Vistra 10-K 2018-12-31
Filed 2019-02-28. 22 sections, 840K characters. Original on sec.gov · Markdown · JSON
Cover and table of contents
10-K 1 vistra-20181231x10k.htm FORM 10-K
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 10-K
x ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2018
— OR —
o TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
Commission File Number 001-38086
Vistra Energy Corp.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
| Delaware | 36-4833255 | |
| (State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization) | (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.) | |
| 6555 Sierra Drive, Irving, Texas 75039 | (214) 812-4600 | |
| (Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code) | (Registrant's telephone number, including area code) |
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
| Title of Each Class | Name of Each Exchange on Which Registered | |
| Common stock, par value $0.01 per share | New York Stock Exchange | |
| Warrants, exercisable for common stock at an exercise price of $35 per 0.652 share | New York Stock Exchange | |
| 7.00% tangible equity units | New York Stock Exchange |
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act: None
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in rule 405 of the Securities Act. Yes o No x
Indicated by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the act. Yes o No x
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports) and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes x No o
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically every Interactive Data File required to be submitted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit such files). Yes x No o
Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K (§229.405 of this chapter) is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the best of registrant's knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this Form 10-K. o
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, a smaller reporting company or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of "large accelerated filer," "accelerated filer," "smaller reporting company" and "emerging growth company" in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.
Large accelerated filer x Accelerated filer o Non-Accelerated filer o Smaller reporting company o Emerging growth company o
If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. o
As of June 30, 2018, the aggregate market value of the Vistra Energy Corp. common stock held by non-affiliates of the registrant was $8,592,448,694 based on the closing sale price as reported on the New York Stock Exchange.
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). Yes o No x
As of February 25, 2019, there were 485,894,408 shares of common stock, par value $0.01, outstanding of Vistra Energy Corp.
DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE
Portions of the proxy statement for the registrant's 2019 annual meeting of stockholders are incorporated in Part III of this Annual Report on Form 10‑K.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Vistra Energy Corp.'s (Vistra Energy) annual reports, quarterly reports, current reports and any amendments to those reports are made available to the public, free of charge, on the Vistra Energy website at http://www.vistraenergy.com, as soon as reasonably practicable after they have been filed with or furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Additionally, Vistra Energy posts important information, including press releases, investor presentations, sustainability reports, and notices of upcoming events on its website and utilizes its website as a channel of distribution to reach public investors and as a means of disclosing material non-public information for complying with disclosure obligations under Regulation FD. Investors may be notified of posting to the website by signing up for email alerts and RSS feeds on the "Investor Relations" page of Vistra Energy's website. The information on Vistra Energy's website shall not be deemed a part of, or incorporated by reference into, this annual report on Form 10-K. The representations and warranties contained in any agreement that we have filed as an exhibit to this annual report on Form 10-K, or that we have or may publicly file in the future, may contain representations and warranties that may (i) be made by and to the parties thereto at specific dates, (ii) be subject to exceptions and qualifications contained in separate disclosure schedules, (iii) represent the parties' risk allocation in the particular transaction, or (iv) be qualified by materiality standards that differ from what may be viewed as material for securities law purposes.
This annual report on Form 10-K and other Securities and Exchange Commission filings of Vistra Energy and its subsidiaries occasionally make references to Vistra Energy (or "we," "our," "us" or "the Company"), Luminant, TXU Energy, Value Based Brands LLC, Dynegy Energy Services or Homefield Energy when describing actions, rights or obligations of their respective subsidiaries. These references reflect the fact that the subsidiaries are consolidated with, or otherwise reflected in, their respective parent company's financial statements for financial reporting purposes. However, these references should not be interpreted to imply that the parent company is actually undertaking the action or has the rights or obligations of the relevant subsidiary company or vice versa.
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GLOSSARY
When the following terms and abbreviations appear in the text of this report, they have the meanings indicated below.
| 2017 Form 10-K | Vistra Energy's annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2017, filed with the SEC on February 26, 2018, except for Part II, Items 7 and 8, which were amended in Vistra Energy's current report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on June 15, 2018 | |
| ARO | asset retirement and mining reclamation obligation | |
| CAA | Clean Air Act | |
| CAISO | The California Independent System Operator | |
| CCGT | combined cycle gas turbine | |
| CFTC | U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission | |
| Chapter 11 Cases | Cases in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the District of Delaware (Bankruptcy Court) concerning voluntary petitions for relief under Chapter 11 of the U.S. Bankruptcy Code (Bankruptcy Code) filed on April 29, 2014 by the Debtors. On the Effective Date, the TCEH Debtors (together with the Contributed EFH Debtors) emerged from the Chapter 11 Cases. | |
| CME | Chicago Mercantile Exchange | |
| CO2 | carbon dioxide | |
| Contributed EFH Debtors | certain EFH Debtors that became subsidiaries of Vistra Energy on the Effective Date | |
| CT | combustion turbine | |
| DIP Facility | TCEH's $3.375 billion debtor-in-possession financing facility, which was repaid in August 2016 (see Note 14 to the Financial Statements) | |
| DIP Roll Facilities | TCEH's $4.250 billion debtor-in-possession and exit financing facilities, which were converted to the Vistra Operations Credit Facilities on the Effective Date (see Note 14 to the Financial Statements) | |
| Debtors | EFH Corp. and the majority of its direct and indirect subsidiaries, including EFIH, EFCH and TCEH but excluding the Oncor Ring-Fenced Entities. Prior to the Effective Date, also included the TCEH Debtors and the Contributed EFH Debtors. | |
| Dynegy | Dynegy Inc., and/or its subsidiaries, depending on context | |
| Dynegy Energy Services | Dynegy Energy Services, LLC and Dynegy Energy Services (East), LLC (d/b/a Dynegy and Brighten Energy), indirect, wholly owned subsidiaries of Vistra Energy, that are REPs in certain areas of MISO and PJM, respectively, and are engaged in the retail sale of electricity to residential and business customers. | |
| EBITDA | earnings (net income) before interest expense, income taxes, depreciation and amortization | |
| EFCH | Energy Future Competitive Holdings Company LLC, a direct, wholly owned subsidiary of EFH Corp. and, prior to the Effective Date, the indirect parent of the TCEH Debtors, depending on context | |
| Effective Date | October 3, 2016, the date the TCEH Debtors and the Contributed EFH Debtors completed their reorganization under the Bankruptcy Code and emerged from the Chapter 11 Cases | |
| EFH Corp. | Energy Future Holdings Corp. and/or its subsidiaries, depending on context, whose major subsidiaries include Oncor and, prior to the Effective Date, included the TCEH Debtors and the Contributed EFH Debtors | |
| EFH Debtors | EFH Corp. and its subsidiaries that are Debtors in the Chapter 11 Cases, including EFIH and EFIH Finance Inc., but excluding the TCEH Debtors and the Contributed EFH Debtors | |
| EFIH | Energy Future Intermediate Holding Company LLC, a direct, wholly owned subsidiary of EFH Corp. and the direct parent of Oncor Holdings | |
| Emergence | emergence of the TCEH Debtors and the Contributed EFH Debtors from the Chapter 11 Cases as subsidiaries of a newly formed company, Vistra Energy, on the Effective Date | |
| EPA | U.S. Environmental Protection Agency | |
| Exchange Act | Exchange Act of 1934, as amended | |
| ERCOT | Electric Reliability Council of Texas, Inc. | |
| Federal and State Income Tax Allocation Agreements | An agreement, executed in May 2012 but effective as of January 2010 to which prior to the Effective Date, EFH Corp. and certain of its subsidiaries (including EFCH, EFIH and TCEH, but not including Oncor Holdings and Oncor) were parties. The Agreement was rejected by the TCEH Debtors and the Contributed EFH Debtors on the Effective Date (see Note 9 to the Financial Statements). |
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| FERC | U.S. Federal Energy Regulatory Commission | |
| Fitch | Fitch Ratings Inc. (a credit rating agency) | |
| GAAP | generally accepted accounting principles | |
| GHG | greenhouse gas | |
| GWh | gigawatt-hours | |
| Homefield Energy | Illinois Power Marketing Company (d/b/a Homefield Energy), an indirect, wholly owned subsidiary of Vistra Energy, a REP in certain areas of MISO that is engaged in the retail sale of electricity to municipal customers | |
| ICE | IntercontinentalExchange | |
| IRS | U.S. Internal Revenue Service | |
| ISO | independent system operator | |
| ISO-NE | Independent System Operator New England | |
| kW | kilowatt | |
| LIBOR | London Interbank Offered Rate, an interest rate at which banks can borrow funds, in marketable size, from other banks in the London interbank market | |
| load | demand for electricity | |
| LSTC | liabilities subject to compromise | |
| LTSA | long term service agreements for plant maintenance | |
| Luminant | subsidiaries of Vistra Energy engaged in competitive market activities consisting of electricity generation and wholesale energy sales and purchases as well as commodity risk management | |
| market heat rate | Heat rate is a measure of the efficiency of converting a fuel source to electricity. Market heat rate is the implied relationship between wholesale electricity prices and natural gas prices and is calculated by dividing the wholesale market price of electricity, which is based on the price offer of the marginal supplier (generally natural gas plants), by the market price of natural gas. | |
| Merger | the merger of Dynegy with and into Vistra Energy, with Vistra Energy as the surviving corporation | |
| Merger Agreement | the Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of October 29, 2017, by and between Vistra Energy and Dynegy, as it may be amended or modified from time to time | |
| Merger Date | April 9, 2018, the date Vistra Energy and Dynegy completed the transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement | |
| MISO | Midcontinent Independent System Operator, Inc. | |
| MMBtu | million British thermal units | |
| Moody's | Moody's Investors Service, Inc. (a credit rating agency) | |
| MSHA | U.S. Mine Safety and Health Administration | |
| MW | megawatts | |
| MWh | megawatt-hours | |
| NERC | North American Electric Reliability Corporation | |
| NOX | nitrogen oxide | |
| NRC | U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission | |
| NYMEX | the New York Mercantile Exchange, a commodity derivatives exchange | |
| NYSE | New York Stock Exchange | |
| NYISO | New York Independent System Operator | |
| Oncor | Oncor Electric Delivery Company LLC, a direct, majority-owned subsidiary of Oncor Holdings and an indirect subsidiary of EFH Corp., that is engaged in regulated electricity transmission and distribution activities | |
| Oncor Holdings | Oncor Electric Delivery Holdings Company LLC, a direct, wholly owned subsidiary of EFIH and the direct majority owner of Oncor, and/or its subsidiaries, depending on context | |
| Oncor Ring-Fenced Entities | Oncor Holdings and its direct and indirect subsidiaries, including Oncor | |
| OPEB | postretirement employee benefits other than pensions |
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| Petition Date | April 29, 2014, the date the Debtors filed voluntary petitions for relief under Chapter 11 of the United States Bankruptcy Code | |
| PJM | PJM Interconnection, LLC | |
| Plan of Reorganization | Third Amended Joint Plan of Reorganization filed by the Debtors in August 2016 and confirmed by the Bankruptcy Court in August 2016 solely with respect to the TCEH Debtors and the Contributed EFH Debtors | |
| PrefCo | Vistra Preferred Inc. | |
| PrefCo Preferred Stock Sale | as part of the Spin-Off, the contribution of certain of the assets of the Predecessor and its subsidiaries by a subsidiary of TEX Energy LLC to PrefCo in exchange for all of PrefCo's authorized preferred stock, consisting of 70,000 shares, par value $0.01 per share | |
| PUCT | Public Utility Commission of Texas | |
| PURA | Texas Public Utility Regulatory Act | |
| REP | retail electric provider | |
| RCT | Railroad Commission of Texas, which among other things, has oversight of lignite mining activity in Texas | |
| RTO | regional transmission organization | |
| S&P | Standard & Poor's Ratings (a credit rating agency) | |
| SEC | U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission | |
| Securities Act | Securities Act of 1933, as amended | |
| SG&A | selling, general and administrative | |
| Settlement Agreement | Amended and Restated Settlement Agreement among the Debtors, the Sponsor Group, settling TCEH first lien creditors, settling TCEH second lien creditors, settling TCEH unsecured creditors and the official committee of unsecured creditors of TCEH (collectively, the Settling Parties), approved by the Bankruptcy Court in December 2015. | |
| SO2 | sulfur dioxide | |
| Spin-Off | the tax-free spin-off from EFH Corp. executed pursuant to the Plan of Reorganization on the Effective Date by the TCEH Debtors and the Contributed EFH Debtors | |
| Sponsor Group | Refers, collectively, to certain investment funds affiliated with Kohlberg Kravis Roberts & Co. L.P., TPG Global, LLC (together with its affiliates, TPG) and GS Capital Partners, an affiliate of Goldman, Sachs & Co., that have an ownership interest in Texas Energy Future Holdings Limited Partnership, a limited partnership controlled by the Sponsor Group, that owns substantially all of the common stock of EFH Corp. | |
| ST | steam turbine | |
| Tax Matters Agreement | Tax Matters Agreement, dated as of the Effective Date, by and among EFH Corp., EFIH, EFIH Finance Inc. and EFH Merger Co. LLC. | |
| TCJA | The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017, federal income tax legislation enacted in December 2017, which significantly changed the tax laws applicable to business entities | |
| TRA | Tax Receivables Agreement, containing certain rights (TRA Rights) to receive payments from Vistra Energy related to certain tax benefits, including those it realized as a result of certain transactions entered into at Emergence (see Note 10) | |
| TRE | Texas Reliability Entity, Inc., an independent organization that develops reliability standards for the ERCOT region and monitors and enforces compliance with NERC standards and monitors compliance with ERCOT protocols | |
| TCEH or Predecessor | Texas Competitive Electric Holdings Company LLC, a direct, wholly owned subsidiary of Energy Future Competitive Holdings Company LLC, and, prior to the Effective Date, the parent company of the TCEH Debtors, depending on context, that were engaged in electricity generation and wholesale and retail energy market activities, and whose major subsidiaries included Luminant and TXU Energy | |
| TCEH Debtors | the subsidiaries of TCEH that were Debtors in the Chapter 11 Cases | |
| TCEH Senior Secured Facilities | Refers, collectively, to the TCEH First Lien Term Loan Facilities, TCEH First Lien Revolving Credit Facility and TCEH First Lien Letter of Credit Facility with a total principal amount of $22.616 billion. The claims arising under these facilities were discharged in the Chapter 11 Cases on the Effective Date pursuant to the Plan of Reorganization. | |
| TCEQ | Texas Commission on Environmental Quality |
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| TXU Energy | TXU Energy Retail Company LLC, an indirect, wholly owned subsidiary of Vistra Energy that is a REP in competitive areas of ERCOT and is engaged in the retail sale of electricity to residential and business customers | |
| U.S. | United States of America | |
| Value Based Brands | Value Based Brands LLC (d/b/a 4Change Energy and Express Energy), an indirect, wholly owned subsidiary of Vistra Energy that is a REP in competitive areas of ERCOT and is engaged in the retail sale of electricity to residential and business customers | |
| Vistra Energy or Successor | Vistra Energy Corp., formerly known as TCEH Corp., and/or its subsidiaries, depending on context. On the Effective Date, the TCEH Debtors and the Contributed EFH Debtors emerged from Chapter 11 and became subsidiaries of Vistra Energy Corp. | |
| Vistra Operations | Vistra Operations Company LLC, an indirect, wholly owned subsidiary of Vistra Energy that is the issuer of certain series of notes (see Note 14 to the Financial Statements) and borrower under the Vistra Operations Credit Facilities | |
| Vistra Operations Credit Facilities | Vistra Operations Company LLC's $8.313 billion senior secured financing facilities (see Note 14 to the Financial Statements) |
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PART I
Item 1. BUSINESS
References in this report to "we," "our," "us" and "the Company" are to Vistra Energy and/or its subsidiaries, as apparent in the context. See Glossary for defined terms.
Business
Vistra Energy is a holding company operating an integrated retail and generation business in markets throughout the U.S. Through our subsidiaries, we are engaged in competitive electricity market activities including electricity generation, wholesale energy sales and purchases, commodity risk management and retail sales of electricity to end users.
We serve approximately 2.8 million customers in five states. Our generation fleet totals approximately 40,500 MW of generation capacity with a portfolio of natural gas, nuclear, coal and solar facilities.
Vistra Energy has six reportable segments: (i) Retail, (ii) ERCOT, (iii) PJM, (iv) NY/NE (comprising NYISO and ISO-NE), (v) MISO and (vi) Asset Closure. The PJM, NY/NE and MISO segments were established on the Merger Date to reflect markets served by businesses acquired in the Merger. See Note 22 to the Financial Statements for further information concerning reportable business segments.
As of December 31, 2018, we had approximately 5,275 full-time employees, including approximately 2,030 employees under collective bargaining agreements.
Merger
On the Merger Date, Vistra Energy and Dynegy completed the transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement. Pursuant to the Merger Agreement, Dynegy merged with and into Vistra Energy, with Vistra Energy continuing as the surviving corporation. See Note 2 to the Financial Statements for a summary of the Merger transaction and business combination accounting.
Business Strategy
Our business strategy is to deliver long-term stakeholder value through a focus on the following areas:
| • | Integrated business model. We believe the key factor that distinguishes us from others in the competitive electricity industry is the integrated nature of our business (i.e., pairing our reliable and efficient mining, diversified generation fleet and wholesale commodity risk management capabilities with our retail platform). Our business strategy will be guided by our integrated business model because we believe it is our core competitive advantage and differentiates us from our non-integrated competitors. We believe our integrated business model creates a unique opportunity because, relative to our non-integrated competitors, it reduces the effects of commodity price movements and contributes to earnings and cash flow stability. Consequently, our integrated business model is at the core of our business strategy. |
| • | Disciplined capital allocation. Vistra takes a balanced approach to capital allocation, focusing on maintaining a strong balance sheet, investing prudently in the maintenance of our existing assets and potential growth acquisitions, and returning capital to shareholders. Maintaining a strong balance sheet ensures Vistra’s interest expense is manageable in a variety of wholesale power price environments while giving Vistra access to flexible and diverse sources of liquidity. We prudently make necessary capital investments to maintain the safety and reliability of our facilities while also investing in new technologies when economic, including solar assets and battery storage systems, resulting in a continued modernization of Vistra’s generation fleet. Because we believe cost discipline and strong management of our assets and commodity positions are necessary to deliver long-term value to our stakeholders, we generally make capital allocation decisions that we believe will lead to attractive cash returns on investment, including by returning capital to our shareholders. In June and November 2018, our board of directors (Board) authorized a share repurchase program under which up to $500 million and $1.25 billion, respectively, of our outstanding common stock may be repurchased. Through December 31, 2018, 33,495,016 shares of our common stock had been repurchased under the program in the aggregate for $778 million (including related fees and expenses) at an average price per share of common stock of $23.23. In November 2018, our Board adopted a dividend program pursuant to which we expect to initiate an annual dividend of approximately $0.50 per share, payable quarterly, beginning in the first quarter of 2019. |
| • | Superior customer service. Through TXU Energy and Value Based Brands in Texas, Dynegy Energy Services in Massachusetts, Ohio, Illinois and Pennsylvania and Homefield Energy in Illinois, we serve the retail electricity needs of end-use residential, small business, commercial and industrial electricity customers through multiple sales and marketing channels. In addition to benefitting from our integrated business model, we leverage our brands, our commitment to a consistent and reliable product offering, the backstop of the electricity generated by our generation fleet, our wholesale commodity risk management operations and our strong customer service to differentiate our products and services from our competitors. We strive to be at the forefront of innovation with new offerings and customer experiences to reinforce our value proposition. We maintain a focus on solutions that give our customers choice, convenience and control over how and when they use electricity and related services, including TXU Energy's Free Nights and Solar Days residential plans, MyEnergy DashboardSM, TXU Energy's iThermostat product and mobile solution, the TXU Energy Rewards program, the TXU Energy Green UpSM renewable energy credit program and a diverse set of solar options. Our focus on superior customer service will guide our efforts to acquire new residential and commercial customers, serve and retain existing customers and maintain valuable sales channels for our electricity generation resources. We believe our customer service, products and trusted TXU Energy brand have resulted in maintaining the highest residential customer retention rate of any Texas retail electric provider in its respective core market. |
| • | Excellence in operations while maintaining an efficient cost structure. We believe that operating our facilities in a safe, reliable, environmentally compliant, and cost-effective and efficient manner is a foundation for delivering long-term stakeholder value. We also believe value increases as a function of making disciplined investments that enable our generation facilities to operate not only effectively and efficiently, but also safely, reliably and in an environmentally compliant manner. We believe that an ongoing focus on operational excellence and safety is a key component to success in a highly competitive environment and is part of the unique value proposition of our integrated model. Additionally, we are committed to optimizing our cost structure, reducing our debt levels and implementing enterprise-wide process and operating improvements without compromising the safety of our communities, customers and employees. We believe we have a highly effective and efficient cost structure and that our cost structure supports excellence in our operations. |
| • | Integrated hedging and commercial management. Our commercial team is focused on managing risk, through opportunistic hedging, and optimizing our assets and business positions. We actively manage our exposure to wholesale electricity prices in markets in which we operate, on an integrated basis, through contracts for physical delivery of electricity, exchange-traded and over-the-counter financial contracts, term, day-ahead and real-time market transactions, and bilateral contracts with other wholesale market participants, including other power generators and end-user electricity customers. These hedging activities include short-term agreements, long-term electricity sales contracts and forward sales of nat |
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Item 1A. RISK FACTORS
Important factors, in addition to others specifically addressed in Item 7. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations, that could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations, liquidity and financial condition, or could cause results or outcomes to differ materially from those contained in or implied by any forward-looking statement in this Annual Report, are described below. There may be further risks and uncertainties that are not currently known or that are not currently believed to be material that may adversely affect our business, results of operations, liquidity, financial condition and prospects and the market price of our common stock in the future. The realization of any of these factors could cause investors in our common stock to lose all or a substantial portion of their investment.
Market, Financial and Economic Risks
Our revenues, results of operations and operating cash flows generally may be impacted by price fluctuations in the wholesale power market and other market factors beyond our control.
We are not guaranteed any rate of return on capital investments in our businesses. We conduct integrated power generation and retail electricity activities, focusing on power generation, wholesale electricity sales and purchases, retail sales of electricity and services to end users and commodity risk management. Our wholesale and retail businesses are to some extent countercyclical in nature, particularly for the wholesale power and ancillary services supplied to the retail business. However, we do have a wholesale power position that exceeds the overall load requirements of our retail business and is subject to wholesale power price moves. As a result, our revenues, results of operations and operating cash flows depend in large part upon wholesale market prices for electricity, natural gas, uranium, lignite, coal, fuel and transportation in our regional markets and other competitive markets and upon prevailing retail electricity rates, which may be impacted by, among other things, actions of regulatory authorities. Market prices for power, capacity, ancillary services, natural gas, coal and oil are unpredictable and may fluctuate substantially over relatively short periods of time. Unlike most other commodities, electric power can only be stored on a very limited basis and generally must be produced concurrently with its use. As a result, power prices are subject to significant volatility due to supply and demand imbalances, especially in the day-ahead and spot markets. Demand for electricity can fluctuate dramatically, creating periods of substantial under- or over-supply. Over-supply can also occur as a result of the construction of new power plants, as we have observed in recent years. During periods of over-supply, electricity prices might be depressed. Also, at times there may be political pressure, or pressure from regulatory authorities with jurisdiction over wholesale and retail energy commodity and transportation rates, to impose price limitations, bidding rules and other mechanisms to address volatility and other issues in these markets.
The majority of our facilities operate as "merchant" facilities without long-term power sales agreements. As a result, we largely sell electric energy, capacity and ancillary services into the wholesale energy spot market or into other wholesale and retail power markets on a short-term basis and are not guaranteed any rate of return on our capital investments. Consequently, there can be no assurance that we will be able to sell any or all of the electric energy, capacity or ancillary services from those facilities at commercially attractive rates or that our facilities will be able to operate profitably. We depend, in large part, upon prevailing market prices for power, capacity and fuel. Given the volatility of commodity power prices, to the extent we do not secure long-term power sales agreements for the output of our power generation facilities, our revenues and profitability will be subject to volatility, and our financial condition, results of operations and cash flows could be materially adversely affected.
We purchase natural gas, coal, oil and nuclear fuel for our generation facilities, and higher than expected fuel costs or volatility in these fuel markets may have an adverse impact on our costs, revenues, results of operations, financial condition and cash flows.
We rely on natural gas, coal and oil to fuel the majority of our power generation facilities. Delivery of these fuels to the facilities is dependent upon the continuing financial viability of contractual counterparties as well as upon the infrastructure (including rail lines, rail cars, barge facilities, roadways, riverways and natural gas pipelines) available to serve each generation facility. As a result, we are subject to the risks of disruptions or curtailments in the production of power at our generation facilities if no fuel is available at any price or if a counterparty fails to perform or if there is a disruption in the fuel delivery infrastructure.
We have sold forward a substantial portion of our expected power sales in the next one to two years in order to lock in long-term prices. In order to hedge our obligations under these forward power sales contracts, we have entered into long-term and short-term contracts for the purchase and delivery of fuel. Many of the forward power sales contracts do not allow us to pass through changes in fuel costs or discharge the power sale obligations in the case of a disruption in fuel supply due to force majeure events or the default of a fuel supplier or transporter. Fuel costs (including diesel, natural gas, lignite, coal and nuclear fuel) may be volatile, and the wholesale price for electricity may not change at the same rate as changes in fuel costs, and disruptions in our fuel supplies may therefore require us to find alternative fuel sources at higher costs, to find other sources of power to deliver to counterparties at a higher cost, or to pay damages to counterparties for failure to deliver power as contracted. In addition, we purchase and sell natural gas and other energy related commodities, and volatility in these markets may affect costs incurred in meeting obligations. Further, any changes in the costs of coal, fuel oil, natural gas or transportation rates and changes in the relationship between such costs and the market prices of power will affect our financial results. If we are unable to procure fuel for physical delivery at prices we consider favorable, our financial condition, results of operations and cash flows could be materially adversely affected.
We also buy significant quantities of fuel on a short-term or spot market basis. Prices for all of our fuels fluctuate, sometimes rising or falling significantly over a relatively short period of time. The price we can obtain for the sale of energy may not rise at the same rate, or may not rise at all, to match a rise in fuel or delivery costs. This may have a material adverse effect on our financial performance. Volatility in market prices for fuel and electricity may result from, among other factors:
| • | demand for energy commodities and general economic conditions; |
| • | volatility in commodity prices and the supply of commodities, including but not limited to natural gas, coal and oil; |
| • | volatility in market heat rates; |
| • | volatility in coal and rail transportation prices; |
| • | volatility in nuclear fuel and related enrichment and conversion services; |
| • | disruption or other constraints or inefficiencies of electricity, gas or coal transmission or transportation; |
| • | severe or unexpected weather conditions, including drought and limitations on access to |
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Item 1B. UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS
None.
Item 2. PROPERTIES
Luminant's generation fleet consists of power generation units in six RTOs/ISOs, with the location, RTO/ISO, technology, primary fuel type, net capacity and ownership interest for each generation facility shown in the table below:
| Facility | Location | RTO/ISO | Technology | Primary Fuel | Net Capacity (MW) (a) | Ownership Interest | |||||||
| Ennis | Ennis, TX | ERCOT | CCGT | Natural Gas | 366 | 100% | |||||||
| Forney | Forney, TX | ERCOT | CCGT | Natural Gas | 1,912 | 100% | |||||||
| Hays | San Marcos, TX | ERCOT | CCGT | Natural Gas | 1,047 | 100% | |||||||
| Lamar | Paris, TX | ERCOT | CCGT | Natural Gas | 1,076 | 100% | |||||||
| Midlothian | Midlothian, TX | ERCOT | CCGT | Natural Gas | 1,596 | 100% | |||||||
| Odessa | Odessa, TX | ERCOT | CCGT | Natural Gas | 1,054 | 100% | |||||||
| Wise | Poolville, TX | ERCOT | CCGT | Natural Gas | 787 | 100% | |||||||
| Coleto Creek | Goliad, TX | ERCOT | ST | Coal | 650 | 100% | |||||||
| Martin Lake | Tatum, TX | ERCOT | ST | Coal | 2,250 | 100% | |||||||
| Oak Grove | Franklin, TX | ERCOT | ST | Coal | 1,600 | 100% | |||||||
| DeCordova | Granbury, TX | ERCOT | CT | Natural Gas | 260 | 100% | |||||||
| Graham | Graham, TX | ERCOT | ST | Natural Gas | 630 | 100% | |||||||
| Lake Hubbard | Dallas, TX | ERCOT | ST | Natural Gas | 921 | 100% | |||||||
| Morgan Creek | Colorado City, TX | ERCOT | CT | Natural Gas | 390 | 100% | |||||||
| Permian Basin | Monahans, TX | ERCOT | CT | Natural Gas | 325 | 100% | |||||||
| Stryker Creek | Rusk, TX | ERCOT | ST | Natural Gas | 685 | 100% | |||||||
| Trinidad | Trinidad, TX | ERCOT | ST | Natural Gas | 244 | 100% | |||||||
| Wharton | Boling, TX | ERCOT | CT | Natural Gas | 83 | 100% | |||||||
| Comanche Peak | Glen Rose, TX | ERCOT | Nuclear | Nuclear | 2,300 | 100% | |||||||
| Upton 2 | Upton County, TX | ERCOT | Solar | Solar | 180 | 100% | |||||||
| Upton 2 Battery Storage | Upton County, TX | ERCOT | Battery | Battery | 10 | 100% | |||||||
| Total ERCOT Segment | 18,366 | ||||||||||||
| Fayette | Masontown, PA | PJM | CCGT | Natural Gas | 726 | 100% | |||||||
| Hanging Rock | Ironton, OH | PJM | CCGT | Natural Gas | 1,430 | 100% | |||||||
| Hopewell | Hopewell, VA | PJM | CCGT | Natural Gas | 370 | 100% | |||||||
| Kendall | Minooka, IL | PJM | CCGT | Natural Gas | 1,288 | 100% | |||||||
| Liberty | Eddystone, PA | PJM | CCGT | Natural Gas | 607 | 100% | |||||||
| Ontelaunee | Reading, PA | PJM | CCGT | Natural Gas | 600 | 100% | |||||||
| Sayreville | Sayreville, NJ | PJM | CCGT | Natural Gas | 170 | 50% | |||||||
| Washington | Beverly, OH | PJM | CCGT | Natural Gas | 711 | 100% | |||||||
| Kincaid | Kincaid, IL | PJM | ST | Coal | 1,108 | 100% | |||||||
| Miami Fort 7 & 8 | North Bend, OH | PJM | ST | Coal | 1,020 | 100% | |||||||
| Zimmer | Moscow, OH | PJM | ST | Coal | 1,300 | 100% | |||||||
| Calumet | Chicago, IL | PJM | CT | Natural Gas | 380 | 100% | |||||||
| Dicks Creek | Monroe, OH | PJM | CT | Natural Gas | 155 | 100% | |||||||
| Miami Fort (CT) | North Bend, OH | PJM | CT | Oil | 77 | 100% | |||||||
| Pleasants | Saint Marys, WV | PJM | CT | Natural Gas | 388 | 100% | |||||||
| Richland | Defiance, OH | PJM | CT | Natural Gas | 423 | 100% | |||||||
| Stryker | Stryker, OH | PJM | CT | Oil | 16 | 100% | |||||||
| Total PJM Segment | 10,769 |
| Facility | Location | RTO/ISO | Technology | Primary Fuel | Net Capacity (MW) (a) | Ownership Interest | |||||||
| Bellingham | Bellingham, MA | ISO-NE | CCGT | Natural Gas | 566 | 100% | |||||||
| Bellingham NEA | Bellingham, MA | ISO-NE | CCGT | Natural Gas | 157 | 50% | |||||||
| Blackstone | Blackstone, MA | ISO-NE | CCGT | Natural Gas | 544 | 100% | |||||||
| Casco Bay | Veazie, ME | ISO-NE | CCGT | Natural Gas | 543 | 100% | |||||||
| Independence | Oswego, NY | NYISO | CCGT | Natural Gas | 1,212 | 100% | |||||||
| Lake Road | Dayville, CT | ISO-NE | CCGT | Natural Gas | 827 | 100% | |||||||
| MASSPOWER | Indian Orchard, MA | ISO-NE | CCGT | Natural Gas | 281 | 100% | |||||||
| Milford | Milford, CT | ISO-NE | CCGT | Natural Gas | 600 | 100% | |||||||
| Total NY/NE Segment | 4,730 | ||||||||||||
| Baldwin | Baldwin, IL | MISO | ST | Coal | 1,185 | 100% | |||||||
| Havana | Havana, IL | MISO | ST | Coal | 434 | 100% | |||||||
| Hennepin | Hennepin, IL | MISO | ST | Coal | 294 | 100% | |||||||
| Coffeen | Coffeen, IL | MISO/PJM | ST | Coal | 915 | 100% | |||||||
| Duck Creek | Canton, IL | MISO/PJM | ST | Coal | 425 | 100% | |||||||
| Edwards | Bartonville, IL | MISO/PJM | ST | Coal | 585 | 100% | |||||||
| Newton | Newton, IL | MISO/PJM | ST | Coal | 615 | 100% | |||||||
| Joppa/EEI | Joppa, IL | MISO | ST | Coal | 802 | 80% | |||||||
| Joppa CT 1-3 | Joppa, IL | MISO | CT | Natural Gas | 165 | 100% | |||||||
| Joppa CT 4-5 | Joppa, IL | MISO | CT | Natural Gas | 56 | 80% | |||||||
| Total MISO Segment | 5,476 | ||||||||||||
| Moss Landing 1 & 2 | Moss Landing, CA | CAISO | CCGT | Natural Gas | 1,020 | 100% | |||||||
| Oakland | Oakland, CA | CAISO | CT | Oil | 165 | 100% | |||||||
| Total CAISO | 1,185 | ||||||||||||
| Total capacity | 40,526 |
| (a) | Unit capabilities are based on winter capacity and are reflected at our net ownership interest. We have not included units that have been retired or are out of operation. |
Our wholesale commodity risk management group also procures renewable energy credits from wind generation in ERCOT to support our electricity sales to wholesale and retail customers to satisfy the increasing demand for renewable resources from such customers. As of December 31, 2018, Vistra Energy had long-term power purchase agreements to procure approximately 480 MW of available renewable capacity. These renewable generation sources deliver electricity when conditions make them available, and, when on-line, they generally compete with baseload units. Because they cannot be relied upon to meet demand continuously due to their dependence on weather and time of day, these generation sources are categorized as non-dispatchable and create the need for intermediate/load-following resources to respond to changes in their output.
Fuel Supply
Nuclear — We operate two nuclear generation units at the Comanche Peak plant site in ERCOT, each of which is designed for a capacity of 1,150 MW. Comanche Peak Unit 1 and Unit 2 went into commercial operation in 1990 and 1993, respectively, and are generally operated at full capacity. Refueling (nuclear fuel assembly replacement) outages for each unit are scheduled to occur every eighteen months during the spring or fall off-peak demand periods. Every three years, the refueling cycle results in the refueling of both units during the same year, the latest of which occurred during 2017. While one unit is undergoing a refueling outage, the remaining unit is intended to operate at full capacity. During a refueling outage, other maintenance, modification and testing activities are completed that cannot be accomplished when the unit is in operation. The Comanche Peak facility operated at a capacity factor of 101%, 84% and 101% in 2018, 2017 and 2016, respectively. The capacity factor for the year ended December 31, 2017 reflected an unplanned outage at one of the units between June and August 2017.
We have contracts in place for our 2019 and 2020 nuclear fuel requirements. We do not anticipate any significant difficulties in acquiring uranium and contracting for associated conversion, enrichment and fabrication services in the foreseeable future.
Coal/Lignite — Our coal/lignite-fueled generation fleet is comprised of 14 generation facilities totaling 13,183 MW of generation capacity. Maintenance outages at these units are scheduled during the spring or fall off-peak demand periods. We meet our fuel requirements at our coal-fueled generation facilities in PJM and MISO with coal purchased from multiple suppliers under contracts of various lengths and transported to the facilities by either railcar or barges. We meet our fuel requirements in ERCOT using lignite that we mine at the Oak Grove generation facility, coal purchased and transported by railcar at the Coleto Creek generation facility and a blend of lignite that we mine and coal purchased and transported by railcar at our Martin Lake generation facility.
Natural Gas — Our natural gas-fueled generation fleet is comprised of 24 CCGT generating facilities totaling 19,490 MW and 14 peaking generation facilities totaling 5,105 MW. We satisfy our fuel requirements at these facilities through a combination of spot market and near-term purchase contracts. Additionally, we have near-term natural gas transportation agreements in place to ensure reliable fuel supply.
Item 3. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
See Note 15 to the Financial Statements for discussion of litigation, including matters related to our generation facilities and EPA reviews.
Item 4. MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURES
Vistra Energy currently owns and operates, or is in the process of reclaiming, 12 surface lignite coal mines in Texas to provide fuel for its electricity generation facilities. Vistra Energy also owns or leases, and is in the process of reclaiming, two waste-to-energy surface facilities in Pennsylvania. These mining operations are regulated by the MSHA under the Federal Mine Safety and Health Act of 1977, as amended (the Mine Act), as well as other federal and state regulatory agencies such as the RCT and Office of Surface Mining. The MSHA inspects U.S. mines, including Vistra Energy's mines, on a regular basis, and if it believes a violation of the Mine Act or any health or safety standard or other regulation has occurred, it may issue a citation or order, generally accompanied by a proposed fine or assessment. Such citations and orders can be contested and appealed, which often results in a reduction of the severity and amount of fines and assessments and sometimes results in dismissal. Disclosure of MSHA citations, orders and proposed assessments are provided in Exhibit 95.1 to this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
PART II
Item 5. MARKET FOR REGISTRANT'S COMMON EQUITY, RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS AND ISSUER PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES
Vistra Energy's authorized capital stock consists of 1,800,000,000 shares of common stock with a par value of $0.01 per share.
Since May 10, 2017, Vistra Energy's common stock has been listed on the NYSE under the symbol "VST". Upon Emergence and through May 9, 2017, Vistra Energy's common stock was listed on the OTCQX U.S. under the symbol "VSTE".
On April 9, 2018 (Merger Date), pursuant to the Merger Agreement, 94,409,573 shares of Vistra Energy common stock were issued to the former Dynegy stockholders, as well as converting stock options, equity-based awards, tangible equity units and warrants.
As of February 25, 2019, there were 485,894,408 shares of common stock issued and outstanding and 630 shareholders of record.
Vistra Energy paid a one-time dividend in the aggregate amount of approximately $1 billion ($2.32 per share of common stock) to holders of record of our common stock on December 19, 2016. In November 2018, we announced that the Board had adopted a dividend program pursuant to which we expect to initiate an annual dividend of approximately $0.50 per share, payable quarterly, beginning in the first quarter of 2019. Each dividend under the program will be subject to declaration by the Board and, thus, may be subject to numerous factors in existence at the time of any such declaration including, but not limited to, prevailing market conditions, our results of operations, financial condition and liquidity and Delaware law. For additional details, see Item 1A. Risk Factors and Note 16 to the Financial Statements
Subject to limitations under applicable Delaware law, preferences that may apply to any outstanding shares of our preferred stock and contractual restrictions, holders of our common stock are entitled to receive dividends or other distributions ratably, when, as and if declared by the Board. The ability of the Board to declare dividends with respect to our common stock, however, will be subject to such limitations, preferences and restrictions and the availability of sufficient funds under the Delaware General Corporation Law (DGCL) to pay such dividends.
Stock Performance Graph
The performance graph below compares Vistra Energy's cumulative total return on common stock for the period from May 10, 2017 through December 31, 2018 with the cumulative total returns of the S&P 500 Stock Index (S&P 500) and the S&P Utility Index (S&P Utilities). The graph below compares the return in each period assuming that $100 was invested at May 10, 2017 in Vistra Energy's common stock, the S&P 500 and the S&P Utilities, and that all dividends were reinvested.

Share Repurchase Program
The following table provides information about our repurchase of equity securities that are registered by us pursuant to Section 12 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, during the quarter ended December 31, 2018.
| Total Number of Shares Purchased | Average Price Paid per Share | Total Number of Shares Purchased as Part of a Publicly Announced Program | Maximum Dollar Amount of Shares that may yet be Purchased under the Program (in millions) | |||||||||||
| October 1 - October 31, 2018 | 3,150,820 | $ | 24.38 | 3,150,820 | $ | — | ||||||||
| November 1 - November 30, 2018 | 6,238,950 | $ | 22.99 | 6,238,950 | $ | 1,107 | ||||||||
| December 1 - December 31, 2018 | 5,834,141 | $ | 22.99 | 5,834,141 | $ | 972 | ||||||||
| For the quarter ended December 31, 2018 | 15,223,911 | $ | 23.28 | 15,223,911 | $ | 972 |
In June 2018, we announced that the Board had authorized a share repurchase program under which up to $500 million of our outstanding common stock could be repurchased. This share repurchase program was effective as of June 13, 2018, and the program was completed on October 19, 2018.
In November 2018, we announced that the Board had authorized an incremental share repurchase program under which up to $1.25 billion of our outstanding stock may be purchased. We intend to implement the program opportunistically from time to time over approximately the next 12 months.
Shares of the Company's stock will be repurchased from time to time in open market transactions at prevailing market prices, in privately negotiated transactions, pursuant to plans complying with Rule 10b5-1 and 10b-18 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or by other means in accordance with federal securities laws. The actual timing, number and value of shares repurchased under the share repurchase program will be determined at our discretion and will depend on a number of factors, including the market price of our stock, general market and economic conditions, applicable legal requirements and compliance with the terms of our debt agreements.
Item 6. SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA
| VISTRA ENERGY CORP. SELECTED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL INFORMATION (Millions of Dollars, Except Per Share Amounts and Ratios | |||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Successor | Predecessor | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Year Ended December 31, 2018 (a) | Year Ended December 31, 2017 | Period from October 3, 2016 through December 31, 2016 | Period from January 1, 2016 through October 2, 2016 | Year Ended December 31, | |||||||||||||||||||
| 2015 | 2014 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Operating revenues | $ | 9,144 | $ | 5,430 | $ | 1,191 | $ | 3,973 | $ | 5,370 | $ | 5,978 | |||||||||||
| Impairment of goodwill | $ | — | $ | — | $ | — | $ | — | $ | (2,200 | ) | $ | (1,600 | ) | |||||||||
| Impairment of long-lived assets | $ | — | $ | (25 | ) | $ | — | $ | — | $ | (2,541 | ) | $ | (4,670 | ) | ||||||||
| Operating income (loss) | $ | 491 | $ | 198 | $ | (161 | ) | $ | 568 | $ | (4,091 | ) | $ | (6,015 | ) | ||||||||
| Net income (loss) attributable to Vistra Energy/the Predecessor (b) | $ | (54 | ) | $ | (254 | ) | $ | (163 | ) | $ | 22,851 | $ | (4,677 | ) | $ | (6,229 | ) | ||||||
| Cash provided by (used in) operating activities | $ | 1,471 | $ | 1,386 | $ | 81 | $ | (238 | ) | $ | 237 | $ | 444 | ||||||||||
| Net loss per weighted average share of common stock outstanding — basic | $ | (0.11 | ) | $ | (0.59 | ) | $ | (0.38 | ) | ||||||||||||||
| Net loss per weighted average share of common stock outstanding — diluted | $ | (0.11 | ) | $ | (0.59 | ) | $ | (0.38 | ) | ||||||||||||||
| Dividend declared per share of common stock | $ | — | $ | — | $ | 2.32 |
| Successor | Predecessor | |||||||||||||||||||
| At December 31, | At December 31, | |||||||||||||||||||
| 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 | 2014 | ||||||||||||||||
| Balance Sheet Information: | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Total assets (c)(d) | $ | 26,024 | $ | 14,600 | $ | 15,167 | $ | 15,658 | $ | 21,343 | ||||||||||
| Property, plant and equipment — net (c)(d) | $ | 14,612 | $ | 4,820 | $ | 4,443 | $ | 9,349 | $ | 12,288 | ||||||||||
| Goodwill and intangible assets (e) | $ | 4,561 | $ | 4,437 | $ | 5,112 | $ | 1,331 | $ | 3,688 | ||||||||||
| Long-term debt including current maturities (e) | $ | 11,065 | $ | 4,423 | $ | 4,623 | $ | 19 | $ | 73 | ||||||||||
| Borrowings under debtor-in-possession credit facility | $ | — | $ | — | $ | — | $ | 1,425 | $ | 1,425 | ||||||||||
| Pre-Petition notes, loans and other debt reported as liabilities subject to compromise (e) | $ | — | $ | — | $ | — | $ | 31,668 | $ | 31,856 | ||||||||||
| Total stockholders' equity/membership interests | $ | 7,863 | $ | 6,342 | $ | 6,597 | $ | (22,884 | ) | $ | (18,209 | ) |
| (a) | For the year ended December 31, 2018, reflects the results of operations acquired in the Merger. |
| (b) | For the Predecessor period from January 1, 2016 through October 2, 2016, net income includes net gains totaling $22.121 billion related to bankruptcy-related reorganization items including gains on extinguishing claims pursuant to the Plan of Reorganization (see Notes 5 and 7 to the Financial Statements). |
| (c) | At December 31, 2018, includes assets acquired in the Merger. |
| (d) | Reflects the impacts of impairment charges related to long-lived assets of $2.541 billion and $4.670 billion in the years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively (see Note 4 to the Financial Statements). |
| (e) | As of December 31, 2015 and 2014, includes both unsecured and under secured obligations incurred prior to the Petition Date, but excludes pre-petition obligations that were fully secured and other obligations that were allowed to be paid as ordered by the Bankruptcy Court. As of December 31, 2014, also excludes $702 million of deferred debt issuance and extension costs. |
Item 7. MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
As described in Note 1 to the Financial Statements, Vistra Energy is considered a new reporting entity for accounting purposes as of the Effective Date, and its financial statements reflect the application of fresh start reporting. The financial statements of Vistra Energy (the Successor) for periods subsequent to the Effective Date are not comparable to the financial statements of TCEH (the Predecessor) for periods prior to the Effective Date, as those previous periods do not give effect to any adjustments to the carrying values of assets or amounts of liabilities that resulted from the Plan of Reorganization, and the related application of fresh start reporting, which includes accounting policies implemented by Vistra Energy that may differ from the Predecessor. See Note 6 to the Financial Statements for further discussion of fresh start reporting.
The following discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations for the Successor period for the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2017 and the period from October 3, 2016 through December 31, 2016 and the Predecessor period from January 1, 2016 through October 2, 2016 should be read in conjunction with our consolidated financial statements and the notes to those statements. Results are impacted by the effects of the Merger, fresh start reporting, the Bankruptcy Filing and the application of Financial Accounting Standards Board Accounting Standards Codification (ASC) 852, Reorganizations.
All dollar amounts in the tables in the following discussion and analysis are stated in millions of U.S. dollars unless otherwise indicated.
Business
Vistra Energy is a holding company operating an integrated power business in markets thorough the U.S. Through our subsidiaries, we are engaged in competitive electricity market activities including power generation, wholesale energy sales and purchases, commodity risk management and retail sales of electricity and related services to end users. Prior to the Effective Date, TCEH was a holding company for our subsidiaries, which were principally engaged in the same activities as they are today.
Operating Segments
Vistra Energy has six reportable segments: (i) Retail, (ii) ERCOT, (iii) PJM, (iv) NY/NE (comprising NYISO and ISO-NE), (v) MISO and (vi) Asset Closure. The PJM, NY/NE and MISO segments were established on the Merger Date to reflect markets served by businesses acquired in the Merger. Prior to the Effective Date, there were no reportable business segments for TCEH. See Note 22 to the Financial Statements for further information concerning reportable business segments.
Significant Activities and Events and Items Influencing Future Performance
Entry into Purchase Agreement to Acquire Crius Energy Trust
On February 7, 2019, Vistra Energy and Crius Energy Trust (Crius) entered into a definitive agreement, which was subsequently amended on February 19, 2019 (as amended, the Crius Purchase Agreement), as a result of an unsolicited acquisition proposal, pursuant to which Vistra Energy will acquire the equity interest of two wholly owned subsidiaries of Crius that indirectly own the operating business of Crius (Crius Transaction). Crius is an energy retailer selling both electricity and natural gas products to residential and small business customers in 19 states and the District of Columbia.
The acquisition provides a high degree of overlap with Vistra Energy's generation fleet with approximately 11.6 TWh of annual load, improving Vistra Energy's match of its generation to load profile to approximately 45 percent, reducing risk. The acquisition also establishes a platform for future growth by leveraging Vistra Energy's existing retail marketing capabilities and Crius's experienced team. The acquisition enhances the integrated value proposition through collateral and transaction efficiencies, particularly via Crius's largely retail portfolio.
Vistra Energy intends to fund the purchase price of approximately $378 million using cash on hand and assumption of Crius's net debt of approximately $108 million. Completion of the Crius Transaction is subject to various customary conditions, including, among others, (i) approval by at least two-thirds of the Crius unitholders and (ii) receipt of all requisite regulatory approvals, which include approvals of the FERC and the expiration and termination of the applicable waiting period under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act of 1976. Pending the receipt of all necessary approvals and the fulfillment of all other customary closing conditions, the parties expect the transaction to close in the second quarter of 2019.
Merger Transaction
On the Merger Date, Vistra Energy and Dynegy completed the transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement. Pursuant to the Merger Agreement, Dynegy merged with and into Vistra Energy, with Vistra Energy continuing as the surviving corporation.
At the closing of the Merger, each issued and outstanding share of Dynegy common stock, par value $0.01 per share, other than shares owned by Vistra Energy or its subsidiaries, held in treasury by Dynegy or held by a subsidiary of Dynegy, was automatically converted into 0.652 shares of common stock, par value $0.01 per share, of Vistra Energy, except that cash was paid in lieu of fractional shares.
Based on the opening price of Vistra Energy common stock on the Merger Date, the purchase price was approximately $2.3 billion. The purchase price allocation is substantially complete, but is dependent upon final valuation determinations, which may materially change from our current estimates. The preliminary values for property plant and equipment, identifiable intangible assets and liabilities, goodwill, inventories, asset retirement obligations, contingent liabilities and deferred taxes represent our current best estimates of the fair value at the Merger Date. We currently expect the final purchase price allocation will be completed no later than the first quarter of 2019 and goodwill will be allocated to the related reporting units at that time.
See Note 2 to the Financial Statements for a summary of the Merger transaction and business combination accounting.
Acquisition, Development and Disposition of Generation Facilities
Battery Energy Storage Projects — We have completed the construction of our first battery energy storage system. In October 2018, we were awarded a $1 million grant from the TCEQ for our battery energy storage system at Upton 2 solar facility. The grant is part of the Texas Emissions Reduction Plan. The 10 MW lithium-ion energy storage system captures excess solar energy produced during the day and releases the energy in late afternoon and early evening, when demand is highest. The project became operational on December 31, 2018.
In June 2018, we announced that we would enter into a 20-year resource adequacy contract with Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E) to develop a 300 MW battery energy storage project at our Moss Landing Power Plant site in California. PG&E filed its application with the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) in June 2018 and the CPUC approved the contract in November 2018. We anticipate the battery storage project will enter commercial operations by the fourth quarter of 2020.
Upton 2 Solar Development — In May 2017, we acquired the rights to develop, construct and operate a utility scale solar photovoltaic power generation facility in Upton County, Texas. As part of this project, we entered a turnkey engineering, procurement and construction agreement to construct the approximately 180 MW facility. The facility began test operations in March 2018 and commercial operations began in June 2018.
CCGT Plant Acquisition — In July 2017, La Frontera Holdings, LLC (La Frontera), an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of Vistra Energy, entered into an asset purchase agreement with Odessa-Ector Power Partners, L.P., an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of Koch
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Item 7A. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK
Market risk is the risk that in the normal course of business we may experience a loss in value due to changes in market conditions that affect economic factors such as commodity prices, interest rates and counterparty credit. Our exposure to market risk is affected by several factors, including the size, duration and composition of our energy and financial portfolio, as well as the volatility and liquidity of markets. Instruments used to manage this exposure include interest rate swaps to hedge debt costs, as well as exchange-traded, over-the-counter contracts and other contractual arrangements to hedge commodity prices.
Risk Oversight
We manage the commodity price, counterparty credit and commodity-related operational risk related to the competitive energy business within limitations established by senior management and in accordance with overall risk management policies. Interest rate risk is managed centrally by our treasury function. Market risks are monitored by risk management groups that operate independently of the wholesale commercial operations, utilizing defined practices and analytical methodologies. These techniques measure the risk of change in value of the portfolio of contracts and the hypothetical effect on this value from changes in market conditions and include, but are not limited to, position reporting and review, Value at Risk (VaR) methodologies and stress test scenarios. Key risk control activities include, but are not limited to, transaction review and approval (including credit review), operational and market risk measurement, transaction authority oversight, validation of transaction capture, market price validation and reporting, and portfolio valuation and reporting, including mark-to-market valuation, VaR and other risk measurement metrics.
Vistra Energy has a risk management organization that enforces applicable risk limits, including the respective policies and procedures to ensure compliance with such limits, and evaluates the risks inherent in our businesses.
Commodity Price Risk
Our business is subject to the inherent risks of market fluctuations in the price of electricity, natural gas and other energy-related products it markets or purchases. We actively manage the portfolio of generation assets, fuel supply and retail sales load to mitigate the near-term impacts of these risks on results of operations. Similar to other participants in the market, we cannot fully manage the long-term value impact of structural declines or increases in natural gas and power prices.
In managing energy price risk, we enter into a variety of market transactions including, but not limited to, short- and long-term contracts for physical delivery, exchange-traded and over-the-counter financial contracts and bilateral contracts with customers. Activities include hedging, the structuring of long-term contractual arrangements and proprietary trading. We continuously monitor the valuation of identified risks and adjust positions based on current market conditions. We strive to use consistent assumptions regarding forward market price curves in evaluating and recording the effects of commodity price risk.
VaR Methodology — A VaR methodology is used to measure the amount of market risk that exists within the portfolio under a variety of market conditions. The resultant VaR produces an estimate of a portfolio's potential for loss given a specified confidence level and considers, among other things, market movements utilizing standard statistical techniques given historical and projected market prices and volatilities.
Parametric processes are used to calculate VaR and are considered by management to be the most effective way to estimate changes in a portfolio's value based on assumed market conditions for liquid markets. The use of this method requires a number of key assumptions, such as use of (i) an assumed confidence level; (ii) an assumed holding period (i.e., the time necessary for management action, such as to liquidate positions), and (iii) historical estimates of volatility and correlation data. The table below details a VaR measure related to various portfolios of contracts.
VaR for Underlying Generation Assets and Energy-Related Contracts — This measurement estimates the potential loss in value, due to changes in market conditions, of all underlying generation assets and contracts, based on a 95% confidence level and an assumed holding period of 60 days for a forward period through December 2019.
| Year Ended December 31, | |||||||
| 2018 | 2017 | ||||||
| Month-end average VaR | $ | 182 | $ | 92 | |||
| Month-end high VaR | $ | 267 | $ | 140 | |||
| Month-end low VaR | $ | 65 | $ | 62 |
The increase in the month-end high VaR risk measure in 2018 reflects operations acquired in the Merger.
Interest Rate Risk
The following table provides information concerning our financial instruments at December 31, 2018 and 2017 that are sensitive to changes in interest rates. Debt amounts consist of the Vistra Operations Credit Facilities. See Note 14 to the Financial Statements for further discussion of these financial instruments.
| Expected Maturity Date | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| (millions of dollars, except percentages) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | There-after | 2018 Total Carrying Amount | 2018 Total Fair Value | 2017 Total Carrying Amount | 2017 Total Fair Value | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Long-term debt, including current maturities (a): | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Variable rate debt amount | $ | 59 | $ | 59 | $ | 59 | $ | 59 | $ | 3,640 | $ | 1,937 | $ | 5,813 | $ | 5,599 | $ | 4,311 | $ | 4,334 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Average interest rate (b) | 4.55 | % | 4.55 | % | 4.55 | % | 4.55 | % | 4.59 | % | 4.47 | % | 4.55 | % | 3.98 | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Debt swapped to fixed (c): | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Notional amount | $ | 159 | $ | 358 | $ | — | $ | — | $ | 3,000 | $ | 4,200 | $ | 7,717 | $ | 3,000 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Average pay rate | 4.16 | % | 4.10 | % | 4.07 | % | 4.07 | % | 4.34 | % | 5.01 | % | 4.38 | % | 4.59 | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Average receive rate | 4.56 | % | 4.57 | % | 4.57 | % | 4.57 | % | 4.53 | % | 4.45 | % | 4.53 | % | 4.11 | % |
| (a) | Unamortized premiums, discounts and debt issuance costs are excluded from the table. |
| (b) | The weighted average interest rate presented is based on the rates in effect at December 31, 2018. |
| (c) | Interest rate swaps have maturity dates through July 2026. |
At December 31, 2018, the potential reduction of annual pretax earnings over the next twelve months due to a one percentage-point (100 basis points) increase in floating interest rates on long-term debt totaled approximately $14 million, taking into account the interest rate swaps discussed in Note 14 to Financial Statements.
Credit Risk
Credit risk relates to the risk of loss associated with nonperformance by counterparties. We minimize credit risk by evaluating potential counterparties, monitoring ongoing counterparty risk and assessing overall portfolio risk. This includes review of counterparty financial condition, current and potential credit exposures, credit rating and other quantitative and qualitative credit criteria. We also employ certain risk mitigation practices, including utilization of standardized master agreements that provide for netting and setoff rights, as well as credit enhancements such as margin deposits and customer deposits, letters of credit, parental guarantees and surety bonds. See Note 18 to the Financial Statements for further discussion of this exposure.
Bankruptcies — We are party to (i) certain gas transportation agreements with Pacific Gas and Electric Corporation (PG&E) and (ii) in connection with the Moss Landing battery storage project, we entered into a long-term renewable power purchase agreement with PG&E, which was approved by the California Public Utilities Commission in November 2018. PG&E filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in January 2019.
As of December 31, 2018, we had no outstanding accounts receivable from PG&E and accordingly, we have not recorded a reserve related to the pre-petition receivables. While our assumptions and conclusions may change, we could have future impairment losses, or specifically with respect to the gas transportation agreements, be required to seek alternative, higher-cost fuel transportation methods, if any of the terms of the contracts are not honored by PG&E or the contracts are rejected through the bankruptcy process.
Credit Exposure — Our gross credit exposure (excluding collateral impacts) associated with retail and wholesale trade accounts receivable and net derivative assets arising from commodity contracts and hedging and trading activities totaled $975 million at December 31, 2018.
At December 31, 2018, Retail segment credit exposure totaled $683 million, including $676 million of trade accounts receivable and $7 million related to derivative assets. Cash deposits and letters of credit held as collateral for these receivables totaled $38 million, resulting in a net exposure of $645 million. We believe the risk of material loss (after consideration of bad debt allowances) from nonperformance by these customers is unlikely based upon historical experience. Allowances for uncollectible accounts receivable are established for the potential loss from nonpayment by these customers based on historical experience, market or operational conditions and changes in the financial condition of large business customers.
At December 31, 2018, aggregate ERCOT, PJM, NY/NE and MISO segments credit exposure totaled $292 million including $147 million related to derivative assets and $145 million of trade accounts receivable, after taking into account master netting agreement provisions but excluding collateral impacts.
Including collateral posted to us by counterparties, our net ERCOT, PJM, NY/NE and MISO segments exposure was $281 million, substantially all of which is with investment grade customers as seen in the following table that presents the distribution of credit exposure at December 31, 2018. Credit collateral includes cash and letters of credit, but excludes other credit enhancements such as guarantees or liens on assets.
| Exposure Before Credit Collateral | Credit Collateral | Net Exposure | |||||||||
| Investment grade | $ | 247 | $ | — | $ | 247 | |||||
| Below investment grade or no rating | 45 | 11 | 34 | ||||||||
| Totals | $ | 292 | $ | 11 | $ | 281 |
Significant (10% or greater) concentration of credit exposure exists with four counterparties, which represented an aggregate $195 million, or 70%, of the total net exposure. We view exposure to these counterparties to be within an acceptable level of risk tolerance due to the counterparties' credit ratings, each of which is rated as investment grade, the counterparties' market role and deemed creditworthiness and the importance of our business relationship with the counterparties. An event of default by one or more counterparties could subsequently result in termination-related settlement payments that reduce available liquidity if amounts such as margin deposits are owed to the counterparties or delays in receipts of expected settlements owed to us.
Contracts classified as "normal" purchase or sale and non-derivative contractual commitments are not marked-to-market in the financial statements and are excluded from the detail above. Such contractual commitments may contain pricing that is favorable considering current market conditions and therefore represent economic risk if the counterparties do not perform.
At December 31, 2018, interest rate swap exposure in the Corporate and Other non-segment totaled $51 million. There are no collateral offsets. The counterparty credit rating is investment grade.
FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
This report and other presentations made by us contain "forward-looking statements." All statements, other than statements of historical facts, that are included in this report, or made in presentations, in response to questions or otherwise, that address activities, events or developments that may occur in the future, including (without limitation) such matters as activities related to our financial or operational projections, capital allocation, capital expenditures, liquidity, dividend policy, business strategy, competitive strengths, goals, future acquisitions or dispositions, development or operation of power generation assets, market and industry developments and the growth of our businesses and operations (often, but not always, through the use of words or phrases such as "intends," "plans," "will likely," "unlikely," "expected," "anticipated," "estimated," "should," "may," "projection," "target," "goal," "objective" and "outlook"), are forward-looking statements. Although we believe that in making any such forward-looking statement our expectations are based on reasonable assumptions, any such forward-looking statement involves uncertainties and risks and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the discussion under Item 1A. Risk Factors and Item 7. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations in this report and the following important factors, among others, that could cause our actual results to differ materially from those projected in or implied by such forward-looking statements:
| • | the actions and decisions of judicial and regulatory authorities; |
| • | prohibitions and other restrictions on our operations due to the terms of our agreements; |
| • | prevailing federal, state and local governmental policies and regulatory actions, including those of the legislatures and other government actions of states in which we operate, the U.S. Congress, the FERC, the NERC, the TRE, the public utility commissions of states and locales in which we operate, CAISO, ERCOT, ISO-NE, MISO, NYISO, PJM, the RCT, the NRC, the EPA, the environmental regulatory bodies of states in which we operate, the MSHA and the CFTC, with respect to, among other things: |
| ◦ | allowed prices; |
| ◦ | industry, market and rate structure; |
| ◦ | purchased power and recovery of investments; |
| ◦ | operations of nuclear generation facilities; |
| ◦ | operations of fossil-fueled generation facilities; |
| ◦ | operations of mines; |
| ◦ | acquisition and disposal of assets and facilities; |
| ◦ | development, construction and operation of facilities; |
| ◦ | decommissioning costs; |
| ◦ | present or prospective wholesale and retail competition; |
| ◦ | changes in federal, state and local tax laws, rates and policies, including additional regulation, interpretations, amendments, or technical corrections to the TCJA; |
| ◦ | changes in and compliance with environmental and safety laws and policies, including National Ambient Air Quality Standards, the Cross-State Air Pollution Rule, the Mercury and Air Toxics Standard, regional haze program implementation and GHG and other climate change initiatives, and |
| ◦ | clearing over-the-counter derivatives through exchanges and posting of cash collateral therewith; |
| • | expectations regarding, or impacts of, environmental matters, including costs of compliance, availability and adequacy of emission credits, and the impact of ongoing proceedings and potential regulations or changes to current regulations, including those relating to climate change, air emissions, cooling water intake structures, coal combustion byproducts, and other laws and regulations that we are, or could become, subject to, which could increase our costs, result in an impairment of our assets, cause us to limit or terminate the operation of certain of our facilities, or otherwise have a negative financial effect; |
| • | legal and administrative proceedings and settlements; |
| • | general industry trends; |
| • | economic conditions, including the impact of an economic downturn; |
| • | weather conditions, including drought and limitations on access to water, and other natural phenomena, and acts of sabotage, wars or terrorist or cybersecurity threats or activities; |
| • | our ability to collect trade receivables from counterparties; |
| • | our ability to attract and retain profitable customers; |
| • | our ability to profitably serve our customers; |
| • | restrictions on competitive retail pricing; |
| • | changes in wholesale electricity prices or energy commodity prices, including the price of natural gas; |
| • | changes in prices of transportation of natural gas, coal, fuel oil and other refined products; |
| • | sufficiency of, access to, and costs associated with coal, fuel oil, and natural gas inventories and transportation and storage thereof; |
| • | changes in the ability of vendors to provide or deliver commodities as needed; |
| • | beliefs and assumptions about the benefits of state- or federal-based subsidies to our market competition, and the corresponding impacts on us, including if such subsidies are disproportionately available to our competitors; |
| • | the effects of, or changes to, market design and the power and capacity procurement processes in the markets in which we operate; |
| • | changes in market heat rates in the CAISO, ERCOT, ISO-NE, MISO, NYISO and PJM electricity markets; |
| • | our ability to effectively hedge against unfavorable commodity prices, including the price of natural gas, market heat rates and interest rates; |
| • | population growth or decline, or changes in market supply or demand and demographic patterns, particularly in ERCOT, MISO and PJM; |
| • | our ability to mitigate forced outage risk, including managing risk associated with CP in PJM and performance incentives in ISO-NE; |
| • | efforts to identify opportunities to reduce congestion and improve busbar power prices; |
| • | access to adequate transmission facilities to meet changing demands; |
| • | changes in interest rates, commodity prices, rates of inflation or foreign exchange rates; |
| • | changes in operating expenses, liquidity needs and capital expenditures; |
| • | commercial bank market and capital market conditions and the potential impact of disruptions in U.S. and international credit markets; |
| • | access to capital, the attractiveness of the cost and other terms of such capital and the success of financing and refinancing efforts, including availability of funds in capital markets; |
| • | our ability to maintain prudent financial leverage; |
| • | our ability to generate sufficient cash flow to make principal and interest payments in respect of, or refinance, our debt obligations; |
| • | our ability to implement our growth strategy, including the completion and integration of mergers, acquisitions and/or joint venture activity and identification and completion of sales and divestitures activity; |
| • | competition for new energy development and other business opportunities; |
| • | inability of various counterparties to meet their obligations with respect to our financial instruments; |
| • | counterparties' collateral demands and other factors affecting our liquidity position and financial condition; |
| • | changes in technology (including large scale electricity storage) used by and services offered by us; |
| • | changes in electricity transmission that allow additional power generation to compete with our generation assets; |
| • | our ability to attract and retain qualified employees; |
| • | significant changes in our relationship with our employees, including the availability of qualified personnel, and the potential adverse effects if labor disputes or grievances were to occur; |
| • | changes in assumptions used to estimate costs of providing employee benefits, including medical and dental benefits, pension and OPEB, and future funding requirements related thereto, including joint and several liability exposure under ERISA; |
| • | hazards customary to the industry and the possibility that we may not have adequate insurance to cover losses resulting from such hazards; |
| • | the impact of our obligations under the TRA; |
| • | our ability to optimize our assets through targeted investment in cost-effective technology enhancements and operations performance initiatives; |
| • | our ability to effectively and efficiently plan, prepare for and execute expected asset retirements and reclamation obligations and the impacts thereof; |
| • | our ability to successfully complete the integration of the businesses of Vistra Energy and Dynegy and our ability to successfully capture the full amount of projected synergies relating to the Merger, and |
| • | actions by credit rating agencies. |
Any forward-looking statement speaks only at the date on which it is made, and except as may be required by law, we undertake no obligation to update any forward-looking statement to reflect events or circumstances after the date on which it is made or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events or circumstances. New factors emerge from time to time, and it is not possible for us to predict them. In addition, we may be unable to assess the impact of any such event or condition or the extent to which any such event or condition, or combination of events or conditions, may cause results to differ materially from those contained in or implied by any forward-looking statement. As such, you should not unduly rely on such forward-looking statements.
INDUSTRY AND MARKET INFORMATION
Certain industry and market data and other statistical information used throughout this report are based on independent industry publications, government publications, reports by market research firms or other published independent sources, including certain data published by CAISO, ERCOT, ISO-NE, MISO, NYISO, PJM, the environmental regulatory bodies of states in which we operate and NYMEX. We did not commission any of these publications, reports or other sources. Some data is also based on good faith estimates, which are derived from our review of internal surveys, as well as the independent sources listed above. Industry publications, reports and other sources generally state that they have obtained information from sources believed to be reliable, but do not guarantee the accuracy and completeness of such information. While we believe that each of these studies, publications, reports and other sources is reliable, we have not independently investigated or verified the information contained or referred to therein and make no representation as to the accuracy or completeness of such information. Forecasts are particularly likely to be inaccurate, especially over long periods of time, and we do not know what assumptions were used in preparing such forecasts. Statements regarding industry and market data and other statistical information used throughout this report involve risks and uncertainties and are subject to change based on various factors.
Item 8. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
To the shareholders and the Board of Directors of Vistra Energy Corp.
Opinion on the Financial Statements
We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Vistra Energy Corp. and its subsidiaries (the "Company") as of December 31, 2018 and 2017, and the related statements of consolidated income (loss), consolidated comprehensive income (loss), consolidated cash flows, and consolidated equity, for the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2017, for the period October 3, 2016 through December 31, 2016 (Successor Company operations) and the period January 1, 2016 through October 2, 2016 (Predecessor Company operations), and the related notes (collectively referred to as the "financial statements"). In our opinion, the Successor Company financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Company as of December 31, 2018 and 2017, and the results of its operations and its cash flows, for the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2017 and for the period October 3, 2016 through December 31, 2016, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. Further, in our opinion, the Predecessor Company financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the results of operations and cash flows of the Predecessor Company for the period January 1, 2016 through October 2, 2016, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.
We have also audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (PCAOB), the Company's internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2018, based on criteria established in Internal Control - Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission and our report dated February 28, 2019, expressed an unqualified opinion on the Company's internal control over financial reporting.
Fresh-Start Reporting
As discussed in Note 6 to the financial statements, on August 29, 2016 the Bankruptcy Court entered an order confirming the plan of reorganization which became effective on October 3, 2016. Accordingly, the accompanying financial statements have been prepared in conformity with Accounting Standards Codification Topic 852, Reorganizations, for the Successor Company as a new entity with assets, liabilities, and a capital structure having carrying values not comparable with prior periods as described in Note 1 to the financial statements.
Basis for Opinion
These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company's management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company's financial statements based on our audits. We are a public accounting firm registered with the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (PCAOB) and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.
We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud. Our audits included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. Our audits also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the financial statements. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
/s/ Deloitte & Touche LLP
Dallas, TX
February 28, 2019
We have served as the Company's auditor since 2002.
VISTRA ENERGY CORP.
STATEMENTS OF CONSOLIDATED INCOME (LOSS)
(Millions of Dollars, Except Per Share Amounts)
| Successor | Predecessor | |||||||||||||||
| Year Ended December 31, | Period from October 3, 2016 through December 31, 2016 | Period from January 1, 2016 through October 2, 2016 | ||||||||||||||
| 2018 | 2017 | |||||||||||||||
| Operating revenues | $ | 9,144 | $ | 5,430 | $ | 1,191 | $ | 3,973 | ||||||||
| Fuel, purchased power costs and delivery fees | (5,036 | ) | (2,935 | ) | (720 | ) | (2,082 | ) | ||||||||
| Net gain from commodity hedging and trading activities | — | — | — | 282 | ||||||||||||
| Operating costs | (1,297 | ) | (973 | ) | (208 | ) | (664 | ) | ||||||||
| Depreciation and amortization | (1,394 | ) | (699 | ) | (216 | ) | (459 | ) | ||||||||
| Selling, general and administrative expenses | (926 | ) | (600 | ) | (208 | ) | (482 | ) | ||||||||
| Impairment of long-lived assets | — | (25 | ) | — | — | |||||||||||
| Operating income (loss) | 491 | 198 | (161 | ) | 568 | |||||||||||
| Other income (Note 23) | 47 | 37 | 10 | 19 | ||||||||||||
| Other deductions (Note 23) | (5 | ) | (5 | ) | — | (75 | ) | |||||||||
| Interest expense and related charges (Note 11) | (572 | ) | (193 | ) | (60 | ) | (1,049 | ) | ||||||||
| Impacts of Tax Receivable Agreement (Note 10) | (79 | ) | 213 | (22 | ) | — | ||||||||||
| Equity in earnings of unconsolidated investment (Note 23) | 17 | — | — | — | ||||||||||||
| Reorganization items (Note 5) | — | — | — | 22,121 | ||||||||||||
| Income (loss) before income taxes | (101 | ) | 250 | (233 | ) | 21,584 | ||||||||||
| Income tax (expense) benefit (Note 9) | 45 | (504 | ) | 70 | 1,267 | |||||||||||
| Net income (loss) | (56 | ) | (254 | ) | (163 | ) | 22,851 | |||||||||
| Less: Net loss attributable to noncontrolling interest | 2 | — | — | |||||||||||||
| Net loss attributable to Vistra Energy | $ | (54 | ) | $ | (254 | ) | $ | (163 | ) | |||||||
| Weighted average shares of common stock outstanding: | ||||||||||||||||
| Basic | 504,954,371 | 427,761,460 | 427,560,620 | |||||||||||||
| Diluted | 504,954,371 | 427,761,460 | 427,560,620 | |||||||||||||
| Net loss per weighted average share of common stock outstanding: | ||||||||||||||||
| Basic | $ | (0.11 | ) | $ | (0.59 | ) | $ | (0.38 | ) | |||||||
| Diluted | $ | (0.11 | ) | $ | (0.59 | ) | $ | (0.38 | ) | |||||||
| Dividend declared per share of common stock | $ | — | $ | — | $ | 2.32 |
See Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements.
VISTRA ENERGY CORP.
STATEMENTS OF CONSOLIDATED COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)
(Millions of Dollars)
| Successor | Predecessor | |||||||||||||||
| Year Ended December 31, | Period from October 3, 2016 through December 31, 2016 | Period from January 1, 2016 through October 2, 2016 | ||||||||||||||
| 2018 |
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Item 9. CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING AND FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE
None.
Item 9A. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES
An evaluation was performed under the supervision and with the participation of our management, including the principal executive officer and principal financial officer, of the effectiveness of the design and operation of the disclosure controls and procedures in effect at December 31, 2018. Based on the evaluation performed, our management, including the principal executive officer and principal financial officer, concluded that the disclosure controls and procedures were effective.
Other than the changes resulting from the Merger, there have been no change in our internal control over financial reporting during the most recently completed fiscal quarter that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.
VISTRA ENERGY CORP.
MANAGEMENT’S ANNUAL REPORT ON
INTERNAL CONTROL OVER FINANCIAL REPORTING
The management of Vistra Energy Corp. is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934) for the company. Vistra Energy Corp.'s internal control over financial reporting is designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in condition or the deterioration of compliance with procedures or policies.
The management of Vistra Energy Corp. performed an evaluation as of December 31, 2018 of the effectiveness of the company's internal control over financial reporting based on the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission’s (COSO's) Internal Control - Integrated Framework (2013). Based on the review performed, management believes that as of December 31, 2018 Vistra Energy Corp.'s internal control over financial reporting was effective.
The independent registered public accounting firm of Deloitte & Touche LLP as auditors of the consolidated financial statements of Vistra Energy Corp. has issued an attestation report on Vistra Energy Corp.’s internal control over financial reporting.
| /s/ Curtis A. Morgan |
| Curtis A. Morgan |
| President and Chief Executive Officer |
| (Principal Executive Officer) |
| /s/ J. William Holden |
| J. William Holden |
| Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer |
| (Principal Financial Officer) |
February 28, 2019
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
To the shareholders and the Board of Directors of Vistra Energy Corp.
Opinion on Internal Control over Financial Reporting
We have audited the internal control over financial reporting of Vistra Energy Corp. and its subsidiaries (the "Company") as of December 31, 2018, based on criteria established in Internal Control - Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). In our opinion, the Company maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2018, based on criteria established in Internal Control - Integrated Framework (2013) issued by COSO.
We have also audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (PCAOB), the consolidated financial statements as of and for the year ended December 31, 2018, of the Company and our report dated February 28, 2019, expressed an unqualified opinion on those financial statements.
Basis for Opinion
The Company's management is responsible for maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting and for its assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting, included in the accompanying Annual Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company's internal control over financial reporting based on our audit. We are a public accounting firm registered with the PCAOB and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.
We conducted our audit in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether effective internal control over financial reporting was maintained in all material respects. Our audit included obtaining an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, assessing the risk that a material weakness exists, testing and evaluating the design and operating effectiveness of internal control based on the assessed risk, and performing such other procedures as we considered necessary in the circumstances. We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.
Definition and Limitations of Internal Control over Financial Reporting
A company's internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. A company's internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that (1) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the company; (2) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the company; and (3) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of the company’s assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.
Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.
/s/ Deloitte & Touche LLP
Dallas, TX
February 28, 2019
Item 9B. OTHER INFORMATION
None.
PART III
Item 10. DIRECTORS, EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AND CORPORATE GOVERNANCE
Code of Ethics
Vistra Energy has adopted a code of ethics entitled "Vistra Energy Code of Conduct" that applies to directors, officers and employees, including the chief executive officer and senior financial officers of Vistra Energy. It may be accessed through the "Corporate Governance" section of the Company's website at www.vistraenergy.com. Vistra Energy also elects to disclose the information required by Form 8-K, Item 5.05, "Amendments to the Registrant's Code of Ethics, or Waiver of a Provision of the Code of Ethics," through the Company's website, and such information will remain available on this website for at least a 12-month period. A copy of the "Vistra Energy Code of Conduct" is available in print to any stockholder who requests it.
Other information required by this Item is incorporated by reference to the similarly named section of Vistra Energy's Definitive Proxy Statement for its 2019 Annual Meeting of Stockholders.
Item 11. EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
Information required by this Item is incorporated by reference to the similarly named section of Vistra Energy's Definitive Proxy Statement for its 2019 Annual Meeting of Stockholders.
Item 12. SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS
Information required by this Item is incorporated by reference to the sections entitled "Beneficial Ownership of Common Stock of the Company" in Vistra Energy's Definitive Proxy Statement for its 2019 Annual Meeting of Stockholders.
Item 13. CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS, AND DIRECTOR INDEPENDENCE
Information required by this Item is incorporated by reference to the sections entitled "Business Relationships and Related Person Transactions Policy" and "Director Independence" in Vistra Energy's Definitive Proxy Statement for its 2019 Annual Meeting of Stockholders.
Item 14. PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTING FEES
Information required by this Item is incorporated by reference to the sections entitled "Principal Accounting Fees" in Vistra Energy's Definitive Proxy Statement for its 2019 Annual Meeting of Stockholders.
PART IV
Item 15. EXHIBITS, FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES
| (a) | Our financial statements and financial statement schedules are incorporated under Part II, Item 8 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K. |
| (b) | EXHIBITS: |
Vistra Energy Corp. Exhibits to Form 10-K for the Fiscal Year Ended December 31, 2018
| * | Incorporated herein by reference |
| ** | Filed herewith |
Item 16. FORM 10-K SUMMARY
Not applicable.
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, Vistra Energy Corp. has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
| VISTRA ENERGY CORP. | |||
| Date: | February 28, 2019 | By | /s/ CURTIS A. MORGAN |
| Curtis A. Morgan (President and Chief Executive Officer) |
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of Vistra Energy Corp. and in the capacities and on the date indicated.
| Signature | Title | Date |
| /s/ CURTIS A. MORGAN | Principal Executive Officer and Director | February 28, 2019 |
| (Curtis A. Morgan, President and Chief Executive Officer) | ||
| /s/ J. WILLIAM HOLDEN | Principal Financial Officer | February 28, 2019 |
| (J. William Holden, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer) | ||
| /s/ CHRISTY DOBRY | Principal Accounting Officer | February 28, 2019 |
| (Christy Dobry, Vice President and Controller) | ||
| /s/ SCOTT B. HELM | Chairman of the Board and Director | February 28, 2019 |
| (Scott B. Helm, Chairman of the Board) | ||
| /s/ HILARY E. ACKERMANN | Director | February 28, 2019 |
| (Hilary E. Ackermann) | ||
| /s/ GAVIN R. BAIERA | Director | February 28, 2019 |
| (Gavin R. Baiera) | ||
| /s/ PAUL M. BARBAS | Director | February 28, 2019 |
| (Paul M. Barbas) | ||
| /s/ BRIAN K. FERRAIOLI | Director | February 28, 2019 |
| (Brian K. Ferraioli) | ||
| /s/ JEFF D. HUNTER | Director | February 28, 2019 |
| (Jeff D. Hunter) | ||
| /s/ CYRUS MADON | Director | February 28, 2019 |
| (Cyrus Madon) | ||
| /s/ GEOFFREY D. STRONG | Director | February 28, 2019 |
| (Geoffrey D. Strong) | ||
| /s/ JOHN R. SULT | Director | February 28, 2019 |
| (John R. Sult) | ||
| /s/ BRUCE ZIMMERMAN | Director | February 28, 2019 |
| (Bruce Zimmerman) |