Filed by: NiSource Inc.
Pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act of 1933
Subject Company: Columbia Energy Group
Registration Statement File No: 333-33896
On April 14, 2000, NiSource distributed the following news item to its
employees. The news item was included in NiSource's daily newsletter,
"The FLASH."
TEXT OF NEWS ITEM
APRIL 14, 2000
"COLUMBIA ENERGY GROUP REPORTS FIRST QUARTER 2000 RESULTS. . .
Columbia Energy Group yesterday reported income from continuing
operations for the first quarter 2000 of $149.7 million, or $1.83 per
share, compared to $160.4 million, or $1.92 per share in the 1999
period.
Excluding the one-time $20.6 million after-tax gain recorded in 1999,
related to the producer settlement, income from continuing operations
was up $9.9 million, or 16 cents over the same period last year
despite eight percent warmer weather. All per share amounts are on a
diluted basis.
"I am pleased to report another quarter of solid performance from our
operating segments," said Oliver G. Richard III, chairman, president
and chief executive officer of Columbia Energy Group. "While results
for the 2000 first quarter were dampened by significantly warmer than
normal weather, 14 percent this year compared to six percent warmer
than normal in the 1999 period, we maintain our commitment to enhance
future results of core businesses through initiatives to expand
services and promote cost efficiencies."
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This news item contains forward-looking statements within
the meaning of the federal securities laws. These forward-
looking statements are subject to various risks and
uncertainties. The factors that could cause actual results
to differ materially from the projections, forecasts,
estimates and expectations discussed herein may include
factors that are beyond the companies' ability to control or
estimate precisely, such as estimates of future market
conditions, the behavior of other market participants, and
the actions of the federal and state regulators.
Other factors include, but are not limited to, actions in
the financial markets, weather conditions, economic
conditions in the two companies' service territories,
fluctuations in energy-related commodity prices, conversion
activity, other marketing efforts and other uncertainties.
Other risk factors are detailed from time to time in the two
companies' SEC reports. Readers are cautioned not to place
undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which
speak only as of the date of this document. The companies
do not undertake any obligation to publicly release any
revisions to these forward-looking statements to reflect
events or circumstances after the date of the document.
NiSource and the new holding company have filed a
registration statement, which contains a joint proxy
statement/prospectus of NiSource and Columbia, and other
documents with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
Investors and security holders are urged to read the joint
proxy statement/prospectus and any other relevant documents
filed with the SEC because they contain important
information. Investors and security holders are able to
receive the final joint proxy statement/prospectus and other
documents free of charge at the SEC's web site,
http://www.sec.gov, from NiSource at its web site,
http://www.nisource.com, or from Columbia at its web site,
http://www.columbiaenergygroup.com. Information concerning
the identity of the participants in the solicitation of
proxies by the NiSource Inc. and Columbia Energy Group
boards of directors and their direct or indirect interest,
by security holdings or otherwise, may be obtained from the
Secretary of NiSource Inc. or the Secretary of Columbia
Energy Group at the respective addresses listed above.
