Ameren - AEE STOCK NEWS

Ameren Illinois Company, a subsidiary of Ameren (NYSE: AEE), has announced the pricing of a $350 million public offering of 5.625% first mortgage bonds due 2055 at 99.986% of their principal amount. The transaction is expected to close on March 3, 2025, pending customary closing conditions.

The company plans to use the net proceeds to repay $300 million principal amount of its 3.25% senior secured notes due 2025 and to refinance a portion of its short-term debt. BNY Capital Markets, BofA Securities, Morgan Stanley & Co., and Truist Securities are serving as joint book-running managers for the offering.

Ameren Illinois delivers energy to 1.2 million electric and more than 800,000 natural gas customers throughout central and southern Illinois, covering over 1,200 communities and 43,700 square miles.

Ameren Missouri (NYSE: AEE) has announced significant updates to its generation strategy and Smart Energy Plan. The company's revised Preferred Resource Plan aims to provide 1.5 GW of new energy demand by 2032, supported by a $16.2 billion, five-year Smart Energy Plan for infrastructure modernization.

Key components include building 1,600 MW of natural gas generation by 2030 (expanding to 6,100 MW by 2045), adding 2,700 MW of wind and solar energy by 2030 (reaching 4,200 MW by 2045), deploying 1,000 MW of battery storage by 2030, and planning 1,500 MW of new nuclear energy by 2045. The plan represents an additional investment opportunity of $5 billion by 2030 and $7 billion by 2035.

The Smart Energy Plan's 2024 achievements include 134 new/upgraded substations, 250 miles of upgraded subtransmission lines, and 1.3 million smart meters installation. Smart switch technology saved customers 8 million minutes in outages in 2024. The company attracted over $3.1 billion in planned capital investment from businesses relocating or expanding in its service territory.

Ameren (NYSE: AEE) reported strong financial results for 2024, with GAAP diluted EPS of $4.42 compared to $4.38 in 2023, and adjusted diluted EPS of $4.63. The company's net income reached $1,182 million, driven by increased infrastructure investments and disciplined cost management.

Key financial highlights include new electric service rates at Ameren Missouri, higher electric retail sales across all customer classes, and new natural gas service rates at Ameren Illinois. These positive factors were partially offset by increased interest expenses and a lower return on equity at Ameren Illinois Electric Distribution.

Looking forward, Ameren affirmed its 2025 earnings guidance range of $4.85 to $5.05 per diluted share and projected a 6% to 8% compound annual growth rate from 2025 through 2029. The company expects rate base growth of approximately 9.2% compounded annually during this period.

Ameren (NYSE: AEE) has announced a 6% increase in its quarterly cash dividend to 71 cents per share, up from 67 cents, resulting in a new annualized dividend rate of $2.84 per share. This marks the company's twelfth consecutive year of dividend growth.

The dividend is payable March 31, 2025, to shareholders of record as of March 11, 2025. The company expects future dividend growth to align with long-term earnings-per-share growth, maintaining a payout ratio of 55% to 65%. The increase reflects confidence in Ameren's sustainable growth strategy, which includes investments in energy infrastructure, grid modernization, and clean energy initiatives.

Ameren (NYSE: AEE) has announced its fourth quarter 2024 earnings conference call, scheduled for February 14, 2025, at 9 a.m. Central Time. Chairman, President and CEO Martin J. Lyons Jr., along with CFO Michael L. Moehn, will lead the discussion with financial analysts.

The company serves 2.4 million electric customers and over 900,000 natural gas customers across a 64,000-square-mile area through its subsidiaries Ameren Missouri and Ameren Illinois. The webcast will be available on AmerenInvestors.com, with supporting materials posted under 'Events and Presentations.' A replay will be accessible for one year after the call.

Ameren (NYSE: AEE) has been selected by MISO (Midcontinent Independent System Operator) to construct multiple critical energy infrastructure projects across Missouri, Illinois, and several Midwest states. The projects, estimated at $1.3 billion, are part of MISO's Long-Range Transmission Plan.

The infrastructure development, known as Tranche 2.1 portfolio, aims to strengthen the transmission system to meet increasing energy demand and support diverse energy resources. The projects will enhance grid reliability and resiliency while enabling economic development opportunities in the bi-state region.

Ameren plans to participate in additional competitive bidding for other Tranche 2.1 infrastructure projects, emphasizing their ability to complete projects faster and at lower costs compared to competitors.

Ameren Missouri (NYSE: AEE) has completed three solar generation facilities with a combined capacity of 500 megawatts (MW), representing a $950 million investment. The facilities include the 200-MW Huck Finn, 150-MW Boomtown, and 150-MW Cass County Renewable Energy Centers, capable of powering 92,000 homes annually.

The Cass County and Boomtown facilities will serve Ameren's Renewable Solutions program, providing renewable energy credits to participating organizations. Additionally, the company plans to construct the Castle Bluff Energy Center, an 800-MW simple-cycle natural gas facility, by 2027 with an approximate investment of $900 million.

Ameren (NYSE: AEE) has announced the election of Steven O. Vondran to its board of directors, effective January 1, 2025. Vondran is currently the president and CEO of American Tower , a global real estate investment trust managing over 148,000 communications sites and U.S. data center facilities. His extensive experience includes serving as executive vice president and global chief operating officer, and executive vice president and president of the U.S. Tower Division at American Tower. Ameren's chairman and CEO Martin J. Lyons highlighted Vondran's senior leadership and legal experience, particularly noting his expertise in real estate and data center infrastructure as valuable assets for supporting economic growth in Missouri and Illinois.

Ameren (NYSE: AEE) reported Q3 2024 GAAP net income of $456 million ($1.70 per diluted share), compared to $493 million ($1.87 per share) in Q3 2023. Adjusted earnings remained stable at $1.87 per share. The company narrowed its 2024 adjusted EPS guidance to $4.55-$4.69 and established 2025 EPS guidance at $4.85-$5.05.

Performance was driven by infrastructure investments and cost management, offset by higher interest expense, lower electric retail sales due to milder temperatures, and a lower ROE at Ameren Illinois Electric Distribution. The company excluded charges related to Rush Island Energy Center settlement and FERC order on MISO's allowed base ROE from adjusted earnings.