Avista Corp. Reports Results for the Fourth Quarter and Fiscal Year 2007

SPOKANE, Wash., Feb. 20 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Avista Corp. today reported net income of $14.1 million, or $0.26 per diluted share, for the fourth quarter of 2007, a decrease compared to net income of $17.8 million, or $0.35 per diluted share, for the fourth quarter of 2006. For the year ended Dec. 31, 2007, Avista Corp.'s net income was $38.5 million, or $0.72 per diluted share, a decrease compared to net income of $72.9 million, or $1.46 per diluted share, for the year ended Dec. 31, 2006.

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"While we are disappointed with our financial results for 2007, we expect significant improvement in our results for 2008. This is primarily due to the implementation of a general rate increase in Washington on January 1, the current outlook for improved hydroelectric generation and the planned refinancing of high-cost debt," said Avista Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer Scott L. Morris.

The following table shows results for the fourth quarter of 2007 and the year ended Dec. 31, 2007, as compared to the respective periods of 2006:

($ in thousands, Q4 2007 Q4 2006 Year 2007 Year 2006 except per-share data) Operating Revenues $386,903 $426,714 $1,417,757 $1,506,311 Income from Operations $43,538 $51,953 $138,429 $199,560 Net Income $14,073 $17,837 $38,475 $72,941 Net Income (Loss) by Business Segment: Avista Utilities $12,212 $14,263 $43,822 $57,794 Energy Marketing & Resource Management $(73) $2,358 $(11,877) $11,567 Advantage IQ $1,680 $1,352 $6,651 $6,255 Other $254 $(136) $(121) $(2,675) Contribution to earnings per diluted share by Business Segment: Avista Utilities $0.23 $0.28 $0.82 $1.16 Energy Marketing & Resource Management $-- $0.04 $(0.22) $0.23 Advantage IQ $0.03 $0.03 $0.12 $0.12 Other $-- $-- $-- $(0.05) Total earnings per diluted share $0.26 $0.35 $0.72 $1.46 Fourth Quarter and Fiscal Year 2007 Highlights

Avista Utilities: Utility earnings for the fourth quarter and full year of 2007 were lower than we originally forecasted. The decision of the Washington Utilities and Transportation Commission (WUTC) in late 2006 to deny our request for more timely recovery of transmission and generation investments presented a significant challenge for us without the rate relief we had anticipated.

Our challenge was compounded by below normal hydroelectric generation and higher electric resource costs as compared to the amount included in base rates. This caused us to absorb $8.5 million of costs under the Energy Recovery Mechanism (ERM) in Washington compared to a benefit of $2.6 million under the ERM in 2006. Higher electric resource costs decreased 2007 gross margin (operating revenues less resource costs) for 2007 as compared to 2006. For the fourth quarter and fiscal year 2007, we had higher other operating expenses as well as increased depreciation and amortization for utility plant investments not covered in 2007 rates. Also, as part of the Washington rate case settlement described below, we agreed to write-off $3.8 million of unamortized debt repurchase costs in 2007.

We received needed rate relief beginning Jan. 1, 2008. The Washington general rate case settlement approved by the WUTC in December 2007 increased electric rates for our Washington customers by an average of 9.4 percent, which is designed to increase annual revenues by $30.2 million. Also, the base level of power supply costs used in the ERM calculations was updated. Natural gas rates for our Washington customers increased by an average of 1.7 percent, which is designed to increase annual revenues by $3.3 million. The settlement is based on a rate of return of 8.2 percent with a common equity ratio of 46 percent and a 10.2 percent return on equity.

Based on current snowpack conditions, we forecast hydroelectric generation to be slightly above normal for 2008, an improvement over 2007 when hydroelectric generation was 96 percent of normal. Given the forecasted improvement in hydroelectric generation and the resetting of the base level of power supply costs used in the ERM calculations, we expect a benefit under the ERM in 2008. This 2008 forecast of hydroelectric generation will be revised based on precipitation, temperatures and other variables during the year.

In October 2007, we filed a natural gas general rate case in Oregon requesting an overall rate increase of 2.3 percent, which is designed to increase annual revenues by $3.0 million. In December 2007, we entered into a settlement agreement with all parties in the Oregon general rate case for the purpose of resolving the cost of capital components. In the settlement, the parties agreed to a rate of return of 8.21 percent with a common equity ratio of 50 percent and a 10 percent return on equity. The settlement agreement does not impact any other revenue requirement or rate-related issues. We are currently in settlement discussions related to the remaining issues in the case.

Advantage IQ: Net income from Advantage IQ for the fourth quarter and fiscal year 2007 increased as compared to the prior year. Earnings growth for Advantage IQ was limited in 2007 due to expenses incurred for consulting services during the second and third quarters.

Advantage IQ's annual revenues for 2007 increased 19 percent as compared to the prior year and totaled $47.3 million. In 2007, Advantage IQ processed bills totaling $12.5 billion, an increase of 16 percent, as compared to 2006.

Energy Marketing and Resource Management: On June 30, 2007, Avista Energy completed the sale of substantially all of its contracts and ongoing operations to Shell Energy North America (U.S.), L.P. (Shell Energy), formerly known as Coral Energy Holding, L.P., and certain of Shell Energy's subsidiaries. Completion of this transaction ends substantially all of the operations of this business segment. As previously reported, results from the segment prior to the sale were below our expectations.

Other: Results from our other businesses improved as compared to 2006. This was due in part to net gains on certain long-term venture fund investments in 2007 compared to net losses in 2006.

Liquidity and Capital Resources: The majority of the $169 million of proceeds from the Avista Energy transaction were deployed into our regulated utility operations.

Moody's Investors Service and Standard & Poor's recently upgraded our credit ratings, which resulted in an investment grade rating for our senior unsecured debt and corporate rating from each of these agencies. These upgrades reflect several steps taken over the past few years to lower our business risk profile and improve financial metrics. The most recent significant steps were the sale of substantially all of Avista Energy's contracts and ongoing operations and our general rate case settlement in Washington.

We have long-term debt maturities of $318 million in 2008, the majority of which is $273 million of 9.75 percent Senior Notes that mature on June 1, 2008. We will issue new debt to fund a significant portion of the maturing debt, and it should be at a substantially lower interest rate.

Utility capital expenditures were $206 million for 2007. We expect utility capital expenditures to be approximately $200 million in 2008 and over $200 million in each of 2009 and 2010.

Board of Directors Increases Common Stock Dividend by 10 Percent

On Feb. 15, 2008, Avista Corp.'s board of directors declared a quarterly dividend of $0.165 per share on the company's common stock, an increase of 10 percent or $0.015 per share. The dividend is payable March 14, 2008, to shareholders of record at the close of business on Feb. 28, 2008. Payment of dividends is subject to declaration and approval by the board each quarter.

"This action is indicative of the significant progress that our company has made and our positive outlook for the future," said Morris. "This progress was also recognized by the credit rating agencies, which have all upgraded one or more components of our debt over the past nine months. Management intends to recommend that the board further review our dividend level during the second half of 2008."

Earnings Guidance and Outlook

We are confirming our 2008 guidance for consolidated earnings to be in the range of $1.35 to $1.55 per diluted share. We expect Avista Utilities to contribute in the range of $1.20 to $1.40 per diluted share for 2008. Our outlook for Avista Utilities assumes, among other variables, normal precipitation and temperatures, as well as slightly above normal hydroelectric generation. These factors, combined with resetting the ERM in the Washington general rate, are expected to result in a benefit under the ERM in 2008. We are revising our guidance for Advantage IQ downward to a range of $0.10 to $0.12 per diluted share from a range of $0.13 to $0.15. This is due to the recent decline in short-term interest rates, which will decrease Advantage IQ's interest earnings on funds held for customers. We expect the other businesses to be between break-even and a loss of $0.03 per diluted share.

NOTE: We will host a conference call with financial analysts and investors on Feb. 20, 2008, at 10:30 a.m. EST to discuss this news release. The call is available at (888) 713-4211, passcode: 82810283. A replay of the conference call will be available through Wednesday, Feb. 27, 2008. Call (888) 286-8010, passcode 49051478 to listen to the replay. A simultaneous webcast of the call is available on our website, http://www.avistacorp.com/.

Avista Corp. is an energy company involved in the production, transmission and distribution of energy as well as other energy-related businesses. Avista Utilities is our operating division that provides service to 352,000 electric and 311,000 natural gas customers in three Western states. Avista's primary, non-regulated subsidiary is Advantage IQ. Our stock is traded under the ticker symbol "AVA". For more information about Avista, please visit http://www.avistacorp.com/.

Avista Corp. and the Avista Corp. logo are trademarks of Avista Corporation.

The attached condensed consolidated statements of income, condensed consolidated balance sheets, and financial and operating highlights are integral parts of this earnings release.

This news release contains forward-looking statements, including statements regarding our current expectations for future financial performance and cash flows, capital expenditures, dividends, our current plans or objectives for future operations, future hydroelectric generation projections and other factors, which may affect the company in the future. Such statements are subject to a variety of risks, uncertainties and other factors, most of which are beyond our control and many of which could have significant impact on our operations, results of operations, financial condition or cash flows and could cause actual results to differ materially from those anticipated in such statements.

The following are among the important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from the forward-looking statements: weather conditions, including the effect of precipitation and temperatures on the availability of hydroelectric resources and the effect of temperatures on customer demand; changes in wholesale energy prices that can affect, among other things, cash needed to purchase electricity, natural gas for our retail customers and natural gas fuel for electric generation, and the value of surplus energy sold, as well as the market value of derivative assets and liabilities; volatility and illiquidity in wholesale energy markets, including the availability and prices of purchased energy and demand for energy sales; the effect of state and federal regulatory decisions affecting our ability to recover costs and/or earn a reasonable return including, but not limited to, the disallowance of costs that we have deferred; the potential effects of any legislation or administrative rulemaking, including the possible adoption of national or state laws requiring resources to meet certain standards and placing restrictions on greenhouse gas emissions to mitigate concerns over global warming; the outcome of pending regulatory and legal proceedings arising out of the "western energy crisis" of 2000 and 2001, and including possible retroactive price caps and resulting refunds; the outcome of legal proceedings and other contingencies; changes in, and compliance with, environmental and endangered species laws, regulations, decisions and policies, including present and potential environmental remediation costs; wholesale and retail competition including, but not limited to, electric retail wheeling and transmission costs; the ability to relicense and maintain licenses for our hydroelectric generating facilities at cost-effective levels with reasonable terms and conditions; unplanned outages at any of our generating facilities or the inability of facilities to operate as intended; unanticipated delays or changes in construction costs, as well as our ability to obtain required operating permits for present or prospective facilities; natural disasters that can disrupt energy production or delivery, as well as the availability and costs of materials and supplies and support services; blackouts or disruptions of interconnected transmission systems; the potential for future terrorist attacks or other malicious acts, particularly with respect to our utility assets; changes in the long-term climate of the Pacific Northwest, which can affect, among other things, customer demand patterns and the volume and timing of streamflows to our hydroelectric resources; changes in future economic conditions in our service territory and the United States in general, including inflation or deflation; changes in industrial, commercial and residential growth and demographic patterns in our service territory; the loss of significant customers and/or suppliers; default or nonperformance on the part of any parties from which we purchase and/or sell capacity or energy; deterioration in the creditworthiness of our customers and counterparties; our ability to obtain financing through the issuance of debt and/or equity securities, which can be affected by various factors including our credit ratings, interest rates and other capital market conditions; the effect of any change in our credit ratings; changes in actuarial assumptions, the interest rate environment and the actual return on plan assets for our pension plan, which can affect future funding obligations, costs and pension plan liabilities; increasing health care costs and the resulting effect on health insurance provided to our employees and retirees; increasing costs of insurance, changes in coverage terms and our ability to obtain insurance; employee issues, including changes in collective bargaining unit agreements, strikes, work stoppages or the loss of key executives, as well as our ability to recruit and retain employees; the potential effects of negative publicity regarding business practices, whether true or not, which could result in, among other things, costly litigation and a decline in our common stock price; changes in technologies, possibly making some of the current technology obsolete; changes in tax rates and/or policies; and changes in our strategic business plans, which may be affected by any or all of the foregoing, including the entry into new businesses and/or the exit from existing businesses.

For a further discussion of these factors and other important factors, please refer to the company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended Dec. 31, 2006 and Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended Sept. 30, 2007. The forward-looking statements contained in this news release speak only as of the date hereof. The company undertakes no obligation to update any forward-looking statement or statements to reflect events or circumstances that occur after the date on which such statement is made or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events. New factors emerge from time to time, and it is not possible for management to predict all of such factors, nor can it assess the impact of each such factor on the company's business or the extent to which any such factor, or combination of factors, may cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statement.

Securities ratings are not recommendations to buy, sell or hold securities. The ratings are subject to change or withdrawal at any time by the respective credit rating agencies. Each credit rating should be evaluated independently of any other ratings.

AVISTA CORPORATION CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME (UNAUDITED) (Dollars in Thousands except Per Share Amounts) Year Ended Fourth Quarter December 31, 2007 2006 2007 2006 Operating revenues $386,903 $426,714 $1,417,757 $1,506,311 Operating expenses: Resource costs 237,737 274,725 849,674 895,783 Other operating expenses 64,030 64,096 266,561 254,003 Depreciation and amortization 23,212 21,617 90,650 87,083 Utility taxes other than income taxes 18,386 14,323 72,443 69,882 Total operating expenses 343,365 374,761 1,279,328 1,306,751 Income from operations 43,538 51,953 138,429 199,560 Other income (expense): Interest expense, net of capitalized interest (20,659) (23,136) (82,576) (93,233) Regulatory disallowance of unamortized debt repurchase costs - - (3,850) - Other income - net 1,392 1,311 10,806 8,600 Total other income (expense) - net (19,267) (21,825) (75,620) (84,633) Income before income taxes 24,271 30,128 62,809 114,927 Income taxes 10,198 12,291 24,334 41,986 Net income $14,073 $17,837 $38,475 $72,941 Weighted-average common shares outstanding (thousands), basic 52,877 49,788 52,796 49,162 Weighted-average common shares outstanding (thousands), diluted 53,251 50,681 53,263 49,897 Total earnings per common share, basic $0.27 $0.36 $0.73 $1.48 Total earnings per common share, diluted $0.26 $0.35 $0.72 $1.46 Dividends paid per common share $0.150 $0.145 $0.595 $0.570 Issued February 20, 2008 AVISTA CORPORATION CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (UNAUDITED) (Dollars in Thousands) December 31, December 31, 2007 2006 Assets Cash and cash equivalents $11,839 $28,242 Restricted cash 4,068 29,903 Accounts and notes receivable 105,440 286,150 Current energy commodity derivative assets - 343,726 Other current assets 210,838 344,253 Total net utility property 2,347,758 2,215,037 Non-utility properties and investments-net 56,084 60,301 Non-current energy commodity derivative assets - 313,300 Other property and investments-net 60,073 60,030 Regulatory assets for deferred income taxes 117,461 105,935 Regulatory assets for pensions and other postretirement benefits 51,006 54,192 Other regulatory assets 43,004 31,752 Non-current utility energy commodity derivative assets 55,313 25,575 Power and natural gas deferrals 85,885 97,792 Unamortized debt expense 32,542 46,554 Other deferred charges 4,902 13,766 Total Assets $3,186,213 $4,056,508 Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity Accounts payable $117,546 $286,099 Current energy commodity derivative liabilities - 313,499 Current portion of long-term debt 427,344 26,605 Current portion of preferred stock (subject to mandatory redemption) - 26,250 Short-term borrowings - 4,000 Other current liabilities 218,759 288,756 Long-term debt 521,489 949,854 Long-term debt to affiliated trusts 113,403 113,403 Non-current energy commodity derivative liabilities - 309,990 Regulatory liability for utility plant retirement costs 205,773 197,712 Pensions and other postretirement benefits 90,555 103,604 Deferred income taxes 440,918 459,756 Other non-current liabilities and deferred credits 136,460 62,455 Total Liabilities 2,272,247 3,141,983 Common stock - net (52,909,013 and 52,514,326 outstanding shares) 726,933 715,620 Retained earnings and accumulated other comprehensive loss 187,033 198,905 Total Stockholders' Equity 913,966 914,525 Total Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity $3,186,213 $4,056,508 Issued February 20, 2008 AVISTA CORPORATION FINANCIAL AND OPERATING HIGHLIGHTS (Dollars in Thousands) Year Ended Fourth Quarter December 31, 2007 2006 2007 2006 Avista Utilities Retail electric revenues $157,297 $147,197 $576,260 $554,136 Retail kWh sales (in millions) 2,374 2,329 8,912 8,775 Retail electric customers at end of period 351,512 345,450 351,512 345,450 Wholesale electric revenues $22,967 $27,237 $105,729 $126,208 Wholesale kWh sales (in millions) 272 302 1,594 2,117 Sales of fuel $1,302 $3,153 $12,910 $48,176 Other electric revenues $3,544 $3,553 $16,231 $18,863 Retail natural gas revenues $143,622 $148,991 $424,246 $416,010 Wholesale natural gas revenues $30,935 $24,195 $142,167 $93,221 Transportation and other natural gas revenues $2,635 $2,911 $10,820 $11,324 Total therms delivered (in thousands) 202,186 195,190 700,433 629,906 Retail natural gas customers at end of period 310,535 304,586 310,535 304,586 Income from operations (pre-tax) $40,911 $46,138 $150,053 $177,049 Net income $12,212 $14,263 $43,822 $57,794 Energy Marketing and Resource Management Gross margin (operating revenues less resource costs) $116 $7,965 $(7,135) $33,414 Realized gross margin $116 $7,897 $17,459 $31,904 Unrealized gross margin - $68 $(24,594) $1,510 Income (loss) from operations (pre-tax) $(370) $3,605 $(22,366) $13,239 Net income (loss) $(73) $2,358 $(11,877) $11,567 Advantage IQ Revenues $12,648 $10,626 $47,255 $39,636 Income from operations (pre-tax) $2,812 $2,261 $11,012 $10,479 Net income $1,680 $1,352 $6,651 $6,255 Other Revenues $5,533 $4,869 $20,598 $21,186 Income (loss) from operations (pre-tax) $185 $(51) $(270) $(1,207) Net income (loss) $254 $(136) $(121) $(2,675) Issued February 20, 2008