FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS
Fair value is defined as the price that would be received for an asset or paid to transfer a liability (an exit price) in the principal or most advantageous market for the asset or liability in an orderly transaction between market participants on the measurement date. We use various methods to determine fair value, including market, income, and cost approaches. With these approaches, we adopt certain assumptions that market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability, including assumptions about market risk or the risks inherent in the inputs to the valuation. Inputs to valuation can be readily observable, market-corroborated, or unobservable. We use valuation techniques that maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs. Authoritative accounting guidance established a fair value hierarchy that prioritizes the inputs used to measure fair value. All financial assets and liabilities carried at fair value are classified and disclosed in one of the following three hierarchy levels:
Level 1 (quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities): Inputs based on quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities. Level 1 assets and liabilities are primarily exchange-traded derivatives, cash and cash equivalents, and listed equity securities.
The market approach is used to measure the fair value of equity securities held in Ameren Missouri’s nuclear decommissioning trust fund. Equity securities in this fund are representative of the S&P 500 index, excluding securities of Ameren Corporation, owners and/or operators of nuclear power plants, and the trustee and investment managers. The S&P 500 index comprises stocks of large-capitalization companies.
Level 2 (significant other observable inputs): Market-based inputs corroborated by third-party brokers or exchanges based on transacted market data. Level 2 assets and liabilities include certain assets held in Ameren Missouri’s nuclear decommissioning trust fund, including United States Treasury and agency securities, corporate bonds and other fixed-income securities, and certain over-the-counter derivative instruments, including natural gas and financial power transactions.
Fixed income securities are valued by using prices from independent industry-recognized data vendors who provide values that are either exchange-based or matrix-based. The fair value measurements of fixed-income securities classified as Level 2 are based on inputs other than quoted prices that are observable for the asset or liability. Examples are matrix pricing, market corroborated pricing, and inputs such as yield curves and indices.
Derivative instruments classified as Level 2 are valued by corroborated observable inputs, such as pricing services or prices from similar instruments that trade in liquid markets. Our development and corroboration process entails obtaining multiple quotes or prices from outside sources. To derive our forward view to price our derivative instruments at fair value, we average the bid/ask spreads to the midpoints. Additionally, a review of all sources is performed to identify any anomalies or potential errors. Further, we consider the volume of transactions on certain trading platforms in our reasonableness assessment of the averaged midpoints. The value of natural gas derivative contracts is based upon exchange closing prices without significant unobservable adjustments. The value of power derivative contracts is based upon exchange closing prices or the use of multiple forward prices provided by third parties.
Level 3 (significant other unobservable inputs): Unobservable inputs that are not corroborated by market data. Level 3 assets and liabilities are valued by internally developed models and assumptions or methodologies that use significant unobservable inputs. Level 3 assets and liabilities include derivative instruments that trade in less liquid markets, where pricing is largely unobservable. We value Level 3 instruments by using pricing models with inputs that are often unobservable in the market, such as certain internal assumptions, quotes or prices from outside sources not supported by a liquid market, or trend rates.
We perform an analysis each quarter to determine the appropriate hierarchy level of the assets and liabilities subject to fair value measurements. Financial assets and liabilities are classified in their entirety according to the lowest level of input that is significant to the fair value measurement. All assets and liabilities whose fair value measurement is based on significant unobservable inputs are classified as Level 3.
We consider nonperformance risk in our valuation of derivative instruments by analyzing our own credit standing and the credit standing of our counterparties, and by considering any credit enhancements (e.g., collateral). Included in our valuation, and based on current market conditions, is a valuation adjustment for counterparty default derived from market data such as the price of credit default swaps, bond yields, and credit ratings. No material gains or losses related to valuation adjustments for counterparty default risk were recorded at Ameren, Ameren Missouri, or Ameren Illinois in 2025, 2024, or 2023. At December 31, 2025 and 2024, the counterparty default risk valuation adjustment related to derivative contracts was immaterial for Ameren, Ameren Missouri, and Ameren Illinois.
The following table sets forth, by level within the fair value hierarchy, our assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis as of December 31, 2025 and 2024:
December 31, 2025December 31, 2024
Level 1Level 2Level 3TotalLevel 1Level 2Level 3Total
Assets:
Ameren Missouri
Derivative assets – commodity contracts:
Natural gas 1  1 — — 
Power  11 11 — — 
Total derivative assets – commodity contracts$ $1 $11 $12 $— $$$10 
Nuclear decommissioning trust fund:
Equity securities:
U.S. large capitalization$1,028 $ $ $1,028 $911 $— $— $911 
Debt securities:
U.S. Treasury and agency securities 225  225 — 191 — 191 
Corporate bonds 177  177 — 145 — 145 
Other 84  84 — 86 — 86 
Total nuclear decommissioning trust fund$1,028 $486 $ $1,514 
(a)
$911 $422 $— $1,333 
(a)
Total Ameren Missouri$1,028 $487 $11 $1,526 $911 $426 $$1,343 
Ameren Illinois
Derivative assets – commodity contracts:
Natural gas$ $2 $2 $4 $— $$$
Total Ameren Illinois$ $2 $2 $4 $— $$$
Ameren
Derivative assets – commodity contracts(b)
$ $3 $13 $16 $— $$$16 
Nuclear decommissioning trust fund(c)
1,028 486  1,514 
(a)
911 422 — 1,333 
(a)
Total Ameren$1,028 $489 $13 $1,530 $911 $429 $$1,349 
Liabilities:
Ameren Missouri
Derivative liabilities – commodity contracts:
Fuel oils$5 $ $ $5 $$— $— $
Natural gas 10  10 — 11 — 11 
Total Ameren Missouri$5 $10 $ $15 $$11 $— $15 
Ameren Illinois
Derivative liabilities – commodity contracts:
Natural gas$1 $28 $3 $32 $$28 $$35 
Power 13 66 79 — — 53 53 
Total Ameren Illinois$1 $41 $69 $111 $$28 $59 $88 
Ameren
Derivative liabilities – commodity contracts(b)
$6 $51 $69 $126 $$39 $59 $103 
(a)Balance excludes $12 million and $9 million of cash and cash equivalents, receivables, payables, and accrued income, net for December 31, 2025 and 2024, respectively.
(b)See the Ameren Missouri and Ameren Illinois sections of the table for the fair value of Ameren’s derivative assets and liabilities by type of commodity.
(c)See the Ameren Missouri section of the table for Ameren’s nuclear decommissioning trust fund by investment type.
See Note 10 – Retirement Benefits for tables that set forth, by level within the fair value hierarchy, Ameren’s pension and postretirement plan assets as of December 31, 2025 and 2024.
Level 3 natural gas derivative contract assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis were immaterial for all periods presented. The following table presents the fair value reconciliation of Level 3 power derivative contract assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis for the years ended December 31, 2025 and 2024:
20252024
Ameren
Missouri
Ameren
Illinois
AmerenAmeren
Missouri
Ameren
Illinois
Ameren
Beginning balance at January 1$6 $(53)$(47)$$(68)$(64)
Realized and unrealized gains (losses) included in regulatory assets/liabilities29 (24)5 12 (1)11 
Settlements(24)11 (13)(10)16 
Ending balance at December 31$11 $(66)$(55)$$(53)$(47)
Change in unrealized gains (losses) related to assets/liabilities held at December 3111 (23)(12)
All gains or losses related to our Level 3 derivative commodity contracts are expected to be recovered or returned through customer rates; therefore, there is no impact to either net income or OCI resulting from changes in the fair value of these instruments.
The following table describes the valuation techniques and significant unobservable inputs utilized for the fair value of our Level 3 power derivative contract assets and liabilities as of December 31, 2025 and 2024:
Fair Value
Weighted Average(b)
CommodityAssetsLiabilitiesValuation Technique(s)
Unobservable Input(a)
Range
2025
Power(c)
$11 $(66)Discounted cash flowAverage forward peak and off-peak pricing – forwards/swaps ($/MWh)
33 – 72
43
Nodal basis ($/MWh)
(9) (2)
(5)
2024
Power(c)
$$(53)Discounted cash flowAverage forward peak and off-peak pricing – forwards/swaps ($/MWh)
32 – 69
45
Nodal basis ($/MWh)
(8) – (2)
(5)
(a)Generally, significant increases (decreases) in these inputs in isolation would result in a significantly higher (lower) fair value measurement.
(b)Unobservable inputs were weighted by relative fair value.
(c)Valuations use visible forward prices adjusted for nodal-to-hub basis differentials.
The following table sets forth the carrying amount and, by level within the fair value hierarchy, the fair value of long-term debt (including current portion), disclosed, but not recorded, at fair value as of December 31, 2025 and 2024:
Carrying
Amount(a)
Fair Value
Long-Term Debt (Including Current Portion):Level 2Level 3Total
December 31, 2025
Ameren(b)
$19,187 $17,433 $559 
(c)
$17,992 
Ameren Missouri(d)
8,230 7,608  7,608 
Ameren Illinois(d)
6,259 5,753  5,753 
December 31, 2024
Ameren(b)
$17,579 $15,395 $538 
(c)
$15,933 
Ameren Missouri(d)
7,745 6,926 — 6,926 
Ameren Illinois(d)
5,852 5,243 — 5,243 
(a)Included unamortized debt issuance costs, which were excluded from the fair value measurement, of $136 million, $62 million, and $56 million for Ameren, Ameren Missouri, and Ameren Illinois, respectively, as of December 31, 2025. Included unamortized debt issuance costs, which were excluded from the fair value measurement, of $129 million, $62 million, and $51 million for Ameren, Ameren Missouri, and Ameren Illinois, respectively, as of December 31, 2024.
(b)Amount excludes Ameren (parent)’s repurchase of Ameren Missouri’s senior secured notes and first mortgage bonds and Ameren Illinois’ first mortgage bonds that were accounted for as a debt extinguishment. See Note 5 – Long-term Debt and Equity Financings for additional information.
(c)The Level 3 fair value amount consists of ATXI’s senior unsecured notes.
(d)Amount includes Ameren Missouri’s senior secured notes and first mortgage bonds and Ameren Illinois’ first mortgage bonds that were repurchased by Ameren (parent) in 2025 and 2024.
The Ameren Companies’ carrying amounts of cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash approximate fair value and are considered Level 1 in the fair value hierarchy. The Ameren Companies’ short-term borrowings approximate fair value because of the short-term nature of these instruments and are considered Level 2 in the fair value hierarchy.

Historical Timeline

Fiscal YearFiled
2025Feb 18, 2026Showing above
2024Feb 18, 2025
2023Feb 29, 2024
2022Feb 22, 2023
2021Feb 23, 2022
2020Feb 22, 2021
2019Feb 28, 2020
2018Feb 26, 2019
2017Feb 28, 2018

About Fair Value Disclosures

Fair value disclosures classify all assets and liabilities measured at fair value into a three-level hierarchy: Level 1 (quoted market prices), Level 2 (observable inputs like yield curves), and Level 3 (unobservable inputs requiring management estimates). The proportion of Level 3 assets directly reflects how much of the balance sheet depends on internal models rather than market evidence.

Key signals: a growing Level 3 balance relative to total fair-value assets increases valuation uncertainty and earnings volatility risk. Watch for transfers between levels — assets moving from Level 2 to Level 3 often signal deteriorating market liquidity. Unrealized gains and losses on Level 3 positions flow through earnings or other comprehensive income, so large swings deserve scrutiny. For financial institutions, examine the sensitivity disclosures that show how Level 3 valuations change under alternative assumptions. Compare the fair value of debt against its carrying amount to gauge hidden leverage.