- \n
- Lower quarterly results in line with company\u2019s expectations<\/i><\/li>\n
- Favorable weather, strong sales and customer growth help offset higher operations and maintenance costs<\/i><\/li>\n
- APS employees focus on summer preparedness, reliability and resilience<\/i><\/li>\n
- Company affirms full-year 2023 guidance<\/i><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
PHOENIX–(BUSINESS WIRE<\/a>)–Pinnacle West Capital Corp.<\/a> (NYSE: PNW) today reported a consolidated net loss attributable to common shareholders of $3.3 million, or a loss of $0.03 per diluted share of common stock, for the quarter ended March 31, 2023. This result compares with consolidated net income of $17.0 million, or $0.15 per diluted share, for the same period in 2022.<\/p>\n
\nThe lower first-quarter results reflect an increase in operations and maintenance expense; lower pension and other postretirement non-service credits; higher interest charges; and higher depreciation and amortization expense primarily due to increased plant assets. These negative factors were partially offset by higher revenue driven by the effects of weather; customer growth and usage; and lower income taxes.<\/p>\n
\n\u201cFirst-quarter results were in line with our expectations, and we are well-positioned for a solid year as our service territory experienced strong year-over-year retail electricity sales growth of 3.6% and robust customer growth of 2%,\u201d said Pinnacle West Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer Jeff Guldner<\/a>, citing 2022 census data that Maricopa County \u2013 home to Phoenix and about 75% of the company\u2019s retail electricity customers \u2013 remained the nation’s largest-growing county in the U.S.<\/p>\n
\n\u201cWhile our 2023 first-quarter O&M expense comparison was higher due to lower-than-normal costs in last year\u2019s first quarter and the fact we are experiencing the impacts of inflation, we project these costs will normalize throughout the balance of the year. As a result, our O&M guidance range for the year remains unchanged.\u201d<\/p>\n
Impacts of a colder winter<\/b><\/p>\n
\nThe 2023 first-quarter results benefited from a colder-than-normal winter, helping offset the higher O&M impacts. According to the National Weather Service, the first three months of the year were the coolest start to a year in the Phoenix metropolitan area since 1979, with March 2023 being the coldest March on record in more than 30 years (1991). The resulting impact was an increase in energy sales in the first quarter as residential heating degree-days (a utility\u2019s measure of the effects of weather) increased about 51% compared to the same timeframe a year ago and were 57% higher than historical 10-year averages.<\/p>\n
Arizona Public Service Co.<\/a> (APS), the company\u2019s regulated utility and principal subsidiary, serves an extremely diverse and broad service territory in 11 of Arizona\u2019s 15 counties. In addition to the desert regions most people associate with the state, APS also serves communities at much higher altitudes. This year, Northern Arizona experienced one of the wettest winter seasons in recent history. In fact, Flagstaff set a record for the second-highest snowfall total through March 1 in more than 100 years. Despite slippery roads, hazardous conditions and freezing temperatures, our crews were able to restore winter power disruptions safely and quickly for our customers when they needed it most.<\/p>\n
Summer reliability and resiliency preparations<\/b><\/p>\n
\nAs Arizona\u2019s hometown energy service provider, Guldner said employees take immense pride \u2013 and responsibility \u2013 in delivering reliable power to APS\u2019s more than 1.3 million customers.<\/p>\n
\n\u201cThat\u2019s why our employees conduct long-term planning, inspections and preventative maintenance of our substations, power lines and generating plants. It\u2019s work that doesn\u2019t just happen for high profile events like this past February\u2019s Super Bowl or Waste Management Open \u00ad\u00ad\u00ad\u00ad\u00ad\u00ad\u2013 it\u2019s work that happens every single day,\u201d said Guldner. \u201cThat\u2019s especially important as we get ready to meet our customers\u2019 energy needs during our peak summer season, which regularly includes extreme triple-digit heat, damaging monsoon storms and unpredictable wildfires.\u201d<\/p>\n
\nIn addition to building new infrastructure to meet growth, maintaining existing infrastructure to ensure reliability, and procuring additional energy to meet summer demand, APS employees are nearing completion of a scheduled maintenance and refueling outage at Palo Verde Generating Station<\/a> Unit 2. As the largest source of carbon-free energy in the U.S., the three-unit nuclear plant is critical to meeting summer demand across the desert southwest.<\/p>\n
\nAPS employees also are enhancing customer outreach strategies, conducting fire-mitigation line patrols and emergency operations drills, and managing supply-chain constraints to acquire critical spare equipment \u2013 all part of the company\u2019s longstanding seasonal preparation activities to help ensure grid resiliency, prevent outages and minimize impact to customers.<\/p>\n
Financial Outlook<\/b><\/p>\n
\nFor 2023, the company continues to project its consolidated earnings guidance will be in the range of $3.95 to $4.15 per diluted share on a weather-normalized basis. Key factors and assumptions underlying the 2023 outlook can be found in the first-quarter 2023 earnings presentation slides at pinnaclewest.com\/investors<\/a>.<\/p>\n
Conference Call and Webcast<\/b><\/p>\n
\nPinnacle West invites interested parties to listen to the live webcast of management\u2019s conference call to discuss the company\u2019s 2023 first-quarter results, as well as recent developments, at noon ET (9 a.m. Arizona time) today, May 4. Join the live webcast at www.pinnaclewest.com\/presentations<\/a> for audio of the call and slides, or dial (888) 506-0062 or (973) 528-0011 for international callers and enter participant access code 797610. A replay of the webcast can be accessed for 30 days at pinnaclewest.com\/presentations<\/a>. A replay of the call also will be available until 11:59 p.m. ET, Thursday, May 11, 2023, by calling (877) 481-4010 in the U.S. and Canada or (919) 882-2331 internationally and entering replay passcode 48085.<\/p>\n
General Information<\/b><\/p>\n
Pinnacle West Capital Corp.<\/a>, an energy holding company based in Phoenix, has consolidated assets of approximately $24 billion, about 6,300 megawatts of generating capacity and nearly 5,900 employees in Arizona and New Mexico. Through its principal subsidiary, Arizona Public Service<\/a>, the company provides retail electricity service to more than 1.3 million Arizona homes and businesses. For more information about Pinnacle West, visit the company\u2019s website at pinnaclewest.com<\/a>.<\/p>\n
\nDollar amounts in this news release are after income taxes. Earnings per share amounts are based on average diluted common shares outstanding. For more information on Pinnacle West\u2019s operating statistics and earnings, please visit pinnaclewest.com\/investors<\/a>.<\/p>\n
FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS<\/b><\/p>\n
\nThis press release contains forward-looking statements based on current expectations. These forward-looking statements are often identified by words such as “estimate,” “predict,” “may,” “believe,” “plan,” “expect,” “require,” “intend,” “assume,” “project,” “anticipate,” “goal,” “seek,” “strategy,” “likely,” “should,” “will,” “could,” and similar words. Because actual results may differ materially from expectations, we caution readers not to place undue reliance on these statements. A number of factors could cause future results to differ materially from historical results, or from outcomes currently expected or sought by Pinnacle West or APS. These factors include, but are not limited to:<\/p>\n
- \n
- \nthe current economic environment and its effects, such as lower economic growth, a tight labor market, inflation, supply chain delays, increased expenses, volatile capital markets, or other unpredictable effects;<\/p>\n<\/li>\n
- \nour ability to manage capital expenditures and operations and maintenance costs while maintaining reliability and customer service levels;<\/p>\n<\/li>\n
- \nvariations in demand for electricity, including those due to weather, seasonality (including large increases in ambient temperatures), the general economy or social conditions, customer, and sales growth (or decline), the effects of energy conservation measures and distributed generation, and technological advancements;<\/p>\n<\/li>\n
- \nthe potential effects of climate change on our electric system, including as a result of weather extremes such as prolonged drought and high temperature variations in the area where APS conducts its business;<\/p>\n<\/li>\n
- \npower plant and transmission system performance and outages;<\/p>\n<\/li>\n
- \ncompetition in retail and wholesale power markets;<\/p>\n<\/li>\n
- \nregulatory and judicial decisions, developments, and proceedings;<\/p>\n<\/li>\n
- \nnew legislation, ballot initiatives and regulation or interpretations of existing legislation or regulations, including those relating to environmental requirements, regulatory and energy policy, nuclear plant operations and potential deregulation of retail electric markets;<\/p>\n<\/li>\n
- \nfuel and water supply availability;<\/p>\n<\/li>\n
- \nour ability to achieve timely and adequate rate recovery of our costs through our rates and adjustor recovery mechanisms, including returns on and of debt and equity capital investment;<\/p>\n<\/li>\n
- \nour ability to meet renewable energy and energy efficiency mandates and recover related costs;<\/p>\n<\/li>\n
- \nthe ability of APS to achieve its clean energy goals (including a goal by 2050 of 100% clean, carbon-free electricity) and, if these goals are achieved, the impact of such achievement on APS, its customers, and its business, financial condition, and results of operations;<\/p>\n<\/li>\n
- \nrisks inherent in the operation of nuclear facilities, including spent fuel disposal uncertainty;<\/p>\n<\/li>\n
- \ncurrent and future economic conditions in Arizona;<\/p>\n<\/li>\n
- \nthe direct or indirect effect on our facilities or business from cybersecurity threats or intrusions, data security breaches, terrorist attack, physical attack, severe storms, or other catastrophic events, such as fires, explosions, pandemic health events or similar occurrences;<\/p>\n<\/li>\n
- \nthe development of new technologies which may affect electric sales or delivery, including as a result of delays in the development and application of new technologies;<\/p>\n<\/li>\n
- \nthe cost of debt, including increased cost as a result of rising interest rates, and equity capital and the ability to access capital markets when required;<\/p>\n<\/li>\n
- \nenvironmental, economic, and other concerns surrounding coal-fired generation, including regulation of GHG emissions;<\/p>\n<\/li>\n
- \nvolatile fuel and purchased power costs;<\/p>\n<\/li>\n
- \nthe investment performance of the assets of our nuclear decommissioning trust, pension, and other postretirement benefit plans and the resulting impact on future funding requirements;<\/p>\n<\/li>\n
- \nthe liquidity of wholesale power markets and the use of derivative contracts in our business;<\/p>\n<\/li>\n
- \npotential shortfalls in insurance coverage;<\/p>\n<\/li>\n
- \nnew accounting requirements or new interpretations of existing requirements;<\/p>\n<\/li>\n
- \ngeneration, transmission and distribution facility and system conditions and operating costs;<\/p>\n<\/li>\n
- \nthe ability to meet the anticipated future need for additional generation and associated transmission facilities in our region;<\/p>\n<\/li>\n
- \nthe willingness or ability of our counterparties, power plant participants and power plant landowners to meet contractual or other obligations or extend the rights for continued power plant operations; and<\/p>\n<\/li>\n
- \nrestrictions on dividends or other provisions in our credit agreements and Arizona Corporation Commission orders.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
\nThese and other factors are discussed in Risk Factors described in Part 1, Item 1A of the Pinnacle West\/APS Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended Dec. 31, 2022, and in Part II, Item 1A in of the Pinnacle West\/APS Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2023, which readers should review carefully before placing any reliance on our financial statements or disclosures. Neither Pinnacle West nor APS assumes any obligation to update these statements, even if our internal estimates change, except as required by law.<\/p>\n
\n
\n PINNACLE WEST CAPITAL CORPORATION<\/b><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n CONDENSED<\/b>CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME<\/b><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n (unaudited)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n (dollars and shares in thousands, except per share amounts)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n \n \n \n \n \u00a0<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n \n \n THREE MONTHS ENDED<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n \n \n MARCH 31,<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n \n \n \n \n2023<\/p>\n<\/td>\n
\n \n \n2022<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\n \n \n \n \n \u00a0<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n Operating Revenues<\/b><\/td>\n \n \n \n$<\/p>\n<\/td>\n
\n \n944,955<\/p>\n<\/td>\n
\n \n\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/td>\n
\n \n \n$<\/p>\n<\/td>\n
\n \n783,531<\/p>\n<\/td>\n
\n \n\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\n \n \n \n \n \u00a0<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n Operating Expenses<\/b><\/td>\n \n \n \n <\/tr>\n \n Fuel and purchased power<\/td>\n \n \n \n\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/td>\n
\n \n394,504<\/p>\n<\/td>\n
\n \n\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/td>\n
\n \n \n\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/td>\n
\n \n265,269<\/p>\n<\/td>\n
\n \n\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\n Operations and maintenance<\/td>\n \n \n \n\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/td>\n
\n \n250,080<\/p>\n<\/td>\n
\n \n\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/td>\n
\n \n \n\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/td>\n
\n \n218,342<\/p>\n<\/td>\n
\n \n\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\n Depreciation and amortization<\/td>\n \n \n \n\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/td>\n
\n \n191,906<\/p>\n<\/td>\n
\n \n\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/td>\n
\n \n \n\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/td>\n
\n \n186,605<\/p>\n<\/td>\n
\n \n\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\n Taxes other than income taxes<\/td>\n \n \n \n\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/td>\n
\n \n57,138<\/p>\n<\/td>\n
\n \n\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/td>\n
\n \n \n\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/td>\n
\n \n57,998<\/p>\n<\/td>\n
\n \n\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\n Other expenses<\/td>\n \n \n \n\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/td>\n
\n \n610<\/p>\n<\/td>\n
\n \n\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/td>\n
\n \n \n\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/td>\n
\n \n825<\/p>\n<\/td>\n
\n \n\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\n Total<\/td>\n \n \n \n\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/td>\n
\n \n894,238<\/p>\n<\/td>\n
\n \n\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/td>\n
\n \n \n\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/td>\n
\n \n729,039<\/p>\n<\/td>\n
\n \n\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\n \n \n \n \n \u00a0<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n Operating Income<\/b><\/td>\n \n \n \n\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/td>\n
\n \n50,717<\/p>\n<\/td>\n
\n \n\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/td>\n
\n \n \n\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/td>\n
\n \n54,492<\/p>\n<\/td>\n
\n \n\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\n \n \n \n \n \u00a0<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n Other Income (Deductions)<\/b><\/td>\n \n \n \n <\/tr>\n \n Allowance for equity funds used during construction<\/td>\n \n \n \n\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/td>\n
\n \n15,061<\/p>\n<\/td>\n
\n \n\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/td>\n
\n \n \n\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/td>\n
\n \n9,747<\/p>\n<\/td>\n
\n \n\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\n Pension and other postretirement non-service credits – net<\/td>\n \n \n \n\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/td>\n
\n \n9,865<\/p>\n<\/td>\n
\n \n\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/td>\n
\n \n \n\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/td>\n
\n \n23,809<\/p>\n<\/td>\n
\n \n\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\n Other income<\/td>\n \n \n \n\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/td>\n
\n \n6,077<\/p>\n<\/td>\n
\n \n\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/td>\n
\n \n \n\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/td>\n
\n \n1,704<\/p>\n<\/td>\n
\n \n\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\n Other expense<\/td>\n \n \n \n\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/td>\n
\n \n(4,131<\/p>\n<\/td>\n
\n \n)<\/p>\n<\/td>\n
\n \n \n\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/td>\n
\n \n(3,422<\/p>\n<\/td>\n
\n \n)<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\n Total<\/td>\n \n \n \n\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/td>\n
\n \n26,872<\/p>\n<\/td>\n
\n \n\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/td>\n
\n \n \n\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/td>\n
\n \n31,838<\/p>\n<\/td>\n
\n \n\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\n \n \n \n \n \u00a0<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n Interest Expense<\/b><\/td>\n \n \n \n <\/tr>\n \n Interest charges<\/td>\n \n \n \n\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/td>\n
\n \n88,119<\/p>\n<\/td>\n
\n \n\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/td>\n
\n \n \n\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/td>\n
\n \n65,389<\/p>\n<\/td>\n
\n \n\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\n Allowance for borrowed funds used during construction<\/td>\n \n \n \n\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/td>\n
\n \n(12,722<\/p>\n<\/td>\n
\n \n)<\/p>\n<\/td>\n
\n \n \n\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/td>\n
\n \n(4,482<\/p>\n<\/td>\n
\n \n)<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\n Total<\/td>\n \n \n \n\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/td>\n
\n \n75,397<\/p>\n<\/td>\n
\n \n\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/td>\n
\n \n \n\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/td>\n
\n \n60,907<\/p>\n<\/td>\n
\n \n\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\n \n \n \n \n \u00a0<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n Income Before Income Taxes<\/b><\/td>\n \n \n \n\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/td>\n
\n \n2,192<\/p>\n<\/td>\n
\n \n\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/td>\n
\n \n \n\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/td>\n
\n \n25,423<\/p>\n<\/td>\n
\n \n\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\n \n \n \n \n \u00a0<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n Income Taxes<\/b><\/td>\n \n \n \n\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/td>\n
\n \n1,183<\/p>\n<\/td>\n
\n \n\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/td>\n
\n \n \n\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/td>\n
\n \n4,161<\/p>\n<\/td>\n
\n \n\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\n \n \n \n \n \u00a0<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n Net Income<\/b><\/td>\n \n \n \n\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/td>\n
\n \n1,009<\/p>\n<\/td>\n
\n \n\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/td>\n
\n \n \n\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/td>\n
\n \n21,262<\/p>\n<\/td>\n
\n \n\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\n \n \n \n \n \u00a0<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests<\/td>\n \n \n \n\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/td>\n
\n \n4,306<\/p>\n<\/td>\n
\n \n\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/td>\n
\n \n \n\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/td>\n
\n \n4,306<\/p>\n<\/td>\n
\n \n\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\n \n \n \n \n \u00a0<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n Net Income (Loss) Attributable To Common Shareholders<\/b><\/td>\n \n \n \n$<\/p>\n<\/td>\n
\n \n(3,297<\/p>\n<\/td>\n
\n \n)<\/p>\n<\/td>\n
\n \n \n$<\/p>\n<\/td>\n
\n \n16,956<\/p>\n<\/td>\n
\n \n\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\n \n \n \n \n \u00a0<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n \n \n \n \n \u00a0<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n Weighted-Average Common Shares Outstanding – Basic<\/b><\/td>\n \n \n \n\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/td>\n
\n \n113,358<\/p>\n<\/td>\n
\n \n\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/td>\n
\n \n \n\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/td>\n
\n \n113,102<\/p>\n<\/td>\n
\n \n\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\n \n \n \n \n \u00a0<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n Weighted-Average Common Shares Outstanding – Diluted<\/b><\/td>\n \n \n \n\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/td>\n
\n \n113,358<\/p>\n<\/td>\n
\n \n\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/td>\n
\n \n \n\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/td>\n
\n \n113,295<\/p>\n<\/td>\n
\n \n\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\n \n \n \n \n \u00a0<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n Earnings Per Weighted-Average Common Share Outstanding<\/b><\/td>\n \n \n \n <\/tr>\n \n Net income (Loss) attributable to common shareholders – basic<\/td>\n \n \n \n$<\/p>\n<\/td>\n
\n \n(0.03<\/p>\n<\/td>\n
\n \n)<\/p>\n<\/td>\n
\n \n \n$<\/p>\n<\/td>\n
\n \n0.15<\/p>\n<\/td>\n
\n \n\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\n Net income (Loss) attributable to common shareholders – diluted<\/td>\n \n \n \n$<\/p>\n<\/td>\n
\n \n(0.03<\/p>\n<\/td>\n
\n \n)<\/p>\n<\/td>\n
\n \n \n$<\/p>\n<\/td>\n
\n \n0.15<\/p>\n<\/td>\n
\n \n\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/table>\n
\n\u00a0<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
View source version on businesswire.com: <\/span>https:\/\/www.businesswire.com\/news\/home\/20230504005069\/en\/<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n
\nMedia Contact: Alan Bunnell (602) 250-3376
\n
Analyst Contact: Amanda Ho (602) 250-3334
\n
Website: pinnaclewest.com<\/a><\/p>\nKEYWORDS:<\/b> Arizona United States North America<\/p>\n
INDUSTRY KEYWORDS:<\/b> Nuclear Energy Utilities<\/p>\n
- Favorable weather, strong sales and customer growth help offset higher operations and maintenance costs<\/i><\/li>\n
![\"Logo\"](\"https:\/\/mms.businesswire.com\/media\/20230504005069\/en\/464171\/3\/Pinnacle_West_Logo.jpg\"){kind=logo}
<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n