Exelon Reports First Quarter 2020 Results

Earnings Release Highlights

GAAP Net Income of $0.60 per share and Adjusted (non-GAAP) Operating Earnings of $0.87 per share for the first quarter of 2020
Revising range for full year 2020 adjusted (non-GAAP) operating earnings guidance to $2.80-$3.10 per share from original guidance of $3.00-$3.30 per share
Strong utility reliability performance - every utility achieved top quartile in outage frequency and outage duration
Generations’ nuclear fleet capacity factor was 93.9% for the quarter, ahead of the industry average of 91% (based on full year 2019)

CHICAGO — Exelon Corporation (Nasdaq: EXC) today reported its financial results for the first quarter of 2020.

“We had another strong quarter, with each of our utilities achieving high reliability performance and our nuclear generation fleet completing seven of eight refueling outages - nearly all ahead of schedule,” said Christopher Crane, president and CEO of Exelon. “The consistent performance of our frontline employees in providing safe and reliable service has never been more evident as our communities confront the global pandemic and the devastating disruption to our economy. In recognition of these extraordinary circumstances, we are working to support customers experiencing financial hardship by waiving new late charges, suspending disconnections and reconnecting those who were disconnected previously. We remain on track to invest $26 billion across all our utilities to further improve reliability and customer service, and we have contributed more than $5.9 million to national and local relief organizations to provide immediate relief to communities affected by COVID-19.”

“Despite experiencing one of the warmest winters on record and significant erosion of demand as a result of the pandemic, our balance sheet remains strong and we reported solid adjusted (non-GAAP) earnings of 0.87 per share, coming in just below the midpoint of our guidance range,” said Joseph Nigro, senior executive vice president and CFO of Exelon. “We identified an additional $250 million in cost savings and lowered capital expenditures at Exelon Generation by $125 million. However, even with these and other actions, the unprecedented slowdown in economic activity and unpredictable nature of the recovery has led us to lower our full-year earnings guidance from $3.00-$3.30 per share to $2.80-$3.10 per share.”

First Quarter 2020

Exelon's GAAP Net Income for the first quarter of 2020 decreased to $0.60 per share from $0.93 per share in the first quarter of 2019. Adjusted (non-GAAP) Operating Earnings remained consistent at $0.87 per share in both the first quarter of 2020 and 2019. For the reconciliations of GAAP Net Income to Adjusted (non-GAAP) Operating Earnings, refer to the tables beginning on page 5.

Adjusted (non-GAAP) Operating Earnings in the first quarter of 2020 primarily reflect:

Lower utility earnings primarily due to unfavorable weather conditions at PECO and PHI and lower allowed electric distribution ROE due to a decrease in treasury rates at ComEd, partially offset by regulatory rate increases at BGE and PHI and distribution formula rate timing at ComEd; and
Higher Generation earnings due to increased revenue from ZECs in New Jersey, lower operating and maintenance expense, and an income tax settlement, partially offset by lower realized energy prices, lower capacity revenues and increased nuclear outage days.

Operating Company Results¹

ComEd

ComEd's first quarter of 2020 GAAP Net Income and Adjusted (non-GAAP) Operating Earnings increased to $168 million from $157 million in the first quarter of 2019, primarily due to distribution formula rate timing partially offset by lower allowed electric distribution ROE due to a decrease in treasury rates. Due to revenue decoupling, ComEd's distribution earnings are not affected by actual weather or customer usage patterns.

PECO

PECO’s first quarter of 2020 GAAP Net Income decreased to $140 million from $168 million in the first quarter of 2019. PECO’s Adjusted (non-GAAP) Operating Earnings for the first quarter of 2020 decreased to $140 million from $169 million in the first quarter of 2019, primarily due to unfavorable weather conditions.

BGE

BGE’s first quarter of 2020 GAAP Net Income increased to $181 million from $160 million in the first quarter of 2019. BGE’s Adjusted (non-GAAP) Operating Earnings for the first quarter of 2020 increased to $182 million from $161 million compared with the first quarter of 2019, primarily due to regulatory rate increases. Due to revenue decoupling, BGE's distribution earnings are not affected by actual weather or customer usage patterns.

PHI

PHI’s first quarter of 2020 GAAP Net Income decreased to $108 million from $117 million in the first quarter of 2019. PHI’s Adjusted (non-GAAP) Operating Earnings for the first quarter of 2020 decreased to $110 million from $118 million in the first quarter of 2019, primarily due to unfavorable weather conditions in Delaware and New Jersey, partially offset by regulatory rate increases. Due to revenue decoupling, PHI's distribution earnings related to Pepco Maryland, DPL Maryland and Pepco District of Columbia are not affected by actual weather or customer usage patterns.

Generation

Generation's first quarter of 2020 GAAP Net Income decreased to $45 million from $363 million in the first quarter of 2019. Generation’s Adjusted (non-GAAP) Operating Earnings for the first quarter of 2020 increased to $312 million from $294 million in the first quarter of 2019, primarily due to increased revenue from ZECs in New Jersey, lower operating and maintenance expense and an income tax settlement, partially offset by lower realized energy prices, lower capacity revenues and increased nuclear outage days.

As of March 31, 2020, the percentage of expected generation hedged is 89%-92% and 70%-73% for 2020 and 2021, respectively.

¹_{Exelon’s five business units include ComEd, which consists of electricity transmission and distribution operations in northern Illinois; PECO, which consists of electricity transmission and distribution operations and retail natural gas distribution operations in southeastern Pennsylvania; BGE, which consists of electricity transmission and distribution operations and retail natural gas distribution operations in central Maryland; PHI, which consists of electricity transmission and distribution operations in the District of Columbia and portions of Maryland, Delaware, and New Jersey and retail natural gas distribution operations in northern Delaware; and Generation, which consists of owned and contracted electric generating facilities and wholesale and retail customer supply of electric and natural gas products and services, including renewable energy products and risk management services.}

Recent Developments and First Quarter Highlights

COVID-19: Exelon is closely monitoring developments related to the global outbreak (pandemic) of the 2019 novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic and is taking proactive measures to protect the health and safety of employees, contractors and customers. As a provider of critical resources, Exelon has robust plans and contingencies in place to ensure business and operational continuity across a wide range of potentially disruptive events, including extensive preparedness for major public health crises. Exelon and its operating companies are working in close coordination with designated state and local emergency preparedness and health officials, and at the federal level through the Electric Subsector Coordinating Council. All Exelon employees have access to up-to-date information and resources and are following Centers for Disease Control guidelines to ensure safety. In addition, Exelon utilities have established incident command centers to address emergent customer and employee needs in real time.

While there was no material impact to Exelon’s financial statements for the first quarter of 2020 due to COVID-19, PECO, DPL Delaware, ACE and Generation expect a reduction in operating revenues for the nine months ending December 31, 2020 due to expected reduction in electric load. There remains significant uncertainty in the economic forecast for the remainder of the year and its impact on Exelon’s operating revenues. However, Exelon identified and is pursuing approximately $250 million in cost savings across its operating companies to offset part of the expected unfavorable impacts on operating revenues.

ComEd Distribution Formula Rate: On April 16, 2020, ComEd filed its annual distribution formula rate update with the Illinois Commerce Commission (ICC). The ICC approval is due by December 2020 and the rates will take effect in January 2021. The filing request includes a total decrease to the revenue requirement of $11 million, reflecting an increase of $51 million for the initial revenue requirement for 2020 and a decrease of $62 million related to the annual reconciliation for 2019. The revenue requirement for 2020 and annual reconciliation for 2019 provide for a weighted average debt and equity return on distribution rate base of 6.28% inclusive of a requested ROE of 8.38%.
DPL Delaware Gas Base Rate Case: On Feb. 21, 2020, DPL Delaware filed an application with the Delaware Public Service Commission (DPSC) to increase its annual gas distribution rates by $9 million, reflecting an ROE of 10.3%. DPL currently expects a decision in the first quarter of 2021 but cannot predict if the DPSC will approve the application as filed.

DPL Delaware Electric Base Rate Case: On March 6 2020, DPL Delaware filed an application with the DPSC to increase its annual electric distribution rates by $24 million, reflecting an ROE of 10.3%. DPL currently expects a decision in the first quarter of 2021 but cannot predict if the DPSC will approve the application as filed.

Nuclear Operations: Generation’s nuclear fleet, including its owned output from the Salem Generating Station and 100% of the CENG units, produced 42,555 gigawatt-hours (GWhs) in the first quarter of 2020, compared with 45,715 GWhs in the first quarter of 2019. Excluding Salem, the Exelon-operated nuclear plants at ownership achieved a 93.9% capacity factor for the first quarter of 2020, compared with 97.1% for the first quarter of 2019. The number of planned refueling outage days in the first quarter of 2020 totaled 94, compared with 74 in the first quarter of 2019. There were 11 non-refueling outage days in the first quarter of 2020 and none in the first quarter of 2019.

Fossil and Renewables Operations: The Dispatch Match rate for Generation’s fossil and hydro fleet was 98.2% in the first quarter of 2020, compared with 97.8% in the first quarter of 2019. Energy Capture for the wind and solar fleet was 94.7% in the first quarter of 2020, compared with 96.5% in the first quarter of 2019.

Financing Activities:

On April 1, 2020, Exelon Corporate issued notes for $1.25 billion at 4.05%, which are due in 2030 and notes for $750 million at 4.70%, which are due in 2050. A portion of the net proceeds from the sale of these notes, together with available cash balances, will be used to repay Exelon Corporate notes maturing in June of 2020. The remainder of the net proceeds will be used for general corporate purposes.
On Feb. 25, 2020, ComEd issued $350 million of its First Mortgage Bonds, 2.20% Series due March 1, 2030 and $650 million of its First Mortgage Bonds, 3.00% Series due March 1, 2050. ComEd used the proceeds to repay a portion of outstanding commercial paper obligations and for general corporate purposes.
On Feb. 25, 2020, Pepco issued $150 million of its First Mortgage Bonds, 2.53% Series due Feb. 25, 2030. Pepco used the proceeds to repay existing indebtedness and for general corporate purposes.
On March 19, 2020, Generation entered into a term loan agreement for $200 million. The loan agreement has an expiration of March 18, 2021. Pursuant to the loan agreement, loans made thereunder bear interest at a variable rate equal to LIBOR plus 0.50% and all indebtedness thereunder is unsecured.
On March 31, 2020, Generation entered into a term loan agreement for $300 million. The loan agreement has an expiration of March 30, 2021. Pursuant to the loan agreement, loans made thereunder bear interest at a variable rate equal to LIBOR plus 0.75% and all indebtedness thereunder is unsecured.
On April 8, 2020, NewEnergy Receivables LLC, a bankruptcy remote, special purpose entity, which is wholly owned by Generation, entered into an accounts receivable financing facility with a number of financial institutions and a commercial paper conduit to sell certain customer accounts receivables. Generation received approximately $500 million of cash in accordance with the initial sale of approximately $1.2 billion receivables.

GAAP/Adjusted (non-GAAP) Operating Earnings Reconciliation

Adjusted (non-GAAP) Operating Earnings for the first quarter of 2020 do not include the following items (after tax) that were included in reported GAAP Net Income:

(in millions)	Exelon Earnings per Diluted Share	Exelon	ComEd	PECO	BGE	PHI	Generation
2020 GAAP Net Income	$0.60	$582	$168	$140	$181	$108	$45
Mark-to-Market Impact of Economic Hedging Activities (net of taxes of $32 and $33, respectively)	(0.10)	(94)	—	—	—	—	(97)
Unrealized Losses Related to Nuclear Decommissioning Trust (NDT) Fund Investments (net of taxes of $405)	0.50	485	—	—	—	—	485
Asset Impairments (net of taxes of $1)	—	2	—	—	—	—	2
Plant Retirements and Divestitures (net of taxes of $4)	0.01	13	—	—	—	—	13
Cost Management Program (net of taxes of $3, $0, $1 and $3, respectively	0.01	9	—	—	1	2	8
Income Tax-Related Adjustments (entire amount represents tax expense)	—	(2)	—	—	—	—	—
Noncontrolling Interests (net of taxes of $30)	(0.15)	(144)	—	—	—	—	(144)
2020 Adjusted (non-GAAP) Operating Earnings	$0.87	$851	$168	$140	$182	$110	$312

Adjusted (non-GAAP) Operating Earnings for the first quarter of 2019 do not include the following items (after tax) that were included in reported GAAP Net Income:

(in millions)

Exelon

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