EX-99.1
Published on October 28, 2010
Exhibit 99.1
NEWS RELEASE CALIFORNIA WATER SERVICE GROUP |
1720 North First Street | ||||
San Jose, CA 95112-4598 | October 27, 2010 | |||
For Immediate Release | ||||
Contact:
|
Marty Kropelnicki (408) 367-8200 (analysts) | |||
Shannon Dean (310) 257-1435 (media) |
CALIFORNIA WATER SERVICE GROUP ANNOUNCES RESULTS FOR
3RD QUARTER 2010
SAN JOSE, CA California Water Service Group (NYSE : CWT) today announced net income of
$20.4 million and earnings per share of $0.98 for the third quarter of 2010, compared to net income
of $19.6 million and earnings per share of $0.94 in the third quarter of 2009.
For the quarter, total revenue increased $7.2 million, or 5.1%, to $146.3 million. The net
effect of the water revenue adjustment mechanism (WRAM) and the modified cost balancing account
(MCBA) for the third quarter 2010, was to add $2.4 million to revenue. Included in this number was an
$8.6 million decrease resulting from lower-than-adopted production costs driven by a reduction in
customer usage. The WRAM is a ratemaking mechanism that decouples water sales from revenues and
the MCBA is an account that allows California Water Service Company (Cal Water) to track and
recover or refund changes in water production costs.
Total operating expenses for the third quarter of 2010 increased by $5.4 million, or 4.7%, to
$120.5 million. Water production costs increased by $5.7 million, or 11.7%, due to wholesale water
rates and higher power costs, which were partially offset by
reduced sales to existing customers. Administrative costs decreased $1.3 million, or 6.8%,
due primarily to lower outside services and legal costs. Other operations expenses increased by
1.7%, or $0.3 million, to $14.9 million, as a result of an increase in transmission and
distribution expense that was partially offset by a decrease in uncollectible expense.
Maintenance expense increased by 10.0% to $4.9 million, due to additional expenditures for
water main repairs. Depreciation expense increased by 6.6% to $10.9 million as a result of
increases in capital expenditures. Taxes other than income increased $0.2 million to $4.6 million,
primarily due to property tax increases.
Other income, net of income taxes, added $1.0 million in revenues, while interest expense increased by
17.1% to $6.5 million due to higher short-term borrowings in the current year.
For the twelve months ended September 30, 2010, net income was $39.2 million and dilutive
earnings per share were $1.89, compared to net income of $41.4 million and dilutive earnings per
share of $1.99 for the same period last year. Revenues for the trailing twelve months were $461.9
million, compared to $442.6 million for the same period in the prior year.
On
Wednesday, October 27, 2010, the California Public Utilities Commission issued a proposed decision on California Water
Service Companys 2009 General Rate Case. The proposed decision approves the original settlement agreement announced
by the company on June 28, 2010, and the total gross revenue recommended in the settlement. In addition, in the 3rd
quarter, and since the original settlement filing, the company received $9.8 million in offset and other rate increases,
meaning the proposed decision would increase rates on January 1, 2011 by an additional $25.44 million. The proposed
decision also adopts the previously announced ratemaking authorizations which would allow the company to obtain up to
another $7 million in gross revenue after certain capital projects are completed. The proposed decision cannot be
approved by the Commission until completion of a 30-day comment period. The Commission may approve the proposed decision
as written or may modify it based upon comments received. The company cannot predict the timing of final Commission
approval or whether any changes will be made before adoption.
The most important factor
in our financial performance continues to be our ability to recover
prudently incurred costs in rates in a timely manner,
said President and Chief Executive Officer Peter C. Nelson. We are pleased that the proposed decision adopting the
comprehensive settlement was issued in a timely fashion.
Other Information
All stockholders and interested investors are invited to listen to the 2010 third quarter
conference call on October 28, 2010, at 11:00 a.m. (EST), by dialing 1-866-253-6505 and keying in
ID# 1484282. A replay of the call will be available from 2:00 p.m. (EST) October 28, 2010, through
December 27, 2010, at 1-888-266-2081, ID# 1484282. The call, which will be hosted by President and
CEO, Peter 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., CWS Utility Services, and HWS Utility Services. Together these companies provide regulated
and non-regulated water service to nearly 2 million people in California, Washington, New Mexico,
and Hawaii. Groups 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 managements 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.
Attachments (2).
###
CALIFORNIA WATER SERVICE GROUP
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
Unaudited
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
Unaudited
(In thousands, except per share data)
September 30, | December 31, | |||||||
2010 | 2009 | |||||||
ASSETS |
||||||||
Utility plant: |
||||||||
Utility plant |
$ | 1,819,330 | $ | 1,709,062 | ||||
Less accumulated depreciation and amortization |
(538,919 | ) | (510,985 | ) | ||||
Net utility plant |
1,280,411 | 1,198,077 | ||||||
Current assets: |
||||||||
Cash and cash equivalents |
9,738 | 9,866 | ||||||
Receivables |
||||||||
Customers |
33,606 | 25,567 | ||||||
Regulatory balancing accounts |
6,898 | 10,513 | ||||||
Other |
5,699 | 9,043 | ||||||
Unbilled revenue |
21,602 | 13,417 | ||||||
Materials and supplies at average cost |
5,925 | 5,530 | ||||||
Taxes, prepaid expense, and other assets |
8,260 | 18,305 | ||||||
Total current assets |
91,728 | 92,241 | ||||||
Other assets: |
||||||||
Regulatory assets |
223,724 | 204,104 | ||||||
Goodwill |
2,615 | 2,615 | ||||||
Other assets |
33,462 | 28,544 | ||||||
Total other assets |
259,801 | 235,263 | ||||||
$ | 1,631,940 | $ | 1,525,581 | |||||
CAPITALIZATION AND LIABILITIES |
||||||||
Capitalization: |
||||||||
Common stock, $.01 par value |
$ | 208 | $ | 208 | ||||
Additional paid-in capital |
217,147 | 215,528 | ||||||
Retained earnings |
219,127 | 204,898 | ||||||
Total common stockholders equity |
436,482 | 420,634 | ||||||
Long-term debt, less current maturities |
380,285 | 374,269 | ||||||
Total capitalization |
816,767 | 794,903 | ||||||
Current liabilities: |
||||||||
Current maturities of long-term debt |
2,374 | 12,953 | ||||||
Short-term borrowings |
56,250 | 12,000 | ||||||
Accounts payable |
||||||||
Trade and other |
47,827 | 43,689 | ||||||
Regulatory balancing accounts |
586 | 2,430 | ||||||
Accrued interest |
8,991 | 4,258 | ||||||
Accrued expenses and other liabilities |
39,511 | 35,028 | ||||||
Total current liabilities |
155,539 | 110,358 | ||||||
Unamortized investment tax credits |
2,318 | 2,318 | ||||||
Deferred income taxes, net |
103,866 | 91,851 | ||||||
Pension and postretirement benefits other than pensions |
143,619 | 137,127 | ||||||
Regulatory liability and Other |
88,839 | 85,780 | ||||||
Advances for construction |
187,646 | 185,027 | ||||||
Contributions in aid of construction |
133,346 | 118,217 | ||||||
$ | 1,631,940 | $ | 1,525,581 | |||||
CALIFORNIA WATER SERVICE GROUP
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
Unaudited
(In thousands, except per share data)
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
Unaudited
(In thousands, except per share data)
For the Three-Months ended:
September 30 | September 30 | |||||||
2010 | 2009 | |||||||
Operating revenue |
$ | 146,349 | $ | 139,167 | ||||
Operating expenses: |
||||||||
Operations: |
||||||||
Water production costs |
54,634 | 48,898 | ||||||
Admistrative and General |
17,794 | 19,084 | ||||||
Other operations |
14,889 | 14,639 | ||||||
Maintenance |
4,853 | 4,405 | ||||||
Depreciation and amortization |
10,934 | 10,259 | ||||||
Income taxes |
12,825 | 13,417 | ||||||
Property and other taxes |
4,555 | 4,371 | ||||||
Total operating expenses |
120,484 | 115,073 | ||||||
Net operating income |
25,865 | 24,094 | ||||||
Other income and expenses: |
||||||||
Non-regulated revenue |
3,850 | 5,194 | ||||||
Non-regulated expenses |
(2,214 | ) | (3,464 | ) | ||||
Gain on sale of non-utility property |
33 | | ||||||
Income taxes(expense) on other income and expenses |
(674 | ) | (702 | ) | ||||
995 | 1,028 | |||||||
Interest expense: |
||||||||
Interest Expense |
6,958 | 6,480 | ||||||
Less: capitalized interest |
(484 | ) | (950 | ) | ||||
Net interest expense |
6,474 | 5,530 | ||||||
Net income |
$ | 20,386 | $ | 19,592 | ||||
Earnings per share |
||||||||
Basic |
$ | 0.98 | $ | 0.94 | ||||
Diluted |
$ | 0.98 | $ | 0.94 | ||||
Weighted average shares outstanding |
||||||||
Basic |
20,811 | 20,745 | ||||||
Diluted |
20,824 | 20,767 | ||||||
Dividends per share of common stock |
$ | 0.2975 | $ | 0.2950 | ||||
CALIFORNIA WATER SERVICE GROUP
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
Unaudited
(In thousands, except per share data)
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
Unaudited
(In thousands, except per share data)
For the Nine-Months ended:
September 30 | September 30 | |||||||
2010 | 2009 | |||||||
Operating revenue |
$ | 354,942 | $ | 342,447 | ||||
Operating expenses: |
||||||||
Operations: |
||||||||
Water production costs |
126,923 | 119,468 | ||||||
Admistrative and General |
53,718 | 57,331 | ||||||
Other operations |
43,204 | 41,425 | ||||||
Maintenance |
14,962 | 13,352 | ||||||
Depreciation and amortization |
32,364 | 30,739 | ||||||
Income taxes |
21,324 | 21,438 | ||||||
Property and other taxes |
12,545 | 12,371 | ||||||
Total operating expenses |
305,040 | 296,124 | ||||||
Net operating income |
49,902 | 46,323 | ||||||
Other income and expenses: |
||||||||
Non-regulated revenue |
10,963 | 11,173 | ||||||
Non-regulated expenses |
(9,451 | ) | (6,826 | ) | ||||
Gain on sale of non-utility property |
33 | 675 | ||||||
Income taxes(expense) on other income and expenses |
(614 | ) | (2,032 | ) | ||||
931 | 2,990 | |||||||
Interest expense: |
||||||||
Interest Expense |
20,386 | 17,480 | ||||||
Less: capitalized interest |
(2,338 | ) | (2,270 | ) | ||||
Net interest expense |
18,048 | 15,210 | ||||||
Net income |
$ | 32,785 | $ | 34,103 | ||||
Earnings per share |
||||||||
Basic |
$ | 1.58 | $ | 1.64 | ||||
Diluted |
$ | 1.58 | $ | 1.64 | ||||
Weighted average shares outstanding |
||||||||
Basic |
20,798 | 20,740 | ||||||
Diluted |
20,813 | 20,765 | ||||||
Dividends per share of common stock |
$ | 0.8925 | $ | 0.8850 | ||||