California Water Service Group Announces Revenues and Earnings for Year-End and 4th Quarter 2009
SAN JOSE, CA -- (MARKET WIRE) -- 02/24/10 -- California Water Service Group (NYSE: CWT) today announced 2009 net income of $41 million, up 2% or $0.7 million from 2008, and diluted earnings per share of $1.95, an increase of 3% or $0.05 over the prior year.
Revenues increased 10% or $39 million, to $449 million, compared to revenues of $410 million for 2008. Revenues included an additional $50 million from rate increases and $11 million in sales to new customers. The net effect of the Water Revenue Adjustment Mechanism (WRAM) and Modified Cost Balancing Account (MCBA) was an additional $10 million in revenues, while sales to existing customers and other charges declined $32 million.
Total operating expenses increased 11% or $38 million to $391 million in 2009, as costs for water production expense increased 9%, or $12 million, to $159 million compared to $147 million in 2008. Administrative and General expense increased 27%, or $16 million, to $75 million, primarily due to increased healthcare and benefit costs, new employees added as a result of our Hawaii acquisition, and new employees included in adopted rates for California. Other operations expense increased 11% or $5 million to $57 million, due primarily to increases in conservation expense and water treatment/water quality expense.
Maintenance expense decreased 2% or $0.4 million to $19 million. Depreciation increased 7% or $2 million to $40 million for the year.
Net interest expense increased, while income tax increased 3% or $3 million to $27 million, due to the higher pretax income and a higher effective tax rate.
According to President and Chief Executive Officer Peter C. Nelson, California Water Service Group continued to provide excellent service and high-quality water to customers in 2009 while achieving important objectives in the strategic areas of prudent fiscal management and effective regulatory affairs.
"As we announced earlier in the year, we amended and restated our 1928 bond indenture to reduce costs, issued $100 million first mortgage bond which received a credit rating of AA- by Standard & Poor's-rated to raise capital to invest in our business, and put in place a $300 million, unsecured, syndicated line of credit to increase liquidity. We also filed our first-ever California statewide General Rate Case in 2009. We expect a decision later this year with new rates effective January 1, 2011," Nelson said.
Fourth Quarter 2009 Results
For the fourth quarter of 2009, net income was $6 million, down 12% or $0.9 million from net income of $7 million in the fourth quarter of 2008, and diluted earnings per common share were $0.31, a decrease of 13% from $0.35 per common share for the same period last year.
Revenue for the fourth quarter increased by $7 million, up 7% or $107 million compared to $100 million for the same period last year. Revenues reflected an additional $7 million from rate increases, an increase of $2 million in sales to new customers and an additional $4 million in revenue from the WRAM and MCBA. These increases were reduced by a $6 million reduction in sales to existing customers and other charges.
Total operating expenses for the quarter were $95 million, an increase of 7% or $6 million over operating expenses in the same period last year. Water production costs were up 16% or $6 million to $40 million, due primarily to higher rates charged by wholesalers. Other operations expense increased 13% or $2 million to $15 million, due mainly to conservation expenses and water treatment and water quality expenses.
Maintenance expense decreased 15% or $1 million to $5 million, mainly due to lower repairs to water mains, and service lines. Depreciation expense decreased 5% or $0.5 million to $9 million. Taxes other than income increased 21% or $0.8 million to $4 million, primarily due to increases in property taxes.
Regulatory Update for 2009
In July 2009, California Water Service Company filed its first-ever statewide General Rate Case, requesting rate increases of $70.6 million for all 24 California districts. Evidentiary hearings are scheduled for April and May, with a proposed decision in the proceeding anticipated in October. The California Public Utilities Commission's final decision is scheduled to become effective on January 1, 2011. If the decision is delayed, the Company will seek interim rates and recovery of any lost revenues. The next statewide General Rate Case will be filed in 2012.
2009 Acquisitions
In 2009, California Water Service Company completed its acquisition of Skyline County Water District and Woodside Mutual Water Company, two small systems adjacent to the Company's Bear Gulch District.
Other Information
All stockholders and interested investors are invited to listen to the 2009 year-end and fourth quarter conference call on February 25, 2010 at 8:00 a.m. PST (11:00 a.m. EST) by dialing 1-866-837-9789 and keying in ID #1427079. A replay of the call will be available from 11:00 a.m. PST (2:00 p.m. EST) on February 25, 2010 through April 26, 2010, at 1-888-258-7854, ID #1427079. The call, which will be hosted by President and CEO Peter C. Nelson and Vice President and CFO 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, LLC. Together these companies provide regulated and non-regulated water service to approximately 2 million people in more than 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, including decisions on proper disposition of property; changes in regulatory commissions' policies and procedures; the timeliness of regulatory commissions' actions concerning rate relief; new legislation; changes in accounting valuations and estimates; the ability to satisfy requirements related to the Sarbanes-Oxley Act and other regulations on internal controls; 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. The Company assumes no obligation to provide public updates of forward-looking statements.
Additional information is available online at www.calwatergroup.com.
CALIFORNIA WATER SERVICE GROUP
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
Unaudited
(In thousands, except per share data) December 31, December 31,
2009 2008
-------------- --------------
ASSETS
Utility plant:
Utility plant $ 1,709,062 $ 1,583,079
Less accumulated depreciation and
amortization (510,985) (470,712)
-------------- --------------
Net utility plant 1,198,077 1,112,367
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Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents 9,866 13,869
Receivables
Customers 25,567 22,786
Regulatory balancing accounts 11,114 4,629
Other 8,396 7,442
Unbilled revenue 13,417 13,112
Materials and supplies at weighted
average cost 5,530 5,070
Taxes, prepaid expense, and other
assets 18,305 12,890
-------------- --------------
Total current assets 92,195 79,798
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Other assets:
Regulatory assets 204,150 198,293
Goodwill 2,615 3,906
Other assets 28,544 23,743
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Total other assets 235,309 225,942
-------------- --------------
$ 1,525,581 $ 1,418,107
============== ==============
CAPITALIZATION AND LIABILITIES
Capitalization:
Common stock, $.01 par value $ 208 $ 207
Additional paid-in capital 215,528 213,922
Retained earnings 204,898 188,820
-------------- --------------
Total common stockholders'
equity 420,634 402,949
Long-term debt, less current
maturities 374,269 287,498
-------------- --------------
Total capitalization 794,903 690,447
-------------- --------------
Current liabilities:
Current maturities of long-term debt 12,953 2,818
Short-term borrowings 12,000 40,000
Accounts payable
Trade and other 43,689 39,187
Regulatory balancing accounts 2,430 2,585
Accrued interest 4,258 3,295
Accrued expenses and other
liabilities 35,028 35,311
-------------- --------------
Total current liabilities 110,358 123,196
Unamortized investment tax credits 2,318 2,392
Deferred income taxes, net 91,851 72,344
Pension and postretirement benefits other
than pensions 137,127 152,685
Regulatory liability and Other 51,405 49,096
Advances for construction 185,027 176,163
Contributions in aid of construction 118,217 117,568
MTBE Settlement 34,375 34,216
-------------- --------------
$ 1,525,581 $ 1,418,107
-------------- --------------
CALIFORNIA WATER SERVICE GROUP
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
Unaudited
(In thousands, except per share data)
For the Three-Months ended:
December 31, December 31,
2009 2008
-------------- --------------
Operating revenue $ 106,926 $ 100,109
-------------- --------------
Operating expenses:
Operations:
Water production costs 40,015 34,402
Admistrative and General 17,912 17,181
Other operations 15,152 13,431
Maintenance 5,185 6,085
Depreciation and amortization 9,039 9,560
Income taxes 3,375 4,381
Property and other taxes 4,451 3,675
-------------- --------------
Total operating expenses 95,129 88,715
-------------- --------------
Net operating income 11,797 11,394
-------------- --------------
Other income and expenses:
Non-regulated revenue 7,017 4,499
Non-regulated expenses (5,626) (5,104)
Loss on sale of non-utility property (114) -
Income taxes(expense) benefit on other
income and expenses (519) 258
-------------- --------------
758 (347)
-------------- --------------
Interest expense:
Interest Expense 6,915 5,186
Less: capitalized interest (811) (1,456)
-------------- --------------
Net interest expense 6,104 3,730
-------------- --------------
Net income $ 6,451 $ 7,317
============== ==============
Earnings per share
Basic $ 0.31 $ 0.35
============== ==============
Diluted $ 0.31 $ 0.35
============== ==============
Weighted average shares outstanding
Basic 20,758 20,719
============== ==============
Diluted 20,776 20,743
============== ==============
Dividends per share of common stock $ 0.2950 $ 0.2925
-------------- --------------
CALIFORNIA WATER SERVICE GROUP
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
Unaudited
(In thousands, except per share data)
For the Twelve-Months ended:
December 31, December 31,
2009 2008
-------------- --------------
Operating revenue $ 449,372 $ 410,312
-------------- --------------
Operating expenses:
Operations:
Water production costs 159,484 146,564
Admistrative and General 75,243 59,429
Other operations 56,577 51,196
Maintenance 18,537 18,969
Depreciation and amortization 39,778 37,339
Income taxes 24,812 24,507
Property and other taxes 16,822 14,839
-------------- --------------
Total operating expenses 391,253 352,843
-------------- --------------
Net operating income 58,119 57,469
-------------- --------------
Other income and expenses:
Non-regulated revenue 18,190 14,230
Non-regulated expenses (12,452) (15,097)
Gain on sale of non-utility property 560 7
Income taxes(expense) benefit on other
income and expenses (2,550) 376
-------------- --------------
3,748 (484)
-------------- --------------
Interest expense:
Interest Expense 24,394 20,591
Less: capitalized interest (3,081) (3,411)
-------------- --------------
Net interest expense 21,313 17,180
-------------- --------------
Net income $ 40,554 $ 39,805
============== ==============
Earnings per share
Basic $ 1.95 $ 1.90
============== ==============
Diluted $ 1.95 $ 1.90
============== ==============
Weighted average shares outstanding
Basic 20,745 20,710
============== ==============
Diluted 20,766 20,734
============== ==============
Dividends per share of common stock $ 1.1800 $ 1.1700
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Released February 24, 2010