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ATMOS ENERGY CORP

For the period ended Dec 31, 2024. Filed Feb 4, 2025.

View on SEC.gov

About this filing

A company's report for each of its first three quarters. The financial statements are not audited. It shows how the business has moved since the last annual report, and what management says changed.

Dec 31, 2024 · Filed Feb 4, 2025

ATO$173.22-1.0%Stored close · as of Nov 6, 2026

What changed in Management’s Discussion and Analysis?

Read the current filing

Previous report: 10-Q

Period ended 2024-06-30; filed 2024-08-07.

0000731802-24-000023

Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

Current report: 10-Q

Period ended 2024-12-31; filed 2025-02-04.

0000731802-25-000006

Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

The baseline is this issuer’s latest earlier reporting period of the same form that was filed before the current report. A previous 10-Q is a different quarter, not a year-over-year comparison. Amendments are excluded.

Compared 140 previous paragraphs and 114 current paragraphs.

65 unchanged; 39 reworded; 10 added; 26 removed; 10 previous and 0 current paragraphs rearranged.

Tables are not compared: 22 previous and 17 current tables excluded. Dates, whitespace, punctuation and numbering changes are ignored; changes to financial figures remain significant.

A changed paragraph is not evidence that risk increased or decreased. An unchanged paragraph does not establish that risk stayed the same.

Added paragraphs (10)

Current report

Operating income for our distribution segment increased 12.7 percent. Key drivers for the change in operating income include:

Current report

•a $17.0 million increase in depreciation expense and property taxes associated with increased capital investments.

Current report

(1) The Colorado Public Utilities Commission approved the SSIR implementation at their December 18, 2024 meeting with rates effective January 1, 2025.

Current report

(2) The Kansas Corporation Commission approved the Ad Valorem filing on January 8, 2025, with rates effective February 1, 2025.

Current report

(1) On September 27, 2024, the Kentucky Public Service Commission approved a rate increase of $3.4 million effective October 2, 2024, subject to refund.

Current report

Operating income for our pipeline and storage segment increased 20.9 percent. Key drivers for the change in operating income include:

Current report

•a $5.4 million increase in depreciation expense and property taxes associated with increased capital investments.

Current report

•a $4.7 million increase in expenses recognized as a result of the System Safety and Integrity Rider filing approved in November 2024, which is offset in operating revenues.
Removed paragraphs (26)

Previous report

Operating income for our distribution segment increased 16.0 percent. Key drivers for the change in operating income include:

Previous report

•a $15.1 million increase in depreciation expense associated with increased capital investments.

Previous report

Interest charges increased $6.4 million primarily due to the issuance of long-term debt during fiscal 2024.

Previous report

Nine Months Ended June 30, 2024 compared with Nine Months Ended June 30, 2023

Previous report

Financial and operational highlights for our distribution segment for the nine months ended June 30, 2024 and 2023 are presented below.

Previous report

Operating income for our distribution segment increased 23.6 percent. Key drivers for the change in operating income include:

Previous report

•an $8.5 million increase due to lower line locate spending and timing of other activities.

Previous report

•a $0.9 million decrease in property taxes, which is inclusive of a $13.4 million decrease related to the Texas property tax legislation discussed above.

Previous report

•a $44.2 million increase in depreciation expense associated with increased capital investments.

Previous report

•a $17.2 million increase in other operation and maintenance expense, including higher insurance premiums and software maintenance costs.

Previous report

Interest charges increased $33.5 million primarily due to the issuance of long-term debt during fiscal 2024. The increase in interest charges is also due to the amortization of the Texas regulatory asset that is discussed in Note 3 to the condensed consolidated financial statements. However, this increase is offset by a corresponding increase in revenue resulting in no impact to net income.

Previous report

(1) The Company implemented the requested amount with rates effective July 1, 2024 and anticipates receiving final commission approval during the fourth quarter of fiscal 2024.

Previous report

(1) The Ad Valorem filing relates to property taxes that are either over or undercollected compared to the amount included in our Kansas service area's base rate.

Previous report

APT annually uses GRIP to recover capital costs incurred in the prior calendar year. On February 27, 2024, APT made a GRIP filing that covered changes in net property, plant and equipment investments from January 1, 2023 through December 31, 2023 with a requested increase in operating income of $82.4 million. On May 14, 2024, the RRC approved the Company's GRIP filing.

Previous report

GRIP also requires a utility to file a statement of intent at least once every five years to review its costs and expenses, including capital costs filed for recovery under GRIP. On May 19, 2023, APT filed a statement of intent seeking $107.4 million in additional annual operating income. On December 13, 2023, the RRC approved the settlement agreement between APT and the intervening parties for an increase in annual operating income of $27.0 million, exclusive of the impact of the cessation of $36.9 million in excess deferred income tax refunds, which are substantially offset by a corresponding increase in income taxes. New rates were implemented effective December 13, 2023.

Previous report

As part of our statement of intent settlement in December 2023, APT is now allowed to file an annual System Safety and Integrity Rider (Rider SSI) compliance filing that allows APT to recover certain system safety and integrity costs incurred each year. Costs above the benchmark are deferred onto the balance sheet as incurred. The revenue and expense are recognized after review and approval by the RRC which results in no impact to operating income. On June 14, 2024, APT made its first Rider

Previous report

SSI filing that covered certain costs from January 1, 2023 through March 31, 2024 with a requested increase in operating revenue of $18.7 million.

Previous report

Operating income for our pipeline and storage segment increased 40.6 percent. Key drivers for the change in operating income include:

Previous report

Nine Months Ended June 30, 2024 compared with Nine Months Ended June 30, 2023

Previous report

Financial and operational highlights for our pipeline and storage segment for the nine months ended June 30, 2024 and 2023 are presented below.

Previous report

Operating income for our pipeline and storage segment increased 38.7 percent. Key drivers for the change in operating income include:

Previous report

•a $15.3 million increase primarily due to timing of pipeline inspection spending.

Previous report

•a $2.8 million decrease in property taxes, which is inclusive of a $4.5 million decrease related to the Texas property tax legislation discussed above.

Previous report

•a $7.3 million increase in depreciation expense associated with increased capital investments.

Previous report

Interest charges increased $9.5 million primarily due to the issuance of long-term debt during fiscal 2024.
Reworded paragraphs (39)

Previous wording

The statements contained in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q may contain “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. All statements other than statements of historical fact included in this Report are forward-looking statements made in good faith by us and are intended to qualify for the safe harbor from liability established by the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. When used in this Report, or any other of our documents or oral presentations, the words “anticipate”, “believe”, “estimate”, “expect”, “forecast”, “goal”, “intend”, “objective”, “plan”, “projection”, “seek”, “strategy” or similar words are intended to identify forward-looking statements. Such forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied in the statements relating to our strategy, operations, markets, services, rates, recovery of costs, availability of gas supply and other factors. These risks and uncertainties include the following: federal, state and local regulatory and political trends and decisions, including the impact of rate proceedings before various state regulatory commissions; increased federal regulatory oversight and potential penalties; possible increased federal, state and local regulation of the safety of our operations; possible significant costs and liabilities resulting from pipeline integrity and other similar programs and related repairs; the inherent hazards and risks involved in distributing, transporting and storing natural gas; the availability and accessibility of contracted gas supplies, interstate pipeline and/or storage services; increased competition from energy suppliers and alternative forms of energy; failure to attract and retain a qualified workforce; natural disasters, terrorist activities or other events and other risks and uncertainties discussed herein, all of which are difficult to predict and many of which are beyond our control; increased dependence on technology that may hinder the Company's business if such technologies fail; the threat of cyber-attacks or acts of cyber-terrorism that could disrupt our business operations and information technology systems or result in the loss or exposure of confidential or sensitive customer, employee or Company information; the impact of new cybersecurity compliance requirements; adverse weather conditions; the impact of greenhouse gas emissions or other legislation or regulations intended to address climate change; the impact of climate change; the capital-intensive nature of our business; our ability to continue to access the credit and capital markets to execute our business strategy; market risks beyond our control affecting our risk management activities, including commodity price volatility, counterparty performance or creditworthiness and interest rate risk; the concentrat…

Excerpt shortened here; the source contains the full paragraph.

Current wording

The statements contained in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q may contain “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. All statements other than statements of historical fact included in this Report are forward-looking statements made in good faith by us and are intended to qualify for the safe harbor from liability established by the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. When used in this Report, or any other of our documents or oral presentations, the words “anticipate”, “believe”, “estimate”, “expect”, “forecast”, “goal”, “intend”, “objective”, “plan”, “projection”, “seek”, “strategy”, or similar words are intended to identify forward-looking statements. Such forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied in the statements relating to our strategy, operations, markets, services, rates, recovery of costs, availability of gas supply, and other factors. These risks and uncertainties include the following: federal, state, and local regulatory and political trends and decisions, including the impact of rate proceedings before various state regulatory commissions; increased federal regulatory oversight and potential penalties; possible increased federal, state, and local regulation of the safety of our operations; possible significant costs and liabilities resulting from pipeline integrity and other similar programs and related repairs; the inherent hazards and risks involved in distributing, transporting, and storing natural gas; the availability and accessibility of contracted gas supplies, interstate pipeline, and/or storage services; increased competition from energy suppliers and alternative forms of energy; failure to attract and retain a qualified workforce; natural disasters, adverse weather, terrorist activities, or other events and other risks and uncertainties discussed herein, all of which are difficult to predict and many of which are beyond our control; failure of technology that affects the Company's business operations; the threat of cyber-attacks or acts of cyber-terrorism that could disrupt our business operations and information technology systems or result in the loss or exposure of confidential or sensitive customer, employee, or Company information; the impact of new cybersecurity compliance requirements; adverse weather conditions; the impact of legislation to reduce or eliminate greenhouse gas emissions or fossil fuels; the impact of climate change; the capital-intensive nature of our business; our ability to continue to access the credit and capital markets to execute our business strategy; market risks beyond our control affecting our risk management activities, including commodity price volatility, counterparty performance or creditworthiness, and interest rate risk; the concentration of our operations in …

Excerpt shortened here; the source contains the full paragraph.

Previous wording

Our critical accounting policies are reviewed periodically by the Audit Committee of our Board of Directors. There were no significant changes to these critical accounting policies during the nine months ended June 30, 2024.

Current wording

Our critical accounting policies are reviewed periodically by the Audit Committee of our Board of Directors. There were no significant changes to these critical accounting policies during the three months ended December 31, 2024.

Previous wording

Atmos Energy strives to operate our businesses safely and reliably while delivering superior financial results. Our commitment to modernizing our natural gas distribution and transmission systems requires a significant level of capital spending. We have the ability to begin recovering a significant portion of these investments timely through rate designs and mechanisms that reduce or eliminate regulatory lag and separate the recovery of our approved rate from customer usage patterns. The execution of our capital spending program, the ability to recover these investments timely and our ability to access the capital markets to satisfy our financing needs are the primary drivers that affect our financial performance.

Current wording

Atmos Energy's vision is to be the safest provider of natural gas services. Our commitment to this vision requires significant levels of capital spending to modernize our natural gas distribution system and operating costs to deliver natural gas safely and reliably and in full compliance with the various safety regulations impacting our business. We have the ability to begin recovering a significant portion of our expenditures timely through rate designs and mechanisms that reduce or eliminate regulatory lag and separate the recovery of our approved rate from customer usage patterns. The execution of our capital spending program, the ability to recover these expenditures timely, and our ability to access the capital markets to satisfy our financing needs are the primary drivers that affect our financial performance.

Previous wording

During the nine months ended June 30, 2024, we recorded net income of $908.9 million, or $6.00 per diluted share, compared to net income of $767.3 million, or $5.33 per diluted share for the nine months ended June 30, 2023.

Current wording

During the three months ended December 31, 2024, we recorded net income of $351.9 million, or $2.23 per diluted share, compared to net income of $311.3 million, or $2.08 per diluted share for the three months ended December 31, 2023.

Previous wording

The 18 percent year-over-year increase in net income largely reflects positive rate outcomes driven by safety and reliability spending and lower bad debt expense. Additionally, our fiscal 2024 year to date results were favorably impacted by $17.9 million as a result of legislation that became effective during the first quarter of fiscal 2024 to reduce property tax expenses in Texas. These increases were partially offset by increased depreciation expense and higher interest expense.

Current wording

The 13 percent year-over-year increase in net income largely reflects positive rate outcomes driven by safety and reliability spending, partially offset by higher bad debt expense, depreciation and property tax expenses, and higher spending on certain operating expenses, as well as higher interest expense.

Previous wording

During the nine months ended June 30, 2024, we implemented, or received approval to implement, ratemaking regulatory actions which resulted in an increase in annual operating income of $340.6 million. Additionally, as of June 30, 2024, we had ratemaking efforts in progress seeking a total increase in annual operating income of $176.5 million.

Current wording

During the three months ended December 31, 2024, we implemented, or received approval to implement, ratemaking regulatory actions which resulted in an increase in annual operating income of $150.5 million. Additionally, as of December 31, 2024, we had ratemaking efforts in progress seeking a total increase in annual operating income of $95.4 million.

Previous wording

Capital expenditures for the nine months ended June 30, 2024 were $2,129.1 million. Approximately 82 percent was invested to improve the safety and reliability of our distribution and transportation systems, with a significant portion of this investment incurred under regulatory mechanisms that reduce lag to six months or less.

Current wording

Capital expenditures for the three months ended December 31, 2024 were $891.2 million. Approximately 86 percent was invested to improve the safety and reliability of our distribution and transportation systems, with a significant portion of this investment incurred under regulatory mechanisms that reduce lag to six months or less.

Previous wording

During the nine months ended June 30, 2024, we completed approximately $2.0 billion of long-term debt and equity financing. As of June 30, 2024, our equity capitalization was 61.0 percent. As of June 30, 2024, we had approximately $4.3 billion in total liquidity, consisting of $674.6 million in cash and cash equivalents, $550.7 million in funds available through equity forward sales agreements and $3,094.4 million in undrawn capacity under our credit facilities.

Current wording

During the three months ended December 31, 2024, we completed approximately $1.0 billion of long-term debt and equity financing. As of December 31, 2024, our equity capitalization was 60.3 percent. As of December 31, 2024, we had approximately $5.2 billion in total liquidity, consisting of $584.5 million in cash and cash equivalents, $1,475.8 million in funds available through equity forward sales agreements and $3,094.4 million in undrawn capacity under our credit facilities.

Previous wording

Seasonal weather patterns can also affect our distribution operations. However, the effect of weather that is above or below normal is substantially offset through weather normalization adjustments, known as WNA, which have been approved by state regulatory commissions for approximately 96 percent of our residential and commercial revenues in the following states for the following time periods:

Current wording

Seasonal weather patterns can also affect our distribution operations. However, the effect of weather that is above or below normal is substantially offset through weather normalization adjustments, known as WNA, which have been approved by state regulatory commissions for approximately 97 percent of our residential and commercial revenues in the following states for the following time periods:

Previous wording

The cost of gas typically does not have a direct impact on our operating income because these costs are recovered through our purchased gas cost adjustment mechanisms. However, higher gas costs may adversely impact our accounts receivable collections, resulting in higher bad debt expense. This risk is currently mitigated by rate design that allows us to collect from our customers the gas cost portion of our bad debt expense on approximately 88 percent of our residential and commercial revenues. Additionally, higher gas costs may require us to increase borrowings under our credit facilities, resulting in higher interest expense. Finally, higher gas costs, as well as competitive factors in the industry and general economic conditions may cause customers to conserve or, in the case of industrial consumers, to use alternative energy sources.

Current wording

The cost of gas typically does not have a direct impact on our operating income because these costs are recovered through our purchased gas cost adjustment mechanisms. However, higher gas costs may adversely impact our accounts receivable collections, resulting in higher bad debt expense. This risk is currently mitigated by rate design that allows us to collect from our customers the gas cost portion of our bad debt expense on approximately 89 percent of our residential and commercial revenues. Additionally, higher gas costs may require us to increase borrowings under our credit facilities, resulting in higher interest expense. Finally, higher gas costs, as well as competitive factors in the industry and general economic conditions may cause customers to conserve or, in the case of industrial consumers, to use alternative energy sources.

Previous wording

•a $30.6 million increase in rate adjustments, primarily in our Mid-Tex Division.

Current wording

•a $50.7 million increase in rate adjustments, primarily in our Mid-Tex Division.

Previous wording

•a $5.3 million increase related to residential customer growth, primarily in our Mid-Tex Division, and increased industrial load.

Current wording

•a $6.0 million increase related to residential customer growth, primarily in our Mid-Tex Division, and increased industrial load.

Previous wording

•a $9.3 million decrease in refunds of excess deferred taxes to customers, which is substantially offset in income tax expense.

Current wording

•a $13.6 million decrease in refunds of excess deferred taxes to customers, which is substantially offset in income tax expense.

Current wording

•an $11.0 million increase in employee-related costs primarily due to an increase in headcount to support company growth.

Previous wording

•an $11.6 million decrease in bad debt expense, as discussed in Note 6 to the condensed consolidated financial statements.

Current wording

•a $15.0 million increase in bad debt expense due to a regulatory change in Mississippi in the first quarter of fiscal 2024, as discussed in Note 6 to the condensed consolidated financial statements.

Previous wording

The amounts described in the following sections represent the operating income that was requested or received in each rate filing, which may not necessarily reflect the stated amount referenced in the final order, as certain operating costs may have changed as a result of a commission’s or other governmental authority’s final ruling. During the first nine months of fiscal 2024, we implemented, or received approval to implement, regulatory proceedings, resulting in a $231.1 million increase in annual operating income as summarized below. Our ratemaking outcomes include the refund (return) of excess deferred income taxes (EDIT) resulting from previously enacted tax reform legislation and do not reflect the true economic benefit of the outcomes because they do not include the corresponding income tax benefit. Excluding these amounts, our total rate outcomes for ratemaking activities for the nine months ended June 30, 2024 were $210.7 million.

Current wording

The amounts described in the following sections represent the operating income that was requested or received in each rate filing, which may not necessarily reflect the stated amount referenced in the final order, as certain operating costs may have changed as a result of a commission’s or other governmental authority’s final ruling. During the first three months of fiscal 2025, we implemented, or received approval to implement, regulatory proceedings, resulting in a $150.5 million increase in annual operating income as summarized below. Our ratemaking outcomes include the refund (return) of excess deferred income taxes (EDIT) resulting from previously enacted tax reform legislation and do not reflect the true economic benefit of the outcomes because they do not include the corresponding income tax benefit. Excluding these amounts, our total rate outcomes for ratemaking activities for the three months ended December 31, 2024 were $151.3 million.

Previous wording

The following ratemaking efforts seeking $176.5 million in increased annual operating income were in progress as of June 30, 2024:

Current wording

The following ratemaking efforts seeking $95.4 million in increased annual operating income were in progress as of December 31, 2024:

Previous wording

The following annual formula rate mechanisms were approved during the nine months ended June 30, 2024:

Current wording

The following annual formula rate mechanisms were approved during the three months ended December 31, 2024:

Previous wording

A rate case is a formal request from Atmos Energy to a regulatory authority to increase rates that are charged to our customers. Rate cases may also be initiated when the regulatory authorities request us to justify our rates. This process is referred to as a “show cause” action. Adequate rates are intended to provide for recovery of the Company’s costs as well as a fair rate of return and ensure that we continue to deliver reliable, reasonably priced natural gas service safely to our customers. The following table summarizes the rate cases completed in our distribution segment during the nine months ended June 30, 2024.

Current wording

A rate case is a formal request from Atmos Energy to a regulatory authority to increase rates that are charged to our customers. Rate cases may also be initiated when the regulatory authorities request us to justify our rates. This process is referred to as a “show cause” action. Adequate rates are intended to provide for recovery of the Company’s costs as well as a fair rate of return and ensure that we continue to deliver reliable, reasonably priced natural gas service safely to our customers. There was no rate case activity completed in our distribution segment during the three months ended December 31, 2024.

Previous wording

The following table summarizes other ratemaking activity during the nine months ended June 30, 2024.

Current wording

The Company had no other ratemaking activity during the three months ended December 31, 2024.

Previous wording

Our pipeline and storage segment consists of the regulated pipeline and storage operations of our Atmos Pipeline–Texas Division (APT) and our natural gas transmission operations in Louisiana. APT is one of the largest intrastate pipeline operations in Texas with a heavy concentration in the established natural gas producing areas of central, northern and eastern Texas, extending into or near the major producing areas of the Barnett Shale, the Texas Gulf Coast and the Permian Basin of West Texas. APT provides transportation and storage services to our Mid-Tex Division, other third-party local distribution companies, industrial and electric generation customers, as well as marketers and producers. Over 80 percent of this segment’s revenues are derived from these APT services. These revenues are subject to traditional ratemaking governed by the Texas Railroad Commission (RRC). As part of its pipeline operations, APT owns and operates five underground storage facilities in Texas.

Current wording

Our pipeline and storage segment consists of the regulated pipeline and storage operations of our Atmos Pipeline–Texas Division (APT) and our natural gas transmission operations in Louisiana. APT is an intrastate pipeline in Texas with a heavy concentration in the established natural gas producing areas of central, northern, and eastern Texas, extending into or near the major producing areas of the Barnett Shale, the Texas Gulf Coast, and the Permian Basin of West Texas. APT provides transportation and storage services to our Mid-Tex Division, other third-party local distribution companies, industrial, and electric generation customers, as well as marketers and producers. Over 80 percent of this segment’s revenues are derived from these APT services. These revenues are subject to traditional ratemaking governed by the Texas Railroad Commission (RRC). As part of its pipeline operations, APT owns and operates five underground storage facilities in Texas.

Previous wording

•a $52.4 million increase primarily due to rate adjustments from the GRIP filings approved in May 2023 and 2024, and the rate case approved in December 2023.

Current wording

•a $22.8 million increase primarily due to rate adjustments from the GRIP filing approved in May 2024, the System Safety and Integrity Rider filing approved in November 2024, and the rate case approved in December 2023.

Previous wording

•an $11.0 million increase in APT's through-system activities primarily associated with increased spreads.

Current wording

•a $7.9 million increase in APT's through-system activities primarily associated with increased spreads.

Previous wording

•a $6.8 million decrease in refunds of excess deferred taxes to customers, which is partially offset in income tax expense.

Current wording

•a $9.2 million decrease in refunds of excess deferred taxes to customers, which is partially offset in income tax expense.

Previous wording

•a $14.8 million increase in operation and maintenance expense primarily due to higher employee-related and other administrative costs.

Current wording

•a $9.1 million increase in other operation and maintenance expense due to compliance-related activities and other administrative costs.

Previous wording

We have a shelf registration statement on file with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) that allows us to issue up to $5.0 billion in common stock and/or debt securities, which expires March 31, 2026. As of June 30, 2024, $1.8 billion of securities were available for issuance under this shelf registration statement.

Current wording

On December 3, 2024, we filed a shelf registration statement with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) that allows us to issue up to $8.0 billion in common stock and/or debt securities, which expires December 3, 2027. As of December 31, 2024, $6.3 billion of securities were available for issuance under this shelf registration statement.

Previous wording

On May 8, 2024, we filed a prospectus supplement under the shelf registration statement relating to an at-the-market (ATM) equity sales program under which we may issue and sell shares of our common stock up to an aggregate offering price of $1.0 billion through March 31, 2026 (including shares of common stock that may be sold pursuant to forward sale agreements entered into in connection with the ATM equity sales program), which expires March 31, 2026. This ATM equity sales program replaced our previous ATM equity sales program, filed on March 31, 2023. As of June 30, 2024, $845.7 million of equity was available for issuance under our existing ATM equity sales program. Additionally, as of June 30, 2024, we had

Current wording

On December 3, 2024, we filed a prospectus supplement under the shelf registration statement relating to an at-the-market (ATM) equity sales program under which we may issue and sell shares of our common stock up to an aggregate offering price of $1.7 billion through December 3, 2027 (including shares of common stock that may be sold pursuant to forward sale agreements entered into in connection with the ATM equity sales program), which expires December 3, 2027. This ATM equity sales program replaced our previous ATM equity sales program, filed on May 8, 2024. As of December 31, 2024, $1.2 billion of equity was available for issuance under our existing ATM equity sales program. Additionally, as of December 31, 2024, we had $1.5 billion in available proceeds from outstanding forward sale agreements. Additional details are summarized in Note 8 to the condensed consolidated financial statements.

Previous wording

Cash flows from operating, investing and financing activities for the nine months ended June 30, 2024 and 2023 are presented below.

Current wording

Cash flows from operating, investing, and financing activities for the three months ended December 31, 2024 and 2023 are presented below.

Previous wording

For the nine months ended June 30, 2024, we generated cash flow from operating activities of $1,403.1 million compared with $3,221.5 million for the nine months ended June 30, 2023. Operating cash flow decreased $1,818.4 million primarily due to the receipt of $2.02 billion in the second quarter of fiscal 2023 related to Texas securitization activities.

Current wording

For the three months ended December 31, 2024, we generated cash flow from operating activities of $282.0 million compared with $245.3 million for the three months ended December 31, 2023. Operating cash flow increased $36.7 million primarily due to the positive effects of successful rate case outcomes achieved in fiscal 2024.

Previous wording

Our capital expenditures are primarily used to improve the safety and reliability of our distribution and transmission system through pipeline replacement and system modernization and to enhance and expand our system to meet customer needs.

Current wording

Our capital expenditures are primarily used to improve the safety and reliability of our distribution and transmission system through pipeline replacement and system modernization and to enhance and expand our system to meet customer needs. Over the last three fiscal years, approximately 86 percent of our capital spending has been committed to improving the safety and reliability of our system.

Previous wording

For the nine months ended June 30, 2024, cash used for investing activities was $2,119.1 million compared to $2,077.3 million for the nine months ended June 30, 2023. Capital spending in our distribution segment increased $278.1 million, primarily as a result of increased system modernization and customer growth spending. Capital spending in our pipeline and storage segment decreased $232.5 million primarily due to timing of spending for pipeline system safety and reliability in Texas.

Current wording

For the three months ended December 31, 2024, cash used for investing activities was $888.9 million compared to $764.4 million for the three months ended December 31, 2023. Capital spending in our distribution segment increased $86.5 million, primarily as a result of increased system modernization and customer growth spending. Capital spending in our pipeline and storage segment increased $35.0 million primarily due to increased spending for pipeline system safety and reliability in Texas.

Previous wording

For the nine months ended June 30, 2024, our financing activities provided $1,376.0 million of cash compared with $1,137.6 million of cash used by financing activities in the prior-year period.

Current wording

For the three months ended December 31, 2024, our financing activities provided $887.5 million of cash compared with $785.3 million of cash used by financing activities in the prior-year period.

Previous wording

In the nine months ended June 30, 2024, we received approximately $2.0 billion in net proceeds from the issuance of long-term debt and equity. We completed a public offering of $500 million of 6.20% senior notes due October 2053 and $400 million of 5.90% senior notes due October 2033, and received net proceeds from the offering, after the underwriting discount and offering expenses, of $889.4 million. We also completed a public offering of $325 million of 5.90% senior notes due October 2033, and received net proceeds from the offering, after the underwriting discount and offering expenses, of $339.7 million. Additionally, during the nine months ended June 30, 2024, we settled 6,401,469 shares that had been sold on a forward basis for net proceeds of $750.0 million. The net proceeds were used primarily to support capital spending and for other general corporate purposes. Cash dividends increased due to an 8.8 percent increase in our dividend rate and an increase in shares outstanding.

Current wording

In the three months ended December 31, 2024, we received approximately $1.0 billion in net proceeds from the issuance of long-term debt and equity. We completed a public offering of $650 million of 5.00% senior notes due December 2054, and received net proceeds from the offering, after the underwriting discount and offering expenses, of $639.4 million. Additionally, during the three months ended December 31, 2024, we settled 3,300,904 shares that had been sold on a forward basis for net proceeds of $379.5 million. The net proceeds were used primarily to support capital spending and for other general corporate purposes. Cash dividends increased due to an 8.1 percent increase in our dividend rate and an increase in shares outstanding.

Previous wording

In the nine months ended June 30, 2023, we repaid $2.2 billion in long-term debt, and we received approximately $1.5 billion in net proceeds from the issuance of long-term debt and equity. We completed a public offering of $500 million of 5.75% senior notes due October 2052 and $300 million of 5.45% senior notes due October 2032, and received net proceeds from the offering, after the underwriting discount and offering expenses, of $789.4 million. Additionally, during the nine months ended June 30, 2023, we settled 6,116,848 shares that had been sold on a forward basis for net proceeds of $671.6 million. The net proceeds were used primarily to support capital spending and for other general corporate purposes. Cash dividends increased due to an 8.8 percent increase in our dividend rate and an increase in shares outstanding. Finally, AEK issued $95 million in securitized long-term debt.

Current wording

In the three months ended December 31, 2023, we received approximately $1.1 billion in net proceeds from the issuance of long-term debt and equity. We completed a public offering of $500 million of 6.20% senior notes due November 2053 and $400 million of 5.90% senior notes due November 2033, and received net proceeds from the offering, after the underwriting discount and offering expenses, of $889.4 million. Additionally, during the three months ended December 31, 2023, we settled 2,144,558 shares that had been sold on a forward basis for net proceeds of $254.0 million. The net proceeds were used primarily to support capital spending and for other general corporate purposes. Cash dividends increased due to an 8.8 percent increase in our dividend rate and an increase in shares outstanding.

Previous wording

The following table summarizes our share issuances for the nine months ended June 30, 2024 and 2023:

Current wording

The following table summarizes our share issuances for the three months ended December 31, 2024 and 2023:

Previous wording

Our debt is rated by two rating agencies: Standard & Poor’s Corporation (S&P) and Moody’s Investors Service (Moody’s). On April 1, 2024, Moody's reaffirmed its long-term and short-term credit ratings and placed our ratings under negative outlook. Currently, our outlook and debt ratings, which are all considered investment grade, are as follows:

Current wording

Our debt is rated by two rating agencies: Standard & Poor’s Corporation (S&P) and Moody’s Investors Service (Moody’s). Currently, our outlook and debt ratings, which are all considered investment grade, are as follows:

Previous wording

Except as noted in Note 11 to the condensed consolidated financial statements, there were no significant changes in our contractual obligations and commercial commitments during the nine months ended June 30, 2024.

Current wording

Except as noted in Note 11 to the condensed consolidated financial statements, there were no significant changes in our contractual obligations and commercial commitments during the three months ended December 31, 2024.

Previous wording

The following table shows the components of the change in fair value of our financial instruments for the three and nine months ended June 30, 2024 and 2023:

Current wording

The following table shows the components of the change in fair value of our financial instruments for the three months ended December 31, 2024 and 2023:

Previous wording

The following tables present certain operating statistics for our distribution and pipeline and storage segments for the three and nine months ended June 30, 2024 and 2023.

Current wording

The following tables present certain operating statistics for our distribution and pipeline and storage segments for the three months ended December 31, 2024 and 2023.
Rearranged previous paragraphs (10)

Previous report — wording carried elsewhere

•a $185.8 million increase in rate adjustments, primarily in our Mid-Tex Division.

Previous report — wording carried elsewhere

•a $17.8 million increase related to residential customer growth, primarily in our Mid-Tex Division, and increased industrial load.

Previous report — wording carried elsewhere

•a $10.7 million increase in refunds of excess deferred taxes to customers, which is partially offset in income tax expense.

Previous report — wording carried elsewhere

The following table shows our operating income by distribution division, in order of total rate base, for the nine months ended June 30, 2024 and 2023. The presentation of our distribution operating income is included for financial reporting purposes and may not be appropriate for ratemaking purposes.

Previous report — wording carried elsewhere

•a $16.0 million increase primarily due to rate adjustments from the GRIP filing approved in May 2024 and the rate case approved in December 2023.

Previous report — wording carried elsewhere

•an $18.5 million net increase in APT's through-system activities primarily associated with increased spreads.

Previous report — wording carried elsewhere

•an $18.6 million decrease in refunds of excess deferred taxes to customers, which is substantially offset in income tax expense.

Previous report — wording carried elsewhere

•a $10.4 million increase due to higher capacity contracted by tariff-based customers due to their increased peak day demand.

Previous report — wording carried elsewhere

$550.7 million in available proceeds from outstanding forward sale agreements. Additional details are summarized in Note 8 to the condensed consolidated financial statements.

Previous report — wording carried elsewhere

Over the last three fiscal years, approximately 87 percent of our capital spending has been committed to improving the safety and reliability of our system.