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8-K - CTWS FORM 8K SHAREHOLDER LETTER - CONNECTICUT WATER SERVICE INC / CTform8k.htm
 
Exhibit 99.1

Connecticut Water Service, Inc.
93 West Main Street
Clinton, Connecticut 06413-1600
CTWS Logo
Mid-Year Report
September 2010
Dear Shareholders:

I am pleased to inform you that on August 11, 2010, your Board of Directors increased the annual dividend rate on common shares by two cents to 93 cents per share, which is 2.2% above the current cash dividend. Over the past two years, the Company’s dividend has increased nearly 4.4%. Connecticut Water has raised its dividend payment in each of the last 41 years, and it has paid a dividend without interruption or reduction in every quarter since its founding 54 years ago. The Company knows that consistent dividend growth is important to its shareholders. It also allows us to attract capital in a very competitive market. That is why we are so proud of our dividend history.

For the first six month period ending June 30, 2010, we reported earnings of 40 cents per share, which is unchanged from the comparable period of 2009. Total revenue increased $1.2 million to $32.7 million from $31.4 million in 2009. The revenue increase was largely offset by higher income tax, depreciation, and interest and debt expenses for the period.

On July 14, 2010, the Connecticut Department of Public Utility Control (DPUC) issued its final decision on the Company’s request to increase customer rates. The DPUC authorized a revenue increase of $8.0 million, or about 12.7% increase above previous rates, which is about 50% of what the Company had requested. Based on the allowed increase, more favorable weather through July 2010 compared to the same period in 2009, and continued cost-cutting measures in Operation and Maintenance expenses, the Company expects its combined earnings from its Water Activities and Services and Rentals segments to be higher for the fiscal year-ended December 31, 2010, than 2009. However, the Company has no plans for any Real Estate segment transactions during the remainder of 2010, unlike 2009 when this segment produced approximately $0.17 per share.

The Company is currently reviewing and taking steps in both its regulated and unregulated operations to produce the maximum financial results contemplated by the decision and maintain the high quality water and service our customers have come to expect.

Your company posts news releases to its Web site at http://www.ctwater.com/2010NewsReleases.htm, and distributes many of them via newswires so that they can be viewed at popular financial-oriented Web sites under the Company’s ticker symbol: CTWS. If you would like an e-mail alert when the Company posts a news release to its Web site, you can join the e-mail list at http://www.ctwater.com/emailalerts.htm.

You may not be aware that the Company offers direct deposit of dividends for its registered shareholders. If you currently use direct deposit for your pay check or Social Security check, why not use it for dividends too? There is no charge to shareholders for this service. The form to begin the direct deposit of dividends can be obtained at www.ctwater.com/shareholderservices.htm or by calling 1-800-428-3985 x3016.

On behalf of the more than 200 professionals who work hard to keep your company successful, I thank you for your continued support.

Very truly yours,
 
/s/ Eric W. Thornburg
Eric W. Thornburg
Chairman, President and CEO

 
 

 

 
Connecticut Water Service, Inc. & Subsidiaries

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income (unaudited)

   
Three Months Ended
   
Six Months Ended
 
   
June 30,
   
June 30,
 
(In thousands except per share amounts)
 
2010
   
2009
   
2010
   
2009
 
                         
Operating Revenues
  $ 15,901     $ 15,147     $ 29,702     $ 28,528  
Other Water Activities Revenues
    304       315       635       606  
Real Estate Revenues
    --       --       --       --  
Service and Rentals Revenues
    1,267       1,226       2,347       2,303  
Total Revenues
  $ 17,472     $ 16,688     $ 32,684     $ 31,437  
Operating Expenses
  $ 12,360     $ 12,125     $ 24,058     $ 23,438  
Other Utility Income, Net of Taxes
  $ 173     $ 193     $ 353     $ 348  
Total Utility Operating Income
  $ 3,714     $ 3,215     $ 5,997     $ 5,438  
Gain on Property Transactions, Net of Taxes
  $ --     $ --     $ --     $ --  
Non-Water Sales Earnings (Services and Rentals), Net of Taxes
  $ 200     $ 253     $ 436     $ 462  
Net Income
  $ 2,312     $ 2,266     $ 3,382     $ 3,410  
Net Income Applicable to Common Shareholders
  $ 2,302     $ 2,256     $ 3,363     $ 3,391  
Basic Earnings Per Average Common Share
  $ 0.28     $ 0.27     $ 0.40     $ 0.40  
Diluted Earnings Per Average Common Share
  $ 0.27     $ 0.27     $ 0.39     $ 0.40  
Basic Weighted Average Common Shares Outstanding
    8,522       8,439       8,512       8,429  
Diluted Weighted Average Common Shares Outstanding
    8,624       8,513       8,612       8,503  
Book Value Per Share
  $ 12.62     $ 12.21     $ 12.62     $ 12.21  

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (unaudited)

(In thousands)
 
June 30, 2010
   
June 30, 2009
 
   
ASSETS
           
Net Utility Plant
  $ 333,422     $ 310,576  
Current Assets
    19,755       15,404  
Other Assets
    67,687       56,808  
   
Total Assets
  $ 420,864     $ 382,788  
   
CAPITALIZATION AND LIABILITIES
               
Shareholders’ Equity
  $ 109,031     $ 104,146  
Preferred Stock
    772       772  
Long-Term Debt
    111,740       92,094  
Current Liabilities
    35,787       25,492  
Other Liabilities and Deferred Credits
    163,534       160,284  
 
Total Capitalization and Liabilities
  $ 420,864     $ 382,788  

 
Equity Type
Record Date
Payable Date
 
Rate
 
             
Dividends Declared
Common (NASDAQ GS:CTWS)
September 1, 2010
September 15, 2010
  $ 0.2325  
Preferred A (not publicly traded)
October 1, 2010
October 15, 2010
  $ 0.20  
Preferred 90 (NASDAQ:CTWSP)
October 18, 2010
November 1, 2010
  $ 0.225  
               
               
               
 
Declaration date
Record Date
Payable Date
       
Proposed Next Common Stock Dividend Dates
November 10, 2010
December 1, 2010
December 15, 2010
       
January 27, 2011
March 1, 2011
March 15, 2010
       




 
Connecticut Water Service, Inc.
Stock Transfer, Dividend Disbursing Agent and
93 West Main Street
Agent to Administer Dividend Reinvestment Plan
Clinton, Connecticut 06413-1600
Registrar and Transfer Company
FAX:  (860) 669 5579
10 Commerce Drive, Cranford, NJ 07016
Shareholder Info:  1 (800) 428-3985, Ext. 3016
1 (800) 368-5948
Website:  www.ctwater.com
On-line information:  http://www.rtco.com