ALLETE, Inc.
ALLETE has entered an agreement to be acquired by a partnership led by Canada Pension Plan Investment Board and Global Infrastructure Partners and start the process to become a private company. Learn more at www.ALLETEforward.com.
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Feb 18, 2016

ALLETE, Inc. Reports Increased 2015 Earnings

DULUTH, Minn.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- ALLETE, Inc. (NYSE: ALE) today reported 2015 earnings of $2.92 per share on net income of $141.1 million and operating revenue of $1.49 billion. Earnings for 2014 were $2.90 per share on net income of $124.8 million and operating revenue of $1.14 billion.

Included in 2015 results are a $20.4 million, or 42 cents per share, profit on the construction and sale of a wind energy facility by ALLETE Clean Energy, a $22.3 million, or 46 cents per share, non-cash impairment charge at ALLETE Properties, and $4.8 million, or 10 cents per share, of acquisition transaction fees related to ALLETE's Energy Infrastructure and Related Services businesses. Earnings in 2014 included $1.4 million, or 3 cents per share, of acquisition transaction fees, and a $2.5 million, or 6 cents per share, charge associated with an Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) settlement.

ALLETE finished within its November 2015 earnings guidance of $3.35 to $3.50 per share which did not include impacts of the impairment charge or acquisition transaction fees. ALLETE also finished within its original December 2014 guidance of $3.00 to $3.20 per share which did not include the impacts of the impairment charge, acquisition transaction fees, or profit on the construction and sale of the wind energy facility.

"We are proud of our financial and operational accomplishments in 2015, especially when considering the challenges that came at us on many fronts. Our broadened energy businesses are well positioned for success in 2016 and beyond," said ALLETE Chairman, President and CEO Al Hodnik. "ALLETE's value proposition remains intact and our 2015 financial results are a good example of how our operating businesses support ALLETE's mission and how management deals with economic challenges and delivers on shareholder value."

ALLETE announced a dividend increase of 6 cents per share on an annual basis on January 22, 2016, the sixth consecutive year ALLETE has increased its dividend. ALLETE has paid dividends without interruption since 1948.

ALLETE's Regulated Operations segment, which includes Minnesota Power, Superior Water, Light and Power, and the Company's investment in the American Transmission Co. (ATC), recorded net income of $131.6 million, an increase of $8.6 million over 2014 net income. Earnings increased primarily due to higher cost recovery rider revenue, production tax credits, power marketing sales, and lower operating and maintenance expenses. These increases were partially offset by lower industrial sales and higher depreciation, interest and property tax expense. In addition, Minnesota Power recorded a reserve in 2015 for estimated refunds of $1.6 million after-tax related to Midwest Independent System Operator return on equity complaints, of which $0.9 million after-tax was attributable to prior years. In 2015, our equity earnings in ATC also reflected a $3.0 million after-tax charge related to the same complaints, of which $1.4 million after-tax was attributable to prior years. In 2014, results included a $2.5 million after-tax charge related to a settlement agreement with the EPA.

ALLETE's Energy Infrastructure and Related Services businesses, which include ALLETE Clean Energy and U.S. Water Services, recorded net income of $29.9 million and $0.9 million, respectively. Earnings at ALLETE Clean Energy increased due to higher earnings from its growing portfolio of wind energy facilities, and $20.4 million of profit earned on the construction and sale of the wind energy facility. Earnings at U.S. Water Services reflect the results for the year with ALLETE's acquisition of the company on February 10, 2015, which included $2.2 million of after-tax expense related to purchase accounting for inventories and sales backlog.

The Corporate and Other segment, which includes BNI Energy and ALLETE Properties, posted a net loss of $21.3 million in 2015, compared to a net loss of $1.5 million in 2014. The net loss for 2015 included the $22.3 million after-tax non-cash impairment charge on ALLETE Properties real estate assets, and a $3.0 million after-tax expense, or 6 cents per share, for acquisition costs related to the acquisition of U.S. Water Services.

Earnings per share for 2015 were diluted by 36 cents due to additional shares of common stock outstanding as of December 31, 2015.

ALLETE will host a conference call and webcast at 10 a.m. Eastern Time this morning to discuss details of its financial performance. Interested parties may listen live by calling (877) 303-5852, or by accessing the webcast at www.allete.com. A replay of the call will be available through February 21, 2016 by calling (855) 859-2056, pass code 26012875. The webcast will be accessible for one year at www.allete.com.

ALLETE is an energy company headquartered in Duluth, Minn. In addition to its electric utilities, Minnesota Power and Superior Water, Light and Power of Wisconsin, ALLETE owns ALLETE Clean Energy, based in Duluth, U.S. Water Services headquartered in St. Michael, Minn., BNI Energy in Center, N.D., and has an eight percent equity interest in the American Transmission Co. More information about ALLETE is available at www.allete.com. ALE-CORP

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.

ALLETE's press releases and other communications may include certain non-Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) financial measures. A "non-GAAP financial measure" is defined as a numerical measure of a company's financial performance, financial position or cash flows that excludes (or includes) amounts that are included in (or excluded from) the most directly comparable measure calculated and presented in accordance with GAAP in the company's financial statements

Non-GAAP financial measures utilized by the Company include presentations of earnings (loss) per share. ALLETE's management believes that these non-GAAP financial measures provide useful information to investors by removing the effect of variances in GAAP reported results of operations that are not indicative of changes in the fundamental earnings power of the Company's operations. Management believes that the presentation of the non-GAAP financial measures is appropriate and enables investors and analysts to more accurately compare the company's ongoing financial performance over the periods presented.

 
ALLETE, Inc.
Consolidated Statement of Income

For the Periods Ended December 31, 2015 and 2014

Millions Except Per Share Amounts

     
Quarter Ended Year to Date
      2015   2014   2015   2014
   
Operating Revenue     $380.6     $290.7     $1,486.4     $1,136.8  
Operating Expenses
Fuel and Purchased Power 85.2 87.4 328.1 356.1
Transmission Services 14.0 12.4 54.1 45.6
Cost of Sales 69.0 18.7 302.3 77.9
Operating and Maintenance 87.1 72.8 333.5 287.1
Depreciation and Amortization 46.5 36.2 170.0 135.7
Taxes Other than Income Taxes 12.9 11.7 51.4 45.6
Impairment of Real Estate     36.3     —     36.3     —  
Total Operating Expenses 351.0 239.2 1,275.7 948.0
Operating Income     29.6     51.5     210.7     188.8  
Other Income (Expense)
Interest Expense (15.9 ) (15.3 ) (64.9 ) (54.8 )
Equity Earnings in ATC 2.2 4.0 16.3 19.6
Other     1.2     2.6     4.7     8.6  
Total Other Expense     (12.5 )   (8.7 )   (43.9 )   (26.6 )
Income Before Income Taxes 17.1 42.8 166.8 162.2
Income Tax Expense (Benefit)     (1.7 )   9.6     25.3     36.7  
Net Income     18.8     33.2     141.5     125.5  
Less: Non-Controlling Interest in Subsidiaries     0.5     0.3     0.4     0.7  
Net Income Attributable to ALLETE     $18.3     $32.9     $141.1     $124.8  
Average Shares of Common Stock
Basic 49.0 45.2 48.3 42.9
Diluted     49.1     45.4     48.4     43.1  
Basic Earnings Per Share of Common Stock $0.37 $0.73 $2.92 $2.91
Diluted Earnings Per Share of Common Stock $0.37 $0.73 $2.92 $2.90
Dividends Per Share of Common Stock     $0.505     $0.49     $2.02     $1.96  
 
 
Consolidated Balance Sheet

Millions

                   
Dec. 31, Dec. 31, Dec. 31, Dec. 31,
      2015     2014           2015     2014
Assets Liabilities and Shareholders' Equity
Cash and Cash Equivalents $97.0 $145.8 Current Liabilities $275.4 $416.0
Other Current Assets 274.0 273.0 Long-Term Debt 1,568.7 1,272.8
Property, Plant and Equipment - Net 3,669.1 3,284.8 Deferred Income Taxes 579.8 510.7
Regulatory Assets 372.0 357.3 Regulatory Liabilities 105.0 94.2
Investment in ATC 124.5 121.1 Defined Benefit Pension & Other Postretirement Benefit Plans 206.8 190.9
Other Investments 74.6 114.4 Other Non-Current Liabilities 349.0 265.0
Goodwill and Intangibles - Net 215.2 4.8 Shareholders' Equity 1,822.4 1,611.2
Other Non-Current Assets     80.7     59.6                  
Total Assets     $4,907.1     $4,360.8     Total Liabilities and Shareholders' Equity     $4,907.1     $4,360.8
 
       
Quarter Ended Year to Date
ALLETE, Inc. December 31, December 31,
Income (Loss)     2015   2014     2015   2014
Millions    
Regulated Operations $23.5 $31.4 $131.6 $123.0
 
Energy Infrastructure and Related Services
ALLETE Clean Energy 11.2 2.1 29.9 3.3
U.S. Water Services (0.6 ) —

0.9

—
 
Corporate and Other     (15.8 )   (0.6 )     (21.3 )   (1.5 )
Net Income Attributable to ALLETE     $18.3     $32.9       $141.1     $124.8  
Diluted Earnings Per Share     $0.37     $0.73       $2.92     $2.90  
 
 
Statistical Data                    
Corporate
Common Stock
High $52.90 $57.97 $59.73 $57.97
Low $47.93 $44.19 $45.29 $44.19
Close $50.83 $55.14 $50.83 $55.14
Book Value $37.18 $35.04 $37.18 $35.04
 
 
Kilowatt-hours Sold                    
Millions
Regulated Utility
Retail and Municipal
Residential 280 313 1,113 1,204
Commercial 356 371 1,462 1,468
Municipal 204 221 833 864
Industrial     1,572     1,972       6,635     7,487  
Total Retail and Municipal 2,412 2,877 10,043 11,023
Other Power Suppliers     1,254     822       4,310     2,904  
Total Regulated Utility     3,666     3,699       14,353     13,927  
 
 
Regulated Utility Revenue                    
Millions
Regulated Operations
Retail and Municipal
Residential $28.9 $32.2 $115.2 $124.6
Commercial 33.1 33.9 132.9 134.8
Municipal 15.0 14.8 61.9 60.4
Industrial     103.7     118.1       424.4     455.7  
Total Retail and Municipal 180.7 199.0 734.4 775.5
Other Power Suppliers 43.9 30.6 154.7 115.5
Other     23.6     24.3       102.1     112.5  
Total Regulated Utility Revenue     $248.2     $253.9       $991.2     $1,003.5  
 

ALLETE, Inc.
Investor Contact:
Vince Meyer, 218-723-3952
vmeyer@allete.com

Source: ALLETE, Inc.

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