EXHIBIT 99.1
Published on February 28, 2008
Exhibit 99.1
1720 North First Street
San Jose, CA 95112-4598
San Jose, CA 95112-4598
February 27, 2008
For Immediate Release
For Immediate Release
Contact:
|
Martin A. Kropelnicki (408) 367-8200 (analysts) |
|
Shannon Dean (310) 257-1435 (media) |
CALIFORNIA WATER SERVICE GROUP ANNOUNCES
REVENUES AND EARNINGS FOR 4TH QUARTER AND YEAR-END 2007
SAN JOSE, CA California Water Service Group (NYSE : CWT) today announced net income of $8.0
million for the fourth quarter of 2007, an increase of 25% over net income of $6.4 million in the
fourth quarter of 2006, and diluted earnings per common share of $0.39, compared to $0.31 per
common share for the same period last year.
Revenue for the fourth quarter increased $5.2 million, or 6.5%, to $85.9 million, from $80.6
million for the same period last year. Revenues reflected an additional $3.3 million from rate
increases, $1.4 million due to increased usage by existing customers, and an increase of $0.5
million in sales to new customers. Total operating expenses for the quarter were $75.9 million, an
increase of 7%, or $4.9 million, over the same period last year. Water production costs were up
approximately 7%, or $2.1 million, to $30.7 million, due to increases in production and rates
charged by wholesalers. Other operations expense increased 1.5%, or $0.4 million, to $25.1
million, due mainly to increases in water treatment costs and uncollectable accounts. Income taxes
charged to utility operations increased 53%, or $1.4 million, to $4.1 million.
1
Maintenance expense increased approximately 6.5%, or $0.3 million, to $4.4 million, due to
increased costs for repairs to water mains, reservoirs, and pumping equipment. Depreciation
expense increased 11%, or $0.8 million, to $8.4 million, due to increased utility plant.
Net interest expense decreased $0.5 million, or 12%, to $3.7 million, due to an increase in
capitalized interest on capital expenditures.
Net other income increased $0.8 million from the same period in 2006. Included in this number
is a gain on sales of $2.6 million in properties no longer used and useful in providing utility
services to customers. The gain on sales were partially offset by a decrease in interest income
and an unfavorable mark to market adjustments for long term investment assets held by the Company.
Full Year 2007 Results
For 2007, net income was $31.2 million, up 22%, or $5.6 million, from the $25.6 million posted
in 2006; diluted earnings per share were $1.50, compared to $1.34 for the same period last year.
Revenue for 2007 was $367.1 million, increasing $32.4 million, or 10%, from the $334.7 million
in revenues recorded in 2006. Revenues reflected an additional $15.0 million from rate increases,
$14.7 million from increased usage by existing customers, and $2.7 million in sales to new
customers.
Total operating expenses increased $28.5 million, or 10%, to $322.9 million for the year. Of
this amount, water production costs increased 12%, or $14.6 million, to $138.9 million. Other
operations expense increased 5%, or $4.9 million, to $100.6 million, due primarily to increases in
water treatment expenses and provision for uncollectable accounts.
2
Maintenance expense increased $2.7 million, or 18%, to $18.3 million, due to cost increases
related to repairs of water mains. Depreciation increased 9.5%, or $2.9 million, to $33.6 million
for the full year.
Net interest expense increased 1%, or $0.2 million, to $17.1 million during the year. Income
tax charged to utility operations increased 17%, or $2.6 million, to $17.9 million, due to the
increase in operating income in 2007.
Net other income increased 84%, or $1.9 million, to $4.1 million during the year, primarily
due to the gain on sale of non-utility property mentioned above.
President and Chief Executive Officer Peter C. Nelson noted that the Company had achieved
success in key areas in 2007, particularly regulatory affairs and customer growth.
In 2007, we continued to work with the California Public Utilities Commission to implement
the California Water Action Plan, made several small but important acquisitions, continued efforts
to improve customer service, and invested diligently in our infrastructure, reaching $1 billion in
net utility plant, Nelson said.
Regulatory Update for 2007
The California Public Utilities Commission made several key decisions affecting California
Water Service Company (Cal Water), Groups largest subsidiary, in 2007. First, it did not render a
decision of General Rate Cases filed in 2006, but set an effective billing date of July 2007 to
mitigate delayed revenue recovery. It approved a Rate Case Plan that allows Cal Water to file for
recovery of certain centralized costs, including employee healthcare and benefits, all at one time,
rather than staggering recovery over Cal Waters various districts three-year rate case cycles,
thereby reducing the amount of time between expenditure and recovery. Cal Water filed for all of
its centralized costs in addition to its three-year District General Rate Cases in 2007 and expects
decisions on the filings in July 2008.
3
Acquisitions
In 2007, Groups Washington subsidiary, Washington Water Service Company, acquired five small
systems with a combined 461 active customer connections, and signed operations and maintenance
agreements with 11 new water system owners.
Another subsidiary, Hawaii Water Service Company, awaits approval from the Hawaii Public
Utilities Commission on its acquisition of Pukalani Sewerage Treatment Works, a wastewater system
serving 800 customers in Pukalani on the island of Maui, and West Hawaii Utilities, which serves an
equivalent of 9,000 residential water and wastewater customers in Waikoloa and Waikoloa Village on
the island of Hawaii. And finally, the Company formed a non-regulated subsidiary, HWS Utility
Services, LLC, to acquire non-regulated operations and maintenance contracts on the island of
Hawaii from Waimea-based Island Utility Services.
Key Appointments in 2007
Key appointments in 2007 reflect California Water Service Groups emphasis on
regulatory affairs and growth. First, Thomas F. Smegal, III was appointed Vice President of
Regulatory Matters and Corporate Relations effective March 2008. Smegal, a professional engineer
with dual undergraduate degrees in history and civil engineering from Stanford University, and
graduate work at UC Berkeley, brings a wealth of experience to the position, including working at
the Commission as a Utilities Engineer and Regulatory Analyst and at Cal Water as Manager of Rates.
Smegals predecessor, Francis S. Ferraro, was named Vice President, Corporate Development.
With 36 years of experience in the water industry, including 4 years as an Administrative Law Judge
at the California Public Utilities Commission and 18 years as an officer of California Water
Service Group, Ferraro will lead a team that is executing the Companys disciplined growth
strategy.
Lastly, Terry S. Tamble, formerly manager of one of Cal Waters largest districts, was
selected General Manager of Hawaii Water Service Company. Having 35 years of experience in
4
various positions at Cal Water, Tamble will oversee Hawaii operations and manage integration
of new systems into Hawaii Water Service Company.
Nelson further said, Our people are simply outstanding, and we wouldnt have had such a good
year without their combined efforts. Going forward, we will continue to provide excellent service
and quality to customers, take the lead in implementing the California Water Action Plan, work with
the California Public Utilities Commission on a fair and timely conclusion to our 2007 filings, and
pursue growth opportunities that make sense for stockholders and customers.
Other Information
All stockholders and interested investors are invited to listen to the 2007 fourth quarter and
year-end conference call on Feb 28, 2008 at 8:00 a.m. PST (11:00 a.m. EST) by dialing
1-866-244-4519 and keying in ID# 1186949. A replay of the call will
be available from 11:00 a.m. PST (2:00 p.m. EST) on February 28, 2008, through April 28, 2008, at 888-266-2081, ID#
835974. The call, which will be hosted by President and CEO Peter C. Nelson and Vice President
and CFO 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, LLC. Together these companies provide
regulated and non-regulated water service to approximately 2 million people in more than 100
California, Washington, New Mexico and Hawaii communities. 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
5
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, including decisions on proper
disposition of property; changes in regulatory commissions policies and procedures; the timeliness
of regulatory commissions actions concerning rate relief; new legislation; changes in accounting
valuations and estimates; the ability to satisfy requirements related to the Sarbanes-Oxley Act and
other regulations on internal controls; 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. The Company assumes no obligation to provide public updates of forward-looking
statements.
Additional information is available online at www.calwatergroup.com.
Attachments (2).
# # #
6
CALIFORNIA WATER SERVICE GROUP
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
Unaudited
(In thousands, except per share data)
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
Unaudited
(In thousands, except per share data)
December 31 | December 31 | |||||||
2007 | 2006 | |||||||
ASSETS |
||||||||
Utility plant: |
||||||||
Utility plant |
$ | 1,447,047 | $ | 1,344,415 | ||||
Less accumulated depreciation and amortization |
(436,851 | ) | (402,940 | ) | ||||
Net utility plant |
1,010,196 | 941,475 | ||||||
Current assets: |
||||||||
Cash and cash equivalents |
6,734 | 60,312 | ||||||
Receivables |
||||||||
Customers |
18,600 | 19,526 | ||||||
Other |
8,618 | 6,700 | ||||||
Unbilled revenue |
12,911 | 11,341 | ||||||
Materials and supplies at average cost |
4,743 | 4,515 | ||||||
Prepaid pension expense |
| 1,696 | ||||||
Taxes, prepaid expense, and other assets |
8,369 | 5,534 | ||||||
Total current assets |
59,975 | 109,624 | ||||||
Other assets: |
||||||||
Regulatory assets |
90,908 | 93,785 | ||||||
Other assets |
23,420 | 20,135 | ||||||
Total other assets |
114,328 | 113,920 | ||||||
$ | 1,184,499 | $ | 1,165,019 | |||||
CAPITALIZATION AND LIABILITIES |
||||||||
Capitalization: |
||||||||
Common stock, $.01 par value |
$ | 207 | $ | 207 | ||||
Additional paid-in capital |
211,885 | 211,513 | ||||||
Retained earnings |
173,617 | 166,582 | ||||||
Total common stockholders equity |
385,709 | 378,302 | ||||||
Preferred stock |
3,475 | 3,475 | ||||||
Long-term debt, less current maturities |
289,220 | 291,814 | ||||||
Total capitalization |
678,404 | 673,591 | ||||||
Current liabilities: |
||||||||
Current maturities of long-term debt |
2,701 | 1,778 | ||||||
Accounts payable |
36,694 | 33,130 | ||||||
Accrued expenses and other liabilities |
30,259 | 35,317 | ||||||
Total current liabilities |
69,654 | 70,225 | ||||||
Unamortized investment tax credits |
2,467 | 2,541 | ||||||
Deferred income taxes, net |
69,712 | 69,503 | ||||||
Pension and postretirement benefits other than pensions |
39,444 | 48,584 | ||||||
Regulatory and other liabilities |
38,782 | 33,411 | ||||||
Advances for construction |
168,024 | 157,660 | ||||||
Contributions in aid of construction |
118,012 | 109,504 | ||||||
Commitments and contingencies |
||||||||
$ | 1,184,499 | $ | 1,165,019 | |||||
7
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: | ||||||||
December 31, | ||||||||
2007 | 2006 | |||||||
Operating revenue |
$ | 85,879 | $ | 80,645 | ||||
Operating expenses: |
||||||||
Water production costs |
30,734 | 28,622 | ||||||
Other operations |
25,149 | 24,773 | ||||||
Maintenance |
4,353 | 4,088 | ||||||
Depreciation and amortization |
8,390 | 7,585 | ||||||
Income taxes |
4,126 | 2,704 | ||||||
Property and other taxes |
3,124 | 3,199 | ||||||
Total operating expenses |
75,876 | 70,971 | ||||||
Net operating income |
10,003 | 9,674 | ||||||
Other income and expenses: |
||||||||
Non-regulated revenue |
3,674 | 3,799 | ||||||
Non-regulated expenses |
(3,261 | ) | (2,127 | ) | ||||
Gain on sale of non-utility property |
2,599 | | ||||||
Less: income taxes on other income and expenses |
(1,227 | ) | (681 | ) | ||||
1,785 | 991 | |||||||
Interest expense: |
||||||||
Interest Expense |
4,931 | 4,971 | ||||||
Less: capitalized interest |
(1,185 | ) | (725 | ) | ||||
Net interest expense |
3,746 | 4,246 | ||||||
Net income |
$ | 8,042 | $ | 6,419 | ||||
Earnings per share |
||||||||
Basic |
$ | 0.39 | $ | 0.31 | ||||
Diluted |
$ | 0.39 | $ | 0.31 | ||||
Weighted average shares outstanding |
||||||||
Basic |
20,666 | 20,388 | ||||||
Diluted |
20,691 | 20,408 | ||||||
Dividends per share of common stock |
$ | 0.2900 | $ | 0.2875 | ||||
8
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 twelve months ended: | ||||||||
December 31, | ||||||||
2007 | 2006 | |||||||
Operating revenue |
$ | 367,082 | $ | 334,717 | ||||
Operating expenses: |
||||||||
Water production costs |
138,882 | 124,258 | ||||||
Other operations |
100,573 | 95,716 | ||||||
Maintenance |
18,336 | 15,591 | ||||||
Depreciation and amortization |
33,563 | 30,652 | ||||||
Income taxes |
17,887 | 15,297 | ||||||
Property and other taxes |
13,671 | 12,897 | ||||||
Total operating expenses |
322,912 | 294,411 | ||||||
Net operating income |
44,170 | 40,306 | ||||||
Other income and expenses: |
||||||||
Non-regulated revenue |
13,557 | 10,645 | ||||||
Non-regulated expenses |
(9,114 | ) | (7,208 | ) | ||||
Gain on sale of non-utility property |
2,516 | 348 | ||||||
Less: income taxes on other income and expenses |
(2,836 | ) | (1,542 | ) | ||||
4,123 | 2,243 | |||||||
Interest expense: |
||||||||
Interest Expense |
19,719 | 19,669 | ||||||
Less: capitalized interest |
(2,585 | ) | (2,700 | ) | ||||
Net interest expense |
17,134 | 16,969 | ||||||
Net income |
$ | 31,159 | $ | 25,580 | ||||
Earnings per share |
||||||||
Basic |
$ | 1.50 | $ | 1.34 | ||||
Diluted |
$ | 1.50 | $ | 1.34 | ||||
Weighted average shares outstanding |
||||||||
Basic |
20,665 | 18,905 | ||||||
Diluted |
20,689 | 18,925 | ||||||
Dividends per share of common stock |
$ | 1.1600 | $ | 1.1500 | ||||
9