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Earnings Highlights and Summary

For Q1 FY18 , Ameren's total operating revenues reached $1.59 billion, reflecting an increase of 4.62% from $1.52 billion in Q1 FY17. The Company's revenue numbers exceeded analysts' consensus estimates by $40 million. For the quarter under review, Ameren's electric revenues jumped 1.33% to $1.22 billion on a y-o-y basis, while natural gas revenues advanced 17.53% to $362 million on a y-o-y basis.

During Q1 FY18, Ameren incurred total operating expenses of $1.31 billion, 3.06% higher than $1.27 billion in Q1 FY17. The Company's fuel costs fell 8.74% to $188 million on a y-o-y basis, while purchased power cost declined 9.44% to $163 million on a y-o-y basis in Q1 FY18. Ameren had an operating income of $273 million in the reported quarter, 12.81% higher than $242 million in the previous year's same quarter.

Ameren's net income attributable to common shareholders was $151 million in the quarter ended March 31, 2018, 48.04% higher than $102 million in Q1 FY17. The Company's earnings per share (EPS) also advanced 47.62% to $0.62 in the quarter under review from $0.42 in the year ago comparable quarter. This was higher than analysts' consensus estimates by $0.04 per share. This increase in earnings reflected higher Ameren Missouri electric service rates, effective from April 01, 2017, and higher Ameren Missouri electric retail sales, primarily due to colder winter temperatures compared to very mild temperatures in Q1 FY17.

Segment Details

During Q1 FY18, the Ameren Missouri segment's total electric revenues were $741 million, down 0.80% on a y-o-y basis. The segment had total electric sales of 10.94 billion kilowatt hours in the reported quarter. Besides, the segment reported total gas sales of 9 million dekatherms and gas revenues of $51 million in Q1 FY18. The Ameren Missouri segment's earnings were $38 million in Q1 FY18 compared to $5 million in Q1 FY17.

The Ameren Illinois Electric Distribution segment reported electric revenues of $400 million in Q1 FY18, an increment of 3.90% from $385 million in Q1 FY17. The segment had total electric sales of 8.99 billion kilowatt hours in the quarter under review. The Ameren Illinois Electric Distribution segment's earnings were $33 million in Q1 FY18, up 10% from $30 million in Q1 FY17.

For Q1 FY18, the Ameren Transmission segment generated electric revenues of $104 million, 1.96% higher than $102 million in Q1 FY17. The segment's earnings were $37 million in Q1 FY18, an increase of 8.82% from $34 million in Q1 FY17.

During Q1 FY18, the Ameren Illinois Natural Gas segment had total gas revenues of $311 million, up 17.80% from $264 million in Q1 FY17. The segment had total gas sales of 68 million dekatherms in the reported quarter. The Ameren Illinois Natural Gas segment has earnings of $42 million in Q1 FY18, 27.27% higher than $33 million in Q1 FY17.

Cash Matters

Ameren had cash and cash equivalents of $30 million as on March 31, 2018, compared to $10 million as on December 31, 2017, reflecting an increase of 200%. The Company had a long-term debt of $6.77 billion at the end of Q1 FY18, down 4.62% from $7.09 billion at the end of Q4 FY17.

Ameren's net cash flow from operating activities was $258 million in the three months ended March 31, 2018, 22.05% lower than $331 million in the corresponding period of last year. The Company incurred a capital expenditure of $579 million in Q1 FY18, up 14.88% from $504 million in Q1 FY17.

Ameren paid $111 million in dividends in Q1 FY18, 3.74% higher than $107 million in Q1 FY17.

Outlook

Ameren reaffirmed its earnings per diluted share guidance range of $2.95 to $3.15 for 2018.

Stock Performance Snapshot

June 13, 2018 - At Wednesday's closing bell, Ameren's stock marginally dropped 0.54%, ending the trading session at $55.76.

Volume traded for the day: 1.82 million shares, which was above the 3-month average volume of 1.58 million shares.

Stock performance in the previous three-month period ? up 2.07%

After yesterday's close, Ameren's market cap was at $13.56 billion.

Price to Earnings (P/E) ratio was at 18.70.

The stock has a dividend yield of 3.28%.

The stock is part of the Utilities sector, categorized under the Electric Utilities industry.

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