California Water Service Group Announces Second Quarter 2012 Results
SAN JOSE, CA -- (Marketwire) -- 07/25/12 -- California Water Service Group (NYSE: CWT) today announced net income of $13.0 million and earnings per share of $0.31 for the second quarter of 2012, compared to net income of $12.2 million and earnings per share of $0.29 for the second quarter of 2011.
Revenue for the second quarter increased $12.2 million, or 9.3%, to $143.6 million compared to the second quarter of 2011. Sales to new customers added $0.2 million, general rate increases added $3.0 million, offset rate increases to recover increases in purchased water costs added $5.9 million, and increased usage by existing customers and other activities added $3.1 million.
Total operating expenses for the second quarter of 2012 increased $12.1 million, or 10.8%, to $123.9 million. Water production costs increased $7.9 million, or 17.7%, to $52.7 million, due primarily to increases wholesaler water prices and increases in the quantity of water produced. Administrative costs increased $1.6 million, or 7.9%, to $22.2 million, due primarily to increases in wages and benefits. Increases in pension costs do not affect earnings because in California, the company is allowed by the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) to track pension cost increases in a balancing account for future recovery. Other operations expenses increased $2.0 million, or 12.6%, to $17.7 million, primarily due to increases in expenses for water treatment, water quality, and conservation programs. Conservation program expense increases are also tracked in a balancing account for future recovery.
Maintenance expense decreased $0.7 million, or 12.9%, to $4.6 million, compared to $5.3 million in the same period last year. Depreciation expense increased $1.3 million, or 10.8%, to $13.7 million, due to increases in utility plant.
Other income, net of income taxes, remained unchanged at $0.2 million. Interest expense decreased $0.7 million, or 8.9%, to $6.9 million due to increased capitalized interest and decreased short-term interest rates.
"Results for the second quarter are in line with our expectations," said Pete Nelson, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. "As we move into our busy season where we see significant increases in demand, the Company will stay focused on serving our customers and operating as efficiently as possible," added Nelson.
In addition, the Company filed its 2012 General Rate Case (GRC) for California Water Service Company, its largest subsidiary. In its application, California Water Service Company is requesting authorization from the CPUC to increase rates to add revenues of $92.7 million in 2014, $17.2 million in 2015, and $16.9 million in 2016.
The filing, which begins an 18-month review process by the CPUC, reflects higher costs of providing water service, lower forecasted sales, and funding for necessary capital projects for 2014 through 2016. The CPUC requires a GRC filing every three years to ensure that rates reflect the actual costs of providing service while allowing the Company a reasonable return on investment in water system infrastructure.
"The 2012 GRC represents the second time we have filed all of the California operations in one rate case," said Nelson. "We expect a decision by December of 2013," he added.
In addition, on July 12, 2012, the CPUC approved the Cost of Capital decision that establishes an authorized return on equity of 9.99% and cost of debt of 6.24%, with a capital structure of 46.60% long-term debt and 53.40% common equity. It sets the authorized return on rate base at 8.24%. In addition, the proposed decision authorizes continuation of a Cost of Capital Adjustment Mechanism (CCAM), which provides for an adjustment in the return on equity in 2013 and 2014 if the cost of long-term debt, as defined by an index of utility debt rates, varies from the most recent index by 100 basis points or more.
All stockholders and interested investors are invited to listen to the 2012 second quarter conference call on Thursday, July 26, 2012, at 11:00 a.m. (EDT), by dialing 1-877-681-3372 and keying in ID# 4684903. A replay of the call will be available from 2:00 p.m. EDT on July 26, 2012, through September 23, 2012, at 1-888-203-1112, ID# 4684903. The call, which will be hosted by Chairman 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., CWS Utility Services, and HWS 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. 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) June 30, December 31,
2012 2011
------------ ------------
ASSETS
Utility plant:
Utility plant $ 2,026,567 $ 1,960,381
Less accumulated depreciation and amortization (607,313) (579,262)
------------ ------------
Net utility plant 1,419,254 1,381,119
------------ ------------
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents 20,816 27,203
Receivables
Customers 37,169 28,418
Regulatory balancing accounts 25,100 21,680
Other 7,888 6,422
Unbilled revenue 23,650 15,068
Materials and supplies at average cost 6,066 5,913
Taxes, prepaid expense, and other assets 14,213 9,184
------------ ------------
Total current assets 134,902 113,888
------------ ------------
Other assets:
Regulatory assets 323,831 319,898
Goodwill 2,615 2,615
Other assets 37,560 37,067
------------ ------------
Total other assets 364,006 359,580
------------ ------------
$ 1,918,162 $ 1,854,587
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CAPITALIZATION AND LIABILITIES
Capitalization:
Common stock, $.01 par value; 68,000 shares
authorized, 41,915 and 41,817, outstanding in
2012 and 2011, respectively $ 419 $ 418
Additional paid-in capital 220,294 219,572
Retained earnings 230,702 229,839
------------ ------------
Total common stockholders' equity 451,415 449,829
Long-term debt, less current maturities 479,958 481,632
------------ ------------
Total capitalization 931,373 931,461
------------ ------------
Current liabilities:
Current maturities of long-term debt 6,684 6,533
Short-term borrowings 87,775 47,140
Accounts payable 54,610 48,923
Regulatory balancing accounts 4,255 2,655
Accrued interest 4,765 4,756
Accrued expenses and other liabilities 52,658 41,868
------------ ------------
Total current liabilities 210,747 151,875
Unamortized investment tax credits 2,254 2,254
Deferred income taxes, net 116,340 116,368
Pension and postretirement benefits other than
pensions 234,948 232,110
Regulatory liability and Other 79,196 79,050
Advances for construction 188,001 187,278
Contributions in aid of construction 155,303 154,191
------------ ------------
$ 1,918,162 $ 1,854,587
============ ============
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,
2012 2011
------------- -------------
Operating revenue $ 143,552 $ 131,397
------------- -------------
Operating expenses:
Operations:
Water production costs 52,678 44,745
Administrative and General 22,167 20,554
Other operations 17,729 15,738
Maintenance 4,605 5,288
Depreciation and amortization 13,712 12,373
Income taxes 9,062 8,638
Property and other taxes 3,977 4,506
------------- -------------
Total operating expenses 123,930 111,842
------------- -------------
Net operating income 19,622 19,555
------------- -------------
Other income and expenses:
Non-regulated revenue 4,051 3,739
Non-regulated expenses, net (3,695) (3,447)
Income tax (expense) on other income and
expenses (138) (112)
------------- -------------
Net other income 218 180
------------- -------------
Interest expense:
Interest Expense 7,821 8,061
Less: capitalized interest (946) (516)
------------- -------------
Net interest expense 6,875 7,545
------------- -------------
Net income $ 12,965 $ 12,190
============= =============
Earnings per share
Basic $ 0.31 $ 0.29
============= =============
Diluted $ 0.31 $ 0.29
============= =============
Weighted average shares outstanding
Basic 41,911 41,752
============= =============
Diluted 41,911 41,768
============= =============
Dividends per share of common stock $ 0.15750 $ 0.15375
============= =============
For the Six-Months ended:
June 30, June 30,
2012 2011
------------ -------------
Operating revenue $ 260,301 $ 229,546
------------ -------------
Operating expenses:
Operations:
Water production costs 91,630 76,703
Administrative and General 45,185 41,056
Other operations 41,555 30,373
Maintenance 10,365 10,487
Depreciation and amortization 27,663 24,961
Income taxes 9,090 7,397
Property and other taxes 8,584 9,066
------------ -------------
Total operating expenses 234,072 200,043
------------ -------------
Net operating income 26,229 29,503
------------ -------------
Other income and expenses:
Non-regulated revenue 8,187 8,072
Non-regulated expenses, net (5,794) (6,871)
Income tax (expense) on other income and
expenses (961) (478)
------------ -------------
Net other income 1,432 723
------------ -------------
Interest expense:
Interest Expense 15,460 16,549
Less: capitalized interest (1,849) (1,232)
------------ -------------
Net interest expense 13,611 15,317
------------ -------------
Net income $ 14,050 $ 14,909
============ =============
Earnings per share
Basic $ 0.34 $ 0.36
============ =============
Diluted $ 0.34 $ 0.36
============ =============
Weighted average shares outstanding
Basic 41,877 41,724
============ =============
Diluted 41,877 41,740
============ =============
Dividends per share of common stock $ 0.31500 $ 0.30750
============ =============
Released July 25, 2012