California Water Service Group Announces Earnings for the Second Quarter 2018

SAN JOSE, Calif., July 26, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- California Water Service Group (NYSE:CWT) today announced net income of $13.0 million or $0.27 earnings per diluted common share for the second quarter of 2018, compared to net income of $18.5 million or $0.39 earnings per diluted common share for the second quarter of 2017.  

The $5.5 million decrease in net income was driven primarily by $3.6 million of new business development expenses, a reduction in operating revenue of $1.7 million due to the cost of capital decision for California Water Service (Cal Water), $1.7 million in additional depreciation and amortization costs, $1.2 million in additional wage costs, a $0.7 million increase in maintenance expense, and $1.3 million in additional interest expenses all of which were partially offset by rate increases of $4.5 million.  

In addition, there were other changes driven primarily by factors outside the Company’s immediate control that decreased net income, including a $2.5 million reduction in unbilled revenue accrual, a $0.6 million reduction in unrealized income from certain benefit plan investments due to market conditions, and a $0.4 million decrease in gain on sale of property that was partially offset by a $1.1 million benefit from Company-owned life insurance.

“Our results for the second quarter were in line with expectations, and I’m pleased by efforts in two key areas that will add value over the longer term,” said President and Chief Executive Officer Martin A. Kropelnicki.

“First, on July 2, 2018, as scheduled, we filed a General Rate Case requesting new water infrastructure investments of $828.5 million throughout California over the three-year period from January 1, 2019 to December 31, 2021.  More than half of Cal Water’s proposed infrastructure improvements relate to its transmission and distribution pipeline replacement program, and all are necessary to upgrade aging water system infrastructure. The filing requests the California Public Utilities Commission to increase revenues by $50.7 million, or 7.6%, in 2020; $31.5 million, or 4.4%, in 2021; and $33.0 million, or 4.4%, in 2022. These requested infrastructure improvements enable the delivery of safe, reliable, and high-quality water supply for both our customers’ everyday needs and for emergency response by firefighters and other first responders,” he said.        

“Second, we continued our efforts to engage with the SJW Group Board of Directors to discuss a transaction between our two companies that will deliver substantial value to SJW Group customers and stockholders as well as Cal Water’s customers and shareholders,” said President and Chief Executive Officer Martin A. Kropelnicki.

Additional Financial Results for the Second Quarter of 2018

Total revenue increased 0.9% to $172.6 million in the second quarter of 2018 compared to $171.1 million in the second quarter of 2017.  Rate increases added $4.5 million, rate increases for water production cost offsets added $1.3 million, balancing account adjustments added $0.9 million, and deferred revenue adjustments added $1.7 million. These increases were partially offset by a $1.7 million reduction in revenue associated with the cost of capital decision for Cal Water, a $2.8 million reduction to revenue due to the requirements of regulators to credit customers for the decrease in the corporate federal income tax rate from 35 percent to 21 percent, effective January 1, 2018, and a $2.5 million decrease in accrued unbilled revenue.

Total operating expenses increased $3.1 million, or 2.2%, to $147.6 million in the second quarter of 2018 compared to $144.5 million in the second quarter of 2017.

Water production expenses increased $1.3 million, or 1.9%, to $65.4 million in the second quarter of 2018 compared to $64.1 million in the second quarter of 2017, primarily due to increases in purchased water quantities and higher wholesale water rates.  The California revenue decoupling mechanisms record an increase to revenue equal to the increase in California water production costs.

Administrative & General and Other Operations expenses increased $5.4 million to $45.1 million in the second quarter of 2018, primarily due to a $1.4 million increase in the recognition of previously deferred costs associated with the deferred operating revenue, a pension benefit cost increase of $1.4 million, increases in employee wages of $1.0 million, an increase of $0.3 million in water quality testing costs due to additional TCP testing requirements, and the write-off of $0.3 million of costs previously capitalized. Changes in employee pension benefits for regulated California operations generally do not affect earnings, as the Company is allowed by the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) to record these costs in balancing accounts for future recovery, creating a corresponding change to revenue.

Maintenance expenses increased $0.7 million, or 14.5%, to $5.4 million in the first quarter of 2018, due to increased costs for repairs of transmission & distribution mains and services.

Income tax expense decreased $6.3 million, primarily due to the federal income tax rate reduction from 35 percent to 21 percent, effective January 1, 2018, and a decrease in operating income. The Company’s estimated combined effective income tax rate for 2018 is in the range from 23 to 25 percent.

Depreciation and amortization expenses increased $1.8 million, to $21.0 million, in the second quarter of 2018, as compared to $19.2 million in the second quarter of 2017, due to a record increase in utility plant investment in 2017.

Net other loss, net of income tax benefits, increased $2.6 million to a net loss of $2.2 million in the second quarter of 2018, as compared to a net other income of $0.4 million in the second quarter of 2017, principally due to $3.6 million of new business development expenses, a $0.6 million reduction in unrealized income from certain benefit plan investments due to market conditions, and a $0.4 million decrease in gain on sale of property that was partially offset by a $1.1 million benefit from Company-owned life insurance.
                 
Year-to-Date Results

For the six-month period ended June 30, 2018, net income was $10.5 million or $0.22 earnings per diluted common share, compared to net income of $19.7 million or $0.41 earnings per diluted common share for the six-month period ended June 30, 2017. 

The $9.2 million decrease in net income was primarily due to $3.9 million of new business development expenses, a reduction in operating revenue of $2.9 million due to the cost of capital decision for Cal Water, $3.2 million in additional depreciation and amortization costs, $2.5 million in additional wage costs, a $0.7 million increase in uninsured loss costs due to water main breaks, and $1.8 million in additional interest expenses which were partially offset by a rate increase of $9.2 million.  In addition, there were other changes driven primarily by factors outside the Company’s immediate control that decreased net income, including a $3.2 million reduction in unbilled revenue accrual, a $2.0 million reduction in unrealized income from certain benefit plan investments due to market conditions, and a $0.6 million decrease in gain on sale of property which was partially offset by a $1.1 million benefit from Company owned life insurance.

Water System Improvements

During the first six months of 2018, the total Company-funded and developer-funded capital investment was $133.9 million, an increase of $25.2 million, or 23.2%, compared to $108.7 million in the first six months of 2017. The increase was primarily due to Cal Water TCP water treatment projects.

California Revenue Decoupling Mechanisms

The under-collected net receivable balance in the Water Revenue Adjustment Mechanism (WRAM) and Modified Cost Balancing Account (MCBA) was $65.8 million as of June 30, 2018, a decrease of 4.8%, or $3.3 million, from the balance of $69.1 million as of December 31, 2017. Cal Water used its CPUC-authorized Sales Reconciliation Mechanism (SRM) to adjust its adopted sales forecast for 2018. 

Regulatory Update

On July 2, 2018, Cal Water filed a General Rate Case requesting new water infrastructure investments of $828.5 million throughout California over the three-year period from January 1, 2019 to December 31, 2021.  The filing begins an 18-month review process, with any changes in customer rates expected to become effective in 2020. Cal Water has proposed to the Commission to increase revenues by $50.7 million, or 7.6%, in 2020; $31.5 million, or 4.4%, in 2021; and $33.0 million, or 4.4%, in 2022 as compared to the last authorized revenue.

Other Information

All stockholders and interested investors are invited to listen to the second quarter 2018 conference call, which will be held today at 11:00 a.m. ET, by dialing 1-833-832-5130 or 1-509-844-0151 and keying in ID# 5397913.  A replay of the call will be available from 2:00 p.m. ET on Thursday, July 26, 2018 through September 24, 2018, at 1-855-859-2056 or 1-404-537-3406, ID# 5397913.  The replay will also be available under the investor relations tab at www.calwatergroup.com.  The call will be hosted by President and Chief Executive Officer Martin A. Kropelnicki and Vice President and Chief Financial Officer Thomas F. Smegal.  Prior to the call, the Company will post a slide presentation on its website.  The presentation can be found at www.calwatergroup.com/docs/2018q2slides.pdf  after 6:00 a.m. PT.

California Water Service Group is the parent company of California Water Service, Washington Water Service, New Mexico Water Service, Hawaii Water Service, 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. California Water Service Group’s common stock trades on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol “CWT.” Additional information is available online at www.calwatergroup.com.

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 would, 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; consequences of eminent domain actions relating to our water systems; changes in regulatory commissions' policies and procedures; the timeliness of regulatory commissions' actions concerning rate relief; inability to renew leases to operate city water systems on beneficial terms; changes in California State Water Resources Control Board water quality standards; changes in environmental compliance and water quality requirements; electric power interruptions; changes in customer water use patterns and the effects of conservation; the impact of weather and climate on water availability, water sales and operating results; the unknown impact of contagious diseases on the Company’s operations; civil disturbances or terrorist threats or acts, or apprehension about the possible future occurrences of acts of this type; labor relations matters as we negotiate with the unions; 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.

 

 

CALIFORNIA WATER SERVICE GROUP      
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS      
Unaudited      
           
(In thousands, except per share data) June 30,   December 31,
      2018   2017
ASSETS        
Utility plant:      
  Utility plant $ 3,094,616     $ 2,970,179  
  Less accumulated depreciation and amortization   (964,352 )     (922,214 )
    Net utility plant   2,130,264       2,047,965  
Current assets:      
  Cash and cash equivalents   33,668       94,776  
  Receivables:      
    Customers   44,700       32,451  
    Regulatory balancing accounts   33,257       36,783  
    Other   19,859       16,464  
  Unbilled revenue   36,192       29,756  
  Materials and supplies at weighted average cost   6,714       6,463  
  Taxes, prepaid expenses, and other assets   15,180       11,180  
    Total current assets   189,570       227,873  
Other assets:      
  Regulatory assets   405,297       401,147  
  Goodwill   2,615       2,615  
  Other assets   61,768       60,775  
    Total other assets   469,680       464,537  
Total Assets $ 2,789,514     $ 2,740,375  
           
CAPITALIZATION AND LIABILITIES      
Capitalization:      
  Common stock, $.01 par value; 68,000 shares authorized, 48,070 and 48,012 outstanding in 2018 and 2017, respectively $ 481     $ 480  
  Additional paid-in capital   336,238       336,229  
  Retained earnings   349,213       356,753  
    Total common stockholders' equity   685,932       693,462  
  Long-term debt, less current maturities   414,530       515,793  
    Total capitalization   1,100,462       1,209,255  
Current liabilities:      
  Current maturities of long-term debt   105,024       15,920  
  Short-term borrowings   325,100       275,100  
  Accounts payable   93,032       93,955  
  Regulatory balancing accounts   56,317       59,303  
  Accrued interest   5,751       6,122  
  Accrued expenses and other liabilities   37,076       40,559  
    Total current liabilities   622,300       490,959  
Unamortized investment tax credits   1,724       1,724  
Deferred income taxes   196,109       192,946  
Pension and postretirement benefits other than pensions   256,431       252,141  
Regulatory liabilities and other   238,912       224,127  
Advances for construction   185,286       182,502  
Contributions in aid of construction   188,290       186,721  
Commitments and contingencies      
Total Capitalization and Liabilities $ 2,789,514     $ 2,740,375  
           

 

CALIFORNIA WATER SERVICE GROUP        
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME        
Unaudited        
(In thousands, except per share data)        
             
For the Three Months ended:        
      June 30,   June 30,  
      2018   2017  
             
Operating revenue $ 172,632     $ 171,132    
Operating expenses:        
  Operations:        
    Water production costs   65,373       64,131    
    Administrative and general   24,383       21,413    
    Other operations   20,724       18,328    
  Maintenance   5,389       4,708    
  Depreciation and amortization   20,953       19,218    
  Income taxes   4,347       10,606    
  Property and other taxes   6,407       6,057    
  Total operating expenses   147,576       144,461    
    Net operating income   25,056       26,671    
Other income and expenses:        
  Non-regulated revenue   4,845       3,739    
  Non-regulated expenses   (6,115 )     (1,614 )  
  Other components of net periodic benefit cost   (2,463 )     (2,383 )  
  Allowance for equity funds used during construction   710       879    
  Income tax benefit (expense) on other income and expenses   819       (246 )  
    Net other (loss) income   (2,204 )     375    
Interest expense:        
  Interest expense   10,134       9,079    
  Allowance for borrowed funds used during construction   (304 )     (564 )  
    Net interest expense   9,830       8,515    
Net income $ 13,022     $ 18,531    
Earnings per share         
  Basic $ 0.27     $ 0.39    
  Diluted $ 0.27     $ 0.39    
Weighted average shares outstanding        
  Basic   48,073       48,020    
  Diluted   48,073       48,020    
Dividends per share of common stock $ 0.1875     $ 0.1800    
             
             
             
             
             
             
For the Six Months ended:        
      June 30,   June 30,  
       2018     2017   
             
Operating revenue $ 304,879     $ 293,168    
Operating expenses:        
  Operations:        
    Water production costs   112,979       106,199    
    Administrative and general   50,702       44,159    
    Other operations   38,364       34,452    
  Maintenance   10,828       10,820    
  Depreciation and amortization   41,668       38,419    
  Income taxes   4,118       9,722    
  Property and other taxes   13,111       12,173    
  Total operating expenses   271,770       255,944    
    Net operating income   33,109       37,224    
Other income and expenses:        
  Non-regulated revenue   9,264       7,201    
  Non-regulated expenses   (11,552 )     (3,668 )  
  Other components of net periodic benefit cost   (5,009 )     (4,886 )  
  Allowance for equity funds used during construction   1,621       1,658    
  Income tax benefit (expense) on other income and expenses   1,577       (1,135 )  
    Net other loss   (4,099 )     (830 )  
Interest expense:        
  Interest expense   19,332       17,789    
  Allowance for borrowed funds used during construction   (799 )     (1,058 )  
    Net interest expense   18,533       16,731    
Net income $ 10,477     $ 19,663    
Earnings per share         
  Basic $ 0.22     $ 0.41    
  Diluted $ 0.22     $ 0.41    
Weighted average shares outstanding        
  Basic   48,051       48,002    
  Diluted   48,051       48,002    
Dividends per share of common stock $ 0.3750     $ 0.3600