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SPIRE INC - Quarter Report: 2023 June (Form 10-Q)

spre20230630_10q.htm
 

 

Table of Contents



UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D. C. 20549

 

FORM 10-Q

(Mark One)

 

 

QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 or 15 (d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the quarterly period ended June 30, 2023

  

or

 

TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 or 15 (d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the transition period from                           to

 

Commission

File Number

 

Name of Registrant, Address of Principal

Executive Offices and Telephone Number

 

State of Incorporation

 

I.R.S. Employer Identification Number

       

1-16681

 

Spire Inc.

700 Market Street

St. Louis, MO 63101

314-342-0500

 

Missouri

 

74-2976504

       

1-1822

 

Spire Missouri Inc.

700 Market Street

St. Louis, MO 63101

314-342-0500

 

Missouri

 

43-0368139

       

2-38960

 

Spire Alabama Inc.

605 Richard Arrington Blvd N

Birmingham, AL 35203

205-326-8100

 

Alabama

 

63-0022000

 

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”) (only applicable for Spire Inc.):

 

Title of each class

 

Trading Symbol(s)

 

Name of each exchange on which registered

     

Common Stock $1.00 par value

 

SR

 

New York Stock Exchange LLC

     

Depositary Shares, each representing a 1/1,000th interest in a share of 5.90% Series A Cumulative Redeemable Perpetual Preferred Stock, par value $25.00 per share

 

SR.PRA

 

New York Stock Exchange LLC

 

Indicate by check mark whether each registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such report) and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.

Spire Inc.

 

Yes ☒

 

No ☐

Spire Missouri Inc.

 

Yes ☒

 

No ☐

Spire Alabama Inc.

 

Yes ☒

 

No ☐

 

Indicate by check mark whether each registrant has submitted electronically every Interactive Data File required to be submitted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit such files).

Spire Inc.

 

Yes ☒

 

No ☐

Spire Missouri Inc.

 

Yes ☒

 

No ☐

Spire Alabama Inc.

 

Yes ☒

 

No ☐

 

 

Indicate by check mark whether each registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, a smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” “smaller reporting company,” and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.

 

  

Large
accelerated filer

 

Accelerated
filer

 

Non-
accelerated filer

 

Smaller
reporting company

 

Emerging growth company

Spire Inc.

 

X

        

Spire Missouri Inc.

     

X

    

Spire Alabama Inc.

     

X

    

 

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if each registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act.

Spire Inc.

 

       ☐

  

Spire Missouri Inc.

 

       ☐

  

Spire Alabama Inc.

 

       ☐

  

 

Indicate by check mark whether each registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).

Spire Inc.

 

Yes ☐

 

No ☒

Spire Missouri Inc.

 

Yes ☐

 

No ☒

Spire Alabama Inc.

 

Yes ☐

 

No ☒

 

The number of shares outstanding of each registrant’s common stock as of July 31, 2023, was as follows:

Spire Inc.

 

Common Stock, par value $1.00 per share

 

52,603,138

 

Spire Missouri Inc.

 

Common Stock, par value $1.00 per share (all owned by Spire Inc.)

 

25,325

 

Spire Alabama Inc.

 

Common Stock, par value $0.01 per share (all owned by Spire Inc.)

 

1,972,052

 

 

Spire Missouri Inc. and Spire Alabama Inc. meet the conditions set forth in General Instructions H(1)(a) and (b) to Form 10-Q and are therefore filing this Form 10-Q with the reduced disclosure format specified in General Instructions H(2) to Form 10-Q.

 

This combined Form 10-Q represents separate filings by Spire Inc., Spire Missouri Inc., and Spire Alabama Inc. Information contained herein relating to an individual registrant is filed by that registrant on its own behalf. Each registrant makes no representation as to information relating to the other registrants, except that information relating to Spire Missouri Inc. and Spire Alabama Inc. are also attributed to Spire Inc.



 

 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

     
   

Page No.

     

GLOSSARY

2
       

PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION

 

Item 1

Financial Statements (Unaudited)

 
 

Spire Inc.

 
 

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income

4

 

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income

5

 

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets

6

 

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Shareholders’ Equity

8

 

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

10

 

Spire Missouri Inc.

 
 

Condensed Statements of Comprehensive Income

11

 

Condensed Balance Sheets

12

 

Condensed Statements of Shareholder’s Equity

14

 

Condensed Statements of Cash Flows

15

 

Spire Alabama Inc.

 
 

Condensed Statements of Income

16

 

Condensed Balance Sheets

17

 

Condensed Statements of Shareholder’s Equity

19

 

Condensed Statements of Cash Flows

20

 

Notes to Financial Statements

 
 

Note 1. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

21

 

Note 2. Revenue

24

 

Note 3. Earnings Per Common Share

25

  Note 4. Shareholders' Equity 25
 

Note 5. Regulatory Matters

26

 

Note 6. Financing

31

 

Note 7. Fair Value of Financial Instruments

32

 

Note 8. Fair Value Measurements

34

 

Note 9. Pension Plans and Other Postretirement Benefits

37

 

Note 10. Information by Operating Segment

40

 

Note 11. Commitments and Contingencies

43

Item 2

Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

46

Item 3

Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

64

Item 4

Controls and Procedures

64

       

PART II. OTHER INFORMATION

 

Item 1

Legal Proceedings

65

Item 1A

Risk Factors

65

Item 2

Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds

65

Item 3

Defaults upon Senior Securities

65

Item 4

Mine Safety Disclosures

65

Item 5

Other Information

65

Item 6

Exhibits

66

       

SIGNATURES

67

 

 

 

 

GLOSSARY OF KEY TERMS AND ABBREVIATIONS

 

APSC

Alabama Public Service Commission

 

PGA

Purchased Gas Adjustment

         

ASC

Accounting Standards Codification

 

RSE

Rate Stabilization and Equalization

         

Company

Spire and its subsidiaries unless the context suggests otherwise

 

SEC

U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission

         

Degree days

The average of a day’s high and low temperature below 65, subtracted from 65, multiplied by the number of days impacted

 

Spire

Spire Inc.

         

FASB

Financial Accounting Standards Board

 

Spire Alabama

Spire Alabama Inc.

         

FERC

Federal Energy Regulatory Commission

 

Spire EnergySouth

Spire EnergySouth Inc., the parent of Spire Gulf and Spire Mississippi

         

GAAP

Accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America

 

Spire Gulf

Spire Gulf Inc.

         

Gas Marketing

Segment including Spire Marketing, which provides natural gas marketing services

 

Spire Marketing

Spire Marketing Inc.

         

Gas Utility

Segment including the operations of the Utilities

 

Spire Mississippi

Spire Mississippi Inc.

         

GSA

Gas Supply Adjustment

 

Spire Missouri

Spire Missouri Inc.

         

ISRS

Infrastructure System Replacement Surcharge

 

Spire STL Pipeline

Spire STL Pipeline LLC, or the 65-mile FERC-regulated pipeline it constructed and operates to deliver natural gas into eastern Missouri

         

Midstream

Segment including Spire Storage and Spire STL Pipeline

 

Spire Storage

The physical natural gas storage operations of Spire Storage West LLC and Spire Storage Salt Plains LLC

         

MoPSC

Missouri Public Service Commission

 

U.S.

United States

         

MSPSC

Mississippi Public Service Commission

 

Utilities

Spire Missouri, Spire Alabama and the subsidiaries of Spire EnergySouth

         
O&M Operation and maintenance expense      

 

 

PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION

 

The interim financial statements included herein have been prepared by three separate registrants — Spire Inc. (“Spire” or the “Company”), Spire Missouri Inc. (“Spire Missouri”) and Spire Alabama Inc. (“Spire Alabama”) — without audit, pursuant to the rules and regulations of the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). These financial statements should be read in conjunction with the financial statements and the notes thereto included in the registrants’ combined Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2022.

 

The Financial Information in this Part I includes separate financial statements (i.e., statements of income and comprehensive income, balance sheets, statements of shareholders’ equity and statements of cash flows) for Spire, Spire Missouri and Spire Alabama. The Notes to Financial Statements and Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations are also included and presented herein on a combined basis for Spire, Spire Missouri and Spire Alabama.

 

 

 

Item 1. Financial Statements

 

SPIRE INC.

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME

(UNAUDITED)

 

   

Three Months Ended June 30,

   

Nine Months Ended June 30,

 

(In millions, except per share amounts)

 

2023

   

2022

   

2023

   

2022

 

Operating Revenues

  $ 418.5     $ 448.0     $ 2,355.9     $ 1,884.3  

Operating Expenses:

                               

Natural gas

    169.8       203.3       1,175.5       844.5  

Operation and maintenance

    125.5       102.3       389.7       331.9  

Depreciation and amortization

    64.3       60.4       189.0       176.2  

Taxes, other than income taxes

    46.9       44.1       179.2       153.3  

Total Operating Expenses

    406.5       410.1       1,933.4       1,505.9  

Operating Income

    12.0       37.9       422.5       378.4  

Interest Expense, Net

    46.7       29.3       137.5       85.4  

Other Income (Expense), Net

    6.3       (12.1 )     19.3       (8.1 )

(Loss) Income Before Income Taxes

    (28.4 )     (3.5 )     304.3       284.9  

Income Tax (Benefit) Expense

    (6.8 )     (2.1 )     55.7       57.0  

Net (Loss) Income

    (21.6 )     (1.4 )     248.6       227.9  

Provision for preferred dividends

    3.7       3.7       11.1       11.1  

(Loss) income allocated to participating securities

    (0.1 )           0.4       0.3  

Net (Loss) Income Available to Common Shareholders

  $ (25.2 )   $ (5.1 )   $ 237.1     $ 216.5  
                                 

Weighted Average Number of Common Shares Outstanding:

                               

Basic

    52.5       52.2       52.5       51.9  

Diluted

    52.5       52.2       52.6       52.0  

Basic (Loss) Earnings Per Common Share

  $ (0.48 )   $ (0.10 )   $ 4.52     $ 4.17  

Diluted (Loss) Earnings Per Common Share

  $ (0.48 )   $ (0.10 )   $ 4.51     $ 4.16  

 

See the accompanying Notes to Financial Statements.

 

 

 

SPIRE INC.

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

(UNAUDITED)

 

   

Three Months Ended June 30,

   

Nine Months Ended June 30,

 

(In millions)

 

2023

   

2022

   

2023

   

2022

 

Net (Loss) Income

  $ (21.6 )   $ (1.4 )   $ 248.6     $ 227.9  

Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Before Tax:

                               

Cash flow hedging derivative instruments:

                               

Net hedging gain (loss) arising during the period

    7.6       24.3       (2.2 )     38.2  

Amounts reclassified into regulatory liabilities

                (17.5 )      

Amounts reclassified into net income

    (0.8 )     (0.2 )     (1.6 )     (0.9 )

Net gain (loss) on cash flow hedging derivative instruments

    6.8       24.1       (21.3 )     37.3  

Net gain on defined benefit pension and other postretirement plans

          0.2       0.2       0.4  

Net unrealized gain (loss) on available for sale securities

    0.1       (0.1 )     0.1       (0.3 )

Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Before Tax

    6.9       24.2       (21.0 )     37.4  

Income Tax Expense (Benefit) Related to Items of Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)

    1.6       5.7       (5.0 )     8.8  

Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax

    5.3       18.5       (16.0 )     28.6  

Comprehensive (Loss) Income

  $ (16.3 )   $ 17.1     $ 232.6     $ 256.5  

 

See the accompanying Notes to Financial Statements.

 

 

 

SPIRE INC.

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(UNAUDITED)

 

  

June 30,

  

September 30,

  

June 30,

 

(Dollars in millions, except per share amounts)

 

2023

  

2022

  

2022

 

ASSETS

            

Utility Plant

 $8,016.7  $7,664.9  $7,549.7 

Less: Accumulated depreciation and amortization

  2,382.9   2,294.5   2,256.7 

Net Utility Plant

  5,633.8   5,370.4   5,293.0 

Non-utility Property (net of accumulated depreciation and amortization of $65.7, $50.7 and $46.0 at June 30, 2023, September 30, 2022, and June 30, 2022, respectively)

  582.7   491.4   476.9 

Other Investments

  102.5   87.8   90.5 

Total Other Property and Investments

  685.2   579.2   567.4 

Current Assets:

            

Cash and cash equivalents

  5.3   6.5   16.0 

Accounts receivable:

            

Utility

  245.9   210.8   266.1 

Other

  127.4   443.8   353.7 

Allowance for credit losses

  (34.7)  (31.9)  (32.6)

Delayed customer billings

  58.6   21.3   45.4 

Inventories:

            

Natural gas

  184.9   371.8   250.8 

Propane gas

  8.6   8.6   8.6 

Materials and supplies

  49.6   41.9   40.9 

Regulatory assets

  93.3   355.4   152.0 

Prepayments

  55.1   41.1   55.0 

Other

  67.2   122.7   105.2 

Total Current Assets

  861.2   1,592.0   1,261.1 

Deferred Charges and Other Assets:

            

Goodwill

  1,171.6   1,171.6   1,171.6 

Regulatory assets

  1,421.2   1,112.4   1,205.6 

Other

  264.5   258.1   285.2 

Total Deferred Charges and Other Assets

  2,857.3   2,542.1   2,662.4 

Total Assets

 $10,037.5  $10,083.7  $9,783.9 

 

 

 

 

SPIRE INC.

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (Continued)

(UNAUDITED)

 

  

June 30,

  

September 30,

  

June 30,

 
  

2023

  

2022

  

2022

 

CAPITALIZATION AND LIABILITIES

            

Capitalization:

            

Preferred stock ($25.00 par value per share; 10.0 million depositary shares authorized, issued and outstanding at June 30, 2023, September 30, 2022, and June 30, 2022)

 $242.0  $242.0  $242.0 

Common stock (par value $1.00 per share; 70.0 million shares authorized; 52.6 million, 52.5 million, and 52.5 million shares issued and outstanding at June 30, 2023, September 30, 2022, and June 30, 2022, respectively)

  52.6   52.5   52.5 

Paid-in capital

  1,578.3   1,571.3   1,570.0 

Retained earnings

  1,028.4   905.5   949.2 

Accumulated other comprehensive income

  31.2   47.2   32.2 

Total Shareholders' Equity

  2,932.5   2,818.5   2,845.9 

Temporary equity

  17.7   13.1   15.0 

Long-term debt (less current portion)

  3,553.3   2,958.5   3,207.9 

Total Capitalization

  6,503.5   5,790.1   6,068.8 

Current Liabilities:

            

Current portion of long-term debt

  406.6   281.2   31.2 

Notes payable

  557.6   1,037.5   709.2 

Accounts payable

  196.3   617.4   581.2 

Advance customer billings

  7.6   18.7   7.6 

Wages and compensation accrued

  35.9   50.2   50.0 

Customer deposits

  27.7   28.2   28.6 

Taxes accrued

  88.5   90.1   76.8 

Regulatory liabilities

  5.5   3.7   3.2 

Other

  204.7   226.6   262.1 

Total Current Liabilities

  1,530.4   2,353.6   1,749.9 

Deferred Credits and Other Liabilities:

            

Deferred income taxes

  735.9   675.1   675.8 

Pension and postretirement benefit costs

  154.7   163.0   199.6 

Asset retirement obligations

  538.1   520.9   535.4 

Regulatory liabilities

  428.1   418.2   389.0 

Other

  146.8   162.8   165.4 

Total Deferred Credits and Other Liabilities

  2,003.6   1,940.0   1,965.2 

Commitments and Contingencies (Note 11)

               

Total Capitalization and Liabilities

 $10,037.5  $10,083.7  $9,783.9 

 

See the accompanying Notes to Financial Statements.

 

 

 

SPIRE INC.

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF SHAREHOLDERS EQUITY

(UNAUDITED)

 

  

Common Stock

  

Preferred

  

Paid-in

  

Retained

         

(Dollars in millions)

 

Shares

  

Par

  

Stock

  

Capital

  

Earnings

  

AOCI*

  

Total

 

Three Months Ended June 30, 2023:

                            

Balance at March 31, 2023

  52,593,433  $52.6  $242.0  $1,576.5  $1,089.5  $25.9  $2,986.5 

Net loss

              (21.6)     (21.6)

Dividend reinvestment plan

  5,367         0.4         0.4 

Stock-based compensation costs

           1.4         1.4 

Stock activity under stock-based compensation plans

  (609)                  

Employees’ tax withholding for stock-based compensation

  (262)                  

Temporary equity adjustment to redemption value

              2.8      2.8 

Dividends declared:

                            

Common stock ($0.72 per share)

              (38.6)     (38.6)

Preferred stock ($0.36875 per depositary share)

              (3.7)     (3.7)

Other comprehensive income, net of tax

                 5.3   5.3 

Balance at June 30, 2023

  52,597,929  $52.6  $242.0  $1,578.3  $1,028.4  $31.2  $2,932.5 
                             

Nine Months Ended June 30, 2023:

                            

Balance at September 30, 2022

  52,494,543  $52.5  $242.0  $1,571.3  $905.5  $47.2  $2,818.5 

Net income

              248.6      248.6 

Common stock issued

  40,500   0.1      2.9         3.0 

Dividend reinvestment plan

  16,488         1.1         1.1 

Stock-based compensation costs

           4.3         4.3 

Stock activity under stock-based compensation plans

  64,077                   

Employees’ tax withholding for stock-based compensation

  (17,679)        (1.3)        (1.3)

Temporary equity adjustment to redemption value

              (0.2)     (0.2)

Dividends declared:

                            

Common stock ($2.16 per share)

              (114.4)     (114.4)

Preferred stock ($1.10625 per depositary share)

              (11.1)     (11.1)

Other comprehensive loss, net of tax

                 (16.0)  (16.0)

Balance at June 30, 2023

  52,597,929  $52.6  $242.0  $1,578.3  $1,028.4  $31.2  $2,932.5 

 

 

 

SPIRE INC.

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF SHAREHOLDERS EQUITY (Continued)

(UNAUDITED)

 

  

Common Stock

  

Preferred

  

Paid-in

  

Retained

         
  

Shares

  

Par

  

Stock

  

Capital

  

Earnings

  

AOCI*

  

Total

 

Three Months Ended June 30, 2022:

                            

Balance at March 31, 2022

  52,116,667  $52.1  $242.0  $1,541.1  $992.3  $13.7  $2,841.2 

Net loss

              (1.4)     (1.4)

Common stock issued

  365,625   0.4      27.2         27.6 

Dividend reinvestment plan

  5,245         0.4         0.4 

Stock-based compensation costs

           1.3         1.3 

Stock activity under stock-based compensation plans

  (135)                  

Employees’ tax withholding for stock-based compensation

  (620)                  

Temporary equity adjustment to redemption value

              (2.2)     (2.2)

Dividends declared:

                            

Common stock ($0.685 per share)

              (35.8)     (35.8)

Preferred stock ($0.36875 per depositary share)

              (3.7)     (3.7)

Other comprehensive income, net of tax

                 18.5   18.5 

Balance at June 30, 2022

  52,486,782  $52.5  $242.0  $1,570.0  $949.2  $32.2  $2,845.9 
                             

Nine Months Ended June 30, 2022:

                            

Balance at September 30, 2021

  51,684,883  $51.7  $242.0  $1,517.9  $843.0  $3.6  $2,658.2 

Net income

              227.9      227.9 

Common stock issued

  719,625   0.7      50.0         50.7 

Dividend reinvestment plan

  18,514         1.2         1.2 

Stock-based compensation costs

           2.7         2.7 

Stock activity under stock-based compensation plans

  91,293   0.1      (0.1)         

Employees’ tax withholding for stock-based compensation

  (27,533)        (1.7)        (1.7)

Temporary equity adjustment to redemption value

              (3.4)     (3.4)

Dividends declared:

                            

Common stock ($2.055 per share)

              (107.2)     (107.2)

Preferred stock ($1.10625 per depository share)

              (11.1)     (11.1)

Other comprehensive income, net of tax

                 28.6   28.6 

Balance at June 30, 2022

  52,486,782  $52.5  $242.0  $1,570.0  $949.2  $32.2  $2,845.9 

 

* Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)

 

See the accompanying Notes to Financial Statements.

 

 

 

SPIRE INC.

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(UNAUDITED)

 

  

Nine Months Ended June 30,

 

(In millions)

 

2023

  

2022

 

Operating Activities:

        

Net Income

 $248.6  $227.9 

Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:

        

Depreciation and amortization

  189.0   176.2 

Deferred income taxes and investment tax credits

  55.7   57.0 

Changes in assets and liabilities:

        

Accounts receivable

  284.1   9.1 

Inventories

  179.3   4.9 

Regulatory assets and liabilities

  (18.0)  (323.8)

Accounts payable

  (405.6)  180.3 

Delayed/advance customer billings, net

  (48.5)  (60.8)

Taxes accrued

  (2.3)  (2.2)

Other assets and liabilities

  (88.4)  (70.1)

Other

  10.2   6.1 

Net cash provided by operating activities

  404.1   204.6 

Investing Activities:

        

Capital expenditures

  (483.3)  (402.5)

Business acquisition

  (37.0)   

Other

  3.9   4.2 

Net cash used in investing activities

  (516.4)  (398.3)

Financing Activities:

        

Issuance of long-term debt

  755.0   300.0 

Repayment of long-term debt

  (31.2)  (55.8)

(Repayment) issuance of short-term debt, net

  (479.9)  37.2 

Issuance of common stock

  4.0   51.9 

Dividends paid on common stock

  (112.5)  (105.9)

Dividends paid on preferred stock

  (11.1)  (11.1)

Other

  (7.5)  (3.8)

Net cash provided by financing activities

  116.8   212.5 

Net Increase in Cash, Cash Equivalents, and Restricted Cash

  4.5   18.8 

Cash, Cash Equivalents, and Restricted Cash at Beginning of Period

  20.5   11.3 

Cash, Cash Equivalents, and Restricted Cash at End of Period

 $25.0  $30.1 
         

Supplemental disclosure of cash paid for:

        

Interest, net of amounts capitalized

 $(118.2) $(80.2)

Income taxes

  (1.8)  (0.7)

 

See the accompanying Notes to Financial Statements.

 

 

 

SPIRE MISSOURI INC.

CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

(UNAUDITED)

 

   

Three Months Ended June 30,

   

Nine Months Ended June 30,

 

(In millions)

 

2023

   

2022

   

2023

   

2022

 

Operating Revenues

  $ 253.8     $ 236.7     $ 1,586.0     $ 1,155.8  

Operating Expenses:

                               

Natural gas

    105.5       94.7       887.9       538.8  

Operation and maintenance

    71.1       59.5       225.6       190.1  

Depreciation and amortization

    40.0       37.3       117.8       107.4  

Taxes, other than income taxes

    34.4       32.3       132.0       111.0  

Total Operating Expenses

    251.0       223.8       1,363.3       947.3  

Operating Income

    2.8       12.9       222.7       208.5  

Interest Expense, Net

    24.9       14.7       71.5       43.4  

Other Income (Expense), Net

    4.7       (9.7 )     15.6       (6.2 )

Income (Loss) Before Income Taxes

    (17.4 )     (11.5 )     166.8       158.9  

Income Tax (Benefit) Expense

    (3.6 )     (3.1 )     21.2       23.8  

Net (Loss) Income

    (13.8 )     (8.4 )     145.6       135.1  

Other Comprehensive Income, Net of Tax

          0.2       0.2       0.4  

Comprehensive (Loss) Income

  $ (13.8 )   $ (8.2 )   $ 145.8     $ 135.5  

 

See the accompanying Notes to Financial Statements.

 

 

 

SPIRE MISSOURI INC.

CONDENSED BALANCE SHEETS

(UNAUDITED)

 

  

June 30,

  

September 30,

  

June 30,

 

(Dollars in millions, except per share amounts)

 

2023

  

2022

  

2022

 

ASSETS

            

Utility Plant

 $4,831.2  $4,550.4  $4,498.7 

Less: Accumulated depreciation and amortization

  1,037.6   982.1   965.7 

Net Utility Plant

  3,793.6   3,568.3   3,533.0 

Other Property and Investments

  67.7   58.9   61.3 

Current Assets:

            

Cash and cash equivalents

        7.0 

Accounts receivable:

            

Utility

  186.8   131.5   162.2 

Associated companies

  7.1   3.7   1.7 

Other

  23.0   44.5   12.2 

Allowance for credit losses

  (28.7)  (24.9)  (25.1)

Delayed customer billings

  57.0   16.1   43.7 

Inventories:

            

Natural gas

  98.5   215.3   140.4 

Propane gas

  8.6   8.6   8.6 

Materials and supplies

  25.1   22.0   22.1 

Regulatory assets

  35.0   288.1   89.9 

Prepayments

  34.5   23.3   31.6 

Total Current Assets

  446.9   728.2   494.3 

Deferred Charges and Other Assets:

            

Goodwill

  210.2   210.2   210.2 

Regulatory assets

  819.1   547.6   664.6 

Other

  108.4   105.0   127.2 

Total Deferred Charges and Other Assets

  1,137.7   862.8   1,002.0 

Total Assets

 $5,445.9  $5,218.2  $5,090.6 

  

 

 

SPIRE MISSOURI INC.

CONDENSED BALANCE SHEETS (Continued)

(UNAUDITED)

 

  

June 30,

  

September 30,

  

June 30,

 
  

2023

  

2022

  

2022

 

CAPITALIZATION AND LIABILITIES

            

Capitalization:

            

Paid-in capital and common stock (par value $1.00 per share; 50.0 million shares authorized; 25,325 shares issued and outstanding)

 $816.2  $816.2  $816.2 

Retained earnings

  1,034.0   931.9   952.1 

Accumulated other comprehensive loss

  (2.5)  (2.7)  (3.8)

Total Shareholder's Equity

  1,847.7   1,745.4   1,764.5 

Long-term debt (less current portion)

  1,785.1   1,387.7   1,637.4 

Total Capitalization

  3,632.8   3,133.1   3,401.9 

Current Liabilities:

            

Current portion of long-term debt

  250.0   250.0    

Notes payable – associated companies

  228.1   445.3   285.4 

Accounts payable

  63.3   119.0   110.5 

Accounts payable – associated companies

  13.3   13.3   15.5 

Advance customer billings

     7.0    

Wages and compensation accrued

  18.3   33.8   33.7 

Customer deposits

  5.8   6.5   7.1 

Taxes accrued

  49.3   50.4   41.0 

Other

  43.6   45.6   45.1 

Total Current Liabilities

  671.7   970.9   538.3 

Deferred Credits and Other Liabilities:

            

Deferred income taxes

  533.7   500.1   501.6 

Pension and postretirement benefit costs

  96.4   115.5   142.0 

Asset retirement obligations

  113.9   110.6   147.8 

Regulatory liabilities

  346.1   331.8   300.8 

Other

  51.3   56.2   58.2 

Total Deferred Credits and Other Liabilities

  1,141.4   1,114.2   1,150.4 

Commitments and Contingencies (Note 11)

               

Total Capitalization and Liabilities

 $5,445.9  $5,218.2  $5,090.6 

 

See the accompanying Notes to Financial Statements.

 

 

 

SPIRE MISSOURI INC.

CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF SHAREHOLDERS EQUITY

(UNAUDITED)

 

   

Common Stock

   

Paid-in

   

Retained

                 

(Dollars in millions)

 

Shares

   

Par

   

Capital

   

Earnings

   

AOCI*

   

Total

 

Three Months Ended June 30, 2023:

                                               

Balance at March 31, 2023

    25,325     $ 0.1     $ 816.1     $ 1,061.3     $ (2.5 )   $ 1,875.0  

Net loss

                      (13.8 )           (13.8 )

Dividends declared

                      (13.5 )           (13.5 )

Balance at June 30, 2023

    25,325     $ 0.1     $ 816.1     $ 1,034.0     $ (2.5 )   $ 1,847.7  
                                                 

Nine Months Ended June 30, 2023:

                                               

Balance at September 30, 2022

    25,325     $ 0.1     $ 816.1     $ 931.9     $ (2.7 )   $ 1,745.4  

Net income

                      145.6             145.6  

Dividends declared

                      (43.5 )           (43.5 )

Other comprehensive income, net of tax

                            0.2       0.2  

Balance at June 30, 2023

    25,325     $ 0.1     $ 816.1     $ 1,034.0     $ (2.5 )   $ 1,847.7  
                                                 

Three Months Ended June 30, 2022:

                                               

Balance at March 31, 2022

    24,929     $ 0.1     $ 788.3     $ 960.5     $ (4.0 )   $ 1,744.9  

Net loss

                      (8.4 )           (8.4 )

Common stock issued to Spire Inc.

    396             27.8                   27.8  

Other comprehensive income, net of tax

                            0.2       0.2  

Balance at June 30, 2022

    25,325     $ 0.1     $ 816.1     $ 952.1     $ (3.8 )   $ 1,764.5  
                                                 

Nine Months Ended June 30, 2022:

                                               

Balance at September 30, 2021

    24,577     $ 0.1     $ 765.0     $ 817.0     $ (4.2 )   $ 1,577.9  

Net income

                      135.1             135.1  

Common stock issued to Spire Inc.

    748             51.1                   51.1  

Other comprehensive income, net of tax

                            0.4       0.4  

Balance at June 30, 2022

    25,325     $ 0.1     $ 816.1     $ 952.1     $ (3.8 )   $ 1,764.5  

 

* Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)

 

See the accompanying Notes to Financial Statements.

 

 

 

SPIRE MISSOURI INC.

CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(UNAUDITED)

 

   

Nine Months Ended June 30,

 

(In millions)

 

2023

   

2022

 

Operating Activities:

               

Net Income

  $ 145.6     $ 135.1  

Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:

               

Depreciation and amortization

    117.8       107.4  

Deferred income taxes and investment tax credits

    21.2       23.8  

Changes in assets and liabilities:

               

Accounts receivable

    (33.3 )     167.6  

Inventories

    113.7       29.4  

Regulatory assets and liabilities

    1.2       (260.8 )

Accounts payable

    (43.6 )     25.8  

Delayed/advance customer billings, net

    (47.9 )     (61.0 )

Taxes accrued

    (1.1 )     (0.2 )

Other assets and liabilities

    (88.4 )     (48.5 )

Other

    1.3       1.0  

Net cash provided by operating activities

    186.5       119.6  

Investing Activities:

               

Capital expenditures

    (324.8 )     (258.7 )

Other

    2.9       2.6  

Net cash used in investing activities

    (321.9 )     (256.1 )

Financing Activities:

               

Issuance of long-term debt

    400.0       300.0  

Repayment of short-term debt, net

          (250.0 )

(Repayments to) Borrowings from Spire, net

    (217.2 )     44.5  

Issuance of common stock

          51.1  

Dividends paid

    (43.5 )      

Other

    (3.9 )     (2.1 )

Net cash provided by financing activities

    135.4       143.5  

Net Change in Cash and Cash Equivalents

          7.0  

Cash and Cash Equivalents at Beginning of Period

           

Cash and Cash Equivalents at End of Period

  $     $ 7.0  
                 

Supplemental disclosure of cash paid for:

               

Interest, net of amounts capitalized

  $ (64.7 )   $ (43.9 )

Income taxes

           

 

See the accompanying Notes to Financial Statements.

 

 

 

SPIRE ALABAMA INC.

CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF INCOME

(UNAUDITED)

 

   

Three Months Ended June 30,

   

Nine Months Ended June 30,

 

(In millions)

 

2023

   

2022

   

2023

   

2022

 

Operating Revenues

  $ 113.1     $ 115.7     $ 483.8     $ 446.4  

Operating Expenses:

                               

Natural gas

    42.7       41.0       173.9       138.6  

Operation and maintenance

    33.4       29.2       103.0       96.6  

Depreciation and amortization

    17.5       16.9       51.5       50.1  

Taxes, other than income taxes

    9.3       8.6       36.0       32.1  

Total Operating Expenses

    102.9       95.7       364.4       317.4  

Operating Income

    10.2       20.0       119.4       129.0  

Interest Expense, Net

    8.7       5.2       26.0       15.0  

Other Income (Expense) Net

    0.4       (0.7 )     1.1       (0.2 )

Income Before Income Taxes

    1.9       14.1       94.5       113.8  

Income Tax Expense

 

0.6

   

3.6

      24.0       28.7  

Net Income

  $ 1.3     $ 10.5     $ 70.5     $ 85.1  

 

See the accompanying Notes to Financial Statements.

 

 

 

SPIRE ALABAMA INC.

CONDENSED BALANCE SHEETS

(UNAUDITED)

 

   

June 30,

   

September 30,

   

June 30,

 

(Dollars in millions, except per share amounts)

 

2023

   

2022

   

2022

 

ASSETS

                       

Utility Plant

  $ 2,803.8     $ 2,732.6     $ 2,663.0  

Less: Accumulated depreciation and amortization

    1,224.5       1,184.1       1,153.8  

Net Utility Plant

    1,579.3       1,548.5       1,509.2  

Current Assets:

                       

Cash and cash equivalents

    0.5       2.4       3.7  

Accounts receivable:

                       

Utility

    50.1       69.9       92.9  

Associated companies

    3.6       1.3       0.8  

Other

    6.4       6.5       5.8  

Allowance for credit losses

    (5.3 )     (6.3 )     (6.6 )

Delayed customer billings

    1.4       4.8       1.6  

Inventories:

                       

Natural gas

    51.9       72.5       69.1  

Materials and supplies

    20.6       16.3       15.3  

Regulatory assets

    43.9       56.9       52.9  

Prepayments

    8.8       5.8       8.3  

Total Current Assets

    181.9       230.1       243.8  

Deferred Charges and Other Assets:

                       

Regulatory assets

    576.7       538.2       514.1  

Deferred income taxes

          11.0       5.5  

Other

    82.0       81.3       81.0  

Total Deferred Charges and Other Assets

    658.7       630.5       600.6  

Total Assets

  $ 2,419.9     $ 2,409.1     $ 2,353.6  

 

 

 

 

SPIRE ALABAMA INC.

CONDENSED BALANCE SHEETS (Continued)

(UNAUDITED)

 

  

June 30,

  

September 30,

  

June 30,

 
  

2023

  

2022

  

2022

 

CAPITALIZATION AND LIABILITIES

            

Capitalization:

            

Paid-in capital and common stock (par value $0.01 per share; 3.0 million shares authorized; 2.0 million shares issued and outstanding)

 $286.9  $316.9  $316.9 

Retained earnings

  646.6   589.1   613.7 

Total Shareholder's Equity

  933.5   906.0   930.6 

Long-term debt

  745.8   571.5   571.4 

Total Capitalization

  1,679.3   1,477.5   1,502.0 

Current Liabilities:

            

Notes payable – associated companies

  108.1   260.9   196.3 

Accounts payable

  28.2   85.6   85.7 

Accounts payable – associated companies

  7.2   4.4   8.1 

Advance customer billings

  5.9   9.9   6.1 

Wages and compensation accrued

  4.9   7.6   7.6 

Customer deposits

 

19.3

   19.0   18.9 

Taxes accrued

  31.6   31.3   29.3 

Other

  12.2   22.4   21.3 

Total Current Liabilities

  217.4   441.1   373.3 

Deferred Credits and Other Liabilities:

            

Deferred income taxes

  12.8       

Pension and postretirement benefit costs

  52.3   40.5   50.9 

Asset retirement obligations

  411.0   398.7   373.7 

Regulatory liabilities

  20.8   23.0   24.0 

Other

  26.3   28.3   29.7 

Total Deferred Credits and Other Liabilities

  523.2   490.5   478.3 

Commitments and Contingencies (Note 11)

               

Total Capitalization and Liabilities

 $2,419.9  $2,409.1  $2,353.6 

 

See the accompanying Notes to Financial Statements.

 

 

 

SPIRE ALABAMA INC.

CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF SHAREHOLDERS EQUITY

(UNAUDITED)

 

   

Common Stock

   

Paid-in

   

Retained

         

(Dollars in millions)

 

Shares

   

Par

   

Capital

   

Earnings

   

Total

 

Three Months Ended June 30, 2023:

                                       

Balance at March 31, 2023

    1,972,052     $     $ 289.9     $ 645.3     $ 935.2  

Net income

                      1.3       1.3  

Return of capital to Spire

                (3.0 )           (3.0 )

Balance at June 30, 2023

    1,972,052     $     $ 286.9     $ 646.6     $ 933.5  
                                         

Nine Months Ended June 30, 2023:

                                       

Balance at September 30, 2022

    1,972,052     $     $ 316.9     $ 589.1     $ 906.0  

Net income

                      70.5       70.5  

Return of capital to Spire

                (30.0 )           (30.0 )

Dividends declared

                      (13.0 )     (13.0 )

Balance at June 30, 2023

    1,972,052     $     $ 286.9     $ 646.6     $ 933.5  
                                         

Three Months Ended June 30, 2022:

                                       

Balance at March 31, 2022

    1,972,052     $     $ 322.9     $ 611.2     $ 934.1  

Net income

                      10.5       10.5  

Return of capital to Spire

                (6.0 )           (6.0 )

Dividends declared

                      (8.0 )     (8.0 )

Balance at June 30, 2022

    1,972,052     $     $ 316.9     $ 613.7     $ 930.6  
                                         

Nine Months Ended June 30, 2022:

                                       

Balance at September 30, 2021

    1,972,052     $     $ 328.9     $ 552.6     $ 881.5  

Net income

                      85.1       85.1  

Return of capital to Spire

                (12.0 )           (12.0 )

Dividends declared

                      (24.0 )     (24.0 )

Balance at June 30, 2022

    1,972,052     $     $ 316.9     $ 613.7     $ 930.6  

 

See the accompanying Notes to Financial Statements.

 

 

 

SPIRE ALABAMA INC.

CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(UNAUDITED)

 

   

Nine Months Ended June 30,

 

(In millions)

 

2023

   

2022

 

Operating Activities:

               

Net Income

  $ 70.5     $ 85.1  

Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:

               

Depreciation and amortization

    51.5       50.1  

Deferred income taxes and investment tax credits

    24.0       28.7  

Changes in assets and liabilities:

               

Accounts receivable

    16.6       (42.7 )

Inventories

    16.4       (38.1 )

Regulatory assets and liabilities

    (16.8 )     (67.4 )

Accounts payable

    (39.9 )     41.6  

Delayed/advance customer billings

    (0.6 )     (0.1 )

Taxes accrued

    0.3       (1.2 )

Other assets and liabilities

    3.3       (17.4 )

Other

    0.3        

Net cash provided by operating activities

    125.6       38.6  

Investing Activities:

               

Capital expenditures

    (98.4 )     (105.0 )

Other

    0.7       0.7  

Net cash used in investing activities

    (97.7 )     (104.3 )

Financing Activities:

               

Issuance of long-term debt

    175.0        

Repayment of long-term debt

          (50.0 )

(Repayments to) borrowings from Spire, net

    (152.8 )     147.4  

Return of capital to Spire

    (30.0 )     (12.0 )

Dividends paid

    (21.0 )     (16.0 )

Other

    (1.0 )      

Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities

    (29.8 )     69.4  

Net (Decrease) Increase in Cash and Cash Equivalents

    (1.9 )     3.7  

Cash and Cash Equivalents at Beginning of Period

    2.4        

Cash and Cash Equivalents at End of Period

  $ 0.5     $ 3.7  
                 

Supplemental disclosure of cash paid for:

               

Interest, net of amounts capitalized

  $ (23.3 )   $ (14.7 )

Income taxes

           

 

See the accompanying Notes to Financial Statements.

 

 

SPIRE INC., SPIRE MISSOURI INC. AND SPIRE ALABAMA INC.

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(UNAUDITED)

(Dollars in millions, except per share amounts)

 

 

1. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

 

BASIS OF PRESENTATION – These notes are an integral part of the accompanying unaudited financial statements of Spire Inc. (“Spire” or the “Company”) presented on a consolidated basis, Spire Missouri Inc. (“Spire Missouri”) and Spire Alabama Inc. (“Spire Alabama”). Spire Missouri, Spire Alabama and Spire EnergySouth Inc. (“Spire EnergySouth”) are wholly owned subsidiaries of Spire. Spire Missouri, Spire Alabama and the subsidiaries of Spire EnergySouth (Spire Gulf Inc. and Spire Mississippi Inc.) are collectively referred to as the “Utilities.”

 

The accompanying unaudited financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (GAAP) for interim financial information with the instructions to Form 10-Q and Rule 10-01 of Regulation S‑X. Accordingly, they do not include all the disclosures required for complete financial statements. In the opinion of management, the accompanying unaudited financial statements include all adjustments necessary for the fair presentation of the results of operations for the periods presented. This Form 10-Q should be read in conjunction with the Notes to Financial Statements contained in Spire, Spire Missouri and Spire Alabama’s combined Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2022.

 

The consolidated financial position, results of operations, and cash flows of Spire include the accounts of the Company and all its subsidiaries. Transactions and balances between consolidated entities have been eliminated from the consolidated financial statements of Spire. In compliance with GAAP, transactions between Spire Missouri and Spire Alabama and their affiliates, as well as intercompany balances on their balance sheets, have not been eliminated from their separate financial statements.

 

Certain information is presented by reportable segment, as described below. Effective during the first quarter of fiscal 2023, the Company changed its reportable segments to reflect changes in the way its chief operating decision maker evaluates the performance of its operations, develops strategy and allocates capital resources. Specifically, Midstream, which was formerly included in Other, is now reported separately. The Company's historical segment disclosures have been recast to be consistent with the current presentation.

 

NATURE OF OPERATIONS – Spire has three reportable segments: Gas Utility, Gas Marketing, and Midstream. The Gas Utility segment consists of the regulated natural gas distribution operations of the Company and is the core business segment of Spire in terms of revenue and earnings. The Gas Utility segment is comprised of the operations of: Spire Missouri, serving St. Louis, Kansas City, and other areas in Missouri; Spire Alabama, serving central and northern Alabama; and the subsidiaries of Spire EnergySouth, serving the Mobile, Alabama area and south-central Mississippi. The Gas Marketing segment includes Spire’s largest gas-related business, Spire Marketing Inc. (“Spire Marketing”), which provides non-regulated natural gas services throughout the United States (U.S.). The Midstream segment includes Spire Storage and Spire STL Pipeline, which are subsidiaries engaged in the storage and transportation of natural gas. The activities of the Company’s other subsidiaries are reported as Other and are described in Note 10, Information by Operating Segment. Spire Missouri and Spire Alabama each have a single reportable segment. 

 

The Company’s earnings are derived primarily from its Gas Utility segment. Due to the seasonal nature of the Utilities’ business and the volumetric Spire Missouri rate design, earnings are typically concentrated during the heating season of November through April each fiscal year. As a result, the interim statements of income for Spire, Spire Missouri and Spire Alabama are not necessarily indicative of annual results or representative of succeeding quarters of the fiscal year.

 

21

 

REGULATED OPERATIONS The Utilities account for their regulated operations in accordance with Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) Accounting Standards Codification (ASC) Topic 980, Regulated Operations. This topic sets forth the application of GAAP for those companies whose rates are established by or are subject to approval by an independent third-party regulator. The provisions of this accounting guidance require, among other things, that financial statements of a regulated enterprise reflect the actions of regulators, where appropriate. These actions may result in the recognition of revenues and expenses in time periods that are different than non-regulated enterprises. When this occurs, costs are deferred as assets in the balance sheet (regulatory assets) and recorded as expenses when those amounts are reflected in rates. In addition, regulators can impose liabilities upon a regulated company for amounts previously collected from customers and for recovery of costs that are expected to be incurred in the future (regulatory liabilities). Management believes that the current regulatory environment supports the continued use of these regulatory accounting principles and that all regulatory assets and regulatory liabilities are recoverable or refundable through the regulatory process.

 

As authorized by the Missouri Public Service Commission (MoPSC), the Mississippi Public Service Commission (MSPSC) and the Alabama Public Service Commission (APSC), the Purchased Gas Adjustment (PGA) clauses and Gas Supply Adjustment (GSA) riders allow the Utilities to pass through to customers the cost of purchased gas supplies. Regulatory assets and liabilities related to the PGA clauses and the GSA riders are both labeled Unamortized Purchased Gas Adjustments herein. See additional information about regulatory assets and liabilities in Note 5, Regulatory Matters.

 

DERIVATIVES – In the course of their business, certain subsidiaries of Spire enter into commitments associated with the purchase or sale of natural gas. Certain of their derivative natural gas contracts are designated as normal purchases or normal sales and, as such, are excluded from the scope of FASB ASC Topic 815, Derivatives and Hedging. Those contracts are accounted for as executory contracts and recorded on an accrual basis. Revenues and expenses from such contracts are recorded gross. Contracts not designated as normal purchases or normal sales are recorded as derivatives with changes in fair value recognized in earnings in the periods prior to physical delivery. Certain of Spire Marketing’s wholesale purchase and sale transactions are classified as trading activities for financial reporting purposes, with income and expenses presented on a net basis in natural gas expenses in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income. Spire also enters into cash flow hedges through execution of interest rate swap contracts to protect itself against adverse movements in interest rates.

 

TRANSACTIONS WITH AFFILIATES Transactions between affiliates of the Company have been eliminated from the consolidated financial statements of Spire. As reflected in their separate financial statements, Spire Missouri and Spire Alabama borrowed funds from the Company and incurred related interest. Spire Missouri and Spire Alabama also participated in normal intercompany shared services transactions. Spire Missouri’s and Spire Alabama’s other transactions with affiliates are presented below:

 

  

Three Months Ended June 30,

  

Nine Months Ended June 30,

 
  

2023

  

2022

  

2023

  

2022

 

Spire Missouri

                

Purchases of natural gas from Spire Marketing

 $6.5  $26.2  $48.8  $62.3 

Transportation services received from Spire STL Pipeline

  8.0   8.0   23.9   23.9 

Sales of natural gas to Spire Marketing

  0.3      0.4    

Spire Alabama

                

Purchases of natural gas from Spire Marketing

 $1.7  $3.2  $2.8  $3.2 

 

22

 

RESTRICTED CASH AND OTHER INVESTMENTS – In Spire’s statement of cash flows for the period ended June 30, 2023, total Cash, Cash Equivalents, and Restricted Cash included $19.7, $14.0 and $14.1 of restricted cash reported in “Other Investments” on the Company’s balance sheet as of June 30, 2023 September 30, 2022, and June 30, 2022, respectively (in addition to amounts shown as “Cash and cash equivalents”). This restricted cash has been segregated and invested in debt securities in a trust account based on collateral requirements for reinsurance at Spire’s risk management company.

 

BUSINESS COMBINATIONS – A subsidiary of Spire in the Midstream segment acquired a natural gas storage facility in northern Oklahoma, now named Spire Storage Salt Plains LLC, on April 1, 2023. The $37 purchase price has been fully allocated to the assets acquired and liabilities assumed based on their fair value at the acquisition date, consisting almost entirely of base gas and other property, plant and equipment, resulting in no goodwill. Accounting for this business combination is essentially complete, but the preliminary purchase price allocation remains subject to customary adjustments as provided in the purchase agreement.

 

ACCRUED CAPITAL EXPENDITURES – Accrued capital expenditures, shown in the following table, are excluded from capital expenditures in the statements of cash flows until paid.

 

  

June 30,

  

September 30,

  

June 30,

 
  

2023

  

2022

  

2022

 

Spire

 $62.2  $77.8  $52.6 

Spire Missouri

  33.4   45.6   39.2 

Spire Alabama

  4.5   19.2   7.7 

 

ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLE AND ALLOWANCE FOR CREDIT LOSSES – Trade accounts receivable are recorded at the amounts due from customers, including unbilled amounts. Accounts receivable are written off when they are deemed to be uncollectible. An allowance for expected credit losses is estimated and updated based on relevant data and trends such as accounts receivable aging, historical write-off experience, current write-off trends, economic conditions, and the impact of weather and availability of customer payment assistance on collection trends. For the Utilities, net write-offs as a percentage of revenue has historically been the best predictor of base net write-off experience over time. Management judgment is applied in the development of the allowance due to the complexity of variables and subjective nature of certain relevant factors. The accounts receivable of Spire’s non-utility businesses are evaluated separately from those of the Utilities. The allowance for credit losses for those other businesses is based on a continuous evaluation of the individual counterparty risk and is not significant for the periods presented. Activity in the allowance for credit losses is shown in the following table.

 

  

Spire

  

Spire Missouri

  

Spire Alabama

 

Three Months Ended June 30,

 

2023

  

2022

  

2023

  

2022

  

2023

  

2022

 

Allowance at beginning of period

 $40.6  $35.1  $34.5  $27.0  $5.3  $7.1 

Provision for expected credit losses

  1.2   1.9   0.3   1.8   0.8    

Write-offs, net of recoveries

  (7.1)  (4.4)  (6.1)  (3.7)  (0.8)  (0.5)

Allowance at end of period

 $34.7  $32.6  $28.7  $25.1  $5.3  $6.6 

 

Nine Months Ended June 30,

 

2023

  

2022

  

2023

  

2022

  

2023

  

2022

 

Allowance at beginning of period

 $31.9  $30.3  $24.9  $22.6  $6.3  $6.6 

Provision for expected credit losses

  13.5   8.6   11.4   8.6   1.5    

Write-offs, net of recoveries

  (10.7)  (6.3)  (7.6)  (6.1)  (2.5)   

Allowance at end of period

 $34.7  $32.6  $28.7  $25.1  $5.3  $6.6 

 

23

 
 

2. REVENUE

 

The following tables show revenue disaggregated by source and customer type.

 

  

Three Months Ended June 30,

  

Nine Months Ended June 30,

 
  

2023

  

2022

  

2023

  

2022

 

Spire

                

Gas Utility:

                

Residential

 $238.1  $239.5  $1,486.3  $1,268.8 

Commercial and industrial

  102.2   86.2   533.1   275.6 

Transportation

  29.0   26.9   93.2   91.6 

Off-system and other incentive

  8.2   10.1   21.9   26.9 

Other customer revenue

  5.1   5.6   13.8   15.7 

Total revenue from contracts with customers

  382.6   368.3   2,148.3   1,678.6 

Changes in accrued revenue under alternative revenue programs

  5.2   9.1   27.0   19.7 

Total Gas Utility operating revenues

  387.8   377.4   2,175.3   1,698.3 

Gas Marketing

  23.1   64.1   157.8   171.4 

Midstream

  17.4   14.6   49.1   41.3 

Other

  4.3   4.1   12.4   12.1 

Total before eliminations

  432.6   460.2   2,394.6   1,923.1 

Intersegment eliminations (see Note 10, Information by Operating Segment)

  (14.1)  (12.2)  (38.7)  (38.8)

Total Operating Revenues

 $418.5  $448.0  $2,355.9  $1,884.3 

 

Spire Missouri

                

Residential

 $171.7  $171.1  $1,142.3  $947.3 

Commercial and industrial

  61.1   51.9   369.2   140.0 

Transportation

  7.1   7.1   26.1   26.4 

Off-system and other incentive

  6.0   4.5   15.6   20.3 

Other customer revenue

  3.8   3.2   10.1   9.1 

Total revenue from contracts with customers

  249.7   237.8   1,563.3   1,143.1 

Changes in accrued revenue under alternative revenue programs

  4.1   (1.1)  22.7   12.7 

Total Operating Revenues

 $253.8  $236.7  $1,586.0  $1,155.8 

 

Spire Alabama

                

Residential

 $56.7  $56.2  $288.1  $266.2 

Commercial and industrial

  32.7   24.0   127.8   101.6 

Transportation

 

18.9

  

17.4

  

59.0

   57.5 

Off-system and other incentive

  2.2   5.6   6.3   6.6 

Other customer revenue

  0.8   1.5   2.7   4.2 

Total revenue from contracts with customers

  111.3   104.7   483.9   436.1 

Changes in accrued revenue under alternative revenue programs

  1.8   11.0   (0.1)  10.3 

Total Operating Revenues

 $113.1  $115.7  $483.8  $446.4 

 

24

 

Gross receipts taxes associated with the Company’s natural gas utility services are imposed on the Company, Spire Missouri, and Spire Alabama and billed to its customers. The expense amounts (shown in the table below) are reported gross in the “Taxes, other than income taxes” line in the statements of income, and corresponding revenues are reported in “Operating Revenues.”

 

  

Three Months Ended June 30,

  

Nine Months Ended June 30,

 
  

2023

  

2022

  

2023

  

2022

 

Spire

 $26.0  $23.3  $116.6  $97.1 

Spire Missouri

  18.9   16.7   86.6   70.6 

Spire Alabama

  6.1   5.5   25.5   22.5 

 

 

3. EARNINGS PER COMMON SHARE

 

  

Three Months Ended June 30,

  

Nine Months Ended June 30,

 
  

2023

  

2022

  

2023

  

2022

 

Basic Earnings Per Common Share:

                

Net (Loss) Income

 $(21.6) $(1.4) $248.6  $227.9 

Less: Provision for preferred dividends

  3.7   3.7   11.1   11.1 

(Loss) income allocated to participating securities

  (0.1)     0.4   0.3 

(Loss) Income Available to Common Shareholders

 $(25.2) $(5.1) $237.1  $216.5 

Weighted Average Common Shares Outstanding (in millions)

  52.5   52.2   52.5   51.9 

Basic (Loss) Earnings Per Common Share

 $(0.48) $(0.10) $4.52  $4.17 
                 

Diluted Earnings Per Common Share:

                

Net (Loss) Income

 $(21.6) $(1.4) $248.6  $227.9 

Less: Provision for preferred dividends

  3.7   3.7   11.1   11.1 

(Loss) income allocated to participating securities

  (0.1)     0.4   0.3 

(Loss) Income Available to Common Shareholders

 $(25.2) $(5.1) $237.1  $216.5 

Weighted Average Common Shares Outstanding (in millions)

  52.5   52.2   52.5   51.9 

Dilutive Effect of forward sales of common stock, restricted stock and restricted stock units (in millions)*

        0.1   0.1 

Weighted Average Diluted Common Shares (in millions)

  52.5   52.2   52.6   52.0 

Diluted (Loss) Earnings Per Common Share

 $(0.48) $(0.10) $4.51  $4.16 
                 

* Calculation excludes certain outstanding or potential common shares (shown in millions by period at the right) attributable to (1) forward sales of common stock, (2) stock units subject to performance or market conditions, and (3) restricted stock, which could have a dilutive effect in the future

  2.7   0.2   2.5   0.2 

 

 

4. SHAREHOLDERS EQUITY

 

ATM Program

 

On February 6, 2019, Spire entered into an “at-the-market” (ATM) equity distribution agreement, supplemented as of May 14, 2019, pursuant to which the Company may offer and sell, from time to time, shares of its common stock (including shares of common stock that may be sold pursuant to forward sale agreements entered into in connection with the ATM equity distribution agreement). On April 28, 2022, Spire's board approved a new authorization for the sale of additional shares with an aggregate offering price of up to $200.0 through May 2025.

 

25

 

Settled sales under this ATM program are included in “Common stock issued” in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Shareholders’ Equity. Also, in the second and third quarters of fiscal 2023, Spire executed forward sale agreements for 228,690 shares and 2,087,231 shares, respectively, of its common stock. The third quarter forward sales included a block sale of 1,744,549 shares which must be settled on or before December 28, 2023. All the other forward sales must be settled by the end of  September 2023. As of July 31, 2023, no shares of common stock have been settled under the forward sale agreements. Had all shares under the forward agreements been settled as of June 30, 2023, it would have generated net proceeds of $149.7.

 

As of June 30, 2023, under the ATM program, Spire may sell additional shares with an aggregate offering price of up to $17.9.

 

 

5. REGULATORY MATTERS

 

As explained in Note 1, Summary of Significant Accounting Policies, the Utilities account for regulated operations in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 980, Regulated Operations. The following regulatory assets and regulatory liabilities were reflected in the balance sheets of the Company, Spire Missouri and Spire Alabama as of June 30, 2023, September 30, 2022, and June 30, 2022.

 

  

June 30,

  

September 30,

  

June 30,

 

Spire

 

2023

  

2022

  

2022

 

Regulatory Assets:

            

Current:

            

Unamortized purchased gas adjustments

 $66.2  $322.2  $123.4 

Other

  27.1   33.2   28.6 

Total Current Regulatory Assets

  93.3   355.4   152.0 

Noncurrent:

            

Pension and postretirement benefit costs

  268.8   294.5   317.5 

Cost of removal

  597.9   493.7   471.9 

Future income taxes due from customers

  140.1   137.8   140.4 

Energy efficiency

  55.8   57.2   54.1 

Unamortized purchased gas adjustments

  206.3      97.4 

Other

  152.3   129.2   124.3 

Total Noncurrent Regulatory Assets

  1,421.2   1,112.4   1,205.6 

Total Regulatory Assets

 $1,514.5  $1,467.8  $1,357.6 

Regulatory Liabilities:

            

Current:

            

Other

 $5.5  $3.7  $3.2 

Total Current Regulatory Liabilities

  5.5   3.7   3.2 

Noncurrent:

            

Deferred taxes due to customers

  131.8   145.3   148.7 

Pension and postretirement benefit costs

  165.3   172.6   185.0 

Accrued cost of removal

  107.7   32.9   40.7 

Unamortized purchased gas adjustments

     53.0    

Other

  23.3   14.4   14.6 

Total Noncurrent Regulatory Liabilities

  428.1   418.2   389.0 

Total Regulatory Liabilities

 $433.6  $421.9  $392.2 

 

26

 
  

June 30,

  

September 30,

  

June 30,

 

Spire Missouri

 

2023

  

2022

  

2022

 

Regulatory Assets:

            

Current:

            

Unamortized purchased gas adjustments

 $32.9  $275.1  $89.7 

Other

  2.1   13.0   0.2 

Total Current Regulatory Assets

  35.0   288.1   89.9 

Noncurrent:

            

Future income taxes due from customers

  131.8   129.2   131.8 

Pension and postretirement benefit costs

  193.4   222.9   238.5 

Energy efficiency

  55.8   57.2   54.1 

Unamortized purchased gas adjustments

  206.3      97.4 

Cost of removal

  95.3   25.2   34.9 

Other

  136.5   113.1   107.9 

Total Noncurrent Regulatory Assets

  819.1   547.6   664.6 

Total Regulatory Assets

 $854.1  $835.7  $754.5 

Regulatory Liabilities:

            

Noncurrent:

            

Deferred taxes due to customers

 $118.1  $127.9  $131.3 

Pension and postretirement benefit costs

  137.9   143.6   154.5 

Accrued cost of removal

  72.3      7.3 

Unamortized purchased gas adjustments

     53.0    

Other

  17.8   7.3   7.7 

Total Noncurrent Regulatory Liabilities

  346.1   331.8   300.8 

Total Regulatory Liabilities

 $346.1  $331.8  $300.8 

 

  

June 30,

  

September 30,

  

June 30,

 

Spire Alabama

 

2023

  

2022

  

2022

 

Regulatory Assets:

            

Current:

            

Unamortized purchased gas adjustments

 $30.9  $43.8  $31.6 

Other

  13.0   13.1   21.3 

Total Current Regulatory Assets

  43.9   56.9   52.9 

Noncurrent:

            

Future income taxes due from customers

  2.0   2.2   2.2 

Pension and postretirement benefit costs

  71.1   66.5   73.8 

Cost of removal

  502.6   468.5   437.0 

Other

  1.0   1.0   1.1 

Total Noncurrent Regulatory Assets

  576.7   538.2   514.1 

Total Regulatory Assets

 $620.6  $595.1  $567.0 

Regulatory Liabilities:

            

Noncurrent:

            

Pension and postretirement benefit costs

 $17.3  $19.4  $20.4 

Other

  3.5   3.6   3.6 

Total Noncurrent Regulatory Liabilities

  20.8   23.0   24.0 

Total Regulatory Liabilities

 $20.8  $23.0  $24.0

 

 

27

 

A portion of the Company’s and Spire Missouri’s regulatory assets are not earning a return, as shown in the table below:

 

  

June 30,

  

September 30,

  

June 30,

 
  

2023

  

2022

  

2022

 

Spire

            

Pension and postretirement benefit costs

 $127.5  $152.9  $165.8 

Future income taxes due from customers

  138.0   135.6   138.2 

Unamortized purchased gas adjustments

  239.2   275.1   187.2 

Other

  102.2   122.7   130.9 

Total Regulatory Assets Not Earning a Return

 $606.9  $686.3  $622.1 
             

Spire Missouri

            

Pension and postretirement benefit costs

 $127.5  $152.9  $165.8 

Future income taxes due from customers

  131.8   129.2   131.8 

Unamortized purchased gas adjustments

  239.2   275.1   187.2 

Other

  102.2   122.7   130.9 

Total Regulatory Assets Not Earning a Return

 $600.7  $679.9  $615.7 

 

Like all the Company’s regulatory assets, these regulatory assets as of June 30, 2023 are expected to be recovered from customers in future rates. The recovery period for the future income taxes due from customers and pension and other postretirement benefit costs could be 20 years or longer, based on current Internal Revenue Service guidelines and average remaining service life of active participants, respectively. The recovery period for the PGA assets is less than two years. The other items not earning a return are expected to be recovered over a period not to exceed 15 years, consistent with precedent set by the MoPSC, except for certain debt costs expected to be recovered over the related debt term, up to 35 years. Spire Alabama does not have any regulatory assets that are not earning a return.

 

Spire Missouri

 

In mid- February 2021, the central U.S. experienced a period of unusually severe cold weather (“Winter Storm Uri”), and Spire Missouri implemented an Operational Flow Order (OFO) to preserve the integrity of its distribution system. During this time, Spire Missouri was required to purchase additional natural gas supply, both to ensure adequate supply for its firm utility customers, and to cover the shortfall created when third-party marketers failed to deliver natural gas supply to its city gates on behalf of their customers. In accordance with its MoPSC-approved OFO tariff, Spire Missouri invoiced the cost of gas and associated penalties totaling $195.8 to non-compliant marketers and recorded accounts receivable. Recoveries collected are an offset to cost of natural gas for firm utility customers through the Purchased Gas Adjustment (PGA) and Actual Cost Adjustment (ACA), so are net income neutral to Spire Missouri. The three largest counterparties did not remit payment when due, so Spire Missouri filed suit against them in federal court to recover the invoiced amounts. In late February 2022, the parties to the OFO waiver suits agreed to a settlement in principle, pursuant to which marketers will reimburse Spire Missouri for the actual cost of its incremental gas purchases to serve marketers’ customers during Winter Storm Uri, so Spire Missouri reduced revenue, accounts receivable, cost of gas and regulatory liabilities by approximately $150 in the second quarter of fiscal 2022. The settlement, which reduced the total amount due from the three marketers to approximately $42, was approved by the MoPSC in late May 2022, and the marketers are making timely payments to Spire Missouri.

 

28

 

In the first quarter of fiscal 2022, the MoPSC approved Spire Missouri compliance tariffs with an effective date of December 23, 2021 consistent with its order in Spire Missouri's general rate case. These new tariffs were designed to increase Spire Missouri’s aggregate annual gross base rate revenues by $72.2, which includes $24.9 incremental and $47.3 already being collected through the Infrastructure System Replacement Surcharge (ISRS). The MoPSC required Spire Missouri to defer all non-operational overheads from December 23, 2021 through September 30, 2022 into a regulatory asset totaling $42.8. On April 1, 2022, Spire Missouri filed tariff sheets to initiate a new general rate case proceeding intended to address the deferred amounts, along with other matters. The parties reached a Full Unanimous Stipulation and Agreement (the “Stipulation”) to resolve all issues in the case, which was filed with the MoPSC on November 4, 2022. On November 18, 2022, the Stipulation was approved, including authorization of $78.0 in new base rate revenue (including $19.0 already being collected through ISRS) and recovery of deferred overheads through amortization of the related regulatory asset. New base rates became effective on December 26, 2022.

 

The ISRS allows Spire Missouri expedited recovery for its investment to replace qualifying components of its infrastructure without the necessity of a formal rate case. As noted above, all prior ISRS revenues were reset to zero as of December 26, 2022 as a result of Spire Missouri's most recent base rate case. On April 20, 2023, the MoPSC approved an incremental annual ISRS revenue increase of $7.7, effective May 6, 2023, reflecting eligible pipe replacement from October 2022 through February 2023. On June 20, 2023, Spire Missouri filed for an additional annual ISRS revenue increase of $14.2 based on actual replacements during March 2023 through May 2023 and estimates for June 2023 through August 2023. A decision on this application is required by December 17, 2023.

 

The Utilities purchase the natural gas to be delivered to their customers and typically defer the recovery of this expense thereby lessening the immediate impact on customers’ bills of higher realized commodity costs. These deferred gas balances are expected to be recovered over the next 12 months pursuant to tariff adjustments effective in Missouri (and Alabama). Spire Missouri filed Purchase Gas Adjustment (PGA) changes to its tariff in November and January which were approved and became effective November 29, 2022 and January 19, 2023, respectively.

 

On May 27, 2022, the MoPSC staff filed an ACA Review Recommendation and Report for the ACA period that first includes transportation charges incurred by Spire Missouri for service on the Spire STL Pipeline. That report concluded that the transaction complied with Missouri affiliate transaction rules and was prudent, and it recommended no disallowance of any Spire STL Pipeline related costs from the ACA mechanism. On July 11, 2022, Spire Missouri filed its response comments in support of the recommendation. The Missouri Office of the Public Counsel and Environmental Defense Fund (EDF) filed comments on July 29 and August 1, 2022, respectively, raising concerns about the Spire STL Pipeline transaction, the ACA process itself, and other matters. On January 6, 2023, Spire Missouri filed a Partial Stipulation and Agreement resolving all other issues raised by the MoPSC staff in its Recommendation and Report. The partial stipulation was approved by the MoPSC on January 25, 2023, resulting in a $0.6 credit to the ACA balance, but issues relating to Spire STL Pipeline costs remained contested. On April 28, 2023, MoPSC Staff and its consultant filed direct testimony confirming their position that the transaction was prudent and in compliance with Missouri affiliate transaction rules. EDF also filed direct testimony arguing Spire Missouri imprudently changed the physical manner in which it receives supply and created risk for customers, and advocating for a disallowance of $27.7 in the case. No other parties filed direct testimony. MoPSC staff, Spire Missouri, and EDF have filed rebuttal and sur-rebuttal testimony. An evidentiary hearing on this matter was scheduled to be held  July 25-26, 2023; however, on July 21, 2023, MoPSC suspended the procedural schedule in recognition that the parties had reached an agreement in principle to resolve the matter via settlement stipulation. The settlement stipulation is anticipated to be filed in early August and will require approval by the MoPSC. We anticipate the stipulation to include non-monetary items and an increase in customer assistance program funding.

 

The MoPSC has initiated their annual ACA dockets (GR-2022-0135 and GR-2022-0136) to audit gas commodity and transportation costs for the 2020-2021 heating season, which includes the impact of Winter Storm Uri on Spire Missouri's natural gas portfolio. On December 15, 2022, the MoPSC staff filed its Reports and Recommendations in these cases proposing various disallowances relating to imbalance cash-outs and an off-system sale. On July 12, 2023, the MoPSC entered a scheduling order in this matter which includes several rounds of pre-filed testimony prior to an evidentiary hearing to be held in early May 2024.

 

29

 

Spire Alabama

 

On October 26, 2022, Spire Alabama made its annual Rate Stabilization and Equalization (RSE) rate filing with the APSC, presenting the utility’s budget for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2023, including net income and a calculation of allowed return on average common equity (ROE). The budget reflected the start of amortization of the accumulated deferred income tax (ADIT) adjustment related to the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 (TCJA). New rates designed to provide an annual revenue increase of $15.0 became effective January 1, 2023.

 

Spire Alabama filed GSA rate increases effective December 1, 2022, and January 1, 2023, primarily attributable to higher natural gas prices.

 

Spire

 

In addition to those discussed above for Spire Missouri and Spire Alabama, Spire is affected by the following regulatory matters.

 

In October 2022, Spire Gulf made its annual RSE rate filing with the APSC based on its budget for fiscal 2023 and an allowed ROE of 9.95%. The budget reflected the start of amortization of the excess ADIT from the TCJA. New rates designed to provide an annual revenue increase of $2.5 became effective January 1, 2023. Spire Gulf filed its RSE point of test as of April 30, 2023 with the APSC reflecting that its projected ROE exceeded the allowed ROE resulting in an annual refund of $1.8 that became effective July 1, 2023.

 

On September 14, 2022, Spire Mississippi filed its Rate Stabilization Adjustment Rider with the Mississippi Public Service Commission (MSPSC) for the rate year ended June 30, 2022, which reflected an increase to annual revenues of $1.3. The MSPSC, by its order dated December 6, 2022, approved a stipulation agreement between the Mississippi Public Utility Staff and Spire Mississippi that provides for an annual revenue increase of $0.8 through rates that became effective on January 1, 2023.

 

In August 2018, the FERC approved an order issuing Certificates of Public Convenience and Necessity (“FERC Certificates”) for the Spire STL Pipeline ( “August 2018 Order”). In November 2019, the FERC issued an Order on Rehearing of the August 2018 Order dismissing or denying the outstanding requests for rehearing filed by several parties, dismissing the request for stay filed by one party, and noting the withdrawal of the request for rehearing by another party. In January 2020, two of the rehearing parties filed petitions for review of the FERC’s orders with the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit (“DC Circuit”). On June 22, 2021, the DC Circuit issued an order vacating the FERC Certificates and remanding the matter back to the FERC for further action. On September 14, 2021 and December 3, 2021, the FERC issued temporary certificates for the continued authorized operation of the Spire STL Pipeline pending the outcome of its determination on remand. On December 15, 2022, the FERC issued its order on remand reissuing permanent FERC Certificates for the continued operation of Spire STL Pipeline. On January 17, 2023, EDF requested rehearing of the December 15, 2022 FERC order, but on February 17, 2023, that rehearing request was denied by operation of law. On April 20, 2023, the FERC issued an “Order Addressing Arguments Raised on Rehearing” in which it further clarified the rationale for denying EDF's rehearing request. No party filed a timely appeal of this denial in any federal appellate court. Accordingly, the FERC order reissuing permanent certificates for the Spire STL Pipeline is now final and unappealable.

 

30

 
 

6. FINANCING

 

Short-term

 

Spire, Spire Missouri and Spire Alabama have a syndicated revolving credit facility pursuant to a loan agreement with 12 banks, which was amended July 22, 2022, to increase the commitment and sublimits and extend the agreement through July 22, 2027. The amended loan agreement has an aggregate credit commitment of $1,300.0, including sublimits of $450.0 for the Spire holding company, $575.0 for Spire Missouri and $275.0 for Spire Alabama. These sublimits may be reallocated from time to time among the three borrowers within the $1,300.0 aggregate commitment, with commitment fees and interest margins applied for each borrower relative to its credit rating, as well as sustainability rate adjustments based on Spire's DART (“Days Away Restricted or Transferred”) rate and methane emissions reductions. The Spire holding company may use its line to provide for the funding needs of various subsidiaries. The agreement also contains financial covenants limiting each borrower's consolidated total debt, including short-term debt, to no more than 70% of its total capitalization. As defined in the line of credit, on June 30, 2023, total debt was less than 65% of total capitalization for each borrower. There were no borrowings against this credit facility as of June 30, 2023.

 

Spire utilizes a commercial paper program (“CP Program”) pursuant to which Spire may issue short-term, unsecured commercial paper notes. Amounts available under the CP Program may be borrowed, repaid and re-borrowed from time to time, with the aggregate face or principal amount of the notes outstanding under the CP Program at any time not to exceed $1,300.0. The notes may have maturities of up to 365 days from date of issue.

 

On January 5, 2023, Spire Missouri entered into a loan agreement with several banks for a $250.0 unsecured term loan due October 5, 2023. Interest was based on the secured overnight financing rate (“SOFR”) plus an adjustment of 0.10% per annum plus a margin of 0.80% per annum. The loan was repaid on May 8, 2023.

 

Information about short-term borrowings, including Spire Missouri’s and Spire Alabama’s borrowings from Spire, is presented in the following table. As of June 30, 2023, $375.2 of Spire’s CP Program borrowings was used to support lending to the Utilities.

 

  Spire (Parent Only)  Spire Missouri  Spire Alabama  Spire 
  

CP

  

Term

  

Spire

  

Spire

  

Consol-

 
  

Program

  

Loan

  

Note

  

Note

  

idated

 

Nine Months Ended June 30, 2023

                    

Highest borrowings outstanding

 $1,282.0  $250.0  $656.9  $274.0  $1,482.0 

Lowest borrowings outstanding

  354.4      3.8   76.7   489.0 

Weighted average borrowings

  778.7   89.4   308.9   123.3   868.1 

Weighted average interest rate

  4.7%  5.5%  4.6%  4.8%  4.8%

As of June 30, 2023

                    

Borrowings outstanding

 $557.6  $  $228.1  $108.1  $557.6 

Weighted average interest rate

  5.5%  %  5.5%  5.5%  5.5%

As of September 30, 2022

                    

Borrowings outstanding

 $1,037.5  $  $445.3  $260.9  $1,037.5 

Weighted average interest rate

  3.3%  n/a   3.3%  3.3%  3.3%

As of June 30, 2022

                    

Borrowings outstanding

 $709.2  $  $285.4  $196.3  $709.2 

Weighted average interest rate

  2.0%  n/a   2.0%  2.0%  2.0%

 

31

 

Long-term

 

The long-term debt agreements of Spire, Spire Missouri and Spire Alabama contain customary financial covenants and default provisions. As of June 30, 2023, there were no events of default under these financial covenants.

 

Interest expense shown on the statements of income is net of the capitalized interest amounts shown in the following table.

 

  

Three Months Ended June 30,

  

Nine Months Ended June 30,

 
  

2023

  

2022

  

2023

  

2022

 

Spire

 $2.3  $1.1  $5.8  $3.2 

Spire Missouri

  1.0   0.2   2.1   0.3 

Spire Alabama

  0.5   0.9   1.8   2.5 

 

On  October 13, 2022, Spire Alabama issued $90.0 of notes due  October 15, 2029, bearing interest at 5.32% and $85.0 of notes due  October 15, 2032, bearing interest at 5.41%. Interest is payable semi-annually. The notes are senior unsecured obligations and rank equal in right to payment with all other senior unsecured indebtedness of Spire Alabama. Also on  October 13, 2022, Spire Gulf issued $30.0 of first mortgage bonds due  October 15, 2037, bearing interest at 5.61% payable semi-annually. The bonds rank equal in right to payment with the other first mortgage bonds issued by Spire Gulf. The bonds were issued under a supplemental indenture with collateral fall away provisions whereby, under certain conditions, Spire Gulf  may elect to exchange the bonds, which are secured, for unsecured notes.

 

On February 13, 2023, Spire Missouri issued $400.0 aggregate principal amount of its 4.800% Series First Mortgage Bonds due 2033. Interest is payable semi-annually. The notes are senior secured indebtedness of Spire Missouri and rank equally with all other existing and future senior secured indebtedness issued by Spire Missouri under its mortgage and deed of trust. The bonds are secured by a first mortgage lien on substantially all of the real properties of Spire Missouri, subject to limited exceptions.

 

On March 7, 2023, Spire issued $150.0 aggregate principal amount of its 5.80% Series 2023 Senior Notes due March 15, 2033. Interest is payable semi-annually. The notes are senior unsecured obligations of the Company.

 

In the quarter ended March 31, 2023, the company settled interest rate swap contracts with a notional amount of $325.0 and a realized gain of $39.5. This gain is being amortized against the interest expense related to the 10-year debt issued during that quarter (described in the previous two paragraphs).

 

 

7. FAIR VALUE OF FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS

 

The carrying amounts of cash and cash equivalents, notes receivable, and short-term debt approximate fair value due to the short maturity of these instruments. The fair values of long-term debt are estimated based on market prices for similar issues. Refer to Note 8, Fair Value Measurements, for information on financial instruments measured at fair value on a recurring basis.

 

32

 

The carrying amounts and estimated fair values of financial instruments not measured at fair value on a recurring basis are shown in the following tables, classified according to the fair value hierarchy. There were no such instruments classified as Level 3 (significant unobservable inputs) as of June 30, 2023, September 30, 2022, and June 30, 2022.

 

          

Classification of Estimated Fair Value

 
  

Carrying Amount

  

Fair Value

  

Quoted Prices in Active Markets (Level 1)

  

Significant Observable Inputs (Level 2)

 

Spire

                

As of June 30, 2023

                

Cash and cash equivalents

 $5.3  $5.3  $5.3  $ 

Notes payable

  557.6   557.6      557.6 

Long-term debt, including current portion

  3,959.9   3,650.7      3,650.7 

As of September 30, 2022

                

Cash and cash equivalents

 $6.5  $6.5  $6.5  $ 

Notes payable

  1,037.5   1,037.5      1,037.5 

Long-term debt, including current portion

  3,239.7   2,851.8      2,851.8 

As of June 30, 2022

                

Cash and cash equivalents

 $16.0  $16.0  $16.0  $ 

Notes payable

  709.2   709.2      709.2 

Long-term debt, including current portion

  3,239.1   3,032.1      3,032.1 
                 

Spire Missouri

                

As of June 30, 2023

                

Notes payable – associated companies

 $228.1  $228.1  $  $228.1 

Long-term debt, including current portion

  2,035.1   1,890.2      1,890.2 

As of September 30, 2022

                

Notes payable – associated companies

 $445.3  $445.3  $  $445.3 

Long-term debt, including current portion

  1,637.7   1,473.9      1,473.9 

As of June 30, 2022

                

Cash and cash equivalents

 $7.0  $7.0  $7.0  $ 

Notes payable – associated companies

  285.4   285.4      285.4 

Long-term debt

  1,637.4   1,562.4      1,562.4 
                 

Spire Alabama

                

As of June 30, 2023

                

Cash and cash equivalents

 $0.5  $0.5  $0.5  $ 

Notes payable – associated companies

  108.1   108.1      108.1 

Long-term debt

  745.8   681.5      681.5 

As of September 30, 2022

                

Cash and cash equivalents

 $2.4  $2.4  $2.4  $ 

Notes payable – associated companies

  260.9   260.9      260.9 

Long-term debt

  571.5   485.0      485.0 

As of June 30, 2022

                

Cash and cash equivalents

 $3.7  $3.7  $3.7  $ 

Notes payable – associated companies

  196.3   196.3      196.3 

Long-term debt

  571.4   527.2      527.2 

 

33

 
 

8. FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS

 

The information presented in the following tables categorizes the assets and liabilities in the balance sheets that are accounted for at fair value on a recurring basis in periods subsequent to initial recognition.

 

The mutual funds included in Level 1 are valued based on exchange-quoted market prices of individual securities.

 

Derivative instruments included in Level 1 are valued using quoted market prices on the New York Mercantile Exchange (NYMEX) or the Intercontinental Exchange (ICE), and also certain natural gas commodity contracts. Derivative instruments classified in Level 2 include derivatives that are valued using broker or dealer quotation services or published benchmarks whose prices are derived principally from, or are corroborated by, observable market inputs. Also included in Level 2 are certain derivative instruments that have values that are similar to, and correlate with, quoted prices for exchange-traded instruments or in active markets. Derivative instruments included in Level 3 are valued using generally unobservable inputs that are based upon the best information available and reflect management’s assumptions about how market participants would price the asset or liability. There were no Level 3 balances as of June 30, 2023, September 30, 2022, and June 30, 2022. The Company’s and the Utilities’ policy is to recognize transfers between the levels of the fair value hierarchy, if any, as of the beginning of the interim reporting period in which circumstances change or events occur to cause the transfer.

 

The mutual funds are included in “Other Investments” on the Company’s balance sheets and in “Other Property and Investments” on Spire Missouri’s balance sheets. Changes in their recurring valuations are recorded as unrealized gains or losses in the corresponding income statement. Derivative assets and liabilities, including receivables and payables associated with cash margin requirements, are presented net in the balance sheets when a legally enforceable netting agreement exists between the Company, Spire Missouri, or Spire Alabama and the counterparty to a derivative contract.

 

Spire

  

Quoted Prices in Active Markets (Level 1)

  

Significant Observable Inputs (Level 2)

  

Effects of Netting and Cash Margin Receivables /Payables

  

Total

 

As of June 30, 2023

                

ASSETS

                

Gas Utility:

                

U.S. stock/bond mutual funds

 $21.4  $  $  $21.4 

Gas Marketing:

                

NYMEX/ICE natural gas contracts

  10.5      (10.5)   

Natural gas commodity contracts

  35.8      (1.0)  34.8 

Other:

                

U.S. stock/bond mutual funds

  31.4         31.4 

Interest rate swaps

     22.8      22.8 

Total

 $99.1  $22.8  $(11.5) $110.4 

LIABILITIES

                

Gas Utility:

                

NYMEX/ICE natural gas contracts

 $44.8  $  $(44.8) $ 

Gasoline and heating oil contracts

  0.7      (0.7)   

Gas Marketing:

                

NYMEX/ICE natural gas contracts

  24.3      (24.3)   

Natural gas commodity contracts

  34.9      (1.0)  33.9 

Other:

                

Interest rate swaps

     0.8      0.8 

Total

 $104.7  $0.8  $(70.8) $34.7 

 

34

 
  

Quoted Prices in Active Markets (Level 1)

  

Significant Observable Inputs (Level 2)

  

Effects of Netting and Cash Margin Receivables /Payables

  

Total

 

As of September 30, 2022

                

ASSETS

                

Gas Utility:

                

U.S. stock/bond mutual funds

 $19.1  $  $  $19.1 

NYMEX/ICE natural gas contracts

  57.8      (57.8)   

Gas Marketing:

                

NYMEX/ICE natural gas contracts

  91.8      (91.8)   

Natural gas commodity contracts

  56.6      (4.0)  52.6 

Other:

                

U.S. stock/bond mutual funds

  29.3         29.3 

Interest rate swaps

     63.6      63.6 

Total

 $254.6  $63.6  $(153.6) $164.6 

LIABILITIES

                

Gas Utility:

                

NYMEX/ICE natural gas contracts

 $30.7  $  $(30.7) $ 

Gas Marketing:

                

NYMEX/ICE natural gas contracts

  82.3      (82.3)   

Natural gas commodity contracts

  65.5      (4.0)  61.5 

Total

 $178.5  $  $(117.0) $61.5 
                 

As of June 30, 2022

                

ASSETS

                

Gas Utility:

                

U.S. stock/bond mutual funds

 $20.3  $  $  $20.3 

NYMEX/ICE natural gas contracts

  39.6      (39.6)   

Gas Marketing:

                

NYMEX/ICE natural gas contracts

  94.2      (94.2)   

Natural gas commodity contracts

  57.6      (5.3)  52.3 

Other:

                

U.S. stock/bond mutual funds

  31.6         31.6 

Interest rate swaps

     52.7   (7.6)  45.1 

Total

 $243.3  $52.7  $(146.7) $149.3 

LIABILITIES

                

Gas Utility:

                

NYMEX/ICE natural gas contracts

 $12.8  $  $(12.8) $ 

Gas Marketing:

                

NYMEX/ICE natural gas contracts

  60.8      (60.8)   

Natural gas commodity contracts

  118.3      (5.3)  113.0 

Other:

                

Interest rate swaps

     7.6   (7.6)   

Total

 $191.9  $7.6  $(86.5) $113.0 

 

35

 

Spire Missouri

  

Quoted Prices in Active Markets (Level 1)

  

Significant Observable Inputs (Level 2)

  

Effects of Netting and Cash Margin Receivables /Payables

  

Total

 

As of June 30, 2023

                

ASSETS

                

U.S. stock/bond mutual funds

 $21.4  $  $  $21.4 

LIABILITIES

                

NYMEX/ICE natural gas contracts

 $44.8  $  $(44.8) $ 

Gasoline and heating oil contracts

  0.7      (0.7)   

Total

 $45.5  $  $(45.5) $ 
                 

As of September 30, 2022

                

ASSETS

                

U.S. stock/bond mutual funds

 $19.1  $  $  $19.1 

NYMEX/ICE natural gas contracts

  57.8      (57.8)   

Total

 $76.9  $  $(57.8) $19.1 

LIABILITIES

                

NYMEX/ICE natural gas contracts

 $30.7  $  $(30.7) $ 
                 

As of June 30, 2022

                

ASSETS

                

U.S. stock/bond mutual funds

 $20.3  $  $  $20.3 

NYMEX/ICE natural gas contracts

  39.6      (39.6)   

Total

 $59.9  $  $(39.6) $20.3 

LIABILITIES

                

NYMEX/ICE natural gas contracts

 $12.8  $  $(12.8) $ 

 

36

 
 

9. PENSION PLANS AND OTHER POSTRETIREMENT BENEFITS

 

Pension Plans

 

Spire and the Utilities maintain pension plans for their employees.

 

Spire Missouri and Spire Alabama have non-contributory, defined benefit, trusteed forms of pension plans covering the majority of their employees. Qualified plan assets are comprised of mutual and commingled funds consisting of U.S. equities with varying strategies, global equities, alternative investments, and fixed income investments.

 

The net periodic pension cost includes components shown in the following tables. The components other than the service costs and regulatory adjustment are presented in “Other Income, Net” in the income statement, except for Spire Alabama’s losses on lump-sum settlements. Such losses are capitalized in regulatory balances and amortized over the remaining actuarial life of individuals in the plan, and that amortization is presented in “Other Income, Net.”

 

  

Three Months Ended June 30,

  

Nine Months Ended June 30,

 
  

2023

  

2022

  

2023

  

2022

 

Spire

                

Service cost – benefits earned during the period

 $4.2  $4.8  $12.2  $15.6 

Interest cost on projected benefit obligation

  6.6   5.4   18.9   15.8 

Expected return on plan assets

  (6.4)  (7.7)  (18.5)  (24.1)

Amortization of prior service credit

  (1.1)  (1.1)  (3.4)  (3.4)

Amortization of actuarial loss

  1.5   2.5   4.7   9.8 

Loss on lump-sum settlements

     17.8   8.6   29.5 

Subtotal

  4.8   21.7   22.5   43.2 

Regulatory adjustment

  6.1   (6.9)  18.3   2.5 

Net pension cost

 $10.9  $14.8  $40.8  $45.7 
                 

Spire Missouri

                

Service cost – benefits earned during the period

 $2.8  $3.5  $8.5  $11.2 

Interest cost on projected benefit obligation

  4.5   3.8   13.4   10.9 

Expected return on plan assets

  (4.5)  (5.7)  (13.5)  (17.6)

Amortization of prior service credit

  (0.5)  (0.5)  (1.5)  (1.5)

Amortization of actuarial loss

  1.5   2.0   4.6   7.6 

Loss on lump-sum settlements

     17.3      24.1 

Subtotal

  3.8   20.4   11.5   34.7 

Regulatory adjustment

  3.4   (8.3)  19.6   1.3 

Net pension cost

 $7.2  $12.1  $31.1  $36.0 
                 

Spire Alabama

                

Service cost – benefits earned during the period

 $1.3  $1.1  $3.2  $3.8 

Interest cost on projected benefit obligation

  1.5   1.1   3.6   3.4 

Expected return on plan assets

  (1.1)  (1.2)  (2.7)  (4.0)

Amortization of prior service credit

  (0.6)  (0.6)  (1.8)  (1.8)

Amortization of actuarial loss

  0.1   0.5   0.4   2.2 

Loss on lump-sum settlements

     0.5   8.6   5.4 

Subtotal

  1.2   1.4   11.3   9.0 

Regulatory adjustment

  2.4   1.1   (2.0)  0.5 

Net pension cost

 $3.6  $2.5  $9.3  $9.5 

 

37

 

Pursuant to the provisions of Spire Missouri’s and Spire Alabama’s pension plans, pension obligations may be satisfied by monthly annuities, lump-sum cash payments, or special termination benefits. Lump-sum payments are recognized as settlements (which can result in gains or losses) only if the total of such payments exceeds the sum of service and interest costs in a specific year. Special termination benefits, when offered, are also recognized as settlements which can result in gains or losses. For the three and nine months ended June 30, 2023, two Spire Alabama plans met the criteria for settlement recognition. The lump-sum payments recognized as settlements for the remeasurement were $27.5 for the Spire Alabama plans. The lump-sum settlement resulted in a loss of $8.6 for Spire Alabama. For the remeasurement, the discount rate for both of the Spire Alabama plans was updated to 5.6%, from 5.7% for one plan and 5.65% for the other plan, at September 30, 2022. The Spire Alabama regulatory tariff requires that settlement losses be amortized over the remaining actuarial life of the individuals in the plan — in this case, 13.4 years for one plan and 12.4 years for the other plan. Therefore, no lump sum settlement expense was recorded in the nine months ended June 30, 2023.

 

For the three months ended June 30, 2022, one Spire Missouri plan and two Spire Alabama plans met the criteria for settlement recognition. The lump-sum payments recognized as settlements for the remeasurement were $47.4 for the Spire Missouri plan and $3.6 for the Spire Alabama plans. The lump-sum settlement resulted in losses of $17.3 and $0.5 for Spire Missouri and Spire Alabama, respectively. For the remeasurement, the discount rate for the Spire Missouri plan was updated to 4.55% from 3.6% at February 28, 2022, and the discount rates for the Spire Alabama plans were also updated to 4.55% from 3.6% at February 28, 2022. The Spire Alabama regulatory tariff requires that settlement losses be amortized over the remaining actuarial life of the individuals in the plan — in this case, 13.0 years for the one plan and 11.1 years for the second plan. Therefore, no lump sum settlement expense was recorded in the period ended June 30, 2022.

 

For the three months ended March 31, 2022, one Spire Missouri plan and two Spire Alabama plans met the criteria for settlement recognition. The lump-sum payments recognized as settlements for the remeasurement were $21.6 for the Spire Missouri plan and $17.4 for the Spire Alabama plans. The lump-sum settlement resulted in losses of $6.8 and $4.9 for Spire Missouri and Spire Alabama, respectively. For the remeasurement, the discount rate for the Spire Missouri plan was updated to 3.6% from 3.0% at September 30, 2021, and the discount rates for the Spire Alabama plans were updated to 3.6% from 3.0% for the first plan and 3.1% for the second plan at September 30, 2021. The Spire Alabama regulatory tariff requires that settlement losses be amortized over the remaining actuarial life of the individuals in the plan — in this case, 12.3 years for the one plan and 12.6 years for the second plan. Therefore, no lump sum settlement expenses were recorded in the period ended  March 31, 2022.

 

Effective December 23, 2021, the pension cost for Spire Missouri’s western territory (Missouri West) included in customer rates was reduced from $5.5 to $4.4 per year, the pension cost included in Spire Missouri’s eastern territory (Missouri East) customer rates was increased from $29.0 to $32.4 per year. Subsequently, on December 26, 2022, the amount in Missouri East was lowered to $29.9. The difference between these amounts and pension expense as calculated pursuant to the above and that otherwise would be included in the statements of income and statements of comprehensive income is deferred as a regulatory asset or regulatory liability.

 

Also effective December 23, 2021, Missouri East prepaid pension assets and other postretirement benefits that were previously being included in rates at $21.6 per year for eight years were reduced to $11.0 per year, with the amortization period being reset for another eight years. Missouri West net liability for pension and other postretirement benefits that were previously reducing rates by $3.3 per year for eight years were reduced to a $1.1 reduction in rates per year, with the amortization period being reset for another eight years. Subsequently, on December 26, 2022, Missouri East amortization was lowered to $6.9 and Missouri West to a reduction of $0.8.

 

The funding policy of the Utilities is to contribute an amount not less than the minimum required by government funding standards, nor more than the maximum deductible amount for federal income tax purposes. Fiscal 2023 contributions to Spire Missouri’s pension plans through June 30, 2023 were $29.7 to the qualified trusts and none to non-qualified plans. Fiscal 2023 contributions to the Spire Alabama pension plans through June 30, 2023 were $2.8. No additional contributions to the qualified trusts of Spire Missouri’s pension plans are anticipated for the remainder of fiscal 2023. Contributions to Spire Alabama’s pension plans for the remainder of fiscal 2023 are anticipated to be $25.0.

 

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Other Postretirement Benefits

 

Spire and the Utilities provide certain life insurance benefits at retirement. Spire Missouri plans provide for medical insurance after early retirement until age 65. For retirements prior to January 1, 2015, certain Spire Missouri plans provided medical insurance after retirement until death. The Spire Alabama plans provide medical insurance upon retirement until death for certain retirees depending on the type of employee and the date the employee was originally hired.

 

The net periodic postretirement benefit cost includes components shown in the following tables. The components other than the service costs and regulatory adjustment are presented in “Other Income, Net” in the income statement, except in the event Spire Alabama incurs losses on lump-sum settlements. Any such losses are capitalized in regulatory balances and amortized over the remaining actuarial life of individuals in the plan, and that amortization is presented in “Other Income, Net.”

 

  

Three Months Ended June 30,

  

Nine Months Ended June 30,

 
  

2023

  

2022

  

2023

  

2022

 

Spire

                

Service cost – benefits earned during the period

 $1.2  $1.9  $3.6  $5.8 

Interest cost on accumulated postretirement benefit obligation

  2.0   1.6   6.3   4.6 

Expected return on plan assets

  (4.0)  (4.3)  (11.8)  (12.8)

Amortization of prior service cost

  0.1   0.3   0.2   0.8 

Amortization of actuarial gain

  (0.9)  (0.5)  (3.0)  (1.7)

Subtotal

  (1.6)  (1.0)  (4.7)  (3.3)

Regulatory adjustment

  (0.5)  (0.1)  (0.2)  3.2 

Net postretirement benefit income

 $(2.1) $(1.1) $(4.9) $(0.1)
                 

Spire Missouri

                

Service cost – benefits earned during the period

 $1.0  $1.6  $3.0  $4.8 

Interest cost on accumulated postretirement benefit obligation

  1.6   1.2   4.9   3.4 

Expected return on plan assets

  (2.6)  (2.9)  (7.9)  (8.6)

Amortization of prior service cost

  0.1   0.2   0.4   0.6 

Amortization of actuarial gain

  (0.8)  (0.5)  (2.4)  (1.5)

Subtotal

  (0.7)  (0.4)  (2.0)  (1.3)

Regulatory adjustment

  (0.2)  0.4   1.1   4.5 

Net postretirement benefit cost

 $(0.9) $  $(0.9) $3.2 
                 

Spire Alabama

                

Service cost – benefits earned during the period

 $0.2  $0.3  $0.5  $0.9 

Interest cost on accumulated postretirement benefit obligation

  0.4   0.4   1.3   1.1 

Expected return on plan assets

  (1.3)  (1.3)  (3.8)  (3.9)

Amortization of prior service (credit) cost

     0.1   (0.2)  0.2 

Amortization of actuarial gain

  (0.1)     (0.4)   

Subtotal

  (0.8)  (0.5)  (2.6)  (1.7)

Regulatory adjustment

  (0.5)  (0.5)  (1.4)  (1.4)

Net postretirement benefit income

 $(1.3) $(1.0) $(4.0) $(3.1)

 

39

 

Missouri and Alabama state laws provide for the recovery in rates of costs accrued pursuant to GAAP provided that such costs are funded through an independent, external funding mechanism. The Utilities have established Voluntary Employees’ Beneficiary Association (VEBA) and Rabbi Trusts as external funding mechanisms. The assets of the VEBA and Rabbi Trusts consist primarily of money market securities and mutual funds invested in stocks and bonds.

 

Effective December 23, 2021, the $8.6 allowance for recovery in rates for Spire Missouri’s postretirement benefit plans was discontinued. The difference between no recovery in rates and pension expense as calculated pursuant to the above and that otherwise would be included in the statements of income and statements of comprehensive income is deferred as a regulatory asset or regulatory liability. Effective with the resolution of the 2022 Missouri rate case in December 2022, net liabilities for postretirement benefits will reduce rates $0.9 and $0.1 per year for Missouri East and Missouri West, respectively.

 

The Utilities’ funding policy is to contribute amounts to the trusts equal to the periodic benefit cost calculated pursuant to GAAP as recovered in rates. There have been no contributions to the postretirement plans through June 30, 2023 for Spire Missouri or Spire Alabama, and none are expected to be required for the remainder of the fiscal year.

 

 

10. INFORMATION BY OPERATING SEGMENT

 

The Company has three reportable segments: Gas Utility, Gas Marketing, and Midstream. The Gas Utility segment is the aggregation of the operations of the Utilities. The Gas Marketing segment includes the results of Spire Marketing, a subsidiary engaged in the non-regulated marketing of natural gas and related activities, including utilizing natural gas storage contracts for providing natural gas sales. The Midstream segment includes Spire STL Pipeline, a subsidiary of Spire providing interstate natural gas pipeline transportation services, and Spire Storage, subsidiaries of Spire providing interstate and intrastate natural gas storage services. Other components of the Company’s consolidated information include Spire's subsidiaries engaged in the operation of a propane pipeline and risk management, among other activities, and unallocated corporate items, including certain debt and associated interest costs.

 

Accounting policies are described in Note 1, Summary of Significant Accounting Policies. Intersegment transactions include sales of natural gas from Spire Marketing to Spire Missouri, Spire Alabama and Spire Storage, sales of natural gas from Spire Missouri to Spire Marketing, storage services from Spire Storage to Spire Marketing, and natural gas transportation services provided by Spire STL Pipeline to Spire Missouri and Spire Marketing. 

 

Management evaluates the performance of the operating segments based on the computation of net economic earnings. Net economic earnings exclude from reported net income the after-tax impacts of fair value accounting and timing adjustments associated with energy-related transactions, the impacts of acquisition, divestiture and restructuring activities, and the largely non-cash impacts of impairments and other non-recurring or unusual items such as certain regulatory, legislative, or GAAP standard-setting actions.

 

40

 
  

Gas Utility

  

Gas Marketing

  

Midstream

  

Other

  

Eliminations

  

Consolidated

 

Three Months Ended June 30, 2023

                        

Operating Revenues:

                        

Revenues from external customers

 $387.5  $23.1  $7.7  $0.2  $  $418.5 

Intersegment revenues

  0.3      9.7   4.1   (14.1)   

Total Operating Revenues

  387.8   23.1   17.4   4.3   (14.1)  418.5 

Operating Expenses:

                        

Natural gas

  154.6   25.3         (10.1)  169.8 

Operation and maintenance

  111.7   4.2   8.1   5.5   (4.0)  125.5 

Depreciation and amortization

  61.7   0.3   2.1   0.2      64.3 

Taxes, other than income taxes

  45.9   0.4   0.7   (0.1)     46.9 

Total Operating Expenses

  373.9   30.2   10.9   5.6   (14.1)  406.5 

Operating Income (Loss)

 $13.9  $(7.1) $6.5  $(1.3) $  $12.0 

Net Economic (Loss) Earnings

 $(12.3) $(2.5) $3.6  $(7.4) $  $(18.6)

 

  

Gas Utility

  

Gas Marketing

  

Midstream

  

Other

  

Eliminations

  

Consolidated

 

Three Months Ended June 30, 2022

                        

Operating Revenues:

                        

Revenues from external customers

 $377.4  $64.1  $6.3  $0.2  $  $448.0 

Intersegment revenues

        8.3   3.9   (12.2)   

Total Operating Revenues

  377.4   64.1   14.6   4.1   (12.2)  448.0 

Operating Expenses:

                        

Natural gas

  144.5   67.1         (8.3)  203.3 

Operation and maintenance

  95.0   3.2   4.8   3.2   (3.9)  102.3 

Depreciation and amortization

  58.1   0.3   1.8   0.2      60.4 

Taxes, other than income taxes

  43.0   0.4   0.6   0.1      44.1 

Total Operating Expenses

  340.6   71.0   7.2   3.5   (12.2)  410.1 

Operating Income (Loss)

 $36.8  $(6.9) $7.4  $0.6  $  $37.9 

Net Economic Earnings (Loss)

 $4.2  $0.4  $4.3  $(4.8) $  $4.1 

 

41

 
  

Gas Utility

  

Gas Marketing

  

Midstream

  

Other

  

Eliminations

  

Consolidated

 

Nine Months Ended June 30, 2023

                        

Operating Revenues:

                        

Revenues from external customers

 $2,174.9  $157.8  $22.7  $0.5  $  $2,355.9 

Intersegment revenues

  0.4      26.4   11.9   (38.7)   

Total Operating Revenues

  2,175.3   157.8   49.1   12.4   (38.7)  2,355.9 

Operating Expenses:

                        

Natural gas

  1,099.5   102.8         (26.8)  1,175.5 

Operation and maintenance

  350.9   16.2   20.1   14.4   (11.9)  389.7 

Depreciation and amortization

  181.6   1.0   6.0   0.4      189.0 

Taxes, other than income taxes

  176.2   1.1   1.9         179.2 

Total Operating Expenses

  1,808.2   121.1   28.0   14.8   (38.7)  1,933.4 

Operating Income (Loss)

 $367.1  $36.7  $21.1  $(2.4) $  $422.5 

Net Economic Earnings (Loss)

 $234.5  $45.0  $11.6  $(25.4) $  $265.7 

 

  

Gas Utility

  

Gas Marketing

  

Midstream

  

Other

  

Eliminations

  

Consolidated

 

Nine Months Ended June 30, 2022

                        

Operating Revenues:

                        

Revenues from external customers

 $1,698.3  $171.4  $14.1  $0.5  $  $1,884.3 

Intersegment revenues

        27.2   11.6   (38.8)   

Total Operating Revenues

  1,698.3   171.4   41.3   12.1   (38.8)  1,884.3 

Operating Expenses:

                        

Natural gas

  710.7   160.9         (27.1)  844.5 

Operation and maintenance

  306.5   9.1   16.4   11.6   (11.7)  331.9 

Depreciation and amortization

  169.2   1.0   5.6   0.4      176.2 

Taxes, other than income taxes

  150.3   0.8   2.1   0.1      153.3 

Total Operating Expenses

  1,336.7   171.8   24.1   12.1   (38.8)  1,505.9 

Operating Income (Loss)

 $361.6  $(0.4) $17.2  $  $  $378.4 

Net Economic Earnings (Loss)

 $240.6  $15.3  $9.8  $(18.0) $  $247.7 

 

42

 

The following table reconciles the Company’s net economic earnings (loss) to net income (loss).

 

  

Three Months Ended June 30,

  

Nine Months Ended June 30,

 
  

2023

  

2022

  

2023

  

2022

 

Net (Loss) Income

 $(21.6) $(1.4) $248.6  $227.9 

Adjustments, pre-tax:

                

Fair value and timing adjustments

  3.4   7.3   22.2   20.9 

Acquisition activities

  0.5      0.5    

Income tax adjustments

  (0.9)  (1.8)  (5.6)  (1.1)

Net Economic (Loss) Earnings

 $(18.6) $4.1  $265.7  $247.7 

 

The Company’s total assets by segment were as follows:

  

June 30,

  

September 30,

  

June 30,

 
  

2023

  

2022

  

2022

 

Total Assets:

            

Gas Utility

 $8,283.2  $8,042.8  $7,854.7 

Gas Marketing

  316.6   638.7   595.5 

Midstream

  533.3   446.0   430.9 

Other

  2,134.1   2,449.2   2,222.0 

Eliminations

  (1,229.7)  (1,493.0)  (1,319.2)

Total Assets

 $10,037.5  $10,083.7  $9,783.9 

 

 

11. COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

 

Commitments

 

The Company and the Utilities have entered into contracts with various counterparties, expiring on dates through calendar 2039, for the storage, transportation, and supply of natural gas. Minimum payments required under the contracts in place at June 30, 2023, are estimated at $1,780.5, $1,351.8, and $255.8 for the Company, Spire Missouri, and Spire Alabama, respectively. Additional contracts are generally entered into prior to or during the heating season of November through April. The Utilities recover their costs from customers in accordance with their PGA clauses or GSA riders.

 

In May 2023, Spire entered into an agreement to acquire MoGas Pipeline, an interstate natural gas pipeline, and Omega Pipeline, a connected gas distribution system, from CorEnergy Infrastructure Trust, Inc., for $175 cash, subject to customary working capital and other closing adjustments. Spire has received a request for additional information ("Second Request") from the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) with regard to this proposed acquisition. The Company intends to cooperate fully with the FTC regarding the Second Request and expects to close around the end of the calendar year subject to receiving FTC approval.

 

A consolidated subsidiary of Spire is a limited partner in Inter-Atlantic Energy Capital Ventures, L.P., an unconsolidated partnership focusing on sustainability initiatives largely tied to the natural gas utility sector. Spire committed to contribute a total of $10.0 of capital to the partnership as and when requested by the general partner. As of June 30, 2023, the remaining unfunded commitment was $7.2.

 

Contingencies

 

The Company and the Utilities account for contingencies, including environmental liabilities, in accordance with accounting standards under the loss contingency guidance of ASC Topic 450, Contingencies, when it is probable that a liability has been incurred and the amount of the loss can be reasonably estimated.

 

In addition to matters noted below, the Company and the Utilities are involved in other litigation, claims, and investigations arising in the normal course of business. Management, after discussion with counsel, believes the final outcome will not have a material effect on the statements of income, balance sheets, and statements of cash flows of the Company, Spire Missouri, or Spire Alabama. However, there is uncertainty in the valuation of pending claims and prediction of litigation results.

 

43

 

The Company and the Utilities own and operate natural gas distribution, transmission, and storage facilities, the operations of which are subject to various environmental laws, regulations, and interpretations. While environmental issues resulting from such operations arise in the ordinary course of business, such issues have not materially affected the Company’s or Utilities’ financial position and results of operations. As environmental laws, regulations, and their interpretations change, the Company or the Utilities may incur additional environmental liabilities that may result in additional costs, which may be material.

 

In the natural gas industry, many gas distribution companies have incurred environmental liabilities associated with sites they or their predecessor companies formerly owned or operated where manufactured gas operations took place. The Utilities each have former manufactured gas plant (MGP) operations in their respective service territories, some of which are discussed under the Spire Missouri and Spire Alabama headings below. To the extent costs are incurred associated with environmental remediation activities, the Utilities would request authority from their respective regulators to defer such costs (less any amounts received from insurance proceeds or as contributions from other potentially responsible parties (PRPs)) and collect them through future rates.

 

To date, costs incurred for all Spire MGP sites for investigation, remediation and monitoring have not been material. However, the amount of costs relative to future remedial actions at these and other sites is unknown and may be material. The actual future costs that Spire Missouri and Spire Alabama may incur could be materially higher or lower depending upon several factors, including whether remediation will be required, final selection and regulatory approval of any remedial actions, changing technologies and government regulations, the ultimate ability of other PRPs to pay, and any insurance recoveries.

 

In 2020, Spire retained an outside consultant to conduct probabilistic cost modeling of its former MGP sites in Missouri and Alabama. The purpose of this analysis was to develop an estimated range of probabilistic future liability for each of their MGP sites. That analysis, completed in March 2021, provided a range of demonstrated possible future expenditures to investigate, monitor and remediate the former MGP sites. Spire Missouri and Spire Alabama have recorded their best estimates of the probable expenditures that relate to these matters. The amount remains immaterial, and Spire Missouri, Spire Alabama and the Company do not expect potential liabilities that may arise from remediating these sites to have a material impact on their future financial condition or results of operations.

 

Spire Missouri

 

Spire Missouri has identified three former MGP sites in the city of St. Louis, Missouri (the “City”) where costs have been incurred and claims have been asserted. Spire Missouri has enrolled two of the sites in the Missouri Department of Natural Resources (MoDNR) Brownfields/Voluntary Cleanup Program (BVCP). The third site is the result of an assertion by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

 

In conjunction with redevelopment of the Carondelet Coke site, Spire Missouri and another former owner of the site entered into an agreement (the “Remediation Agreement”) with the City development agencies, the developer, and an environmental consultant that obligates one of the City agencies and the environmental consultant to remediate the site and obtain a No Further Action (NFA) letter from the MoDNR. The Remediation Agreement also provides for a release of Spire Missouri and the other former site owner from certain liabilities related to the past and current environmental condition of the site and requires the developer and the environmental consultant to maintain certain insurance coverage, including remediation cost containment, premises pollution liability, and professional liability. The operative provisions of the Remediation Agreement were triggered on December 20, 2010, on which date Spire Missouri and the other former site owner, as full consideration under the Remediation Agreement, paid a small percentage of the cost of remediation of the site. The property was divided into seven parcels, and MoDNR NFA letters have been received for six of the parcels. Remediation is ongoing on the last parcel.

 

In a letter dated June 29, 2011, the Attorney General for the State of Missouri informed Spire Missouri that the MoDNR had completed an investigation of the second site, Station A. The Attorney General requested that Spire Missouri participate in the follow up investigations of the site. In a letter dated January 10, 2012, Spire Missouri stated that it would participate in future environmental response activities at the site in conjunction with other PRPs. Accordingly, Spire Missouri entered into a cost sharing agreement for remedial investigation with other PRPs. MoDNR never approved the agreement, so no remedial investigation took place.

 

44

 

Additionally, in correspondence dated November 30, 2016, Region 7 of the EPA has asserted that Spire Missouri is liable under Section 107(a) of the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act of 1980 (CERCLA) for alleged coal gas waste contamination at a third site, Station B. Spire Missouri and the site owner notified the EPA that information and data provided by the EPA to date does not rise to the level of documenting a threat to the public health or environment. As such, in March 2017 Spire Missouri requested more information from the EPA. Spire Missouri never received a response from the EPA.

 

Spire Missouri has notified its insurers that it seeks reimbursement for costs incurred in the past and future potential liabilities associated with these MGP sites. While some of the insurers have denied coverage and reserved their rights, Spire Missouri retains the right to seek potential reimbursements from them.

 

On March 10, 2015, Spire Missouri received a Section 104(e) information request under CERCLA from EPA Region 7 regarding the former Thompson Chemical/Superior Solvents site in the City. In turn, Spire Missouri issued a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request to the EPA on April 3, 2015, to identify the basis of the inquiry. The FOIA response from the EPA was received on July 15, 2015, and a response was provided to the EPA on August 15, 2015. Spire Missouri has received no further inquiry from the EPA regarding this matter.

 

In its western service area, Spire Missouri has six owned MGP sites enrolled in the BVCP, including Joplin MGP #1, St. Joseph MGP #1, Kansas City Coal Gas Station B, Kansas City Station A Railroad area, Kansas City Coal Gas Station A, and Independence MGP #2. Source removal has been conducted at all the owned sites since 2003 with the exception of Joplin. On September 15, 2016, a request was made with the MoDNR for a restrictive covenant use limitation with respect to Joplin. Remediation efforts at the six sites are at various stages of completion, ranging from groundwater monitoring and sampling following source removal activities to the aforementioned request for the Joplin site. As part of its participation in the BVCP, Spire Missouri communicates regularly with the MoDNR with respect to its remediation efforts and monitoring activities at these sites. On May 11, 2015, MoDNR approved the next phase of investigation at the Kansas City Station A Railroad area.

 

Spire Alabama

 

Spire Alabama is in the chain of title of nine former MGP sites, four of which it still owns, and five former manufactured gas distribution sites, one of which it still owns. All are located in the state of Alabama.

 

In 2011, a removal action was completed and an NFA letter was received at the Huntsville MGP site pursuant to an Administrative Settlement Agreement and Order on Consent among the EPA, Spire Alabama and the current site owner.

 

In 2012, Spire Alabama responded to an EPA Request for Information Pursuant to Section 104 of CERCLA relating to the 35th Avenue Superfund Site located in North Birmingham, Jefferson County, Alabama. Spire Alabama was identified as a PRP under CERCLA for the cleanup of the site or costs the EPA incurs in cleaning up the site. At this point, Spire Alabama has not been provided information that would allow it to determine the extent, if any, of its potential liability with respect to the 35th Avenue Superfund Site and vigorously denies its inclusion as a PRP.

 

Assessments were performed by the EPA of the former MGP sites in Gadsden and Anniston, and NFA letters were received after each assessment.

 

Spire

 

In addition to those discussed above for Spire Missouri and Spire Alabama, Spire is aware of the following contingent matters.

 

Spire Marketing, along with many natural gas industry participants, faced the unprecedented effects of Winter Storm Uri in February 2021. Numerous natural gas producers and midstream operators were unable to deliver natural gas to market as they experienced wellhead freeze-offs, power outages and equipment failure due to the extreme weather. These events resulted in supply curtailments, and related notices of force majeure to excuse performance, from and to certain counterparties. Further, these events have made Spire Marketing subject to various commercial disputes (including regarding force majeure). As such, Spire Marketing has recorded an estimate of potential liabilities for damages based on communications with counterparties and the facts and circumstances surrounding each transaction. These estimates are adjusted as new facts emerge or settlement agreements are reached, and it is possible that final settlement amounts may materially differ from the current estimate.

 

45

 
 

Item 2. Managements Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

(Dollars in millions, except per share amounts)

 

This section analyzes the financial condition and results of operations of Spire Inc. (the “Company”), Spire Missouri Inc., and Spire Alabama Inc. Spire Missouri, Spire Alabama and Spire EnergySouth are wholly owned subsidiaries of the Company. Spire Missouri, Spire Alabama and the subsidiaries of Spire EnergySouth (Spire Gulf and Spire Mississippi) are collectively referred to as the “Utilities.” This section includes management’s view of factors that affect the respective businesses of the Company, Spire Missouri and Spire Alabama, explanations of financial results including changes in earnings and costs from the prior periods, and the effects of such factors on the Company’s, Spire Missouri’s and Spire Alabama’s overall financial condition and liquidity.

 

Certain matters discussed in this report, excluding historical information, include forward-looking statements. Certain words, such as “may,” “anticipate,” “believe,” “estimate,” “expect,” “intend,” “plan,” “seek,” “target,” and similar words and expressions identify forward-looking statements that involve uncertainties and risks. Future developments may not be in accordance with our current expectations or beliefs and the effect of future developments may not be those anticipated. Among the factors that may cause results or outcomes to differ materially from those contemplated in any forward-looking statement are:

 

 

• 

Weather conditions and catastrophic events, particularly severe weather in U.S. natural gas producing areas;

 

• 

Volatility in gas prices, particularly sudden and sustained changes in natural gas prices, including the related impact on margin deposits associated with the use of natural gas derivative instruments, and the impact on our competitive position in relation to suppliers of alternative heating sources, such as electricity;

 

• 

Changes in gas supply and pipeline availability, including as a result of decisions by natural gas producers to reduce production or shut in producing natural gas wells and expiration or termination of existing supply and transportation arrangements that are not replaced with contracts with similar terms and pricing, as well as other changes that impact supply for and access to the markets in which our subsidiaries transact business;

 

• 

Acquisitions may not achieve their intended results;

 

• 

Legislative, regulatory and judicial mandates and decisions, some of which may be retroactive, including those affecting:

 

▪ 

allowed rates of return and recovery of prudent costs,

 

▪ 

incentive regulation,

 

▪ 

industry structure,

 

▪ 

purchased gas adjustment provisions,

 

▪ 

rate design structure and implementation,

 

▪ 

capital structures established for rate-setting purposes,

 

▪ 

regulatory assets,

 

▪ 

non-regulated and affiliate transactions,

 

▪ 

franchise renewals,

 

▪ 

authorization to operate facilities,

 

▪ 

environmental or safety matters, including the potential impact of legislative and regulatory actions related to climate change and pipeline safety and security,

 

▪ 

taxes,

 

▪ 

pension and other postretirement benefit liabilities and funding obligations, or

 

▪ 

accounting standards;

 

• 

The results of litigation;

 

• 

The availability of and access to, in general, funds to meet our debt obligations prior to or when they become due and to fund our operations and necessary capital expenditures, either through (i) cash on hand, (ii) operating cash flow, or (iii) access to the capital markets;

 

• 

Retention of, ability to attract, ability to collect from, and conservation efforts of, customers;

 

 

 

• 

Our ability to comply with all covenants in our indentures and credit facilities, any violations of which, if not cured in a timely manner, could trigger a default of our obligation;

 

• 

Energy commodity market conditions;

 

• 

Discovery of material weakness in internal controls;

 

• 

The disruption, failure or malfunction of our operational and information technology systems, including due to cyberattacks; and

 

• 

Employee workforce issues, including but not limited to labor disputes, the inability to attract and retain key talent, and future wage and employee benefit costs, including costs resulting from changes in discount rates and returns on benefit plan assets.

 

Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations should be read in conjunction with the Company’s Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements, Spire Missouri’s and Spire Alabama’s Condensed Financial Statements, and the notes thereto.

 

OVERVIEW

 

Certain information is presented by reportable segment, as described below. Effective during the first quarter of fiscal 2023, the Company changed its reportable segments to reflect changes in the way its chief operating decision maker evaluates the performance of its operations, develops strategy and allocates capital resources. Specifically, Midstream, which was formerly included in Other, is now reported separately. The Company's historical segment disclosures have been recast to be consistent with the current presentation.

 

The Company has three reportable segments: Gas Utility, Gas Marketing, and Midstream. Spire’s earnings are derived primarily from its Gas Utility segment, which reflects the regulated activities of the Utilities. Due to the seasonal nature of the Utilities’ business and the volumetric Spire Missouri rate design, earnings of Spire and each of the Utilities are typically concentrated during the heating season of November through April each fiscal year.

 

Gas Utility – Spire Missouri

 

Spire Missouri is Missouri’s largest natural gas distribution utility and is regulated by the MoPSC. Spire Missouri serves St. Louis, Kansas City, and other areas throughout the state. Spire Missouri purchases natural gas in the wholesale market from producers and marketers and ships the gas through interstate pipelines into its own distribution facilities for sale to residential, commercial and industrial customers. Spire Missouri also transports gas through its distribution system for certain larger customers who buy their own gas on the wholesale market. Spire Missouri delivers natural gas to customers at rates and in accordance with tariffs authorized by the MoPSC. The earnings of Spire Missouri are primarily generated by the sale of heating energy.

 

Gas Utility – Spire Alabama

 

Spire Alabama is the largest natural gas distribution utility in the state of Alabama and is regulated by the APSC. Spire Alabama’s service territory is located in central and northern Alabama. Among the cities served by Spire Alabama are Birmingham, the center of the largest metropolitan area in the state, and Montgomery, the state capital. Spire Alabama purchases natural gas through interstate and intrastate suppliers and distributes the purchased gas through its distribution facilities for sale to residential, commercial, and industrial customers, and other end users of natural gas. Spire Alabama also transports gas through its distribution system for certain large commercial and industrial customers for a transportation fee. Effective December 1, 2020, for most of these transportation service customers, Spire Alabama also purchases gas on the wholesale market for sale to the customer upon delivery to the Spire Alabama distribution system. All Spire Alabama services are provided to customers at rates and in accordance with tariffs authorized by the APSC.

 

Gas Utility – Spire EnergySouth

 

Spire Gulf and Spire Mississippi are utilities engaged in the purchase, retail distribution and sale of natural gas to approximately 100,000 customers in southern Alabama and south-central Mississippi. Spire Gulf is regulated by the APSC, and Spire Mississippi is regulated by the MSPSC.

 

 

Gas Marketing

 

Spire Marketing is engaged in the marketing of natural gas and related activities on a non-regulated basis and is reported in the Gas Marketing segment. Spire Marketing markets natural gas to customers across the U.S. (and into Canada), including customers inside and outside of the Utilities’ service areas. It holds firm transportation and storage contracts in order to effectively manage its transactions with counterparties, which primarily include producers, municipalities, electric and gas utility companies, and large commercial and industrial customers.

 

Midstream

 

Spire's midstream operations consist of Spire Storage West LLC, Spire Storage Salt Plains LLC (jointly, “Spire Storage”) and Spire STL Pipeline LLC (“Spire STL Pipeline”). Spire STL Pipeline is a wholly owned subsidiary of Spire which owns and operates a FERC-regulated 65-mile pipeline connecting the Rockies Express Pipeline in Scott County, Illinois, to delivery points in St. Louis County, Missouri, including Spire Missouri’s storage facility. Spire STL Pipeline’s operating revenue is derived primarily from Spire Missouri as its foundation shipper. Spire Storage is engaged in the storage of natural gas in both the western and midcontinent regions of the United States. Spire Storage West, located in Wyoming, consists of two storage fields operating under one FERC market-based rate tariff, while Spire Storage Salt Plains, acquired on April 1, 2023 and located in Oklahoma, operates under intrastate jurisdiction with authorizations from FERC under Section 311 of the Natural Gas Policy Act to provide certain interstate storage, transportation, and hub services.

 

Other

 

Other components of the Company’s consolidated information include Spire’s subsidiaries engaged in the operation of a propane pipeline and risk management, among other activities, and unallocated corporate items, including certain debt and associated interest costs.

 

NON-GAAP MEASURES

 

Net income, earnings per share and operating income reported by Spire, Spire Missouri and Spire Alabama are determined in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (GAAP). Spire, Spire Missouri and Spire Alabama also provide the non-GAAP financial measures of net economic earnings, net economic earnings per share and contribution margin. Management and the Board of Directors use non-GAAP financial measures, in addition to GAAP financial measures, to understand and compare operating results across accounting periods, for financial and operational decision making, for planning and forecasting, to determine incentive compensation and to evaluate financial performance. These non-GAAP operating metrics should not be considered as alternatives to, or more meaningful than, the related GAAP measures. Reconciliations of non-GAAP financial measures to the most directly comparable GAAP measures are provided on the following pages.

 

Net Economic Earnings and Net Economic Earnings Per Share

 

Net economic earnings and net economic earnings per share are non-GAAP measures that exclude from net income, as applicable, the impacts of fair value accounting and timing adjustments associated with energy-related transactions, the impacts of acquisition, divestiture and restructuring activities, the largely non-cash impacts of impairments, and other non-recurring or unusual items such as certain regulatory, legislative or GAAP standard-setting actions. In addition, net economic earnings per share would exclude the impact, in the fiscal year of issuance, of any shares issued to finance such activities that have yet to be included in net economic earnings.

 

 

The fair value and timing adjustments are made in instances where the accounting treatment differs from what management considers the economic substance of the underlying transaction, including the following:

 

 

• 

Net unrealized gains and losses on energy-related derivatives that are required by GAAP fair value accounting associated with current changes in the fair value of financial and physical transactions prior to their completion and settlement. These unrealized gains and losses result primarily from two sources:

 

1)

changes in the fair values of physical and/or financial derivatives prior to the period of settlement; and

 

2)

ineffective portions of accounting hedges, required to be recorded in earnings prior to settlement, due to differences in commodity price changes between the locations of the forecasted physical purchase or sale transactions and the locations of the underlying hedge instruments;

 

 

• 

Lower of cost or market adjustments to the carrying value of commodity inventories resulting when the net realizable value of the commodity falls below its original cost, to the extent that those commodities are economically hedged; and

 

 

• 

Realized gains and losses resulting from the settlement of economic hedges prior to the sale of the physical commodity.

 

These adjustments eliminate the impact of timing differences and the impact of current changes in the fair value of financial and physical transactions prior to their completion and settlement. Unrealized gains or losses are recorded in each period until being replaced with the actual gains or losses realized when the associated physical transactions occur. Management believes that excluding the earnings volatility caused by recognizing changes in fair value prior to settlement and other timing differences associated with related purchase and sale transactions provides a useful representation of the economic effects of only the actual settled transactions and their effects on results of operations. While management uses these non-GAAP measures to evaluate all of its businesses, the net effect of these fair value and timing adjustments on the Utilities’ earnings is minimal because gains or losses on their natural gas derivative instruments are deferred pursuant to state regulation.

 

Contribution Margin

 

In addition to operating revenues and operating expenses, management also uses the non-GAAP measure of contribution margin when evaluating results of operations. Contribution margin is defined as operating revenues less natural gas costs and gross receipts tax expense. The Utilities pass to their customers (subject to prudence review by, as applicable, the MoPSC, APSC or MSPSC) increases and decreases in the wholesale cost of natural gas in accordance with their PGA clauses or GSA riders. The volatility of the wholesale natural gas market results in fluctuations from period to period in the recorded levels of, among other items, revenues and natural gas cost expense. Nevertheless, increases and decreases in the cost of gas associated with system gas sales volumes and gross receipts tax expense (which are calculated as a percentage of revenues), with the same amount (excluding immaterial timing differences) included in revenues, have no direct effect on operating income. Therefore, management believes that contribution margin is a useful supplemental measure, along with the remaining operating expenses, for assessing the Company’s and the Utilities’ performance.

 

 

EARNINGS THREE MONTHS ENDED June 30, 2023

 

This section contains discussion and analysis of the results for the three months ended June 30, 2023 compared to the results for the three months ended June 30, 2022, in total and by registrant and segment. 

 

Spire

 

Net Income and Net Economic Earnings

 

The following tables reconcile the Company’s net economic earnings to the most comparable GAAP number, net income.

 

   

Gas Utility

   

Gas Marketing

   

Midstream

   

Other

   

Total

   

Per Diluted Common Share**

 

Three Months Ended June 30, 2023

                                               

Net (Loss) Income [GAAP]

  $ (12.4 )   $ (4.9 )   $ 3.1     $ (7.4 )   $ (21.6 )   $ (0.48 )

Adjustments, pre-tax:

                                               

Fair value and timing adjustments

    0.2       3.2                   3.4       0.06  

Acquisition activities

                0.5             0.5       0.01  

Income tax adjustments*

    (0.1 )     (0.8 )                 (0.9 )     (0.01 )

Net Economic (Loss) Earnings [Non-GAAP]

  $ (12.3 )   $ (2.5 )   $ 3.6     $ (7.4 )   $ (18.6 )   $ (0.42 )
                                                 

Three Months Ended June 30, 2022

                                               

Net Income (Loss) [GAAP]

  $ 4.2     $ (5.1 )   $ 4.3     $ (4.8 )   $ (1.4 )   $ (0.10 )

Adjustments, pre-tax:

                                               

Fair value and timing adjustments

          7.3                   7.3       0.14  

Income tax adjustments*

          (1.8 )                 (1.8 )     (0.03 )

Net Economic Earnings (Loss) [Non-GAAP]

  $ 4.2     $ 0.4     $ 4.3     $ (4.8 )   $ 4.1     $ 0.01  

 

*      Income tax adjustments include amounts calculated by applying federal, state, and local income tax rates applicable to ordinary income to the amounts of the pre-tax reconciling items.

**    Net economic earnings per share is calculated by replacing consolidated net income with consolidated net economic earnings in the GAAP diluted earnings per share calculation, which includes reductions for cumulative preferred dividends and participating shares.

 

 

Reconciliations of contribution margin to the most directly comparable GAAP measure are shown below.

 

   

Gas Utility

   

Gas Marketing

   

Midstream

   

Other

   

Eliminations

   

Consolidated

 

Three Months Ended June 30, 2023

                                               

Operating Income (Loss) [GAAP]

  $ 13.9     $ (7.1 )   $ 6.5     $ (1.3 )   $     $ 12.0  

Operation and maintenance expenses

    111.7       4.2       8.1       5.5       (4.0 )     125.5  

Depreciation and amortization

    61.7       0.3       2.1       0.2             64.3  

Taxes, other than income taxes

    45.9       0.4       0.7       (0.1 )           46.9  

Less: Gross receipts tax expense

    (26.0 )                             (26.0 )

Contribution Margin [Non-GAAP]

    207.2       (2.2 )     17.4       4.3       (4.0 )     222.7  

Natural gas costs

    154.6       25.3                   (10.1 )     169.8  

Gross receipts tax expense

    26.0                               26.0  

Operating Revenues

  $ 387.8     $ 23.1     $ 17.4     $ 4.3     $ (14.1 )   $ 418.5  
                                                 

Three Months Ended June 30, 2022

                                               

Operating Income (Loss) [GAAP]

  $ 36.8     $ (6.9 )   $ 7.4     $ 0.6     $     $ 37.9  

Operation and maintenance expenses

    95.0       3.2       4.8       3.2       (3.9 )     102.3  

Depreciation and amortization

    58.1       0.3       1.8       0.2             60.4  

Taxes, other than income taxes

    43.0       0.4       0.6       0.1             44.1  

Less: Gross receipts tax expense

    (23.2 )     (0.1 )                       (23.3 )

Contribution Margin [Non-GAAP]

    209.7       (3.1 )     14.6       4.1       (3.9 )     221.4  

Natural gas costs

    144.5       67.1                   (8.3 )     203.3  

Gross receipts tax expense

    23.2       0.1                         23.3  

Operating Revenues

  $ 377.4     $ 64.1     $ 14.6     $ 4.1     $ (12.2 )   $ 448.0  

 

 

Select variances for the quarter ended June 30, 2023 compared to the quarter ended June 30, 2022 are summarized in the following table and discussed below.

 

   

Gas

   

Gas

           

Other, Net of

         

Variances: Fiscal 2023 Versus Fiscal 2022

 

Utility

   

Marketing

   

Midstream

   

Eliminations

   

Consolidated

 

Net Income

  $ (16.6 )   $ 0.2     $ (1.2 )   $ (2.6 )   $ (20.2 )

Net Economic Earnings [Non-GAAP]

    (16.5 )     (2.9 )     (0.7 )     (2.6 )     (22.7 )

Operating Revenues

    10.4       (41.0 )     2.8       (1.7 )     (29.5 )

Contribution Margin [Non-GAAP]

    (2.5 )     0.9       2.8       0.1       1.3  

Operation and Maintenance Expenses

    16.7       1.0       3.3       2.2       23.2  

Interest Expense

                                    17.4  

Other Income

                                    18.4  

Income Tax

                                    (4.7 )

 

The increase in interest expense reflects the significant increase in short-term interest rates and higher debt levels versus the prior year. Current year weighted-average short-term debt decreased, driven by timing of gas cost recoveries, but weighted-average short-term interest rates were 5.320% in the current-year quarter, versus 1.18% in the prior-year quarter.

 

After removing the impact of the Non-Service Cost Postretirement Benefit Transfer (“NSC Transfer”) of $8.6, other income increased $9.8. This increase was primarily the result of favorable mark-to-market valuations on unqualified retirement trusts and inventory carrying cost credits at Spire Missouri.

 

The change in income taxes reflects unfavorable income mix. Removing this impact, the change in income taxes is in line with the change in pre-tax book income.

 

Gas Utility

 

For the quarter ended June 30, 2023, Gas Utility net income was $16.6 lower than the prior-year period, reflecting lower financial performance across our utilities. Net economic earnings in the current year was $16.5 lower than the prior year, which tracks the net income trend. These results are described in further detail below.

 

The increase in Gas Utility operating revenues was attributable to the following factors:

 

Spire Missouri and Spire Alabama – Higher PGA/GSA rates (gas cost recovery)

  $ 24.8  

Spire Missouri – 2022 rate order

    5.1  

Spire Missouri and Spire Alabama – Volumetric usage (including weather mitigation impact)

    (10.6 )

Spire Alabama – RSE adjustments, net

    (5.4 )

Spire EnergySouth

    (4.1 )

All other factors

    0.6  

Total Variation

  $ 10.4  

 

The primary driver of revenue growth was $24.8 in higher gas cost recoveries in the current-year period reflecting the higher average gas costs being passed through to customers, and a $5.1 increase from Spire Missouri resulting from the impact of implementing the 2022 rate order. These favorable impacts were partly offset by lower volumetric usage across Spire Missouri and Spire Alabama (net of weather mitigation) totaling $10.6, $5.4 of unfavorable RSE adjustments at Spire Alabama, and a $4.1 decrease at Spire EnergySouth.

 

 

The year-over-year decrease in Gas Utility contribution margin was attributable to the following factors:

 

Spire Alabama – RSE adjustments, net

  $ (5.2 )

Spire EnergySouth

    (1.7 )

Spire Missouri – 2022 rate order

    5.1  

All other factors

    (0.7 )

Total Variation

  $ (2.5 )

 

Contribution margin decreased versus the prior-year quarter, as the $5.1 increase attributable to the implementation of the 2022 Missouri rate case order was more than offset by $5.2 of unfavorable RSE adjustments at Spire Alabama (as described further in the Spire Alabama section below) and a $1.7 decline at Spire EnergySouth.

 

O&M expenses for the three months ended June 30, 2023, were $16.7 higher than the prior year. Run-rate expenses increased $8.4 after removing the $8.3 impact of the NSC Transfer. The Gas Utility segment O&M increase reflects approximately $6.0 due to the change in treatment of Spire Missouri general overheads that were being deferred in the prior-year period, higher non-employee operations expense of $2.1 and higher customer experience expense of $1.5. These unfavorable impacts were only partly offset by lower employee-related expenses and insurance expense.

 

Taxes, other than income taxes, increased $2.9, primarily due to higher gross receipt taxes. Depreciation and amortization expenses for the quarter ended June 30, 2023 were $3.6 higher than the same period in the prior year primarily driven by continued infrastructure capital expenditures across all the Utilities.

 

Gas Marketing

 

The quarter-over-quarter decline in net economic earnings is primarily the result of market conditions and higher storage and demand fees in margin, combined with slightly higher O&M costs. Net income reflected these same variance drivers, partly mitigated by favorable quarter-over-quarter mark-to-market activity on open derivative contracts.

 

Midstream

 

Net income and net economic earnings for the Company’s Midstream segment for the quarter ended June 30, 2023 versus the prior-year quarter decreased $1.2 and $0.7, respectively. Net income growth at Spire Storage West and STL Pipeline were offset by transaction expenses relating to the Spire Storage Salt Plains acquisition, which were only partly offset by its operating results since acquisition. 

 

Revenues in the current quarter increased $2.8 versus the prior-year quarter, attributable primarily to the acquisition. Operating expenses increased by $3.3 quarter-over-quarter, due primarily to transaction and operating expenses associated with Spire Storage Salt Plains.

 

Other

 

The Company’s other activities generated a $7.4 loss in the three months ended June 30, 2023, $2.6 higher than the prior-year quarter. The larger current-year loss was driven by higher interest expense in the current year, reflecting both higher borrowings and interest rates, combined with higher corporate costs.

 

 

Spire Missouri

 

   

Three Months Ended June 30,

 
   

2023

   

2022

 

Operating Income [GAAP]

  $ 2.8     $ 12.9  

Operation and maintenance expenses

    71.1       59.5  

Depreciation and amortization

    40.0       37.3  

Taxes, other than income taxes

    34.4       32.3  

Less: Gross receipts tax expense

    (18.9 )     (16.7 )

Contribution Margin [Non-GAAP]

    129.4       125.3  

Natural gas costs

    105.5       94.7  

Gross receipts tax expense

    18.9       16.7  

Operating Revenues

  $ 253.8     $ 236.7  

Net Loss

  $ (13.8 )   $ (8.4 )

 

Revenues for the quarter ended June 30, 2023 were $17.1 higher than the comparable prior-year period. A key driver was an increase in gas recovery costs totaling $9.2. Further, $5.1 of the increase was attributable to fiscal 2023 results including the impact of the 2022 rate order. Higher gross receipts taxes, combined with higher off-system sales, contributed a $3.9 increase. These revenue growth drivers were only partially offset by the $1.0 reduction related to lower volume.

 

Contribution margin for the three months ended June 30, 2023 increased $4.1 from the same period in the prior year. The previously mentioned timing of the 2022 rate case implementation generated $5.1 incremental contribution that was only partly offset by the $1.0 impact of lower volumes. 

 

Degree days in Spire Missouri’s service areas during the three months ended June 30, 2023, were 22.5% warmer than normal, and 24.8% warmer than the same period last year. Spire Missouri’s total system volume sold and transported were 219.4 million centum (Latin for hundred”) cubic feet (CCF) for the quarter, compared with 243.2 million CCF for the same period in the prior year. Total off-system volume sold and transported were 10.3 million CCF for the current-year quarter, compared with 1.1 million CCF a year ago.

 

Reported O&M expenses for the current-year quarter increased $11.6 versus the prior year. Run-rate expenses increased $4.7 after removing the $6.9 impact of the NSC Transfer. Lower bad debts and insurance expenses were more than offset by $6.0 of current-year general overheads that were previously deferred. 

 

Depreciation and amortization expenses increased $2.7 versus the prior-year quarter due to ongoing capital investments. Taxes, other than income taxes, increased $2.1, driven by higher pass-through gross receipts taxes.

 

Other income improved by $7.5 after removing the $6.9 impact due to the NSC Transfer. This variance is primarily attributable to increased inventory carrying cost credits and, to a lesser extent, mark-to-market valuations on unqualified retirement trusts. Interest expense increased $10.2, reflecting higher short-term interest rates in the current year and the $400 in long-term debt that was issued early in the current-year second quarter.

 

Resulting net income for the quarter ended June 30, 2023 decreased $5.4 versus the prior-year quarter.

 

Spire Alabama

 

   

Three Months Ended June 30,

 
   

2023

   

2022

 

Operating Income [GAAP]

  $ 10.2     $ 20.0  

Operation and maintenance expenses

    33.4       29.2  

Depreciation and amortization

    17.5       16.9  

Taxes, other than income taxes

    9.3       8.6  

Less: Gross receipts tax expense

    (6.1 )     (5.5 )

Contribution Margin [Non-GAAP]

    64.3       69.2  

Natural gas costs

    42.7       41.0  

Gross receipts tax expense

    6.1       5.5  

Operating Revenues

  $ 113.1     $ 115.7  

Net Income

  $ 1.3     $ 10.5  

 

Operating revenues for the three months ended June 30, 2023 decreased $2.6 from the same period in the prior year. The change in operating revenue was principally due to unfavorable weather/usage impacts of $9.6, and a decrease in off-system sales totaling $3.6. Net unfavorable RSE adjustments of $5.4 were the result of the timing of prior-year Cost Control Measure (CCM) benefit recognition more than offsetting the rate increase resulting from the current year rate order. For the quarter, these unfavorable impacts were only partly offset by the $15.6 increase attributable to gas cost recovery.

 

Contribution margin was $4.9 lower versus the prior-year quarter primarily driven by $5.2 unfavorable net rate adjustments under the RSE mechanism driven by the timing of the CCM benefit recognition resulting in an unfavorable variance of $8.2 that is expected to reverse in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2023, partially offset by the $3.0 rate increase of the current year rate order. 

 

As measured in degree days, temperatures in Spire Alabama’s service area during the three months ended June 30, 2023, were 12.2% colder than normal and 9.4% warmer than a year ago. Despite warmer weather in the current-year quarter, Spire Alabama’s total system volume sold and transported were 237.0 million CCF for the three months ended June 30, 2023, compared with 221.3 million CCF for the same period in the prior year. Total off-system volume sold and transported were 29.1 million CCF for the quarter, compared with 26.6 million CCF off-system volume sold and transported in last year's third quarter.

 

O&M expenses for the three months ended June 30, 2023 increased $4.2 versus the prior-year quarter, $3.1 after removing the NSC Transfer variance versus the prior-year quarter. The increase was primarily due to higher non-employee operating expenses, combined with higher bad debts expense.

 

Depreciation and amortization expenses were up $0.6, the result of continued investment in infrastructure upgrades. Interest expense for the current-year quarter increased $3.5 versus the prior-year quarter, the result of significantly higher short-term interest rates and to a lesser extent, higher levels of long-term debt.

 

For the quarter ended June 30, 2023, resulting net income decreased $9.2 versus the prior-year quarter.

 

EARNINGS NINE MONTHS ENDED June 30, 2023

 

This section contains discussion and analysis of the results for the nine months ended June 30, 2023 compared to the results for the nine months ended June 30, 2022, in total and by registrant and segment. 

 

Spire

 

Net Income and Net Economic Earnings

 

The Company reported net income growth of $20.7 and net economic earnings growth of $18.0, as increases in the Marketing and Midstream segments more than offset slight declines in the Utility segment.
 
The following tables reconcile the Company’s net economic earnings to the most comparable GAAP number, net income.
 
   

Gas Utility

   

Gas Marketing

   

Midstream

   

Other

   

Total

   

Per Diluted Common Share**

 

Nine Months Ended June 30, 2023

                                               

Net Income (Loss) [GAAP]

  $ 234.0     $ 28.9     $ 11.1     $ (25.4 )   $ 248.6     $ 4.51  

Adjustments, pre-tax:

                                               

Fair value and timing adjustments

    0.7       21.5                   22.2       0.42  

Acquisition activities

                0.5             0.5       0.01  

Income tax effect of adjustments*

    (0.2 )     (5.4 )                 (5.6 )     (0.11 )

Net Economic Earnings (Loss) [Non-GAAP]

  $ 234.5     $ 45.0     $ 11.6     $ (25.4 )   $ 265.7     $ 4.83  
                                                 

Nine Months Ended June 30, 2022

                                               

Net Income (Loss) [GAAP]

  $ 236.5     $ (0.4 )   $ 9.8     $ (18.0 )   $ 227.9     $ 4.16  

Adjustments, pre-tax:

                                               

Fair value and timing adjustments

          20.9                   20.9       0.40  

Income tax effect of adjustments*

    4.1       (5.2 )                 (1.1 )     (0.02 )

Net Economic Earnings (Loss) [Non-GAAP]

  $ 240.6     $ 15.3     $ 9.8     $ (18.0 )   $ 247.7     $ 4.54  

 

*      Income tax adjustments include amounts calculated by applying federal, state, and local income tax rates applicable to ordinary income to the amounts of the pre-tax reconciling items, and for fiscal 2022, include a $4.1 Spire Missouri regulatory adjustment.

**    Net economic earnings per share is calculated by replacing consolidated net income with consolidated net economic earnings in the GAAP diluted earnings per share calculation, which includes reductions for cumulative preferred dividends and participating shares.

 

Reconciliations of contribution margin to the most directly comparable GAAP measure are shown below.

 

   

Gas Utility

   

Gas Marketing

   

Midstream

   

Other

   

Eliminations

   

Consolidated

 

Nine Months Ended June 30, 2023

                                               

Operating Income (Loss) [GAAP]

  $ 367.1     $ 36.7     $ 21.1     $ (2.4 )   $     $ 422.5  

Operation and maintenance expenses

    350.9       16.2       20.1       14.4       (11.9 )     389.7  

Depreciation and amortization

    181.6       1.0       6.0       0.4             189.0  

Taxes, other than income taxes

    176.2       1.1       1.9                   179.2  

Less: Gross receipts tax expense

    (116.4 )     (0.2 )                       (116.6 )

Contribution Margin [Non-GAAP]

    959.4       54.8       49.1       12.4       (11.9 )     1,063.8  

Natural gas costs

    1,099.5       102.8                   (26.8 )     1,175.5  

Gross receipts tax expense

    116.4       0.2                         116.6  

Operating Revenues

  $ 2,175.3     $ 157.8     $ 49.1     $ 12.4     $ (38.7 )   $ 2,355.9  
                                                 

Nine Months Ended June 30, 2022

                                               

Operating Income (Loss) [GAAP]

  $ 361.6     $ (0.4 )   $ 17.2     $     $     $ 378.4  

Operation and maintenance expenses

    306.5       9.1       16.4       11.6       (11.7 )     331.9  

Depreciation and amortization

    169.2       1.0       5.6       0.4             176.2  

Taxes, other than income taxes

    150.3       0.8       2.1       0.1             153.3  

Less: Gross receipts tax expense

    (96.8 )     (0.3 )                       (97.1 )

Contribution Margin [Non-GAAP]

    890.8       10.2       41.3       12.1       (11.7 )     942.7  

Natural gas costs

    710.7       160.9                   (27.1 )     844.5  

Gross receipts tax expense

    96.8       0.3                         97.1  

Operating Revenues

  $ 1,698.3     $ 171.4     $ 41.3     $ 12.1     $ (38.8 )   $ 1,884.3  

 

 

Select variances for the  nine months ended June 30, 2023 compared to the  nine months ended June 30, 2022 are summarized in the following table and discussed below.

 

   

Gas

   

Gas

           

Other, Net of

         

Variances: Fiscal 2023 Versus Fiscal 2022

 

Utility

   

Marketing

   

Midstream

   

Eliminations

   

Consolidated

 

Net Income

  $ (2.5 )   $ 29.3     $ 1.3     $ (7.4 )   $ 20.7  

Net Economic Earnings [Non-GAAP]

    (6.1 )     29.7       1.8       (7.4 )     18.0  

Operating Revenues

    477.0       (13.6 )     7.8       0.4       471.6  

Contribution Margin [Non-GAAP]

    68.6       44.6       7.8       0.1       121.1  

Operation and Maintenance Expenses

    44.4       7.1       3.7       2.6       57.8  

Interest Expense

                                    52.1  

Other Income

                                    27.4  

Income Tax

                                    (1.3 )

 

The increase in interest expense reflects the significant increase in short-term interest rates and higher long-term debt levels versus the prior year, combined with higher average levels of short-term borrowings in the current year. Weighted-average short-term interest rates were 4.83% in the current year, versus 0.6% in the prior year.

 

The change in other income was $18.1 after removing the impact of the NSC Transfer of $9.3. This increase was primarily the result of increased inventory carrying-cost credits, along with favorable mark-to-market valuations on unqualified retirement trusts at Spire Missouri.

 

After removing the $4.1 Spire Missouri regulatory charge that was recorded in the prior year, the change in income taxes is consistent with the change in pre-tax book income.

 

Gas Utility

 

For the nine months ended June 30, 2023, Gas Utility net income was $2.5 lower than the prior-year period, as the $10.5 and $1.6 growth at Spire Missouri and Spire EnergySouth, respectively, was more than offset by the $14.6 decrease at Spire Alabama. Net economic earnings in the current year was $6.1 lower than the prior year, which tracks the net income trend after removing the Spire Missouri $4.1 GAAP regulatory adjustment in the prior-year period. These results are described in further detail below.

 

The increase in Gas Utility operating revenues was attributable to the following factors:

 

Spire Missouri and Spire Alabama – Higher PGA/GSA rates (gas cost recovery)

  $ 419.1  

Spire Missouri – 2021 and 2022 rate case outcomes

    59.7  

Spire Missouri and Spire Alabama – Higher gross receipts taxes

    19.0  

Spire EnergySouth

    9.4  

Spire Missouri – Volumetric usage (including weather mitigation impact)

    4.0  

Spire Alabama – RSE adjustments, net

    4.0  

Spire Alabama – Volumetric usage (including weather mitigation impact)

    (34.9 )

All other factors

    (3.3 )

Total Variation

  $ 477.0  

 

The primary driver of revenue growth in the current year-to-date results was $419.1 in higher gas cost recoveries at the utilities of Spire Missouri and Spire Alabama in the current year, reflecting higher average gas costs being passed through to customers. The current year also benefited from a $59.7 increase at Spire Missouri resulting from the current-year impacts of the 2022 and 2021 rate orders and a $4.0 increase attributable to volume. The current year-to-date results also include higher gross receipts taxes of $19.0 at Spire Missouri and Spire Alabama, growth of $9.4 at Spire EnergySouth, and RSE adjustment driven growth of $4.0 at Spire Alabama, which includes the third quarter unfavorable CCM timing impact mentioned previously in the quarterly analysis. These favorable impacts were only partly offset by an unfavorable volumetric usage impact (net of weather mitigation) totaling $34.9 at Spire Alabama.

 

 

The year-over-year increase in Gas Utility contribution margin was attributable to the following factors:

 

Spire Missouri – 2021 and 2022 rate case outcomes

  $ 59.7  

Spire EnergySouth

    4.4  

Spire Missouri – Volumetric usage (including weather mitigation impact)

    4.0  

Spire Alabama – Rate adjustment under RSE mechanism, net

    2.6  

Spire Alabama – Volumetric usage (including weather mitigation impact)

    (3.8 )

All other factors

    1.7  

Total Variation

  $ 68.6  

 

Year-to-date contribution margin growth was primarily driven by the $59.7 increase from the Spire Missouri 2022 and 2021 rate order implementations, a $4.4 increase at Spire EnergySouth, and $2.6 from favorable rate adjustments within the RSE framework at Spire Alabama, which includes the third quarter unfavorable CCM timing impact that is expected to reverse next quarter. The $4.0 favorable volume impact at Spire Missouri was almost completely offset by the $3.8 volume decline at Spire Alabama, both net of weather mitigation impact.
 
O&M expenses for the nine months ended June 30, 2023, were $44.4 higher than the prior year. Run-rate expenses increased $35.5 after removing the $8.9 impact of the NSC Transfer. The Gas Utility segment O&M increase reflects higher non-employee operations expense of $18.8, approximately $18 due to the change in treatment of Spire Missouri general overheads that were being deferred in the prior-year period, and higher bad debts expense of $4.8. These impacts were only partly offset by favorable insurance expense and lower employee-related expenses.

 

Taxes, other than income taxes, increased $25.9, and were driven by $19.6 in higher pass-through gross receipts taxes, along with higher property taxes resulting from the continued infrastructure build-out by the Utilities. Depreciation and amortization expenses for the first half of fiscal 2023 were $12.4 higher than the same period in the prior year primarily driven by continued infrastructure capital expenditures across all the Utilities.

 

Gas Marketing
 
Net income and net economic earnings reflect the strong operating results experienced in the current-year, driven by favorable market conditions that allowed the business to take advantage of regional basis differentials to optimize storage and transportation positions, only slightly offset by higher O&M costs associated with higher employee-related expenses. 

 

Midstream

 

Net income and net economic earnings for the Company’s Midstream segment increased $1.3 and $1.8, respectively, for the year-to-date ended June 30, 2023 versus the prior-year period. Strong net income performance at Spire Storage West reflecting optimized operational and withdrawal commitments that were partly offset by transaction expenses associated with the Spire Storage Salt Plains acquisition, whose impacts are excluded from NEE.

 

The $7.8 increase in revenue and contribution margin is attributable to the $5.6 growth at Spire Storage West and to the Spire Storage Salt Plains acquisition. The O&M increase of $3.7 is primarily the result of including Spire Storage Salt Plains operations and transaction fees.

 

Other

 

The Company’s other activities generated a $25.4 loss in the nine months ended June 30, 2023, $7.4 higher than the prior-year corresponding period. The larger current-year loss was driven by higher interest expense, reflecting both higher borrowings and interest rates, combined with higher corporate costs, offset partly by lower income tax expense.

 

 

Spire Missouri

 

   

Nine Months Ended June 30,

 
   

2023

   

2022

 

Operating Income [GAAP]

  $ 222.7     $ 208.5  

Operation and maintenance expenses

    225.6       190.1  

Depreciation and amortization

    117.8       107.4  

Taxes, other than income taxes

    132.0       111.0  

Less: Gross receipts tax expense

    (86.6 )     (70.6 )

Contribution Margin [Non-GAAP]

    611.5       546.4  

Natural gas costs

    887.9       538.8  

Gross receipts tax expense

    86.6       70.6  

Operating Revenues

  $ 1,586.0     $ 1,155.8  

Net Income

  $ 145.6     $ 135.1  

 

Revenues for the nine months ended June 30, 2023 were $430.2 higher than the comparable prior-year period. A key driver was an increase in gas recovery costs totaling $353.1. Further, $59.7 of the increase was attributable to fiscal 2023 results including the cumulative impacts of the implementation of the 2022 and 2021 rate orders. Higher gross receipts taxes contributed a $16.0 increase, and volume (net of weather mitigation) contributing $4.0 growth. These revenues growth drivers were only partially offset by lower off-system sales of $4.6.

 

Contribution margin for the nine months ended June 30, 2023 increased $65.1 from the same period in the prior year, largely as a result of the previously mentioned timing of the 2022 and 2021 rate case implementations generating $59.7 incremental contribution, combined with favorable volumetric impacts of $4.0.

 

Degree days in Spire Missouri’s service areas during the nine months ended June 30, 2023 were 9.6% warmer than normal, and 0.8% warmer than the same period last year. Spire Missouri’s total system volume sold and transported were 1,435.3 million CCF for the first nine months of this year, compared with 1,439.7 million CCF for the same period in the prior year. Total off-system volume sold and transported were 14.2 million CCF for the current year, compared with 17.6 million CCF a year ago.

 

Reported O&M expenses for the current year-to-date period increased $35.5 versus the prior year. Run-rate expenses increased $28.2 after removing the $7.3 impact of the NSC Transfer. The increase was largely due to approximately $18 of general overheads that were previously deferred and were not reflected in rates collected during the current year. The increase also reflects higher non-employee operations expense of $13.5 and higher bad debts expense of $2.7, partly offset by favorable insurance expense in the current year. 

 

Other income was higher by $14.5, after removing the $7.3 due to the NSC Transfer. This variance is primarily attributable to increased inventory carrying cost credits, combined with favorable mark-to-market valuations on unqualified retirement trusts. Interest expense increased $28.1, primarily reflecting higher short-term interest rates and net long-term debt issuances in the current year.

 

Resulting net income for the nine months ended June 30, 2023 represents a $10.5 increase versus the prior-year period.

 

 

 

 

Spire Alabama

 

   

Nine Months Ended June 30,

 
   

2023

   

2022

 

Operating Income [GAAP]

  $ 119.4     $ 129.0  

Operation and maintenance expenses

    103.0       96.6  

Depreciation and amortization

    51.5       50.1  

Taxes, other than income taxes

    36.0       32.1  

Less: Gross receipts tax expense

    (25.5 )     (22.5 )

Contribution Margin [Non-GAAP]

    284.4       285.3  

Natural gas costs

    173.9       138.6  

Gross receipts tax expense

    25.5       22.5  

Operating Revenues

  $ 483.8     $ 446.4  

Net Income

  $ 70.5     $ 85.1  

 

Revenues for the nine months ended June 30, 2023 were $37.4 higher than the comparable prior-year period. A key driver was an increase in gas recovery costs totaling $66.0. Further, $4.0 of the increase was attributable to fiscal 2023 results including favorable adjustments under the RSE framework, despite reflecting an $8.2 unfavorable CCM benefit timing impact. Revenue in the current year also benefited $3.0 due to higher gross receipts taxes. These growth drivers were only partially offset by $34.9 unfavorable volume impacts (net of weather mitigation).

 

Contribution margin for the nine months ended June 30, 2023, decreased $0.9 from the same period in the prior year, as favorable RSE adjustments of $2.6 were more than offset by unfavorable volumetric impacts of $3.8. As previously noted, the net favorable RSE adjustments include an $8.2 unfavorable CCM benefit timing impact that is expected to reverse in the fourth quarter of 2023.

 

As measured in degree days, temperatures in Spire Alabama’s service area during the nine months ended June 30, 2023, were 18.8% warmer than normal and 10.7% warmer than a year ago. Spire Alabama’s total system volume sold and transported were 784.7 million CCF for the nine months ended June 30, 2023, compared with 793.8 million CCF for the same period in the prior year. Total off-system volume sold and transported were 57.2 million CCF for the first nine months this year, compared with 26.7 million CCF for the comparable year-ago period.

 

Reported O&M expenses for year-to-date fiscal 2023 increased $6.4 versus the comparable prior-year period. Run-rate expenses increased $5.0 after removing the $1.4 impact of the NSC Transfer. The increase was largely due to higher non-employee operations expense, a $1.6 increase in bad debts expense, partly offset by lower employee-related expenses. 

 

Depreciation and amortization expenses were up $1.4, the result of continued investment in infrastructure upgrades. Interest expense for the nine months ended June 30, 2023 increased $11.0 versus the prior-year period, the result of significantly higher short-term interest rates and, to a lesser extent, higher levels of long-term debt.

 

For the nine months ended June 30, 2023, resulting net income decreased $14.6 versus the prior-year period.

 

LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES

 

Recent Cash Flows

 

   

Nine Months Ended June 30,

Cash Flow Summary

 

2023

 

2022

Net cash provided by operating activities

  $ 404.1     $ 204.6  

Net cash used in investing activities

    (516.4 )     (398.3 )

Net cash provided by financing activities

    116.8       212.5  

 

 

For the nine months ended June 30, 2023, net cash from operating activities improved $199.5 from the corresponding period of fiscal 2022. The key drivers of the favorable change are the $20.7 increase in net income (discussed above), coupled with changes related to regulatory timing and fluctuation in working capital items (as discussed below in the Future Cash Requirements section).

 

For the nine months ended June 30, 2023, net cash used in investing activities was $118.1 greater than for the same period in the prior year. As discussed in Note 1 of the Notes to Financial Statements in Item 1, Spire's Midstream segment acquired a natural gas storage facility, now named Spire Storage Salt Plains, for $37.0. Total capital expenditures were $80.8 higher than last year, with a $48.2 spending increase in the Utilities and a $37.1 increase for Spire Storage, partially offset by a $5.6 spending decline at Spire STL Pipeline.

 

Lastly, for the nine months ended June 30, 2023, net cash provided by financing activities decreased $95.7 versus the nine months ended June 30, 2022. Current-year long-term debt issuances were $755.0, or $455.0 higher than a year ago, and repayments of long-term debt in the current-year period declined $24.6 compared to the prior-year period. Offsetting a substantial portion of the higher net long-term debt issuances was a $517.1 net increase in repayments of short-term debt. Cash from the issuance of common stock in the current-year period was $4.0, a decline of $47.9 from the comparative period; see the discussion regarding Spire's forward sales of stock under its ATM program in Note 4 of the Notes to Financial Statements in Item 1. Finally, dividends paid on common stock rose $6.6 in the first nine months of fiscal 2023 compared to the first nine months of fiscal 2022.

 

Future Cash Requirements

 

The Company’s short-term borrowing requirements typically peak during colder months when the Utilities borrow money to cover the lag between when they purchase natural gas and when their customers pay for that gas. Changes in the wholesale cost of natural gas (including cash payments for margin deposits associated with Spire Missouri’s use of natural gas derivative instruments), variations in the timing of collections of gas cost under the Utilities’ PGA clauses and GSA riders, the seasonality of accounts receivable balances, and the utilization of storage gas inventories cause short-term cash requirements to vary during the year and from year to year, and may cause significant variations in the Company’s cash provided by or used in operating activities.

 

Spire’s material cash requirements as of June 30, 2023, are related to capital expenditures, business acquisitions, principal and interest payments on long-term debt, natural gas purchase obligations, and dividends. Except for the issuance of debt described in Note 6 and the business acquisition agreement described in the Commitments section of Note 11 of the Notes to Financial Statements in Item 1, there were no material changes outside the ordinary course of business from the future cash requirements discussed in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2022. Total Company capital expenditures are planned to be $700 for fiscal 2023.

 

Source of Funds

 

It is management’s view that the Company, Spire Missouri and Spire Alabama have adequate access to capital markets and will have sufficient capital resources, both internal and external, to meet anticipated requirements. Their debt is rated by two rating agencies: Standard & Poor’s Corporation (“S&P”) and Moody’s Investors Service (“Moody’s”). As of June 30, 2023, the debt ratings of the Company, Spire Missouri and Spire Alabama (shown in the following table) remain at investment grade with a stable outlook (other than Moody’s negative outlook for Spire Alabama debt).

 

 

 

S&P

 

Moodys

Spire Inc. senior unsecured long-term debt

 

BBB+

 

Baa2

Spire Inc. preferred stock

 

BBB

 

Ba1

Spire Inc. short-term debt

 

A-2

 

P-2

Spire Missouri senior secured long-term debt

 

A

 

A1

Spire Alabama senior unsecured long-term debt

 

A-

 

A2

 

Cash and Cash Equivalents

 

Bank deposits were used to support working capital needs of the business. Spire had no temporary cash investments as of June 30, 2023.

 

 

Short-term Debt

 

The Company’s short-term cash requirements can be met through the sale of up to $1,300.0 of commercial paper or through the use of Spire’s $1,300.0 revolving credit facility. For information about short-term borrowings, see Note 6 of the Notes to Financial Statements in Item 1.

 

Long-term Debt and Equity

 

At June 30, 2023, including the current portion but excluding unamortized discounts and debt issuance costs, Spire had long-term debt totaling $3,982.7, of which $2,048.0 was issued by Spire Missouri, $750.0 was issued by Spire Alabama, and $229.7 was issued by other subsidiaries. For information about long-term debt issued this fiscal year, see Note 6 of the Notes to Financial Statements in Item 1.

 

Effective March 5, 2022, Spire Missouri was authorized by the MoPSC to issue conventional term loans, first mortgage bonds, unsecured debt, preferred stock and common stock in an aggregate amount of up to $800.0 for financings placed any time before December 31, 2024. Under this authorization through April 2023, Spire Missouri has issued $40.4 of common stock, a $250.0 term loan, and $400.0 of first mortgage bonds. Spire Alabama has no standing authority to issue long-term debt and must petition the APSC for each planned issuance.

 

Spire has a shelf registration statement on Form S-3 on file with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) for the issuance and sale of up to 250,000 shares of common stock under its Dividend Reinvestment and Direct Stock Purchase Plan. There were 249,924 and 244,715 shares at June 30, 2023 and July 31, 2023, respectively, remaining available for issuance under this Form S-3. Spire and Spire Missouri also have a universal shelf registration statement on Form S-3 on file with the SEC for the issuance of various equity and debt securities, which expires on May 9, 2025.

 

Spire has an “at-the-market” (ATM) equity distribution agreement, pursuant to which the Company may offer and sell, from time to time, shares of its common stock (including shares of common stock that may be sold pursuant to forward sale agreements entered into in connection with the ATM equity distribution agreement). In the second and third quarters of fiscal 2023, Spire executed forward sale agreements for a total of 2,315,921 shares, 1,744,549 of which must be settled on or before December 28, 2023 and 571,372 of which must be settled by the end of September 2023. Had all shares under the forward agreements been settled as of June 30, 2023, it would have generated net proceeds of $149.7. As of June 30, 2023, Spire may sell additional shares with an aggregate offering price of up to $17.9 under the current Board of Directors authorization expiring May 2025. For additional information about the ATM program, see Note 4 of the Notes to Financial Statements in Item 1.

 

Taking into account the current portion of long-term debt, the Company’s long-term consolidated capitalization consisted of 42% and 46% equity at June 30, 2023 and September 30, 2022, respectively.

 

ENVIRONMENTAL MATTERS

 

The Utilities and other Spire subsidiaries own and operate natural gas distribution, transmission and storage facilities, the operations of which are subject to various environmental laws, regulations, and interpretations. While environmental issues resulting from such operations arise in the ordinary course of business, such issues have not materially affected the Company’s, Spire Missouri’s, or Spire Alabama’s financial position and results of operations. As environmental laws, regulations, and interpretations change, however, the Company and the Utilities may be required to incur additional costs. For information relative to environmental matters, see Contingencies in Note 11 of the Notes to Financial Statements in Item 1.

 

REGULATORY MATTERS

 

For discussions of regulatory matters for Spire, Spire Missouri, and Spire Alabama, see Note 5, Regulatory Matters, of the Notes to Financial Statements in Item 1.

 

ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS

 

The Company, Spire Missouri and Spire Alabama have evaluated or are in the process of evaluating the effects that recently issued accounting standards will have on the companies’ financial position or results of operations upon adoption, but none are currently expected to have a significant impact.

 

 

CRITICAL ACCOUNTING ESTIMATES

 

Our discussion and analysis of our financial condition, results of operations, liquidity and capital resources are based upon our financial statements, which have been prepared in accordance with GAAP, which requires that we make estimates and judgments that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses, and related disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities. We evaluate our estimates on an ongoing basis. We base our estimates on historical experience and on various other assumptions that we believe are reasonable under the circumstances, the results of which form the basis for making judgments about the carrying values of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. Actual results may differ from these estimates. Our critical accounting estimates used in the preparation of our financial statements are described in Item 7 of Spire, Spire Missouri, and Spire Alabama’s combined Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2022, and include regulatory accounting, employee benefits and postretirement obligations, impairment of long-lived assets, and income taxes. There were no significant changes to critical accounting estimates during the nine months ended June 30, 2023.

 

For discussion of other significant accounting policies, see Note 1 of the Notes to Financial Statements included in this Form 10-Q as well as Note 1 of the Notes to Financial Statements included in Spire, Spire Missouri, and Spire Alabama’s combined Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2022.

 

MARKET RISK

 

There were no material changes in the Company’s commodity price risk or counterparty credit risk as of June 30, 2023, relative to the corresponding information provided in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2022.

 

Spire enters into cash flow hedges through execution of interest rate swap contracts to protect itself against adverse movements in interest rates. At June 30, 2023, the following swaps were outstanding:

 

•  From the first quarter of fiscal 2021, one swap contract remains outstanding. The remaining outstanding contract is a ten-year interest rate swap that has a notional amount of $50.0 with a fixed interest rate of 1.49180%. The Company recorded a $0.4 mark-to-market loss to accumulated other comprehensive income on the swap for the nine months ended June 30, 2023.

 

•  From the second quarter of 2022, two swap contracts remain outstanding. Both contracts are ten-year interest rate swap contracts; the first swap has a notional amount of $75.o with a fixed interest rate of 1.6475%, while the second swap has a notional amount of $25.0 with a fixed interest rate of 1.746%. The Company recorded a $0.8 mark-to-market loss to accumulated other comprehensive income on these swaps for the nine months ended June 30, 2023.

 

•  From the first quarter of fiscal 2023, one swap contract is outstanding. The remaining outstanding contract is a ten-year interest rate swap that has a notional amount of $50.0 with a fixed interest rate of 3.4480%. The Company recorded a $0.9 mark-to-market loss to accumulated other comprehensive income on this swap for the nine months ended June 30, 2023.

 

•  In the second quarter of fiscal 2023, the Company entered into multiple two-year interest rate swap contracts with a cumulative total notional amount of $100.0 with fixed interest rates ranging from 3.385% to 3.685%. The Company recorded an $1.2 mark-to-market gain to accumulated other comprehensive income on these swaps for the nine months ended June 30, 2023.

 

•  In the third quarter of fiscal 2023, the Company entered into two ten-year interest rate swap contracts with a cumulative total notional amount of $50.0 with fixed interest rates of 2.902% for the one contract and 3.018% for the other. The Company also entered into a thirty-year swap with a notional amount of $50.0 and a fixed interest rate of 2.747%%. The Company recorded an $3.1 mark-to-market gain to accumulated other comprehensive income on these swaps for the nine months ended June 30, 2023.

 

As of June 30, 2023, the Company has recorded through accumulated other comprehensive income a cumulative mark-to-market net gain of $21.9 on open swap contracts.

 

 

Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

 

For this discussion, see Part I, Item 2, Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations – Market Risk.

 

Item 4. Controls and Procedures

 

Spire

 

Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures

 

As of the end of the period covered by this report, we carried out an evaluation, under the supervision and with participation of our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, of the effectiveness of the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures pursuant to Rule 13a-15(e) and Rule 15d-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Based upon such evaluation, the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures are effective.

 

Change in Internal Control over Financial Reporting

 

There were no changes in our internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the quarter ended June 30, 2023, that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

 

Spire Missouri

 

Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures

 

As of the end of the period covered by this report, we carried out an evaluation, under the supervision and with participation of our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, of the effectiveness of the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures pursuant to Rule 13a-15(e) and Rule 15d-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Based upon that evaluation, the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures are effective.

 

Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting

 

There were no changes in our internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the quarter ended June 30, 2023, that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

 

Spire Alabama

 

Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures

 

As of the end of the period covered by this report, we carried out an evaluation, under the supervision and with participation of our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, of the effectiveness of the design and operation of the disclosure controls and procedures pursuant to Rule 13a-15(e) and Rule 15d-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Based upon that evaluation, the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures are effective.

 

Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting

 

There were no changes in our internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the quarter ended June 30, 2023, that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

 

 

PART II. OTHER INFORMATION

 

Item 1. Legal Proceedings

 

For a description of legal proceedings, environmental matters and regulatory matters, see Note 11, Commitments and Contingencies, and Note 5, Regulatory Matters, of the Notes to Financial Statements in Item 1 of Part I.

 

Item 1A. Risk Factors

 

There were no material changes in the Company’s risk factors from those disclosed in Part I, Item 1A of the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2022.

 

Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds

 

The only repurchases of Spire’s common stock in the quarter were pursuant to elections by employees to have shares of stock withheld to cover employee tax withholding obligations upon the vesting of performance-based and time-vested restricted stock and stock units. The following table provides information on those repurchases.

 

Period

 

(a) Total Number of Shares Purchased

   

(b) Average Price Paid Per Share

   

(c) Total Number of Shares Purchased as Part of Publicly Announced Plans or Programs

   

(d) Maximum Number of Shares That May Yet be Purchased Under the Plans or Programs

 

April 1, 2023 – April 30, 2023

        $              

May 1, 2023 – May 31, 2023

    262       67.64              

June 1, 2023 – June 30, 2023

                       

Total

    262       67.64              

 

Spire Missouri’s outstanding first mortgage bonds contain restrictions on its ability to pay cash dividends on its common stock. As of June 30, 2023, all of Spire Missouri’s retained earnings were free from such restrictions.

 

Item 3. Defaults upon Senior Securities

 

None.

 

Item 4. Mine Safety Disclosures

 

Not applicable.

 

 

Item 5. Other Information

 

During the quarterly period ended June 30, 2023, no director or officer of the Company adopted or terminated any contract, instruction or written plan for the purchase or sale of securities of the Company intended to satisfy the affirmative defense conditions of Rule 10b5-1(c) of the Exchange Act or any “non-Rule 10b5-1 trading arrangement” (as defined in the Exchange Act).

 

 

 

Item 6. Exhibits

 

Exhibit No.

Description

3.1* Bylaws of Spire Inc., as amended, effective as of July 27, 2023; filed as Exhibit 3.1 to the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K filed July 28, 2023.

31.1

CEO and CFO Certifications under Exchange Act Rule 13a-14(a) of Spire Inc.

31.2

CEO and CFO Certifications under Exchange Act Rule 13a-14(a) of Spire Missouri Inc.

31.3

CEO and CFO Certifications under Exchange Act Rule 13a-14(a) of Spire Alabama Inc.

32.1

CEO and CFO Section 1350 Certifications of Spire Inc.

32.2

CEO and CFO Section 1350 Certifications of Spire Missouri Inc.

32.3

CEO and CFO Section 1350 Certifications of Spire Alabama Inc.

101

Interactive Data Files including the following information from the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended June 30, 2023, formatted in inline extensible business reporting language (“Inline XBRL”): (i) Cover Page Interactive Data and (ii) the Financial Statements included in Item 1.

104

Cover Page Interactive Data File (formatted in Inline XBRL and included in the Interactive Data Files submitted under Exhibit 101).

 

   *   Incorporated herein by reference and made a part hereof. Spire Inc. File No. 1-16681.

 

 

SIGNATURES

 

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, each of the registrants has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.

 

     

Spire Inc.

       

Date:

August 2, 2023

 

By:

/s/ Steven P. Rasche

       

Steven P. Rasche

       

Executive Vice President and

Chief Financial Officer

       

(Authorized Signatory and

Principal Financial Officer)

 

     

Spire Missouri Inc.

       

Date:

August 2, 2023

 

By:

/s/ Timothy W. Krick

       

Timothy W. Krick

       

Controller and Chief Accounting Officer

       

(Authorized Signatory and

Chief Accounting Officer)

 

     

Spire Alabama Inc.

       

Date:

August 2, 2023

 

By:

/s/ Timothy W. Krick

       

Timothy W. Krick

       

Chief Accounting Officer

       

(Authorized Signatory and

Chief Accounting Officer)

 

67