PPL Corporation Reports Third-Quarter 2020 Earnings
- Announces third-quarter reported earnings of $0.37 per share and earnings from ongoing operations of $0.58 per share.
- Narrows 2020 earnings from ongoing operations forecast range to $2.40 to $2.50 per share from $2.40 to $2.60 per share.

ALLENTOWN, Pa., Nov. 5, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- PPL Corporation (NYSE: PPL) on Thursday (11/5) announced third-quarter 2020 reported earnings (GAAP) of $281 million, or $0.37 per share, compared with third-quarter 2019 reported earnings of $475 million, or $0.65 per share.

Reported earnings for the first nine months of 2020 were $1.18 billion, or $1.53 per share, compared with $1.38 billion, or $1.89 per share, for the first nine months of 2019.

Adjusting for special items, third-quarter 2020 earnings from ongoing operations (non-GAAP) were $450 million, or $0.58 per share, compared to $445 million, or $0.61 per share, a year ago.

Earnings from ongoing operations for the first nine months of 2020 were $1.39 billion, or $1.81 per share, compared to $1.38 billion, or $1.88 per share, for the first nine months of 2019.

"Despite the ongoing challenge of COVID-19, we continue to provide superior customer service and reliability across all of our service territories, to strengthen grid resilience, and to deliver when it matters most for our hospitals, first responders and the many people now working and learning from home," said Vincent Sorgi, PPL president and chief executive officer.

"And while COVID-19 and milder weather through the first half of the year have impacted PPL's ongoing earnings, we are on track to achieve the low end of our earnings guidance and have narrowed our 2020 guidance range to $2.40 to $2.50 per share from the prior range of $2.40 to $2.60 per share." 

Looking ahead, the company continues to invest in a sustainable energy future through innovation, network upgrades and support for research and development, including the Low-Carbon Resources Initiative recently announced by the Electric Power Research Institute and Gas Technology Institute. The company also continues to invest in smart grid technology to make its electricity service even more reliable, adding that its PPL Electric Utilities subsidiary in Pennsylvania recently marked 1 million customer outages avoided since 2015 as a result of the robust deployment of automated smart grid technology.

Regarding PPL's U.K. business, the company said its formal process to sell the Western Power Distribution business remains on track. While there can be no assurance of any specific outcome, including whether it will result in the completion of any transaction, the company continues to expect to announce a transaction in the first half of 2021.

Third-Quarter 2020 Earnings Details

As discussed in this news release, reported earnings are calculated in accordance with U.S. Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP). "Earnings from ongoing operations" is a non-GAAP financial measure that is adjusted for special items. See the tables at the end of this news release for a reconciliation of reported earnings (net income) to earnings from ongoing operations, including an itemization of special items.

(Dollars in millions, except for per-share
amounts)

3rd Quarter


Year to Date


2020


2019


Change


2020


2019


Change

Reported earnings

$

281



$

475



(41)

%


$

1,179



$

1,382



(15)

%

Reported earnings per share

$

0.37



$

0.65



(43)

%


$

1.53



$

1.89



(19)

%














3rd Quarter


Year to Date


2020


2019


Change


2020


2019


Change

Earnings from ongoing operations

$

450



$

445



1

%


$

1,391



$

1,375



1

%

Earnings from ongoing operations per share

$

0.58



$

0.61



(5)

%


$

1.81



$

1.88



(4)

%

Third-Quarter 2020 Earnings by Segment


3rd Quarter


Year to Date

Per share

2020


2019


2020


2019

Reported earnings








U.K. Regulated

$

0.07



$

0.32



$

0.74



$

1.07


Kentucky Regulated

0.17



0.20



0.43



0.50


Pennsylvania Regulated

0.17



0.16



0.48



0.46


Corporate and Other

(0.04)



(0.03)



(0.12)



(0.14)


    Total

$

0.37



$

0.65



$

1.53



$

1.89











3rd Quarter


Year to Date


2020


2019


2020


2019

Special items (expense) benefit








U.K. Regulated

$

(0.21)



$

0.04



$

(0.26)



$

0.02


Kentucky Regulated








Pennsylvania Regulated








Corporate and Other





(0.02)



(0.01)


Total

$

(0.21)



$

0.04



$

(0.28)



$

0.01











3rd Quarter


Year to Date


2020


2019


2020


2019

Earnings from ongoing operations








U.K. Regulated

$

0.28



$

0.28



$

1.00



$

1.05


Kentucky Regulated

0.17



0.20



0.43



0.50


Pennsylvania Regulated

0.17



0.16



0.48



0.46


Corporate and Other

(0.04)



(0.03)



(0.10)



(0.13)


    Total

$

0.58



$

0.61



$

1.81



$

1.88


Key Factors Impacting Earnings

In addition to the segment drivers outlined below, PPL's reported earnings for the third quarter of 2020 included net special-item after-tax charges of $169 million, or $0.21 per share, primarily from the impact of the U.K. tax rate change on deferred taxes, unrealized losses on foreign currency economic hedges and certain impacts related to COVID-19. Reported earnings for the third quarter of 2019 included net special-item after-tax benefits of $30 million, or $0.04 per share, primarily from unrealized gains on foreign currency economic hedges.

PPL's reported earnings for the first nine months of 2020 included net special-item after-tax charges of $212 million, or $0.28 per share, primarily from the impact of the U.K. tax rate change on deferred taxes, unrealized losses on foreign currency economic hedges and certain impacts related to COVID-19. Reported earnings for the first nine months of 2019 included net special-item after-tax benefits of $7 million, or $0.01 per share, primarily from unrealized losses on foreign currency economic hedges.

U.K. Regulated Segment

PPL's U.K. Regulated segment consists of the regulated electricity delivery operations of Western Power Distribution (WPD), which serves Southwest and Central England and South Wales.

Reported earnings in the third quarter of 2020 decreased by $0.25 per share compared with a year ago. Earnings from ongoing operations in the third quarter of 2020 were even compared with a year ago. Factors impacting third-quarter U.K. Regulated segment earnings results included $0.01 per share from the effect of dilution. Excluding dilution, factors driving earnings results included higher foreign currency exchange rates and lower interest expense, partially offset by lower sales volumes primarily due to the impact of COVID-19, lower pension income and higher income taxes.

Reported earnings for the first nine months of 2020 decreased by $0.33 per share compared with a year ago. Earnings from ongoing operations for the first nine months of 2020 decreased by $0.05 per share compared with a year ago. Factors impacting nine-month U.K. Regulated segment earnings results included $0.05 per share from the effect of dilution. Excluding dilution, factors driving earnings results included higher foreign currency exchange rates and higher prices, offset by lower sales volumes primarily due to the impact of COVID-19, lower pension income and higher operation and maintenance expense.

Kentucky Regulated Segment

PPL's Kentucky Regulated segment primarily consists of the regulated electricity and natural gas operations of Louisville Gas and Electric Company and the regulated electricity operations of Kentucky Utilities Company.

Reported earnings and earnings from ongoing operations in the third quarter of 2020 decreased by $0.03 per share compared with a year ago. Factors impacting third-quarter Kentucky Regulated segment earnings results included $0.01 per share from the effect of dilution. Excluding dilution, factors driving earnings results primarily included lower sales volumes primarily due to weather and lower commercial and industrial demand revenue due to the impact of COVID-19.

Reported earnings and earnings from ongoing operations for the first nine months of 2020 decreased by $0.07 per share compared with a year ago. Factors impacting nine-month Kentucky Regulated segment earnings results included $0.02 per share from the effect of dilution. Excluding dilution, factors driving earnings results included lower sales volumes primarily due to weather, lower commercial and industrial demand revenue due to the impact of COVID-19, higher depreciation and higher income taxes due to a tax credit recognized in the second quarter of 2019, partially offset by higher retail rates effective May 1, 2019.

Pennsylvania Regulated Segment

PPL's Pennsylvania Regulated segment consists of the regulated electricity delivery operations of PPL Electric Utilities.

Reported earnings and earnings from ongoing operations in the third quarter of 2020 increased by $0.01 per share compared with a year ago. Factors impacting Pennsylvania Regulated segment earnings results included $0.01 per share from the effect of dilution. Excluding dilution, factors driving earnings results primarily included returns on additional capital investments in transmission.

Reported earnings and earnings from ongoing operations for the first nine months of 2020 increased by $0.02 per share compared with a year ago. Factors impacting nine-month Pennsylvania Regulated segment earnings results included $0.03 per share from the effect of dilution. Excluding dilution, factors driving earnings results primarily included returns on additional capital investments in transmission.

Corporate and Other

PPL's Corporate and Other category primarily includes unallocated corporate-level financing and other costs.

Reported earnings and earnings from ongoing operations in the third quarter of 2020 decreased by $0.01 per share compared with a year ago. Factors driving earnings results primarily included higher income taxes.

Reported earnings for the first nine months of 2020 increased by $0.02 per share compared with a year ago. Earnings from ongoing operations for the first nine months of 2020 increased by $0.03 per share compared with a year ago. Excluding special items, factors driving earnings results primarily included lower overall corporate expenses and other factors.

2020 Earnings Forecast

PPL narrowed its 2020 earnings from ongoing operations forecast range to $2.40 to $2.50 per share from $2.40 to $2.60 per share. This factors in an estimated $0.10 per share unfavorable impact due to COVID-19 through the end of the third quarter.

Earnings from ongoing operations is a non-GAAP measure that could differ from reported earnings due to special items that are, in management's view, non-recurring or otherwise not reflective of the company's ongoing operations. PPL management is not able to forecast whether any of these factors will occur or whether any amounts will be reported for future periods. Therefore, PPL is not able to provide an equivalent GAAP measure for earnings guidance.

See the table at the end of this news release for a complete reconciliation of the earnings forecast.

Headquartered in Allentown, Pennsylvania, PPL Corporation (NYSE: PPL) is one of the largest companies in the U.S. utility sector. PPL's seven high-performing, award-winning utilities serve more than 10 million customers in the U.S. and U.K. With more than 12,000 employees, the company is dedicated to providing exceptional customer service and reliability and delivering superior value for shareowners. To learn more, visit www.pplweb.com.

(Note: All references to earnings per share in the text and tables of this news release are stated in terms of diluted earnings per share unless otherwise noted.)

Conference Call and Webcast

PPL invites interested parties to listen to a live Internet webcast of management's teleconference with financial analysts about third-quarter 2020 financial results at 11 a.m. Eastern time on Thursday, Nov. 5. The call will be webcast live, in audio format, together with slides of the presentation. For those who are unable to listen to the live webcast, a replay with slides will be accessible at www.pplweb.com/investors for 90 days after the call. Interested individuals can access the live conference call via telephone at 1-888-346-8683. International participants should call 1-412-902-4270. Participants will need to enter the following "Elite Entry" number to join the conference: 9778163. Callers can access the webcast link at www.pplweb.com/investors under "Events."

Management utilizes "Earnings from Ongoing Operations" as a non-GAAP financial measure that should not be considered as an alternative to reported earnings, or net income, an indicator of operating performance determined in accordance with GAAP. PPL believes that Earnings from Ongoing Operations is useful and meaningful to investors because it provides management's view of PPL's earnings performance as another criterion in making investment decisions. In addition, PPL's management uses Earnings from Ongoing Operations in measuring achievement of certain corporate performance goals, including targets for certain executive incentive compensation. Other companies may use different measures to present financial performance.

Earnings from Ongoing Operations is adjusted for the impact of special items. Special items are presented in the financial tables on an after-tax basis with the related income taxes on special items separately disclosed. Income taxes on special items, when applicable, are calculated based on the statutory tax rate of the entity where the activity is recorded. Special items may include items such as:

  • Unrealized gains or losses on foreign currency economic hedges (as discussed below).
  • Gains and losses on sales of assets not in the ordinary course of business.
  • Impairment charges.
  • Significant workforce reduction and other restructuring effects.
  • Acquisition and divestiture-related adjustments.
  • Other charges or credits that are, in management's view, non-recurring or otherwise not reflective of the company's ongoing operations.

Unrealized gains or losses on foreign currency economic hedges include the changes in fair value of foreign currency contracts used to hedge British-pound-sterling-denominated anticipated earnings. The changes in fair value of these contracts are recognized immediately within GAAP earnings. Management believes that excluding these amounts from Earnings from Ongoing Operations until settlement of the contracts provides a better matching of the financial impacts of those contracts with the economic value of PPL's underlying hedged earnings.

Statements contained in this news release, including statements with respect to future earnings, cash flows, dividends, financing, regulation and corporate strategy, including the process to sell PPL Corporation's U.K. business, are "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the federal securities laws. Although PPL Corporation believes that the expectations and assumptions reflected in these forward-looking statements are reasonable, these statements are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties, and actual results may differ materially from the results discussed in the statements. The following are among the important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from the forward-looking statements: the novel coronavirus pandemic or other pandemic health events or other catastrophic events and their effect on financial markets, economic conditions and our businesses; asset or business acquisitions and dispositions, including our ability to successfully execute our plan to divest PPL Corporation's U.K. business within the anticipated timeframe or any particular terms, if at all, or that such plan may not yield the anticipated benefits; market demand for energy in our U.S. service territories; weather conditions affecting customer energy usage and operating costs; the effect of any business or industry restructuring; the profitability and liquidity of PPL Corporation and its subsidiaries; new accounting requirements or new interpretations or applications of existing requirements; operating performance of our facilities; the length of scheduled and unscheduled outages at our generating plants; environmental conditions and requirements and the related costs of compliance; system conditions and operating costs; development of new projects, markets and technologies; performance of new ventures; any impact of severe weather on our business; receipt of necessary government permits, approvals, rate relief and regulatory cost recovery; capital market conditions and decisions regarding capital structure; the impact of state, federal or foreign investigations applicable to PPL Corporation and its subsidiaries; the outcome of litigation against PPL Corporation and its subsidiaries; stock price performance; the market prices of equity securities and the impact on pension income and resultant cash funding requirements for defined benefit pension plans; the securities and credit ratings of PPL Corporation and its subsidiaries; political, regulatory or economic conditions in states, regions or countries where PPL Corporation or its subsidiaries conduct business, including any potential effects of threatened or actual cyberattack, terrorism, or war or other hostilities; British pound sterling to U.S. dollar exchange rates; new state, federal or foreign legislation, including new tax legislation; and the commitments and liabilities of PPL Corporation and its subsidiaries. Any such forward-looking statements should be considered in light of such important factors and in conjunction with factors and other matters discussed in PPL Corporation's Form 10-K and other reports on file with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Note to Editors: Visit our media website at www.pplnewsroom.com for additional news and background about PPL Corporation.

 


PPL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL INFORMATION (1)

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (Unaudited)

(Millions of Dollars)






September 30,


December 31,


2020


2019

Assets




Cash and cash equivalents

$

746



$

815


Accounts receivable

830



792


Unbilled revenues

382



504


Fuel, materials and supplies

351



332


Current price risk management assets

136



147


Other current assets

250



177


Property, Plant and Equipment




Regulated utility plant

45,058



42,709


Less: Accumulated depreciation - regulated utility plant

8,726



8,055


  Regulated utility plant, net

36,332



34,654


Non-regulated property, plant and equipment

490



357


Less: Accumulated depreciation - non-regulated property, plant and equipment

98



109


  Non-regulated property, plant and equipment, net

392



248


Construction work in progress

1,596



1,580


Property, Plant and Equipment, net

38,320



36,482


Noncurrent regulatory assets

1,450



1,492


Goodwill and other intangibles

4,046



3,940


Pension benefit asset

972



464


Noncurrent price risk management assets

53



149


Other noncurrent assets

388



386


Total Assets

$

47,924



$

45,680






Liabilities and Equity




Short-term debt

$

1,368



$

1,151


Long-term debt due within one year

1,525



1,172


Accounts payable

864



956


Other current liabilities

1,685



1,621


Long-term debt

21,243



20,721


Deferred income taxes and investment tax credits

3,691



3,212


Accrued pension obligations

485



587


Asset retirement obligations

223



212


Noncurrent regulatory liabilities

2,543



2,572


Other deferred credits and noncurrent liabilities

611



485


Common stock and additional paid-in capital

12,268



12,222


Earnings reinvested

5,345



5,127


Accumulated other comprehensive loss

(3,927)



(4,358)


Total Liabilities and Equity

$

47,924



$

45,680



(1)

The Financial Statements in this news release have been condensed and summarized for purposes of this presentation. Please refer to PPL Corporation's periodic filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission for full financial statements, including note disclosure.

 


 PPL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

 Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income (Unaudited)

(Millions of Dollars, except share data)






Three Months Ended
September 30,


Nine Months Ended September
30,


2020


2019


2020


2019

Operating Revenues

$

1,885



$

1,933



$

5,678



$

5,815










Operating Expenses








Operation








  Fuel

177



194



478



556


  Energy purchases

136



150



470



538


  Other operation and maintenance

483



480



1,446



1,452


Depreciation

323



306



959



890


Taxes, other than income

79



77



226



232


Total Operating Expenses

1,198



1,207



3,579



3,668










Operating Income

687



726



2,099



2,147










Other Income (Expense) - net

52



126



253



309










Interest Expense

249



259



750



746










Income Before Income Taxes

490



593



1,602



1,710










Income Taxes

209



118



423



328










Net Income

$

281



$

475



$

1,179



$

1,382










Earnings Per Share of Common Stock:








Net Income Available to PPL Common Shareowners:






  Basic

$

0.37



$

0.66



$

1.53



$

1.91


  Diluted

$

0.37



$

0.65



$

1.53



$

1.89










Weighted-Average Shares of Common Stock Outstanding (in
thousands)








  Basic

768,786



722,259



768,502



721,693


  Diluted

769,660



731,151



769,270



730,677


 


 PPL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (Unaudited)

(Millions of Dollars)



Nine Months Ended September
30,


2020


2019

Cash Flows from Operating Activities




Net income

$

1,179



$

1,382


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




  Depreciation

959



890


  Amortization

47



60


  Defined benefit plans - (income) expense

(155)



(198)


  Deferred income taxes and investment tax credits

355



257


  Unrealized (gains) losses on derivatives, and other hedging activities

98



(18)


  Other

11



9


Change in current assets and current liabilities




  Accounts receivable

(40)



57


  Accounts payable

(35)



(116)


  Prepayments

(53)



(53)


  Accrued interest

86



74


  Unbilled revenues

126



58


  Regulatory assets and liabilities, net

(44)



(62)


  Other

(17)



(91)


Other operating activities




  Defined benefit plans - funding

(264)



(281)


  Other

(6)



(80)


 Net cash provided by operating activities

2,247



1,888


Cash Flows from Investing Activities




Expenditures for property, plant and equipment

(2,348)



(2,197)


Purchase of investments



(55)


Proceeds from the sale of investments

2



63


Other investing activities

(12)



(5)


 Net cash used in investing activities

(2,358)



(2,194)


Cash Flows from Financing Activities




Issuance of long-term debt

1,598



1,465


Retirement of long-term debt

(975)



(200)


Proceeds from project financing

152




Issuance of common stock

32



49


Payment of common stock dividends

(956)



(893)


Issuance of term loan

300




Net increase (decrease) in short-term debt

(94)



(34)


Other financing activities

(24)



(24)


 Net cash provided by financing activities

33



363


Effect of Exchange Rates on Cash, Cash Equivalents and Restricted Cash

11



(10)


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

(67)



47


Cash, Cash Equivalents and Restricted Cash at Beginning of Period

836



643


Cash, Cash Equivalents and Restricted Cash at End of Period

$

769



$

690






Supplemental Disclosures of Cash Flow Information




Significant non-cash transactions:




Accrued expenditures for property, plant and equipment at September 30,

$

279



$

363


Accrued expenditures for intangible assets at September 30,

$

86



$

67


 


Key Indicators (Unaudited)







Twelve Months Ended


September 30

Financial

2020



2019






Dividends declared per share of common stock

$

1.6575




$

1.6475


Book value per share (1)(2)

$

17.80




$

16.48


Market price per share (1)

$

27.21




$

31.49


Dividend yield

6.1

%



5.2

%

Dividend payout ratio (3)

82.5

%



67.0

%

Dividend payout ratio - earnings from ongoing operations (3)(4)

69.6

%



68.6

%

Return on common equity

12.1

%



15.1

%

Return on common equity - earnings from ongoing operations (4)

14.2

%



14.7

%

Spot rate of U.S. dollar per British pound sterling for Balance Sheet translation (5)

$

1.34




$

1.29


Average rate of U.S. dollar per British pound sterling for Statement of Income translation (6)

$

1.48




$

1.33



(1)

End of period.

(2)

Based on 768,797 and 722,307 shares of common stock outstanding (in thousands) at September 30, 2020, and September 30, 2019.

(3)

Based on diluted earnings per share.

(4)

Calculated using earnings from ongoing operations, which is a non-GAAP financial measure that includes adjustments described in the text and tables of this news release.

(5)

As of August 31, 2020, and November 30, 2019, as WPD is consolidated on a one-month lag.

(6)

Represents a year-to-date average and includes the impact of foreign exchange hedges.

 


Operating - Domestic & International Electricity Sales (Unaudited)














Three Months Ended
September 30,




Nine Months Ended
September 30,








Percent






Percent

(GWh)

2020


2019


Change


2020


2019


Change













PA Regulated Segment












Retail Delivered

9,603



9,535



0.7

%


27,138



27,930



(2.8)

%













KY Regulated Segment












Retail Delivered

7,960



8,587



(7.3)

%


21,592



23,186



(6.9)

%

Wholesale (1)

162



198



(18.2)

%


392



983



(60.1)

%

  Total

8,122



8,785



(7.5)

%


21,984



24,169



(9.0)

%













Total U.S.

17,725



18,319



(3.2)

%


49,122



52,099



(5.7)

%













U.K. Regulated Segment












Delivered

14,906



16,142



(7.7)

%


50,578



53,965



(6.3)

%


(1)

Represents FERC-regulated municipal and unregulated off-system sales. KU's service to eight municipalities terminated effective April 30, 2019. KU continues to provide service to two municipalities.

 

Reconciliation of Segment Reported Earnings to Earnings from Ongoing Operations

(After-Tax)

(Unaudited)



3rd Quarter 2020

(millions of dollars)


 U.K.


 KY


 PA


 Corp.




 Reg.


 Reg.


 Reg.


 & Other


 Total

Reported Earnings (1)

$

55



$

129



$

135



$

(38)



$

281


Less: Special Items (expense) benefit:










Foreign currency economic hedges, net of tax of $14

(53)









(53)


Talen litigation costs, net of tax of $1







(2)



(2)


COVID-19 impact, net of tax of $1, $0, $0, $0 (2)

(3)





(1)



(1)



(5)


U.K. tax rate change

(102)









(102)


Strategic corporate initiatives, net of tax of $2







(7)



(7)


Total Special Items

(158)





(1)



(10)



(169)


Earnings from Ongoing Operations

$

213



$

129



$

136



$

(28)



$

450























(per share - diluted)


 U.K.


 KY


 PA


 Corp.




 Reg.


 Reg.


 Reg.


 & Other


 Total

Reported Earnings (1)

$

0.07



$

0.17



$

0.17



$

(0.04)



$

0.37


Less: Special Items (expense) benefit:










Foreign currency economic hedges

(0.07)









(0.07)


COVID-19 impact (2)

(0.01)









(0.01)


U.K. tax rate change

(0.13)









(0.13)


Total Special Items

(0.21)









(0.21)


Earnings from Ongoing Operations

$

0.28



$

0.17



$

0.17



$

(0.04)



$

0.58



(1)

Reported Earnings represents Net Income.

(2)

COVID-19 impact relates to incremental costs for labor not chargeable to capital projects due to U.K. government lockdown restrictions, outside services, customer payment processing, purchases of personal protective equipment and other safety related actions associated with the COVID-19 pandemic.

 


Reconciliation of Segment Reported Earnings to Earnings from Ongoing Operations

(After-Tax)

(Unaudited)











Year-to-Date September 30, 2020

(millions of dollars)


 U.K.


 KY


 PA


 Corp.




 Reg.


 Reg.


 Reg.


 & Other


 Total

Reported Earnings (1)

$

574



$

330



$

371



$

(96)



$

1,179


Less: Special Items (expense) benefit:










Foreign currency economic hedges, net of tax of $20

(76)









(76)


Talen litigation costs, net of tax of $2







(6)



(6)


COVID-19 impact, net of tax of $4, $1, $0, $0 (2)

(15)



(4)



(1)



(1)



(21)


U.K. tax rate change

(102)









(102)


Strategic corporate initiatives, net of tax of $2







(7)



(7)


Total Special Items

(193)



(4)



(1)



(14)



(212)


Earning from Ongoing Operations

$

767



$

334



$

372



$

(82)



$

1,391























(per share - diluted)


 U.K.


 KY


 PA


 Corp.




 Reg.


 Reg.


 Reg.


 & Other


 Total

Reported Earnings (1)

$

0.74



$

0.43



$

0.48



$

(0.12)



$

1.53


Less: Special Items (expense) benefit:










Foreign currency economic hedges

(0.10)









(0.10)


Talen litigation costs







(0.01)



(0.01)


COVID-19 impact (2)

(0.02)









(0.02)


U.K. tax rate change

(0.14)









(0.14)


Strategic corporate initiatives







(0.01)



(0.01)


Total Special Items

(0.26)







(0.02)



(0.28)


Earnings from Ongoing Operations

$

1.00



$

0.43



$

0.48



$

(0.10)



$

1.81



(1)

Reported Earnings represents Net Income.

(2)

COVID-19 impact relates to incremental costs for labor not chargeable to capital projects due to U.K. government lockdown restrictions, outside services, customer payment processing, purchases of personal protective equipment and other safety related actions associated with the COVID-19 pandemic.

 


Reconciliation of Segment Reported Earnings to Earnings from Ongoing Operations

(After-Tax)

(Unaudited)











3rd Quarter 2019

(millions of dollars)


 U.K.


 KY


 PA


 Corp.




 Reg.


 Reg.


 Reg.


 & Other


 Total

Reported Earnings (1)

$

236



$

150



$

118



$

(29)



$

475


Less: Special Items (expense) benefit:










Foreign currency economic hedges, net of tax of ($8)

31









31


Talen litigation costs, net of tax of $0







(1)



(1)


Total Special Items

31







(1)



30


Earnings from Ongoing Operations

$

205



$

150



$

118



$

(28)



$

445























(per share - diluted)


 U.K.


 KY


 PA


 Corp.




 Reg.


 Reg.


 Reg.


 & Other


 Total

Reported Earnings (1)

$

0.32



$

0.20



$

0.16



$

(0.03)



$

0.65


Less: Special Items (expense) benefit:










Foreign currency economic hedges

0.04









0.04


Total Special Items

0.04









0.04


Earnings from Ongoing Operations

$

0.28



$

0.20



$

0.16



$

(0.03)



$

0.61



(1)

Reported Earnings represents Net Income.

 


Reconciliation of Segment Reported Earnings to Earnings from Ongoing Operations

(After-Tax)

(Unaudited)











Year-to-Date September 30, 2019

(millions of dollars)


 U.K.


 KY


 PA


 Corp.




 Reg.


 Reg.


 Reg.


 & Other


 Total

Reported Earnings (1)

$

784



$

364



$

333



$

(99)



$

1,382


Less: Special Items (expense) benefit:










Foreign currency economic hedges, net of tax of ($4)

15









15


Talen litigation costs, net of tax of $1







(4)



(4)


Other, net of tax of $1

(4)









(4)


Total Special Items

11







(4)



7


Earnings from Ongoing Operations

$

773



$

364



$

333



$

(95)



$

1,375























(per share - diluted)


 U.K.


 KY


 PA


 Corp.




 Reg.


 Reg.


 Reg.


 & Other


 Total

Reported Earnings (1)

$

1.07



$

0.50



$

0.46



$

(0.14)



$

1.89


Less: Special Items (expense) benefit:










Foreign currency economic hedges

0.03









0.03


Talen litigation costs







(0.01)



(0.01)


Other

(0.01)









(0.01)


Total Special Items

0.02







(0.01)



0.01


Earnings from Ongoing Operations

$

1.05



$

0.50



$

0.46



$

(0.13)



$

1.88



(1)

Reported Earnings represents Net Income.

 


Reconciliation of PPL's Earnings Forecast


After-tax (Unaudited)






(per share - diluted)













2020 Forecast Range


Midpoint


Forecast Range


Midpoint


High


Low


Total


2020


2020

Estimate of Reported Earnings

$

2.17



$

2.22



$

2.12


Less: Special Items (expense) benefit: (1)






Foreign currency economic hedges

(0.10)



(0.10)



(0.10)


Talen litigation costs

(0.01)



(0.01)



(0.01)


COVID-19 impact (2)

(0.02)



(0.02)



(0.02)


U.K. tax rate change

(0.14)



(0.14)



(0.14)


Strategic corporate initiatives

(0.01)



(0.01)



(0.01)


Total Special Items

(0.28)



(0.28)



(0.28)


Forecast of Earnings from Ongoing Operations

$

2.45



$

2.50



$

2.40



(1)

Reflects only special items recorded through September 30, 2020. PPL is not able to forecast special items for future periods.

(2)

COVID-19 impact relates to incremental costs for labor not chargeable to capital projects due to U.K. government lockdown restrictions, outside services, customer payment processing, purchases of personal protective equipment and other safety related actions associated with the COVID-19 pandemic.

 

Contacts:

For news media: Ryan Hill, 610-774-4033


For financial analysts: Andy Ludwig, 610-774-3389

 

SOURCE PPL Corporation