HAMILTON, BERMUDA
-- (MARKET WIRE)
-- 02/09/12
Brookfield Infrastructure Partners L.P. (NYSE:BIP)(TSX:BIP.UN) -
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Investors, analysts and other interested parties can access Brookfield
Infrastructure's 2011 fourth quarter results as well as the Letter to
Unitholders and Supplemental Information on the web site under the Investor
Relations section at www.brookfieldinfrastructure.com.
The 2011 fourth quarter results conference call can be accessed via webcast
on February 9, 2012 at 9:00 a.m. ET at www.brookfieldinfrastructure.com or
via teleconference at 1-800-319-4610 toll free in North America. For
overseas calls please dial 1-412-858-4600, at approximately 8:50 a.m. ET.
The teleconference taped rebroadcast can be accessed at 1-800-319-6413
(password: 9245#) until midnight on March 9, 2012.
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Brookfield Infrastructure today announced its results for the year ended December 31, 2011.
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Three months ended Year ended
Dec 31 Dec 31
US$ millions (except per unit amounts) 2011 2010 2011 2010
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FFO(1) $ 95 $ 46 $ 392 $ 197
- per unit(2) $ 0.54 $ 0.39 $ 2.41 $ 1.79
Net income $ 54 $ 407 $ 187 $ 458
- per unit(2) $ 0.30 $ 3.41 $ 1.15 $ 4.17
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Brookfield Infrastructure posted strong results for the year ended December 31, 2011, with funds from operations ("FFO")(1) totalling $392 million ($2.41 per unit) compared to FFO of $197 million ($1.79 per unit) in 2010. The 35% increase in FFO per unit was largely attributable to accretion from the merger with Prime Infrastructure during the fourth quarter of 2010. Results also reflect a significant increase in FFO from Brookfield Infrastructure's utilities and timber segments, partially offset by below average performance in its transport and energy segment.
"Brookfield Infrastructure units provided a total return to unitholders of 39%(3) in 2011. The strong performance in the unit price reflects the growth in our distributions and the significant investor interest in companies such as Brookfield Infrastructure with secure cash flows and growth generated from self-sustaining business models," said Sam Pollock, Chief Executive Officer of Brookfield Infrastructure Group. "Our performance in 2011 also demonstrates our diversification, which has enabled our business to produce stable cash flow throughout very challenging economic conditions."
Pollock added, "We expect to increase our funds from operations in the future through both organic growth and acquisitions, while maintaining a conservative, investment grade balance sheet."
Segment Performance
Brookfield Infrastructure's utilities segment generated FFO of $275 million in 2011, versus $144 million in 2010. In addition to the favourable impact of the Prime merger, growth in this segment was driven by its UK regulated distribution business. The transport and energy segment generated FFO of $167 million, compared to $91 million in 2010. This segment's performance was negatively impacted by adverse operating conditions in both its North American gas transmission business and Australian railroad.
Brookfield Infrastructure's timber operations reported FFO of $33 million in 2011, compared to $11 million last year. Realized prices increased by 14% versus last year, reflecting strong demand from Asian markets. In response to this price environment, Brookfield Infrastructure increased its harvest by 28% over last year. For the year, the timber segment's EBITDA margin was 39%.
The following table presents net income and FFO by segment:
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Three months ended Year ended
Dec 31 Dec 31
US$ millions, unaudited 2011 2010 2011 2010
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Net income (loss) by segment
Utilities $ 56 $ 7 $ 163 $ 45
Transport and energy (4) 29 47 75
Timber 46 17 91 24
Corporate and other (44) 354 (114) 314
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Net income $ 54 $ 407 $ 187 $ 458
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FFO by segment
Utilities $ 71 $ 42 $ 275 $ 144
Transport and energy 44 19 167 91
Timber 5 2 33 11
Corporate and other (25) (17) (83) (49)
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FFO $ 95 $ 46 $ 392 $ 197
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Increased Distributions
The Board of Directors has declared a quarterly distribution in the amount of US$0.375 per unit, payable on March 30, 2012 to unitholders of record as at the close of business on February 29, 2012. This distribution represents a 7% increase, and it is consistent with Brookfield Infrastructure's policy of targeting a sustainable distribution in the range of 60-70% of FFO. For 2011, Brookfield Infrastructure's distribution implied a payout ratio(4) of 55% of FFO.
Distributions are eligible for reinvestment under the Partnership's Distribution Reinvestment Plan. Information on this Plan and on declared distributions can be found on Brookfield Infrastructure's website under Investor Relations/Distributions.
Renewal of Normal Course Issuer Bid
The Toronto Stock Exchange accepted a notice filed by Brookfield Infrastructure of its intention to renew its normal course issuer bid. Brookfield Infrastructure believes that in the event that limited partnership units ("Units") trade in a price range that does not fully reflect their value, the acquisition of Units may represent an attractive use of available funds.
Under the normal course issuer bid, the Board of Directors of the general partner of Brookfield Infrastructure authorized Brookfield Infrastructure to repurchase up to $40 million of Units. Under the rules of the Toronto Stock Exchange, Brookfield Infrastructure may purchase an aggregate of up to 13,003,085 Units, representing 10% of the public float of the Units on January 31, 2012. At the close of business on January 31, 2012, there were issued and outstanding 132,352,111 Units and a public float of 130,030,851 Units. Under the normal course issuer bid, Brookfield Infrastructure may purchase up to 24,339 Units on the Toronto Stock Exchange during any trading day, which represents 25% of the average daily trading volume of the Units on the Toronto Stock Exchange for the six months ended January 31, 2012. Repurchases are authorized to commence on February 13, 2012 and will terminate on February 12, 2013, or earlier should Brookfield Infrastructure complete its repurchases prior to such date. All purchases will be made through the facilities of the Toronto Stock Exchange or the New York Stock Exchange, and all Units acquired under the normal course issuer bid will be cancelled. Brookfield Infrastructure did not acquire any Units in the past 12 months under its previous normal course issuer bid, which expired on December 9, 2011. Repurchases will be subject to compliance with applicable United States federal securities laws, including Rule 10b-18 under the United States Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, as well as applicable Canadian securities laws.
Additional Information
The Letter to Unitholders and the Supplemental Information for the three and 12 months ended December 31, 2011 contain further information on Brookfield Infrastructure's strategy, operations and financial results. Unitholders are encouraged to read these documents, which are available at www.brookfieldinfrastructure.com.
Brookfield Infrastructure operates high quality, long-life assets that generate stable cash flows, require relatively minimal maintenance capital expenditures and, by virtue of barriers to entry and other characteristics, tend to appreciate in value over time. Its current business consists of the ownership and operation of premier utilities, transport and energy, and timber assets in North and South America, Australasia, and Europe. It also seeks acquisition opportunities in other infrastructure sectors with similar attributes. The payout policy targets 3% to 7% annual growth in distributions. Units trade on the New York and Toronto Stock Exchanges under the symbols BIP and BIP.UN, respectively. For more information, please visit Brookfield Infrastructure's website at www.brookfieldinfrastructure.com.
Note: This news release contains forward-looking information within the meaning of Canadian provincial securities laws and "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of Section 27A of the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended, Section 21E of the U.S. Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, "safe harbor" provisions of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and in any applicable Canadian securities regulations. The words, "will", "could", "estimate", "tend to", "continue", "believe", "expect", "target" and other expressions which are predictions of or indicate future events, trends or prospects and which do not relate to historical matters identify the above mentioned and other forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements in this news release include statements regarding expansion of Brookfield Infrastructure's business and funds from operations through growth opportunities within its operations and the level of distribution growth over the next several years. Although Brookfield Infrastructure believes that these forward-looking statements and information are based upon reasonable assumptions and expectations, the reader should not place undue reliance on them, or any other forward looking statements or information in this news release. The future performance and prospects of Brookfield Infrastructure are subject to a number of known and unknown risks and uncertainties.
Factors that could cause actual results of the Partnership and Brookfield Infrastructure to differ materially from those contemplated or implied by the statements in this news release include general economic conditions in the jurisdictions in which we operate and elsewhere which may impact the markets for our products, the ability to achieve growth within Brookfield Infrastructure's businesses and in particular completion on time and on budget of various large capital projects at some of the mining customers of our railroad business, which themselves depend on access to capital and continuing favourable commodity prices, the competitive business environment for our timber operations, the fact that success of Brookfield Infrastructure is dependent on market demand for an infrastructure company, which is unknown, the availability of equity and debt financing for Brookfield Infrastructure, the ability to effectively complete new acquisitions in the competitive infrastructure space and to integrate acquisitions into existing operations, and other risks and factors described in the documents filed by Brookfield Infrastructure with the securities regulators in Canada and the United States including under "Risk Factors" in Brookfield Infrastructure's most recent Annual Report on Form 20-F and other risks and factors that are described therein. Except as required by law, Brookfield Infrastructure undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements or information, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.
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References to Brookfield Infrastructure are to the Partnership together with
its subsidiary and operating entities.
References to the Partnership are to Brookfield Infrastructure Partners L.P.
(1) FFO is equal to net income plus depreciation, depletion and
amortization, deferred taxes and certain other items. A reconciliation
of net income to FFO is available in the Partnership's Supplemental
Information for the three and twelve months ended December 31, 2011 at
www.brookfieldinfrastructure.com.
(2) Average number of units outstanding on a fully diluted weighted average
basis for the three and twelve months ended December 31, 2011 was
approximately 177.3 million and 162.5 million, respectively (2010
-119.4 million and 109.9 million).
(3) Based on trading prices on the New York Stock Exchange.
(4) Payout ratio is defined as distributions to unitholders divided by FFO.
Brookfield Infrastructure Partners L.P.
Statements of Funds from Operations
For the three- For the 12-month
month period ended period ended
Dec. 31 Dec. 31
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(US$ millions, except per unit
information, unaudited) 2011 2010 2011 2010
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Operating platforms - revenues less
direct costs
Utilities $ 106 $ 66 $ 418 $ 227
Transport and energy 82 46 323 169
Timber 11 7 60 36
Corporate and other (18) (12) (61) (42)
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Total operating platforms - revenues
less direct costs 181 107 740 390
Financing costs (90) (62) (358) (198)
Other income 4 1 10 5
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Total funds from operations (FFO) 95 46 392 197
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Depreciation and amortization (49) (40) (203) (132)
Fair value gains and adjustments 157 432 191 434
Deferred income taxes and other items (149) (31) (193) (41)
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Net income attributable to partnership $ 54 $ 407 $ 187 $ 458
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Funds from operations (FFO) per unit $ 0.54 $ 0.39 $ 2.41 $ 1.79
Net income per unit $ 0.30 $ 3.41 $ 1.15 $ 4.17
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Notes:
Funds from operations in this statement is on a segmented basis and
represents the operations of Brookfield Infrastructure net of charges
associated with related liabilities and non-controlling interests. Readers
are encouraged to refer to Brookfield Infrastructure's Supplemental
Information which is available at www.brookfieldinfrastructure.com.
The Statements of Funds from Operations above are prepared on a basis that
is consistent with the Partnership's Supplemental Information and differs
from net income (loss) as presented in Brookfield Infrastructure's
Consolidated and Combined Statements of Operations on page 8 of this
release, which is prepared in accordance with IFRS. Management uses funds
from operations (FFO) as a key measure to evaluate performance and to
determine the underlying value of its businesses. Readers are encouraged to
consider both measures in assessing Brookfield Infrastructure's results.
Brookfield Infrastructure Partners L.P.
Statements of Partnership Capital
As of December 31
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(US$ millions, except per unit information,
unaudited) 2011 2010
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Assets
Operating Platforms
Utilities $ 1,324 $ 1,227
Transport and energy 2,214 1,604
Timber 648 602
Cash and cash equivalents 79 11
Other assets 55 58
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$ 4,320 $ 3,502
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Liabilities
Corporate borrowings $ - $ 18
Non-recourse borrowings 114 113
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114 131
Capitalization
Partnership capital 4,206 3,371
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$ 4,320 $ 3,502
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Net book value per unit $ 22.72 $ 21.42
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Notes:
Partnership capital in these statements represents Brookfield
Infrastructure's investments in its operations on a segmented basis, net of
underlying liabilities and non-controlling interests.
Accordingly, the statements above differ from Brookfield Infrastructure's
Consolidated and Combined Balance Sheets contained in its financial
statements, which are prepared in accordance with IFRS. Readers are
encouraged to consider both bases of presentation in assessing Brookfield
Infrastructure's financial position and to refer to Brookfield
Infrastructure's Supplemental Information, available at
www.brookfieldinfrastructure.com.
Brookfield Infrastructure Partners L.P.
Consolidated and Combined Statements of Financial Position
As of December 31
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(US$ millions, unaudited) 2011 2010
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Assets
Cash and cash equivalents $ 153 $ 154
Accounts receivable 215 187
Deferred income taxes and other 110 50
Assets classified as held for sale - 1,859
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Total current assets 478 2,250
Property, plant and equipment 4,073 3,131
Intangible assets 2,924 2,903
Standing timber 2,890 2,578
Investments in associates 1,400 1,089
Goodwill 591 591
Investment properties 194 175
Deferred income taxes and other 719 635
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Total assets $ 13,269 $ 13,352
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Liabilities and partnership capital
Accounts payable and other $ 381 $ 294
Non-recourse borrowings 145 615
Liabilities classified as held for sale - 1,859
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Total current liabilities 526 2,768
Corporate borrowings - 18
Non-recourse borrowings 4,740 3,960
Deferred income taxes and other 2,094 1,663
Preferred shares 20 20
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Total liabilities 7,380 8,429
Partnership capital
Limited partners' capital 3,539 2,881
General partners' capital 19 19
Retained earnings 260 297
Other comprehensive income 388 174
Non-controlling interest 1,683 1,552
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Total partnership capital 5,889 4,923
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Total liabilities and partnership capital $ 13,269 $ 13,352
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Brookfield Infrastructure Partners L.P.
Consolidated and Combined Statements of Operating Results
For the three-month For the twelve-month
period ended period ended
Dec. 31 Dec. 31
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(US$ millions, unaudited) 2011 2010 2011 2010
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Revenues $ 404 $ 216 $ 1,636 $ 634
Direct operating costs (230) (149) (899) (413)
General and administrative
expenses (18) (12) (61) (35)
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156 55 676 186
Investment income 5 5 13 9
Interest expense (85) (46) (335) (144)
Earnings (losses) from
investments in associates 38 (4) 76 52
Depreciation and
amortization expense (37) (14) (127) (29)
Fair value gains and other
items - 424 - 424
Fair value adjustments 210 4 356 12
Other expenses (66) (19) (61) (24)
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Income before income tax 221 405 598 486
Income tax (expense)
recovery (66) 25 (158) 15
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Net income $ 155 $ 430 $ 440 $ 501
Net income attributable to
non-controlling interest (101) (23) (253) (43)
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Net income attributable to
partnership $ 54 $ 407 $ 187 $ 458
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Brookfield Infrastructure Partners L.P.
Consolidated and Combined Statements of Cash Flows
For the three-month For the twelve-month
period ended period ended
Dec. 31 Dec. 31
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(US$ millions, unaudited) 2011 2010 2011 2010
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Operating Activities
Net income $ 155 $ 430 $ 440 $ 501
Adjusted for the following
items:
Earnings from investments in
associates, net of
distributions (30) 30 (45) 19
Fair value gains and other
items - (424) - (424)
Depreciation and amortization
expense 37 14 127 29
Fair value adjustments (210) (4) (356) (12)
Deferred tax expense
(recovery) and other 119 (6) 193 3
Impact of foreign exchange on
cash 7 1 11 -
Change in non-cash working
capital, net (40) 10 (18) (38)
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Cash from operating activities 38 51 352 78
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Investing Activities
Investments in or partial sale
of operating assets (176) 117 (196) 142
Investments in long-lived
assets (164) (24) (507) (37)
Net settlement of foreign
exchange contracts 5 (46) (60) (33)
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Cash (used by) from investing
activities (335) 47 (763) 72
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Financing Activities
Distribution to unitholders (67) (30) (222) (117)
Corporate borrowings
(repayments) (312) 1 (18) 18
Subsidiary borrowings 27 18 135 -
Issuance of units 657 5 657 5
Subsidiary distributions to
non-controlling interest (12) (9) (142) (9)
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Cash from (used by) financing
activities 293 (15) 410 (103)
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Cash and cash equivalents
Change during the year (4) 83 (1) 47
Balance, beginning of
period 157 71 154 107
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Balance, end of period $ 153 $ 154 $ 153 $ 154
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Contacts:
Investors:
Brookfield Infrastructure Partners L.P.
Tracey Wise
Vice President, Investor Relations
416-956-5154
tracey.wise@brookfield.com
Media:
Brookfield Infrastructure Partners L.P.
Andrew Willis
Senior Vice President, Communications and Media
416-369-8236
andrew.willis@brookfield.com
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