Attached files

file filename
8-K - 8-K - CALIFORNIA WATER SERVICE GROUPa12-16845_28k.htm

Exhibit 99.1

 

NEWS RELEASE
CALIFORNIA WATER SERVICE GROUP

 

 

1720 North First Street
San Jose, CA 95112-4598

July 25, 2012

 

 

For Immediate Release

Contact:

Marty Kropelnicki (408) 367-8200 (analysts)
Shannon Dean (310) 257-1435 (media)

 

 

CALIFORNIA WATER SERVICE GROUP ANNOUNCES

 

SECOND QUARTER 2012 RESULTS

 

SAN JOSE, CA  —  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.

 

Attachments (3).

 

###

 



 

CALIFORNIA WATER SERVICE GROUP

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

Unaudited

 

 

 

June 30,

 

December 31,

 

(In thousands, except per share data)

 

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

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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