California Water Service Group Announces Results for 3rd Quarter 2010
SAN JOSE, CA -- (MARKET WIRE) -- 10/27/10 -- California Water Service Group (NYSE: CWT) today announced net income of $20.4 million and earnings per share of $0.98 for the third quarter of 2010, compared to net income of $19.6 million and earnings per share of $0.94 in the third quarter of 2009.
For the quarter, total revenue increased $7.2 million, or 5.1%, to $146.3 million. The net effect of the water revenue adjustment mechanism (WRAM) and the modified cost balancing account (MCBA) for the third quarter 2010 was to add $2.4 million to revenue. Included in this number was an $8.6 million decrease resulting from lower-than-adopted production costs driven by a reduction in customer usage. The WRAM is a ratemaking mechanism that decouples water sales from revenues and the MCBA is an account that allows California Water Service Company (Cal Water) to track and recover or refund changes in water production costs.
Total operating expenses for the third quarter of 2010 increased by $5.4 million, or 4.7%, to $120.5 million. Water production costs increased by $5.7 million, or 11.7%, due to wholesale water rates and higher power costs, which were partially offset by reduced sales to existing customers. Administrative costs decreased $1.3 million, or 6.8%, due primarily to lower outside services and legal costs. Other operations expenses increased by 1.7%, or $0.3 million, to $14.9 million, as a result of an increase in transmission and distribution expense that was partially offset by a decrease in uncollectible expense.
Maintenance expense increased by 10.0% to $4.9 million due to additional expenditures for water main repairs. Depreciation expense increased by 6.6% to $10.9 million as a result of increases in capital expenditures. Taxes other than income increased $0.2 million to $4.6 million, primarily due to property tax increases.
Other income, net of income taxes, added $1.0 million in revenues, while interest expense increased by 17.1% to $6.5 million due to higher short-term borrowings in the current year.
For the twelve months ended September 30, 2010, net income was $39.2 million and dilutive earnings per share were $1.89, compared to net income of $41.4 million and dilutive earnings per share of $1.99 for the same period last year. Revenues for the trailing twelve months were $461.9 million, compared to $442.6 million for the same period in the prior year.
On Wednesday, October 27, 2010, the California Public Utilities Commission issued a proposed decision on California Water Service Company's 2009 General Rate Case. The proposed decision approves the original settlement agreement announced by the company on June 28, 2010, and the total gross revenue recommended in the settlement. In addition, in the 3rd quarter, and since the original settlement filing, the company received $9.8 million in offset and other rate increases, meaning the proposed decision would increase rates on January 1, 2011 by an additional $25.44 million. The proposed decision also adopts the previously announced ratemaking authorizations which would allow the company to obtain up to another $7 million in gross revenue after certain capital projects are completed. The proposed decision cannot be approved by the Commission until completion of a 30-day comment period. The Commission may approve the proposed decision as written or may modify it based upon comments received. The company cannot predict the timing of final Commission approval or whether any changes will be made before adoption.
"The most important factor in our financial performance continues to be our ability to recover prudently incurred costs in rates in a timely manner," said President and Chief Executive Officer Peter C. Nelson. "We are pleased that the proposed decision adopting the comprehensive settlement was issued in a timely fashion."
Other Information
All stockholders and interested investors are invited to listen to the 2010 third quarter conference call on October 28, 2010, at 11:00 a.m. (EDT), by dialing 1-866-253-6505 and keying in ID# 1484282. A replay of the call will be available from 2:00 p.m. (EDT) October 28, 2010, through December 27, 2010, at 1-888-266-2081, ID# 1484282. The call, which will be hosted by President and CEO, Peter 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 California, Washington, New Mexico, and Hawaii. 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) September 30, December 31,
2010 2009
------------- -------------
ASSETS
Utility plant:
Utility plant $ 1,819,330 $ 1,709,062
Less accumulated depreciation and
amortization (538,919) (510,985)
------------- -------------
Net utility plant 1,280,411 1,198,077
------------- -------------
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents 9,738 9,866
Receivables
Customers 33,606 25,567
Regulatory balancing accounts 6,898 10,513
Other 5,699 9,043
Unbilled revenue 21,602 13,417
Materials and supplies at average cost 5,925 5,530
Taxes, prepaid expense, and other assets 8,260 18,305
------------- -------------
Total current assets 91,728 92,241
------------- -------------
Other assets:
Regulatory assets 223,724 204,104
Goodwill 2,615 2,615
Other assets 33,462 28,544
------------- -------------
Total other assets 259,801 235,263
------------- -------------
$ 1,631,940 $ 1,525,581
============= =============
CAPITALIZATION AND LIABILITIES
Capitalization:
Common stock, $.01 par value $ 208 $ 208
Additional paid-in capital 217,147 215,528
Retained earnings 219,127 204,898
------------- -------------
Total common stockholders' equity 436,482 420,634
Long-term debt, less current maturities 380,285 374,269
------------- -------------
Total capitalization 816,767 794,903
------------- -------------
Current liabilities:
Current maturities of long-term debt 2,374 12,953
Short-term borrowings 56,250 12,000
Accounts payable
Trade and other 47,827 43,689
Regulatory balancing accounts 586 2,430
Accrued interest 8,991 4,258
Accrued expenses and other liabilities 39,511 35,028
------------- -------------
Total current liabilities 155,539 110,358
Unamortized investment tax credits 2,318 2,318
Deferred income taxes, net 103,866 91,851
Pension and postretirement benefits other
than pensions 143,619 137,127
Regulatory liability and Other 88,839 85,780
Advances for construction 187,646 185,027
Contributions in aid of construction 133,346 118,217
------------- -------------
$ 1,631,940 $ 1,525,581
============= =============
CALIFORNIA WATER SERVICE GROUP
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
Unaudited
(In thousands, except per share data)
For the Three-Months ended:
September 30 September 30
2010 2009
------------ ------------
Operating revenue $ 146,349 $ 139,167
------------ ------------
Operating expenses:
Operations:
Water production costs 54,634 48,898
Admistrative and General 17,794 19,084
Other operations 14,889 14,639
Maintenance 4,853 4,405
Depreciation and amortization 10,934 10,259
Income taxes 12,825 13,417
Property and other taxes 4,555 4,371
------------ ------------
Total operating expenses 120,484 115,073
------------ ------------
Net operating income 25,865 24,094
------------ ------------
Other income and expenses:
Non-regulated revenue 3,850 5,194
Non-regulated expenses (2,214) (3,464)
Gain on sale of non-utility property 33 -
Income taxes (expense) on other income and
expenses (674) (702)
------------ ------------
995 1,028
------------ ------------
Interest expense:
Interest Expense 6,958 6,480
Less: capitalized interest (484) (950)
------------ ------------
Net interest expense 6,474 5,530
------------ ------------
Net income $ 20,386 $ 19,592
============ ============
Earnings per share
Basic $ 0.98 $ 0.94
============ ============
Diluted $ 0.98 $ 0.94
============ ============
Weighted average shares outstanding
Basic 20,811 20,745
============ ============
Diluted 20,824 20,767
============ ============
Dividends per share of common stock $ 0.2975 $ 0.2950
------------ ------------
CALIFORNIA WATER SERVICE GROUP
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
Unaudited
(In thousands, except per share data)
For the Nine-Months ended: September 30 September 30
2010 2009
------------ ------------
Operating revenue $ 354,942 $ 342,447
------------ ------------
Operating expenses:
Operations:
Water production costs 126,923 119,468
Admistrative and General 53,718 57,331
Other operations 43,204 41,425
Maintenance 14,962 13,352
Depreciation and amortization 32,364 30,739
Income taxes 21,324 21,438
Property and other taxes 12,545 12,371
------------ ------------
Total operating expenses 305,040 296,124
------------ ------------
Net operating income 49,902 46,323
------------ ------------
Other income and expenses:
Non-regulated revenue 10,963 11,173
Non-regulated expenses (9,451) (6,826)
Gain on sale of non-utility property 33 675
Income taxes (expense) on other income and
expenses (614) (2,032)
------------ ------------
931 2,990
------------ ------------
Interest expense:
Interest Expense 20,386 17,480
Less: capitalized interest (2,338) (2,270)
------------ ------------
Net interest expense 18,048 15,210
------------ ------------
Net income $ 32,785 $ 34,103
============ ============
Earnings per share
Basic $ 1.58 $ 1.64
============ ============
Diluted $ 1.58 $ 1.64
============ ============
Weighted average shares outstanding
Basic 20,798 20,740
============ ============
Diluted 20,813 20,765
============ ============
Dividends per share of common stock $ 0.8925 $ 0.8850
------------ ------------
Released October 27, 2010