NextEra Energy Inc. Ratings Affirmed Following Acquisition Agreement; Outlook Remains Stable

NextEra Energy Inc. (NEE) announced an agreement to acquire the regulated utility assets of Gulf Power Co. (Gulf Power) and Florida City Gas (FCG), subsidiaries of The Southern Co., and ownership interest in contracted natural gas generation assets for about $6.5 billion, including the assumption of debt from Gulf Power and FCG. NEE's acquisition agreement is consistent with the company's long-term strategy to decrease business risk through growth of its low-risk regulated utility operations and contracted assets. We are affirming our ratings on NEE, including the 'A-' issuer rating. The outlook is stable. The stable rating outlook incorporates our view of the company's gradually improving business risk profile. Despite the fully debt financing of this transaction, the company continues to

...+ NextEra Energy Inc. (NEE) announced an agreement to acquire the regulated utility assets of Gulf Power Co. (Gulf Power) and Florida City Gas (FCG), subsidiaries of The Southern Co., and ownership interest in contracted natural gas generation assets for about $6.5 billion, including the assumption of debt from Gulf Power and FCG. + NEE's acquisition agreement is consistent with the company's long-term strategy to decrease business risk through growth of its low-risk regulated utility operations and contracted assets. + We are affirming our ratings on NEE, including the 'A-' issuer rating. The outlook is stable. + The stable rating outlook incorporates our view of the company's gradually improving business risk profile. Despite the fully debt financing of this transaction, the company continues to maintain adequate cushion at the current rating and we expect that the consolidated financial measures will remain in the lower end of the range for its financial risk profile category. NEW YORK...

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