher net economic loss in Other. These fluctuations are described in more detail below.

54


 

Gas Utility

Gas Utility net income increased by $65.4 and net economic earnings increased $21.9 for the six months ended March 31, 2019, compared with the six months ended March 31, 2018. Both net income and net economic earnings were higher in the current year from the rate case redesign at Spire Missouri, and from weather patterns that were favorable to the prior year. Prior-year net income was negatively impacted by the $23.6 after-tax expense for Missouri rate case write-offs offset by one-time tax benefits recorded in 2018 related to the implementation of the TCJA.

Gas Marketing

The Gas Marketing segment reported net income totaling $22.9 for the six months ended March 31, 2019, versus net income of $3.8 during the same period last year, with the current-year period benefitting from favorable fair value mark-to-market valuations. Net economic earnings for the six months ended March 31, 2019, were $14.5, an increase of $0.7 from the same period last year as the benefits of geographic expansion more than offset the return of more normal market conditions and higher operating expenses.

Other

For the six months ended March 31, 2019, net economic loss for Other was $13.8, up from $9.9 in the prior-year period. The higher costs reflect higher corporate interest costs and a $7.4 loss from Spire Storage, partially offset by increased AFUDC income for Spire STL Pipeline.

Operating Revenues and Expenses and Contribution Margin

Reconciliations of the Company’s contribution margin to the most directly comparable GAAP measure are shown in the table below:

 

 

Gas Utility

 

 

Gas Marketing

 

 

Other

 

 

Eliminations

 

 

Consolidated

 

Six Months Ended March 31, 2019

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operating Income (Loss) [GAAP]

 

$

291.9

 

 

$

29.3

 

 

$

(6.6

)

 

$

 

 

$

314.6

 

Operation and maintenance expenses

 

 

216.9

 

 

 

5.3

 

 

 

13.9

 

 

 

(5.6

)

 

 

230.5

 

Depreciation and amortization

 

 

88.1

 

 

 

 

 

 

1.0

 

 

 

 

 

 

89.1

 

Taxes, other than income taxes

 

 

96.6

 

 

 

0.5

 

 

 

0.8

 

 

 

 

 

 

97.9

 

Less: Gross receipts tax expense

 

 

(69.3

)

 

 

(0.1

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(69.4

)

Contribution Margin [Non-GAAP]

 

 

624.2

 

 

 

35.0

 

 

 

9.1

 

 

 

(5.6

)

 

 

662.7

 

Natural and propane gas costs

 

 

658.5

 

 

 

16.2

 

 

 

0.6

 

 

 

(1.9

)

 

 

673.4

 

Gross receipts tax expense

 

 

69.3

 

 

 

0.1

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

69.4

 

Operating Revenues

 

$

1,352.0

 

 

$

51.3

 

 

$

9.7

 

 

$

(7.5

)

 

$

1,405.5

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Six Months Ended March 31, 2018

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operating Income (Loss) [GAAP]

 

$

251.7

 

 

$

6.1

 

 

$

(3.7

)

 

$

 

 

$

254.1

 

Operation and maintenance expenses

 

 

238.4

 

 

 

3.1

 

 

 

10.1

 

 

 

(4.9

)

 

 

246.7

 

Depreciation and amortization

 

 

81.4

 

 

 

 

 

 

0.5

 

 

 

 

 

 

81.9

 

Taxes, other than income taxes

 

 

94.7

 

 

 

0.1

 

 

 

0.1

 

 

 

 

 

 

94.9

 

Less: Gross receipts tax expense

 

 

(66.6

)

 

 

(0.1

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(66.7

)

Contribution Margin [Non-GAAP]

 

 

599.6

 

 

 

9.2

 

 

 

7.0

 

 

 

(4.9

)

 

 

610.9

 

Natural and propane gas costs

 

 

666.6

 

 

 

31.6

 

 

 

0.2

 

 

 

(0.8

)

 

 

697.6

 

Gross receipts tax expense

 

 

66.6

 

 

 

0.1

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

66.7

 

Operating Revenues

 

$

1,332.8

 

 

$

40.9

 

 

$

7.2

 

 

$

(5.7

)

 

$

1,375.2

 

55


 

Consolidated

Spire’s operating revenues for the six months ended March 31, 2019, increased by $19.2 at the Gas Utility segment and were $10.4 higher in the Gas Marketing segment. The Gas Utility increase was due principally to the Missouri rate case reset (net of TCJA giveback) and weather/volumetric impacts (net of weather mitigation), offset by lower gas cost recoveries. The Gas Marketing increase was due to a combination of higher pricing and volumes. Spire’s contribution margin increased $51.8 compared with the same six-month period last year. The growth in contribution margin was primarily attributable to the Gas Utility segment, up $24.6, with the Missouri Utilities up $20.7 and Spire Alabama up $3.0, with remaining growth from the utilities of Spire EnergySouth. In addition, Gas Marketing’s contribution margin was up $25.8, reflecting a $23.6 year-over-year improvement in derivative activity and fair value mark-to-market adjustments, combined with geographic expansion. Depreciation and amortization expenses were higher in the Gas Utility segment, due to higher capital investments in both the Missouri Utilities and Spire Alabama. Gas Utility O&M expenses were lower in the current year driven primarily by the Missouri rate case write-offs in the prior year.  These fluctuations are described in more detail below.

Gas Utility

Operating Revenues – Gas Utility operating revenues for the six months ended March 31, 2019, were $1,352.0, or $19.2 higher than the same period last year. The increase in Gas Utility operating revenues was attributable to the following factors:

Missouri Utilities and Spire Alabama – 2018 rate case resets (net of TCJA giveback)

 

$

16.1

 

Missouri Utilities and Spire Alabama – Volumetric usage (net of weather mitigation)

 

 

15.2

 

Missouri Utilities and Spire Alabama – Higher gross receipts taxes

 

 

2.5

 

Missouri Utilities – Customer growth

 

 

1.3

 

Missouri Utilities and Spire Alabama – Lower PGA/GSA cost recoveries

 

 

(14.9

)

Missouri Utilities – Off-system sales and capacity release

 

 

(1.1

)

All other factors

 

 

0.1

 

Total Variation

 

$

19.2

 

 

The increase in revenues was driven primarily by an increase of $16.1 relating to the changes to the Spire Missouri and Spire Alabama rate case resets (net of TCJA giveback), higher weather/volumetric impacts of $15.2, increases in gross receipt taxes of $2.5, and $1.3 attributable to customer growth.

The positive revenue drivers were offset by a $14.9 reduction in gas cost recoveries, and a $1.1 reduction in Spire Missouri off-system and capacity release.

Contribution Margin – Gas Utility contribution margin was $624.2 for the six months ended March 31, 2019, a $24.6 increase over the same period last year. The increase was attributable to the following factors:

Missouri Utilities and Spire Alabama – 2018 rate case resets (net of TCJA giveback)

 

$

16.1

 

Missouri Utilities and Spire Alabama – Volumetric usage (net of weather mitigation)

 

 

4.6

 

Missouri Utilities – Off-system sales and capacity release

 

 

1.5

 

Missouri Utilities – Customer growth

 

 

1.3

 

All other factors

 

 

1.1

 

Total Variation

 

$

24.6

 

The contribution margin increase resulted from the new Missouri rate design and colder weather in the current year (net of weather mitigation), combined with the impacts from Spire Alabama’s rate reset and the Missouri Utilities’ off-system sales and capacity release.

56


 

Operating Expenses – Gas Utility O&M expenses for the six months ended March 31, 2019, decreased $21.5 from last year. Removing last year’s $38.4 of Missouri rate case write-offs, offset by $9.9 net year-over-year increase due to the mix of service and non-service postretirement benefits costs now recorded in other income and expense, O&M increased $7.0. Excluding the impact of $8.0 higher employee benefits and energy efficiency costs that resulted from the 2018 Missouri rate case, discretionary O&M expenditures in the current year are running slightly lower than the prior year. Depreciation and amortization expenses for the six months ended March 31, 2019, increased $6.7 from the same period last year as a result of higher levels of capital investment over the past year, with $5.0 attributable to Spire Missouri and $1.4 attributable to Spire Alabama.

Gas Marketing

Operating Revenues – Gas Marketing operating revenues during the six months ended March 31, 2019, increased $10.4 from the same period last year, principally due to higher total volumes in conjunction with higher general pricing levels, along with the effect of changes in trading activities. Overall commodity pricing in the current year was $0.448/MMBtu higher than the prior year.

Contribution Margin – Gas Marketing contribution margin during the six months ended March 31, 2019, increased $25.8 from the same period last year, benefiting from a net $23.6 year-over-year swing in derivative activity and mark-to-market valuations. Excluding that factor, the solid performance reflects a return to more normal market conditions, as well as geographic expansion that created additional opportunities to optimize the segment’s supply, transportation and storage portfolio.

Interest Charges

Consolidated interest charges during the six months ended March 31, 2019, were $3.7 higher than the same period last year. The increase was primarily driven by net long-term debt issuances and higher rates and levels of short-term borrowings. For the six months ended March 31, 2019 and 2018, average short-term borrowings were $598.3 and $514.2, respectively, and the average interest rates on these borrowings were 2.8% and 1.8%, respectively.

Income Taxes

Consolidated income tax expense during the six months ended March 31, 2019, increased $62.3 versus the prior year. Of this variance, $54.0 is the result of the revaluation of deferred tax assets and liabilities on the balance sheet that was recorded due to the implementation of the TCJA in the prior year. The remaining variance is the result of the higher pre-tax book income in the current year, offset in part by the amortization of excess deferred taxes.

Spire Missouri

 

 

Six Months Ended March 31,

 

 

 

2019

 

 

2018

 

Operating Income [GAAP]

 

$

173.8

 

 

$

136.6

 

Operation and maintenance expenses

 

 

133.8

 

 

 

154.1

 

Depreciation and amortization

 

 

55.0

 

 

 

50.0

 

Taxes, other than income taxes

 

 

70.0

 

 

 

67.4

 

Less: Gross receipts tax expense

 

 

(50.6

)

 

 

(46.8

)

Contribution Margin [Non-GAAP]

 

 

382.0

 

 

 

361.3

 

Natural and propane gas costs

 

 

537.2

 

 

 

517.4

 

Gross receipts tax expense

 

 

50.6

 

 

 

46.8

 

Operating Revenues

 

$

969.8

 

 

$

925.5

 

Net Income

 

$

131.2

 

 

$

127.8

 

57


 

Operating revenues during the six months ended March 31, 2019, increased $44.3 from the same period last year primarily due to a $15.2 increase attributable to the new rate design (net of TCJA giveback), a $19.1 increase in volumetric impacts (net of weather mitigation) relating to colder weather conditions in the current year, and $6.0 higher wholesale gas costs passed on to customers. Contribution margin increased $20.7 primarily due to the $15.2 increase attributable to the new rate design (net of TCJA giveback), $2.5 increase due to higher volumes and weather, a $1.5 increase due to off-system sales and capacity relief and a $1.3 increase due to customer growth. O&M expenses during the six months ended March 31, 2019, decreased $20.3 from the same period last year. Excluding the $38.4 of Missouri rate case write-offs in the prior year, offset by $9.8 net year-over-year increase due to the mix of service and non-service postretirement benefits costs now recorded in other income and expense, O&M expenses were $8.3 higher in the current year versus the prior-year period. This increase is the result of higher employee benefits and energy efficiency costs (recovered in rates) resulting from the 2018 rate case, partly offset by lower discretionary expenses. Depreciation increased by $5.0 as a result of continuing increases in the levels of capital investment.

Temperatures in Spire Missouri’s service areas during the six months ended March 31, 2019, were 9% colder than the same period last year and 10% colder than normal. The Missouri Utilities’ total system therms sold and transported were 1,418.1 million for the six months ended March 31, 2019, compared with 1,312.9 million for the same period last year. Total off-system therms sold and transported were 34.8 million for the six months ended March 31, 2019, compared with 67.6 million for the same period last year. Revenues and margins were not significantly impacted by colder weather due to weather mitigation in our rate design.

Spire Alabama

 

 

Six Months Ended March 31,

 

 

 

2019

 

 

2018

 

Operating Income [GAAP]

 

$

96.7

 

 

$

95.1

 

Operation and maintenance expenses

 

 

67.8

 

 

 

68.0

 

Depreciation and amortization

 

 

27.3

 

 

 

25.9

 

Taxes, other than income taxes

 

 

21.5

 

 

 

22.6

 

Less: Gross receipts tax expense

 

 

(15.9

)

 

 

(17.2

)

Contribution Margin [Non-GAAP]

 

 

197.4

 

 

 

194.4

 

Natural and propane gas costs

 

 

100.6

 

 

 

127.5

 

Gross receipts tax expense

 

 

15.9

 

 

 

17.2

 

Operating Revenues

 

$

313.9

 

 

$

339.1

 

Net Income

 

$

67.0

 

 

$

6.0

 

Operating revenues for the six months ended March 31, 2019, decreased $25.2 from the same period last year.  The change was principally driven by a $20.9 decrease in gas cost recoveries versus the prior year, a $3.9 decrease related to gas usage, and $1.3 in lower gross receipts tax that was only offset partly by a $2.4 RSE adjustment. Contribution margin increased $3.0, principally as a result of the 2019 RSE rate reset. O&M expenses for the six months ended March 31, 2019, decreased $0.2 from the same period last year, primarily driven by decreases in employee-related and bad debt expenses. Net income variance versus prior year also includes the $59.2 net tax rate change and deferred tax revaluation impact resulting from the implementation of the TCJA in 2018.

Temperatures in Spire Alabama’s service area during the six months ended March 31, 2019, were 4% warmer than the same period last year and 7% warmer than normal. Spire Alabama’s total system therms sold and transported were 604.6 million for the six months ended March 31, 2019, compared with 571.1 million for the same period last year.

REGULATORY MATTERS

For discussions of regulatory matters for Spire, Spire Missouri, and Spire Alabama, see Note 4, Regulatory Matters, of the Notes to Financial Statements in Item 1.

58


 

CRITICAL ACCOUNTING ESTIMATES

Our discussion and analysis of our financial condition, results of operations, liquidity, and capital resources are based upon our financial statements, which have been prepared in accordance with GAAP. GAAP requires that we make estimates and judgments that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses, and related disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities. We evaluate our estimates on an ongoing basis. We base our estimates on historical experience and on various other assumptions that we believe are reasonable under the circumstances, the results of which form the basis for making judgments about the carrying values of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. Actual results may differ from these estimates. Our critical accounting estimates used in the preparation of our financial statements are described in Item 7 of the Company’s, Spire Missouri’s, and Spire Alabama’s combined Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2018, and include regulatory accounting, employee benefits and postretirement obligations, and income taxes. There were no significant changes to critical accounting estimates during the six months ended March 31, 2019.

For discussion of other significant accounting policies, see Note 1 of the Notes to Financial Statements included in this Form 10-Q as well as Note 1 of the Notes to Financial Statements included in the Company’s, Spire Missouri’s, and Spire Alabama’s combined Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2018.

ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS

The Company, Spire Missouri and Spire Alabama have evaluated or are in the process of evaluating the impact that recently issued accounting standards will have on the companies’ financial position or results of operations upon adoption. For disclosures related to the adoption of new accounting standards, see the New Accounting Pronouncements section in Note 1 of the Notes to Financial Statements in Item 1.

CASH FLOWS

The Company’s short-term borrowing requirements typically peak during colder months when the Utilities borrow money to cover the lag between when they purchase natural gas and when their customers pay for that gas. Changes in the wholesale cost of natural gas (including cash payments for margin deposits associated with Spire Missouri’s use of natural gas derivative instruments), variations in the timing of collections of gas cost under the Utilities’ PGA clauses and GSA riders, the seasonality of accounts receivable balances, and the utilization of storage gas inventories cause short-term cash requirements to vary during the year and from year to year, and may cause significant variations in the Company’s cash provided by or used in operating activities.

 

 

Six Months Ended

March 31,

 

Cash Flow Summary

 

2019

 

 

2018

 

Net cash provided by operating activities

 

$

297.5

 

 

$

309.6

 

Net cash used in investing activities

 

 

(386.6

)

 

 

(233.3

)

Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities

 

 

78.8

 

 

 

(65.9

)

 

For the six months ended March 31, 2019, net cash provided by operating activities decreased $12.1 from the corresponding period of fiscal 2018. The change was due principally to the timing of accounts receivable and fluctuations in working capital items, as discussed above.

For the six months ended March 31, 2019, net cash used in investing activities was $153.3 more than for the same period in the prior year, driven by a $161.0 increase in capital expenditures, partly offset by lower acquisition activity. The higher capital spending in the current year is consistent with the Company’s capital expenditure expectations and reflects infrastructure upgrades at the Utilities, support of customer growth, new business development initiatives, as well as development of Spire STL Pipeline and Spire Storage. Total capital expenditures for the full fiscal year 2019 are expected to be approximately $740.

59


 

Lastly, for the six months ended March 31, 2019, net cash provided by financing activities was $78.8, versus net cash used of $65.9 for the six months ended March 31, 2018. This change primarily reflects issuance of long-term debt of $190.0 this year versus $75.0 in the prior year, combined with $34.9 lower short- and long-term borrowing repayments in the current year, partly offset with an increase in dividends paid.

LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES

The Company’s, Spire Missouri’s and Spire Alabama’s access to capital markets, including the commercial paper market, and their respective financing costs, may depend on the credit rating of the entity that is accessing the capital markets. Our debt is rated by two rating agencies: Standard & Poor’s Corporation (“S&P”) and Moody’s Investors Service (“Moody’s”). As of March 31, 2019, the debt ratings of the Company, Spire Missouri and Spire Alabama, shown in the following table, remain at investment grade with a stable outlook.

 

S&P

Moody’s

Spire Inc. senior unsecured long-term debt

BBB+

Baa2

Spire Inc. short-term debt

A-2

P-2

Spire Missouri senior secured long-term debt

A

A1

Spire Alabama senior unsecured long-term debt

A-

A2

It is management’s view that the Company, Spire Missouri and Spire Alabama have adequate access to capital markets and will have sufficient capital resources, both internal and external, to meet anticipated capital requirements, which primarily include capital expenditures, interest payments on long-term debt, scheduled maturities of long-term debt, short-term seasonal needs and dividends.

Cash and Cash Equivalents

Bank deposits were used to support working capital needs of the business. Spire had no temporary cash investments as of or during the three and six months ended March 31, 2019.

Short-term Debt

The Utilities’ short-term borrowing requirements typically peak during the colder months, while most of the Company’s other needs are less seasonal. These short-term cash requirements can be met through the sale of commercial paper or through the use of a revolving credit facility. For information about these resources, see Note 5, Financing Arrangements and Long-term Debt, of the Notes to Financial Statements in Item 1.

Long-term Debt and Equity

At March 31, 2019, including the current portion but excluding unamortized discounts and debt issuance costs, Spire had long-term debt totaling $2,272.0, of which $980.0 was issued by Spire Missouri, $415.0 was issued by Spire Alabama, and $62.0 was issued by other subsidiaries. For more information about long-term debt, see Note 5 of the Notes to Financial Statements in Item 1.

Spire Missouri was authorized by the MoPSC to issue registered securities (first mortgage bonds, unsecured debt and preferred stock), issue common stock, and issue private placement debt in an aggregate amount of up to $500.0 for financings placed any time before September 30, 2021. As of March 31, 2019, $400.0 remains available under this authorization.

Spire has a shelf registration statement on Form S-3 on file with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) for the issuance and sale of up to 250,000 shares of common stock under its Dividend Reinvestment and Direct Stock Purchase Plan. There were 209,841 and 205,708 shares at March 31, 2019 and April 29, 2019, respectively, remaining available for issuance under this Form S-3. Spire and Spire Missouri also have a shelf registration statement on Form S-3 on file with the SEC for the issuance of various equity and debt securities, which expires on September 23, 2019.

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On February 6, 2019, Spire entered into an “at-the-market” equity distribution agreement under which the Company may offer and sell shares of common stock having an aggregate offering price of up to $150.0. Those shares will be issued pursuant to Spire’s shelf registration statement and its prospectus supplement dated February 6, 2019.

Including the current portion of long-term debt, and treating the redeemable noncontrolling interest as equity, the Company’s long-term consolidated capitalization at March 31, 2019 consisted of 51.6% equity, compared to 52.2% equity at September 30, 2018.

CONTRACTUAL OBLIGATIONS

During the six months ended March 31, 2019, there were no material changes outside the ordinary course of business to the estimated contractual obligations from the disclosure provided in the Company’s Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2018.

MARKET RISK

There were no material changes in the Company’s commodity price risk or counterparty credit risk as of March 31, 2019, relative to the corresponding information provided in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K as of September 30, 2018. During the second quarter of fiscal 2017, Spire entered into a ten-year interest rate swap with a fixed interest rate of 2.658% and a notional amount of $60.0 to protect itself against adverse movements in interest rates on future interest rate payments. The Company recorded a $1.3 mark-to-market loss on this swap for the six months ended March 31, 2019. In August 2018, Spire entered into a three-year interest rate swap with a fixed interest rate of 2.7675% and a notional amount of $100.0 to protect itself against adverse movements in interest rates on future variable interest rate payments. The Company recorded a $1.6 mark-to-market loss on this swap as part of other comprehensive income for the six months ended March 31, 2019. During the first quarter of fiscal 2019, the Company entered into a three-year interest rate swap with a fixed interest rate of 3.250% and a notional amount of $100.0 to protect itself against adverse movements in interest rates on future interest rate payments. The Company recorded a $12.3 mark-to-market loss on this swap for the six months ended March 31, 2019.

ENVIRONMENTAL MATTERS

The Utilities and other Spire subsidiaries own and operate natural gas distribution, transmission and storage facilities, the operations of which are subject to various environmental laws and regulations, along with their interpretations. While environmental issues resulting from such operations arise in the ordinary course of business, such issues have not materially affected the Company’s, Spire Missouri’s, or Spire Alabama’s financial position and results of operations. As environmental laws, regulations, and interpretations change, however, the Company and the Utilities may be required to incur additional costs. For information relative to environmental matters, see Contingencies in Note 11 of the Notes to Financial Statements in Item 1.

OFF-BALANCE SHEET ARRANGEMENTS

At March 31, 2019, the Company had no off-balance-sheet financing arrangements other than operating leases, surety bonds, and letters of credit entered into in the ordinary course of business. The Company does not expect to engage in any significant off-balance-sheet financing arrangements in the near future.

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Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

For this discussion, see Part I, Item 2, Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations – Market Risk.

Item 4. Controls and Procedures

Spire

Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures

As of the end of the period covered by this report, we carried out an evaluation, under the supervision and with participation of our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, of the effectiveness of the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures pursuant to Rule 13a-15(e) and Rule 15d-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Based upon such evaluation, the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures are effective.

Change in Internal Control over Financial Reporting

There were no changes in our internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the quarter ended March 31, 2019, that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

Spire Missouri

Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures

As of the end of the period covered by this report, we carried out an evaluation, under the supervision and with participation of our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, of the effectiveness of the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures pursuant to Rule 13a-15(e) and Rule 15d-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Based upon that evaluation, the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures are effective.

Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting

There were no changes in our internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the quarter ended March 31, 2019, that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

Spire Alabama

Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures

As of the end of the period covered by this report, we carried out an evaluation, under the supervision and with participation of our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, of the effectiveness of the design and operation of the disclosure controls and procedures pursuant to Rule 13a-15(e) and Rule 15d-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Based upon that evaluation, the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures are effective.

Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting

There were no changes in our internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the quarter ended March 31, 2019, that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

 

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PART II. OTHER INFORMATION

Item 1. Legal Proceedings

 

For a description of legal proceedings, environmental matters and regulatory matters, see Note 11, Commitments and Contingencies, and Note 4, Regulatory Matters, of the Notes to Financial Statements in Item 1 of Part I.

The registrants are involved in litigation, claims and investigations arising in the normal course of business. Management, after discussion with counsel, believes that the final outcomes of these matters will not have a material effect on any registrant’s financial position or results of operations reflected in the financial statements presented herein.

Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds

The only repurchases of Spire’s common stock in the quarter were pursuant to elections by employees to have shares of stock withheld to cover employee tax withholding obligations upon the vesting of performance-based and time-vested restricted stock and stock units. The following table provides information on those repurchases.

Period

 

(a)

Total Number of

Shares Purchased

 

 

(b)

Average Price Paid

Per Share

 

(c)

Total Number of

Shares Purchased as

Part of Publicly

Announced Plans

or Programs

 

 

(d)

Maximum Number of Shares That May Yet be Purchased Under the Plans

or Programs

 

January 1, 2019 –

January 31, 2019

 

 

 

 

$—

 

 

 

 

 

 

February 1, 2019 –

February 28, 2019

 

 

198

 

 

78.69

 

 

 

 

 

 

March 1, 2019

March 31, 2019

 

 

170

 

 

79.28

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total

 

 

368

 

 

78.96

 

 

 

 

 

 

Spire Missouri’s outstanding first mortgage bonds contain restrictions on its ability to pay cash dividends on its common stock. As of March 31, 2019, all of Spire Missouri’s retained earnings were free from such restrictions.

Item 5. Other Information

Amendment to Spire Deferred Income Plan

On April 25, 2019, the Spire Inc. (“Spire”) Board of Directors, upon the recommendation of the Compensation Committee, adopted and approved an amendment and restatement of the Spire Deferred Income Plan (“DIP”), which becomes effective January 1, 2019. The DIP affords eligible directors and employees of Spire (including its named executive officers) and its designated subsidiaries the ability to defer the receipt of a portion of their compensation, which will accrue earnings, with such deferrals forming the basis for benefits upon termination, death, or disability.

The amendment to the DIP updates the current plan, which was last restated effective January 1, 2016, with the following features:

 

Adds the ability of participants to defer certain equity grants made under the Spire Equity Incentive Plan.

 

Clarifies the treatment of dividends paid on deferrals that are invested in the Spire company stock fund under the DIP.

 

Increases the percentage of base salary eligible to be deferred from 50% to 80% on deferrals made on or after January 1, 2020.

 

Incorporates prior amendments to the DIP adopted since the last plan restatement.

 

Makes certain revisions and improvements to plan language.

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The foregoing description of the amendment to the DIP is qualified in its entirety by reference to the provisions, including defined terms, of the amended and restated DIP, which is filed herewith as Exhibit 10.1 to this Current Report and incorporated herein by reference.

Item 6. Exhibits

 

Exhibit No.

 

Description

  4.1*

 

Second Supplement to Master Note Purchase Agreement, dated as of January 15, 2019, between Spire Alabama Inc. and certain institutional investors; filed as Exhibit 4.1 to Spire Alabama’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed January 21, 2019.

10.1

 

Spire Deferred Income Plan, Amended and Restated Effective January 1, 2019.

  10.2*

 

Loan Agreement, dated as of December 3, 2018, by and among Spire Missouri Inc., as the Borrower, the lenders from time to time party thereto as Banks, U.S. Bank National Association, as the Administrative Agent, and Regions Bank, as Documentation Agent; filed as Exhibit 10.1 to Spire Missouri’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed December 7, 2018.

31.1

 

CEO and CFO Certifications under Exchange Act Rule 13a-14(a) of Spire Inc.

31.2

 

CEO and CFO Certifications under Exchange Act Rule 13a-14(a) of Spire Missouri Inc.

31.3

 

CEO and CFO Certifications under Exchange Act Rule 13a-14(a) of Spire Alabama Inc.

32.1

 

CEO and CFO Section 1350 Certifications of Spire Inc.

32.2

 

CEO and CFO Section 1350 Certifications of Spire Missouri Inc.

32.3

 

CEO and CFO Section 1350 Certifications of Spire Alabama Inc.

101.INS(x)

 

XBRL Instance Document.

101.SCH(x)

 

XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema.

101.CAL(x)

 

XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase.

101.DEF(x)

 

XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase.

101.LAB(x)

 

XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase.

101.PRE(x)

 

XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase.

*

Incorporated herein by reference and made a part hereof. Spire Inc. File No. 1-16681. Spire Missouri Inc. File No. 1-1822. Spire Alabama Inc. File No. 2-38960.

(x)

Attached as Exhibit 101 to this Quarterly Report are the following documents for each registrant formatted in extensible business reporting language (XBRL): (i) Document and Entity Information; (ii) unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income and Condensed Statements of Income for the three months and six months ended March 31, 2019 and 2018;  (iii) unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income and Condensed Statements of Comprehensive Income for the three and six months ended March 31, 2019 and 2018; (iv) unaudited Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets and Condensed Balance Sheets at March 31, 2019, September 30, 2018, and March 31, 2018; (v) unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements of Shareholders’ Equity and Condensed Statements of Shareholder’s Equity for the three and six months ended March 31, 2019 and 2018; (vi) unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows and Condensed Statements of Cash Flows for the six months ended March 31, 2019 and 2018, and (vii) combined unaudited Notes to Financial Statements. We also make available on our website the Interactive Data Files submitted as Exhibit 101 to this Quarterly Report.

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SIGNATURES

 

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, each of the registrants has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.

 

 

 

 

Spire Inc.

 

 

 

 

Date:

May 1, 2019

 

By:

/s/ Steven P. Rasche

 

 

 

 

Steven P. Rasche

 

 

 

 

Executive Vice President and

Chief Financial Officer

 

 

 

 

(Authorized Signatory and

Principal Financial Officer)

 

 

 

 

Spire Missouri Inc.

 

 

 

 

Date:

May 1, 2019

 

By:

/s/ Steven P. Rasche

 

 

 

 

Steven P. Rasche

 

 

 

 

Chief Financial Officer

 

 

 

 

(Authorized Signatory and

Principal Financial Officer)

 

 

 

 

Spire Alabama Inc.

 

 

 

 

Date:

May 1, 2019

 

By:

/s/ Steven P. Rasche

 

 

 

 

Steven P. Rasche

 

 

 

 

Chief Financial Officer

 

 

 

 

(Authorized Signatory and

Principal Financial Officer)

 

65