ALLETE Reports Third Quarter Results;Raises 2004 Earnings Guidance for Continuing Operations

ALLETE Reports Third Quarter Results;
Raises 2004 Earnings Guidance for Continuing Operations

ALLETE Reports Third Quarter Results;
Raises 2004 Earnings Guidance for Continuing Operations

DULUTH, Minn.--ALLETE, Inc. (NYSE: ALE) today reported 2004 year-to-date income from continuing operations of $23.2 million. Excluding a one-time charge of $10.9 million for the early repayment of debt in the third quarter, income from continuing operations was $34.1 million compared to $25.6 million for the first three quarters of 2003.

Based on its year-to-date performance and fourth quarter projections, ALLETE has raised its expectation for income from continuing operations (excluding the aforementioned one-time charge) to approximately $38 million for 2004, an increase of 28 percent over 2003.

The debt prepayment charge was incurred as a result of an early retirement of $125 million of long-term debt in July as ALLETE recapitalized in preparation for the spin-off of ADESA. Year-to-date interest expense decreased by about $7 million after-tax compared with the same period last year. Interest was reduced as a result of the debt retired in July and because proceeds of Water Services asset sales were applied to debt repayment in late 2003 and early 2004.

"We are very pleased with how this year is progressing," said ALLETE President and CEO Don Shippar. "Power sales to Minnesota Power's industrial customers have shown healthy increases and our real estate business in Florida is having another solid year of financial performance. The strong operating results, combined with significantly lower interest expense than last year, have helped us absorb anticipated expense increases and an impairment charge associated with our emerging technology portfolio."

ALLETE's quarterly income from continuing operations was primarily affected by the debt prepayment charge. Excluding the charge, income from continuing operations was slightly less than the $10.9 million recorded last year. Energy sales to Minnesota Power industrial customers rose 13 percent from the third quarter of 2003. Compared with last year, the regulated utility business incurred higher pension expense, increased costs associated with a plant outage at Square Butte, and lower power sales to other power suppliers--all of which were anticipated. "All in all, financial results for the regulated utility business exceeded our expectations for the quarter," Shippar said.

Income from discontinued operations includes earnings from ADESA up until its spin-off to ALLETE shareholders on September 20, 2004, ALLETE expenses related to the spin-off, earnings from operations at the Water Services business and gains from the sales of Water Services assets.

A change in an accounting principle used to account for ALLETE's emerging technology investment portfolio led to a $7.8 million retroactive non-cash charge. The charge, recorded in year-to-date results, reflects the change to the equity method of accounting from the cost method for these investments.

ALLETE's corporate headquarters are located in Duluth, Minnesota. ALLETE provides energy services in the upper Midwest and has significant real estate holdings in Florida. More information about the company is available on ALLETE's Web site at www.allete.com.

Investor Contact:
Tim Thorp
218-723-3953
tthorp@allete.com