PR Newswire | Apr 29, 2021 06:31AM EDT

04/29 05:30 CDT

Southern Company Reports First-Quarter 2021 Earnings ATLANTA, April 29, 2021

ATLANTA, April 29, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Southern Company today reported first-quarter 2021 earnings of $1.14 billion, or $1.07 per share, compared with $868 million, or 82 cents per share, in the first quarter of 2020.

Excluding the items described under "Net Income - Excluding Items" in the table below, Southern Company earned $1.04 billion, or 98 cents per share, during the first quarter of 2021, compared with $825 million, or 78 cents per share, during the first quarter of 2020.

Non-GAAP Financial Measures Three Months Ended March

Net Income - Excluding Items (in millions) 2021 2020

Net Income - As Reported $1,135 $868

Less:

Estimated Loss on Plants Under Construction (45) (3)

Tax Impact 11 1

Acquisition and Disposition Impacts - 38

Tax Impact - (16)

Wholesale Gas Services 166 31

Tax Impact (40) (8)

Net Income - Excluding Items $1,043 $825

Average Shares Outstanding - (in millions) 1,060 1,057

Basic Earnings Per Share - Excluding Items $0.98 $0.78

For more information regarding these non-GAAP adjustments, see theNOTE: footnotes accompanying the Financial Highlights page of the earnings package.

Earnings drivers for the first quarter of 2021, as compared with 2020, were robust customer growth, higher residential sales and colder weather, partially offset by lower commercial and industrial sales.

"Southern Company experienced a strong start to the year," said Chairman, President and CEO, Thomas A. Fanning. "The economies in our service territories are starting to recover from the COVID-19 pandemic," added Fanning. "Customer demand is improving faster than we anticipated. Importantly, programs we implemented to keep customers connected during the pandemic - including alternative payment arrangements -- have helped those in need of assistance as we have continued to reliably provide for their energy needs. I am extremely proud of our employees and the ways we have partnered with our communities during this time."

First-quarter 2021 operating revenues were $5.9 billion, compared with $5.0 billion for the first quarter of 2020, an increase of 17.8 percent. This increase was primarily due to colder weather and higher fuel costs.

Southern Company's first-quarter earnings slides with supplemental financial information are available at http://investor.southerncompany.com.

Southern Company's financial analyst call will begin at 1 p.m. Eastern Time today, during which Fanning and Chief Financial Officer Andrew W. Evans will discuss earnings and provide a general business update, including an update on the Vogtle units 3 and 4 construction project. Investors, media and the public may listen to a live webcast of the call and view associated slides at http://investor.southerncompany.com/webcasts. A replay of the webcast will be available on the site for 12 months.

About Southern Company

Southern Company (NYSE: SO) is a leading energy company serving 9 million customers through its subsidiaries. The company provides clean, safe, reliable and affordable energy through electric operating companies in three states, natural gas distribution companies in four states, a competitive generation company serving wholesale customers across America, a leading distributed energy infrastructure company, a fiber optics network and telecommunications services. Southern Company brands are known for excellent customer service, high reliability and affordable prices below the national average. For more than a century, we have been building the future of energy and developing the full portfolio of energy resources, including carbon-free nuclear, advanced carbon capture technologies, natural gas, renewables, energy efficiency and storage technology. Through an industry-leading commitment to innovation and a low-carbon future, Southern Company and its subsidiaries develop the customized energy solutions our customers and communities require to drive growth and prosperity. Our uncompromising values ensure we put the needs of those we serve at the center of everything we do and govern our business to the benefit of our world. Our corporate culture and hiring practices have been recognized nationally by the U.S. Department of Defense, G.I. Jobs magazine, DiversityInc, Black Enterprise, Forbes and the Women's Choice Award. To learn more, visit www.southerncompany.com.





Southern Company

Financial Highlights

(In Millions of Dollars Except Earnings Per Share)



Three Months Ended March

Net Income-As Reported (See Notes) 2021 2020

Traditional Electric Operating Companies $756 $642

Southern Power 97 75

Southern Company Gas 398 275

Total 1,251 992

Parent Company and Other (116) (124)

Net Income-As Reported $1,135 $868



Basic Earnings Per Share^1 $1.07 $0.82

Average Shares Outstanding (in millions) 1,060 1,057

End of Period Shares Outstanding (in millions)1,059 1,056



Non-GAAP Financial Measures Three Months Ended March

Net Income-Excluding Items (See Notes) 2021 2020

Net Income-As Reported $1,135 $868

Less:

Estimated Loss on Plants Under Construction^2 (45) (3)

Tax Impact 11 1

Acquisition and Disposition Impacts^3 - 38

Tax Impact - (16)

Wholesale Gas Services^4 166 31

Tax Impact (40) (8)

Net Income-Excluding Items $1,043 $825



Basic Earnings Per Share-Excluding Items $0.98 $0.78

-See Notes on the following page.

Southern CompanyFinancial Highlights

Notes

Dilution is not material in any period presented. Diluted earnings per(1) share was $1.06 and $0.81 for the three months ended March 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively.

Earnings for the three months ended March 31, 2021 include a charge of $48 million pre tax ($36 million after tax) for an estimated probable loss on Georgia Power Company's construction of Plant Vogtle Units 3 and 4. Further charges may occur; however, the amount and timing of any such charges are uncertain. Earnings for the three months ended March 31, 2021 and 2020 include charges (net of salvage proceeds), associated legal(2) expenses (net of insurance recoveries), and tax impacts related to Mississippi Power Company's integrated coal gasification combined cycle facility project in Kemper County, Mississippi. Mississippi Power Company expects to incur additional pre-tax period costs to complete dismantlement of the abandoned gasifier-related assets and site restoration activities, including related costs for compliance and safety, asset retirement obligation accretion, and property taxes, totaling $10 million to $20 million annually through 2025.

Earnings for the three months ended March 31, 2020 primarily include a(3) $39 million pre-tax ($23 million after-tax) gain on the sale of Southern Power Company's Plant Mankato. Further impacts may be recorded in future periods in connection with acquisition and disposition activity.

Earnings for the three months ended March 31, 2021 and 2020 include Wholesale Gas Services business results. Presenting earnings and earnings(4) per share excluding Wholesale Gas Services provides an additional measure of operating performance that excludes the volatility resulting from mark-to-market and lower of weighted average cost or current market price accounting adjustments.





Southern Company

Significant Factors Impacting EPS



Three Months Ended March

2021 2020 Change

Earnings Per Share-

As Reported^1 (See Notes) $1.07$0.82$0.25



Significant Factors:

Traditional Electric Operating Companies $0.11

Southern Power 0.02

Southern Company Gas 0.12

Parent Company and Other -

Increase in Shares -

Total-As Reported $0.25



Three Months Ended March

Non-GAAP Financial Measures 2021 2020 Change

Earnings Per Share-

Excluding Items (See Notes) $0.98$0.78$0.20



Total-As Reported $0.25

Less:

Estimated Loss on Plants Under Construction^2 (0.03)

Acquisition and Disposition Impacts^3 (0.02)

Wholesale Gas Services^4 0.10

Total-Excluding Items $0.20

- See Notes on the following page.

Southern CompanySignificant Factors Impacting EPS

Notes

Dilution is not material in any period presented. Diluted earnings per(1) share was $1.06 and $0.81 for the three months ended March 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively.

Earnings for the three months ended March 31, 2021 include a charge of $48 million pre tax ($36 million after tax) for an estimated probable loss on Georgia Power Company's construction of Plant Vogtle Units 3 and 4. Further charges may occur; however, the amount and timing of any such charges are uncertain. Earnings for the three months ended March 31, 2021 and 2020 include charges (net of salvage proceeds), associated legal(2) expenses (net of insurance recoveries), and tax impacts related to Mississippi Power Company's integrated coal gasification combined cycle facility project in Kemper County, Mississippi. Mississippi Power Company expects to incur additional pre-tax period costs to complete dismantlement of the abandoned gasifier-related assets and site restoration activities, including related costs for compliance and safety, asset retirement obligation accretion, and property taxes, totaling $10 million to $20 million annually through 2025.

Earnings for the three months ended March 31, 2020 primarily include a(3) $39 million pre-tax ($23 million after-tax) gain on the sale of Southern Power Company's Plant Mankato. Further impacts may be recorded in future periods in connection with acquisition and disposition activity.

Earnings for the three months ended March 31, 2021 and 2020 include Wholesale Gas Services business results. Presenting earnings and earnings(4) per share excluding Wholesale Gas Services provides an additional measure of operating performance that excludes the volatility resulting from mark-to-market and lower of weighted average cost or current market price accounting adjustments.





Southern Company

EPS Earnings Analysis

Three Months Ended March 2021 vs. March 2020



Description Cents



Retail Sales (1)?



Retail Revenue Impacts 2



Weather 6



Wholesale & Other Operating Revenues 4



Depreciation and Amortization, Interest Expense, Other3



Total Traditional Electric Operating Companies 14?



Southern Power 4



Southern Company Gas 2



Total Change in EPS (Excluding Items) 20?



Estimated Loss on Plants Under Construction^1 (3)



Acquisition and Disposition Impacts^2 (2)



Wholesale Gas Services^3 10



Total Change in EPS (As Reported) 25?

- See Notes on the following page.

Southern CompanyEPS Earnings Analysis

Notes

Earnings for the three months ended March 31, 2021 include a charge of $48 million pre tax ($36 million after tax) for an estimated probable loss on Georgia Power Company's construction of Plant Vogtle Units 3 and 4. Further charges may occur; however, the amount and timing of any such charges are uncertain. Earnings for the three months ended March 31, 2021 and 2020 include charges (net of salvage proceeds), associated legal(1) expenses (net of insurance recoveries), and tax impacts related to Mississippi Power Company's integrated coal gasification combined cycle facility project in Kemper County, Mississippi. Mississippi Power Company expects to incur additional pre-tax period costs to complete dismantlement of the abandoned gasifier-related assets and site restoration activities, including related costs for compliance and safety, asset retirement obligation accretion, and property taxes, totaling $10 million to $20 million annually through 2025.

Earnings for the three months ended March 31, 2020 primarily include a(2) $39 million pre-tax ($23 million after-tax) gain on the sale of Southern Power Company's Plant Mankato. Further impacts may be recorded in future periods in connection with acquisition and disposition activity.

Earnings for the three months ended March 31, 2021 and 2020 include Wholesale Gas Services business results. Presenting earnings and earnings(3) per share excluding Wholesale Gas Services provides an additional measure of operating performance that excludes the volatility resulting from mark-to-market and lower of weighted average cost or current market price accounting adjustments.





Southern Company

Consolidated Earnings

As Reported

(In Millions of Dollars)

Three Months Ended March

2021 2020 Change

Income Account-

Retail Electric Revenues-

Fuel $838 $677$161

Non-Fuel 2,504 2,401103

Wholesale Electric Revenues 545 418 127

Other Electric Revenues 170 151 19

Natural Gas Revenues 1,694 1,249445

Other Revenues 159 122 37

Total Revenues 5,910 5,018892

Fuel and Purchased Power 1,055 817 238

Cost of Natural Gas 583 439 144

Cost of Other Sales 82 55 27

Non-Fuel O&M 1,372 1,29676

Depreciation and Amortization 871 857 14

Taxes Other Than Income Taxes 345 330 15

Estimated Loss on Plant Vogtle Units 3 and 4 48 - 48

(Gain) Loss on Dispositions, net (44) (39) (5)

Total Operating Expenses 4,312 3,755557

Operating Income 1,598 1,263335

Allowance for Equity Funds Used During Construction46 34 12

Earnings from Equity Method Investments 45 42 3

Interest Expense, Net of Amounts Capitalized 450 456 (6)

Other Income (Expense), net 58 103 (45)

Income Taxes 190 145 45

Net Income 1,107 841 266

Less:

Dividends on Preferred Stock of Subsidiaries 4 4 -

Net Loss Attributable to Noncontrolling Interests (32) (31) (1)

NET INCOME ATTRIBUTABLE TO SOUTHERN COMPANY $1,135$868$267

Notes

- Certain prior year data may have been reclassified to conform with currentyear presentation.



Southern Company

Kilowatt-Hour Sales and Customers

(In Millions of KWHs)



Three Months Ended March

Weather 2021 2020 Change Adjusted Change

Kilowatt-Hour Sales-

Total Sales 46,422 44,263 4.9 %



Total Retail Sales- 34,651 34,045 1.8 %(1.6)%

Residential 12,040 10,866 10.8 %1.1 %

Commercial 10,743 10,939 (1.8)%(3.1)%

Industrial 11,708 12,066 (3.0)%(3.0)%

Other 160 174 (7.7)%(8.2)%



Total Wholesale Sales 11,771 10,218 15.2 %N/A





(In Thousands of Customers)



Period Ended March

2021 2020 Change

Regulated Utility Customers-

Total Utility Customers- 8,673 8,578 1.1%

Total Traditional Electric 4,338 4,280 1.4%

Southern Company Gas 4,335 4,298 0.9%





Southern Company

Financial Overview

As Reported

(In Millions of Dollars)

Three Months Ended March

2021 2020 % Change

Southern Company -

Operating Revenues $ 5,910 $ 5,018 17.8 %

Earnings Before Income Taxes 1,297 986 31.5 %

Net Income Available to Common 1,135 868 30.8 %



Alabama Power -

Operating Revenues $ 1,559 $ 1,351 15.4 %

Earnings Before Income Taxes 473 368 28.5 %

Net Income Available to Common 359 280 28.2 %



Georgia Power -

Operating Revenues $ 1,970 $ 1,825 7.9 %

Earnings Before Income Taxes 369 347 6.3 %

Net Income Available to Common 351 331 6.0 %



Mississippi Power -

Operating Revenues $ 307 $ 277 10.8 %

Earnings Before Income Taxes 49 38 28.9 %

Net Income Available to Common 45 32 40.6 %



Southern Power -

Operating Revenues $ 440 $ 375 17.3 %

Earnings Before Income Taxes 55 51 7.8 %

Net Income Available to Common 97 75 29.3 %



Southern Company Gas -

Operating Revenues $ 1,694 $ 1,249 35.6 %

Earnings Before Income Taxes 519 354 46.6 %

Net Income Available to Common 398 275 44.7 %



Notes

- See Financial Highlights pages for discussion of certain significant itemsoccurring during the periods

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SOURCE Southern Company