Form: 8-K

Current report filing

October 31, 2007

 

Exhibit 99.1
(California Water Service Group Letterhead)


         
 
  1720 North First Street   October 31, 2007
 
  San Jose, CA 95112-4598   For Immediate Release
 
       
Contact:
  Marty Kropelnicki (408) 367-8200 (analysts)    
 
  Shannon Dean (310) 257-1435 (media)    
CAL WATER REPORTS THIRD QUARTER 2007 RESULTS AND
ANNOUNCES 252
ND CONSECUTIVE QUARTERLY DIVIDEND
 
     SAN JOSE, CA — California Water Service Group (NYSE : CWT) today announced net income of $13.8 million and earnings per common share of $0.67 for the third quarter of 2007, compared to net income of $12.6 million and earnings of $0.68 per common share in the third quarter of 2006. Earnings per share decreased in the third quarter of 2007 by approximately $0.08 per common share on a diluted basis as a result of the equity offering completed in October 2006.
     Revenues increased by $6.1 million, or 6%, to $113.9 million, compared to the same quarter of 2006, benefiting from a $5.1 million increase in rates, a $0.8 million increase in sales to new customers, and a $0.2 million increase in water sales to existing customers.
     Total operating expenses for the third quarter of 2007 increased by $4.6 million, or 5%, to $96.3 million compared to the same quarter of 2006. Other operations expenses increased $2.7 million, or 12%, to $26.5 million compared to the same period last year. Contributing to this amount were increases in outside services, such as legal and consulting fees and employee benefit programs (medical and pension benefit costs).
     Maintenance expenses were $4.2 million, unchanged from the same period last year. Depreciation expense increased $0.7 million, or 9%, to $8.4 million due to 2006 capital expenditures, compared to the third quarter of 2006. Taxes other than income

 


 

taxes increased $0.2 million, or 7%, to $3.7 million. Total income taxes remained the same as last year and net other income increased approximately $0.3 million.
     “Typically, our third quarter financial performance benefits from higher water sales due to the warmer weather, but this year we experienced milder summer weather throughout much of California. Customers also have heeded public calls for water conservation within the state and, as a result, we noticed very minor increases in demand by existing customers,” said President and Chief Executive Officer Peter C. Nelson.
     “Additionally, although we are currently collecting interim rates associated with our 2006 General Rate Case, they are below what we requested in the rate case proceeding before the Commission. The results of our 2006 GRC are pending final approval from the California Public Utilities Commission and, once approved, we will be able to collect the difference between the interim rates and the final rates approved,” Nelson said.
Year-to-Date Results
     For the nine months ended September 30, 2007, net income increased $4.0 million, or 21%, to $23.1 million, compared to $19.2 million for the same period in the previous year. Earnings per share increased $0.08, or 8%, to $1.11, compared to $1.03 for the same period in 2006. Revenues for the nine months increased $27.1 million, or 11%, to $281.2 million, compared to $254.1 million for the same period in the previous year. The equity offering completed in October 2006 decreased earnings per share by approximately $0.14 per common share on a diluted basis for the nine months ended September 30, 2007.
     Nelson said that in the fourth quarter, the Company intends to remain focused on working with the Commission to implement the Water Action Plan and finalizing the 2006 General Rate Case.

 


 

     “Going forward, we will continue to manage expenses, pursue strategic growth opportunities, and work on innovative regulatory solutions that benefit our stockholders, customers, and employees,” he said.
Dividend Declaration
     At their meeting on October 24, 2007, the Directors of California Water Service Group declared the 252nd consecutive quarterly dividend on common stock. The quarterly dividend of $0.29 per share will be payable on November 16, 2007, to stockholders of record on November 5, 2007. The Board also declared a regular dividend on Series C preferred stock.
Quarterly Earnings Call Information
      All stockholders and interested investors are invited to listen to the 2007 third quarter conference call on November 1, 2007, at 11:00 a.m. (EDT), by dialing 1-866-225-2976 and keying in ID# 1143157. A replay of the call will be available from 2:00 p.m. (EDT) on November 1, 2007, through December 31, 2007, at 888-266-2081, ID# 1143157. The call, which will be hosted by President and Chief Executive Officer Peter C. Nelson and Vice President and Chief Financial Officer Martin A. Kropelnicki, will also be webcast under the investor relations tab at www.calwatergroup.com.
     California Water Service Group is the parent company of California Water Service Company, Washington Water Service Company, New Mexico Water Service Company, Hawaii Water Service Company, Inc., and CWS Utility Services. Together these companies provide regulated and non-regulated water service to nearly 2 million people in 100 California, Washington, New Mexico, and Hawaii communities. The Group’s common stock trades on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol “CWT”.
     This news release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning established by the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 (“Act”). The forward-looking statements are intended to qualify under provisions of the federal securities laws for “safe harbor” treatment established by the Act. Forward-looking statements are based on currently available information, expectations, estimates, assumptions and projections, and management’s judgment

 


 

about the Company, the water utility industry and general economic conditions. Such words as expects, intends, plans, believes, estimates, assumes, anticipates, projects, predicts, forecasts or variations of such words or similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. The forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance. They are subject to uncertainty and changes in circumstances. Actual results may vary materially from what is contained in a forward-looking statement. Factors that may cause a result different than expected or anticipated include, but are not limited to: governmental and regulatory commissions’ decisions; changes in regulatory commissions’ policies and procedures; the timeliness of regulatory commissions’ actions concerning rate relief; new legislation; electric power interruptions; increases in suppliers’ prices and the availability of supplies including water and power; fluctuations in interest rates; changes in environmental compliance and water quality requirements; acquisitions and our ability to successfully integrate acquired companies; the ability to successfully implement business plans; changes in customer water use patterns; the impact of weather on water sales and operating results; access to sufficient capital on satisfactory terms; civil disturbances or terrorist threats or acts, or apprehension about the possible future occurrences of acts of this type; the involvement of the United States in war or other hostilities; restrictive covenants in or changes to the credit ratings on our current or future debt that could increase our financing costs or affect our ability to borrow, make payments on debt or pay dividends; and, other risks and unforeseen events. When considering forward-looking statements, you should keep in mind the cautionary statements included in this paragraph, as well as the annual 10-K, Quarterly 10-Q, and other reports filed from time-to-time with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The Company assumes no obligation to provide public updates of forward-looking statements.
     Additional information is available at our Web site at www.calwatergroup.com.
###

 


 

CALIFORNIA WATER SERVICE GROUP
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

Unaudited
(In thousands, except per share data)
                 
    September 30     December 31  
    2007     2006  
ASSETS
               
Utility plant:
               
Utility plant
  $ 1,420,585     $ 1,344,415  
Less accumulated depreciation and amortization
    (429,319 )     (402,940 )
 
           
Net utility plant
    991,266       941,475  
 
           
 
               
Current assets:
               
Cash and cash equivalents
    26,491       60,312  
Receivables
               
Customers
    29,514       19,526  
Other
    7,549       6,700  
Unbilled revenue
    14,711       11,341  
Materials and supplies at average cost
    4,789       4,515  
Prepaid pension expense
    —       1,696  
Taxes and other prepaid expenses
    5,300       5,534  
 
           
Total current assets
    88,354       109,624  
 
           
 
               
Other assets:
               
Regulatory assets
    93,907       93,785  
Other assets
    22,377       20,135  
 
           
Total other assets
    116,284       113,920  
 
           
 
  $ 1,195,904     $ 1,165,019  
 
           
 
               
CAPITALIZATION AND LIABILITIES
               
Capitalization:
               
Common stock, $.01 par value
  $ 207     $ 207  
Additional paid-in capital
    211,782       211,513  
Retained earnings
    171,607       166,582  
 
           
Total common stockholders’ equity
    383,596       378,302  
Preferred stock
    3,475       3,475  
Long-term debt, less current maturities
    291,051       291,814  
 
           
Total capitalization
    678,122       673,591  
 
           
 
               
Current liabilities:
               
Current maturities of long-term debt
    1,832       1,778  
Accounts payable
    39,086       33,130  
Accrued expenses and other liabilities
    40,747       35,317  
 
           
Total current liabilities
    81,665       70,225  
 
               
Unamortized investment tax credits
    2,541       2,541  
Deferred income taxes, net
    69,517       69,503  
Pension and postretirement benefits other than pensions
    48,584       48,584  
Regulatory and other liabilities
    33,724       33,411  
Advances for construction
    167,719       157,660  
Contributions in aid of construction
    114,032       109,504  
Commitments and contingencies
               
 
           
 
  $ 1,195,904     $ 1,165,019  
 
           

 


 

CALIFORNIA WATER SERVICE GROUP
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME

Unaudited
(In thousands, except per share data)
                 
    For the three months ended:  
    September 30, 2007  
    2007     2006  
Operating revenue
  $ 113,851     $ 107,755  
 
           
Operating expenses:
               
Water production costs
    45,063       43,998  
Other operations
    26,495       23,756  
Maintenance
    4,233       4,173  
Depreciation and amortization
    8,392       7,717  
Income taxes
    8,426       8,552  
Property and other taxes
    3,707       3,477  
 
           
Total operating expenses
    96,316       91,673  
 
           
 
               
Net operating income
    17,535       16,082  
 
           
 
               
Other income and expenses:
               
Non-regulated revenue
    3,418       2,358  
Non-regulated expenses
    (2,136 )     (1,610 )
Gain on sale of non-utility property
    —       —  
Less: income taxes on other income and expenses
    (522 )     (305 )
 
           
 
    760       443  
 
           
 
               
Interest expense:
               
Interest Expense
    4,936       5,031  
Less: capitalized interest
    (450 )     (1,125 )
 
           
Net interest expense
    4,486       3,906  
 
           
 
               
Net income
  $ 13,809     $ 12,619  
 
           
 
               
Earnings per share
               
Basic
  $ 0.67     $ 0.68  
 
           
Diluted
  $ 0.67     $ 0.68  
 
           
Weighted average shares outstanding
               
Basic
    20,667       18,407  
 
           
Diluted
    20,691       18,424  
 
           
Dividends per share of common stock
  $ 0.2900     $ 0.2875  
 
           

 


 

CALIFORNIA WATER SERVICE GROUP
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME

Unaudited
(In thousands, except per share data)
                 
    For the nine months ended:  
    September 30, 2007  
    2007     2006  
Operating revenue
  $ 281,203     $ 254,072  
 
           
Operating expenses:
               
Water production costs
    108,147       95,637  
Other operations
    75,425       70,943  
Maintenance
    13,983       11,503  
Depreciation and amortization
    25,173       23,066  
Income taxes
    13,761       12,593  
Property and other taxes
    10,548       9,698  
 
           
Total operating expenses
    247,037       223,440  
 
           
 
               
Net operating income
    34,166       30,632  
 
           
 
               
Other income and expenses:
               
Non-regulated revenue
    9,883       6,713  
Non-regulated expenses
    (5,853 )     (4,948 )
Gain on sale of non-utility property
    (83 )     348  
Less: income taxes on other income and expenses
    (1,608 )     (861 )
 
           
 
    2,339       1,252  
 
           
 
               
Interest expense:
               
Interest Expense
    14,788       14,698  
Less: capitalized interest
    (1,400 )     (1,975 )
 
           
Net interest expense
    13,388       12,723  
 
           
 
               
Net income
  $ 23,117     $ 19,161  
 
           
 
               
Earnings per share
               
Basic
  $ 1.11     $ 1.03  
 
           
Diluted
  $ 1.11     $ 1.03  
 
           
Weighted average shares outstanding
               
Basic
    20,664       18,405  
 
           
Diluted
    20,688       18,426  
 
           
Dividends per share of common stock
  $ 0.8700     $ 0.8625