Otter Tail Corporation Announces First Quarter Earnings; Lowers 2009 Earnings Guidance; Board of Directors Declares Dividend


FERGUS FALLS, Minn., May 4, 2009 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Otter Tail Corporation (Nasdaq:OTTR) today announced financial results for the quarter ended March 31, 2009.

Highlights



 * The corporation generated operating cash flow of $21.9 million for
   the first quarter of 2009, a $14.5 million increase over the first
   quarter of 2008.
 * Consolidated first quarter 2009 revenues were $277.2 million
   compared with $300.2 million for the first quarter of 2008.
 * Consolidated net income was $4.4 million compared with $8.2 million
   for the first quarter of 2008.
 * Diluted earnings per share totaled $0.12 compared with $0.27 for
   the same period last year.
 * The corporation remains financially strong, committed to long-term
   strategies.
 * An agreement has been entered into with Cascade Investment, L.L.C.
   to facilitate increasing its ownership in the corporation.

Announcements



 * On May 1, 2009 the Board of Directors declared a quarterly common
   stock dividend of 29.75 cents per share payable June 10, 2009 to
   shareholders of record on May 15, 2009.
 * The Board also declared quarterly dividends on the corporation's
   four series of preferred stock, payable June 1, 2009 to
   shareholders of record on May 15, 2009.
 * The corporation is revising its 2009 diluted earnings per share
   guidance to be in the range of $0.80 to $1.20 from its previously
   announced range of $1.10 to $1.50.

CEO Overview

"While we expected difficult business conditions in 2009, the impacts of the recession have become more widespread and significant than we had anticipated and now affect nearly all of our operating companies. Consequently, first quarter results fell below our expectations," said John Erickson, president and chief executive officer of Otter Tail Corporation. "Compared to a year ago, our electric business faces reduced demand from industrial customers and lower demand and prices for power sold in the wholesale market. Our nonelectric businesses, particularly our manufacturing companies, are impacted by reduced orders from major customers as demand for their products has declined. This quarter's year-over-year reductions in net income from our electric, plastics and manufacturing segments were partially offset by improved results from our other operating segments and reductions in corporate expenses.

"We now expect the difficult economic conditions will last longer than we originally projected. In light of our first quarter results, and our expectation of continuing difficult economic conditions for the balance of the year, we are revising 2009 diluted earnings per share guidance to a range of $0.80 to $1.20 from our initial range of $1.10 to $1.50.

"We have taken significant expense-reduction actions throughout the organization to mitigate the effects of the economic slowdown and will continue to closely monitor and appropriately manage our expense levels to address this business environment. We are grateful for the support and commitment from our employees across the organization, whose efforts to enhance efficiency, improve cash flow and better serve customers play a central role in preserving the strength of Otter Tail Corporation."

Erickson concluded, "Although 2009 will be a challenging year, Otter Tail Corporation remains fundamentally strong, appropriately diversified and well-positioned for growth when the economy begins to recover. There are several bright spots worth noting. Earnings from our food ingredient processing segment improved in the first quarter of 2009 and we expect this to continue for the remainder of the year. Additionally, several of our operating companies have significant involvement in the wind-energy industry. Despite the slow economy and currently tight capital markets delaying wind-energy projects in 2009, we believe the prospects for wind-energy activity beyond 2009 are very positive, given the high level of support for renewable energy at both the federal and state levels. Finally, our consolidated cash flow from operations and our liquidity position continue to be strong, which gives us flexibility in managing through this environment."

Cash Flow from Operations

The corporation's cash flow from operations increased to $21.9 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2009 compared with $7.4 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2008, primarily driven by an improvement in working capital of approximately $10.6 million.

Otter Tail Corporation maintains a strong liquidity position, including amounts available under credit lines of $206.5 million; $137.7 million under the Otter Tail Power Company credit facility and $68.8 million under the Varistar Corporation credit facility as of March 31, 2009. The corporation believes it has the necessary liquidity to effectively conduct business operations for an extended period if current market conditions continue. "Despite the difficult economic conditions, the corporation maintains its commitment to a strong balance sheet and continues its focus on cash flow," said Kevin Moug, chief financial officer of Otter Tail Corporation.

Cascade Investment

Cascade Investment, L.L.C. is the corporation's largest shareholder, holding nearly 10% of the corporation's outstanding common stock. A Special Committee of the Board of Directors has agreed to waive certain provisions of Minnesota law which impose limitations on business transactions between a publicly held Minnesota corporation and a shareholder that owns more than 10% of its common stock. The corporation has entered into a standstill agreement with Cascade whereby Cascade has agreed to limit its ownership of the corporation's common stock to less than 20% of the outstanding common stock for a period of four years, except in certain circumstances. Erickson noted, "Cascade has been a large investor in the Otter Tail Corporation for nearly a decade and our relationship with Cascade has been very positive. We appreciate its long-term investment in our company and are pleased to have developed a framework with Cascade by which it will have an opportunity to increase its ownership in our corporation if it chooses to do so."

Segment Performance Summary

Electric

Electric revenues and net income were $88.5 million and $8.5 million, respectively, for the quarter ended March 31, 2009 compared with revenues of $97.6 million and net income of $12.7 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2008. Retail electric revenues decreased 9.4% mainly due to the following:



 * a $9.7 million decrease in fuel clause adjustment revenues related
   to a reduction in fuel and purchased power costs incurred to serve
   retail customers,
 * a $1.0 million reduction in Minnesota retail revenues related to a
   final rate increase of 2.9% in effect in the first quarter of 2009
   compared to an interim rate increase of 5.4% in effect in the first
   quarter of 2008, and
 * a 10.6% decrease in kilowatt-hour (kwh) sales to industrial
   customers due to reduced demand by pipeline customers as a result
   of declining oil and natural gas prices.

These retail revenue decreases were partially offset by a $1.5 million increase in revenues related to increases in kwh sales to residential and commercial customers, increases in renewable resource recovery rider revenues of $1.5 million and a 4.1% interim rate increase in North Dakota. Fuel and purchased power costs related to retail use were down $3.3 million, despite the 2.3% increase in retail kwh sales. Fuel costs decreased as a result of generating less electricity from company-owned generators to serve retail load. Purchased power costs decreased, despite an increase in kwhs purchased, as a result of a 36.5% reduction in the cost per kwh of purchased power for retail use. Decreases in natural gas prices, increased output from regional hydroelectric plants, increased efficiency in wholesale electric markets and a decline in industrial demand for electricity are factors that have contributed to a significant decline in wholesale electric prices in 2009. The electric utility's 59 wind turbines at Langdon and Ashtabula contributed to a reduction in fuel costs per kwh of generation by providing 9.0% of the electric utility's total kwh generation in the first quarter of 2009.

Wholesale electric revenues from company-owned generation were $4.4 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2009 compared with $4.1 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2008 as a result of an increase in wholesale kwh sales that more than offset a 46.2% decrease in revenue per kwh sold. Fuel costs related to wholesale sales increased $0.4 million between the quarters. Net gains from energy trading activities, including net mark-to-market gains on forward energy contracts, were $1.4 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2009 compared with net gains of $1.7 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2008. Other electric operating revenues were down $0.8 million as a result of a $0.6 million decrease in revenues from contracted services and a $0.2 million reduction in transmission services related revenue. Electric operating and maintenance expenses were essentially unchanged. Depreciation expense increased $1.3 million mainly due to the construction of 32 wind turbines at the Ashtabula Wind Energy Center in 2008. There was also an increase in interest costs of $1.0 million.

Plastics

Plastics revenues and net loss were $13.5 million and $2.5 million, respectively, for the quarter ended March 31, 2009 compared with revenues of $22.3 million and net income of $0.6 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2008. The decrease in revenues and net income was due to an 18.8% decline in pounds of pipe sold combined with a 25.2% decrease in polyvinyl chloride (PVC) pipe prices. The lower profitability between the quarters was also impacted by the sell-off of higher priced finished goods inventory which adversely impacted operating margins. Significant reductions in new home construction in markets served by the plastic pipe companies have resulted in reduced demand and lower prices for PVC pipe products.

Manufacturing

Manufacturing revenues and net loss were $96.0 million and $1.1 million, respectively, for the quarter ended March 31, 2009 compared with revenues of $97.6 million and a net loss of $0.6 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2008.



 * At DMI, revenues and net income increased $1.7 million and $2.0
   million, respectively. In the first quarter of 2008, DMI's results
   included costs of $0.8 million associated with the start up of
   DMI's new plant in Oklahoma and lower than expected margins on a
   production contract at its Fort Erie plant of $3.2 million.
 * At BTD, revenues increased $3.8 million. This increase reflects
   first quarter 2009 revenues of $5.2 million from Miller Welding,
   acquired in May 2008, offset by a $0.7 million decrease in sales
   volume and a $0.6 million decrease in scrap sales revenue related
   to a decrease in steel prices. The decline in sales volume and
   selling of higher-priced inventory in a constrained market
   contributed to a $1.0 million decrease in BTD's net income between
   the quarters.
 * At T.O. Plastics, revenues and net income decreased $4.6 million
   and $0.4 million, respectively, mainly due to a decrease in
   horticultural product sales as customers utilized existing
   inventory in the channel.
 * At ShoreMaster, revenues and net earnings decreased $2.5 million
   and $1.1 million, respectively. The decline in earnings was due to
   the recognition of $1.8 million in product recall and testing costs
   and $0.9 million in additional losses on a marina construction
   project.

Health Services

Health services revenues and net loss were $28.2 million and $0.1 million, respectively, for the quarter ended March 31, 2009 compared with revenues of $29.3 million and a net loss of $0.7 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2008. Decreases in revenues of $0.9 million from scanning and other related services and $0.2 million from equipment sales and servicing were more than offset by decreases in costs of goods sold and operating expenses, resulting in a $0.6 million reduction in net losses. The imaging side of the business continues to be affected by less-than-optimal utilization of certain imaging assets.

Food Ingredient Processing

Food ingredient processing revenues and net income were $20.1 million and $1.4 million, respectively, for the quarter ended March 31, 2009 compared with revenues of $15.9 million and net income of $1.1 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2008. The $4.2 million increase in revenues is due to a 7.6% increase in pounds of product sold, combined with 17.4% increase in the price per pound of product sold. Cost of goods sold increased $3.7 million as a result of the increase in sales and a 20.5% increase in the cost per pound of product sold.

Other Business Operations

Other business operations revenues and net loss were $31.9 million and $0.3 million, respectively, for the quarter ended March 31, 2009 compared with revenues of $38.1 million and a net loss of $1.8 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2008. At the construction companies, revenues decreased $4.1 million while net income increased to $0.4 million compared to a net loss of $1.5 million for the same period a year ago. The increase in net income is a result of improved margins on construction projects. In the trucking operations, revenues decreased $2.1 million and net losses increased $0.5 million due to a significant reduction in miles driven directly related to the current economic recession.

Corporate

Corporate expenses, net-of-tax, were $1.6 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2009 compared with $3.2 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2008. The decrease reflects $2.0 million in expense reductions for general and administrative costs and a $0.4 million decrease in interest costs related to a reduction in corporate-held debt.

Income Taxes

The corporation's effective income tax rate for the three months ended March 31, 2009 and 2008 was (46.0%) and 27.5%, respectively. The reduction from the federal statutory rate mainly reflects the benefit of production tax credits and North Dakota wind energy credits related to the electric utility's wind turbines of approximately $2.1 million in the first quarter of 2009 and $0.6 million in the first quarter of 2008.

2009 Expectations

Otter Tail Corporation is revising its 2009 earnings guidance to be in a range of $0.80 to $1.20 per diluted share from its previously announced range of $1.10 to $1.50. The earnings guidance revision is reflective of the corporation's expectations that difficult economic conditions will continue for the balance of the year. The revised earnings guidance is subject to risks and uncertainties given current global economic conditions and the other risk factors outlined below.

Contributing to the earnings guidance for 2009 are the following items:



 * The corporation's expectations for earnings from its electric
   segment have been revised downward due to the negative impact from
   continuing softness in demand from commercial and industrial
   customers and lower volumes and margins from wholesale energy sales.
   Declining demand along with the lowest natural gas prices in years
   is having a dramatic impact on the volume and price that can be
   realized from sales of excess generation into the marketplace. As a
   result, the corporation now expects earnings from its electric
   segment to be lower in 2009 than in 2008. The corporation still
   expects increased levels of retail revenue from the electric
   segment in 2009 as a result of a 4.1% interim rate increase in
   North Dakota and increases in resource recovery rider revenue
   related to the Ashtabula Wind Energy Center that was placed in
   service in late 2008. The interim rate increase is part of a rate
   case filed with the North Dakota Public Service Commission (NDPSC)
   in November 2008 requesting a general annual rate increase of
   approximately $6.1 million, or 5.1%. Interim rates remain in effect
   for all North Dakota customers until the NDPSC makes a final
   determination on the electric utility's request, which is expected
   to occur by August 1, 2009. Expectations in 2009 also reflect a
   request for an increase in revenues in South Dakota. A final
   decision on the request is expected from the South Dakota Public
   Utilities Commission in mid-summer 2009 with an interim rate
   increase going into effect in May 2009.

 * The corporation expects the plastics segment's 2009 performance to
   be below 2008 earnings given continued poor economic conditions.
   Previously announced capacity expansions are not expected to be
   brought on line until the economy improves and demand for PVC pipe
   increases.

 * The corporation now expects earnings from the manufacturing segment
   to decline in 2009 as a result of the following:
   -- BTD Manufacturing saw unanticipated declines in customer demand
      in the first quarter of 2009 and expects the soft demand to
      continue for the rest of the year resulting in lower earnings
      compared with 2008.
   -- While the economy is expected to reduce the amount of spending
      on waterfront products, earnings are expected to improve at
      ShoreMaster compared with 2008 given the restructuring that has
      occurred in its business. While there continues to be
      uncertainty on the level of spending on residential products,
      ShoreMaster has implemented significant cost reductions across
      the organization, reduced capital spending and reorganized its
      business units for more efficient operations.
   -- At DMI Industries, the corporation expects a decline in earnings
      in 2009 due to wind developers' limited access to financing
      which has resulted in cancellation or suspension of orders
      across the industry. Industry forecasts for megawatt
      installations of wind power in 2009 indicate a decrease of
      between 25 to 50 percent from 2008.
   -- T. O. Plastics' earnings are expected to remain flat between the
      years. While it expects economic challenges, T.O. Plastics has
      implemented cost reductions and efficiency projects to maintain
      profitability.
   -- Backlog in place in the manufacturing segment to support
      revenues for the remainder of 2009 is approximately $152 million
      compared with $280 million one year ago.

 * The corporation expects increased net income from its health
   services segment in 2009 as it focuses on improving its mix of
   imaging assets and asset utilization rates and has implemented cost
   reductions across the segment.

 * The corporation expects increased net income from its food
   ingredient processing business in 2009 based on expectations of
   higher sales volumes, lower energy costs and higher production
   levels in 2009 compared with 2008.

 * The other business operations segment is expected to have a similar
   level of earnings in 2009 compared with 2008. Backlog in place for
   the construction businesses is $85 million for the remainder of
   2009 compared with $83 million one year ago.

 * Corporate general and administrative costs are expected to decrease
   in 2009.

Risk Factors and Forward-Looking Statements that Could Affect Future Results

The information in this release includes certain forward-looking information, including 2009 expectations, made under the Safe Harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Although the corporation believes its expectations are based on reasonable assumptions, actual results may differ materially from those expectations. The following factors, among others, could cause actual results for the corporation to differ materially from those discussed in the forward-looking statements:



 * The corporation is subject to federal and state legislation,
   regulations and actions that may have a negative impact on its
   business and results of operations.

 * Federal and state environmental regulation could cause the
   corporation to incur substantial capital expenditures and increased
   operating costs.

 * Volatile financial markets and changes in the corporation's debt
   rating could restrict the corporation's ability to access capital
   and could increase borrowing costs and pension plan expenses.
   Disruptions, uncertainty or volatility in the financial markets can
   also adversely impact the results of operations, the ability of
   customers to finance purchases of goods and services, and the
   financial condition of the corporation as well as exert downward
   pressure on stock prices and/or limit the corporation's ability to
   sustain its current common stock dividend level.

 * The corporation's defined benefit pension plan assets declined
   significantly during 2008 due to the volatile equity markets. The
   corporation is not required to make a mandatory contribution to the
   pension plan in 2009. However, if the market value of pension plan
   assets continues to decline and relief under the Pension Protection
   Act is no longer granted, the corporation could be required to
   contribute additional capital to the pension plan in 2009.

 * A sustained decline in the corporation's common stock price below
   book value may result in goodwill impairments that could adversely
   affect the corporation's results of operations and financial
   position, as well as credit facility covenants.

 * Any significant impairment of the corporation's goodwill would
   cause a decrease in the corporation's assets and a reduction in its
   net operating performance.

 * Economic conditions could negatively impact the corporation's
   businesses.

 * If the corporation is unable to achieve the organic growth it
   expects, its financial performance may be adversely affected.

 * The corporation's plans to grow and diversify through acquisitions
   and capital projects may not be successful and could result in poor
   financial performance.

 * The corporation's plans to acquire additional businesses and grow
   and operate its nonelectric businesses could be limited by state
   law.

 * The terms of some of the corporation's contracts could expose the
   corporation to unforeseen costs and costs not within the
   corporation's control, which may not be recoverable and could
   adversely affect the corporation's results of operations and
   financial condition.

 * The corporation is subject to risks associated with energy markets.

 * Certain of the corporation's operating companies sell products to
   consumers that could be subject to recall.

 * Competition is a factor in all of the corporation's businesses.

 * The corporation may experience fluctuations in revenues and
   expenses related to its electric operations, which may cause
   financial results to fluctuate and could impair the corporation's
   ability to make distributions to shareholders or scheduled payments
   on the corporation's debt obligations.

 * The corporation's electric segment has capitalized $11.9 million in
   costs related to the planned construction of a second electric
   generating unit at its Big Stone Plant site as of March 31, 2009.
   If the project is abandoned for permitting or other reasons, a
   portion of these capitalized costs and others incurred in future
   periods may be subject to expense and may not be recoverable.

 * Actions by the regulators of the electric segment could result in
   rate reductions, lower revenues and earnings or delays in
   recovering capital expenditures.

 * Future operating results of the electric segment will be impacted
   by the outcome of rate rider filings in Minnesota for transmission
   investments.

 * Future operating results of the electric segment will be impacted
   by the outcome of a rate case filed in North Dakota on November 1,
   2008 requesting an overall increase in North Dakota rates of 5.14%.
   The filing included a request for an interim rate increase of 4.07%,
   which went into effect on January 1, 2009. Interim rates will
   remain in effect for all North Dakota customers until the NDPSC
   makes a final determination on the electric utility's request,
   which is expected by August 1, 2009. If final rates are lower than
   interim rates, the electric utility will refund North Dakota
   customers the difference with interest.

 * The corporation may not be able to respond effectively to
   deregulation initiatives in the electric industry, which could
   result in reduced revenues and earnings.

 * The corporation's electric generating facilities are subject to
   operational risks that could result in unscheduled plant outages,
   unanticipated operation and maintenance expenses and increased
   power purchase costs.

 * Wholesale sales of electricity from excess generation could be
   affected by reductions in coal shipments to the Big Stone and Hoot
   Lake plants due to supply constraints or rail transportation
   problems beyond the corporation's control.

 * Existing or new laws or regulations addressing climate change or
   reductions of greenhouse gas emissions by federal or state
   authorities, such as mandated levels of renewable generation or
   mandatory reductions in carbon dioxide (CO2) emission levels, taxes
   on CO2 emissions or cap and trade regimes, that result in increases
   in electric service costs could negatively impact the corporation's
   net income, financial position and operating cash flows if such
   costs cannot be recovered through rates granted by ratemaking
   authorities in the states where the electric utility provides
   service or through increased market prices for electricity.

 * The corporation's plastics segment is highly dependent on a limited
   number of vendors for PVC resin, many of which are located in the
   Gulf Coast regions, and a limited supply of resin. The loss of a
   key vendor or an interruption or delay in the supply of PVC resin
   could result in reduced sales or increased costs for this business.
   Reductions in PVC resin prices could negatively impact PVC pipe
   prices, profit margins on PVC pipe sales and the value of PVC pipe
   held in inventory.

 * The corporation's plastic pipe companies compete against a large
   number of other manufacturers of PVC pipe and manufacturers of
   alternative products. Customers may not distinguish the pipe
   companies' products from those of its competitors.

 * Competition from foreign and domestic manufacturers, the price and
   availability of raw materials, fluctuations in foreign currency
   exchange rates and general economic conditions could affect the
   revenues and earnings of the corporation's manufacturing businesses.

 * Changes in the rates or method of third-party reimbursements for
   diagnostic imaging services could result in reduced demand for
   those services or create downward pricing pressure, which would
   decrease revenues and earnings for the corporation's health
   services segment.

 * The corporation's health services businesses may be unable to
   continue to maintain agreements with Philips Medical from which the
   businesses derive significant revenues from the sale and service of
   Philips Medical diagnostic imaging equipment.

 * Technological change in the diagnostic imaging industry could
   reduce the demand for diagnostic imaging services and require the
   corporation's health services operations to incur significant costs
   to upgrade their equipment.

 * Actions by regulators of the corporation's health services
   operations could result in monetary penalties or restrictions in
   the corporation's health services operations.

 * The corporation's food ingredient processing segment operates in a
   highly competitive market and is dependent on adequate sources of
   raw materials for processing. Should the supply of these raw
   materials be affected by poor growing conditions, this could
   negatively impact the results of operations for this segment.

 * The corporation's food ingredient processing business could be
   adversely affected by changes in foreign currency exchange rates.

 * A significant failure or an inability to properly bid or perform on
   projects by the corporation's construction businesses could lead to
   adverse financial results.

For a further discussion of other risk factors and cautionary statements, refer to reports the corporation files with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

About The Corporation: Otter Tail Corporation has interests in diversified operations that include an electric utility, manufacturing, health services, food ingredient processing and infrastructure businesses which include plastics, construction and transportation. Otter Tail Corporation stock trades on the NASDAQ Global Select Market under the symbol OTTR. The latest investor and corporate information is available at www.ottertail.com. Corporate offices are located in Fergus Falls, Minnesota, and Fargo, North Dakota.

The Otter Tail Corporation logo is available at http://www.globenewswire.com/newsroom/prs/?pkgid=4958

See Otter Tail Corporation's results of operations for the three months ended March 31, 2009 and 2008 in the attached financial statements: Consolidated Statements of Income, Consolidated Balance Sheets - Assets, Consolidated Balance Sheets - Liabilities and Equity and Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows.



                        Otter Tail Corporation
                  Consolidated Statements of Income
          For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2009 and 2008
           In thousands, except share and per share amounts
                            (not audited)

                                                Quarter Ended March 31,
                                                   2009        2008
 Operating Revenues by Segment:
  Electric                                      $   88,541  $   97,590
  Plastics                                          13,530      22,350
  Manufacturing                                     96,019      97,595
  Health Services                                   28,167      29,265
  Food Ingredient Processing                        20,086      15,898
  Other Business Operations                         31,895      38,110
  Corporate Revenue and Intersegment
   Eliminations                                       (999)       (571)
                                                ----------  ----------
   Total Operating Revenues                        277,239     300,237

 Operating Expenses:
  Fuel and Purchased Power                          36,032      38,890
  Nonelectric Cost of Goods Sold (depreciation
   included below)                                 152,961     165,223
  Electric Operating and Maintenance Expense        29,420      29,367
  Nonelectric Operating and Maintenance Expense     30,634      34,747
  Product Recall and Testing Costs                   1,766          --
  Depreciation and Amortization                     17,817      14,913
                                                ----------  ----------
   Total Operating Expenses                        268,630     283,140

 Operating Income (Loss) by Segment:
  Electric                                          14,101      21,625
  Plastics                                          (3,913)      1,181
  Manufacturing                                       (686)        675
  Health Services                                      (49)       (933)
  Food Ingredient Processing                         2,251       1,693
  Other Business Operations                           (385)     (2,659)
  Corporate                                         (2,710)     (4,485)
                                                ----------  ----------
   Total Operating Income                            8,609      17,097

 Interest Charges                                    6,270       6,711
 Other Income                                          667         962
 Income Taxes                                       (1,382)      3,118

 Net Income (Loss) by Segment
  Electric                                           8,526      12,750
  Plastics                                          (2,458)        620
  Manufacturing                                     (1,090)       (616)
  Health Services                                      (73)       (691)
  Food Ingredient Processing                         1,447       1,123
  Other Business Operations                           (325)     (1,765)
  Corporate                                         (1,639)     (3,191)
                                                ----------  ----------
 Total Net Income                                    4,388       8,230
 Preferred Stock Dividend                              184         184
                                                ----------  ----------
 Balance for Common:                            $    4,204  $    8,046
                                                ==========  ==========
 Average Number of Common Shares Outstanding:
  Basic                                         35,324,736  29,818,079
  Diluted                                       35,488,640  30,061,865

 Earnings Per Common Share:
  Basic                                         $     0.12  $     0.27
  Diluted                                       $     0.12  $     0.27


                        Otter Tail Corporation
                     Consolidated Balance Sheets
                                Assets
                             In thousands
                            (not audited)
                                              March 31,   December 31,
                                                2009          2008
 Current Assets
 Cash and Cash Equivalents                  $      3,112  $      7,565
 Accounts Receivable:
  Trade--Net                                     122,576       136,609
  Other                                            9,077        13,587
 Inventories                                      97,690       101,955
 Deferred Income Taxes                             8,386         8,386
 Accrued Utility and Cost-of-Energy Revenues      16,902        24,030
 Costs and Estimated Earnings in Excess of
  Billings                                        55,308        65,606
 Income Taxes Receivable                          32,786        26,754
 Other                                            18,832         8,519
                                            ------------  ------------
  Total Current Assets                           364,669       393,011
                                            ------------  ------------

 Investments                                       9,511         7,542
 Other Assets                                     23,395        22,615
 Goodwill                                        106,778       106,778
 Other Intangibles--Net                           35,002        35,441

 Deferred Debits
 Unamortized Debt Expense and Reacquisition
  Premiums                                         6,988         7,247
 Regulatory Assets and Other Deferred Debits      80,417        82,384
                                            ------------  ------------
  Total Deferred Debits                           87,405        89,631
                                            ------------  ------------

 Plant
 Electric Plant in Service                     1,206,365     1,205,647
 Nonelectric Operations                          338,284       321,032
                                            ------------  ------------
  Total                                        1,544,649     1,526,679
 Less Accumulated Depreciation and
  Amortization                                   562,266       548,070
                                            ------------  ------------
 Plant--Net of Accumulated Depreciation and
  Amortization                                   982,383       978,609
 Construction Work in Progress                    61,800        58,960
                                            ------------  ------------
  Net Plant                                    1,044,183     1,037,569
                                            ------------  ------------

   Total                                    $  1,670,943  $  1,692,587
                                            ============  ============


                        Otter Tail Corporation
                     Consolidated Balance Sheets
                        Liabilities and Equity
                             In thousands
                            (not audited)
                                              March 31,   December 31,
                                                2009          2008
 Current Liabilities
 Short-Term Debt                            $    149,063  $    134,914
 Current Maturities of Long-Term Debt              3,687         3,747
 Accounts Payable                                 92,665       113,422
 Accrued Salaries and Wages                       17,035        29,688
 Accrued Taxes                                     9,043        10,939
 Other Accrued Liabilities                        12,190        12,034
                                            ------------  ------------
  Total Current Liabilities                      283,683       304,744
                                            ------------  ------------

 Pensions Benefit Liability                       81,868        80,912
 Other Postretirement Benefits Liability          33,083        32,621
 Other Noncurrent Liabilities                     19,768        19,391

 Deferred Credits
 Deferred Income Taxes                           128,371       123,086
 Deferred Tax Credits                             33,750        34,288
 Regulatory Liabilities                           64,962        64,684
 Other                                               439           397
                                            ------------  ------------
   Total Deferred Credits                        227,522       222,455
                                            ------------  ------------

 Capitalization
 Long-Term Debt, Net of Current Maturities       338,797       339,726
 Class B Stock Options of Subsidiary               1,220         1,220

 Cumulative Preferred Shares                      15,500        15,500

 Cumulative Preference Shares                         --            --

 Common Shares, Par Value $5 Per Share           177,046       176,923
 Premium on Common Shares                        241,886       241,731
 Retained Earnings                               254,034       260,364
 Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss             (3,464)       (3,000)
                                            ------------  ------------
  Total Common Equity                            669,502       676,018

   Total Capitalization                        1,025,019     1,032,464
                                            ------------  ------------

    Total                                   $  1,670,943  $  1,692,587
                                            ============  ============


                        Otter Tail Corporation
                Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
                            (not audited)

                                                    Three Months Ended
                                                         March 31,
                                                      2009      2008
                                                    --------  --------
                                                      (Thousands of
                                                         dollars)
 Cash Flows from Operating Activities
  Net Income                                        $  4,388  $  8,230
  Adjustments to Reconcile Net Income to Net Cash
   Provided by Operating Activities:
   Depreciation and Amortization                      17,817    14,913
   Deferred Tax Credits                                 (538)     (385)
   Deferred Income Taxes                               5,487     3,722
   Change in Deferred Debits and Other Assets            569       701
   Change in Noncurrent Liabilities and Deferred
    Credits                                            1,916    (1,147)
   Allowance for Equity (Other) Funds Used During
    Construction                                         (91)      348
   Change in Derivatives Net of Regulatory Deferral     (809)   (1,511)
   Stock Compensation Expense                            837       699
   Other--Net                                            195       252
  Cash (Used for) Provided by Current Assets and
   Current Liabilities:
   Change in Receivables                              18,482     8,364
   Change in Inventories                               4,072   (18,230)
   Change in Other Current Assets                      9,864    (3,529)
   Change in Payables and Other Current Liabilities  (33,430)   (5,506)
   Change in Interest and Income Taxes Payable/
    Receivable                                        (6,878)      433
                                                    --------  --------
    Net Cash Provided by Operating Activities         21,881     7,354

 Cash Flows from Investing Activities
  Capital Expenditures                               (26,756)  (57,656)
  Proceeds from Disposal of Noncurrent Assets            840       464
  Net (Increase) Decrease in Other Investments        (2,834)      530
                                                    --------  --------
   Net Cash Used in Investing Activities             (28,750)  (56,662)

 Cash Flows from Financing Activities
  Net Short-Term Borrowings                           14,149    27,200
  Proceeds from Issuance of Common Stock                   7       454
  Common Stock Issuance Expenses                         (17)       --
  Payments for Retirement of Common Stock               (160)       (2)
  Proceeds from Issuance of Long-Term Debt                 1     1,135
  Short-Term and Long-Term Debt Issuance Expenses        (71)      (19)
  Payments for Retirement of Long-Term Debt             (982)     (984)
  Dividends Paid                                     (10,718)   (9,077)
                                                    --------  --------
   Net Cash Provided by Financing Activities           2,209    18,707
 Effect of Foreign Exchange Rate Fluctuations on
  Cash                                                   207       224
                                                    --------  --------

 Net Change in Cash and Cash Equivalents              (4,453)  (30,377)
 Cash and Cash Equivalents at Beginning of Period      7,565    39,824
                                                    --------  --------
 Cash and Cash Equivalents at End of Period         $  3,112  $  9,447
                                                    ========  ========


            

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