Economic Performance
Electricity contributes to a better quality of life in our homes, schools, institutions and businesses. In generating this product, TransAlta fuels economic growth, creates jobs and supports communities and governments through taxes, investments and donations. Many aspects of our modern society, like lighting, heating, air conditioning, water treatment and the use of computers, depend on electricity for their existence.
This section gives key figures and examples from 2004 of the economic impact TransAlta’s business has on our stakeholders and surrounding society. Full details on our financial information are found in TransAlta’s Annual Report and at www.transalta.com.
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS |
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($Cdn millions except common share data) |
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| 2004 | 2003 | 2002 | |
| Revenues | 2,838.3 | 2,520.9 | 1,814.9 |
| Earnings from continuing operations1 | 160.6 | 234.2 | 66.8 |
| Net earnings1 | 170.2 | 234.2 | 199.6 |
| Cash flow from operating activities | 613.4 | 526.9 | 398.6 |
| Ratios | |||
| – Return on common shareholders’ equity (%) | 6.5 | 10.3 | 3.9 |
| – Debt to invested capital (%) | 47.4 | 47.7 | 50.4 |
| – Cash flow to interest coverage | 4.1 | 3.3 | 3.8 |
| Per common share data | |||
| – Earnings from continuing operations ($) | 0.83 | 1.26 | 0.39 |
| – Net earnings ($) | 0.88 | 1.26 | 1.17 |
| – Dividends ($) | 1.00 | 1.00 | 1.00 |
1 Applicable to common shareholders