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ATCO LTD. — Interim / Quarterly Report 2021
May 6, 2021
42708_rns_2021-05-06_c969661d-1aa2-451d-9841-c41f90036b64.pdf
Interim / Quarterly Report
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ATCO LTD. FINANCIAL INFORMATION
FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31, 2021
CORPORATE OFFICE: 5302 FORAND ST SW, CALGARY, ALBERTA, CANADA T3E 8B4 TEL: 403-292-7500 WWW.ATCO.COM
atco.com
STRUCTURES &LOGISTICS | NELTUMEPORTS |CANADIAN UTILITIES
Q1 2021 INVESTOR FACT SHEET
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With approximately 6,200 employees and assets of $22 billion, ATCO is a diversified global corporation with investments in the essential services of: Structures & Logistics (workforce and residential housing, innovative modular facilities, construction, site support services, workforce lodging services, facility operations and maintenance, defence operations services, and disaster and emergency management services); Utilities (electricity and natural gas transmission and distribution, and international electricity operations); Energy Infrastructure (electricity generation, energy storage and industrial water solutions); Retail Energy (electricity and natural gas retail sales); Transportation (ports and transportation logistics); and Commercial Real Estate.
TRACK RECORD OF DIVIDEND GROWTH
DIVERSIFIED ESSENTIAL SERVICES
ATCO’s investments put us at the forefront of global trends. We deliver the enduring essentials required for a healthy global economy.
$0.4483
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28-year track record of increasing common share dividends*
93 97 01 05 09 13 17 21
- On April 14, 2021, ATCO declared a second quarter dividend of $0.4483 per share, or $1.79 per share annualized.
GLOBAL GROWTH
ATCO AT A GLANCE
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| 74-year historyin more than 100 countries | 74-year historyin more than 100 countries |
|---|---|
| “A-” ratingbyStandard & Poor’s; “A” (low) ratingbyDBRS Limited | |
| Total Assets | $22 Billion |
| Modular Building Manufacturing Locations |
6 Globally (1 Canada, 1 United States, 2 Australia, 1 Chile, 1 Mexico) |
| Electric Powerlines | 75,000 kms |
| Pipelines | 64,000 kms |
| Power Generation Operated Power Generation Owned |
398 MW * 293 MW * |
| Water Infrastructure Capacity | 85,200 m3/d ** |
| Natural Gas Storage Capacity | 52 PJ *** |
| Hydrocarbon Storage Capacity | 400,000 m3 **** |
| Ports and Port Operations | 16 Ports, 3 Port Operation Services |
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Canadian Utilities, Structures Neltume Ports, Structures &
& Logistics, Commercial Real Estate Logistics, and Canadian Utilities
and ASHCOR
Canadian Utilities and Canadian Utilities
Structures & Logistics
Structures & Logistics Neltume Ports
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megawatts cubic metres per day petajoules **cubic metres
ATCO SHARE INFORMATION
| ATCO SHARE INFORMATION | ATCO SHARE INFORMATION |
|---|---|
| Common Shares (TSX): ACO.X, ACO.Y | |
| Market Capitalization | $5 billion |
| Weighted Average Common Shares Outstanding |
114.3 million |
| ATCO SHARE INFORMATION | ATCO SHARE INFORMATION |
|---|---|
| Common Shares (TSX): ACO.X, ACO.Y | |
| Market Capitalization | $5 billion |
| Weighted Average Common Shares Outstanding |
114.3 million |
We continue to grow and expand our international business
Adjusted earnings are earnings attributable to Class I and Class II Shares after adjusting for the timing of revenues and expenses associated with rate-regulated activities and unrealized gains or losses on mark-to-market forward and swap commodity contracts. Adjusted earnings also exclude one-time gains and losses, significant impairments, and items that are not in the normal course of business or a result of day-to-day operations. Certain statements in this document contain forward-looking information. Please refer to our forward-looking information disclaimer in ATCO’s management’s discussion and analysis for more information.
It is important for prospective owners of ATCO shares to understand that ATCO is a diversified group of companies principally controlled by Sentgraf, a Southern family holding company. It is also important for present and prospective share owners to understand that the ATCO share registry has both Class I Non-Voting (ACO.X) and Class II Voting (ACO.Y) common shares.
Q1 2021 RESULTS
CONSOLIDATED REVENUES
CONSOLIDATED ADJUSTED EARNINGS
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$119 M
$1,056 M $1,072 M $106 M
Q1 2020 Q1 2021 Q1 2020 Q1 2021
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STRUCTURES & LOGISTICS
ADJUSTED EARNINGS
-
Higher adjusted earnings were mainly due to ATCO Structures' workforce housing trade sale and rental activity, higher space rental activity, and additional ATCO Frontec client work requests at the BC Hydro Site C Camp due to COVID-19 proactive and preventative safety measures.
-
Awarded a $44 million contract for the supply of a 450-person camp for Pretium Exploration Inc.’s Brucejack operations in Northwest British Columbia. Detailed engineering work has commenced with manufacturing and site work expected to begin in the second quarter of 2021. Installation work is expected to be complete by the end of 2021.
-
Completed installation on a 450-person camp that had been previously awarded on a $12 million rental contract for 31 months. The project will support the rebuild and expansion of the China Lake Military Base in Southern California. The military base was damaged by two major earthquakes in July 2019.
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$14 M
$7 M
Q1 2020 Q1 2021
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NELTUME PORTS
ADJUSTED EARNINGS
- Adjusted earnings were comparable to the same period in 2020.
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$3 M $3M
Q1 2020 Q1 2021
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CANADIAN UTILITIES
-
Higher earnings were mainly due to cost efficiencies and continued growth in the Utilities’ asset base, earnings from International Electricity Operations, as well as demand for natural gas storage services and recovered business development costs in Energy Infrastructure.
-
Acquired the rights to develop the 325-MW Central West Pumped Storage Hydro project, located approximately 175 km west of Sydney, Australia. A final investment decision on project construction is expected in 2023.
-
Filed an application with the Alberta Utilities Commission on March 1, 2021 to postpone Electricity and Natural Gas Distribution utility rate increases for 2021 and collect the deferred amounts commencing in 2023. The current economic situation in Alberta, including hardships faced by customers due to the COVID-19 pandemic, is the rationale for the rate freeze.
-
Received several regulatory decisions in the first quarter of 2021 which provide regulatory certainty into the future.
ADJUSTED EARNINGS
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$106 M
$99 M
Q1 2020 Q1 2021
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Investor Relations, c/o ATCO Ltd. 3rd Floor, West Building 5302 Forand Street SW, Calgary, Alberta, Canada T3E 8B4
[email protected] T: (403) 292-7500 | F: (403) 292-7532
2021 FIRST QUARTER FINANCIAL INFORMATION
INVESTOR FACT SHEET
MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS
UNAUDITED INTERIM CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31, 2021
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Management’s Discussion and Analysis Consolidated Financial Statements
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ATCO LTD.
MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS
FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31, 2021
This Management's Discussion and Analysis (MD&A) is meant to help readers understand key operational and financial events that influenced the results of ATCO Ltd. (ATCO, our, we, us, or the Company) during the three months ended March 31, 2021.
This MD&A was prepared as of April 28, 2021, and should be read with the Company's unaudited interim consolidated financial statements for the three months ended March 31, 2021. Additional information, including the Company's previous MD&A (2020 MD&A), Annual Information Form (2020 AIF), and audited consolidated financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2020, is available on SEDAR at www.sedar.com. Information contained in the 2020 MD&A is not discussed in this MD&A if it remains substantially unchanged.
The Company is controlled by Sentgraf Enterprises Ltd. and its controlling share owner, the Southern family. The Company includes controlling positions in Canadian Utilities Limited (Canadian Utilities or CU) (52.7 per cent ownership), ATCO Structures & Logistics Ltd. (100 per cent ownership), ATCO Land and Development Ltd. (100 per cent ownership), and ASHCOR Technologies Ltd. (100 per cent ownership). The Company also has a non-controlling equity investment in Neltume Ports S.A. (Neltume Ports) (40 per cent ownership). Throughout this MD&A, the Company's earnings attributable to Class I and Class II Shares and adjusted earnings are presented after non-controlling interests.
Terms used throughout this MD&A are defined in the Glossary at the end of this document.
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ATCO LTD. 2021 MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION & ANALYSIS
TABLE OF CONTENTS
| TABLE OF CONTENTS | |
|---|---|
| Page | |
| Performance Overview.................................................................................................................................................... | 6 |
| Business Unit Performance............................................................................................................................................. | 9 |
| Structures & Logistics.................................................................................................................................................... | 9 |
| Neltume Ports................................................................................................................................................................ | 12 |
| ATCO Corporate & Other.............................................................................................................................................. | 13 |
| Canadian Utilities........................................................................................................................................................... | 14 |
| Utilities..................................................................................................................................................................... | 14 |
| Utilities Regulatory Developments................................................................................................................... | 15 |
| Energy Infrastructure............................................................................................................................................. | 16 |
| Canadian Utilities Corporate & Other.................................................................................................................. | 17 |
| Other Expenses and Income........................................................................................................................................... | 18 |
| Liquidity and Capital Resources..................................................................................................................................... | 20 |
| Share Capital..................................................................................................................................................................... | 22 |
| Quarterly Information...................................................................................................................................................... | 23 |
| Non-GAAP and Additional GAAP Measures.................................................................................................................. | 25 |
| Reconciliation of Adjusted Earnings to Earnings Attributable to Class I and Class II Shares.................................. | 26 |
| Reconciliation of Funds Generated by Operations to Cash Flows from Operating Activities................................. | 29 |
| Reconciliation of Capital Investment to Capital Expenditures.................................................................................... | 30 |
| Other Financial Information........................................................................................................................................... | 31 |
| Glossary............................................................................................................................................................................. | 32 |
5 ATCO LTD. 2021 MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION & ANALYSIS
PERFORMANCE OVERVIEW
FINANCIAL METRICS
The following chart summarizes key financial metrics associated with our financial performance.
| Three Months Ended | Three Months Ended | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| March 31 | ||||
| ($ millions, except per share data and outstanding shares) | 2021 | 2020 | Change | |
| Key Financial Metrics | ||||
| Revenues | 1,072 | 1,056 | 16 | |
| Adjusted earnings (1) |
119 | 106 | 13 | |
| Structures & Logistics | 14 | 7 | 7 | |
| Neltume Ports | 3 | 3 | — | |
| ATCO Corporate & Other | 1 | 1 | — | |
| Canadian Utilities Limited | ||||
| Utilities | 106 | 99 | 7 | |
| Energy Infrastructure | 5 | 3 | 2 | |
| Canadian Utilities Corporate & Other | (10) | (7) |
(3) | |
| Adjusted earnings ($ per share) | (1) |
1.04 | 0.93 | 0.11 |
| Earnings attributable to Class I and Class II Shares | 83 | 87 | (4) | |
| Earnings attributable to Class I and Class II Shares ($ per share) | 0.73 | 0.76 | (0.03) | |
| Cash dividends declared per Class I and Class II Share (cents per share) | 44.83 | 43.52 | 1.31 | |
| Funds generated by operations | (1) |
491 | 516 | (25) |
| Capital investment (1) |
253 | 303 | (50) | |
| Other Financial Metrics | ||||
| Weighted average Class I and Class II Shares outstanding_(thousands):_ | ||||
| Basic | 114,302 | 114,352 | (50) | |
| Diluted | 114,551 | 114,732 | (181) |
(1) Additional information regarding these measures is provided in the Non-GAAP and Additional GAAP Measures section of this MD&A.
REVENUES
Revenues for the first quarter of 2021 were $1,072 million, $16 million higher than the same period in 2020. Higher revenues were mainly due to improved performance at ATCOenergy resulting from higher electricity and natural gas commodity prices and customer growth.
ADJUSTED EARNINGS
Our adjusted earnings in the first quarter of 2021 were $119 million or $1.04 per share, compared to $106 million or $0.93 per share for the same period in 2020.
The primary drivers of adjusted earnings results were as follows:
-
Structures and Logistics adjusted earnings in the first quarter of 2021 were $7 million higher than the same period in 2020. Higher earnings were mainly due to ATCO Structures' workforce housing trade sale and rental activity, higher space rental activity, and additional ATCO Frontec client work requests at the BC Hydro Site C Camp due to COVID-19 proactive and preventative safety measures.
-
Canadian Utilities adjusted earnings in the first quarter of 2021 were $6 million higher than the same period in 2020. Higher earnings were mainly due to cost efficiencies and growth in the Utilities' rate base, earnings from International Electricity Operations, as well as demand for natural gas storage services and recovered business development costs in Energy Infrastructure.
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ATCO LTD. 2021 MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION & ANALYSIS
Adjusted Earnings ($ Millions)
| $106 | $7 | $— | $— | $6 | $119 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Q1 2020 Structures & Neltume |
ATCO | Canadian Q1 2021 |
|||
| Logistics Ports |
Corporate & | Utilities | |||
| Other |
Additional detail on the financial performance of our business units is discussed in the Business Unit Performance section of this MD&A.
EARNINGS ATTRIBUTABLE TO CLASS I AND CLASS II SHARES
Earnings attributable to Class I and Class II Shares were $83 million in 2021, $4 million lower compared to 2020. Earnings attributable to Class I and Class II Shares include timing adjustments related to rate-regulated activities, unrealized gains or losses on mark-to-market forward and swap commodity contracts, one-time gains and losses, significant impairments, and items that are not in the normal course of business or a result of day-to-day operations. These items are not included in adjusted earnings.
In the fourth quarter of 2020 and first quarter of 2021, Canadian Utilities signed Master Services Agreements (MSA) with IBM Canada Ltd. and IBM Australia Limited (IBM), respectively, to provide managed information technology (IT) services. These services are currently provided by Wipro Ltd. (Wipro) under a ten-year MSA expiring in December 2024. For the three months ended March 31, 2021, ATCO recognized $6 million (after-tax and non-controlling interests) in termination and transition costs. As these costs are not in the normal course of business, they have been excluded from Adjusted Earnings.
More information on these and other items is included in the Reconciliation of Adjusted Earnings to Earnings Attributable to Class I and Class II Shares section of this MD&A.
FUNDS GENERATED BY OPERATIONS
Funds generated by operations were $491 million in the first quarter of 2021, $25 million lower than the same period in 2020. The decrease was mainly due to the timing of certain revenues and expenses. Lower funds generated by operations were partially offset by higher customer contributions for Canadian Utilities' Electricity Transmission capital expenditures.
7 ATCO LTD. 2021 MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION & ANALYSIS
COMMON SHARE DIVIDENDS
Dividends paid to Class I and Class II share owners totaled $51 million in the first quarter of 2021. On April 14, 2021, the Board of Directors declared a second quarter dividend of 44.83 cents per share.
We have increased our common share dividend each year since 1993.
Quarterly Dividend Rate 1993 - 2021 (dollars per share)
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$0.4483
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93 94 95 96 97 98 99 00 01 02 03 04 05 06 07 08 09 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21
CAPITAL INVESTMENT
Total capital investment of $253 million in the first quarter of 2021 was $50 million lower compared to the same period in 2020 mainly due to lower investment in ATCO Structures' rental fleet and the timing of capital investment in the Utilities.
Capital spending in Canadian Utilities' Regulated Utilities accounted for 87 per cent of total capital invested in the first quarter of 2021. The remaining 13 per cent invested in the first quarter of 2021 included continued expansion of ATCO Structures' space rental fleet and construction of Storage & Industrial Water's long-term contracted hydrocarbon storage cavern in Fort Saskatchewan, Alberta.
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87%
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Capital Investment for the Three Months Ended March 31, 2021
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13%
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Regulated Utilities ATCO Structures & Other
ATCO LTD. 2021 MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION & ANALYSIS 8
BUSINESS UNIT PERFORMANCE
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REVENUES
Structures & Logistics revenues of $167 million in the first quarter of 2021 were $4 million lower than the same period in 2020 mainly due to the completion of manufacturing work on ATCO Structures' LNG Canada Cedar Valley Lodge project in the second quarter of 2020, partially offset by ATCO Structures' workforce housing trade sale activity in the US and higher space rental activity in Australia and Canada.
ADJUSTED EARNINGS
| ADJUSTED EARNINGS | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Three Months Ended | |||
| March 31 | |||
| ($ millions) | 2021 | 2020 | Change |
| ATCO Structures | 13 | 7 | 6 |
| ATCO Frontec | 1 | — | 1 |
| Total Structures & Logistics | 14 | 7 | 7 |
Structures & Logistics recorded adjusted earnings of $14 million in the first quarter of 2021, $7 million higher compared to the same period in 2020. Higher earnings were mainly due to ATCO Structures' workforce housing trade sale activity in Canada and the US, workforce housing rental activity in Canada, higher space rental activity in Canada and Australia, and additional ATCO Frontec client work requests at the BC Hydro Site C Camp due to COVID-19 proactive and preventative safety measures.
Detailed information about the activities and financial results of the Structures & Logistics businesses is provided in the following sections.
ATCO STRUCTURES
ATCO Structures manufactures, sells and leases transportable workforce housing, residential housing and space rental products. Space rentals sells and leases mobile office trailers in various sizes and floor plans to suit our customers’ needs. Workforce housing delivers modular workforce housing worldwide, including short-term and permanent modular construction, pre-fabricated and relocatable modular buildings.
ATCO Structures recorded adjusted earnings of $13 million in the first quarter of 2021, $6 million higher than the same period in 2020 mainly due to workforce housing trade sale activity in Canada and the US, workforce housing rental activity in Canada, and higher space rental activity in Canada and Australia. Higher earnings were partially offset by lower activity on the LNG Canada Cedar Valley Lodge project with the transition from manufacturing to installation work in the second quarter of 2020.
9 ATCO LTD. 2021 MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION & ANALYSIS
The following table compares ATCO Structures' manufacturing hours and rental fleet for the first quarter of 2021 and 2020.
| and 2020. | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Three Months Ended | |||
| March 31 | |||
| 2021 | 2020 | Change | |
| North America | |||
| Manufacturing hours_(thousands)_ | 120 | 350 | (66%) |
| Global Space Rentals | |||
| Number of units | 18,927 | 16,669 | 14% |
| Average utilization_(%)_ | 79 | 71 | 8% |
| Average rental rate_($ per month)_ | 582 | 551 | 6% |
| Global Workforce Housing | |||
| Number of units | 2,552 | 2,894 | (12%) |
| Average utilization_(%)_ | 60 | 45 | 15% |
| Average rental rate_($ per month)_ | 1,862 | 1,646 | 13% |
Manufacturing Hours
The decrease in manufacturing hours in the first quarter of 2021 was mainly due to the completion of manufacturing on the LNG Canada Cedar Valley Lodge project in the second quarter of 2020.
Rental Fleet
Global Space Rentals
ATCO Structures increased its global space rental fleet size by 2,258 units year-over-year. The increase in the number of space rental units was mainly due to the acquisition of the remaining 50 per cent interest in the ATCO Sabinco S.A. joint venture partnership on December 30, 2020, and the continued strategic expansion of the space rental fleet in targeted regions of Canada and the US. In the first quarter of 2021, space rental demand increased in Canada, Australia, the US and Chile mainly due to increased activity in the construction and mining sectors, as well as physical distancing protocols implemented in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. This increase in demand also produced an increase in the utilization and average rental rates.
Global Workforce Housing
ATCO Structures decreased the size of its workforce housing fleet and increased the average utilization rate yearover-year by selling used and non-utilized fleet assets in the US, Canada and Australia. The increase in the utilization rate was also due to workforce housing fleet on rent for the Trans Mountain Expansion project in British Columbia (BC). Workforce housing average rental rates have reflected higher demand compared to the prior year as a result of the conversion of 44-person dorms with shared ensuites to 36-person dorms with private ensuites in Canada.
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ATCO Sabinco S.A., Chile
ATCO LTD. 2021 MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION & ANALYSIS 10
ATCO STRUCTURES RECENT DEVELOPMENTS
Canada
Brucejack - Pretium Exploration Inc.
ATCO Structures was awarded a contract for the supply of a 450-person camp for Pretium Exploration Inc.’s Brucejack operations in Northwest BC. The $44 million contract includes the supply of accommodation dorms with complete kitchen and recreation amenities. Detailed engineering work has commenced with manufacturing and site work expected to begin in the second quarter of 2021. Installation work is expected to be complete by the end of 2021.
United States
China Lake Military Rebuild - Environmental Chemical Corporation
During the first quarter of 2021, ATCO Structures completed installation on a 450-person camp that had been previously awarded on a $12 million rental contract for 31 months. The project will support the rebuild and expansion of the China Lake Military Base in Southern California. The military base was damaged by two major earthquakes in July 2019.
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China Lake Military Rebuild, Southern California, US
ATCO FRONTEC
Frontec provides facility operations and maintenance services, workforce lodging and support services, defense operations services, and disaster and emergency management services.
ATCO Frontec's adjusted earnings of $1 million in the first quarter of 2021 were $1 million higher than the same period in 2020 mainly due to additional client work requests at the BC Hydro Site C camp resulting from COVID-19 proactive and preventative safety measures.
ATCO FRONTEC RECENT DEVELOPMENTS
In the fourth quarter of 2020, ATCO Frontec was awarded a 31-month workforce lodging services contract for approximately 450 persons to support the phase I rebuild of the China Lake Military Base. On March 1, 2021, operations work commenced.
11 ATCO LTD. 2021 MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION & ANALYSIS
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Neltume Ports is a port operator and developer with a diversified portfolio of 16 multi-purpose, bulk cargo and container port facilities and three port operation services. The business is located primarily in Chile with additional operations in Uruguay, Argentina, and Brazil.
ADJUSTED EARNINGS
| Three Months Ended | Three Months Ended | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| March 31 | |||
| ($ millions) | 2021 | 2020 | Change |
| Neltume Ports | 3 | 3 | — |
Neltume Ports adjusted earnings of $3 million in the first quarter of 2021 were comparable to the the same period in 2020.
ATCO LTD. 2021 MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION & ANALYSIS 12
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ATCO Corporate & Other contains ATCO Land and Development Ltd. which is a commercial real estate business that holds investments for sale, lease or development, as well as ASHCOR, a company engaged in the processing and marketing of ash, a waste byproduct of electricity generation. ATCO Corporate & Other also includes the global corporate head office in Calgary, Canada, ATCO licensing fees received, and financing expenses associated with the Neltume Ports investment.
ADJUSTED EARNINGS
| Three Months Ended | Three Months Ended | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| March 31 | |||
| ($ millions) | 2021 | 2020 | Change |
| ATCO Corporate & Other | 1 | 1 | — |
ATCO Corporate & Other adjusted earnings in 2021 were comparable to the same period in 2020.
13 ATCO LTD. 2021 MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION & ANALYSIS
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Canadian Utilities is a diversified global energy infrastructure corporation delivering service excellence and innovative business solutions in Utilities (Electricity and Natural Gas Transmission and Distribution, and International Electricity Operations); Energy Infrastructure (Electricity Generation, Energy Storage, and Industrial Water Solutions); and Retail Energy (Electricity and Natural Gas Retail Sales).
UTILITIES
REVENUES
Utilities revenues of $790 million in the first quarter of 2021 were comparable to the same period in 2020.
Revenue growth for Electricity and Natural Gas Distribution in the first quarter of 2021 has been deferred to be collected in a future period as a result of our decision to provide rate relief to customers in light of the current COVID-19 global pandemic and economic situation in Alberta.
ADJUSTED EARNINGS
| Three Months Ended | Three Months Ended | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| March 31 | |||
| ($ millions) | 2021 | 2020 | Change |
| Electricity | |||
| Electricity Distribution | 22 | 18 | 4 |
| Electricity Transmission | 23 | 23 | — |
| International ElectricityOperations | 3 | — | 3 |
| Total Electricity | 48 | 41 | 7 |
| Natural Gas | |||
| Natural Gas Distribution | 42 | 43 | (1) |
| Natural Gas Transmission | 10 | 11 | (1) |
| International Natural Gas Distribution | 6 | 4 | 2 |
| Total Natural Gas | 58 | 58 | — |
| Total Utilities Adjusted Earnings | 106 | 99 | 7 |
Utilities adjusted earnings of $106 million in the first quarter of 2021 were $7 million higher than the same period in 2020. Higher earnings were mainly due to cost efficiencies and continued growth in the regulated rate base, earnings from International Electricity Operations, and favourable inflation rate and foreign exchange adjustments in International Natural Gas Distribution.
Detailed information about the activities and financial results of the Utilities business segments is provided in the following sections.
Electricity Distribution
Electricity Distribution provides regulated electricity distribution and distributed generation mainly in northern and central east Alberta, the Yukon, the Northwest Territories and in the Lloydminster area of Saskatchewan.
ATCO LTD. 2021 MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION & ANALYSIS 14
Electricity Distribution adjusted earnings of $22 million in the first quarter of 2021 were $4 million higher compared to the same period in 2020. Higher earnings were mainly due to cost efficiencies and continued growth in rate base.
Electricity Transmission
Electricity Transmission provides regulated electricity transmission mainly in Northern and Central East Alberta, and in the Lloydminster area of Saskatchewan. Electricity Transmission has a 35-year contract to be the operator of Alberta PowerLine, a 500-km electricity transmission line between Wabamun, near Edmonton and Fort McMurray, Alberta.
Electricity Transmission adjusted earnings of $23 million in the first quarter of 2021 were comparable to the same period in 2020.
International Electricity Operations
International Electricity Operations includes Canadian Utilities' 50 per cent ownership in LUMA Energy, a company formed to transform, modernize and operate Puerto Rico's 30,000-km electricity transmission and distribution system under an Operations and Maintenance Agreement with the Puerto Rico Public-Private Partnerships Authority for a 15-year term after a one-year transition period which commenced on June 22, 2020.
International Electricity Operations adjusted earnings in the first quarter of 2021 were $3 million due to continued operations and maintenance transition work.
Natural Gas Distribution
Natural Gas Distribution serves municipal, residential, commercial and industrial customers throughout Alberta and in the Lloydminster area of Saskatchewan.
Natural Gas Distribution adjusted earnings of$42 million in the first quarter of 2021 were $1 million lower than the same period in 2020. Lower earnings were mainly due to the timing of operating costs, partially offset by growth in rate base.
Natural Gas Transmission
Natural Gas Transmission receives natural gas on its pipeline system from various gas processing plants as well as from other natural gas transmission systems and transports it to end users within the province of Alberta or to other pipeline systems.
Natural Gas Transmission adjusted earnings of $10 million in the first quarter of 2021 were $1 million lower than the same period in 2020. Lower adjusted earnings were mainly due to the impact of the 2021-2023 General Rate Application decision which included operating cost efficiencies implemented in prior periods that are being passed on to customers.
International Natural Gas Distribution
International Natural Gas Distribution is a regulated provider of natural gas distribution services in Western Australia, serving metropolitan Perth and surrounding regions.
International Natural Gas Distribution adjusted earnings of $6 million in the first quarter of 2021 were $2 million higher compared to the same period in 2020. Higher earnings were mainly due to an adjustment for the impact of the forecasted inflation rate and favourable foreign exchange movements.
UTILITIES REGULATORY DEVELOPMENTS
COMMON MATTERS
2021 Rate Relief Application
In December 2020, the AUC approved Electric Distribution and Natural Gas Distribution requests to defer rate increases which would normally have come into effect on January 1, 2021. The AUC directed Electricity Distribution and Natural Gas Distribution to file an application outlining the duration of the rate freeze and collection timeline.
15 ATCO LTD. 2021 MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION & ANALYSIS
On March 1, 2021, ATCO filed a 2021 Rate Relief Application for Electricity Distribution and Natural Gas Distribution to postpone rate increases for the full year 2021 and collect the deferred amounts commencing in 2023 for no more than a 5-year period. This application aligns with our long-standing practice of supporting the communities we have the privilege to serve. The current economic situation in Alberta, including hardships faced by customers due to the COVID-19 pandemic, is the rationale for the rate freeze.
Distribution Regulatory Framework - Post 2022
On March 1, 2021, the AUC initiated a process to set revenues and rates for Electricity Distribution and Natural Gas Distribution for 2023 as well as a process to evaluate the merits of PBR to date. These processes will address how a one-year cost-of-service study for 2023 will be undertaken as well as a proceeding to determine the regulatory framework for Alberta distribution utilities going forward.
Generic Cost of Capital (GCOC)
On March 4, 2021, the AUC issued a decision on the 2022 GCOC proceeding. The Commission approved the extension of the current return on equity of 8.5 per cent and equity thickness ratio of 37 per cent on a final basis for the 2022 period.
ELECTRICITY TRANSMISSION
2020-2022 General Tariff Application (GTA)
In October 2019, Electricity Transmission filed a GTA for its operations for 2020, 2021, and 2022. The decision was received in March 2021 approving the vast majority of requested capital expenditures and operating costs as filed.
NATURAL GAS TRANSMISSION
Natural Gas Transmission 2021-2023 General Rate Application (GRA)
In June 2020, Natural Gas Transmission filed a GRA for the period 2021-2023. The decision was received in March 2021, approving the vast majority of requested capital expenditures and operating costs as filed, which included operating cost efficiencies implemented in prior periods that are being passed on to customers. The decision also approved a placeholder treatment for the Pioneer Pipeline acquisition pending a decision from the AUC on the acquisition proceeding. A decision is expected in the second quarter of 2021.
ENERGY INFRASTRUCTURE
REVENUES
Energy Infrastructure revenues of $52 million in the first quarter of 2021 were $2 million higher than the same period in 2020 mainly due to demand for natural gas storage services.
ADJUSTED EARNINGS
| Three Months Ended | Three Months Ended | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| March 31 | |||
| ($ millions) | 2021 | 2020 | Change |
| Electricity Generation | 3 | 2 | 1 |
| Storage & Industrial Water | 2 | 1 | 1 |
| Total Energy Infrastructure Adjusted Earnings | 5 | 3 | 2 |
Energy Infrastructure adjusted earnings of $5 million in the first quarter of 2021 were $2 million higher than the same period in 2020 mainly due to demand for natural gas storage services and recovered business development costs.
Detailed information about the activities and financial results of Energy Infrastructure's businesses is provided in the following sections.
ATCO LTD. 2021 MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION & ANALYSIS 16
Electricity Generation
Non-regulated electricity activities supply electricity from hydroelectric, solar and natural gas generating plants in Western Canada, Australia, Mexico and Chile and non-regulated electricity transmission in Alberta.
Electricity Generation adjusted earnings of $3 million in the first quarter of 2021 were $1 million higher than the same period in 2020. Higher earnings were mainly due to recovered business development costs, lower costs of repairs and maintenance at the Karratha Power Station compared to the prior year, and favourable movements in the Australian foreign exchange rate.
Storage & Industrial Water
Storage & Industrial Water provides non-regulated natural gas storage and transmission activities, NGL storage, and industrial water services in Alberta and the Northwest Territories.
Storage & Industrial Water adjusted earnings of $2 million in the first quarter of 2021 were $1 million higher than the same period in 2020. Higher earnings were mainly due to demand for natural gas storage services.
ENERGY INFRASTRUCTURE RECENT DEVELOPMENTS
Central West Pumped Storage Hydro Project
On February 1, 2021, ATCO announced an agreement to acquire the rights to develop the 325-MW Central West Pumped Storage Hydro project, located approximately 175 km west of Sydney, Australia. The acquisition marks ATCO's first renewable energy investment on Australia’s east coast. The project is in close proximity to significant renewable energy resources and will be integral in supporting the development of new renewable generation capacity in the state of New South Wales. A final investment decision on project construction is expected in 2023.
CANADIAN UTILITIES CORPORATE & OTHER
Canadian Utilities' Corporate & Other segment includes Retail Energy through ATCOenergy which provides retail electricity and natural gas services in Alberta. Corporate & Other also includes the global corporate head office in Calgary, Canada, the Australia corporate head office in Perth, Australia and the Mexico corporate head office in Mexico City, Mexico. In addition, Canadian Utilities Corporate & Other includes CU Inc. and Canadian Utilities preferred share dividend and debt expenses.
ADJUSTED EARNINGS
| ADJUSTED EARNINGS | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Three Months Ended | |||
| March 31 | |||
| ($ millions) | 2021 | 2020 | Change |
| Canadian Utilities Corporate & Other | (10) | (7) | (3) |
Including intersegment eliminations, Canadian Utilities' Corporate & Other adjusted earnings in the first quarter of 2021 were $3 million lower than the same period in 2020 mainly due to the timing of certain expenses, partially offset by improved earnings at ATCOenergy.
17 ATCO LTD. 2021 MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION & ANALYSIS
OTHER EXPENSES AND INCOME
A financial summary of other consolidated expenses and income items for the first quarter of 2021 and 2020 is given below. These amounts are presented in accordance with IFRS accounting standards. They have not been adjusted for the timing of revenues and expenses associated with rate-regulated activities and other items that are not in the normal course of business.
| not in the normal course of business. | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Three Months Ended | |||
| March 31 | |||
| ($ millions) | 2021 | 2020 | Change |
| Operating costs | 611 | 574 | 37 |
| Depreciation and amortization | 170 | 156 | 14 |
| Earnings from investment in associate company | 3 | 3 | — |
| Earnings from investment in joint ventures | 14 | 7 | 7 |
| Net finance costs | 102 | 99 | 3 |
| Income tax expense | 45 | 63 | (18) |
OPERATING COSTS
Operating costs, which are total costs and expenses less depreciation and amortization, were $37 million higher in the first quarter of 2021 compared to the same period in 2020. Higher operating costs were mainly due to higher flow-through Alberta-system natural gas transmission costs in the Utilities, higher electricity costs in ATCOenergy, and the recognition of termination and transition costs in the first quarter of 2021 related to the early termination of the Master Services Agreement with Wipro for managed IT services.
DEPRECIATION AND AMORTIZATION
Depreciation and amortization increased by $14 million in the first quarter of 2021 compared to the same period in 2020 mainly due to continued capital investment to expand ATCO Structures' space rental fleet and in Canadian Utilities' regulated businesses.
EARNINGS FROM INVESTMENT IN ASSOCIATE COMPANY
Earnings from investment in associate company relate to our 40 per cent ownership interest in Neltume Ports, a leading port operator and developer in South America with operations in 16 port facilities and three port operation services businesses located in Chile, Uruguay, Argentina, and Brazil.
Earnings from investment in associate company in the first quarter of 2021 were comparable to the same period in 2020.
EARNINGS FROM INVESTMENT IN JOINT VENTURES
Earnings from investment in joint ventures is mainly comprised of Canadian Utilities' ownership positions in electricity generation plants, LUMA Energy electricity operations and maintenance in Puerto Rico, and the Strathcona Storage Limited Partnership which operates hydrocarbon storage facilities at the ATCO Heartland Energy Centre near Fort Saskatchewan, Alberta.
Earnings from investment in joint ventures increased by $7 million in the first quarter of 2021 compared to the same period in 2020 mainly due to earnings at LUMA Energy with the commencement of transition work under the Operations and Maintenance Agreement in June 2020.
NET FINANCE COSTS
Net finance costs increased by $3 million in the first quarter of 2021 when compared to the same period in 2020 mainly due to lower interest income resulting from lower interest rates received on bank balances.
ATCO LTD. 2021 MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION & ANALYSIS 18
INCOME TAX
Income taxes were lower by $18 million in the first quarter of 2021 compared to the same period in 2020 mainly due to lower earnings before income taxes as a result of the timing of certain revenues and expenses, termination and transition costs from the early termination of the Master Services Agreement with Wipro for managed IT services, and a foreign exchange adjustment to the deferred tax asset in Mexico.
19 ATCO LTD. 2021 MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION & ANALYSIS
LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES
Our financial position is supported by Regulated Utilities and long-term contracted operations. Our business strategies, funding of operations, and planned future growth are supported by maintaining strong investment grade credit ratings and access to capital markets at competitive rates. Primary sources of capital are cash flow from operations and the debt and capital markets.
Under normal market conditions, we consider it prudent to maintain enough liquidity to fund approximately one full year of cash requirements to preserve strong financial flexibility. Liquidity is generated by cash flow from operations and is supported by appropriate levels of cash and available committed credit facilities.
At March 31, 2021, ATCO and its subsidiaries had the following lines of credit.
| ($ millions) | Total | Used | Available |
|---|---|---|---|
| Long-term committed | 3,104 | 946 | 2,158 |
| Uncommitted | 571 | 164 | 407 |
| Total | 3,675 | 1,110 | 2,565 |
Of the $3,675 million in total lines of credit, $571 million was in the form of uncommitted credit facilities with no set maturity date. The other $3,104 million in credit lines was committed, with maturities between 2022 and 2024, and may be extended at the option of the lenders.
Of the $1,110 million in lines of credit used, $660 million was related to ATCO Gas Australia Pty Ltd. Long-term committed credit lines are used to satisfy all of ATCO Gas Australia Pty Ltd.'s term debt financing needs. The majority of the remaining usage is for the issuance of Canadian Utilities' letters of credit and ATCO Structures & Logistics' funding to expand its global rental fleet and working capital needs on workforce housing projects.
Lines of Credit ($ millions)
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----- Start of picture text -----
$3,675
$2,565
$(1,110)
Total Used Available
----- End of picture text -----
CONSOLIDATED CASH FLOW
At March 31, 2021, the Company's cash position was $1,147 million, an increase of $47 million compared to December 31, 2020 mainly due to funds generated by operations achieved during the quarter and the recovery of incurred costs related to the termination of the La Laguna Cogeneration facility contract in the first quarter of 2021, partially offset by dividends paid and cash used to fund the capital investment program.
Funds Generated by Operations
Funds generated by operations were $491 million in the first quarter of 2021, $25 million lower compared to the same period in 2020. The decrease was mainly due to the timing of certain revenues and expenses. Lower funds generated by operations were partially offset by higher customer contributions for Canadian Utilities' Electricity Transmission capital investments.
Funds generated by operations in 2021 are expected to be adversely impacted as a result of ATCO's decision to provide rate relief to customers through the deferral of rate increases for Electricity Distribution and Natural Gas Distribution and the proposal to the AUC to collect these deferred amounts beginning in 2023.
ATCO LTD. 2021 MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION & ANALYSIS 20
Cash Used for Capital Investment
Cash used for capital investment was $253 million in the first quarter of 2021, $50 million lower compared to the same period in 2020 mainly due to lower investment in ATCO Structures' rental fleet, the timing of capital investment in the Utilities, and the completion of construction in the first quarter of 2020 on the Pembina-Keephills transmission pipeline in Canadian Utilities' Natural Gas Transmission business.
Capital investment for the first quarter of 2021 and 2020 is shown in the table below.
| Three Months Ended | Three Months Ended | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| March 31 | ||||
| ($ millions) | 2021 | 2020 | Change | |
| Structures & Logistics | 18 | 38 | (20) |
|
| Neltume Ports | — | — | — |
|
| ATCO Corporate & Other | 5 | 6 |
(1) |
|
| 23 | 44 | (21) |
||
| Canadian Utilities | ||||
| Utilities | ||||
| Electricity Distribution | 54 | 66 | (12) |
|
| Electricity Transmission | 34 | 42 | (8) |
|
| Natural Gas Distribution | 56 | 57 | (1) |
|
| Natural Gas Transmission | 60 | 73 | (13) |
|
| International Natural Gas Distribution | 16 | 11 | 5 |
|
| 220 | 249 | (29) |
||
| Energy Infrastructure | ||||
| Electricity Generation | — | 2 | (2) |
|
| Storage & Industrial Water | 8 | 6 | 2 | |
| 8 | 8 | — |
||
| CU Corporate & Other | 2 | 2 | — | |
| Canadian Utilities Total Capital | Investment | 230 | 259 | (29) |
| ATCO Total Capital Investment | (1) (2) (3) | 253 | 303 | (50) |
(1) Includes capital expenditures in joint ventures of $5 million (2020 - $2 million) for the first quarter of 2021.
(2) Includes additions to property, plant and equipment, intangibles and $3 million (2020 - $5 million) of interest capitalized during construction for the first quarter of 2021.
(3) Includes $56 million (2020 - $26 million) of capital investment, mainly in the Utilities, that were funded with the assistance of customer contributions.
Base Shelf Prospectus - CU Inc. Debentures
On September 16, 2020, CU Inc. filed a base shelf prospectus that permits it to issue up to an aggregate of $1.2 billion of debentures over the 25-month life of the prospectus. As of April 28, 2021, aggregate issuances of debentures were $150 million.
Dividends and Common Shares
We have increased our common share dividend each year since 1993, a 28-year track record. Dividends paid to Class I and Class II Share owners totaled $51 million in the first quarter of 2021.
On April 14, 2021, the Board of Directors declared a second quarter dividend of 44.83 cents per share. The payment of any dividend is at the discretion of the Board of Directors and depends on our financial condition and other factors.
Normal Course Issuer Bid
We believe that, from time to time, the market price of our Class I Shares may not fully reflect the value of our business, and that purchasing Class I Shares represents a desirable use of available funds. The purchase of Class I Shares, at appropriate prices, will also minimize any dilution resulting from the exercise of stock options.
On March 9, 2020, we commenced a normal course issuer bid to purchase up to 1,014,684 outstanding Class I Shares. This bid expired on March 8, 2021. During this period, 150,000 shares were purchased for $6 million.
21 ATCO LTD. 2021 MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION & ANALYSIS
On March 9, 2021, we commenced a normal course issuer bid to purchase up to 1,013,478 outstanding Class I Shares. The bid will expire on March 8, 2022. From March 9, 2021 to April 27, 2021, no shares were purchased.
SHARE CAPITAL
ATCO's equity securities consist of Class I Shares and Class II Shares.
At April 27, 2021, we had outstanding 101,356,899 Class I Shares, 13,196,129 Class II Shares, and options to purchase 1,102,600 Class I Shares.
CLASS I NON-VOTING SHARES AND CLASS II VOTING SHARES
Each Class II Share may be converted into one Class I Share at any time at the share owner’s option. If an offer to purchase all Class II Shares is made, and such offer is accepted and taken up by the owners of a majority of the Class II Shares, and, if at the same time, an offer is not made to the Class I Share owners on the same terms and conditions, then the Class I Shares will be entitled to the same voting rights as the Class II Shares. The two share classes rank equally in all other respects, except for voting rights.
Of the 10,200,000 Class I Shares authorized for grant of options under our stock option plan, 1,998,550 Class I Shares were available for issuance at March 31, 2021. Options may be granted to our officers and key employees at an exercise price equal to the weighted average of the trading price of the shares on the Toronto Stock Exchange for the five trading days immediately preceding the grant date. The vesting provisions and exercise period (which cannot exceed 10 years) are determined at the time of grant.
ATCO LTD. 2021 MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION & ANALYSIS 22
QUARTERLY INFORMATION
The following table shows financial information for the eight quarters ended June 30, 2019 through March 31, 2021.
| ($ millions, except forper share data) | Q2 2020 | Q3 2020 | Q4 2020 | Q1 2021 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Revenues | 938 | 897 | 1,053 | 1,072 |
| Earnings attributable to Class I and Class II Shares | 45 | 54 | 66 | 83 |
| Earnings per Class I and Class II Share_($)_ | 0.39 | 0.48 | 0.58 | 0.73 |
| Diluted earnings per Class I and Class II Share_($)_ | 0.39 | 0.47 | 0.58 | 0.72 |
| Adjusted earnings per Class I and Class II Share_($)_ | 0.61 | 0.47 | 1.07 | 1.04 |
| Adjusted earnings (loss) | ||||
| Structures & Logistics | 21 | 12 | 17 | 14 |
| Neltume Ports | 2 | 3 | 7 | 3 |
| ATCO Corporate & Other | (1) | — | — | 1 |
| Canadian Utilities | ||||
| Utilities | 57 | 47 | 102 | 106 |
| Energy Infrastructure | 2 | 3 | 7 | 5 |
| Canadian Utilities Corporate & Other | (11) | (11) | (11) | (10) |
| Total adjusted earnings | 70 | 54 | 122 | 119 |
| ($ millions, except forper share data) | Q2 2019 | Q3 2019 | Q4 2019 | Q1 2020 |
| Revenues | 1,103 | 1,097 | 1,182 | 1,056 |
| Earnings attributable to Class I and Class II Shares | 158 | 160 | 83 | 87 |
| Earnings per Class I and Class II Share_($)_ | 1.38 | 1.40 | 0.73 | 0.76 |
| Diluted earnings per Class I and Class II Share_($)_ | 1.37 | 1.40 | 0.72 | 0.76 |
| Adjusted earnings per Class I and Class II Share_($)_ | 0.68 | 0.65 | 0.88 | 0.93 |
| Adjusted earnings (loss) | ||||
| Structures & Logistics | 7 | 13 | 14 | 7 |
| Neltume Ports | 4 | 3 | 4 | 3 |
| ATCO Corporate & Other | — | 3 | (9) | 1 |
| Canadian Utilities | ||||
| Utilities | 68 | 48 | 92 | 99 |
| Energy Infrastructure | 10 | 20 | 8 | 3 |
| Canadian Utilities Corporate & Other | (11) | (13) | (8) | (7) |
| Total adjusted earnings | 78 | 74 | 101 | 106 |
Our financial results for the previous eight quarters reflect the cyclical demand for workforce housing and space rental products and services in ATCO Structures and ATCO Frontec, cargo volumes and margins at Neltume Ports, and in Canadian Utilities, the timing of utility regulatory decisions, and the seasonal nature of demand for natural gas and electricity.
ADJUSTED EARNINGS
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$122M $119M
$101M $106M
$78M $74M $70M
$54M
Q2 2019 Q3 2019 Q4 2019 Q1 2020 Q2 2020 Q3 2020 Q4 2020 Q1 2021
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23 ATCO LTD. 2021 MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION & ANALYSIS
Adjusted earnings in the second and third quarters of 2019 and 2020 were impacted by lower seasonal demand in Canadian Utilities' Natural Gas Distribution business. Adjusted earnings in the fourth quarter of 2020 and first quarter of 2021 were positively impacted by ATCO Structures' workforce housing sale and rental activity and space rental activity as well as additional client work requests for COVID-19 proactive and preventative safety measures at ATCO Frontec. Adjusted earnings in the fourth quarter of 2020 and first quarter of 2021 in Canadian Utilities were higher compared to the same periods in 2019 and 2020 mainly due to continued cost efficiencies, rate base growth and earnings from International Electricity Operations.
EARNINGS ATTRIBUTABLE TO CLASS I AND CLASS II SHARES
Earnings attributable to Class I and Class II Shares include timing adjustments related to rate-regulated activities and unrealized gains or losses on mark-to-market forward and swap commodity contracts. They also include one-time gains and losses, significant impairments, and other items that are not in the normal course of business or a result of day-to-day operations recorded at various times over the past eight quarters. These items are excluded from adjusted earnings and are highlighted below:
-
In the second, third and fourth quarters of 2019, Canadian Utilities closed a series of transactions related to the sale of its Canadian fossil fuel-based electricity generation business and Alberta PowerLine resulting in a gain on sale of operations of $65 million (after-tax and non-controlling interests). As these transactions were one-time in nature, they were excluded from adjusted earnings.
-
In 2020, impairment and other costs not in the normal course of business of $20 million (after-tax and non-controlling interests) were recorded. These costs mainly related to certain assets that no longer represent strategic value for the Company. As these costs were one-time in nature, they were excluded from adjusted earnings.
-
In the fourth quarter of 2020 and first quarter of 2021, Canadian Utilities signed Master Services Agreements with IBM Canada Ltd. and IBM Australia Limited, respectively, to provide managed information technology services. These services are currently provided by Wipro under a ten-year MSA expiring in December 2024. The transition of the managed IT services from Wipro to IBM commenced on February 1, 2021 and is expected to be completed by the third quarter of 2021. ATCO recognized costs of $32 million (after-tax and non-controlling interests) in the fourth quarter of 2020 and termination and transition costs of $6 million (after-tax and non-controlling interests) in the first quarter of 2021. As these costs are not in the normal course of business, they have been excluded from adjusted earnings.
ATCO LTD. 2021 MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION & ANALYSIS 24
NON-GAAP AND ADDITIONAL GAAP MEASURES
Adjusted earnings are defined as earnings attributable to Class I and Class II Shares after adjusting for the timing of revenues and expenses associated with rate-regulated activities and unrealized gains or losses on mark-to-market forward and swap commodity contracts. Adjusted earnings also exclude one-time gains and losses, significant impairments, and items that are not in the normal course of business or a result of day-to-day operations.
Adjusted earnings present earnings from rate-regulated activities on the same basis as was used prior to adopting IFRS - that basis being the US accounting principles for rate-regulated activities. Management’s view is that adjusted earnings allow for a more effective analysis of operating performance and trends. A reconciliation of adjusted earnings to earnings attributable to Class I and Class II Shares is presented in this MD&A. Adjusted earnings is an additional GAAP measure presented in Note 3 of the unaudited interim consolidated financial statements.
Adjusted earnings per Class I and Class II Share is calculated by dividing adjusted earnings by the weighted average number of shares outstanding for the period.
Funds generated by operations is defined as cash flow from operations before changes in non-cash working capital. In management’s opinion, funds generated by operations is a significant performance indicator of the Company’s ability to generate cash during a period to fund capital expenditures. Funds generated by operations does not have any standardized meaning under IFRS and might not be comparable to similar measures presented by other companies. A reconciliation of funds generated by operations to cash flows from operating activities is presented in this MD&A.
Capital investment is defined as cash used for capital expenditures, business combinations, and cash used in the Company's proportional share of capital expenditures in joint ventures, and cash used for equity investment in associate companies. In management's opinion, capital investment reflects the Company's total cash investment in assets. Capital expenditures includes additions to property, plant and equipment and intangibles as well as interest capitalized during construction. A reconciliation of capital investments to capital expenditures is presented in this MD&A.
25 ATCO LTD. 2021 MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION & ANALYSIS
RECONCILIATION OF ADJUSTED EARNINGS TO EARNINGS ATTRIBUTABLE TO CLASS I AND CLASS II SHARES
Adjusted earnings are earnings attributable to Class I and Class II Shares after adjusting for the timing of revenues and expenses associated with rate-regulated activities and unrealized gains or losses on mark-to-market forward and swap commodity contracts. Adjusted earnings also exclude one-time gains and losses, significant impairments, and items that are not in the normal course of business or a result of day-to-day operations.
Adjusted earnings are a key measure of segment earnings that management uses to assess segment performance and allocate resources. It is management’s view that adjusted earnings allow a better assessment of the economics of rate regulation in Canada and Australia than IFRS earnings.
| ($ millions) Three Months Ended March 31 |
($ millions) Three Months Ended March 31 |
($ millions) Three Months Ended March 31 |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 Structures & Logistics Neltume Ports ATCO Corporate & Other 2020 |
Canadian Utilities Limited Utilities Energy Infrastructure CUL Corporate & Other Consolidated |
ATCO Consolidated |
| Revenues 167 — (2) 171 — — |
790 52 65 907 |
1,072 |
789 50 46 885 |
1,056 |
|
| Adjusted earnings (loss) 14 3 1 7 3 1 Unrealized gains on mark-to-market forward and swap commodity contracts — — — — — — Rate-regulated activities — — — — — — IT Common Matters decision — — — — — — Transition of managed IT services — — — — — — Other — — — — — 1 |
106 5 (10) 101 |
119 |
99 3 (7) 95 |
106 |
|
— — — — |
— |
|
— — 3 3 |
3 |
|
(28) — — (28) |
(28) |
|
(17) — — (17) |
(17) |
|
(2) — — (2) |
(2) |
|
(2) — — (2) |
(2) |
|
(6) — — (6) |
(6) |
|
— — — — |
— |
|
— — — — |
— |
|
— (4) — (4) |
(3) |
|
| Earnings (loss) attributable to Class I and Class II Shares 14 3 1 7 3 2 |
70 5 (10) 65 |
83 |
80 (1) (4) 75 |
87 |
UNREALIZED GAINS ON MARK-TO-MARKET FORWARD AND SWAP COMMODITY CONTRACTS
The Company’s retail electricity and natural gas business in Alberta enters into fixed-price swap commodity contracts to manage exposure to electricity and natural gas prices and volumes.
These contracts are measured at fair value. Unrealized gains and losses due to changes in the fair value of the fixedprice swap commodity contracts are recognized in the earnings of the Corporate & Other segment.
ATCO LTD. 2021 MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION & ANALYSIS 26
The CODM believes that removal of the unrealized gains or losses on mark-to-market forward and swap commodity contracts provides a better representation of operating results for the Company's operations.
Realized gains or losses are recognized in adjusted earnings when the commodity contracts are settled.
RATE-REGULATED ACTIVITIES
Electricity Distribution and Transmission and their subsidiaries, ATCO Electric Yukon, Northland Utilities (NWT) and Northland Utilities (Yellowknife), as well as Natural Gas Distribution, Natural Gas Transmission and International Natural Gas Distribution are collectively referred to as the Regulated Utilities.
There is currently no specific guidance under IFRS for rate-regulated entities that the Company is eligible to adopt. In the absence of this guidance, the Regulated Utilities do not recognize assets and liabilities from rate-regulated activities as may be directed by regulatory decisions. Instead, the Regulated Utilities recognize revenues in earnings when amounts are billed to customers, consistent with the regulator-approved rate design. Operating costs and expenses are recorded when incurred. Costs incurred in constructing an asset that meet the asset recognition criteria are included in the related property, plant and equipment or intangible asset.
The Company uses standards issued by the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) in the United States as another source of generally accepted accounting principles to account for rate-regulated activities in its internal reporting provided to the CODM. The CODM believes that earnings presented in accordance with the FASB standards are a better representation of the operating results of the Company’s rate-regulated activities. Therefore, the Company presents adjusted earnings as part of its segmented disclosures on this basis. Rate-regulated accounting (RRA) standards impact the timing of how certain revenues and expenses are recognized when compared to non-rate regulated activities, to appropriately reflect the economic impact of a regulator's decisions on revenues.
Rate-regulated accounting differs from IFRS in the following ways:
| Timing Adjustment | Items | RRA Treatment | IFRS Treatment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Additional | Future removal and site | The Company defers the | The Company recognizes |
| revenues billed in | restoration costs, and impact of | recognition of cash | revenues when amounts are |
| current period | colder temperatures | received in advance of | billed to customers and costs |
| future expenditures. | when they are incurred. | ||
| Revenues to be | Deferred income taxes, impact of | The Company recognizes | The Company recognizes |
| billed in future | warmer temperatures, and | revenues associated with | costs when they are |
| periods | impact of inflation on rate base | recoverable costs in | incurred, but does not |
| advance of future billings | recognize their recovery until | ||
| to customers. | customer rates are changed | ||
| and amounts are collected | |||
| through future billings. | |||
| Regulatory | Regulatory decisions received | The Company recognizes | The Company does not |
| decisions received | which relate to current and prior | the earnings from a | recognize earnings from a |
| periods | regulatory decision | regulatory decision when it is | |
| pertaining to current and | received as regulatory assets | ||
| prior periods when the | and liabilities are not | ||
| decision is received. | recorded under IFRS. | ||
| Settlement of | Settlement of amounts | The Company recognizes | The Company recognizes |
| regulatory | receivable or payable to | the amount receivable or | earnings when customer |
| decisions and | customers and other items | payable to customers as a | rates are changed and |
| other items | reduction in its regulatory | amounts are recovered or | |
| assets and liabilities when | refunded to customers | ||
| collected or refunded | through future billings. | ||
| through future billings. |
27 ATCO LTD. 2021 MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION & ANALYSIS
The significant timing adjustments as a result of the differences between rate-regulated accounting and IFRS are as follows:
follows: |
|||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Three Months Ended | |||||
| March 31 | |||||
| ($ millions) | 2021 | 2020 | Change | ||
| Additional revenues billed in current period | |||||
| Future removal and site restoration costs | (1) |
15 | 12 | 3 |
|
| Impact of colder temperatures (2) |
— | 3 | (3) |
||
| Revenues to be billed in future periods | |||||
| Deferred income taxes (3) |
(14) | (18) |
4 |
||
| Distribution rate relief (4) |
(21) | — |
(21) |
||
| Impact of warmer temperatures (2) |
(1) | — |
(1) |
||
| Impact of inflation on rate base (5) |
(3) | (2) |
(1) |
||
| Settlement of regulatory decisions and other items | (6) |
**(4) ** | (12) |
8 | |
| **(28) ** | (17) |
(11) |
(1) Removal and site restoration costs are billed to customers over the estimated useful life of the related assets based on forecast costs to be incurred in future periods.
(2) Natural Gas Distribution customer rates are based on a forecast of normal temperatures. Fluctuations in temperatures may result in more or less revenue being recovered from customers than forecast. Revenues above or below the normal in the current period are refunded to or recovered from customers in future periods.
(3) Income taxes are billed to customers when paid by the Company.
(4) In the first quarter of 2021, Electricity Distribution and Natural Gas Distribution recorded a decrease in earnings of $21 million related to interim rate relief for customers as applied for by ATCO and approved by the AUC to hold current distribution base rates in place. This will be recovered from customers in future periods.
(5) The inflation-indexed portion of International Natural Gas Distribution's rate base is billed to customers through the recovery of depreciation in subsequent periods based on the actual or forecasted annual rate of inflation. Under rate-regulated accounting, revenue is recognized in the current period for the inflation component of rate base when it is earned. Differences between the amounts earned and the amounts billed to customers are deferred and recognized in revenues over the service life of the related assets.
(6) In the first quarter of 2020, Electricity Distribution recorded a decrease in earnings of $14 million related to the payment of transmission costs. This is being recovered from customers in future periods.
IT COMMON MATTERS DECISION
Consistent with the treatment of the gain on sale in 2014 from the IT services business by the Company, financial impacts associated with the IT Common Matters decision are excluded from adjusted earnings. The amount excluded from adjusted earnings for the three months ended March 31, 2021 was $2 million (2020 - $2 million).
TRANSITION OF MANAGED IT SERVICES
In the fourth quarter of 2020 and first quarter of 2021, Canadian Utilities signed Master Services Agreements with IBM Canada Ltd. and IBM Australia Limited, respectively, to provide managed information technology services. These services are currently provided by Wipro under a ten-year MSA expiring in December 2024. The transition of the managed IT services from Wipro to IBM commenced on February 1, 2021 and is expected to be completed by the third quarter of 2021.
For the three months ended March 31, 2021, ATCO recognized termination and transition costs of $6 million (aftertax and non-controlling interests). As these costs are not in the normal course of business, they have been excluded from adjusted earnings.
OTHER
The Company adjusts the deferred tax asset which was recognized as a result of the 2015 Tula Pipeline Project impairment. During the three months ended March 31, 2021, the Company recorded a foreign exchange loss of nil after tax and non-controlling interests (2020 - a foreign exchange loss of $4 million) due to a difference between the tax base currency, which is the Mexican peso, and the US dollar functional currency.
ATCO LTD. 2021 MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION & ANALYSIS 28
RECONCILIATION OF FUNDS GENERATED BY OPERATIONS TO CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES
Funds generated by operations is defined as cash flow from operations before changes in non-cash working capital. In management’s opinion, funds generated by operations is a significant performance indicator of the Company’s ability to generate cash during a period to fund capital expenditures. Funds generated by operations does not have any standardized meaning under IFRS and might not be comparable to similar measures presented by other companies.
| companies. | |
|---|---|
| ($ millions) | |
| 2021 | Three Months Ended |
| 2020 | March 31 |
| Funds generated by operations | 491 |
| 516 | |
| Changes in non-cash working capital | 53 |
| 62 | |
| Cash flows from operating activities | 544 |
| 578 |
29 ATCO LTD. 2021 MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION & ANALYSIS
RECONCILIATION OF CAPITAL INVESTMENT TO CAPITAL EXPENDITURES
Capital investment is defined as cash used for capital expenditures, business combinations, and cash used in the Company's proportional share of capital expenditures in joint ventures, and cash used for equity investment in associate companies. In management's opinion, capital investment reflects the Company's total cash investment in assets. Capital expenditures includes additions to property, plant and equipment and intangibles as well as interest capitalized during construction.
| Capital investment is defined as cash used for capital expenditures, business combinations, and cash used in the Company's proportional share of capital expenditures in joint ventures, and cash used for equity investment in associate companies. In management's opinion, capital investment reflects the Company's total cash investment in assets. Capital expenditures includes additions to property, plant and equipment and intangibles as well as interest capitalized during construction. |
Capital investment is defined as cash used for capital expenditures, business combinations, and cash used in the Company's proportional share of capital expenditures in joint ventures, and cash used for equity investment in associate companies. In management's opinion, capital investment reflects the Company's total cash investment in assets. Capital expenditures includes additions to property, plant and equipment and intangibles as well as interest capitalized during construction. |
Capital investment is defined as cash used for capital expenditures, business combinations, and cash used in the Company's proportional share of capital expenditures in joint ventures, and cash used for equity investment in associate companies. In management's opinion, capital investment reflects the Company's total cash investment in assets. Capital expenditures includes additions to property, plant and equipment and intangibles as well as interest capitalized during construction. |
|---|---|---|
| ($ millions) Three Months Ended March 31 |
||
| 2021 Structures & Logistics Neltume Ports ATCO Corporate & Other 2020 |
Canadian Utilities Limited Utilities Energy Infrastructure CUL Corporate & Other Consolidated |
ATCO Consolidated |
| Capital investment 18 — 5 38 — 6 Capital expenditure in joint ventures — — — — — — |
220 8 2 230 |
253 |
249 8 2 259 |
303 |
|
— (5) — (5) |
(5) |
|
— (2) — (2) |
(2) | |
| Capital expenditures 18 — 5 38 — 6 |
220 3 2 225 |
248 |
249 6 2 257 |
301 |
ATCO LTD. 2021 MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION & ANALYSIS 30
OTHER FINANCIAL INFORMATION
INTERNAL CONTROL OVER FINANCIAL REPORTING
There was no change in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the period beginning on January 1, 2021, and ended on March 31, 2021, that materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.
FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION
Certain statements contained in this MD&A constitute forward-looking information. Forward-looking information is often, but not always, identified by the use of words such as “anticipate”, “plan”, “estimate”, “expect”, “may”, “will”, “intend”, “should”, and similar expressions. Forward-looking information involves known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual results or events to differ materially from those anticipated in such forward-looking information. The Company believes that the expectations reflected in the forward-looking information are reasonable, but no assurance can be given that these expectations will prove to be correct and such forward-looking information should not be unduly relied upon.
The Company’s actual results could differ materially from those anticipated in any forward-looking information contained in this MD&A as a result of regulatory decisions, competitive factors in the industries in which the Company operates, prevailing economic conditions (including as may be affected by the COVID-19 pandemic) and other factors, many of which are beyond the control of the Company.
Any forward-looking information contained in this MD&A represents the Company’s expectations as of the date hereof, and is subject to change after such date. The Company disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking information whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by applicable securities legislation.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
ATCO has published its unaudited interim consolidated financial statements and MD&A for the three months ended March 31, 2021. Copies of these documents may be obtained upon request from Investor Relations at 3rd Floor, West Building, 5302 Forand Street S.W., Calgary, Alberta, T3E 8B4, telephone 403-292-7500, fax 403-292-7532 or email [email protected].
31 ATCO LTD. 2021 MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION & ANALYSIS
GLOSSARY
AESO means the Alberta Electric System Operator.
Alberta Power Pool means the market for electricity in Alberta operated by AESO.
Alberta Utilities means Electricity Distribution, Electricity Transmission, Natural Gas Distribution and Natural Gas Transmission.
AUC means the Alberta Utilities Commission.
Average weekly earnings (AWE) is an indicator of short-term employee earnings growth.
Class I Shares means Class I Non-Voting Shares of the Company.
Kilowatt (kW) is a measure of electric power equal to 1,000 watts.
LNG means liquefied natural gas.
Megawatt (MW) is a measure of electric power equal to 1,000,000 watts.
NCI means non controlling interest.
PBR means Performance Based Regulation.
Regulated Utilities means Electricity Distribution, Electricity Transmission, Natural Gas Distribution, Natural Gas Transmission and International Natural Gas Distribution.
Class II Shares means Class II Voting Shares of the Company.
CODM means Chief Operating Decision Maker, and is comprised of the Chair & Chief Executive Officer, and the other members of the Executive Committee.
Company means ATCO Ltd. and, unless the context otherwise requires, includes its subsidiaries and joint arrangements.
Consumer price index (CPI) measures the average change in prices over time that consumers pay for a basket of goods and services.
Customer Contributions are non-refundable cash contributions made by customers for certain additions to property, plant and equipment, mainly in the Utilities. These contributions are made when the estimated revenue is less than the cost of providing service.
Earnings means Adjusted Earnings as defined in the Non-GAAP and Additional GAAP Measures section of this MD&A.
ECM means Efficiency Carryover Mechanism by which the AUC incents efficiency improvements for the distribution utilities based on certain criteria. If the efficiency improvement criteria are met in a prior PBR term, the ECM provides up to an additional 0.5 per cent return on equity for the first two years of the next PBR term.
GAAP means Canadian generally accepted accounting principles.
GHG means greenhouse gas.
IFRS means International Financial Reporting Standards.
ATCO LTD. 2021 MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION & ANALYSIS 32
33 ATCO LTD. 2021 MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION & ANALYSIS
==> picture [222 x 74] intentionally omitted <==
ATCO LTD. INTERIM CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(UNAUDITED)
FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31, 2021
ATCO LTD. 2021 UNAUDITED INTERIM CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS [34]
TABLE OF CONTENTS
| TABLE OF CONTENTS | |
|---|---|
| Page | |
| Consolidated Statements of Earnings.................................................................................................................................. | 36 |
| Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income........................................................................................................ | 37 |
| Consolidated Balance Sheets................................................................................................................................................ | 38 |
| Consolidated Statements of Changes in Equity.................................................................................................................. | 39 |
| Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows.............................................................................................................................. | 40 |
| Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements | |
| General Information | |
| 1. The Company and its Operations....................................................................................................................................... |
41 |
| 2. Basis of Presentation............................................................................................................................................................ |
41 |
| Information on Financial Performance | |
| 3. Segmented Information....................................................................................................................................................... |
43 |
| 4. Revenues................................................................................................................................................................................ |
48 |
| 5. Earnings per Share............................................................................................................................................................... |
49 |
| Information on Financial Position | |
| 6. Property, Plant and Equipment........................................................................................................................................... |
49 |
| 7. Long-Term Debt.................................................................................................................................................................... |
50 |
| 8. Class I Non-Voting and Class II Voting Shares................................................................................................................... |
50 |
| 9. Retirement Benefits.............................................................................................................................................................. |
50 |
| Information on Cash Flow | |
| 10. Cash Flow Information......................................................................................................................................................... | 51 |
| Risk | |
| 11. Financial Instruments........................................................................................................................................................... | 52 |
35 ATCO LTD. 2021 UNAUDITED INTERIM CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF EARNINGS
| OF EARNINGS | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Three Months Ended | |||
| March 31 | |||
| (millions of Canadian Dollars except per share data) | Note | 2021 | 2020 |
| Revenues | 4 | 1,072 |
1,056 |
| Costs and expenses | |||
| Salaries, wages and benefits | (140) | (131) |
|
| Energy transmission and transportation | (64) | (53) |
|
| Plant and equipment maintenance | (37) | (48) |
|
| Fuel costs | (29) | (26) |
|
| Purchased power | (77) | (65) |
|
| Materials and consumables | (82) | (96) |
|
| Depreciation and amortization | (170) | (156) |
|
| Franchise fees | (81) | (81) |
|
| Property and other taxes | (18) | (18) |
|
| Other | **(83) ** | (56) |
|
| **(781) ** | (730) |
||
| Earnings from investment in associate company | 3 | 3 | |
| Earnings from investment injoint ventures | 14 | 7 | |
| Operating profit | 308 | 336 | |
| Interest income | 4 | 6 | |
| Interest expense | **(106) ** | (105) |
|
| Net finance costs | **(102) ** | (99) |
|
| Earnings before income taxes | 206 | 237 | |
| Income tax expense | **(45) ** | (63) |
|
| Earnings for theperiod | 161 | 174 | |
| Earnings attributable to: | |||
| Class I and Class II Shares | 83 | 87 | |
| Non-controllinginterests | 78 | 87 | |
| 161 | 174 | ||
| Earnings per Class I and Class II Share | 5 | $0.73 | $0.76 |
| Diluted earnings per Class I and Class II Share | 5 | $0.72 | $0.76 |
See accompanying Notes to Unaudited Interim Consolidated Financial Statements.
ATCO LTD. 2021 UNAUDITED INTERIM CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS [36]
OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
| Three Months Ended | Three Months Ended | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| March 31 | ||||
| (millions of Canadian Dollars) | Note | 2021 | 2020 | |
| Earnings for theperiod | 161 | 174 | ||
| Other comprehensive income, net of income taxes | ||||
| Items that will not be reclassified to earnings: | ||||
| Re-measurement of retirement benefits | (1) |
9 | 146 |
202 |
| Items that are or may be reclassified subsequently to earnings: | ||||
| Cash flow hedges (2) |
11 | (17) | ||
| Foreign currency translation adjustment | (3) |
(33) | (2) |
|
| Share of other comprehensive income(loss)in associate company | 1 | (4) | ||
| **(21) ** | (23) |
|||
| Other comprehensive income | 125 | 179 | ||
| Comprehensive income for theperiod | 286 | 353 | ||
| Comprehensive income attributable to: | ||||
| Class I and Class II Shares | 144 | 172 | ||
| Non-controllinginterests | 142 | 181 | ||
| 286 | 353 |
(1) Net of income taxes of $(44) million for the three months ended March 31, 2021 (2020 - $(60) million).
(2) Net of income taxes of $(4) million for the three months ended March 31, 2021 (2020 - $6 million).
(3) Net of income taxes of nil.
See accompanying Notes to Unaudited Interim Consolidated Financial Statements.
37 ATCO LTD. 2021 UNAUDITED INTERIM CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
| March 31 | December 31 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| (millions of Canadian Dollars) | Note | 2021 | 2020 |
| ASSETS | |||
| Current assets | |||
| Cash and cash equivalents | 10 | 1,148 |
1,103 |
| Accounts receivable and contract assets | 692 | 727 | |
| Finance lease receivables | 10 | 9 | |
| Inventories | 75 | 76 | |
| Prepaid expenses and other current assets | 125 | 124 | |
| 2,050 | 2,039 | ||
| Non-current assets | |||
| Property, plant and equipment | 6 | 18,341 |
18,327 |
| Intangibles | 698 | 685 | |
| Retirement benefit asset | 9 | 35 |
— |
| Right-of-use assets | 94 | 97 | |
| Goodwill | 82 | 82 | |
| Investment in joint ventures | 201 | 186 | |
| Investment in associate company | 438 | 460 | |
| Finance lease receivables | 164 | 166 | |
| Deferred income tax assets | 86 | 85 | |
| Other assets | 73 | 73 | |
| Total assets | 22,262 | 22,200 | |
| LIABILITIES | |||
| Current liabilities | |||
| Bank indebtedness | 1 | 3 | |
| Accounts payable and accrued liabilities | 757 | 695 | |
| Lease liabilities | 15 | 16 | |
| Provisions and other current liabilities | 144 | 164 | |
| Long-term debt | 201 | 196 | |
| 1,118 | 1,074 | ||
| Non-current liabilities | |||
| Deferred income tax liabilities | 1,516 | 1,443 | |
| Retirement benefit obligations | 9 | 286 |
439 |
| Customer contributions | 1,798 | 1,756 | |
| Lease liabilities | 82 | 84 | |
| Other liabilities | 117 | 132 | |
| Long-term debt | 9,392 | 9,423 | |
| Total liabilities | 14,309 | 14,351 | |
| EQUITY | |||
| Class I and Class II Share owners' equity | |||
| Class I and Class II shares | 8 | 178 |
178 |
| Contributed surplus | 7 | 6 | |
| Retained earnings | 3,962 | 3,880 | |
| Accumulated other comprehensive loss | **(30) ** | (12) |
|
| 4,117 | 4,052 | ||
| Non-controlling interests | 3,836 | 3,797 | |
| Total equity | 7,953 | 7,849 | |
| Total liabilities and equity | 22,262 | 22,200 |
See accompanying Notes to Unaudited Interim Consolidated Financial Statements.
ATCO LTD. 2021 UNAUDITED INTERIM CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS [38]
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN EQUITY
| Accumulated | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Class I and | Other | Non- | |||||||
| (millions of Canadian Dollars) | Note | Class II Shares |
Contributed Surplus |
Retained Earnings |
Comprehensive Loss |
Total | Controlling Interests |
Total Equity | |
| December 31, 2019 | 173 | 12 |
3,832 |
(17) |
4,000 |
3,858 |
7,858 |
||
| Earnings for the period | — | — | 87 | — | 87 | 87 |
174 |
||
| Other comprehensive income | — | — | — | 85 | 85 |
94 |
179 |
||
| Gains on retirement benefits transferred to | |||||||||
| retained earnings | — | — | 108 | (108) |
— |
— | — | ||
| Shares issued, purchased and cancelled | 1 | — | — | — | 1 | — | 1 | ||
| Dividends | 8 | — | — | (50) | — |
(50) | (76) |
(126) |
|
| Share-based compensation | 2 | (2) |
— |
— | — | — | — | ||
| Other | — | — | — | — | — | 2 | 2 |
||
| March 31, 2020 | 176 | 10 |
3,977 |
(40) |
4,123 | 3,965 |
8,088 |
||
| December 31, 2020 | 178 | 6 |
3,880 |
(12) |
4,052 |
3,797 |
7,849 |
||
| Earnings for the period | — | — | 83 | — | 83 | 78 |
161 |
||
| Other comprehensive income | — | — | — | 61 | 61 |
64 |
125 |
||
| Gains on retirement benefits transferred to | |||||||||
| retained earnings | — | — | 79 | (79) |
— |
— | — | ||
| Shares purchased and cancelled | — | — | — | — | — | (58) | (58) |
||
| Dividends | 8 | — | — | (51) | — |
(51) | (76) |
(127) |
|
| Share-based compensation | — | 1 | — | — | 1 | — | 1 | ||
| Changes in ownership interest in subsidiary company | (1) | — | — | (29) | — |
(29) | 29 |
— | |
| Other | — | — | — | — | — | 2 | 2 |
||
| March 31, 2021 | 178 | 7 |
3,962 |
(30) |
4,117 | 3,836 |
7,953 |
(1) The changes in ownership interest in subsidiary company are due to Canadian Utilities Limited's purchases of Class A shares under the normal course issuer bid program. See accompanying Notes to Unaudited Interim Consolidated Financial Statements.
39 ATCO LTD. 2021 UNAUDITED INTERIM CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
| Three | Months Ended | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| March 31 | |||
| (millions of Canadian Dollars) | Note | 2021 | 2020 |
| Operating activities | |||
| Earnings for the period | 161 | 174 | |
| Adjustments to reconcile earnings to cash flows from operating activities | 10 | 330 | 342 |
| Changes in non-cash workingcapital | 53 | 62 | |
| Cash flows from operating activities | 544 | 578 | |
| Investing activities | |||
| Additions to property, plant and equipment | (216) | (278) |
|
| Proceeds on disposal of property, plant and equipment | 29 | — | |
| Additions to intangibles | (29) | (18) |
|
| Investment in joint ventures | (4) | (5) |
|
| Changes in non-cash workingcapital | 22 | 19 | |
| Cash flows used in investing activities | **(198) ** | (282) |
|
| Financing activities | |||
| Issue of long-term debt | 7 | 1 |
59 |
| Repayment of long-term debt | 7 | (25) |
(71) |
| Repayment of lease liabilities | (5) | (4) |
|
| Purchase of shares by subsidiary company | (58) | — |
|
| Net issue of Class I Shares | — | 1 | |
| Dividends paid to Class I and Class II Share owners | (51) | (50) |
|
| Dividends paid to non-controlling interests | (76) | (76) |
|
| Interestpaid | **(82) ** | (81) |
|
| Cash flows used in financing activities | **(296) ** | (222) |
|
| Increase in cash position (1) |
50 | 74 | |
| Foreign currency translation | (3) | (7) |
|
| Beginningofperiod | 1,100 | 1,140 | |
| End ofperiod | 10 | 1,147 | 1,207 |
(1) Cash position includes $33 million which is not available for general use by the Company (2020 - $55 million).
See accompanying Notes to Unaudited Interim Consolidated Financial Statements.
ATCO LTD. 2021 UNAUDITED INTERIM CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS [40]
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(UNAUDITED)
MARCH 31, 2021
(Tabular amounts in millions of Canadian Dollars, except as otherwise noted)
1. THE COMPANY AND ITS OPERATIONS
ATCO Ltd. was incorporated under the laws of the province of Alberta and is listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange. Its head office and registered office is at 4th Floor, West Building, 5302 Forand Street SW, Calgary, Alberta T3E 8B4. ATCO Ltd. is controlled by Sentgraf Enterprises Ltd. and its controlling share owner, the Southern family.
ATCO Ltd. is engaged in the following business activities:
-
Structures & Logistics (workforce and residential housing, innovative modular facilities, construction, site support services, workforce lodging services, facility operations and maintenance, defence operations services, and disaster and emergency management services);
-
Canadian Utilities Limited, including:
-
Utilities (electricity and natural gas transmission and distribution and international electricity operations);
-
Energy infrastructure (electricity generation, energy storage and industrial water solutions);
-
Retail Energy (electricity and natural gas retail sales) (included in the Corporate & Other segment); and
-
Neltume Ports (ports and transportation logistics).
The unaudited interim consolidated financial statements include the accounts of ATCO Ltd. and its subsidiaries. The statements also include the accounts of a proportionate share of the Company's investments in joint operations, its equity-accounted investments in joint ventures and its equity-accounted investment in associate company. In these financial statements, "the Company" means ATCO Ltd., its subsidiaries, joint arrangements and the associate company.
Principal operating subsidiaries are:
-
Canadian Utilities Limited (52.7 per cent owned) and its subsidiaries; and
-
ATCO Structures & Logistics and its subsidiaries.
2. BASIS OF PRESENTATION
STATEMENT OF COMPLIANCE
The unaudited interim consolidated financial statements are prepared according to International Accounting Standard (IAS) 34 Interim Financial Reporting using accounting policies consistent with International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) as issued by the International Accounting Standards Board and IFRS Interpretations Committee (IFRIC). They do not include all the disclosures required in annual consolidated financial statements and should be read in conjunction with the Company’s consolidated financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2020, prepared according to IFRS.
The unaudited interim consolidated financial statements are prepared following the same accounting policies used in the Company’s most recent annual consolidated financial statements, except for income taxes. In interim periods, income taxes are accrued using an estimate of the annualized effective tax rate applied to year-to-date earnings.
41 ATCO LTD. 2021 UNAUDITED INTERIM CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
The unaudited interim consolidated financial statements were authorized for issue by the Audit & Risk Committee, on behalf of the Board of Directors, on April 28, 2021.
BASIS OF MEASUREMENT
The unaudited interim consolidated financial statements are prepared on a historic cost basis, except for derivative financial instruments, retirement benefit obligations and cash-settled share-based compensation liabilities which are carried at remeasured amounts or fair value.
Revenues, earnings and adjusted earnings for any quarter are not necessarily indicative of operations on an annual basis. Quarterly financial results may be affected by the seasonal nature of the Company’s operations, the timing of utility rate decisions, the timing and demand of natural gas storage capacity sold, changes in natural gas storage fees and changes in market conditions for workforce housing and space rentals operations.
SIGNIFICANT JUDGMENTS, ESTIMATES AND ASSUMPTIONS
Use of judgments and estimates around the COVID-19 pandemic
For the three months ended March 31, 2021, the Company performed an assessment of the impacts of uncertainties around the COVID-19 pandemic on its consolidated financial position, financial performance and cash flows. The assessment required use of judgements and estimates and resulted in no material impacts.
ATCO LTD. 2021 UNAUDITED INTERIM CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS [42]
3. SEGMENTED INFORMATION
Results by operating segment for the three months ended March 31 are shown below.
| 2021 Structures Neltume Corporate |
2021 Structures Neltume Corporate |
2021 Structures Neltume Corporate |
2021 Structures Neltume Corporate |
Canadian Utilities Limited ATCO |
Canadian Utilities Limited ATCO |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 & Logistics Ports & Other |
Utilities (1) Energy Infrastructure Corporate & Other Consolidated |
Consolidated | |||
| Revenues - external Revenues - intersegment |
167 | — | (2) | 787 34 86 907 |
1,072 |
| 171 | — | — | 786 34 65 885 |
1,056 |
|
| — | — | — | 3 18 (21) — |
— | |
| — | — | — | 3 16 (19) — |
— | |
| Revenues Operating expenses (2) Depreciation and amortization |
167 | — | (2) | 790 52 65 907 |
1,072 |
| 171 | — | — | 789 50 46 885 |
1,056 |
|
| (134) | — |
4 | (377) (38) (66) (481) |
(611) |
|
| (153) | — |
8 | (350) (42) (37) (429) |
(574) |
|
| (15) | — |
(1) | (147) (4) (3) (154) |
(170) |
|
| (12) | — |
(1) | (139) (4) — (143) |
(156) |
|
| Earnings from investment in associate company Earnings from investment in joint ventures Net finance costs |
|||||
| — | 3 | — | — — — — |
3 | |
| — | 3 | — | — — — — |
3 | |
| 1 | — | — | 7 6 — 13 |
14 |
|
| 1 | — | — | — 6 — 6 |
7 |
|
| (1) | — |
(4) | (93) (3) (1) (97) |
(102) |
|
| (1) | — |
(4) | (92) (3) 1 (94) |
(99) | |
| Earnings (loss) before income taxes Income tax (expense) recovery |
18 | 3 |
(3) |
180 13 (5) 188 |
206 |
| 6 | 3 |
3 |
208 7 10 225 |
237 |
|
| (4) | — |
4 | (41) (4) — (45) |
(45) |
|
| 1 | — | (1) | (51) (9) (3) (63) |
(63) | |
| Earnings (loss) for the period |
14 | 3 |
1 |
139 9 (5) 143 |
161 |
| 7 | 3 |
2 |
157 (2) 7 162 |
174 |
|
| Adjusted earnings (loss)for theperiod |
14 | 3 |
1 |
106 5 (10) 101 |
119 |
| 7 | 3 |
1 |
99 3 (7) 95 |
106 |
|
| Total assets (3) |
1,044 | 442 |
409 |
18,444 963 960 20,367 |
22,262 |
| 1,069 | 460 |
375 |
18,310 993 993 20,296 |
22,200 |
|
| Capital expenditures (4) |
18 | — | 5 | 220 3 2 225 |
248 |
| 38 | — | 6 | 249 6 2 257 |
301 |
(1) Includes the collective results of the Electricity and the Natural Gas operating segments. Details of the results by operating segments included in the Utilities are disclosed below.
(2) Includes total costs and expenses, excluding depreciation and amortization expense.
(3) 2020 comparatives are at December 31, 2020.
(4) Includes additions to property, plant and equipment and intangibles and $3million of interest capitalized during construction for the three months ended March 31, 2021 (2020 - $5 million).
43 ATCO LTD. 2021 UNAUDITED INTERIM CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Results of the operating segments included in the Utilities for the three months ended March 31 are shown below.
| Results of the operating segments included in the Utilities | for the three months ended March 31 are shown below. |
|---|---|
| 2021 | Utilities |
| 2020 | Electricity Natural Gas Intersegment eliminations Consolidated |
| Revenues - external Revenues - intersegment |
337 450 — 787 |
| 317 469 — 786 |
|
| 3 1 (1) 3 |
|
| 3 1 (1) 3 |
|
| Revenues Operating expenses (1) Depreciation and amortization Earnings from investment in joint ventures Net finance costs |
340 451 (1) 790 |
| 320 470 (1) 789 |
|
| (131) (247) 1 (377) |
|
| (122) (229) 1 (350) |
|
| (79) (68) — (147) |
|
| (77) (62) — (139) |
|
| 7 — — 7 |
|
| — — — — |
|
| (56) (37) — (93) |
|
| (58) (34) — (92) |
|
| Earnings before income taxes Income tax expense |
81 99 — 180 |
| 63 145 — 208 |
|
| (18) (23) — (41) |
|
| (15) (36) — (51) |
|
| Earnings for the period | 63 76 — 139 |
| 48 109 — 157 |
|
| Adjusted earnings | 48 58 — 106 |
| 41 58 — 99 |
|
| Total assets (2) |
10,369 8,075 — 18,444 |
| 10,326 7,985 (1) 18,310 |
|
| Capital expenditures (3) |
88 132 — 220 |
| 108 141 — 249 |
(1) Includes total costs and expenses, excluding depreciation and amortization expense.
(2) 2020 comparatives are at December 31, 2020.
(3) Includes additions to property, plant and equipment and intangibles and $3 million of interest capitalized during construction for the three months ended March 31, 2021 (2020 - $5 million).
ADJUSTED EARNINGS
Adjusted earnings are earnings attributable to Class I and II Shares after adjusting for:
-
the timing of revenues and expenses for rate-regulated activities;
-
one-time gains and losses;
-
unrealized gains and losses on mark-to-market forward and swap commodity contracts;
-
significant impairments; and
-
items that are not in the normal course of business or a result of day-to-day operations.
Adjusted earnings are a key measure of segment earnings used by the Chief Operating Decision Maker (CODM) to assess segment performance and allocate resources. Other accounts in the unaudited interim consolidated financial statements have not been adjusted as they are not used by the CODM for those purposes.
ATCO LTD. 2021 UNAUDITED INTERIM CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS [44]
The reconciliation of adjusted earnings and earnings for the three months ended March 31 is shown below.
| 2021 | Structures Neltume Corporate |
Structures Neltume Corporate |
Structures Neltume Corporate |
Canadian Utilities Limited | ATCO |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | & Logistics Ports & Other |
Utilities Energy Infrastructure Corporate & Other Consolidated |
Consolidated | ||
| Adjusted earnings (loss) Transition of managed IT services |
14 | 3 | 1 | 106 5 (10) 101 |
119 |
| 7 | 3 |
1 |
99 3 (7) 95 |
106 |
|
| — | — | — | (6) — — (6) |
(6) |
|
| — | — | — | — — — — |
— | |
| Unrealized gains on mark-to-market forward and swap commodity contracts |
— | — | — | — — — — |
— |
| — | — | — | — — 3 3 |
3 |
|
| Rate-regulated activities IT Common Matters decision |
— | — | — | (28) — — (28) |
(28) |
| — | — | — | (17) — — (17) |
(17) |
|
| — | — | — | (2) — — (2) |
(2) |
|
| — | — | — | (2) — — (2) |
(2) |
|
| Other | |||||
| — | — | — | — — — — |
— | |
| — | — | 1 | — (4) — (4) |
(3) | |
| Earnings (loss) attributable to Class I and Class II Shares |
14 | 3 |
1 |
70 5 (10) 65 |
83 |
| 7 | 3 |
2 |
80 (1) (4) 75 |
87 |
|
| Earnings attributable to non-controlling interests |
78 | ||||
| 87 | |||||
| Earnings for the period | 161 | ||||
| 174 |
Transition of managed IT services
In 2020, and during the three months ended March 31, 2021, the Company signed Master Services Agreements (MSA) with IBM Canada Ltd. and IBM Australia Limited (IBM), respectively, to provide managed information technology (IT) services. These services are currently provided by Wipro Ltd. (Wipro) under a ten-year MSA expiring in December 2024. The transition of the managed IT services from Wipro to IBM commenced on February 1, 2021 and is expected to be completed by the third quarter of 2021.
In 2020, and during the three months ended March 31, 2021, the Company recognized onerous contract provisions of $75 million ($32 million after-tax and non-controlling interests (NCI)) and $6 million ($2 million after-tax and NCI), respectively, which represents management’s best estimate of the costs to exit the Wipro MSA. The provisions are included in provisions and other current liabilities in the consolidated balance sheets. The provision of $6 million is included in other expenses in the consolidated statements of earnings for the three months ended March 31, 2021. The actual costs are expected to be finalized later in 2021. The onerous contract provision is not in the normal course of business and has been excluded from Adjusted Earnings.
In addition, for the three months ended March 31, 2021, the Company recognized transition costs of $9 million ($4 million after-tax and NCI). The transition costs relate to activities to transfer the managed IT services from Wipro to IBM. As these costs are not in the normal course of business, they have been excluded from Adjusted Earnings.
Unrealized gains and losses on mark-to-market forward and swap commodity contracts
The Company’s retail electricity and natural gas business in Alberta enters into fixed-price swap commodity contracts to manage exposure to electricity and natural gas prices and volumes. These contracts are measured at fair value. Unrealized gains and losses due to changes in the fair value of the fixed-price swap commodity contracts are recognized in the earnings of the Corporate & Other segment.
45 ATCO LTD. 2021 UNAUDITED INTERIM CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
The CODM believes that removal of the unrealized gains or losses on mark-to-market forward and swap commodity contracts provides a better representation of operating results for the Company's operations.
Realized gains or losses are recognized in adjusted earnings when the commodity contracts are settled.
Rate-regulated activities
ATCO Electric and its subsidiaries, ATCO Electric Yukon, Northland Utilities (NWT) and Northland Utilities (Yellowknife), as well as ATCO Gas, ATCO Pipelines and ATCO Gas Australia are collectively referred to as the Utilities.
There is currently no specific guidance under IFRS for rate-regulated entities that the Company is eligible to adopt. In the absence of this guidance, the Utilities do not recognize assets and liabilities from rate-regulated activities as may be directed by regulatory decisions. Instead, the Utilities recognize revenues in earnings when amounts are billed to customers, consistent with the regulator-approved rate design. Operating costs and expenses are recorded when incurred. Costs incurred in constructing an asset that meet the asset recognition criteria are included in the related property, plant and equipment or intangible asset.
The Company uses standards issued by the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) in the United States as another source of generally accepted accounting principles to account for rate-regulated activities in its internal reporting provided to the CODM. The CODM believes that earnings presented in accordance with the FASB standards are a better representation of the operating results of the Company’s rate-regulated activities. Therefore, the Company presents adjusted earnings as part of its segmented disclosures on this basis. Rate-regulated accounting (RRA) standards impact the timing of how certain revenues and expenses are recognized when compared to non-rate regulated activities, to appropriately reflect the economic impact of a regulator's decisions on revenues.
Rate-regulated accounting differs from IFRS in the following ways:
| Timing Adjustment | Items | RRA Treatment | IFRS Treatment | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | Additional revenues | Future removal and site | The Company defers the | The Company recognizes |
| billed in current | restoration costs, and impact | recognition of cash received | revenues when amounts are | |
| period | of colder temperatures. | in advance of future | billed to customers and costs | |
| expenditures. | when they are incurred. | |||
| 2. | Revenues to be | Deferred income taxes, | The Company recognizes | The Company recognizes |
| billed in future | impact of warmer | revenues associated with | costs when they are incurred, | |
| periods | temperatures, and impact of | recoverable costs in advance | but does not recognize their | |
| inflation on rate base. | of future billings to | recovery until customer rates | ||
| customers. | are changed and amounts | |||
| are collected through future | ||||
| billings. | ||||
| 3. | Regulatory | Regulatory decisions received | The Company recognizes the | The Company does not |
| decisions received | which relate to current and | earnings from a regulatory | recognize earnings from a | |
| prior periods. | decision pertaining to | regulatory decision when it is | ||
| current and prior periods | received as regulatory assets | |||
| when the decision is | and liabilities are not | |||
| received. | recorded under IFRS. | |||
| 4. | Settlement of | Settlement of amounts | The Company recognizes the | The Company recognizes |
| regulatory | receivable or payable to | amount receivable or | earnings when customer | |
| decisions and other | customers and other items. | payable to customers as a | rates are changed and | |
| items | reduction in its regulatory | amounts are recovered or | ||
| assets and liabilities when | refunded to customers | |||
| collected or refunded | through future billings. | |||
| through future billings. |
ATCO LTD. 2021 UNAUDITED INTERIM CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS [46]
For the three months ended March 31, the significant timing adjustments as a result of the differences between rate-regulated accounting and IFRS are as follows:
| Three Months Ended | Three Months Ended | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| March 31 | ||||
| 2021 | 2020 | |||
| Additional revenues billed in current period | ||||
| Future removal and site restoration costs | (1) |
15 | 12 | |
| Impact of colder temperatures (2) |
— | 3 | ||
| Revenues to be billed in future periods | ||||
| Deferred income taxes (3) |
(14) | (18) |
||
| Distribution rate relief (4) |
(21) | — |
||
| Impact of warmer temperatures (2) |
(1) | — |
||
| Impact of inflation on rate base (5) |
(3) | (2) |
||
| Settlement of regulatory decisions and other items | (6) | **(4) ** | (12) |
|
| **(28) ** | (17) |
(1) Removal and site restoration costs are billed to customers over the estimated useful life of the related assets based on forecast costs to be incurred in future periods.
(2) Natural Gas Distribution's customer rates are based on a forecast of normal temperatures. Fluctuations in temperatures may result in more or less revenue being recovered from customers than forecast. Revenues above or below the normal in the current period are refunded to or recovered from customers in future periods.
(3) Income taxes are billed to customers when paid by the Company.
(4) In the first quarter of 2021, Electricity Distribution and Natural Gas Distribution recorded a decrease in earnings of $21 million related to interim rate relief for customers as applied for by ATCO and approved by the AUC to hold current distribution base rates in place. This will be recovered from customers in future periods.
(5) The inflation-indexed portion of ATCO Gas Australia's (part of Natural Gas Distribution) rate base is billed to customers through the recovery of depreciation in subsequent periods based on the actual or forecasted annual rate of inflation. Under rate-regulated accounting, revenue is recognized in the current period for the inflation component of rate base when it is earned. Differences between the amounts earned and the amounts billed to customers are deferred and recognized in revenues over the service life of the related assets.
(6) In the first quarter of 2020, Electricity Distribution recorded a decrease in earnings of $14 million related to the payment of transmission costs. This is being recovered from customers in future periods.
IT Common Matters decision
Consistent with the treatment of the gain on sale in 2014 from the IT services business by the Company, financial impacts associated with the IT Common Matters decision are excluded from adjusted earnings. The amount excluded from adjusted earnings for the three months ended March 31, 2021 was $2 million (2020 - $2 million).
Other
The Company adjusts the deferred tax asset which was recognized as a result of the 2015 Tula Pipeline Project impairment. During the three months ended March 31, 2021, the Company recorded a foreign exchange loss of nil after tax and non-controlling interests (2020 - a foreign exchange loss of $4 million) due to a difference between the tax base currency, which is the Mexican peso, and the US dollar functional currency.
47 ATCO LTD. 2021 UNAUDITED INTERIM CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
4. REVENUES
The Company disaggregates revenues based on the nature of revenue streams. The disaggregation of revenues by each operating segment for the three months ended March 31 is shown below:
| 2021 Structures |
2021 Structures |
Utilities Energy Corporate |
Utilities Energy Corporate |
Utilities Energy Corporate |
Utilities Energy Corporate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| & Logistics 2020 |
Electricity (1) Natural Gas (1) Total |
Infrastructure & Other (2) Consolidated |
|||
| Revenue Streams Sale of Goods Electricity generation and delivery Commodity sales Modular structures - goods |
|||||
| — | — — — |
7 | — | 7 | |
| — | — — — |
7 | — | 7 | |
| — | — — — |
8 | 1 |
9 |
|
| — | — — — |
7 | — | 7 | |
| 50 | — — — |
— | — | 50 | |
| 22 | — — — |
— | — | 22 | |
| Total sale of goods | 50 | — — — |
15 | 1 |
66 |
| 22 | — — — |
14 | — | 36 | |
| Rendering of Services Distribution services Transmission services Modular structures - services Logistics and facility operations and maintenance services Lodging and support Customer contributions Franchise fees Retail electricity and natural gas services Storage and industrial water |
|||||
| — | 130 291 421 |
— | — | 421 | |
| — | 119 307 426 |
— | — | 426 | |
| — | 173 76 249 |
— | — | 249 | |
| — | 173 72 245 |
— | — | 245 | |
| 38 | — — — |
— | — | 38 | |
| 77 | — — — |
— | — | 77 | |
| 27 | — — — |
— | — | 27 | |
| 26 | — — — |
— | — | 26 | |
| 17 | — — — |
— | — | 17 | |
| 21 | — — — |
— | — | 21 | |
| — | 9 5 14 |
— | — | 14 | |
| — | 8 6 14 |
— | — | 14 | |
| — | 9 72 81 |
— | — | 81 | |
| — | 8 73 81 |
— | — | 81 | |
| — | — — — |
— | 83 | 83 |
|
| — | — — — |
— | 60 | 60 |
|
| — | — — — |
6 | — | 6 | |
| — | — — — |
2 | — | 2 | |
| Total rendering of services | 82 | 321 444 765 |
6 |
83 |
936 |
| 124 | 308 458 766 |
2 |
60 |
952 |
|
| Lease income Finance lease Operating lease |
|||||
| — | — — — |
3 | — | 3 | |
| — | — — — |
3 | — | 3 | |
| 35 | — — — |
— | — | 35 | |
| 25 | — — — |
— | — | 25 | |
| Total lease income | 35 | — — — |
3 | — | 38 |
| 25 | — — — |
3 | — | 28 | |
| Other | — | 16 6 22 |
10 |
— | 32 |
| — | 9 11 20 |
15 |
5 |
40 |
|
| Total | |||||
| 167 | 337 450 787 |
34 |
84 |
1,072 |
|
| 171 | 317 469 786 |
34 |
65 |
1,056 |
(1) For the three months ended March 31, 2021, Electricity and Natural Gas segments include $108 million of unbilled revenue (2020 - $105 million). At March 31, 2021, $108 million of the unbilled trade accounts receivables are included in trade accounts receivable and contract assets (December 31, 2020 - $132 million).
(2) Includes revenues from the Corporate & Other in Canadian Utilities Limited and ATCO Ltd.
ATCO LTD. 2021 UNAUDITED INTERIM CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS [48]
5. EARNINGS PER SHARE
Earnings per Class I Non-Voting (Class I) and Class II Voting (Class II) Share are calculated by dividing the earnings attributable to Class I and Class II Shares by the weighted average shares outstanding. Diluted earnings per share are calculated using the treasury stock method, which reflects the potential exercise of stock options and vesting of shares under the Company's mid-term incentive plan (MTIP) on the weighted average Class I and Class II Shares outstanding.
The earnings and average number of shares used to calculate earnings per share for the three months ended March 31 are as follows:
| 2021 | 2020 | |
|---|---|---|
| Average shares | ||
| Weighted average shares outstanding | 114,302,031 | 114,352,363 |
| Effect of dilutive stock options | 5,459 | 63,590 |
| Effect of dilutive MTIP | 243,920 | 315,629 |
| Weighted average dilutive shares outstanding | 114,551,410 | 114,731,582 |
| Earnings for earnings per share calculation | ||
| Earnings for the period | 161 | 174 |
| Non-controllinginterests | **(78) ** | (87) |
| Earnings attributable to Class I and Class II Shares | 83 | 87 |
| Earnings and diluted earnings per Class I and Class II Share |
||
| Earningsper Class I and Class II Share | $0.73 | $0.76 |
| Diluted earningsper Class I and Class II Share | $0.72 | $0.76 |
6. PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT
A reconciliation of the changes in the carrying amount of property, plant and equipment is as follows:
| Utility Transmission & Distribution |
Electricity Generation |
Land and Buildings |
Construction Work-in- Progress |
Other | Total | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cost | ||||||
| December 31, 2020 | 21,004 | 140 |
998 |
647 |
1,804 |
24,593 |
| Additions | 6 | — | 12 | 199 |
3 |
220 |
| Transfers | 114 | — | 3 | (164) |
47 |
— |
| Retirements and disposals | (14) | — |
(4) | (29) |
(11) |
(58) |
| Changes to asset retirement costs | — | (2) | — |
— | (5) | (7) |
| Foreign exchange rate adjustment | (3) | **(4) ** | — |
(5) | (6) | (18) |
| March 31, 2021 | 21,107 | 134 |
1,009 |
648 |
1,832 |
24,730 |
| Accumulated depreciation | ||||||
| December 31, 2020 | 5,119 | 18 |
216 |
78 |
835 |
6,266 |
| Depreciation and impairment | 122 | 1 |
7 |
— | 24 | 154 |
| Retirements and disposals | (14) | — |
(4) | — |
(7) | (25) |
| Foreign exchange rate adjustment | (1) | **(1) ** | — |
(2) | (2) | (6) |
| March 31, 2021 | 5,226 | 18 |
219 |
76 |
850 |
6,389 |
| Net book value | ||||||
| December 31, 2020 | 15,885 | 122 |
782 |
569 |
969 |
18,327 |
| March 31, 2021 | 15,881 | 116 |
790 |
572 |
982 |
18,341 |
The additions to property, plant and equipment included $3 million of interest capitalized during construction for the three months ended March 31, 2021 (2020 - $5 million).
49 ATCO LTD. 2021 UNAUDITED INTERIM CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
7. LONG-TERM DEBT
In the first quarter of 2020, ATCO Power Australia, a subsidiary of Canadian Utilities Limited, refinanced its $63 million Australian dollars (equivalent of $55 million Canadian dollars) credit facility with a new lender at Bank Bill Swap Benchmark Rate (BBSY) plus margin fee, extending the credit facility's maturity from February 2020 to June 2025. The floating BBSY interest rate is hedged to June 2025 with an interest rate swap agreement which fixes the interest rate at 1.68 per cent.
8. CLASS I NON-VOTING AND CLASS II VOTING SHARES
At March 31, 2021, there were 101,356,899 (December 31, 2020 - 101,347,899) Class I Shares and 13,196,129 (December 31, 2020 - 13,196,129) Class II Shares outstanding. In addition, there were 1,102,600 options to purchase Class I Shares outstanding at March 31, 2021, under the Company's stock option plan.
DIVIDENDS
The Company declared and paid cash dividends of $0.4483 per Class I and Class II Share during three months ended March 31, 2021 (2020 - $0.4352). The Company’s policy is to pay dividends quarterly on its Class I and Class II Shares. The payment of any dividend is at the discretion of the Board and depends on the financial condition of the Company and other factors.
On April 14, 2021, the Company declared a second quarter dividend of $0.4483 per Class I and Class II Share.
NORMAL COURSE ISSUER BID
On March 9, 2021, ATCO Ltd. began a normal course issuer bid to purchase up to 1,013,478 outstanding Class I Shares. The bid expires on March 8, 2022. The prior year normal course issuer bid to purchase up to 1,014,684 outstanding Class I Shares began on March 9, 2020 and expired on March 8, 2021.
No shares were purchased during the three months ended March 31, 2021 and 2020.
9. RETIREMENT BENEFITS
At March 31, 2021, the discount rate assumption which is used to measure the accrued benefit obligations increased to 3.34 per cent from 2.58 per cent at December 31, 2020. The discount rate assumption was based on market interest rates of high quality bonds that match the timing and amount of expected benefit payments.
Due to the re-measurement of the accrued benefit obligations and related plan assets, the funded status (market value of assets less accrued benefit obligations) increased from a net deficit of $439 million at December 31, 2020 to a net deficit of $251 million at March 31, 2021. The deficit of $251 million is net of a retirement benefit asset of $35 million related to Retirement Plan for Employees of Canadian Utilities Limited and Participating Companies (CU Plan).
At March 31, 2021, the Company has recognized a retirement benefit asset of $35 million and retirement benefit obligations of $286 million.
ATCO LTD. 2021 UNAUDITED INTERIM CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS [50]
10. CASH FLOW INFORMATION
ADJUSTMENTS TO RECONCILE EARNINGS TO CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES
Adjustments to reconcile earnings to cash flows from operating activities for three months ended March 31 are summarized below.
| 2021 | 2020 | |
|---|---|---|
| Depreciation and amortization | 170 | 156 |
| Earnings from investment in associate company | (3) | (3) |
| Dividends received from associate company | 15 | 17 |
| Earnings from investment in joint ventures, net of dividends and distributions received |
(11) | (3) |
| Income tax expense | 45 | 63 |
| Unrealized losses (gains) on derivative financial instruments | 1 | (7) |
| Contributions by customers for extensions to plant | 56 | 26 |
| Amortization of customer contributions | (14) | (14) |
| Net finance costs | 102 | 99 |
| Income taxes paid | (36) | (8) |
| Other | 5 | 16 |
| 330 | 342 |
CASH POSITION
Cash position in the consolidated statements of cash flows at March 31 is comprised of:
| 2021 | 2020 | |
|---|---|---|
| Cash | 1,110 | 1,148 |
| Short-term investments | 5 | 4 |
| Restricted cash (1) |
33 | 55 |
| Cash and cash equivalents | 1,148 | 1,207 |
| Bank indebtedness | **(1) ** | — |
| 1,147 | 1,207 |
(1) Cash balances which are restricted under the terms of joint arrangement agreements are considered not available for general use by the Company.
51 ATCO LTD. 2021 UNAUDITED INTERIM CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
11. FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS
FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENT
Financial instruments are measured at amortized cost or fair value. Fair value represents the estimated amounts at which financial instruments could be exchanged between knowledgeable and willing parties in an arm’s length transaction. Determining fair value requires management judgment. The valuation methods used to determine the fair value of each financial instrument and its associated level in the fair value hierarchy is described below.
| Financial Instruments | Fair Value Method |
|---|---|
| Measured at Amortized Cost | |
| Cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable | Assumed to approximate carrying value due to their |
| and contract assets, bank indebtedness, and | short-term nature. |
| accounts payable and accrued liabilities | |
| Finance lease receivables | Determined using a risk-adjusted interest rate to discount |
| future cash receipts (Level 2). | |
| Long-term debt | Determined using quoted market prices for the same or similar |
| issues. Where the market prices are not available, fair values | |
| are estimated using discounted cash flow analysis based on | |
| the Company’s current borrowing rate for similar borrowing | |
| arrangements (Level 2). | |
| Measured at Fair Value | |
| Interest rate swaps | Determined using interest rate yield curves at period-end |
| (Level 2). | |
| Foreign currency contracts | Determined using quoted forward exchange rates at |
| period-end (Level 2). | |
| Commodity contracts | Determined using observable period-end forward curves and |
| quoted spot market prices with inputs validated by publicly | |
| available market providers (Level 2). | |
| Determined using statistical techniques to derive period-end | |
| forward curves using unobservable inputs or extrapolation | |
| from spot prices in certain commodity contracts (Level 3). |
FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS MEASURED AT AMORTIZED COST
The fair values of the Company’s financial instruments measured at amortized cost are as follows:
| March 31, 2021 December 31, 2020 |
|
|---|---|
| Recurring Measurements |
Carrying Value Fair Value Carrying Value Fair Value |
| Financial Assets Finance lease receivables Financial Liabilities Long-term debt |
174 243 175 254 9,593 10,821 9,619 11,987 |
ATCO LTD. 2021 UNAUDITED INTERIM CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS [52]
FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS MEASURED AT FAIR VALUE
The Company's derivative instruments are measured at fair value. At March 31, 2021, the following derivative instruments were outstanding:
-
interest rate swaps for the purpose of limiting interest rate risk on the variable future cash flows of longterm debt;
-
foreign currency forward contracts for the purpose of limiting exposure to exchange rate fluctuations relating to expenditures denominated in Mexican pesos and U.S. dollars; and
-
natural gas and forward power sale and purchase contracts for the purpose of limiting exposure to electricity and natural gas market price movements.
The balance sheet classification and fair values of the Company’s derivative financial instruments are as follows:
| Subject to Hedge Accounting |
Subject to Hedge Accounting |
Not Subject to Hedge Accounting |
Not Subject to Hedge Accounting |
|---|---|---|---|
| Recurring Measurements | Interest Rate Swaps Commodities |
Commodities Foreign Currency Forward Contracts |
Total Fair Value of Derivatives |
| March 31, 2021 Financial Assets Prepaid expenses and other current assets Other assets (1) |
|||
| — 31 — 13 |
4 — 4 — |
35 | |
| 17 | |||
| Financial Liabilities Provisions and other current liabilities Other liabilities (1) |
|||
| 3 7 14 6 |
8 — 2 — |
18 22 |
|
| December 31, 2020 Financial Assets Prepaid expenses and other current assets Other assets (1) |
— 25 — 12 |
5 — 4 — |
30 16 |
| Financial Liabilities Provisions and other current liabilities Other liabilities (1) |
3 6 27 4 |
8 — 3 — |
17 34 |
(1) At March 31, 2021, financial liabilities and financial assets include $9 million and $6 million, respectively, of Level 3 derivative financial instruments (December 31, 2020 - financial liabilities and financial assets included $9 million and $8 million, respectively, of Level 3 derivative financial instruments).
53 ATCO LTD. 2021 UNAUDITED INTERIM CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Notional and maturity summary
The notional value and maturity dates of the Company's derivative instruments outstanding are as follows:
| Subject to Hedge Accounting | Subject to Hedge Accounting | Not Subject to Hedge Accounting |
|---|---|---|
| Notional value and maturity | Interest Rate Swaps Natural Gas (1) Power (2) |
Natural Gas (1) Power (2) Foreign Currency Forward Contracts |
| March 31, 2021 Purchases (3) Sales (3) Currency Canadian dollars Australian dollars Mexican pesos |
||
| — 8,057,600 2,775,895 — 2,516,917 664,699 |
— — — |
|
6,488,359 976,622 — |
||
| 92 — — 738 — — 570 — — |
— — — |
|
| — — — |
||
| — — 100 |
||
| Maturity | 2023-2028 2021-2025 2021-2025 |
2021-2024 2021-2024 2021 |
| December 31, 2020 Purchases (3) Sales (3) Currency Canadian dollars Australian dollars Mexican pesos |
— 10,593,800 2,203,836 — 3,238,242 759,246 93 — — 738 — — 570 — — |
— — — 7,867,560 1,089,495 — — — — — — — — — 100 |
| Maturity | 2023-2028 2021-2025 2021-2025 |
2021-2024 2021-2024 2021 |
(1) Notional amounts for the natural gas purchase contracts are the maximum volumes that can be purchased over the terms of the contracts.
(2) Notional amounts for the forward power sale and purchase contracts are the commodity volumes committed in the contracts.
(3) Volumes for natural gas and power derivatives are in GJ and MWh, respectively.
ATCO LTD. 2021 UNAUDITED INTERIM CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS [54]