SAN JOSE, CA — (Marketwired) — 11/05/13 — California Water Service Group (NYSE: CWT) today announced net income of $29.2 million and earnings per share of $0.61 for the third quarter of 2013, compared to net income of $29.8 million and earnings per share of $0.71 for the third quarter of 2012. The year-to-year decrease in earnings per share was primarily attributable to the dilutive effect of the stock offering completed in March 2013.
During the third quarter of 2013, State of California enterprise zone tax credits for the periods 2008 to 2013 and current year equipment repairs and maintenance state income tax deductions contributed $4.1 million to net income. During the third quarter of 2012, mains repairs and maintenance state income tax deductions contributed $6.2 million to net income.
Revenue for the third quarter of 2013 was $184.4 million, compared to revenue of $178.1 million in third quarter of 2012. The increase in revenue was due primarily to an increase in water usage of $4.0 million, net of WRAM, which includes a $1.1 million increase in accrued unbilled revenue. Rate increases added $3.5 million in revenue and the effect of other regulatory mechanisms decreased revenue by $1.2 million.
Total operating expenses for the third quarter of 2013 increased by $6.8 million, or 4.8%, to $148.6 million. Water production costs increased by $4.1 million, or 6.2%, to $70.6 million, primarily due to wholesale water rate increases and increased sales to existing customers. Administrative costs increased $0.7 million, or 3.1%, to $24.7 million, due primarily to increases in labor and health care expenses; these increases were partially offset by a reduction in conservation program expenses. Other operations expenses remained unchanged at $17.7 million.
Maintenance expense increased $0.2 million, or 4.5%, to $4.6 million, due to an increase in main and service repair. Depreciation expense increased $0.8 million, or 5.7%, to $4.6 million due to 2012 capital additions.
Other income and expenses, net of income taxes, decreased $0.1 million primarily due to a decrease in unrealized gains associated with the Company–s non-qualified retirement plans. Interest expense decreased by $0.1 million, or 1.1%, to $7.1 million.
According to President and Chief Executive Officer Martin A. Kropelnicki, core results for the third quarter are in line with expectations and reflect the Company–s budget discipline.
“We have remained diligent in our efforts to operate within budget, which is particularly critical given the fact that we are in the third year of our three-year rate case cycle in California. I am also pleased with our progress to reach a settlement agreement with parties to our 2012 General Rate Case that will enable us to recover costs, make critical infrastructure investment, and address affordability issues, assuming it is approved by the California Public Utilities Commission as proposed,” he said.
Cal Water Files Settlement Agreement on 2012 General Rate Case
On October 31, 2013, the Company announced that its largest subsidiary, California Water Service Company (Cal Water), had reached a settlement agreement with the California Public Utilities Commission–s Office of Ratepayer Advocates and other parties to its 2012 General Rate Case. The Commission may or may not approve the settlement agreement; it is expected to issue a final decision in early 2014. If the settlement agreement were adopted as proposed, it would add $45 million in total revenues in 2014 and an estimated $10 million in 2015 and 2016. Cal Water would be authorized to invest $447 million in infrastructure improvements over three years in order to provide safe, reliable water service to customers throughout the state. It would also be allowed to increase the discount for qualified low-income customers and the Rate Support Fund discount for customers residing in higher cost service areas. For additional information, visit .
Other Information
All stockholders and interested investors are invited to listen to the 2013 third quarter conference call on 11 a.m. ET on Wednesday, November 6, 2013, which can be accessed by dialing 1-888-503-8169 or 1-719-325-2315 and keying in ID# 9201217. A replay of the call will be available from 2:00 p.m. ET on Wednesday, November 6, 2013, through January 6, 2014, at 1-888-203-1112 or 1-719-457-0820, ID# 9201217. The call, which will be hosted by President and Chief Executive Officer Martin A. Kropelnicki, and Vice President and Chief Financial Officer Thomas F. Smegal, will also be webcast under the investor relations tab at .
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. California Water Service Group–s common stock trades on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol “CWT.” Additional information is available on our website at .
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 would, 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.
1720 North First Street
San Jose, CA 95112-4598
Contact:
Tom Smegal
(408) 367-8200 (analysts)
Shannon Dean
(310) 257-1435 (media)