Integrys Energy Services Announces Definitive Agreement for Sale of Wholesale Electric Marketing Business
December 28 2009 - 7:00AM
PR Newswire (US)
Integrys Energy Group's collateral support requirements expected to
be reduced by more than $400 million when transaction is completed
in second quarter CHICAGO, Dec. 28 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ --
Integrys Energy Group, Inc. (NYSE:TEG) today announced that its
nonregulated subsidiary, Integrys Energy Services, Inc., (Energy
Services) has signed an agreement with Macquarie Cook Power, Inc.
to sell substantially all of its wholesale electric marketing and
trading business as part of Energy Services' intent to reduce the
size and scope of its operations. Macquarie Cook Power is a
subsidiary of Macquarie Group Limited (ASX:MQG). The transaction,
which will require approval from the Federal Energy Regulatory
Commission, does not include or directly affect the retail electric
or natural gas marketing business operated by Energy Services. The
transaction encompasses various power transactions, including
physical forwards, financial derivatives, capacity and transmission
rights. This portfolio of transactions had an annual average total
gross volume in excess of 125 million megawatt-hours (MWh) over the
past 3 years. The transaction will close in two steps. In the first
quarter of 2010, Energy Services expects to transfer substantially
all of the market risk associated with the transaction to Macquarie
by entering into trades with Macquarie Bank Limited that mirror
Energy Services' underlying commodity contracts. Energy Services
then expects to transfer title to the underlying commodity
contracts and close the deal with Macquarie Cook Power by the end
of the second quarter of 2010, at which time the mirror
transactions will terminate. This transaction is expected to reduce
collateral support requirements by approximately $400 million. The
transaction requires certain customary contractual consents and
regulatory approvals. "This transaction brings us another step
closer to achieving the ultimate goals of the strategy that we set
forth earlier this year, which is to reduce our capital investment
and collateral support requirements for Integrys Energy Services,"
said Charles A. Schrock, President and Chief Executive Officer of
Integrys Energy Group. "The terms of the sale of the wholesale
electric marketing business are in line with our expectations for
the nonregulated segment strategy." J.P. Morgan Securities acted as
exclusive financial advisor to Integrys Energy Group and Thorndike
Landing acted as lead advisor to Integrys Energy Services for this
transaction. Forward-Looking Statements This news release contains
forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 21E of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934. You can identify these statements
by the fact that they do not relate strictly to historical or
current facts and often include words such as "anticipate,"
"expect," "intend," and other similar words. Forward-looking
statements are beyond the ability of Integrys Energy Group to
control and, in many cases, Integrys Energy Group cannot predict
what factors would cause actual results to differ materially from
those indicated by forward-looking statements. Please see Integrys
Energy Group's periodic reports filed with the Securities and
Exchange Commission (including its 10-K and 10-Qs) for a listing of
certain factors that could cause actual results to differ
materially from those contained in forward-looking statements.
About Macquarie Macquarie Group (Macquarie) is a global provider of
banking, financial, advisory, investment and funds management
services. Macquarie's main business focus is making returns by
providing a diversified range of services to clients. Macquarie
acts on behalf of institutional, corporate and retail clients and
counterparties around the world. Macquarie Group Limited is listed
in Australia (ASX:MQG) and is regulated by APRA, the Australian
banking regulator, as the owner of Macquarie Bank Limited, an
authorized deposit taker. Macquarie's activities are subject to the
regulation by over 100 agencies around the world. Founded in 1969,
Macquarie operates in more than 28 countries and employs over
12,700 people. Assets under management total more than $US191
billion (as of September 30, 2009). Through its Fixed Income,
Currencies and Commodities (FICC) Group, Macquarie is active in a
broad range of financial and physical commodities markets globally,
with a worldwide team of professionals who have in-depth knowledge
across a range of commodity sectors. More information about
Macquarie Group is available online at Macquarie Group. About
Integrys Energy Group, Inc. Integrys Energy Group is a diversified
holding company with regulated utility operations operating through
six wholly owned subsidiaries, Wisconsin Public Service
Corporation, The Peoples Gas Light and Coke Company, North Shore
Gas Company, Upper Peninsula Power Company, Michigan Gas Utilities
Corporation, and Minnesota Energy Resources Corporation;
nonregulated operations serving competitive energy markets through
its wholly owned nonregulated subsidiary, Integrys Energy Services;
and also a 34% equity ownership interest in American Transmission
Company LLC (an electric transmission company operating in
Wisconsin, Michigan, Minnesota, and Illinois). More information
about Integrys Energy Group, Inc. is available online at Integrys
Energy Group, Inc. DATASOURCE: Integrys Energy Group, Inc. CONTACT:
Steven P. Eschbach, CFA, Vice President - Investor Relations - of
Integrys Energy Group, Inc., +1-312-228-5408 Web Site:
http://www.integrysgroup.com/ http://www.macquarie.com/
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