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               SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION


                    Washington, D.C.  20549


                            Form 8-K


                         CURRENT REPORT


               Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of
              The Securities Exchange Act of 1934





Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported):  April 3, 1997



               Kansas City Power & Light Company
     (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)




   Missouri                   1-707              44-0308720
(State or other            (Commission         (IRS
Employer
jurisdiction of            File Number)      Identification
No.)
incorporation)




     1201 Walnut Street, Kansas City, Missouri       64106
      (Address of principal executive offices)    (Zip
Code)



Registrant's telephone number, including area code:  816-
556-2200
            INFORMATION TO BE INCLUDED IN THE REPORT


Item 5:   Other Events

          The following items are filed herewith as
exhibits hereto and are made a part of this Current Report
on Form 8-K by this reference:

     1.   Statement re Computation of Ratios of Earning to
          Fixed Charges and Ratios of Earnings to Fixed
          Charges and Preferred Dividend Requirements,
          filed as Exhibit 99(a).

     2.   Western Resources, Inc. ("Western Resources")
          Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended
          December 31, 1996, filed as Exhibit 99(b).

     3.   Western Resources Current Report on Form 8-K
          dated
          April 2, 1997, filed as Exhibit 99(c).

     4.   Western Resources Proxy Statement dated March 27,
          1996 for the 1996 Annual Meeting of Shareholders
          held on May 7, 1996, filed as Exhibit 99(d).


Item 7.   Financial Statements, Pro Forma Financial
          Information and Exhibits.

Exhibit No.         Description

23(a)(i)                 Consent of Coopers & Lybrand
                    L.L.P.

23(d)(i)                 Consent of Arthur Andersen LLP.

23(d)(ii)                Consent of Arthur Andersen LLP.

99(a)                         Statement re Computation of
                    Ratios of Earnings
                              to Fixed Charges and Ratios
                    of Earnings to Fixed
                              Charges and Preferred
                    Dividend Requirements.

99(b)                         Western Resources Annual
                    Report on Form 10-K
                              for the year ended December
                    31, 1996.

99(c)                         Western Resources Current
                    Report on Form 8-K
                              dated April 2, 1997.

99(d)                         Western Resources Proxy
                    Statement dated
                              March 27, 1996 for the 1996
                    Annual Meeting
                              of Shareholders held on May
                    7, 1996.




                           Signatures


          Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this
report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned
thereunto duly authorized.


                              KANSAS CITY POWER & LIGHT
COMPANY
                              
                              
                              
                              By /s/ Jeanie Sell Latz
                                Name: Jeanie Sell Latz
                                Title: Corporate Secretary


April 3, 1997

                         EXHIBIT INDEX


Exhibit No.         Description


23(a)(i)                 Consent of Coopers & Lybrand
                    L.L.P.

23(d)(i)                 Consent of Arthur Andersen LLP.

23(d)(ii)                Consent of Arthur Andersen LLP.

99(a)                         Statement re Computation of
                    Ratios of Earnings
                              to Fixed Charges and Ratios
                    of Earnings to
                              Fixed Charges and Preferred
                    Dividend Requirements.

99(b)                         Western Resources Annual
                    Report on Form 10-K
                              for the year ended December
                    31, 1996.

99(c)                         Western Resources Current
                    Report on Form 8-K
                              dated April 2, 1997.

99(d)                         Western Resources Proxy
                    Statement dated
                              March 27, 1996 for the 1996
                    Annual Meeting of
                              Shareholders held on May 7,
                    1996.


                                    Exhibit 23(a)(i)
                             
                             
                             
                             
            CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS



     We consent to the incorporation by reference in the
Registration Statement on Form S-3 of Kansas City Power &
Light Company (Registration No. 333-18139) and KCPL
Financing I (Registration No. 333-18139-01) of our report
dated February 14, 1997, included in the Annual Report on
Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1996, on
our audits of the consolidated financial statements of
Kansas City Power & Light Company and Subsidiary.  We also
consent to the reference to our firm under the caption
"Experts".



                              /S/ Coopers & Lybrand L.L.P.
                              COOPERS & LYBRAND L.L.P.


Kansas City, Missouri
April 1, 1997

                             
                                          Exhibit 23(d)(i)
                             
                             
                             
         CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS
                             
                             

As independent public accountants, we hereby consent to the
incorporation by reference in the Registration Statement on
Form S-3 of Kansas City Power & Light Company (Registration
No. 333-17285), of our report dated January 24, 1997,
(February 7, 1997, with respect to Note 2 of the Notes to
Consolidated Financial Statements) included in Western
Resources, Inc.'s Form 10-K for the year ended December 31,
1996, and to the reference to our Firm under the caption
"Experts".




                                   /s/ Arthur Andersen LLP
                                     ARTHUR ANDERSEN LLP


Kansas City, Missouri
April 1, 1997

                                        Exhibit 23(d)(ii)



         CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS
                             


As independent public accountants, we hereby consent to the
incorporation by reference in the Registration Statement on
Form S-3 of Kansas City Power & Light Company (Registration
No. 333-18139) and KCPL Financing I (Registration No. 333-
18139-01), of our report dated January 24, 1997, (February
7, 1997, with respect to Note 2 of the Notes to
Consolidated Financial Statements) included in Western
Resources, Inc.'s Form 10-K for the year ended December 31,
1996, and to the reference to our Firm under the caption
"Experts".


                                   /s/ Arthur Andersen LLP
                                     ARTHUR ANDERSEN LLP


Kansas City, Missouri
April 1, 1997


                                                                                Exhibit 99(a)

KANSAS CITY POWER & LIGHT COMPANY

COMPUTATION OF RATIOS OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES AND
RATIOS OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES AND PREFERRED DIVIDEND REQUIREMENTS

1996 1995 1994 1993 1992 (thousands) Net income $108,171 $122,586 $104,775 $105,772 $86,334 Add: Taxes on income 31,753 66,803 66,377 67,953 52,196 Kansas City earnings tax 558 958 524 495 382 Total taxes on income 32,311 67,761 66,901 68,448 52,578 Interest on value of leased property 8,301 8,269 6,732 7,273 6,366 Interest on long-term debt 53,939 52,184 43,962 50,118 54,266 Interest on short-term debt 1,251 1,189 1,170 750 2,749 Other interest expense and amortization 4,840 3,112 4,128 4,113 2,173 Total fixed charges 68,331 64,754 55,992 62,254 65,554 Earnings before taxes on income and fixed charges $208,813 $255,101 $227,668 $236,474 $204,466 Ratio of earnings to fixed charges 3.06 3.94 4.07 3.80 3.12 Preferred dividends 3,790 4,011 3,457 3,153 3,062 Income taxes required 1,132 2,217 2,207 2,045 1,865 Earnings before income taxes required for preferred dividends 4,922 6,228 5,664 5,198 4,927 Fixed charges 68,331 64,754 55,992 62,254 65,554 Total combined fixed charges and preferred dividend requirements $73,253 $70,982 $61,656 $67,452 $70,481 Ratio of earnings to combined fixed charges and preferred dividend requirements 2.85 3.59 3.69 3.51 2.90





                          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, 1996

      [ ]    TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF
                THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934        

                  Commission file number 1-3523

                      WESTERN RESOURCES, INC.               
      (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

           KANSAS                                                48-0290150   

(State or other jurisdiction of                                (I.R.S. 
Employer
 incorporation or organization)                               Identification
No.)

    818 KANSAS AVENUE, TOPEKA, KANSAS                                 66612    
(Address of Principal Executive Offices)                             (Zip
Code)

       Registrant's telephone number, including area code  913/575-6300

          Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
Common Stock, $5.00 par value                 New York Stock Exchange         
    (Title of each class)            (Name of each exchange on which
registered)
 
          Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act:
                Preferred Stock, 4 1/2% Series, $100 par value
                               (Title of Class)

Indicated 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       

Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 
of Regulation S-K 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. ( )

State the aggregate market value of the voting stock held by nonaffiliates of 
the registrant.  Approximately $1,897,474,000 of Common Stock and $11,398,000
of Preferred Stock (excluding the 4 1/4% Series of Preferred Stock for which 
there is no readily ascertainable market value) at March 18, 1996.

Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the registrant's classes
of common stock.

Common Stock, $5.00 par value                             64,872,146          
         (Class)                               (Outstanding at March 19, 1997)

                         Documents Incorporated by Reference:
     Part                              Document

     III      Items 10-13 of the Company's Definitive Proxy Statement for
              the Annual Meeting of Shareholders to be held May 29, 1997.
                     WESTERN RESOURCES, INC.
                            FORM 10-K
                        December 31, 1996

                        TABLE OF CONTENTS

      Description                                                        Page

PART I
     Item 1.  Business                                                    3

     Item 2.  Properties                                                 21

     Item 3.  Legal Proceedings                                          23
     Item 4.  Submission of Matters to a Vote of          
               Security Holders                                           24

PART II
     Item 5.  Market for Registrant's Common Equity and
                Related Stockholder Matters                              24

     Item 6.  Selected Financial Data                                    26 
     Item 7.  Management's Discussion and Analysis of
                Financial Condition and Results of
                Operations                                               27

     Item 8.  Financial Statements and Supplementary Data                39

     Item 9.  Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants
                 on Accounting and Financial Disclosure                   75

PART III
     Item 10. Directors and Executive Officers of the
                Registrant                                               75

     Item 11. Executive Compensation                                     75

     Item 12. Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial
                Owners and Management                                    75

     Item 13. Certain Relationships and Related Transactions             75

PART IV
     Item 14. Exhibits, Financial Statement Schedules and
                Reports on Form 8-K                                      76

     Signatures                                                          80
 





                              PART I

ITEM 1.  BUSINESS


GENERAL

   The company and its wholly-owned subsidiaries, include KPL, a 
rate-regulated electric and gas division of the company, KGE, a 
rate-regulated electric utility and wholly-owned subsidiary of the company, 
Westar Security, Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary which provides monitored 
electronic security services, Westar Energy, Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary 
which provides non-regulated energy services, Westar Capital, Inc., a 
wholly-owned subsidiary which holds equity investments in technology, 
electronic monitored security and energy-related companies, The Wing Group 
Ltd (The Wing Group), a wholly-owned developer of international power projects,
and Mid Continent Market Center, Inc. (Market Center), a regulated gas 
transmission service provider. KGE owns 47% of Wolf Creek Nuclear Operating 
Corporation (WCNOC), the operating company for Wolf Creek Generating Station 
(Wolf Creek).  Corporate headquarters of the company is located at 818  
Kansas Avenue, Topeka, Kansas 66612.  At December 31, 1996, the company had 
5,960 employees.

   The company is an investor-owned holding company.  The company is engaged
principally in the production, purchase, transmission, distribution and sale
of electricity and the delivery and sale of natural gas.  The company serves
approximately 606,000 electric customers in eastern and central Kansas and
approximately 650,000 natural gas customers in Kansas and northeastern
Oklahoma. The company's non-utility subsidiaries market natural gas primarily
to large commercial and industrial customers, provide electronic monitoring
security services, and provide other energy-related products and services.

   On February 7, 1997, Kansas City Power & Light Company (KCPL) and the
company entered into an agreement whereby KCPL would be merged with and into
the  company.  The merger agreement provides for a tax-free, stock-for-stock
transaction valued at approximately $2 billion.  Under the terms of the
agreement, KCPL shareowners will receive $32 of company common stock per KCPL
share, subject to an exchange ratio collar of not less than 0.917 and no more
than 1.100 common shares. Consummation of the KCPL Merger is subject to
customary conditions including obtaining the approval of KCPL's and the
company's shareowners and various regulatory agencies.  See Note 2 of Notes to
Consolidated Financial Statements (Notes) for more information regarding the
proposed merger with KCPL.

         On December 12, 1996, the company and ONEOK Inc. (ONEOK) announced an
agreement to form a strategic alliance combining the natural gas assets of
both companies.  Under the agreement for the proposed strategic alliance, the
company will contribute its natural gas business to a new company (New ONEOK)
in exchange for a 45% equity interest.  The recorded net property value being
contributed at December 31, 1996 is estimated at $600 million.  No gain or
loss is expected to be recorded as a result of the proposed transaction.  The
proposed transaction is subject to satisfaction of customary conditions,
including approval by ONEOK shareowners and regulatory authorities.  The
company is working towards consummation of the transaction during the second
half of 1997.  See Note 6 for more information regarding this strategic
alliance.

         During 1996, the company purchased approximately 38 million common 
shares 


of ADT Limited, Inc. (ADT) for approximately $589 million.  The shares
purchased represent approximately 27% of ADT's common equity making the
company the largest shareowner of ADT.  ADT's principal business is providing
electronic security services.  

         On December 18, 1996, the company announced its intention to offer to
exchange $22.50 in cash ($7.50) and shares ($15.00) of the company's common
stock for each outstanding common share of ADT not already owned by the
company or its subsidiaries (ADT Offer).  The value of the ADT Offer, assuming
the company's average stock price prior to closing is above $29.75 per common
share, is approximately $3.5 billion, including the company's existing
investment in ADT.  Following completion of the ADT Offer, the company
presently intends to propose and seek to have ADT effect an amalgamation,
pursuant to which a newly created subsidiary of the company incorporated under
the laws of Bermuda will amalgamate with and into ADT (Amalgamation).   Based
upon the closing stock price of the company on March 13, 1997, approximately
60.1 million shares of company common stock would be issuable pursuant to the
acquisition of ADT.  However, the actual number of shares of company common
stock that would be issuable in connection with the ADT Offer and the
Amalgamation will depend on the exchange ratio and the number of shares
validly tendered prior to the expiration date of the ADT Offer and the number
of shares of ADT outstanding at the time the Amalgamation is completed.  

         On March 3, 1997, the company announced a change in the ADT Offer.  
Under the terms of the revised ADT Offer, ADT shareowners would receive $10 
cash plus 0.41494 of a share of company common stock for each share of ADT 
tendered not already owned by the company, based on the closing price of the 
company's common stock on March 13, 1997.  ADT shareowners would not, 
however, receive more than 0.42017 shares of company common stock for each 
ADT common share.

         Concurrent with the announcement of the ADT Offer on December 18, 1996,
the company filed a registration statement on Form S-4 with the Securities and
Exchange Commission (SEC) related to the ADT Offer.  On March 14, 1997, the
registration statement was declared effective by the SEC.  The expiration date
of the ADT Offer is 5 p.m., EDT, April 15, 1997, and may be extended from time
to time by the company until the various conditions to the ADT Offer have been
satisfied or waived.  The ADT Offer will be subject to the approval of ADT and
company shareowners.

         On March 17, 1997, ADT announced that it had entered into a definitive
merger agreement pursuant to which Tyco International Ltd. (Tyco), a
diversified manufacturer of industrial and commercial products, would
effectively acquire ADT in a stock for stock transaction valued at $5.6
billion, or approximately $29 per ADT share of common stock.

         On March 18, 1997, the company issued a press release indicating that 
it had mailed the details of the ADT Offer to ADT shareowners and that it 
would be reviewing the Tyco offer as well as considering its alternatives to 
such offer and assessing its rights as an ADT shareowner.  See Note 3 for more
information regarding this investment and the proposed ADT Offer.

         On December 31, 1996, the company purchased the assets and assumed 
certain liabilities comprising Westinghouse Security Systems, Inc. (WSS), a 
monitored security service provider with over 300,000 accounts in the United 
States.  The company paid $358 million in cash, subject to adjustment. See 
Note 4 for further information.


         In February of 1996 the company purchased The Wing Group.  See Note 4 
for further information.

         The electric utility industry in the United States is rapidly evolving
from an historically regulated monopolistic market to a dynamic and
competitive integrated marketplace.  The 1992 Energy Policy Act (Act) began
the process of deregulation of the electricity industry by permitting the
Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) to order electric utilities to
allow third parties to sell electric power to wholesale customers over their
transmission systems.  Since that time, the wholesale electricity market has
become increasingly competitive as companies begin to engage in nationwide
power brokerage.  In addition, various states including California and New
York have taken active steps toward allowing retail customers to purchase
electric power from third-party providers. In 1996, the Kansas Corporation
Commission (KCC) initiated a generic docket to study electric restructuring
issues.  A retail wheeling task force has been created by the Kansas
Legislature to study competitive trends in retail electric services.  During
the 1997 session of the Kansas Legislature, bills have been introduced to
increase competition in the electric industry.  Among the matters under
consideration is the recovery by utilities of costs in excess of competitive
cost levels.  There can be no assurance at this time that such costs will be
recoverable if open competition is initiated in the electric utility market.

         For further discussion regarding competition and the potential impact 
on the company, see Item 7. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial
Condition and Results of Operations, Other Information, Competition and
Enhanced Business Opportunities.

         On July 1, 1995, the company established Market Center which provides
natural gas transportation, storage, and gathering services, as well as
balancing and title transfer capability.  The company contributed certain
natural gas transmission assets having a net book value of approximately $50
million to the Market Center.  Market Center provides no notice natural gas
transportation and storage services to the company under a long-term contract. 
  When the alliance with ONEOK is completed, the Market Center will be
transferred to New ONEOK. 

         On January 31, 1994, the company sold substantially all of its Missouri
natural gas distribution properties and operations to Southern Union Company
(Southern Union) for $404 million.  The company sold the remaining Missouri
properties to United Cities Gas Company (United Cities) for $665,000 on
February 28, 1994.  The properties sold to Southern Union and United Cities
are referred to herein as the "Missouri Properties."

         During the first quarter of 1994, the company recognized a gain of
approximately $19.3 million, net of tax, on the sales of the Missouri
Properties.  As of the respective dates of the sales of the Missouri
Properties, the company ceased recording the results of operations, and
removed the assets and liabilities from the Consolidated Balance Sheets
related to the Missouri Properties.

         The following table reflects the approximate operating revenues and
operating income included in the company's consolidated results of operations
for the year ended December 31, 1994, related to the Missouri Properties:


                                               1994           
                                                 Percent                
                                                 of Total              
                                         Amount  Company       
                                 (Dollars in Thousands, Unaudited)   
  Operating revenues. . . . . . . . . . $ 77,008    4.8%      
  Operating income. . . . . . . . . . .    4,997    1.9%      

         Separate audited financial information was not kept by the company for 
the Missouri Properties.  This unaudited financial information is based on
assumptions and allocations of expenses of the company as a whole.

         On March 31, 1992, the company through its wholly-owned subsidiary KCA
Corporation (KCA) acquired all of the outstanding common and preferred stock
of Kansas Gas and Electric Company. Simultaneously, KCA and Kansas Gas and
Electric Company merged and adopted the name Kansas Gas and Electric Company
(KGE).

         The following information includes the operations of KGE since March 
31, 1992 and excludes the activities related to the Missouri Properties 
following the sales of those properties in the first quarter of 1994.

         The percentages of Total Operating Revenues and Operating Income Before
Income Taxes attributable to the company's electric and regulated natural gas
operations for the past five years were as follows:

                           Total                       Operating Income
                     Operating Revenues               Before Income Taxes  
                               Regulated                         Regulated
      Year        Electric    Natural Gas           Electric    Natural Gas
      1996           69%          31%                  90%          10%
      1995           73%          27%                  98%           2%  
      1994           69%          31%                  97%           3%
      1993           58%          42%                  85%          15%
      1992           57%          43%                  89%          11%

         The difference between the percentage of electric operating revenues to
total operating revenues and the percentage of electric operating income to
total operating income as compared to the same percentages for regulated
natural gas operations is due to the company's level of investment in plant
and its fuel costs in each of these segments.  The reduction in the
percentages for the regulated natural gas operations in 1994 is due to the
sales of the Missouri Properties.

         The amount of the company's plant in service (net of accumulated
depreciation) at December 31, for each of the past five years was as follows:

                                                                               
          Year          Electric          Natural Gas          Total           
                                    (Dollars in Thousands)
          1996         $3,669,662          $554,561         $4,224,223  
          1995          3,676,576           525,431          4,202,007      
          1994          3,676,347           496,753          4,173,100
          1993          3,641,154           759,619          4,400,773
          1992          3,645,364           696,036          4,341,400


         Under the agreement for the proposed strategic alliance with ONEOK, the
company will contribute its natural gas business to New ONEOK in exchange for
a 45% equity interest.  See Note 2 for further information.


ELECTRIC OPERATIONS

General

         The company supplies electric energy at retail to approximately 606,000
customers in 462 communities in Kansas.  These include Wichita, Topeka,
Lawrence, Manhattan, Salina, and Hutchinson.  The company also supplies
electric energy at wholesale to the electric distribution systems of 67
communities and 5 rural electric cooperatives.  The company has contracts for
the sale, purchase or exchange of electricity with other utilities.  The
company also receives a limited amount of electricity through parallel
generation.

         The company's electric sales for the last five years were as follows
(includes KGE since March 31, 1992):

                      1996        1995        1994         1993        1992    
                                      (Thousands of MWH)                       
  Residential        5,265       5,088       5,003        4,960       3,842    
  Commercial         5,667       5,453       5,368        5,100       4,473    
  Industrial         5,622       5,619       5,410        5,301       4,419    
  Wholesale and       
    Interchange      5,908       4,012       3,899        4,525       3,028    
  Other                105         108         106          103          91    
    Total           22,567      20,280      19,786       19,989      15,853    
     

         The company's electric revenues for the last five years were as follows
(includes KGE since March 31, 1992):

                    1996         1995         1994        1993         1992 
                                     
                                  (Dollars in Thousands)
  Residential   $ 403,588   $  396,025   $  388,271   $  384,618     $296,917  
  Commercial      351,806      340,819      334,059      319,686      271,303  
  Industrial      262,989      268,947      265,838      261,898      211,593  
  Wholesale and
    Interchange   143,380      104,992      106,243      118,401       98,183  
  Other            35,670       35,112       27,370       19,934        4,889  
    Total      $1,197,433   $1,145,895   $1,121,781   $1,104,537     $882,885  


Capacity

         The aggregate net generating capacity of the company's system is 
presently 5,312 megawatts (MW).  The system comprises interests in 22 fossil 
fueled steam generating units, one nuclear generating unit (47% interest), 
seven combustion peaking turbines and two diesel generators located at eleven
generating stations.  Two units of the 22 fossil fueled units (aggregating 100
MW of capacity) have been "mothballed" for future use (See Item 2.
Properties).

         The company's 1996 peak system net load occurred July 19, 1996 and
amounted to 3,997 MW.  The company's net generating capacity together with
power available 


from firm interchange and purchase contracts, provided a capacity margin of
approximately 18% above system peak responsibility at the time of the peak.
         The company and twelve companies in Kansas and western Missouri have
agreed to provide capacity (including margin), emergency and economy services
for each other.  This arrangement is called the MOKAN Power Pool.  The pool
participants also coordinate the planning of electric generating and
transmission facilities.

         The company is one of 60 members of the Southwest Power Pool (SPP).  
SPP's responsibility is to maintain system reliability on a regional basis.  The
region encompasses areas within the eight states of Kansas, Missouri,
Oklahoma, New Mexico, Texas, Louisiana, Arkansas, and Mississippi.   

         In 1994, the company joined the Western Systems Power Pool (WSPP).  
Under this arrangement, over 156 electric utilities and marketers throughout the
western United States have agreed to market energy and to provide transmission
services.  WSPP's intent is to increase the efficiency of the interconnected
power systems operations over and above existing operations.  Services
available include short-term and long-term economy energy transactions, unit
commitment service, firm capacity and energy sales, energy exchanges, and
transmission service by intermediate systems.

         In January 1994, the company entered into an agreement with Oklahoma
Municipal Power Authority (OMPA), whereby, the company received a prepayment
of approximately $41 million for capacity (42 MW) and transmission charges
through the year 2013.

         During 1994, KGE entered into an agreement with Midwest Energy, Inc.
(MWE), whereby KGE will provide MWE with peaking capacity of 61 MW through the
year 2008.  KGE also entered into an agreement with Empire District Electric
Company (Empire), whereby KGE will provide Empire with peaking and base load
capacity (20 MW in 1994 increasing to 80 MW in 2000) through the year 2000. 
In January 1995, the company entered into another agreement with Empire,
whereby the company will provide Empire with peaking and base load capacity
(10 MW in 1995 increasing to 162 MW in 2000) through the year 2010.

Future Capacity

         The company does not contemplate any significant expenditures in
connection with construction of any major generating facilities for the next
five years. (See Item 7. Management's Discussion and Analysis, Liquidity and
Capital Resources).

Fuel Mix

         The company's coal-fired units comprise 3,295 MW of the total 5,312 MW 
of generating capacity and the company's nuclear unit provides 547 MW of
capacity.  Of the remaining 1,470 MW of generating capacity, units that can
burn either natural gas or oil account for 1,386 MW, and the remaining units
which burn only diesel fuel account for 84 MW (See Item 2. Properties).

         During 1996, low sulfur coal was used to produce 81% of the company's
electricity.  Nuclear produced 16% and the remainder was produced from natural
gas, oil, or diesel fuel.  During 1997, based on the company's estimate of the
availability of fuel, coal will be used to produce approximately 80% of the
company's electricity and nuclear will be used to produce approximately 16%.


         The company's fuel mix fluctuates with the operation of nuclear powered
Wolf Creek which has an 18-month refueling and maintenance schedule.  The 
18-month schedule permits uninterrupted operation every third calendar year.  
Wolf Creek was taken off-line on February 3, 1996 for its eighth refueling and
maintenance outage which lasted approximately 60 days during which time
electric demand was met primarily by the company's coal-fired generating
units.

Nuclear

         The owners of Wolf Creek have on hand or under contract 70% of the 
uranium requirements for operation of Wolf Creek through the year 2003.  The 
balance is expected to be obtained through spot market and contract 
purchases.  The company has four contracts with the following companies for 
uranium: Cameco Corporation, Geomex Minerals, Inc., and Power Resources, Inc. 

         A contractual arrangement is in place with Cameco Corporation for the
conversion of uranium to uranium hexafluoride sufficient for the operation of
Wolf Creek through the year 2001.

         The company has two active contracts for uranium enrichment performed 
by Urenco and USEC.  Contracted arrangements cover 82% of Wolf Creek's uranium
enrichment requirements for operation of Wolf Creek through March 2005. The
balance is expected to be obtained through spot market and term contract
purchases. 

         The company has entered into all of its uranium, uranium hexaflouride 
and uranium enrichment arrangements during the ordinary course of business 
and is not substantially dependent upon these agreements.  The company 
believes there are other suppliers available at reasonable prices to replace, 
if necessary, these contracts.  In the event that the company were required 
to replace these contracts, it would not anticipate a substantial disruption 
of its business.

         The Nuclear Waste Policy Act of 1982 established schedules, guidelines 
and responsibilities for the Department of Energy (DOE) to develop and construct
repositories for the ultimate disposal of spent fuel and high-level waste. 
The DOE has not yet constructed a high-level waste disposal site and has
announced that a permanent storage facility may not be in operation prior to
2010 although an interim storage facility may be available earlier.  Wolf
Creek contains an on-site spent fuel storage facility which, under current
regulatory guidelines, provides space for the storage of spent fuel through
2005 while still maintaining full core off-load capability.  The company is
currently investigating spent fuel storage options which should provide enough
additional storage space through at least 2020 while still maintaining full
core off-load capability.  The company believes adequate additional storage
space can be obtained as necessary.

         Additional information with respect to insurance coverage applicable to
the operations of the company's nuclear generating facility is set forth in
Note 8 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

Coal

         The three coal-fired units at Jeffrey Energy Center (JEC) have an
aggregate capacity of 1,824 MW (company's 84% share) (See Item 2. Properties). 
The company has a long-term coal supply contract with Amax Coal West, Inc.
(AMAX), a subsidiary of Cyprus Amax Coal Company, to supply low sulfur coal to
JEC from AMAX's Eagle Butte Mine or an alternate mine source of AMAX's Belle
Ayr Mine,


both located in the Powder River Basin in Campbell County, Wyoming.  The
contract expires December 31, 2020.  The contract contains a schedule of
minimum annual delivery quantities based on MMBtu provisions.  The coal to be
supplied is surface mined and has an average Btu content of approximately
8,300 Btu per pound and an average sulfur content of .43 lbs/MMBtu (See
Environmental Matters).  The average delivered cost of coal for JEC was
approximately $1.10 per MMBtu or $18.70 per ton during 1996.

         Coal is transported from Wyoming under a long-term rail transportation
contract with Burlington Northern (BN) and Union Pacific (UP) to JEC through
December 31, 2013.  Rates are based on net load carrying capabilities of each
rail car.  The company provides 868 aluminum rail cars, under a 20 year lease,
to transport coal to JEC.

         The two coal-fired units at La Cygne Station have an aggregate 
generating capacity of 678 MW (KGE's 50% share) (See Item 2.  Properties).  The 
operator, KCPL, maintains coal contracts summarized in the following paragraphs.

         La Cygne 1 uses low sulfur Powder River Basin coal which is supplied 
under a variety of spot market transactions, discussed below. High Btu
Kansas/Missouri coal is blended with the Powder River Basin coal and is
secured from time to time under spot market arrangements.  La Cygne 1 uses a
blended fuel mix containing approximately 85% Powder River Basin coal.

         La Cygne 2 and additional La Cygne 1 Powder River Basin coal is 
supplied through several contracts, expiring at various times through 1999.  
This low sulfur coal had an average Btu content of approximately 8,500 Btu per 
pound and a maximum sulfur content of .50 lbs/MMBtu (See Environmental Matters).
Transportation is covered by KCPL through its Omnibus Rail Transportation
Agreement with BN and Kansas City Southern Railroad (KCS) through December 31,
2000.

         During 1996, the average delivered cost of all local and Powder River
Basin coal procured for La Cygne 1 was approximately $0.64 per MMBtu or $13.47
per ton and the average delivered cost of Powder River Basin coal for La Cygne
2 was approximately $0.68 per MMBtu or $11.49 per ton.

         The coal-fired units located at the Tecumseh and Lawrence Energy 
Centers have an aggregate generating capacity of 793 MW (See Item 2. 
Properties).  The company contracted with Cyprus Amax Coal Company's Foidel 
Creek Mine located in Routt  County, Colorado for low sulfur coal through 
December 31, 1998. This coal is transported by Southern Pacific Lines and 
Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway Company under a contract expiring 
December 31, 1998.  The company anticipates that the Cyprus agreement will 
supply the minimum requirements of the Tecumseh and Lawrence Energy Centers 
and supplemental coal requirements will continue to be supplied from coal 
markets in Wyoming, Utah, Colorado and/or New Mexico. Additional spot market 
coal for 1997 has been secured from COLOWYO Coal Company on a delivered 
basis.  During 1996, the average delivered cost of coal for the Lawrence 
units was approximately $1.19 per MMBtu or $26.91 per ton and the average 
delivered cost of coal for the Tecumseh units was approximately $1.21 per 
MMBtu or $27.11 per ton.  The coal supplied from Cyprus has an average Btu 
content of approximately 11,200 Btu per pound and an average sulfur content 
of .47 lbs/MMBtu (See Environmental Matters).  

         The company has entered into all of its coal and transportation 
contracts during the ordinary course of business and is not substantially 
dependent upon these contracts.  The company believes there are other 
suppliers for and 


plentiful sources of coal available at reasonable prices to replace, if
necessary, fuel to be supplied pursuant to these contracts.  In the event that
the company were required to replace its coal or transportation agreements, it
would not anticipate a substantial disruption of the company's business.

Natural Gas

         The company uses natural gas as a primary fuel in its Gordon Evans, 
Murray Gill, Abilene, and Hutchinson Energy Centers and in the gas turbine 
units at its Tecumseh generating station.  Natural gas is also used as a 
supplemental fuel in the coal-fired units at the Lawrence and Tecumseh 
generating stations.  Natural gas for Gordon Evans and Murray Gill Energy 
Centers is supplied by readily available gas from the spot market.  
Short-term economical spot market purchases will supply the system with the 
flexible natural gas supply to meet operational needs for the Gordon Evans 
and Murray Gill Energy Centers. Natural gas for the company's Abilene and 
Hutchinson stations is supplied from the company's main system (See Natural 
Gas Operations).

Oil

         The company uses oil as an alternate fuel when economical or when
interruptions to natural gas make it necessary.  Oil is also used as a
supplemental fuel at JEC and La Cygne generating stations.  All oil burned by
the company during the past several years has been obtained by spot market
purchases.  At December 31, 1996, the company had approximately 3 million
gallons of No. 2 and 13 million gallons of No. 6 oil which is believed to be
sufficient to meet emergency requirements and protect against lack of
availability of natural gas and/or the loss of a large generating unit.
         
Other Fuel Matters

         The company's contracts to supply fuel for its coal and natural 
gas-fired generating units, with the exception of JEC, do not provide full fuel
requirements at the various stations.  Supplemental fuel is procured on the
spot market to provide operational flexibility and, when the price is
favorable, to take advantage of economic opportunities.

         Set forth in the table below is information relating to the weighted
average cost of fuel used by the company.

   KPL Plants                    1996      1995     1994     1993     1992     
    Per Million Btu:
          Coal                  $1.14     $1.15    $1.13    $1.13    $1.30
          Gas                    2.50      1.63     2.66     2.71     2.15
          Oil                    4.01      4.34     4.27     4.41     4.19

    Cents per KWH Generation     1.30      1.31     1.32     1.31     1.49

   KGE Plants                    1996      1995     1994     1993     1992   
         Per Million Btu:
          Nuclear               $0.50     $0.40    $0.36    $0.35    $0.34
          Coal                   0.88      0.91     0.90     0.96     1.25
          Gas                    2.30      1.68     1.98     2.37     1.95
          Oil                    2.74      4.00     3.90     3.15     4.28

    Cents per KWH Generation     0.93      0.82     0.89     0.93     0.98



Environmental Matters

         The company currently holds all Federal and State environmental 
approvals required for the operation of its generating units.  The company 
believes it is presently in substantial compliance with all air quality 
regulations (including those pertaining to particulate matter, sulfur dioxide
and nitrogen oxides (NOx)) promulgated by the State of Kansas and the 
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

         The Federal sulfur dioxide standards, applicable to the company's 
JEC and La Cygne 2 units, prohibit the emission of more than 1.2 pounds of 
sulfur dioxide per million Btu of heat input.  Federal particulate matter 
emission standards applicable to these units prohibit:  (1) the emission of 
more than 0.1 pounds of particulate matter per million Btu of heat input and 
(2) an opacity greater than 20%.  Federal NOx emission standards applicable 
to these units prohibit the emission of more than 0.7 pounds of NOx per 
million Btu of heat input.

         The JEC and La Cygne 2 units have met:  (1) the sulfur dioxide 
standards through the use of low sulfur coal (See Coal); (2) the particulate 
matter standards through the use of electrostatic precipitators; and (3) the NOx
standards through boiler design and operating procedures.  The JEC units are
also equipped with flue gas scrubbers providing additional sulfur dioxide and
particulate matter emission reduction capability when needed to meet permit
limits.

         The Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) regulations,
applicable to the company's other generating facilities, prohibit the emission
of more than 2.5 pounds of sulfur dioxide per million Btu of heat input at the
company's Lawrence generating units and 3.0 pounds at all other generating
units.  There is sufficient low sulfur coal under contract (See Coal) to allow
compliance with such limits at Lawrence, Tecumseh and La Cygne 1 for the life
of the contracts.  All facilities burning coal are equipped with flue gas
scrubbers and/or electrostatic precipitators.

         The Clean Air Act Amendments of 1990 (the Act) require a two-phase
reduction in sulfur dioxide and NOx emissions with Phase I effective in 1995
and Phase II effective in 2000 and a probable reduction in toxic emissions by
a future date yet to be determined.  To meet the monitoring and reporting
requirements under the Act's acid rain program, the company has installed
continuous monitoring and reporting equipment at a total cost of approximately
$10 million as of December 31, 1996.  The company does not expect material
expenditures to be needed to meet Phase II sulfur dioxide requirements. 
Although the company currently has no Phase I affected units, the company has
applied for and has been accepted for an early substitution permit to bring
the co-owned La Cygne Unit 1 under the Phase I regulations.  

         The NOx and toxic limits, which were not set in the law, were 
proposed by the EPA in January 1996.  The company is currently evaluating the 
steps it will need to take in order to comply with the proposed new rules.  
The company will have three years from the date the limits were proposed to 
comply with the new NOx rules.

         All of the company's generating facilities are in substantial 
compliance with the Best Practicable Technology and Best Available Technology 
regulations issued by the EPA pursuant to the Clean Water Act of 1977.  Most 
EPA regulations are administered in Kansas by the KDHE.


         Additional information with respect to Environmental Matters is 
discussed in Note 8 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements 
included herein.


NATURAL GAS OPERATIONS

General

         Under the agreement for the proposed strategic alliance with ONEOK, the
company will contribute its natural gas business to New ONEOK in exchange for
a 45% equity interest.  See Note 2 for further information.

         The company's natural gas operations are comprised primarily of the
following four components: a local natural gas distribution division which is
subject to rate-regulation; Market Center, a Kansas subsidiary of the company
that engages primarily in intrastate gas transmission, as well as gas
wheeling, parking, balancing and storage services, and is also subject to
rate-regulation; Westar Gas Marketing, Inc., (Westar Gas Marketing) a Kansas
non-regulated indirect subsidiary of the company that engages primarily in
marketing and selling natural gas to small and medium-sized commercial and
industrial customers; and Westar Gas Company, a Delaware non-regulated
subsidiary of Westar Gas Marketing that engages in extracting, processing and
selling natural gas liquids.

         At December 31, 1996, the company supplied natural gas at retail to
approximately 650,000 customers in 362 communities and at wholesale to eight
communities and two utilities in Kansas and Oklahoma.  The natural gas systems
of the company consist of distribution systems in both states purchasing
natural gas from various suppliers and transported by interstate pipeline
companies and the main system, an integrated storage, gathering, transmission
and distribution system.  The company also transports gas for its large
commercial and industrial customers which purchase gas on the spot market. 
The company earns approximately the same margin on the volume of gas
transported as on volumes sold except where  discounting occurs in order to
retain the customer's load.  

         As discussed under General, above, on January 31, 1994, the company 
sold substantially all of its Missouri natural gas distribution properties and
operations to Southern Union and sold the remaining Missouri Properties to
United Cities on February 28, 1994.  Additional information with respect to
the impact of the sales of the Missouri Properties is set forth in Note 19 of
the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.    

         The percentage of total natural gas deliveries, including 
transportation and operating revenues for 1996, by state were as follows:

                          Total Natural           Total Natural Gas
                          Gas Deliveries          Operating Revenues   
          Kansas             96.6%                     95.7%
          Oklahoma            3.4%                      4.3%



         The company's natural gas deliveries for the last five years were as
follows:

                        1996       1995       1994(2)    1993       1992      
                                       (Thousands of MCF)                      
    Residential       62,728     55,810     64,804    110,045     93,779    
    Commercial        22,841     21,245     26,526     47,536     40,556    
    Industrial           450        548        605      1,490      2,214       
    Other             21,067     17,078(1)      43         41         94
    Transportation    45,947     48,292     51,059     73,574     68,425       
      Total          153,033    142,973    143,037    232,686    205,068    

         The company's natural gas revenues related to deliveries for the last 
five years were as follows:

                       1996       1995      1994(2)     1993       1992     
                                   (Dollars in Thousands)
     Residential     $352,905   $274,550   $332,348   $529,260   $440,239   
     Commercial       120,927     94,349    125,570    209,344    169,470   
     Industrial         2,885      3,051      3,472      7,294      7,804   
     Other             48,643     31,860     11,544     30,143     27,457   
     Transportation    23,354     22,366     23,228     28,781     28,393   
     Total           $548,714   $426,176   $496,162   $804,822   $673,363   
         

         (1)  The increase in other gas sales reflects an increase in 
              as-available gas sales.
         
         (2)  Information reflects the sales of the Missouri Properties 
              effective January 31, and February 28, 1994.

         As-available gas is excess natural gas under contract that the 
company did not require for customer sales or storage that is typically sold 
to gas marketers.  According to the company's tariff, the nominal margin made on
as-available gas sales, is returned 75% to customers through the cost of gas
rider and 25% is reflected in wholesale revenues of the company.

         In compliance with orders of the state commissions applicable to all
natural gas utilities, the company has established priority categories for
service to its natural gas customers.  The highest priority is for residential
and small commercial customers and the lowest for large industrial customers.  
Natural gas delivered by the company from its main system for use as fuel for
electric generation is classified in the lowest priority category.


Interstate System

         The company distributes natural gas at retail to approximately 520,000
customers located in central and eastern Kansas and northeastern Oklahoma. 
The largest cities served in 1996 were Wichita and Topeka, Kansas and
Bartlesville, Oklahoma.  The company has transportation agreements for
delivery of this gas which have terms varying in length from one to twenty
years, with the following non-affiliated pipeline transmission companies: 
Williams Natural Gas Company (WNG), Kansas Pipeline Company (KPP), Panhandle
Eastern Pipeline Company (Panhandle), and various other intrastate suppliers. 
The volumes transported under these agreements in 1996 and 1995 were as
follows:

                         Transportation Volumes (BCF's)
                              
                                          1996           1995   
                 WNG                      79.4           61.8
                 KPP                       7.3            7.1
                 Panhandle                 1.2            1.0
                 Others                    2.1            8.0

         The company purchases this gas from various producers and marketers 
under contracts expiring at various times.  The company purchased approximately 
78.4 BCF or 91.9% of its natural gas supply from these sources in 1996 and 
61.7 BCF or 79.3% during 1995.  Approximately 85.3 BCF of natural gas is made 
available annually under these contracts which extend for various terms 
through the year 2005.

         In October 1994, the company executed a long-term gas purchase contract
(Base Contract) and a peaking supply contract with Amoco Production Company
for the purpose of meeting the requirements of the customers served from the
company's interstate system over the WNG pipeline system.  The company
anticipates that the Base Contract will supply between 50% and 65% of the
company's demand served by the WNG pipeline system.  Amoco is one of various
suppliers over the WNG pipeline system and if this contract were canceled, the
company could replace gas supplied by Amoco with gas from other suppliers. 
Gas available under the Amoco contract is also available for sale by the
company to other parties and sales are recorded as wholesale revenues of the
company.
         
         The company also purchases natural gas from KPP under contracts 
expiring at various times.  These purchases were approximately 5.2 BCF or 
5.8% of its natural gas supply in 1996 and 5.3 BCF or 6.7% during 1995.  The 
company purchases natural gas for the interstate system from intrastate 
pipelines and from spot market suppliers under short-term contracts.  These 
sources totaled 0.6 BCF and  3.6 BCF for 1996 and 1995 representing 0.7% and 
4.6% of the system requirements, respectively.

         During 1996 and 1995, approximately 1.5 BCF and 7.3 BCF, respectively,
were transferred from the company's main system to serve a portion of the
demand for the interstate system representing 1.6% and 9.4%, respectively, of
the interstate system supply.

         The average wholesale cost per thousand cubic feet (MCF) purchased 
for the distribution systems for the past five years was as follows:

                            Interstate Pipeline Supply
                              (Average Cost per MCF)

                              1996       1995       1994       1993       1992
       WNG                   $ -        $ -        $ -        $3.57      $3.64
       Other                  3.09       2.78       3.32       3.01       2.30
       Total Average Cost     3.09       2.78       3.32       3.23       2.88


Main System

         The company serves approximately 130,000 customers in central and north
central Kansas with natural gas supplied through the main system.  The
principal market areas include Salina, Manhattan, Junction City, Great Bend,
McPherson and Hutchinson, Kansas.


         Natural gas for the company's main system is purchased from a 
combination of direct wellhead production, from the outlet of natural gas 
processing plants, and from natural gas marketers and production companies.  
Such purchases are transported entirely through company owned transmission 
lines in Kansas. 

         Natural gas purchased for the company's main system customer 
requirements is transported and/or stored by the Market Center.  The company 
retains a priority right to capacity on the Market Center necessary to serve 
the main system customers.  The company has the opportunity to negotiate for 
the purchase of natural gas with producers or marketers utilizing Market Center
services, which  increases the potential supply available to meet main system
customer demands.

         During 1996, the company purchased approximately 7.6 BCF of natural gas
through the spot market which allowed the company to avoid minimum take
requirements associated with long-term contracts.  This purchase represents
approximately 45.5% of the company's main system requirements during 1996. 
         
         Spivey-Grabs field in south-central Kansas supplied approximately 
4.2 BCF of natural gas in both 1996 and 4.8 BCF in 1995, constituting 25.1% 
and 20.2%, respectively, of the main system's requirements during such 
periods.  Such natural gas is supplied pursuant to contracts with producers 
in the Spivey-Grabs field, most of which are for the life of the field.  
Based on a reserve study performed by an independent petroleum engineering 
firm in 1995, significant quantities of gas will be available from the 
Spivey-Grabs field until at least the year 2015.

         Other sources of gas for the main system of 2.7 BCF or 16.0% of the 
system requirements were purchased from or transported through interstate 
pipelines during 1996.  The remainder of the supply for the main system 
during 1996 and 1995 of 2.2 BCF and 2.2 BCF representing 13.4% and 9.9%, 
respectively, was purchased directly from producers or gathering systems.

         During 1996 and 1995, approximately 1.5 BCF and 7.3 BCF, 
respectively, of the total main system supply was transferred to the company's 
interstate system (See Interstate System).

         The company believes there is adequate natural gas available under
contract or otherwise available to meet the currently anticipated needs of the
main system customers.

         The main system's average wholesale cost per MCF purchased for the past
five years was as follows:
                         Natural Gas Supply - Main System
                              (Average Cost per MCF)

                            1996     1995      1994      1993       1992       
  Mesa-Hugoton Contract    $ -      $1.44     $1.81     $1.78(1)   $1.47(2)  
  Other                     2.48     2.47      2.92      2.69       2.66     
  Total Average Cost        2.48     2.06      2.23      2.20       2.00     

         (1)  Includes 2.5 BCF @ $1.31/MCF of make-up deliveries.
         (2)  Includes 2.1 BCF @ $1.31/MCF of make-up deliveries.

         The load characteristics of the company's natural gas customers creates
relatively high volume demand on the main system during cold winter days.  To 


assure peak day service to high priority customers the company owns and
operates
and has under contract natural gas storage facilities (See Item 2.
Properties).  

WESTAR GAS MARKETING

         Westar Gas Marketing was formed in 1988 to pursue natural gas marketing
opportunities. Westar Gas Marketing purchases and markets natural gas to
approximately 925 customers located in Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska, Colorado,
Oklahoma, Iowa, Wyoming and Arkansas.  Westar Gas Marketing purchases natural
gas under both long-term and short-term contracts from producers and operators
in the Hugoton, Arkoma and Anadarko gas basins.  Westar Gas Marketing engages
in certain transactions to hedge natural gas prices in its gas marketing
activities.


WESTAR GAS COMPANY

         Westar Gas Company owns and operates the Minneola Gas Processing Plant
(Minneola) in Ford County, Kansas.  Minneola extracts liquids from natural gas
provided by outside producers and sells the residue gas to third-party
marketers.  A portion of the residue gas is sold to Westar Gas Marketing.  

         Westar Gas Company, through its participation in various joint ventures
owns a 41.4% beneficial interest in the Indian Basin Processing Plant (Indian
Basin) near Artesia, New Mexico.  Indian Basin is operated by Marathon Oil and
extracts natural gas liquids for third party producers.


SEGMENT INFORMATION

         Financial information with respect to business segments is set forth in
Note 18 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included herein.

FINANCING

         The company's ability to issue additional debt and equity securities 
is restricted under limitations imposed by the charter and the Mortgage and 
Deed of Trust of Western Resources (formerly KPL) and KGE.

         Western Resources' mortgage prohibits additional Western Resources 
first mortgage bonds from being issued (except in connection with certain
refundings) unless the company's net earnings available for interest,
depreciation and property retirement for a period of 12 consecutive months
within 15 months preceding the issuance are not less than the greater of twice
the annual interest charges on, or 10% of the principal amount of, all first
mortgage bonds outstanding after giving effect to the proposed issuance. 
Based on the company's results for the 12 months ended December 31, 1996,
approximately $772 million principal amount of additional first mortgage bonds
could be issued (7.75% interest rate assumed).

         Western Resources bonds may be issued, subject to the restrictions 
in the preceding paragraph, on the basis of property additions not subject to an
unfunded prior lien and on the basis of bonds which have been retired.  As of
December 31, 1996, the company had approximately $1.0 billion of net bondable
property additions not subject to an unfunded prior lien entitling the company 


to issue up to $618 million principal amount of additional bonds.  As of
December 31, 1996, $3 million in first mortgage bonds could be issued on the
basis of retired bonds.

         KGE's mortgage prohibits additional KGE first mortgage bonds from being
issued (except in connection with certain refundings) unless KGE's net
earnings before income taxes and before provision for retirement and
depreciation of property for a period of 12 consecutive months within 15
months preceding the issuance are not less than two and one-half times the
annual interest charges on, or 10% of the principal amount of, all KGE first
mortgage bonds outstanding after giving effect to the proposed issuance. 
Based on KGE's results for the 12 months ended December 31, 1996,
approximately $1.0 billion principal amount of additional KGE first mortgage
bonds could be issued (7.75% interest rate assumed).

         KGE bonds may be issued, subject to the restrictions in the preceding
paragraph, on the basis of property additions not subject to an unfunded prior
lien and on the basis of bonds which have been retired.  As of December 31,
1996, KGE had approximately $1.4 billion of net bondable property additions
not subject to an unfunded prior lien entitling KGE to issue up to $950
million principal amount of additional KGE bonds.  As of December 31, 1996,
$17 million in additional bonds could be issued on the basis of retired bonds.

         The most restrictive provision of the company's charter permits the
issuance of additional shares of preferred stock without certain specified
preferred stockholder approval only if, for a period of 12 consecutive months
within 15 months preceding the issuance, net earnings available for payment of
interest exceed one and one-half times the sum of annual interest requirements
plus dividend requirements on preferred stock after giving effect to the
proposed issuance.  After giving effect to the annual interest and dividend
requirements on all debt and preferred stock outstanding at December 31, 1996,
such ratio was  1.96 for the 12 months ended December 31, 1996.

         KCPL has outstanding first mortgage bonds (the "KCPL Bonds") which are
secured by a lien on substantially all of KCPL's fixed property and franchises
purported to be conveyed by the General Mortgage Indenture and Deed of Trust
and the various Supplemental Indentures creating the KCPL Bonds (collectively,
the "KCPL Mortgage"). If the company consummates its planned merger with KCPL,
the company, as the successor corporation to such merger, would be required
pursuant to the terms of the KCPL Mortgage to confirm the liens thereunder and
to keep the mortgaged property with respect thereto as far as practicable
identifiable.  In the absence of an express grant, however, the KCPL Mortgage
will not constitute or become a lien on any property or franchises owned by
the company prior to such merger or on any property or franchises which may be
purchased, constructed or otherwise acquired by the company except for such as
form an integral part of the mortgage property under the KCPL Mortgage.  Upon
consummation of the KCPL Merger, the after-acquired property clauses of the
company's mortgage would cause the lien of the Mortgage to attach (But in a
subordinate position to the prior lien of the KCPL Mortgage) to the property
of KCPL at the date of combination.


REGULATION AND RATES

         The company is subject as an operating electric utility to the
jurisdiction of the KCC and as a natural gas utility to the jurisdiction of
the KCC and the Corporation Commission of the State of Oklahoma (OCC), which
have general 


regulatory authority over the company's rates, extensions and abandonments of
service and facilities, valuation of property, the classification of accounts
and various other matters.

         The company is subject to the jurisdiction of the FERC and KCC with
respect to the issuance of securities.  There is no state regulatory body in
Oklahoma having jurisdiction over the issuance of the company's securities.

         The company is exempt as a public utility holding company pursuant to
Section 3(a)(1) of the Public Utility Holding Company Act of 1935 from all
provisions of that Act, except Section 9(a)(2).  Additionally, the company is
subject to the jurisdiction of the FERC, including jurisdiction as to rates
with respect to sales of electricity for resale.  The company is not engaged
in the interstate transmission or sale of natural gas which would subject it
to the regulatory provisions of the Natural Gas Act.  KGE is also subject to
the jurisdiction of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission as to nuclear plant
operations and safety.

         Additional information with respect to Rate Matters and Regulation 
as set forth in Note 9 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements is included
herein.


EMPLOYEE RELATIONS

         As of December 31, 1996, the company had 5,960 employees.  The 
company did not experience any strikes or work stoppages during 1996.  The 
company's current contract with the International Brotherhood of Electrical 
Workers extends through June 30, 1997 and is currently being negotiated. The 
contract covers approximately 1,933 employees.  The company has contracts 
with three gas unions representing approximately 586 employees.  These 
contracts were negotiated in 1996 and will expire June 4, 1998.  Upon 
consummation of the strategic alliance with ONEOK, approximately 1,500 company 
employees will be transferred to New ONEOK.



  

EXECUTIVE OFFICERS OF THE COMPANY
                                                              Other Offices or Positions
Name                  Age      Present Office                 Held During Past Five Years
                                                      

John E. Hayes, Jr.     59      Chairman of the Board          President 
                                 and Chief Executive   
                                 Officer            

David C. Wittig        41      President                      Executive Vice President,
                                 (since March 1996)             Corporate Strategy (since         
   
                                                                May 1995)                         

                                                              Salomon Brothers Inc -
                                                                Managing Director, Co-Head of     
 
                                                                Mergers and Acquisitions

Norman E. Jackson      59      Executive Vice President,      Executive Vice President, 
                                 Electric Operations            Electric Transmission and 
                                 (since November 1996)          Engineering Services
                                                                (May 1995 to November 1996)

                                                              Executive Vice President,
                                                                Electric Engineering and Field
                                                                Operations (1992 to 1995)
 
Steven L. Kitchen      51      Executive Vice President                                        
                                 and Chief Financial                          
                                 Officer                   

Carl M. Koupal, Jr.    43      Executive Vice President       Executive Vice President 
                                 and Chief Administrative       Corporate Communications,
                                 Officer (since July 1995)      Marketing, and Economic           
                                                                Development
                                                                (January 1995 to July 1995)

                                                              Vice President, Corporate           
                                                                Marketing,And Economic            
                                                                Development, (1992 to
                                                                1994)

                                                              Director, Economic Development,     
                                                                (1985 to 1992) Jefferson City,    
                                                                Missouri
                                                                                   
John K. Rosenberg      51      Executive Vice President
                                 and General Counsel                                              
              
Jerry D. Courington    51      Controller
Executive officers serve at the pleasure of the Board of Directors. There are no family relationships among any of the officers, nor any arrangements or understandings between any officer and other persons pursuant to which he was appointed as an officer. ITEM 2. PROPERTIES The company owns or leases and operates an electric generation, transmission, and distribution system in Kansas, a natural gas integrated storage, gathering, transmission and distribution system in Kansas, and a natural gas distribution system in Kansas and Oklahoma. During the five years ended December 31, 1996, the company's gross property additions totaled $1,109,037,000 and retirements were $238,434,000. ELECTRIC FACILITIES Unit Year Principal Unit Capacity Name No. Installed Fuel (MW) (1) Abilene Energy Center: Combustion Turbine 1 1973 Gas 66 Gordon Evans Energy Center: Steam Turbines 1 1961 Gas--Oil 152 2 1967 Gas--Oil 382 Hutchinson Energy Center: Steam Turbines 1 1950 Gas 18 2 1950 Gas 17 3 1951 Gas 28 4 1965 Gas 197 Combustion Turbines 1 1974 Gas 51 2 1974 Gas 49 3 1974 Gas 54 4 1975 Diesel 78 Diesel Generator 1 1983 Diesel 3 Jeffrey Energy Center (84%)(2): Steam Turbines 1 1978 Coal 616 2 1980 Coal 617 3 1983 Coal 591 La Cygne Station (50%)(2): Steam Turbines 1 1973 Coal 343 2 1977 Coal 335 Lawrence Energy Center: Steam Turbines 2 1952 Gas 0 (3) 3 1954 Coal 58 4 1960 Coal 115 5 1971 Coal 384 Murray Gill Energy Center: Steam Turbines 1 1952 Gas--Oil 46 2 1954 Gas--Oil 74 3 1956 Gas--Oil 107 4 1959 Gas--Oil 106 Unit Year Principal Unit Capacity Name No. Installed Fuel (MW) (1) Neosho Energy Center: Steam Turbines 3 1954 Gas--Oil 0 (3) Tecumseh Energy Center: Steam Turbines 7 1957 Coal 88 8 1962 Coal 148 Combustion Turbines 1 1972 Gas 19 2 1972 Gas 20 Wichita Plant: Diesel Generator 5 1969 Diesel 3 Wolf Creek Generating Station (47%)(2): Nuclear 1 1985 Uranium 547 Total 5,312 (1) Based on MOKAN rating. (2) The company jointly owns Jeffrey Energy Center (84%), La Cygne Station (50%) and Wolf Creek Generating Station (47%). (3) These units have been "mothballed" for future use. NATURAL GAS COMPRESSOR STATIONS AND STORAGE FACILITIES Under the agreement for the proposed strategic alliance with ONEOK, the company will contribute its natural gas business to New ONEOK in exchange for a 45% equity interest. See Note 2 for further information. The company's transmission and storage facility compressor stations, all located in Kansas, as of December 31, 1996, are as follows: Mfr Ratings of MCF/Hr Capacity at Driving Type of Mfr hp 14.65 Psia Location Units Year Installed Fuel Ratings at 60 F Abilene . . . . . 4 1930 Gas 4,000 5,920 Bison . . . . . . 1 1951 Gas 440 316 Brehm Storage . . 2 1982 Gas 800 486 Calista . . . . . 3 1987 Gas 4,400 7,490 Hope. . . . . . . 1 1970 Electric 600 44 Hutchinson. . . . 2 1989 Gas 1,600 707 Manhattan . . . . 1 1963 Electric 250 313 Marysville. . . . 1 1964 Electric 250 202 McPherson . . . . 1 1972 Electric 3,000 7,040 Minneola. . . . . 5 1952 - 1978 Gas 9,650 14,018 Pratt . . . . . . 3 1963 - 1983 Gas 1,700 3,145 Spivey. . . . . . 4 1957 - 1964 Gas 7,200 1,368 Ulysses . . . . . 12 1949 - 1981 Gas 17,430 6,667 Yaggy Storage . . 3 1993 Electric 7,500 5,000 The company has contracted with the Market Center for underground storage of working storage capacity of 2.08 BCF. This contract enables the company to supply customers up to 85 million cubic feet per day of gas supply to meet winter peaking requirements. The company has contracted with WNG for additional underground storage in the Alden field in Kansas. The contract, expiring March 31, 1998, enables the company to supply customers with up to 75 million cubic feet per day of gas supply during winter peak periods. See Item I. Business, Gas Operations for proven recoverable gas reserve information. ITEM 3. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS The company has requested that the District Court for the Southern District of Florida require that ADT hold a special shareowners meeting no later than March 20, 1997. In its filing, the company claims that the ADT board of directors has breached its fiduciary and statutory duties and that there is no reason to delay the special meeting until July 8, 1997 as established by ADT. See Note 3 for additional information regarding the proposed acquisition of ADT. On December 26, 1996, an ADT shareowner filed a purported class action complaint against ADT, ADT's board of directors, the company and the company's wholly-owned subsidiary, Westar Capital in the Civil Division of the Circuit Court of the Fifteenth Judicial Circuit in Palm Beach County, Florida. (Charles Gachot v. ADT, Ltd., Western Resources, Inc., Westar Capital, Inc., Michael A. Ashcroft, et al., Case No. 96-10912-AN) The complaint alleges, among other things, that the company and Westar Capital are breaching their fiduciary duties to ADT's shareowners by failing to offer "an appropriate premium for the controlling interest" in ADT and by holding "an effective blocking position" that prevents independent parties from bidding for ADT. The complaint seeks preliminary and permanent relief enjoining the company from acquiring the outstanding shares of ADT and unspecified damages. The company believes it has good and valid defenses to the claims asserted and does not anticipate any material adverse effect upon its overall financial condition or results of operations. Subject to the approval of the KCC, the company entered into five new gas supply contracts with certain entities affiliated with The Bishop Group, Ltd. (Bishop entities) which are currently regulated by the KCC. A contested hearing was held for the approval of those contracts. While the case was under consideration by the KCC, the FERC issued an order under which it extended jurisdiction over the Bishop entities. On November 3, 1995, the KCC stayed its consideration of the contracts between the company and the Bishop entities until the FERC takes final appealable action on its assertion of jurisdiction over the Bishop entities. On June 28, 1996, the KCC issued its order by dismissing the company's application for approval of the contracts and of recovery of the related costs from its customers. The company appealed this ruling and on January 24, 1997, the Kansas Court of Appeals reversed the KCC order and upheld the contracts and the company's recovery of related costs from its customers were approved by operation of law. On November 27, 1996, the KCC issued a Suspension Order and on December 3, 1996, an order was issued which suspended, subject to refund, costs related to purchases from Kansas Pipeline Partnership included in the company's cost of gas rider (COGR). On December 12, 1996, the company filed a Petition for Reconsideration or For More Definite Statement by Staff of the Issues to be addressed in this Docket. On March 3, 1997, the Staff issued a More Definite Statement specifying which charges from KPP it asserts are inappropriate for inclusion in the company's COGR. The company responded to the More Definite Statement stating that it does not believe any of the charges from KPP should be disallowed from its COGR. The company does not expect this proceeding to have a material adverse effect on its results of operations. As part of the acquisition of WSS on December 31, 1996, WSS assigned to WestSec, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Westar Capital established to acquire the assets of WSS, a software license with Innovative Business Systems (IBS) which is integral to the operation of its security business. On January 8, 1997, IBS filed litigation in Dallas County, Texas in the 298th Judicial District Court concerning the assignment of the license to WestSec, (Innovative Business Systems (Overseas) Ltd., and Innovative Business Software, Inc. v. Westinghouse Electric Corporation, Westinghouse Security Systems, Inc., WestSec, Inc., Western Resources, Inc., et al., Cause No. 97-00184). The company and Westar Capital have demanded Westinghouse Electric Corporation defend and indemnify them. While the loss of use of the license may have a material impact on the operations of WestSec, management of the company currently does not believe that the ultimate disposition of this matter will have a material adverse effect upon the company's overall financial condition or results of operations Additional information on legal proceedings involving the company is set forth in Notes 7, 8, and 9 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included herein. See also Item 1. Business, Environmental Matters, and Regulation and Rates. ITEM 4. SUBMISSION OF MATTERS TO A VOTE OF SECURITY HOLDERS No matter was submitted during the fourth quarter of the fiscal year covered by this report to a vote of the company's security holders, through the solicitation of proxies or otherwise. PART II ITEM 5. MARKET FOR REGISTRANT'S COMMON EQUITY AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS Stock Trading Western Resources common stock, which is traded under the ticker symbol WR, is listed on the New York Stock Exchange. As of March 3, 1997, there were 62,840 common shareholders of record. For information regarding quarterly common stock price ranges for 1996 and 1995, see Note 20 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included herein. Dividends Western Resources common stock is entitled to dividends when and as declared by the Board of Directors. At December 31, 1996, the company's retained earnings were restricted by $857,600 against the payment of dividends on common stock. However, prior to the payment of common dividends, dividends must be first paid to the holders of preferred stock and second to the holders of preference stock based on the fixed dividend rate for each series. Dividends have been paid on the company's common stock throughout the company's history. Quarterly dividends on common stock normally are paid on or about the first of January, April, July, and October to shareholders of record as of or about the third day of the preceding month. Dividends increased four cents per common share in 1996 to $2.06 per share. In January 1997, the Board of Directors declared a quarterly dividend of 52 1/2 cents per common share, an increase of one cent over the previous quarter. Future dividends depend upon future earnings, the financial condition of the company and other factors. For information regarding quarterly dividend declarations for 1996 and 1995, see Note 20 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included herein. ITEM 6. SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA Year Ended December 31, 1996 1995 1994(1) 1993 1992(2) (Dollars in Thousands) Income Statement Data: Operating revenues: Electric . . . . . .. . . . $1,197,433 $1,145,895 $1,121,781 $1,104,537 $ 882,885 Natural gas . . . . . . . 849,386 597,405 642,988 923,874 756,537 Total operating revenues . . 2,046,819 1,743,300 1,764,769 2,028,411 1,639,422 Operating expenses . . . . . 1,742,826 1,464,591 1,489,719 1,736,051 1,399,701 Allowance for funds used during construction . . . . . . . 3,225 4,227 2,667 2,631 2,002 Net income . . . . . . . . . 168,950 181,676 187,447 177,370 127,884 Earnings applicable to common stock. . . . . . . . . . . 154,111 168,257 174,029 163,864 115,133 December 31, 1996 1995 1994(1) 1993 1992(2) (Dollars in Thousands) Balance Sheet Data: Gross plant in service . . . $6,370,586 $6,128,527 $5,963,366 $6,222,483 $6,033,023 Construction work in progress 93,834 100,401 85,290 80,192 68,041 Total assets . . . . . . . . 6,647,781 5,490,677 5,371,029 5,412,048 5,438,906 Long-term debt, preference stock, and other mandatorily redeemable securities . .. . 1,951,583 1,641,263 1,507,028 1,673,988 2,077,459 Year Ended December 31, 1996 1995 1994(1) 1993 1992(2) Common Stock Data: Earnings per share . . . . . . . $ 2.41 $ 2.71 $ 2.82 $ 2.76 $ 2.20 Dividends per share. . . . . . . $ 2.06 $ 2.02 $ 1.98 $ 1.94 $ 1.90 Book value per share . . . . . . $25.14 $24.71 $23.93 $23.08 $21.51 Average shares outstanding(000's) 63,834 62,157 61,618 59,294 52,272 Interest coverage ratio (before income taxes, including AFUDC) . . . . . . . . . . . . 2.67 3.14 3.42 2.79 2.27 Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges 2.16 2.41 2.65 2.36 2.02 Ratio of Earnings to Combined Fixed Charges and Preferred and Preference Dividend Requirements . . . . . . . . . 1.96 2.18 2.37 2.14 1.84 (1) Information reflects the sales of the Missouri Properties (Note 19). (2) Information reflects the merger with KGE on March 31, 1992.
ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS FINANCIAL CONDITION GENERAL: Earnings were $2.41 per share of common stock based on 63,833,783 average common shares for 1996, a decrease from $2.71 in 1995 on 62,157,125 average common shares. Net income for 1996 decreased to $169.0 million compared to $181.7 million in 1995. The decrease in net income and earnings per share is primarily due to the impact of an $11.8 million or $0.19 per share charge, net of tax, attributable to one-time restructuring and other charges recorded by ADT Limited (ADT), in which the company owns approximately 27% of the common stock. Abnormally cool summer weather during the third quarter of 1996 compared to 1995 and the $8.7 million electric rate reduction to Kansas Gas and Electric Company (KGE) customers implemented on an interim basis on May 23, 1996 and made permanent on January 15, 1997 also adversely affected earnings. Dividends for 1996 increased four cents per common share to $2.06 per share. On January 24, 1997, the Board of Directors declared a dividend of 52 1/2 cents per common share for the first quarter of 1997, an increase of one cent over the previous quarter. The book value per share was $25.14 at December 31, 1996, compared to $24.71 at December 31, 1995. The 1996 closing stock price of $30.875 was 123% of book value. There were 64,625,259 common shares outstanding at December 31, 1996. 1996 HIGHLIGHTS PROPOSED MERGER WITH KANSAS CITY POWER & LIGHT COMPANY: On April 14, 1996, in a letter to Mr. A. Drue Jennings, Chairman of the Board, President and Chief Executive Officer of Kansas City Power & Light Company (KCPL), the company proposed an offer to merge with KCPL (KCPL Merger). On November 15, 1996, the company and KCPL announced that representatives of their respective boards and managements met to discuss the proposed merger transaction. On February 7, 1997, KCPL and the company entered into an agreement whereby KCPL would be merged with and into the company. The merger agreement provides for a tax-free, stock-for-stock transaction valued at approximately $2 billion. Under the terms of the agreement, KCPL shareowners will receive $32 of company common stock per KCPL share, subject to an exchange ratio collar of not less than 0.917 and no more than 1.100 common shares. Consummation of the KCPL Merger is subject to customary conditions including obtaining the approval of KCPL's and the company's shareowners and various regulatory agencies. The KCPL Merger, will create a company with more than two million security and energy customers, 9.5 billion in assets, $3.0 billion in annual revenues and more than 8,000 megawatts of electric generation resources. As a result of the merger agreement, the company terminated its exchange offer that had been effective since July 3, 1996. See Note 2 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Notes) for more information regarding the proposed merger with KCPL. PROPOSED STRATEGIC ALLIANCE WITH ONEOK INC.: On December 12, 1996, the company and ONEOK Inc. (ONEOK) announced an agreement to form a strategic alliance combining the natural gas assets of both companies. Under the agreement for the proposed strategic alliance, the company will contribute its natural gas business to a new company (New ONEOK) in exchange for a 45% equity interest. The recorded net property value being contributed at December 31, 1996 is estimated at $600 million. No gain or loss is expected to be recorded as a result of the proposed transaction. The proposed transaction is subject to satisfaction of customary conditions, including approval by ONEOK shareowners and regulatory authorities. The company is working towards consummation of the transaction during the second half of 1997. The equity interest would be comprised of approximately 3.0 million common shares and 19.3 million convertible preferred shares. Upon consummation of the proposed alliance, the company will record its common equity interest in New ONEOK's earnings using the equity method of accounting. Earnings for the convertible preferred shares held will be recognized and recorded based upon preferred dividends paid. The convertible preferred shares are expected to pay an initial dividend rate of $1.80 per share. For its fiscal year ended August 31, 1996, ONEOK reported operating revenues of $1.2 billion and net income of $52.8 million. The structure of the proposed alliance is not expected to have any immediate income tax consequences to either company or to either company's shareowners. See Note 6 for more information regarding this strategic alliance. PROPOSED ACQUISITION OF ADT LIMITED, INC.: During 1996, the company purchased approximately 38 million common shares of ADT Limited, Inc. (ADT) for approximately $589 million. The shares purchased represent approximately 27% of ADT's common equity making the company the largest shareowner of ADT. On December 18, 1996, the company announced its intention to offer to exchange $22.50 in cash ($7.50) and shares ($15.00) of the company's common stock for each outstanding common share of ADT not already owned by the company or its subsidiaries (ADT Offer). The value of the ADT Offer, assuming the company's average stock price prior to closing is above $29.75 per common share, is approximately $3.5 billion, including the company's existing investment in ADT. Following completion of the ADT Offer, the company presently intends to propose and seek to have ADT effect an amalgamation, pursuant to which a newly created subsidiary of the company incorporated under the laws of Bermuda will amalgamate with and into ADT (Amalgamation). Based upon the closing stock price of the company on March 13, 1997, approximately 60.1 million shares of company common stock would be issuable pursuant to the acquisition of ADT. However, the actual number of shares of company common stock that would be issuable in connection with the ADT Offer and the Amalgamation will depend on the exchange ratio and the number of shares validly tendered prior to the expiration date of the ADT Offer and the number of shares of ADT outstanding at the time the Amalgamation is completed. On March 3, 1997, the company announced a change in the ADT Offer. Under the terms of the revised ADT Offer, ADT shareowners would receive $10 cash plus 0.41494 of a share of company common stock for each share of ADT tendered, based on the closing price of the company's common stock on March 13, 1997. ADT shareowners would not, however, receive more than 0.42017 shares of company common stock for each ADT common share. Concurrent with the announcement of the ADT Offer on December 18, 1996, the company filed a registration statement on Form S-4 with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) related to the ADT Offer. On March 14, 1997, the registration statement was declared effective by the SEC. The expiration date of the ADT Offer is 5 p.m., EDT, April 15, 1997, and may be extended from time to time by the company until the various conditions to the ADT Offer have been satisfied or waived. The ADT Offer will be subject to the approval of ADT and company shareowners. On January 23, 1997, the waiting period for the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvement Act expired. On February 7, 1997, the company received regulatory approval from the KCC to issue company common stock and debt necessary for the ADT Offer. On March 17, 1997, ADT announced that it had entered into a definitive merger agreement pursuant to which Tyco International Ltd. (Tyco), a diversified manufacturer of industrial and commercial products, would effectively acquire ADT in a stock for stock transaction valued at $5.6 billion, or approximately $29 per ADT share of common stock. ADT is engaged in the electronic security services business providing continuous monitoring of commercial and residential security systems for approximately 1.2 million customers in North America and abroad. On March 18, 1997, the company issued a press release indicating that it had mailed the details of the ADT Offer to ADT shareowners and that it would be reviewing the Tyco offer as well as considering its alternatives to such offer and assessing its rights as an ADT shareowner. See Note 3 for more information regarding this investment and the proposed ADT Offer. ACQUISITION OF WESTINGHOUSE SECURITY SYSTEMS, INC.: On December 31, 1996, the company purchased the assets and assumed certain liabilities comprising Westinghouse Security Systems, Inc. (WSS), a monitored security service provider with over 300,000 accounts in the United States. The company paid $358 million in cash, subject to adjustment. As the acquisition was consummated on December 31, 1996, the assets of WSS are included in the Consolidated Balance Sheets, but the results of operations are not included in the Consolidated Statements of Income. For the year ended December 31, 1996, WSS reported $110 million in revenues. See Note 4 for further information. ACQUISITION OF THE WING GROUP LTD: In February of 1996 the company purchased The Wing Group Ltd (The Wing Group), an international power developer. As a consequence of consummated acquisitions and investments, the company's investments and other property increased by approximately $1.1 billion in 1996, These investments represents approximately 18% of the company's consolidated assets at December 31, 1996. The impact of the consummated acquisition and investment transactions on the company's 1997 financial results is expected to be accretive to earnings. 1994 SALES OF MISSOURI GAS PROPERTIES: On January 31, 1994, the company sold substantially all of its Missouri natural gas distribution properties and operations to Southern Union Company (Southern Union). The company sold the remaining Missouri properties to United Cities Gas Company (United Cities) on February 28, 1994. The properties sold to Southern Union and United Cities are referred to herein as the "Missouri Properties." For additional information regarding the sales of the Missouri Properties see Note 19. FORWARD LOOKING INFORMATION: Certain matters discussed in this annual report are "forward-looking statements" intended to qualify for the safe harbors from liability established by the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such statements address future plans, objectives, expectations and events or conditions concerning various matters such as capital expenditures, earnings, litigation, rate and other regulatory matters, pending transactions, liquidity and capital resources, and accounting matters. Actual results in each case could differ materially from those currently anticipated in such statements, by reason of factors such as electric utility restructuring, including ongoing state and federal activities; future economic conditions; legislation; regulation; competition; and other circumstances affecting anticipated rates, revenues and costs. LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES: The company's liquidity is a function of its ongoing construction and maintenance program designed to improve facilities which provide electric and natural gas service and meet future customer service requirements. Acquisitions and subsidiary investments also significantly affect the company's liquidity. During 1996, construction expenditures for the company's electric system were approximately $138 million and nuclear fuel expenditures were approximately $3 million. It is projected that adequate capacity margins will be maintained without the addition of any major generating facilities for the next five years. The construction expenditures for improvements on the natural gas system, including the company's service line replacement program, were approximately $59 million during 1996. Capital expenditures for current utility operations for 1997 through 1999 are anticipated to be as follows: Electric Nuclear Fuel Natural Gas (Dollars in Thousands) 1997. . . . . $122,900 $21,300 $50,600 1998. . . . . 126,600 21,500 52,100 1999. . . . . 130,400 3,800 53,700 These expenditures are estimates prepared for planning purposes and are subject to revisions (See Note 8). Electric expenditures would be significantly more in years after 1997 following consummation of the merger with KCPL (See Note 2). Natural gas expenditures will be significantly less in 1997 and subsequent years upon the consummation of the alliance with ONEOK (see Note 6). The company expects to improve cash flow in 1997 and subsequent years when it begins receiving annual dividends from New ONEOK upon consummation of the alliance with ONEOK. Cash provided by operating activities has decreased compared to 1995, but continues to be the primary source for meeting cash requirements. The company believes that internally generated funds and new and existing credit agreements will be sufficient to meet its debt service, dividend payment and capital expenditure requirements for its utility operations. The company, through its wholly-owned subsidiary The Wing Group, has committed to investing at least $136 million through June 1998 for power generation projects in the People's Republic of China, Turkey and Colombia. See Notes 4 and 8. The company will be required to issue a significant number of its common shares to consummate the transactions discussed above. The company will also be required to raise a significant amount of funds to consummate the proposed transactions and to repay short-term debt incurred in connection with completed transactions. The company expects to raise the required funds from internally generated funds and from the issuance of debt and equity securities. See Notes 2 and 3 for additional discussion regarding the proposed transactions of KCPL and ADT. The company's capital needs through 2001 for bond maturities are approximately $200 million. This capital will be provided from internal and external sources available under then existing financial conditions. There are no cash sinking fund requirements for bonds or preference stock through the year 2001. On July 1, 1996, all shares of the company's 8.50% Preference Stock due 2016 were redeemed. On July 31, 1996 Western Resources Capital II, a wholly-owned trust, of which the sole asset is subordinated debentures of the company, sold in a public offering 4.8 million shares of 8-1/2% Cumulative Quarterly Income Preferred Securities, Series B, for $120 million. The trust interests represented by the preferred securities are redeemable at the option of Western Resources Capital II, on or after July 31, 2001, at $25 per preferred security plus accumulated and unpaid distributions. Holders of the securities are entitled to receive distributions at an annual rate of 8-1/2% of the liquidation preference value of $25. Distributions are payable quarterly, and in substance are tax deductible by the company. These distributions are recorded as interest charges on the Consolidated Statements of Income. The sole asset of the trust is $124 million principal amount of 8-1/2% Deferrable Interest Subordinated Debentures, Series B due July 31, 2036. These preferred securities are included under Western Resources Obligated Mandatorily Redeemable Preferred Securities of Subsidiary Trusts holding solely company Subordinated Debentures (Other Mandatorily Redeemable Securities) on the Consolidated Balance Sheets and Consolidated Statements of Capitalization (See Note 11). The company's short-term financing requirements are satisfied, as needed, through the sale of commercial paper, short-term bank loans and borrowings under lines of credit maintained with banks. At December 31, 1996, short-term borrowings amounted to $981 million, of which $293 million was commercial paper (See Notes 14 and 15). At December 31, 1996, the company had committed credit arrangements available of $973 million. The company's short-term debt balance at December 31, 1996, increased approximately $777 million from December 31, 1995. The increase was primarily a result of the company's purchases of an approximate 27% common equity interest in ADT and its purchase of WSS. See Notes 3 and 4 for further discussion of these purchases. On February 12, 1997, the company filed an application with the KCC to issue $550 million in first mortgage bonds or senior unsecured debt to refinance short-term and long-term debt and for other corporate purposes. The embedded cost of long-term debt, excluding the revolving credit facility, was 7.6% at December 31, 1996, a decrease from 7.7% at December 31, 1995. Lower interest rates on the company's variable rate pollution control bonds resulted in this decrease. The company has a Dividend Reinvestment and Stock Purchase Plan (DRIP). Shares issued under the DRIP may be either original issue shares or shares purchased on the open market. The company has been issuing original issue shares since January 1, 1995 with 935,461 shares issued in 1996 under the DRIP. The company's capital structure at December 31, 1996, was 45% common stock equity, 2% preferred and preference stock, 6% other mandatorily redeemable securities, and 47% long-term debt. The capital structure at December 31, 1996, including short-term debt and current maturities of long-term debt, was 35% common stock equity, 2% preferred and preference stock, 5% other mandatorily redeemable securities, and 58% debt. As of December 31, 1996, the company's bonds were rated "A3" by Moody's Investors Service, "A-" by Fitch Investors Service, and "A-" by Standard & Poor's Ratings Group (S&P). In January of 1997, reflecting S&P's increased financial rating standards and as a result of the company's increased short-term debt related to its acquisitions, S&P regraded the company's bond rating to BBB+. Pending the resolution of the ADT Offer, the company remains on CreditWatch with negative implications with S&P. RESULTS OF OPERATIONS The following is an explanation of significant variations from prior year results in revenues, operating expenses, other income and deductions, interest charges, and preferred and preference dividend requirements. The results of operations of the company exclude the activities related to the Missouri Properties following the sales of those properties in the first quarter of 1994. For additional information regarding the sales of the Missouri Properties, see Note 19. REVENUES The operating revenues of the company are based on sales volumes and rates authorized by certain state regulatory commissions and the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC). Future electric and natural gas sales will be affected by weather conditions, the electric rate reduction which was implemented on February 1, 1997, changes in the industry, changes in the regulatory environment, competition from other sources of energy, competing fuel sources, customer conservation efforts, and the overall economy of the company's service area. Electric fuel costs are included in base rates. Therefore, if the company wished to recover an increase in fuel costs, it would have to file a request for recovery in a rate filing with the Kansas Corporation Commission (KCC) which could be denied in whole or in part. The company's fuel costs represented 17% of its total operating expenses for the years ended December 31, 1996 and 1995. Any increase in fuel costs from the projected average which the company did not recover through rates would reduce the company's earnings. The degree of any such impact would be affected by a variety of factors, however, and thus cannot be predicted. 1996 Compared to 1995: Electric revenues were five percent higher in 1996 compared to 1995 due to higher sales in the residential and commercial customer classes as a result of colder winter and warmer spring temperatures experienced during the first six months of 1996 compared to 1995. The company's service territory experienced a 17% increase in heating degree days during the first quarter and cooling degree days more than doubled during the second quarter of 1996 compared to the same periods in 1995. Wholesale and interchange sales were also higher due to an increased number of customers. Partially offsetting this increase was abnormally cool summer weather during the third quarter of 1996 compared to 1995 and the $8.7 million electric rate reduction to KGE customers implemented on an interim basis on May 23, 1996 and made permanent on January 15, 1997. For more information related to electric rate decreases, see Note 9. Regulated natural gas revenues increased 29% for 1996 as compared to 1995 as a result of colder winter temperatures, higher gas costs passed on to customers through the cost of gas rider (COGR), and increased as-available gas sales. Regulated natural gas revenues for the last six months of 1996 were also higher due to the gas revenue increase ordered by the KCC on July 11, 1996. For additional information on the gas rate increase, see Note 9. As-available gas is excess natural gas under contract that the company did not require for customer sales or storage that is typically sold to gas marketers. According to the company's tariff, the nominal margin made on as-available gas sales, is returned 75% to customers through the COGR and 25% is reflected in wholesale revenues of the company. Natural gas revenues will be significantly less in 1997 and subsequent years following consummation of the alliance with ONEOK (see Note 6). Non-regulated gas revenues increased from approximately $170 million to approximately $250 million, or 47%, for 1996 as compared to 1995 as a result of a 12% increase in sales volumes of the company's wholly-owned subsidiary Westar Gas Marketing, Inc. (Westar Gas Marketing). When the alliance with ONEOK is complete, Westar Gas Marketing will be transferred to New ONEOK. 1995 Compared to 1994: Electric revenues increased two percent in 1995 as a result of increased sales in all customer classes. The increase is primarily attributable to a higher demand for air conditioning load during the summer months of 1995 compared to 1994. The company's service territory experienced normal temperatures during the summer of 1995, but were more than 20% warmer, based on cooling degree days, compared to the summer of 1994. Natural gas revenues decreased in 1995 primarily as a result of the sales of Missouri Properties in the first quarter of 1994. The Consolidated Statements of Income include revenues of $77 million related to the Missouri Properties for the first quarter of 1994. Excluding natural gas sales related to the Missouri Properties, natural gas revenues increased six percent due to an increase in non-regulated gas revenues. Non-regulated gas revenues increased from approximately $145 million to approximately $170 million, or 17%, for 1995 as compared to 1994 as a result of a 44% increase in sales volumes of Westar Gas Marketing. OPERATING EXPENSES 1996 Compared to 1995: A 19% increase in total operating expenses in 1996 compared to 1995 is primarily due to a full year of amortization of the acquisition adjustment related to the acquisition of KGE in 1992 and increased fuel expense, purchased power, and natural gas purchases for electric generating stations due to Wolf Creek having been taken off-line for its eighth refueling and maintenance outage during the first quarter of 1996. Also contributing to the increases in fuel and purchased power expenses was the increased net generation due to the increase in customer demand for air conditioning load during the second quarter of 1996. The increase in operating expenses was partially offset by decreased maintenance expense and income tax expense. 1995 Compared to 1994: Total operating expenses decreased two percent in 1995 compared to 1994. The decrease is largely due to the sales of the Missouri Properties, lower natural gas purchases resulting from lower sales, and lower fuel expense resulting from a lower unit cost of fuel used for generation. Partially offsetting this decrease were expenses related to an early retirement program. In the second quarter of 1995, $7.6 million related to early retirement programs was recorded as an expense. OTHER INCOME AND DEDUCTIONS: Other income and deductions, net of taxes, decreased for the year ended December 31, 1996 compared to 1995 primarily as a result of a decrease in certain miscellaneous regulated gas revenues which ceased during 1996 in accordance with a KCC order. Other income and deductions, net of taxes, decreased for the twelve months ended December 31, 1995 compared to 1994 as a result of the gain on the sales of the Missouri Properties recorded in the first quarter of 1994. INTEREST CHARGES AND PREFERRED AND PREFERENCE DIVIDEND REQUIREMENTS: Total interest charges increased 22% for the twelve months ended December 31, 1996 as compared to 1995 due to increased interest expense on higher balances of the mandatorily redeemable preferred securities and increases in short-term borrowings to finance the purchase of the investment in ADT. Total interest charges increased three percent for the twelve months ended December 31, 1995 as compared to 1994, primarily due to higher debt balances and higher interest rates on short-term borrowings and variable long-term debt. KGE MERGER IMPLEMENTATION: In accordance with the KCC KGE merger order, amortization of the acquisition adjustment commenced August 1995. The amortization will amount to approximately $20 million (pre-tax) per year for 40 years. The company is recovering the amortization of the acquisition adjustment through cost savings under a sharing mechanism approved by the KCC. Based on the order issued by the KCC, with regard to the recovery of the acquisition premium, the company must achieve a level of savings on an annual basis (considering sharing provisions) of approximately $27 million in order to recover the entire acquisition premium. On January 15, 1997, the KCC fixed the annual merger savings level at $40 million which provides complete recovery of the acquisition premium amortization expense and a return on the acquisition premium. See Note 9 for further information relating to rate matters and regulation. As management presently expects to continue this level of savings, the amount is expected to be sufficient to allow for the full recovery of the acquisition premium. OTHER INFORMATION INFLATION: Under the rate making procedures prescribed by the regulatory commissions to which the company is subject, only the original cost of plant is recoverable in rates charged to customers. Therefore, because of inflation, present and future depreciation provisions are inadequate for purposes of maintaining the purchasing power invested by common shareowners and the related cash flows are inadequate for replacing property. The impact of this ratemaking process on common shareowners is mitigated to the extent depreciable property is financed with debt that can be repaid with dollars of less purchasing power. While the company has experienced relatively low inflation in the recent past, the cumulative effect of inflation on operating costs may require the company to seek regulatory rate relief to recover these higher costs. ENVIRONMENTAL: The company has taken a proactive position with respect to the potential environmental liability associated with former manufactured gas sites and has an agreement with the Kansas Department of Health and Environment to systematically evaluate these sites in Kansas. In accordance with the terms of the ONEOK agreement, ownership of twelve of the fifteen aforementioned sites will be transferred to New ONEOK upon consummation of the ONEOK alliance. The ONEOK agreement limits the company's liabilities to an immaterial amount for future remediation of these sites. The company is one of numerous potentially responsible parties at a groundwater contamination site in Wichita, Kansas which is listed by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) as a Superfund site. The nitrogen oxides (NOx) and toxic limits, which were not set in the law, were proposed by the EPA in January 1996. The company is currently evaluating the steps it will need to take in order to comply with the proposed new. The company will have three years from the date the limits were proposed to comply with the new NOx rules. See Note 8 for more information regarding environmental matters. DECOMMISSIONING: The staff of the SEC has questioned certain current accounting practices used by nuclear electric generating station owners regarding the recognition, measurement, and classification of decommissioning costs for nuclear electric generating stations. In response to these questions, the Financial Accounting Standards Board is expected to issue new accounting standards for closure and removal costs, including decommissioning, in 1997. The company is not able to predict what effect such changes would have on its results of operations, financial position, or related regulatory practices until the final issuance of revised accounting guidance, but such effect could be material. Refer to Note 8 for additional information relating to new accounting standards for decommissioning. On August 30, 1996, Wolf Creek Nuclear Operating Corporation submitted the 1996 Decommissioning Cost Study to the KCC for approval. Approval of this study was received from the KCC on February 28, 1997. Based on the study, the company's share of these decommissioning costs, under the immediate dismantlement method, is estimated to be approximately $624 million during the period 2025 through 2033, or approximately $192 million in 1996 dollars. These costs were calculated using an assumed inflation rate of 3.6% over the remaining service life from 1996 of 29 years. Refer to Note 8 for additional information relating to the 1996 Decommissioning Cost Study. CORPORATE-OWNED LIFE INSURANCE: A regulatory asset totaling $41 million and $35 million is outstanding at December 31, 1996 and 1995, respectively related to deferred postretirement and postemployment costs. In order to offset these costs, the company purchased corporate-owned life insurance (COLI) policies on its employees in 1992 and 1993. On August 2, 1996, Congress passed legislation that will phase out tax benefits associated with the 1992 and 1993 COLI contracts. The loss of tax benefits will significantly reduce the COLI earnings. The company is evaluating other methods to replace the 1992 and 1993 COLI contracts. The company also has the ability to seek recovery of postretirement and postemployment costs through the ratemaking process. Regulatory precedents established by the KCC are expected to permit the accrued costs of postretirement and postemployment benefits to be recovered in rates. If these costs cannot be recovered in rates, the company will be required to expense the regulatory asset. (See Notes 1 and 12.) COMPETITION AND ENHANCED BUSINESS OPPORTUNITIES: The electric and natural gas utility industry in the United States is rapidly evolving from an historically regulated monopolistic market to a dynamic and competitive integrated marketplace. The 1992 Energy Policy Act (Act) began the process of deregulation of the electricity industry by permitting the FERC to order electric utilities to allow third parties to sell electric power to wholesale customers over their transmission systems. As part of the KGE merger, the company agreed to open access of its transmission system for wholesale transactions. During 1996, wholesale electric revenues represented approximately 12% of the company's total electric revenues. Since that time, the wholesale electricity market has become increasingly competitive as companies begin to engage in nationwide power brokerage. In addition, various states including California and New York have taken active steps toward allowing retail customers to purchase electric power from third-party providers. In 1996, the KCC initiated a generic docket to study electric restructuring issues. A retail wheeling task force has been created by the Kansas Legislature to study competitive trends in retail electric services. During the 1997 session of the Kansas Legislature, bills have been introduced to increase competition in the electric industry. Among the matters under consideration is the recovery by utilities of costs in excess of competitive cost levels. There can be no assurance at this time that such costs will be recoverable if open competition is initiated in the electric utility market. The natural gas industry has been substantially deregulated, with FERC and many state regulators requiring local natural gas distribution companies to allow wholesale and retail customers to purchase gas from third-party providers. The successful providers of energy in a deregulated market will not only provide electric or natural gas service but also a variety of other services, including security. The company believes that in the newly deregulated environment, more sophisticated consumers will continue to demand new and innovative options and insist on the development of more efficient products and services to meet their energy-related needs. The company believes that its strong core utility business provides it with the platform to offer the more efficient products and energy services that customers will desire. Furthermore, the company believes it is necessary to continuously seek new ways to add value to its customers' lives and businesses. Recognizing that its current customer base must expand beyond its existing service area, the company views every person, whether in the United States or abroad, as a potential customer. The company also recognizes that its potential to emerge as a leading national energy and energy-related services provider is enhanced by having a strong brand name. The company has been establishing its brand identity through the Westar Security name. The combination of the company and ADT would immediately provide an ideal brand name to capitalize on the emerging security and energy marketplaces. Although the company has been planning for the deregulation of the energy market, increased competition for retail electricity sales may in the future reduce the company's earnings from its formerly regulated business. During 1995, however, the company's average retail electric rates were over 9% below the national average and continue to be competitive within the midwestern United States. In 1997, the company further reduced its retail rates and expects to be able to retain a substantial portion of its current sales volume in a competitive environment. Finally, the company believes that the deregulation of the energy market may prove beneficial to the company, since any potential competitive pressure in its formerly regulated business is expected to be more than offset by the nationwide markets which the company expects to enter by offering energy and security services to customers. Operating in this competitive environment will place pressure on utility profit margins and credit quality. Wholesale and industrial customers may threaten to pursue cogeneration, self-generation, retail wheeling, municipalization or relocation to other service territories in an attempt to obtain reduced energy costs. Increasing competition has resulted in credit rating agencies applying more stringent guidelines when making utility credit rating determinations. See discussion of Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 71 "Accounting for the Effects of Certain Types of Regulation" (SFAS 71) in "Regulatory" below. The company is providing competitive electric rates for industrial expansion projects and economic development projects in an effort to maintain and increase electric load. During 1996, the company lost a major industrial customer to cogeneration resulting in a reduction to pre-tax earnings of $8.6 million annually. This customer's decision to develop its own cogeneration project was based largely on factors unique to the customer, other than energy cost. In light of these developments, the company is pursuing the following strategic plan: 1) maintain a strong core energy business; 2) build a national branded presence; and 3) become a leader in the international energy business. In order to be better positioned for the competitive environment in the energy industry, the company is pursuing a merger with KCPL (see Note 2), seeking to acquire ADT (see Note 3), planning a strategic alliance with ONEOK (see Note 6), and developing international power projects through its wholly-owned subsidiary, The Wing Group (see Note 4). REGULATORY: On April 24, 1996, FERC issued its final rule on Order No. 888, "Promoting Wholesale Competition Through Open Access Non-discriminatory Transmission Services by Public Utilities; Recovery of Stranded Costs by Public Utilities and Transmitting Utilities". The company does not presently expect the order to have a material effect on its operations in large part because it is already operating in substantially the required manner due to its agreement with the KCC during the merger with KGE (See discussion above in "Competition and Enhanced Business Opportunities"). On May 23, 1996, the company implemented an $8.7 million electric rate reduction to KGE customers on an interim basis. On October 22, 1996, the company, the KCC Staff, the City of Wichita, and the Citizens Utility Ratepayer Board filed an agreement at the KCC whereby the company's retail electric rates would be reduced, subject to approval by the KCC. This agreement was approved by the KCC on January 15, 1997. Under the agreement, on February 1, 1997, KGE's rates were reduced by $36.3 million and the May, 1996 interim reduction became permanent. KGE's rates will be reduced by another $10 million effective June 1, 1998, and again on June 1, 1999. KPL's rates were reduced by $10 million effective February 1, 1997. Two one-time rebates of $5 million will be credited to the company's customers in January 1998 and 1999. The agreement also fixed annual savings from the merger with KGE at $40 million. This level of merger savings provides for complete recovery of the acquisition premium amortization expense and a return on the acquisition premium. See Note 9 for additional information regarding rate matters. On August 22, 1996, the company filed with the FERC an application for approval of its proposed merger with KCPL. On December 18, 1996, the FERC issued a Merger Policy Statement (Policy Statement) which articulates three principal factors the FERC will apply for analyzing mergers: (1) effect on competition, (2) customer protection, and (3) effect on regulation. The FERC has requested the company to and pursuant to the FERC request, the company will revise its filing to comply with the specific requirements of the Policy Statement. STRANDED COSTS: The company currently applies accounting standards that recognize the economic effects of rate regulation, SFAS 71, and, accordingly, has recorded regulatory assets and liabilities related to its generation, transmission and distribution operations. In the event the company determines that it no longer meets the criteria set forth in SFAS 71, the accounting impact would be an extraordinary non-cash charge to operations of an amount that would be material. Criteria that give rise to the discontinuance of SFAS 71 include: (1) increasing competition that restricts the company's ability to establish prices to recover specific costs, and (2) a significant change in the manner in which rates are set by regulators from a cost-based regulation to another form of regulation. The company periodically reviews these criteria to ensure the continuing application of SFAS 71 is appropriate. Based on current evaluation of the various factors and conditions that are expected to impact future cost recovery, the company believes that its net regulatory assets are probable of future recovery. Any regulatory changes that would require the company to discontinue SFAS 71 based upon competitive or other events may significantly impact the valuation of the company's net regulatory assets and its utility plant investments, particularly the Wolf Creek facility. At this time, the effect of competition and the amount of regulatory assets which could be recovered in such an environment cannot be predicted. See discussion of "Competition and Enhanced Business Opportunities" above for initiatives taken to restructure the electric industry in Kansas. The term "stranded costs" as it relates to capital intensive utilities has been defined as investment in and carrying costs associated with property, plant and equipment and other regulatory assets in excess of the level which can be recovered in the competitive market in which the utility operates. Regulatory changes, including the introduction of competition, could adversely impact the company's ability to recover its costs in these assets. As of December 31, 1996, the company has recorded regulatory assets which are currently subject to recovery in future rates of approximately $458 million. Of this amount, $217 million represents a receivable for income tax benefits flow-through to customers. The remainder of the regulatory assets represent items that may give rise to stranded costs including debt issuance costs, deferred post employment/retirement benefits and deferred contract settlement costs. Finally, the company's ability to fully recover its utility plant investments in, and decommissioning cost for, generating facilities, particularly Wolf Creek, may be at risk in a competitive environment. This risk will become more significant as a result of the proposed KCPL Merger as KCPL presently owns a 47% undivided interest in Wolf Creek. Amounts associated with the company's recovery of environmental remediation costs and long-term fuel contract costs cannot be estimated with any certainty, but also represent items that could give rise to "stranded costs" in a competitive environment. In the event that the company was not allowed to recover its investment in these assets, the accounting impact would be a charge to its results of operations that would be material. If completed, the proposed KCPL Merger and the proposed strategic alliance with ONEOK will increase the company's exposure to potential stranded costs. ITEM 8. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA TABLE OF CONTENTS PAGE Report of Independent Public Accountants 40 Financial Statements: Consolidated Balance Sheets, December 31, 1996 and 1995 41 Consolidated Statements of Income for the years ended December 31, 1996, 1995 and 1994 42 Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the years ended 1996, 1995 and 1994 43 Consolidated Statements of Taxes for the years ended December 31, 1996, 1995 and 1994 44 Consolidated Statements of Capitalization, December 31, 1996 and 1995 45 Consolidated Statements of Common Stock Equity for the years ended December 31, 1996, 1995 and 1994 46 Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements 47 SCHEDULES OMITTED The following schedules are omitted because of the absence of the conditions under which they are required or the information is included in the financial statements and schedules presented: I, II, III, IV, and V. REPORT OF INDEPENDENT PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS To the Shareowners and Board of Directors of Western Resources, Inc.: We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets and statements of capitalization of Western Resources, Inc., and subsidiaries as of December 31, 1996 and 1995, and the related consolidated statements of income, cash flows, taxes and common stock equity for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 1996. These financial statements are the responsibility of the company's management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements based on our audits. We conducted our audits in accordance with generally accepted auditing standards. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audits to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion. In our opinion, the financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the consolidated financial position of Western Resources, Inc., and subsidiaries as of December 31, 1996 and 1995, and the consolidated results of their operations and their cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 1996, in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles. As explained in Note 12 to the consolidated financial statements, effective January 1, 1994, the company changed its method of accounting for postemployment benefits. ARTHUR ANDERSEN LLP Kansas City, Missouri, January 24, 1997 (February 7, 1997 with respect to Note 2 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.) WESTERN RESOURCES, INC. CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (Dollars in Thousands)
December 31, 1996 1995 ASSETS UTILITY PLANT (Notes 1 and 17): Electric plant in service . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $5,536,256 $5,341,074 Natural gas plant in service. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 834,330 787,453 6,370,586 6,128,527 Less - Accumulated depreciation . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2,146,363 1,926,520 4,224,223 4,202,007 Construction work in progress . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 93,834 100,401 Nuclear fuel (net). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38,461 53,942 Net utility plant. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4,356,518 4,356,350 INVESTMENTS AND OTHER PROPERTY: Investment in ADT (net) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 590,102 - Security business and other property. . . . . . . . . . . 584,647 99,269 Decommissioning trust (Note 8). . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33,041 25,070 1,207,790 124,339 CURRENT ASSETS: Cash and cash equivalents (Note 1). . . . . . . . . . . . 3,724 2,414 Accounts receivable and unbilled revenues (net) (Note 1). 318,966 257,292 Fossil fuel, at average cost. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39,061 54,742 Gas stored underground, at average cost . . . . . . . . . 30,027 28,106 Materials and supplies, at average cost . . . . . . . . . 66,167 57,996 Prepayments and other current assets. . . . . . . . . . . 36,503 20,426 494,448 420,976 DEFERRED CHARGES AND OTHER ASSETS: Deferred future income taxes (Note 10). . . . . . . . . . 217,257 282,476 Corporate-owned life insurance (net) (Notes 1 and 12) . . 86,179 44,143 Regulatory assets (Note 9). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 241,039 262,393 Other . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44,550 - 589,025 589,012 TOTAL ASSETS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $6,647,781 $5,490,677 CAPITALIZATION AND LIABILITIES CAPITALIZATION (See statements): Common stock equity . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $1,624,680 $1,553,110 Cumulative preferred and preference stock . . . . . . . . 74,858 174,858 Western Resources obligated mandatorily redeemable preferred securities of subsidiary trusts holding solely company subordinated debentures. . . . . . . . . 220,000 100,000 Long-term debt (net). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1,681,583 1,391,263 3,601,121 3,219,231 CURRENT LIABILITIES: Short-term debt (Note 15) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 980,740 203,450 Long-term debt due within one year (Note 14). . . . . . . - 16,000 Accounts payable. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 180,540 149,194 Accrued taxes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 83,813 68,569 Accrued interest and dividends. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 70,193 62,157 Other . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36,806 40,266 1,352,092 539,636 DEFERRED CREDITS AND OTHER LIABILITIES: Deferred income taxes (Note 10) . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1,110,372 1,167,470 Deferred investment tax credits (Note 10) . . . . . . . . 125,528 132,286 Deferred gain from sale-leaseback (Note 16) . . . . . . . 233,060 242,700 Other . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 225,608 189,354 1,694,568 1,731,810 COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES (Notes 7 and 8) TOTAL CAPITALIZATION AND LIABILITIES. . . . . . . . . . $6,647,781 $5,490,677 The Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements are an integral part of this statement.
WESTERN RESOURCES, INC. CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME (Dollars in Thousands, Except Per Share Amounts)
Year Ended December 31, 1996 1995 1994(1) OPERATING REVENUES (Notes 1 and 9): Electric. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $1,197,433 $1,145,895 $1,121,781 Natural gas . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 849,386 597,405 642,988 Total operating revenues. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2,046,819 1,743,300 1,764,769 OPERATING EXPENSES: Fuel used for generation: Fossil fuel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 245,990 211,994 220,766 Nuclear fuel (net). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19,962 19,425 13,562 Power purchased . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27,592 15,739 15,438 Natural gas purchases . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 354,755 263,790 312,576 Other operations. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 607,995 479,136 438,945 Maintenance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 99,122 108,641 113,186 Depreciation and amortization . . . . . . . . . . . . 183,722 160,285 157,398 Amortization of phase-in revenues . . . . . . . . . . 17,544 17,545 17,544 Taxes (See Statements): Federal income. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 70,057 72,314 76,477 State income. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19,035 18,883 19,145 General . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 97,052 96,839 104,682 Total operating expenses. . . . . . . . . . . . . 1,742,826 1,464,591 1,489,719 OPERATING INCOME. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 303,993 278,709 275,050 OTHER INCOME AND DEDUCTIONS: Corporate-owned life insurance (net). . . . . . . . . (2,249) (2,668) (5,354) Gain on sales of Missouri Properties (Note 19). . . . - - 30,701 Special charges from ADT (Note 3) . . . . . . . . . . (18,181) - - Equity in earnings of investees and other (net) . . . 31,723 19,925 10,296 Income taxes (net) (See Statements) . . . . . . . . . 2,990 7,805 (4,329) Total other income and deductions . . . . . . . . 14,283 25,062 31,314 INCOME BEFORE INTEREST CHARGES. . . . . . . . . . . . . 318,276 303,771 306,364 INTEREST CHARGES: Long-term debt. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 105,741 95,962 98,483 Other . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46,810 30,360 23,101 Allowance for borrowed funds used during construction (credit) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (3,225) (4,227) (2,667) Total interest charges. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 149,326 122,095 118,917 NET INCOME. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 168,950 181,676 187,447 PREFERRED AND PREFERENCE DIVIDENDS. . . . . . . . . . . 14,839 13,419 13,418 EARNINGS APPLICABLE TO COMMON STOCK . . . . . . . . . . $ 154,111 $ 168,257 $ 174,029 AVERAGE COMMON SHARES OUTSTANDING . . . . . . . . . . . 63,833,783 62,157,125 61,617,873 EARNINGS PER AVERAGE COMMON SHARE OUTSTANDING . . . . . $ 2.41 $ 2.71 $ 2.82 DIVIDENDS DECLARED PER COMMON SHARE . . . . . . . . . . $ 2.06 $ 2.02 $ 1.98 (1) Information reflects the sales of the Missouri Properties (Note 19). The Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements are an integral part of this statement.
WESTERN RESOURCES, INC. CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (Dollars in Thousands)
Year Ended December 31, 1996 1995 1994(1) CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES: Net income. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $ 168,950 $ 181,676 $ 187,447 Depreciation and amortization . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 190,628 160,285 157,398 Amortization of nuclear fuel. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15,685 14,703 10,437 Gain on sale of utility plant (net of tax). . . . . . . . - (951) (19,296) Amortization of phase-in revenues . . . . . . . . . . . . 17,544 17,545 17,544 Corporate-owned life insurance policies . . . . . . . . . (29,713) (28,548) (17,246) Amortization of gain from sale-leaseback. . . . . . . . . (9,640) (9,640) (9,640) Deferred acquisition costs. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (31,518) - - Equity in earnings of investees . . . . . . . . . . . . . (9,373) - - Changes in other working capital items (net of effects from acquisitions): Accounts receivable and unbilled revenues (net)(Note 1) (47,474) (37,532) (75,630) Fossil fuel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15,681 (15,980) (7,828) Gas stored underground. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (1,921) 17,116 (5,403) Accounts payable. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15,353 18,578 (41,682) Accrued taxes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26,709 (19,024) 20,756 Other . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18,325 8,179 41,309 Changes in other assets and liabilities . . . . . . . . . (63,950) 537 9,625 Net cash flows from operating activities. . . . . . . . 275,286 306,944 267,791 CASH FLOWS USED IN INVESTING ACTIVITIES: Additions to utility plant. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 199,509 236,827 237,696 Sales of utility plant. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . - (1,723) (402,076) Purchase of ADT common stock. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 589,362 - - Security business acquisitions. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 368,535 - - Non-utility investments (net) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6,563 15,408 9,041 Corporate-owned life insurance policies . . . . . . . . . 54,007 55,175 54,914 Death proceeds of corporate-owned life insurance policies (10,653) (11,187) (1,251) Net cash flows used in (from) investing activities. . . 1,207,323 294,500 (101,676) CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES: Short-term debt (net) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 777,290 (104,750) (132,695) Bonds issued. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . - - 235,923 Bonds retired . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (16,135) (105) (223,906) Revolving credit agreements (net) . . . . . . . . . . . . 225,000 50,000 (115,000) Other long-term debt retired. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . - - (67,893) Other mandatorily redeemable securities . . . . . . . . . 120,000 100,000 - Borrowings against life insurance policies. . . . . . . . 45,978 49,279 70,633 Repayment of borrowings against life insurance policies . (4,963) (5,384) (225) Common stock issued (net) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33,212 36,161 - Preference stock redeemed . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (100,000) - - Dividends on preferred, preference, and common stock. . . (147,035) (137,946) (134,806) Net cash flows from (used in) financing activities. . . 933,347 (12,745) (367,969) NET INCREASE (DECREASE) IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS. . . . 1,310 (301) 1,498 CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS: Beginning of the period . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2,414 2,715 1,217 End of the period . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $ 3,724 $ 2,414 $ 2,715 SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURES OF CASH FLOW INFORMATION CASH PAID FOR: Interest on financing activities (net of amount capitalized). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $ 169,713 $ 136,548 $ 134,785 Income taxes. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 66,692 84,811 90,229 (1) Information reflects the sales of the Missouri Properties (Note 19). The Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements are an integral part of this statement.
WESTERN RESOURCES, INC. CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF TAXES (Dollars in Thousands)
Year Ended December 31, 1996 1995 1994(1) FEDERAL INCOME TAXES: Payable currently . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $ 61,602 $ 51,218 $ 98,748 Deferred taxes arising from: Alternative minimum tax credit. . . . . . . . . . . . . 18,491 23,925 - Depreciation and other property related items . . . . . (1,386) (1,813) 29,506 Energy and cost of gas riders . . . . . . . . . . . . . (2,095) 5,239 9,764 Natural gas line survey and replacement program . . . . (466) 1,192 (313) Missouri property sales . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . - - (36,343) Prepaid power sale. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 376 (23) (13,759) Other . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (2,301) (7,046) (800) Amortization of investment tax credits. . . . . . . . . . (6,652) (6,789) (6,739) Total Federal income taxes. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 67,569 65,903 80,064 Less: Federal income taxes applicable to non-operating items: Missouri property sales . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . - - 9,485 Other . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (2,488) (6,411) (5,898) Total Federal income taxes applicable to non-operating items . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (2,488) (6,411) 3,587 Total Federal income taxes charged to operations. . 70,057 72,314 76,477 STATE INCOME TAXES: Payable currently . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18,885 17,203 17,758 Deferred (net). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (352) 286 2,129 Total State income taxes. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18,533 17,489 19,887 Less: State income taxes applicable to non-operating items. . . (502) (1,394) 742 Total State income taxes charged to operations. . . 19,035 18,883 19,145 GENERAL TAXES: Property and other taxes. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 84,776 83,738 86,687 Franchise taxes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32 26 5,116 Payroll taxes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12,244 13,075 12,879 Total general taxes charged to operations . . . . . 97,052 96,839 104,682 TOTAL TAXES CHARGED TO OPERATIONS . . . . . . . . . . . . . $186,144 $188,036 $200,304 The effective income tax rates set forth below are computed by dividing total Federal and State income taxes by the sum of such taxes and net income. The difference between the effective rates and the Federal statutory income tax rates are as follows: Year Ended December 31, 1996 1995 1994(1) EFFECTIVE INCOME TAX RATE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32.8% 31.8% 35.3% EFFECT OF: State income taxes. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (5.1) (4.3) (4.6) Amortization of investment tax credits. . . . . . . . . . 2.7 2.5 2.4 Corporate-owned life insurance policies . . . . . . . . . 3.7 3.2 2.1 Flow through and amortization, net. . . . . . . . . . . . (.2) (.2) (.7) Other differences . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1.1 2.0 .5 STATUTORY FEDERAL INCOME TAX RATE . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35.0% 35.0% 35.0% (1) Information reflects the sales of the Missouri Properties (Note 19). The Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements are an integral part of this statement.
WESTERN RESOURCES, INC. CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CAPITALIZATION (Dollars in Thousands)
December 31, 1996 1995 COMMON STOCK EQUITY (See Statements): Common stock, par value $5 per share, authorized 85,000,000 shares, outstanding 64,625,259 and 62,855,961 shares, respectively . . $ 323,126 $ 314,280 Paid-in capital. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 739,433 697,962 Retained earnings. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 562,121 540,868 1,624,680 45% 1,553,110 48% CUMULATIVE PREFERRED AND PREFERENCE STOCK (Note 11): Preferred stock not subject to mandatory redemption, Par value $100 per share, authorized 600,000 shares, outstanding - 4 1/2% Series, 138,576 shares . . . . . . . . 13,858 13,858 4 1/4% Series, 60,000 shares. . . . . . . . . 6,000 6,000 5% Series, 50,000 shares. . . . . . . . . . . 5,000 5,000 24,858 24,858 Preference stock subject to mandatory redemption, Without par value, $100 stated value, authorized 4,000,000 shares, outstanding - 7.58% Series, 500,000 shares. . . . . . . . . 50,000 50,000 8.50% Series, 1,000,000 shares. . . . . . . . - 100,000 50,000 150,000 74,858 2% 174,858 6% WESTERN RESOURCES OBLIGATED MANDATORILY REDEEMABLE PREFERRED SECURITIES OF SUBSIDIARY TRUSTS HOLDING SOLELY COMPANY SUBORDINATED DEBENTURES (Note 11): 220,000 6% 100,000 3% LONG-TERM DEBT (Note 14): First mortgage bonds . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 825,000 841,000 Pollution control bonds. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 521,682 521,817 Revolving credit agreement . . . . . . . . . . . . . 275,000 50,000 Other long-term debt . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 65,190 - Less: Unamortized premium and discount (net) . . . . . . 5,289 5,554 Long-term debt due within one year . . . . . . . . - 16,000 1,681,583 47% 1,391,263 43% TOTAL CAPITALIZATION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $3,601,121 100% $3,219,231 100% The Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements are an integral part of this statement.
WESTERN RESOURCES, INC. CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMMON STOCK EQUITY (Dollars in Thousands)
Common Paid-in Retained Stock Capital Earnings BALANCE DECEMBER 31, 1993, 61,617,873 shares. . . . . $308,089 $667,738 $446,348 Net income. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 187,447 Cash dividends: Preferred and preference stock. . . . . . . . . . . (13,418) Common stock, $1.98 per share . . . . . . . . . . . (122,003) Expenses on common stock. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (228) Distribution of common stock under the Dividend Reinvestment and Stock Purchase Plan. . . . . . . . 482 BALANCE DECEMBER 31, 1994, 61,617,873 shares. . . . . 308,089 667,992 498,374 Net income. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 181,676 Cash dividends: Preferred and preference stock. . . . . . . . . . . (13,419) Common stock, $2.02 per share . . . . . . . . . . . (125,763) Expenses on common stock. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (772) Issuance of 1,238,088 shares of common stock. . . . . 6,191 30,742 BALANCE DECEMBER 31, 1995, 62,855,961 shares. . . . . 314,280 697,962 540,868 Net income. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 168,950 Cash dividends: Preferred and preference stock. . . . . . . . . . . (14,839) Common stock, $2.06 per share . . . . . . . . . . . (131,611) Issuance of 1,769,298 shares of common stock. . . . . 8,846 41,471 (1,247) BALANCE DECEMBER 31, 1996, 64,625,259 shares. . . . . $323,126 $739,433 $562,121 The Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements are an integral part of this statement.
WESTERN RESOURCES, INC. NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 1. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES General: The Consolidated Financial Statements of Western Resources, Inc. (the company) and its wholly-owned subsidiaries, include KPL, a rate-regulated electric and gas division of the company, Kansas Gas and Electric Company (KGE), a rate-regulated electric utility and wholly-owned subsidiary of the company, Westar Security, Inc. (Westar Security) a wholly-owned subsidiary which provides monitored electronic security services, Westar Energy, Inc. a wholly-owned subsidiary which provides non-regulated energy services, Westar Capital, Inc. (Westar Capital) a wholly-owned subsidiary which holds equity investments in technology and energy-related companies, The Wing Group Limited (The Wing Group), a wholly-owned developer of international power projects, and Mid Continent Market Center, Inc. (Market Center), a regulated gas transmission service provider. KGE owns 47% of Wolf Creek Nuclear Operating Corporation (WCNOC), the operating company for Wolf Creek Generating Station (Wolf Creek). The company records its proportionate share of all transactions of WCNOC as it does other jointly-owned facilities. All significant intercompany transactions have been eliminated. The company is an investor-owned holding company. The company is engaged principally in the production, purchase, transmission, distribution and sale of electricity, the delivery and sale of natural gas, and electronic security services. The company serves approximately 606,000 electric customers in eastern and central Kansas and approximately 650,000 natural gas customers in Kansas and northeastern Oklahoma. The company's non-utility subsidiaries provide electronic security services to approximately 400,000 customers throughout the United States, market natural gas primarily to large commercial and industrial customers, develop international power projects, and provide other energy-related products and services. The company prepares its financial statements in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles as applied to regulated public utilities. The accounting and rates of the company are subject to requirements of the Kansas Corporation Commission (KCC), the Oklahoma Corporation Commission (OCC), and the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC). The financial statements require management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, to disclose contingent assets and liabilities at the balance sheet dates, and to report amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates. The company currently applies accounting standards that recognize the economic effects of rate regulation Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 71, "Accounting for the Effects of Certain Types of Regulation", (SFAS 71) and, accordingly, has recorded regulatory assets and liabilities related to its generation, transmission and distribution operations. In 1996, the KCC initiated a generic docket to study electric restructuring issues. A retail wheeling task force has been created by the Kansas Legislature to study competitive trends in retail electric services. During the 1997 session of the Kansas Legislature, bills have been introduced to increase competition in the electric industry. Among the matters under consideration is the recovery by utilities of costs in excess of competitive cost levels. There can be no assurance at this time that such costs will be recoverable if open competition is initiated in the electric utility market. In the event the company determines that it no longer meets the criteria set forth in SFAS 71, the accounting impact would be an extraordinary non-cash charge to operations of an amount that would be material. Criteria that give rise to the discontinuance of SFAS 71 include, (1) increasing competition that restricts the company's ability to establish prices to recover specific costs, and (2) a significant change in the manner in which rates are set by regulators from a cost-based regulation to another form of regulation. The company periodically reviews these criteria to ensure the continuing application of SFAS 71 is appropriate. Based on current evaluation of the various factors and conditions that are expected to impact future cost recovery, the company believes that its net regulatory assets are probable of future recovery. Any regulatory changes that would require the company to discontinue SFAS 71 based upon competitive or other events may significantly impact the valuation of the company's net regulatory assets and its utility plant investments, particularly the Wolf Creek facility. At this time, the effect of competition and the amount of regulatory assets which could be recovered in such an environment cannot be predicted. See Note 9 for further discussion on regulatory assets. In January, 1996, the company adopted Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 121, "Accounting for the Impairment of Long-Lived Assets and for Long-Lived Assets to Be Disposed Of" (SFAS 121). This Statement imposes stricter criteria for regulatory assets by requiring that such assets be probable of future recovery at each balance sheet date. Based on the current regulatory structure in which the company operates, the adoption of this standard did not have a material impact on the financial position or results of operations of the company. This conclusion may change in the future as competitive factors influence wholesale or retail pricing in the electric industry. Utility Plant: Utility plant is stated at cost. For constructed plant, cost includes contracted services, direct labor and materials, indirect charges for engineering, supervision, general and administrative costs, and an allowance for funds used during construction (AFUDC). The AFUDC rate was 5.7% in 1996, 6.31% in 1995, and 4.08% in 1994. The cost of additions to utility plant and replacement units of property are capitalized. Maintenance costs and replacement of minor items of property are charged to expense as incurred. When units of depreciable property are retired, they are removed from the plant accounts and the original cost plus removal charges less salvage are charged to accumulated depreciation. In accordance with regulatory decisions made by the KCC, amortization of the acquisition premium of approximately $801 million resulting from the KGE purchase began in August of 1995. The premium is being amortized over 40 years and has been classified as electric plant in service. Accumulated amortization through December 31, 1996 totaled $27.5 million. See Note 9 for further information concerning the amortization of this premium. Depreciation: Depreciation is provided on the straight-line method based on estimated useful lives of property. Composite provisions for book depreciation approximated 2.97% during 1996, 2.84% during 1995, and 2.87% during 1994 of the average original cost of depreciable property. In the past, the methods and rates have been determined by depreciation studies and approved by the various regulatory bodies. The company periodically evaluates its depreciation rates considering the past and expected future experience in the operation of its facilities. Environmental Remediation: Effective January 1, 1997, the company adopted the provisions of Statement of Position (SOP) 96-1, "Environmental Remediation Liabilities". This statement provides authoritative guidance for recognition, measurement, display, and disclosure of environmental remediation liabilities in financial statements. The company is currently evaluating and in the process of estimating the potential liability associated with environmental remediation. Management does not expect the amount to be significant to the company's results of operations as the company will seek recovery of these costs through rates as has been permitted by the KCC in the case of another Kansas utility. Additionally, the adoption of this statement is not expected to have a material impact on the company's financial position. To the extent that such remediation costs are not recovered through rates, the costs may be material to the company's operating results, depending on the degree of remediation required and number of years over which the remediation must be completed. Cash and Cash Equivalents: For purposes of the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows, the company considers highly liquid collateralized debt instruments purchased with a maturity of three months or less to be cash equivalents. Income Taxes: The company accounts for income taxes in accordance with the provisions of Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 109 "Accounting for Income Taxes" (SFAS 109). Under SFAS 109, deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized based on temporary differences in amounts recorded for financial reporting purposes and their respective tax bases. Investment tax credits previously deferred are being amortized to income over the life of the property which gave rise to the credits (See Note 10). Revenues: Operating revenues for both electric and natural gas services include estimated amounts for services rendered but unbilled at the end of each year. Revenues for security services are recognized in the period earned. Unbilled revenues of $83 million and $66 million are recorded as a component of accounts receivable and unbilled revenues (net) on the Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 31, 1996 and 1995, respectively. The company's recorded reserves for doubtful accounts receivable totaled $6.3 million and $4.9 million at December 31, 1996 and 1995, respectively. Debt Issuance and Reacquisition Expense: Debt premium, discount, and issuance expenses are amortized over the life of each issue. Under regulatory procedures, debt reacquisition expenses are amortized over the remaining life of the reacquired debt or, if refinanced, the life of the new debt. See Note 9 for more information regarding regulatory assets. Risk Management: The company is exposed to fluctuations in price on the portfolio of natural gas transactions resulting from marketing activities of a non-regulated subsidiary. To minimize the risk from market fluctuations, the company enters into natural gas futures, swaps and options in order to hedge existing physical natural gas purchase or sale commitments. These financial instruments are designated as hedges of the underlying physical commitments and as such, gains or losses resulting from changes in market value of the various derivative instruments are deferred and recognized in income when the underlying physical transaction is closed. See Note 5 for further information. Fuel Costs: The cost of nuclear fuel in process of refinement, conversion, enrichment, and fabrication is recorded as an asset at original cost and is amortized to expense based upon the quantity of heat produced for the generation of electricity. The accumulated amortization of nuclear fuel in the reactor at December 31, 1996 and 1995, was $25.3 million and $28.5 million, respectively. Cash Surrender Value of Life Insurance Policies: The following amounts related to corporate-owned life insurance policies (COLI) are recorded in Corporate-owned life insurance (net) on the Consolidated Balance Sheets: At December 31, 1996 1995 (Dollars in Millions) Cash surrender value of policies (1) . $ 563.0 $ 479.9 Borrowings against policies. . . . . . (476.8) (435.8) COLI (net). . . . . . . . . . $ 86.2 $ 44.1 (1) Cash surrender value of policies as presented represents the value of the policies as of the end of the respective policy years and not as of December 31, 1996 and 1995. Income is recorded for increases in cash surrender value and net death proceeds. Interest expense is recognized for COLI borrowings except for certain policies entered into in 1992 and 1993. The net income generated from COLI contracts purchased prior to 1992 including the tax benefit of the interest deduction and premium expenses are recorded as Corporate-owned life insurance (net) on the Consolidated Statements of Income. The income from increases in cash surrender value and net death proceeds was $25.4 million in 1996, $22.7 million in 1995, and $15.6 million in 1994. The interest expense deduction taken was $27.6 million for 1996, $25.4 million for 1995, and $21.0 million for 1994. The COLI policies entered into in 1992 and 1993 were established to mitigate the cost of postretirement and postemployment benefits. As approved by the KCC, the company is using the net income stream generated by these COLI policies to offset the costs of postretirement and postemployment benefits. A regulatory asset totaling $41 million and $35 million is outstanding at December 31, 1996 and 1995, respectively, related to deferred postretirement and postemployment costs. On August 2, 1996, Congress passed legislation that will phase out tax benefits associated with the 1992 and 1993 COLI policies. The loss of tax benefits will significantly reduce the COLI earnings. The company is evaluating other methods to replace the 1992 and 1993 COLI policies. The company also has the ability to seek recovery of postretirement and postemployment costs through the rate making process. Regulatory precedents established by the KCC are expected to permit the accrued costs of postretirement and postemployment benefits to be recovered in rates. If a suitable COLI replacement product cannot be found, or these costs cannot be recovered in rates, the company may be required to expense the regulatory asset. The company currently expects to be able to find a suitable COLI replacement. The legislation had minimal impact on the Company's COLI policies entered into prior to 1992. (See Notes 9 and 12). Reclassifications: Certain amounts in prior years have been reclassified to conform with classifications used in the current year presentation. 2. PROPOSED MERGER WITH KANSAS CITY POWER & LIGHT COMPANY On April 14, 1996, in a letter to Mr. A. Drue Jennings, Chairman of the Board, President and Chief Executive Officer of Kansas City Power & Light Company (KCPL), the company proposed an offer to merge with KCPL (KCPL Merger). On November 15, 1996, the company and KCPL announced that representatives of their respective boards and managements met to discuss the proposed merger transaction. On February 7, 1997, KCPL and the company entered into an agreement whereby KCPL would be merged with and into the company. The merger agreement provides for a tax-free, stock-for-stock transaction valued at approximately $2 billion. Under the terms of the agreement, KCPL shareowners will receive $32 of company common stock per KCPL common share, subject to an exchange ratio collar of not less than 0.917 to no more than 1.100 common shares. Consummation of the KCPL Merger is subject to customary conditions including obtaining the approval of KCPL's and the company's shareowners and various regulatory agencies. The company expects to be able to close the KCPL Merger in the first half of 1998. See Note 9 for discussion of rate proceedings. The KCPL Merger, will create a company with more than two million security and energy customers, $9.5 billion in total assets, $3.0 billion in annual revenues and more than 8,000 megawatts of electric generation resources. As a result of the merger agreement, the company terminated its exchange offer that had been effective since July 3, 1996. The KCPL Merger is designed to qualify as a pooling of interests for financial reporting purposes. Under this method, the recorded assets and liabilities of the company and KCPL would be carried forward at historical amounts to a combined balance sheet. Prior period operating results and the consolidated statements of financial position, cash flows and capitalization would be restated to effect the combination for all periods presented. KCPL is a public utility company engaged in the generation, transmission, distribution, and sale of electricity to approximately 430,000 customers in western Missouri and eastern Kansas. KCPL and the company have joint interests in certain electric generating assets, including Wolf Creek. As of December 31, 1996, the company has incurred approximately $32 million of transaction costs associated with the KCPL Merger. The company anticipates expensing these costs in the first reporting period subsequent to closing the KCPL Merger. As of December 31, 1996, costs incurred have been included in Deferred Charges and Other Assets, Other on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. 3. ADT LIMITED, INC. Investment in ADT Limited, Inc.: During 1996, the company purchased approximately 38 million common shares of ADT Limited, Inc. (ADT) for approximately $589 million. The shares purchased represent approximately 27% of ADT's common shares making the company the largest shareowner of ADT. These purchases were financed entirely with short-term borrowings. ADT is North America's largest monitored security services company with $1.8 billion in annual revenues. ADT has approximately 1.2 million customers in North America and abroad and has approximately 18,000 employees. The company uses the equity method of accounting for this investment. Goodwill of approximately $369 million is associated with this investment and is being amortized over 40 years and is presented net in Equity in earnings of investees and other on the Consolidated Statements of Income. Accumulated amortization approximates $6.5 million at December 31, 1996. ADT recently announced that it would record a net charge to income of approximately $60 million during 1996. This charge is primarily related to one-time restructuring charges resulting from its merger with another security company, partially offset by a gain on the sale of non-strategic assets. The company recognized its share of this charge equal to $11.8 million or approximately $0.19 per share, net of tax, as a component of Equity in earnings of investees and other on the Consolidated Statements of Income. Proposed Acquisition of ADT: On December 18, 1996, the company announced its intention to offer to exchange $22.50 in cash ($7.50) and shares ($15.00) of the company's common stock for each outstanding common share of ADT not already owned by the company or its subsidiaries (ADT Offer). The value of the ADT Offer, assuming the company's average stock price prior to closing is above $29.75 per common share, is approximately $3.5 billion, including the company's existing investment in ADT. Following completion of the ADT Offer, the company presently intends to propose and seek to have ADT effect an amalgamation, pursuant to which a newly created subsidiary of the company incorporated under the laws of Bermuda will amalgamate with and into ADT (Amalgamation). Based upon the closing stock price of the company on March 13, 1997, approximately 60.1 million shares of company common stock would be issuable pursuant to the acquisition of ADT. However, the actual number of shares of company common stock that would be issuable in connection with the ADT Offer and the Amalgamation will depend on the exchange ratio and the number of shares validly tendered prior to the expiration date of the ADT Offer and the number of shares of ADT outstanding at the time the Amalgamation is completed. On March 3, 1997, the company announced a change in the ADT Offer. Under the terms of the revised ADT Offer, ADT shareowners would receive $10 cash plus 0.41494 of a share of company common stock for each share of ADT tendered, based on the closing price of the company's common stock on March 13, 1997. ADT shareowners would not, however, receive more than 0.42017 shares of company common stock for each ADT common share. Concurrent with the announcement of the ADT Offer on December 18, 1996, the company filed a registration statement on Form S-4 with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) related to the ADT Offer. On March 14, 1997, the registration statement was declared effective by the SEC. The expiration date of the ADT Offer is 5 p.m., EDT, April 15, 1997, and may be extended from time to time by the company until the various conditions to the ADT Offer have been satisfied or waived. The ADT Offer will be subject to the approval of ADT and company shareowners. On January 23, 1997, the waiting period for the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvement Act expired. On February 7, 1997, the company received regulatory approval from the KCC to issue company common stock and debt necessary for the ADT Offer. See Note 5 for summary financial information concerning ADT. On March 17, 1997, ADT announced that it had entered into a definitive merger agreement pursuant to which Tyco International Ltd. (Tyco), a diversified manufacturer of industrial and commercial products, would effectively acquire ADT in a stock for stock transaction valued at $5.6 billion, or approximately $29 per ADT share of common stock. On March 18, 1997, the company issued a press release indicating that it had mailed the details of the ADT Offer to ADT shareowners and that it would be reviewing the Tyco offer as well as considering its alternatives to such offer and assessing its rights as an ADT shareowner. See Note 3 for more information regarding this investment and the proposed ADT Offer. 4. ACQUISITIONS On December 31, 1996, Westar Capital bought the assets of Westinghouse Security Systems, Inc. (WSS). This acquisition, which was accounted for as a purchase, significantly expands the scope of the company's security service operations. Westar Capital paid approximately $358 million in cash, subject to adjustment, to purchase the assets and assume certain liabilities of WSS. Based on a preliminary estimate of the purchase price allocation, the company recorded approximately $275 million of goodwill to be amortized over 40 years. This balance is included in Security business and other property on the accompanying Consolidated Balance Sheets. Since the transaction closed on December 31, 1996, no operating results are reflected on the Consolidated Statements of Income. For the year ended December 31, 1996, WSS reported $110 million in revenues. As of December 31, 1996, the company consolidated WSS' financial position in the accompanying Consolidated Balance Sheets. The company financed this acquisition with short-term borrowings. During 1996, the company also acquired The Wing Group and three small security system companies. The Wing Group develops international power projects. In connection with these acquisitions, the company gave consideration of approximately $33.8 million in cash and 683,333 shares of common stock. In connection with the acquisitions, liabilities were assumed as follows: (Dollars in Millions) Fair value of assets acquired $ 38.8 Consideration paid $(33.8) Liabilities assumed $ 5.0 Each acquisition was accounted for as a purchase. Goodwill related to these acquisitions of approximately $32.9 million is presented in the Consolidated Balance Sheets as Security business and other property and is being amortized over 20 years. Accumulated amortization of approximately $943,000 has been recognized to date. The purchase agreement related to The Wing Group allows the company, at its option, to purchase ownership interests in power projects in which the former owners of The Wing Group have rights. In 1996, the company gave shares of common stock to the former owners of The Wing Group in return for a nine percent equity interest in a power project in Turkey. See Note 8 for information with respect to investment commitments made by the company on behalf of The Wing Group. 5. NON-REGULATED SUBSIDIARIES Certain non-regulated subsidiaries use natural gas futures, swaps and options contracts to reduce the effects of natural gas commodity price volatility on operating results which include price risk and basis risk. Price risk is the difference in price between the physical commodity being hedged and the price of the futures contracts used for hedging. Natural gas options held to hedge price risk provide the right, but not the requirement, to buy or sell natural gas at a fixed price. Basis risk is the risk that an adverse change in the futures market will not be completely offset by an equal and opposite change in the cash price of the commodity being hedged. Basis risk exists in natural gas primarily due to the geographical price differentials between cash market locations and futures contract delivery locations. In general, the company's risk management policy requires that positions taken with derivatives be offset by positions in physical transactions or other derivatives. All of the company's financial instruments are held for purposes other than trading. The derivative instruments used to hedge commodity transactions have historically had a high correlation with commodity prices and are expected to continue to do so. The correlation of indices and prices is regularly evaluated by management to ensure that the instruments continue to be effective hedges. In the event that the correlation falls below allowable levels, the gains or losses associated with hedging instruments are recognized in the current period to the extent that correlation was lost. The maturity of the derivative instruments is timed to coincide with the hedged transaction. If the hedged transaction is terminated early or if an anticipated transaction fails to occur, the deferred gain or loss associated with the derivative instrument is recognized in the period and the hedge is closed. The company has historically used natural gas futures and options contracts traded on the New York Mercantile Exchange and natural gas financial swaps with various third parties to reduce exposure to price risk when gas is not bought and sold simultaneously. At December 31, 1996, the company had a deferred gain of $3.4 million representing unrealized gains on forward commitments that will mature through the year 2000. The consolidated financial statements include the company's investments in ADT and Hanover Compressor Company (Hanover) each accounted for under the equity method of accounting. The company's investments (not including the amortization of goodwill) in these entities are as follows: 1996 1995 (Dollars in Thousands) Ownership Interest ADT 27% $596,598 $ - Hanover 24% 64,166 55,963 The company's equity in earnings of these entities is as follows: Year Ended December 31 1996 1995 (Dollars in Thousands) ADT $ 7,236 $ - Hanover 2,137 33 Summarized combined financial information of ADT and Hanover is presented below: As of and for the year ended December 31, 1996(1) 1995(1) (Dollars in Thousands) Balance Sheet: Current assets $ 531,275 $ 43,603 Noncurrent assets 2,295,824 207,316 Current liabilities 433,845 20,333 Noncurrent liabilities 1,493,900 64,390 Equity 899,354 166,196 Income Statement: Revenues 1,887,180 95,964 Operating expenses 2,559,707 90,350 Net income (loss) (670,326)(2) 5,614 (1) Information presented for ADT is based on ADT's quarterly report on Form 10-Q. ADT's balance sheet information and results of operations represent the twelve months ended September 30, 1996, based on publicly available information. Hanover's financial information is presented as of November 30, 1996, the most recent information available. The company cannot give any assurance of the accuracy of the information so obtained. (2) ADT's net income through September 30, 1996 as reported in its Form 10-Q for the nine months ended September 30, 1996, includes a one-time charge related to the adoption of SFAS 121. This charge for approximately $745 million was incurred prior to the company's investment in ADT. The company cannot give any assurance of the accuracy of the information so obtained. 6. PROPOSED STRATEGIC ALLIANCE On December 12, 1996, the company and ONEOK Inc. (ONEOK) announced an agreement to form a strategic alliance combining the natural gas assets of both companies. Under the agreement for the proposed strategic alliance, the company will contribute its natural gas business to a new company (New ONEOK) in exchange for a 45% equity interest. The recorded net property value being contributed at December 31, 1996 is estimated at $600 million (unaudited). No gain or loss is expected to be recorded as a result of the proposed transaction. The proposed transaction is subject to satisfaction of customary conditions, including approval by ONEOK shareowners and regulatory authorities. The company is working towards consummation of the transaction during the second half of 1997. The equity interest would be comprised of approximately 3.0 million common shares and 19.3 million convertible preferred shares. Upon consummation of the proposed alliance, the company will record its common equity interest in New ONEOK's earnings using the equity method of accounting. Earnings for the convertible preferred shares held will be recognized and recorded based upon preferred dividends paid. The convertible preferred shares are expected to pay an initial dividend rate of $1.80 per share. For its fiscal year ended August 31, 1996, ONEOK reported operating revenues of $1.2 billion and net income of $52.8 million. The structure of the proposed alliance is not expected to have any immediate income tax consequences to either company or to either company's shareowners. 7. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS The company has requested that the District Court for the Southern District of Florida require that ADT hold a special shareowners meeting no later than March 20, 1997. In its filing, the company claims that the ADT board of directors has breached its fiduciary and statutory duties and that there is no reason to delay the special meeting until July 8, 1997 as established by ADT. See Note 3 for additional information regarding the proposed acquisition of ADT. On December 26, 1996, an ADT shareowner filed a purported class action complaint against ADT, ADT's board of directors, the company and the company's wholly-owned subsidiary, Westar Capital in the Civil Division of the Circuit Court of the Fifteenth Judicial Circuit in Palm Beach County, Florida. (Charles Gachot v. ADT, Ltd., Western Resources, Inc., Westar Capital, Inc., Michael A. Ashcroft, et al., Case No. 96-10912-AN) The complaint alleges, among other things, that the company and Westar Capital are breaching their fiduciary duties to ADT's shareowners by failing to offer "an appropriate premium for the controlling interest" in ADT and by holding "an effective blocking position" that prevents independent parties from bidding for ADT. The complaint seeks preliminary and permanent relief enjoining the company from acquiring the outstanding shares of ADT and unspecified damages. The company believes it has good and valid defenses to the claims asserted and does not anticipate any material adverse effect upon its overall financial condition or results of operations. Subject to the approval of the KCC, the company entered into five new gas supply contracts with certain entities affiliated with The Bishop Group, Ltd. (Bishop entities) which are currently regulated by the KCC. A contested hearing was held for the approval of those contracts. While the case was under consideration by the KCC, the FERC issued an order under which it extended jurisdiction over the Bishop entities. On November 3, 1995, the KCC stayed its consideration of the contracts between the company and the Bishop entities until the FERC takes final appealable action on its assertion of jurisdiction over the Bishop entities. On June 28, 1996, the KCC issued its order by dismissing the company's application for approval of the contracts and of recovery of the related costs from its customers. The company appealed this ruling and on January 24, 1997, the Kansas Court of Appeals reversed the KCC order and upheld the contracts and the company's recovery of related costs from its customers were approved by operation of law. As part of the acquisition of WSS on December 31, 1996, WSS assigned to WestSec, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Westar Capital established to acquire the assets of WSS, a software license with Innovative Business Systems (IBS) which is integral to the operation of its security business. On January 8, 1997, IBS filed litigation in Dallas County, Texas in the 298th Judicial District Court concerning the assignment of the license to WestSec, (Innovative Business Systems (Overseas) Ltd., and Innovative Business Software, Inc. v. Westinghouse Electric Corporation, Westinghouse Security Systems, Inc., WestSec, Inc., Western Resources, Inc., et al., Cause No. 97-00184). The company and Westar Capital have demanded Westinghouse Electric Corporation defend and indemnify them. While the loss of use of the license may have a material impact on the operations of WestSec, management of the company currently does not believe that the ultimate disposition of this matter will have a material adverse effect upon the company's overall financial condition or results of operations The company and its subsidiaries are involved in various other legal, environmental, and regulatory proceedings. Management believes that adequate provision has been made and accordingly believes that the ultimate dispositions of these matters will not have a material adverse effect upon the company's overall financial position or results of operations. 8. COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES As part of its ongoing operations and construction program, the company has commitments under purchase orders and contracts which have an unexpended balance of approximately $69.9 million at December 31, 1996. Approximately $12.8 million is attributable to modifications to upgrade the three turbines at Jeffrey Energy Center to be completed by December 31, 1998. In January 1994, the company entered into an agreement with Oklahoma Municipal Power Authority (OMPA). Under the agreement, the company received a prepayment of approximately $41 million for which the company will provide capacity and transmission services to OMPA through the year 2013. Manufactured Gas Sites: The company has been associated with 15 former manufactured gas sites located in Kansas which may contain coal tar and other potentially harmful materials. The company and the Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) entered into a consent agreement governing all future work at the 15 sites. The terms of the consent agreement will allow the company to investigate these sites and set remediation priorities based upon the results of the investigations and risk analyses. The prioritized sites will be investigated over a ten year period. The agreement will allow the company to set mutual objectives with the KDHE in order to expedite effective response activities and to control costs and environmental impact. The costs incurred for site investigation and risk assessment in 1996 and 1995 were minimal. In accordance with the terms of the ONEOK agreement, ownership of twelve of the aforementioned sites will be transferred to New ONEOK upon closing. The ONEOK agreement limits the company's liabilities to an immaterial amount for future remediation of these sites. Superfund Sites: The company is one of numerous potentially responsible parties at a groundwater contamination site in Wichita, Kansas (Wichita site) which is listed by the EPA as a Superfund site. The company has previously been associated with other Superfund sites of which the company's liability has been classified as de minimis and any potential obligations have been settled at minimal cost. In 1994, the company settled Superfund obligations at three sites for a total of $57,500. No Superfund obligations have been settled since 1994. The company's obligation at the Wichita site appears to be limited based on this experience. In the opinion of the company's management, the resolution of this matter is not expected to have a material impact on the company's financial position or results of operations. Clean Air Act: The Clean Air Act Amendments of 1990 (the Act) require a two-phase reduction in certain emissions. To meet the monitoring and reporting requirements under the acid rain program, the company has installed continuous monitoring and reporting equipment at a total cost of approximately $10 million as of December 31, 1996. The company does not expect material expenditures to be needed to meet Phase II sulfur dioxide requirements. The nitrogen oxides(NOx) and toxic limits, which were not set in the law, were proposed by the EPA in January 1996. The company is currently evaluating the steps it would need to take in order to comply with the proposed new rules. The company will have three years from the date the limits were proposed to comply with the new NOx rules. Decommissioning: The company accrues decommissioning costs over the expected life of the Wolf Creek generating facility. The accrual is based on estimated unrecovered decommissioning costs which consider inflation over the remaining estimated life of the generating facility and are net of expected earnings on amounts recovered from customers and deposited in an external trust fund. On August 30, 1996, WCNOC submitted the 1996 Decommissioning Cost Study to the KCC for approval. Approval of this study was received from the KCC on February 28, 1997. Based on the study, the company's share of these decommissioning costs, under the immediate dismantlement method, is estimated to be approximately $624 million during the period 2025 through 2033, or approximately $192 million in 1996 dollars. These costs were calculated using an assumed inflation rate of 3.6% over the remaining service life from 1996 of 29 years. Decommissioning costs are currently being charged to operating expenses in accordance with the prior KCC orders. Electric rates charged to customers provide for recovery of these decommissioning costs over the life of Wolf Creek. Amounts expensed approximated $3.7 million in 1996 and will increase annually to $5.6 million in 2024. These expenses are deposited in an external trust fund. The average after tax expected return on trust assets is 5.7%. Approval of this funding schedule is still pending with the KCC. The company's investment in the decommissioning fund, including reinvested earnings approximated $33.0 million and $25.1 million at December 31, 1996 and December 31, 1995, respectively. Trust fund earnings accumulate in the fund balance and increase the recorded decommissioning liability. These amounts are reflected in Investments and Other Property, Decommissioning trust, and the related liability is included in Deferred Credits and Other Liabilities, Other, on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. The staff of the SEC has questioned certain current accounting practices used by nuclear electric generating station owners regarding the recognition, measurement, and classification of decommissioning costs for nuclear electric generating stations. In response to these questions, the Financial Accounting Standards Board is expected to issue new accounting standards for removal costs, including decommissioning, in 1997. If current electric utility industry accounting practices for such decommissioning costs are changed: (1) annual decommissioning expenses could increase, (2) the estimated present value of decommissioning costs could be recorded as a liability rather than as accumulated depreciation, and (3) trust fund income from the external decommissioning trusts could be reported as investment income rather than as a reduction to decommissioning expense. When revised accounting guidance is issued, the company will also have to evaluate its effect on accounting for removal costs of other long-lived assets. The company is not able to predict what effect such changes would have on results of operations, financial position, or related regulatory practices until the final issuance of revised accounting guidance, but such effect could be material. The company carries premature decommissioning insurance which has several restrictions. One of these is that it can only be used if Wolf Creek incurs an accident exceeding $500 million in expenses to safely stabilize the reactor, to decontaminate the reactor and reactor station site in accordance with a plan approved by the NRC, and to pay for on-site property damages. This decommissioning insurance will only be available if the insurance funds are not needed to implement the NRC-approved plan for stabilization and decontamination. Nuclear Insurance: The Price-Anderson Act limits the combined public liability of the owners of nuclear power plants to $8.9 billion for a single nuclear incident. If this liability limitation is insufficient, the U.S. Congress will consider taking whatever action is necessary to compensate the public for valid claims. The Wolf Creek owners (Owners) have purchased the maximum available private insurance of $200 million and the balance is provided by an assessment plan mandated by the NRC. Under this plan, the Owners are jointly and severally subject to a retrospective assessment of up to $79.3 million ($37.3 million, company's share) in the event there is a major nuclear incident involving any of the nation's licensed reactors. This assessment is subject to an inflation adjustment based on the Consumer Price Index and applicable premium taxes. There is a limitation of $10 million ($4.7 million, company's share) in retrospective assessments per incident, per year. The Owners carry decontamination liability, premature decommissioning liability, and property damage insurance for Wolf Creek totaling approximately $2.8 billion ($1.3 billion, company's share). This insurance is provided by a combination of "nuclear insurance pools" ($500 million) and Nuclear Electric Insurance Limited (NEIL) ($2.3 billion). In the event of an accident, insurance proceeds must first be used for reactor stabilization and site decontamination. The company's share of any remaining proceeds can be used for property damage or premature decommissioning costs up to $1.3 billion (company's share). Premature decommissioning insurance cost recovery is the excess of funds previously collected for decommissioning (as discussed under "Decommissioning"). The Owners also carry additional insurance with NEIL to cover costs of replacement power and other extra expenses incurred during a prolonged outage resulting from accidental property damage at Wolf Creek. If losses incurred at any of the nuclear plants insured under the NEIL policies exceed premiums, reserves, and other NEIL resources, the company may be subject to retrospective assessments under the current policies of approximately $8 million per year. Although the company maintains various insurance policies to provide coverage for potential losses and liabilities resulting from an accident or an extended outage, the company's insurance coverage may not be adequate to cover the costs that could result from a catastrophic accident or extended outage at Wolf Creek. Any substantial losses not covered by insurance, to the extent not recoverable through rates, would have a material adverse effect on the company's financial condition and results of operations. Fuel Commitments: To supply a portion of the fuel requirements for its generating plants, the company has entered into various commitments to obtain nuclear fuel and coal. Some of these contracts contain provisions for price escalation and minimum purchase commitments. At December 31, 1996, WCNOC's nuclear fuel commitments (company's share) were approximately $15.4 million for uranium concentrates expiring at various times through 2001, $59.4 million for enrichment expiring at various times through 2003, and $70.3 million for fabrication through 2025. At December 31, 1996, the company's coal contract commitments in 1996 dollars under the remaining terms of the contracts were approximately $2.6 billion. The largest coal contract expires in 2020, with the remaining coal contracts expiring at various times through 2013. Energy Act: As part of the 1992 Energy Policy Act, a special assessment is being collected from utilities for a uranium enrichment, decontamination, and decommissioning fund. The company's portion of the assessment for Wolf Creek is approximately $7 million, payable over 15 years. Management expects such costs to be recovered through the ratemaking process. Investment Commitments: During 1996, The Wing Group obtained ownership interests in independent power generation projects under construction in Turkey and Colombia. The Wing Group or other non-regulated company subsidiaries are committed to future funding of equity interests in these projects. In 1997, commitments are not expected to exceed $31 million. Currently, equity commitments beyond 1997 are approximately $3 million. The company has also committed $105 million through June of 1998 to power generation projects in the People's Republic of China. 9. RATE MATTERS AND REGULATION Utility expenses and credits recognized as regulatory assets and liabilities on the Consolidated Balance Sheets are recognized in income as the related amounts are included in service rates and recovered from or refunded to customers in utility revenues. The company expects to recover the following regulatory assets in rates: December 31, 1996 1995 (Dollars in Thousands) Coal contract settlement costs $ 21,037 $ 27,274 Service line replacement 12,921 14,164 Post employment/retirement benefits (See Note 12) 40,834 35,057 Deferred plant costs 31,272 31,539 Phase-in revenues 26,317 43,861 Debt issuance costs (See Note 1) 78,532 80,354 Deferred cost of gas purchased 21,332 20,318 Other regulatory assets 8,794 9,826 Total regulatory assets $241,039 $262,393 Coal Contract Settlements: In March 1990, the KCC issued an order allowing KGE to defer its share of a 1989 coal contract settlement with the Pittsburg and Midway Coal Mining Company amounting to $22.5 million. This amount was recorded as a deferred charge and is included in Deferred Charges and Other Assets, Regulatory assets, on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. The settlement resulted in the termination of a long-term coal contract. The KCC permitted KGE to recover this settlement as follows: 76% of the settlement plus a return over the remaining term of the terminated contract (through 2002) and 24% to be amortized to expense with a deferred return equivalent to the carrying cost of the asset. In September 1994, the FERC issued an order allowing the company to defer $24.5 million in costs associated with the buy-out of a long-term coal supply contract with American Metal Climax (AMAX) to supply the Lawrence and Tecumseh Energy Centers. The deferred costs are included in the Deferred Charges and Other Assets, Regulatory assets, section of the Consolidated Balance Sheets and are amortized monthly to expense over the life of the original AMAX contract (through 2013). Service Line Replacement: On January 24, 1992, the KCC issued an order allowing the company to continue the deferral of service line replacement program costs incurred since January 1, 1992, including depreciation, property taxes, and carrying costs for recovery. As part of the natural gas distribution rate case settlement on July 11, 1996 (See discussion of natural gas distribution rate case above), the company was permitted to begin amortizing these costs in July 1996. Approximately $431,000 will be amortized each month through June 1999. At December 31, 1996, approximately $12.9 million of these deferrals have been included in Deferred Charges and Other Assets, Regulatory assets, on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. These deferrals will become a responsibility of New ONEOK, when the alliance with ONEOK is consummated. Deferred Plant Costs: In 1986, KGE recognized the effects of Wolf Creek related disallowances in accordance with Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 90 "Regulated Enterprises - Accounting for Abandonments and Disallowances of Plant Costs". Phase-in Revenues: In 1988, the KCC ordered the accrual of phase-in revenues to be discontinued by KGE effective December 31, 1988. KGE began amortizing the phase-in revenue asset on a straight-line basis over 9 l/2 years beginning January 1, 1989. At December 31, 1996, approximately $26 million of deferred phase-in revenues remain to be recovered. Deferred Cost of Gas Purchased: The company, under rate orders from the KCC, OCC, and FERC, recovers increases in fuel and natural gas costs through fuel adjustment clauses for wholesale and certain retail electric customers and various cost of gas riders (COGR) for natural gas customers. The KCC and the OCC require the annual difference between actual gas cost incurred and cost recovered through the application of the COGR be deferred and amortized through rates in subsequent periods. KCC Rate Proceedings: On August 17, 1995, the company and KGE filed three proceedings with the KCC. The first sought a $36 million increase in revenues from the company's natural gas distribution business. In separate dockets, the company and KGE filed with the KCC a request to more rapidly recover KGE's investment in its assets of Wolf Creek over the next seven years by increasing depreciation by $50 million each year and a request to reduce annual depreciation expense by approximately $11 million for electric transmission, distribution and certain generating plant assets to reflect the useful lives of these properties more accurately. The company sought to reduce electric rates for KGE customers by approximately $8.7 million annually in each of the seven years of accelerated Wolf Creek depreciation. On April 15, 1996, the KCC issued an order allowing a revenue increase of $33.8 million in the company's natural gas distribution business. On May 3, 1996, the company filed a Petition for Reconsideration and on July 11, 1996, the KCC issued its Order on Reconsideration allowing the revenue to be increased to $34.4 million. On May 23, 1996, the company implemented an $8.7 million electric rate reduction to KGE customers on an interim basis. On October 22, 1996, the company, the KCC Staff, the City of Wichita, and the Citizens Utility Ratepayer Board filed an agreement with the KCC whereby the company's retail electric rates would be reduced, subject to approval by the KCC. This agreement was approved on January 15, 1997. Under the agreement, on February 1, 1997, KGE's rates were reduced by $36.3 million and, in addition, the May 1996 interim reduction became permanent. KGE's rates will be reduced by another $10 million effective June 1, 1998, and again on June 1, 1999. KPL's rates were reduced by $10 million effective February 1, 1997. Two one-time rebates of $5 million will be credited to the company's customers in January 1998 and 1999. The agreement also fixed annual savings from the merger with KGE at $40 million. This level of merger savings provides for complete recovery of and a return on the acquisition premium. On April 15, 1996, the company filed an application with the KCC requesting an order approving its proposal to merge with KCPL and for other related relief. On July 29, 1996, the company filed its First Amended Application with the KCC in its proceeding for approval to merge with KCPL. The amended application proposed an incentive rate mechanism requiring all regulated earnings in excess of the merged company's 12.61% return on equity to be split among customers, shareowners, and additional depreciation on Wolf Creek. On November 27, 1996, the KCC issued a Suspension Order and on December 3, 1996, an order was issued which suspended, subject to refund, costs related to purchases from Kansas Pipeline Partnership included in the company's COGR. On December 12, 1996, the company filed a Petition for Reconsideration or For More Definite Statement by Staff of the Issues to be addressed in this Docket. On March 3, 1997, the Staff issued a More Definite Statement specifying which charges from Kansas Pipeline Partnership (KPP) it asserts are inappropriate for inclusion in the company's COGR. The company responded to the More Definite Statement stating that it does not believe any of the charges from KPP should be disallowed from its COGR. The company does not expect this proceeding to have a material adverse effect on its results of operations. MPSC Proceedings: On May 3, 1996, the company filed an application with the MPSC requesting an order approving its proposal to merge with KCPL. The application includes the same regulatory plan as proposed before the KCC and includes an annual rate reduction of $21 million for KCPL retail electric customers. FERC Proceedings: On August 22, 1996, the company filed with the FERC an application for approval of its proposed merger with KCPL. On December 18, 1996, the FERC issued a Merger Policy Statement (Policy Statement) which articulates three principal factors the FERC will apply for analyzing mergers: (1) effect on competition, (2) customer protection, and (3) effect on regulation. The FERC has requested the company to and the company will revise its filing to comply with the specific requirements of the Policy Statement. 10. INCOME TAXES Under SFAS 109, temporary differences gave rise to deferred tax assets and deferred tax liabilities at December 31, 1996 and 1995, respectively, as follows: 1996 1995 (Dollars in Thousands) Deferred tax assets: Deferred gain on sale-leaseback. . . . . $ 99,466 $ 105,007 Alternative minimum tax carryforwards. . 250 18,740 Other. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29,945 30,789 Total deferred tax assets. . . . . . . $ 129,661 $ 154,536 Deferred Tax Liabilities: Accelerated depreciation and other . . . $ 654,102 $ 653,134 Acquisition premium. . . . . . . . . . . 307,242 315,513 Deferred future income taxes . . . . . . 217,257 282,476 Other. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 61,432 70,883 Total deferred tax liabilities . . . . $1,240,033 $1,322,006 Accumulated deferred income taxes, net. . . . . . . . . . . . $1,110,372 $1,167,470 In accordance with various rate orders received from the KCC and the OCC, the company has not yet collected through rates the amounts necessary to pay a significant portion of the net accumulated deferred income tax liabilities. As management believes it is probable that the net future increases in income taxes payable will be recovered from customers, it has recorded a deferred asset for these amounts. These assets are also a temporary difference for which deferred income tax liabilities have been provided. 11. COMMON STOCK, PREFERRED STOCK, PREFERENCE STOCK, AND OTHER MANDATORILY REDEEMABLE SECURITIES The company's Restated Articles of Incorporation, as amended, provide for 85,000,000 authorized shares of common stock. At December 31, 1996, 64,625,259 shares were outstanding. The company has a Dividend Reinvestment and Stock Purchase Plan (DRIP). Shares issued under the DRIP may be either original issue shares or shares purchased on the open market. The company has been issuing original issue shares since January 1, 1995 with 935,461 shares issued in 1996 under the DRIP. At December 31, 1996, 2,082,166 shares were available under the DRIP registration statement. Not Subject to Mandatory Redemption: The cumulative preferred stock is redeemable in whole or in part on 30 to 60 days notice at the option of the company. Subject to Mandatory Redemption: On July 1, 1996, all shares of the company's 8.50% Preference Stock due 2016 were redeemed. The mandatory sinking fund provisions of the 7.58% Series preference stock require the company to redeem 25,000 shares annually beginning on April 1, 2002, and each April 1 through 2006 and the remaining shares on April 1, 2007, all at $100 per share. The company may, at its option, redeem up to an additional 25,000 shares on each April 1 at $100 per share. The 7.58% Series also is redeemable in whole or in part, at the option of the company, subject to certain restrictions on refunding, at a redemption price of $104.55, $103.79, and $103.03 per share beginning April 1, 1996, 1997, and 1998, respectively. Other Mandatorily Redeemable Securities: On December 14, 1995, Western Resources Capital I, a wholly-owned trust, issued four million preferred securities of 7-7/8% Cumulative Quarterly Income Preferred Securities, Series A, for $100 million. The trust interests represented by the preferred securities are redeemable at the option of Western Resources Capital I, on or after December 11, 2000, at $25 per preferred security plus accrued interest and unpaid dividends. Holders of the securities are entitled to receive distributions at an annual rate of 7-7/8% of the liquidation preference value of $25. Distributions are payable quarterly, and in substance are tax deductible by the company. These distributions are recorded as interest charges on the Consolidated Statements of Income. The sole asset of the trust is $103 million principal amount of 7-7/8% Deferrable Interest Subordinated Debentures, Series A due December 11, 2025 (the Subordinated Debentures). On July 31, 1996, Western Resources Capital II, a wholly-owned trust, of which the sole asset is subordinated debentures of the company, sold in a public offering, 4.8 million shares of 8-1/2% Cumulative Quarterly Income Preferred Securities, Series B, for $120 million. The trust interests represented by the preferred securities are redeemable at the option of Western Resources Capital II, on or after July 31, 2001, at $25 per preferred security plus accumulated and unpaid distributions. Holders of the securities are entitled to receive distributions at an annual rate of 8-1/2% of the liquidation preference value of $25. Distributions are payable quarterly, and in substance are tax deductible by the company. These distributions are recorded as interest charges on the Consolidated Statements of Income. The sole asset of the trust is $124 million principal amount of 8-1/2% Deferrable Interest Subordinated Debentures, Series B due July 31, 2036. The preferred securities are included under Western Resources obligated mandatorily redeemable preferred securities of subsidiary trusts holding solely company subordinated debentures (Other Mandatorily Redeemable Securities) on the Consolidated Balance Sheets and Consolidated Statements of Capitalization. In addition to the company's obligations under the Subordinated Debentures, the company has agreed, pursuant to guarantees issued to the trusts, the provisions of the trust agreements establishing the trusts and related expense agreements, to guarantee, on a subordinated basis, payment of distributions on the preferred securities (but not if the applicable trust does not have sufficient funds to pay such distributions) and to pay all of the expenses of the trusts (collectively, the "Back-up Undertakings"). Considered together, the Back-up Undertakings constitute a full and unconditional guarantee by the company of the trusts obligations under the preferred securities. 12. EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS Pension: The company maintains qualified noncontributory defined benefit pension plans covering substantially all employees. Pension benefits are based on years of service and the employee's compensation during the five highest paid consecutive years out of ten before retirement. The company's policy is to fund pension costs accrued, subject to limitations set by the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 and the Internal Revenue Code. Salary Continuation: The company maintains a non-qualified Executive Salary Continuation Program for the benefit of certain management employees, including executive officers. The following tables provide information on the components of pension and salary continuation costs under Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 87 "Employers' Accounting for Pension Plans" (SFAS 87), funded status and actuarial assumptions for the company: Year Ended December 31, 1996 1995 1994 (Dollars in Thousands) SFAS 87 Expense: Service cost. . . . . . . . . . $ 11,644 $ 11,059 $ 10,197 Interest cost on projected benefit obligation. . . . . . 34,003 32,416 29,734 (Gain) loss on plan assets. . . (65,799) (102,731) 7,351 Deferred investment gain (loss) 30,119 70,810 (38,457) Net amortization. . . . . . . . 2,140 1,132 245 Net expense . . . . . . . . $ 12,107 $ 12,686 $ 9,070 December 31, 1996 1995 1994 (Dollars in Thousands) Reconciliation of Funded Status: Actuarial present value of benefit obligations: Vested . . . . . . . . . . . $347,734 $331,027 $278,545 Non-vested . . . . . . . . . 23,220 21,775 19,132 Total. . . . . . . . . . . $370,954 $352,802 $297,677 Plan assets (principally debt and equity securities) at fair value . . . . . . . . . . . $495,993 $444,608 $375,521 Projected benefit obligation . . . 483,862 456,707 378,146 Funded status. . . . . . . . . . . 12,131 (12,099) (2,625) Unrecognized transition asset. . . (448) (527) (2,205) Unrecognized prior service costs . 62,434 57,087 47,796 Unrecognized net (gain). . . . . . (103,132) (75,312) (56,079) Accrued liability. . . . . . . . $(29,015) $(30,851) $(13,113) Year Ended December 31, 1996 1995 1994 Actuarial Assumptions: Discount rate. . . . . . . . . . 7.5% 7.5% 8.0-8.5% Annual salary increase rate. . . 4.75% 4.75% 5.0% Long-term rate of return . . . . 8.5-9.0% 8.5-9.0% 8.0-8.5% Postretirement: The company follows the provisions of Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 106 "Employers' Accounting for Postretirement Benefits Other Than Pensions" (SFAS 106). This statement requires the accrual of postretirement benefits other than pensions, primarily medical benefit costs, during the years an employee provides service. Based on actuarial projections and adoption of the transition method of implementation which allows a 20-year amortization of the accumulated benefit obligation, postretirement benefits expenses approximated $16.4 million, $15.0 million, and $12.4 million for 1996, 1995, and 1994, respectively. The company's total postretirement benefit obligation approximated $123.0 million and $123.2 million at December 31, 1996 and 1995, respectively. In addition, the company received an order from the KCC permitting the initial deferral of SFAS 106 expense in excess of amounts previously recognized. The following table summarizes the status of the company's postretirement benefit plans for financial statement purposes and the related amounts included in the Consolidated Balance Sheets: December 31, 1996 1995 1994 (Dollars in Thousands) Reconciliation of Funded Status: Actuarial present value of postretirement benefit obligations: Retirees. . . . . . . . . . . . $ 76,588 $ 81,402 $68,570 Active employees fully eligible . 10,060 7,645 13,549 Active employees not fully eligible 36,345 34,144 32,484 Total . . . . . . . . . . . . 122,993 123,191 114,603 Fair value of plan assets . . . . . 78 46 - Funded status . . . . . . . . . . . (122,915) (123,145) (114,603) Unrecognized prior service cost . . (8,157) (8,900) ( 9,391) Unrecognized transition obligation. 104,920 111,443 117,967 Unrecognized net (gain) . . . . . . (8,137) (7,271) ( 14,489) Accrued postretirement benefit costs $(34,289) $(27,873) $(20,516) Year Ended December 31, 1996 1995 1994 Actuarial Assumptions: Discount rate . . . . . . . . . . 7.5 % 7.5 % 8.0-8.5% Annual salary increase rate . . . 4.75 % 4.75 % 5.0 % Expected rate of return . . . . . 9.0 % 9.0 % 8.5 % For measurement purposes, an annual health care cost growth rate of 10% was assumed for 1996, decreasing one percent per year to five percent in 2001 and thereafter. The health care cost trend rate has a significant effect on the projected benefit obligation. Increasing the trend rate by one percent each year would increase the present value of the accumulated projected benefit obligation by $5.5 million and the aggregate of the service and interest cost components by $0.5 million. Postemployment: The company adopted Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 112 "Employers' Accounting for Postemployment Benefits" (SFAS 112) in the first quarter of 1994, which established accounting and reporting standards for postemployment benefits. The statement requires the company to recognize the liability to provide postemployment benefits when the liability has been incurred. The company received an order from the KCC permitting the initial deferral of SFAS 112 expense. In accordance with the provision of an order from the KCC, the company has deferred postretirement and postemployment expenses representing the excess expense incurred upon adoption of SFAS 106 and SFAS 112. In 1992 and 1993, the company purchased COLI policies whose associated income stream was intended to offset actual postretirement and postemployment costs incurred. See Note 1 regarding legislative action related to COLI. As of December 31, 1996 and 1995, the company recognized a regulatory asset for postretirement expense of approximately $31.6 million and $25.3 million and for postemployment expense of approximately $9.3 million and $9.8 million, respectively. Savings: The company maintains savings plans in which substantially all employees participate. The company matches employees' contributions up to specified maximum limits. The funds of the plans are deposited with a trustee and invested at each employee's option in one or more investment funds, including a company stock fund. The company's contributions were $4.6 million, $5.1 million, and $5.1 million for 1996, 1995, and 1994, respectively. Stock Based Compensation Plans: The company has two stock-based compensation plans, a long term incentive and share award plan (LTISA Plan) and a long term incentive program (LTI Program). The company accounts for these plans under Accounting Principles Board Opinion No. 25 and the related Interpretations. Had compensation cost been determined pursuant to Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 123, "Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation" (SFAS 123), the company would have recognized compensation costs during 1996 and 1995. However, recognition of the compensation costs would not have been material to the Consolidated Statements of Income nor would these costs have affected earnings per share. The LTISA Plan was implemented to help ensure that managers and board members (Plan Participants) were properly incented to increase shareowner value. It was established to replace the company's LTI Program, discussed below. Under the LTISA Plan, the company may grant awards in the form of stock options, dividend equivalents, share appreciation rights, restricted shares, restricted share units, performance shares, and performance share units to Plan Participants. Up to three million shares of common stock may be granted under the LTISA Plan. In 1996, the LTISA Plan granted 205,700 stock options and 205,700 dividend equivalents to Plan Participants. The exercise price of the stock options granted was $29.25. These options vest in nine years. Accelerated vesting allows stock options to vest within three years, dependent upon certain company performance factors. The options expire in approximately ten years. The weighted-average grant-date fair value of the dividend equivalent was $5.82. The value of each dividend equivalent is calculated as a percentage of the accumulated dividends that would have been paid or payable on a share of company common stock. This percentage ranges from zero to 100%, based upon certain company performance factors. The dividend equivalents expire after nine years from the date of grant. All stock options and dividend equivalents granted were outstanding at December 31, 1996. The fair value of stock options and dividend equivalents were estimated on the date of grant using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model. The model assumed a dividend yield of 6.33%, expected volatility of 14.12%; and an expected life of 8.7 years. Additionally, the stock option model assumed a risk-free interest rate of 6.45%. The dividend equivalent model assumed a risk-free interest rate of 6.61%, an award percentage of 100% and a dividend accumulation period of five years. The LTI Program is a performance-based stock plan which awards performance shares to executive officers (Program Participants) of the company equal in value to 10% of the officer's annual base compensation. Each performance share is equal in value to one share of the company's common stock. Each Program Participant may be entitled to receive a common stock distribution based on the value of performance shares awarded multiplied by a distribution percentage not to exceed 110%. This distribution percentage is based upon the Program Participants' and the company's performance. Program Participants also receive cash equivalent to dividends on common stock for performance shares awarded. In 1995, the company granted 14,756 performance shares, with a weighted-average fair value of $28.81. The fair value of each performance share is based on market price at the date of grant. No performance shares were granted in 1996. As of December 31, 1996, shares granted in 1995 have a remaining contractual life of one year. 13. FAIR VALUE OF FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS The following methods and assumptions were used to estimate the fair value of each class of financial instruments for which it is practicable to estimate that value as set forth in Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 107 "Disclosures about Fair Value of Financial Instruments". Cash and cash equivalents, short-term borrowings and variable-rate debt are carried at cost which approximates fair value. The decommissioning trust is recorded at fair value and is based on the quoted market prices at December 31, 1996 and 1995. The fair value of fixed-rate debt, redeemable preference stock, and other mandatorily redeemable securities is estimated based on quoted market prices for the same or similar issues or on the current rates offered for instruments of the same remaining maturities and redemption provisions. The estimated fair values of contracts related to commodities have been determined using quoted market prices of the same or similar securities. The carrying values and estimated fair values of the company's financial instruments are as follows: Carrying Value Fair Value December 31, 1996 1995 1996 1995 (Dollars in Thousands) Decommissioning trust. . .$ 33,041 $ 25,070 $ 33,041 $ 25,070 Fixed-rate debt. . . . . . 1,224,743 1,240,877 1,260,722 1,294,365 Redeemable preference stock. . . . . . . . . . 50,000 150,000 52,500 160,405 Other mandatorily redeemable securities. . 220,000 100,000 214,800 102,000 December 31, 1996 1995 Notional Notional Volumes Estimated Gain/ Volumes Estimated Gain/ (mmbtu's) Fair Value (loss) (mmbtu's) Fair Value (loss) Natural gas futures 6,540,000 $16,032 $2,061 7,440,000 $16,380 $2,678 Natural gas swaps 2,344,000 $ 5,500 $1,315 2,624,000 $ 3,406 $ 18 The recorded amount of accounts receivable and other current financial instruments approximate fair value. The fair value estimates presented herein are based on information available as of December 31, 1996 and 1995. These fair value estimates have not been comprehensively revalued for the purpose of these financial statements since that date, and current estimates of fair value may differ significantly from the amounts presented herein. Because a substantial portion of the company's operations are regulated, the company believes that any gains or losses related to the retirement of debt or redemption of preferred securities would not have a material effect on the company's financial position or results of operations. 14. LONG-TERM DEBT The amount of the company's first mortgage bonds authorized by its Mortgage and Deed of Trust, dated July 1, 1939, as supplemented, is unlimited. The amount of KGE's first mortgage bonds authorized by the KGE Mortgage and Deed of Trust, dated April 1, 1940, as supplemented, is limited to a maximum of $2 billion. Amounts of additional bonds which may be issued are subject to property, earnings, and certain restrictive provisions of each Mortgage. Debt discount and expenses are being amortized over the remaining lives of each issue. During the years 1997 through 2001, $125 million of bonds will mature in 1999 and $75 million of bonds will mature in 2000. No other bonds will mature and there are no cash sinking fund requirements for preference stock or bonds during this time period. The company maintains a $350 million revolving credit agreement that expires on October 5, 1999. Under the terms of this agreement, the company may, at its option, borrow at different market-based interest rates and is required, among other restrictions, to maintain a total debt to total capitalization ratio of not greater than 65% at all times. A facility fee is paid on the $350 million commitment. The unused portion of the revolving credit facility may be used to provide support for commercial paper. At December 31, 1996, the company had $275 million borrowed under the facility and had available $75 million of unused capacity under the facility. Long-term debt outstanding at December 31, 1996 and 1995, was as follows: 1996 1995 (Dollars in Thousands) Western Resources First mortgage bond series: 7 1/4% due 1999. . . . . . . . . . . . . $ 125,000 $ 125,000 8 7/8% due 2000. . . . . . . . . . . . . 75,000 75,000 7 1/4% due 2002. . . . . . . . . . . . . 100,000 100,000 8 1/2% due 2022. . . . . . . . . . . . . 125,000 125,000 7.65% due 2023. . . . . . . . . . . . . 100,000 100,000 525,000 525,000 Pollution control bond series: Variable due 2032 (1). . . . . . . . . . 45,000 45,000 Variable due 2032 (2). . . . . . . . . . 30,500 30,500 6% due 2033. . . . . . . . . . . . . 58,420 58,420 133,920 133,920 KGE First mortgage bond series: 5 5/8% due 1996. . . . . . . . . . . . . - 16,000 7.60 % due 2003. . . . . . . . . . . . . 135,000 135,000 6 1/2% due 2005. . . . . . . . . . . . . 65,000 65,000 6.20 % due 2006. . . . . . . . . . . . . 100,000 100,000 300,000 316,000 Pollution control bond series: 5.10 % due 2023. . . . . . . . . . . . . 13,822 13,957 Variable due 2027 (3). . . . . . . . . . 21,940 21,940 7.0 % due 2031. . . . . . . . . . . . . 327,500 327,500 Variable due 2032 (4). . . . . . . . . . 14,500 14,500 Variable due 2032 (5). . . . . . . . . . 10,000 10,000 387,762 387,897 Revolving credit agreement . . . . . . . . . 275,000 50,000 Other long-term agreements . . . . . . . . . 65,190 - Less: Unamortized debt discount. . . . . . . . 5,289 5,554 Long-term debt due within one year . . . - 16,000 Long-term debt (net). . . . . . . . . . . . $1,681,583 $1,391,263 Rates at December 31, 1996: (1) 3.68%, (2) 3.582%, (3) 3.55%, (4) 3.60% and (5) 3.52% 15. SHORT-TERM DEBT The company has arrangements with certain banks to provide unsecured short-term lines of credit on a committed basis totaling $973 million. The agreements provide the company with the ability to borrow at different market-based interest rates. The company pays commitment or facility fees in support of these lines of credit. Under the terms of the agreements, the company is required, among other restrictions, to maintain a total debt to total capitalization ratio of not greater than 65% at all times. The unused portion of these lines of credit are used to provide support for commercial paper. In addition, the company has agreements with several banks to borrow on an uncommitted, as available, basis at money-market rates quoted by the banks. There are no costs, other than interest, for these agreements. The company also uses commercial paper to fund its short-term borrowing requirements. Information regarding the company's short-term borrowings, comprised of borrowings under the credit agreements, bank loans and commercial paper, is as follows: December 31, 1996 1995 1994 (Dollars in Thousands) Borrowings outstanding at year end: Lines of credit $525,000 $ - $ - Bank loans 162,300 177,600 151,000 Commercial paper notes 293,440 25,850 157,200 Total $980,740 $203,450 $308,200 Weighted average interest rate on debt outstanding at year end (including fees) 5.94% 6.02% 6.25% Weighted average short-term debt outstanding during the year $491,136 $301,871 $214,180 Weighted daily average interest rates during the year (including fees) 5.72% 6.15% 4.63% Unused lines of credit supporting commercial paper notes $447,850 $121,075 $145,000 16. LEASES At December 31, 1996, the company had leases covering various property and equipment. The company currently has no capital leases. Rental payments for operating leases and estimated rental commitments are as follows: Operating Year Ended December 31, Leases (Dollars in Thousands) 1994 $ 55,076 1995 63,353 1996 66,181 Future Commitments: 1997 60,247 1998 52,643 1999 47,276 2000 43,877 2001 42,592 Thereafter 688,231 Total $ 934,866 In 1987, KGE sold and leased back its 50% undivided interest in the La Cygne 2 generating unit. The La Cygne 2 lease has an initial term of 29 years, with various options to renew the lease or repurchase the 50% undivided interest. KGE remains responsible for its share of operation and maintenance costs and other related operating costs of La Cygne 2. The lease is an operating lease for financial reporting purposes. As permitted under the La Cygne 2 lease agreement, the company in 1992 requested the Trustee Lessor to refinance $341.1 million of secured facility bonds of the Trustee and owner of La Cygne 2. The transaction was requested to reduce recurring future net lease expense. In connection with the refinancing on September 29, 1992, a one-time payment of approximately $27 million was made by the company which has been deferred and is being amortized over the remaining life of the lease and included in operating expense as part of the future lease expense. At December 31, 1996, approximately $22.5 million of this deferral remained on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. Future minimum annual lease payments, included in the table above, required under the La Cygne 2 lease agreement are approximately $34.6 million for each year through 2001 and $611 million over the remainder of the lease. The gain realized at the date of the sale of La Cygne 2 has been deferred for financial reporting purposes, and is being amortized ($9.7 million per year) over the initial lease term in proportion to the related lease expense. KGE's lease expense, net of amortization of the deferred gain and a one-time payment, was approximately $22.5 million for 1996, 1995, and 1994. 17. JOINT OWNERSHIP OF UTILITY PLANTS Company's Ownership at December 31, 1996 In-Service Invest- Accumulated Net Per- Dates ment Depreciation (MW) cent (Dollars in Thousands) La Cygne 1 (a) Jun 1973 $ 160,541 $ 105,043 343 50 Jeffrey 1 (b) Jul 1978 290,617 121,307 616 84 Jeffrey 2 (b) May 1980 289,944 115,025 617 84 Jeffrey 3 (b) May 1983 389,350 152,579 591 84 Wolf Creek (c) Sep 1985 1,382,000 369,182 547 47 (a) Jointly owned with KCPL (b) Jointly owned with UtiliCorp United Inc. (c) Jointly owned with KCPL and Kansas Electric Power Cooperative, Inc. Amounts and capacity presented above represent the company's share. The company's share of operating expenses of the plants in service above, as well as such expenses for a 50% undivided interest in La Cygne 2 (representing 335 MW capacity) sold and leased back to the company in 1987, are included in operating expenses on the Consolidated Statements of Income. The company's share of other transactions associated with the plants is included in the appropriate classification in the company's Consolidated Financial Statements. 18. SEGMENTS OF BUSINESS The company is a public utility principally engaged in the generation, transmission, distribution, and sale of electricity in Kansas and the transportation, distribution, and sale of natural gas in Kansas and Oklahoma. Substantially all of the results of operations and financial position of the natural gas segment will be exchanged for an equity interest in New ONEOK in the strategic alliance which is expected to close in the second half of 1997. Upon contribution of the natural gas net assets to New ONEOK, the company will record its equity investment in New ONEOK. Year Ended December 31, 1996 1995 1994(1) (Dollars in Thousands) Operating revenues: Electric. . . . . . . . . . . $1,197,433 $1,145,895 $1,121,781 Natural gas(2). . . . . . . . 849,386 597,405 642,988 2,046,819 1,743,300 1,764,769 Operating expenses excluding income taxes: Electric. . . . . . . . . . . 843,672 788,900 768,317 Natural gas . . . . . . . . . 810,062 584,494 625,780 1,653,734 1,373,394 1,394,097 Income taxes: Electric. . . . . . . . . . . 84,108 96,719 100,078 Natural gas . . . . . . . . . 4,984 (5,522) (4,456) 89,092 91,197 95,622 Operating income: Electric. . . . . . . . . . . 269,653 260,245 253,386 Natural gas . . . . . . . . . 34,340 18,464 21,664 $ 303,993 $ 278,709 $ 275,050 Identifiable assets at December 31: Electric. . . . . . . . . . . $4,379,435 $4,470,359 $4,346,312 Natural gas . . . . . . . . . 769,417 712,858 654,483 Other corporate assets(3) . . 1,498,929 307,460 370,234 $6,647,781 $5,490,677 $5,371,029 Other Information-- Depreciation and amortization: Electric. . . . . . . . . . . $ 152,549 $ 133,452 $ 123,696 Natural gas . . . . . . . . . 31,173 26,833 33,702 183,722 $ 160,285 $ 157,398 Maintenance: Electric. . . . . . . . . . . $ 81,972 $ 87,942 $ 88,162 Natural gas . . . . . . . . . 17,150 20,699 25,024 $ 99,122 $ 108,641 $ 113,186 Capital expenditures: Electric. . . . . . . . . . . $ 138,361 $ 153,931 $ 152,384 Nuclear fuel. . . . . . . . . 2,629 28,465 20,590 Natural gas . . . . . . . . . 58,519 54,431 64,722 $ 199,509 $ 236,827 $ 237,696 (1) Information reflects the sales of the Missouri Properties (Note 19). (2) For the years ended December 31, 1996 and 1995, operating revenues associated with the natural gas segment include immaterial amounts of revenues related to operations of non-regulated subsidiaries in non-gas related businesses. (3) As of December 31, 1996, this balance principally represents the equity investment in ADT, security business and other property, non-utility assets and deferred charges. As of December 31, 1995 and 1994, this balance represents primarily cash, non-utility assets and deferred charges. The portion of the table above related to the Missouri Properties is as follows: 1994 (Dollars in Thousands, Unaudited) Natural gas revenues. . . . . . . . . $ 77,008 Operating expenses excluding income taxes. . . . . . . . 69,114 Income taxes. . . . . . . . . . . . . 2,897 Operating income. . . . . . . . . . . 4,997 Identifiable assets . . . . . . . . . - Depreciation and amortization . . . . 1,274 Maintenance . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1,099 Capital expenditures. . . . . . . . . 3,682 19. SALES OF MISSOURI NATURAL GAS DISTRIBUTION PROPERTIES On January 31, 1994, the company sold substantially all of its Missouri natural gas distribution properties and operations to Southern Union Company (Southern Union) for $404 million. The company sold the remaining Missouri properties to United Cities Gas Company (United Cities) for $665,000 on February 28, 1994. The properties sold to Southern Union and United Cities are referred to herein as the "Missouri Properties." During the first quarter of 1994, the company recognized a gain of approximately $19.3 million, net of tax, on the sales of the Missouri Properties. As of the respective dates of the sales of the Missouri Properties, the company ceased recording the results of operations, and removed the assets and liabilities from the Consolidated Balance Sheets related to the Missouri Properties. The gain is reflected in Other Income and Deductions, on the Consolidated Statements of Income. The following table reflects the approximate operating revenues and operating income included in the company's consolidated results of operations for the year ended December 31, 1994, related to the Missouri Properties: 1994 Percent of Total Amount Company (Dollars in Thousands, Unaudited) Operating revenues. . . . . . . . . . $ 77,008 4.8% Operating income. . . . . . . . . . . 4,997 1.9% Separate audited financial information was not kept by the company for the Missouri Properties. This unaudited financial information is based on assumptions and allocations of expenses of the company as a whole. 20. QUARTERLY RESULTS (UNAUDITED) The amounts in the table are unaudited but, in the opinion of management, contain all adjustments (consisting only of normal recurring adjustments) necessary for a fair presentation of the results of such periods. The business of the company is seasonal in nature and, in the opinion of management, comparisons between the quarters of a year do not give a true indication of overall trends and changes in operations. First Second Third Fourth (Dollars in Thousands, except Per Share Amounts) 1996 Operating revenues. . . . . . . $555,622 $436,121 $490,172 $564,904 Operating income. . . . . . . . 75,273 59,020 93,587 76,113 Net income. . . . . . . . . . . 44,789 28,746 62,949 32,466 Earnings applicable to common stock. . . . . . . . . 41,434 25,392 56,049 31,236 Earnings per share. . . . . . . $ 0.66 $ 0.40 $ 0.87 $ 0.48 Dividends per share . . . . . . $ 0.515 $ 0.515 $ 0.515 $ 0.515 Average common shares outstanding . . . . . . . . . 63,164 63,466 64,161 64,523 Common stock price: High. . . . . . . . . . . . . $ 34.875 $ 30.75 $ 30.75 $ 31.75 Low . . . . . . . . . . . . . $ 29.25 $ 28.00 $ 28.25 $ 28.625 1995 Operating revenues. . . . . . . $443,375 $372,295 $470,289 $457,341 Operating income. . . . . . . . 69,441 49,891 99,481 59,896 Net income. . . . . . . . . . . 41,575 21,716 71,905 46,480 Earnings applicable to common stock. . . . . . . . . 38,220 18,362 68,550 43,125 Earnings per share. . . . . . . $ 0.62 $ 0.30 $ 1.10 $ 0.69 Dividends per share . . . . . . $ 0.505 $ 0.505 $ 0.505 $ 0.505 Average common shares outstanding . . . . . . . . . 61,747 61,886 62,244 62,712 Common stock price: High. . . . . . . . . . . . . $ 33.375 $ 32.50 $ 32.875 $ 34.00 Low . . . . . . . . . . . . . $ 28.625 $ 30.25 $ 29.75 $ 31.00 ITEM 9. CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING AND FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE None. PART III ITEM 10. DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS OF THE REGISTRANT The information relating to the company's Directors required by Item 10 is set forth in the company's definitive proxy statement for its 1997 Annual Meeting of Shareholders to be filed with the SEC. Such information is incorporated herein by reference to the material appearing under the caption Election of Directors in the proxy statement to be filed by the company with the SEC. See EXECUTIVE OFFICERS OF THE COMPANY on page 19 for the information relating to the company's Executive Officers as required by Item 10. ITEM 11. EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION The information required by Item 11 is set forth in the company's definitive proxy statement for its 1997 Annual Meeting of Shareholders to be filed with the SEC. Such information is incorporated herein by reference to the material appearing under the captions Information Concerning the Board of Directors, Executive Compensation, Compensation Plans, and Human Resources Committee Report in the proxy statement to be filed by the company with the SEC. ITEM 12. SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT The information required by Item 12 is set forth in the company's definitive proxy statement for its 1997 Annual Meeting of Shareholders to be filed with the SEC. Such information is incorporated herein by reference to the material appearing under the caption Beneficial Ownership of Voting Securities in the proxy statement to be filed by the company with the SEC. ITEM 13. CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS None. PART IV ITEM 14. EXHIBITS, FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES, AND REPORTS ON FORM 8-K The following financial statements are included herein. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS Report of Independent Public Accountants Consolidated Balance Sheets, December 31, 1996 and 1995 Consolidated Statements of Income, for the years ended December 31, 1996, 1995 and 1994 Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows, for the years ended December 31, 1996, 1995 and 1994 Consolidated Statements of Taxes, for the years ended December 31, 1996, 1995 and 1994 Consolidated Statements of Capitalization, December 31, 1996 and 1995 Consolidated Statements of Common Stock Equity, for the years ended December 31, 1996, 1995 and 1994 Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements SCHEDULES Schedules omitted as not applicable or not required under the Rules of regulation S-X: I, II, III, IV, and V REPORTS ON FORM 8-K Form 8-K filed April 15, 1996 - Press release regarding the company's offer to merge with KCPL. Form 8-K filed April 23, 1996 - Press release regarding the company's offer to merge with KCPL. Form 8-K filed April 25, 1996 - Press release regarding the company's offer to merge with KCPL. Form 8-K filed April 26, 1996 - Press release regarding the company's offer to merge with KCPL. Form 8-K filed April 29, 1996 - Press release regarding the company's offer to merge with KCPL. Form 8-K filed May 3, 1996 - Press release regarding the company's offer to merge with KCPL. Form 8-K filed May 6, 1996 - Press release regarding the company's offer to merge with KCPL. Forms 8-K filed May 7, 1996 - Press release regarding the company's offer to merge with KCPL. Form 8-K filed May 13, 1996 - Press release regarding the company's offer to merge with KCPL. Form 8-K filed May 24, 1996 - Press release about the company filing testimony to the electric rate case at the KCC. Form 8-K filed June 17, 1996 - Press release regarding the company's offer to merge with KCPL. Form 8-K filed July 23, 1996 - 6/30/96 earnings release. Form 8-K filed July 26, 1996 - Press release regarding KCC Staff and the company reaching agreement in rate case. Form 8-K filed October 24, 1996 - Press release regarding KCC Staff and the company reaching an amended agreement in rate case. Form 8-K filed December 18, 1996 - Press release regarding the company's strategic alliance with ONEOK, including Agreement between the company and ONEOK dated as of December 12, 1996 and Form of Shareholder Agreement between New ONEOK and the company. Form 8-K filed February 10, 1997 - Press release regarding the company's merger with KCPL, including Agreement and Plan of Merger between the company and KCPL, dated as of February 7, 1997. EXHIBIT INDEX All exhibits marked "I" are incorporated herein by reference. Description 3(a) -Agreement and Plan of Merger between the company and KCPL, I dated as of February 7, 1997. (filed as Exhibit 99.2 to the February 10, 1997 Form 8-K) 3(b) -Agreement between the company and ONEOK dated as of I December 12, 1996. (filed as Exhibit 99.2 to the December 12, 1997 Form 8-K) 3(c) -Form of Shareholder Agreement between New ONEOK and the I company. (filed as Exhibit 99.3 to the December 12, 1997 Form 8-K) 3(d) -Restated Articles of Incorporation of the Company, as amended I May 7, 1996. (filed as Exhibit 3(a) to June, 1996 Form 10-Q) 3(e) -Restated Articles of Incorporation of the company, as amended I May 25, 1988. (filed as Exhibit 4 to Registration Statement No. 33-23022) 3(f) -Certificate of Correction to Restated Articles of Incorporation. I (filed as Exhibit 3(b) to the December 1991 Form 10-K) 3(g) -Amendment to the Restated Articles of Incorporation, as amended I May 5, 1992. (filed as Exhibit 3(c) to the December 31, 1995 Form 10-K) 3(h) -Amendments to the Restated Articles of Incorporation of the I Company (filed as Exhibit 3 to the June 1994 Form 10-Q) 3(i) -By-laws of the Company. (filed as Exhibit 3(e) to the I December 31, 1995 Form 10-K) 3(j) -Certificate of Designation of Preference Stock, 8.50% Series, I without par value. (filed as Exhibit 3(d) to the December 1993 Form 10-K) 3(k) -Certificate of Designation of Preference Stock, 7.58% Series, I without par value. (filed as Exhibit 3(e) to the December 1993 Form 10-K) 4(a) -Deferrable Interest Subordinated Debentures dated November 29, I 1995, between the company and Wilmington Trust Delaware, Trustee (filed as Exhibit 4(c) to Registration Statement No. 33-63505) 4(b) -Mortgage and Deed of Trust dated July 1, 1939 between the Company I and Harris Trust and Savings Bank, Trustee. (filed as Exhibit 4(a) to Registration Statement No. 33-21739) 4(c) -First through Fifteenth Supplemental Indentures dated July 1, I 1939, April 1, 1949, July 20, 1949, October 1, 1949, December 1, 1949, October 4, 1951, December 1, 1951, May 1, 1952, October 1, 1954, September 1, 1961, April 1, 1969, September 1, 1970, February 1, 1975, May 1, 1976 and April 1, 1977, respectively. (filed as Exhibit 4(b) to Registration Statement No. 33-21739) 4(d) -Sixteenth Supplemental Indenture dated June 1, 1977. (filed as I Exhibit 2-D to Registration Statement No. 2-60207) 4(e) -Seventeenth Supplemental Indenture dated February 1, 1978. I (filed as Exhibit 2-E to Registration Statement No. 2-61310) 4(f) -Eighteenth Supplemental Indenture dated January 1, 1979. (filed I as Exhibit (b) (1)-9 to Registration Statement No. 2-64231) 4(g) -Nineteenth Supplemental Indenture dated May 1, 1980. (filed as I Exhibit 4(f) to Registration Statement No. 33-21739) 4(h) -Twentieth Supplemental Indenture dated November 1, 1981. (filed I as Exhibit 4(g) to Registration Statement No. 33-21739) 4(i) -Twenty-First Supplemental Indenture dated April 1, 1982. (filed I as Exhibit 4(h) to Registration Statement No. 33-21739) 4(j) -Twenty-Second Supplemental Indenture dated February 1, 1983. I (filed as Exhibit 4(i) to Registration Statement No. 33-21739) 4(k) -Twenty-Third Supplemental Indenture dated July 2, 1986. I (filed as Exhibit 4(j) to Registration Statement No. 33-12054) 4(l) -Twenty-Fourth Supplemental Indenture dated March 1, 1987. I (filed as Exhibit 4(k) to Registration Statement No. 33-21739) 4(m) -Twenty-Fifth Supplemental Indenture dated October 15, 1988. I (filed as Exhibit 4 to the September 1988 Form 10-Q) 4(n) -Twenty-Sixth Supplemental Indenture dated February 15, 1990. I (filed as Exhibit 4(m) to the December 1989 Form 10-K) 4(o) -Twenty-Seventh Supplemental Indenture dated March 12, 1992. I (filed as exhibit 4(n) to the December 1991 Form 10-K) 4(p) -Twenty-Eighth Supplemental Indenture dated July 1, 1992. I (filed as exhibit 4(o) to the December 1992 Form 10-K) 4(q) -Twenty-Ninth Supplemental Indenture dated August 20, 1992. I (filed as exhibit 4(p) to the December 1992 Form 10-K) 4(r) -Thirtieth Supplemental Indenture dated February 1, 1993. I (filed as exhibit 4(q) to the December 1992 Form 10-K) 4(s) -Thirty-First Supplemental Indenture dated April 15, 1993. I (filed as exhibit 4(r) to Registration Statement No. 33-50069) 4(t) -Thirty-Second Supplemental Indenture dated April 15, 1994, (filed as Exhibit 4(s) to the December 31, 1994 Form 10-K) Instruments defining the rights of holders of other long-term debt not required to be filed as exhibits will be furnished to the Commission upon request. 10(a) -Long-term Incentive and Share Award Plan (filed as Exhibit I 10(a) to the June 1996 Form 10-Q) 10(b) -Form of Employment Agreement with officers of the Company I (filed as Exhibit 10(b) to the June 1996 Form 10-Q) 10(c) -A Rail Transportation Agreement among Burlington Northern I Railroad Company, the Union Pacific Railroad Company and the Company (filed as Exhibit 10 to the June 1994 Form 10-Q) 10(d) -Agreement between the Company and AMAX Coal West Inc. I effective March 31, 1993. (filed as Exhibit 10(a) to the December 31, 1993 Form 10-K) 10(e) -Agreement between the Company and Williams Natural Gas Company I dated October 1, 1993. (filed as Exhibit 10(b) to the December 31, 1993 Form 10-K) 10(f) -Letter of Agreement between The Kansas Power and Light Company I and John E. Hayes, Jr., dated November 20, 1989. (filed as Exhibit 10(w) to the December 31, 1989 Form 10-K) 10(g) -Amended Agreement and Plan of Merger by and among The Kansas I Power and Light Company, KCA Corporation, and Kansas Gas and Electric Company, dated as of October 28, 1990, as amended by Amendment No. 1 thereto, dated as of January 18, 1991. (filed as Annex A to Registration Statement No. 33-38967) 10(h) -Deferred Compensation Plan (filed as Exhibit 10(i) to the I December 31, 1993 Form 10-K) 10(i) -Long-term Incentive Plan (filed as Exhibit 10(j) to the I December 31, 1993 Form 10-K) 10(j) -Short-term Incentive Plan (filed as Exhibit 10(k) to the I December 31, 1993 Form 10-K) 10(k) -Outside Directors' Deferred Compensation Plan (filed as Exhibit I 10(l) to the December 31, 1993 Form 10-K) 10(l) -Executive Salary Continuation Plan of Western Resources, Inc., I as revised, effective September 22, 1995. (filed as Exhibit 10(j)to the December 31, 1995 Form 10-K) 10(m) -Executive Salary Continuation Plan for John E. Hayes, Jr., I Dated March 15, 1995. (filed as Exhibit 10(k) to the December 31, 1995 Form 10-K) 10(n) -Stock Purchase Agreement between the company and Laidlaw I Transportation Inc., dated December 21, 1995. (filed as Exhibit 10(l) to the December 31, 1995 Form 10-K) 10(o) -Equity Agreement between the company and Laidlaw Transportation I Inc., dated December 21, 1995. (filed as Exhibit 10(l)1 to the December 31, 1995 Form 10-K) 10(p) -Letter Agreement between the Company and David C. Wittig, I dated April 27, 1995. (filed as Exhibit 10(m) to the December 31, 1995 Form 10-K) 12 -Computation of Ratio of Consolidated Earnings to Fixed Charges. (filed electronically) 21 -Subsidiaries of the Registrant. (filed electronically) 23 -Consent of Independent Public Accountants, Arthur Andersen LLP (filed electronically) 27 -Financial Data Schedule (filed electronically) SIGNATURE Pursuant to the requirements of Sections 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized. WESTERN RESOURCES, INC. March 19, 1997 By /s/ JOHN E. HAYES, JR. John E. Hayes, Jr., Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer SIGNATURES Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated: Signature Title Date Chairman of the Board, /s/ JOHN E. HAYES, JR. and Chief Executive Officer March 19, 1997 (John E. Hayes, Jr.) (Principal Executive Officer) Executive Vice President and /s/ S. L. KITCHEN Chief Financial Officer March 19, 1997 (S. L. Kitchen) (Principal Financial and Accounting Officer) /s/ FRANK J. BECKER (Frank J. Becker) /s/ GENE A. BUDIG (Gene A. Budig) /s/ C. Q. CHANDLER (C. Q. Chandler) /s/ THOMAS R. CLEVENGER (Thomas R. Clevenger) /s/ JOHN C. DICUS Directors March 19, 1997 (John C. Dicus) /s/ DAVID H. HUGHES (David H. Hughes) /s/ RUSSELL W. MEYER, JR. (Russell W. Meyer, Jr.) /s/ JOHN H. ROBINSON (John H. Robinson) /s/ SUSAN M. STANTON (Susan M. Stanton) /s/ LOUIS W. SMITH (Louis W. Smith) /s/ KENNETH J. WAGNON (Kenneth J. Wagnon) /s/ DAVID C. WITTIG (David C. Wittig)

                                                                                
                           Exhibit 12


                        WESTERN RESOURCES, INC.
        Computations of Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges and
      Computations of Ratio of Earnings to Combined Fixed Charges
          and Preferred and Preference Dividend Requirements
                        (Dollars in Thousands)

Year Ended December 31, 1996 1995 1994 1993 1992 Net Income. . . . . . . . . . . . . . $168,950 $181,676 $187,447 $177,370 $127,884 Taxes on Income . . . . . . . . . . . 86,102 83,392 99,951 78,755 46,099 Net Income Plus Taxes. . . . . . 255,052 265,068 287,398 256,125 173,983 Fixed Charges: Interest on Long-Term Debt. . . . . 105,741 95,962 98,483 123,551 117,464 Interest on Other Indebtedness. . . 34,685 27,487 20,139 19,255 20,009 Interest on Other Mandatorily Redeemable Securities . . . . . . 12,125 372 - - - Interest on Corporate-owned Life Insurance Borrowings . . . . 35,151 32,325 26,932 16,252 5,294 Interest Applicable to Rentals . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32,965 31,650 29,003 28,827 27,429 Total Fixed Charges . . . . . . 220,667 187,796 174,557 187,885 170,196 Preferred and Preference Dividend Requirements: Preferred and Preference Dividends. 14,839 13,419 13,418 13,506 12,751 Income Tax Required . . . . . . . . 7,562 6,160 7,155 5,997 4,596 Total Preferred and Preference Dividend Requirements . . . . . . 22,401 19,579 20,573 19,503 17,347 Total Fixed Charges and Preferred and Preference Dividend Requirements. . 243,068 207,375 195,130 207,388 187,543 Earnings (1). . . . . . . . . . . . . $475,719 $452,864 $461,955 $444,010 $344,179 Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges. . 2.16 2.41 2.65 2.36 2.02 Ratio of Earnings to Combined Fixed Charges and Preferred and Preference Dividend Requirements . . . . . . . 1.96 2.18 2.37 2.14 1.84 (1) Earnings are deemed to consist of net income to which has been added income taxes (including net deferred investment tax credit) and fixed charges. Fixed charges consist of all interest on indebtedness, amortization of debt discount and expense, and the portion of rental expense which represents an interest factor. Preferred and preference dividend requirements consist of an amount equal to the pre-tax earnings which would be required to meet dividend requirements on preferred and preference stock.

                                                  Exhibit 21


                     WESTERN RESOURCES, INC.
                  Subsidiaries of the Registrant


                                         State of                Date
       Subsidiary                      Incorporation         Incorporated

1) Kansas Gas and Electric Company        Kansas            October 9, 1990

2) Mid Continent Market Center, Inc.      Kansas            December 13, 1994

3) Westar Energy, Inc.                    Kansas            April 14, 1995

4) Westar Security, Inc.                  Kansas            April 14, 1995

5) Westar Capital, Inc.                   Kansas            October 8, 1990

6) The Wing Group Limited Co.             Delaware          February 21, 1996


                                                     Exhibit 23


           CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS


     As independent public accountants, we hereby consent to the incorporation
of our report included in this Form 10-K, into the company's previously filed
Registration Statements File Nos. 33-49467, 33-49553, 333-02023,  33-50069, and
33-62375 of Western Resources, Inc. on Form S-3;  Nos. 333-18097 and 333-02711
of Western Resources, Inc. on Form S-4; Nos. 33-57435, 333-13229, 333-06887, 
333-20393, and 333-20413 of Western Resources, Inc. on Kansas Gas and 
Electric Company on Form S-3.





                                            ARTHUR ANDERSEN LLP
Kansas City, Missouri,
  January 24, 1997
  (February 7, 1997 with
  respect to Note 2 of
  the Notes to Consolidated
  Financial Statements.)
 


         

UT THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE BALANCE SHEET AT DECEMBER 31, 1996 AND THE STATEMENT OF INCOME AND THE STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS FOR THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1996 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS. 1,000 YEAR DEC-31-1996 DEC-31-1996 PER-BOOK 4,356,518 1,207,790 494,448 589,025 0 6,647,781 323,126 739,433 562,121 1,624,680 50,000 24,858 1,681,583 687,300 0 293,440 0 0 0 0 2,285,920 6,647,781 2,046,819 86,102 1,653,734 1,742,826 303,993 14,283 318,276 149,326 168,950 14,839 154,111 131,611 105,741 275,286 2.41 0


                        SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                             Washington, D.C. 20549




                                       FORM 8-K



                                    CURRENT REPORT




                       PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF
                       THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934


        Date of Report (Date of Earliest Event Reported) April 1, 1997




                               WESTERN RESOURCES, INC.
               (Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)




             KANSAS                    1-3523             48-0290150
(State or Other Jurisdiction of    (Commission         (Employer
Incorporation or Organization      File Number)       Identification No.)



   818 KANSAS AVENUE, TOPEKA, KANSAS                       66612
(Address of Principal Executive Offices)                (Zip Code)




      Registrant's Telephone Number Including Area Code (913) 575-6300







                           WESTERN RESOURCES, INC.

Item 5. Other Events

         Western Resources, Inc. herein files the following:

Exhibit 23 - Consent of Independent Public Accountants

Exhibit 99.1 - Unaudited Pro Forma  Combined  Financial  Information  of Western
Resources, Inc.

Exhibit 99.2 - December 31, 1996 Annual Report on Form 10-K for Kansas City
Power & Light Company

Exhibit 99.3 - December 31, 1996 Annual Report on Form 10-K for ADT, Limited

Exhibit 99.4 - Schedule 14A dated March 3, 1997 as filed by ADT, Limited

AVAILABLE INFORMATION

         The reader's attention is directed to additional filings of Western
Resources, Inc. (Western Resources), ADT Limited (ADT), and Kansas City Power
& Light Company (KCPL).

         Western  Resources,  ADT and  KCPL  are  subject  to the  informational
requirements  of the Exchange  Act, and in  accordance  therewith  file reports,
proxy  statements  and  other  information  with  the  Securities  and  Exchange
Commission (the "Commission").  Reports,  proxy statements and other information
filed by Western  Resources,  ADT and KCPL with the  Commission may be inspected
and copied at the public  reference  facilities  maintained by the Commission at
Judiciary Plaza, 450 Fifth Street, N.W., Room 1024,  Washington,  D.C. 20549 and
at the public reference facilities in the Commission's Regional Offices at Seven
World Trade Center,  13th Floor,  New York, New York 10048 and Citicorp  Center,
500 West  Madison  Street,  Suite  1400,  Chicago,  Illinois  60661.  Copies  of
information may be obtained from the Public Reference  Section of the Commission
at 450 Fifth Street, N.W.,  Washington,  D.C. 20549 at prescribed rates. Because
Western Resources,  ADT and KCPL each file certain documents electronically with
the Commission,  reports, proxy and information statements and other information
regarding  Western  Resources,  ADT and KCPL may also be obtained at  prescribed
rates from the Commission at the Commission's Web site, http//:www.sec.gov.  The
Western  Resources  Common Stock, the ADT Common Stock and the KCPL Common Stock
are listed and traded on the NYSE. ADT Common Stock is also listed and traded on
the London Stock  Exchange,  the Frankfurt  Stock Exchange and the Bermuda Stock
Exchange and the KCPL Common Stock is also listed on the Chicago Stock Exchange.
Reports, proxy statements and other information filed by Western Resources,  ADT
and KCPL with the  Commission  may be inspected  at the offices of the NYSE,  20
Broad Street, New York, New York 10005 and, concerning KCPL only, at the offices
of the CSE, 440 South LaSalle Street, Chicago, Illinois 60605.

INFORMATION ON ADT AND KCPL INCLUDED IN UNAUDITED PRO FORMA FINANCIAL
INFORMATION

                                                   2





         On  February  7,  1997,  KCPL and  Western  Resources  entered  into an
agreement whereby KCPL would be merged with and into Western Resources.

         On March 14,  1997,  Western  Resources  commenced an offer to exchange
$22.50 of Western  Resources Common Stock and cash for each  outstanding  common
share of ADT not already  owned by Western  Resources or its  subsidiaries  (ADT
Offer).  ADT  shareowners  would  receive  $10 cash plus  0.41494  of a share of
Western  Resources Common Stock for each share of ADT tendered not already owned
by Western  Resources,  based on the closing price of Western  Resources  Common
Stock on March 13, 1997. ADT shareowners would not,  however,  receive more than
0.42017 shares of Western Resources Common Stock for each ADT common share.

         Effective March 17, 1997 Tyco  International Ltd. (Tyco) announced that
they had entered into a  definitive  merger  agreement  with ADT in a stock-for-
stock  transaction.  Based upon Tyco's  closing  stock price on April 1, 1997 of
$54.875, the terms of the agreement would result in a value of approximately $26
per share to ADT shareholders.  Western is currently reviewing the Tyco offer as
well as considering  its  alternatives to such offer and assessing its rights as
an ADT shareholder. At this date, the impact the Tyco offer will have on the ADT
Offer and Tyco's ability to consummate  this  transaction in accordance with the
specified terms is not known.

         While  Western  Resources  has included in Exhibit  99.1 filed  beneath
information  concerning  ADT and  KCPL  insofar  as it is  known  or  reasonably
available to Western Resources,  Western Resources is not affiliated with either
ADT or KCPL. ADT has not to date permitted access by Western  Resources to ADT's
books and records for the  purpose of  preparing  this  document.  In  addition,
Western  Resources has not examined  KCPL's books and records for the purpose of
preparing this document.  Therefore,  information  concerning ADT and KCPL which
has not been made public was not available to Western  Resources for the purpose
of preparing this  document.  Although  Western  Resources has no knowledge that
would indicate that statements relating to ADT or KCPL contained or incorporated
by reference in Exhibit 99.1 in reliance upon publicly available information are
inaccurate or incomplete,  Western Resources was not involved in the preparation
of such information and statements and, for the foregoing  reasons,  is not in a
position to verify any such  information  or  statements.  In addition,  Western
Resources was not involved in the preparation of Exhibits 99.2, 99.3 or 99.4 and
therefore  is not in a  position  to  verify  any of the  information  contained
therein.

         Pursuant  to Rule 409  promulgated  under the  Securities  Act of 1933,
Western  Resources  has  requested  that  Coopers & Lybrand  L.L.P.,  provide to
Western Resources the information  required for complete  disclosure  concerning
the business, operations, financial condition and management of ADT. Neither ADT
nor Coopers & Lybrand  L.L.P.  has yet provided any  information  in response to
such request.

                                                         3




                                                    SIGNATURES


         Pursuant to the  requirements  of the Securities  Exchange Act of 1934,
the  Registrant  has duly  caused  this report to be signed on its behalf by the
undersigned thereunto duly authorized.




                                                Western Resources, Inc.




Date     April 1, 1997                By      /s/ Jerry D. Courington
    --------------------------          -----------------------------
                                                Jerry D. Courington

                                                      Controller


                                                         4



                                                     Exhibit 23

                       CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS


         We consent to the incorporation by reference in this report on Form 8-K
of our report dated February 14, 1997, on our audit of the consolidated
financial statements of Kansas City Power & Light Company and Subsidiary as of 
December 31, 1996 and 1995, and for the years ended December 31, 1996, 1995 and
1994, which report is included in the Kansas City Power & Light Company and
Subsidiary's Annual Report on Form 10-K.



                                                /s/ Coopers & Lybrand L.L.P.
                                                    COOPERS & LYBRAND L.L.P.


Kansas City, Missouri
April 1, 1997


                                                              Exhibit 99.1

UNAUDITED PRO FORMA COMBINED FINANCIAL INFORMATION

   On February 7, 1997,  Kansas City Power and Light Company  (KCPL) and Western
Resources, Inc. (Western Resources) entered into an agreement whereby KCPL would
be merged with and into Western Resources (Merger).

   On March 14, 1997, Western Resources commenced an offer to exchange $22.50 of
Western  Resources  Common  Stock  and cash for  each  outstanding  share of ADT
Limited  (ADT)  Common  Stock not  already  owned by  Western  Resources  or its
subsidiaries (ADT Offer). ADT shareowners would receive $10 cash plus 0.41494 of
a share of Western  Resources  Common  Stock for each share of ADT Common  Stock
tendered not already owned by Western  Resources,  based on the closing price of
Western  Resources  Common Stock on March 13, 1997. ADT  shareowners  would not,
however,  receive more than 0.42017 shares of Western Resources Common Stock for
each share of ADT Common Stock.

   Effective March 17, 1997 Tyco  International  Ltd. (Tyco) announced that they
had entered into a definitive  merger  agreement  with ADT in a  stock-for-stock
transaction.  Based upon Tyco's closing stock price on April 1, 1997 of $54.875,
the terms of the  agreement  would  result in a value of  approximately  $26 per
share to ADT shareholders. Western is currently reviewing the Tyco offer as well
as considering its alternatives to such offer and assessing its rights as an ADT
shareholder.  At this date, the impact the Tyco offer will have on the ADT Offer
and  Tyco's  ability to  consummate  this  transaction  in  accordance  with the
specified terms is not known.

   The  purpose  of the ADT  Offer is to enable  Western  Resources  to  acquire
control of ADT. Western Resources presently intends,  following  consummation of
the ADT Offer, to propose and seek to have ADT effect the Amalgamation, pursuant
to which a newly created subsidiary of Western Resources  incorporated under the
laws of Bermuda will amalgamate with and into ADT, with the amalgamated  company
operating under the name of ADT (the Amalgamation).

     The following unaudited pro forma combined financial  information  presents
the consolidated balance sheets and statements of income for the following:  (i)
Western Resources and KCPL, assuming the Merger is accounted for as a pooling of
interests;  and (ii)  Western  Resources,  KCPL and ADT,  assuming the Merger is
accounted for as a pooling of interests and the Amalgamation is accounted for as
a purchase.

     ADT's results of operations and financial  position have been presented for
the year ended December 31, 1996, as if the purchase was consummated on December
31, 1996.  The  unaudited  pro forma  combined  statement of income  adjusts the
historical  amounts to reflect  the  Amalgamation  as if it had  occurred at the
beginning of 1996. The unaudited combined operating results of Western Resources
and KCPL have been  presented for each of the last three fiscal  years,  because
the Merger will be accounted for as a pooling of interests.  Pro Forma  combined
information which includes ADT is presented for the most recent year ended since
the Amalgamation would be accounted for as a purchase.







     The  unaudited  pro  forma  combined  financial  statements  were  prepared
utilizing  the  historical  audited  financial  statements,  including the notes
thereto, of Western Resources,  KCPL and ADT. The information shown below should
be read in conjunction with the consolidated  historical financial statements of
Western  Resources,  KCPL and ADT,  as filed with the  Securities  and  Exchange
Commission (SEC). The following  information is being presented for illustrative
purposes only and is not  necessarily  indicative  of the financial  position or
operating  results that would have occurred had the  Amalgamation and the Merger
been  consummated  at the  beginning of the periods for which the Merger and the
Amalgamation are being given effect, nor is it necessarily  indicative of future
operating results or financial position.

The Merger

     The Merger Agreement  provides that each share of KCPL Common Stock will be
exchanged  for  $32.00 of Western  Resources  Common  Stock,  subject to certain
limitations. Pro forma shares outstanding and related earnings and dividends per
share  information  have been calculated  assuming a Conversion Ratio of 1.05785
based on a closing price of $30.250 per share of Western  Resources Common Stock
on February  28,  1997.  The actual  Conversion  Ratio will be based on a 20 day
average of the Closing price of Western  Resources Common Stock calculated for a
period  beginning  on the 29th  business  day prior to Closing and ending on the
tenth business day prior to Closing.

     The Merger is assumed to generate  substantial  cost  savings.  The assumed
cost savings have not been  reflected in the pro forma  combined  balance sheets
and statements of income. Transaction costs associated with the Merger including
fees for advisors,  attorneys and other consultants and incremental direct costs
of completing the Merger are estimated to approximate $60 million.

     There are no  anticipated  changes in either  Western  Resources' or KCPL's
accounting  policies as a result of the Merger.  Both companies  accrue unbilled
revenue for energy delivered at the end of each reporting period,  use composite
depreciation  methods at group rates  specified  pursuant to regulation and have
certain other  accounting  policies which differ from each other as well as from
other  commercial  enterprises  due to the nature of how regulators have allowed
certain costs to be recovered from customers.

     Western  Resources has joint interests with KCPL in the LaCygne Station and
Wolf Creek electric generating facilities. These generating facilities represent
approximately 23% of Western Resources' total generating capacity, 39% of KCPL's
total  generating  capacity and 29% of the combined  company's total  generating
capacity.


The Amalgamation

     Western Resources  currently owns  approximately 38.3 million shares of ADT
Common Stock, or approximately 25% of the outstanding shares of ADT Common Stock
after giving effect to the exercise of the Republic  Warrant.  This represents a
$589.4  million  investment,  at cost,  in ADT.  Western  Resources  proposes to
acquire the remaining  common equity interest of ADT for $22.50 per share of ADT
Common Stock, subject to adjustment, and account for such






acquisition as a purchase.  ADT's  shareholders would receive $12.50 of value in
Western Resources Common Stock, subject to certain limitations,  and the balance
of the purchase  price  ($10.00 per share of ADT Common  Stock) would be paid in
cash. The pro forma combined balance sheet assumes the recorded amounts of ADT's
assets and liabilities  approximate their fair values. The preliminary  purchase
price allocation was made using only publicly available  information for ADT and
is subject to change.  The pro forma combined  financial  statements do not give
effect to any anticipated cost savings or revenue  enhancements  that may result
from the Amalgamation.

     During  the first  quarter  of 1996,  ADT  recorded  a  non-cash  charge of
approximately  $744.7 million to recognize the impairment of certain  long-lived
assets. The impairment charge was largely attributable to reducing the amount of
recorded goodwill and had no significant tax effect.

     In September  1996,  ADT acquired the entire  equity  interest in Automated
Security  (Holdings) PLC, a United Kingdom company ("ASH")(the ASH Transaction).
ASH is engaged in the provision of electronic security services in North America
and  Europe.  The ASH  Transaction  was  accounted  for by ADT as a  pooling  of
interests.  In connection  with the ASH  Transaction,  ADT  exchanged  7,034,940
shares of ADT Common Stock for the entire equity interest in ASH.

     In  November  1996,  ADT's  Chairman  announced  a plan to sell  ADT's auto
auction  business.  Consistent with ADT's  announcement,  Western Resources also
plans to sell this business following the consummation of the Amalgamation since
it does not fit into Western Resources'  long-term strategic plans and such sale
will allow  management to focus on the delivery of security and energy services.
According to ADT's 1996 Annual Report on Form 10-K, the auto auction business of
ADT  operates   approximately   27  auction   centers  in  the  United   States.
Substantially all of the vehicles sold at ADT auction centers are passenger cars
and light trucks.  Heavy trucks and industrial  vehicles comprise the balance of
its sales.  Western  Resources  estimates the sale of the auto auction  business
should generate  after-tax  proceeds of  approximately  $450 million based on an
estimated  sales price of  approximately  $500  million.  In March  1997,  ADT's
Chairman  announced  that  ADT had  rescinded  its  prior  plan to sell the auto
auction business. Western Resources,  however, will continue its plan to dispose
of this business of ADT following consummation of the Amalgamation.

     This cash sale is assumed  to be  completed  at or near the  closing of the
Amalgamation.  The estimated  fair value of the net proceeds to be received as a
result  of this  sale  have  been  presented  as  property  held for sale on the
unaudited  pro  forma  combined  balance  sheet and a pro  forma  adjustment  to
eliminate the operating results of the auto auction business is reflected in the
unaudited pro forma combined  statement of income.  Estimated  amounts have been
disclosed based on Western Resources' expectation of value. Actual amounts could
differ substantially from these estimates.



Other Transactions

     In December 1996 Western Resources and ONEOK announced the formation of a
proposed strategic alliance.  Under the terms of the agreement, Western






Resources and ONEOK will each  contribute  essentially  all of their natural gas
assets to a new company  controlled by ONEOK.  Following  the  completion of the
transaction,  Western  Resources will have a 45% equity interest in the combined
new company.  The new natural gas assets and earnings  from this  business  unit
will be replaced by equity investments,  equity earnings and preferred dividends
after this transaction  closes.  The cash flows from the strategic  alliance are
expected to exceed the cash flows historically  provided to Western Resources by
these assets.  The proposed  transaction is expected to close following approval
by ONEOK's shareholders and appropriate  regulatory approvals in the second half
of 1997.

     On December 31, 1996 Western Resources purchased the assets of Westinghouse
Security  Systems,  Inc.  Western  Resources  paid  approximately  $358 million,
subject to adjustment,  and assumed certain  liabilities in connection with this
purchase. This acquisition significantly expands the scope of Western Resources'
security  operations.  Based on a  preliminary  estimate of the  purchase  price
allocation  approximately $275 million of goodwill has been recorded.  Since the
transaction closed on December 31, 1996, no operating results have been included
on the  accompanying  pro forma combined  statement of income for the year ended
December 31, 1996. 


                                             WESTERN RESOURCES AND KCPL

                                    UNAUDITED PRO FORMA COMBINED BALANCE SHEET

                                                 December 31, 1996
                                                  (in thousands)

                                                      ASSETS

Pro Forma Western KCPL Total (Historical) (Historical) Adjustments Combined Current Assets: Cash and cash equivalents . . . . . . . . . .$ 3,724 $ 23,571 $ - $ 27,295 Accounts receivable and unbilled revenues (net). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 318,966 63,206 - 382,172 Other current assets. . . . . . . . . . . . . 171,758 74,203 - 245,961 ---------- ---------- -------- ---------- Total current assets . . . . . . . . . . 494,448 160,980 - 655,428 ---------- ---------- -------- ---------- Property, Plant and Equipment, net . . . . . . . . 4,356,518 2,343,494 - 6,700,012 ---------- ---------- -------- ---------- Deferred Charges and Other Assets: Goodwill, net . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 306,960 - - 306,960 Regulatory asset-recoverable taxes. . . . . . 217,257 126,000 - 343,257 Regulatory assets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 241,039 37,747 - 278,786 Other assets. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1,031,559 246,291 (30,000)(k) 1,247,850 ---------- ---------- -------- ---------- Total deferred charges and other assets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1,796,815 410,038 (30,000) 2,176,853 ---------- ---------- -------- ---------- Total Assets . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$6,647,781 $2,914,512 $(30,000) $9,532,293 ========== ========== ======== ========== LIABILITIES AND CAPITALIZATION Pro Forma Western KCPL Total (Historical) (Historical) Adjustments Combined Current Liabilities: Short-term debt . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$ 980,740 $ - $ - $ 980,740 Long-term debt due within one year. . . . . . - 26,591 - 26,591 Accounts payable. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 180,540 55,618 - 236,158 Other current liabilities . . . . . . . . . . 190,812 84,216 30,000(k) 305,028 ---------- ---------- -------- ---------- Total current liabilities. . . . . . . . 1,352,092 166,425 30,000 1,548,517 ---------- ---------- -------- ---------- Other Liabilities and Deferred Credits: Deferred income taxes . . . . . . . . . . . . 1,110,372 643,189 - 1,753,561 Deferred investment tax credits . . . . . . . 125,528 67,107 - 192,635 Other . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 458,668 94,144 - 552,812 ---------- ---------- -------- ---------- Total other liabilities and deferred credits. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1,694,568 804,440 - 2,499,008 ---------- ---------- -------- ---------- Capitalization: Long-term debt, net . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1,681,583 944,136 - 2,625,719 Company-obligated mandatorily redeemable preferred securities. . . . . . . . . . . . 220,000 - - 220,000 Preferred and preference stock. . . . . . . . 74,858 89,062 - 163,920 Common equity . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1,624,680 910,449 (60,000)(k) 2,475,129 ---------- ---------- -------- ---------- Total capitalization . . . . . . . . . . 3,601,121 1,943,647 ( 60,000) 5,484,768 ---------- ---------- -------- ---------- Total Liabilities and Capitalization . .$6,647,781 $2,914,512 $(30,000) $9,532,293 ========== =========== ======== ========== The accompanying Notes to Unaudited Pro Forma Combined Financial Information are an integral part of this statement and should be read in their entirety.
WESTERN RESOURCES AND KCPL UNAUDITED PRO FORMA COMBINED BALANCE SHEET December 31, 1995 (in thousands) ASSETS
Pro Forma Western KCPL Total (Historical) (Historical) Adjustments Combined Current Assets: Cash and cash equivalents . . . . . . . . . .$ 2,414 $ 28,390 $ - $ 30,804 Accounts receivable and unbilled revenues (net). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 257,292 64,668 - 321,960 Other current assets. . . . . . . . . . . . . 161,270 80,404 - 241,674 ---------- ---------- -------- ---------- Total current assets . . . . . . . . . . 420,976 173,462 - 594,438 ---------- ---------- -------- ---------- Property, Plant and Equipment, net . . . . . . . . 4,356,350 2,359,461 - 6,715,811 ---------- ---------- -------- ---------- Deferred Charges and Other Assets: Regulatory asset-recoverable taxes. . . . . . 282,476 123,000 - 405,476 Regulatory assets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 262,393 38,342 - 300,735 Other assets. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 168,482 188,241 - 356,723 ---------- ---------- -------- ---------- Total deferred charges and other assets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 713,351 349,583 - 1,062,934 ---------- ---------- -------- ---------- Total Assets . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$5,490,677 $2,882,506 $ - $8,373,183 ========== ========== ======== ========== LIABILITIES AND CAPITALIZATION Pro Forma Western KCPL Total (Historical) (Historical) Adjustments Combined Current Liabilities: Short-term debt . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$ 203,450 $ 19,000 $ - $ 222,450 Long-term debt due within one year. . . . . . 16,000 73,803 - 89,803 Accounts payable. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 149,194 52,506 - 201,700 Other current liabilities . . . . . . . . . . 170,992 104,746 - 275,738 ---------- ---------- -------- ---------- Total current liabilities. . . . . . . . 539,636 250,055 - 789,691 ---------- ---------- -------- ---------- Other Liabilities and Deferred Credits: Deferred income taxes . . . . . . . . . . . . 1,167,470 648,374 - 1,815,844 Deferred investment tax credits . . . . . . . 132,286 71,270 - 203,556 Other . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 432,054 88,720 - 520,774 ---------- ---------- -------- ---------- Total other liabilities and deferred credits. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1,731,810 808,364 - 2,540,174 ---------- ---------- -------- ---------- Capitalization: Long-term debt, net . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1,391,263 835,713 - 2,226,976 Company-obligated mandatorily redeemable preferred securities. . . . . . . . . . . . 100,000 - - 100,000 Preferred and preference stock. . . . . . . . 174,858 90,436 - 265,294 Common equity . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1,553,110 897,938 - 2,451,048 ---------- ---------- -------- ---------- Total capitalization . . . . . . . . . . 3,219,231 1,824,087 - 5,043,318 ---------- ---------- -------- ---------- Total Liabilities and Capitalization . .$5,490,677 $2,882,506 $ - $8,373,183 ========== =========== ======== ========== The accompanying Notes to Unaudited Pro Forma Combined Financial Information are an integral part of this statement and should be read in their entirety.
WESTERN RESOURCES AND KCPL UNAUDITED PRO FORMA COMBINED STATEMENT OF INCOME For the Year Ended December 31, 1996 (in thousands except per share data)
Pro Forma Western KCPL Total (Historical) (Historical) Adjustments Combined Operating Revenues: Electric. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$1,197,433 $903,919 $ - $2,101,352 Natural gas . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 849,386 - - 849,386 ---------- -------- ------ ---------- Total operating revenues . . . . . . . . 2,046,819 903,919 - 2,950,738 Operating Expenses: Cost of sales . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 648,299 192,960 - 841,259 Operations, administrative and selling. . . . 804,169 349,462 - 1,153,631 Depreciation and amortization . . . . . . . . 201,266 115,529 - 316,795 ---------- -------- ------ --------- Operating Income . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 393,085 245,968 - 639,053 ---------- -------- ------ --------- Interest Expense . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 149,326 58,083 - 207,409 Other Income (Expenses). . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11,293 (47,961) - (36,668) ---------- -------- ------ ---------- Income Before Income Taxes . . . . . . . . . . . . 255,052 139,924 - 394,976 Income Taxes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 86,102 31,753 - 117,855 ---------- -------- ------ ---------- Net Income . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 168,950 108,171 - 277,121 Preferred and Preference Dividends . . . . . . . . 14,839 3,790 - 18,629 ---------- -------- ------ ---------- Earnings Applicable to Common Stock. . . . . . . .$ 154,111 $104,381 $ - $ 258,492 ========== ======== ====== ========== Average Common Shares Outstanding. . . . . . . . . 63,834 61,902 3,581(i) 129,317 Earnings Per Average Common Share. . . . . . . . .$ 2.41 $ 1.69 $ 2.00 The accompanying Notes to Unaudited Pro Forma Combined Financial Information are an integral part of this statement and should be read in their entirety.
WESTERN RESOURCES AND KCPL UNAUDITED PRO FORMA COMBINED STATEMENT OF INCOME For the Year Ended December 31, 1995 (in thousands except per share data)
Pro Forma Western KCPL Total (Historical) (Historical) Adjustments Combined Operating Revenues: Electric. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$1,145,895 $885,955 $ - $2,031,850 Natural gas . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 597,405 - - 597,405 ---------- -------- ------ ---------- Total operating revenues . . . . . . . . 1,743,300 885,955 - 2,629,255 Operating Expenses: Cost of sales . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 510,948 178,154 - 689,102 Operations, administrative and selling. . . . 684,616 353,859 - 1,038,475 Depreciation and amortization . . . . . . . . 177,830 109,832 - 287,662 --------- -------- ------ ---------- Operating Income . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 369,906 244,110 - 614,016 --------- -------- ------ ---------- Interest Expense . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 122,095 54,522 - 176,617 Other Income (Expenses). . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17,257 (199) - 17,058 --------- -------- ------ ---------- Income Before Income Taxes . . . . . . . . . . . . 265,068 189,389 - 454,457 Income Taxes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 83,392 66,803 - 150,195 --------- -------- ------ ---------- Net Income . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 181,676 122,586 - 304,262 Preferred and Preference Dividends . . . . . . . . 13,419 4,011 - 17,430 --------- -------- ------ ---------- Earnings Applicable to Common Stock. . . . . . . . $ 168,257 $118,575 $ - $ 286,832 ========= ======== ====== ========== Average Common Shares Outstanding. . . . . . . . . 62,157 61,902 3,581(i) 127,640 Earnings Per Average Common Share. . . . . . . . . $ 2.71 $ 1.92 $ 2.25 The accompanying Notes to Unaudited Pro Forma Combined Financial Information are an integral part of this statement and should be read in their entirety.
WESTERN RESOURCES AND KCPL UNAUDITED PRO FORMA COMBINED STATEMENT OF INCOME For the Year Ended December 31, 1994 (in thousands except per share data)
Pro Forma Western KCPL Total (Historical) (Historical) Adjustments Combined Operating Revenues: Electric. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$1,121,781 $868,272 $ - $1,990,053 Natural gas . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 642,988 - - 642,988 ---------- -------- ------ ---------- Total operating revenues . . . . . . . . 1,764,769 868,272 - 2,633,041 Operating Expenses: Cost of sales . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 562,342 169,035 - 731,377 Operations, administrative and selling. . . . 656,813 371,134 - 1,027,947 Depreciation and amortization . . . . . . . . 174,942 107,463 - 282,405 --------- -------- ------ ---------- Operating Income . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 370,672 220,640 - 591,312 --------- -------- ------ ---------- Interest Expense . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 118,917 47,416 - 166,333 Other Income (Expenses). . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35,643 (2,072) - 33,571 --------- -------- ------ ---------- Income Before Income Taxes . . . . . . . . . . . . 287,398 171,152 - 458,550 Income Taxes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 99,951 66,377 - 166,328 --------- -------- ------ ---------- Net Income . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 187,447 104,775 - 292,222 Preferred and Preference Dividends . . . . . . . . 13,418 3,457 - 16,875 --------- -------- ------ ---------- Earnings Applicable to Common Stock. . . . . . . . $ 174,029 $101,318 $ - $ 275,347 ========= ======== ====== ========== Average Common Shares Outstanding. . . . . . . . . 61,618 61,903 3,581(i) 127,102 Earnings Per Average Common Share. . . . . . . . . $ 2.82 $ 1.64 $ 2.17 The accompanying Notes to Unaudited Pro Forma Combined Financial Information are an integral part of this statement and should be read in their entirety.
WESTERN RESOURCES, KCPL AND ADT UNAUDITED PRO FORMA COMBINED BALANCE SHEET December 31, 1996 (in thousands) ASSETS
Pro Forma Western KCPL ADT Total (Historical) (Historical) (Historical) Adjustments Combined Current Assets: Cash and cash equivalents . . . .$ 3,724 $ 23,571 $ 215,900 $ 165,120(a)(j)(k)(o) $ 408,315 Accounts receivable and unbilled revenues (net). . . . . . . . . 318,966 63,206 210,700 (78,200)(o) 514,672 Other current assets. . . . . . . 171,758 74,203 156,200 (4,800)(o) _ 397,361 ---------- ---------- --------- --------- ---------- Total current assets . . . . 494,448 160,980 582,800 82,120 _ 1,320,348 ---------- ---------- --------- --------- ---------- Property, Plant and Equipment, net Utility plant . . . . . . . . . . 4,356,518 2,343,494 - - 6,700,012 Subscriber systems(n) . . . . . . - - 1,215,500 - 1,215,500 Other . . . . . . . . . . . . . . - - 298,100 (227,900)(o) _ 70,200 ---------- ---------- --------- -------- ---------- Total property, plant and equipment, net . . . . . . 4,356,518 2,343,494 1,513,600 (227,900) _ 7,985,712 ---------- ---------- --------- -------- ---------- Deferred Charges and Other Assets: Goodwill, net . . . . . . . . . . 306,960 - 458,000 2,214,700(b) 2,979,660 Regulatory asset-recoverable taxes . . . . . . . . . . . . . 217,257 126,000 - - 343,257 Regulatory assets . . . . . . . . 241,039 37,747 - - 278,786 Property held for sale. . . . . . - - - 450,000(o) 450,000 Other assets. . . . . . . . . . . 1,031,559 246,291 176,000 (622,998)(h)(k)(o) 830,852 ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ----------- Total deferred charges and other assets . . . . . . . 1,796,815 410,038 634,000 2,041,702 4,882,555 ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ----------- Total Assets . . . . . . . .$6,647,781 $2,914,512 $2,730,400 $1,895,922 $14,188,615 ========== ========== ========== ========== =========== LIABILITIES AND CAPITALIZATION Pro Forma Western KCPL ADT Total (Historical) (Historical) (Historical) Adjustments Combined Current Liabilities: Short-term debt . . . . . . . . .$ 980,740 $ - $ 209,200 $(622,700)(h)(o) $ 567,240 Long-term debt due within one year. . . . . . . . . . . . - 26,591 - - 26,591 Accounts payable. . . . . . . . . 180,540 55,618 138,000 (60,300)(o) 313,858 Other current liabilities . . . . 190,812 84,216 293,600 15,000(k)(o) 583,628 --------- --------- ---------- --------- ---------- Total current liabilities. . .1,352,092 166,425 640,800 (668,000) 1,491,317 --------- --------- ---------- --------- ---------- Other Liabilities and Deferred Credits: Deferred income taxes. . . . . . .1,110,372 643,189 91,500 97,933 (f)(o) 1,942,994 Deferred investment tax credits . . . . . . . . . . . . 125,528 67,107 - - 192,635 Other. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 458,668 94,144 328,200 (6,200)(o) 874,812 --------- --------- ---------- --------- ---------- Total other liabilities and deferred credits . . . .1,694,568 804,440 419,700 91,733 3,010,441 --------- --------- ---------- --------- ---------- Capitalization: Long-term debt, net. . . . . . . .1,681,583 944,136 910,100 1,737,200(c)(o) 5,273,019 Company-obligated mandatorily redeemable preferred securities. . . . . . . . . . . 220,000 - - - 220,000 Preferred and preference stock . . 74,858 89,062 - - 163,920 Common equity. . . . . . . . . . .1,624,680 910,449 759,800 734,989(g)(j)(k)(o) 4,029,918 --------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ----------- Total capitalization . . . . .3,601,121 1,943,647 1,669,900 2,472,189 9,686,857 --------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ----------- Total Liabilities and Capitalization . . . . . . $6,647,781 $2,914,512 $2,730,400 $1,895,922 $14,188,615 ========== ========== ========== ========== =========== The accompanying Notes to Unaudited Pro Forma Combined Financial Information are an integral part of this statement and should be read in their entirety.
WESTERN RESOURCES, KCPL AND ADT UNAUDITED PRO FORMA COMBINED STATEMENT OF INCOME For the Year Ended December 31, 1996 (in thousands except per share data)
Pro Forma Western KCPL ADT Total (Historical) (Historical) (Historical) Adjustments Combined Operating Revenues: Electric. . . . . . . . . . . . .$1,197,433 $903,919 $ - $ - $2,101,352 Natural gas . . . . . . . . . . . 849,386 - - - 849,386 Security and other. . . . . . . . - - 1,704,000 (297,800)(o) 1,406,200 ---------- -------- ---------- ---------- ---------- Total operating revenues . . . 2,046,819 903,919 1,704,000 (297,800) 4,356,938 Operating Expenses: Cost of sales . . . . . . . . . . 648,299 192,960 920,000 (157,200)(o) 1,604,059 Operations, administrative and selling . . . . . . . . . . . . 804,169 349,462 342,700 (102,400)(o) 1,393,931 Depreciation and amortization . . 201,266 115,529 224,800 43,400(d) 584,995 Restructuring and other non-recurring charges . . . . . - - 982,000 (13,000)(o) 969,000 -------- -------- --------- -------- --------- Operating Income (Loss) . . . . . . 393,085 245,968 (765,500) (68,600) (195,047) -------- -------- --------- -------- -------- Interest Expense. . . . . . . . . . 149,326 58,083 73,500 70,080(e)(o) 350,989 Other Income (Expenses) . . . . . . 11,293 (47,961) 130,500 (7,198)(h) 86,634 -------- -------- --------- -------- --------- Income (Loss) Before Income Taxes . 255,052 139,924 (708,500) (145,878) (459,402) Income Taxes. . . . . . . . . . . . 86,102 31,753 (21,800) 88,433(f)(o) 184,488 -------- -------- --------- -------- Net Income (Loss) Before Extraordinary Item (1). . . . . . . . . . . . . 168,950 108,171 (686,700) (234,311) (643,890) Preferred and Preference Dividends . . . . . . . . . . . . 14,839 3,790 - - 18,629 -------- ------- --------- -------- --------- Earnings (Loss) Applicable to Common Stock Before Extraordinary Item. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $154,111 $104,381 $(686,700) $(234,311) $(662,519) ======== ======== ========= ========= ========= Average Common Shares Outstanding . 63,834 61,902 137,114 (73,988)(i)(j) 188,862 Earnings (Loss) Per Average Common Share Before Extraordinary Item. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $ 2.41 $ 1.69 $ (5.01) $ (3.51) (1) ADT recorded an extraordinary item for the early extinguishment of debt in September 1996. The accompanying Notes to Unaudited Pro Forma Combined Financial Information are an integral part of this statement and should be read in their entirety.
NOTES TO UNAUDITED PRO FORMA COMBINED FINANCIAL INFORMATION The pro forma adjustments have been made to the Unaudited Pro Forma Combined Financial Information to reflect the following: (a) To record the net effect of the following: (i) The reduction in cash resulting from interest paid on short- and long-term debt as described in note (e) below. (ii) The receipt of approximately $300 million from the exercise of the Republic Warrant. (iii) The receipt of interest income earned on excess cash balances primarily resulting from the exercise of the Republic Warrant at a market-based, short-term rate of 4.5% on an annual basis. (b) To record goodwill resulting from the Amalgamation. Other than the auto auction assets discussed at (o) below, the net tangible assets of ADT are expected to approximate their fair value. Goodwill is based upon the total consideration paid in excess of the estimated fair value of the net assets acquired. Goodwill is calculated assuming Western Resources acquires all outstanding shares of ADT Common Stock which Western Resources and its affiliates do not presently hold, the conversion of ADT's outstanding Liquid Yield Option Notes ("LYONs") to shares of ADT Common Stock (see note (i)), the exercise of the Republic Warrant (see note (iii)) and the exercise of all outstanding options held principally by ADT's management, in each case for $22.50 per share of ADT Common Stock. (See note (j) for a discussion of the Republic Warrant and ADT anti-takeover devices.) Calculation of total outstanding shares of ADT Common Stock, and shares of ADT Common Stock to be purchased: (millions, except price per share) Shares of ADT Common Stock outstanding. . . . . . . . . . . 141.4 Treasury shares (shares held by ADT Subsidiary) . . . . . . (3.2) LYONs convertible debt (i). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21.9 Conversion of option shares (ii). . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7.3 Exercise of Republic Warrant (iii). . . . . . . . . . . . . 15.0 -------- Total shares of ADT Common Stock outstanding. . . . . . 182.4 Shares of ADT Common Stock already owned. . . . . . . . (38.3) -------- Net shares of ADT Common Stock to be purchased. . . . . 144.1 Purchase price per share. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $ 22.50 -------- Total cost of shares of ADT Common Stock not presently owned $3,242.3 Plus: Basis in 38.3 million shares of ADT Common Stock currently owned . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 589.4 Plus: Estimated transaction costs . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40.0 -------- Total purchase price. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $3,871.7 Less: Estimated fair value of net assets acquired (iv). . . 1,130.5 Estimated goodwill. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $2,741.2 Less: Existing ADT goodwill, net. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 458.0 Less: Incremental goodwill amortization for 1996. . . . . . 68.5 Adjustment. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $2,214.7 ======== (i) LYONs are exchangeable for shares of ADT Common Stock or redeemable for cash at the option of the holder upon a change of control. Conversion terms allow the holder to exchange each LYON for 28.23 shares of ADT Common Stock. The pro forma calculation of total shares of ADT Common Stock outstanding assumes the LYONs are converted to shares of ADT Common Stock. (ii) Conversion of approximately 17.3 million outstanding option shares held by management has been calculated using the treasury stock method. (iii) Exercise of the Republic Warrant to purchase 15.0 million shares of ADT Common Stock. The pro forma calculation of total shares of ADT Common Stock outstanding includes Republic's exercise of the Republic Warrant for 15 million shares at $20 per share. (See note (j) for a related discussion.) (iv) Includes estimated fair value of auto auction business of $450 million. (c) To record the additional long-term debt to be incurred for the Cash Consideration and to refinance short-term debt used to acquire existing shares of ADT Common Stock, less the elimination of the LYONs convertible debt securities which are expected to be converted to shares of ADT Common Stock. in (millions) Additional long-term debt: 144.1 million shares of ADT Common Stock times $10.00 per share cash consideration. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $1,441.0 Plus: Permanent financing of Western Resources' existing interest. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 589.4 Estimated transaction costs . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40.0 Less: Estimated LYONs debt outstanding at acquisition date. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (326.8) -------- Net additional debt . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $1,743.6 ======== (d) To record the amortization of goodwill created in the purchase of ADT over a 40-year period. The annual goodwill amortization is expected to approximate $68.5 million. The adjustment represents the difference between this amount, the historical amount recorded by ADT and the amounts recognized by Western Resources related to its investment in ADT. (e) To record the net effect of interest expense resulting from the following: (i) The reduction of interest expense associated with the short-term debt incurred by Western Resources to acquire its initial equity interest in ADT and the increase in interest expense in connection with the issuance of additional long-term debt as detailed in note (c) above to finance the exchange of shares of ADT Common Stock for the Cash Consideration and refinance short-term debt used to acquire shares of ADT Common Stock. (See note (c).) The interest rate on such borrowings is expected to be approximately 8%. The assumed interest rate is reasonable given current corporate bond rates for companies with credit ratings similar to Western Resources. A one-eighth percent change in interest on the net additional debt used to finance the Amalgamation would impact the combined pro forma net income by approximately $1.1 million on an annual basis. Pro forma earnings per share would be impacted by approximately $0.01 per share on an annual basis. (ii) The interest expense savings resulting from the conversion of the LYONs, which accreted interest at a rate of 6.5%. (iii) The interest income earned on excess cash balances primarily resulting from the exercise of the Republic Warrant at a market-based, short-term rate of 4.5% on an annual basis. (f) To adjust the income tax provision. The income tax provision exceeds the federal statutory rate of 35% primarily due to the non-deductible goodwill amortization and state income taxes. (g) To reflect the net increase to common equity resulting from Western Resources issuing additional Western Resources Common Stock needed to acquire the net remaining shares of ADT Common Stock, to reflect the impact of the pro forma adjustments and eliminate ADT's stand-alone equity. (h) To reflect the elimination of the equity investment and related equity earnings recorded by Western Resources for the 38.3 million shares of ADT Common Stock presently held as an equity investment and the related short-term debt incurred to finance this equity investment which is to be refinanced with long-term debt. (See note (c).) (i) To reflect the issuance of Western Resources Common Stock in connection with the Merger and the Amalgamation: (in thousands, except price per share) Value of Consideration to be paid in Western Resources Common Stock . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $ 12.50 Divided by the price per share of Western Resources Common Stock as of February 28, 1997. . . . . . . . . . . . $ 30.250 -------- Exchange Ratio . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .41322 Multiplied by net shares of ADT Common Stock to be purchased by Western Resources. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 144,100 Shares of Western Resources Common Stock needed to acquire net shares of ADT Common Stock. . . . . . . . . . . 59,545 ADT average common shares outstanding . . . . . . . . . . . . 137,114 Less: Shares of Western Resources Common Stock to be issued to ADT shareholders . . . . . . . . . . . . 59,545 -------- (77,569) Plus: Additional shares of Western Resources Common Stock to be issued to KCPL shareholders. . . . . . 3,581(*) Adjustment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (73,988) (*) Pro forma shares and related earnings per share have been calculated assuming a Conversion Ratio of 1.05785 based on the closing price per share of Western Resources Common Stock on February 28, 1997 of $30.250. The actual Conversion Ratio will be based on a 20-day average of the price of Western Resources Common Stock calculated for a period beginning on the 29th business day prior to Closing and ending on the tenth business day prior to Closing. (j) On July 1, 1996, ADT entered into an agreement with Republic (the "Republic Agreement"), pursuant to which a subsidiary of Republic was to be amalgamated with and into ADT with ADT being the surviving company. Under the terms of the Republic Agreement, ADT granted to Republic the Republic Warrant to purchase 15,000,000 Shares at a purchase price of $20 per Share, subject to adjustment. The Republic Warrant was to become exercisable for a period of six months following the termination of the Republic Agreement. On September 30, 1996, ADT and Republic jointly announced the termination of the Republic Agreement, citing uncertainty attributable to market conditions, and amended the Republic Warrant to include certain restrictions on the issuance of shares of ADT Common Stock pursuant thereto and the transfer of such shares by Republic to persons with an interest in 10% or more of ADT. Western Resources has commenced litigation challenging the validity of the Republic Warrant. On March 21, 1997, Republic announced its exercise of the Republic Warrant and remitted $300 million to ADT. The unaudited pro forma combined financial information reflects this exercise and the receipt of approximately $300 million. As described herein, Western Resources is initiating steps to hold a special meeting of the ADT Shareholders, and among other matters, Western Resources will be soliciting proxies in favor of the removal of the present members of the ADT Board of Directors and the election of the nominees of Western Resources to the ADT Board, who will then take steps needed to either redeem or amend a rights agreement (the "Rights Agreement"), pursuant to which ADT declared a dividend of one right for each outstanding ADT share of common stock on November 4, 1996, to make the Rights Agreement inapplicable to the ADT Offer. (k) To reflect Western Resources' and KCPL's estimated direct merger costs of $60 million as a reduction to equity. (l) Prior to the consummation of the Merger, KCPL must redeem its preferred stock outstanding pursuant to the Merger Agreement. Because the basis of accounting for the Merger is a pooling of interests, the effect of this redemption is not required to be reflected in the unaudited pro forma combined financial statements. The required redemption price, as of December 31, 1996, is approximately $90 million applicable to KCPL Preferred Stock. The ongoing effect of this redemption is anticipated to be immaterial. (m) Intercompany transactions among Western Resources, KCPL and ADT are immaterial. (n) Amounts related to ADT's subscriber systems represent the historical cost of equipment, installation labor and direct overheads capitalized upon acquiring a new customer. In accordance with the provisions specified in APB No. 16, "Accounting for Business Combinations," Western Resources has allocated value to the subscriber systems purchased from ADT at amounts that are believed to approximate the fair value of the acquired customer base. Western Resources believes the estimated fair value of ADT's historical balance for subscriber systems assets approximates the fair value of the acquired customer base. This amount will be amortized over the average customer life, which is estimated at approximately 10 years. (o) To reflect the following: (i) Presentation of assets and liabilities related to ADT's auto auction business as net property held for sale as Western Resources intends to sell such business at, or near, the closing date of the Amalgamation. These assets have been assigned a value of $450 million, equal to the estimated sales proceeds, net of tax. The following reflects the reclassification of account balances to properly reflect the fair value of assets following the sale of ADT's auto auction business: (in millions) Estimated sales proceeds, net of tax. . . . . . . . . $450.0 Less: Estimated net book value. . . . . . . . . . . . (349.2) Estimated fair value of property held for sale in excess of recorded amounts . . . . . . . . $100.8 (ii) Elimination of historical amounts recorded for the results of operations related to ADT's auto auction business. The following amounts have been eliminated to properly reflect the historical results of operations of ADT's auto auction business as presented in ADT's 14(d) filing with the SEC dated March 4, 1997: For the year ended December 31, 1996 (in thousands) Operating revenues. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $ 297,800 Operating expenses. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (272,600) --------- Operating income. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $ 25,200 --------- Net income. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $ 6,400 ========= WESTERN RESOURCES AND KCPL SELECTED UNAUDITED PRO FORMA COMBINED FINANCIAL INFORMATION
Years Ended December 31, 1996 1995 1994 Pro Forma Combined (unaudited) Ratio of earnings to fixed charges (1). . 2.37x 2.80x 2.99x Ratio of earnings to combined fixed charges and preferred dividend requirements (1). . . . . . . . . . . . 2.17x 2.54x 2.69x (1) Earnings are deemed to consist of net income to which has been added income taxes (including net deferred investment tax credit) and fixed charges. Fixed charges consist of all interest on indebtedness, amortization of debt discount and expense, and the portion of rental expense which represents an interest factor. Preferred and preference dividend requirements consist of an amount equal to the pre-tax earnings which would be required to meet divided requirements on preferred and preference stock.



                                                      Exhibit 99.2

                            FORM 10-K

               SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                    Washington, D.C.  20549

   [X]  ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE
               SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

           For the fiscal year ended DECEMBER 31, 1996

  [  ] TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE
                 SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

                  COMMISSION FILE NUMBER 1-707

                KANSAS CITY POWER & LIGHT COMPANY
     (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

               Missouri                                  44-0308720
    (State or other jurisdiction of                  (I.R.S. Employer
     incorporation or organization)                 Identification No.)

                       1201 Walnut Street
                  Kansas City, Missouri  64106
            (Address of principal executive offices)

Registrant's telephone number, including area code:  816-556-2200

   Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

                                                  Name of each exchange
Title   of   each  class                          on which registered

Cumulative  Preferred Stock                       New York  Stock Exchange
  par value $100 per share -
    3.80%, 4.50%, 4.35%

Common  Stock without par value                   New York  Stock Exchange
                                                  Chicago Stock Exchange

   Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act:  None.

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

Indicate  by  check  mark  if  disclosure  of  delinquent  filers
pursuant  to Item 405 of Regulation S-K 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  the
Form 10-K.    X







On March 13,  1997,  KCPL had  61,895,819  outstanding  shares  of common  stock
without par value,  and the aggregate market value (based upon the closing price
of these  shares on the New York Stock  Exchange) of voting  securities  held by
nonaffiliates of KCPL was approximately $1,763,113,626.

              Documents  Incorporated  by  Reference  Portions of the 1997 Proxy
Statement are incorporated by reference in Part III of this report.



                      TABLE OF CONTENTS
                                                                            Page
                                                                          Number

Item  1.  Business                                            1
               Proposed Merger With Western Resources, Inc.   1
               Regulation                                     2
                    Rates                                     2
                    Environmental Matters                     2
                         Air                                  3
                         Water                                3
               Competition                                    3
               Fuel Supply                                    4
                    Coal                                      4
                    Nuclear                                   4
                         High-Level Waste                     4
                         Low-Level Waste                      5
               Employees                                      5
               Subsidiaries                                   5
               Officers of the Registrant                     6
                    KCPL Officers                             6
                    KLT Inc. Officers                         7

Item 2.   Properties                                          8
               Generation Resources                           8
               Transmission and Distribution Resources        9
               General                                        9

Item 3.   Legal Proceedings                                  10

Item 4.   Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security
          Holders                                            11

Item 5.   Market for the Registrant's Common Equity and
          Related Stockholder Matters                        11
               Market Information                            11
               Holders                                       11
               Dividends                                     11

Item  6.  Selected Financial Data                            12

Item  7.  Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial
          Condition and Results of Operations                12

Item  8.  Consolidated Financial Statements                  21







Item  9.  Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on
          Accounting and Financial Disclosure                42

Item 10.  Directors and Executive Officers of the Registrant 42

Item 11.  Executive Compensation                             42

Item 12.  Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners
          and Management                                     42

Item 13.  Certain  Relationships and Related  Transactions   42

Item 14.  Exhibits,  Financial  Statement  Schedules,  and
          Reports on Form 8-K                                43



                           PART I


ITEM 1.  BUSINESS

      Kansas City Power & Light Company (KCPL) was  incorporated  in Missouri in
1922  and  is  headquartered  in  downtown  Kansas  City,  Missouri.  KCPL  is a
medium-sized   public   utility   engaged  in  the   generation,   transmission,
distribution and sale of electricity to over 435,000 customers in a 4,700 square
mile area  located in all or portions of 23  counties  in western  Missouri  and
eastern Kansas.  About  two-thirds of the total retail  kilowatt-hour  sales and
revenues are from Missouri  customers and the remainder  from Kansas  customers.
Customers include approximately 381,000 residences, 51,000 commercial firms, and
3,000 industrials,  municipalities and other electric utilities. Retail revenues
in Missouri and Kansas accounted for  approximately 91% of KCPL's total revenues
in 1996.  Wholesale  firm  power,  bulk power sales and  miscellaneous  electric
revenues  accounted for the  remainder of revenues.  Low fuel costs and superior
plant  performance  enable KCPL to serve its customers well while  maintaining a
leadership position in the bulk power market.

     KCPL as a regulated  utility  does not have direct  competition  for retail
electric service in its service territory;  however, there is competition in the
generation of electricity and between electric and gas as an energy source.

     KLT  Inc.,  a  wholly-owned,   unregulated   subsidiary  of  KCPL,  pursues
opportunities  in  domestic  and  international   energy-related  ventures.  See
"Subsidiaries"  on page 5 of this  report.  KCPL  also  owns  47% of Wolf  Creek
Nuclear  Operating  Corporation,  the  operating  company  for  the  Wolf  Creek
Generating Station (Wolf Creek).

Proposed Merger With Western Resources, Inc.

      On  February 7, 1997, KCPL and Western Resources, Inc.






(Western  Resources)  entered into an  Agreement  and Plan of Merger (the Merger
Agreement) to form a strategic business  combination.  The effective time of the
merger is dependent  upon all  conditions of the Merger  Agreement  being met or
waived. At the effective time, KCPL will merge with and into Western  Resources,
with Western Resources being the surviving corporation.

       Western Resources first delivered an unsolicited exchange offer to KCPL's
Board of  Directors  during the  second  quarter of 1996.  This  initial  offer,
subject to numerous conditions, proposed the exchange of $28 (later increased to
$31)  worth of Western  Resources  common  stock for each  share of KCPL  common
stock. After careful consideration, both offers were rejected by KCPL's Board of
Directors.  In July 1996 Western Resources  commenced an exchange offer for KCPL
common stock. In late 1996 KCPL began  discussing a possible merger with Western
Resources leading to the Merger Agreement.

      Under  the  terms of the  Merger  Agreement,  KCPL  common  stock  will be
exchanged  for Western  Resources  common stock  valued at $32.00,  subject to a
conversion  ratio  limiting  the amount of Western  Resources  common stock that
holders of KCPL common stock would  receive per share of KCPL common stock to no
more than 1.1 shares (if Western  Resources'  stock is priced at or below $29.09
per share), and no less than 0.917 shares (if Western Resources' stock is priced
at or above  $34.90 per  share).  However,  there is a  provision  in the Merger
Agreement that allows KCPL to terminate the merger if Western  Resources'  stock
price drops below $27.64 and either the Standard and Poor's  Electric  Companies
Index   increases  or  the  decline  in  Western   Resources  stock  exceeds  by
approximately 5% any decline in this index.  Western  Resources could avoid this
termination by improving the conversion ratio.

       The  transaction  is  subject  to several  closing  conditions  including
approval by each  company's  shareholders,  approval  by a number of  regulatory
authorities  (statutory approvals) and dissenting shares equaling less than 5.5%
of KCPL's outstanding shares. If the effective time has not occurred by June 30,
1998 (the termination date), either party may terminate the agreement as long as
they  did  not  contribute  to  the  delay.   This   termination  date  will  be
automatically  extended to June 30, 1999, if all of the Merger Agreement closing
conditions  have been met except for certain  conditions  relating to  statutory
approvals.

      The Merger  Agreement  does not allow KCPL to  increase  its common  stock
dividend  prior to the effective time or  termination.  It also requires KCPL to
redeem all  outstanding  shares of preferred  stock prior to  completion  of the
merger.

      If the Merger  Agreement is  terminated  under  certain  circumstances,  a
payment of $50 million will be due Western Resources if, within two and one-half
years following






termination, KCPL agrees to consummate a business combination with a third party
that made a proposal to combine prior to termination. Western Resources will pay
KCPL $5 to $35 million if the Merger  Agreement  is  terminated  and all closing
conditions are satisfied  other than  conditions  relating to Western  Resources
receiving a favorable  tax  opinion,  a  favorable  letter from its  accountants
regarding pooling  accounting,  favorable statutory  approvals,  or an exemption
from the Public Utility Holding Company Act of 1935.


Regulation

     KCPL is subject to the jurisdiction of the Public Service Commission of the
State of  Missouri  (MPSC),  the State  Corporation  Commission  of the State of
Kansas (KCC),  the Federal  Energy  Regulatory  Commission  (FERC),  the Nuclear
Regulatory Commission (NRC) and certain other governmental  regulatory bodies as
to  various  phases of its  operations,  including  rates,  service,  safety and
nuclear plant operations, environmental matters and issuances of securities.

    Rates

     KCPL's  retail  electric  rates are regulated by the MPSC and KCC for sales
within the respective states of Missouri and Kansas.  FERC approves KCPL's rates
for  wholesale  bulk  electricity   sales.  Firm  electric  sales  are  made  by
contractual arrangements between the entity being served and KCPL.

     KCPL has not  increased  any of its retail or  wholesale  rates since 1988.
Pursuant to a stipulation  and agreement  with the MPSC,  KCPL reduced  Missouri
retail rates by about 2.7% effective January 1, 1994, 2% effective July 9, 1996,
and by about 2.5% effective January 1, 1997.

    Environmental Matters

     KCPL's operations must comply with federal,  state and local  environmental
laws and  regulations.  The generation  and  transmission  of electricity  uses,
produces and requires  disposal of certain products and  by-products,  including
polychlorinated  biphenyl  (PCBs),  asbestos  and  other  potentially  hazardous
materials.  KCPL's policy is to act in an environmentally responsible manner and
to use the latest  technology  available to avoid and treat  contamination.  The
Federal  Comprehensive  Environmental  Response,  Compensation and Liability Act
(the  Superfund  law) imposes  strict joint and several  liability for those who
generate,  transport or deposit  hazardous waste.  This liability extends to the
current property owner as well as prior owners since the time of  contamination.
KCPL continually conducts  environmental audits designed to detect contamination
and  ensure  compliance  with  governmental  regulations.   However,  compliance
programs needed to meet future environmental laws






and  regulations  governing  water and air  quality,  including  carbon  dioxide
emissions,  hazardous  waste  handling and disposal,  toxic  substances  and the
effects  of  electromagnetic   fields,  could  require  substantial  changes  to
operations or facilities. KCPL cannot presently estimate any additional costs of
meeting such new  regulations  or standards  which might be  established  in the
future,  nor can it estimate the possible  effect which any new  regulations  or
standards could have upon its operations. However, KCPL currently estimates that
expenditures necessary to comply with environmental regulations during 1997 will
not be material with the possible exceptions set forth below.

       Air

     The Clean Air Act  Amendments  of 1990 contain two  programs  significantly
affecting the utility industry.  KCPL has spent approximately $5 million for the
installation  of  continuous  emission  monitoring   equipment  to  satisfy  the
requirements  under the acid rain  provision.  KCPL expects no further  material
expenditures  for this project.  The other  utility-related  program calls for a
study of certain  air toxic  substances.  Based on the  outcome  of this  study,
regulation  of these  substances,  including  mercury,  could be required.  KCPL
cannot predict the likelihood of any such regulations or compliance costs.

    Proposed  regulations to revise the ozone and particulate  matter,  National
Ambient Air Quality  Standards,  are scheduled to be issued by June 1997 and may
require capital expenditures which cannot be estimated at this time.


       Water

     KCPL commissioned an environmental  assessment of its Northeast Station and
of its Spill Prevention Control and Countermeasure plan as required by the Clean
Water  Act.  The  assessment  revealed  contamination  of the site by  petroleum
products, heavy metals, volatile and semi-volatile organic compounds,  asbestos,
pesticides and other  regulated  substances.  Based upon studies and discussions
with Burns & McDonnell, the cost of the cleanup could range between $1.5 million
and $6 million.

     Also,  groundwater  analysis has indicated  that certain  volatile  organic
compounds  are moving  through the  Northeast  site,  just above  bedrock,  from
unidentified  sources  off-site.  The Missouri  Department of Natural  Resources
(MDNR) was  notified  of the  possible  release of  petroleum  products  and the
presence of volatile  organic  compounds  moving under the site.  Monitoring and
removal of free  petroleum  products  continues at the site.  MDNR has concluded
that the volatile  organic  compounds  originated from a source  off-site.  MDNR
stated it will continue to investigate the source of the compounds. Because KCPL
believes it will not have liability in this matter, it has not performed a study
regarding the possible cost of remediation of the flow of organic






compounds.


Competition

     See "Regulation and Competition" on page 12 of this report.

Fuel Supply

    KCPL's  principal  sources  of fuel  for  electric  generation  are coal and
nuclear  fuel.  These fuels are  expected to satisfy  about 99% of the 1997 fuel
requirements with the remainder provided by other sources including natural gas,
oil and  steam.  The  1996 and  estimated  1997  fuel  mix,  based on total  Btu
generation, are as follows:

                                          Estimated
                                1996          1997

                 Coal            76%           73%
                 Nuclear         23%           26%
                 Other            1%            1%

     The fuel mix varies depending on the operation of Wolf Creek which requires
a refueling  and  maintenance  outage about every 18 months.  The next outage is
scheduled for the fourth quarter of 1997.

    Coal

     KCPL's average cost per million Btu of coal burned, excluding fuel handling
costs,  was $0.85 in 1996 and $0.89 in 1995 and 1994.  KCPL's cost of  delivered
coal is about 63% of the regional average.

     During 1997,  approximately  10.4  million tons of coal (7.3 million  tons,
KCPL's share) are projected to be burned at KCPL's generating  units,  including
jointly-owned units. KCPL has entered into coal-purchase  contracts with various
suppliers in Wyoming's  Powder River Basin, the nation's  principal  supplier of
low-sulfur  coal.  These  contracts,  with  expiration  dates  ranging from 1997
through 2003, will satisfy  approximately 95% of the projected coal requirements
for 1997, 50% for 1998, 50% for 1999, and 20% thereafter.

    Nuclear

     The Wolf Creek Nuclear Operating  Corporation (WCNOC),  which operates Wolf
Creek, has on hand or under contract 70% of the uranium required to operate Wolf
Creek through  September  2003.  The balance is expected to be obtained  through
spot market and contract purchases.

     Contracts  are in  place  for  100%  of  Wolf  Creek's  uranium  enrichment
requirements  for 1997 and 82% of such  requirements for 1998 to March 2005. The
balance of the 1998-2005 requirements is expected to be obtained through a






combination of spot market and contract purchases.  The decision not to contract
for the full enrichment  requirements is one of cost rather than availability of
service.

     Contracts   are  in  place  for  the   conversion  of  uranium  to  uranium
hexaflouride sufficient to meet Wolf Creek's requirements through 2001.

       High-Level Waste

     The Nuclear Waste Policy Act of 1982 established schedules,  guidelines and
responsibilities  for the  Department  of Energy (DOE) to develop and  construct
repositories for the ultimate  disposal of spent fuel and high-level  waste. The
DOE has not yet  constructed a high-level  waste disposal site and has announced
that a permanent  repository  may not be in operation  prior to 2010 although an
interim  storage  facility  may be  available  earlier.  The DOE likely will not
immediately  begin  accepting  Wolf  Creek's  spent  fuel  upon  opening  of the
permanent repository.  Instead, KCPL expects to experience a multi-year transfer
period beginning as much as six years after opening of the permanent repository.
Wolf Creek contains an on-site spent fuel storage facility which,  under current
regulatory guidelines, provides space for the storage of spent fuel through 2005
while still  maintaining fuel core off-load  capability.  KCPL believes adequate
additional storage space can be obtained, as necessary.

       Low-Level Waste

    The Low-Level  Radioactive Waste Policy Amendments Act of 1985 mandated that
the  various  states,  individually  or  through  interstate  compacts,  develop
alternative  low-level  radioactive  waste  disposal  facilities.  The states of
Kansas, Nebraska, Arkansas, Louisiana and Oklahoma formed the Central Interstate
Low-Level  Radioactive Waste Compact and selected a site in northern Nebraska to
locate a disposal facility. The present estimate of the cost for such a facility
is about $154  million.  WCNOC and the owners of the other five nuclear units in
the  compact  have  provided  most of the  pre-construction  financing  for this
project. As of February 28, 1997,  utilities in the compact have spent in excess
of $75 million, of which $13 million was WCNOC's share.

     There  is  uncertainty  as to  whether  this  project  will  be  completed.
Significant  opposition  to the project has been raised by the  residents in the
area of the proposed facility and attempts have been made through litigation and
proposed legislation to slow down or stop development of the facility.

Employees

      At  December  31,  1996,  KCPL  and  its  wholly-owned
subsidiaries  had 2,297 employees (including  temporary  and






part-time  employees),  1,474 of which were represented by three local unions of
the  International  Brotherhood  of Electrical  Workers  (IBEW).  KCPL has labor
agreements with Local 1613, representing clerical employees (which expires March
31, 1999), with Local 1464,  representing outdoor workers (which expires January
8, 2000),  and with Local 412,  representing  power plant workers (which expires
February  28,  1998).  KCPL is also a 47% owner of WCNOC,  which  employs  1,013
persons to operate Wolf Creek, 340 of which are represented by the IBEW.

Subsidiaries

    KLT Inc. has six wholly-owned direct subsidiaries:

    - KLT Investments Inc., a passive investor in affordable housing investments
      which generate tax credits.

    -     KLT  Investments  II Inc., a passive  investor  in
      economic, community-development and energy-related projects.

    -     KLT  Energy Services Inc., a partner in an  energy
      management services and lighting services business.

    - KLT Power  Inc.,  a  participant  in  independent  power and  cogeneration
      projects. KLT Power Inc. has four subsidiaries,  KLT Iatan Inc., which was
      formed for the co- development of the Iatan Unit 2 coal-fired power plant;
      KLT Power International,  which participates in independent power projects
      located in China; KLT Power Asia which  participates in independent  power
      projects located in certain Asian countries;  and KLT Power Latin American
      which participates in independent power projects located in Latin America.

    -    KLT Gas Inc., a participant in oil and gas reserves and
      exploration.  KLT Gas Inc. has one wholly-owned subsidiary,
      FAR  Gas  Acquisitions Corporation which holds limited
      partnerships in coal seam methane gas wells that generate
      tax credits.

    -    KLT Telecom Inc., an investor in communications and
      information technology opportunities.  KLT Telecom Inc. has
      two majority-owned subsidiaries, Municipal Solutions, an
      outsourcer of municipal services and Telemetry Solutions, a
      provider of  services using Cellnet-related technology.

KCPL's  equity investment in KLT Inc. at December 31,  1996,
was $61 million.

Officers of the Registrant

    KCPL Officers
                                                                      Year Named
      Name          Age   Positions Currently Held                  Officer

Drue Jennings        50   Chairman of the Board, President           1980
                           and Chief Executive Officer






Bernard J. Beaudoin  56   Executive Vice President - Chief           1984
                          Financial Officer

Marcus Jackson       45   Executive Vice President - Chief           1989
                          Operating Officer

J. Turner White      48   Executive Vice President - Corporate       1990
                          Development

John J. DeStefano    47   Senior Vice President  -  Business         1989
                          Development

Jeanie Sell Latz     45   Senior Vice President  -  Corporate        1991
                          Services, Corporate Secretary
                             and Chief Legal Officer

Frank L. Branca      49   Vice President - Wholesale and             1989
                              Transmission Services

Steven  W. Cattron   41   Vice President - Marketing and  Sales      1994

Charles  R.  Cole    50   Vice President - Customer  Services        1990
                          and Purchasing

Douglas  M.  Morgan  54   Vice President - Information Technology    1994

Richard A. Spring    42   Vice President - Production                1994

Bailus M. Tate       50   Vice President - Human Resources           1994

Neil  A. Roadman     51   Controller                                 1980

Mark C. Sholander    51   General Counsel and Assistant              1986
                          Secretary

Andrea F. Bielsker   38   Treasurer                                  1996


  KLT Inc. Officers
                                                                      Year Named
      Name          Age   Positions Currently Held                  Officer

Ronald G. Wasson     52   President                                  1995

Floyd R. Pendleton   53   Vice President-Business                    1992
                          Development

David M. McCoy       49   Vice President-Business                    1996
                          Development

Mark G. English      45   Vice President and General                 1995
                          Counsel

Janee C. Rosenthal   35   Corporate Secretary and Treasurer          1992

Teresa D. Cook       36   Controller                                 1997








     All of the  foregoing  persons have been officers of KCPL or employees in a
responsible  position  with KCPL for the past five years except for Mr.  Spring.
Mr. Spring was an employee of KCPL from 1978 to 1993,  when he left KCPL to join
Northern Indiana Public Service Company as Director of Electric  Production.  In
July 1994, he rejoined KCPL as Vice President-Production.

    The term of office of each officer  commences with his or her appointment by
the  Board of  Directors  and ends at such time as the  Board of  Directors  may
determine.

ITEM 2.  PROPERTIES

Generation Resources

    KCPL's generating facilities consist of the following:

                                                     Estimated
                                                       1997
                                            Year    Megawatt(mw)
              Unit                       Completed  Capacity        Fuel
Existing Units
 Base Load...Wolf Creek(a)                  1985        548(b)   Nuclear
             Iatan                          1980        469(b)      Coal
             LaCygne 2                      1977        334(b)      Coal
             LaCygne 1                      1973        341(b)      Coal
             Hawthorn 6                     1997        142(d)   Gas/Oil
             Hawthorn 5                     1969        479     Coal/Gas
             Montrose 3                     1964        161         Coal
             Montrose 2                     1960        153         Coal
             Montrose 1                     1958        155         Coal
 Peak Load...Northeast 13 and 14(c)         1976        110          Oil
             Northeast 17 and 18(c)         1977        116          Oil
             Northeast 15 and 16(c)         1975        111          Oil
             Northeast 11 and 12(c)         1972        105          Oil
             Grand Avenue (2 units)  1929 & 1948         73          Gas
                                                        ---
               Total                                  3,297
                                                      =====
       (a) This unit is one of KCPL's  principal  generating  facilities and has
       the lowest  fuel cost of any of its  generating  facilities.  An extended
       shutdown  of the unit  could  have a  substantial  adverse  effect on the
       operations of KCPL and its financial condition.

       (b) KCPL's share of jointly-owned unit.

       (c) Combustion turbines.

       (d) KCPL has entered into an operating  lease with First Security Bank of
       Utah, N.A. for a V.84.3A combustion  turbine-generator,  to be in service
       in  the  year  1997,   with  an   anticipated   accredited   capacity  of
       approximately 142 mw.

     KCPL's maximum system net hourly peak load of 2,987 mw occurred on July 19,
1996. The maximum winter peak load of






2,012 mw occurred on December 19, 1996.  The accredited  generating  capacity of
KCPL's  electric  facilities in the summer (when peak loads are  experienced) of
1996 under MOKAN Power Pool standards was 3,134 mw.

      KCPL  owns the  Hawthorn  Station  (Jackson  County,  Missouri),  Montrose
Station (Henry County,  Missouri),  Northeast Station (Jackson County, Missouri)
and two Grand Avenue Station turbine generators (Jackson County, Missouri). KCPL
also owns 50% of the  682-mw  LaCygne 1 Unit and  668-mw  LaCygne 2 Unit in Linn
County, Kansas; 70% of the 670-mw Iatan Station in Platte County,  Missouri; and
47% of the 1,167 mw Wolf Creek in Coffey County, Kansas.


Transmission and Distribution Resources

     KCPL's electric transmission system is interconnected with systems of other
utilities to permit bulk power transactions with other electricity  suppliers in
Kansas,  Missouri,  Iowa, Nebraska and Minnesota.  KCPL is a member of the MOKAN
Power Pool, which is a contractual arrangement among eleven utilities in western
Missouri and Kansas which interchange  electric energy, share reserve generating
capacity, and provide emergency and standby electricity services to each other.

     KCPL owns approximately 1,700 miles of transmission lines and approximately
9,000 miles of overhead  distribution  lines, and  approximately  3,100 miles of
underground  distribution  lines.  KCPL  has all  franchises  necessary  to sell
electricity  within the territories  from which  substantially  all of its gross
operating revenue is derived.

General

     KCPL's  principal  plants and  properties,  insofar as they constitute real
estate,  are owned in fee; certain other facilities are located on premises held
under  leases,   permits  or  easements;   and  its  electric  transmission  and
distribution  systems  are for the most  part  located  over or under  highways,
streets,  other  public  places or property  owned by others for which  permits,
grants,  easements or licenses (deemed  satisfactory but without  examination of
underlying land titles) have been obtained.

     Substantially  all of the fixed  property  and  franchises  of KCPL,  which
consists principally of electric generating stations,  electric transmission and
distribution  lines and  systems,  and  buildings  (subject  to  exceptions  and
reservations)  are  subject to a General  Mortgage  Indenture  and Deed of Trust
dated as of December 1, 1986.


ITEM 3.  LEGAL PROCEEDINGS


Kansas  City  Power & Light Co. v. Western Resources,  Inc.,






et. al

    On May 20, 1996,  KCPL  commenced  litigation in the United States  District
Court for the Western District of Missouri,  Western Division  (District Court),
against Western Resources,  Inc. (Western Resources) and Robert L. Rives (Rives)
requesting the District Court to declare the Amended and Restated  Agreement and
Plan of Merger between KCPL, KC Merger Sub, Inc., UtiliCorp and KC United Corp.,
dated January,  1996, amended May 20, 1996 (Amended Merger  Agreement),  and the
transactions  contemplated thereby (collectively the Transaction) were legal and
could not be reversed. On May 24, 1996, Jack R. Manson (Manson), filed an action
to become a party to the above litigation as the  shareholders'  representative.
Manson made claims against KCPL and all its directors  stating they had violated
their  fiduciary  duties,  that their  actions in adopting  the  Amended  Merger
Agreement were illegal and ultra vires;  that the adoption of the Amended Merger
Agreement illegally deprived shareholders of rights under Missouri law; and that
the  adoption of the  Amended  Merger  Agreement  was an  excessive  response to
Western  Resources'  acquisition  offer. On June 7, 1996,  Western Resources and
Rives each filed claims against KCPL,  charging the same violations  against the
directors as Manson.

      The District Court on August 2, 1996 ruled the  transactions  contemplated
by the Amended Merger Agreement were legally valid and authorized under Missouri
law;  but the  combined  transactions  resulted  in a  merger  between  KCPL and
UtiliCorp,  requiring, under Missouri law, approval by the holders of two-thirds
of the outstanding shares of KCPL's stock.

     By order dated  November 25, 1996,  the District  Court  allowed  Manson to
amend his original  petition  claiming the directors  breached  their  fiduciary
duties by refusing to meet with Western  Resources and had  committed  reckless,
grossly negligent, or negligent waste of corporate assets by pursuing the merger
with  UtiliCorp.  In addition to requesting  termination  of the Amended  Merger
Agreement, Manson sought monetary damages in an unspecified amount. KCPL filed a
motion on  December  9, 1996 to  dismiss  Manson's  claims  and it is  currently
pending  before the  District  Court.  KCPL cannot  predict the outcome of these
proceedings at this time.


State of Missouri ex rel. Inter-City Beverage Co., Inc., et.
al  vs.  The  Public  Service Commission  of  the  State  of
Missouri, et. al;

Jewish  Community Campus of Greater Kansas  City,  Inc.  vs.
Kansas State Corporation Commission, et. al

     On August 13,  1993,  a lawsuit was filed by nine  customers in the Circuit
Court  of  Jackson  County,   Missouri   against  KCPL.  The  suit  alleged  the
misapplication of






certain of KCPL's  electric rate tariffs  resulting in overcharges to industrial
and commercial customers which had been provided service under those tariffs and
requested  certification  as a class  action.  On  December  3, 1993,  the Court
dismissed  the  matter  for  lack of  subject  matter  jurisdiction.  Plaintiffs
appealed  to the  Missouri  Court of  Appeals,  Western  District.  The Court of
Appeals  upheld the  dismissal.  Plaintiffs  then filed a motion to transfer the
case with the Missouri Supreme Court. The motion was denied.

      Plaintiffs  then  took  their  claims  to  the  state  commissions  filing
complaints  at the MPSC on August 23,  1995,  and at the KCC on August 30, 1995.
The MPSC complaint was dismissed May 1, 1996. The Cole County,  Missouri Circuit
Court  affirmed the dismissal on January 29, 1997. The time for filing an appeal
from such circuit  court's  decision has not yet lapsed.  The KCC  complaint was
dismissed April 9, 1996. The Johnson County,  Kansas District Court affirmed the
dismissal  on February 4, 1997.  The  Plaintiff  filed a Notice of Appeal to the
Kansas Court of Appeals on March 3, 1997.

     Should the  proceedings  before the MPSC and KCC be overturned by the state
courts, KCPL could be required to refund the alleged overcharges.  KCPL believes
it will be able to successfully defend these actions.


ITEM 4.  SUBMISSION OF MATTERS TO A VOTE OF SECURITY HOLDERS

    No matter was submitted during the fourth quarter of the fiscal year covered
by this report to a vote of security holders through the solicitation of proxies
or otherwise.



                          PART II


ITEM  5.  MARKET  FOR  THE REGISTRANT'S  COMMON  EQUITY  AND
RELATED  STOCKHOLDER MATTERS

Market Information:

     (1)  Principal Market:

          Common Stock of KCPL is listed on the New York Stock  Exchange and the
          Chicago Stock Exchange.

     (2)  Stock Price Information:

                        Common Stock Price Range
                        1996              1995
            Quarter     High       Low        High       Low
            First      $27-1/4    $24        $24-1/2    $22-1/8
            Second      27-3/4     23-5/8     24-1/8     22-1/8
            Third       28-3/8     26-1/4     24-3/8     21-1/2






            Fourth      29-3/8     26-1/2     26-5/8     23-1/2

Holders:

    At December 31, 1996, KCPL's Common Stock was held by 26,763 shareholders of
    record.

Dividends:

    Common Stock dividends were declared as follows:

               Quarter        1997     1996     1995

               First         $0.405   $0.390   $0.380
               Second                  0.390    0.380
               Third                   0.405    0.390
               Fourth                  0.405    0.390

    KCPL's Restated Articles of Consolidation  contains certain  restrictions on
    the payment of dividends on KCPL's Common Stock.

ITEM 6.  SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA
Year Ended December 31 1996(a) 1995 1994(b) 1993 1992 (dollars in millions except per share amounts) Operating revenues $ 904 $ 886 $ 868 $ 857 $ 803 Net income $ 108 $ 123 $ 105 $ 106 $ 86 Earnings per common share $ 1.69 $ 1.92 $ 1.64 $ 1.66 $ 1.35 Total assets at year-end $2,915 $2,883 $2,770 $2,755 $2,647 Total redeemable preferred stock and long-term debt (including current maturities) $ 971 $ 911 $ 833 $ 870 $ 817 Cash dividends per common share $ 1.59 $ 1.54 $ 1.50 $ 1.46 $ 1.43 Ratio of earnings to fixed charges 3.06 3.94 4.07 3.80 3.12 (a) In 1996, KCPL recorded $31 million in merger related costs. (b) In 1994, KCPL recorded a $22.5 million expense for a voluntary early retirement program.
ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS REGULATION AND COMPETITION As competition develops throughout the electric utility industry, we are positioning Kansas City Power & Light Company (KCPL) to excel in an open market. We are improving the efficiency of KCPL's core utility operations and creating growth through its unregulated subsidiary. As competition presents new opportunities, we will also consider various strategies including partnerships, acquisitions, combinations, additions to or dispositions of service territory, and restructuring wholesale and retail businesses. In 1997 we will begin offering natural gas contracts to certain customers. We have entered an Agreement and Plan of Merger with Western Resources, Inc. (Western Resources). This agreement was reached after nine months of defending against an unsolicited exchange offer (see Note 11 to the Consolidated Financial Statements). In December 1996 the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) issued a statement concerning electric utility mergers. Under the statement, companies must demonstrate that their merger does not adversely affect competition or wholesale rates. As remedies, FERC may consider a range of conditions including transmission upgrades or divestitures of generating assets. Competition in the electric utility industry was accelerated with the National Energy Policy Act of 1992. This gave FERC the authority to require electric utilities to provide transmission line access to independent power producers (IPPs) and other utilities (wholesale wheeling). KCPL, already active in the wholesale wheeling market, was one of the first utilities to receive FERC's approval of an open- access tariff for wholesale wheeling transactions. In April 1996 FERC issued an order requiring all owners of transmission facilities to adopt open-access tariffs and participate in wholesale wheeling; KCPL has made the necessary filings to comply with that order. FERC's April order is likely to encourage more movement toward retail competition at the state level. An increasing number of states have already adopted open access requirements for utilities' retail electric service, allowing competing suppliers access to their retail customers (retail wheeling). Many other states are actively considering retail wheeling. Kansas has created a retail wheeling task force to study and report on related issues. Competition through retail wheeling could result in market-based rates below current cost-based rates. This would provide growth opportunities for low-cost producers and risks for higher-cost producers, especially those with large industrial customers. Lower rates and the loss of major customers could result in under-utilized assets (stranded investment) and place an unfair burden on the remaining customer base or shareholders. If an adequate and fair provision for recovery of these lost revenues is not provided, certain generating assets may have to be evaluated for impairment and appropriate charges recorded against earnings. In addition to lower profit margins, market-based rates could also require generating assets to be depreciated over shorter useful lives, increasing operating expenses. Although Missouri and Kansas have not yet authorized retail wheeling, we believe KCPL is positioned well to compete in an open market with its diverse customer mix and pricing strategies. About 22% of KCPL's retail mwh sales are to industrial customers compared to the utility average of about 35%. KCPL has a flexible rate structure with industrial rates that are competitively priced within our region. In addition, long-term contracts are in place or under negotiation for a large portion of KCPL's industrial sales. There has not been direct competition for retail electric service in our service territory although there has been competition in the bulk power market and between alternative fuels. Increased competition could also force utilities to change accounting methods. Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) Statement No. 71 - Accounting for Certain Types of Regulation, applies to regulated entities whose rates are designed to recover the costs of providing service. An entity's operations could stop meeting the requirements of FASB 71 for various reasons, including a change in regulation or a change in the competitive environment for a company's regulated services. For those operations no longer meeting the requirements of regulatory accounting, regulatory assets would be written off. KCPL's regulatory assets, totaling $164 million at December 31, 1996, will be maintained as long as FASB 71 requirements are met. It is possible that competition could eventually have a materially adverse affect on KCPL's results of operations and financial position. Should competition eventually result in a significant charge to equity, capital costs and requirements could increase significantly. NONREGULATED OPPORTUNITIES KLT Inc. is a wholly-owned subsidiary pursuing nonregulated, mainly energy-related business ventures. KLT's strategy capitalizes on new market opportunities by combining our expertise in energy-related fields with the knowledge of our joint venture partners. Existing ventures include investments in domestic and international nonregulated power production, energy services, oil and gas reserves, telecommunications, and affordable housing limited partnerships. We had a total equity investment in KLT of $61 million as of December 31, 1996, and expect that investment to grow to about $210 million within the next five years. KLT's consolidated assets at December 31, 1996, totaled $224 million. Within the next five years we expect KLT consolidated assets of about $800 million, generated through the $210 million of equity investment, subsidiary retained earnings and borrowings. The growth of KLT accounts for the majority of the increase in KCPL's consolidated investments and nonutility property. EARNINGS OVERVIEW Earnings per share (EPS) for 1996 of $1.69 decreased $0.23 from 1995. Terminating our merger agreement with UtiliCorp United Inc. (UtiliCorp) and defending against Western Resources' unsolicited exchange offer reduced 1996 EPS by $0.31. Other factors contributing to the decrease included mild summer temperatures and the effects of a new stipulation and agreement with the Missouri commission. In addition, EPS for 1995 included a $0.05 per share gain on the sale of rail cars. Despite the unfavorable weather and merger related charges, continued load growth contributed favorably to 1996 EPS. EPS for 1995 of $1.92 increased $0.28 from 1994. This increase was due mostly to 1994's one-time $22.5 million ($0.22 per share) charge for the voluntary early retirement program (see Note 2 to the Consolidated Financial Statements). Other factors increasing 1995 EPS included load growth, warmer summer temperatures, savings from the 1994 early retirement program and a net gain of $0.05 per share from the sale of railcars. Partially offsetting these increases, 1995 EPS also reflected decreased bulk power sales and higher fuel and purchased power costs as a result of a forced outage at a coal plant. MEGAWATT-HOUR (MWH) SALES AND ELECTRIC OPERATING REVENUES Sales and revenue data: Increase (Decrease) from Prior Year 1996 1995 Mwh Revenues Mwh Revenues (revenue change in millions) Retail: Residential 1 % $ - 6 % $ 17 Commercial 4 % 10 3 % 9 Industrial 6 % 5 - % (1) Other (4)% - (6)% - Total retail 4 % 15 3 % 25 Sales for resale: Bulk power sales 1 % 6 (15)% (11) Other 29 % - (11)% - Total 21 14 Other revenues (3) 4 Total electric operating revenues $18 $18 During 1996 the Missouri Public Service Commission (MPSC) approved a new stipulation and agreement authorizing a $20 million revenue reduction in two phases, and an increase in depreciation and amortization expense by $9 million per year. In July 1996 we implemented phase one of the revenue reduction designed to reduce revenues from commercial and industrial customers by an estimated $9 million per year. This decrease is achieved with an increase in summer revenues offset by a larger decrease in winter revenues. This design more closely follows our increased costs of generating electricity in the summer. The second phase of this stipulation, effective January 1, 1997, will further reduce Missouri residential, commercial and industrial revenues by an estimated $11 million per year. The decrease in 1996 revenues as a result of this stipulation and agreement was about $3 million. These lower rates, combined with lower billed sales in December of 1996 versus December of 1995, resulted in a lower accounts receivable balance at December 31, 1996, compared with December 31, 1995. During April and May of 1995 about 600 net commercial customers were reclassified to industrial to more appropriately reflect their business operations. This change resulted in the reclassification of about $680,000 (10,300 mwh sales) from commercial to industrial in each subsequent month. Prior periods have not been restated. Summer temperatures were very mild in 1996 compared with 1995, remaining below normal for the fourth consecutive year. Despite this mild weather pattern, retail mwh sales increased in each of the last four years due to load growth. Load growth consists of higher usage- per-customer as well as the addition of new customers. Retail mwh sales for 1996 increased 4% over 1995 while retail revenues increased only 2%. This difference is due largely to the Missouri revenue reductions discussed above and the effect of long-term sales contracts with certain major industrial customers. These contracts are tailored to meet customers' needs in exchange for their long-term commitment to purchase energy. Long-term contracts are in place or under negotiation for a large portion of our industrial sales. Retail mwh sales and revenues for 1995 increased 3% over 1994. This increase was due mainly to improved weather and continued load growth. Similar to 1996, long-term contracts with major industrial customers resulted in a slight decrease in 1995 industrial revenues from 1994, despite an equal level of mwh sales. Bulk power sales vary with system requirements, generating unit and purchased power availability, fuel costs and the requirements of other electric systems. A combination of these conditions contributed to record bulk power sales in 1994. Changes in other revenues during 1996 and 1995 reflected changes in classification between other revenues and bulk power sales. Total revenue per mwh sold varies with changes in the mix of mwh sales among customer classifications and the effect of declining price per mwh as usage increases. An automatic fuel adjustment provision is included in only sales for resale tariffs, which apply to less than 1% of revenues. Future mwh sales and revenues per mwh will be affected by national and local economies, tariff changes, weather and customer conservation efforts. Competition, including alternative sources of energy such as natural gas, cogeneration, IPPs and other electric utilities, may also affect future sales and revenue. FUEL AND PURCHASED POWER Combined fuel and purchased power expenses for 1996 increased 8% or $15 million from 1995, while total mwh sales (total of retail and sales for resale) increased only 3%. This increase is largely attributable to an increase in capacity purchases. Capacity purchase contracts provide a cost-effective alternative to constructing new capacity and have contributed to increases in purchased power expenses. Additional capacity purchases increased purchased power expenses about $9 million in 1996 and $4 million in 1995. Nuclear fuel costs per MMBTU remain substantially less than the MMBTU price of coal, despite increases of 26% during 1996 and 15% during 1995. Nuclear fuel costs per MMBTU averaged 59%, 45% and 40% of the MMBTU price of coal during 1996, 1995 and 1994, respectively. We expect this relationship and the price of nuclear fuel to remain fairly constant through the year 2001. During 1996 coal represented about 75% of generation and nuclear fuel about 25%. During 1995 nuclear fuel accounted for about 30% of generation as no refueling outage was scheduled during that year (see Wolf Creek section). The price of coal burned declined 4% during 1996 and increased 1% during 1995. Our coal procurement strategies continue to provide coal costs at or below the regional average. We expect coal costs to remain fairly consistent with 1996 levels through 2001. Other items affecting the change in combined fuel and purchased power expenses from 1995 to 1996 include a $2 million decrease in expense from coal inventory adjustments, an increase in replacement power expenses for Wolf Creek's spring 1996 refueling outage (see Wolf Creek section) and a 1995 forced generating station outage. During July 1995 a fire forced an outage at LaCygne I, a low-cost, coal-fired generating unit. We replaced the power by increasing the usage of higher-cost, coal-fired units and purchasing power on the wholesale market. Damage to the unit was covered by insurance. However, uninsured, incremental fuel and purchased power costs were about $4 million. Combined fuel and purchased power expenses for 1995 increased 5% or $9 million from 1994, despite a 2% decrease in total mwh sales. Items contributing to this increase include the LaCygne forced outage, increases in capacity purchase contracts, increases in the cost of nuclear fuel and a $3 million increase in fuel costs from coal inventory adjustments. OTHER OPERATION AND MAINTENANCE EXPENSES Combined other operation and maintenance expenses for 1994 were higher than 1995 and 1996 due mainly to the costs of the voluntary early retirement program in that year. Total program costs of $22.5 million ($0.22 per share) were expensed during 1994. The decrease in 1995 expenses from 1994 was partially offset by KCPL's $2 million share of Wolf Creek's voluntary early retirement program recorded during 1995. Other cost variances in 1996 and 1995 resulted from the timing of scheduled maintenance programs. We continue to emphasize new technologies, improved methods and cost control. We are changing processes to provide increased efficiencies and improved operations. Through the use of cellular technology, a majority of customer meters are read automatically. These types of changes have allowed us to assimilate work performed by those who elected to participate in the early retirement programs. INCOME TAXES Operating income taxes decreased $9 million in 1996 from 1995. The decrease was primarily due to adjustments necessary to reflect the filing of the 1995 tax returns and the settlement with the Internal Revenue Service regarding tax issues included in the 1985 through 1990 tax returns. This settlement is also the primary reason for the decrease in accrued taxes. GENERAL TAXES Components of general taxes: 1996 1995 1994 (thousands) Property $ 45,519 $ 46,019 $ 46,895 Gross receipts 42,554 41,416 40,397 Other 9,175 9,386 9,070 Total $ 97,248 $ 96,821 $ 96,362 OTHER INCOME Miscellaneous Income Miscellaneous income for 1995 includes a $5 million gain from the sale of steel railcars, which were replaced by leased aluminum cars. Aluminum cars are lighter-weight and offer more coal capacity per car, contributing to lower delivered coal prices. Miscellaneous Deductions Miscellaneous deductions increased in 1996 from 1995 due primarily to the termination of the UtiliCorp merger agreement and defense against Western Resources' unsolicited exchange offer (see Notes 11 and 12 to the Consolidated Financial Statements). During the third quarter of 1996, $13 million in previously deferred merger costs and a $5 million termination fee were expensed. In addition, costs incurred to defend against the unsolicited exchange offer increased 1996 expenses by $13 million. Also, subsidiary expenses increased about $9 million reflecting increased investing activities. Total subsidiary expenses, including interest charges discussed below, are substantially offset by related tax benefits. Miscellaneous deductions increased in 1995 over 1994 due to increases in charitable contributions, fees related to the sale of customer accounts receivable and growing subsidiary operations. Income Taxes We accrued tax credits in 1996, 1995 and 1994 of $12, $5 and $1 million, respectively, related primarily to KLT's investments in affordable housing limited partnerships. Tax credits from the investments in affordable housing more than offset the increase in interest expense incurred from these investments. Nontaxable increases in the cash surrender value of corporate-owned life insurance contracts also affected the relationship between miscellaneous deductions and income taxes. INTEREST CHARGES Interest expense increased during 1996 reflecting higher average levels of long-term debt outstanding compared with 1995. The higher levels of debt resulted from additional financing by KLT to support expanding subsidiary operations and new investments in unregulated ventures. Interest expense increased during 1995 reflecting higher average levels of long-term debt outstanding and higher weighted-average interest rates compared with 1994. The higher average level of outstanding debt was primarily due to subsidiary investments in affordable housing partnerships. The average interest rate on long-term debt, including current maturities, was 6.0% in 1996 and 1995 compared with 5.4% in 1994. We use interest rate swap and cap agreements to limit the interest expense on a portion of our variable-rate long-term debt. We do not use derivative financial instruments for trading or other speculative purposes. Although these agreements are an integral part of our interest rate management, their incremental effect on interest expense and cash flows is not significant. WOLF CREEK Wolf Creek is one of KCPL's principal generating units representing about 18% of its accredited generating capacity. The plant's operating performance has remained strong, contributing about 25% of the annual mwh generation while operating at an average capacity of 88% over the last three years. It has the lowest fuel cost per MMBTU of any of KCPL's generating units. Wolf Creek's eighth scheduled refueling and maintenance outage began in early February 1996 and was completed in April 1996 (64 days). The incremental operating, maintenance and replacement power costs are accrued evenly over the unit's operating cycle, normally 18 months. As actual outage expenses are incurred, the refueling liability and related deferred tax asset are reduced. The eighth outage started one month early when the plant was shut down after water flow from the cooling lake was restricted by ice buildup on an intake screen. This extended the length of the outage and was the primary reason for the increase in Wolf Creek related replacement power and maintenance expenses in 1996. Wolf Creek's ninth refueling and maintenance outage is scheduled for the fall of 1997. Wolf Creek's assets and operating expenses represent about 45% and 20% of total assets and operating expenses, respectively. Currently, no major equipment replacements are expected, but an extended shutdown of the unit could have a substantial adverse effect on KCPL's business, financial condition and results of operations. Higher replacement power and other costs would be incurred as a result. Although not expected, an unscheduled plant shutdown could be caused by actions of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission reacting to safety concerns at the plant or other similar nuclear units. If a long-term shutdown occurred, the state regulatory commissions could consider reducing rates by excluding the Wolf Creek investment from rate base. Ownership and operation of a nuclear generating unit exposes KCPL to risks regarding the cost of decommissioning the unit at the end of its life and to potential retrospective assessments and property losses in excess of insurance coverage. These risks are more fully discussed in the related sections of Notes 1 and 4 to the Consolidated Financial Statements. ENVIRONMENTAL MATTERS Our policy is to act in an environmentally responsible manner and use the latest technology available to avoid and treat contamination. We continually conduct environmental audits designed to ensure compliance with governmental regulations and detect contamination. However, these regulations are constantly evolving; governmental bodies may impose additional or more rigid environmental regulations which could require substantial changes to operations or facilities. The Clean Air Act Amendments of 1990 contain two programs significantly affecting the utility industry. We have spent about $5 million for the installation of continuous emission monitoring equipment to satisfy the requirements under the acid rain provision. The other utility-related program calls for a study of certain air toxic substances. Based on the outcome of this study, regulation of these substances, including mercury, could be required. We cannot predict the likelihood of any such regulations or compliance costs. Other proposed regulations to revise the ozone and particulate matter National Ambient Air Quality Standards, scheduled to be finalized in June 1997, may require capital expenditures which cannot be estimated at this time. PROJECTED CONSTRUCTION EXPENDITURES We are fully exploring alternatives to new construction. During 1995 we entered into an operating lease for a new 142 mw combustion turbine, scheduled to be placed in service during 1997. We have also contracted to purchase capacity through fixed-price agreements (see Note 4 to the Consolidated Financial Statements - Capacity Purchase Commitments). Compared to the long-term fixed costs of building new capacity, these contracts provide a cost-effective way of meeting uncertain levels of demand growth, even though there are risks associated with market price fluctuations. Total utility capital expenditures, excluding allowance for funds used during construction, were $101 million in 1996. The utility construction expenditures are projected for the next five years as follows:
Construction Expenditures 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 Total (millions) Generating facilities $ 35 $ 27 $ 35 $33 $ 19 $149 Nuclear fuel 20 21 2 24 27 94 Transmission facilities 11 5 2 4 3 25 Distribution and general facilities 67 53 51 48 43 262 Total $133 $106 $ 90 $109 $ 92 $530 This construction expenditure plan is subject to continual review and change. The next plan will be filed with the Missouri commission in July 1997.
CAPITAL REQUIREMENTS AND LIQUIDITY As of December 31, 1996, KCPL's liquid resources included cash flows from operations, $300 million of registered but unissued, unsecured medium-term notes and $375 million of unused bank lines of credit. The unused lines consisted of KCPL's short-term bank lines of credit of $280 million and KLT's long-term revolving line of credit of $95 million. KCPL continues to generate positive cash flows from operating activities, although individual components of working capital will vary with normal business cycles and operations including the timing of receipts and payments. Cash required to meet current tax liabilities has increased as we no longer receive the benefits of accelerated tax depreciation on any significant generating plant assets. Accelerated depreciation lowers tax payments in the earlier years of an asset's life while increasing deferred tax liabilities; this relationship reverses in the later years of an asset's life. Our last significant generating plant addition was the completion of Wolf Creek in 1985. The costs incurred to repair damages from an October 1996 snow storm also lowered cash flows from operating activities in 1996 and increased Other Regulatory Assets on the balance sheet. Amortization of these costs will begin in 1997 and be reflected as Amortization of Other in the Statement of Cash Flows. Amortization of Other decreased in 1996 as the deferred costs of the 1993 flood were fully amortized in 1995. Cash used in investing activities varies with the timing of utility capital expenditures and KLT's purchases of investments and nonutility properties. The increase in nonutility properties during 1996 resulted mainly from KLT's purchase of certain oil and gas projects during the year. Subsidiary obligations increased during 1996 to finance KLT's purchases of nonutility property and investments. KCPL's common dividend payout ratio was 94% in 1996, 80% in 1995 and 91% in 1994. Merger related costs in 1996 and costs of the voluntary early retirement program in 1994 contributed to the higher ratios in those years. EPS for 1997 will be reduced by $0.52 due to a $53 million payment in February 1997 to UtiliCorp for terminating a merger agreement with them and then signing an agreement to combine with Western Resources. After taxes, the payment will reduce 1997 net income by $32 million. We sold commercial paper to pay this termination fee. Day-to-day operations, utility construction requirements and dividends are expected to be met with internally-generated funds. Uncertainties affecting our ability to meet these requirements with internally-generated funds include the effect of inflation on operating expenses, the level of mwh sales, regulatory actions, compliance with future environmental regulations, the availability of generating units, and the outcome of pending legal proceedings (see Note 13 to the Consolidated Financial Statements). The funds needed for the retirement of $393 million of maturing debt through the year 2001 will be provided from operations, refinancings or short-term debt. We might incur additional debt and/or issue additional equity to finance growth or take advantage of new opportunities. ITEM 8. CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
KANSAS CITY POWER & LIGHT COMPANY CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME Year Ended December 31 1996 1995 1994 (thousands) ELECTRIC OPERATING REVENUES $903,919 $885,955 $868,272 OPERATING EXPENSES Operation Fuel 140,505 139,371 135,106 Purchased power 52,455 38,783 33,929 Other 180,719 178,599 202,304 Maintenance 71,495 78,439 72,468 Depreciation 103,912 97,225 94,361 Income taxes 68,155 77,062 70,949 General taxes 97,248 96,821 96,362 Deferred Wolf Creek costs amortization 11,617 12,607 13,102 Total 726,106 718,907 718,581 OPERATING INCOME 177,813 167,048 149,691 OTHER INCOME Allowance for equity funds used during construction 2,368 2,279 2,087 Miscellaneous income 4,843 8,623 3,015 Miscellaneous deductions (55,172) (11,101) (7,174) Income taxes 36,402 10,259 4,572 Total (11,559) 10,060 2,500 INCOME BEFORE INTEREST CHARGES 166,254 177,108 152,191 INTEREST CHARGES Long-term debt 53,939 52,184 43,962 Short-term debt 1,251 1,189 1,170 Miscellaneous 4,840 3,112 4,128 Allowance for borrowed funds used during construction (1,947) (1,963) (1,844) Total 58,083 54,522 47,416 Net Income 108,171 122,586 104,775 Preferred Stock Dividend Requirements 3,790 4,011 3,457 Earnings Available for Common Stock $104,381 $118,575 $101,318 Average Number of Common Shares Outstanding 61,902 61,902 61,903 Earnings per Common Share $1.69 $1.92 $1.64 Cash Dividends per Common Share $1.59 $1.54 $1.50 The accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements are an integral part of these statements.
KANSAS CITY POWER & LIGHT COMPANY CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF RETAINED EARNINGS Year Ended December 31 1996 1995 1994 (thousands) Beginning Balance $449,966 $426,738 $418,201 Net Income 108,171 122,586 104,775 558,137 549,324 522,976 Dividends Declared Preferred stock - at required rates 3,782 4,029 3,384 Common stock 98,421 95,329 92,854 Ending Balance $455,934 $449,966 $426,738 The accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements are an integral part of these statements.
KANSAS CITY POWER & LIGHT COMPANY CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
December 31 December 31 1996 1995 (thousands) ASSETS UTILITY PLANT, at original cost Electric $ 3,472,607 $ 3,388,538 Less-accumulated depreciation 1,238,187 1,156,115 Net utility plant in service 2,234,420 2,232,423 Construction work in progress 69,577 72,365 Nuclear fuel, net of amortization of $84,540 and $81,452 39,497 54,673 Total 2,343,494 2,359,461 REGULATORY ASSET - DEFERRED WOLF CREEK COSTS 0 8,880 REGULATORY ASSET - RECOVERABLE TAXES 126,000 123,000 INVESTMENTS AND NONUTILITY PROPERTY 231,874 166,751 CURRENT ASSETS Cash and cash equivalents 23,571 28,390 Customer accounts receivable, net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $1,644 and $1,574 27,093 32,830 Other receivables 36,113 31,838 Fuel inventories, at average cost 19,077 22,103 Materials and supplies, at average cost 47,334 47,175 Deferred income taxes 2,737 5,947 Other 5,055 5,179 Total 160,980 173,462 DEFERRED CHARGES Regulatory assets Settlement of fuel contracts 9,764 13,007 KCC Wolf Creek carrying costs 1,368 4,104 Other 26,615 21,231 Other deferred charges 14,417 12,610 Total 52,164 50,952 Total $2,914,512 $2,882,506 CAPITALIZATION AND LIABILITIES CAPITALIZATION (see statements) $1,943,647 $1,824,087 CURRENT LIABILITIES Commercial paper 0 19,000 Current maturities of long-term debt 26,591 73,803 Accounts payable 55,618 52,506 Accrued taxes 18,443 39,726 Accrued interest 21,054 16,906 Accrued payroll and vacations 25,558 22,764 Accrued refueling outage costs 7,181 13,563 Other 11,980 11,787 Total 166,425 250,055 DEFERRED CREDITS AND OTHER LIABILITIES Deferred income taxes 643,189 648,374 Deferred investment tax credits 67,107 71,270 Other 94,144 88,720 Total 804,440 808,364 COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES (note 4) Total $2,914,512 $2,882,506 The accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements are an integral part of these statements.
KANSAS CITY POWER & LIGHT COMPANY CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
Year Ended December 31 1996 1995 1994 (thousands) CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES Net income $108,171 $122,586 $104,775 Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash from operating activities: Depreciation 103,912 97,225 94,361 Amortization of: Nuclear fuel 16,094 14,679 10,136 Deferred Wolf Creek costs 11,617 12,607 13,102 Other 5,507 8,152 9,608 Deferred income taxes (net) (8,662) (3,268) 20,524 Deferred investment tax credit amortization and reversals (4,163) (11,570) (4,345) Deferred storm costs (8,885) 0 0 Allowance for equity funds used during construction (2,368) (2,279) (2,087) Cash flows affected by changes in: Receivables 1,462 (17,551) 1,543 Fuel inventories 3,026 (5,533) (2,020) Materials and supplies (159) (2,222) (796) Accounts payable 3,112 (20,980) 14,065 Accrued taxes (21,283) 15,042 (3,116) Accrued interest 4,148 4,697 (3,366) Wolf Creek refueling outage accrual (6,382) 11,443 (5,142) Pension and postretirement benefit obligations (84) (4,176) 32,203 Other operating activities 11,846 4,325 (2,860) Net cash from operating activities 216,909 223,177 276,585 CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES Utility capital expenditures (100,947) (134,070) (124,965) Allowance for borrowed funds used during construction (1,947) (1,963) (1,844) Purchases of investments (35,362) (56,759) (67,560) Purchases of nonutility property (20,395) 0 0 Other investing activities (931) 9,046 5,624 Net cash used in investing activities (159,582) (183,746) (188,745) CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES Issuance of long-term debt 135,441 111,055 133,793 Repayment of long-term debt (74,230) (33,428) (170,170) Special deposits 0 0 60,118 Net change in short-term borrowings (19,000) (13,000) 3,000 Dividends paid (102,203) (99,358) (96,238) Other financing activities (2,154) 3,473 335 Net cash used in financing activities (62,146) (31,258) (69,162) NET CHANGE IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS (4,819) 8,173 18,678 CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS AT BEGINNING OF YEAR 28,390 20,217 1,539 CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS AT END OF YEAR $23,571 $28,390 $20,217 CASH PAID DURING THE YEAR FOR: Interest (net of amount capitalized) $52,457 $48,200 $48,246 Income taxes $58,344 $67,053 $53,720 The accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements are an integral part of these statements.
KANSAS CITY POWER & LIGHT COMPANY CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CAPITALIZATION
December 31 December 31 1996 1995 (thousands) COMMON STOCK EQUITY Common stock-150,000,000 shares authorized without par value-61,908,726 shares issued, stated value $ 449,697 $ 449,697 Retained earnings (see statements) 455,934 449,966 Unrealized gain on securities available for sale 6,484 0 Capital stock premium and expense (1,666) (1,725) Total 910,449 897,938 CUMULATIVE PREFERRED STOCK $100 Par Value 3.80% - 100,000 shares issued 10,000 10,000 4.50% - 100,000 shares issued 10,000 10,000 4.20% - 70,000 shares issued 7,000 7,000 4.35% - 120,000 shares issued 12,000 12,000 No Par Value 4.38%* - 500,000 shares issued 50,000 50,000 $100 Par Value - Redeemable 4.00% - (note 8) 62 1,436 Total 89,062 90,436 LONG-TERM DEBT (excluding current maturities) General Mortgage Bonds Medium-term Notes due 1997-2008, 6.81% and 6.72% weighted-average rate at December 31 468,500 387,000 4.24%* Environmental Improvement Revenue Refunding Bonds due 2012-23 158,768 158,768 Guaranty of Pollution Control Bonds 4.13%* due 2015-17 196,500 196,500 Subsidiary Obligations Affordable Housing Notes due 2000-05, 8.51% and 8.54% weighted-average rate at December 31 65,368 69,945 Bank Credit Agreement due 1999, 6.78% and 7.66% weighted-average rate at December 31 55,000 23,500 Total 944,136 835,713 Total $1,943,647 $1,824,087 * Variable rate securities, weighted-average rate as of December 31, 1996 The accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements are an integral part of these statements.
KANSAS CITY POWER & LIGHT COMPANY Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements 1. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES The Company Kansas City Power & Light Company is a medium-sized electric utility with more than 435,000 customers in western Missouri and eastern Kansas. About 95% of our retail revenues are from the Kansas City metropolitan area, an agribusiness center and major regional center for wholesale, retail and service companies. About two-thirds of our retail sales are to Missouri customers, the remainder to Kansas customers. The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Kansas City Power & Light Company and KLT Inc., a wholly-owned, nonutility subsidiary. The consolidated entity is referred to as KCPL. KLT was formed in 1992 as a holding company for various nonregulated business ventures. Currently, the electric utility accounts for about 92% of consolidated assets and substantially all results of operations. Intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated. KLT's revenues and expenses have been classified as Other Income and Interest Charges in the income statement. The accounting records conform to the accounting standards prescribed by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) and generally accepted accounting principles. These standards require the use of estimates and assumptions that affect amounts reported in the financial statements and the disclosure of commitments and contingencies. Cash and Cash Equivalents Cash and cash equivalents consists of highly liquid investments with original maturities of three months or less. Derivative Financial Instruments We use interest rate swap and cap agreements to reduce the impact of changes in interest rates on variable-rate debt. Interest rate swap agreements effectively fix the interest rates on a portion of KCPL's variable-rate debt. Interest rate caps limit the interest rate on a portion of KCPL's variable-rate debt by setting a maximum rate. The costs of rate caps are paid annually and included in interest expense. Any difference paid or received due to these agreements is recorded as an adjustment to interest expense. These agreements are not marked to market value as they are used only to manage interest expense and the intent is to hold them until their termination date. We do not use derivative financial instruments for trading or other speculative purposes. Fair Value of Financial Instruments The stated values of financial instruments as of December 31, 1996 and 1995, approximated fair market values. KCPL's incremental borrowing rate for similar debt was used to determine fair value if quoted market prices were not available. Securities Available for Sale Certain investments in equity securities are accounted for as securities available for sale in accordance with Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) Statement No. 115 - Accounting for Certain Investments in Debt and Equity Securities. This requires adjusting the securities to market value with unrealized gains (or losses), net of deferred income taxes, reported as a separate component of shareholders' equity. Investments in Affordable Housing Limited Partnerships Through December 31, 1996, a subsidiary of KLT had invested $97 million in affordable housing limited partnerships. About $80 million of these investments were recorded at cost; the equity method was used for the remainder. Tax credits are recognized in the year generated. A change in accounting principle relating to investments made after May 19, 1995, requires limited partnership investments of more than 5% to use the equity method. Of the investments recorded at cost, $70 million exceed this 5% level but were made prior to May 19, 1995. Utility Plant Utility plant is stated at historical costs of construction. These costs include taxes, an allowance for funds used during construction (AFDC) and payroll-related costs including pensions and other fringe benefits. Additions of, and replacements and improvements to units of property are capitalized. Repairs of property and replacements of items not considered to be units of property are expensed as incurred (except as discussed under Wolf Creek Refueling Outage Costs). When property units are retired or otherwise disposed, the original cost, net of salvage and removal, is charged to accumulated depreciation. AFDC represents the cost of borrowed funds and a return on equity funds used to finance construction projects. It is capitalized as a cost of construction work in progress. AFDC on borrowed funds reduces interest charges. AFDC on equity funds is shown as a noncash item of other income. When a construction project is placed in service, the related AFDC, as well as other construction costs, is used to establish rates under regulatory rate practices. The rates used to compute gross AFDC are compounded semi-annually and averaged 8.5% for 1996, 8.7% for 1995 and 7.8% for 1994. Depreciation is computed using the straight-line method over the estimated lives of depreciable property based on rates approved by state regulatory authorities. Average annual composite rates were about 3.1% in 1996 compared with 2.9% in 1995 and 1994. Wolf Creek Refueling Outage Costs Forecasted incremental costs to be incurred during scheduled Wolf Creek Generating Station (Wolf Creek) refueling outages are accrued monthly over the unit's operating cycle, normally about 18 months. Estimated incremental costs, which include operating, maintenance and replacement power expenses, are based on budgeted outage costs and the estimated outage duration. Changes to or variances from those estimates are recorded when known or probable. Nuclear Plant Decommissioning Costs The Missouri Public Service Commission (MPSC) and the Kansas Corporation Commission (KCC) require the owners of Wolf Creek to submit an updated decommissioning cost study every three years. The most recent study was filed during 1996 and is currently under review by the MPSC and the KCC. Based on this study, total decommissioning costs are expected to increase to reflect 1996 dollars; however, no increase in the current level of funding and expenses is anticipated. The following table shows the decommissioning cost estimates and the escalation rate and earnings assumptions approved by the MPSC and the KCC in 1994 with regard to the study filed in 1993. The decommissioning cost estimates are based on the immediate dismantlement method and include the costs of decontamination, dismantlement and site restoration. Plant decommissioning is not expected to start before 2025. KCC MPSC Future cost of decommissioning: Total Station $1.3 billion $1.8 billion 47% share $595 million $859 million Current cost of decommissioning (in 1993 dollars): Total Station $370 million $370 million 47% share $174 million $174 million Annual escalation factor 3.45% 4.50% Annual return on trust assets 6.48% 7.66% We contribute to a tax-qualified trust fund (about $3 million for each of the last three years) to be used to decommission Wolf Creek. These costs were charged to other operation expenses and recovered in rates. Based on the 1993 study, contributions are expected to increase slightly beginning in 1997. These funding levels assume a certain return on trust assets. If the actual return on trust assets is below the anticipated level, we believe a rate increase will be allowed ensuring full recovery of decommissioning costs over the remaining life of the unit. This assumes we continue to be regulated. As of December 31, 1996 and 1995, the trust fund balance, including reinvested earnings, was $31 and $26 million, respectively. These amounts are reflected in Investments and Nonutility Property. The related liabilities for decommissioning are included in Deferred Credits and Other Liabilities - Other. In 1996 FASB issued an Exposure Draft of a proposed Statement of Financial Accounting Standards, Accounting for Certain Liabilities Related to Closure or Removal of Long-Lived Assets, that addressed the accounting for obligations arising from dismantlement, removal, site reclamation, and decontamination of certain long-lived assets. FASB hopes to finalize a statement or revised exposure draft in 1997. If current electric utility industry accounting practices for such decommissioning costs are changed: 1) annual decommissioning expenses could increase, and 2) trust fund income from the external decommissioning trusts could be reported as investment income. We are not able to predict what affect those changes would have on results of operations, financial position, or related regulatory practices until the final issuance of a revised accounting guidance. However, we do not anticipate results of operations to be significantly affected as long as we are regulated. Nuclear Fuel Nuclear fuel is amortized to fuel expense based on the quantity of heat produced for the generation of electricity. Under the Nuclear Waste Policy Act of 1982, the Department of Energy (DOE) is responsible for the permanent disposal of spent nuclear fuel. We pay the DOE a quarterly fee of one-tenth of a cent for each kilowatt-hour of net nuclear generation delivered and sold for future disposal of spent nuclear fuel. These disposal costs are charged to fuel expense and recovered through rates. A permanent disposal site may not be available for the industry until 2010 or later, although an interim facility may be available earlier. Under current DOE policy, once a permanent site is available, the DOE will accept spent nuclear fuel on a priority basis; the owners of the oldest spent fuel will be given the highest priority. As a result, disposal services for Wolf Creek may not be available prior to 2016. Wolf Creek has an on-site, temporary storage facility for spent nuclear fuel. Under current regulatory guidelines, this facility can provide storage space until about 2005. Management believes additional temporary storage space can be built or obtained as necessary. Regulatory Assets FASB Statement No. 71 - Accounting for Certain Types of Regulation, applies to regulated entities whose rates are designed to recover the costs of providing service. In accordance with this statement, certain items that would normally be reflected in the income statement are deferred on the balance sheet. These items are then amortized as the related amounts are recovered from customers through rates. We recognize regulatory assets when allowed by a commission's rate order or when it is probable, based on regulatory precedent, that future rates will recover the amortization of the deferred costs. We continuously monitor changes in market and regulatory conditions and consider the effects of any changes in assessing the continued applicability of FASB 71. If we were unable to apply FASB 71, the unamortized balance of $164 million of our regulatory assets, net of the related tax benefit, would be written off. Deferred Wolf Creek Costs The KCC and MPSC allowed continued construction accounting for ratemaking purposes after Wolf Creek's 1985 commercial in-service date. Certain other carrying costs were also deferred. The deferrals were amortized and recovered in rates from 1987 through 1996. Recoverable Taxes See the following Income Taxes section. Settlement of Fuel Contracts We deferred the cost of terminating certain coal purchase contracts. These costs are being amortized over various periods ending in 2002. KCC Wolf Creek Carrying Costs The KCC ordered certain Wolf Creek carrying costs to be deferred. These costs are being recovered and amortized over six years ending in June 1997. Other Other regulatory assets include premium on redeemed debt, deferred costs to decommission and decontaminate federal uranium enrichment facilities and other costs. These deferrals are amortized over various periods extending to 2023. Also included in other regulatory assets are incremental costs of $8.9 million related to an October 1996 snow storm. We have received accounting authority orders from the KCC and MPSC approving the deferral of these costs. The costs will be amortized over five years beginning in January 1997. Revenue Recognition We use cycle billing and accrue estimated unbilled revenue at the end of each reporting period. Income Taxes The balance sheet includes deferred income taxes for all temporary differences between the tax basis of an asset or liability and that reported in the financial statements. These deferred tax assets and liabilities are determined using the tax rates scheduled by the tax law to be in effect when the differences reverse. Regulatory Asset - Recoverable Taxes mainly reflects the future revenue requirements necessary to recover the tax benefits of existing temporary differences previously passed through to customers. Operating income tax expense is recorded based on ratemaking principles. However, if the method used for the balance sheet were reflected in the income statement, net income would remain the same. Investment tax credits are deferred when utilized and amortized to income over the remaining service lives of the related properties. Environmental Matters Environmental costs are accrued when it is probable a liability has been incurred and the amount of the liability can be reasonably estimated. We believe all appropriate costs related to environmental matters have been recorded. 2. PENSION PLANS AND OTHER EMPLOYEE BENEFITS Early Retirement Program In 1994, 332 employees retired under a voluntary early retirement plan. We expensed estimated pension and postretirement program costs of $16.5 and $6.0 million, respectively ($0.22 per share). In 1995, 56 employees retired under the Wolf Creek voluntary early retirement plan. We expensed our share of estimated program costs of $2.1 million ($0.02 per share) during the second quarter of 1995. Pension Plans KCPL has defined benefit pension plans for its employees, including officers. Benefits under these plans reflect the employees' compensation, years of service and age at retirement. KCPL satisfies at least the minimum funding requirements under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974. Funded status of the plans: December 31 1996 1995 (thousands) Accumulated benefit obligation: Vested $247,264 $251,042 Nonvested 6,526 6,474 Total $253,790 $257,516 Determination of plan assets less obligations: Fair value of plan assets (a) $363,285 $339,236 Projected benefit obligation (b) 307,050 315,395 Difference $ 56,235 $ 23,841 Reconciliation of difference: Accrued trust liability $(13,645) $(13,890) Unrecognized transition obligation 10,541 12,612 Unrecognized net gain 63,022 29,293 Unrecognized prior service cost (3,683) (4,174) Difference $ 56,235 $ 23,841 (a) Plan assets are invested in insurance contracts, corporate bonds, equity securities, U.S. Government securities, notes, mortgages and short-term investments. (b) Based on weighted-average discount rates of 8.0% in 1996 and 7.5% in 1995; and increases in future salary levels of 4% to 5% in 1996 and 1995. Components of provisions for pensions (excluding 1995 and 1994 early retirement program costs): 1996 1995 1994 (thousands) Service cost $ 8,164 $ 6,414 $ 8,193 Interest cost on projected benefit obligation 23,379 22,593 20,759 Actual return on plan assets (40,831) (50,108) (1,143) Other 15,347 25,656 (22,297) Net periodic pension cost $ 6,059 $ 4,555 $ 5,512 Long-term rates of return on plan assets of 8.5% to 9.25% were used. Postretirement Benefits Other Than Pensions In addition to providing pension benefits, certain postretirement health care and life insurance benefits are provided for substantially all retired employees. We accrue the cost of postretirement health care and life insurance benefits during an employee's years of service. These costs are currently recovered through rates on an accrual basis in Missouri and a pay-as-you-go basis in Kansas. In 1995 we began funding the year's overall net periodic postretirement benefit cost, subject to maximum deductible limits for income tax purposes. Reconciliation of postretirement benefits to amounts recorded in the balance sheets: December 31 1996 1995 (thousands) Accumulated postretirement benefit obligation (APBO) (a): Retirees $ 20,582 $22,515 Fully eligible active plan participants 3,149 2,659 Other active plan participants 8,459 9,315 Total APBO 32,190 34,489 Fair value of plan assets (b) (3,620) (2,189) Unrecognized transition obligation (18,791) (19,965) Unrecognized net gain 3,255 892 Unrecognized prior service cost (709) (786) Accrued postretirement benefit obligation (included in Deferred Credits and Other Liabilities - Other) $ 12,325 $12,441 (a) Based on weighted-average discount rates of 8.0% in 1996 and 7.5% in 1995; and increases in future salary levels of 4% in 1996 and 1995. (b) Plan assets are invested in certificates of deposit. Net periodic postretirement benefit cost (excluding 1995 and 1994 early retirement program costs): 1996 1995 1994 (thousands) Service cost $ 574 $ 435 $ 645 Interest cost on APBO 2,520 2,423 2,305 Amortization of unrecognized transition obligation 1,174 1,175 1,175 Other 6 (60) 75 Net periodic postretirement benefit cost $4,274 $3,973 $4,200 Actuarial assumptions include an increase in the annual health care cost trend rate for 1997 of 10%, decreasing gradually over a four-year period to its ultimate level of 6%. The health care plan requires retirees to share in the cost when premiums exceed a certain amount. Because of this provision, an increase in the assumed health care cost trend rate by 1% per year would only increase the APBO as of December 31, 1996, by about $704,000 and the combined service and interest costs of the net periodic postretirement benefit cost for 1996 by about $80,000. Long-term Incentive Plan We have granted stock options where the exercise price equals the market price of KCPL's common stock on the grant date. One-half of all options granted vest one year after the grant date, the other half vest two years after the grant date. When exercised, recipients receive shares of stock and accumulated dividends (as though they had been reinvested). Unexercised options expire 10 years after the grant date. KCPL follows APB Opinion 25 - Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees and related Interpretations in accounting for this plan. Because of the dividend provision, we expensed $1.4, $1.0 and $0.4 million for 1996, 1995 and 1994, respectively. The expense includes accumulated and reinvested dividends plus the appreciation in stock price since the grant date. If the stock price fell below the exercise price, the cumulative expense related to those options is reversed. If KCPL accounted for this plan using the optional, fair-value method of FASB Statement No. 123 - Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation, the fair value of options granted and related expense recorded for these plans would not be material. For options outstanding at December 31, 1996, exercise prices range from $20.625 to $26.188 and the weighted-average remaining contractual life is 7 years. Stock option activity over the last three years is summarized below: 1996 1995 1994 shares price* shares price* shares price* Outstanding at January 1 266,125 $22.14 197,375 $21.87 145,125 $22.60 Granted 59,000 26.19 68,750 23.06 69,125 20.63 Exercised (26,250) 22.27 - - (6,000) 21.63 Canceled - - - - (10,875) 23.88 Outstanding at December 31 298,875 $22.96 266,125 $22.18 197,375 $21.87 Exercisable as of December 31 206,500 $22.02 162,813 $22.14 102,125 $22.20 *weighted-average exercise price 3. INCOME TAXES Income tax expense consisted of the following: 1996 1995 1994 (thousands) Current income taxes: Federal $35,816 $69,697 $42,736 State 8,762 11,944 7,462 Total 44,578 81,641 50,198 Deferred income taxes, net: Federal (7,441) (3,152) 17,005 State (1,221) (116) 3,519 Total (8,662) (3,268) 20,524 Investment tax credit amortization and reversals (4,163) (11,570) (4,345) Total income tax expense $31,753 $66,803 $66,377 KCPL's effective income tax rates differed from the statutory federal rates mainly due to the following: 1996 1995 1994 Federal statutory income tax rate 35.0% 35.0% 35.0% Differences between book and tax depreciation not normalized (0.4) 1.2 1.2 Amortization of investment tax credits (3.0) (2.5) (2.5) Income tax credits (9.1) (2.3) (0.2) State income taxes 3.5 4.1 4.2 Other (3.3) (0.2) 1.1 Effective income tax rate 22.7% 35.3% 38.8% The tax effects of major temporary differences resulting in deferred tax assets and liabilities in the balance sheets are as follows: December 31 1996 1995 (thousands) Plant related $562,287 $572,792 Recoverable taxes 49,000 48,000 Other 29,165 21,635 Net deferred income tax liability $640,452 $642,427 The net deferred income tax liability consisted of the following: December 31 1996 1995 (thousands) Gross deferred income tax assets $(60,979) $(61,181) Gross deferred income tax liabilities 701,431 703,608 Net deferred income tax liability $640,452 $642,427 4. COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES Nuclear Liability and Insurance Liability Insurance The Price-Anderson Act currently limits the combined public liability of nuclear reactor owners to $8.9 billion for claims that could arise from a single nuclear incident. The owners of Wolf Creek (the Owners) carry the maximum available commercial insurance of $0.2 billion. The remaining $8.7 billion balance is provided by Secondary Financial Protection (SFP), an assessment plan mandated by the Nuclear Regulatory Commission. Under SFP, if there were a catastrophic nuclear incident involving any of the nation's licensed reactors, the Owners would be subject to a maximum retrospective assessment per incident of up to $79 million ($37 million, KCPL's share). The Owners are jointly and severally liable for these charges, payable at a rate not to exceed $10 million ($5 million, KCPL's share) per incident per year, excluding applicable premium taxes. The assessment, most recently revised in 1993, is subject to an inflation adjustment every five years based on the Consumer Price Index. Property, Decontamination and Premature Decommissioning Insurance The Owners also carry $2.8 billion ($1.3 billion, KCPL's share) of property damage, decontamination and premature decommissioning insurance for loss resulting from damage to the Wolf Creek facilities. Nuclear insurance pools provide $0.5 billion of coverage, while Nuclear Electric Insurance Limited (NEIL) provides $2.3 billion. In the event of an accident, insurance proceeds must first be used for reactor stabilization and site decontamination. KCPL's share of any remaining proceeds can be used for property damage and premature decommissioning costs. Premature decommissioning coverage applies only if an accident at Wolf Creek exceeds $500 million in property damage and decontamination expenses, and only after trust funds have been exhausted (see Note 1 - Nuclear Plant Decommissioning Costs). Extra Expense Insurance - Including Replacement Power The Owners also carry additional insurance from NEIL to cover costs of replacement power and other extra expenses incurred in the event of a prolonged outage resulting from accidental property damage at Wolf Creek. Retrospective Assessments Under all NEIL policies, KCPL is subject to retrospective assessments if NEIL losses, for each policy year, exceed the accumulated funds available to the insurer under that policy. The estimated maximum amount of retrospective assessments to KCPL under the current policies could total about $8 million. Other In the event of a catastrophic loss at Wolf Creek, the insurance coverage may not be adequate to cover property damage and extra expenses incurred. Uninsured losses, to the extent not recovered through rates, would be assumed by KCPL and could have a material, adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations. Nuclear Fuel Commitments As of December 31, 1996, KCPL's portion of Wolf Creek nuclear fuel commitments included $130 million for enrichment and fabrication through 2025 and $15 million for uranium and conversion through 2001. Environmental Matters KCPL's operations must comply with federal, state and local environmental laws and regulations. The generation and transmission of electricity uses, produces and requires disposal of certain products and by-products, including polychlorinated biphenyl (PCBs), asbestos and other potentially hazardous materials. The Federal Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act (the Superfund law) imposes strict joint and several liability for those who generate, transport or deposit hazardous waste. This liability extends to the current property owner as well as prior owners since the time of contamination. We continually conduct environmental audits designed to detect contamination and ensure compliance with governmental regulations. However, compliance programs needed to meet future environmental laws and regulations governing water and air quality, including carbon dioxide emissions, hazardous waste handling and disposal, toxic substances and the effects of electromagnetic fields, could require substantial changes to operations or facilities. Long-term Coal Contracts KCPL's share of coal purchased under long-term contracts was $36, $42 and $21 million in 1996, 1995 and 1994, respectively. Under these coal contracts, KCPL's remaining share of purchase commitments totals $113 million. Obligations for the years 1997 through 2001 total $34, $20, $20, $10 and $10 million, respectively. The remainder of our coal requirements are fulfilled through spot market purchases. Leases KCPL has a transmission line lease with another utility whereby, with FERC approval, the rental payments can be increased by the lessor. If this occurs, we can cancel the lease if we are able to secure an alternative transmission path. Commitments under this lease total $2 million per year and $54 million over the remaining life of the lease if it is not canceled. Rental expense for other leases including railcars, computer equipment, buildings, transmission line and other items was $18 to $20 million per year during the last three years. The remaining rental commitments under these leases total $174 million. Obligations for the years 1997 through 2001 average $14 million per year. Capital leases are not material and are included in these amounts. As the managing partner of three jointly-owned generating units, we have entered into leases for railcars to serve those units. The entire lease commitment is reflected in the above amounts although about $2 million per year ($31 million total) will be reimbursed by the other owners. Purchased Capacity Commitments We purchase capacity from other utilities and nonutility suppliers. Purchased capacity gives us the option to purchase energy if needed or when market prices are favorable. This provides a cost-effective alternative to new construction. As of December 31, 1996, contracts to purchase capacity total $267 million through 2016. During 1996, 1995 and 1994, capacity purchases were $26, $17 and $13 million, respectively. For the years 1997 through 2001, these commitments average $22 million per year. For each of the next five years, net capacity purchases represent about 11% of KCPL's 1996 total available capacity. Legal Proceedings See Note 13. 5. SECURITIES AVAILABLE FOR SALE KLT Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of KCPL, held a $5 million investment in convertible preferred stock. In September 1996 the investee company completed a public offering triggering conversion of the preferred stock into common stock. As a result of the conversion, the carrying value of the investment at December 31, 1996, was adjusted to its market value of $15.2 million. The $10.2 million increase in market value over original cost resulted in an unrealized gain at December 31, 1996, of $6.5 million (net of deferred taxes of $3.7 million). 6. SALE OF ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLE As of December 31, 1996 and 1995, an undivided interest in $60 million of designated customer accounts receivable was sold with limited recourse. Related costs of $3.5, $3.8 and $2.8 million for 1996, 1995 and 1994, respectively, were included in Other Income Miscellaneous deductions. 7. SHORT-TERM BORROWINGS Short-term borrowings consist of funds borrowed from banks or through the sale of commercial paper as needed. The weighted-average interest rate on the short-term debt outstanding as of December 31, 1995, was 5.9%. As of December 31, 1996, under minimal fee arrangements, unused bank lines of credit totaled $280 million. 8. COMMON STOCK EQUITY, PREFERRED STOCK AND REDEEMABLE PREFERRED STOCK Common Stock Equity KCPL has shares of common stock registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission for a Dividend Reinvestment and Stock Purchase Plan (the Plan). The Plan allows common shareholders, directors and employees to purchase shares of the common stock by reinvesting dividends or making optional cash payments. We are currently purchasing shares for the Plan on the open market. As of December 31, 1996 and 1995, KCPL held 12,907 and 6,643 shares of its common stock to be used for future distribution, respectively. The cost of these shares is included in Investments and Nonutility Property. The Restated Articles of Consolidation contain a restriction relating to the payment of dividends in the event common equity falls to 25% of total capitalization. If preferred stock dividends are not declared and paid when scheduled, KCPL could not declare or pay common stock dividends or purchase any common shares. If the unpaid preferred stock dividends equal four or more full quarterly dividends, the preferred shareholders, voting as a single class, could elect members to the Board of Directors. Preferred Stock and Redeemable Preferred Stock Scheduled mandatory sinking fund requirements for the redeemable 4% Cumulative Preferred Stock are 1,600 shares per year. Shares issued as of December 31 totaled 12,757 in 1996 and 14,357 in 1995. Shares held by KCPL at December 31 to meet future sinking fund requirements totaled 12,134 in 1996 and 3,192 in 1995. The cost of the shares held at the end of 1996 is reflected as a reduction of the capital account while at the end of 1995 is included in Investments and Nonutility Property. As of December 31, 1996, 0.4 million shares of $100 par Cumulative Preferred Stock, 1.6 million shares of Cumulative No Par Preferred Stock and 11 million shares of no par Preference Stock were authorized. We have the option to redeem the $89 million Cumulative Preferred Stock at prices approximating par or stated value. 9. LONG-TERM DEBT General Mortgage Bonds and Unsecured Notes KCPL is authorized to issue mortgage bonds under the General Mortgage Indenture and Deed of Trust dated December 1, 1986, as supplemented. The Indenture creates a mortgage lien on substantially all utility plant. As of December 31, 1996, $644 million general mortgage bonds were pledged under the Indenture to secure the outstanding medium-term notes and revenue refunding bonds. KCPL is also authorized to issue up to $300 million in unsecured medium-term notes under an indenture dated December 1, 1996. This indenture prohibits KCPL from issuing additional general mortgage bonds while any unsecured notes are outstanding. As of December 31, 1996, no unsecured notes had been issued. Interest Rate Swap and Cap Agreements As of December 31, 1996, we had entered into five interest rate swap agreements and three cap agreements to limit the interest rate on $120 million of long-term debt. The swap agreements mature from 1997 to 1998 and effectively fix the interest rates on $60 million of variable-rate debt to a weighted-average rate of 3.84% as of December 31, 1996. The cap agreements limit the interest rate on $60 million of variable-rate debt to 5.0% expiring through 1998. As of December 31, 1995, we had entered into eight interest rate swap agreements and three cap agreements limiting the interest rate on $150 million of long-term debt. The swap agreements matured from 1996 to 1998 and effectively fixed the interest rates on $90 million of variable-rate debt to a weighted-average rate of 3.7% as of December 31, 1995. The cap agreements limited the interest rate on $60 million of variable-rate debt to 5.0% expiring through 1998. These swap and cap agreements are with several highly rated financial institutions and simply limit our exposure to increases in interest rates. They do not subject KCPL to any material credit or market risks. The fair value of these agreements is immaterial and is not reflected in the financial statements. Although derivatives are an integral part of our interest rate management, their incremental effect on interest expense for 1996 and 1995 was insignificant. Subsidiary Obligations During 1995 KLT entered into a long-term revolving line of credit agreement for $65 million collateralized by the capital stock of KLT's direct subsidiaries. During 1996 KLT amended this agreement, extending the amount of credit available to $150 million. Other significant terms were not changed. The affordable housing notes are collateralized by the affordable housing investments. Scheduled Maturities Long-term debt maturities for the years 1997 through 2001 are $27, $73, $136, $66 and $91 million, respectively. 10. JOINTLY-OWNED ELECTRIC UTILITY PLANTS Joint ownership agreements with other utilities provide undivided interests in utility plants as of December 31, 1996, as follows (in millions of dollars): Wolf Creek LaCygne Iatan Unit Units Unit KCPL's share 47% 50% 70% Utility plant in service $1,344 $ 287 $ 244 Estimated accumulated depreciation (production plant only) $ 357 $ 171 $ 129 Nuclear fuel, net $ 39 $ - $ - KCPL's accredited capacity-megawatts 548 672 469 Each owner must fund its own portion of the plant's operating expenses and capital expenditures. KCPL's share of direct expenses is included in the appropriate operating expense classifications in the income statement. Western Resources, Inc. (Western Resources) also owns a 47% share of the Wolf Creek unit and a 50% share of the LaCygne units (see Note 11). 11. AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF MERGER WITH WESTERN RESOURCES On February 7, 1997, KCPL and Western Resources entered into an Agreement and Plan of Merger (the Merger Agreement) to form a strategic business combination. The effective time of the merger is dependent upon all conditions of the Merger Agreement being met or waived. At the effective time, KCPL will merge with and into Western Resources, with Western Resources being the surviving corporation. Western Resources first delivered an unsolicited exchange offer to KCPL's Board of Directors during the second quarter of 1996. This initial offer, subject to numerous conditions, proposed the exchange of $28 (later increased to $31) worth of Western Resources stock for each share of KCPL stock. After careful consideration, both offers were rejected by KCPL's Board of Directors. In July 1996 Western Resources commenced an exchange offer for KCPL common stock. In late 1996 KCPL began discussing a possible merger with Western Resources leading to the Merger Agreement. Under the terms of the Merger Agreement, KCPL common stock will be exchanged for Western Resources common stock valued at $32.00, subject to a conversion ratio limiting the amount of Western Resources common stock that holders of KCPL common stock would receive per share of KCPL common stock to no more than 1.1 shares (if Western Resources' stock is priced at or below $29.09 per share), and no less than 0.917 shares (if Western Resources' stock is priced at or above $34.90 per share). However, there is a provision in the Merger Agreement that allows KCPL to terminate the merger if Western Resources' stock price drops below $27.64 and either the Standard and Poor's Electric Companies Index increases or the decline in Western Resources stock exceeds by approximately 5% any decline in this index. Western Resources could avoid this termination by improving the conversion ratio. The transaction is subject to several closing conditions including approval by each company's shareholders, approval by a number of regulatory authorities (statutory approvals) and dissenting shares equaling less than 5.5% of KCPL's outstanding shares. If the effective time has not occurred by June 30, 1998 (the termination date), either party may terminate the agreement as long as they did not contribute to the delay. This termination date will be automatically extended to June 30, 1999, if all of the Merger Agreement closing conditions have been met except for certain conditions relating to statutory approvals. The Merger Agreement does not allow KCPL to increase its common stock dividend prior to the effective time or termination. It also requires KCPL to redeem all outstanding shares of preferred stock prior to completion of the merger. If the Merger Agreement is terminated under certain circumstances, a payment of $50 million will be due Western Resources if, within two and one-half years following termination, KCPL agrees to consummate a business combination with a third party that made a proposal to combine prior to termination. Western Resources will pay KCPL $5 to $35 million if the Merger Agreement is terminated and all closing conditions are satisfied other than conditions relating to Western Resources receiving a favorable tax opinion, a favorable letter from its accountants regarding pooling accounting, favorable statutory approvals, or an exemption from the Public Utility Holding Company Act of 1935. In February 1997 KCPL paid UtiliCorp United Inc. (UtiliCorp) $53 million for agreeing to combine with Western Resources within two and one-half years from the termination of KCPL's agreement to merge with UtiliCorp. This agreement was terminated due to failure of KCPL shareholders to approve the transaction with UtiliCorp. 12. QUARTERLY OPERATING RESULTS (UNAUDITED) Quarter 1st 2nd 3rd 4th (millions) 1996 Operating revenues $ 207 $ 226 $ 270 $ 201 Operating income 35 42 68 33 Net income 25 27 36 20 Earnings per common share $ 0.38 $ 0.43 $ 0.57 $0.31 Quarter 1st 2nd 3rd 4th (millions) 1995 Operating revenues $ 199 $ 205 $ 278 $ 204 Operating income 29 31 72 35 Net income 23 19 58 23 Earnings per common share $ 0.35 $ 0.29 $ 0.91 $ 0.37 The quarterly data is subject to seasonal fluctuations with peak periods occurring during the summer months. As a result of terminating the merger agreement with UtiliCorp, $13 million in previously deferred merger costs and a $5 million termination fee were expensed lowering 1996 third quarter earnings. During 1996 about $13 million in costs to defend against Western Resources' unsolicited exchange offer were expensed ($5 million during the second quarter and $8 million during the third quarter). 13. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS Jack R. Manson (Manson), as a representative of KCPL's shareholders, alleged in a District Court proceeding, that KCPL and its directors breached their fiduciary duties in adopting the Amended Merger Agreement with UtiliCorp (Agreement). Manson also alleged their actions 1) were illegal, 2) illegally deprived KCPL shareholders of voting and appraisal rights under Missouri law, and 3) were a disproportionate response to Western Resources' acquisition offer. Also, on June 7, 1996, Western Resources and Robert L. Rives each alleged against KCPL in the same court proceeding, that the Agreement was illegal under Missouri law and the directors had breached their fiduciary duties by adopting the Agreement. By order dated November 25, 1996, the District Court allowed Manson to amend his allegation to allege that the directors breached their fiduciary duties by refusing to negotiate a merger with Western Resources and committed reckless, grossly negligent, or negligent waste of corporate assets by pursuing the merger with UtiliCorp. Manson seeks monetary damages in an unspecified amount for the waste of corporate assets. KCPL filed a motion on December 9, 1996, to dismiss Manson's amendment; it is currently pending before the District Court. The Company cannot predict the outcome of these proceedings at this time. 14. SUBSEQUENT EVENTS In 1997 KLT closed investments totaling nearly $60 million financed through additional borrowings. REPORT OF INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS To the Shareholders and Board of Directors Kansas City Power & Light Company: We have audited the consolidated financial statements of Kansas City Power & Light Company and Subsidiary listed in the index on page 43 of this Form 10-K. These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company's management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements based on our audits. We conducted our audits in accordance with generally accepted auditing standards. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion. In our opinion, the financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the consolidated financial position of Kansas City Power & Light Company and Subsidiary as of December 31, 1996 and 1995, and the consolidated results of their operations and their cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 1996, in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles. /s/Coopers & Lybrand L.L.P. COOPERS & LYBRAND L.L.P. Kansas City, Missouri February 14, 1997 ITEM 9. CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING AND FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE None. PART III ITEM 10. DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS OF THE REGISTRANT Directors See General Note to Part III. Executive Officers See Part I, page 7, entitled "Officers of the Registrant." ITEM 11. EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION See General Note to Part III. ITEM 12. SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT See General Note to Part III. ITEM 13. CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS None. GENERAL NOTE TO PART III Pursuant to General Instruction G to Form 10-K, the other information required by Part III (Items 10, 11, and 12) of Form 10-K not disclosed above will be either (i) incorporated by reference to the Definitive Proxy Statement for KCPL's 1997 Annual Meeting of Shareholders, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission not later than April 30, 1997, or (ii) included in an amendment to this report filed with the Commission on Form 10-K/A. PART IV ITEM 14. EXHIBITS, FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES, AND REPORTS ON FORM 8-K Page No. Financial Statements a. Consolidated Statements of Income and Consolidated 21 Statements of Retailed Earnings for the years ended December 31, 1996, 1995, and 1994 b. Consolidated Balance Sheets - December 31, 1996, and 22 c. Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the years ended 23 December 31, 1996, 1995, and 1994 d. Consolidated Statements of Capitalization - December 31, 1996 and 1995 24 e. Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements 25 f. Report of Independent Accountants 41 Exhibits Exhibit Number Description of Document 2 *Amendment and Plan of Merger (Exhibit (2)-1 to Form 8-K dated February 11, 1997). 3-a *Restated Articles of Consolidation of KCPL dated as of May 5, 1992 (Exhibit 4 to Registration Statement, Registration No. 33-54196). 3-b *By-laws of KCPL, as amended and in effect on August 6, 1996 (Exhibit 3(ii) to Form 10-Q dated September 30, 1996). 4-a *General Mortgage and Deed of Trust dated as of December 1, 1986, between KCPL and UMB Bank, n.a. (formerly United Missouri Bank) of Kansas City, N.A., Trustee (Exhibit 4-bb to Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1986). 4-b *Third Supplemental Indenture dated as of April 1, 1991, to Indenture dated as of December 1, 1986 (Exhibit 4-aq to Registration Statement, Registration No. 33-42187). 4-c *Fourth Supplemental Indenture dated as of February 15, 1992, to Indenture dated as of December 1, 1986 (Exhibit 4-y to Form 10-K for year ended December 31, 1991). 4-d *Fifth Supplemental Indenture dated as of September 15, 1992, to Indenture dated as of December 1, 1986 (Exhibit 4-a to Form 10-Q dated September 30, 1992). 4-e *Sixth Supplemental Indenture dated as of November 1, 1992, to Indenture dated as of December 1, 1986 (Exhibit 4-z to Registration Statement, Registration No. 33-54196). 4-f *Seventh Supplemental Indenture dated as of October 1, 1993, to Indenture dated as of December 1, 1986 (Exhibit 4-a to Form 10-Q dated September 30, 1993). 4-g *Eighth Supplemental Indenture dated as of December 1, 1993, to Indenture dated as of December 1, 1986 (Exhibit 4 to Registration Statement, Registration No. 33-51799). 4-h *Ninth Supplemental Indenture dated as of February 1, 1994, to Indenture dated as of December 1, 1986 (Exhibit 4-h to Form 10-K for year ended December 31, 1993). 4-i *Tenth Supplemental Indenture dated as of November 1, 1994, to Indenture dated as of December 1, 1986 (Exhibit 4I to Form 10-K for year ended December 31, 1994). 4-j *Resolution of Board of Directors Establishing 3.80% Cumulative Preferred Stock (Exhibit 2-R to Registration Statement, Registration No. 2-40239). 4-k *Resolution of Board of Directors Establishing 4% Cumulative Preferred Stock (Exhibit 2-S to Registration Statement, Registration No. 2-40239). 4-l *Resolution of Board of Directors Establishing 4.50% Cumulative Preferred Stock (Exhibit 2-T to Registration Statement, Registration No. 2-40239). 4-m *Resolution of Board of Directors Establishing 4.20% Cumulative Preferred Stock (Exhibit 2-U to Registration Statement, Registration No. 2-40239). 4-n *Resolution of Board of Directors Establishing 4.35% Cumulative Preferred Stock (Exhibit 2-V to Registration Statement, Registration No. 2-40239). 4-o *Certificate of Designation of Board of Directors Establishing the $50,000,000 Cumulative No Par Preferred Stock, Auction Series A (Exhibit 4- a to Form 10-Q dated March 31, 1992). 4-p *Indenture for Medium-Term Note Program dated as of April 1, 1991, between KCPL and The Bank of New York (Exhibit 4-bb to Registration Statement, Registration No. 33-42187). 4-q *Indenture for Medium-Term Note Program dated as of February 15, 1992, between KCPL and The Bank of New York (Exhibit 4-bb to Registration Statement, Registration No. 33-45736). 4-r *Indenture for Medium-Term Note Program dated as of November 15, 1992, between KCPL and The Bank of New York (Exhibit 4-aa to Registration Statement, Registration No. 33-54196). 4-s *Indenture for Medium-Term Note Program dated as of November 17, 1994, between KCPL and Merrill Lynch & Co., Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated and Smith Barney Inc. (Exhibit 4-s to Form 10-K for year ended December 31, 1994). 4-t Indenture for Medium-Term Note Program dated as of December 1, 1996, between KCPL and The Bank of New York. (Exhibit 4 to Registration Statement, Registration No. 333-17285). 10-a *Copy of Wolf Creek Generating Station Ownership Agreement between Kansas City Power & Light Company, Kansas Gas and Electric Company and Kansas Electric Power Cooperative, Inc. (Exhibit 10-d to Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1981). 10-b *Copy of Receivables Purchase Agreement dated as of September 27, 1989, between KCPL, Commercial Industrial Trade-Receivables Investment Company and Citicorp North America, Inc., (Exhibit 10-p to Form 10-K for year ended December 31, 1989). 10-c *Copy of Amendment to Receivables Purchase Agreement dated as of August 8, 1991, between KCPL, Commercial Industrial Trade-Receivables Investment Company and Citicorp North America, Inc. (Exhibit 10-m to Form 10-K for year ended December 31, 1991). 10-d *Long-Term Incentive Plan (Exhibit 28 to Registration Statement, Registration 33-42187). 10-e Long-and Short-Term Incentive Compensation Plan, January 1, 1997. 10-f *Copy of Indemnification Agreement entered into by KCPL with each of its officers and directors. (Exhibit 10-f to Form 10-K for year ended December 31, 1995). 10-g *Copy of Severance Agreement entered into by KCPL with certain of its executive officers. (Exhibit 10 to Form 10-Q dated June 30, 1993). 10-h *Copy of Amendment to Severance Agreement dated January 15, 1996, entered into by KCPL with certain of its executive officers. (Exhibit 10-h to Form 10-K dated December 31, 1995). 10-i Copy of Amendment to Severance Agreement dated January, 1997 entered into by KCPL with certain of its executive officers. 10-j *Copy of Supplemental Executive Retirement and Deferred Compensation Plan (Exhibit 10-h to Form 10-K for year ended December 31, 1993). 10-k *Copy of $50 million Letter of Credit and reimbursement agreement dated as of August 19, 1993, with The Toronto-Dominion Bank (Exhibit 10-i to Form 10-K for year ended December 31, 1993). 10-l *Copy of $56 million Letter of Credit and Reimbursement Agreement dated as of August 19, 1993, with Societe Generale, Chicago Branch (Exhibit 10-j to Form 10-K for year ended December 31, 1993). 10-m *Copy of $50 million Letter of Credit and Reimbursement Agreement dated as of August 19, 1993, with The Toronto-Dominion Bank (Exhibit 10-k to Form 10-K for year ended December 31, 1993). 10-n *Copy of $40 million Letter of Credit and Reimbursement Agreement dated as of August 19, 1993, with Deutsche Bank AG, acting through its New York and Cayman Islands Branches (Exhibit 10-l to Form 10-K for year ended December 31, 1993). 10-o *Copy of Railcar Lease dated as of April 15, 1994, between Shawmut Bank Connecticut, National Association, and KCPL (Exhibit 10 to Form 10-Q for period ended June 30, 1994). 10-p *Copy of Amendment No. 2 to Receivables Purchase Agreement between KCPL and Ciesco L.P. and Citicorp North America, Inc. (Exhibit 10 to Form 10-Q for period ended September 30, 1994). 10-q *Copy of Railcar Lease dated as of January 31, 1995, between First Security Bank of Utah, National Association, and KCPL (Exhibit 10-o to Form 10-K for year ended December 31, 1994). 10-r *Copy of Lease Agreement dated as of October 18, 1995, between First Security Bank of Utah, N.A., and KCPL (Exhibit 10 to Form 10-Q for period ended September 30, 1995). 12 Computation of Ratios of Earnings to Fixed Charges. 23-a Consent of Counsel. 23-b Consent of Independent Accountants--Coopers & Lybrand L.L.P. 24 Powers of Attorney. 27 Financial Data Schedules (filed electronically). * Filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission as exhibits to prior registration statements (except as otherwise noted) and are incorporated herein by reference and made a part hereof. The exhibit number and file number of the documents so filed, and incorporated herein by reference, are stated in parenthesis in the description of such exhibit. Copies of any of the exhibits filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission in connection with this document may be obtained from KCPL upon written request. Reports on Form 8-K No report on Form 8-K was filed in the last quarter of 1996; however, a report on Form 8-K was filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on February 11, 1997, with attached copy of the Agreement and Plan of Merger dated as of February 7, 1997, by and among KCPL and Western Resources, Inc. SIGNATURES Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Kansas City, and State of Missouri on the 17th day of March, 1997. KANSAS CITY POWER & LIGHT COMPANY By /s/Drue Jennings Chairman of the Board, President and Chief Executive Officer Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1934, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated. Signature Title Date Chairman of the Board and ) /s/ Drue Jennings President (Principal ) (Drue Jennings) Executive Officer) ) ) Executive Vice President-Chief ) /s/ Bernard J. Beaudoin Financial Officer (Principal ) (Bernard J. Beaudoin) Financial Officer) ) ) /s/ Neil A. Roadman Controller (Principal ) (Neil A. Roadman) Accounting Officer) ) ) David L. Bodde* Director ) ) William H. Clark* Director ) March 17,1997 ) Robert J. Dineen* Director ) ) Arthur J. Doyle* Director ) ) W. Thomas Grant II* Director ) ) George E. Nettels, Jr.* Director ) ) Linda Hood Talbott* Director ) ) Robert H. West* Director ) ) *By /s/ Drue Jennings (Drue Jennings) Attorney-in-Fact


                                                                                


                                   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, 1996
                                      OR

[ ] TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES
    EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

                        Commission file number 0-16979
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                                  ADT LIMITED
            (Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in its Charter)
           BERMUDA                     Cedar House            Not Applicable
(Jurisdiction of Incorporation       41 Cedar Avenue        (I.R.S. Employer
       or Organization)          Hamilton HM12, Bermuda    Identification No.)
                                  (Address of Principal
                                   Executive Offices)*         Not Applicable
                                                                  (Zip Code)
Registrant's telephone number, including area code 441-295-2244*   *See page 2
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Securities Registered Pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:


  Title of each class               Name of each exchange on which registered
  Common Shares, par value
     $0.10 per share                New York Stock Exchange
  Series A First Preference
     Share purchase rights          New York Stock Exchange

Securities Registered Pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act:  None
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 [ ]

Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent  filers  pursuant to Item 405
of Regulation  S-K 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.[ ]

Based on the closing market price per Common Share of $26 7/8 on March 24, 1997,
the aggregate  market value of the voting  shares held by non  affiliates of the
registrant was $4,125.7 million.

At March 24, 1997, the number of shares  outstanding of the registrant's  Common
Shares par value $0.10 per share was  156,696,447  shares.  A subsidiary  of ADT
Limited  owns  3,182,787   Common  Shares  which  are  included  in  the  number
outstanding.




                                                                        




                                                    



                               Table of Contents


                                      Page
PART I
ITEM 1.   DESCRIPTION OF BUSINESS................................  1
ITEM 2.   DESCRIPTION OF PROPERTIES.............................. 15
ITEM 3.   LEGAL PROCEEDINGS...................................... 16
ITEM 4.   SUBMISSION OF MATTERS TO A VOTE OF
           SECURITY HOLDERS...................................... 18
PART II
ITEM 5.   MARKET FOR REGISTRANT'S COMMON EQUITY
          AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS........................ 19
ITEM 6.   SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA................................ 21
ITEM 7.   MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF
          FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS.......... 23
ITEM 8.   FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA............ 34
ITEM 9.   CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH
          ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING AND FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE..... 34
PART III
ITEM 10.  DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS OF THE REGISTRANT..... 34
ITEM 11.  EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION................................. 37
ITEM 12.  SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND
          AND MANAGEMENT......................................... 45
ITEM 13.  CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS......... 47
PART IV
ITEM 14.  EXHIBITS, FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES
          AND REPORTS ON FORM 8-K................................ 47
          SIGNATURES............................................. 52
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ADT LIMITED ANNUAL REPORT ON FORM 10-K

The  consolidated  financial  statements  of ADT  Limited  (ADT  Limited and its
subsidiaries,  where appropriate,  is sometimes referred to hereinafter as "ADT"
or the  "Company")  appearing in this Annual Report have been prepared in United
States  dollars ("US  dollars" or "$") in  accordance  with  generally  accepted
accounting principles in the United States.

This  Annual  Report  contains  translations  of certain  amounts  from  various
currencies into US dollars.  The translations of such foreign currencies into US
dollars  appearing in this Annual Report have been made in  accordance  with the
principles  set out in  notes 2 and 3 of the  notes  to  consolidated  financial
statements of the Company.

PART I

ITEM 1. DESCRIPTION OF BUSINESS

INTRODUCTION

ADT, through its subsidiaries, is engaged in two service businesses,  electronic
security  services in North  America and Europe and vehicle  auction and related
services in the United States.

History of ADT Limited

ADT Limited was  incorporated  in Bermuda on  September  28, 1984 under the name
Hawley Group Limited.  In December 1984, as part of a corporate  reorganization,
Hawley Group Limited became the parent company of the Hawley group of companies.
Prior  to this  reorganization,  the  parent  company  of the  Hawley  group  of
companies  was  Hawley  Group PLC  ("Hawley  Group"),  a company  into which new
management had been introduced in 1977,  headed by Mr. M.A.  Ashcroft,  Chairman
and Chief Executive Officer of ADT Limited.  At the time of the  reorganization,
the Hawley  group of  companies  had a number of  interests in service and other
industries.  ADT Limited became a publicly  traded company under the name Hawley
Group  Limited on  December  24,  1984 when its common  shares  were  listed for
trading on the London Stock Exchange. Prior to this date, the ordinary shares of
Hawley Group had been listed on the London Stock Exchange.  Hawley Group Limited
changed  its name to ADT Limited in 1988 after its  acquisition  in 1987 of ADT,
Inc.  (now  named  ADT  Security  Services,   Inc.,  hereinafter  "ADT  Security
Services"). ADT Limited's businesses are conducted through its subsidiaries.

ADT Limited operates under the Companies Act, 1981 of Bermuda (as amended).
Development of ADT's Electronic Security Services Business

The electronic security services division in North America principally  consists
of ADT Security Services, ADT Canada, Inc., Alert Centre, Inc. ("Alert") and API
Security,  Inc., a subsidiary of Automated Security (Holdings) PLC ("ASH").  ADT
built the core of its North American  electronic  security  services business by
acquiring  Electro-Protective  Corporation  of America in 1981,  the business of
Crime Control,  Inc., and ADT Security Services in 1987.  Between 1982 and 1985,
ADT also acquired several small security  services  businesses in North America.
The electronic security services division in Europe consists of ASH, principally
doing business as Modern Security  Systems  Limited in the United  Kingdom,  and
Electric  Protection  Services Limited doing business as ADT Security Systems in
the United Kingdom ("Electric Protection") and other subsidiaries doing business
under the ADT name in continental Europe.  Electric Protection and the principal
continental  European  subsidiaries  were acquired as part of the acquisition of
ADT Security Services in 1987.

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In 1990, ADT acquired Britannia Security Group PLC
("Britannia"),  operating  principally  in the United  Kingdom and, in the third
quarter of 1996 merged with and acquired ASH, which provides electronic security
services in the United Kingdom and North America. In the fourth quarter of 1995,
ADT disposed of its electronic article surveillance  business which was based in
Europe and which was  previously  acquired as part of  Britannia.  Alert,  which
provides  electronic security services in the United States, was acquired in the
fourth quarter of 1995.

Development of ADT's Vehicle Auction Business

ADT's auction division was established in 1987 by the acquisition of The British
Car Auction Group PLC ("BCA") which, at that time, had 14 auction centers in the
United Kingdom and 12 auction centers in the United States.  BCA was established
in the United  Kingdom in 1946 and,  during  the  period  from 1946 to 1982,  it
expanded  its vehicle  auction  business  in the United  Kingdom.  In 1982,  BCA
entered  the vehicle  auction  business in the United  States by  acquiring  two
vehicle  auctions.  From 1982 to 1987, BCA acquired and  constructed  additional
auction sites in both the United States and the United Kingdom.  Since 1987, the
auction division has expanded its vehicle auction  operations by the purchase of
eight auction  businesses  and four auction  centers in the United  States,  the
development  and  construction  of seven new  auction  centers  and by  internal
growth.  In the fourth  quarter of 1995,  ADT  disposed of its  vehicle  auction
businesses in the United Kingdom and continental Europe, retaining a 10 per cent
equity  interest.  In the United States,  the auction  division  consists of ADT
Automotive  Holdings,  Inc. and its  subsidiaries  (formerly Anglo American Auto
Auctions).

Registered and Principal Executive Offices

The  registered  and principal  executive  offices of ADT Limited are located at
Cedar House, 41 Cedar Avenue,  Hamilton HM 12, Bermuda. The executive offices of
the subsidiary which  supervises ADT's North American  activities are located in
the United  States at 1750 Clint Moore Road,  PO Box 5035,  Boca Raton,  Florida
33431. The telephone
number there is 561-988-3600.

BUSINESS DESCRIPTION

ADT, through its subsidiaries, is engaged in two service businesses,  electronic
security  services in North  America and Europe and vehicle  auction and related
services in the United States. In this business  description,  the term "ADT" is
used to refer to the relevant  operating  subsidiary  of ADT Limited  engaged in
that part of the business being described where the term appears.

ADT's principal  activities in the electronic security services business are the
electronic  monitoring and maintenance of its installed base of security systems
and the installation of new,  monitored security systems to add to its installed
base.  Monitored  systems  may be sold or, as is most  often  the case,  ADT may
retain ownership of installed systems. ADT receives  contractual  recurring fees
for  monitoring  security  systems  through its electronic  customer  monitoring
centers and for maintenance of security systems  installed at customer  premises
and other related services. ADT sells, installs and maintains monitored security
systems,  integrated  electronic  security systems and other electronic security
products  for  additional  fees.  Annualized  contractually  recurring  fees for
electronic  monitoring and maintenance of security systems installed at customer
premises,  and other  related  services,  as of December 31,  1996,  represented
approximately 65 per cent of ADT's total electronic  security  services revenues
in North America and Europe for 1996. The remainder of ADT's  security  revenues
were derived from the outright sale and  installation of security  systems,  the
installation  of  security   systems  in  accordance  with  monitoring   service
agreements and the maintenance of security systems on a non-contractual basis.

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ADT's  vehicle  auction  business  operates  a network of large  modern  auction
centers in the United  States which provide an organized  wholesale  marketplace
for the sale and purchase of used vehicles.  Principal  sellers,  or consignors,
include new and used vehicle dealers,  vehicle  manufacturers,  fleet operators,
leasing companies,  financial  institutions and government  agencies.  Principal
purchasers  include franchise and nonfranchise  vehicle dealers and distributors
who acquire vehicles to sell in the retail market.  The following table presents
the proportion of revenues derived by ADT from electronic  security services and
vehicle auction services in 1995 and 1996.

Proportion of total Proportion of total Electronic Security Services Business Revenues Revenues 1995 1996 1995 1996 Electronic Security Services North America 71% 75% 54% 62% United Kingdom and Continental Europe 29% 25% 22% 20% Proportion of total Vehicle Auction Services Revenues Vehicle Auction Services United States 62% 100% 15% 18% United Kingdom and Continental Europe 38% * 9% * * ADT's vehicle auction services businesses in the United Kingdom and continental Europe were disposed of in the fourth quarter of 1995. Electronic Security Services
The Industry The security services industry encompasses a wide range of products and services, which can be broadly divided into electronic security products and services and highly labor intensive manned guarding and patrol services. ADT's electronic security services division competes primarily in the comparatively capital intensive electronic monitoring security services sector of the industry. Electronic security products and services consist of the sale, installation, continuous monitoring and maintenance of electronic security systems for commercial and residential use. This business utilizes modern electronic devices installed in customers' businesses and residences to provide detection of events, such as intrusion or fire, surveillance and control of access or articles. Event detection devices may be monitored by monitoring centers, such as ADT's customer monitoring centers, which are linked to the customer through telephone lines. These centers are often located at remote distances from the customer's premises. In some instances, the customer may monitor these devices at its own premises or the devices may be connected to local fire or police departments. The products and services marketed in the electronic security services industry range from residential systems that provide basic entry and fire protection to sophisticated commercial systems incorporating closed circuit television systems and access control. 3 The development of centrally monitored alarm systems began at the turn of the century and, historically, these systems were considered a relatively expensive form of security and were purchased primarily by businesses and affluent individuals. The industry continued to evolve as telephone networks spread and technology advanced. Progress continued steadily until the early 1970's when computer technology and semi-conductor components began to be incorporated into monitoring systems. Since then, the development of telecommunications technology and its application in security systems has accelerated, and technological advances have increased the availability of lower cost, sophisticated electronics. These advances have enabled the industry to access a wider market by providing a broader range of monitored security services at a variety of price levels. Concurrently with these technological advances, demand for security systems has grown with the increase in the general awareness of security issues and rising crime rates. Customers also purchase security systems due to the practice in the insurance industry of reducing premiums for customers who have a security system installed, or requiring the installation of a security system as a condition of coverage. STAT Resources, Inc., an independent market research firm ("STAT Resources"), estimates that total United States commercial electronic security systems and services market revenues and total residential electronic security systems and services market revenues were approximately $8.0 billion and $5.0 billion, respectively in 1996. ADT accounted for approximately 7.7 per cent and 7.5 per cent of these amounts, respectively. Although a certain amount of industry consolidation has taken place, the industry in North America remains highly fragmented and STAT Resources estimates that there were approximately 13,000 companies in the United States electronic security systems and services market in 1996. The electronic security services industry in Europe is also highly fragmented. Business Strategy ADT[Registered] is a leading name in electronic security services, and ADT believes that its name is important in the marketing of its security services and in competing with other electronic security service providers. Before 1987, ADT's electronic security services business served predominantly commercial customers. Since 1987, ADT's goals have been to create a lower cost, more efficient operation, suitable for long-term growth and greater profitability, and to take advantage of the economies of scale resulting from increased utilization of its infrastructure. Since 1987, ADT has (i) reduced the number of central stations and equipped its customer monitoring centers with enhanced computer technology to further automate the monitoring process and thus provide increased monitoring capacity, (ii) modernized and streamlined its computer-based administration and control systems, (iii) enhanced customer service programs through improved training programs for sales, management, installation and service employees and (iv) intensively marketed electronic monitoring services to residential customers to take greater advantage of the increased monitoring capacity created by the monitoring center consolidation and modernization program. Between 1987 and 1993, ADT significantly reduced the number of its central stations from 162 to 30 in North America and Europe while increasing monitoring capacity and maintaining geographical coverage. Since then ADT has continued to pursue its strategy of central station consolidation, although closures have taken place at a slower rate. Further opportunities for central station consolidation now exist following the acquisition of ASH. In the first quarter of 1997, ADT announced that it was investing in planned enhancements to its technological infrastructure to facilitate a further consolidation of its monitoring center network in order to provide for future anticipated growth opportunities while lowering costs and increasing monitoring capacity and operating efficiency. As a result of ADT's program implemented in 1988 to target the residential sector in North America, as well as growth in the level of consumer concern over crime and security generally and the availability of lower priced systems, ADT has significantly expanded its residential customer base in North America. Since 1988, ADT has enjoyed an annual compound growth rate in residential unit sales in excess of 36 per cent. ADT believes that because of the success of its sales and marketing efforts since 1988, it is uniquely positioned to benefit from the range of technological developments that are expanding and diversifying the types of services that ADT is able to offer. 4 During the past several years, ADT's business has been evolving from that of primarily an intrusion alarm company into a data information company. ADT has, in the past few years, been offering energy management products and services to regulate the temperature and lighting in a customer's premises. This service has been achieved through the use of a communication protocol which utilizes the premises' existing alternating-current wiring. Another creative use of new technologies has permitted the launch of CarCop[Registered] which combines three significant infrastructures, cellular communications, the global positioning satellite system and ADT's 24 hour monitoring services, to provide a revolutionary new personal protection and vehicle security service. ADT believes that its broad customer base, its unique national distribution system and its highly skilled workforce provide it with a strong capacity to exploit new technologies and, given the rapid pace of technological change, ADT anticipates that it will explore partnering opportunities with premier companies in a variety of industries. ADT's overall goal is to expand its customer base in both the commercial and residential sectors. The commercial sectors in North America, the United Kingdom and continental Europe represent well established markets with growth prospects closely related to the overall economic growth in these markets. ADT's strategy is to retain a high percentage of its existing commercial and residential customers by continuing to provide high quality service. As part of its strategy to maintain and enhance its commercial market position in North America, ADT has a national accounts sales team in place in the United States to serve customers that have multiple locations. ADT believes that the North American residential marketplace continues to represent a relatively unpenetrated market and ADT's strategy is to continue to market and install large numbers of new residential security systems, primarily in this market. ADT is continuing to implement this strategy through intensive advertising and marketing in metropolitan areas. ADT believes that incremental monitoring revenues from new customers should enhance operating margins because additional customers can be served through ADT's existing monitoring facilities with very little impact on ADT's total operating costs associated with monitoring security systems. ADT, however, incurs marketing costs associated with the sale of new systems and incremental installation costs in respect of each new system sold which are partly offset by a fee charged to the customer on installation of the system. In the first quarter of 1997, ADT announced that it was investing in planned enhancements to its technological infrastructure to facilitate monitoring center consolidation and provide increased capacity for future anticipated growth opportunities. Consistent with its strategy, ADT acquired Alert in the fourth quarter of 1995 and merged with ASH in the third quarter of 1996 adding, in aggregate, over 375,000 customers to ADT's customer base. The acquisition of Alert also provided ADT with an established dealer program under which security systems are installed by third parties with the monitoring contracts being onsold to ADT for monitoring. Such a program represents a cost effective way for ADT to further enhance its operating leverage. The acquisition of ASH gave ADT leadership in the electronic security services sector in the United Kingdom and will provide ADT with a new marketing opportunity in the UK residential market place. The following table presents the approximate number of commercial and residential customers in North America and Europe contracting with ADT for the monitoring or maintenance of electronic security systems, together with the aggregate annualized service revenue under contract, as of December 31, 1996, and the annual combined discontinuance rate for commercial and residential contracts in respect of 1996. Number of Commercial Number of Residential Annualized Service Annual Combined Customers Customers Revenue Discontinuance Rate 672,000 1,149,000 $920m 10.4%
Annualized service revenue and annual combined discontinuance rate are defined under "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations Results of Operations-Electronic Security Services". 5 Commercial ADT provides electronic security services and products to financial institutions, industrial and commercial businesses and complexes, warehouses, facilities of federal, state and local government departments, defense installations, and health care and educational facilities. ADT conducts its commercial operations in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Spain, France, Belgium, Greece, The Netherlands and the Republic of Ireland. ADT sells, installs, monitors and maintains electronic security systems and products located at its customers' premises. These systems and products are tailored to customers' specific needs and include electronic monitoring services that provide intrusion and fire detection, as well as card or keypad activated access control systems and closed circuit television systems. ADT also markets standard security packages for specific types of commercial customers, such as retailers and banks. Certain commercial customers require more complex electronic security systems. To meet this demand, ADT also sells integrated electronic security systems that combine a variety of electronic security services and products. These systems are integrated by ADT to provide a single computer controlled security system. Integrated security systems are typically owned by the customer and can range in price from a few thousand to several million dollars. Integrated security systems may be monitored by the customer at its premises or connected to an ADT monitoring center. In either case, ADT usually provides support and maintenance for these systems through service contracts. The systems installed at commercial customers' premises may be owned by ADT or, as in the case of most integrated systems, by the customer. When the system is sold, the customer pays ADT the purchase price upon installation and the customer also pays an installation fee. When monitoring equipment is owned by ADT, as is most often the case, only an installation fee is charged. Most customers also agree to pay an annual service charge for monitoring and maintenance. Some customers elect to pay for maintenance on a per visit basis. Service contracts for integrated security systems are negotiated on an individual basis. For integrated systems, a separate fee is charged for systems integration and installation. Service contracts are negotiated on an individual basis depending upon the number of systems monitored, the type of alarm transmission and the level of response services required. STAT Resources estimates that total United States commercial electronic security systems and services market revenues were approximately $8.0 billion in 1996. ADT accounted for approximately 7.7 per cent of this amount. Commercial customers are motivated to purchase security systems to protect their property, employees and customers and by their insurance carriers which may offer lower premium rates if a security system is installed or require that a system be installed as a condition to coverage. Of those insurance carriers in North America which offer lower premiums or will provide coverage only to customers with centrally monitored alarm systems, most require the monitoring center to be approved by Underwriters Laboratories, Inc. ("UL"). UL requires each monitoring center to meet specified design, technical and operational standards, including back up power capability. UL confirms compliance with its specifications through periodic on-site inspections. All of ADT's customer monitoring centers in the United States are UL approved. As of December 31, 1996, approximately 478,000 commercial customers, some of which have multiple locations, were under contract in North America, approximately 153,000 were under contract in the United Kingdom and approximately 41,000 were under contract in continental Europe. The electronic security services business in Europe services primarily commercial customers. In 1996, approximately 68 per cent of ADT's total electronic security services revenues in North America and Europe were derived from commercial customers. The electronic security services division is not dependent upon any single customer, as the revenue from any one customer does not exceed one per cent of the division's total net revenues. Contracts with commercial customers for monitoring and maintenance services are usually for an initial five-year term, automatically renewing on a year-to-year basis thereafter, unless canceled. A substantial number of contracts are now beyond their initial term and are therefore on an automatic renewal basis. It has been ADT's experience that monitoring contracts for security systems are generally renewed upon their expiration. Contract discontinuances, however, do occur, principally as a result of customer relocation or closure. ADT markets its electronic security services to commercial customers through a direct sales force in North America and Europe and through direct mail and print advertising. Customers which have multiple locations in North America are serviced by a separate national accounts sales force. 6 Residential Residential electronic security services are primarily marketed to customers in North America and consist of the sale, installation, monitoring and maintenance of electronically monitored security systems to detect intrusion and fire. Residential customer service and monitoring are performed from the same facilities as those used for commercial accounts. STAT Resources estimates that total United States residential electronic security systems and services market revenues were approximately $5.0 billion in 1996. ADT accounted for approximately 7.5 per cent of this amount. As part of its business strategy, ADT began to intensively market monitored security systems to residential customers in North America in 1988 and ADT believes that it has been able to sell a large number of residential security systems due to the growing level of consumer concern over crime and security generally and the availability of lower priced systems. In addition, residential customers are usually able to obtain more favorable insurance rates if an electronically monitored security system is installed in their home. ADT targets two groups of residential customers, those who typically require relatively inexpensive, standard electronically monitored security systems and a smaller group of residential customers who require more sophisticated systems. In 1996, ADT contracted to install and monitor approximately 280,000 new residential security systems, principally in North America, and as of December 31, 1996, ADT had approximately 1,149,000 residential customers under contract for monitoring services, of which approximately 90 per cent were located in North America. In 1996, approximately 32 per cent of ADT's total electronic security services revenues in North America and Europe were derived from residential customers. On average, fees charged by ADT for residential monitoring services are lower than the fees charged for commercial monitoring services. Contracts for residential services entered into after 1990 have usually been for an initial three-year term, automatically renewing on a year-to-year basis thereafter, unless canceled. For contracts entered into after April 1992, automatic renewal has been for two-year terms, unless canceled. A substantial number of contracts are now beyond their initial term and are therefore on an automatic renewal basis. It has been ADT's experience that residential contracts are generally renewed upon their expiration. Contract discontinuances, however, do occur, principally as a result of customers relocating. In North America, ADT usually retains ownership of standard residential systems whereas the more sophisticated systems are usually purchased by the customer. When the system is sold, the customer pays ADT the purchase price upon installation and the customer also pays an installation fee. When the system is owned by ADT, as is most often the case, only an installation fee is charged. Substantially all residential customers agree to pay an annual service charge for monitoring and may also subscribe for maintenance services. Uniform package prices are offered to residential customers who purchase ADT's standard residential security system which includes a fixed number of detection devices. Frequently, customers add detection devices to expand the coverage of the system for which ADT charges an additional installation fee and an additional sales charge if the system is purchased. Pricing for residential customers who require more sophisticated systems depends upon the monitoring components installed, the type of alarm transmission and other services required. ADT markets its electronic security services to residential customers through television and radio advertising, print advertising, telemarketing, direct mail and through a direct residential sales force as well as through approximately 120 independent ADT authorized dealers and through third party affinity marketing arrangements. Installation, Service and Maintenance As part of its effort to provide high quality service to its commercial and residential customers, ADT maintains a trained installation, service and maintenance force of in North America and Europe. These employees are trained by ADT to install and service the various types of commercial and residential security systems which are marketed by ADT. ADT also uses sub-contracted personnel where appropriate. 7 Product Sourcing ADT does not manufacture any of the components used in its electronic security services business, although it does provide its own specifications to manufacturers for certain security system components and undertakes some final assembly work in respect of more sophisticated systems. Due to the general availability of the components used in its electronic security services business, ADT believes that it is not consistent with its role as a services company to be involved in manufacturing. This policy allows ADT to obtain the components of its systems from a number of different sources and, by so doing, to supply its customers with the latest technology generally available in the industry. ADT is not dependent on any single source for its supplies and components and has not experienced any material shortages of components. Monitored Electronic Security Systems ADT's electronically monitored security systems involve the use on a customer's premises of devices designed to detect or react to various occurrences or conditions, such as intrusions, movement, fire, smoke, flooding, environmental conditions (including temperature or humidity variations), industrial operations (such as water, gas or steam pressure and process flow controls) and other hazards. In most systems, these detection devices are connected to a microprocessor based control panel which communicates through telephone lines to an ADT monitoring center where alarm and supervisory signals are received and recorded. Systems may also incorporate an emergency "panic button", which when pushed causes the control panel to transmit an alarm signal that takes priority over other alarm signals. In most systems, control panels can identify the nature of the alarm and the areas within a building where the sensor was activated and transmit the information to an ADT customer monitoring center. Depending upon the type of service for which the subscriber has contracted, monitoring center personnel respond to alarms by relaying appropriate information to the local fire or police departments, notifying the customer or taking other appropriate action, such as dispatching employees to the customer's premises. In most systems, the control panel communicates with an ADT customer monitoring center through one of four telephone line transmission systems, direct wire, multiplex, digital communicator or derived channel. Direct wire and multiplex systems are used mainly for commercial customers who require a higher level of security, whereas digital communicator or derived channel systems are used primarily in systems where cost is more important. Direct wire transmission uses a dedicated leased telephone line and is the most expensive form of monitoring connection. The multiplex system uses a remote device to receive signals from multiple customers' premises and concentrate and retransmit them over a dedicated leased telephone line to an ADT customer monitoring center. These two transmission methods allow ADT to continuously monitor the customer's security system to confirm that the connection to the monitoring center is functioning properly. The multiplex system provides the same level of security as direct wire but is less costly due to the reduced number of dedicated telephone lines which are necessary to monitor the same number of customers. ADT has a continuing selective conversion program to replace direct wire transmission systems with lower cost multiplex or digital systems. These conversions typically replace older equipment and result in a reduction in telephone line costs and in the frequency of customer service calls. A security system which utilizes a digital communicator responds to an event by dialing the monitoring center through the customer's regular telephone line. Unlike multiplex and direct wire systems, these systems are not continuously monitored, and if a control panel or the telephone line is not functioning properly the monitoring center may not be alerted. The derived channel system, which is not available in all markets, ties into the existing regular telephone line network but allows parallel simultaneous communication on one line using separate distinct frequencies. Using the derived channel system, it is possible to continuously monitor a digital communicator connection over the customer's regular telephone line. In certain markets ADT also offers systems with backup transmission capability through radio frequency transmission or the local cellular telephone network. 8 Other Security Businesses ADT entered the mobile security services market in 1996 with the launch of CarCop[Registered], a vehicle security system introduced in the fourth quarter of 1996 in conjunction with Mobile Security Communications, Inc. which is responsible for the sale and installation of the CarCop product. CarCop combines ADT's 24 hour monitoring services with cellular communications technology and the Global Positioning Satellite system to provide constant security coverage for a vehicle and its occupants whether the vehicle is parked, unattended or in use. The system can detect a range of emergency situations and, through utilizing ADT's 24 hour monitoring services and employing satellite tracking technology, the appropriate assistance can be despatched to the vehicle's exact location at any time, day or night. Competition The electronic security services business in North America is highly competitive. New competitors, who have not necessarily had any previous involvement in the provision of electronic security services, are continually entering the field. Competition is based primarily on price in relation to quality of service. ADT believes that the quality of its services is higher than that of many of its competitors. Accordingly, ADT's prices may therefore be higher than those charged by many of its competitors. Sources of competition in the security services business are other providers of central monitoring services, systems directly connected to police and fire departments, local alarm systems and other methods of protection, such as manned guarding. ADT believes the number of local police and fire departments that perform monitoring has been declining for some years. The central monitoring sector of the electronic security services business is characterized by high fixed costs but has low marginal costs associated with monitoring additional customers. Opportunities exist within the industry to achieve economies of scale by consolidation of monitoring and administrative functions and a certain amount of industry consolidation is currently taking place. The industry in both North America and Europe, however, remains highly fragmented. ADT believes that it services more customers through its customer monitoring centers in North America than any other company. Individual competitors, however, may service more customers in a given local market. ADT competes with other major firms in North America, which have substantial financial resources, including Ameritech Corporation (operating under the SecurityLink from Ameritech[Registered] brand name); Borg-Warner Security Corporation (operating under the Wells Fargo[Registered] and Pony Express[Registered] brand names); the Honeywell Protection Services division of Honeywell, Inc.; the Brink's Home Security division of The Pittston Company; and approximately 13,000 smaller regional and local companies. ADT also competes with several national companies and several thousand regional and local companies in the United Kingdom and continental Europe. In February 1996, a federal telecommunications reform bill was enacted which contained provisions specific to the electronic security services industry. Ameritech Corporation was prohibited from acquiring additional equity or financial interests in alarm monitoring companies for five years from the date of enactment of the law and the other regional Bell operating companies are barred from acquiring more than a 10 per cent equity interest in alarm monitoring companies or otherwise entering the business for five years from the same date. 9 Regulation ADT's operations are subject to a variety of federal, state, county and municipal laws, regulations and licensing requirements in the United States and national and local government laws, regulations and licensing requirements in countries outside the United States. Many of the states and countries in which ADT operates, as well as certain local authorities, require ADT to obtain licenses or permits to conduct its security services business. Certain governmental entities also require persons engaged in the alarm business to be licensed and to meet certain standards in the selection and training of employees and in the conduct of business. ADT believes that it is in substantial compliance with all such licensing and regulatory requirements in each jurisdiction in which it operates. In addition, there has been a trend recently on the part of municipalities and other localities to attempt to reduce the level of false alarms through various measures such as the licensing of individual alarm systems and the imposition of fines upon customers, revocation of licenses or non-response to alarms after a certain number of false alarms. While such statutes and ordinances have not had a material adverse affect on ADT's business operations to date, ADT is unable to predict whether such statutes or ordinances, or any similar statutes or ordinances enacted by other jurisdictions, will adversely affect ADT's business and operations in the future. The alarm industry is also subject to the oversight and requirements of various insurance, approval, listing and standards organizations. Adherence to the standards and requirements of such organizations may be mandatory or voluntary depending upon the type of customer served, the nature of security service provided and the requirements of the local governmental jurisdiction. ADT has not had any material difficulties in complying with such standards and requirements in the past. ADT's electronic security business relies upon the use of telephone lines to transmit signals, and the cost of such lines and the type of equipment which may be utilized are currently regulated by both the federal and state governments in the United States and national and local governments in other countries. Risk Management The nature of the services provided by ADT potentially exposes it to greater risks of liability for employee acts or omissions or product liability than may be inherent in many other service businesses. To attempt to reduce this risk, ADT's electronic security service contracts contain provisions limiting its liability and requiring indemnification by its customers. ADT also carries insurance of various types, including general liability and errors and omissions insurance, to protect it from product defects and negligent acts of its employees. ADT obtains such insurance at rates and upon terms negotiated periodically with various underwriters. The loss experience of ADT and, to some extent, other security services companies, may affect premium rates charged to ADT. As of December 31, 1996 such policies provided that ADT retain liability for the first $1.0 million per occurrence. Certain of ADT's insurance policies and the laws of some states may limit or prohibit insurance coverage for punitive or certain other kinds of damages arising from employee misconduct. In addition, in some states ADT's limitation of liability clause may be ineffective in cases of gross negligence and in certain other situations. Patents and Trademarks ADT Security Services holds approximately 40 active patents worldwide and has several pending patent applications. No patents are due to expire in the near future that would materially affect the operations of ADT's electronic security services business. The ADT[Registered] trademark and service mark are important to ADT's electronic security business. ADT Security Services uses several other trademarks and service marks in marketing its products and services,including Focus[Registered], Centrascan[Registered], Safewatch[Registered] and Customer Link[Registered] . ADT believes that the rights in these trademarks and service marks, including Focus, Centrascan, Safewatch and the ADT trademark are adequately protected. Employees As of December 31, 1996, the electronic security services division had approximately 16,000 employees, of whom approximately 12,000 were based in North America and approximately 4,000 were based in Europe. The majority of these employees are not represented by unions or covered by collective bargaining agreements. ADT believes its relations with employees and their unions are generally good. 10 Vehicle Auction Services The Industry Vehicle auctions constitute a principal channel of distribution and redistribution for used vehicles. An auction brings together, in one location, dealers seeking to restock and diversify their inventory of used cars with a high volume of various makes and models provided by sellers seeking to dispose of their vehicles. The vehicle auction industry provides a reliable marketplace where many dealers participate in the auction's bid process and thus establish true wholesale prices for used vehicles. Vehicle auctions are preferred by many dealers, financial institutions and other sellers because an auction provides an efficient, cost-effective and convenient method of vehicle resale at the prevailing market price. The principal sources of vehicles for sale through auctions are consignments by new and used vehicle dealers, vehicle manufacturers, corporate owners of vehicles such as fleet operators, daily rental companies, leasing companies, banks and other financial institutions, manufacturers' credit subsidiaries and government agencies. The vehicles consigned by dealers include vehicles of all types and ages and include vehicles that have been traded in against new car sales. Vehicles consigned by corporate and financial owners include both repossessed and off-lease vehicles and, as a result, are normally in the range of one to four years old. The principal purchasers of vehicles at ADT's auctions are new and used vehicle dealers and distributors. ADT believes that the consignment of vehicles from dealers is the foundation of the auction industry. Dealers rely on the sale of used vehicles for a significant proportion of their profits and are both buyers and sellers at auction. A significant number of vehicles sold at auction in recent years has been attributable to vehicles being disposed of by domestic and import manufacturers who contract with certain auctions to sell used vehicles on their behalf. In the late 1980's, vehicle manufacturers found it advantageous to produce more vehicles than were necessary to satisfy immediate retail demand. These vehicles were either sold to daily rental car companies with a guarantee by such manufacturers to repurchase the vehicles or were leased to the daily rental car companies ("Program Cars"). Upon repurchase, the vehicle manufacturers chose to remarket these late-model cars to their dealers primarily through the vehicle auction network. Program Car auctions are restricted to each manufacturer's franchised dealers with the exception of auctions for some small volume import manufacturers. According to industry sources, the number of vehicles coming to auction from this source reached a peak of 1.6 million units in 1991. As the industry came out of recession in 1992, volumes reduced and have stabilized at around 1.1 million vehicles per year. When the number of cars available to daily rental companies through manufacturers' guaranteed repurchase programs was at its peak, many of the top rental companies obtained large numbers of their vehicles through such programs. As manufacturers have reduced their buy back programs , the daily rental companies have been obliged to purchase more vehicles in their own names and, consequently, their need to remarket vehicles at the end of their life cycle has increased. Vehicles owned by corporations and financial institutions represent another major source of vehicles for sale at auction and include vehicles owned by daily rental companies, vehicles from company fleets, end of term or early termination vehicles from leasing companies, including manufacturers' finance subsidiaries, vehicles from finance companies, including repossessed vehicles, and vehicles from the public sector. The dynamics of this segment are changing, particularly as the trend towards leasing new vehicles by individuals under manufacturers' lease programs increases. ADT Auctions As of December 31, 1996, ADT operated 27 vehicle auction centers in the United States where it is the second largest provider of vehicle auction services. In 1996 the aggregate value of vehicles sold through ADT auction centers was approximately $8.7 billion. Substantially all of the vehicles sold at ADT auction centers are passenger cars and light trucks with the balance consisting of heavy trucks and industrial vehicles. 11 The following table presents the approximate number of vehicles entered and sold through all of ADT's vehicle auction centers in the United States during 1994, 1995 and 1996. 1994 1995 1996 Vehicles Entered 1,660,000 1,798,000 1,881,000 Vehicles Sold 967,000 994,000 1,064,000 Business Strategy ADT has been a leader in developing the wholesale vehicle auction business in the United States. ADT aims to provide a wholesale redistribution system for used vehicles which is efficient, economical and reliable. ADT's specific strategies are (i) to maintain and further strengthen its current relationships with vehicle manufacturers, fleet/lease operators, daily rental companies and other significant vehicle suppliers and dealers that both supply vehicles for auction and purchase vehicles at auction and (ii) to increase ADT's share of total used vehicle transactions. ADT is pursuing these strategies in part by encouraging more vehicle dealers to attend its auctions. Where possible, ADT categorizes its auction sales in order to facilitate the matching of appropriate buyers with vehicles being offered for sale. Auctions may be categorized by the type of vehicle being sold or by age of vehicle, mileage or source, for example ex- rental vehicles. ADT maintains a record of dealers that are authorized to bid at its auctions and employs direct marketing techniques to target dealers who are known buyers for the category of vehicle being auctioned and who are registered with ADT as approved buyers. ADT also holds closed sales for manufacturers' vehicles, including Program Cars and fleet vehicles, restricted to dealers holding a franchise from that particular manufacturer. ADT keeps its site location strategy and real estate requirements under continuous review together with the potential benefits of expanding its network through the acquisition of vehicle auction businesses and the development of new auction centers. ADT however believes that the geographic coverage of its auction network in the United States is substantially complete. Auction Operations ADT operates a network of large modern auction centers and provides a comprehensive range of vehicle redistribution services. These services include collection and transportation of a seller's vehicles to an auction center, reconditioning the vehicles to retail standards, matching the vehicles with the auction market most likely to generate the highest amount of sale proceeds and delivering the vehicles to the buyer. Separate fees are charged for each of these services. ADT acts solely as an agent in auction transactions and does not purchase vehicles for its own account. ADT repurchases a small number of vehicles under its buyer protection programs which require it to repurchase vehicles that have suffered odometer tampering or that have an undisclosed salvage history. See "Vehicle Auction Services-Services and Fees- Insurance." ADT operates almost exclusively in the wholesale marketplace. In general, the public is not permitted to attend auctions. When a vehicle arrives at an ADT auction center, it is checked in and assigned a computer tracking number. A seller may instruct ADT to perform various services including vehicle appraisal, appearance reconditioning and paint or body work to prepare the vehicle for auction. The title is checked against a computer database held by ADT. If a salvage history appears, the seller must either disclose the damage or withdraw the vehicle from the auction. ADT completes all requested services and holds the vehicles in secure parking areas until the scheduled auction day. The auction centers use computerized control systems to track vehicles through each step of the auction process. ADT is responsible for the vehicles while they are under its control. 12 Generally, ADT's auction centers hold regularly scheduled auctions for vehicles from specific market sources. Additional auctions are scheduled as necessary, including auctions for specific types or categories of vehicles, such as heavy trucks, municipal and agricultural equipment and classic cars. A typical auction center consists of an auction hall, large paved areas for the storage of vehicles, facilities for reconditioning and separate areas for parking vehicles immediately prior to auction, some of which are covered. Auction halls typically have a number of lanes through which vehicles are normally driven, and where the auction bidding process takes place. This is a continuous process that enables a large number of vehicles to be auctioned quickly and efficiently. The auction hall building also contains the cashiers and other administrative personnel, as well as cafeteria and other customer facilities. When a vehicle is sold, the paperwork associated with a sale, including conveyance instruments, title or title applications and tag applications, is generally processed within one hour of the sale and immediate delivery arrangements are made. A particular vehicle may pass through the auction system more than once prior to being sold to a new owner. ADT is responsible for payment to sellers upon presentation of title after a vehicle is sold. If purchases are made other than on a cash basis, ADT determines in advance the credit-worthiness of the buyer. It is customary for buyers at ADT's auctions to pay by banker's draft. The auction collects funds on drafts within an average of ten working days. ADT's bad debt experience on these transactions is negligible. Sources of Vehicles The principal sources of vehicles for sale at ADT's auctions are consignments by new and used vehicle dealers, vehicle manufacturers, corporate owners such as fleet operators, daily rental companies, leasing companies, banks and other financial institutions, manufacturers' credit subsidiaries and government agencies. The supply of consignment vehicles from dealers is relatively constant throughout the year. The number of Program Cars and vehicles consigned to auction by corporate fleet owners may fluctuate considerably throughout the year. As a consequence, auction revenues may fluctuate from quarter to quarter and at certain times during the year ADT may be storing large numbers of vehicles awaiting auction. ADT contracts with vehicle manufacturers for the auction of Program Cars. These contracts, which do not require the manufacturers to sell any minimum number of vehicles through ADT's auctions, generally have a term of one year and may be terminated upon 30 days' notice. In 1996, approximately 27 per cent of the vehicles sold at ADT auctions were Program Cars, compared to approximately 31 per cent in 1995. ADT also auctions vehicles from the manufacturers' own fleets and from manufacturers' affiliates such as their credit subsidiaries. During 1996, General Motors Corporation and its credit subsidiaries accounted for approximately 8 per cent of the vehicle auction division's United States revenues. ADT believes that its relationship with General Motors Corporation and the other vehicle manufacturers with which it does business is good. The loss of General Motors Corporation's business would, however, have a material adverse effect on the auction division's operations. Services and Fees Auction Services: ADT receives a variety of fees for its auction services. Entry fees are set charges assessed on the majority of vehicles registered for auction, except Program Cars, and are payable irrespective of whether the vehicle is sold. If the vehicle is sold, ADT also receives an auction fee from the seller and a fee from the buyer of the vehicle. At most sales, the buyer's auction fee is based upon the sale price of the vehicle, except for Program Cars where a fixed fee is charged. At most sales, other than fleet/lease consignment sales and Program Car sales, the seller's auction fee is based on the sale price of the vehicle. For fleet/lease consignment sales, the seller's auction fees are based on a fixed fee for national fleet/lease consignors and on the sale price of the vehicle for local fleet/lease consignors. For sales of Program Cars, auction fees are fixed periodically by agreement with the vehicle manufacturers on a per vehicle sold basis. 13 Reconditioning Services: Customers may request ADT to prepare, for a fee, a detailed condition report on vehicles entered for auction. For a separate fee, ADT also performs on-site reconditioning services. The largest portion of reconditioning revenue relates to appearance reconditioning and paint and body work but more extensive body work services including body panel painting and repair of minor collision damage are also carried out. Appearance reconditioning services include engine steam-cleaning, washing, detailing, buffing and waxing, and upholstery cleaning. Other services at certain centers include replacement of parts, upholstery, tires and glass. Most manufacturers' vehicles and some fleet/lease vehicles receive appearance reconditioning and, if necessary, paint and body work. The reconditioning of manufacturers' Program Cars generates a significant portion of ADT's reconditioning revenues. Program Cars are delivered to the auction centers directly from rental car lots or marshaling yards, financial institutions deliver vehicles directly off-lease or after repossession and fleet operators deliver vehicles immediately from use. These vehicles generally require reconditioning to bring them up to sale standards. In many instances, these sellers do not have the facilities necessary to recondition the vehicles expediently or economically. ADT does not usually recondition vehicles consigned by dealers, who generally bring fully serviced cars to auction directly from their lots. Dealers who purchase reconditioned vehicles are able to place them in their showrooms or lots immediately, thereby minimizing the time between purchase and retail sale. ADT also provides high quality vehicle paint and body repair services under the Quality Image Services name for vehicles other than those going through the auction process, principally for fleet owners and insurance companies. The service, which is aimed at new customers in addition to traditional auction customers, utilizes ADT's existing reconditioning facilities and expertise. Transportation Services: ADT collects and delivers customers' vehicles and believes that its ability to provide transportation services at competitive prices is extremely valuable to its marketing efforts. ADT operates a fleet of vehicle transporters and sub-contracts any additional vehicle transportation requirements that cannot be met by this fleet. Insurance: ADT offers, for a fee, a 15-day power and drive train service contract provided by a third party. ADT also undertakes to repurchase vehicles that have suffered odometer tampering or have an undisclosed prior salvage history. ADT also assists sellers in complying with laws regarding title and odometer readings by providing forms which include the necessary representations as part of the paperwork signed and delivered in connection with the auction sale. ADT's liability for losses arising from title and odometer insurance, power and drive train service contracts and prior salvage history has been negligible. Valuation and Appraisal: ADT provides valuation and appraisal advice to customers in connection with their vehicle disposal programs with a view to assisting its customers to obtain the best possible price for their vehicles. Specialized Services: Specialized auctions carried out by the division include sales of government vehicles, to which the general public is invited, sales of plant and equipment, sales of construction vehicles, sales of heavy trucks, sales of municipal and agricultural equipment and sales of classic cars. ADT provides a vehicle repossession service whereby vehicles are recovered from a defaulting party and delivered directly to an auction center for liquidation. ADT's market expertise allows it to offer a comprehensive vehicle remarketing service to fleet operators, ranging from collection of vehicles leaving the fleet to advice on vehicle replacement cycles. Competition ADT considers its competition to be two other significant auction chains and a large number of independently owned local auctions which are members of the National Auto Auction Association. The competing auction chains are Manheim Auctions, a subsidiary of Cox Broadcasting Company, and ADESA Corporation, a subsidiary of Minnesota Power & Light Company. Competition is based primarily on price in relation to the quality and range of services offered to sellers and buyers of vehicles and ease of accessibility of auction locations. ADT believes it provides a higher quality of service than its competitors and its prices may therefore be higher. 14 Regulation Each auction center is licensed by the state in which it is located, in most cases as a vehicle auction or dealer. These licensing authorities may revoke a license if an auction is not conducted according to regulations then in effect. In addition, ADT's vehicle transportation fleet is regulated by the Interstate Commerce Commission. ADT believes that it is in substantial compliance with the regulations to which it is subject and has not had any material difficulties with these regulatory authorities. Employees As of December 31, 1996, the vehicle auction division in the United States employed approximately 3,900 persons on a full-time basis and approximately 2,400 persons on a part-time basis. The part-time employees are utilized primarily on auction sale days. The majority of these employees are not represented by unions or covered by collective bargaining agreements. ADT believes its relations with employees and their unions are generally good. ITEM 2. DESCRIPTION OF PROPERTIES In North America, as of December 31, 1996, ADT, through its subsidiaries, owned 2 customer monitoring centers, leased 19 customer monitoring centers, owned 22 offices and other properties and leased 315 offices and other properties which were used in connection with the electronic security services business. In the United States, as of December 31, 1996, ADT, through its subsidiaries, owned 21 auction centers, leased 6 auction centers and owned or leased 6 offices and other properties, which were used in connection with the vehicle auction business. In Europe, as of December 31, 1996, ADT, through its subsidiaries, owned 5 customer monitoring centers, leased 8 customer monitoring centers, owned 11 offices and other properties and leased 107 offices and other properties which were used in connection with the electronic security services business. In addition, as of December 31, 1996, ADT, through its subsidiaries, owned approximately 1,294 acres of land and leased approximately 284 acres of land in the United States used in connection with the vehicle auction business. 15 ITEM 3. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS On December 27, 1996, Westar Capital, Inc. ("WCI") filed a complaint in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida (the "Court") against the Company, the directors of the Company and Republic Industries, Inc. ("Republic"). The complaint alleges that the Company and its directors breached their fiduciary duties to WCI and the Company's other shareholders (i) by issuing to Republic a share purchase warrant for 15,000,000 Common Shares (the "Republic Warrant") in connection with a proposed amalgamation with Republic in July 1996 (the "Republic Merger"), (ii) by adopting the Rights Plan, and (iii) by holding shares of the Company in one of the Company's subsidiaries with the intention of voting those shares as needed to entrench existing management. The complaint seeks a court order (i) declaring the Republic Warrant null and void or preventing the Company and Republic from exercising their rights under the Republic Warrant, (ii) directing the Company to redeem the Rights Plan, and (iii) preventing the Company from voting the shares held by its subsidiary. On January 3, 1997, WCI filed an amended complaint which, in addition to the allegations made in the prior complaints, alleges that the Company and its directors have attempted to interfere with WCI's voting rights by seeking certain information from WCI pursuant to procedures established in the Company's Bye-Laws. The amended complaint seeks the same relief as the prior complaint and also requests that the Court confirm WCI's voting rights. On January 21, 1997, the Court granted WCI leave to file a second amended complaint. The second amended complaint contains the same allegations as the amended complaint and in addition alleges (i) that the Company and its directors breached their fiduciary duties by setting a July 8, 1997 date for a meeting of the Company's shareholders, and (ii) that the Company and its directors violated Section 14(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, by making a recommendation to the Company's shareholders regarding the tender offer without first making certain filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC"). WCI asks for a court order (i) enjoining the Company from holding the shareholders meeting (the "Special General Meeting") on July 8, 1997, (ii) compelling the Company to hold the special General Meeting on or before March 20, 1997, and (iii) declaring that the Company has violated Section 14(d) and enjoining the Company from making any further recommendations relating to the tender offer until the required SEC filings are made. On January 23, 1997, WCI filed a motion for a preliminary injunction asking the Court to enjoin the Company from holding the Special General Meeting on July 8, 1997, and compelling the Company to hold the Special General Meeting on or before March 20, 1997. On March 4, 1997, WCI filed a supplemental brief in support of its motion for a preliminary injunction representing that WCI is no longer seeking a Special General Meeting on or before March 20, 1997 on the grounds that such a meeting date would now be impractical. In its supplemental brief, WCI requests that the meeting date be set 30 days after its proxy materials for the Special General Meeting are distributed. As of this date, the Court has not rendered any decision with respect to plaintiff's motion for a preliminary injunction. On January 27, 1997, the Company and its directors filed a motion to dismiss the second amended complaint based on, among other things, the Court's lack of personal jurisdiction over the Company and its directors and for failure to state a claim upon which relief can be granted. WCI has filed papers in opposition to the motion. On February 21, 997, the Court entered an order ruling that the second amended complaint did not adequately plead personal jurisdiction over the ADT defendants. On February 27, 1997, WCI filed a third amended complaint. The third amended complaint contains the same allegations as the second amended complaint and contains additional allegations relating to personal jurisdiction. 16 On March 11, 1997, the court granted WCI leave to file a fourth amended complaint. The fourth amended complaint contains the same allegations as those in the third amended complaint as well as additional allegations relating to the Amendment to the Rights Plan implemented by the Company on March 3, 1997. In addition to the relief previously requested, the fourth amended complaint seeks judicial nullification of the Amendment to the Rights Plan and a rescission of actions by ADT if it is shown that a subsidiary of ADT cast decisive votes as a shareholder with respect to those actions. On March 17, 1997, the Company and its directors filed a motion to dismiss the fourth amended complaint based on, among other things, the Court's lack of personal jurisdiction over the Company and its directors and for failure to state a claim upon which relief can be granted. The Company and the Board believe that the allegations in the WCI's fourth amended complaint are without merit and intend to vigorously defend against them. On March 24, 1997, WCI filed a motion for a preliminary injunction (i) preventing Republic from selling or transferring any of the warrant shares it currently owns, and (ii) preventing the Chairman of ADT from exercising the proxy on the warrant shares. The Company and the Board have yet to respond to this motion. On December 26, 1996, Charles Gachot filed a complaint in the Circuit Court for the Fifteenth Judicial Circuit in Palm Beach County, Florida against the Company, certain of its directors, Western and WCI. The complaint was brought on behalf of a class of all shareholders of the Company and alleges that Western and WCI have breached their fiduciary duties to the Company's shareholders by offering an inadequate price for the outstanding Common Shares. The complaint seeks to enjoin Western and WCI from acquiring the outstanding Common Shares. The complaint also alleges that the Company and its directors have refused to negotiate with Western and WCI and that the Republic Warrant and the Rights Plan are improper. The complaint seeks unspecified monetary relief from all defendants. The Company and the Board believe that the allegations in Gachot's complaint against the Company and the directors are without merit and intend to vigorously defend against them. On February 7, 1997, ADT Operations, Inc. ("ADT Operations"), a subsidiary of ADT, filed a complaint in the Supreme Court of the State of New York, County of New York against The Chase Manhattan Bank, N.A. ("Chase"). The complaint states that Chase has been an important lender and financial advisor to ADT Operations since 1993, and that in the course of this business relationship, ADT Operations has disclosed confidential business information to Chase. The complaint asserts that ADT Operations and Chase expressly agreed that Chase would not aid any third party in a hostile takeover bid for ADT. The complaint alleges that Chase is currently aiding Western in its attempt to take control of ADT and that Chase's actions constitute: (i) a breach of an express agreement between Chase and ADT Operations; (ii) a breach of the implied covenant of good faith that is part of the express agreement between Chase and ADT Operations; and (iii) a breach of the fiduciary duties that Chase owes to ADT Operations. The complaint seeks $50 million in monetary damages. The complaint also seeks to enjoin Chase from advising, funding, or participating in Western's attempts to take control of ADT and from disclosing any confidential information regarding ADT Operations and ADT. On March 3, 1997, Chase filed a motion for dismissal of ADT Operations' complaint or, alternatively, summary judgment. This motion is scheduled to be heard on April 11, 1997. On February 7, 1997, ADT Operations filed a motion for a preliminary injunction, seeking to enjoin Chase from: (i) advising, funding, or assisting Western in its efforts to take over ADT or participating in these efforts; and (ii) using or disclosing any confidential information that ADT Operations provided to Chase. The motion was argued before the Court on February 24, 1997 and is currently pending. On March 11, 1997, Crandon Capital Partners ("CCP") filed a complaint in the Circuit Court for the Fifteenth Judicial Circuit in Palm Beach County, Florida against the Company, certain of its current and former directors, and Republic. The complaint was brought by CCP in a derivative capacity on behalf of ADT. The complaint alleges that ADT's directors breached their fiduciary duties and wasted corporate assets in connection with (i) the granting of options to certain officers of ADT in 1996, (ii) the issuance of the Republic Warrant, (iii) the implementation of the Rights Plan, and (iv) harassing and attempting to disenfranchise WCI. The complaint seeks an unspecified amount of damages and a court order directing ADT's directors to establish a system of internal controls to prevent repetition of the alleged breaches of fiduciary duty and corporate waste. The Company and its directors believe that the allegations in the complaint brought by CCP are without merit and intend to vigorously defend against them. 17 ADT Limited and various of its subsidiaries are defendants in a number of other pending legal proceedings incidental to present and former operations, acquisitions and dispositions. ADT does not expect that the outcome of these proceedings, either individually or in the aggregate, will have a material adverse effect upon ADT's consolidated results of operations and cash flows or its consolidated financial position. ITEM 4. SUBMISSION OF MATTERS TO A VOTE OF SECURITY HOLDERS No matters were submitted to a vote of security holders during the last quarter of the period covered by this Annual Report. 18 PART II ITEM 5. MARKET FOR REGISTRANT'S COMMON EQUITY AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS ADT Limited's common shares ("Common Shares") have been listed on the New York Stock Exchange ("NYSE") since August 1991 and on the London Stock Exchange since December 1984. The following table sets forth, for the periods indicated, the high and low sales prices for the Common Shares as reported in the consolidated transaction reporting system on the NYSE. High Low $ $ 1995 First Quarter 12 1/4 9 5/8 Second Quarter 12 1/4 10 1/8 Third Quarter 14 1/8 11 5/8 Fourth Quarter 15 1/4 13 1996 First Quarter 18 14 Second Quarter 19 1/2 16 1/4 Third Quarter 24 3/4 15 7/8 Fourth Quarter 23 1/4 18 1/2 1997 First Quarter to March 24 27 5/8 21 1/4 At March 24, 1997, 156,696,447 Common Shares were held of record by 15,749 record holders. Since a number of the Common Shares were held by brokers or other nominees, the number of record holders may not be representative of the number of beneficial holders. A subsidiary of ADT Limited owns 3,182,787 Common Shares which are included in the number outstanding. Dividends ADT Limited has not declared any dividends on the Common Shares since April 1991. ADT Limited has no present intention to pay any dividends on the Common Shares but will keep its dividend policy under review in the light of prevailing circumstances. Under the terms of the senior notes and revolving bank credit agreement ADT Limited may not declare, pay or make any dividend or distribution with respect to its Common Shares, except in certain defined circumstances (see "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations - Liquidity and Capital Resources"). 19 Exchange Controls and Other Limitations Affecting Security Holders ADT Limited has been designated as a non-resident for exchange control purposes by the Bermuda Monetary Authority, Foreign Exchange Control. There are no limitations on the rights of non-Bermuda owners of the Common Shares arising out of such designation to hold or vote their shares. Because ADT Limited has been designated as a non-resident for Bermuda exchange control purposes, there are no exchange control restrictions on its ability to transfer funds in and out of Bermuda or to pay dividends to United States residents who are holders of the Common Shares, except that ADT Limited may not hold Bermuda dollars except external Bermuda dollars. The transfer of Common Shares already issued between persons regarded as resident outside Bermuda for exchange control purposes and the issue of Common Shares for which consent has already been granted to such persons, may be effected without specific consent under the Exchange Control Act of 1972 and regulations thereunder. All further issues of Common Shares and any transfers of Common Shares involving any person regarded as resident in Bermuda for exchange control purposes require specific prior approval under the Exchange Control Act of 1972. In accordance with Bermuda law, share certificates are only issued in the names of corporations, partnerships or individuals. In the case of an applicant acting in a special capacity (for example, as an executor or trustee), certificates may, at the request of the applicant, record the capacity in which the applicant is acting. Notwithstanding the recording of any such special capacity, ADT Limited is not bound to investigate or incur any responsibility in respect of the proper administration of any such estate or trust. Shares purchased for those under 21 years of age must be registered in the name of the parent or guardian but may be designated with the minor's initials for the purpose of identification. ADT Limited will take no notice of any trust applicable to the shares represented by such certificates. As an "exempted company", ADT Limited is exempt from Bermuda laws which restrict the percentage of share capital that may be held by non-residents of Bermuda, but as an exempted company ADT Limited may not participate in certain business transactions, including (i) the acquisition or holding of land in Bermuda (other than that required for its business and held by way of lease or tenancy for terms of not more than 21 years) without the express authorization of the Bermuda legislature or the Minister of Finance; (ii) the taking of mortgages on land in Bermuda to secure an amount in excess of $50,000; (iii) the acquisition of securities created or issued by, or any interest in, any local company or business, other than certain types of Bermuda Government securities or securities of another "exempted" company, partnership or any other corporation resident in Bermuda but incorporated abroad; or (iv) the carrying on of business of any kind in Bermuda, except as necessary in furtherance of the business of the ADT Limited carried on outside Bermuda or under a license granted by the Minister of Finance of Bermuda. Under current Bermuda law, no Bermuda withholding tax will be imposed upon payment of dividends by ADT Limited to its common shareholders. Furthermore, ADT Limited has received from the Minister of Finance of Bermuda, under the Exempted Undertakings Tax Protection Act of 1966, as amended, an undertaking that, in the event of there being enacted in Bermuda any legislation imposing any tax computed on profits or income, including any dividend or capital gains withholding tax, or computed on any capital assets, gain or appreciation, or any tax in the nature of an estate or inheritance tax or duty, the imposition of such tax shall not be applicable to ADT Limited or any of its operations, nor to the Common Shares, preference shares or other obligations of ADT Limited, until the year 2016. This undertaking does not, however, prevent the application of Bermuda taxes to persons ordinarily resident in Bermuda. Under current Bermuda law, ADT Limited is required to pay the Bermuda Government an annual registration fee, which is calculated by a reference to the authorized capital and share premium of ADT Limited. ADT Limited pays the maximum fee, which is currently $25,000 per annum. 20 ITEM 6. SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA The selected financial data presented below has been derived from the audited consolidated financial statements of the Company. The information presented below should be read in conjunction with, and is qualified by reference to, the consolidated financial statements of the Company and the related notes thereto and the consolidated financial statement schedules and "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations". Consolidated income statement data
Year ended December 31 1996 1995 1994 1993 1992 $m $m $m $m $m Net sales 1,704.0 1,783.8 1,629.4 1,528.5 1,552.2 ======= ======= ======= ======= ======= Operating (loss) income (i) (765.5) 200.8 206.0 186.8 165.3 Interest income 27.5 16.2 15.2 13.3 25.3 Interest expense (101.0) (116.3) (99.3) (76.7) (95.7) Gain (loss) on disposal of businesses (ii) 1.7 (36.6) (0.3) - 60.5 Other income less expenses (iii) 128.8 (5.0) (4.1) 9.8 23.8 ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ (Loss) income before income taxes (708.5) 59.1 117.5 133.2 179.2 Income taxes 21.8 (28.1) (34.9) (22.5) (20.1) ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ (Loss) income from continuing operations (686.7) 31.0 82.6 110.7 159.1 Loss from discontinued operations (iv) - - (3.3) - (2.7) ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ (Loss) income before extraordinary items (686.7) 31.0 79.3 110.7 156.4 Extraordinary items (net of income taxes) (v) (8.4) (9.8) - - 5.6 ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ Net (loss) income (695.1) 21.2 79.3 110.7 162.0 ======= ======= ======= ======= ======= $ $ $ $ $ Primary (loss) earnings per common share (vi): (Loss) income from continuing operations (5.01) 0.22 0.51 0.74 1.19 Loss from discontinued operations - - (0.03) - (0.02) Extraordinary items (0.06) (0.07) - - 0.05 ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ Net (loss) income per common share (5.07) 0.15 0.48 0.74 1.22 ======= ======= ======= ======= ======= Consolidated balance sheet data At December 31 1996 1995 1994 1993 1992 $m $m $m $m $m Total assets (vii) 2,730.4 3,419.7 3,412.3 3,477.4 3,368.9 Long-term debt (including current portion) 1,068.7 1,180.3 1,211.4 953.4 1,067.8 Convertible redeemable preference shares (viii) - 4.9 5.2 427.2 434.6 Non-voting exchangeable shares - - - 15.0 15.1 Exchangeable redeemable preference shares - - - - 21.0 Total shareholders' equity (ix) 759.8 1,425.3 1,376.5 1,264.8 1,054.4 21 (i) Operating loss in 1996 included restructuring and other non-recurring charges of $237.3 million relating principally to the electronic security services divisions in the United States and the United Kingdom, and a charge of $744.7 million relating to the impairment of long-lived assets following the adoption by the Company of Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 121 "Accounting for the Impairment of Long-Lived Assets and for Long-Lived Assets to Be Disposed Of" ("SFAS 121"). Operating income in 1995 included restructuring and other non-recurring charges of $34.2 million relating principally to the United States electronic security services division and to corporate restructuring in Europe. Operating income in 1994 included restructuring and other non-recurring charges of $4.5 million relating to corporate restructuring in Europe. (ii) Loss on disposal of businesses in 1995 included a net loss of $65.8 million relating to the disposal by the Company of an interest in its United Kingdom and Continental European vehicle auction services businesses offset by a net gain of $31.4 million relating to the disposal by the Company of its entire European electronic article surveillance business. Gain on disposal of businesses in 1992 related to the disposal by the ASH group of its entire European loss prevention business. (iii) Other income less expenses in 1996 included a net gain of $53.4 million relating to the disposal of the Company's entire investment in Limelight Group plc, and a net settlement gain of $65.0 million relating to an agreement in full and final settlement of the Company's litigation against BDO Binder Hamlyn ("BDO"). Other income less expenses in 1994 included net gains of $21.5 million arising from the ownership of investments and a net write off of $30.7 million relating to the Company's entire equity investment in Arius, Inc. which was held by the ASH group. Other income less expenses in 1992 included a $50.9 million deferred net gain arising from the Company's investment in Quoteplan PLC and a net write off of $33.7 million of the Company's equity investment in Nu-Swift plc. (iv) Discontinued operations comprised the disposal during 1994 of all the Company's non-core businesses, principally Insight Travel Group. The company no longer has any interests in non-core businesses. Included in the loss from discontinued operations for 1994 were net losses on disposal of the non-core businesses amounting to $3.7 million. Net sales from discontinued operations amounted to $80.6 million in 1994, $96.9 million in 1993 and $101.4 million in 1992. These net sales are not included in net sales in the consolidated income statement data. (v) Extraordinary items principally were comprised of the gains and losses arising on reacquisition/ repayment and the write off of net unamortized deferred refinancing costs relating to the early extinguishment of certain amounts outstanding under the Company's long-term debt obligations, and were stated net of applicable income taxes. (vi) The calculation of primary earnings per common share was based on the weighted average number of common shares in issue during the period. Such weighted average number of common shares in issue for the years ended December 31, 1996, 1995, 1994, 1993 and 1992 was 137,114,415, 138,283,458, 136,148,361, 122,043,139 and 113,480,672 common shares, respectively. (vii) Following the adoption of SFAS 121 during 1996, the Company recorded a charge of $744.7 million relating to the impairment of long-lived assets. (viii) During 1994 the Company redeemed a significant proportion of its convertible redeemable preference shares. The net effect of this transaction was to reduce the carrying value of the convertible redeemable preference shares by $422.0 million. The Company funded the redemption from cash on hand and through the drawdown of long-term debt facilities. (ix) During 1993 the Company issued common shares for cash resulting in net proceeds of $154.8 million.
22 ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS INTRODUCTION In September 1996 the Company merged with and acquired the whole of the issued capital of ASH, a United Kingdom quoted company. ASH is engaged in the provision of electronic security services in North America and Europe. The merger with and acquisition of ASH by the Company has been accounted for by means of the pooling of interests method of accounting pursuant to Accounting Principles Board Opinion No. 16. The pooling of interests method of accounting assumes that the combining companies have been merged since their inception, and the historical consolidated financial statements for periods prior to consummation of the merger are restated as though the companies have been combined since their inception. Accordingly, the accompanying consolidated financial statements give effect to the transaction by means of the pooling of interests and have been restated. During 1995 management commenced a strategic review of the Company's business operations and its corporate organizational structure with a view to developing a business strategy which would place the Company in a stronger position to deal with the changing business environment and challenges facing its core service businesses in the late 1990s. As part of this strategic review, management approved the redeployment of certain of the Company's assets in order to further concentrate the Company's resources on the electronic security services operations, principally in the United States, where management believes the greatest potential for future growth lies. Consequently, Actron Group, the Company's European electronic article surveillance business, was disposed of in November 1995 and in December 1995 the Company disposed of an interest in its European vehicle auction services businesses. During the fourth quarter of 1995, the Company entered into an agreement for the acquisition of Alert, the tenth largest electronic security services company in the United States, with a predominantly residential customer base located principally in Texas, Florida and Georgia. As part of the strategic review of its business operations undertaken during 1995, and in the context of the acquisition of Alert and the disposal of an interest in the European vehicle auction services businesses, management commenced an evaluation of the entire group corporate structure, and the administrative, accounting and management information systems of its United States electronic security services division (the "Re- Engineering Project"). The Re-Engineering Project, which is on-going, is intended to modify and improve the entire structure of the business operations in order to create a more profitable, efficient organization with significantly improved marketing, selling, installation and servicing capabilities supported by upgraded management information systems. During 1996 the restructuring in the electronic security services division included a reorganization of senior management, the closure of a major corporate office in Parsippany, New Jersey, and a realignment of the organizational structure along the functional business lines of residential, commercial and customer service, rather than along geographic lines. During 1996, as a result of the acquisition of ASH and the further development of the Re-Engineering Project under the control of new senior management, the Company identified the need to extend the process of strategic change to include a significantly expanded agenda. As a result, various strategic initiatives have been added to the corporate plan and the implementation of these plans is currently in progress and will continue throughout 1997. In the United States the plans relate principally to a significant investment in technological infrastructure enhancements to facilitate further consolidation of the Company's entire customer monitoring center network down to four, state of the art, customer service centers, and to place the Company in a stronger position to take advantage of the significant opportunities in the changing market place. In Europe, the plans relate principally to the merger, integration and consolidation of the Company's existing electronic security services businesses with that of ASH. 23 RECENT DEVELOPMENTS In November 1996 the Company announced that it intended to dispose of the vehicle auction services operations in the United States in order to concentrate further on the expansion of the Company's electronic security services business. Accordingly, the Company's vehicle auction services business segment was then initially reclassified as a discontinued operation for all years presented. The preliminary, summarized consolidated results of operations of the Company for the year ended December 31, 1996 were announced on March 3, 1997, and were filed under Schedule 14A. On March 17, 1997 the Company announced that the aforementioned intention had been rescinded and that the vehicle auction services operations in the United States would no longer be disposed of. Accordingly, all consolidated financial information set forth in this Form 10-K, including the audited consolidated financial statements of the Company, is presented with the Company's vehicle auction services business segment classified as a continuing operation for all years presented. There is no net effect on the reported net income and total shareholders' equity when comparing the preliminary, summarized consolidated results of operations of the Company referred to above and the consolidated financial information set forth in this Form 10-K. All differences relate to the reclassification of the vehicle auction services business segment from discontinued operations to continuing operations. In December 1996 Western Resources, Inc. ("Western") announced its intention to commence an offer to exchange all of ADT Limited's outstanding common shares for consideration consisting of cash and shares of Western common stock. On March 3, 1997 the Company announced that its board of directors had determined that the offer made by Western was inadequate and not in the best interests of ADT Limited's shareholders. On March 17, 1997 the offer made by Western commenced. On March 17, 1997 the Company announced that it had entered into a definitive merger agreement, subject to shareholder approval and other customary matters, with Tyco International Ltd. ("Tyco"), a United States quoted company engaged in the manufacture of industrial and commercial products. Tyco shareholders will receive one common share in the combined company for each Tyco common share and ADT Limited shareholders, through a reverse stock split, will receive 0.48133 common shares in the combined company for each ADT Limited common share. The information presented below should be read in conjunction with, and is qualified by reference to, the consolidated financial statements of the Company and the related notes thereto and the consolidated financial statement schedules. 24 RESULTS OF OPERATIONS The following discussion of results of operations addresses net sales, operating (loss) income and certain other line items in the consolidated financial statements. Net sales Year ended December 31 1996 1995 1994 $m $m $m Electronic security services 1,406.2 1,350.9 1,253.3 Vehicle auction services 297.8 432.9 376.1 ------- ------- ------- 1,704.0 1,783.8 1,629.4 ======= ======= ======= Operating (loss) income and (loss) income before income taxes Year ended December 31 1996 1995 1994 $m $m $m Electronic security services (756.5) 172.4 182.1 Vehicle auction services 27.1 70.2 62.7 Corporate expenses (36.1) (41.8) (38.8) ------- ------- ------- Operating (loss) income (765.5) 200.8 206.0 ------- ------- ------- Interest income 27.5 16.2 15.2 Interest expense (101.0) (116.3) (99.3) Gain (loss) on disposal of businesses 1.7 (36.6) (0.3) Other income less expenses 128.8 (5.0) (4.1) ------- ------- ------- (Loss) income before income taxes (708.5) 59.1 117.5 ======= ======= ======= Restructuring and other non-recurring charges 237.3 34.2 4.5 Charge for the impairment of long-lived assets 744.7 - - Depreciation and amortization 224.8 247.9 226.7 Capital expenditures 344.4 325.8 282.6 Electronic Security Services Net sales derived from the electronic security services division are dependent on the volume of new customer installations and the number of customers under contract for the provision of electronic monitoring services. A majority of the division's revenues are derived from contractually recurring fees for electronic monitoring and maintenance of security systems installed at customer premises and other related services. The remainder of the division's revenues are derived from the outright sale and installation of security systems, the installation of security systems in accordance with a monitoring service agreement and the maintenance of security systems on a non- contractual basis. Security system installation revenues are recognized when the installation of a system is complete. Where a system has been installed in accordance with the terms of a monitoring service agreement, the Company retains ownership of the system and all direct installation costs, which include materials, labor and installation overheads, are capitalized and recorded as a fixed asset under subscriber systems. These subscriber systems are depreciated over their estimated useful life, which is principally 14 years and 10 years for commercial and residential systems, respectively, or, in the case of commercial systems, the actual contract duration if shorter. All selling and marketing costs are expensed in the year incurred. 25 The following table presents the approximate number of commercial and residential customers in North America and Europe contracting with the Company for the monitoring or maintenance of electronic security systems together with the annualized service revenue under contract as of December 31, 1996, and the annual combined discontinuance rate for commercial and residential contracts in respect of 1996.
Number of Commercial Number of Residential Annualized Service Annual Combined Customers Customers Revenue Discontinuance Rate 672,000 1,149,000 $920m 10.4%
ADT defines annualized service revenue as the annualized service billing arising from its customer base at a point in time for monitoring, maintenance and related services. The aggregate annualized service billings amount takes account of cancellations or terminations, increases in contract revenues due to new contracts, additional services to existing customers and rate variations at the date of computation. The actual amount of service revenue for future periods will vary in accordance with changes in the customer base and fees charged. ADT calculates the annual combined discontinuance rate by dividing the annualized service revenue from contracts cancelled or reduced in price during the year by the annualized service revenue in force at the beginning of the year, expressed as a percentage. Since 1987 the division's goals have been to create a lower cost, more efficient operation, suitable for long-term growth and greater profitability, and to take advantage of the economies of scale resulting from the utilization of the existing infrastructure which services its commercial customer base. During this period the Company equipped its regional customer monitoring centers with enhanced computer technology to further automate the monitoring process and increase monitoring capacity. As a result of increased monitoring and service capacity, and a lower cost structure due to manpower reductions and reduced facility costs, in the early 1990s the Company began marketing electronically monitored security systems and services at lower installation price points to residential customers throughout North America. As a result of the rapid expansion of the Company's business during the recent past and a broader business strategy adopted by the Company in a changing market place, the Company has identified the need to improve and expand its technological and physical capacity in order to expand its customer base and product range. Consequently, the Company has approved a plan to significantly enhance its monitoring capacity, service quality and ability to expand its service and product range. The Company will continue to aggressively market residential security systems in North America, while also focusing on opportunities for growth in the commercial sector as the economies in North America and Europe improve. Further details of the electronic security services division's business strategy are set out under "Description of Business - Business Description - Electronic Security Services." 26 1996 compared with 1995 Net sales of the division increased 4.1 per cent in 1996 to $1,406.2 million from $1,350.9 million in 1995. This sales increase was attributable to an increase of $102.1 million in the sales of the North American operations offset by a $46.8 million decline in the sales of the European operations, which was due to the exclusion of sales of the European electronic article surveillance operation and certain businesses operating in the ASH group, all of which were disposed of during 1995. In North America the increase in sales was principally due to the first time inclusion of the sales of Alert which was acquired in December 1995, as well as increased recurring monitoring and maintenance revenues arising from a larger base of residential security systems. Although unit residential security systems sales in North America increased in 1996 compared to 1995, due to price competition in the market place, residential installation revenues in North America showed a modest decline in 1996 compared with 1995. The commercial business in the United States remained flat in both new system sales and installation revenues, and growth in recurring commercial revenues continues to be affected by these factors. In Europe, after allowing for business disposals and the effect of foreign exchange, sales showed a modest increase in 1996 compared with 1995. Operating results of the division declined from $172.4 million income in 1995 to a $756.5 million loss in 1996, principally due to a charge for the impairment of long-lived assets of $731.7 million and restructuring and other non-recurring charges of $232.5 million in 1996. Operating income of the division before the charge for the impairment of long-lived assets and restructuring charges increased 7.2 per cent in 1996 to $207.7 million from $193.8 million in 1995. Operating income before the charge for the impairment of long-lived assets and restructuring charges as a percentage of net sales ("operating margin") increased to 14.8 per cent in 1996 from 14.3 per cent in 1995. The increase in operating income before the charge for the impairment of long-lived assets and restructuring charges principally reflected the first time inclusion of Alert, the disposal of the European electronic article surveillance operation in November 1995, and the continuing success of the North American residential security systems sales program, which has achieved further advances in recurring revenues in 1996. However, this improvement has been offset by continued price competition and by increased marketing and selling costs, which have caused the contribution from residential installation revenues and outright residential sales to show a modest decline. The North American commercial installation revenues and outright sales remained flat. The contribution in Europe showed a modest increase. 1995 compared with 1994 Net sales of the division increased 9.2 per cent in 1995 to $1,350.9 million from $1,236.6 million in 1994 (excluding net sales of $16.7 million relating to the Company's electronic security services businesses in Australia and New Zealand, disposed of in June 1994). This increase was attributable to increases in net sales of $90.2 million and $24.1 million in North America and Europe, respectively. The sales increase in North America was principally due to increased recurring monitoring and maintenance revenues arising from a larger base of residential security systems. In addition, the commercial business in the United States experienced improved growth in new system sales and installation revenues. However, corporate downsizing and cost containment has meant that growth in recurring revenues from the commercial sector has been modest. Sales in Canada, however, have marginally declined. The increase in sales in Europe was due to increased sales in the commercial business, particularly in the United Kingdom, as well as increased recurring monitoring and maintenance revenues from commercial customers, and the strengthening of European currencies against the US dollar. Operating income of the division declined from $182.1 million in 1994 to $172.4 million in 1995, principally due to restructuring and other non-recurring charges of $21.4 million in 1995. 27 Operating income of the division before restructuring charges increased 6.5 per cent in 1995 to $193.8 million from $181.9 million in 1994 (excluding operating income of $0.2 million relating to Australia and New Zealand, disposed of in June 1994). Operating margin declined from 14.7 per cent in 1994 (after excluding Australia and New Zealand) to 14.3 per cent in 1995 reflecting the higher cost of adding new residential customers in North America during 1995. The increase in operating income before restructuring charges in North America reflected the continuing success in the United States of the residential security systems sales program and growth in the sale of new systems and installation revenues in the commercial sector. The growth in residential and commercial sales resulted in increased installation fees and related monitoring and maintenance revenues and increased utilization of the monitoring network in the United States. In Canada, however, sales and margins have fallen and the overall business performance was disappointing. In Europe operating income before restructuring charges showed a modest increase despite pressure on margins in the electronic article surveillance business. In November 1995 the Company disposed of its entire electronic article surveillance business. Restructuring and other non-recurring charges During 1995, the Company commenced a strategic review of its business operations with a view to developing a business strategy which would place the Company in a stronger position to deal with the changing business environment and challenges facing its core electronic security services businesses in the late 1990s. This strategic review process continued during 1996 following the completion of the acquisition of Alert, the senior management reorganization which took place in the first quarter of 1996, and the identification by the new senior management team of the need to expand significantly the terms of reference of the restructuring in the United States. The effects of the Re- Engineering Project and the consequent restructuring are more fully described in note 5(i) of the notes to consolidated financial statements. As a consequence of the Re- Engineering Project, in each of the fourth quarters of 1996 and 1995, senior executive management approved a restructuring plan which resulted in a charge for restructuring and other non-recurring items of $134.7 million and $21.4 million, respectively. During the fourth quarter of 1996, the Company commenced a strategic and detailed review of the electronic security services businesses acquired as part of the acquisition of ASH in September 1996. In December 1996 senior executive management approved a restructuring plan which is intended to merge and integrate fully the ASH group into the ADT group by the end of 1997. As a consequence of the restructuring plan a charge for restructuring and other non-recurring items of $97.8 millon was recorded in the fourth quarter of 1996. Details of the restructuring are more fully described in note 5(i) of the notes to consolidated financial statements. Charge for the impairment of long-lived assets Effective January 1, 1996, the Company was required to adopt SFAS 121. Following the adoption of SFAS 121, in the first quarter of 1996 the Company recorded an aggregate non-cash charge for the impairment of long-lived assets of $731.7 million in the electronic security services division with a consequential tax credit of $10.8 million. The impairment charge comprised $397.1 million relating to the ADT group, principally all of which related to the carrying value of goodwill and other intangibles, and $334.6 million relating to the ASH group, of which $121.0 million related to the carrying value of subscriber systems installed at customers' premises which are included in property, plant and equipment, and $213.6 million related to the carrying value of goodwill and other intangibles. Further details are set out in note 6(i) of the notes to consolidated financial statements. 28 Vehicle Auction Services Net sales of the vehicle auction services division are a function of the number of vehicles handled, the number of vehicles sold at auction and the number of vehicles handled for which ancillary services are provided. The Company charges an entry fee for the majority of vehicles entered at auction. On the sale of a vehicle at auction, the Company charges a separate seller's and buyer's fee for each vehicle sold. This fee per vehicle sold is either a fixed fee or a variable fee directly related to the sale price achieved. The fee structure for each vehicle transaction is based upon the contractual relationship with the customer. Revenues from additional services, which include reconditioning, body repair, inspection, transportation and insurance are related to the number of vehicles handled and are an additional integral source of the division's revenue. In December 1995 the Company disposed of an interest in its United Kingdom and Continental European vehicle auction services businesses. 1996 compared with 1995 Net sales of the division declined from $432.9 million in 1995 to $297.8 million in 1996 due to the exclusion of the sales of European Auctions which was sold in December 1995. Net sales of the United States vehicle auction services business increased 10.4 per cent in 1996 to $297.8 million from $269.8 million in 1995. The volume of vehicles sold increased by approximately 7 per cent which was principally due to an increase in the volume of vehicles sold for fleet lease customers of approximately 35 per cent, while the volume of vehicles sold for vehicle manufacturers and new and used vehicle dealers declined by approximately 5 per cent and approximately 2 per cent, respectively. Operating income of the division declined from $70.2 million in 1995 to $25.2 million in 1996 due to a charge for the impairment of long-lived assets of $13.0 million (see note 6(ii) of the notes to consolidated financial statements) and the exclusion of the operating income of European Auctions. Operating income before the charge for the impairment of long-lived assets of the United States vehicle auction services business increased 11.4 per cent in 1996 to $38.2 million from $34.3 million in 1995. Operating margin increased to 12.8 per cent in 1996 from 12.7 per cent in 1995. The increase in operating income and operating margin were due principally to the increase in the volume of vehicles sold and to an increase in the ratio of vehicles sold to vehicles entered for sale ("conversion ratio") to 56.6 per cent in 1996 from 55.3 per cent in 1995, which was due to a higher proportion of vehicles entered for sale by fleet lease customers. In December 1995 the Company disposed of an interest in European Auctions for an aggregate consideration of $334.9 million. The net loss on disposal of $65.8 million included $136.5 million relating to the write off of net unamortized goodwill and other intangibles and a $23.2 million charge relating to cumulative currency translation adjustments. 1995 compared with 1994 Net sales of the division increased 15.1 per cent in 1995 to $432.9 million from $376.1 million in 1994. This increase was attributable to increases in net sales of $40.3 million and $16.5 million in Europe and the United States, respectively. The increase in Europe was primarily attributable to an increase in the number of vehicles sold in 1995 of approximately 7 per cent, the inclusion of the vehicle reconditioning and transportation business in the United Kingdom which was acquired in December 1994 and the strengthening of European currencies against the US dollar. In Europe the volume of vehicles sold for new and used vehicle dealers, fleet lease customers and vehicle manufacturers increased by approximately 5 per cent, approximately 10 per cent and approximately 8 per cent, respectively. In the United States the volume of vehicles sold increased by approximately 3 per cent. This was principally due to an increase in the volume of vehicles sold for fleet lease customers of approximately 30 per cent, offset by a decline, in each case, in the volume of vehicles sold for vehicle manufacturers and new and used vehicle dealers of approximately 5 per cent. Operating income of the division increased 12.0 per cent in 1995 to $70.2 million from $62.7 million in 1994. Operating income in Europe increased by $6.9 million due to the increase in revenue per vehicle sold at auctions, the inclusion of the vehicle reconditioning and transportation business in the United Kingdom, effective overhead containment and the strengthening of European currencies against the US dollar. Operating income in the United States increased by $0.6 million and operating margin declined from 13.3 per cent to 12.7 per cent. This was principally due to a decline in the conversion ratio from 58.3 per cent in 1994 to 55.3 per cent in 1995 which was due to a lower proportion of vehicles entered for sale by manufacturers and to lower dealer conversion ratios. 29 Corporate expenses Corporate expenses comprise administrative, legal and general corporate expenses net of other income and include all central costs incurred not directly connected with the operational management of the Company's two businesses which are responsible for their own corporate overheads. The effects of the Re-Engineering Project and the merger of the ASH group into the ADT group resulted in a charge for restructuring and other non-recurring items at the corporate level in the fourth quarter of 1996 of $4.8 million. During 1995 management evaluated the Company's entire group corporate structure, in particular in the United Kingdom. As a result, in December 1995, senior executive management approved a restructuring plan which resulted in a charge for restructuring and other non-recurring items at the corporate level of $12.8 million. The corporate restructuring charge in 1994 of $4.5 million was principally attributable to the Company's corporate administration in the United Kingdom. Details of the restructurings are more fully described in note 5(ii) of the notes to consolidated financial statements. OTHER ITEMS - INCOME STATEMENT Interest income and interest expense Year ended December 31 1996 1995 1994 $m $m $m Interest income 27.5 16.2 15.2 Interest expense (101.0) (116.3) (99.3) Interest income increased in 1996 compared with 1995 principally due to the effects of the disposal of the European vehicle auction division and the European electronic article surveillance business in the fourth quarter of 1995, and the inclusion of $8.9 million interest income in 1996 related to the ITS Vendor Note. Interest income increased in 1995 to compared with 1994 principally due to the increase in the level of cash deposits held by the Company in 1995. Interest expense declined in 1996 compared with 1995 principally due to the effects of the refinancing which took place in the third quarter of 1995. In 1996 interest expense included $20.3 million (1995 - $9.4 million) relating to Liquid Yield Option Notes discount amortization, and $3.7 million (1995 - $5.3 million) relating to refinancing costs amortization. Interest expense increased in 1995 compared with 1994 principally due to the effects of the financing of the redemption of a significant proportion of the Company's convertible redeemable preference shares in 1994. In 1995 interest expense included $9.4 million (1994 - nil) relating to Liquid Yield Option Notes discount amortization, and $5.3 million (1994 - $5.7 million) relating to refinancing costs amortization. The Company holds no derivative financial instruments. See Liquidity and Capital Resources and notes 21 and 23 of the notes to consolidated financial statements which provide details of short-term and long-term debt, respectively. 30 Disposal of businesses In December 1995 the Company disposed of an interest in its United Kingdom and Continental European vehicle auction services businesses for an aggregate consideration of $334.9 million (see notes 18 and 34 of the notes to consolidated financial statements for further details). The net loss on disposal of $65.8 million included $136.5 million relating to the write off of net unamortized goodwill and a $23.2 million charge relating to cumulative currency translation adjustments. In November 1995 the Company disposed of its entire European electronic article surveillance business for an aggregate consideration of $54.0 million. The net gain on disposal of $31.4 million included a $2.1 million gain relating to cumulative currency translation adjustments. Other income less expenses Year ended December 31 1996 1995 1994 $m $m $m Gains and losses arising from the ownership of investments 54.4 (5.0) 21.5 Write off in value of associate - - (30.7) Settlement gain 65.0 - - Gains and losses on currency transactions 9.7 0.9 2.1 Other income less expenses - net (0.3) (0.9) 3.0 ----- ---- ----- 128.8 (5.0) (4.1) ===== ==== ===== During 1996 gains arising from the ownership of investments included a net gain of $53.4 million relating to the disposal in November 1996 of the Company's entire investment in Limelight Group plc. The write off in value of associate in 1994 related to the Company's entire equity investment in Arius, Inc. which was held by the ASH group. In December 1996 the Company and BDO entered into an agreement in full and final settlement of the Company's litigation against BDO. The net gain arising on this settlement, after the write off of certain deferred legal costs, amounted to $69.7 million, of which $65.0 million was included in other income less expenses and $4.7 million was included in interest income. See note 8 of the notes to consolidated financial statements for further details of other income less expenses. Income taxes Current income taxes principally relate to state, local and other tax liabilities incurred in the United States and other non-US tax liabilities. The Company's effective income tax rate as adjusted for financial reporting purposes has increased in 1996, 1995 and 1994. This effective tax rate increase principally arose from an increase in the deferred tax charge. During 1996 the Company's deferred income tax charge was impacted by tax effects of the restructuring in the United States and other non-US tax jurisdictions. See note 9 of the notes to consolidated financial statements for further details of income taxes. Discontinued operations Discontinued operations comprised the disposal during 1994 of all the Company's non-core businesses. The Company no longer has any interests in non-core businesses. Included in the loss from discontinued operations for 1994 were net losses on disposal of the non-core businesses amounting to $3.7 million, which included $19.1 million relating to the write off of net unamortized goodwill and other intangibles on the disposal of the non-core businesses. The net income from operations for 1994 included in the loss from discontinued operations amounted to $0.4 million on net sales of $80.6 million. 31 Extraordinary items Extraordinary items in 1996 and 1995 included net losses amounting to $1.2 million and $1.5 million, respectively, arising on the reacquisition of certain of the Company's senior subordinated notes. Further details are provided in notes 11 and 23(ii) of the notes to consolidated financial statements. In September 1996 the Company repaid in full all amounts owed by the ASH group under its senior notes and bank credit agreement. Further details on the net loss amounting to $4.6 million which arose on these transactions are provided in notes 11 and 23(vi) of the notes to consolidated financial statements. In December 1996 the Company gave notice that it would redeem in full all amounts outstanding to the convertible capital bond holders owed by the ASH group. Further details on the net loss amounting to $1.6 million which arose on this transaction are provided in notes 11 and 23(v) of the notes to consolidated financial statements. In July 1995 and December 1996 the Company repaid in full and cancelled certain bank credit agreements as part of refinancing arrangements at the time. Further details of the net losses amounting to $8.3 million in 1995 and $1.0 million in 1996 which arose on these transactions are provided in notes 11, 23(iii) and 23(iv) of the notes to consolidated financial statements. Dividends on preference shares As a result of the redemption of a significant proportion of the Company's convertible redeemable preference shares in 1994, dividends payable on the balance of such shares outstanding were negligible in 1996 and 1995. Effects of inflation Due to the relatively low levels of inflation experienced in 1994, 1995 and 1996 in the major markets in which the Company operates, inflation did not have a significant effect on the results of the Company in these years. LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES Consolidated cash flow information The net decrease in cash and cash equivalents amounted to $135.0 million, after the positive effect of currency translation on cash and cash equivalents of $1.4 million. Net cash of $308.7 million provided by operating activities was offset by net cash utilized by investing activities of $328.4 million and net cash utilized by financing activities of $116.7 million. Net cash provided by operating activities of $308.7 million principally included cash provided by the Company's electronic security services and vehicle auction services divisions less other expenses and adjusted for the net increase in working capital. Within the net increase of $32.7 million in working capital were increases in accounts receivable of $11.9 million and inventories and other assets of $15.0 million and a net decrease in liabilities of $5.8 million, principally relating to increases in accounts payable and deferred revenue and a decrease in other liabilities. The movement in accounts receivable was principally due to an increase in accounts receivable in the vehicle auction services division. The movement in deferred revenue was principally due to the timing of billings within the electronic security services division. Net cash utilized by investing activities of $328.4 million was principally due to capital expenditures of $314.2 million and $25.7 million in the electronic security services and vehicle auction services divisions, respectively, $25.5 million relating to the acquisition of the minority interest in Alert and $34.6 million relating to the purchase of customer contracts to provide electronic security monitoring. These were principally offset by $15.4 million received on the disposal of certain investments in and loans to associates and $54.1 million received on the disposal of other investments, principally Limelight Group plc. 32 Net cash utilized by financing activities of $116.7 million was principally due to the repayments of long-term debt of $209.9 million, principally relating to the ASH group, and the purchase of $23.1 million of the Company's senior subordinated notes at a cost of $24.0 million. These were principally offset by $86.8 million relating to the proceeds from long-term debt and $24.7 million realized on the issue of common shares. Cash, liquid resources and sources of finance Liquid assets available to the Company at December 31, 1996 represented cash and cash equivalents of $215.9 million. At December 31, 1996 the Company had available but undrawn facilities of $35.9 million under its revolving bank credit agreement. In July 1996, as part of the then agreement to combine with Republic Industries, Inc. ("Republic"), ADT Limited granted to Republic a warrant to acquire 15 million common shares of ADT Limited at an exercise price of $20 per common share. Following termination of the agreement to combine with Republic, the warrant vested and was exercisable by Republic in the six month period commencing September 27, 1996. On March 21, 1997 the warrant was exercised by Republic and the Company received $300 million in cash. Future commitments and cash requirements Capital expenditures during 1997 are estimated to be approximately $487 million which represent normal replacement needs and the purchase of additional equipment, facilities and customer contracts necessary to meet planned increases in sales. Approximately 90 per cent of the capital expenditures projected for electronic security services relates to installation of subscriber systems at customers' premises. This amount does not include any amounts for acquisitions which the Company may pursue from time to time. The Company believes that the working capital at December 31, 1996, its available credit facilities and the current cash flows from operations are adequate for the Company's normal growth and operating needs, the funding of its capital expenditures budget and the current servicing of its debt requirements. ADT Limited has no present intention to pay any dividends on its common shares but will keep its dividend policy under review in the light of prevailing circumstances. Under the terms of the senior notes and revolving bank credit agreement ADT Limited may not declare, pay or make any dividend or distribution with respect to its common shares, except in certain defined circumstances. See note 23 of the notes to consolidated financial statements for further details. Forward looking information Certain statements in this Form 10-K constitute "forward looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. In particular any statements contained herein regarding the consummation and benefits of future acquisitions, as well as expectations with respect to future sales, operating efficiencies and product expansion, are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and contingencies, many of which are beyond the control of the Company, which may cause actual results, performance or achievements to differ materially from anticipated results, performance or achievements. Factors that might affect such forward looking statements included, among others, overall economic and business conditions, the demand for the Company's service, competitive factors in the industry, regulatory approvals and the uncertainty of consummation of future acquisitions. 33 ITEM 8. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA ADT Limited's consolidated financial statements are included on pages F-1 to F-77 and its consolidated financial statement schedules are included on pages F-78 and F-79. Information required by Item 302 of Regulation S-K is included in note 35 of the notes to consolidated financial statements and under "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations". ITEM 9. CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING AND FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE None PART III ITEM 10.DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS OF THE REGISTRANT Directors and Executive Officers Set forth below are the names, ages, positions and certain other information concerning the current directors and executive officers of the Company and three executive officers of subsidiaries of the Company as at December 31, 1996. Name Age Position with Company - ---- --- --------------------- Michael A. Ashcroft 50 Chairman of the Board; Chief Executive Officer John E. Danneberg 50 Director Raymond A. Gross 47 Senior Vice President of ADT Security Services, Inc. Alan B. Henderson 63 Director Ronnie G. Lakey 42 Director of ADT (UK) Holdings PLC James S. Pasman, Jr. 66 Director Michael J. Richardson 60 President and Chief Executive Officer of ADT Automotive, Inc. Stephen J. Ruzika 41 Chief Financial Officer; Executive Vice President; Director W. Peter Slusser 67 Director William W. Stinson 63 Director Raymond S. Troubh 70 Director - ------------------------- Mr. Ashcroft has been Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the Company since 1984 and is Chairman of the Executive Committee. He was Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the Company's predecessor company, Hawley Group PLC, from 1977 to 1984. He is the non- executive Chairman of BHI Corporation. Mr. Danneberg has been a director of the Company since December 1991 and was previously a director of the Company from 1984 to June 1991. He was the President of Foliage Plant Systems, Inc., an interior landscape contractor, from 1988 to October 1995 and has been Chief Executive Officer of Sonitrol Corporation since August 1996, under a consulting agreement with ADT, Inc. Mr. Gross has been a Senior Vice President of ADT Security Services, Inc. since March 1, 1996. From August 1993, he was President and Chief Executive Officer of Alert Centre, Inc., which was acquired by ADT in December 1995, and prior to that he was President/General Manager of Cellular One of Ohio from November 1988. 34 Mr. Henderson has been a director of the Company since 1992 and is a member of the Audit and Remuneration Committees. He is Chairman of Ranger Oil (UK) Limited, an oil exploration and production company, and has been a director of Ranger Oil (UK) Limited since 1972. He is also Chairman of Abtrust Emerging Economies Investment Trust Plc and Abtrust New Thai Investment Trust Plc, and is a director of Abtrust New Dawn Investment Trust Plc, Energy Capital Investment Company PLC and Greenfriar Investment Company PLC. Mr. Lakey has been a director of ADT (UK) Holdings PLC since its incorporation in 1996. He has operational responsibility for the Company's electronic security services operations in Canada and Europe. He has held various positions with the Company since joining in 1987. Mr. Pasman has been a director of the Company since 1992 and is a member of the Audit and Remuneration Committees. He was President and Chief Operating Officer of National Intergroup, Inc., an industrial holding company, from 1989 to 1991 and was Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Kaiser Aluminum and Chemical Corp., an aluminum and chemical company, from 1987 to 1989. He is a director of BEA Income Fund, Inc., BEA Strategic Income Fund, Inc. and BT Insurance Funds Trust. Mr. Richardson has been the President and Chief Executive Officer of ADT Automotive, Inc., which supervises the United States vehicle auction services business, since 1982. Mr. Ruzika has been a director and Executive Vice President of the Company since 1987, has been Chief Financial Officer since 1989 and President of ADT Security Services, Inc. since 1996. He is a member of the Executive Committee. He was previously Chief Financial Officer of the Company's United States operations. He is also a non-executive director of BHI Corporation. Mr. Slusser has been a director of the Company since 1992 and is a member of the Audit and Remuneration Committees. He has been the President of Slusser Associates, Inc., a private investment banking firm in New York City, since 1988 and was previously a managing director and head of mergers and acquisitions at PaineWebber Incorporated. He is a director of Ampex Corporation, a leading producer of high performance television and data storage recording systems. Mr. Stinson has been a director of the Company since 1991. He retired as Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Canadian Pacific Limited in 1996 after serving as Chief Executive Officer for 11 years. He remains a director of that company. He is also a director of Laidlaw, Inc., Western Star Trucks Inc., Sun Life Assurance Company of Canada, and a number of other corporations. Mr. Troubh has been a director of the Company since 1991 and is a member of the Audit and Remuneration Committees. He has been an independent financial consultant since 1974. He is a director of America West Airlines, Inc., ARIAD Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Becton, Dickinson and Company, Diamond Offshore Drilling, Inc., Foundation Health Corporation, General American Investors Company, Inc., Olsten Corporation, Petrie Stores Corporation, Time Warner Inc., Triarc Companies, Inc. and WHX Corporation. Each director is currently serving a term which expires at the next annual general meeting. Each such director is eligible for re-election. Under the Bye-Laws of the Company, no person other than a director retiring at a General Meeting of the Company shall, unless recommended by the directors, be eligible for election to the office of director unless, between six and 28 days before the meeting date, the Secretary of the Company has been given, by a shareholder of the Company (other than the person to be proposed) entitled to attend and vote at the annual general meeting or special general meeting, written notice of his intention to propose such person for election and also written notice, signed by the person to be proposed, of his willingness to be elected. A director may hold any other office or position of profit under the Company (other than the office of Auditor) in conjunction with this office of director for such period and on such terms as the Company may from time to time determine in general meeting. 35 Meetings and Committees of the Board During 1996, there were eleven meetings of the Board. All directors attended at least 75 per cent of the meetings of the Board and of the committees of which they were members. The Board has several committees, including an Audit Committee and a Remuneration Committee. The Audit Committee, formed in 1991, and the Remuneration Committee, formed in 1992, consist of Messrs. Henderson, Pasman, Slusser and Troubh each of whom is an independent director. During 1996, there were four meetings of the Audit Committee and four meetings of the Remuneration Committee. The function of the Audit Committee is to review the services performed by the Company's independent accountants and to review and act or report to the Board with respect to the scope of audit procedures and accounting practices. The function of the Remuneration Committee is to review and approve compensation and other employment benefits afforded certain executive officers. The Company has no standing nominating committee. Compensation of Directors Directors who are not employees of the Company are paid an annual director's fee of $25,000 each and are reimbursed for reasonable and customary travel and other expenses incurred in performing their duties. In addition, Messrs. Henderson, Pasman, Slusser and Troubh are each paid an annual sum of $15,000 for their services on the Audit and Remuneration Committees. 36 ITEM 11. EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION Executive Compensation Summary Compensation Table Shown below is information concerning the annual and long-term compensation for services in all capacities to the Company for the fiscal years ended December 31, 1996, 1995 and 1994, of those persons who were, at December 31, 1996 (i) the Chief Executive Officer and (ii) the other four most highly compensated executive officers of the Company, including three executive officers of a subsidiaries of the Company (the "Named Officers"). Long-Term
Compensation Annual Compensation(1) Awards ---------------------------------------------------------------- Securities Underlying Stock Options All Other Name and principal position Year Salary Bonus (#) Compensation - --------------------------- ---- ---------- ---------- ------------- ------------ Michael A. Ashcroft(2) 1996 $1,143,844 $2,344,880 5,000,000 $1,330,380(3) Chairman of the Board; Chief 1995 $1,089,375 $2,233,219 1,500,000 $1,921,939 Executive Officer 1994 $1,037,500 1,945,313 750,000 $ 783,403 Raymond A. Gross 1996 $ 183,353(4) $ 82,500 100,000 -0- Senior Vice President of ADT 1995 -0- -0- -0- -0- Security Services, Inc. 1994 -0- -0- -0- -0- Ronnie G. Lakey 1996 $ 248,962 $ 125,000 100,000 $ 27,020(5) Director of ADT (UK) Holdings 1995 $ 195,866 $ 140,000 20,000 $ 14,822 PLC 1994 $ 188,827 $ 135,000 25,000 $ 14,138 Michael J. Richardson(6) 1996 $ 335,000 $ 222,705 40,000 $ 6,461(7) Chief Executive Officer of ADT 1995 $ 314,000 $ 145,245 50,000 $ 6,461 Automotive, Inc. 1994 $ 300,000 $ 115,000 45,000 $ 6,480 Stephen J. Ruzika(8) 1996 $ 686,306 $1,100,000(9) 208,333 $ 40,323(10) Chief Financial Officer; Executive 1995 $ 653,625 $ 250,000 500,000 $ 37,432 Vice President; Director 1994 $ 622,500 $ 200,000 250,000 $ 35,639 - --------------------- (1) While officers enjoy certain perquisites, such perquisites did not exceed the lesser of $50,000 or 10 per cent of each officer's salary and bonus. Except as set forth below under "Employment Contracts, Termination of Employment and Change in Control Arrangements", a change in control of the Company does not of itself require the payment of any moneys to any of the Named Officers. However, such an event does accelerate the vesting of certain pension rights and the exercisability of certain stock options. 37 (2) The salary, bonus and all other compensation shown in respect of 1994 and 1995 represent Mr. Ashcroft's entitlement to those amounts. Mr. Ashcroft utilized $2,500,000 of the compensation due to him for 1995, being the whole of his bonus entitlement of $2,233,219 and $266,781 of his other compensation to subscribe for options, at the rate of $2.50 per option, to subscribe for Common Shares. Mr. Ashcroft also utilized $2,500,000 of the compensation due to him for 1994, being the whole of his bonus entitlement of $1,945,313 and $554,687 of his other compensation entitlement to subscribe for these options. (3) The other compensation due to Mr. Ashcroft in respect of 1996 represents the US dollar equivalent of Pound Sterling 851,344 being an amount in lieu of providing Mr. Ashcroft with retirement and death benefits under a defined pension plan. The amounts in respect of 1995 and 1994, and which are referred to in note (2) above, were the equivalents of Pound Sterling 1,217,341 and Pound Sterling 511,126, respectively. (4) Represents salary since joining ADT Security Services, Inc. in March 1996. Mr. Gross' annualized salary for 1996 was $220,000. (5) Represents the amount contributed to Mr. Lakey's retirement income plan (1995 - $14,822, 1994 - $14,138). (6) The salary amount shown for 1996 represents Mr. Richardson's entitlement to salary in the year. Prior to becoming entitled to receive certain salary, however, Mr. Richardson elected to receive options at the rate of $2.50 per option, to subscribe for Common Shares at an exercise price of $8.625 per share, in lieu of receiving $69,444 in salary (1995 - $83,333, 1994 - $97,222). (7) Represents $4,500 contributed to a defined contribution 401(k) pension benefit plan (1995 - $4,500, 1994 - $4,500) and $1,961 which is the aggregate incremental cost to the Company of providing Mr. Richardson with enhanced group term life insurance benefits (1995 - $1,961, 1994 - $1,980). (8) The salary amount shown for 1996 represents Mr. Ruzika's entitlement to salary in the year. Prior to becoming entitled to receive certain salary, however, Mr. Ruzika elected to receive options at the rate of $2.50 per option, to subscribe for Common Shares at an exercise price of $8.625 per share, in lieu of receiving $80,136 in salary (1995 - $104,167, 1994 - $128,198). (9) Mr. Ruzika earned a bonus for 1996 of $1,100,000 (1995 - $250,000) under a bonus arrangement by which payments are related directly to the performance of the Common Share price. (10) Represents $37,639 contributed to Mr. Ruzika's retirement income plan (1995 - $35,777, 1994 - $34,003) and $2,684 which is the estimated aggregate incremental cost to the Company of providing Mr. Ruzika with supplemental term life insurance (1995 - $1,655, 1994 - $1,636).
38 Option Grants in Last Fiscal Year Shown below are all grants of share options to the Named Officers during the fiscal year ended December 31, 1996. The following table shows, along with certain information, hypothetical realizable values of share options granted for the last fiscal year, at assumed rates of cumulative share price appreciation over the ten-year life of such options. These assumed rates of appreciation are set by the rules of the SEC and are not intended to forecast appreciation of the price of the Common Shares. These hypothetical values have not been discounted to reflect their present values.
Individual Grants -------------------------------------------------------- Potential Realizable Value % of at Assumed Annual Rates Total Options Exercise of Share Price Appreciation Granted or for Option Term(2) Options to Employees Base Price Expiration Name Granted(1) in Fiscal Year ($/share) Date 5% 10% - ---- --------- -------------- --------- ----------- ----------- ----------- Michael A. Ashcroft 5,000,000 78.3% $15.00 Aug 4, 2003 $30,968,000 $74,713,000 Raymond A. Gross 100,000 1.6% $16.50 May 6, 2006 $ 1,017,000 $ 2,597,000 Ronnie G. Lakey 100,000 1.6% $16.50 May 6, 2006 $ 1,017,000 $ 2,597,000 Michael J. Richardson 40,000 0.6% $16.50 May 6, 2006 $ 407,000 $ 1,039,000 Stephen J. Ruzika 208,333 3.3% $15.00 April 29, 2004 $ 1,452,000 $ 3,567,000 - ------------------- (1) The options granted to Mr. Ashcroft and Mr. Ruzika represent the net increase in the number of options which were received by Mr. Ashcroft and Mr. Ruzika in connection with an amendment to a previously granted option on 3,000,000 and 125,000 Common Shares, respectively. At the same time as the number of options was increased, the exercise price was also increased from $8.625 to $15.00. All the other terms and conditions of the options, including the expiry dates, remained unchanged. Of the options granted to Mr. Gross, Mr. Lakey and Mr. Richardson, 50 per cent are exercisable after three years from the date of grant, 25 per cent are exercisable after 4 years from the date of grant and 25 per cent are exercisable after five years from the date of grant. (2) Gains are reported net of the option exercise price but before taxes associated with exercise. The amounts shown represent certain assumed rates of appreciation only. Actual gains, if any, on option exercises are dependent on the future price performance of the Common Shares as well as the option holders' continued employment through the vesting period. The potential realizable values reflected in this table may not necessarily be achieved.
39 Aggregate Option Exercises in Last Fiscal Year and Year-End Option Values Shown below is information with respect to aggregate option exercises by the Named Officers in the fiscal year ended December 31, 1996 and with respect to unexercised options to purchase Common Shares granted in fiscal 1996 and prior years to the Named Officers and held by them at December 31, 1996.
Value of Unexercised In-the- Shares Value Number of Unexercised Money Options at Fiscal Year Acquired on Realized on Options at Fiscal Year End End(1)(2) Exercise of Exercise of ------------------------------------------------------------------- Options in Options in Name Fiscal Year Fiscal Year Exercisable Unexercisable Exercisable Unexercisable - ---- ----------- ----------- ----------- ------------- ----------- ------------- Michael A. Ashcroft 825,000 $6,626,250 9,700,000 1,550,000 $78,437,190 $17,493,125 Raymond A. Gross -0- -0- -0- 100,000 -0- $ 637,500 Ronnie G. Lakey 32,000 $ 256,016 15,000 145,000 $ 208,125 $ 1,209,375 Michael J. Richardson 45,000 $ 318,125 270,000 135,000 $ 3,496,750 $ 1,441,875 Stephen J. Ruzika 12,000 $ 54,900 1,141,663 516,670 $12,951,731 $ 5,831,080 - -------------------- (1) Based on the closing price of $22.875 per Common Share on December 31, 1996. (2) Messrs. Ashcroft, Richardson and Ruzika were granted certain options for which they have paid a subscription price of $2.50 per option which has been taken into account for the purpose of valuing these options.
Certain Defined Benefit Plans The Company does not maintain any defined benefit or actuarial retirement plans ("pension plans"). However, Mr. Lakey, Mr. Richardson and Mr. Ruzika participate in pension plans that are maintained by indirect, wholly owned subsidiaries of the Company. Certain information is set forth below regarding the pension plans in which Mr. Lakey, Mr. Richardson and Mr. Ruzika, as well as other employees of the Company's subsidiaries, participate. Mr. Richardson is a participant in the ADT Pension Plan maintained by ADT Group PLC ("ADT Group"). Mr. Richardson is the only Named Officer who participates in the ADT Group's Pension Plan (the "ADT Group Plan"). The ADT Group Plan provides Mr. Richardson an annual benefit payable for life beginning at age 60. The annual benefit is equal to 66.7 per cent of base salary for the three years of the most recent ten years prior to retirement that produce the highest average. Mr. Richardson's annual benefit payable at age 60 for life is Pound Sterling146,095. Since Mr. Richardson has already attained age 60, the benefit payable to him upon his actual retirement will be adjusted based upon his actual retirement date. Benefits payable under the ADT Group Plan are not offset by Social Security benefits. ADT, Inc. maintains a supplemental executive retirement plan (the "ADT SERP"). Mr. Lakey and Mr. Ruzika are the only Named Officers who participate in the ADT SERP. Benefits for Mr. Ruzika under the ADT SERP are also supplemented under a Supplemental Benefit Agreement between Mr. Ruzika and ADT Management Services Limited (the "Supplemental Benefit Agreement"). 40 The ADT SERP provides benefits to Mr. Lakey for a total of 20 years, beginning at age 60. This annual benefit is equal to 60 per cent of Mr. Lakey's base salary for the three consecutive years that produce the highest average. This benefit is reduced by the value of any benefits derived from employer contributions under any other retirement plan maintained by ADT, Inc. or its affiliates. Mr. Lakey's estimated annual benefit payable at age 60 for a total of 20 years, net of the estimated offset attributable to employer contributions under certain defined contribution plans, is $30,764. The estimated offset is based on the assumption that Mr. Lakey will have 27 years of service at age 60. Benefits are not offset by Social Security benefits. The ADT SERP and Supplemental Benefit Agreement together provide benefits payable to Mr. Ruzika for a total of 20 years beginning at age 55. This annual benefit is equal to 65 per cent of base salary and bonuses for the three consecutive years that produce the highest average. Effective for benefits accrued after December 31, 1994, the benefit is calculated using base salary including, for this purpose, the purchase price of any options to purchase the Company's shares received in lieu of base salary. This benefit is reduced by the value of any benefits derived from employer contributions under any other retirement plan maintained by ADT, Inc. or its affiliates. Mr. Ruzika's estimated annual benefit payable at age 55 for a total of 20 years, net of the estimated offset attributable to employer contributions under certain defined contribution plans, is $361,802. The estimated offset is based upon the assumption that Mr. Ruzika will have 28 years of service at age 55. Benefits are not offset by Social Security benefits. Compliance with Reporting Requirements The Company believes that, during 1996, all filing requirements under Section 16(a) of the Exchange Act applicable to its officers, directors and beneficial owners of more than 10 per cent of equity securities were complied with on a timely basis. 41 Employment Contracts, Termination of Employment and Change in Control Arrangements The Company has entered into a written employment agreement with Mr. Ashcroft, dated as of May 8, 1993. An amendment to the agreement was approved on November 4, 1996, which provides that Mr. Ashcroft shall serve as Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer until March 31, 2000, subject to renewal for additional two-year terms thereafter. Mr. Ashcroft's initial base salary was $1,000,000 per annum subject to annual review and adjustment by the Board but may only be reduced by a maximum of 15 per cent during the term of the agreement without Mr. Ashcroft's consent. During 1996, Mr. Ashcroft's base salary was increased to $1,157,625 per annum. Mr. Ashcroft is also eligible for annual bonus payments based upon an earnings-per-share target for the Common Shares set each year, subject to a maximum bonus of $4,000,000. The maximum bonus is payable upon attaining 117.5 per cent of the targeted earnings per share. As a term of the contract, Mr. Ashcroft was granted options to purchase 1,000,000 Common Shares under the ADT 1993 Long Term Incentive Plan, with 50 per cent of such options exercisable at market value on the date of grant, as defined, 25 per cent exercisable at 110 per cent of market value, and 25 per cent exercisable at 120 per cent of market value, vesting in equal annual installments over a three-year period commencing one year from the date of grant and exercisable over a ten-year period. The Company will make annual payments to Mr. Ashcroft calculated to provide him with retirement and death benefits no less favorable than if he were a member of ADT Group Plan. Such annual payments will not be less than $450,000. The Company may terminate the agreement upon Mr. Ashcroft's death, when Mr. Ashcroft attains the age of 60, if Mr. Ashcroft is unable to perform his duties for 180 days due to ill heath, accident or otherwise, if Mr. Ashcroft fails to discharge his duties or engages in conduct that is materially injurious to the Company, or if Mr. Ashcroft willfully and continually commits a material breach of the agreement. Mr. Ashcroft may terminate the agreement upon, among other reasons, a breach by the Company which breach (except for a material breach) is not cured within 30 days, if he is removed from his position as Chairman of the Board or his position as Chief Executive Officer, or if the scope of his duties and responsibilities becomes inconsistent with his position as an officer of the Company. Mr. Ashcroft may also terminate the agreement without cause at any time upon 90 days notice. In the event the agreement is terminated pursuant to its terms by the Company or without cause by Mr. Ashcroft upon 90 days notice, Mr. Ashcroft will be entitled to the pro rata portion of his base salary, bonus payment, pension payment and other benefits but will not be entitled to any additional payments. If the agreement is terminated due to a disability, Mr. Ashcroft will be entitled to an additional payment equal to two times his highest base salary. In the event the agreement is terminated by the Company without cause or by Mr. Ashcroft with cause, Mr. Ashcroft will be entitled to a severance payment equal to two times his highest base salary and average bonus payment, annual pension payments for the year of termination and the following two years, and one year of any other benefits previously provided. Mr. Ruzika entered into an employment agreement with ADT as of February 26, 1997. The agreement provides that Mr. Ruzika will serve as Chief Financial Officer of ADT and as President of ADT Security Services, Inc., ADT Operations, Inc. and ADT, Inc., subsidiaries of ADT, from March 1, 1997 until February 28, 1999, subject to renewal for additional two-year terms thereafter. Mr. Ruzika's initial annual base salary will be $694,500 and will be subject to annual review for possible adjustments. Mr. Ruzika will also be eligible for annual bonus payments at the discretion of the Company as well as other compensation and benefit plans of the Company including stock option plans. The termination provisions of this agreement provide that in the event that agreement is terminated by ADT without cause or by Mr. Ruzika with cause, Mr. Ruzika will be entitled to receive a severance payment equal to twice his base salary and certain fringe benefits. Mr. Lakey entered into an employment agreement with ADT, Inc. as of January 16, 1997. The agreement provides that Mr. Lakey will have operational responsibility for ADT's electronic security operations in Canada and Europe from January 16, 1997 until December 31, 1999, subject to renewal for additional two-year terms thereafter. Mr. Lakey's initial annual base salary will be $265,000. Mr. Lakey will also be eligible for annual bonus payments at the discretion of the Company as well as certain other enumerated benefits and relocation expenses. The termination provisions of this agreement include a term to the effect that, in the event that agreement is terminated by ADT without cause or by Mr. Lakey with cause, Mr. Lakey will be entitled to receive his base salary and certain fringe benefits for two years. 42 Under the ADT SERP (and, in the case of Mr. Ruzika, the Supplemental Benefit Agreement), Mr. Ruzika and Mr. Lakey become fully vested in the accrued benefits thereunder upon a Change in Control (as defined below) of the Company or ADT, Inc. Mr. Ruzika also becomes fully vested upon a Change in Control (as defined below) of ADT Management Services Limited. If Mr. Ruzika or Mr. Lakey's employment is terminated within one year from the date of a Change in Control, the terminated executive will receive, in lieu of all other amounts due to him under the ADT SERP (and, in Mr. Ruzika's case, the Supplemental Benefit Agreement), a lump-sum distribution equal to the present value of his accrued benefit and an additional amount calculated under a formula intended to put him in the same after-tax position that he would have been in if he had received a lump-sum distribution of his accrued benefit on his normal retirement date. Under this formula Mr. Ruzika would currently receive an additional amount of approximately $653,295 and Mr. Lakey would currently receive an additional amount of approximately $54,253. A "Change in Control" is deemed to have occurred under the ADT SERP if : (1) any person (other than Laidlaw, Inc. or its affiliates, collectively the "Laidlaw Group") acquires more than 40 per cent of the Company's voting stock (the triggering percentage has been reduced from 40 per cent to 35 per cent because the Laidlaw Group's beneficial ownership of the Company's voting stock is less than 20 per cent); (2) the Laidlaw Group becomes the beneficial owner of more than 45 per cent of the Company's outstanding voting stock; (3) there is a change of 50 per cent or more in the composition of the Company's directors during any 3-year period (unless the change in directors was approved by two thirds of the directors in office at the beginning of such 3-year period or directors who had previously been elected with the requisite two thirds approval); (4) a person acquires the legal right to direct the management and policies of the Company (other than by virtue of membership on the board of directors or a committee of the board); (5) the Company ceases to own, directly or indirectly through subsidiaries, at least 80 per cent of the voting stock of ADT, Inc. or (6) the shareholders of either the Company or ADT, Inc. approve a merger, consolidation or a sale or disposition of all, or substantially all, of the assets of the Company or ADT, Inc. as the case may be, with the relevant company not surviving. In the case of Mr. Ruzika, the provisions of (4), (5), and (6) above include a change in the ownership of ADT Management Services Limited (as well as the Company or ADT, Inc.). Mr. Richardson entered into an employment agreement with ADT Automotive Holdings, Inc. ("ADT Automotive Holdings"), the corporate parent of ADT Automotive, Inc., as of November 30, 1993. The agreement provides that Mr. Richardson will serve as Chief Executive Officer of ADT Automotive Holdings and its subsidiaries from December 1, 1993 until July 31, 1996, subject to renewal for additional one-year terms thereafter. The agreement was renewed on a year-to-year basis as of July 31, 1996. The agreement provides that the term will be extended for an additional one year period thereafter unless either ADT Automotive Holdings or Mr. Richardson shall have given the other notice of intention not to extend the term six months prior to July 31, 1997. On January 29, 1997, ADT Automotive Holdings and Mr. Richardson entered into an agreement which provides that Mr. Richardson's time to give such notice is extended to and including April 30, 1997. Mr. Richardson's initial annual base salary will be $300,000 and will be subject to annual review for possible increases. Mr. Richardson will also be eligible for annual bonus payments at the discretion of the Company. The termination provisions of this agreement include a term to the effect that, in the event that agreement is terminated by ADT Automotive Holdings without cause or by Mr. Richardson with cause, Mr. Richardson will be entitled to receive his base salary and certain fringe benefits for two years or the remaining term of the agreement, whichever is longer. 43 Mr. Richardson has also entered into an incentive compensation agreement for payment upon the successful sale of ADT Automotive Holdings by the Company. To the extent that the gross consideration for such sale exceeds $430 million, on completion of the sale, ADT has agreed to pay Mr. Richardson one-half of one per cent of such excess. Gross consideration is deemed to be the aggregate of proceeds received by ADT and debt remaining in the auctions group which is assumed by the purchaser other than debt considered to be a component of working capital, including bank overdrafts. The Remuneration Committee of the Board has considered the recommendations of the Company's outside independent human resources consultants, and has reviewed industry practices concerning change in control severance benefits. In view of the need to minimize employee distractions and to retain employee loyalty and dedication to the Company and to assure attention to the Company's performance pending resolution of the Western Offer, on February 27, on the recommendation of the Remuneration Committee, the Board unanimously approved a severance agreement between Mr. Gross and ADT Security Services, Inc. in the event of a change of control, which severance arrangement it has determined is fair and consistent with industry practices. The agreement provides that in the event that there is a "Severance Change in Control" (as defined below) of ADT prior to February 9, 2000, and either (x) Mr. Gross's employment is terminated without cause or (y) Mr. Gross terminates his employment for good reason, Mr. Gross shall be entitled to (a) an amount of severance pay equal to twice the total of (i) the higher of his annual full base salary as of the date of termination or as of the date of the Severance Change in Control, calculated on an annualized basis, plus (ii) the amount of the bonus awarded to Mr. Gross, if any, in the year prior to the date of termination and (b) for the twelve-month period following such termination, benefits substantially similar to the higher of those which Mr. Gross is receiving immediately prior to the date of termination or as of the date of the Severance Change in Control. A "Severance Change in Control" is deemed to have occurred under the severance agreement if: (1) any person becomes the beneficial owner of more than 50 per cent of ADT's then-outstanding voting securities; (2) there is a change of 50 per cent or more in the composition of the Company's directors during the term of the agreement (unless the change in directors was approved by two thirds of the directors in office at the beginning of such term or directors who had previously been elected with the requisite two thirds approval); (3) a person acquires the legal right to direct the management and policies of the Company (other than by virtue of membership on the board of directors or a committee of the board); or (4) the shareholders of ADT approve a merger, consolidation or a sale or disposition of all, or substantially all, of the assets of ADT in which ADT is not the surviving entity. In 1996, the Remuneration Committee of the Board resolved to increase the subscription price and size of certain share options held by Mr. Ashcroft and Mr. Ruzika. In 1993, Mr. Ashcroft and Mr. Ruzika were granted options to subscribe for 3,000,000 and 125,000 Common Shares respectively at an exercise price of $8.625 per share for which each was required to pay $2.50 per option, representing a total payment of $7,500,000 and $312,500 respectively, as a condition of vesting. In 1996, the exercise price of these options was increased to $15 and the number of related shares was increased to 8,000,000 and 333,333 respectively. All the other material terms and conditions remained unchanged. These changes were approved by the shareholders of the Company. At the time that the Remuneration Committee approved these changes, the closing price of the Common Shares was $14.75. In November 1996, the Remuneration Committee resolved that the options of Mr. Ashcroft be transferable and, at the same time, in return, Mr. Ashcroft agreed to extend the termination date of his employment agreement from March 31, 1998 to March 31, 2000. 44 In November 1996, the Remuneration Committee also approved a bonus plan under which Mr. Ruzika is to receive a bonus of $200,000 when the Common Share price exceeds $21.00 for a continuous period of 30 trading days and $200,000 each time the Common Share price exceeds by $1.00 for a continuous period of 30 trading days the share price level at which a bonus payment was previously made. The plan is due to expire in 2001 or such earlier date as the Common Share price exceeds $30.00 for a continuous period of 30 trading days. Should the share price exceed $30.00 within two and one half years, Mr. Ruzika will receive an additional payment of $1,000,000. ITEM 12. SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management The following table sets forth certain information, with respect to beneficial ownership (determined in accordance with Rule 13d-3 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act")) of Common Shares by any person known by the Company to beneficially own more than five per cent of the outstanding Common Shares (i) as at December 31, 1996 by FMR Corp. ("FMR"); (ii) as at March 17, 1997 by WCI; (iii) as at March 21, 1997 by Republic; and (iv) as at March 24, 1997 by (a) all directors of the Company, (b) the named directors and officers of the Company, including three executive officers of subsidiaries of the Company and (c) all directors and executive officers of the Company as a group. An asterisk indicates ownership of less than one per cent of outstanding Common Shares. Number of Name of Beneficial Owner Common Shares Per cent of or Identity of Group Beneficially Owned(1),(2) Class(3) - --------------------------- ------------------------- ----------- Westar Capital, Inc. (4) 818 Kansas Avenue Topeka, Kansas 66601 38,287,111 24.9% FMR Corp.(5) 82 Devonshire Street Boston, Massachusetts 02109 8,416,744 5.4% Republic Industries, Inc.(6) 450 East Las Olas Boulevard Fort Lauderdale, Florida 33301 15,000,000 9.8% M.A. Ashcroft(6)(7) 11,525,718 7.0% J.E. Danneberg 102 * R.A. Gross 2,000 * A.B. Henderson 621 * R.G. Lakey 25,000 * J.S. Pasman, Jr. 2,000 * M.J. Richardson 327,837 * S.J. Ruzika 1,307,407 * W.P. Slusser 2,800 * W.W. Stinson 3,010 * R.S. Troubh 2,500 * All directors and executive officers as a group, 11 persons(8) 13,198,995 8.0% 45 (1) Includes Common Shares which may be acquired upon exercise of the following number of options to purchase Common Shares from the Company exercisable on or within 60 days of March 24, 1997 held by the following persons: M.A. Ashcroft, 10,150,000 (excluding 15,000,000 Common Shares owned by Republic for which Mr. Ashcroft, as Chairman of ADT, holds a proxy as described in footnote 6, but as to which Mr. Ashcroft disclaims beneficial ownership); R.A. Gross, nil; R.G. Lakey, 25,000; M.J. Richardson, 315,000 and S.J. Ruzika, 1,291,665. (2) For purposes of this table, a person or group of persons is deemed to have "beneficial ownership" of any Common Shares which such person has the right to acquire on or within 60 days after March 24, 1997. For purposes of computing the percentage of outstanding Common Shares held by each person or group of persons named above, any security which such person or persons has or have the right to acquire on or within 60 days after March 24, 1997 is deemed to be outstanding, but is not deemed to be outstanding for the purpose of computing the percentage ownership of any other person. (3) Based upon Common Shares outstanding on March 24, 1997, but excluding 3,182,787 Common Shares owned by a subsidiary of the Company. (4) The Company has received an Amendment No. 10 to Schedule 13D dated March 17, 1997 filed with the SEC by WCI, a wholly owned subsidiary of Western Resources Inc., in respect of ownership of 38,287,111 Common Shares. The Company has not attempted to verify independently any of the information contained in the Schedule 13D. (5) The Company has received an Amendment No. 4 to Schedule 13G dated February 14, 1997 filed with the by SEC in respect of ownership of 8,416,744 of Common Shares at December 31, 1996 by accounts under the discretionary investment management of its wholly owned subsidiaries Fidelity Management Research Company and Fidelity Management Trust Company. As of December 31, 1996, FMR exercised sole voting power with respect to 112,714 Common Shares and sole dispositive power with respect to 8,416,744 Common Shares. The Company has not attempted to independently verify any of the information contained in the Schedule 13G. (6) The Company has received an Amendment No. 2 to Schedule 13D dated March 26, 1997, describing that on March 21, 1997, Republic, through Triangle Corporation, a Delaware corporation and a wholly owned subsidiary of Republic ("Triangle"), purchased 15,000,000 Common Shares by exercise of the Republic Warrant. Under the terms of the Republic Warrant, Triangle has granted the Chairman of ADT an irrevocable proxy to vote, at any meeting of ADT's shareholders, the 15,000,000 Common Shares issued under the Republic Warrant, with respect to any matter which shall be voted upon by ADT's shareholders. The proxy expires as to any such Common Shares on the earlier of (i) September 27, 1998 and (ii) the date such shares are no longer held by Republic or any of its affiliates or nominees. Mr. Ashcroft, the current Chairman of ADT, disclaims beneficial ownership of the Common Shares held by Triangle. 46 (7) The number of Common Shares beneficially owned by Mr. Ashcroft includes 718 Common Shares owned by Mr. Ashcroft's wife. (8) The address for these officers and directors is the address of the Company. ITEM 13. CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS Certain Relationships and Related Transactions ADT, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of ADT, entered into a consulting agreement with John E. Danneberg, one of ADT's directors, as of August 28, 1996. The agreement provides that Mr. Danneberg, as an independent consultant, will serve as Chief Executive Officer of Sonitrol Corporation ("Franchisor") and certain franchisees of Franchisor owned or acquired by affiliates of ADT, Inc. The agreement provides that the initial term of such engagement shall be for a period of six months commencing on September 1, 1996 and shall be automatically renewed on a month to month basis unless written notice is given by ADT, Inc. or Mr. Danneberg not to renew the agreement at least 30 days before the end of such initial term, which notice was not given. Under the terms of the agreement, ADT, Inc. pays Mr. Danneberg a monthly fee of $15,000 and Mr. Danneberg is reimbursed directly for all reasonable out-of-pocket business expenses. PART IV ITEM 14. EXHIBITS, FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES AND REPORTS ON FORM 8-K (a) Consolidated Financial Statements Report of Independent Accountants Consolidated Statements of Income for the years ended December 31, 1996, 1995 and 1994 Consolidated Balance Sheets at December 31, 1996 and 1995 Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the years ended December 31, 1996, 1995 and 1994 Consolidated Statements of Changes in Shareholders' Equity for the years ended December 31, 1996, 1995 and 1994 Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements Consolidated Financial Statement Schedules Schedule II - Valuation and Qualifying Accounts 47 (b) Exhibits 2.1 Agreement and Plan of Merger by and among ADT Limited, Limited Apache, Inc. and Tyco International Ltd. dated as of March 17, 1997.(6) 3.1 Memorandum of Association (as altered) and Bye-Laws of ADT Limited (incorporating all amendments to May 26, 1992).(1) 3.2 Certified copy of a resolution approved at the Annual General Meeting of common shareholders of ADT Limited held on October 12, 1993, approving an increase in the authorized common share capital of ADT Limited from $19.5 million to $22.0 million.(4) 4.1 Indenture relating to the senior notes dated August 4, 1993 among ADT Operations, as issuer, and ADT Limited and certain subsidiaries of ADT Operations, as guarantors, and The Chase Manhattan Bank (National Association), as trustee, and the form of senior note included therein.(2) 4.2 Indenture relating to the senior subordinated notes dated August 4, 1993 among ADT Operations, as issuer, and ADT Limited, as guarantor, and NationsBank of Georgia, National Association, as trustee, and the form of senior subordinated note included therein.(2) 4.3 Indenture dated as of July 1, 1995 among ADT Operations, Inc., ADT Limited and Bank of Montreal Trust Company, as trustee and the form of note included therein. (5) 4.4 Rights Agreement between ADT Limited and Citibank, N.A. dated as of November 6, 1996.(9) 4.5 First Amendment between ADT Limited and Citibank, N.A. dated as of March 3, 1997 to Rights Agreement between ADT Limited and Citibank, N.A. dated as of November 6, 1996.(9) 10.1 Rules of the ADT UK Executive Share Option Scheme (1984), amended to reflect the reverse split of Common Shares effective June 17, 1991.(1)* 10.2 Rules of the ADT International Executive Share Option Plan, amended to reflect the reverse split of Common Shares effective June 17, 1991.(1)* 10.3 Rules of the ADT UK and International Executive Share Option Schemes (1984) New Section, amended to reflect the reverse split of Common Shares effective June 17, 1991.(1)* 48 10.4 Rules of the ADT Senior Executive Share Option Plan, amended to reflect the reverse split of Common Shares effective June 17, 1991.(1)* 10.5 US (1990) Stock Option Plan of ADT Limited, amended to reflect the reverse split of Common Shares effective June 17, 1991.(1)* 10.6 Employment Agreement dated May 8, 1993 between ADT Limited and Michael Anthony Ashcroft.(2)* 10.7 Amendment to Employment Agreement dated December 18, 1996 between ADT Limited and Michael Anthony Ashcroft.(9)* 10.8 Employment agreement between ADT Limited and Stephen J. Ruzika dated as of February 26, 1997.(9)* 10.9 Employment agreement between ADT, Inc. and Ron G. Lakey dated as of January 16, 1997.(9)* 10.10 Agreement between ADT Automotive Holdings, Inc. and Michael J. Richardson dated as of January 29, 1997.(9)* 10.11 Incentive Compensation Agreement between ADT, Inc. and Michael J. Richardson dated as of February 10, 1997.(9)* 10.12 Severance Agreement between ADT Security Services, Inc. and Raymond Gross dated as of February 26, 1997.(9)* 10.13 Consulting Agreement between ADT, Inc. and John E. Danneberg dated as of August 28, 1996.(9)* 10.14 Form of Indemnification Agreement.(9)* 10.15 The ADT 1993 Long-Term Incentive Plan (as amended February 29, 1996).(3)* 10.16 Purchase Agreement dated June 29, 1995 among ADT Operations, Inc., ADT Limited and Merrill Lynch & Co., Inc. and the related pricing agreement (5) 10.17 US$200,000,000 Credit Agreement dated as of January 9, 1997, among ADT Operations, Inc., as the Borrower, and Certain Commercial Lending Institutions as the Lenders, and the Bank of Nova Scotia as the Agent for the Lenders. 10.18 Guaranty, dated as of January 9, 1997, made by ADT Limited in favor of each of the Lender Parties (as defined therein). 10.19 Subsidiary Guarantor Guaranty, dated as of January 9, 1997, made by each Subsidiary Guarantor (as defined therein) in favor of each of the Lender Parties (as defined therein). 10.20 Pound Sterling 90,000,000 Facility Agreement dated March 17, 1997, among ADT Finance Plc, as the Borrower, ADT (UK) Holdings PLC and Others as Guarantors, The Bank of Nova Scotia as Arranger and as Agent and Others. 10.21 ADT Limited Guarantee dated as of March 25, 1997, in respect of a Pound Sterling 90,000,000 facility made available to ADT Finance Plc. 10.22 Pound Sterling 27,000,000 On Demand Facility Letter dated January 3, 1997, between ADT Finance Plc and The Bank of Nova Scotia. 10.23 ADT Limited Guarantee in respect of the obligations of ADT Finance Plc under a Pound Sterling 27,000,000 Facility Letter dated January 3, 1997. 10.24 Agreement dated December 29, 1995 among ADT (UK) Limited, ADT Holdings BV, Ruskin Limited, ADT Limited, Loanoption Limited and Integrated Transport Systems Limited for the sale and purchase of European Auctions.(7) 10.25 Agreement among ADT Limited, Thomas J. Gibson and Integrated Transport Systems Limited dated December 29, 1995.(8)* 10.26 Agreement among ADT Limited, David B. Hammond and Integrated Transport Systems Limited dated December 29, 1995.(8)* 10.27 Common Share Purchase Warrant issued by ADT Limited on July 1, 1996 to Republic Industries, Inc.(10) 49 11.1 Statement regarding the computation of earnings per common share. 21.1 List of subsidiaries of ADT Limited 23.1 Consent of independent accountants to the incorporation by reference of this Annual Report into Form S-3 and Forms S-8. 27 Financial Data Schedule (for SEC use only). - -------------- (1) Previously filed as an Exhibit to the Registrant's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1992. (2) Previously filed as an Exhibit to the Registrant's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 1993. (3) Previously filed as an Exhibit to the Registrant's Registration Statement dated May 16, 1996, on Form S-8 filed May 17, 1996. (4) Previously filed as an Exhibit to the Registrant's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1993. (5) Previously filed as an Exhibit to the Registrant's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 1995. (6) Previously filed as an Exhibit to the Registrant's Current Report dated March 24, 1997 on Form 8-K filed March 25, 1997. (7) Previously filed as an Exhibit to the Registrant's Current Report dated December 29, 1995 on Form 8-K filed January 16, 1996. (8) Previously filed as an Exhibit to the Registrant's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1995. (9) Previously filed as an Exhibit to the Registrant's Schedule 14D-9 dated March 3, 1997. (10) Previously filed as an Exhibit to the Registrant's Current Report dated July 10, 1996 on Form 8-K filed July 11, 1996. * Management contract or compensatory plan. 50 (c) Reports on Form 8-K Current Reports on Form 8-K were filed by ADT Limited on September 19, 1996, October 21, 1996 and November 12, 1996 regarding the acquisition of and merger with Automated Security (Holdings) PLC. A Current Report on Form 8-K was filed by ADT Limited on March 25, 1997, regarding the Agreement and Plan of Merger with Tyco International Ltd. 51 SIGNATURES Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized. ADT LIMITED By: /s/ Stephen J. Ruzika ---------------------- Stephen J. Ruzika Director and Executive Vice President Date: March 26, 1997 Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated. SIGNATURE TITLE DATE /s/ Michael A. Ashcroft Chairman of the Board and Chief March 26, 1997 - -------------------------- Executive Officer (Principal Executive Michael A. Ashcroft Officer) /s/ Stephen J. Ruzika Chief Financial Officer, Executive Vice March 26, 1997 - -------------------------- President and Director Stephen J. Ruzika (Principal Financial Officer and Principal Accounting Officer) /s/ John E. Danneberg Director March 26, 1997 - -------------------------- John E. Danneberg /s/ Alan B. Henderson Director March 26, 1997 - -------------------------- Alan B. Henderson /s/ James S. Pasman, Jr. Director March 26, 1997 - -------------------------- James S. Pasman, Jr. /s/ W. Peter Slusser Director March 26, 1997 - -------------------------- W. Peter Slusser /s/ William W. Stinson Director March 26, 1997 - -------------------------- William W. Stinson /s/ Raymond S. Troubh Director March 26, 1997 - -------------------------- Raymond S. Troubh
52 ADT LIMITED INDEX TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES Page Consolidated Financial Statements Report of Independent Accountants..........................................F-2 Consolidated Statements of Income for the years ended December 31, 1996, 1995 and 1994.....................F-3 Consolidated Balance Sheets at December 31, 1996 and 1995..................F-4 Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the years ended December 31, 1996, 1995 and 1994.....................F-5 Consolidated Statements of Changes in Shareholders' Equity for the years ended December 31, 1996, 1995 and 1994.....................F-8 Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements................................F-10 Consolidated Financial Statement Schedules Schedule II - Valuation and Qualifying Accounts...........................F-78 The consolidated financial statements and consolidated financial statement schedules were approved by the Board of Directors of ADT Limited on March 26, 1997. F-1 ADT LIMITED Report of Independent Accountants To the Board of Directors and Shareholders of ADT Limited We have audited the consolidated financial statements and the consolidated financial statement schedules of ADT Limited listed in the index on page F-1. These consolidated financial statements and consolidated financial statement schedules are the responsibility of the Company's management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these consolidated financial statements and consolidated financial statement schedules based on our audits. We conducted our audits in accordance with generally accepted auditing standards in the United States. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the consolidated financial statements are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the consolidated financial statements. An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall consolidated financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion. In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the consolidated financial position of ADT Limited as at December 31, 1996 and 1995, and the consolidated results of its operations and cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 1996 in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States. In addition, in our opinion, the consolidated financial statement schedules referred to above, when considered in relation to the basic consolidated financial statements taken as a whole, present fairly, in all material respects, the information required to be included therein. As discussed in note 6 to the consolidated financial statements, effective January 1, 1996, the Company adopted the provisions of Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 121 "Accounting for the Impairment of Long-Lived Assets and for Long-Lived Assets to Be Disposed Of". COOPERS & LYBRAND Hamilton, Bermuda March 26, 1997 F-2
ADT LIMITED Consolidated Statements of Income Year ended December 31 1996 1995 1994 Notes $m $m $m Net sales 4 1,704.0 1,783.8 1,629.4 Cost of sales (920.0) (990.4) (913.4) Selling, general and administrative expenses (567.5) (558.4) (505.5) Restructuring and other non-recurring charges 5 (237.3) (34.2) (4.5) Charge for the impairment of long-lived assets 6 (744.7) - - ------- ------- ------- Operating (loss) income 4 (765.5) 200.8 206.0 Interest income 27.5 16.2 15.2 Interest expense (101.0) (116.3) (99.3) Gain (loss) on disposal of businesses 7,34 1.7 (36.6) (0.3) Other income less expenses 8 128.8 (5.0) (4.1) ------- ------- ------- (Loss) income before income taxes (708.5) 59.1 117.5 Income taxes 9 21.8 (28.1) (34.9) ------- ------- ------- (Loss) income from continuing operations (686.7) 31.0 82.6 Loss from discontinued operations 10 - - (3.3) ------- ------- ------- (Loss) income before extraordinary items (686.7) 31.0 79.3 Extraordinary items (net of income taxes) 11 (8.4) (9.8) - ------- ------- ------- Net (loss) income (695.1) 21.2 79.3 Dividends on preference shares 28 (0.3) (0.3) (13.3) ------- ------- ------- Net (loss) income available to common shareholders (695.4) 20.9 66.0 ======= ======= ======= Primary and fully diluted (loss) earnings per common share 12 $ $ $ (Loss) income from continuing operations (5.01) 0.22 0.51 Loss from discontinued operations - - (0.03) Extraordinary items (0.06) (0.07) - ------- ------- ------- Net (loss) income per common share (5.07) 0.15 0.48 ======= ======= ======= See notes to consolidated financial statements.
F-3
ADT LIMITED Consolidated Balance Sheets At December 31 1996 1995 Notes $m $m Assets Current assets: Cash and cash equivalents 215.9 350.9 Accounts receivable - net 13 210.7 196.4 Inventories 14 39.2 38.0 Prepaid expenses and other current assets 15 117.0 34.5 ------- ------- Total current assets 582.8 619.8 Property, plant and equipment - net 16 1,513.6 1,571.3 Goodwill and other intangibles - net 17 458.0 1,053.6 Investment in and loans to associate 18,34 - 88.8 Long-term investments 19 100.6 2.0 Other long-term assets 20 75.4 84.2 ------- ------- Total assets 2,730.4 3,419.7 ======= ======= Liabilities and shareholders' equity Current liabilities: Short-term debt 21 209.2 44.9 Accounts payable 138.0 112.0 Other current liabilities 22 293.6 227.2 ------- ------- Total current liabilities 640.8 384.1 Long-term debt 23 910.1 1,174.8 Deferred revenue 24 146.1 137.4 Deferred income taxes 25 91.5 142.4 Other long-term liabilities 26 182.1 135.2 Minority interests 27 - 15.6 ------- ------- Total liabilities 1,970.6 1,989.5 ------- ------- Commitments and contingencies 32 Convertible redeemable preference shares 28 - 4.9 Shareholders' equity: Common shares 30 14.1 13.9 Additional paid-in capital Share premium 882.5 858.0 Contributed surplus 1,563.1 1,563.1 Treasury shares 31 (79.7) (79.7) Accumulated deficit (1,598.8) (903.4) Cumulative currency translation adjustments (21.4) (26.6) ------- ------- Total shareholders' equity 759.8 1,425.3 ------- ------- Total liabilities and shareholders' equity 2,730.4 3,419.7 ======= ======= See notes to consolidated financial statements
F-4
ADT LIMITED Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows Year ended December 31 1996 1995 1994 $m $m $m Cash flows from operating activities Net (loss) income (695.1) 21.2 79.3 Adjustments to reconcile net (loss) income to net cash provided by operating activities: Charge for the impairment of long-lived assets 744.7 - - Depreciation 206.2 209.0 189.0 Goodwill and other intangibles amortization 18.6 38.9 37.7 Restructuring and other non-recurring charges 217.4 32.7 4.5 Interest on ITS Vendor Note (8.9) - - Liquid Yield Option Notes discount amortization 20.3 9.4 - Yield maintenance amortization - senior notes - ASH 1.5 1.1 0.6 Refinancing costs amortization 3.7 5.3 5.7 Deferred income taxes (39.5) 18.4 24.9 Extraordinary items 8.4 9.8 - Gain on disposal of property, plant and equipment (2.4) (1.7) (3.1) (Gain) loss on disposal of businesses (1.7) 36.6 0.3 (Gain) loss on disposal of investment in associates (1.2) 5.1 (4.2) Gain arising from the ownership of investments (53.2) (0.1) (17.3) Write off in value of associate - - 30.7 Settlement gain (69.7) - - Gain on currency transactions (9.7) (0.9) (2.1) Loss on disposal of discontinued operations - - 3.7 Other 2.0 1.1 (2.6) Changes in assets and liabilities: Accounts receivable (11.9) (36.3) (14.3) Inventories (3.3) 0.6 (3.9) Other assets (11.7) (5.7) 3.6 Accounts payable 11.3 6.1 16.5 Deferred revenue 4.3 2.7 8.0 Other liabilities (21.4) (16.3) 6.1 ----- ----- ----- Net cash provided by operating activities 308.7 337.0 363.1 ----- ----- ----- See notes to consolidated financial statements F-5 Cash flows from investing activities Purchase of property, plant and equipment (344.4) (325.8) (282.6) Disposal of property, plant and equipment 10.0 8.0 13.5 Acquisition of businesses (25.5) (68.3) (14.8) Purchase of customer contracts (34.6) (0.5) (2.3) Purchase of other investments (6.8) (0.4) (6.1) Disposal of businesses 3.0 254.8 10.0 Disposal of discontinued operations - - 4.6 Disposal of investment in and loans to associates 15.4 7.8 40.2 Disposal of other investments 54.1 0.2 72.5 Other 0.4 5.6 (6.6) ----- ----- ----- Net cash utilized by investing activities (328.4) (118.6) (171.6) ----- ----- ----- Year ended December 31 1996 1995 1994 $m $m $m Cash flows from financing activities Net receipt (repayments) of short-term debt 10.9 (103.9) (26.2) Repayments of long-term debt (209.9) (216.9) (1.3) Repayment of long-term acquisition debt - (39.6) - Proceeds from long-term debt 86.8 314.0 240.6 Debt refinancing costs - (12.0) (1.0) Purchase of senior subordinated notes (24.0) (33.7) - Proceeds from issue of common shares 24.7 7.0 7.3 Redemption of convertible redeemable preference shares (4.9) - (420.2) Dividends paid by ADT (0.3) (0.3) (18.1) Dividends paid by ASH - (4.5) (3.3) Other - (0.3) (11.7) ----- ----- ----- Net cash utilized by financing activities (116.7) (90.2) (233.9) ----- ----- ----- Effect of currency translation on cash and cash equivalents 1.4 0.8 2.1 ----- ----- ----- Net (decrease) increase in cash and (135.0) 129.0 (40.3) cash equivalents Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year 350.9 221.9 262.2 ----- ----- ----- Cash and cash equivalents at end of year 215.9 350.9 221.9 ===== ===== ===== Cash payments during the year for Interest 77.3 103.5 86.0 Income taxes 8.9 15.0 10.3 Non-cash investing and financing activities Exchange of Liquid Yield Option Notes 0.4 - - Conversion of convertible redeemable preference shares - 0.1 - Exchange of non-voting exchangeable shares - - 9.7 In conjunction with the acquisition of businesses, net (assets) liabilities were assumed as follows Goodwill and other intangibles 10.3 123.0 12.7 Cash paid (net of cash assumed) (25.5) (68.3) (14.8) ----- ----- ----- Net (assets) liabilities assumed (15.2) 54.7 (2.1) ===== ===== ===== See notes to consolidated financial statements F-6 Year ended December 31 1996 1995 1994 $m $m $m In conjunction with the disposal of businesses, net assets were disposed as follows Cash received (net of cash disposed) 3.0 254.8 10.0 Notes received - 87.9 10.5 Ordinary shares received - 0.9 - Deferred consideration - 5.6 - Currency translation adjustments transferred on disposal of businesses - (22.2) - (Gain) loss on disposal of businesses (including net unamortized goodwill and other intangibles and cumulative currency translation adjustments) (1.7) 36.6 0.3 --- ----- ---- Net assets disposed 1.3 363.6 20.8 === ===== ==== In conjunction with the disposal of discontinued operations, net assets were disposed as follows Cash received (net of cash disposed) - - 4.6 Loss on disposal of discontinued operations (including net unamortized goodwill and other intangibles) - - 3.7 --- ----- ---- Net assets disposed - - 8.3 === ===== ==== See notes to consolidated financial statements
F-7
ADT LIMITED Consolidated Statements of Changes in Shareholders' Equity Cumulative Accum- currency Common Share Contributed Treasury ulated translation shares premium surplus shares deficit adjustments Total $m $m $m $m $m $m $m At January 1, 1994 - as previously reported 13.0 710.8 1,442.7 (102.9) (1,060.9) (45.4) 957.3 Pooling of interests with ASH (note 3) 0.7 133.1 126.5 - 77.1 (29.9) 307.5 ----- ----- ------- ------ ------- ----- ------- At January 1, 1994 - as restated 13.7 843.9 1,569.2 (102.9) (983.8) (75.3) 1,264.8 Common shares issued 0.1 7.2 - - - - 7.3 Exchange of non-voting exchangeable shares - - (8.1) 23.1 - - 15.0 Reversal of redemption premium on convertible preference shares - - 1.8 - - - 1.8 Net income - - - - 79.3 - 79.3 Dividends on ADT preference shares - - - - (13.3) - (13.3) Dividends on ASH preference shares (i) - - - - (4.3) - (4.3) Currency translation adjustments - - - - - 25.9 25.9 ----- ----- ------- ------ ------- ----- ------- At December 31, 1994 13.8 851.1 1,562.9 (79.8) (922.1) (49.4) 1,376.5 Common shares issued 0.1 6.9 - - - - 7.0 Conversion of convertible preference shares - - 0.3 - - - 0.3 Exchange of non-voting exchangeable shares - - (0.1) 0.1 - - - Net income - - - - 21.2 - 21.2 Dividends on ADT preference shares - - - - (0.3) - (0.3) Dividends on ASH preference shares (i) - - - - (2.2) - (2.2) Currency translation adjustments - - - - - (0.5) (0.5) Currency translation adjustments transferred on disposal of businesses and associates - - - - - 23.3 23.3 ----- ----- ------- ------ ------- ----- ------- At December 31, 1995 13.9 858.0 1,563.1 (79.7) (903.4) (26.6) 1,425.3 Common shares issued 0.2 24.5 - - - - 24.7 Exchange of Liquid Yield Option Notes - - 0.3 - - - 0.3 Net loss - - - - (695.1) - (695.1) Dividends on ADT preference shares - - - - (0.3) - (0.3) Currency translation and other adjustments - - (0.3) - - 5.2 4.9 ----- ----- ------- ------ ------- ----- ------ At December 31, 1996 14.1 882.5 1,563.1 (79.7) (1,598.8) (21.4) 759.8 ===== ===== ======= ====== ======= ===== ====== See notes to consolidated financial statements
F-8 ADT LIMITED Consolidated Statements of Changes in Shareholders' Equity (continued) (i) Prior to the Company's merger with Automated Security (Holdings) PLC ("ASH") in September 1996 (note 3), ASH had issued and outstanding two classes of convertible cumulative redeemable preference shares. The dividends on these preference shares have been charged to the accumulated deficit account during the relevant periods. Given the terms and conditions of the preference shares and that the holders of these preference shares received ADT common shares at the time of the Company's merger with ASH, the dividends have not been included in the calculation of earnings per common share in any period presented. See notes to consolidated financial statements F-9 ADT LIMITED Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements Note 1 - Basis of consolidated financial statements The consolidated financial statements have been prepared in United States dollars in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States and as described in notes 2 and 3. The preparation of consolidated financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States requires management to make extensive use of estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the consolidated financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. These management estimates include an allowance for doubtful receivables, estimates of future cash flows associated with assets, asset impairments, and useful lives for depreciation and amortization, loss contingencies, income taxes and valuation allowances for deferred tax assets, and the determination of discount and other rate assumptions for pension and post-retirement employee benefit expenses. Actual results could differ from those estimates. Certain figures at December 31, 1995 and for the years ended December 31, 1995 and 1994 have been reclassified to conform to the 1996 presentation. Note 2 - Summary of significant accounting policies Principles of consolidation The consolidated financial statements incorporate the financial statements of ADT Limited ("ADT"), a company incorporated in Bermuda, and its subsidiaries (the "Company"). ADT is a holding company with no independent business operations or assets other than its investment in its subsidiaries, intercompany balances and holdings of cash and cash equivalents. ADT's businesses are conducted through its subsidiaries. The Company consolidates companies in which it owns or controls more than fifty per cent of the voting shares unless control is likely to be temporary. The results of subsidiary companies acquired or disposed of during the financial year are included in the consolidated financial statements from the effective date of acquisition or up to the date of disposal except in the case of pooling of interests (note 3). All significant intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation. Associates For investments in which the Company owns or controls more than twenty per cent of the voting shares, or over which it exerts significant influence over operating and financial policies, the equity method of accounting is used in the consolidated financial statements. The investment in associates is shown in the consolidated balance sheets as the Company's proportion of the underlying net assets of these companies plus any goodwill attributable to the acquisitions less any write off required for a permanent diminution in value. The consolidated statements of income include the Company's share of net income of associates less applicable goodwill amortization. Currency translation The results of subsidiaries and associates located outside the United States which account in a functional currency other than United States dollars are translated into United States dollars at the average rate of exchange for the year. The assets and liabilities of subsidiaries and associates located outside the United States which account in a functional currency other than United States dollars are translated into United States dollars at the rate ruling at the balance sheet date. Currency translation adjustments arising from the use of differing exchange rates from period to period are included as a separate component in shareholders' equity. The gains and losses arising from currency transactions are included in the consolidated statements of income. F-10 Cash and cash equivalents Cash and cash equivalents include cash on hand, demand deposits and highly liquid instruments, with an original maturity of three months or less. As a result of the short-term maturity of these financial instruments their carrying value is approximately equal to their fair market value. Inventories Inventories are carried at the lower of cost or net realizable value. Cost includes an addition for production overheads where appropriate and is determined on a first-in first-out basis. Property, plant and equipment Property, plant and equipment are carried at cost less accumulated depreciation. Depreciation is provided to write off the cost of the assets over their estimated useful lives, using the straight line method, at the following annual rates: Owned property and related improvements 2% to 4% Leased property and related improvements term of lease Subscriber systems shorter of actual contract duration or 7%, and 10% Other plant and equipment 7% to 40% Repairs and maintenance costs are expensed as incurred. Gains and losses arising on the disposal of property, plant and equipment are included in the consolidated statements of income. Goodwill and other intangibles The goodwill that arises where the acquisition cost of subsidiaries and associates exceeds the fair values attributable to the underlying net assets is capitalized and is being amortized on a straight line basis over its estimated useful life, covering periods not exceeding forty years. Goodwill arising on the acquisition of associates is included in investment in associates. Costs attributable to the acquisition, including the costs of any reorganization arrangements, less related income, are treated as reducing the value of the net assets acquired. The carrying value of goodwill is evaluated periodically in relation to the operating performance and future undiscounted cash flows of the underlying businesses. Where, in the opinion of the Company, a permanent diminution in the value of goodwill has occurred, the amount of the diminution is included in the consolidated statements of income. Other intangibles principally comprise customer contracts which are being amortized on a straight line basis over periods not exceeding ten years. Income taxes Deferred tax liabilities and assets are recognized for the expected future tax consequences of events that have been included in the consolidated financial statements or tax returns. Deferred tax liabilities and assets are determined based on the differences between the consolidated financial statements and tax bases of assets and liabilities, using tax rates in effect for the years in which the differences are expected to reverse. F-11 Share premium and contributed surplus In accordance with the Bermuda Companies Act 1981, when ADT issues shares for cash at a premium to their par value, the resulting premium is credited to a share premium account, a non-distributable reserve. When ADT issues shares in exchange for shares of another company, the excess of the fair value of the shares acquired over the par value of the shares issued by ADT is credited, where applicable, to contributed surplus which is, subject to certain conditions, a distributable reserve. Net sales Net sales represent the invoiced value of goods and services to outside customers net of sales-related taxes. Revenue recognition Revenue from services or products is recognized in the consolidated statements of income as services are rendered or deliveries made. Service charges, which consist of subscriber billings for services not yet rendered, are deferred and taken into income as earned and the deferred element is all included in long-term liabilities. Revenue from the installation of electronic security systems is recognized when installations are completed. Pensions and post-retirement benefits The Company operates various pension and post-retirement benefit plans designed in accordance with conditions and practices in the countries concerned. Contributions or accruals for costs are based on periodic actuarial valuations and are charged to the consolidated statements of income on a systematic basis over the expected average remaining service lives of current employees. Note 3 - Merger with Automated Security (Holdings) PLC In September 1996 ADT merged with and acquired the whole of the issued capital of ASH, a United Kingdom quoted company. ASH is engaged in the provision of electronic security services in North America and Europe. Under the terms of the transaction, ASH shareholders received 3 ADT common shares for every 92 ASH ordinary shares, 2 ADT common shares for every 31 ASH 5 per cent convertible cumulative redeemable preference shares and 2 ADT common shares for every 31 ASH 6 per cent convertible cumulative redeemable preference shares. The total consideration in respect of the whole of the issued capital of ASH consisted of the issue of 7,034,940 ADT common shares (note 30(i)). The merger with and acquisition of ASH by ADT has been accounted for by means of the pooling of interests method of accounting pursuant to Accounting Principles Board Opinion No. 16. The pooling of interests method of accounting assumes that the combining companies have been merged since their inception, and the historical consolidated financial statements for periods prior to consummation of the merger are restated as though the companies have been combined since their inception. Accordingly, the consolidated financial statements give effect to the transaction by means of the pooling of interests and have been restated. F-12 The consolidated financial statements of ASH have previously been presented in pounds sterling, ASH's functional currency. For the purposes of these consolidated financial statements, ASH's consolidated financial statements have been translated into United States dollars at the appropriate exchange rates. In addition, ASH's financial year end is November 30, with appropriate quarterly period ends of February 28, May 31, and August 31. These periods have not yet been amended in order to facilitate timely reporting. It is these periods which have been used to give effect to the pooling of interests with ADT. Certain figures of ASH for all periods presented have been reclassified to conform to the ADT presentation. Combined and separate results of ADT and ASH for the periods preceding the merger were as follows: ADT Group ASH Group Adjustments Combined $m $m $m $m Six months ended June 30, 1996 (unaudited) Net sales 715.6 118.1 - 833.7 Extraordinary items (1.2) - - (1.2) Net loss (347.7) (328.9) 0.5(i) (676.1) ------ ------ ------ ------ Year ended December 31, 1995 Net sales 1,525.4 258.4 - 1,783.8 Extraordinary items (9.8) - - (9.8) Net income (loss) 41.5 (18.7) (1.6)(ii) 21.2 ------ ------ ------ ------ Year ended December 31, 1994 Net sales 1,375.9 253.5 - 1,629.4 Net income (loss) 111.0 (31.7) - 79.3 ------ ------ ------ ------ (I) Income tax adjustment arising on preference share dividends accrued by the ASH group but not payable following merger. (ii) Income tax adjustment of $0.6 million credit referred to in (i) above, and a $2.2 million charge relating to cumulative currency translation adjustments on the disposal of businesses and associates by the ASH group whose consolidated financial statements were prepared in pounds sterling - its functional currency. F-13 Note 4 - Segment information The Company is engaged in two service businesses, electronic security services in North America and Europe and vehicle auction and related services in the United States. The Company's principal activities in the electronic security services business are the electronic monitoring and maintenance of its installed base of security systems and the installation of new, monitored security systems to add to its installed base. The Company's vehicle auction services business operates a network of large auction centers which provide a range of vehicle redistribution services and an organized wholesale marketplace for the sale and purchase of used vehicles. Year ended December 31 1996 1995 1994 $m $m $m Net sales Electronic security services (i) 1,406.2 1,350.9 1,253.3 Vehicle auction services (ii) 297.8 432.9 376.1 ------- ------- ------- 1,704.0 1,783.8 1,629.4 ======= ======= ======= Operating (loss) income Electronic security services (i) (756.5) 172.4 182.1 Vehicle auction services (ii) 27.1 70.2 62.7 Corporate (iii) (36.1) (41.8) (38.8) ------- ------- ------- (765.5) 200.8 206.0 ======= ======= ======= (I) In 1996 electronic security services operating income was stated after a charge of $232.5 million (1995 - $21.4 million) relating to restructuring and other non-recurring items (note 5(i)) and after a charge for the impairment of long-lived assets of $731.7 million (note 6(i)). During 1996 the Company disposed of a European electronic security services business operated by the ASH group. The net gain on disposal of $1.7 million was included in the gain on disposal of businesses (note 7(iii)). In November 1995 the Company disposed of its entire European electronic article surveillance business. The net gain on disposal of $31.4 million was included in the loss on disposal of businesses (note 7(ii)). During 1995 the Company disposed of certain of the European electronic security services operations and businesses operated by the ASH group. The net loss on disposal of $2.2 million was included in the loss on disposal of businesses (note 7(iii)). During 1994 the Company disposed of its entire Australasian electronic security service businesses, and also disposed of certain of the North American electronic security services operations of the ADT group and the ASH group. The net loss on disposal of $0.3 million was included in the loss on disposal of businesses (note 7(iii)). F-14 The following information represents the amounts included in the electronic security services business segment information above which related to the businesses and operations disposed of. Year ended December 31 1996 1995 1994 $m $m $m Net sales 0.7 62.7 97.4 Operating loss (0.9) (5.3) (1.0) (ii) In 1996 vehicle auction services operating income was stated after a charge for the impairment of long-lived assets of $13.0 million (note 6(ii)). In December 1995 the Company disposed of an interest in its United Kingdom and Continental European vehicle auction services businesses ("European Auctions") (notes 18 and 34). The net loss on disposal of $65.8 million was included in the loss on disposal of businesses (note 7(i)). The following information represents the amounts included in the vehicle auction services business segment information above which related to the businesses disposed of. Year ended December 31 1996 1995 1994 $m $m $m Net sales - 163.1 122.8 Operating income - 35.9 29.0 (iii) Corporate expenses comprise administrative, legal and general corporate expenses net of other income. In 1996 corporate expenses were stated after a charge of $4.8 million (1995 - $12.8 million; 1994 - $4.5 million) relating to restructuring and other non-recurring items (note 5(ii)). In 1996 corporate expenses included $11.3 million related to professional and other transaction costs arising in connection with the merger of ADT and ASH and the terminated merger with Republic Industries, Inc. ("Republic"), together with various refinancing costs incurred by the ASH group prior to the merger with ADT of $1.6 million (1995 - $5.0 million). (iv) The costs incurred in producing and communicating advertising are generally expensed when incurred. The total amount of advertising expense for the year included in the consolidated statements of income amounted to $65.7 million (1995 - $58.9 million; 1994 - $47.1 million). F-15 Year ended December 31 1996 1995 1994 $m $m $m Depreciation and amortization Electronic security services 209.2 221.9 202.5 Vehicle auction services 15.0 25.4 23.5 Corporate 0.6 0.6 0.7 ------- ------- ------- 224.8 247.9 226.7 ======= ======= ======= Capital expenditures Electronic security services 314.2 292.4 259.2 Vehicle auction services 25.7 31.8 23.1 Corporate 4.5 1.6 0.3 ------- ------- ------- 344.4 325.8 282.6 ======= ======= ======= Identifiable assets Electronic security services 1,898.0 2,514.9 2,337.8 Vehicle auction services 465.1 438.1 809.8 Corporate 367.3 466.7 264.7 ------- ------- ------- 2,730.4 3,419.7 3,412.3 ======= ======= ======= Net sales North America 1,358.6 1,228.5 1,121.8 Europe 345.4 555.3 490.9 Australasia - - 16.7 ------- ------- ------- 1,704.0 1,783.8 1,629.4 ======= ======= ======= Operating (loss) income North America (483.6) 153.0 156.8 Europe (281.9) 47.8 49.0 Australasia - - 0.2 ------- ------- ------- (765.5) 200.8 206.0 ======= ======= ======= Identifiable assets North America 2,300.5 2,563.8 2,295.7 Europe 429.9 855.9 1,116.6 ------- ------- ------- 2,730.4 3,419.7 3,412.3 ======= ======= ======= F-16 Note 5 - Restructuring and other non-recurring charges Year ended December 31 1996 1995 1994 $m $m $m Electronic security services (i) (232.5) (21.4) - Corporate (ii) (4.8) (12.8) (4.5) ------ ----- ---- (237.3) (34.2) (4.5) ====== ===== ==== During 1995 the Company commenced a strategic review of its business operations and its corporate organizational structure with a view to developing a business strategy which would place the Company in a stronger position to deal with the changing business environment and challenges facing its core service businesses in the late 1990s. During 1996 this strategic review process continued and was extended to include a significantly expanded agenda. (i) As part of the strategic review the Company commenced an evaluation of the administrative, accounting, management information systems and technological infrastructures of its United States electronic security services division (the "Re- Engineering Project"). The Re-Engineering Project, which is on-going, is intended to modify and improve the entire structure of the business operations. As a consequence of the Re-Engineering Project, and incorporating the effects of the acquisition of Alert Centre, Inc. ("Alert"), in each of the fourth quarters of 1996 and 1995 senior executive management approved a restructuring plan which resulted in a charge for restructuring and other non-recurring items in the United States electronic security services division of $131.6 million and $19.4 million, respectively. The United States electronic security services division restructuring charge in 1996 was principally attributable to planned technological infrastructure enhancements to facilitate further consolidation of the Company's entire customer monitoring center network together with all related operations, which it is expected will be substantially completed by December 1997. The restructuring charge included the write off of certain property, plant and equipment of $82.6 million, provision for idle property leases of $18.9 million, the termination of certain contractual obligations and other settlement costs of $9.4 million, and other integration and restructuring costs of $20.7 million. The amounts paid and charged in 1996 against the provisions for the termination of certain contractual obligations and other settlement costs, and against other integration and restructuring costs, amounted to $4.8 million and $4.3 million, respectively. The United States electronic security services division restructuring charge in 1995 was principally attributable to the closure of the Parsippany, New Jersey and associated corporate offices, which will be substantially completed by March 1997. Full implementation of the restructuring plan will result in the termination of approximately 250 employees of which approximately 180 employees had been terminated by December 31, 1996. Employee severance and other associated costs included in the restructuring charge amounted to $13.6 million, the write off of certain property, plant and equipment amounted to $1.9 million, and other integration and restructuring costs amounted to $3.9 million. The amounts paid and charged in 1996 against the provisions for employee severance and other associated costs, and against other integration and restructuring costs, amounted to $7.1 million and $3.5 million, respectively. F-17 During the fourth quarter of 1996, the Company commenced a strategic and detailed review of the electronic security services businesses acquired as part of the acquisition of ASH in September 1996. In December 1996 senior executive management approved a restructuring plan which is intended to merge and integrate fully the ASH group into the ADT group by December 1997, and which resulted in a charge for restructuring and other non-recurring items in the United Kingdom and the United States electronic security services divisions of $68.6 million and $29.2 million, respectively. The restructuring charge included the write off of certain property, plant and equipment of $13.2 million, provision for idle property leases of $22.5 million, the termination of certain contractual obligations and other settlement costs of $35.2 million, and other integration and restructuring costs of $26.9 million. The amounts paid and charged in 1996 against the provisions for the termination of certain contractual obligations and other settlement costs, and against other integration and restructuring costs, amounted to $7.2 million and $1.0 million, respectively. As part of the strategic review, in 1996 the Company also commenced an evaluation of the customer monitoring center network in its Canadian electronic security services division which resulted in a charge for restructuring and other non-recurring items of $3.1 million. The restructuring charge included the write off of certain property, plant and equipment of $1.3 million and provision for idle property leases of $1.8 million, of which $0.2 million was paid and charged in 1996. As part of the strategic review, in 1995 the Company also commenced an evaluation of the management information systems of its United Kingdom electronic security services division which resulted in a charge for restructuring and other non-recurring items in 1995 of $2.0 million principally relating to the write off of certain property, plant and equipment. (ii) The effects of the Re-Engineering Project and the merger of the ASH group into the ADT group resulted in a charge for restructuring and other non-recurring items at the corporate level in 1996 of $4.8 million, comprising other integration and restructuring costs, of which $3.0 million was paid and charged in 1996. During 1995 the Company also evaluated its group corporate structure, in particular in the United Kingdom. As a result, in the fourth quarter of 1995, senior executive management approved a restructuring plan, which was substantially completed by December 1996, which resulted in a charge for restructuring and other non-recurring items at the corporate level of $12.8 million. The corporate restructuring charge included the provision for idle property leases of $5.6 million, the termination of certain contractual obligations and other settlement costs of $4.8 million, and employee severance for four executives, all of whom were terminated during 1996, and other associated costs, of $2.4 million. The amounts paid and charged in 1996 against the provisions in the aforementioned categories were $0.6 million, $4.8 million and $1.8 million, respectively. The corporate restructuring charge in 1994 of $4.5 million was principally attributable to the Company's corporate administration in the United Kingdom and related to a provision for idle property leases. F-18 Note 6 - Charge for the impairment of long-lived assets Year ended December 31 1996 1995 1994 $m $m $m Electronic security services (i) (731.7) - - Vehicle auction services (ii) (13.0) - - ------ ------ ------ (744.7) - - ====== ====== ====== Effective January 1, 1996, the Company was required to adopt Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 121 "Accounting for the Impairment of Long-Lived Assets and for Long-Lived Assets to Be Disposed Of" ("SFAS 121"). SFAS 121 prescribes a methodology for assessing and measuring an impairment loss that is significantly different from previous guidelines and procedures. SFAS 121 requires the recoverability of the carrying value of long-lived assets, primarily property, plant and equipment, and related goodwill, and other intangible assets, to be reviewed for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may not be fully recoverable. Under SFAS 121 it is necessary to evaluate for and calculate an impairment loss at the lowest level of asset grouping for which there are identifiable cash flows. Under SFAS 121, if an asset being tested for recoverability was acquired in a business combination accounted for using the purchase method, the goodwill that arose in the transaction is included in the impairment evaluation of that asset. SFAS 121 requires that an impairment loss is recognized when the carrying amount of an asset exceeds the sum of the estimated undiscounted future cash flows of the asset. Under SFAS 121 an impairment loss is calculated as the difference between the carrying amount of the asset, including the related goodwill, and its estimated fair value. The carrying amount of the related goodwill is eliminated before making any reduction in the carrying amount of any other impaired long-lived asset. Prior to the adoption of SFAS 121, the Company's policy was to evaluate for impairment of long-lived assets, including goodwill, on an aggregate basis for each business segment. Management has determined that within the electronic security services division the lowest level of asset grouping referred to above can be determined on a country by country basis and, with effect from the first quarter of 1996, further split principally in terms of commercial and residential sectors. The assets principally comprise subscriber systems installed at customers' premises, which are included in property, plant and equipment, and the related goodwill, and other intangible assets. Within the vehicle auction services division the lowest level of asset grouping can be determined principally on an individual auction center basis, and the assets principally comprise land and real estate, which are included in property, plant and equipment, and the related goodwill. Management has estimated the fair values referred to above by using an analysis of estimated discounted future cash flows as the best available estimate of fair value. The basis of the calculation was the Company's business strategy, plans and financial projections, and an appropriate discount factor based on the Company's estimated cost of capital. F-19 Following the adoption of SFAS 121, in particular the change in methodology requiring the Company to evaluate assets at the lowest level of asset grouping, rather than on an aggregate basis, in the first quarter of 1996 the Company recorded an aggregate non-cash charge for the impairment of long-lived assets of $744.7 million, as a separate line item in the consolidated statements of income, with a consequential tax credit of $10.8 million. The $744.7 million impairment charge comprised $731.7 million relating to the electronic security services division and $13.0 million relating to the vehicle auction services division. (i) The $731.7 million impairment charge in the electronic security services division comprised $397.1 million related to the ADT group and $334.6 million related to the ASH group. The $397.1 million impairment charge in the electronic security services division of the ADT group related to an impairment in the carrying value of subscriber systems principally in the commercial sector, including related goodwill which principally arose on the acquisition of ADT Security Services in 1987 of $395.3 million and other assets of $1.8 million. Since 1989 the Company's electronic security services operations in the residential sector have developed at a very rapid rate based principally on internally generated growth. As a consequence, the Company's operations in the commercial sector, which were acquired principally in 1987, have now been complemented by a significant residential electronic security services operation. This was a major factor in the Company's decision to commence the Re-Engineering Project in 1995, which is on-going. In the context of the Re-Engineering Project and changes in the electronic security services business environment, the electronic security services operations have now been reorganized along separate commercial and residential business lines, rather than on an aggregate geographic basis, with effect from the first quarter of 1996, and which is fully supported by management and financial reporting systems that now record the results and cash flows of each sector separately. When the financial projections and estimated future cash flows of the commercial sector were analyzed separately, they indicated that the carrying amount of the related assets may not be fully recoverable. This is reflective of increased competition and other pricing factors as well as changes in the business environment. Accordingly, upon adoption of SFAS 121 the Company evaluated the commercial sector assets for impairment with a resultant charge being recorded. In the United States the impairment charge amounted to $303.4 million. In Canada, where the business performance has continued to be disappointing, the impairment charge amounted to $56.7 million. In Europe, the impairment charge amounted to $37.0 million, principally due to the business performance of certain countries not meeting previous expectations. The $334.6 million impairment charge in the electronic security services division of the ASH group related to an impairment in the carrying value of subscriber systems of $121.0 million, and the carrying value of related goodwill and other intangibles of $213.6 million which principally arose on the acquisition of certain of the businesses of Modern Security Systems in 1989 and 1990, API Security in 1989 and the Sonitrol Group in 1992. The impairment charge amounted to $211.2 million and $123.4 million in the United Kingdom and the United States, respectively. In both the United Kingdom and the United States, the adoption of SFAS 121 coincided with a reorganization of both the commercial and residential business sectors to address, in part, changes in the electronic security services business environment and performance similar to those being addressed by the ADT group. In addition, the aggregate fair value of ADT common shares issued to ASH shareholders on merger was significantly less than ASH's consolidated net asset value. It was for all these reasons that the Company reviewed the assets for impairment upon adoption of SFAS 121. (ii) The $13.0 million impairment charge in the vehicle auction services division related to an impairment in the carrying value of property and related improvements, including related goodwill which principally arose on the acquisition of ADT Automotive in 1987. F-20 Note 7 - Gain (loss) on disposal of businesses Year ended December 31 1996 1995 1994 $m $m $m United Kingdom and Continental European vehicle auction services businesses (i) - (65.8) - European electronic article surveillance business (ii) - 31.4 - Other (iii) 1.7 (2.2) (0.3) ---- ----- ---- 1.7 (36.6) (0.3) ==== ===== ==== (I) In December 1995 the Company disposed of an interest in European Auctions (note 34) for an aggregate consideration of $334.9 million (note 18). The net loss on disposal of $65.8 million included $136.5 million relating to the write off of net unamortized goodwill and other intangibles (note 17(ii)) and a $23.2 million charge related to cumulative currency translation adjustments. (ii) In November 1995 the Company disposed of its entire European electronic article surveillance business for an aggregate consideration of $54.0 million, comprising cash of $48.6 million and deferred consideration of $5.4 million. The net gain on disposal of $31.4 million included a $2.1 million gain relating to cumulative currency translation adjustments. (iii) During 1996 the Company disposed of a European electronic security services business operated by the ASH group for an aggregate cash consideration of $3.0 million. The net gain on disposal amounted to $1.7 million. During 1995 the Company disposed of certain of the European electronic security services operations and businesses operated by the ASH group for an aggregate consideration of $6.1 million, comprising cash of $5.9 million and deferred consideration of $0.2 million. The net loss on disposal of $2.2 million included $2.8 million relating to the write off of net unamortized goodwill and other intangibles (note 17(ii)) and a $1.1 million charge relating to cumulative currency translation adjustments. During 1994 the Company disposed of its entire Australasian electronic security services businesses, and also disposed of certain of the North American electronic security services operations of the ADT group and the ASH group. The aggregate consideration on these disposals amounted to $21.6 million, comprising cash of $11.1 million and notes receivable of $10.5 million, and the net loss on disposal of $0.3 million included $10.7 million relating to the write off of net unamortized goodwill and other intangibles. F-21 Note 8 - Other income less expenses Year ended December 31 1996 1995 1994 $m $m $m Gains and losses arising from the ownership of: Short-term investments - - 3.0 Long-term investments (i) 54.4 (5.0) 18.5 Write off in value of associate (ii) - - (30.7) Settlement gain (iii) 65.0 - - Gains and losses on currency transactions 9.7 0.9 2.1 Other income less expenses - net (0.3) (0.9) 3.0 ----- ---- ---- 128.8 (5.0) (4.1) ===== ==== ==== (I) Realized gains and losses arising from the ownership of short-term and long-term investments are principally stated before carrying costs of interest, administrative and other expenses. During 1996 gains arising from the ownership of long-term investments comprised a net gain of $53.4 million relating to the disposal in November 1996 of the Company's entire investment in Limelight Group plc, a United Kingdom quoted company, which was previously valued and accounted for by the Company at a nominal amount, a net gain of $1.2 million relating to the disposal of the Company's equity investment in Integrated Transport Systems Limited (notes 18 and 34) and other net losses of $0.2 million principally arising from the disposal of other non-core investments. During 1995 losses arising from the ownership of long-term investments comprised $5.1 million relating to the disposal, principally during the second quarter of 1995, of the Company's entire equity investments in Compagnie Generale de Protection et Securite SA ("CGPS") and Microtech Security (UK) Limited ("Microtech") which were held by the ASH group (note 18), and other net gains of $0.1 million principally arising from the disposal of other non-core investments. The net loss on disposal of $5.0 million included $7.3 million relating to the write off of net unamortized goodwill and other intangibles and a $1.1 million charge relating to cumulative currency translation adjustments. During 1994 gains arising from the ownership of long-term investments comprised $4.2 million relating to the disposal of the Company's entire equity investment in Nu-Swift plc, a United Kingdom quoted company, and other net gains of $14.3 million principally arising from the disposal of other non-core investments. (ii) The write off in value of associate in 1994 related to the Company's entire equity investment in Arius, Inc. ("Arius"), a United States unquoted company, which was held by the ASH group. A detailed assessment of the investment in Arius was carried out during 1994 and as a result a net write off of $30.7 million was recorded, of which $26.5 million related to the write off of net unamortized goodwill and other intangibles and $2.9 million related to other provisions. During 1995 Arius went into voluntary liquidation. F-22 (iii) During 1991 a lengthy review and evaluation of the businesses and assets acquired in 1990 in respect of Britannia Security Group PLC ("Britannia") was undertaken by the Company. This review revealed that, at the time of the acquisition of Britannia by ADT certain assets, particularly subscriber systems installed at customer premises, had been included in the consolidated financial statements of Britannia at values materially in excess of their net realizable value. During 1992 ADT commenced legal proceedings against Britannia's auditors at the time of acquisition, BDO Binder Hamlyn ("BDO"), to seek recovery of the damages suffered. In December 1995 the High Court of Justice in England awarded damages of approximately $160 million (including interest) against BDO, plus the reimbursement of certain legal costs incurred in connection with the litigation. BDO then appealed against the judgment. At December 31, 1995 ADT did not recognize the award of any damages in its consolidated statements of income and had deferred certain legal costs incurred in connection with the litigation amounting to $11.1 million in order to match these costs with the award when recognized. These deferred costs were included in other long-term assets (note 20). In December 1996 ADT and BDO entered into a settlement agreement, subject to completion of certain additional documentation which was signed in February 1997, which included the payment to ADT of $77.5 million in cash (included in other current assets (note 15)) together with a further deferred payment of $8.6 million, in full and final settlement of the aforementioned proceedings, including the judgment, accrued interest and costs. As a result of the settlement BDO have withdrawn their appeal. The net gain arising on this settlement amounted to $69.7 million, of which $65.0 million was included in other income less expenses and $4.7 million was included in interest income. Note 9 - Income taxes (i) The provision for income taxes in the consolidated statements of income was as follows: Year ended December 31 1996 1995 1994 $m $m $m Current income taxes: US (6.5) (3.1) (4.6) Non US (11.2) (6.6) (5.4) ----- ----- ----- (17.7) (9.7) (10.0) ----- ----- ----- Deferred income taxes: (note 25) US (principally federal income taxes) 20.9 (18.0) (22.6) Non US 18.6 (0.4) (2.3) ----- ----- ----- 39.5 (18.4) (24.9) ----- ----- ----- 21.8 (28.1) (34.9) ===== ===== ===== US current income taxes in 1996 comprise federal and state income taxes, and in 1995 and 1994 principally comprise state income taxes. F-23 (ii) (Loss) income before income taxes included the following components: Year ended December 31 1996 1995 1994 $m $m $m US (loss) income (485.6) 59.5 53.8 Non US (loss) income (222.9) (0.4) 63.7 ------ ---- ----- (Loss) income before income taxes (708.5) 59.1 117.5 ====== ==== ===== (iii) The reconciliation between notional US federal income taxes at the statutory rate on consolidated (loss) income before income taxes and the Company's income tax provision was as follows: Year ended December 31 1996 1995 1994 $m $m $m Notional US federal income taxes at the statutory rate 248.0 (20.7) (41.1) Adjustments to reconcile to the Company's income tax provision: US state income tax provisions, net (3.1) (2.7) (3.2) Non US net (losses) earnings (70.6) (7.1) 14.6 SFAS 121 impairment (150.2) - - Utilization and/or recognition of tax loss carryforwards and other items (2.3) 2.4 (5.2) ------ ---- ----- Income tax provision 21.8 (28.1) (34.9) ====== ==== ===== Note 10 - Loss from discontinued operations During 1994 the Company disposed of all its remaining non-core businesses, principally the Insight Travel Group. The Company no longer has any interests in non-core businesses. The aggregate cash consideration on these disposals amounted to $11.2 million and the net loss amounted to $3.7 million, which included $19.1 million relating to the write off of net unamortized goodwill and other intangibles. The net income from operations for 1994 amounted to $0.4 million on net sales of $80.6 million. Note 11 - Extraordinary items During 1996 and 1995 the Company reacquired in the market certain of its senior subordinated notes (note 23(ii)), which was financed from cash on hand. Extraordinary items included the loss arising on reacquisition of $0.9 million (1995 - $0.9 million) and the write off of net unamortized deferred refinancing costs of $0.5 million (1995 - $0.8 million) relating to the early extinguishment of certain amounts outstanding under the senior subordinated notes, and were stated net of applicable income taxes of $0.2 million (1995 - $0.2 million). F-24 In September 1996 the Company repaid in full all amounts owed by the ASH group under its senior notes and bank credit agreement (note 23(vi)), which were subsequently cancelled, and which was financed from cash on hand and loans drawn under the revolving bank credit agreement. Extraordinary items included the loss arising on repayment of $4.2 million and the write off of net unamortized deferred refinancing costs of $0.4 million relating to the early extinguishment of all amounts outstanding under the senior notes and bank credit agreement owed by the ASH group, with no consequential tax effect. In December 1996 the Company gave notice to all convertible capital bond holders that all of the outstanding capital bonds owed by the ASH group would be fully redeemed by the Company, and subsequently cancelled (note 23(v)), and which was financed from cash on hand and amounts drawn down under the sterling denominated bank credit facility (note 23(vii)). Extraordinary items included the write off of net unamortized deferred refinancing costs of $1.6 million relating to the early extinguishment of all amounts outstanding under the convertible capital bonds owed by the ASH group, with no consequential tax effect. In December 1996 the Company entered into a new bank credit agreement, subject to completion of certain additional documentation which was signed in January 1997, which replaced in full its previous bank credit agreement and which was subsequently cancelled (note 23(iv)). Extraordinary items included the write off of net unamortized deferred refinancing costs of $1.5 million relating to the early extinguishment of all amounts outstanding under the bank credit agreement owed by the ADT group, and were stated net of applicable income taxes of $0.5 million. In July 1995 the Company repaid in full all amounts owed by the ADT group under its previous bank credit agreement, which was subsequently cancelled. The Company funded the repayment from the net proceeds of the issue of its Liquid Yield Option Notes (note 23(iii)). Extraordinary items included the write off of net unamortized deferred refinancing costs of $12.8 million relating to the early extinguishment of all amounts outstanding under the previous bank credit agreement owed by the ADT group, and were stated net of applicable income taxes of $4.5 million. Note 12 - (Loss) earnings per common share The calculation of primary (loss) earnings per common share was based on the weighted average of 137,114,415 (1995 - 138,283,458; 1994 - 136,148,361) common shares in issue during the year which in 1996 did not allow for the allotment of common shares under executive share option schemes, which are considered common stock equivalents, because their effect was anti-dilutive as a consequence of the net loss for the year. Common stock equivalents included in the weighted average number of common shares in issue during 1995 and 1994 were 2,921,286 and 2,503,059, respectively. Primary (loss) earnings per common share from continuing operations was based on adjusted net loss from continuing operations available to common shareholders of $687.0 million (1995 - $30.7 million net income; 1994 - $69.3 million net income). F-25 Note 13 - Accounts receivable - net At December 31 1996 1995 $m $m Trade accounts receivable 229.2 213.4 Less: allowance for doubtful receivables (18.5) (17.0) ----- ----- 210.7 196.4 ===== ===== Note 14 - Inventories At December 31 1996 1995 $m $m Raw materials and consumables 8.6 8.8 Work in process 18.9 14.1 Finished goods 11.7 15.1 ----- ----- 39.2 38.0 ===== ===== Note 15 - Prepaid expenses and other current assets At December 31 1996 1995 $m $m Prepaid expenses 10.9 11.6 Other current assets 106.1 22.9 ----- ----- 117.0 34.5 ===== ===== At December 31, 1996 other current assets included $77.5 million of settlement gain proceeds (note 8(iii)). F-26 Note 16 - Property, plant and equipment - net At December 31 1996 1995 $m $m Cost: Property and related improvements 290.7 271.6 Subscriber systems 1,977.5 1,874.0 Other plant and equipment 214.8 199.0 ------- ------- Total cost 2,483.0 2,344.6 ------- ------- Accumulated depreciation: Property and related improvements 56.0 41.5 Subscriber systems 762.0 614.2 Other plant and equipment 151.4 117.6 ------- ------- Total accumulated depreciation 969.4 773.3 ------- ------- Net book values 1,513.6 1,571.3 ======= ======= Note 17 - Goodwill and other intangibles - net 1996 1995 $m $m Cost: At January 1 1,290.6 1,345.2 SFAS 121 impairment (note 6) (825.6) - Acquisitions (i) 44.9 123.0 Disposals (ii) - (174.1) Currency translation adjustments - (3.5) ------- ------- At December 31 509.9 1,290.6 ------- ------- Accumulated amortization: At January 1 237.0 233.7 SFAS 121 impairment (note 6) (203.7) - Charge for the year 18.6 38.9 Disposals (ii) - (34.8) Currency translation adjustments - (0.8) ------- ------- At December 31 51.9 237.0 ------- ------- Net book values: At December 31 458.0 1,053.6 ======= ======= (I) In February 1996 the Company acquired the remaining 24.0 per cent of the outstanding voting share capital of Alert, an electronic security services company in the United States, not already owned by the Company, for an aggregate cash consideration of $25.5 million, which was financed from cash on hand. The amount of goodwill arising from this acquisition was $10.3 million. During 1996 the Company purchased other intangibles, principally customer contracts, in North America and Europe for an aggregate cash consideration of $34.6 million which was financed from cash on hand. F-27 In December 1995 the Company acquired 76.0 per cent of the outstanding voting share capital of Alert, for an aggregate cash consideration of $69.0 million, which was financed from cash on hand. The amount of goodwill and other intangibles arising from this acquisition was $80.1 million and $40.0 million, respectively. In January 1995 the Company acquired a vehicle auction services business in Belgium for an aggregate cash consideration of $4.2 million, which was disposed of in December 1995 as part of the disposal by the Company of an interest in European Auctions (note 17(ii)). During 1995 the Company also acquired several small electronic security services businesses in the United States and Europe for an aggregate cash consideration of $1.0 million. These acquisitions have been accounted for using the purchase method. Accordingly, the respective purchase prices have been allocated to assets acquired and liabilities assumed based on their preliminary estimated fair values. These allocations resulted in goodwill and other intangibles of $44.9 million arising during the year (1995 - $123.0 million). (ii) In December 1995 the Company disposed of an interest in European auctions (notes 18 and 34). Net unamortized goodwill and other intangibles on disposal of $136.5 million was included in the loss on disposal of businesses (note 7(i)). During 1995 the Company disposed of certain of the European electronic security services operations and businesses operated by the ASH group. The net unamortized goodwill and other intangibles on disposal of $2.8 million was included in the gain on disposal of businesses (note 7(iii)). (iii) The accumulated cost, accumulated amortization and net book values of the goodwill balance included within goodwill and other intangibles at December 31, 1996 amounted to $421.0 million, $43.0 million and $378.0 million, respectively (1995 - $1,120.1 million, $206.9 million and $913.2 million, respectively). Note 18 - Investment in and loans to associate At December 31 1996 1995 $m $m Vendor Note - 83.9 Shareholder Loan Notes - 13.9 ----- ----- - 97.8 Less: unamortized discount - (9.9) ----- ----- - 87.9 Investment in ordinary share capital - 0.9 ----- ----- - 88.8 ===== ===== In December 1995 the Company disposed of an interest in European Auctions to Integrated Transport Systems Limited ("ITS") (note 34) for an aggregate consideration of $334.9 million. F-28 The aggregate consideration received by the Company on closing was comprised of cash of $235.1 million, $187.6 million aggregate principal amount at maturity of a subordinated deep discount zero coupon loan note issued by ITS maturing in March 2004 ("Vendor Note"), $31.1 million aggregate principal amount at maturity of subordinated deep discount zero coupon loan notes issued by ITS maturing in March 2004 ("Shareholder Loan Notes"), and a 43.1 per cent interest in the ordinary share capital of ITS at an issue price of $2.0 million. The Vendor Note is a sterling loan note with an issue price of $83.9 million, reflecting a yield to maturity of 10.0 per cent per annum, and was valued by the Company at $74.6 million. There are no periodic payments of interest. The Vendor Note is a subordinated, non-collateralized obligation of ITS and is transferrable, under certain conditions, after December 1998. The discount on the Vendor Note of $9.3 million will be amortized on a basis linked to the yield to maturity over the life of the loan note as a credit to interest income, and represents the difference between the stated yield to maturity and the prevailing market yield to maturity of approximately 11.5 per cent per annum, for similar types of loan notes at the time the Vendor Note was issued in December 1995. The interest yield and discount amortization for 1996 amounted to $8.6 million and $0.3 million, respectively. The Shareholder Loan Notes are transferrable sterling loan notes with an issue price of $13.9 million, reflecting a yield to maturity of 10.0 per cent per annum, and were valued by the Company at $13.3 million. There are no periodic payments of interest. The Shareholder Loan Notes are subordinated, non-collateralized obligations of ITS and are also subordinated to the Vendor Note. The aggregate fair market value of the Vendor Note and Shareholder Loan Notes at December 31, 1995 amounted to $87.9 million, and was based on discounting the loan notes at estimated current sterling interest rates on similar term financial instruments. The 43.1 per cent interest in the ordinary share capital of ITS was valued and accounted for by the Company at $0.9 million. In February 1996 the Company disposed of its entire interest in Shareholder Loan Notes with an issue price of $13.9 million and valued by the Company at $13.3 million (net of unamortized discount of $0.6 million), and 33.1 per cent of the ordinary share capital of ITS valued by the Company at $0.9 million, for an aggregate cash consideration of $15.4 million. The net gain arising on the transaction amounted to $1.2 million which was included in other income less expenses (note 8(i)). As a result of the above transaction, the Company now holds a 10.0 per cent interest in the ordinary share capital of ITS, valued and accounted for by the Company at a nominal amount, together with the Vendor Note, which at December 31, 1996 is disclosed as a long-term investment (note 19) and has been accounted for at its amortized cost. F-29 The movement in the carrying value of investment in and loans to associate since January 1, 1995 has been as follows: 1996 1995 $m $m At January 1 88.8 12.6 Acquisitions - 88.8 Disposals (14.2) (12.6) Reclassifications (74.6) - ----- ----- At December 31 - 88.8 ===== ===== During 1995 the Company disposed of its entire equity investments in CGPS, a French unquoted company, and Microtech, a United Kingdom unquoted company, for an aggregate consideration of $8.6 million comprising cash of $7.8 million and notes receivable of $0.8 million. The net loss on disposal of $5.1 million, including $7.3 million relating to the write off of net unamortized goodwill and other intangibles and a $1.1 million charge relating to cumulative currency translation adjustments, was included in other income less expenses (note 8(i)). Note 19 - Long-term investments At December 31 1996 1995 $m $m Vendor Note (note 18) 102.0 - Less: unamortized discount (10.0) - ----- ----- 92.0 - Other long-term investments 8.6 2.0 ----- ----- 100.6 2.0 ===== ===== The fair market value of the Vendor Note at December 31, 1996 amounted to $89.7 million, and is based on discounting the loan note at estimated current sterling interest rates on similar term financial instruments. The aggregate fair market value of other long-term investments at December 31, 1996 amounted to $8.6 million (1995 - $2.0 million) and is based on estimates made by the Company. F-30 Note 20 - Other long-term assets At December 31 1996 1995 $m $m Deferred refinancing costs 19.4 27.1 Other long-term assets 56.0 57.1 ----- ----- 75.4 84.2 ===== ===== In connection with the refinancing of certain long-term debt obligations of the Company certain fees and expenses were incurred. These refinancing costs are being amortized as interest expense through the consolidated statements of income on a straight line basis over the terms of the respective lives of the Company's various long-term debt obligations. The refinancing costs amortization for the year amounted to $3.7 million (1995 - $5.3 million; 1994 - $5.7 million). During the year $4.0 million (1995 - $13.6 million; 1994 - nil) of net unamortized deferred refinancing costs, relating to the early extinguishment of certain amounts outstanding under the Company's long-term debt obligations, were written off as extraordinary items in the consolidated statements of income (note 11). Note 21 - Short-term debt At December 31 1996 1995 $m $m Bank and acceptance facilities 50.6 39.4 Current portion of long-term debt (note 23) 158.6 5.5 ----- ----- 209.2 44.9 ===== ===== The average rate of interest on short-term debt outstanding at December 31, 1996 was 7.8 per cent (1995 - 7.9 per cent). Short-term debt is generally repayable on demand or at an interest payment date, and is non-collateralized except for $0.5 million of bank and acceptance facilities in 1995, and $5.5 million of the current portion of long-term debt in 1995. F-31 Note 22 - Other current liabilities At December 31 1996 1995 $m $m Accruals 70.6 78.5 Payroll and employee benefits 58.1 53.5 Payments received on account 17.1 10.1 Income taxes 15.6 12.0 Interest payable 23.7 25.4 Short-term restructuring, disposition and other provisions 95.6 37.4 Other current liabilities 12.9 10.3 ------- ------- 293.6 227.2 ======= ======= Note 23 - Long-term debt At December 31 1996 1995 $m $m Senior notes (i) 250.0 250.0 Senior subordinated notes (ii) 294.1 317.2 Liquid Yield Option Notes (iii) 326.8 306.8 Revolving bank credit agreement (iv) 83.0 15.0 Convertible capital bonds (v) 75.6 68.7 Bank credit agreement - ASH (vi) - 126.2 Senior notes - ASH (vi) - 56.8 Other (vii) 39.2 39.6 ------- ------- 1,068.7 1,180.3 Less: current portion (note 21) (158.6) (5.5) ------- ------- 910.1 1,174.8 ======= ======= ( i) The $250.0 million 8.25 per cent senior notes due August 2000 were issued in August 1993, through a public offering, by ADT Operations, Inc., a company incorporated in the United States and an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of ADT, and are guaranteed on a senior basis by ADT and certain subsidiaries of ADT Operations, Inc. The senior notes are not redeemable prior to maturity and interest is payable semi-annually. The indentures governing the senior notes contain certain covenants including limitations on indebtedness, limitations on certain payments, including dividends on the Company's common shares, and compliance with various financial and operating covenants and prohibitions, and certain change in control provisions. The senior notes are non- collateralized senior obligations of ADT Operations, Inc. ranking pari passu in right of payment with all other existing and future senior indebtedness of ADT Operations, Inc. including indebtedness under the revolving bank credit agreement referred to in (iv) below. F-32 (ii) The $350.0 million 9.25 per cent senior subordinated notes due August 2003 were issued in August 1993, through a public offering, by ADT Operations, Inc., and are guaranteed on a senior subordinated basis by ADT. The senior subordinated notes are redeemable in whole or in part, at the option of ADT Operations, Inc., at any time after August 1998 at the following redemption prices: during the twelve month period beginning (a) August 1998 at 103.75 per cent (b) August 1999 at 102.50 per cent (c) August 2000 at 101.25 per cent, and thereafter at 100.00 per cent of the principal amount. Interest is payable semi-annually. The indentures governing the senior subordinated notes contain certain covenants as set out for the senior notes in (i) above. The senior subordinated notes are non-collateralized, senior subordinated obligations of ADT Operations, Inc. ranking pari passu with, or senior in right of payment to, all other existing and future indebtedness of ADT Operations, Inc. that is expressly subordinated to senior indebtedness of ADT Operations, Inc. During 1996 the Company reacquired in the market $23.1 million (1995 - $32.8 million) face value of the senior subordinated notes at a purchase cost of $24.0 million (1995 - $33.7 million) which was financed from cash on hand. The loss arising on reacquisition of $0.9 million (1995 - $0.9 million), and related costs of $0.5 million (1995 - $0.8 million), was included in extraordinary items (note 11). (iii) In July 1995 ADT Operations, Inc. issued $776,250,000 aggregate principal amount at maturity of its zero coupon subordinated Liquid Yield Option Notes ("Notes") maturing July 2010. The net proceeds of the issue amounted to $287.4 million which was used to repay in full all amounts outstanding under ADT Operations, Inc.'s previous bank credit agreement, which was subsequently cancelled. The issue price per Note was $383.09, being 38.309 per cent of the principal amount of $1,000 per Note at maturity, reflecting a yield to maturity of 6.5 per cent per annum (computed on a semi-annual bond equivalent basis). There are no periodic payments of interest. The discount amortization on the Notes is being charged as interest expense through the consolidated statements of income on a basis linked to the yield to maturity. The Notes discount amortization for 1996 amounted to $20.3 million (1995 - $9.4 million). Each Note is exchangeable for common shares of ADT at the option of the holder at any time prior to maturity, unless previously redeemed or otherwise purchased by ADT Operations, Inc., at an exchange rate of 28.23 common shares per Note. During 1996 619 Notes with a carrying value of $0.3 million were exchanged, at the option of the holders, for 17,472 ADT common shares (note 30). Any Note will be purchased by ADT Operations, Inc. at the option of the holder as of July 2002 for a purchase price per Note of $599.46. At this time, if the holder exercises the option, ADT has the right to deliver all or a portion of the purchase price in the form of common shares of ADT. Beginning July 2002 the Notes are redeemable for cash at any time at the option of ADT Operations, Inc., in whole or in part, at redemption prices equal to the issue price plus accrued original issue discount to the date of redemption. The Notes are guaranteed on a subordinated basis by ADT. If, on or prior to maturity, there is a change in control, the holder has the right to require ADT Operations, Inc. to purchase the Notes at the change in control purchase price. (iv) In August 1995 ADT Operations, Inc. entered into a new $300 million revolving bank credit agreement which replaced in full its previous bank credit agreement. The new agreement has a term of five years and is guaranteed on a senior basis by ADT and certain subsidiaries of ADT Operations, Inc. Amounts available under this facility are available for borrowing and reborrowing (or issuance and reissuance in the case of letters of credit up to a maximum of $100 million), subject to certain conditions at that time, until June 2000 at which time all amounts are repayable in full. At December 31, 1996 $83.0 million (1995 - - $15.0 million) was drawn down under the agreement, which has been classified in the current portion of long-term debt, plus letters of credit amounting to $81.1 million (1995 - $81.0 million) which have been issued and have terms of less than one year. The Company utilizes letters of credit to back certain financing arrangements and insurance policies as well as for trade purposes. The letters of credit approximately reflect fair value as a condition of their underlying purpose. The Company expects the counterparties to fully perform under the terms of the agreements. F-33 Amounts drawn down under the revolving bank credit agreement bear interest at a floating rate equal, at the option of ADT Operations, Inc., to either the alternative base rate plus a margin or the reserve adjusted LIBO rate plus a margin. The average rate of interest at December 31, 1996 was 6.5 per cent (1995 - - 7.6 per cent). The revolving bank credit agreement contains certain financial and operating covenants, including restrictions on the Company's ability to incur additional indebtedness, limitations on certain payments, including dividends on the common shares of ADT and ADT Operations, Inc., and certain other financial covenants, including a minimum cash flow coverage ratio, a minimum debt to total capitalization ratio and a minimum level of shareholders' equity, and certain change in control provisions. In December 1996 ADT Operations, Inc. entered into a new $200 million revolving bank credit agreement, subject to completion of certain additional documentation which was signed in January 1997, which replaced in full its previous bank credit agreement, and which was subsequently cancelled. The new agreement has a term of one year and is guaranteed on a senior basis by ADT and certain subsidiaries of ADT Operations, Inc. Amounts available under this new facility are available for borrowing and reborrowing (or issuance and reissuance in the case of letters of credit up to a maximum of $100 million), subject to certain conditions at that time, until January 1998 at which time all amounts are repayable in full. The interest rates and financial and operating covenants in place under the new facility are substantially the same as those referred to above for the previous bank credit agreement. (v) The 9.5 per cent sterling denominated convertible capital bonds due July 2006 were issued by ASH Capital Finance (Jersey) Limited, a company incorporated in Jersey and an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of ADT, and are unconditionally and irrevocably guaranteed on a non-collateralized and subordinated basis by ADT. Interest is payable semi-annually. The capital bonds are convertible, at the option of the holder, into fully paid 2.0 per cent (fixed cumulative dividend) exchangeable redeemable preference shares in ASH Capital Finance (Jersey) Limited with a nominal value of one pence each. The preference shares are unconditionally and irrevocably guaranteed on a non- collateralized and subordinated basis by ADT. The preference shares are redeemable at their paid up value of Pound Sterling 1 each and they are also exchangeable, at the option of the holder, for fully paid common shares of ADT at a price of Pound Sterling 76.66 per common share, the price of which is subject to adjustment under certain circumstances. The capital bonds are unconditionally and irrevocably guaranteed on a non-collateralized and subordinated basis by ASH, and were formerly convertible into ordinary shares of ASH. Under the terms of the issue, ADT can require conversion of any outstanding capital bond if 85 per cent of the issue has been previously converted or purchased and cancelled, in which case the bond holders may elect for redemption in lieu of conversion. On or after June 1, 1996, ADT may exercise a call option at 100 per cent of the aggregate paid up amounts of the capital bonds outstanding. In December 1996 ASH Capital Finance (Jersey) Limited gave notice to all bond holders that in January 1997 it would redeem all of the capital bonds then outstanding at a price equating to the denomination of each capital bond together with all accrued interest due. Accordingly, in January 1997 the capital bonds were fully redeemed at their carrying amount, which was financed from cash on hand and amounts drawn down under the sterling denominated bank credit facility, as set out in (vii) below, and at December 31, 1996 have been classified in the current portion of long-term debt. (vi) In September 1996 the Company repaid in full all amounts owed by the ASH group under its senior notes and bank credit agreement, which were subsequently cancelled, and which was financed from cash on hand and loans drawn under the revolving bank credit agreement. The loss arising on repayment of $4.2 million, and related costs of $0.4 million, was included in extraordinary items (note 11). F-34 During 1994 ASH issued $60.7 million of its 8.28 per cent senior notes due January 1998 of which $5.6 million was in respect of yield maintenance. The senior notes were collateralized obligations of the ASH group. The yield maintenance amortization on the senior notes has been charged as interest expense through the consolidated statements of income. The yield maintenance amortization for 1996 amounted to $1.5 million (1995 - $1.1 million; 1994 - $0.6 million). The effective rate of interest including yield maintenance was 10.7 per cent. During 1995 ASH entered into a bank credit agreement totalling approximately $134 million with a maturity date in January 1998. The amounts drawn under the agreement were collateralized obligations of the ASH group and bore interest principally at LIBO rate plus a margin. (vii) Other long-term debt principally represents revolving facilities with various banks falling due for repayment in 1999 bearing interest at a floating rate equal, at the option of the Company, to either the alternative base rate plus a margin or the reserve adjusted LIBO rate plus a margin. The average rate of interest at December 31, 1996 was 7.5 per cent (1995 - 6.9 per cent). In addition, at December 31, 1996 $0.6 million (1995 - $2.0 million) in letters of credit have been issued under certain of these facilities and have terms of less than one year. In January 1997 the Company entered into a sterling denominated bank credit facility which is repayable on demand. The amount drawn down under the facility amounted to $26 million which was used to repay, in part, the amounts owed under the convertible capital bonds in (v) above. The facility is guaranteed by ADT and certain of its subsidiaries. Interest is payable at LIBO rate plus a margin. In March 1997 the Company entered into a new $154 million sterling denominated bank credit facility of which $146 million is a term loan facility and $8 million is a revolving credit facility. The term loan facility was fully drawn down and, in part, was used to repay in full the $26 million drawn down under the sterling denominated bank credit facility referred to above. The new facility has a term of five years and is guaranteed by ADT and certain of its subsidiaries. Interest is payable at LIBO rate plus a margin. The average rate of interest on all long-term debt during the year was 8.0 per cent (1995 - 8.2 per cent; 1994 - 8.4 per cent). Based on estimated interest rates currently available to the Company for long-term debt with similar terms and average maturities, the fair value of all long-term debt at December 31, 1996 amounted to approximately $1,119 million (1995 - approximately $1,241 million). F-35 The maturities and installments with respect to long-term debt outstanding at December 31, 1996 are as follows: $m Year ending December 31 1997 158.6 1998 0.9 1999 34.5 2000 251.7 2001 0.9 Thereafter 622.1 ------- 1,068.7 ======= Note 24 - Deferred revenue Deferred revenue is comprised of all subscriber billings for services not yet rendered. Note 25 - Deferred income taxes The movement in deferred income taxes since January 1, 1994 has been as follows: 1996 1995 1994 $m $m $m At January 1 142.4 123.5 95.3 (Credit) charge for the year (note 9(i)) (39.5) 18.4 24.9 Extraordinary items (note 11) (0.7) (4.7) - Eliminated on disposals - (3.3) - Currency translation adjustments (0.7) 0.7 (0.2) Reclassifications (10.0) 7.8 3.5 ----- ----- ----- At December 31 91.5 142.4 123.5 ===== ===== ===== F-36 The significant temporary timing differences and tax loss carryforwards that gave rise to the deferred income tax balance at December 31, 1996 were as follows: US Non US Total $m $m $m Liabilities: Depreciation 864.8 72.6 937.4 Other 6.9 15.2 22.1 ------ ------ ------ 871.7 87.8 959.5 ------ ------ ------ Assets: Tax operating loss carryforwards 436.6 99.2 535.8 Provisions for estimated costs and expenses 143.7 57.2 200.9 Interest expense 147.9 - 147.9 Post-retirement benefit obligations 78.6 - 78.6 Depreciation - 66.2 66.2 ------ ------ ------ 806.8 222.6 1,029.4 Valuation allowance (163.6) (155.8) (319.4) ------ ------ ------ 643.2 66.8 710.0 ------ ------ ------ Gross deferred income tax liability 228.5 21.0 249.5 ------ ------ ------ Deferred income tax liability at statutory tax rates 80.0 11.5 91.5 ====== ====== ====== The US tax operating loss carryforwards at December 31, 1996 expire as follows: $m Year ending December 31 1999 6.8 2000 4.1 2001 24.2 2002 18.3 2003 7.5 2004 86.4 2005 144.4 2006 107.2 2007 24.7 2008 13.0 ----- 436.6 ===== No provision has been made for deferred income taxes on undistributed earnings of subsidiaries ($655.9 million at December 31, 1996) which are required to finance their continuing operations. F-37 The significant temporary timing differences and tax loss carryforwards that gave rise to the deferred income tax balance at December 31, 1995 were as follows: US Non US Total $m $m $m Liabilities: Depreciation 857.9 124.4 982.3 Other 5.2 14.5 19.7 ------ ------ ------- 863.1 138.9 1,002.0 ------ ------ ------- Assets: Tax operating loss carryforwards 428.9 94.5 523.4 Provisions for estimated costs and expenses 69.2 12.5 81.7 Interest expense 99.6 - 99.6 Post-retirement benefit obligations 66.5 - 66.5 ------ ------ ------- 664.2 107.0 771.2 Valuation allowance (120.0) (49.3) (169.3) ------ ------ ------- 544.2 57.7 601.9 ------ ------ ------- Gross deferred income tax liability 318.9 81.2 400.1 ------ ------ ------- Deferred income tax liability at statutory tax rates 111.6 30.8 142.4 ====== ====== ======= Note 26 - Other long-term liabilities At December 31 1996 1995 $m $m Pensions (note 33(i)) 28.4 20.6 Post-retirement benefits other than pensions (note 33(iv)) 48.2 47.8 Long-term restructuring, disposition and other provisions 74.6 41.3 Other long-term liabilities 30.9 25.5 ----- ----- 182.1 135.2 ===== ===== Note 27 - Minority interests At December 31, 1995 minority interests represent the 24.0 per cent interest in the outstanding voting share capital of Alert held by the minority shareholders of Alert and not owned by the Company. The value is based on the consolidated net assets of Alert on a historical cost basis. F-38 In February 1996, following approval by Alert's shareholders, Alert was merged into the Company and, as a result, those shares then held by the minority shareholders and not owned by the Company were converted into the right to receive in cash the price paid per share by the Company in the initial tender offer. Accordingly, the minority interest outstanding at December 31, 1995 has been eliminated. Note 28 - Convertible redeemable preference shares At December 31 1996 1995 1994 $m $m $m Authorized: 225,000 5 3/4% convertible cumulative redeemable preference shares 2002 of $1 each (1995 - 225,000; 1994 - 225,000) (i) 0.2 0.2 0.2 500,000 6% convertible cumulative redeemable preference shares 2002 of $1 each (1995 - 500,000; 1994 - 500,000) (ii) 0.5 0.5 0.5 125,000,000 convertible cumulative redeemable preference shares of $1 each (1995 - 125,000,000; 1994 - 125,000,000) (iii) 125.0 125.0 125.0 ----- ----- ----- 125.7 125.7 125.7 ===== ===== ===== The movement in convertible redeemable preference shares since January 1, 1994 has been as follows: 5 3/4% shares 6% shares Number $m Number $m Issued and outstanding: At January 1, 1994 29,738 35.5 283,030 391.7 Reacquired in the market at purchase cost (25) - - - Redeemed (28,957) (34.6) (278,625) (385.6) Reversal of redemption premium on shares not redeemed - (0.1) - (1.7) ------- ------- ------- ------- At December 31, 1994 756 0.8 4,405 4.4 Converted into common shares (note 30) - - (225) (0.3) ------- ------- ------- ------- At December 31, 1995 756 0.8 4,180 4.1 Redeemed (756) (0.8) (4,180) (4.1) ------- ------- ------- ------- At December 31, 1996 - - - - ======= ======= ======= ======= In January 1994 ADT redeemed 28,957 of its 5 3/4% convertible redeemable preference shares for an aggregate consideration, including redemption premium, of $34.6 million. The Company funded the redemption from cash on hand. F-39 In October 1994 ADT redeemed 278,625 of its 6% convertible redeemable preference shares for an aggregate consideration, including redemption premium, of $385.6 million. The Company funded the redemption through the drawdown of $231.6 million under its previous bank credit agreement and $154.0 million from cash on hand. In November 1996 ADT redeemed 756 of its 5 3/4% convertible redeemable preference shares and 4,180 of its 6% convertible redeemable preference shares for an aggregate consideration of $4.9 million. The Company funded the redemption from cash on hand. Dividends on convertible redeemable preference shares amounted to: Year ended December 31 1996 1995 1994 $m $m $m 5 3/4% convertible redeemable preference shares - - - 6% convertible redeemable preference shares 0.3 0.3 13.3 ----- ----- ----- 0.3 0.3 13.3 ===== ===== ===== F-40 (i) 5 3/4% convertible cumulative redeemable preference shares 2002 (par value $1 each) In April 1987 175,000 of these mandatorily redeemable preference shares were issued for cash at a price of $1,000 each, and during the period to December 31, 1996 139,262 of these preference shares were converted into ADT common shares. The holders of these preference shares were entitled to a fixed cumulative preferential dividend at the rate of 5 3/4 per cent per annum. These preference shares were subject to redemption, at the option of the holders, in January 1994 at 119.625 per cent of their issue amount. ADT had the right to require redemption or conversion of the preference shares in certain circumstances. This right was exercised in November 1996 and all remaining preference shares were redeemed at their carrying amount. (ii) 6% convertible cumulative redeemable preference shares 2002 (par value $1 each) In September 1987 400,000 of these mandatorily redeemable preference shares were issued for cash at a price of $1,000 each, and during the period to December 31, 1996 225 of these preference shares were converted into ADT common shares. The holders of these preference shares were entitled to a fixed cumulative preferential dividend at the rate of 6 per cent per annum. These preference shares were subject to redemption, at the option of the holders, in October 1994 at 138.375 per cent of their issue amount. ADT had the right to require redemption or conversion of the preference shares in certain circumstances. This right was exercised in November 1996 and all remaining preference shares were redeemed at their carrying amount. (iii) Convertible cumulative redeemable preference shares (par value $1 each) In November 1996 the board of directors of ADT determined that 2.5 million of the 125 million authorized convertible cumulative redeemable preference shares of $1 each be classified as Series A First Preference Shares Purchase Rights, pursuant to the Shareholders Rights Plan referred to below, which have been reserved for issuance upon exercise of the said Rights. The rights attaching to the balance of 122.5 million convertible cumulative redeemable preference shares of $1 each, none of which are issued and outstanding, as to dividends, return of capital, redemption, conversion, voting and otherwise may be determined by ADT on or before the time of allotment. In November 1996 the board of directors of ADT adopted a Shareholder Rights Plan ("the Plan"). Under the Plan each ADT common shareholder received a distribution of one right for each ADT common share held. Each right entitles the holder to purchase from ADT shares of a new series of first preference shares at an initial purchase price of $90 per one hundredth of a first preference share. The rights will become exercisable and will detach from the common shares a specified period of time after any person becomes the beneficial owner of 15 per cent or more of ADT's common shares, or commences a tender or exchange offer which, if consummated, would result in any person becoming the beneficial owner of 15 per cent or more of ADT's common shares. The rights did not become exercisable on account of any person being the beneficial owner of 15 per cent or more of ADT's common shares when the Plan was adopted, but become exercisable if such a person increases their beneficial ownership after that time (note 32(iv)). F-41 If any person becomes the beneficial owner of 15 per cent or more of ADT's common shares, or if any person who was already the beneficial owner of 15 per cent or more of ADT's common shares when the Plan was adopted increases their beneficial ownership, each right will enable the holder, other than the acquiring person, to purchase, for the rights purchase price, ADT common shares having a market value of twice the rights purchase price. If, following an acquisition of 15 per cent or more of ADT's common shares, ADT is involved in any mergers or other business combinations or sells or transfers more than 50 per cent of its assets or earnings power, each right will entitle the holder to purchase, for the rights purchase price, common shares, of the other party to such transaction, having a market value of twice the rights purchase price. ADT may redeem the rights at a price of $0.01 per right at any time prior to the specified period of time after a person has become the beneficial owner of 15 per cent or more of ADT's common shares. The rights will expire in November 2005 unless exercised or redeemed earlier. In the event of liquidation of ADT, the holders of all of ADT's convertible redeemable preference shares are together entitled to payment to them of the amount for which the preference shares were subscribed and any unpaid dividends, prior to any payment to the common shareholders. Note 29 - Non-voting exchangeable shares The movement in non-voting exchangeable shares since January 1, 1994 has been as follows: Number $m At January 1, 1994 925,537 15.0 Exchanged into common shares held as treasury shares (note 31) (922,628) (15.0) -------- ----- At December 31, 1994 2,909 - Exchanged into common shares held as treasury shares (note 31) (2,909) - -------- ----- At December 31, 1995 and December 31, 1996 - - ======== ===== In March 1991 ADT Finance Inc., an indirect wholly owned Canadian subsidiary of ADT, issued 1,000,000 non-voting exchangeable shares exchangeable for common shares of ADT at the option of the holder, at any time, on a one for one basis. Holders of non-voting exchangeable shares were entitled only to dividends equivalent to dividends declared and paid on common shares of ADT. F-42 Note 30 - Common shares At December 31 1996 1995 1994 $m $m $m Authorized: 220,000,000 shares of $0.10 each (1995 - 220,000,000; 1994 - 220,000,000) 22.0 22.0 22.0 ====== ====== ====== Issued and outstanding: 141,382,697 shares of $0.10 each (1995 - 138,885,405; 1994 - 138,097,754) 14.1 13.9 13.8 ====== ====== ====== The movement in common shares since January 1, 1994 has been as follows: 1996 1995 1994 Number Number Number At January 1 (i) 138,885,405 138,097,754 137,364,915 Exercise of executive share options (ii) 2,479,820 780,366 35,000 Exchange of Liquid Yield Option Notes (note 23(iii)) 17,472 - - Conversion of convertible preference shares (note 28) - 7,285 - Exercise of warrants (iii) - - 697,839 ----------- ----------- ----------- At December 31 141,382,697 138,885,405 138,097,754 =========== =========== =========== (i) The number of common shares at January 1, 1994 has been restated for the pooling of interests with ASH (note 3). Number At January 1, 1994 - as previously reported 130,329,975 Pooling of interests with ASH (note 3) 7,034,940 ----------- At January 1, 1994 - as restated 137,364,915 =========== (ii) ADT has granted employee share options which are issued under five fixed share option plans and schemes which reserve common shares for issuance to the Company's executives and managers. The majority of options have been granted under the ADT 1993 Long-Term Incentive Plan ("the Incentive Plan"). The Incentive Plan was originally approved by shareholders of ADT in October 1993 and certain subsequent amendments to the Incentive Plan were approved by shareholders of ADT in April 1996. The Incentive Plan is administered by the remuneration committee of the board of directors of ADT, which consists exclusively of independent non-executive directors of ADT. Options are generally granted to purchase ADT common shares at prices which equate to or are above the market price of the common shares on the date the option is granted. Conditions of vesting are determined at the time of grant. Certain options have been granted in which participants were required to pay a subscription price as a condition of vesting. Options which have been granted under the Incentive Plan to date have generally vested and become exercisable in installments over a three year period from the date of grant and have a maximum term of ten years. F-43 The movement in executive share options outstanding since January 1, 1994 has been as follows: 1996 1995 1994 Number Number Number At January 1 13,491,185 12,180,778 10,410,425 Granted 6,448,333 3,000,000 1,975,000 Exercised (2,479,820) (780,366) (35,000) Cancelled on purchase (note 34) - (657,832) - Lapsed/surrendered (207,298) (251,395) (169,647) ---------- ---------- ---------- At December 31 17,252,400 13,491,185 12,180,778 ========== ========== ========== The number of executive share options exercisable and available for future grant at December 31 was as follows: 1996 1995 1994 Number Number Number Exercisable 12,787,060 5,423,423 3,454,935 Available for future grant 2,593,335 401,668 3,385,000 ---------- --------- --------- The weighted average executive share options exercise price information since January 1, 1994 has been as follows: 1996 1995 1994 $ $ $ Outstanding at January 1 11.52 11.08 11.32 Granted 15.32 11.97 9.24 Exercised 9.98 8.84 8.93 Cancelled on purchase (note 34) - 9.10 - Lapsed/surrendered 17.24 12.68 15.85 Outstanding at December 31 13.06 11.52 11.08 Exercisable at December 31 13.21 12.38 12.59 ----- ----- ----- The estimated weighted average fair value of executive share options granted during 1996 was $4.33 on the date of grant using the option-pricing model and assumptions referred to below. F-44 The following table summarizes information about outstanding and exercisable executive share options at December 31, 1996.
Options outstanding Options exercisable Weighted Range of Weighted average Weighted exercise average remaining average prices Number exercise price contractual Number exercise price $ outstanding $ life-years exercisable $ 8.01 to 10.00 4,292,250 8.91 6.9 3,607,748 8.87 10.01 to 13.00 2,997,250 11.68 5.6 503,080 11.52 13.01 to 15.00 8,690,400 14.95 6.8 8,523,732 14.97 15.01 to 20.00 1,163,000 16.48 9.1 43,000 15.94 20.01 to 30.00 109,500 26.43 2.5 109,500 26.43 ---------- ------ ---------- ----- 17,252,400 13.06 12,787,060 13.21 ========== ====== ========== =====
During 1996 the Company was required to adopt Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 123 "Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation" ("SFAS 123"). SFAS 123 allows companies to measure compensation cost in connection with executive share option plans and schemes using a fair value based method, or to continue to use an intrinsic value based method which generally does not result in a compensation cost. The Company has decided to continue to use the intrinsic value based method and no compensation cost has been recorded. Had the fair value based method been adopted consistent with the provisions of SFAS 123, the Company's proforma net (loss) income and proforma net (loss) income per common share for the years ended December 31, 1996 and 1995 would have been as follows: Year ended December 31 1996 1995 Net (loss) income-proforma ($717.1m) $17.8m -------- ------ Net (loss) income per common share-proforma ($5.23) $0.13 ======== ====== The fair value of each option grant was estimated on the date of grant using the Black- Scholes option-pricing model with the following weighted average assumptions. Expected stock price volatility 28 per cent Risk free interest rate 5.9 per cent Expected dividend yield nil per cent Expected life of options 3.7 years The effects of applying SFAS 123 in this proforma disclosure are not indicative of future amounts. SFAS 123 does not apply to awards prior to 1995 and additional awards in future years are anticipated. F-45 (iii) In April 1992 an issue was made to common shareholders of warrants to subscribe for ADT common shares on the basis of one warrant for every six common shares then held. Each warrant gave the holder the right to subscribe for one common share at $10.00 per common share during the period from July 1, 1992 to June 30, 1994. All warrants not exercised at June 30, 1994 have lapsed in accordance with the terms of the warrants. The movement in warrants since January 1, 1994 has been as follows: Number At January 1, 1994 18,254,318 Exercised (697,839) Lapsed (17,556,479) ----------- At December 31, 1994, December 31, 1995 and December 31, 1996 - =========== (iv) In July 1996, as part of the then agreement to combine with Republic, ADT granted to Republic a warrant to acquire 15 million common shares of ADT at an exercise price of $20 per common share. Following termination of the agreement to combine with Republic, the warrant vested and was exercisable by Republic in the six month period commencing September 27, 1996 (note 32(iv)). In March 1997 the warrant was exercised by Republic and the Company received $300 million in cash. (v) In March 1997 the Company announced that it had entered into a definitive merger agreement, subject to shareholder approval and other customary matters, with Tyco International Ltd. ("Tyco"), a United States quoted company engaged in the manufacture of industrial and commercial products. Tyco shareholders will receive one common share in the combined company for each Tyco common share and ADT shareholders, through a reverse stock split, will receive 0.48133 common shares in the combined company for each ADT common share. Note 31 - Treasury shares The movement in treasury common shares held by a subsidiary of ADT at purchase cost since January 1, 1994 has been as follows: Number $m At January 1, 1994 4,109,324 102.9 Exchange of non-voting exchangeable shares (note 29) (922,628) (23.1) --------- ----- At December 31, 1994 3,186,696 79.8 Exchange of non-voting exchangeable shares (note 29) (2,909) (0.1) Treasury shares given as employee remuneration (1,000) - --------- ----- At December 31, 1995 and December 31, 1996 3,182,787 79.7 ========= ===== F-46 Note 32 - Commitments and contingencies (i) The Company leases land, buildings, motor vehicles and other equipment under various contracts. The future total minimum rental payments required under operating leases that have remaining noncancelable lease terms in excess of one year at December 31, 1996 are as follows: $m Year ending December 31 1997 67.3 1998 54.4 1999 39.0 2000 28.3 2001 18.9 Thereafter 41.6 ----- 249.5 ===== The net operating lease rental charge for the year included in the consolidated statements of income amounted to $77.2 million (1995 - $75.3 million; 1994 - $68.6 million). (ii) Financial instruments which potentially subject the Company to concentrations of credit risk principally consist of cash and cash equivalents and trade receivables. The Company places its cash and cash equivalents with high credit quality financial institutions throughout the world and, by policy, limits the amount of credit exposure to any one financial institution. The Company's trade receivables primarily result from its electronic security services and vehicle auction services businesses and reflects a broad international customer base. Credit limits, ongoing credit evaluation and account monitoring procedures are utilized to minimize the risk of loss. As a consequence, concentrations of credit risk are limited. In addition, the Vendor Note (note 19) also subjects the Company to credit risk in the event of non-performance by ITS. However, the Company currently expects that ITS will meet its liabilities to the Company under the terms of the Vendor Note. (iii) At December 31, 1996 the Company had issued guarantor surety bonds of $10.0 million (1995 - $10.0 million) to back insurance policies. These surety bonds have unlimited duration. (iv) In December 1996 Westar Capital, Inc. ("WCI"), a wholly owned subsidiary of Western Resources, Inc. and a 24 per cent shareholder of ADT, filed a complaint (as subsequently amended) in the US Courts against ADT and its directors, among others. The complaint alleges, among other things, that ADT and its directors breached their fiduciary duties to WCI and ADT's other shareholders (a) by adopting the Plan (note 28(iii)), and (b) by issuing to Republic the warrant (note 30(iv)). The complaint seeks a court order (a) directing ADT to redeem the Plan, and (b) declaring the warrant issued to Republic null and void or preventing ADT and Republic from exercising their rights under the warrant or preventing Republic from selling or transferring any of the warrant shares it currently owns. The complaint also seeks unspecified damages, attorneys' fees and costs. Accordingly, an estimate of any potential loss or range of possible losses, if any, cannot be made. ADT and its board of directors believe that the allegations in WCI's complaint against ADT and its directors are without merit and intend to vigorously defend against them. F-47 In December 1996 Mr. C. Gachot filed a complaint in the US Courts against ADT and certain of its directors, among others. The complaint was brought on behalf of a class of all shareholders of ADT and alleges, among other things, that the Plan (note 28(iii)) and the warrant issued to Republic (note 30(iv)) are improper. The complaint seeks unspecified monetary relief. Accordingly, an estimate of any potential loss or range of possible losses, if any, cannot be made. ADT and its board of directors believe that the allegations in Mr. Gachot's complaint against ADT and certain of its directors are without merit and intend to vigorously defend against them. In March 1997 Crandon Capital Partners ("CCP") filed a complaint in the US Courts against ADT and certain of its current and former directors, among others. The complaint was brought by CCP in a derivative capacity on behalf of ADT. The complaint alleges, among other things, that ADT's directors breached their fiduciary duties and wasted corporate assets in connection with (a) the granting of options to certain officers of ADT in 1996, (b) the implementation of the Plan (note 28(iii)), and (c) the issuance to Republic of the warrant (note 30(iv)). The complaint seeks a court order directing ADT's directors to establish a system of internal controls to prevent repetition of the alleged breaches of fiduciary duty and corporate waste, and an unspecified amount of damages. Accordingly, an estimate of any potential loss or range of possible losses, if any, cannot be made. ADT and its directors believe that the allegations in CCP's complaint against ADT and certain of its directors are without merit and intend to vigorously defend against them. The Company is a defendant in a number of other pending legal proceedings incidental to present and former operations, acquisitions and dispositions. The Company does not expect the outcome of these proceedings either individually or in the aggregate to have a material adverse effect on the consolidated results of operations and cash flows or the consolidated financial position of the Company. Note 33 - Pension and other plans The Company operates various defined benefit pension plans designed in accordance with conditions and practices in the countries concerned. Contributions are based on periodic actuarial valuations which use the projected unit credit method of calculation and are charged to the consolidated statements of income on a systematic basis over the expected average remaining service lives of current employees. The net pension expense is assessed in accordance with the advice of professionally qualified actuaries in the countries concerned or is based on subsequent formal reviews for this purpose. The Company's United States electronic security services operation has a non-contributory, funded, defined benefit pension plan covering substantially all of its employees. The Company has two contributory, funded, defined benefit pension plans in the United Kingdom covering substantially all salaried and non-salaried employees. F-48 Details of the most recent independent actuarial valuations or formal reviews are set out below: (i) United States plan The net pension expense for the United States plan included the following components: Year ended December 31 1996 1995 1994 $m $m $m Service cost-benefits earned during year 6.5 5.1 6.1 Interest cost on projected benefit obligations 13.3 12.9 11.9 Return on assets (17.1) (16.3) (16.1) Net amortization and deferral 4.9 (0.8) 0.1 ----- ----- ----- Net pension expense 7.6 0.9 2.0 ===== ===== ===== As a result of an early retirement plan implemented during 1996, a curtailment loss of $4.8 million is included in the net amortization and deferral component of net pension expense for the year ended December 31, 1996. The following table sets forth the actuarial present value of accumulated benefit obligations and funded status for the Company's United States plan: At December 31 1996 1995 $m $m Accumulated benefit obligations, including vested benefits of $155.4 million (1995 - $157.8 million) 169.5 164.4 ====== ====== Total projected benefit obligations 193.5 189.4 ------ ------ Plan assets at fair value, primarily stocks, bonds and money market funds 192.6 183.5 Less: Unrecognized net gain (28.1) (15.4) Plus: Unrecognized prior service costs 0.6 0.7 ------ ------ 165.1 168.8 ------ ------ Net pension liability (note 26) 28.4 20.6 ====== ====== Benefit cover 99% 97% ------ ------ The actuarial assumptions for the expected long-term rate of return on plan assets, weighted average discount rate, and rate of increase of future compensation levels used in determining the actuarial present value of accumulated benefit obligations for 1996 were 10.0 per cent, 7.5 per cent and 4.0 per cent, respectively (1995 - 10.0 per cent, 7.0 per cent and 4.0 per cent, respectively). The actuarial valuations of the United States plan were carried out by Kwasha Lipton in 1996 and by Buck Consultants in 1995 and 1994. F-49 (ii) United Kingdom plans The aggregate net pension (income) expense for the United Kingdom plans included the following components: Year ended December 31 1996 1995 1994 $m $m $m Service cost-benefits earned during year 3.6 3.9 5.0 Interest cost on projected benefit obligations 7.1 8.8 7.0 Return on assets (11.5) (17.3) - Net amortization and deferral (2.2) 6.8 (9.7) ----- ----- ----- Net pension (income) expense (3.0) 2.2 2.3 ===== ===== ===== As a result of the disposal of an interest in European Auctions (notes 7(i) and 34) a curtailment gain of $2.7 million is included in the net amortization and deferral component of net pension income for the year ended December 31, 1996. The following table sets forth the aggregate actuarial present value of accumulated benefit obligations and funded status for the Company's United Kingdom plans: At December 31 1996 1995 $m $m Accumulated benefit obligations, including vested benefits of $92.8 million (1995 - $82.4 million) 92.8 82.4 ===== ===== Total projected benefit obligations 101.4 91.6 ----- ----- Plan assets at fair value, primarily stocks, bonds and money market funds 133.3 116.7 Less:Unamortized net assets (13.0) (6.1) Less: Unrecognized net gain (12.1) (21.1) Plus: Unrecognized prior service costs - 2.1 ----- ----- 108.2 91.6 ----- ----- Net pension asset 6.8 - ===== ===== Benefit cover 131% 127% ----- ----- The actuarial assumptions for the expected long-term rate of return on plan assets, weighted average discount rate, and rate of increase of future compensation levels used in determining the actuarial present value of accumulated benefit obligations for 1996 were 9.5 per cent, 8.5 per cent and 7.0 per cent, respectively (1995 - 9.0 per cent, 8.3 per cent and 6.5 per cent, respectively). The actuarial valuations of the United Kingdom plans were principally carried out by William M. Mercer and by Friends Provident. The net pension asset at December 31, 1996 is included in other long-term assets (note 20). F-50 (iii) The aggregate net pension expense for the year in respect of the United States and United Kingdom plans amounted to $4.6 million (1995 - $3.1 million; 1994 - $4.3 million). (iv) The Company's United States electronic security services operation sponsors an unfunded defined benefit post-retirement plan which covers both salaried and non-salaried employees and which provides medical and other benefits. This post-retirement health care plan is contributory, with retiree contributions adjusted annually. The net post-retirement benefit expense included the following components: Year ended December 31 1996 1995 1994 $m $m $m Service cost 0.7 0.5 0.6 Interest cost 2.5 2.4 2.3 Net amortization and deferral (1.2) (1.3) (1.3) ---- ---- ---- Net post-retirement benefit expense 2.0 1.6 1.6 ==== ==== ==== The following table sets forth the components of the plan's accumulated post-retirement benefit obligations and benefit liability: At December 31 1996 1995 $m $m Retirees 27.6 22.8 Fully eligible active plan participants 5.0 7.7 Other active plan participants 6.4 4.8 ---- ---- Accumulated post-retirement benefit obligations 39.0 35.3 Less: Unrecognized net loss (5.3) (3.3) Plus: Unrecognized prior service credit 14.5 15.8 ---- ---- Post-retirement benefit liability (note 26) 48.2 47.8 ==== ==== During 1992 the Company adopted amendments to the plan that reduced benefits attributable to prior service. These amendments resulted in approximately a $20 million decrease in the obligation for benefits attributable to prior service. This decrease is being amortized as a reduction of plan costs on an actuarially calculated basis over a period of approximately twenty years beginning January 1992. Effective January 1995 the Company implemented a defined dollar benefit cap for all current and future retirees, regardless of age. F-51 The weighted average discount rate used in determining the accumulated post-retirement benefit obligations was 7.5 per cent (1995 - 7.0 per cent). The actuarial valuations of the plan were carried out by Kwasha Lipton in 1996 and by Buck Consultants in 1995 and 1994. Note 34 - Related party transactions In December 1995 the Company entered into an agreement with Integrated Transport Systems Limited ("ITS"), a United Kingdom unquoted company, and its wholly owned subsidiaries Loanoption Limited and ITS Finance Limited, under which the Company disposed of an interest in European Auctions. The aggregate consideration received by the Company on closing was comprised of cash of $235.1 million, $187.6 million Vendor Note (note 18) with an issue price of $83.9 million and valued by the Company at $74.6 million, $31.1 million Shareholder Loan Notes (note 18) with an issue price of $13.9 million and valued by the Company at $13.3 million, and a 43.1 per cent interest in the ordinary share capital of ITS at an issue price of $2.0 million and valued by the Company at $0.9 million. In February 1996 the Company disposed of its entire interest in Shareholder Loan Notes and 33.1 per cent of the ordinary share capital of ITS for an aggregate cash consideration of $15.4 million (note 18). As a result, the Company now holds a 10.0 per cent interest in the ordinary share capital of ITS, valued and accounted for by the Company at a nominal amount, together with the Vendor Note which has been accounted for at its amortized cost. Mr. D.B. Hammond and Mr. T.J. Gibson are both directors of ITS. Mr. Hammond was, until April 1996, Deputy Chairman of ADT and Mr. Gibson was the Chief Executive Officer of ADT Auction Group Limited. Mr. Hammond and Mr. Gibson subscribed $10.4 million and $0.8 million, in total, respectively, to the capital of ITS and, as a result, were interested in Shareholder Loan Notes with issue prices of $9.4 million and $0.7 million, respectively, and 22.3 per cent and 1.7 per cent, respectively, of the ordinary share capital of ITS. Other senior management and employees of European Auctions subscribed $3.7 million to the capital of ITS and, as a group, were interested in Shareholder Loan Notes with an issue price of $3.3 million and 8.0 per cent of the ordinary share capital of ITS. In addition, at closing, Mr. M.A. Ashcroft, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of ADT, subscribed $7.0 million to the capital of ITS and, as a result, was interested in Shareholder Loan Notes with an issue price of $6.3 million and 15.0 per cent of the ordinary share capital of ITS, which interest he continues to hold. Mr. Ashcroft is not an officer or director of ITS or any of its subsidiaries and has no involvement in the day to day management of ITS or any of its subsidiaries. Upon the disposal by the Company of an interest in European Auctions, ADT share options held by directors and employees of European Auctions became immediately exercisable. ADT entered into arrangements with Mr. Gibson under which share options held by him at the time of the disposal by the Company of an interest in European Auctions were purchased by ADT for an aggregate economic value totalling $1.2 million, based on ADT's common share price on December 19, 1995, of which Mr. Gibson invested $0.8 million in the capital of ITS, referred to above. ADT also entered into similar arrangements with other senior management and employees of European Auctions under which ADT purchased share options held by them for an aggregate economic value totalling $0.6 million, in order to enable them to invest in the capital of ITS. In addition, in order to further enable Mr. Hammond to invest in the capital of ITS, ADT purchased from him share options with an aggregate economic value totalling $1.1 million, based on ADT's common share price on December 19, 1995, which would otherwise have been exercisable in March 1996. F-52 Upon the disposal by the Company of an interest in European Auctions, Mr. Gibson received a severance payment of $0.3 million and other senior management and employees of European Auctions, as a group, received severance payments totalling $0.4 million. A company controlled by Mr. Ashcroft made non-collateralized loans to Mr. Hammond, or companies controlled by him, of an aggregate of $7.8 million, solely for the purpose of enabling Mr. Hammond or these companies to invest in the capital of ITS. The cash consideration paid to the Company on closing was obtained by the ITS group through the subscription of $26.5 million in the capital of ITS and approximately $209.7 million through the drawdown of sterling term loans under a bank credit agreement entered into between the ITS group and a group of banks. The bank credit agreement has a term of seven years and obligations thereunder are guaranteed and collateralized by a first priority pledge of the shares and assets of all the companies comprising European Auctions and the ITS group. At closing, the Company entered into an agreement with the ITS group whereby the Company granted to ITS and its subsidiaries permission to use the ADT name and certain trademarks for a period of up to three years for a total cash consideration, paid at closing, of $0.6 million. At closing, the Company entered into an option agreement with Mr. Ashcroft which, if exercised, would have required Mr. Ashcroft to purchase from the Company, for cash fifty days after closing, Shareholder Loan Notes with an issue price of up to $8.2 million and up to 19.6 per cent of the ordinary share capital of ITS. In addition, at closing, ITS entered into an agreement with the Company and Mr. Ashcroft under which ITS agreed to use its reasonable efforts, for a forty-five day period after closing, to find unrelated third party investors to purchase Shareholder Loan Notes and ordinary share capital of ITS from the Company and Mr. Ashcroft, and under which the Company and Mr. Ashcroft agreed to certain voting restrictions in respect of their holdings of the ordinary share capital of ITS as described below. In February 1996 the Company and Mr. Ashcroft agreed that the mutual obligations under the option agreement be released. At December 31, 1995 the Company's investment in the ordinary share capital of ITS was accounted for as an unconsolidated subsidiary under temporary control, due to an agreement between ITS, the Company and Mr. Ashcroft limiting the voting rights of each of the Company and Mr. Ashcroft to 15.0 per cent of the voting rights of ITS and due to the fact that Mr. Hammond did not be seek re-election to the board of directors of ADT at the 1996 annual general meeting. Accordingly, at December 31, 1995 the equity method of accounting was used in the consolidated financial statements, and the Vendor Note and Shareholder Loan Notes were accounted for at their amortized cost. An opinion regarding the fair value of the transactions described above was provided to the independent non-executive directors of ADT by a leading European investment banking firm and the transactions were approved unanimously by the independent non-executive directors of ADT. F-53
Note 35 - Quarterly financial data (unaudited) 1996 1996 1996 1996 1996 First Second Third Fourth Quarter Quarter Quarter Quarter Year $m $m $m $m $m Net sales: Electronic security services 336.7 347.1 355.0 367.4 1,406.2 Vehicle auction services 74.6 75.3 72.9 75.0 297.8 ------ ------ ------ ------ ------- Net sales 411.3 422.4 427.9 442.4 1,704.0 ====== ====== ====== ====== ======= Operating (loss) income: Electronic security services (i) (679.2) 54.1 52.5 (183.9) (756.5) Vehicle auction services (ii) (2.2) 12.9 9.7 6.7 27.1 Corporate (iii) (5.4) (7.2) (15.1) (8.4) (36.1) ------ ------ ------ ------ ------- Operating (loss) income (686.8) 59.8 47.1 (185.6) (765.5) Interest income 6.5 6.3 5.4 9.3 27.5 Interest expense (27.4) (26.7) (24.5) (22.4) (101.0) Gain on disposal of businesses - - 1.7 - 1.7 Other income less expenses (iv) (0.3) 1.0 0.7 127.4 128.8 ------ ------ ------ ------ ------- (Loss) income before income taxes (708.0) 40.4 30.4 (71.3) (708.5) Income taxes 2.4 (9.7) (7.2) 36.3 21.8 ------ ------ ------ ------ ------- (Loss) income before extraordinary items (705.6) 30.7 23.2 (35.0) (686.7) Extraordinary items (v) - (1.2) (4.6) (2.6) (8.4) ------ ------ ------ ------ ------- Net (loss) income (705.6) 29.5 18.6 (37.6) (695.1) ====== ====== ====== ====== ======= Dividends on preference shares (0.1) (0.1) - (0.1) (0.3) ------ ------ ------ ------ ------- Net (loss) income available to common shareholders (705.7) 29.4 18.6 (37.7) (695.4) ====== ====== ====== ====== ======= Primary (loss) earnings per common share (vi) $ $ $ $ $ (Loss) income before extraordinary items (5.20) 0.22 0.16 (0.25) (5.01) Extraordinary items - (0.01) (0.03) (0.02) (0.06) ------ ------ ------ ------ ------- Net (loss) income per common share (5.20) 0.21 0.13 (0.27) (5.07) ====== ====== ====== ====== ======= F-54 Notes: (i) In the first quarter of 1996 electronic security services operating income was stated after a charge for the impairment of long-lived assets of $731.7 million (note 6(i)). In the fourth quarter of 1996 electronic security services operating income was stated after a charge of $232.5 million relating to restructuring and other non-recurring items (note 5(i)). (ii) In the first quarter of 1996 vehicle auction services operating income was stated after a charge for the impairment of long-lived assets of $13.0 million (note 6(ii)). (iii) In the second and third quarters of 1996 corporate expenses included $0.4 million and $10.9 million, respectively, related to professional and other transaction costs arising in connection with the merger of ADT and ASH and the terminated merger with Republic (note 4(iii)). In the fourth quarter of 1996 corporate expenses were stated after a charge of $4.8 million relating to restructuring and other non-recurring items (note 5(ii)). (iv) Other income less expenses principally comprised a net gain arising from the disposal of the Company's entire investment in Limelight Group plc, a net settlement gain with BDO, and gains and losses on currency transactions (note 8). (v) Extraordinary items principally were comprised of losses on repayment and the write off of net unamortized deferred refinancing costs relating to the early extinguishment of debt (note 11). (vi) Primary (loss) earnings per common share equalled fully diluted (loss) earnings per common share in all periods except for the second quarter of 1996. In the second quarter of 1996 fully diluted earnings per common share from income before extraordinary items, extraordinary items and net income were $0.21, $0.01 (loss) and $0.20, respectively.
F-55
Note 35 - Quarterly financial data (unaudited) (continued) 1995 1995 1995 1995 1995 First Second Third Fourth Quarter Quarter Quarter Quarter Year $m $m $m $m $m Net sales: Electronic security services 321.1 337.7 337.5 354.6 1,350.9 Vehicle auction services 112.3 110.7 106.5 103.4 432.9 ------ ------ ------ ------ -------- Net sales 433.4 448.4 444.0 458.0 1,783.8 ====== ====== ====== ====== ======== Operating income: Electronic security services (i) 42.6 46.4 50.0 33.4 172.4 Vehicle auction services 22.7 20.3 17.2 10.0 70.2 Corporate (ii) (7.5) (7.3) (6.7) (20.3) (41.8) ------ ------ ------ ------ -------- Operating income 57.8 59.4 60.5 23.1 200.8 Interest income 3.7 3.9 4.7 3.9 16.2 Interest expense (28.3) (30.5) (30.4) (27.1) (116.3) Loss on disposal of businesses (iii) - (4.9) (0.5) (31.2) (36.6) Other income less expenses (iv) 1.1 (6.9) 0.9 (0.1) (5.0) ------ ------ ------ ------ -------- Income (loss) before income taxes 34.3 21.0 35.2 (31.4) 59.1 Income taxes (9.7) (10.7) (9.2) 1.5 (28.1) ------ ------ ------ ------ -------- Income (loss) before extraordinary items 24.6 10.3 26.0 (29.9) 31.0 Extraordinary items (v) - - (8.0) (1.8) (9.8) ------ ------ ------ ------ -------- Net income (loss) 24.6 10.3 18.0 (31.7) 21.2 Dividends on preference shares (0.1) (0.1) (0.1) - (0.3) ------ ------ ------ ------ -------- Net income (loss) available to common shareholders 24.5 10.2 17.9 (31.7) 20.9 ====== ====== ====== ====== ======== Primary earnings (loss) per common share (vi) $ $ $ $ $ Income (loss) before extraordinary items 0.18 0.07 0.19 (0.22) 0.22 Extraordinary items - - (0.06) (0.01) (0.07) ------ ------ ------ ------ ------- Net income (loss) per common share 0.18 0.07 0.13 (0.23) 0.15 ====== ====== ====== ====== ======= F-56 Notes: (i) In the fourth quarter of 1995 electronic security services operating income was stated after a charge of $21.4 million relating to restructuring and other non-recurring items (note 5(i)). (ii) In the fourth quarter of 1995 corporate expenses were stated after a charge of $12.8 million relating to restructuring and other non-recurring items (note 5(ii)). (iii) In the fourth quarter of 1995 loss on disposal of businesses principally comprised a net loss of $65.8 million arising on the disposal by the Company of an interest in European Auctions and a net gain of $31.4 million arising on the disposal of its entire European electronic article surveillance business (notes 7(i) and 7(ii)). (iv) Other income less expenses principally comprised net losses arising from the disposal of the Company's entire equity investments in CGPS and Microtech which were held by the ASH group (note 8(i)). (v) Extraordinary items principally were comprised of the write off of net unamortized deferred refinancing costs relating to the early extinguishment of debt (note 11). (vi) Primary earnings (loss) per common share equalled fully diluted earnings (loss) per common share in all periods except for the third quarter of 1995. In the third quarter of 1995 fully diluted earnings per common share from income before extraordinary items, extraordinary items and net income were $0.18, $0.05 (loss) and $0.13, respectively.
F-57 Note 36 - ADT Operations, Inc. ADT Operations, Inc., a company incorporated in the State of Delaware, United States, is an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of ADT. ADT Operations, Inc. is a holding company that, through its subsidiaries, conducts a substantial proportion of the Company's electronic security services businesses in the United States and all of the Company's vehicle auction services businesses in the United States. ADT Operations, Inc. has no independent business operations or assets other than its investment in its subsidiaries, intercompany balances and holdings of cash and cash equivalents. The consolidated financial statements presented below incorporate the financial statements of ADT Operations, Inc. and its subsidiaries ("ADT Operations"). The basis upon which the consolidated financial statements of ADT Operations has been prepared and the summary of significant accounting policies applied are as described in notes 1 and 2. The consolidated financial statements of ADT Operations have been prepared assuming that ADT Operations will continue as a going concern. This assumption is based on the subordinated and non-collateralized debt position of ADT Operations, its financing structure within the ADT group of companies and ADT Operations' financial plans and projections. In the consolidated financial statements of ADT Operations, "affiliates" refers to certain direct and indirect wholly owned subsidiaries of ADT which are not within the ADT Operations group of companies. Consolidated statements of income Year ended December 31 1996 1995 1994 Notes $m $m $m Net sales (i) 1,212.0 1,094.3 986.3 Cost of sales (605.2) (537.5) (491.0) Selling, general and administrative expenses (421.9) (369.3) (331.4) Restructuring and other non-recurring charges (ii) (132.1) (19.4) - Charge for the impairment of long-lived assets (iii) (316.4) - - ------ ------- ------ Operating (loss) income (i) (263.6) 168.1 163.9 Interest income - affiliates 1.3 - 29.7 Interest income - non-affiliates 2.4 3.1 2.6 Interest expense - affiliates (32.4) (22.5) (49.1) Interest expense - non-affiliates (75.1) (79.9) (66.4) Gain on disposal of businesses to affiliates (iv) 2.0 - - Loss on disposal of businesses to non-affiliates (v) - - (0.4) Other income less expenses (vi) 8.5 (6.7) (0.3) ------ ------- ------ (Loss) income before income taxes (356.9) 62.1 80.0 Income taxes (vii) 1.4 (19.0) (25.5) ------ ------- ------ (Loss) income before extraordinary items (355.5) 43.1 54.5 Extraordinary items (net of income taxes) (viii) (1.3) (8.9) - ------ ------- ------ Net (loss) income (356.8) 34.2 54.5 ====== ======= ====== F-58 Consolidated balance sheets At December 31 1996 1995 Notes $m $m Assets Current assets: Cash and cash equivalents 82.9 54.0 Accounts receivable - net - affiliates 44.4 28.9 Accounts receivable - net - non-affiliates (ix) 149.4 132.8 Inventories (x) 21.6 17.2 Prepaid expenses and other current assets (xi) 22.9 6.9 -------- -------- Total current assets 321.2 239.8 Property, plant and equipment - net (xii) 1,131.3 1,049.1 Goodwill and other intangibles - net (xiii) 351.1 698.4 Long-term notes receivable - affiliates (xiv) 51.3 - Other long-term assets (xv) 31.2 28.9 -------- -------- Total assets 1,886.1 2,016.2 ======== ======== Liabilities and shareholder's equity Current liabilities: Short-term debt - non-affiliates (xvi) 129.8 36.3 Accounts payable - affiliates 14.5 9.6 Accounts payable - non-affiliates 91.8 75.2 Other current liabilities - non-affiliates(xvii) 143.5 127.5 -------- -------- Total current liabilities 379.6 248.6 Long-term debt - affiliates (xviii) 690.1 130.2 Long-term debt - non-affiliates (xix) 877.2 895.4 Deferred revenue (note 24) 72.4 67.3 Deferred income taxes (xx) 78.9 92.9 Other long-term liabilities - affiliates (xxi) 117.4 129.8 Other long-term liabilities - non-affiliates (xxii) 119.4 96.3 Minority interests (note 27) - 15.6 -------- -------- Total liabilities 2,335.0 1,676.1 -------- -------- Commitments and contingencies (xxiv) Shareholder's equity: Common shares (xxiii) - - Contributed surplus 858.5 858.5 Accumulated deficit (1,307.4) (518.4) -------- -------- Total shareholder's equity (448.9) 340.1 -------- -------- Total liabilities and shareholder's equity 1,886.1 2,016.2 ======== ======== F-59 Consolidated statements of cash flows Year ended December 31 1996 1995 1994 $m $m $m Cash flows from operating activities Net (loss) income (356.8) 34.2 54.5 Adjustments to reconcile net (loss) income to net cash provided by operating activities: Charge for the impairment of long-lived assets 316.4 - - Depreciation 144.0 120.2 104.6 Goodwill and other intangibles amortization 11.7 18.2 18.5 Restructuring and other non-recurring charges 122.0 18.4 - Interest on long-term notes receivable - affiliates (1.3) - - Liquid Yield Option Notes discount amortization 20.3 9.4 - Refinancing costs amortization 3.2 4.9 5.3 Deferred income taxes (4.3) 16.5 22.0 Extraordinary items 1.3 8.9 - Gain on disposal of property, plant and equipment (2.2) (1.2) (0.8) Gain on disposal of businesses to affiliates (2.0) - - Loss on disposal of businesses to non-affiliates - - 0.4 Gain on customer contract transactions - affiliates (18.1) - - Gain arising from the ownership of investments - - (3.2) Other 3.2 2.3 - Changes in assets and liabilities: Accounts receivable - affiliates (7.5) (14.6) (0.4) Accounts receivable - non-affiliates (10.5) (29.3) (3.9) Inventories (3.5) 3.6 (4.3) Other assets (11.0) (0.4) 1.1 Accounts payable - affiliates (7.5) (5.2) (7.4) Accounts payable - non-affiliates 14.7 16.6 7.7 Deferred revenue 3.1 2.7 0.9 Other liabilities (5.6) (8.8) 3.5 ----- ----- ----- Net cash provided by operating activities 209.6 196.4 198.5 ----- ----- ----- Cash flows from investing activities Purchase of property, plant and equipment (293.2) (221.4) (175.8) Disposal of property, plant and equipment 6.9 3.9 5.4 Long-term notes receivable - affiliates (50.0) - 318.8 Acquisition of businesses from non-affiliates (25.5) (64.0) - Purchase of customer contracts (4.1) - - Disposal of businesses to non-affiliates - - 10.2 Disposal of assets to affiliates 73.2 - - Disposal of other investments to non-affiliates - - 19.7 Disposal of trademarks to affiliates - - 150.0 Other (1.7) (1.6) (5.2) ----- ----- ----- Net cash (utilized) provided by investing activities (294.4) (283.1) 323.1 ----- ----- ----- F-60 Cash flows from financing activities Net receipt (repayments) of short-term debt - affiliates - - (145.3) Net repayments of short-term debt - non-affiliates 11.4 (19.6) (25.9) Repayments of long-term debt - affiliates - - (430.4) Proceeds from long-term debt - affiliates 34.3 33.0 199.9 Repayments of long-term debt - non-affiliates (15.0) (209.6) (0.2) Repayment of long-term acquisition debt - (39.6) - Proceeds from long-term debt - non-affiliates 83.0 312.4 231.6 Debt refinancing costs - (12.0) (1.0) Dividends paid - - (352.5) Other - (2.2) (3.7) ----- ----- ----- Net cash provided (utilized) by financing activities 113.7 62.4 (527.5) ----- ----- ----- Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents 28.9 (24.3) (5.9) Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year 54.0 78.3 84.2 ----- ----- ----- Cash and cash equivalents at end of year 82.9 54.0 78.3 ===== ===== ===== Cash payments during the year for Interest - affiliates 31.3 21.7 49.3 Interest - non-affiliates 52.0 66.5 57.7 Income taxes 2.6 2.3 4.0 In conjunction with the acquisition of businesses from affiliates, net assets were assumed as follows Goodwill and other intangibles 5.4 - - Notes issued (70.0) - - ----- ----- ----- Net assets assumed (64.6) - - ===== ===== ===== In conjunction with the acquisition of businesses from non-affiliates, net (assets) liabilities were assumed as follows Goodwill and other intangibles 10.3 121.0 - Cash paid (net of cash assumed) (25.5) (64.0) - ----- ----- ----- Net (assets) liabilities assumed (15.2) 57.0 - ===== ===== ===== F-61 Year ended December 31 1996 1995 1994 $m $m $m In conjunction with the disposal of businesses to affiliates, net assets were disposed as follows Short-term receivable 8.0 - - Gain on disposal of businesses (including net unamortized goodwill and other intangibles) (2.0) - - ----- ----- ----- Net assets disposed 6.0 - - ===== ===== ===== In conjunction with the disposal of businesses to non-affiliates, net assets were disposed as follows Cash received (net of cash disposed) - - 10.2 Loss on disposal of businesses (including net unamortized goodwill and other intangibles) - - 0.4 ----- ----- ----- Net assets disposed - - 10.6 ===== ===== ===== Consolidated statements of changes in shareholder's equity Common Contributed Accumulated shares surplus deficit Total $m $m $m $m At January 1, 1994 - 858.5 (254.6) 603.9 Net income - - 54.5 54.5 Cash dividends - - (352.5) (352.5) ------ ------ ------- ------ At December 31, 1994 - 858.5 (552.6) 305.9 Net income - - 34.2 34.2 ------ ------ ------- ------ At December 31, 1995 - 858.5 (518.4) 340.1 Net loss - - (356.8) (356.8) Dividends (a) - - (432.2) (432.2) ------ ------ ------- ------ At December 31, 1996 - 858.5 (1,307.4) (448.9) ====== ====== ======= ====== (a) A dividend of $432.2 million was paid by ADT Operations, Inc. in December 1996 and the consideration was the assignment to ADT Operations Inc.'s immediate parent of a loan note owed to ADT Operations, Inc. by a subsidiary (note (xviii)). F-62 Note (i) - Segment information Year ended December 31 1996 1995 1994 $m $m $m Net sales Electronic security services (a) 914.2 824.5 733.0 Vehicle auction services 297.8 269.8 253.3 ------- ------- ------- 1,212.0 1,094.3 986.3 ======= ======= ======= Operating (loss) income Electronic security services (a) (289.9) 135.2 135.6 Vehicle auction services (b) 27.1 34.3 33.7 Corporate (c) (0.8) (1.4) (5.4) ------- ------- ------- (263.6) 168.1 163.9 ======= ======= ======= (a) In 1996 electronic security services operating income was stated after a charge of $131.6 million (1995 - $19.4 million) relating to restructuring and other non-recurring items (note (ii)) and after a charge for the impairment of long-lived assets of $303.4 million (note (iii)). In December 1996 ADT Operations disposed of certain of its electronic security services operations (Sonitrol franchises) to an affiliate. The net gain on disposal of $2.0 million was included in the gain on disposal of businesses to affiliates (note (iv)). During 1994 ADT Operations disposed of certain of its electronic security services operations (Puerto Rico and US Virgin Islands). The net loss on disposal of $0.4 million was included in the loss on disposal of businesses to non-affiliates (note (v)). The following information represents the amounts included in the electronic security services business segment information above which related to the operations disposed of. Year ended December 31 1996 1995 1994 $m $m $m Net sales 6.1 6.1 12.7 Operating income 0.2 0.4 2.5 (b) In 1996 vehicle auction services operating income was stated after a charge for the impairment of long-lived assets of $13.0 million (note (iii)). (c) Corporate expenses comprise administrative, legal and general corporate expenses net of other income. In 1996 corporate expenses were stated after a charge of $0.5 million relating to restructuring and other non-recurring items (note (ii)). F-63 (d) The costs incurred in producing and communicating advertising are generally expensed when incurred. The total amount of advertising expense for the year included in the consolidated statements of income amounted to $58.3 million (1995 - $49.7 million; 1994 - $38.1 million). Year ended December 31 1996 1995 1994 $m $m $m Depreciation and amortization Electronic security services 140.5 123.6 108.8 Vehicle auction services 15.0 14.7 14.2 Corporate 0.2 0.1 0.1 ------ ------ ------ 155.7 138.4 123.1 ====== ====== ====== Capital expenditures Electronic security services 264.7 201.1 161.8 Vehicle auction services 25.7 18.9 14.0 Corporate 2.8 1.4 - ------ ------ ------ 293.2 221.4 175.8 ====== ====== ====== Identifiable assets Electronic security services 1,289.0 1,513.4 1,284.6 Vehicle auction services 467.7 440.3 425.3 Corporate 129.4 62.5 90.3 ------- ------- ------- 1,886.1 2,016.2 1,800.2 ======= ======= ======= Note (ii) - Restructuring and other non-recurring charges Year ended December 31 1996 1995 1994 $m $m $m Electronic security services (131.6) (19.4) - Corporate (0.5) - - ------ ------ ------ (132.1) (19.4) - ====== ====== ====== As a consequence of the Re-Engineering Project, and incorporating the effects of the acquisition of Alert, in each of the fourth quarters of 1996 and 1995 senior executive management approved a restructuring plan which resulted in a charge for restructuring and other non-recurring items of $131.6 million and $19.4 million, respectively (note 5(i)). The effects of the Re-Engineering Project resulted in a charge for restructuring and other non-recurring items at the corporate level in 1996 of $0.5 million (note 5(ii)). F-64 Note (iii) - Charge for the impairment of long-lived assets Effective January 1, 1996, ADT Operations was required to adopt SFAS 121. Following the adoption of SFAS 121, in the first quarter of 1996 ADT Operations recorded an aggregate non-cash charge for the impairment of long-lived assets of $316.4 million, as a separate line item in the consolidated statements of income, with no consequential tax effect (note 6). The $303.4 million impairment charge in the electronic security services division comprised $302.4 million relating to goodwill and other intangibles and $1.0 million relating to other assets. The $13.0 million impairment charge in the vehicle auction services division related to goodwill and other intangibles. Note (iv) - Gain on disposal of businesses to affiliates In December 1996 ADT Operations disposed of certain of its electronic security services operations (Sonitrol franchises) to an affiliate. The aggregate consideration on disposal amounted to $8.0 million, which was financed through a short-term receivable from an affiliate, and the net gain on disposal of $2.0 million included $1.8 million relating to the write off of net unamortized goodwill and other intangibles (note (xiii)). Note (v) - Loss on disposal of businesses to non-affiliate During 1994 ADT Operations disposed of certain of its electronic security services operations (Puerto Rico and US Virgin Islands). The aggregate cash consideration on disposal amounted to $10.6 million and the net loss on disposal of $0.4 million included $4.8 million relating to the write off of net unamortized goodwill and other intangibles. Note (vi) - Other income less expenses Year ended December 31 1996 1995 1994 $m $m $m Net gain arising on customer contract transactions - affiliates 18.1 - - Management fees - net - affiliates (9.6) (6.7) (3.5) Gains and losses arising from the ownership of long-term investments - - 3.2 ---- ---- ---- 8.5 (6.7) (0.3) ==== ==== ==== F-65 Note (vii) - Income taxes (a) The provision for income taxes in the consolidated statements of income was as follows: Year ended December 31 1996 1995 1994 $m $m $m Current income taxes: US (principally state income taxes) (2.9) (2.5) (3.5) Deferred income taxes: (note (xx)) US (principally federal income taxes) 4.3 (16.5) (22.0) ---- ----- ----- 1.4 (19.0) (25.5) ==== ===== ===== (b) The reconciliation between notional US federal income taxes at the statutory rate on consolidated (loss) income before income taxes and ADT Operations' income tax provision was as follows: Year ended December 31 1996 1995 1994 $m $m $m Notional US federal income taxes at the statutory rate 124.9 (21.7) (28.0) Adjustments to reconcile to ADT Operations' income tax provision: US state income tax provisions, net (2.9) (2.5) (3.2) SFAS 121 impairment (110.7) - - Utilization and/or recognition of tax loss carryforwards and other items (9.9) 5.2 5.7 ------ ------ ------ Income tax provision 1.4 (19.0) (25.5) ====== ====== ====== F-66 Note (viii) - Extraordinary items During 1996 and 1995 affiliates of ADT Operations reacquired in the market certain of ADT Operations, Inc.'s senior subordinated notes (note (xix)(a)), which was financed from cash on hand. Extraordinary items included the write off of net unamortized deferred refinancing costs of $0.5 million (1995 - $0.8 million), and were stated net of applicable income taxes of $0.2 million (1995 - $0.2 million). In December 1996 ADT Operations, Inc. entered into a new bank credit agreement, subject to completion of certain additional documentation which was signed in January 1997, which replaced in full its previous bank credit agreement and which was subsequently cancelled (note (xix)(c)). Extraordinary items included the write off of net unamortized deferred refinancing costs of $1.5 million relating to the early extinguishment of all amounts outstanding under the revolving bank credit agreement, and were stated net of applicable income taxes of $0.5 million. In July 1995 ADT Operations, Inc. repaid in full all amounts owed under its previous bank credit agreement, which was subsequently cancelled. ADT Operations, Inc. funded the repayment from the net proceeds of the issue of its Liquid Yield Option Notes (note (xix)(b)). Extraordinary items included the write off of net unamortized deferred refinancing costs of $12.8 million relating to the early extinguishment of all amounts outstanding under the previous bank credit agreement, and were stated net of applicable income taxes of $4.5 million. Note (ix) - Accounts receivable - net - non-affiliates At December 31 1996 1995 $m $m Trade accounts receivable 160.2 144.7 Less: allowance for doubtful receivables (10.8) (11.9) ----- ----- 149.4 132.8 ===== ===== Note (x) - Inventories At December 31 1996 1995 $m $m Raw materials and consumables 6.0 6.5 Work in process 11.4 7.4 Finished goods 4.2 3.3 ----- ----- 21.6 17.2 ===== ===== F-67 Note (xi) - Prepaid expenses and other current assets At December 31 1996 1995 $m $m Prepaid expenses 4.5 4.1 Other current assets 18.4 2.8 ----- ----- 22.9 6.9 ===== ===== Note (xii) - Property , plant and equipment - net At December 31 1996 1995 $m $m Cost: Property and related improvements 278.5 254.0 Subscriber systems 1,336.9 1,098.1 Other plant and equipment 156.7 136.1 ------- ------- Total cost 1,772.1 1,488.2 ------- ------- Accumulated depreciation: Property and related improvements 50.3 35.9 Subscriber systems 480.6 330.8 Other plant and equipment 109.9 72.4 ------- ------- Total accumulated depreciation 640.8 439.1 ------- ------- Net book values 1,131.3 1,049.1 ======= ======= F-68 Note (xiii) - Goodwill and other intangibles - net 1996 1995 $m $m Cost: At January 1 841.2 720.2 SFAS 121 impairment (note (iii)) (429.1) - Acquisitions (a) 19.8 121.0 Disposals (b) (41.1) - ------- ------- At December 31 390.8 841.2 ------- ------- Accumulated amortization: At January 1 142.8 124.6 SFAS 121 impairment (note (iii)) (113.7) - Charge for the year 11.7 18.2 Disposals (b) (1.1) - ------- ------- At December 31 39.7 142.8 ------- ------- Net book values: At December 31 351.1 698.4 ======= ======= (a) In February 1996 ADT Operations acquired the remaining 24.0 per cent of the outstanding voting share capital of Alert, an electronic security services company, not already owned by ADT Operations, for an aggregate cash consideration of $25.5 million, which was financed from cash on hand. The amount of goodwill arising from this acquisition was $10.3 million. During 1996 ADT Operations purchased other intangibles, principally customer contracts, for an aggregate cash consideration of $4.1 million which was financed from cash on hand. In December 1996 ADT Operations acquired the electronic security services business and net assets of an affiliate for an aggregate consideration of $70.0 million which was financed through a long-term loan from an affiliate. The amount of goodwill arising from this acquisition was $5.4 million. In December 1995 ADT Operations acquired 76.0 per cent of the outstanding voting share capital of Alert, for an aggregate cash consideration of $69.0 million, which was financed from $54.0 million of cash on hand and through a long-term loan from affiliates of $15.0 million. The amount of goodwill and other intangibles arising from this acquisition was $80.1 million and $40.0 million, respectively. During 1995 ADT Operations also acquired several small electronic security services businesses for an aggregate cash consideration of $0.9 million. These acquisitions have been accounted for using the purchase method. Accordingly, the respective purchase prices have been allocated to assets acquired and liabilities assumed based on their preliminary estimated fair values. These allocations resulted in goodwill and other intangibles of $19.8 million arising during the year (1995 - $121.0 million). F-69 (b) During 1996, ADT Operations disposed of certain of its customer contracts to an affiliate. The aggregate cash consideration on disposal amounted to $74.5 million and the net gain on disposal of $36.3 million was included in other income less expenses (note (vi)). In December 1996 ADT Operations disposed of certain of its electronic security services operations (Sonitrol franchises) to an affiliate. The net unamortized goodwill and other intangibles on disposal of $1.8 million was included in the gain on disposal of businesses to affiliates (note (iv)). (c) The accumulated cost, accumulated amortization and net book values of the goodwill balance included within goodwill and other intangibles at December 31, 1996 amounted to $385.7 million, $39.1 million and $346.6 million, respectively (1995 - $801.2 million, $142.8 million and $658.4 million, respectively). Note (xiv) - Long-term notes receivable - affiliates In September 1996 ADT Operations subscribed for $73.8 million aggregate principal amount at maturity of subordinated deep discount zero coupon loan notes issued by an affiliate maturing in September 2001. There are no periodic payments of interest. The notes were issued at a price of $50.0 million, reflecting a yield to maturity of 7.9 per cent per annum. ADT Operations funded the subscription through loans drawn down under the revolving bank credit agreement. The interest yield for 1996 amounted to $1.3 million. Note (xv) - Other long-term assets At December 31 1996 1995 $m $m Deferred refinancing costs 19.5 24.7 Other long-term assets 11.7 4.2 ---- ---- 31.2 28.9 ==== ==== In connection with the refinancing of certain long-term debt obligations of ADT Operations certain fees and expenses were incurred. These refinancing costs are being amortized as interest expense through the consolidated statements of income on a straight line basis over the terms of the respective lives of ADT Operations various long-term debt obligations. The refinancing costs amortization for the year amounted to $3.2 million (1995 - $4.9 million; 1994 - $5.3 million). During the year $2.0 million (1995 - $13.6 million; 1994 - nil) of net unamortized deferred refinancing costs, relating to the early extinguishment of certain amounts outstanding under ADT Operations long-term debt obligations, were written off as extraordinary items in the consolidated statements of income (note (viii)). F-70 Note (xvi) - Short-term debt - non-affiliates At December 31 1996 1995 $m $m Bank and acceptance facilities 46.8 36.1 Current portion of long-term debt (note (xix)) 83.0 0.2 ----- ---- 129.8 36.3 ===== ==== The average rate of interest on short-term debt - non-affiliates outstanding at December 31, 1996 was 6.8 per cent (1995 - 7.9 per cent). Short-term debt - non-affiliates is generally repayable on demand or at an interest payment date, and is non-collateralized except for $0.2 million of the current portion of long-term debt in 1995. Note (xvii) - Other current liabilities - non-affiliates At December 31 1996 1995 $m $m Accruals 23.3 24.1 Payroll and employee benefits 40.9 41.7 Payments received on account 12.5 8.9 Income taxes 2.3 2.0 Interest payable 20.9 21.3 Short-term restructuring, disposition and other provisions 37.9 25.3 Other current liabilities 5.7 4.2 ----- ---- 143.5 127.5 ===== ===== Note (xviii) - Long-term debt - affiliates At December 31 1996 1995 $m $m Interest bearing, non-collateralized, subordinated loan notes 634.2 97.4 Senior subordinated notes held by affiliates (note (xix)(a)) 55.9 32.8 ----- ----- 690.1 130.2 ===== ===== The average rate of interest on the non-collateralized, subordinated notes at December 31, 1996 was 10.8 per cent (1995 - 10.8 per cent). The average rate of interest on the non-collateralized, subordinated loan notes during the year was 10.6 per cent (1995 - 11.1 per cent; 1994 - 9.4 per cent). The loan notes are repayable in December 1999 ($132.0 million), in December 2001 ($70.0 million) and in August 2003 ($432.2 million). F-71 Note (xix) - Long-term debt - non-affiliates At December 31 1996 1995 $m $m Senior notes (a) 250.0 250.0 Senior subordinated notes (a) 294.1 317.2 Liquid Yield Option Notes (b) 326.8 306.8 Revolving bank credit agreement (c) 83.0 15.0 Other 6.3 6.6 ----- ----- 960.2 895.6 Less: current portion (note (xvi)) (83.0) (0.2) ----- ----- 877.2 895.4 ===== ===== (a) In August 1993 ADT Operations, Inc. issued, through a public offering, $250.0 million of its 8.25 per cent senior notes due August 2000 guaranteed on a senior basis by ADT and certain subsidiaries of ADT Operations, Inc. (note 23(i)) and $350.0 million of its 9.25 per cent senior subordinated notes due August 2003 guaranteed on a senior subordinated basis by ADT (note 23(ii)). During 1996 affiliates of ADT Operations reacquired in the market $23.1 million (1995 - $32.8 million) face value of the senior subordinated notes and these notes are all classified under long-term debt - affiliates (note (xviii)). (b) In July 1995 ADT Operations, Inc. issued $776,250,000 aggregate principal amount at maturity of its zero coupon subordinated Liquid Yield Option Notes maturing July 2010 (note 23(iii)). The net proceeds of the issue amounted to $287.4 million which was used to repay in full all amounts outstanding under ADT Operations, Inc.'s previous bank credit agreement, which was subsequently cancelled. The Notes discount amortization for 1996 amounted to $20.3 million (1995 - $9.4 million). During 1996 619 Notes with a carrying value of $0.3 million were exchanged, at the option of the holders, for 17,472 ADT common shares (note 30). (c) In August 1995 ADT Operations, Inc. entered into a new $300 million revolving bank credit agreement which replaced in full its previous bank credit agreement. The new agreement has a term of five years and is guaranteed on a senior basis by ADT and certain subsidiaries of ADT Operations, Inc. (note 23(iv)). At December 31, 1996 $83.0 million (1995 - $15.0 million) was drawn down under the agreement, which has been classified in the current portion of long-term debt, plus letters of credit amounting to $81.1 million (1995 - $81.0 million) which have been issued and have terms of less than one year. The average rate of interest at December 31, 1996 was 6.5 per cent (1995 - 7.6 per cent). In December 1996 ADT Operations, Inc. entered into a new $200 million revolving bank credit agreement, subject to completion of certain additional documentation which was signed in January 1997, which replaced in full its previous bank credit agreement (note 23(iv)). The average rate of interest on all long-term debt - non-affiliates during the year was 7.9 per cent (1995 - 8.2 per cent; 1994 - 8.7 per cent). F-72 Based on estimated interest rates currently available to ADT Operations for long-term debt - non-affiliates with similar terms and average maturities, the fair value of all long-term debt - non-affiliates at December 31, 1996 amounted to approximately $1,010 million (1995 - approximately $960 million). The maturities and installments with respect to long-term debt - non-affiliates outstanding at December 31, 1996 are as follows: $m Year ending December 31 1997 83.0 1998 0.9 1999 1.6 2000 251.7 2001 0.9 Thereafter 622.1 ----- 960.2 ===== Under the terms of the indenture governing the senior subordinated notes a payment blockage prevents ADT Operations, Inc. and its guarantor subsidiaries and ADT from making any payment of principal, interest or premium on the senior subordinated notes and from purchasing, redeeming or otherwise acquiring any senior subordinated notes during the continuance of any payment blockage period. No payment blockage is currently in effect. At December 31, 1996, ADT Operations, Inc. had $414.1 million of Senior Indebtedness comprised of $83.0 million of Senior Indebtedness related to loans under the revolving bank credit agreement, $81.1 million of Senior Indebtedness related to letters of credit issued under the terms of the revolving bank credit agreement and $250.0 million of Senior Indebtedness related to the Senior Notes, (in each case as defined in the Senior Subordinated Note Indenture). At December 31, 1996, ADT had no Guarantor Senior Indebtedness (as defined in the Senior Note Indenture, but excluding Indebtedness in respect of guarantees issued by ADT of debt of ADT Operations, Inc. or its subsidiaries). At December 31, 1996, the subsidiary guarantors had $53.2 million of Guarantor Senior Indebtedness (as defined in the Senior Note Indenture), in each case ranking pari passu in right of payment with the Senior Note Guarantees. All of the subsidiary guarantors under the senior notes and the revolving bank credit agreement are direct or indirect, wholly owned subsidiaries of ADT Operations, Inc. Separate financial statements and other disclosures for the subsidiary guarantors are not included herein because the subsidiary guarantors have guaranteed the senior notes on a joint and several basis, the aggregate assets, liabilities, earnings and equity of the subsidiary guarantors are substantially equivalent to the assets, liabilities, earnings and equity of ADT Operations, Inc. on a consolidated basis and such separate financial statements and other disclosures are not considered material to investors. F-73 Note (xx) - Deferred income taxes The movement in deferred income taxes since January 1, 1994 has been as follows: 1996 1995 1994 $m $m $m At January 1 92.9 74.5 52.5 (Credit) charge for the year (note (vii)(a)) (4.3) 16.5 22.0 Extraordinary items (note (viii)) (0.7) (4.7) - Assumed on acquisitions - affiliates (9.0) - - Reclassifications - 6.6 - ---- ---- ---- At December 31 78.9 92.9 74.5 ==== ==== ==== The significant temporary timing differences and tax loss carryforwards that gave rise to the deferred income tax balance were as follows: At December 31 1996 1995 $m $m Liabilities: Depreciation 861.0 733.9 Other 6.9 5.2 ----- ----- 867.9 739.1 ----- ----- Assets: Tax operating loss carryforwards 406.7 331.3 Provisions for estimated costs and expenses 121.0 59.4 Interest expense 147.9 99.6 Post-retirement benefit obligations 78.6 66.5 ----- ----- 754.2 556.8 Valuation allowance (111.8) (83.2) ----- ----- 642.4 473.6 ----- ----- Gross deferred income tax liability 225.5 265.5 ----- ----- Deferred income tax liability at statutory tax rate 78.9 92.9 ===== ===== F-74 The tax operating loss carryforwards at December 31, 1996 expire as follows: $m Year ending December 31 1999 6.8 2000 4.1 2001 24.2 2002 18.3 2003 7.5 2004 80.2 2005 123.2 2006 107.2 2007 23.1 2008 12.1 ----- 406.7 ===== Note (xxi) - Other long-term liabilities - affiliates At December 31 1996 1995 $m $m Deferred gain 117.4 129.8 ===== ===== During 1994 ADT Operations assigned its interest in its trademarks, service marks and associated goodwill to an affiliate for an aggregate consideration of $150.0 million. In view of the fact that the assignment was to an affiliate, and taking into account the terms of the transaction, the net gain of $141.7 million arising on the assignment was deferred. During 1996 $12.4 million (1995 - $11.9 million) of this deferred gain was credited to the consolidated statements of income to offset license fee payments made by ADT Operations to the affiliate, calculated as a fixed percentage of net sales, for use of the trademarks and service marks referred to above. F-75 Note (xxii) - Other long-term liabilities - non-affiliates At December 31 1996 1995 $m $m Pensions (note 33(i)) 28.4 20.6 Post-retirement benefits other than pensions (note 33(iv)) 48.2 47.8 Long-term restructuring, disposition and other provisions 27.8 15.0 Other long-term liabilities 15.0 12.9 ----- ---- 119.4 96.3 ===== ==== Note (xxiii) - Common shares At December 31 1996 1995 1994 Number Number Number Authorized: Common shares of $0.10 each 10,000 10,000 10,000 ====== ====== ====== Issued and outstanding: Common shares of $0.10 each 1,820 1,820 1,820 ====== ====== ====== There has been no movement in authorized, issued and outstanding common shares since January 1, 1994. Note (xxiv) - Commitments and contingencies (a) ADT Operations leases land, buildings, motor vehicles and other equipment under various contracts. The future total minimum rental payments required under operating leases that have remaining noncancelable lease terms in excess of one year at December 31, 1996 are as follows: $m Year ending December 31 1997 37.5 1998 35.2 1999 28.3 2000 20.3 2001 12.7 Thereafter 12.2 ----- 146.2 ===== The net operating lease rental charge for the year included in the consolidated statements of income amounted to $43.4 million (1995 - $44.1 million; 1994 - $37.8 million). F-76 (b) Financial instruments which potentially subject ADT Operations to concentrations of credit risk principally consist of cash and cash equivalents and trade receivables. ADT Operations places its cash and cash equivalents with high credit quality financial institutions and, by policy, limits the amount of credit exposure to any one financial institution. ADT Operations' trade receivables primarily result from its electronic security services and vehicle auction services businesses and reflects a broad customer base. Credit limits, ongoing credit evaluation and account monitoring procedures are utilized to minimize the risk of loss. As a consequence, concentrations of credit risk are limited. (c) ADT Operations is a defendant in a number of pending legal proceedings incidental to present and former operations, acquisitions and dispositions. ADT Operations does not expect the outcome of these proceedings either individually or in the aggregate to have a material adverse effect on the consolidated results of operations and cash flows or the consolidated financial position of ADT Operations. Note (xxv) - Pension and other plans (a) ADT Operations' United States electronic security services operation has a non-contributory, funded, defined benefit pension plan covering substantially all of its employees. Details of this pension plan are provided in note 33(i). (b) ADT Operations' United States electronic security services operation sponsors an unfunded defined benefit post-retirement plan which covers both salaried and non-salaried employees and which provides medical and other benefits. Details of this post-retirement plan are provided in note 33(iv). F-77 ADT LIMITED Consolidated Financial Statement Schedules Schedule II - Valuation and Qualifying Accounts
Balance at Subsidiaries Additions Deductions- Balance beginning acquired charged to primarily at end of period (disposed of) income write-offs of period $m $m $m $m $m Allowance for doubtful receivables: Year ended December 31, 1994 22.1 (0.6) 4.0 (8.6) 16.9 ====== ====== ====== ====== ====== Year ended December 31, 1995 16.9 (1.1) 6.6 (5.4) 17.0 ====== ====== ====== ====== ====== Year ended December 31, 1996 17.0 - 10.6 (9.1) 18.5 ====== ====== ====== ====== ======
F-78 ADT OPERATIONS, INC. Consolidated Financial Statement Schedules Schedule II - Valuation and Qualifying Accounts
Balance at Subsidiaries Additions Deductions- Balance beginning acquired charged to primarily at end of period (disposed of) income write-offs of period $m $m $m $m $m Allowance for doubtful receivables: Year ended December 31, 1994 8.4 - 1.9 (2.3) 8.0 ====== ====== ====== ====== ===== Year ended December 31, 1995 8.0 1.5 4.4 (2.0) 11.9 ====== ====== ====== ====== ===== Year ended December 31, 1996 11.9 - 4.8 (5.9) 10.8 ====== ====== ====== ====== =====
F-79 EXHIBIT INDEX 2.1 Agreement and Plan of Merger by and among ADT Limited, Limited Apache, Inc. and Tyco International Ltd. dated as of March 17, 1997.(6) 3.1 Memorandum of Association (as altered) and Bye-Laws of ADT Limited (incorporating all amendments to May 26, 1992).(1) 3.2 Certified copy of a resolution approved at the Annual General Meeting of common shareholders of ADT Limited held on October 12, 1993, approving an increase in the authorized common share capital of ADT Limited from $19.5 million to $22.0 million.(4) 4.1 Indenture relating to the senior notes dated August 4, 1993 among ADT Operations, as issuer, and ADT Limited and certain subsidiaries of ADT Operations, as guarantors, and The Chase Manhattan Bank (National Association), as trustee, and the form of senior note included therein.(2) 4.2 Indenture relating to the senior subordinated notes dated August 4, 1993 among ADT Operations, as issuer, and ADT Limited, as guarantor, and NationsBank of Georgia, National Association, as trustee, and the form of senior subordinated note included therein.(2) 4.3 Indenture dated as of July 1, 1995 among ADT Operations, Inc., ADT Limited and Bank of Montreal Trust Company, as trustee and the form of note included therein. (5) 4.4 Rights Agreement between ADT Limited and Citibank, N.A. dated as of November 6, 1996.(9) 4.5 First Amendment between ADT Limited and Citibank, N.A. dated as of March 3, 1997 to Rights Agreement between ADT Limited and Citibank, N.A. dated as of November 6, 1996.(9) 10.1 Rules of the ADT UK Executive Share Option Scheme (1984), amended to reflect the reverse split of Common Shares effective June 17, 1991.(1)* 10.2 Rules of the ADT International Executive Share Option Plan, amended to reflect the reverse split of Common Shares effective June 17, 1991.(1)* 10.3 Rules of the ADT UK and International Executive Share Option Schemes (1984) New Section, amended to reflect the reverse split of Common Shares effective June 17, 1991.(1)* 10.4 Rules of the ADT Senior Executive Share Option Plan, amended to reflect the reverse split of Common Shares effective June 17, 1991.(1)* 10.5 US (1990) Stock Option Plan of ADT Limited, amended to reflect the reverse split of Common Shares effective June 17, 1991.(1)* 10.6 Employment Agreement dated May 8, 1993 between ADT Limited and Michael Anthony Ashcroft.(2)* 10.7 Amendment to Employment Agreement dated December 18, 1996 between ADT Limited and Michael Anthony Ashcroft.(9)* 10.8 Employment agreement between ADT Limited and Stephen J. Ruzika dated as of February 26, 1997.(9)* 10.9 Employment agreement between ADT, Inc. and Ron G. Lakey dated as of January 16, 1997.(9)* 10.10 Agreement between ADT Automotive Holdings, Inc. and Michael J. Richardson dated as of January 29, 1997.(9)* 10.11 Incentive Compensation Agreement between ADT, Inc. and Michael J. Richardson dated as of February 10, 1997.(9)* 10.12 Severance Agreement between ADT Security Services, Inc. and Raymond Gross dated as of February 26, 1997.(9)* 10.13 Consulting Agreement between ADT, Inc. and John E. Danneberg dated as of August 28, 1996.(9)* 10.14 Form of Indemnification Agreement.(9)* 10.15 The ADT 1993 Long-Term Incentive Plan (as amended February 29, 1996).(3)* 10.16 Purchase Agreement dated June 29, 1995 among ADT Operations, Inc., ADT Limited and Merrill Lynch & Co., Inc. and the related pricing agreement (5) 10.17 US$200,000,000 Credit Agreement dated as of January 9, 1997, among ADT Operations, Inc., as the Borrower, and Certain Commercial Lending Institutions as the Lenders, and the Bank of Nova Scotia as the Agent for the Lenders. 10.18 Guaranty, dated as of January 9, 1997, made by ADT Limited in favor of each of the Lender Parties (as defined therein). 10.19 Subsidiary Guarantor Guaranty, dated as of January 9, 1997, made by each Subsidiary Guarantor (as defined therein) in favor of each of the Lender Parties (as defined therein). 10.20 Pound Sterling 90,000,000 Facility Agreement dated March 17, 1997, among ADT Finance Plc, as the Borrower, ADT (UK) Holdings PLC and Others as Guarantors, The Bank of Nova Scotia as Arranger and as Agent and Others. 10.21 ADT Limited Guarantee dated as of March 25, 1997, in respect of a Pound Sterling 90,000,000 facility made available to ADT Finance Plc. 10.22 Pound Sterling 27,000,000 On Demand Facility Letter dated January 3, 1997, between ADT Finance Plc and The Bank of Nova Scotia. 10.23 ADT Limited Guarantee in respect of the obligations of ADT Finance Plc under a Pound Sterling 27,000,000 Facility Letter dated January 3, 1997. 10.24 Agreement dated December 29, 1995 among ADT (UK) Limited, ADT Holdings BV, Ruskin Limited, ADT Limited, Loanoption Limited and Integrated Transport Systems Limited for the sale and purchase of European Auctions.(7) 10.25 Agreement among ADT Limited, Thomas J. Gibson and Integrated Transport Systems Limited dated December 29, 1995.(8)* 10.26 Agreement among ADT Limited, David B. Hammond and Integrated Transport Systems Limited dated December 29, 1995.(8)* 10.27 Common Share Purchase Warrant issued by ADT Limited on July 1, 1996 to Republic Industries, Inc.(10) 11.1 Statement regarding the computation of earnings per common share. 21.1 List of subsidiaries of ADT Limited 23.1 Consent of independent accountants to the incorporation by reference of this Annual Report into Form S-3 and Forms S-8. 27 Financial Data Schedule (for SEC use only). - -------------- (1) Previously filed as an Exhibit to the Registrant's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1992. (2) Previously filed as an Exhibit to the Registrant's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 1993. (3) Previously filed as an Exhibit to the Registrant's Registration Statement dated May 16, 1996, on Form S-8 filed May 17, 1996. (4) Previously filed as an Exhibit to the Registrant's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1993. (5) Previously filed as an Exhibit to the Registrant's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 1995. (6) Previously filed as an Exhibit to the Registrant's Current Report dated March 24, 1997 on Form 8-K filed March 25, 1997. (7) Previously filed as an Exhibit to the Registrant's Current Report dated December 29, 1995 on Form 8-K filed January 16, 1996. (8) Previously filed as an Exhibit to the Registrant's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1995. (9) Previously filed as an Exhibit to the Registrant's Schedule 14D-9 dated March 3, 1997. (10) Previously filed as an Exhibit to the Registrant's Current Report dated July 10, 1996 on Form 8-K filed July 11, 1996. * Management contract or compensatory plan.

                                                              Exhibit 99.4
                                  SCHEDULE 14A
                                 (Rule 14a-101)
                    INFORMATION REQUIRED IN PROXY STATEMENT
                            SCHEDULE 14A INFORMATION

                   Proxy Statement Pursuant to Section 14(a)
                     of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934


Filed by the Registrant  [x]
Filed by a Party other than the Registrant  [  ]

Check the appropriate box:
[ ]  Preliminary Proxy Statement
[ ]  Confidential, for Use of the Commission Only (as permitted by Rule
     14a-6(e)(2)
[ ]  Definitive Proxy Statement
[ ]  Definitive Additional Materials
[X]  Soliciting Material Pursuant to Rule 14a-11(c) or Rule 14a-12


                                   ADT Limited

               (Name of Registrant as Specified In Its Charter)

   (Name of Person(s) Filing Proxy Statement, if Other Than the Registrant)



Payment of Filing Fee (Check the appropriate box):
[x]   No fee required.
[     ] Fee computed on table below per Exchange Act Rules 14a-6(i)(1) and 0-11.

      (1) Title of each class of securities to which transaction applies:

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      (3)Per unit  price  or other  underlying  value  of  transaction  computed
         pursuant to Exchange Act Rule 0-11:

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      (5) Total fee paid:

[ ]   Fee paid previously with preliminary materials.

[     ] Check box if any part of the fee is offset as provided  by Exchange  Act
      Rule  0-11(a)(2)  and identify the filing for which the offsetting fee was
      paid  previously.  Identify the previous filing by registration  statement
      number, or the Form or Schedule and the date of its filing.

      (1) Amount Previously Paid:

      (2) Form, Schedule or Registration Statement No.:

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      (4) Date Filed:



FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

MARCH 3, 1997                                        [ADT LOGO]


ADT Limited ("ADT")

ADT ANNOUNCES EARNINGS FOR THE FOURTH QUARTER AND FOR THE YEAR TO DECEMBER 31,
1996

- ------------------------------------------------------------------

Hamilton,  Bermuda,  March 3,  1997 -- ADT  Limited  (NYSE - ADT),  through  its
subsidiaries,  a leading  provider of electronic  security  services and vehicle
auction services, announced today that net income, before non-recurring items,






for the three months and twelve  months  ended  December 31, 1996 was $45.2m and
$140.3m, respectively.

In the third  quarter of 1996 ADT acquired  Automated  Security  (Holdings)  PLC
("ASH").  The  acquisition  of ASH has been  accounted  for using the pooling of
interests  method of accounting  which assumes that ADT and ASH have been merged
from their inception and requires all  consolidated  financial  statements to be
restated and presented accordingly. In the fourth quarter of 1996, ADT announced
its intention to sell its United States vehicle auction  division,  its European
vehicle auction division having been sold in 1995, and, accordingly, the vehicle
auction services segment is now treated as a discontinued operation.

Results for the three months ended and twelve months ended December 31, 1996 are
therefore as follows:


                                                  1996
                                                 Fourth        1996
                                                 Quarter       Year
                                                   $m           $m
                                                 -------       ----
                                                    $            $
Continuing operations:
Net sales                                          367.4      1,406.2
Net income before non-recurring items               44.3        120.9
Non-recurring items - net of tax:
SFAS 121 charge                                        -      (720.9)
Restructuring charges                            (195.0)      (195.0)
Sale of investments and other                       45.1         43.5
Settlement gain                                     69.7         69.7
Merger costs                                           -       (11.3)
Net loss after non-recurring items                (35.9)      (693.1)
Extraordinary items                                (2.6)        (8.4)

Net loss from continuing operations               (38.5)      (701.5)

Discontinued operations:
Net sales                                           75.0        297.8
Net income after non-recurring items:                0.9          6.4

Per share information (fully diluted):
                                                     $            $
Net income before non-recurring items:
Continuing operations                               0.28         0.81
Discontinued operations                             0.01         0.12
                                                   -----        -----
                                                    0.29         0.93
Non-recurring items                                (0.54)       (5.94)
Extraordinary items                                (0.02)       (0.06)
Net (loss) income per common share                 (0.27)       (5.07)

The fully diluted  weighted average number of common shares  outstanding  during
the fourth  quarter of 1996 was 167.4m and for the twelve months to December 31,
1996 was 165.3m.

Non-recurring  items,  net of tax,  in  respect of 1996  include:  i) a non-cash
charge  of  $720.9m  arising  in the  first  quarter  of 1996,  relating  to the
write-down of specific  assets to their estimated fair values in accordance with
the  requirements of SFAS 121; ii) a charge of $195.0m  principally  relating to
costs  associated  with  integrating the businesses of ASH in the United Kingdom
and the  United  States  into ADT,  together  with the costs of  administrative,
accounting, management information and technological infrastructure enhancements
currently being  implemented in the United States  electronic  security services
division; iii) a gain of $53.4m, represented by cash, arising on the sale of the
Company's  entire  interest in  Limelight  Group plc,  which was recorded in the
balance sheet at a nominal value;  and iv) a gain of $69.7m  represented by cash
receivable as a result of the  settlement of the  Company's  litigation  against
Binder Hamlyn.

Commenting, Mr. Michael A. Ashcroft, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer,
said:

"1996  was a year  both of  successful  growth  and of  transition  for ADT.  In
addition to strong internal growth in security system sales, we expanded through
the acquisition of ASH, by growing our dealer network and through  employing new
channels of distribution. We also extended our service






offerings to include mobile security and launched an advertising campaign
focussed on the ADT brand."

"I am pleased to report that ADT has taken another significant step in expanding
its  channels of  distribution  and has signed a marketing  agreement  with AT&T
under which ADT and AT&T will promote each other's services. This promises to be
a highly efficient and cost effective method of adding new customers."

"Our goal is to ensure the highest level of customer service and to maintain the
momentum we have  established  in  expanding  our  business  in an  increasingly
security-conscious  marketplace.  To help us achieve our goal, we undertook, and
successfully completed, a major internal restructuring in 1996."

"In 1997,  we are  taking a further  initiative  to secure  our status as market
leader by  investing in a  significant  technological  restructuring.  This will
enable us to make wholesale  changes to the way in which we arrange our hardware
and support services,  eventually  reducing the number of US customer monitoring
centers to four,  and  positioning  ADT to become a major  gateway  in  premises
control."

"ADT remains  firmly  focused on  increasing  shareholder  value and has a sound
strategy  to secure  long-term  business  growth in a changing  environment.  We
remain  comfortable with analyst's  earnings  estimates for the year 1997, which
will see us  continuing to invest in the business to ensure that ADT retains and
builds on its leadership position."

Electronic Security Services


Net sales and operating  income before  non-recurring  items from the Electronic
Security  Services  division for the fourth  quarter of 1996 amounted to $367.4m
and $48.6m, respectively.

Net sales and operating  income before  non-recurring  items from the Electronic
Security  Services  division  for the twelve  months  ended  December  31,  1996
amounted to $1,406.2m and $207.7m, respectively.

ADT's  annualized  service  revenues as of December 31, 1996  amounted to $920m,
representing an annualized growth rate of approximately 10 per cent.

Residential

During the fourth  quarter,  ADT  contracted  to install and monitor  75,000 new
residential security systems bringing the total for 1996 to more than 280,000, a
30 per cent  increase  over the 215,000  systems sold in 1995 ADT's  residential
customer base is now approximately 1,100,0000 of which approximately 85 per cent
is located in the United States.

Competition in the residential marketplace continues to keep the per system cost
to the consumer down,  however,  ADT's  recurring  revenue base is continuing to
benefit  from the  increases  in  average  monthly  monitoring  fees  which were
introduced for new customers in early 1996.

ADT's  strategic   relationships   with  RadioShack,   USAA  Insurance  and  HFS
(ERA/Century  21) opened up new  channels  of  distribution  in 1996 and are all
producing results. Sales through these channels are expected to benefit from the
ADT branding campaign in 1997.

The ADT authorized  dealer program  continues to expand.  ADT had 124 authorized
dealers throughout the United States at the end of 1996, compared with 58 at the
beginning of the year.  During the fourth quarter of 1996  approximately  23 per
cent of  residential  unit sales in the United States were  attributable  to the
dealer  program  and the  momentum  built up in the  dealer  network  in 1996 is
expected to continue in 1997 when dealer  sales  should also  benefit from ADT's
investment in branding.

Vehicle Security and Tracking

CarCop, a major advance in personal  protection and vehicle security,  developed
by Mobile  Security  Communications  ("MSC") and monitored by ADT, is being test
marketed in Atlanta and Miami.  CarCop is being  distributed  primarily  through
mobile electronic  speciality retail channels and MSC is currently exploring the
distribution of CarCop through chain electronic and cellular  retailers.  Direct
marketing  of CarCop to ADT's  commercial  customers  has begun and direct  mail
marketing  of CarCop to  residential  customers  will begin in selected  markets
during the second quarter of 1997.






National Accounts/Core Commercial

In the commercial market, sales in the small business segment were strong during
the fourth  quarter  and  outright  sales to  national  account  customers  also
improved.  CCTV was the product segment growth leader in 1996, driven in part by
the migration of CCTV sales to small and medium sized  businesses.  Sales to the
public sector also remained  strong  during the quarter.  New business  included
significant  orders for CCTV systems from Emerson Electric and Amoco; a contract
renewal with Darden Restaurants for ADT services to Red Lobster and Olive Garden
restaurants;   and  an   integrated   alarm   and  CCTV   system   for  a  video
arcade/restaurant  concept being developed by Sega Gameworks, a new customer for
ADT.

The  market in Canada is  showing  some  signs of  improvement.  ADT has  signed
contracts with several new customers,  including Vancouver-based Lowen Group, an
operator of funeral homes  throughout  North America.  An ADT authorized  dealer
program,  similar to that in the United  States,  is to be established in Canada
and the Company expects to have approximately 30 authorized dealers there by the
end of 1997.

In the United Kingdom, the CCTV and integrated systems markets continue to drive
growth.  ADT  was  also  successful  in  increasing  its  market  share  in  the
slower-growing  intruder alarm market.  New business included  additional orders
from  Railtrack,  including a large contract for CCTV systems on train platforms
and a significant  order from SmithKline  Beecham covering access control,  fire
detection,  intruder alarms and CCTV at various sites in southern  England.  The
integration  of ASH's  operations in the United  Kingdom with ADT is progressing
and the resulting  improvements  in service  levels and  operating  efficiencies
should be seen as 1997 progresses.

Vehicle Auction Services

Net sales and operating  income from the United States Vehicle Auction  division
for the fourth quarter of 1996 amounted to $75.0m and $6.7m, respectively.

Net sales and operating income before non-recurring items from the United States
Vehicle Auction  division for the twelve months ended December 31, 1996 amounted
to $297.8m and $40.1m, respectively.

1996 was a record year for ADT Automotive.  The total number of vehicles sold at
ADT Automotive auctions in the fourth quarter of 1996 increased by approximately
10 per cent over the  fourth  quarter  of 1995,  bringing  the  total  number of
vehicles  sold  in  1996  to  1,064,000  compared  with  994,000  in  1995.  The
fleet/lease  sector accounted for this growth with an increase of 35 per cent in
vehicles  sold,  partly  offset by lower  program car volumes and lower sales of
consignment vehicles.

Background

ADT, through its  subsidiaries,  is the largest provider of electronic  security
services  in  North  America  and  the  United  Kingdom,   providing  continuous
monitoring of commercial and  residential  security  systems to over 1.8 million
customers in North America and Europe.

Forward Looking Information

ADT may occasionally make statements  regarding its business and the markets for
its  services,  including  projections  of  future  performance,  statements  of
management's plans and objectives,  forecasts of market trends and other matters
which, to the extent that they are not historical fact, may constitute  "forward
looking  statements"  within the  meaning of the Private  Securities  Litigation
Reform Act of 1995.

Certain  statements  contained herein  constitute  "forward looking  statements"
within the meaning of the Private  Securities  Litigation Reform Act of 1995. In
particular,  statements contained herein regarding the consummation and benefits
of future  acquisitions  as well as  expectations  with respect to future sales,
operating  efficiencies and product expansion,  are subject to known and unknown
risks, uncertainties and contingencies,  many of which are beyond the control of
ADT,  which may cause actual  results,  performance  or  achievements  to differ
materially from anticipated results,  performance or achievements.  Factors that
might affect such  forward  looking  statements  include,  among others  overall
economic and business  conditions,  the demand for ADT's  services,  competitive
factors  in the  industry,  regulatory  approvals,  and  uncertainty  about  the
consummation of future acquisitions.

CERTAIN ADDITIONAL INFORMATION.  ADT Limited (the "Company") will be






soliciting  proxies against the proposal of Western  Resources,  Inc.  (together
with its subsidiaries, "Western") and revocations of proxies previously given to
Western  for such  proposals.  The  following  individuals  may be  deemed to be
participants  in the  solicitation  of proxies and revocations of proxies by the
Company: ADT Limited, Michael A. Ashcroft, John E. Danneberg, Alan B. Henderson,
James S. Pasman,  Jr., Stephen J. Ruzika, W. Peter Slusser,  William W. Stinson,
Raymond S. Troubh and Angela E. Entwistle.  As of February 28, 1997 Mr. Ashcroft
is the  beneficial  owner of 11,  075,718 of the Company's  common  shares,  Mr.
Danneberg is the beneficial  owner of 102 of the Company's  common  shares,  Mr.
Hendersen is the beneficial  owner of 621 of the Company's  common  shares,  Mr.
Pasman is the  beneficial  owner of 2,000 of the Company's  common  shares,  Mr.
Ruzika is the beneficial owner of 1,157,405 of the Company's common shares,  Mr.
Slusser is the beneficial  owner of 2,800 of the Company's  common  shares,  Mr.
Stinson is the beneficial  owner of 3,010 of the Company's  common  shares,  Mr.
Troubh is the beneficial  owner of 2,500 the  Company's's  common shares and Ms.
Entwistle is the beneficial owner of 29,500 of the Company's common shares.  The
Company  has  retained  Merrill  Lynch,  Pierce,  Fenner  &  Smith  Incorporated
("Merrill  Lynch") to act as its financial  advisor in connection with Western's
proposals.  Merrill  Lynch is an  investment  banking firm that  provides a full
range of financial  services for institutional and individual  clients.  Merrill
Lynch does not admit that it or any of its directors, officers or employees is a
"participant"  as defined in Schedule 14A  ("Schedule  14A")  promulgated by the
Commission  under the  Securities  Exchange Act of 1934, as amended in the proxy
solicitation,  or that such  Schedule  14A requires  the  disclosure  of certain
financial  information  concerning  Merrill  Lynch.  In connection  with Merrill
Lynch's  role  as  financial  advisor  to the  Company,  Merrill  Lynch  and the
following  investment  banking  employees of Merrill  Lynch may  communicate  in
person, by telephone or otherwise with a limited number of institutions, brokers
or other persons who are shareholders of the Company:  Richard Johnson (Managing
Director),  Huston McCollough (Managing Director), Hugh O'Hare (Vice President),
Robert  Simensky  (Vice  President),  Paul  Bastone  (Associate)  and Eric Evans
(Analyst).  In the normal course of its business,  Merrill Lynch  regularly buys
and sells securities issued by the company and its affiliates ("ADT Securities")
for its own account and the  accounts  of its  customers,  which may result from
time to time in  Merrill  Lynch and its  associates  having a net  "long" or net
"short" position in ADT Securities or option  contracts or other  derivatives in
or relating to ADT  Securities.  As of February  28,  1997,  Merrill  Lynch held
positions in ADT Securities as principal as follows:  (i) net "short" 769,995 of
the  Company's  common  shares;  (ii) net  "long"  51,000  par  amount  of 9.25%
Guaranteed Senior Subordinated Notes of ADT Operations, Inc. due August 1, 2003;
and  (iii)  net  "long"  31,509  Liquid  Yield  Option  [Trademark]Notes  of ADT
Operations,  Inc. due 2010,  exchangeable  for 889,499 of the  Company's  common
shares. As of February 28, 1997,  Merrill Lynch held positions in ADT Securities
as agent as follows:  (i) net "long"  2,195,181 of the Company's  common shares;
(ii) net "long"  $4,717,000 par amount of 8.25%  Guaranteed  Senior Notes of ADT
Operations,  Inc. due August 1, 2000; (iii) net "long"  $2,830,000 par amount of
9.25% Guaranteed Senior Subordinated Notes of ADT Operations, Inc. due August 1,
2003;  and (iv) net "long"  31,820 Liquid Yield  Option[Trademark]  Notes of ADT
Operations,  Inc. due 2010,  exchangeable  for 898,278 of the  Company's  common
shares.  None of the  investment  banking  employees  of  Merrill  Lynch who are
referred to above or their  associates  owned of record or beneficially  any ADT
Securities  as of February  28,  1997.  None of such  Merrill  Lynch  investment
banking  employees or their  associates  purchased or sold for their own account
any ADT Security within the past two years.


Note:
This and other press releases are available through Company News On-Call by fax;
call 800-758-5804, extension 112511, or at http://www.prnewswire.com/

Contact:
ADT
561-988-3600

ADT LIMITED
Summarized Consolidated Statements of Income


                                      1996       1995
                                     Fourth     Fourth      1996       1995
                                     Quarter    Quarter     Year       Year
Period ended December 31               $m         $m         $m         $m
- - ------------------------             -------    -------   -------    -------






Net sales                             367.4      354.6    1,406.2    1,350.9
Cost of sales                        (203.6)    (194.9)    (762.8)    (750.5)
Selling, general and
    administrative expenses          (116.9)    (112.4)    (465.1)    (435.6)
Restructuring charges and
    other non-recurring items        (237.3)     (34.2)    (237.3)     (34.2)
Charge for the impairment
    of long-lived assets                  -          -     (731.7)         -
Operating (loss) income              (190.4)      13.1     (790.7)    (130.6)
                                     ------     ------    -------    -------
Interest expense - net                 (9.4)     (15.0)     (58.9)     (65.7)
Gain on disposal of
    businesses                            -       34.6        1.7       29.2
Other income less expenses             127.4      (0.1)     128.8       (5.0)
                                     -------    -------   -------    -------
(Loss) income before
    income taxes                       (72.4)     32.6     (719.1)      89.1
Income taxes                            36.5       1.9       26.0      (20.2)
                                     -------    ------    -------    -------
(Loss) income from
    continuing operations              (35.9)     34.5     (693.1)      68.9
Income (loss) from
   discontinued operations               0.9     (64.4)       6.4      (37.9)
                                     -------    ------    -------    -------
(Loss) income before
    extraordinary items                (35.0)    (29.9)    (686.7)      31.0
Extraordinary items
    (net of income taxes)               (2.6)     (1.8)      (8.4)      (9.8)
                                     -------    ------    -------    -------

Net (loss) income                      (37.6)    (31.7)    (695.1)      21.2
Dividends on preference shares          (0.1)        -       (0.3)      (0.3)
                                     -------    ------    -------    -------
Net (loss) income available to
    common shareholders                (37.7)    (31.7)    (695.4)      20.9
                                     =======    ======    =======    =======
Primary and fully diluted
 (loss) earnings per common
 share:                                  $          $          $          $
(Loss) income from
    continuing operations               (0.26)     0.25      (5.06)      0.49
Income (loss) from
discontinued operations                  0.01     (0.47)      0.05      (0.27)
Extraordinary items                     (0.02)    (0.01)     (0.06)     (0.07)
                                     --------   -------   --------   --------
Net (loss) income per
    common share                        (0.27)    (0.23)     (5.07)      0.15
                                     ========   =======   ========   ========

ADT LIMITED

Summarized Consolidated Balance Sheets


                                                      1996         1995
      At December 31                                   $m           $m
      --------------                                -------      -------

Assets
Current Assets:
Cash and cash equivalents                             165.7        317.9
Accounts receivable - net                             132.5        134.0
Inventories                                            36.7         35.7
Prepaid expenses and other current assets             114.7         32.5
                                                    -------      -------
Total current assets                                  449.6        520.1

Property, plant and equipment - net                 1,285.7      1,353.3
Goodwill and other intangibles  - net                 356.9        936.3
Net assets of discontinued operations                 349.2        341.7
Long-term investments                                 100.6          2.0
Investment in and loans to associate                      -         88.8
Other long-term assets                                 72.5         81.1
                                                    -------      -------
Total assets                                        2,614.5      3,323.3
                                                    =======      =======







Liabilities and shareholders' equity Current liabilities:
Short-term debt                                       175.9         27.2
Accounts payable                                       77.7         55.5
Other current liabilities                             278.6        214.0
                                                    -------      -------
Total current liabilities                             532.2        296.7

Long-term debt                                        903.7      1,168.4
Deferred revenue                                      146.1        137.4
Deferred income taxes                                  96.8        147.1
Other long-term liabilities                           175.9        127.9
Minority interests                                        -         15.6
                                                    -------      -------
Total liabilities                                   1,854.7      1,893.1
                                                    -------      -------

Convertible redeemable preference shares                  -          4.9

Shareholders' equity                                  759.8      1,425.3
                                                    -------      -------
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity          2,614.5      3,323.3
                                                    =======      =======


ADT LIMITED

Summarized Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows



                                                           1996         1995
   Year ended December 31                                   $m           $m
   ----------------------                                 ------       ------

Cash flows from operating activities
Net (loss) income                                         (695.1)        21.2
Adjustments to reconcile net (loss) income to
  net cash provided by operating activities:
Charge for the impairment of long-lived assets              744.7          -
Depreciation and amortization                               224.8       247.9
Restructuring and other non-recurring charges               217.4        32.7
Interest on ITS Vendor Note                                  (8.9)          -
Liquid Yield Option Notes discount amortization              20.3         9.4
Deferred income taxes                                       (39.5)       18.4
Extraordinary items                                           8.4         9.8
(Gain) loss on disposal of businesses                        (1.7)       36.6
(Gain) loss on disposal of investment in associates          (1.2)        5.1
Gain arising from ownership of investments                  (53.2)       (0.1)
Settlement gain                                             (69.7)          -
Other                                                        (4.9)        4.9
Changes in assets and liabilities                           (32.7)      (48.9)
                                                           ------      ------
Net cash provided by operating activities                   308.7       337.0
                                                           ------      ------
Cash flows from investing activities
Purchase of property, plant and equipment - net            (334.4)     (317.8)
Acquisition of businesses                                   (25.5)      (68.3)
Disposal of businesses                                        3.0       254.8
Purchase of customer contracts                              (34.6)       (0.5)
Purchase of other investments                                (6.8)       (0.4)
Disposal of other investments                                54.1         0.2
Disposal of investment in and loans to associates            15.4         7.8
Other                                                         0.4         5.6
                                                           ------      ------
Net cash utilized by investing activities                  (328.4)     (118.6)
                                                           ------      ------
Cash flows from financing activities
Net receipts (repayments) of short-term debt                 10.9      (103.9)
Repayments of long-term debt                               (209.9)     (216.9)
Repayment of long-term acquisition debt                         -       (39.6)
Proceeds from long-term debt                                 86.8       314.0
Debt refinancing costs                                          -       (12.0)
Purchase of senior subordinated notes                       (24.0)      (33.7)
Proceeds from issue of common shares                          24.7        7.0
Redemption of convertible redeemable preference shares       (4.9)          -
Other                                                        (0.3)       (5.1)
                                                           ------      ------
Net cash utilized by financing activities                  (116.7)      (90.2)
                                                           ------      ------
Effect of currency translation on cash and cash
   equivalents                                                1.4         0.8
                                                           ------      ------
Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash
   equivalents                                             (135.0)      129.0
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of
     year                                                   350.9       221.9
                                                           ------      ------
Cash and cash equivalents at end of year:
      continuing operations                                 165.7       317.9
      discontinued operations                                50.2        33.0
                                                           ------      ------
                                                            215.9       350.9
                                                           ======      ======







                            SCHEDULE 14A INFORMATION
 
                  Proxy Statement Pursuant to Section 14(a) of
                      the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
 
    Filed by the Registrant /X/
    Filed by a Party other than the Registrant / /
 
    Check the appropriate box:
    /X/  Preliminary Proxy Statement
    / /  Definitive Additional Materials
    / /  Soliciting  Material  Pursuant  to  Section  240.14a-11(c)  or  Section
         240.142-12
 
                                     WESTERN RESOURCES, INC.
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                (Name of Registrant as Specified In Its Charter)
 
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                   (Name of Person(s) Filing Proxy Statement)
 
Payment of Filing Fee (Check the appropriate box):
 
/X/  $125 per Exchange Act Rules 0-11(c)(1)(ii), 14a-6(i)(1), or 14a-6(i)(2)
/ /  $500 per  each party  to  the controversy  pursuant  to Exchange  Act  Rule
     14a-6(i)(3)
/ /  Fee   computed  on   table  below   per  Exchange   Act  Rules  14a-6(i)(4)
     and 0-11
     1) Title of each class of securities to which transaction applies:
        ------------------------------------------------------------------------
     2) Aggregate number of securities to which transaction applies:
        ------------------------------------------------------------------------
     3) Per unit  price  or  other  underlying  value  of  transaction  computed
        pursuant to Exchange Act Rule 0-11:*
        ------------------------------------------------------------------------
     4) Proposed maximum aggregate value of transaction:
        ------------------------------------------------------------------------
*    Set forth the amount on which the filing fee is calculated and state how it
     was determined.
 
/ /  Check box if any part of the fee is offset as provided by Exchange Act Rule
     0-11(a)(2)  and identify the  filing for which the  offsetting fee was paid
     previously. Identify the previous filing by registration statement  number,
     or the Form or Schedule and the date of its filing.
 
     1) Amount Previously Paid:
        ------------------------------------------------------------------------
     2) Form, Schedule or Registration Statement No.:
        ------------------------------------------------------------------------
     3) Filing Party:
        ------------------------------------------------------------------------
     4) Date Filed:
        ------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
/ /  Filing fee paid with preliminary filing

   
                                     [LOGO]
 
                                                                  March 27, 1996
    
 
Dear Shareholder:
 
    I  am pleased  to present to  you this  year's Notice of  Annual Meeting and
Proxy Statement detailed on the following pages. I want to extend my thanks  for
your  continued interest in the Company and urge you to participate through your
vote.
 
   
    In addition to the  election of five Directors  to the Board, the  Directors
have  proposed for  your consideration the  approval of a  stock based long-term
incentive  plan  and  an  amendment  to  the  Company's  Restated  Articles   of
Incorporation.
    
 
    The  Board believes  the 1996  Long Term Incentive  and Share  Award Plan is
appropriate to  attract  and retain  competent  management, more  clearly  align
management's  compensation  with  the  interests  of  shareholders  and  to meet
competitive compensation levels through  variable, or at  risk, pay rather  than
traditional base salaries.
 
    The  amendment  to the  Company's Restated  Articles of  Incorporation would
remove limitations  under  the preferred  stocks  relating to  the  issuance  of
unsecured  indebtedness. The Company believes  this will provide management with
the necessary  flexibility to  obtain what  it  believes to  be the  best  terms
available  in the debt  market at the  time of a  financing. Such flexibility is
expected to provide long-term benefits to all shareholders. This amendment  will
not  affect any other rights of preferred shareholders, nor the dividend rate of
the preferred stocks.
 
    THE BOARD HAS UNANIMOUSLY RECOMMENDED A VOTE "FOR" THESE PROPOSALS.
 
    Please read the material in this Proxy Statement carefully before voting. It
is important that your shares be represented  at the meeting whether or not  you
are  able to attend. By  promptly filling out and  returning the enclosed proxy,
you will ensure that your votes are counted. Your cooperation is appreciated.
 
                                          Sincerely,
 
                                          /s/ JOHN E. HAYES, JR.
                                          JOHN E. HAYES, JR.
                                          CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD
                                          AND CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER

                            WESTERN RESOURCES, INC.
 
                    NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS
                             TO BE HELD MAY 7, 1996
 
    You are invited, as a shareholder of Western Resources, Inc. (the  Company),
to  be present either in person or by proxy at the Annual Shareholders' Meeting,
which will be held in the Maner Conference Centre (Kansas Expocentre) located at
the southeast corner of Seventeenth and Western, Topeka, Kansas, on Tuesday, May
7, 1996, commencing  at eleven  o'clock in the  morning, or  any adjournment  or
adjournments thereof, for the following purposes:
 
        1.  To  elect five (5) directors to Class  III of the Company's Board of
            Directors to serve a term of three years;
 
        2.  To approve the adoption  of the 1996 Long  Term Incentive and  Share
            Award Plan;
 
        3.  To   amend  the  Articles  of   Incorporation  by  deleting  certain
            provisions  of   the   Preferred   Stock   relating   to   unsecured
            indebtedness; and
 
        4.  To  transact such  other business  as may  properly come  before the
            meeting or any adjournment thereof.
 
    Shareholders of record at the close of  business on March 19, 1996, will  be
entitled to vote at the meeting, or at any adjournment thereof.
 
    IT IS IMPORTANT THAT YOUR SHARES BE REPRESENTED AT THIS MEETING. WE URGE YOU
TO  EXERCISE  YOUR  RIGHT  TO  VOTE BY  PROMPTLY  MARKING,  DATING,  SIGNING AND
RETURNING THE ENCLOSED  PROXY CARD.  NO POSTAGE IS  NECESSARY IF  MAILED IN  THE
UNITED  STATES.  THE PROMPT  RETURN  OF YOUR  PROXY  WILL SAVE  THE  COMPANY THE
ADDITIONAL EXPENSE OF FURTHER REQUESTS TO ENSURE THE PRESENCE OF A QUORUM.
 
                                             By Order of the Board of Directors,
 
                                                        /s/ Richard D. Terrill
                                                          Richard D. Terrill
                                                              SECRETARY
Topeka, Kansas
   
March 27, 1996
    

                                PROXY STATEMENT
                              GENERAL INFORMATION
 
   
MAILING ADDRESS OF PRINCIPAL APPROXIMATE MAILING DATE EXECUTIVE OFFICES OF THE COMPANY OF PROXY MATERIAL -------------------------------- ------------------------ 818 Kansas Avenue March 27, 1996 Topeka, Kansas 66612
The enclosed proxy is solicited by the Board of Directors of the Company for use at the Annual Meeting of Shareholders to be held on Tuesday, May 7, 1996, or any adjournment thereof, for the purposes set forth in the above notice of meeting. Proxies are revocable at any time before voted. Such right of revocation is not limited or subject to compliance with any formal procedure. The cost of the solicitation of proxies will be borne by the Company. In addition to the use of the mails, proxies may be solicited personally, or by telephone or electronic media by regular employees of the Company. The Company has engaged the services of Georgeson & Company, Inc. a proxy solicitation firm, and Salomon Brothers Inc. to aid in the solicitation of proxies for which the Company will pay an estimated fee of approximately $10,000 each for their services, plus reimbursement of reasonable out-of-pocket expenses. In addition, the Company will reimburse brokers and other custodians, nominees or fiduciaries for their expenses in forwarding proxy material to security owners and obtaining their proxies. Shareholders of record at the close of business on March 19, 1996, are entitled to vote on matters to come before the meeting. On that date there were outstanding and entitled to vote 63,249,141 shares of Common Stock, par value $5 per share; 138,576 shares of Preferred Stock, 4 1/2% Series, par value $100 per share; 60,000 shares of Preferred Stock, 4 1/4% Series, par value $100 per share; and 50,000 shares of Preferred Stock, 5% Series, par value $100 per share. CUMULATIVE VOTING RIGHTS Each share of Common and Preferred Stock entitles the holder of record at the close of business on the record date of the meeting to one vote. In voting for the election of directors, cumulative voting is permitted and record holders are entitled to as many votes as shall equal the number of shares of stock held, multiplied by the number of directors to be elected. Such votes may be cast all for a single candidate or the votes may be distributed among the candidates, as the shareholder may see fit if present to vote in person, or as the proxyholder elects, if voting by proxy. Any shares not voted (whether by abstention, broker non-votes or otherwise) have no impact in the election of directors except to the extent the failure to vote for an individual results in another individual receiving a larger proportion of the total votes. INSTRUCTIONS TO HOLDERS OF COMMON STOCK WHO ARE PARTICIPANTS IN THE COMPANY'S AUTOMATIC DIVIDEND REINVESTMENT AND STOCK PURCHASE PLAN. All shares of Common Stock credited to a shareholder's account in the Plan will be voted in accordance with the specifications indicated on the form of proxy sent to the shareholder if the form of proxy is returned in a timely manner. SHAREHOLDER PROPOSALS The 1997 Annual Meeting of Shareholders is scheduled to be held on May 6, 1997. Specific proposals of shareholders intended to be presented at this meeting must comply with the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Company's Articles of Incorporation, as amended, and be received by the Company's Corporate Secretary for inclusion in its 1997 proxy materials by November 26, 1996. If the date of the Annual Meeting is changed by more than 30 days, shareholders will be advised promptly of such change and of the new date for submission of proposals. 1 1. ELECTION OF DIRECTORS The Board of Directors of the Company is divided into three classes (Class I, Class II, and Class III). At each Annual Meeting of Shareholders, the directors constituting one class are elected for a three-year term. The Company's By-Laws provide for the classification of directors into three classes, which shall be as nearly equal in number as possible, and no class shall include fewer than two directors. In accordance with the Restated Articles of Incorporation of the Company, the Board of Directors has set the number of directors at thirteen. Messrs. Frank J. Becker, Gene A. Budig, C.Q. Chandler, Thomas R. Clevenger and David C. Wittig have been nominated for election as directors at the Annual Meeting of Shareholders as Class III directors. All nominees were elected by shareholders of the Company at the Annual Meeting of Shareholders in 1993, except Mr. Wittig who was elected to the Board by the Directors in February 1996. Unless otherwise instructed, proxies received in response to this solicitation will be voted in favor of the election of the persons nominated by the Board of Directors and named in the following tabulation to be directors of the Company until their successors are elected and qualify. To be elected, each nominee must be approved by a majority of the votes cast for such nominee. While it is not expected that any of the nominees will be unable to qualify or accept office, if for any reason one or more are unable to do so, the proxies will be voted for substitute nominees selected by the Board of Directors of the Company. The nominees for directors are as follows: NOMINEES (CLASS III)--TERM EXPIRING IN 1999 DIRECTOR (AGE), YEAR FIRST BECAME A DIRECTOR FRANK J. BECKER (60), 1992 [PHOTO 1] President, Becker Investments, Inc., El Dorado, Kansas (since January, 1993) and prior to that personal investments; Director, Bank IV Butler County, N.A.; Director, Great-West Life & Annuity Insurance Co.; Director, Douglas County Bank; Trustee, The Kansas University Endowment Association. GENE A. BUDIG (56), 1987 [PHOTO 2] President, American League of Professional Baseball Clubs, New York, New York (since July, 1994) and prior to that Chancellor, University of Kansas; Director, Harry S. Truman Library Institute; Director, Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation; Director, American College Testing; Director, Major League Baseball Hall of Fame. C. Q. CHANDLER (69), 1992 [PHOTO 3] Chairman of the Board, INTRUST Financial Corporation, Wichita, Kansas; Director, Fidelity State Bank & Trust Co.; Director, First Newton Bankshares; Director, Kansas Crippled Children's Society; Trustee, Kansas State University Foundation. 2 THOMAS R. CLEVENGER (61), 1975 [PHOTO 4] Investments, Wichita, Kansas; Director, Security Benefit Life Insurance Company; Trustee and Vice Chairman, The Menninger Foundation; Trustee, Midwest Research Institute. DAVID C. WITTIG (40), 1996 [PHOTO 5] President (since March 1996), Executive Vice President, Corporate Development (since May 1995) of the Company, and prior to that Managing Director, Co-Head of Mergers and Acquisitions, Solomon Brothers, Inc. OTHER DIRECTORS (CLASS I)--TERM EXPIRING IN 1997 DIRECTOR (AGE), YEAR FIRST BECAME A DIRECTOR JOHN C. DICUS (62), 1990 [PHOTO 6] Chairman of the Board and President, Capitol Federal Savings and Loan Association, Topeka, Kansas; Director, Security Benefit Life Insurance Company; Director, Columbian National Title Company; Trustee, The Menninger Foundation; Trustee, Stormont-Vail Regional Medical Center; Trustee, The Kansas University Endowment Association. JOHN E. HAYES, JR. (58), 1989 [PHOTO 7] Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer of the Company; Director, Boatmen's Bancshares, Inc.; Director, Security Benefit Life Insurance Company; Director, CommNet Cellular, Inc.; Director, T-Netix, Inc.; Trustee, Rockhurst College; Trustee, The Menninger Foundation; Trustee, Midwest Research Institute. RUSSELL W. MEYER, JR. (63), 1992 [PHOTO 8] Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Cessna Aircraft Company, Wichita, Kansas; Director, Boatmen's Bancshares Inc.; Director, Vanguard Airlines; Trustee, Wake Forest University. 3 LOUIS W. SMITH (53), 1991 [PHOTO 9] President and Chief Operating Officer, Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation (since July 1995) and prior to that President, AlliedSignal Aerospace Company, Kansas City Division, Kansas City, Missouri; Director, Commerce Bank of Kansas City; Director, Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation; Director, Kansas City Royals Baseball Club; Director, Payless Cashways, Inc.; Trustee, University of Missouri-Rolla; Trustee, Rockhurst College. (CLASS II)--TERM EXPIRING IN 1998 DIRECTOR (AGE), YEAR FIRST BECAME A DIRECTOR DAVID H. HUGHES (67), 1988 [PHOTO 10] Retired Vice Chairman, Hallmark Cards, Inc., Kansas City, Missouri; Director, Hall Family Foundations; Director, Midwest Research Institute; Director, Yellow Corporation; Trustee, St. Luke's Hospital Foundation; Trustee, Children's Mercy Hospital; Trustee, Princeton Theological Seminary; Trustee, Linda Hall Library. JOHN H. ROBINSON (69), 1991 [PHOTO 11] Chairman Emeritus (since December, 1992) and prior to that Chairman, Black & Veatch, Kansas City, Missouri; Director, St. Luke's Hospital; Director, Automobile Club of Missouri; Director, The Greater Kansas City Community Foundation & Affiliated Trusts; Director, Midwest Research Institute; Trustee, University of Missouri-Kansas City. SUSAN M. STANTON (47), 1995 [PHOTO 12] President and Chief Operating Officer (since November, 1993) and prior to that Senior Vice President, Merchandising and Marketing, Payless Cashways, Inc., Kansas City, Missouri; Director, Commerce Bank of Kansas City; Director, Greater Kansas City Chamber of Commerce; Director, Payless Cashways, Inc.; Trustee, Rockhurst College. KENNETH J. WAGNON (57), 1987 [PHOTO 13] President, Capital Enterprises, Inc., Wichita, Kansas; Director, Vanguard Airlines, Inc.; Director, Cerebral Palsy Research Foundation; Director, T-Netix, Inc.; Director, University of Kansas School of Business; Trustee, The Kansas University Endowment Association. 4 BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP OF VOTING SECURITIES The Company knows of no beneficial owner of more than 5% of any class of the Company's outstanding voting stock as of March 19, 1996. The following information is furnished with respect to each of the director nominees, each of the other current directors and all current directors and executive officers of the Company as a group as to ownership of shares of Common Stock of the Company as of March 19, 1996.
AMOUNT AND NATURE OF BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP(1) -------------------------- DIRECT INDIRECT ------------ ------------ Class I Directors: John C. Dicus............................................................. 1,000 500(2) John E. Hayes, Jr......................................................... 18,239(4) 2,610(3) Russell W. Meyer, Jr...................................................... 3,049(4) Louis W. Smith............................................................ 2,000 Class II Directors: David H. Hughes........................................................... 500 John H. Robinson.......................................................... 1,500 Susan M. Stanton.......................................................... 500 800(5) Kenneth J. Wagnon......................................................... 2,343 Class III Directors: Frank J. Becker........................................................... 8,650(4) 1,000(6) Gene A. Budig............................................................. 603 C.Q. Chandler............................................................. 1,306(4) Thomas R. Clevenger....................................................... 1,400 David C. Wittig........................................................... 16,634 All directors and executive officers including the above.................... 66,954 21,217(3)
- - ------------------------ (1) Each individual owns less than .029% and the group owns approximately .11% of the outstanding shares of Common Stock of the Company. No director or executive officer owns any equity securities of the Company other than Common Stock. (2) Represents 500 shares held by Mr. Dicus' spouse, not subject to his voting or investment power. (3) Includes beneficially owned shares held in employee savings plans. (4) Does not include stock held in trust by Boatmen's Bancshares of which Messrs. Meyer and Hayes are directors, INTRUST Financial Corporation of which Mr. Chandler is a director, and Douglas County Bank of which Mr. Becker is a director. (5) Represents 800 shares held in trust, of which Ms. Stanton is a co-trustee with voting and investment power. (6) Represents 1,000 shares held in trust, of which Mr. Becker is a co-trustee with voting and investment power. Based solely on the Company's review of the copies of reports filed under Section 16(a) of the Securities Exchange Act and written representations that no other reports were required, the Company believes that, during the fiscal year ended December 31, 1995, all filing requirements applicable to its executive officers, directors, and owners of more than ten percent of the Company's Common Stock were complied with, except that Ms. Susan Stanton, the Eugene F. Stanton Trust and the Betty Stanton Revocable Trust on February 6, 1996, reported on Form 5, the Annual Statement of Changes in Beneficial Ownership, 800 shares of Company Common Stock held by the trusts which should have been filed on Form 3, Initial Statement of Beneficial Ownership on or before April 10, 1995. Ms. Stanton is a co-trustee of the trusts. 5 INFORMATION CONCERNING THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS During 1995 the Board of Directors met ten times. Each director attended at least 75% of the total number of Board and Committee meetings held while he or she served as a director or member of the committee. Members of the Board serve on the Audit and Finance, Human Resources, Nominating and Corporate Public Policy Committees. The Audit and Finance Committee is currently composed of Mr. Chandler, Chairman, Mr. Becker, Dr. Budig, and Mr. Clevenger. This Committee reviews internal and independent Company audits and strategic financial programs. It also recommends the independent auditor for Board approval. The Committee held five meetings during 1995. The Human Resources Committee, currently composed of Mr. Dicus, Chairman, Mr. Meyer, Mr. Robinson, Ms. Stanton, Mr. Smith, and Mr. Wagnon, reviews the performance of corporate officers and changes in officer compensation and Company benefits. The Committee held five meetings during 1995. The Nominating Committee, currently composed of Mr. Hughes, Chairman, Dr. Budig, Mr. Clevenger, Mr. Meyer, Mr. Smith, and Mr. Wagnon, recommends nominees for election to the Board, including nominees recommended by shareholders if submitted in writing to the committee, in care of the Company. The Committee held two meetings in 1995. The Corporate Public Policy Committee is currently composed of Mr. Becker, Chairman, Mr. Robinson, Ms. Stanton, Mr. Chandler, Mr. Dicus, and Mr. Hughes. This Committee reviews major strategic programs of the Company relating to community relations, marketing, customer relations, corporate contributions and other public affairs issues. The Committee held five meetings during 1995. OUTSIDE DIRECTORS' COMPENSATION Each director who is not also an employee of the Company receives $1,250 per month in retainer fees. The fee paid for attendance at each Board meeting is $850 and $500 for each meeting held by telephone conference. The fee paid for attendance at each committee meeting other than the Audit and Finance Committee is $750, unless the committee meeting is held on the same day as a regular Board meeting, in which case the committee meeting attendance fee is $500. The fee paid for attendance at each Audit and Finance Committee meeting is $850, unless the committee meeting is held on the same day as a regular Board meeting, in which case the committee meeting attendance fee is $600. Assuming the approval of the 1996 Long Term Incentive and Share Award Plan presented as Item 2 herein, the outside directors retainer will be increased by $5,000 annually, payable in common stock of the Company, and the balance paid quarterly. Pursuant to the Company's Outside Directors' Deferred Compensation Plan (the Plan), an outside director of the Company may elect to defer all, part, or none of his or her retainer and/or meeting fees. The directors may choose one of the following deferral options: cash deferral or phantom stock. Amounts deferred under the cash deferral alternative are increased by an interest equivalent compounded quarterly at a rate equal to the prime rate published in the Wall Street Journal or a rate established by the Human Resources Committee annually based upon the Company's long-term cost of capital. Under the phantom stock alternative, the director receives credit for "stock units" equivalent in value to shares of the Company's Common Stock equal to the amount deferred. "Stock units" will be credited to the director's account at the stock price as of the close of business the day the deferred amount would have been paid. On each date on which a dividend is paid on the Company's Common Stock, the director's phantom stock account will be credited with additional units of phantom stock based on the same price as stock purchased in the Company's Dividend Reinvestment and Stock Purchase Plan. Deferred amounts distributed from a directors' cash deferral option or phantom stock option are paid in the form of cash. A director is not entitled to exercise voting rights with respect to units held in his or her phantom stock account. The Plan is a voluntary participation plan. The Plan is administered by the Human Resources Committee of the Board of Directors of the Company or by such other committee as may be appointed by the Board from time to time. 6 COMPENSATION OF EXECUTIVE OFFICERS The following table sets forth the compensation of the named executive officers for the last three completed fiscal years of the Company. SUMMARY COMPENSATION TABLE
LONG-TERM ANNUAL COMPENSATION COMPENSATION ----------------------------------------- ------------ NAME AND PRINCIPAL OTHER ANNUAL LTIP ALL OTHER POSITION YEAR SALARY BONUS(1) COMPENSATION(2) PAYOUTS(3) COMPENSATION(4) - - -------------------- ----- ------------ -------- ----------------- ------------ ---------------- John E. Hayes, Jr. 1995 $ 466,755 $102,481 $ 18,230 $ 44,169 $ 5,151 Chairman of the 1994 $ 436,667 $112,684 $ 12,990 $ 47,563 $ 5,151 Board 1993 $ 416,666 $85,000 $ 11,142 $ 60,039 $ 7,623 and Chief Executive Officer David C. Wittig(5) 1995 $ 291,722 $53,190 $ 1,090 N.A. $ 83,123 President 1994 N.A. N.A. N.A. N.A. N.A. 1993 N.A. N.A. N.A. N.A. N.A. Steven L. Kitchen 1995 $ 240,238 $46,483 $ 17,999 $ 19,178 $ 5,010 Executive Vice 1994 $ 202,683 $45,359 $ 9,492 $ 20,299 $ 4,941 President and 1993 $ 181,375 $54,381 $ 6,968 $ 24,106 $ 6,050 Chief Financial Officer James S. Haines, Jr. 1995 $ 238,354 $46,108 $ 20,335 $ 18,673 $ 5,010 Executive Vice 1994 $ 197,267 $44,755 $ 9,032 $ 14,305 $ 4,930 President and 1993 $ 175,419 $52,896 $ 3,319 N.A. $ 5,936 Chief Operating Officer John K. Rosenberg 1995 $ 164,754 $26,438 $ 12,451 $ 15,071 $ 4,847 Executive Vice 1994 $ 153,000 $31,010 $ 6,973 $ 16,298 $ 332 President and 1993 $ 148,041 $42,465 $ 5,843 $ 19,706 $ 320 General Counsel - - ------------------------------ (1) The amounts reported in this column represent payments under the Company's Short Term Incentive Plan. Payments are made only if certain Company financial and individual performance goals are achieved. (2) The amounts reported in this column for 1995 represent dividend equivalents received under the Long-Term Incentive Plan in the amount of $8,437, $993, $3,924, $6,136 and $2,947, respectively; payments for the benefit of each named executive officer for federal and state taxes associated with personal benefits in the amount of $7,701, $0, $13,231, $13,269 and $9,346, respectively; and interest (excess of the applicable federal long-term interest rate) on deferred compensation for the year in the amount of $2,092, $97, $844, $930 and $158. (3) The amounts reported in this column for 1995 represent the cash equivalent for common stock issued pursuant to the Long-Term Incentive Program for the 1993-1995 incentive period. Mr. Haines was not eligible for benefits under the Long-Term Incentive Program prior to the 1992-1994 incentive period and received a pro-rated benefit in 1994. (4) The amounts reported in this column for 1995 represent Company contributions for each of the named individuals under the Company's 401(k) savings plan, a defined contribution plan, in the amount of $4,500, $4,500, $4,500, $4,500 and $4,500, respectively and premiums paid on term life insurance policies in the amount of $651, $434, $510, $510 and $347, respectively. With respect to Mr. Wittig, $25,000 represents the cost to the Company of providing supplemental benefits to reimburse Mr. Wittig for lost benefits from Mr. Wittig's prior employer and to attract Mr. Wittig to the Company. In addition, $53,189 represents amounts paid to or on behalf of Mr. Wittig relating to moving expenses. (5) Mr. Wittig commenced his employment with the Company on May 2, 1995.
7 LONG-TERM INCENTIVE PROGRAM The following table provides information concerning awards made during the last fiscal year under the Company's Long-Term Incentive Program. LONG-TERM INCENTIVE PROGRAM--AWARDS IN LAST FISCAL YEAR
NUMBER OF ESTIMATED FUTURE PAYOUTS PERFORMANCE PERFORMANCE PERIOD ----------------------------------- NAME SHARES UNTIL PAYOUT THRESHOLD TARGET MAXIMUM - - ------------------------------------------------ ------------- ------------------ ----------- --------- ----------- John E. Hayes, Jr............................... 1,613 3 years 1,077 1,613 1,774 David C. Wittig................................. N.A. 3 years N.A. N.A. N.A. Steven L. Kitchen............................... 783 3 years 523 783 861 James S. Haines, Jr............................. 773 3 years 516 773 850 John K. Rosenberg............................... 556 3 years 371 556 612
At the beginning of each three year incentive period, each Participant selected by the Board of Directors is allocated performance shares equal in value to 10% of his or her annual base compensation at the time of grant. Each performance share is equal in value to one share of the Company's Common Stock. Assuming attainment by the Company of certain established financial and strategic goals, each participant will become entitled to receive a stock distribution determined by multiplying the value of his or her performance shares by the applicable distribution percentage determined by the Board of Directors, not to exceed 110%. The distribution percentage is a weighted average, 70% of which is based on achievement of the Company's financial goals and 30% of which is based on the individual's achievement of the Company's corporate strategic goals set for him or her. The financial goals under the plan are based upon attainment of budgeted earnings per share goals and the Committee's evaluation of the total return to shareholders as compared to the Standard & Poor's Electric Companies Index. In determining whether the Company's individual strategic goals were met under the Long-Term Incentive Program, the Committee considers the individual's contribution toward meeting the Board approved budgeted financial plan, compliance with capital financial plans, construction budgets, operation and maintenance plans for the performance period and the individual's management effectiveness. Based upon meeting the financial goals and the relative attainment of each individual's goals for the 1993-1995 incentive period, the above named executive officers received 1,308, N.A., 568, 553, 446, respectively, shares of Common Stock of the Company in exchange for the applicable performance shares. These shares represented 99%, N.A, 99%, 99% and 96% of the original number of performance shares granted. Dividend equivalents are paid on the performance shares from the date of grant. Assuming approval of the 1996 Long Term Incentive and Share Award Plan presented under item 2, no new awards will be made under this Long-Term Incentive Program. Existing Awards under this Program will not be affected. If the new plan is not approved, the Long-Term Incentive Program will continue. 8 COMPENSATION PLANS RETIREMENT PLANS The Company maintains a qualified noncontributory defined benefit pension plan and a non-qualified supplemental retirement plan for certain management employees of the Company, including executive officers, selected by the Board's Human Resources Committee. The following table sets forth the estimated annual benefits payable upon specified remuneration based on age 65 as of January 1, 1996. The amounts presented do not take into account any reduction for joint and survivorship payments. ANNUAL PENSION BENEFIT FROM QUALIFIED AND NON-QUALIFIED PLANS
AVERAGE APPLICABLE PENSION PAY BENEFIT - - --------------------- -------------- $150,000 $ 92,550 $200,000 $ 123,400 $250,000 $ 154,250 $300,000 $ 185,100 $350,000 $ 215,950 $400,000 $ 246,800 $450,000 $ 277,650 $500,000 $ 308,500 $550,000 $ 339,350 $600,000 $ 370,200
The supplemental retirement plan provides a retirement benefit at or after age 65, or upon disability prior to age 65, in an amount equal to 61.7% of final three-year average cash compensation, reduced by existing Company pension benefits (but not social security benefits), such amount to be paid to the employee or his designated beneficiaries for the employee's life with a 15-year term certain. The percentage of final three-year average compensation to be paid, before reduction for Company pension benefits, is 50% for a 50 year old, increasing to 61.7% for a 65 year old. An employee retiring at or after age 50, but before age 65, may receive a reduced benefit, payable in the same form. The supplemental plan vests 10% per year after 5 years of service until fully vested with 15 years of service or at age 65. Payments are reduced by 5% per year if commenced prior to age 60, but no earlier than age 50. The supplemental plan also pays a death benefit if death occurs before retirement, equal to 50% (or the vested retirement benefit percentage, whichever is higher) of the employee's previous 36 months average cash compensation to his or her beneficiary for 180 months following his death. All of the individuals listed in the compensation table are covered by the qualified and supplemental retirement plans. Benefits payable from the qualified pension plan are limited by provisions of the Internal Revenue Code. The non-qualified supplemental retirement plan provides for the payment of retirement benefits calculated in accordance with the qualified pension plan which would otherwise be limited. The years of service as of January 1, 1996, for the persons named in the cash compensation table are as follows: Mr. Hayes, 6 years; Mr. Wittig, 1 year; Mr. Kitchen, 32 years; Mr. Haines, 16 years; Mr. Rosenberg, 16 years. In accordance with the supplemental retirement plan, Mr. Hayes will receive a retirement benefit equal to 60% of his average annual compensation during the 36 months immediately preceding his retirement if he remains an employee of the Company until age 61. EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENTS The Company has entered into employment agreements with its executive officers to ensure their continued service and dedication to the Company and their objectivity in considering on behalf of the Company any transaction which would result in a change in control of the Company. Under the agreements, during the twelve month period after a change in control, the executive officer would be entitled to receive a 9 lump-sum cash payment and certain insurance benefits if such officer's employment were terminated by the Company other than for cause or upon death, disability, or retirement; or by such executive officer for good reason (as defined therein). Upon such termination, the Company must make a lump-sum cash payment to the executive officer, in addition to any other compensation to which the officer is entitled, of (i) two (three in the case of executive officers who are members of the President's Council) times such officer's base salary, (ii) two (three in the case of executive officers who are members of the President's Council) times the average of the bonuses paid to such executive officer for the last three fiscal years, and (iii) the actuarial equivalent of the excess of the executive officer's accrued pension benefits, computed as if the executive officer had two (three in the case of executive officers who are members of the President's Council) additional years of benefit accrual service, over the executive officer's vested accrued pension benefits. In addition, the Company must offer health, disability and life insurance coverage to the executive officer and his or her dependents on the same terms and conditions that existed immediately prior to the termination for two (three in the case of executive officers who are members of the President's Council) years, or, if earlier, until such executive officer is covered by equivalent benefits. HUMAN RESOURCES COMMITTEE REPORT The Company's executive compensation programs are administered by the Human Resources Committee of the Board of Directors (Committee), which is composed of six non-employee directors. The Committee reviews and approves all issues pertaining to executive compensation. The objective of the Company's three compensation programs (base salary, short-term incentive, and long-term incentive) is to provide compensation which enables the Company to attract, motivate, and retain talented and dedicated executives, foster a team orientation toward the achievement of business objectives, and directly link the success of the Company's executives with that of the Company's shareholders. The Company extends participation in its long and short-term incentive programs to certain key employees in addition to executive officers based on the potential to contribute to increasing shareholder value. BASE SALARY COMPENSATION A base salary range is established for each executive position to reflect the potential contribution of each position to the achievement of the Company's business objectives and to be competitive with the base salaries paid for comparable positions in the national market by energy companies, with emphasis on natural gas and electric utilities with annual total revenues comparable to the Company. Some, but not all, of such companies are included in the Standard & Poor's Electric Companies Index. The Company utilizes industry information for compensation purposes. Not all companies comprising such index participate in making available such industry information. In addition, the Company considers information of other companies with which the Committee believes it competes for executives, and is therefore relevant, but is not part of such information. The mid-point for each base salary range is intended to approximate the average base salary for the relevant position in the national market. Industry surveys by national industry associations are the primary source of this market information. The Committee has also utilized the services of an independent compensation consultant to provide national market data for executive positions and to evaluate the appropriateness of the Company's executive compensation and benefit programs. The Committee intends to structure the Company's compensation plans such that they comply with and will be deductible under Section 162(m) (which disallows the deduction of compensation in excess of $1,000,000 except for incentive payments based upon performance goals) of the Internal Revenue Code. Within the established base salary ranges, actual base salary is determined by the Company's financial performance in relation to attainment of budgeted earnings per share goals and total return to shareholders, and a subjective assessment of each executive's achievement of individual objectives and managerial effectiveness. The Committee annually reviews the performance of the Chairman and Executive Officers. The Committee, after consideration of the financial performance of the Company, and such other subjective factors as the Committee deems appropriate for the period being reviewed, establishes the base compensation of such officers. 10 In reviewing the annual achievement of each executive and setting the new base annual salary levels for 1995, the Committee considered each individual's contribution toward meeting the Board approved budgeted financial plan for the previous year, total return to shareholders and earnings per share, compliance with the Company's capital financial plan, the construction budget, and the operation and maintenance budgets and the individual's management effectiveness. ANNUAL INCENTIVE COMPENSATION All executive officers are eligible for annual incentive compensation. The primary form of short-term incentive compensation is the Company's Short-Term Incentive Plan for employees, selected by the Committee, including the executive officers listed in the table, who have an opportunity to directly and substantially contribute to the Company's achievement of short-term objectives. Short-term incentives are structured so that potential compensation is comparable with short-term compensation granted to comparable positions in the national market. Short-term incentives are targeted to approximate the median in the national market. Some, but not all, of such Companies are included in the Standard and Poor's Electric Companies Index. Mr. Hayes is eligible for an annual short-term incentive target of 35% of base salary with a maximum of up to 42% of base salary. Other executive officers are eligible for an annual short-term incentive target of 30% of base salary with a maximum of up to 36% of base salary. Thirty percent of the annual incentive is tied to the attainment of individual goals and 20% is based on management skill. The balance is based upon the Company's achievement of financial goals established annually by the Committee. Changes in annual incentive compensation to the named individuals in 1995 compared to 1994 resulted from an individual's relative attainment of his or her goals, and the Company's partial achievement of its financial goals in 1995. LONG-TERM INCENTIVES Long-term incentive compensation is offered to employees who are in positions which can affect the long-term success of the Company, through the formation and execution of the Company's business strategies. The Long-Term Incentive Program is the principal method for long-term incentive compensation, and compensation thereunder takes the form of performance share grants. The purposes of long-term incentive compensation are to: (1) focus key employees' efforts on performance which will increase the value of the Company to its shareholders; (2) align the interests of management with those of the shareholders; (3) provide a competitive long-term incentive opportunity; and (4) provide a retention incentive for key employees. The performance criteria used in the Long-Term Incentive Program measure the impact of both team and individual performance on the financial performance of the Company over time. All executive officers are eligible for performance shares under the Long-Term Incentive Program. Under the Plan, at the beginning of each incentive period, performance shares are added to each participant's account. The number of performance shares equals the number of shares of common stock having a market value at the date credited to each participant's account equal to 10% of the participant's base annual compensation for the first year of the incentive period. The level of performance shares, 10% of base annual compensation, is established by the plan. Based upon an individual's and the Company's performance the ultimate grant of shares by the Committee may not exceed 110% of the performance shares for the relevant period. Participants also receive cash equivalent to dividends for comparable shares of common stock for each quarter of the three year incentive period, whether or not the performance shares are ultimately earned by the participant. Participants earn shares of stock at the end of the incentive period based on a formula that has two components. Thirty percent of the long-term incentive is based on the individual's performance in attainment of long range strategic goals, objectives, and planned targets for the Company and the individual. Seventy percent of the long-term incentive is based on financial performance of the Company over the three year incentive period. One-half of the financial component is based on earnings per share as a percent of budgeted earnings per share and one-half is based on the extent to which changes in the market price of the Company's common stock equal or outperform the Standard & Poor's Electric Companies Index. 11 Assuming adoption of the 1996 Long-Term Incentive and Share Award Plan presented as Item 2 herein, all new long term incentive awards will be made under that plan. Existing awards under the Long-Term Incentive Program will not be affected. CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER Mr. Hayes has been the Chief Executive Officer of the Company since October 1989. Mr. Hayes' base salary and his annual short-term incentive compensation are established annually in January. In recommending the base salary to be effective March 1, 1995, while not utilizing any specific performance formula and without ranking the relative importance of each factor, the Committee took into account relevant salary information in the national market and the Committee's subjective evaluation of Mr. Hayes' overall management effectiveness and achievement of individual goals. Factors considered included his continuing leadership and contribution to strategic direction, management of change in an increasingly competitive industry, control of operation and maintenance expenses, management of unregulated operations, the overall profitability of the Company, and increased Company productivity. As of March 1, 1995, Mr. Hayes' base salary increased $30,088 or 6.89% from his 1994 salary. With respect to Mr. Hayes' 1995 short-term incentive compensation, the Committee took into account the above performance achievements, the Company's relative achievement of its financial goals, and Mr. Hayes total compensation as compared to the national market. Mr. Hayes' long-term incentive compensation for 1995 represents the cash equivalent of performance shares earned under the program. Based upon meeting the financial goals of the Company and the relative achievement of individual goals for the 1993-1995 incentive period, Mr. Hayes received 1,308 shares of the Company's common stock, representing 99% of the performance shares granted to him in 1993. Western Resources, Inc. Human Resources Committee JOHN C. DICUS, Chairman RUSSELL W. MEYER, JR. JOHN H. ROBINSON LOUIS W. SMITH SUSAN M. STANTON KENNETH J. WAGNON 12 PERFORMANCE GRAPH Shown below is a line-graph presentation comparing the Company's cumulative, five-year total returns on an indexed basis* with the Standard & Poor's 500 Stock Index and Standard & Poor's Electric Companies Index. EDGAR REPRESENTATION OF DATA POINTS USED IN PRINTED GRAPHIC
1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 Western Resources 100 146 173 203 178 221 S&P 500 100 130 140 155 157 215 S&P Electric Companies 100 130 138 155 135 177
*Assumes $100 invested on December 31, 1990. Total return assumes reinvestment of dividends. 2. ADOPTION OF THE COMPANY'S 1996 LONG TERM INCENTIVE AND SHARE AWARD PLAN THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS A VOTE "FOR" THIS PROPOSAL As a result of a comprehensive review of the Company's executive compensation programs, the Human Resources Committee of the Board of Directors (the "Board") believes it is in the Company's best interest to replace the existing Long-Term Incentive Program with a new plan allowing greater flexibility in the use of equity-related compensation. As a result, the Board has adopted the 1996 Long Term Incentive and Share Award Plan (the "Plan") which is being submitted to the shareholders for approval in order to satisfy certain requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 related to compensation plans involving payment in Company securities and of the Internal Revenue Code relating to deductibility of certain performance based executive compensation. A copy of the Plan appears as Appendix A. The Board of Directors believes that the Plan will be an important part of the Company's management compensation program by helping to attract and retain motivated, highly competent employees. By providing stock options, restricted stock grants, and other equity-related compensation, the Board believes that the participants will have a strong incentive to emphasize shareholder value. GENERAL In the event the Plan is approved by the shareholders, the Company's present Long-Term Incentive Program will be terminated and future long term share awards will be issued under the proposed Plan. Any grants under the existing Long-Term Incentive Program will not be affected by the termination of that plan. 13 The Plan allows the granting of stock options, stock appreciation rights ("SARs"), restricted share and restricted share unit awards, performance share and performance unit awards, dividend equivalent awards, director shares in lieu of fees, and other share-based awards (collectively, "Awards") to eligible Plan participants. While the Company has no current plans to grant Awards other than stock options, dividend equivalents, and the issuance of shares to non-employee directors in lieu of fees, the Board of Directors believes that the ability to use different types of equity compensation vehicles will give the Company the flexibility needed to adapt most effectively over time to changes in the labor market and in equity compensation practices. The Board has authorized the issuance of up to 3,000,000 shares of the Company's common stock pursuant to Awards granted under the Plan. If an Award expires or is canceled without having been fully exercised or vested, the unvested or canceled shares generally will be available thereafter for grants of Awards. The number of shares available for grant under the Plan, as well as outstanding Awards, non-employee director shares, and the numerical limits for individual grants, will be adjusted as appropriate to reflect any stock splits, stock dividends, recapitalization, reorganizations or other changes to the capital structure of the Company. The type, amount and conditions of any Awards have not been determined by the Human Resources Committee. PURPOSE OF THE PLAN The Plan is intended to attract, motivate and retain (1) employees of the Company and its affiliates, and (2) non-employee directors of the Company ("outside directors"). The Plan is designed to further the growth and financial success of the Company and its affiliates by aligning the interests of the Plan participants, through stock ownership and other incentives, with the interests of the Company's shareholders. The Plan is also intended to meet competitive compensation levels through increases in variable (at-risk) pay rather than traditional base salary. DESCRIPTION OF THE PLAN The following paragraphs provide a summary of the principal features of the Plan and its operation. The Plan is set forth in its entirety as Appendix A to this Proxy Statement. The following summary is qualified in its entirety by reference to Appendix A. ADMINISTRATION OF THE PLAN The Plan will be administered by the Human Resources Committee of the Board or such other Board committee as may be designated by the Board to administer the Plan (the "Committee"). Two or more members of the Committee must qualify as "disinterested persons" under Rule 16b-3 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, and as "outside directors" under Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code (for purposes of qualifying amounts received under the Plan as "performance-based compensation" under Section 162(m)). Subject to the terms of the Plan, the Committee has the sole discretion to determine the employees who shall be granted Awards, to designate affiliates that will be participating employers under the Plan, to determine the type(s) and number of Awards to be granted, to determine the number of shares to which Awards may relate, to determine the manner in which an Award may be settled, to determine the manner in which Awards may be deferred, to prescribe the form of Award Agreements, to adopt or alter rules and regulations and to appoint agents to administer the Plan, to correct defects or inconsistencies and to construe and interpret the Plan, to accelerate the exercisability of Awards, and to determine the terms and conditions of all Awards. The Committee may delegate its authority to grant and administer awards to a separate committee appointed by the Committee, but only the Committee may make awards to participants who are executive officers of the Company. The outside director portion of the Plan will be administered by the full Board of Directors, rather than the Committee. ELIGIBILITY TO RECEIVE AWARDS Employees of the Company and its affiliates (i.e., any entity other than the Company and its Subsidiaries that is designated by the Board as a participating employer under the Plan) are eligible to be selected to 14 receive one or more Awards. The actual number of employees who will receive Awards under the Plan cannot be determined because selection for participation in the Plan is in the sole discretion of the Committee. The Plan also allows for outside directors to receive all or a portion of their fees in the form of common stock. The terms and conditions of shares to be granted to directors are discussed below under "Director Fees." OPTIONS The Committee may grant nonqualified stock options, incentive stock options ("ISOs"), or any combination thereof. The number of shares covered by each option will be determined by the Committee, but during any calendar year, no participant may be granted options or SARs for more than 75,000 shares. The exercise price of each option is set by the Committee, but generally will not be less than 100% of the fair market value of the Company's common stock on the date of grant, and may require achievement of performance criteria established by the Committee. The exercise price of an ISO must comply with the provisions of Section 422 of the Internal Revenue Code which currently provides, among other things, that the aggregate fair market value of the shares (determined on the grant date) covered by ISOs, which first become exercisable by any participant during any calendar year, may not exceed $100,000. Stock options may be exercised in whole or in part. The Committee may permit payment through the tender of shares of the Company's common stock then owned by the participant, or by any other means that the Committee determines to be consistent with the Plan's purpose. Any taxes required to be withheld must be paid at the time of exercise. Options become exercisable at the times and on the terms established by the Committee. Options expire at the times established by the Committee, but generally not later than 10 years after the date of grant. The Committee may extend the maximum term of any option granted under the Plan, subject to the preceding limits. DIRECTOR FEES Outside director participants will receive a portion of their annual director fees in shares, with the remainder of the fees to be payable either in cash or shares as elected by the outside director participant. Nothing in the language of the Plan will be interpreted to disqualify the Plan from treatment as a "formula plan" under Securities Exchange Commission Rule 16b-3. The required portion of stock compensation will be paid at the beginning of each year, or promptly following the outside director's election to the Board. The elective stock compensation due a outside director participant will be payable on a quarterly basis, as described in the Plan. Distribution amounts will be determined by dividing the participant's required and elected dollar amount of compensation by the market value of the shares on the date one business day prior to the date of distribution. For additional information concerning fees payable to outside directors, see "Information Concerning the Board of Directors -- Outside Directors' Compensation." STOCK APPRECIATION RIGHTS ("SARS") The Committee determines the terms and conditions of each SAR. SARs may be granted in conjunction with an option, or may be granted on an independent basis. The number of shares covered by each SAR will be determined by the Committee, but during any calendar year, no participant may be granted options and SARs for more than 75,000 shares. Upon exercise of a SAR, the participant will receive payment from the Company in an amount measured by the difference between the exercise price of the right and the fair market value of shares on the exercise date or other date specified by the Committee. SARs are exercisable at the times and on the terms established by the Committee. Proceeds from SAR exercises may be paid in cash, shares, or property as determined by the Committee. SARs expire at the times established by the Committee. 15 RESTRICTED SHARE AWARDS AND RESTRICTED SHARE UNIT AWARDS Restricted share awards are shares of stock that are granted subject to restrictions established by the Committee. Restricted share units are rights to receive shares or cash at the end of a specified deferral period subject to restrictions established by the Committee. The number of restricted shares and restricted share units, (if any) granted to a participant will be determined by the Committee. In determining the vesting schedule for each Award of restricted shares or restricted share units, the Committee may impose whatever conditions to vesting as it determines to be appropriate. For example, the Committee may (but is not required to) provide that restricted shares or restricted share units will vest only if one or more of the following measures in setting the performance goals are satisfied. In order for the Award to qualify as "performance-based" compensation under Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code, the Committee must use one or more of the following measures in setting the performance goals: (1) earnings per share, (2) individual performance objectives, (3) net income, (4) pro forma net income, (5) return on designated assets, (6) return on revenues, and (7) satisfaction of Company-wide or department based operating objectives. These performance measures are some of the same measures that are used in setting performance goals under the Company's Short-Term Incentive Plan, and under the existing Long-Term Incentive Program which was approved by the shareholders at the 1993 Annual Meeting. The Committee may apply the performance measures on a corporate or business unit basis, as deemed appropriate in light of the participant's specific responsibilities. The Committee may, in its sole discretion, accelerate the time at which any restrictions lapse or remove any restrictions. In no event may the total compensation payable to any participant in any calendar year under all performance-based restricted shares, restricted units, performance shares and performance units exceed the equivalent of 15,000 shares. PERFORMANCE SHARE AWARDS AND PERFORMANCE UNIT AWARDS Performance share awards and performance unit awards are amounts credited to a bookkeeping account established for the participant. A performance unit has an initial value that is established by the Committee at the time of its grant. A performance share has an initial value equal to the fair market value of a share of the Company's Common Stock on the date of grant. The number of performance units or performance shares (if any) granted to a participant will be determined by the Committee. Whether a performance unit or performance share actually will result in a payment to a participant will depend upon the extent to which performance goals established by the Committee are satisfied. The applicable performance goals will be determined by the Committee. In order to qualify as "performance-based" compensation under Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code, the same measures of performance goals stated under Restricted Share Awards above must be used. In no event may the total compensation payable to any participant in any calendar year under all performance-based restricted shares, restricted units, performance shares and performance units exceed the equivalent of 15,000 shares. After a performance unit or performance share award has vested (that is, after the applicable performance goal or goals have been achieved), the participant will be entitled to receive a payout of cash, shares, or any combination thereof, as determined by the Committee. Unless otherwise determined by the Committee at the date of grant, unvested performance units and performance shares will be forfeited upon the earlier of the recipient's termination of employment or the date set forth in the Award agreement. DIVIDEND EQUIVALENTS Dividend equivalents are rights to receive cash, shares or other property equal in value to dividends paid with respect to a specified number of shares. Independently or in connection with an Award, the Board may grant dividend equivalents to a participant based on the dividends declared on the shares for record dates during the period between the date an award is granted and the date such award is exercised or the date all conditions of the Award shall have been satisfied. Dividend equivalents may be paid or distributed when accrued or deemed to have been reinvested in additional shares or other investment vehicles as determined by the Committee. If granted in connection with an award, dividend equivalents shall be subject to all conditions and restrictions associated with the underlying Awards to which they relate. 16 OTHER SHARE-BASED AWARDS The Committee is authorized to grant other stock-based awards subject to such terms and conditions as it may prescribe. NONTRANSFERABILITY OF AWARDS Unless otherwise set forth by the Committee in the award agreement, awards (other than vested shares) granted under the Plan may not be sold, transferred, pledged, assigned, or otherwise alienated or hypothecated, other than by will or by the applicable laws of descent and distribution; provided, however, that a participant may designate one or more beneficiaries to receive any exercisable or vested Awards following his or her death. CHANGE OF CONTROL In the event of a change of control, all Awards granted under the Plan then outstanding but not then exercisable (or subject to restrictions) shall become immediately exercisable, all restrictions shall lapse, and any performance criteria shall be deemed satisfied, unless otherwise provided in the applicable Award agreement. In addition, for a period of up to 60 days following a change of control, a participant may elect to surrender any outstanding award and receive a cash payment equal to the value of such award, with the value of any shares being determined for this purpose based on the "change of control price" (essentially, the higher of the highest reported sales price during the 30 days preceding the change of control or the highest price paid or offered in the transaction). In general, a change in control occurs if (1) a person (other than the Company and its affiliates) is or becomes a "beneficial owner," either directly or indirectly, of 30% of the outstanding voting securities, (2) the composition of the Board changes whereby directors at the effective date of the Plan (including new directors approved by a vote of a majority of the directors then in office and any directors previously so approved) cease to constitute a majority of the Board, or (3) the shareholders of the Company approve a merger, consolidation, recapitalization, reorganization, reverse split of any class of voting securities, acquisition of securities or assets, a plan of complete liquidation of the Company, or an agreement for the sale of all or substantially all of the Company's assets (subject to certain exceptions). TAX ASPECTS THE FOLLOWING DISCUSSION IS INTENDED TO PROVIDE AN OVERVIEW OF THE U.S. FEDERAL INCOME TAX LAWS WHICH ARE GENERALLY APPLICABLE TO AWARDS GRANTED UNDER THE PLAN AS OF THE DATE OF THE PROXY STATEMENT. PEOPLE OR ENTITIES IN DIFFERING CIRCUMSTANCES MAY HAVE DIFFERENT TAX CONSEQUENCES, AND THE TAX LAWS MAY CHANGE IN THE FUTURE. THIS DISCUSSION IS NOT TO BE CONSTRUED AS TAX ADVICE. A recipient of a stock option or SAR will not have taxable income on the date of grant. Upon the exercise of nonqualified options and SARs, the participant will recognize ordinary income equal to the difference between the fair market value of the shares on the date of exercise and the exercise price. Any gain or loss recognized upon any later disposition of the shares generally will be capital gain or loss. Purchase of shares upon exercise of an ISO will not result in any taxable income to the participant, except for purposes of the alternative minimum tax. Gain or loss recognized by the participant on a later sale or other disposition either will be long-term capital gain or loss or ordinary income, depending upon how long the participant has held the shares. Any ordinary income recognized will be in the amount, if any, by which the lesser of (1) the fair market value of such shares on the date of exercise, or (2) the amount realized from the sale, exceeds the exercise price. Upon receipt of a restricted share, restricted share unit, dividend equivalents, a performance unit or a performance share, the participant will not have taxable income except that in the case of restricted shares, the participant may elect to be taxed at the time of the award. Absent such election, upon vesting the participant will recognize ordinary income equal to the fair market value of the shares or restricted shares at such time. With respect to restricted share units, performance units, dividend equivalents and performance shares, upon payment in cash or unrestricted shares, the participant will recognize ordinary income equal to the amount of cash and the fair market value of the stock at the time of payment. 17 The Committee may permit participants to satisfy tax withholding requirements in connection with the exercise or receipt of an Award by (1) electing to have the Company withhold otherwise deliverable shares, or (2) delivering to the Company then owned shares having a value equal to the amount required to be withheld. The Company will be entitled to a tax deduction for an Award in an amount equal to the ordinary income realized by the participant at the time the participant recognizes such income. Internal Revenue Code Section 162(m) contains special rules regarding the federal income tax deductibility of compensation paid to the Company's Chief Executive Officer and to each of the other four most highly compensated executive officers. The general rule is that annual compensation paid to any of these specified executives will be deductible only to the extent that it does not exceed $1 million. The Company can preserve the deductibility of certain compensation in excess of $1 million, however, if the Company complies with conditions imposed by Section 162(m), including (1) the establishment of a maximum amount with respect to which Awards may be granted to any one employee during a specified time period, and (2) for restricted shares, restricted share units, performance units and performance shares inclusion in the Plan of performance goals which must be achieved prior to payment. The Plan has been designed to permit the Committee to grant Awards which satisfy the requirements of Section 162(m). AMENDMENT AND TERMINATION OF THE PLAN The Board generally may amend or terminate the Plan at any time and for any reason, but in accordance with Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code and Rule 16b-3 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, certain material amendments to the Plan will be subject to shareholder approval. Provisions within the Plan that are applicable to Directors' Fees may not be amended more than once every six months other than to comply with the Internal Revenue Code and the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 and rules thereunder. SHAREHOLDERS VOTE REQUIRED FOR ADOPTION The affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the shares of Common and Preferred Stock voting together as a class, represented and voting at the Annual Meeting will be required for adoption of the proposal. Any shares not voted (whether by absention, broker non-votes or otherwise) have no impact on the adoption of the proposal. If this Proposal is not approved by the shareholders, the 1996 Long-Term Incentive and Share Award Plan will not be implemented and the existing Long-Term Incentive Program will remain in effect and directors fees will be paid in cash rather than shares. THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS A VOTE "FOR" THIS PROPOSAL 3. APPROVAL OF AN AMENDMENT TO THE RESTATED ARTICLES OF INCORPORATION RELATING TO THE ISSUANCE OF UNSECURED INDEBTEDNESS THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS A VOTE "FOR" THIS PROPOSAL For consideration at the meeting is an amendment to the Company's Restated Articles of Incorporation that would remove certain voting rights of preferred shareholders relating to the issuance of unsecured indebtedness. Removing this limitation on issuance of unsecured debt will provide management with the necessary flexibility to obtain what it believes to be the best terms available in the debt market at the time of a financing and thus provide long-term benefit to all shareholders. This amendment will not affect preferred shareholders' special voting rights in the event of a dividend default and for certain changes in authorized shares or issuances of the preferred stocks, and general voting rights on matters submitted to a vote at a shareholders meeting. Furthermore, the proposed amendment will not affect the dividend rights, priorities or other terms of the preferred stocks, including the dividend rate of the preferred stocks. PREFERRED STOCK DIVIDEND RATES WILL NOT BE AFFECTED. The amendment would eliminate the limitation on issuance of unsecured debt by removing Article VI.A.6(c)(iii) of the Restated Articles and renumber the remaining subsections of Article VI.A.6(c). This Section provides that so long as any of the Preferred Stocks are outstanding, the Company shall not, without 18 the consent of the holders of a majority of the total number of shares of such stock outstanding, voting together as a class, or if more than one-third of such shares vote negatively, issue or assume any unsecured indebtedness (except for refunding outstanding unsecured securities or redeeming or retiring shares of the outstanding Preferred Stock) unless, immediately after such issuance or assumption, the total principal amount of all outstanding unsecured indebtedness would not exceed 15% of the total principal amount of all secured indebtedness, issued or assumed by the Company, then to be outstanding, plus capital and surplus of the Company. Article VI.6(c)(iii) appears as Appendix B. To date, the Company's long-term debt financing generally has been accomplished through the issuance of first mortgage bonds that are secured by a first priority lien on substantially all of the properties owned by the Company. In light of the increasingly competitive environment in the energy industry, the Board of Directors believes it is essential that the Company has maximum flexibility with respect to future financing, including the issuance of unsecured debt. In fact, several electric utilities have already begun relying more heavily on unsecured debt in response to changes within the industry. The Company also believes it may be able to obtain lower overall costs of borrowings through the use of unsecured indebtedness, thereby benefiting all of the shareholders of the Company. The Company does not have any present intention of issuing an aggregate amount of debt greater than it otherwise would issue (whether secured or unsecured) by virtue of the amendment. In addition, the issuance of any securities by the Company is subject to prior approval by either the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission or the Kansas Corporation Commission, regardless of the existence of any restriction in the Restated Articles. Consequently, the holders of any of the Preferred Stocks would not be adversely affected by removal of the provision. The affirmative vote of (i) two-thirds of all the votes entitled to be cast at the Meeting by the holders of the outstanding shares of the 4.5%, 5% and 4.25% Preferred Stock (voting together as a class), and (ii) a majority of all the votes entitled to be cast at the Meeting by the holders of the outstanding shares of the Company's Common Stock and the 4.5%, 5%, and 4.25% Preferred Stocks, voting together as a class, is required for approval of this amendment. Any shares not voted (whether by abstention, broker non-votes or otherwise) have the same effect as a vote against the proposal to the extent the two-thirds and majority are not achieved. The Company's Board has unanimously approved this amendment to the Restated Articles as advisable and in the best interests of the Company and its shareholders. THE AMENDMENT TO THE ARTICLES PROPOSED FOR YOUR APPROVAL WILL PROVIDE THE COMPANY WITH ADDITIONAL FLEXIBILITY TO SUCCEED IN THE NEW COMPETITIVE ENVIRONMENT. THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS A VOTE "FOR" THIS AMENDMENT. 4. OTHER BUSINESS The Board of Directors does not know of any other matters to come before the meeting. If, however, any other matters properly come before the meeting, it is the intention of the persons named in the enclosed proxy to vote the same in accordance with their judgment on such other matters. INDEPENDENT PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS Arthur Andersen LLP has acted as the Company's independent auditors since 1958, and has been recommended by the Audit and Finance Committee, approved by the Board of Directors and engaged by the Company as the Company's and its wholly-owned subsidiaries' independent public accountants for 1996. Representatives of Arthur Andersen LLP will be in attendance at the shareholders' meeting, will be available to respond to appropriate questions from shareholders and will be permitted to make a statement at the meeting if they desire to do so. 19 ANNUAL REPORT TO THE SHAREHOLDERS The Annual Report of the Company for the year ended December 31, 1995, was mailed to shareholders on March 11, 1996. The Report contains financial statements audited by Arthur Andersen LLP, independent public accountants. Whether or not you expect to be present at the 1996 Annual Meeting, you are requested to date, sign, and return the enclosed proxy card. Your prompt response will be much appreciated. By Order of the Board of Directors, /s/ Richard D. Terrill Richard D. Terrill SECRETARY Topeka, Kansas March 27, 1996 20 APPENDIX A WESTERN RESOURCES, INC. --------------------- 1996 LONG TERM INCENTIVE AND SHARE AWARD PLAN (EFFECTIVE JANUARY 1, 1996) ------------------------ 1. PURPOSES. The purposes of the 1996 Long Term Incentive and Share Award Plan are to advance the interests of Western Resources, Inc. and its shareholders by providing a means to attract, retain, and motivate employees and directors of the Company and certain of its Subsidiaries and affiliates upon whose judgment, initiative and efforts the continued success, growth and development of the Company is dependent. 2. DEFINITIONS. For purposes of the Plan, the following terms shall be defined as set forth below unless a different meaning is plainly required by the context: (a) "Affiliate" means any entity other than the Company and its Subsidiaries that is designated by the Board or the Committee as a participating employer under the Plan, provided that the Company directly or indirectly owns at least 50% of the combined voting power of all classes of stock of such entity or at least 50% of the ownership interests in such entity. (b) "Award" means any Option, SAR, Restricted Share, Restricted Share Unit, Performance Share, Performance Unit, Dividend Equivalent, or Other Share-Based Award granted to an Eligible Employee under the Plan. (c) "Award Agreement" means any written agreement, contract, or other instrument or document evidencing an Award. (d) "Beneficiary" means the person, persons, trust or trusts which have been designated by such Participant in his or her most recent written beneficiary designation filed with the Company to receive the benefits specified under this Plan upon the death of the Participant, or, if there is no designated Beneficiary or surviving designated Beneficiary, then the person, persons, trust or trusts entitled by will or the laws of descent and distribution to receive such benefits. (e) "Board" means the Board of Directors of the Company. (f) "Code" means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended from time to time. References to any provision of the Code shall be deemed to include successor provisions thereto and regulations thereunder. (g) "Committee" means the Human Resources Committee of the Board, or such other Board committee as may be designated by the Board to administer the Plan; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that the Committee shall consist of two or more directors of the Company, each of whom is a "disinterested person" within the meaning of Rule 16b-3 under the Exchange Act and an "outside director" within the meaning of Section 162(m)(4)(C) of the Code. (h) "Company" means Western Resources, Inc., a corporation organized under the laws of the state of Kansas, or any successor corporation. (i) "Director" means a non-employee member of the Board. (j) "Director's Share" means a share granted to a Director under Section 7. A-1 (k) "Dividend Equivalent" means a right, granted under Section 5(g), to receive cash, Shares, or other property equal in value to dividends paid with respect to a specified number of Shares. Dividend Equivalents may be awarded on a free-standing basis or in connection with another Award, and may be paid currently or on a deferred basis. (l) "Eligible Employee" means an employee of the Company or its Subsidiaries and Affiliates, including any director who is an employee, who is responsible for or contributes to the management, growth and/or profitability of the business of the Company, its Subsidiaries or Affiliates. (m) "Exchange Act" means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended from time to time. References to any provision of the Exchange Act shall be deemed to include successor provisions thereto and regulations thereunder. (n) "Fair Market Value" means, with respect to Shares or other property, the fair market value of such Shares or other property determined by such methods or procedures as shall be established from time to time by the Committee. If the shares are listed on any established stock exchange or on a national market system, unless otherwise determined by the Committee in good faith, the Fair Market Value of Shares shall mean the mean between the high and low selling prices per Share on the immediately preceding date (or, if the Shares were not traded on that day, the next preceding day that the Shares were traded) on the principal exchange on which the Shares are traded, as such prices are officially quoted on such exchange. (o) "ISO" means any Option intended to be and designated as an incentive stock option within the meaning of Section 422 of the Code. (p) "NQSO" means any Option that is not an ISO. (q) "Option" means a right, granted under Section 5(b) to purchase Shares. (r) "Other Share-Based Award" means a right, granted under Section 5(h), that relates to or is valued by reference to Shares. (s) "Participant" means an Eligible Employee or Director who has been granted an Award or Director's Shares under the Plan. (t) "Performance Share" means a performance share granted under Section 5(f). (u) "Performance Unit" means a performance unit granted under Section 5(f). (v) "Plan" means this 1996 Long Term Incentive and Share Award Plan. (w) "Restricted Shares" means an Award of Shares under Section 5(d) that may be subject to certain restrictions and to a risk of forfeiture. (x) "Restricted Share Unit" means a right, granted under Section 5(e), to receive Shares or cash at the end of a specified deferral period. (y) "Rule 16b-3" means Rule 16b-3, as from time to time in effect and applicable to the Plan and Participants, promulgated by the Securities and Exchange Commission under Section 16 of the Exchange Act. (z) "SAR" or "Share Appreciation Right" means the right, granted under Section 5(c), to be paid an amount measured by the difference between the exercise price of the right and the Fair Market Value of Shares on the date of exercise of the right, with payment to be made in cash, Shares, or property as specified in the Award or determined by the Committee. (aa) "Shares" means common stock, $5.00 par value per share, of the Company. A-2 (bb) "Subsidiary" means any corporation (other than the Company) in an unbroken chain of corporations beginning with the Company if each of the corporations (other than the last corporation in the unbroken chain) owns shares possessing 100% or more of the total combined voting power of all classes of stock in one of the other corporations in the chain. 3. ADMINISTRATION. (a) AUTHORITY OF THE COMMITTEE. Except as provided in subsection (e) of this Section 3, the Plan shall be administered by the Committee, and the Committee shall have full and final authority to take the following actions, in each case subject to and consistent with the provisions of the Plan: (i) to select Eligible Employees to whom Awards may be granted; (ii) to designate Affiliates; (iii) to determine the type or types of Awards to be granted to each Eligible Employee; (iv) to determine the type and number of Awards to be granted, the number of Shares to which an Award may relate, the terms and conditions of any Award granted under the Plan (including, but not limited to, any exercise price, grant price, or purchase price, and any bases for adjusting such exercise, grant or purchase price, any restriction or condition, any schedule for lapse of restrictions or conditions relating to transferability or forfeiture, exercisability, or settlement of an Award, and waiver or accelerations thereof, and waivers of performance conditions relating to an Award, based in each case on such considerations as the Committee shall determine), and all other matters to be determined in connection with an Award; (v) to determine whether, to what extent, and under what circumstances an Award may be settled, or the exercise price of an Award may be paid, in cash, Shares, other Awards, or other property, or an Award may be canceled, forfeited, exchanged, or surrendered; (vi) to determine whether, to what extent, and under what circumstances cash, Shares, other Awards, or other property payable with respect to an Award will be deferred either automatically, at the election of the Committee, or at the election of the Participant; (vii) to prescribe the form of each Award Agreement, which need not be identical for each Participant; (viii) to adopt, amend, suspend, waive, and rescind such rules and regulations and appoint such agents as the Committee may deem necessary or advisable to administer the Plan; (ix) to correct any defect or supply any omission or reconcile any inconsistency in the Plan and to construe and interpret the Plan and any Award, rules and regulations, Award Agreement, or other instrument hereunder, (x) to accelerate the exercisability or vesting of all or any portion of any Award or to extend the period during which an Award is exercisable; and (xi) to make all other decisions and determinations as may be required under the terms of the Plan or as the Committee may deem necessary or advisable for the administration of the Plan. (b) MANNER OF EXERCISE OF COMMITTEE AUTHORITY. The Committee shall have sole discretion in exercising its authority under the Plan. Any action of the Committee with respect to the Plan shall be final, conclusive, and binding on all persons, including the Company, Subsidiaries, Affiliates, Eligible Employees, any person claiming any rights under the Plan from or through any Eligible Employee, and shareholders. The express grant of any specific power to the Committee, and the taking of any action by the Committee, shall not be construed as limiting any power or authority of the Committee. The Committee may delegate to officers or managers of the Company or any Subsidiary or Affiliate the authority, subject to such terms as the Committee shall determine, to perform administrative functions and, with respect to Awards granted to persons not subject to Section 16 of the Exchange Act, to perform such other functions as the Committee may determine, to the extent permitted under Rule 16b-3 (if applicable) and applicable law. A-3 (c) LIMITATION OF LIABILITY. Each member of the Committee shall be entitled to, in good faith, rely or act upon any report or other information furnished to him or her by any officer or other employee of the Company or any Subsidiary or Affiliate, the Company's independent certified public accountants, or other professional retained by the Company to assist in the administration of the Plan. No member of the Committee, nor any officer or employee of the Company acting on behalf of the Committee, shall be personally liable for any action, determination, or interpretation taken or made in good faith with respect to the Plan, and all members of the Committee and any officer or employee of the Company acting on their behalf shall, to the extent permitted by law, be fully indemnified and protected by the Company with respect to any such action, determination, or interpretation. (d) LIMITATION ON COMMITTEE'S DISCRETION. Anything in this Plan to the contrary notwithstanding, in the case of any Award which is intended to qualify as "performance-based compensation" within the meaning of Section 162(m)(4)(C) of the Code, the Committee shall have no discretion to increase the amount of compensation payable under the Award to the extent such an increase would cause the Award to lose its qualification as such performance-based compensation. (e) ADMINISTRATION OF DIRECTORS' PORTION. Anything in this Plan to the contrary notwithstanding, the portion of this Plan relating to Directors shall be administered by the full Board. Since grants to Directors are either automatic or based on the elections of Directors, this function will be limited to interpretation and general administrative oversight. 4. SHARES SUBJECT TO THE PLAN (a) Subject to adjustment as provided in Section 4(c) hereof, the total number of Shares reserved for issuance in connection with Awards and Director's Shares under the Plan shall be 3,000,000. No Award or Director's Shares may be granted if the number of Shares to which such Award or Director's Shares relates, when added to the number of Shares previously issued under the Plan, exceeds the number of Shares reserved under the preceding sentence. If any Awards or Director's Shares are forfeited, canceled, terminated, exchanged or surrendered or such Award or Director's Shares is settled in cash or otherwise terminates without a distribution of Shares to the Participant, any Shares counted against the number of Shares reserved and available under the Plan with respect to such Award or Director's Shares shall, to the extent of any such forfeiture, settlement, termination, cancellation, exchange or surrender, again be available for Awards or Director's Shares under the Plan. Upon the exercise of any Award granted in tandem with any other Awards, such related Awards shall be canceled to the extent of the number of Shares as to which the Award is exercised. Subject to adjustment as provided in Section 4(c) hereof, the maximum number of Shares with respect to which Options or SARs may be granted during a calendar year to any Eligible Employee under this Plan shall be 75,000 (seventy-five thousand) Shares or with respect to Restricted Shares and Performance Shares the equivalent of 15,000 shares during a calendar year. (b) Any Shares distributed pursuant to an Award or Director's Shares may consist, in whole or in part, of authorized and unissued Shares, treasury Shares or Shares acquired by purchase in the open market or in private transactions. (c) In the event that the Committee shall determine that any dividend in Shares, recapitalization, Share split, reverse split, reorganization, merger, consolidation, spin-off, combination, repurchase, or share exchange, or other similar corporate transaction or event, affects the Shares such that an adjustment is appropriate In order to prevent dilution or enlargement of the rights of Eligible Employees under the Plan, then the Committee shall make such equitable changes or adjustments as it deems appropriate and, in such manner as it may deem equitable, adjust any or all of (i) the number and kind of shares which may thereafter be issued under the Plan, (ii) the number and kind of shares, other securities or other consideration issued or issuable in respect of outstanding Awards, and (iii) the exercise price, grant price, or purchase price relating to any Award; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, in each case that, with respect to ISOs, such adjustment shall be made in accordance with Section 424(h) of the Code, unless the Committee determines otherwise. In addition, the Committee is authorized to make adjustments in the terms and conditions of, and the criteria and performance objectives included in, Awards in recognition of unusual or non-recurring events (including, without limitation, events described in the preceding sentence) affecting the Company or any Subsidiary or Affiliate A-4 or the financial statements of the Company or any Subsidiary or Affiliate, or in response to changes in applicable laws, regulations, or accounting principles; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that, if an Award Agreement specifically so provides, the Committee shall not have discretion to increase the amount of compensation payable under the Award to the extent such an increase would cause the Award to lose its qualification as performance-based compensation for purposes of Section 162(m)(4)(c) of the Code and the regulations thereunder. 5. SPECIFIC TERMS OF AWARDS. (a) GENERAL. Awards may be granted on the terms and conditions set forth in this Section 5. In addition, the Committee may impose on any Award or the exercise thereof, at the date of grant or thereafter (subject to Section 9(d)), such additional terms and conditions, not inconsistent with the provisions of the Plan, as the Committee shall determine, including terms regarding forfeiture of Awards or continued exercisability of Awards in the event of termination of employment by the Eligible Employee. (b) OPTIONS. The Committee is authorized to grant Options, which may be NQSOs or ISOs, to Eligible Employees on the following terms and conditions: (i) EXERCISE PRICE. The exercise price per Share purchasable under an Option shall be determined by the Committee, and the Committee may, without limitation, set an exercise price that is based upon achievement of performance criteria if deemed appropriate by the Committee. (ii) TIME AND METHOD OF EXERCISE. The Committee shall determine at the date of grant or thereafter the time or times at which an Option may be exercised in whole or in part (including, without limitation, upon achievement of performance criteria if deemed appropriate by the Committee), the methods by which such exercise price may be paid or deemed to be paid (including, without limitation, broker-assisted exercise arrangements), the form of such payment (including, without limitation, cash, Shares, notes or other property), and the methods by which Shares will be delivered or deemed to be delivered to Eligible Employees. (iii) ISOS. The terms of any ISO granted under the Plan shall comply in all respects with the provisions of Section 422 of the Code, including but not limited to the requirement that the ISO shall be granted within ten years from the earlier of the date of adoption or shareholder approval of the Plan. (c) SARS. The Committee is authorized to grant SARs (Share Appreciation Rights) to Eligible Employees on the following terms and conditions: (i) RIGHT TO PAYMENT. A SAR shall confer on the Eligible Employee to whom it is granted a right to receive with respect to each Share subject thereto, upon exercise thereof, the excess of (1) the Fair Market value of one Share on the date of exercise (or if the Committee shall so determine in the case of any such right, the Fair Market Value of one Share at any time during a specified period before or after the date of exercise) over (2) the exercise price of the SAR as determined by the Committee as of the date of grant of the SAR (which, in the case of an SAR granted in tandem with an Option, shall be equal to the exercise price of the underlying Option). (ii) OTHER TERMS. The Committee shall determine, at the time of grant or thereafter, the time or times at which a SAR may be exercised in whole or in part, the method of exercise, method of settlement, form of consideration payable in settlement, method by which Shares will be delivered or deemed to be delivered to Eligible Employees, whether or not a SAR shall be in tandem with any other Award, and any other terms and conditions of any SAR. Unless the Committee determines otherwise, a SAR (1) granted in tandem with an NQSO may be granted at the time of grant of the related NQSO or at any time thereafter, and (2) granted in tandem with an ISO may only be granted at the time of grant of the related ISO. A-5 (d) RESTRICTED SHARES. The Committee is authorized to grant Restricted Shares to Eligible Employees on the following terms and conditions: (i) ISSUANCE AND RESTRICTIONS. Restricted Shares shall be subject to such restrictions on transferability and other restrictions, if any, as the Committee may impose at the date of grant or thereafter, which restrictions may lapse separately or in combination at such times, under such circumstances (including, without limitation, upon achievement of performance criteria if deemed appropriate by the Committee), in such installments, or otherwise, as the Committee may determine. Except to the extent restricted under the Award Agreement relating to the Restricted Shares, an Eligible Employee granted Restricted Shares shall have all of the rights of a shareholders including, without limitation, the right to vote Restricted Shares and the right to receive dividends thereon. The Committee must certify in writing prior to the lapse of restrictions conditioned on achievement of performance criteria that such performance criteria were in fact satisfied. (ii) FORFEITURE. Except as otherwise determined by the Committee, at the date of grant or thereafter, upon termination of employment during the applicable restriction period, Restricted Shares and any accrued but unpaid dividends or Dividend Equivalents that are at that time subject to restrictions shall be forfeited; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that the Committee may provide, by rule or regulation or in any Award Agreement, or may determine in any individual case, that restrictions or forfeiture conditions relating to Restricted Shares will be waived in whole or in part in the event of terminations resulting from specified causes, and the Committee may in other cases waive in whole or in part the forfeiture of Restricted Shares. (iii) CERTIFICATES FOR SHARES. Restricted Shares granted under the Plan may be evidenced in such manner as the Committee shall determine. If certificates representing Restricted Shares are registered in the name of the Eligible Employee, such certificates shall bear an appropriate legend referring to the terms, conditions, and restrictions applicable to such Restricted Shares, and the Company shall retain physical possession of the certificate. (iv) DIVIDENDS. Dividends paid on Restricted Shares shall be either paid at the dividend payment date or deferred for payment to such date as determined by the Committee, in cash or in unrestricted Shares having a Fair Market Value equal to the amount of such dividends. Shares distributed in connection with a Share split or dividend in Shares, and other property distributed as a dividend, shall be subject to restrictions and a risk of forfeiture to the same extent as the Restricted Shares with respect to which such Shares or other property has been distributed. (e) RESTRICTED SHARE UNITS. The Committee is authorized to grant Restricted Share Units to Eligible Employees, subject to the following terms and conditions: (i) AWARD AND RESTRICTIONS. Delivery of Shares or cash, as the case may be, will occur upon expiration of the deferral period specified for Restricted Share Units by the Committee (or, if permitted by the Committee, as elected by the Eligible Employee). In addition, Restricted Share Units shall be subject to such restrictions as the Committee may impose, if any (including, without limitation, the achievement of performance criteria if deemed appropriate by the Committee), at the date of grant or thereafter, which restrictions may lapse at the expiration of the deferral period or at earlier or later specified times, separately or in combination, in installments or otherwise, as the Committee may determine. The Committee must certify in writing prior to the lapse of restrictions conditioned on the achievement of performance criteria that such criteria were in fact satisfied. (ii) FORFEITURE. Except as otherwise determined by the Committee, at the date of grant or thereafter, upon termination of employment (as determined under criteria established by the Committee) during the applicable deferral period or portion thereof to which forfeiture conditions apply (as provided in the Award Agreement evidencing the Restricted Share Units), or upon failure to satisfy any other conditions precedent to the delivery of Shares or cash to which such Restricted Share Units relate, all Restricted Share Units that are at that time subject to deferral or restriction shall be forfeited; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that the Committee may provide, by rule or regulation or in any Award Agreement, A-6 or may determine in any individual case, that restrictions or forfeiture conditions relating to Restricted Share Units will be waived in whole or in part in the event of termination resulting from specified causes, and the Committee may in other cases waive in whole or in part the forfeiture of Restricted Share Units. (f) PERFORMANCE SHARES AND PERFORMANCE UNITS. The Committee is authorized to grant Performance Shares or Performance Units or both to Eligible Employees on the following terms and conditions: (i) PERFORMANCE PERIOD. The Committee shall determine a performance period (the "Performance Period") of one or more years and shall determine the performance objectives for grants of Performance Shares and Performance Units. Performance objectives may vary from Eligible Employee to Eligible Employee and shall be based upon such performance criteria as the Committee may deem appropriate. Performance Periods may overlap and Eligible Employees may participate simultaneously with respect to Performance Shares and Performance Units for which different Performance Periods are prescribed. (ii) AWARD VALUE. At the beginning of a Performance Period, the Committee shall determine for each Eligible Employee or group of Eligible Employees with respect to that Performance Period the range of number of Shares, if any, in the case of Performance Shares, and the range of dollar values, if any, in the case of Performance Units, which may be fixed or may vary in accordance with such performance or other criteria specified by the Committee, which shall be paid to an Eligible Employee as an Award if the relevant measure of Company performance for the Performance Period is met. (iii) SIGNIFICANT EVENTS. If during the course of a Performance Period there shall occur significant events as determined by the Committee which the Committee expects to have a substantial effect on a performance objective during such period, the Committee may revise such objective; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that, if an Award Agreement so provides, the Committee shall not have any discretion to increase the amount of compensation payable under the Award to the extent such an increase would cause the Award to lose its qualification as performance-based compensation for purposes of Section 162(m)(4)(C) of the Code and the regulations thereunder. (iv) FORFEITURE. Except as otherwise determined by the Committee, at the date of grant or thereafter, upon termination of employment during the applicable Performance Period, Performance Shares and Performance Units for which the Performance Period was prescribed shall be forfeited; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that the Committee may provide, by rule or regulation or in any Award Agreement, or may determine in an individual case, that restrictions or forfeiture conditions relating to Performance Shares and Performance Units will be waived in whole or in part in the event of terminations resulting from specified causes, and the Committee may in other cases waive in whole or in part the forfeiture of Performance Shares and Performance Units. (v) PAYMENT. Each Performance Share or Performance Unit may be paid in whole Shares, or cash, or a combination of Shares and cash either as a lump sum payment or in installments, all as the Committee shall determine, at the time of grant of the Performance Share or Performance Unit or otherwise, commencing as soon as practicable after the end of the relevant Performance Period. The Committee must certify in writing prior to payment of any Performance Share or Performance Unit that the performance objectives and any other material items were in fact satisfied. (g) DIVIDEND EQUIVALENTS. The Committee is authorized to grant Dividend Equivalents to Eligible Employees. The Committee may provide, at the date of grant or thereafter, that Dividend Equivalents shall be paid or distributed when accrued or shall be deemed to have been reinvested in additional Shares, or other investment vehicles as the Committee may specify, provided that Dividend Equivalents (other than freestanding Dividend Equivalents) shall be subject to all conditions and restrictions of the underlying Awards to which they relate. (h) OTHER SHARE-BASED AWARDS. The Committee is authorized, subject to limitations under applicable law, to grant to Eligible Employees such other Awards that may be denominated or payable in, valued in whole or in part by reference to, or otherwise based on, or related to, Shares, as deemed by the Committee to A-7 be consistent with the purposes of the Plan, including, without limitation, unrestricted shares awarded purely as a "bonus" and not subject to any restrictions or conditions, other rights convertible or exchangeable into Shares, purchase rights for Shares, Awards with value and payment contingent upon performance of the Company or any other factors designated by the Committee, and Awards valued by reference to the performance of specified Subsidiaries or Affiliates. The Committee shall determine the terms and conditions of such Awards at date of grant or thereafter. Shares delivered pursuant to an Award in the nature of a purchase right granted under this Section 5(h) shall be purchased for such consideration, paid for at such times, by such methods, and in such forms, including, without limitation, cash, Shares, notes or other property, as the Committee shall determine. Cash awards, as an element of or supplement to any other Award under the Plan, shall also be authorized pursuant to this Section 5(h). 6. CERTAIN PROVISIONS APPLICABLE TO AWARDS. (a) STAND-ALONE, ADDITIONAL, TANDEM AND SUBSTITUTE AWARDS. Awards granted under the Plan may, in the discretion of the Committee, be granted to Eligible Employees either alone or in addition to, in tandem with, or in exchange or substitution for, any other Award granted under the Plan or any award granted under any other plan or agreement of the Company, any Subsidiary or Affiliate, or any business entity to be acquired by the Company or a Subsidiary or Affiliate, or any other right of an Eligible Employee to receive payment from the Company or any Subsidiary or Affiliate. Awards may be granted in addition to or in tandem with such other Awards or awards, and may be granted either at the same time as or a different time from the grant of such other Awards or awards. The per Share exercise price of any Option, grant price of any SAR, or purchase price of any other Award conferring a right to purchase Shares which is granted, in connection with the substitution of awards granted under any other plan or agreement of the Company or any Subsidiary or Affiliate or any business entity to be acquired by the Company or any Subsidiary or Affiliate, shall be determined by the Committee, in its discretion. (b) TERMS OF AWARDS. The term of each Award granted to an Eligible Employee shall be for such period as may be determined by the Committee; provided, however, that in no event shall the term of any ISO or an SAR granted in tandem therewith exceed a period of ten years from the date of its grant (or such shorter period as may be applicable under Section 422 of the Code). (c) FORM OF PAYMENT UNDER AWARDS. Subject to the terms of the Plan and any applicable Award Agreement, payments to be made by the Company or a Subsidiary or Affiliate upon the grant, maturation, or exercise of an Award may be made in such forms as the Committee shall determine at the date of grant or thereafter, including, without limitation, cash, Shares, or other property, and may be made in a single payment or transfer, in installments, or on a deferred basis. The Committee may make rules relating to installment or deferred payments with respect to Awards, including the rate of interest to be credited with respect to such payments. (d) NONTRANSFERABILITY. Unless otherwise set forth by the Committee in an Award Agreement, Awards (except for vested shares) shall not be transferable by an Eligible Employee except by will or the laws of descent and distribution (except pursuant to a Beneficiary designation) and shall be exercisable during the lifetime of an Eligible Employee only by such Eligible Employee or his guardian or legal representative. An Eligible Employee's rights under the Plan may not be pledged, mortgaged, hypothecated, or otherwise encumbered, and shall not be subject to claims of the Eligible Employee creditors. 7. DIRECTOR'S FEES (a) STOCK GRANT. Each Director Participant shall receive such portion of his/her Director fees in Shares as shall be established from time to time by the Board, with the remainder of such Director fees to be payable, in cash or in Shares as elected by the Director Participant in accordance with Section 7(b) below. (b) ELECTION TO DETERMINE PERCENTAGE OR AMOUNT OF COMPENSATION TO BE PAID IN STOCK. Each Director Participant shall have an opportunity to elect to have the remaining portion of his/her Director fees paid in cash or shares, or a combination thereof. Except for the initial election following adoption of the plan or the Director's election to the Board, any such election shall be made in writing and must be made at least six months before the services are rendered giving rise to such compensation, and may not be changed A-8 thereafter except as to compensation for services rendered at least six months after any such election to change is made in writing. In the absence of such an election, such remaining portion of the Director's fees shall be paid entirely in cash. Nothing contained in this Section 7(b) shall be interpreted in such a manner as would disqualify the Plan from treatment as a "formula plan" under Rule 16b-3. (c) AMOUNT AND DATE OF PAYMENT FOR STOCK COMPENSATION. (1) For any Plan Year in which a Director is a Participant for the full Plan Year, any Stock compensation due a Director Participant pursuant to Sections 7(a) shall be payable at the beginning of such plan year, and with respect to Section 7(b) above shall be payable on a quarterly basis, with the first such quarterly distribution being made on April 1 and succeeding quarterly distributions being made on July 1, October 1, and January 1. The amount of stock to be distributed to a Director Participant shall be determined by dividing the Director Participant's required and elected dollar amount of stock compensation by the Fair Market Value of the Shares. (2) Notwithstanding the foregoing, for purposes of the 1996 Plan Year, no stock distributions shall be made prior to receipt of all requisite approvals; provided, however, that once the requisite approvals of the Plan are received, the stock distributions shall be made as soon as practicable thereafter and shall include any stock distributions which would have been made had the requisite approvals been obtained on the Effective Date. The stock distributions to be made in accordance with this Section 7(c)(2) shall be valued in accordance with the provisions of Section 7(c)(1). 8. CHANGE OF CONTROL PROVISIONS. (a) ACCELERATION OF EXERCISABILITY AND LAPSE OF RESTRICTIONS; CASH-OUT OF AWARDS. In the event of a Change of Control, the following acceleration and cash-out provisions shall apply unless otherwise provided by the Committee at the time of the Award grant. (i) All outstanding Awards pursuant to which the Participant may have rights the exercise of which is restricted or limited, shall become fully exercisable; unless the right to lapse of restrictions or limitations is waived or deferred by a Participant prior to such lapse, all restrictions or limitations (including risks of forfeiture and deferrals) on outstanding Awards subject to restrictions or limitations under the Plan shall lapse; and all performance criteria and other conditions to payment of Awards under which payments of cash, Shares or other property are subject to conditions shall be deemed to be achieved or fulfilled and shall be waived by the Company. (ii) For a period of up to 60 days following a Change of Control, the Participant may elect to surrender any outstanding Award and to receive, in full satisfaction therefor, a cash payment equal to the value of such Award calculated on the basis of the Change of Control Price of any Shares or the Fair Market Value of any property other than Shares relating to such Award; provided, however, that in the case of an Incentive Stock Option, or a Stock Appreciation Right granted in tandem therewith, the cash payment shall be based upon the Fair Market Value of Shares on the date of exercise. In the event that an Award is granted in tandem with another Award such that the Participant's right to payment for such Award is an alternative to payment of another Award, the Participant electing to surrender any such tandem Award shall surrender all alternative Awards related thereto and receive payment for the Award which produces the highest payment to the Participant. Except as provided in Section 8(a)(iii), in no event will an Award be surrendered or a Participant have the right to receive cash under this Section 8(a)(ii) with respect to an Award if the Participant is subject to Section 16 of the Exchange Act and at least six months shall not have elapsed from the date on which the Participant was granted the Award before the date of the Change of Control (unless this restriction is not at such time required under Rule 16b-3). (iii) In the event that any Award is subject to limitations under Section 8(a)(ii) at the time of a Change of Control, then, solely for the purpose of determining the rights of the Participant with respect to such Award, a Change of Control shall be deemed to occur at the close of business on the first business day following the date on which the Award could be sold without liability under Section 16 of the Exchange Act. A-9 (b) DEFINITIONS OF CERTAIN TERMS. For purposes of this Section 8, the following definitions, in addition to those set forth in Section 2, shall apply: (i) "Change of Control" means and shall be deemed to have occurred if (a) any person (within the meaning of the Exchange Act), other than the Company or a Related Party, is or becomes the "beneficial owner" (as defined in Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange Act), directly or indirectly, of Voting Securities representing 30 percent or more of the total voting power of all the then-outstanding Voting Securities, (b) the individuals who, as of the effective date of the Plan, constitute the Board of Directors of the Company together with those who first become directors subsequent to such date and whose recommendation, election or nomination for election to the Board was approved by a vote of at least a majority of the directors then still in office who either were directors as of the effective date of the Plan or whose recommendation, election or nomination for election was previously so approved (the "Continuing Directors"), cease for any reason to constitute a majority of the members of the Board, (c) the shareholders of the Company approve a merger, consolidation, recapitalization or reorganization of the Company, reverse split of any class of Voting Securities, or an acquisition of securities or assets by the Company, or consummation of any such transaction if shareholder approval is not obtained, other than (i) any such transaction which would result in more than 75 percent of the total voting power represented by the voting securities of the surviving entity outstanding immediately after such transaction being beneficially owned by more than 75 percent of the holders of outstanding Voting Securities immediately prior to the transaction, with the voting power of each such continuing holder relative to other such continuing holders not substantially altered in the transaction, or (ii) any such transaction which would result in a Related Party beneficially owning more than 50 percent of the voting securities of the surviving entity outstanding immediately after such transaction, (d) the shareholders of the Company approve a plan of complete liquidation of the Company or an agreement for the sale or disposition by the Company of all or substantially all of the Company's assets other than any such transaction which would result in a Related Party owning or acquiring more than 50 percent of the assets owned by the Company immediately prior to the transaction. (ii) "Change of Control Price" means, with respect to a Share, the higher of (a) the highest reported sales price of Shares on the New York Stock Exchange during the 30 calendar days preceding a Change of Control, or (b) the highest price paid or offered in a transaction which either (i) results in a Change of Control, or (ii) would be consummated but for another transaction which results in a Change of Control and, if it were consummated, would result in a Change of Control. With respect to clause (b) in the preceding sentence, the "price paid or offered" will be equal to the sum of (i) the face amount of any portion of the consideration consisting of cash or cash equivalents and (ii) the fair market value of any portion of the consideration consisting of real or personal property other than cash or cash equivalents, as established by an independent appraiser selected by the Committee. (iii) "Related Party" means (a) a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company; or (b) an employee or group of employees of the Company or any wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company; or (c) a trustee or other fiduciary holding securities under an employee benefit plan of the Company or any wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company; or (d) a corporation owned directly or indirectly by the shareholders of the Company in substantially the same proportion as their ownership of Voting Securities. (iv) "Voting Securities or Security" means any securities of the Company which carry the right to vote generally in the election of directors. 9. GENERAL PROVISIONS. (a) COMPLIANCE WITH LEGAL AND TRADING REQUIREMENTS. The Plan, the granting and exercising of Awards or Director's Shares thereunder, and the other obligations of the Company under the Plan and any Award Agreement, shall be subject to all applicable federal and state laws, rules and regulations, and to such approvals by any regulatory or governmental agency as may be required. The Company, in its discretion, may postpone the issuance or delivery of Shares under any Award or Director's Share until completion of such stock exchange or market system listing or registration or qualification of such Shares or other required action under any state or federal law, rule or regulation as the Company may consider appropriate, and may A-10 require any Participant to make such representations and furnish such information as it may consider appropriate in connection with the issuance or delivery of Shares in compliance with applicable laws, rules and regulations. No provisions of the Plan shall be interpreted or construed to obligate the Company to register any Shares under federal or state law. (b) NO RIGHT TO CONTINUED EMPLOYMENT OR SERVICE. Neither the Plan nor any action taken thereunder shall be construed as giving any employee or director the right to be retained in the employ or service of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries or Affiliates, nor shall it interfere in any way with the right of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries or Affiliates to terminate any employee's or director's employment or service at any time. (c) TAXES. The Company or any Subsidiary or Affiliate is authorized to withhold from any Award granted, any payment relating to an Award under the Plan, including from a distribution of Shares, or any payroll or other payment to an Eligible Employee, amounts of withholding and other taxes due in connection with any transaction involving an Award, and to take such other action as the Committee may deem advisable to enable the Company and Eligible Employees to satisfy obligations for the payment of withholding taxes and other tax obligations relating to any Award. This authority shall include authority to withhold or receive Shares or other property and to make cash payments in respect thereof in satisfaction of an Eligible Employee's tax obligations. (d) CHANGES TO THE PLAN AND AWARDS. The Board may amend, alter, suspend, discontinue, or terminate the Plan or the Committee's authority to grant Awards under the Plan without the consent of shareholders of the Company or Participants, except that any such amendment, alteration, suspension, discontinuation, or termination shall be subject to the approval of the Company's shareholders to the extent such shareholder approval is required (i) in order to insure that Awards granted under the Plan are exempt under Rule 16b-3 or (ii) under Section 422 of the Code; provided, however, that, without the consent of an affected Participant, no amendment, alteration, suspension, discontinuation, or termination of the Plan may impair the rights or, in any other manner, adversely affect the rights of such Participant under any Award or Director's Shares theretofore granted to him or her. Notwithstanding the other provisions of this paragraph, Section 7 and the other provisions of this Plan applicable to Director's Shares may not be amended more than once every six months other than to comport with changes in the Code, the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended, or the rules thereunder. (e) NO RIGHTS TO AWARDS; NO SHAREHOLDER RIGHTS. No Eligible Employee or employee shall have any claim to be granted any Award under the Plan, and there is no obligation for uniformity of treatment of Eligible Employees and employees. No Award shall confer on any Eligible Employee any of the rights of a shareholder of the Company unless and until Shares are duly issued or transferred to the Eligible Employee in accordance with the terms of the Award. (f) UNFUNDED STATUS OF AWARDS. The Plan is intended to constitute an "unfunded" plan for incentive compensation. With respect to any payments not yet made to a Participant pursuant to an Award or Director's Shares, nothing contained in the Plan or any Award or Director's Share shall give any such Participant any rights that are greater than those of a general creditor of the Company; provided, however, that the Committee may authorize the creation of trusts or make other arrangements to meet the Company's obligations under the Plan to deliver cash, Shares, other Awards, or other property pursuant to any Award, which trusts or other arrangements shall be consistent with the "unfunded" status of the Plan unless the Committee otherwise determines with the consent of each affected Participant. (g) NONEXCLUSIVITY OF THE PLAN. Neither the adoption of the Plan by the Board nor its submission to the shareholders of the Company for approval shall be construed as creating any limitations on the power of the Board to adopt such other incentive arrangements as it may deem desirable, including, without limitation, the granting of options and other awards otherwise than under the Plan, and such arrangements may be either applicable generally or only in specific cases. A-11 (h) NOT COMPENSATION FOR BENEFIT PLANS. No Award payable under this Plan shall be deemed salary or compensation for the purpose of computing benefits under any benefit plan or other arrangement of the Company for the benefit of its employees or directors unless the Company shall determine otherwise. (i) NO FRACTIONAL SHARES. No fractional Shares shall be issued or delivered pursuant to the Plan or any Award or Director's Option. Cash shall be paid in lieu of such fractional shares. (j) GOVERNING LAW. The validity, construction, and effect of the Plan, any rules and regulations relating to the Plan, and any Award Agreement shall be determined in accordance with the laws of Kansas without giving effect to principles of conflict of laws. (k) EFFECTIVE DATE; PLAN TERMINATION. The Plan shall become effective as of January 1, 1996, (the "Effective Date") upon approval by the affirmative votes of the holders of a majority of voting securities of the Company voting upon the adoption of the plan. The Plan shall terminate as to future awards on the date which is ten (10) years after the Effective Date. (l) TITLES AND HEADINGS. The titles and headings of the sections in the Plan are for convenience of reference only. In the event of any conflict, the text of the Plan, rather than such titles or headings, shall control. ------------------------ APPENDIX B Amendment to the Restated Articles of Incorporation to delete Article VI.6.(c)(iii). The text of Article VI.6.(c)(iii) follows: ARTICLE VI 6. The holders of the Preferred Stock shall be entitled to the following special voting rights: * * * (c) Subject to the provisions of Subdivision (d) of Paragraph 6 of this Section A, so long as any Preferred Stock is outstanding, the Corporation shall not (i) without the consent (given by vote in person or by proxy at a meeting called for that purpose) of the holders of at least a majority of the shares of Preferred Stock then outstanding, voting separately as a class, or if more than one-third of the outstanding shares of such stock shall vote negatively, and (ii) without the vote of the percentage or number of shares of any and all classes required by law and the Articles of Incorporation of the Corporation, or amendments thereto, including this amendment: * * * (iii) ISSUE ANY UNSECURED NOTES, DEBENTURES OR OTHER SECURITIES REPRESENTING UNSECURED INDEBTEDNESS, OR ASSUME ANY SUCH UNSECURED SECURITIES, FOR PURPOSES OTHER THAN REFUNDING OF OUTSTANDING UNSECURED SECURITIES THERETOFORE ISSUED OR ASSUMED BY THE CORPORATION OR THE REDEMPTION, REACQUISITION OR OTHER RETIREMENT OF OUTSTANDING PREFERRED STOCK, IF, IMMEDIATELY AFTER SUCH ISSUE OR ASSUMPTION, THE TOTAL PRINCIPAL AMOUNT OF ALL SUCH UNSECURED SECURITIES THEN OUTSTANDING WOULD EXCEED FIFTEEN PER CENT (15%) OF THE AGGREGATE OF (1) THE TOTAL PRINCIPAL AMOUNT OF ALL BONDS OR OTHER SECURITIES REPRESENTING SECURED INDEBTEDNESS ISSUED OR ASSUMED BY THE CORPORATION AND THEN TO BE OUTSTANDING, AND (2) THE CAPITAL STOCK AND SURPLUS OF THE CORPORATION AS THEN TO BE STATED ON ITS BOOKS; * * * A-12 WESTERN RESOURCES, INC. SOLICITED BY THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS FOR USE AT THE ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS OF WESTERN RESOURCES, INC.--MAY 7, 1996, AT 11:00 A.M., IN THE MANER CONFERENCE CENTRE (KANSAS EXPOCENTRE) LOCATED AT THE SOUTHEAST CORNER OF SEVENTEENTH AND WESTERN, TOPEKA, KANSAS. The undersigned hereby appoints John E. Hayes, Jr., John K. Rosenberg, and Richard D. Terrill and any one or more of them, attorneys and proxies, with full power of substitution and revocation in each, for and on behalf of the undersigned, and with all the powers the undersigned would possess if personally present, including discretionary power upon other matters properly coming before the meeting, to vote at the above Annual Meeting and any adjournment(s) thereof all shares of Common Stock of Western Resources, Inc. that the undersigned would be entitled to vote at such meeting. The undersigned acknowledges receipt of the Notice and Proxy Statement dated March 27, 1996. The shares represented by this proxy will be voted as directed by the shareholder. If no direction is given when the duly executed proxy is returned, such shares will be voted FOR all proposals. THIS PROXY IS CONTINUED ON THE REVERSE SIDE PLEASE SIGN ON THE REVERSE SIDE AND RETURN PROMPTLY PROXY AND VOTING INSTRUCTION CARD COMMON WESTERN RESOURCES, INC. The Board of Directors recommends a vote FOR all Nominees and proposals ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS 2 & 3. MAY 7, 1996 Please mark your choice like this / / in blue or black ink.
1. Election of the following nominees as Directors: FRANK J. BECKER GENE A. BUDIG C. Q. CHANDLER THOMAS R. CLEVENGER DAVID C. WITTIG
/ / FOR all Nominees / / WITHHELD for all WITHHELD for the following nominee(s) only: Nominees Write name(s):
2. Adoption of 1996 Long Term Incentive and Share Award Plan. / / FOR / / AGAINST / / ABSTAIN 3. Amend the Articles of Incorporation relating to unsecured indebtedness. / / FOR / / AGAINST / / ABSTAIN Signature Date Signature Date Please mark, date and sign as your name appears hereon and return in the enclosed envelope.
(Instructions on Reverse Side) WESTERN RESOURCES, INC. SOLICITED BY THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS FOR USE AT THE ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS OF WESTERN RESOURCES, INC.--MAY 7, 1996, AT 11:00 A.M., IN THE MANER CONFERENCE CENTRE (KANSAS EXPOCENTRE) LOCATED AT THE SOUTHEAST CORNER OF SEVENTEENTH AND WESTERN, TOPEKA, KANSAS. The undersigned hereby appoints John E. Hayes, Jr., John K. Rosenberg, and Richard D. Terrill and any one or more of them, attorneys and proxies, with full power of substitution and revocation in each, for and on behalf of the undersigned, and with all the powers the undersigned would possess if personally present, including discretionary power upon other matters properly coming before the meeting, to vote at the above Annual Meeting and any adjournment(s) thereof all shares of Preferred Stock of Western Resources, Inc. that the undersigned would be entitled to vote at such meeting. The undersigned acknowledges receipt of the Notice and Proxy Statement dated March 27, 1996. The shares represented by this proxy will be voted as directed by the shareholder. If no direction is given when the duly executed proxy is returned, such shares will be voted FOR all proposals. THIS PROXY IS CONTINUED ON THE REVERSE SIDE PLEASE SIGN ON THE REVERSE SIDE AND RETURN PROMPTLY PROXY AND VOTING INSTRUCTION CARD PREFERRED WESTERN RESOURCES, INC. The Board of Directors recommends a vote FOR all Nominees and proposals ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS 2 & 3. MAY 7, 1996 Please mark your choice like this / / in blue or black ink.
1. Election of the following nominees as Directors: FRANK J. BECKER GENE A. BUDIG C. Q. CHANDLER THOMAS R. CLEVENGER DAVID C. WITTIG
/ / FOR all Nominees / / WITHHELD for all WITHHELD for the following nominee(s) only: Nominees Write name(s):
2. Adoption of 1996 Long Term Incentive and Share Award Plan. / / FOR / / AGAINST / / ABSTAIN 3. Amend the Articles of Incorporation relating to unsecured indebtedness. / / FOR / / AGAINST / / ABSTAIN Signature Date Signature Date Please mark, date and sign as your name appears hereon and return in the enclosed envelope.
(Instructions on Reverse Side) Common PROXY AND VOTING INSTRUCTION CARD will attend / / The Board of Directors recommends a vote FORall nominees listed below and FOR proposals 2 & 3 Please mark your votes as in this example. /X/
1.Election of Directors: FRANK J. BECKER GENE A. BUDIG C.Q. CHANDLER THOMAS R. CLEVENGER DAVID C. WITTIG / / FOR all Nominees / / WITHHOLD for all Nominees WITHHELD for the following nominee(s) only: write name(s): ---------------------------------------------- 2.Adoption of 1996 Long-Term Incentive and Share Award Plan. / / FOR / / AGAINST / / ABSTAIN 3.Amend the Articles of Incorporation relating to unsecured indebtedness. / / FOR / / AGAINST / / ABSTAIN ----------------------- ----------- Signaure Date ----------------------- ----------- Signature Date Please mark, date and sign as your name appears hereon and return in the enclosed (Instructions on Reverse Side) envelope. - --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- * FOLD AND TEAR ALONG PERFORATION *
[WESTERN RESOURCES LOGO] Dear Shareholder: The Western Resources, Inc. Annual Meeting of Shareholders will be held in the Maner Conference Center (Kansas Expocentre) located at the southeast corner of Seventeenth and Western, Topeka, Kansas, at 11:00 a.m., on May 7, 1996. Shareholders of record on March 19, 1996, are entitled to vote, in person or by proxy, at the meeting. The proxy card attached to the top of this page is for your use in designating proxies and providing voting instructions. The attached card serves both as a proxy designation for Shareholders of record, including those holding shares through the Dividend Reinvestment and Stock Purchase Plan and as voting instructions for the participants in the Western Resources, Inc. 401(k) Employees' Savings Plan. Participants in the employee savings plan are entitled to direct the Trustee how to vote their shares. The Board of Directors recommend a vote FOR all nominees and proposals. Please indicate your voting preferences on the card, sign and date the card, and return it in the enclosed envelope. WESTERN RESOURCES, INC. SOLICITED BY THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS FOR USE AT THE ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS OF WESTERN RESOURCES, INC. -- MAY 7, 1996, AT 11:00 A.M., IN THE MANER CONFERENCE CENTER (KANSAS EXPOCENTRE) LOCATED AT THE SOUTHEAST CORNER OF SEVENTEENTH AND WESTERN, TOPEKA, KANSAS. The undersigned hereby appoints John E. Hayes, Jr., John K. Rosenberg and Richard D. Terrill and any one or more of them, attorneys and proxies, with full power of substitution and revocation in each, for and on behalf of the undersigned, and with all the powers the undersigned would possess if personally present, including discretionary power upon other matters properly coming before the meeting, to vote at the above Annual Meeting and any adjournment(s) thereof all shares of Common Stock of Western Resources, Inc. that the undersigned would be entitled to vote at such meeting. This proxy also provides voting instructions for Shares held by the undersigned in the employee savings plan. The undersigned acknowledges receipt of the Notice and Proxy Statement dated March 25, 1996. The shares represented by this proxy will be voted as directed by the shareholder. If no direction is given when the duly executed proxy is returned, such shares will be voted FOR all proposals. THIS PROXY IS CONTINUED ON THE REVERSE SIDE. PLEASE SIGN ON THE REVERSE SIDE AND RETURN PROMPTLY. Forward this card to Corporate Election Services: P.O. Box 1150, Pittsburgh, PA 15230-9954 - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ * FOLD AND TEAR ALONG PERFORATION * Preferred PROXY AND VOTING INSTRUCTION CARD will attend / / The Board of Directors recommends a vote FORall nominees listed below and FOR proposals 2 & 3 Please mark your votes as in this example. /X/
1.Election of Directors: FRANK J. BECKER GENE A. BUDIG C.Q. CHANDLER THOMAS R. CLEVENGER DAVID C. WITTIG / / FOR all Nominees / / WITHHOLD for all Nominees WITHHELD for the following nominee(s) only: write name(s): -------------------------------------------------------- 2.Adoption of 1996 Long-Term Incentive and Share Award Plan. / / FOR / / AGAINST / / ABSTAIN 3.Amend the Articles of Incorporation relating to unsecured indebtedness. / / FOR / / AGAINST / / ABSTAIN ------------------------------- ----------------- Signature Date ------------------------------- ----------------- Signature Date Please mark, date and sign as your name appears hereon and return in the enclosed envelope. (Instructions on Reverse Side) - - ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- * FOLD AND TEAR ALONG PERFORATION *
[WESTERN RESOURCES LOGO] Dear Shareholder: The Western Resources, Inc. Annual Meeting of Shareholders will be held in the Maner Conference Center (Kansas Expocentre) located at the southeast corner of Seventeenth and Western, Topeka, Kansas, at 11:00 a.m., on May 7, 1996. Shareholders of record on March 19, 1996, are entitled to vote, in person or by proxy, at the meeting. The proxy card attached to the top of this page is for your use in designating proxies and providing voting instructions. The Board of Directors recommend a vote for FOR all nominees and proposals. Please indicate your voting preferences on the card, sign and date the card, and return it in the enclosed envelope. WESTERN RESOURCES, INC. SOLICITED BY THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS FOR USE AT THE ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS OF WESTERN RESOURCES, INC. -- MAY 7, 1996, AT 11:00 A.M., IN THE MANER CONFERENCE CENTER (KANSAS EXPOCENTRE) LOCATED AT THE SOUTHEAST CORNER OF SEVENTEENTH AND WESTERN, TOPEKA, KANSAS. The undersigned hereby appoints John E. Hayes, Jr., John K. Rosenberg and Richard D. Terrill and any one or more of them, attorneys and proxies, with full power of substitution and revocation in each, for and on behalf of the undersigned, and with all the powers the undersigned would possess if personally present, including discretionary power upon other matters properly coming before the meeting, to vote at the above Annual Meeting and any adjournment(s) thereof all shares of Preferred Stock of Western Resources, Inc. that the undersigned would be entitled to vote at such meeting. The undersigned acknowledges receipt of the Notice and Proxy Statement dated March 25, 1996. The shares represented by this proxy will be voted as directed by the shareholder. If no direction is given when the duly executed proxy is returned, such shares will be voted FOR all proposals. THIS PROXY IS CONTINUED ON THE REVERSE SIDE. PLEASE SIGN ON THE REVERSE SIDE AND RETURN PROMPTLY. Forward this card to Corporate Election Services: P.O. Box 1150, Pittsburgh, PA 15230-9954 - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ * FOLD AND TEAR ALONG PERFORATION *