PPL Corp
For the period ended Dec 31, 2023. Filed Feb 16, 2024.
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FY2023 · Filed Feb 16, 2024
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Liquidity and Capital Resources
The Registrants' cash flows from operations and access to cost-effective bank and capital markets are subject to risks and uncertainties. See "Item 1A. Risk Factors" for a discussion of risks and uncertainties that could affect the Registrants' cash flows.
The Registrants had the following at:
| PPL · PPLElectric · LG&E · KU | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cash and cash equivalents | $331 | $51 | $18 | $14 | |||
| Short-term debt | 992 | 509 | — | 93 | |||
| Long-term debt due within one year | 1 | — | — | — | |||
| Notes payable with affiliates | — | — | — | ||||
| Cash and cash equivalents | $356 | $25 | $93 | $21 | |||
| Short-term debt | 985 | 145 | 179 | 101 | |||
| Long-term debt due within one year | 354 | 340 | — | 13 | |||
| Notes payable with affiliates | — | — | — | ||||
(PPL)
The Statements of Cash Flows separately report the cash flows of discontinued operations. The "Operating Activities," "Investing Activities" and "Financing Activities" sections below include only the cash flows of continuing operations.
Net cash provided by (used in) operating, investing and financing activities for the years ended December 31 and the changes between periods were as follows:
| PPL | PPLElectric | LG&E | KU | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Operating activities | $1,758 | $912 | $609 | $647 |
| Investing activities | (2,383) | (958) | (378) | (566) |
| Financing activities | 650 | 72 | (280) | (64) |
| Operating activities | $1,730 | $757 | $543 | $661 |
| Investing activities | (5,654) | (387) | (360) | (547) |
| Financing activities | 709 | (366) | (99) | (106) |
| 2023 vs. 2022 Change | ||||
| Operating activities | $28 | $155 | $66 | $(14) |
| Investing activities | 3,271 | (571) | (18) | (19) |
| Financing activities | (59) | 438 | (181) | 42 |
Operating Activities
The components of the change in cash provided by (used in) operating activities were as follows:
| PPL | PPLElectric | LG&E | KU | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Change - Cash Provided (Used): | ||||
| Net income | $26 | $(6) | $(6) | $(10) |
| Non-cash components | 81 | (54) | (6) | (10) |
| Working capital | 253 | 158 | 81 | 28 |
| Defined benefit plan funding | (1) | (5) | 3 | 1 |
| Other operating activities | (331) | 62 | (6) | (23) |
| Total | $28 | $155 | $66 | $(14) |
(PPL)
PPL cash provided by operating activities in 2023 increased $28 million compared with 2022.
Net income increased $26 million between periods and included an increase in net non-cash charges of $81 million. The increase in non-cash charges was primarily due to an increase in depreciation (primarily due to the acquisition of RIE) and an increase in deferred income taxes and investment tax credits (primarily due to book versus tax plant timing differences), partially offset by an increase in defined benefit plans income (primarily due to a higher expected return) and loss on sale of Safari Holdings in 2022.
The $253 million increase in cash from changes in working capital was primarily due to a decrease in unbilled revenues (primarily due to weather and rate recovery mechanisms) and an increase in other current liabilities, partially offset by a decrease in accounts payable (primarily due to timing and pricing).
The $331 million decrease in cash provided by other operating activities was driven by a decrease in non-current liabilities (primarily related to the purchase of renewable tax credits in 2023).
PPL Electric's cash provided by operating activities in 2023 increased $155 million compared with 2022.
Net income decreased $6 million between the periods and included a decrease in non-cash components of $54 million. The decrease in non-cash components was primarily due to a decrease in deferred income taxes and investment tax credits (primarily related to a change in state tax rates) and an increase in defined benefit plan income (primarily due to a higher expected return), partially offset by an increase in amortization expense (primarily due an increase in IT projects placed into service).
The $158 million increase in cash from changes in working capital was primarily due to a decrease in unbilled revenue (primarily due to weather), an increase in regulatory liabilities (primarily due to prior years' refunds to customers related to the transmission formula rate return on equity reduction) and an increase in accrued interest (primarily due to new debt issuances in 2023), partially offset by an increase in accounts receivable and a decrease in accounts payable (primarily due to pricing).
The $62 million increase in cash provided by other operating activities was driven primarily by other assets (primarily related to an increase in costs associated with work optimization and management projects).
(LG&E)
LG&E's cash provided by operating activities in 2023 increased $66 million compared with 2022.
Net income decreased $6 million between the periods and included a decrease in non-cash components of $6 million. The decrease in non-cash components was primarily due to a decrease in deferred income taxes and investment tax credits (primarily due to book versus tax plant timing differences).
Cash from changes in working capital increased by $81 million. The increase was primarily due to a decrease in accounts receivable and unbilled revenues (primarily due to weather) and a decrease in fuel, materials and supplies (primarily due to lower commodity costs), partially offset by a decrease in accounts payable and accounts payable to affiliates (primarily due to timing of payments).
The $6 million decrease in cash provided by other operating activities was driven by an increase in other assets (primarily related to deferred storm costs recorded as noncurrent regulatory assets).
(KU)
KU's cash provided by operating activities in 2023 decreased $14 million compared with 2022.
Net income decreased $10 million between the periods and included a decrease in non-cash components of $10 million The decrease in non-cash components was primarily due to a decrease in deferred income taxes and investment tax credits (primarily due to book versus tax plant timing differences).
Cash from changes in working capital increased $28 million. The increase was primarily due to a decrease in accounts receivable and unbilled revenues (primarily due to weather), a decrease in fuel, materials and supplies (primarily due to an increase in commodity costs and the accumulation of inventory for transmission and distribution projects in
- and a decrease in net regulatory assets (primarily due to the timing of rate recovery mechanisms), partially offset by a decrease in accounts payable and accounts payable to affiliates (primarily due to timing of payments).
The $23 million decrease in cash provided by other operating activities was driven by an increase in other assets (primarily related to deferred storm costs recorded as noncurrent regulatory assets).
Investing Activities
The components of the change in cash provided by (used in) investing activities were as follows:
| PPL | PPLElectric | LG&E | KU | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Change - Cash Provided (Used): | ||||
| Expenditures for PP&E | $(235) | $(70) | $(7) | $(25) |
| Proceeds from sale of Safari Holdings, net of cash divested | (146) | — | — | — |
| Acquisition of Narragansett Electric, net of cash acquired | 3,660 | — | — | — |
| Notes receivable from affiliate | — | (499) | — | — |
| Other investing activities | (8) | (2) | (11) | 6 |
| Total | $3,271 | $(571) | $(18) | $(19) |
For PPL, the increase in expenditures for PP&E was due to a full year of project expenditures at RIE in 2023 and an increase in project expenditures at PPL Electric, LG&E and KU. The increase in expenditures at PPL Electric was primarily due to an increase in transmission capital spending projects. The increase in expenditures at KU was primarily due to higher spending on projects related to economic development in its service territory, storm restoration and Advanced Metering Infrastructure projects, partially offset by lower spending on ELG projects and other projects that are not individually significant.
See "Forecasted Uses of Cash" for detail regarding projected capital expenditures for the years 2024 through 2026.
For PPL Electric, the changes in "Notes receivable from affiliate" activity resulted from payments received on the short-term note between affiliates in 2022, issued to support general corporate purposes. See Note 14 to the Financial Statements for further discussion of intercompany borrowings.
Financing Activities
The components of the change in cash provided by (used in) financing activities were as follows:
| PPL | PPLElectric | LG&E | KU | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Change - Cash Provided (Used): | ||||
| Long-term debt issuance/retirement, net | $812 | $89 | $(136) | $(154) |
| Dividends | 83 | 17 | 109 | 106 |
| Capital contributions/distributions, net | — | 126 | (184) | (92) |
| Changes in net short-term debt | (909) | 219 | (289) | (109) |
| Note payable with affiliate | — | — | 324 | 294 |
| Other financing activities | (45) | (13) | (5) | (3) |
| Total | $(59) | $438 | $(181) | $42 |
See Note 8 to the Financial Statements in this Form 10-K for information on 2023 activity.
See "Long-term Debt and Equity Securities" below for additional information on current year activity. See "Forecasted Sources of Cash" for a discussion of the Registrants' plans to issue debt and equity securities, as well as a discussion of credit facility capacity available to the Registrants. Also see "Forecasted Uses of Cash" for a discussion of PPL's plans to pay dividends on common securities in the future, as well as the Registrants' maturities of long-term debt.
Long-term Debt and Equity Securities
Long-term debt and equity securities activity for 2023 included:
| Debt · Stock | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Issuances (a) | Retirements | Issuances (b) | Repurchases | |
| Cash Flow Impact: | ||||
| PPL | $3,252 | $1,854 | $5 | $— |
| PPL Electric | 1,329 | 1,240 | — | — |
| LG&E | 464 | 300 | — | — |
| KU | 459 | 313 | — | — |
(a)Issuances are net of pricing discounts, where applicable, and exclude the impact of debt issuance costs. Includes debt issuances with affiliates.
(b)Includes issuances of common stock and treasury stock, which are included in "Other financing activities" on the Statements of Cash Flows.
See Note 8 to the Financial Statements for additional long-term debt information.
Forecasted Sources of Cash
The Registrants expect to continue to have adequate liquidity available from operating cash flows, cash and cash equivalents, credit facilities and commercial paper issuances to meet their requirements with respect to their contractual obligations and anticipated capital expenditures. Additionally, subject to market conditions, the Registrants and their subsidiaries may access the capital markets, and PPL Electric, LG&E and KU anticipate receiving equity contributions from their parent or member in 2024.
Credit Facilities
The Registrants maintain credit facilities to enhance liquidity, provide credit support and provide a backstop to commercial paper programs. Amounts borrowed under these credit facilities are reflected in "Short-term debt" on the Balance Sheets. At December 31, 2023, the total committed borrowing capacity under credit facilities and the borrowings under these facilities were:
External
| Committed Capacity | Borrowed | Letters ofCreditandCommercialPaperIssued (d) | UnusedCapacity | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PPL Capital Funding Credit Facilities (a) | $1,350 | $— | $390 | $960 |
| PPL Electric Credit Facilities | 650 | — | 511 | 139 |
| LG&E Credit Facilities | 500 | — | — | 500 |
| KU Credit Facilities | 400 | — | 93 | 307 |
| Total Credit Facilities (b) (c) | $2,900 | $— | $994 | $1,906 |
(a)Includes a $1.25 billion syndicated credit facility with a $250 million borrowing sublimit for RIE and a $1 billion sublimit for PPL Capital Funding at December 31, 2023. RIE’s borrowing sublimit is adjustable, at the borrowers’ option, from $0 to $600 million, with the remaining balance of the $1.25 billion available under the facility allocated to PPL Capital Funding. At December 31, 2023, PPL Capital Funding had $365 million of commercial paper outstanding and RIE had $25 million of commercial paper outstanding. On January 5, 2024, the borrowing sublimits under the facility were reallocated to $400 million at RIE and $850 million at PPL Capital Funding.
(b)The syndicated credit facilities and PPL Capital Funding's bilateral facility, each contain a financial covenant requiring debt to total capitalization not to exceed 70% for PPL Capital Funding, RIE, PPL Electric, LG&E and KU, as calculated in accordance with the facility, and other customary covenants.
The commitments under the credit facilities are provided by a diverse bank group, with no one bank and its affiliates providing an aggregate commitment of more than the following percentages of the total committed capacity: PPL - 9%, PPL Electric - 7%, LG&E - 7% and KU - 7%.
(c)Each company pays customary fees under its respective syndicated credit facility. Borrowings generally bear interest at applicable SOFR, plus an applicable margin.
(d)Commercial paper issued reflects the undiscounted face value of the issuance.
In addition to the financial covenants noted in the table above, the credit agreements governing the above credit facilities contain various other covenants. Failure to comply with the covenants after applicable grace periods could result in acceleration of repayment of borrowings and/or termination of the agreements. The Registrants monitor compliance with the covenants on a regular basis. At December 31, 2023, the Registrants were in compliance with these covenants. At this time, the Registrants believe that these covenants and other borrowing conditions will not limit access to these funding sources.
See Note 8 to the Financial Statements for further discussion of the Registrants' credit facilities.
Intercompany (LG&E and KU)
| CommittedCapacity | Borrowed | Commercial Paper Issued | UnusedCapacity | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| LG&E Money Pool (a) | $750 | $— | $— | $750 |
| KU Money Pool (a) | 650 | — | 93 | 557 |
(a)LG&E and KU participate in an intercompany money pool agreement whereby LKE and/or KU make available to LG&E, and LKE and/or LG&E make available to KU funds up to the difference between LG&E's and KU's FERC borrowing limit and LG&E's and KU's commercial paper capacity limit, at an interest rate based on the lower of a market index of commercial paper issues and two additional rate options based on the lower of a market index of commercial paper issues and two additional rate options based on SOFR.
See Note 14 to the Financial Statements for further discussion of intercompany credit facilities.
Commercial Paper (All Registrants)
The Registrants maintain commercial paper programs to provide an additional financing source to fund short-term liquidity needs, as necessary. Commercial paper issuances, included in "Short-term debt" on the Balance Sheets, are supported by the respective Registrant's credit facilities. The following commercial paper programs were in place at:
| December 31, 2023 | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Capacity | CommercialPaperIssuances (b) | UnusedCapacity | |
| PPL Capital Funding (a) | $1,350 | $365 | $985 |
| Rhode Island Energy (a) | 400 | 25 | 375 |
| PPL Electric | 650 | 510 | 140 |
| LG&E | 500 | — | 500 |
| KU | 400 | 93 | 307 |
| Total PPL | $3,300 | $993 | $2,307 |
(a)Issuances under the PPL Capital Funding and RIE commercial paper programs are supported by the PPL Capital Funding syndicated credit facility, which has a total capacity of $1.25 billion, with a $250 million borrowing sublimit for RIE and a $1 billion sublimit for PPL Capital Funding at December 31, 2023. RIE’s borrowing sublimit is adjustable, at the borrowers’ option, from $0 to $600 million, with the remaining balance of the $1.25 billion available under the facility allocated to PPL Capital Funding. On January 5, 2024, the borrowing sublimits under the facility were reallocated to $400 million at RIE and $850 million at PPL Capital Funding.
(b)Commercial paper issued reflects the undiscounted face value of the issuance.
Long-term Debt and Equity Securities
(PPL)
PPL and its subsidiaries are authorized to issue, at the discretion of management and subject to market conditions, up to $3.5 billion of long-term debt securities, which includes the $650 million issued by PPL Electric in January 2024, the proceeds of which would be used to fund capital expenditures and for general corporate purposes. RIE is authorized to issue, at the discretion of management and subject to market conditions and regulatory approvals, up to $500 million of long-term debt securities, the proceeds of which would be used to repay short-term debt incurred to fund capital expenditures and for general corporate purposes.
PPL Electric is authorized to issue, at the discretion of management and subject to market conditions and regulatory approvals, up to $1 billion of long-term debt securities, which includes the $650 million issued in January 2024, the proceeds of which would be used to fund capital expenditures and for general corporate purposes.
(LG&E)
LG&E is authorized to issue, at the discretion of management and subject to market conditions and regulatory approvals, up to $500 million of long-term debt securities, the proceeds of which would be used to repay short-term debt incurred to fund capital expenditures and for general corporate purposes.
(KU)
KU is authorized to issue, at the discretion of management and subject to market conditions and regulatory approvals, up to $500 million of long-term debt securities, the proceeds of which would be used to repay short-term debt incurred to fund capital expenditures and for general corporate purposes.
Contributions from Parent(PPL Electric, LG&E and KU)
From time to time, the parents of PPL Electric, LG&E and KU make capital contributions to subsidiaries. The proceeds from these contributions are used to fund capital expenditures and for other general corporate purposes.
Forecasted Uses of Cash
In addition to expenditures required for normal operating activities, such as purchased power, payroll, fuel and taxes, the Registrants currently expect to incur future cash outflows for capital expenditures, various contractual obligations, payment of dividends on its common stock, and possibly the purchase or redemption of a portion of debt securities.
Capital Expenditures
The table below shows the Registrants' current capital expenditure projections for the years 2024 through 2026. Expenditures for the domestic regulated utilities are expected to be recovered through rates, pending regulatory approval.
| Projected | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total | 2024 (a) | 2025 | 2026 | |||
| PPL | ||||||
| Generating facilities | $2,200 | $625 | $850 | $725 | ||
| Electric distribution facilities | 3,275 | 1,075 | 1,125 | 1,075 | ||
| Gas distribution facilities | 1,050 | 300 | 375 | 375 | ||
| Transmission facilities | 3,700 | 1,000 | 1,275 | 1,425 | ||
| Other | 350 | 125 | 125 | 100 | ||
| Total Capital Expenditures | $10,575 | $3,125 | $3,750 | $3,700 | ||
| Projected | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total | 2024 (a) | 2025 | 2026 | |||
| PPL Electric | ||||||
| Electric distribution facilities | $1,325 | $500 | $425 | $400 | ||
| Transmission facilities | 2,300 | 675 | 800 | 825 | ||
| Total Capital Expenditures | $3,625 | $1,175 | $1,225 | $1,225 | ||
| LG&E | ||||||
| Generating facilities | $1,050 | $250 | $450 | $350 | ||
| Electric distribution facilities | 500 | 150 | 175 | 175 | ||
| Gas distribution facilities | 300 | 75 | 125 | 100 | ||
| Transmission facilities | 150 | 50 | 50 | 50 | ||
| Other | 125 | 50 | 50 | 25 | ||
| Total Capital Expenditures | $2,125 | $575 | $850 | $700 | ||
| KU | ||||||
| Generating facilities | $1,150 | $375 | $400 | $375 | ||
| Electric distribution facilities | 625 | 175 | 225 | 225 | ||
| Transmission facilities | 450 | 75 | 125 | 250 | ||
| Other | 225 | 75 | 75 | 75 | ||
| Total Capital Expenditures | $2,450 | $700 | $825 | $925 | ||
(a)The 2024 total excludes amounts included in accounts payable as of December 31, 2023.
Capital expenditure plans are revised periodically to reflect changes in operational, market and regulatory conditions.
Contractual Obligations
The Registrants have assumed various financial obligations and commitments in the ordinary course of conducting business. At December 31, 2023, estimated contractual cash obligations were as follows:
| Total | 2024 | 2025-2026 | 2027-2028 | After 2028 | ||||
| PPL | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Long-term Debt (a) | $14,775 | $1 | $1,455 | $1,778 | $11,541 | |||
| Interest on Long-term Debt (b) | 10,544 | 630 | 1,219 | 1,134 | 7,561 | |||
| Operating Leases (c) | 104 | 24 | 29 | 17 | 34 | |||
| Purchase Obligations (d) | 4,193 | 1,414 | 1,521 | 560 | 698 | |||
| Total Contractual Cash Obligations | $29,616 | $2,069 | $4,224 | $3,489 | $19,834 | |||
| PPL Electric | ||||||||
| Long-term Debt (a) | $4,649 | $— | $— | $108 | $4,541 | |||
| Interest on Long-term Debt (b) | 4,293 | 214 | 429 | 425 | 3,225 | |||
| Unconditional Power Purchase Obligations | 78 | 29 | 49 | — | — | |||
| Total Contractual Cash Obligations | $9,020 | $243 | $478 | $533 | $7,766 | |||
| LG&E | ||||||||
| Long-term Debt (a) | $2,489 | $— | $390 | $260 | $1,839 | |||
| Interest on Long-term Debt (b) | 1,479 | 100 | 190 | 171 | 1,018 | |||
| Operating Leases (c) | 15 | 6 | 7 | 2 | — | |||
| Coal and Natural Gas Purchase Obligations (e) | 1,055 | 364 | 517 | 172 | 2 | |||
| Unconditional Power Purchase Obligations (f) | 296 | 26 | 48 | 47 | 175 | |||
| Construction Obligations (g) | 59 | 47 | 9 | 2 | 1 | |||
| Other Obligations | 66 | 30 | 29 | 4 | 3 | |||
| Total Contractual Cash Obligations | $5,459 | $573 | $1,190 | $658 | $3,038 | |||
| Total | 2024 | 2025-2026 | 2027-2028 | After 2028 | ||||
| KU | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Long-term Debt (a) | $3,089 | $— | $414 | $60 | $2,615 | |||
| Interest on Long-term Debt (b) | 2,127 | 130 | 251 | 234 | 1,512 | |||
| Operating Leases (c) | 22 | 9 | 9 | 3 | 1 | |||
| Coal and Natural Gas Purchase Obligations (e) | 953 | 328 | 460 | 165 | — | |||
| Unconditional Power Purchase Obligations (f) | 132 | 12 | 22 | 21 | 77 | |||
| Construction Obligations (g) | 85 | 50 | 31 | 2 | 2 | |||
| Other Obligations | 108 | 46 | 47 | 11 | 4 | |||
| Total Contractual Cash Obligations | $6,516 | $575 | $1,234 | $496 | $4,211 | |||
(a)Reflects principal maturities based on stated maturity, sinking fund payments, or earlier put dates. See Note 8 to the Financial Statements for a discussion of variable-rate remarketable bonds issued on behalf of LG&E and KU. The Registrants do not have any significant finance lease obligations.
(b)Assumes interest payments through stated maturity or earlier put dates. The payments herein are subject to change, as payments for debt that is or becomes variable-rate debt have been estimated.
(c)See Note 10 to the Financial Statements for additional information.
(d)The amounts include agreements to purchase goods or services that are enforceable and legally binding and specify all significant terms, including: fixed or minimum quantities to be purchased; fixed, minimum or variable price provisions; and the approximate timing of the transaction. Primarily includes, as applicable, the purchase obligations of electricity, coal, natural gas and limestone, as well as certain construction expenditures, which are also included in the Capital Expenditures discussion above.
(e)Represents contracts to purchase coal, natural gas and natural gas transportation. See Note 13 to the Financial Statements for additional information.
(f)Represents future minimum payments under OVEC power purchase agreements through June 2040. See Note 13 to the Financial Statements for additional information.
(g)Represents construction commitments, which are also reflected in the Capital Expenditures table presented above.
Dividends/Distributions
(PPL)
PPL views dividends as an integral component of shareowner return and expects to continue to pay dividends in amounts intended to maintain a capitalization structure that supports investment grade credit ratings. In November 2023, PPL declared its quarterly common stock dividend, payable January 2, 2024, at 24.00 cents per share (equivalent to $0.96 per annum). On February 16, 2024, PPL announced a quarterly common stock dividend of 25.75 cents per share, payable April 1, 2024, to shareowners of record as of March 8, 2024. Future dividends will be declared at the discretion of the Board of Directors and will depend upon future earnings, cash flows, financial and legal requirements and other factors.
Subject to certain exceptions, PPL may not declare or pay any cash dividend or distribution on its capital stock during any period in which PPL Capital Funding defers interest payments on its 2007 Series A Junior Subordinated Notes due 2067. At December 31, 2023, no interest payments were deferred.
From time to time, as determined by their respective Board of Directors, the Registrants pay dividends, distributions or return capital, as applicable, to their respective shareholders or members. Certain of the credit facilities of PPL Electric, LG&E and KU include minimum debt covenant ratios that could effectively restrict the payment of dividends or distributions.
See Note 8 to the Financial Statements for these and other restrictions related to distributions on capital interests for the Registrants and their subsidiaries.
Purchase or Redemption of Debt Securities
The Registrants will continue to evaluate outstanding debt securities and may decide to purchase or redeem these securities in open market or privately negotiated transactions, in exchange transactions or otherwise, depending upon prevailing market conditions, available cash and other factors, and may be commenced or suspended at any time. The amounts involved may be material.
Rating Agency Actions
Moody's and S&P periodically review the credit ratings of the debt of the Registrants and their subsidiaries. Based on their respective independent reviews, the rating agencies may make certain ratings revisions or ratings affirmations.
A credit rating reflects an assessment by the rating agency of the creditworthiness associated with an issuer and particular securities that it issues. The credit ratings of the Registrants and their subsidiaries are based on information provided by the Registrants and other sources. The ratings of Moody's and S&P are not a recommendation to buy, sell or hold any securities of the Registrants or their subsidiaries. Such ratings may be subject to revisions or withdrawal by the agencies at any time and should be evaluated independently of each other and any other rating that may be assigned to the securities.
The credit ratings of the Registrants and their subsidiaries affect their liquidity, access to capital markets and cost of borrowing under their credit facilities. A downgrade in the Registrants' or their subsidiaries' credit ratings could result in higher borrowing costs and reduced access to capital markets. The Registrants and their subsidiaries have no credit rating triggers that would result in the reduction of access to capital markets or the acceleration of maturity dates of outstanding debt.
The following table sets forth the Registrants' and their subsidiaries' credit ratings for outstanding debt securities or commercial paper programs as of December 31, 2023.
| Senior Unsecured | Senior Secured | Commercial Paper | ||||
| Issuer | Moody's | S&P | Moody's | S&P | Moody's | S&P |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PPL | ||||||
| PPL Capital Funding | Baa1 | BBB+ | P-2 | A-2 | ||
| Rhode Island Energy | A3 | A- | P-2 | A-2 | ||
| PPL and PPL Electric | ||||||
| PPL Electric | A1 | A+ | P-2 | A-1 | ||
| PPL, LG&E and KU | ||||||
| LG&E | A1 | A | P-2 | A-2 | ||
| KU | A1 | A | P-2 | A-2 | ||
The rating agencies have taken the following actions related to the Registrants and their subsidiaries.
(PPL)
In June 2023, Moody’s assigned RIE's commercial paper a Short-Term Rating of P-2.
In June 2023, S&P assigned RIE's commercial paper a Short-Term Rating of A-2.
Ratings Triggers (PPL, LG&E and KU)
Various derivative and non-derivative contracts, including contracts for the sale and purchase of electricity and fuel, commodity transportation and storage, and interest rate instruments, contain provisions that require the posting of additional collateral or permit the counterparty to terminate the contract, if PPL's, LG&E's or KU's or their subsidiaries' credit rating, as applicable, were to fall below investment grade. See Note 17 to the Financial Statements for a discussion of "Credit Risk-Related Contingent Features," including a discussion of the potential additional collateral requirements for derivative contracts in a net liability position at December 31, 2023.
Guarantees for Subsidiaries (PPL)
PPL guarantees certain consolidated affiliate financing arrangements. Some of the guarantees contain financial and other covenants that, if not met, would limit or restrict the consolidated affiliates' access to funds under these financing arrangements, accelerate maturity of such arrangements or limit the consolidated affiliates' ability to enter into certain transactions. At this time, PPL believes that these covenants will not limit access to relevant funding sources. See Note 13 to the Financial Statements for additional information about guarantees.
Other Contingent Obligations (All Registrants)
The Registrants have entered into certain agreements that may contingently require payment to a guaranteed or indemnified party. See Note 13 to the Financial Statements for a discussion of these agreements.
The text of this filing, as the company filed it with the SEC, without its images or exhibits. This is not investment advice.