Apr 22, 2004

ALLETE First Quarter Net Income Climbs 19 Percent Over 2003

ALLETE First Quarter Net Income Climbs 19 Percent Over 2003 10.3 KB

DULUTH, Minn.-- ALLETE, Inc. (NYSE:ALE) today reported first quarter 2004 earnings of 62 cents per share, compared with 54 cents per share in the first quarter of 2003. Net income for the quarter rose 19% to $52.5 million on revenue of $458.5 million, compared with $44.3 million on revenue of $422.9 million during the same time period last year.

"Our energy and automotive businesses both benefited from increased sales during the quarter," said Dave Gartzke, ALLETE Chairman. "We are also experiencing high demand for our real estate in Florida."

Energy Services net income was $14.3 million for the quarter compared with $12.2 million during the first quarter of 2003. At Minnesota Power, higher demand for energy by industrial customers contributed to the increase.

Net income at Automotive Services was $33.3 million in the first quarter of 2004, compared with $26.7 million in 2003, due primarily to increased vehicle sales and higher conversion rates at ADESA auctions. AFC arranged 263,000 loan transactions during the first quarter, an increase of 13% compared with the first quarter of 2003.

A strong quarter of real estate sales boosted results at Investments and Corporate Charges. ALLETE Properties recorded net income of $11 million for the quarter versus $4.2 million last year.

2004 Earnings Guidance

After the separation of Automotive Services is completed, ALLETE will be comprised of what is now classified as Energy Services and Investments and Corporate Charges. In 2003, net income from these operations totaled $28.3 million. ALLETE now estimates 2004 net income from these operations will increase by 10% to 15% over 2003, due primarily to stronger than originally anticipated sales at both Minnesota Power and ALLETE Properties.

ALLETE expects to reduce its debt by an additional $150 million to $200 million after the ADESA initial public offering and recapitalization, which is expected to occur in the second quarter. The 2004 net income estimate does not include the financial implications of this debt reduction or transaction fees and debt retirement premiums related to the separation of Automotive Services.

ALLETE's corporate headquarters are located in Duluth, Minnesota. ALLETE's holdings include ADESA, a leading integrated wholesale auction and dealer floorplan financing provider throughout North America; Minnesota Power, a low-cost electric utility that serves some of the largest industrial customers in the United States; and significant real estate holdings in Florida.

The statements contained in this release and statements that ALLETE may make orally in connection with this release that are not historical facts, are forward-looking statements. Actual results may differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties and investors are directed to the risks discussed in documents filed by ALLETE with the Securities and Exchange Commission.