MILWAUKEE, May 1, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- WEC Energy Group (NYSE:WEC) today reported net income of $622.3 million, or $1.97 per share, for the first quarter of 2024 — up from $507.5 million, or $1.61 per share, in last year's first quarter. Consolidated revenues totaled $2.7 billion, down $207.9 million from the first quarter a year ago. "Throughout the warmest winter in Wisconsin history, we remained laser focused on financial discipline, operating efficiency, and customer satisfaction," said Gale Klappa, executive chairman. "And we're confident that we can deliver another year of strong results — in line with our guidance for 2024." For the quarter, natural gas deliveries in Wisconsin — excluding natural gas used for power generation — fell by 5.8 percent compared to the first quarter of 2023. Retail deliveries of electricity — excluding the iron ore mine in Michigan's Upper Peninsula — were down by 0.3 percent in the first quarter of 2024, compared to the first quarter last year. Electricity consumption by small commercial and industrial customers rose by 0.7 percent. Electricity use by large commercial and industrial customers — excluding the iron ore mine — declined by 0.7 percent. Residential electricity use fell by 1.1 percent. On a weather-normal basis, retail deliveries of electricity — excluding the iron ore mine — decreased by 0.2 percent. The company is reaffirming its 2024 earnings guidance of $4.80 to $4.90 per share. This assumes normal weather for the remainder of the year. Earnings per share listed in this news release are on a fully diluted basis. Conference call A conference call is scheduled for 1 p.m. Central time, Wednesday, May 1. The call will review 2024 first-quarter earnings and the company's outlook for the future. All interested parties, including stockholders, news media and the general public, are invited to listen. Access the call at 888-330-2443 up to 15 minutes before it begins. The number for international callers is 240-789-2728. The conference ID is 3088105. Conference call access also is available at wecenergygroup.com. Under 'Webcasts,' select 'Q1 Earnings.' In conjunction with this earnings announcement, WEC Energy Group will post on its website a package of detailed financial information on its first-quarter performance. The materials will be available at 6:30 a.m. Central time, Wednesday, May 1. Replay A replay will be available on the website and by phone. Access to the webcast replay will be available on the website about two hours after the call. Access to a phone replay also will be available approximately two hours after the call and remain accessible through May 15, 2024. Domestic callers should dial 800-770-2030. International callers should dial 647-362-9199. The replay conference ID is 3088105. WEC Energy Group (NYSE:WEC), based in Milwaukee, is one of the nation's premier energy companies, serving 4.7 million customers in Wisconsin, Illinois, Michigan and Minnesota. The company's principal utilities are We Energies, Wisconsin Public Service, Peoples Gas, North Shore Gas, Michigan Gas Utilities, Minnesota Energy Resources and Upper Michigan Energy Resources. Another major subsidiary, We Power, designs, builds and owns electric generating plants. In addition, WEC Infrastructure LLC owns a growing fleet of renewable generation facilities in states ranging from South Dakota to Texas. WEC Energy Group (wecenergygroup.com) is a Fortune 500 company and a component of the S&P 500. The company has approximately 35,000 stockholders of record, 7,000 employees and more than $43 billion of assets. Forward-looking statements Certain statements contained in this press release are "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. These statements are based upon management's current expectations and are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause our actual results to differ materially from those contemplated in the statements. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these statements. Forward-looking statements include, among other things, statements concerning management's expectations and projections regarding earnings, earnings growth rates, dividend payments and future results. In some cases, forward-looking statements may be identified by reference to a future period or periods or by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "anticipates," "believes," "estimates," "expects," "forecasts," "guidance," "intends," "may," "objectives," "plans," "possible," "potential," "projects," "should," "targets," "will" or similar terms or variations of these terms. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contemplated in any forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to: general economic conditions, including business and competitive conditions in the company's service territories; timing, resolution and impact of rate cases and other regulatory decisions; including rider reconciliations; the company's ability to continue to successfully integrate the operations of its subsidiaries; availability of the company's generating facilities and/or distribution systems; unanticipated changes in fuel and purchased power costs; key personnel changes; unusual, varying or severe weather conditions; continued industry restructuring and consolidation; continued advances in, and adoption of, new technologies that produce power or reduce power consumption; energy and environmental conservation efforts; electrification initiatives, mandates and other efforts to reduce the use of natural gas; the company's ability to successfully acquire and/or dispose of assets and projects and to execute on its capital plan; terrorist, physical or cyber-security threats or attacks and data security breaches; construction risks; labor disruptions; equity and bond market fluctuations; changes in the company's and its subsidiaries' ability to access the capital markets and shareholder approval of related proposals; changes in tax legislation or our ability to use certain tax benefits and carryforwards; federal, state, and local legislative and regulatory changes, including changes in rate-setting policies or procedures and environmental standards, the enforcement of these laws and regulations or permit conditions and changes in the interpretation of regulations by regulatory agencies; supply chain disruptions; inflation; political or geopolitical developments, including impacts on the global economy, supply chain and fuel prices, generally, from ongoing, escalating, or expanding regional conflicts; the impact from any health crises, including epidemics and pandemics; current and future litigation and regulatory investigations, proceedings or inquiries; changes in accounting standards; the financial performance of the American Transmission Company as well as projects in which the company's energy infrastructure business invests; the ability of the company to obtain additional generating capacity at competitive prices; goodwill and its possible impairment; and other factors described under the heading "Factors Affecting Results, Liquidity and Capital Resources" in Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations and under the headings "Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Information" and "Risk Factors" contained in the company's Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023, and in subsequent reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Except as may be required by law, the company expressly disclaims any obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking information. Tables follow   WEC ENERGY GROUP, INC.   CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED INCOME STATEMENTS (Unaudited) Three Months Ended March 31 (in millions, except per share amounts) 2024 2023 Operating revenues $                   2,680.2 $                   2,888.1 Operating expenses Cost of sales 927.1 1,309.7 Other operation and maintenance 530.8 534.0 Depreciation and amortization 333.4 305.5 Property and revenue taxes 75.5 69.6 Total operating expenses 1,866.8 2,218.8 Operating income 813.4 669.3 Equity in earnings of transmission affiliates 44.8 43.8 Other income, net 44.1 40.8 Interest expense 192.0 172.2 Other expense (103.1) (87.6) Income before income taxes 710.3 581.7 Income tax expense 87.7 74.1 Net income 622.6 507.6