Filed by Bowne Pure Compliance
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND
EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 8-K
CURRENT REPORT
Pursuant to
Section 13 OR 15(d) of The Securities Exchange Act of 1934
Date of Report (Date of earliest
event reported): February 27, 2008
Aqua America, Inc.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
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Pennsylvania |
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001-06659 |
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23-1702594 |
(State or other Jurisdiction of Incorporation) |
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(Commission File Number) |
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(IRS Employer Identification No.) |
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762 West Lancaster
Avenue
Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania
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19010-3489 |
(Address of Principal Executive Offices) |
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(Zip Code) |
Registrant’s telephone number,
including area code: (610) 527-8000
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(Former name or former address if changed since last report.) |
Check the appropriate box below if the
Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of
the registrant under any of the following provisions:
o Written
communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR
230.425)
o Soliciting material pursuant
to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)
o Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule
14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))
o Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule
13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))
1
Item 2.02 Results of Operations
and Financial Condition.
On February 27, 2008, Aqua
America, Inc. issued a press release announcing its financial results for the
quarter and year ended December 31, 2007. The attached Exhibits
Consolidated Statements of Income and Comprehensive Income for the year ended
December 31, 2007 is different from the statement attached to the press
release previously released by Aqua America in that the statement attached to
the Exhibit reflects the presentation of the unrealized holding gain on certain
investments separate from the reclassification adjustment as was presented on
the press release. This change in presentation did not change comprehensive
income or net income and therefore we do not believe that this change is material.
Item 9.01 |
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Financial Statements and Exhibits. |
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99.1 |
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Press Release, dated February 27, 2008, issued by Aqua America,
Inc. |
- 2 -
2
SIGNATURE
Pursuant to the
requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly
caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly
authorized.
AQUA AMERICA,
INC.
By: ROY H.
STAHL
Roy
H. Stahl
Chief Administrative Officer and
General Counsel
Dated: February 27, 2008
- 3 -
3
Exhibit Index
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Exhibit
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Exhibit Description |
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99.1
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Press Release, dated February 27, 2008,
issued by Aqua America, Inc. |
4
Filed by Bowne Pure Compliance
Exhibit 99.1
FOR RELEASE: February 27, 2008
Contact: Kevin Brophy
Director, Investor Relations
610.645.1020
kmbrophy@aquaamerica.com
Donna Alston
Director, Communications
610.645.1095
dpalston@aquaamerica.com
AQUA AMERICA REPORTS FOURTH QUARTER AND YEAR-END EARNINGS
Revenues grew significantly from acquisitions and rate increase awards
BRYN MAWR, PA, February 27, 2008 Aqua America, Inc. (NYSE: WTR) today reported results for the
year and quarter ending December 31, 2007. Revenues for the full year 2007 rose 13 percent to
$602.5 million from $533.5 million in 2006. Net income in 2007 grew 3 percent to $95.0 million
versus $92.0 million in 2006. Revenues for the quarter ending December 31, 2007 grew to $149.1
million compared to $136.8 million from the same period of 2006. Net income during the quarter was
$24.9 million versus $25.7 million in 2006. Diluted earnings per share in the fourth quarter were
$0.19 versus $0.19 in the same period of 2006. For the year, basic and diluted earnings per share
were $0.72 and $0.71, respectively, compared to $0.70 and $0.70 in 2006 on 1.5 percent more shares
outstanding.
Revenues for the year and fourth quarter were up significantly due to acquisitions and increased
customer rates, said Aqua America Chairman and CEO Nicholas DeBenedictis. The fourth quarters
earnings per share of $0.19 matched the prior year, however the fourth quarter of 2006 benefited
from approximately $0.01 from the recognition of additional revenue in Texas in connection with a
pending rate case and another $0.01 from a largerthan-normal change in the insurance accrual.
While there were no corresponding adjustments for these items in the quarter ending December 31,
2007, earnings per share in the fourth quarter of 2007 included a $0.01 gain from the sale of a
securities investment.
DeBenedictis continued, Results in 2007 versus 2006 showed a steady improvement when considering
the housing slowdown, the one-time benefits in 2006, a $0.02 earnings per share write-off from our
withdrawal of the Florida rate case, higher interest expense from rising interest rates, higher
depreciation due to the major capital invested and increased chemical and power costs. In addition
to the growth in earnings per share we recorded in 2007, I look forward to a positive impact on
future results from the $67 million of rate requests Aqua currently has pending.
1
In 2007, Aqua completed 26 acquisitions. When combined with organic growth, net customer growth for
the year came in at 2.6 percent or approximately 24,000 net additional customers. Aquas
acquisition of Sea Cliff in New York (4,300 customers) complemented our previous acquisition of New
York Water Service, while two municipal acquisitions in Illinois added nearly 4,000 customers and
the Lake Holiday water and sewer acquisitions in Virginia added more than 1,500 customers. Net
customer growth for the year would have been higher had the company not sold 16 systems in Virginia
as part of its previously announced pruning strategy, said DeBenedictis. The sale of these
systems to the County of Henrico, Virginia was the first transaction under this strategy. Although
growth through acquisitions remains the key component of the companys growth strategy, voluntarily
disposing of lower performing assets is also part of our strategy to add shareholder value.
In 2008 Aquas customer count will be impacted by the City of Ft. Wayne, Indianas condemnation of
nearly 11,000 customers in what Aqua Indiana referred to as its North System. DeBenedictis said,
On February 12, 2008 the City paid $16.9 million to Aqua in accordance with the Citys own
valuation as part of the quick-take proceeding. The parties are still involved in a legal
proceeding to determine the final value for the system.
In addition to acquisitions, new revenues from rate increase awards also had a positive effect on
results in 2007. Aqua Pennsylvania, the companys largest operating subsidiary in terms of
customers and sales, experienced revenue growth of nearly $23 million in 2007 compared to 2006.
Increased revenues from successful rate proceedings in New Jersey, Illinois, Ohio, and Virginia
were also significant contributors.
The company filed numerous rate applications that are currently in progress in 9 of its 13 states
requesting collectively more than $67 million in new, annualized revenues including significant
cases in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Indiana, Ohio, North Carolina and Florida. The corresponding
state utility agency decisions for these cases are anticipated at various times throughout 2008.
In the first half of 2008, Aqua plans to file additional rate cases in Florida, Illinois, Maine,
North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania (wastewater) and Virginia totaling approximately $16 million.
DeBenedictis noted, Already in 2008 we have been awarded a rate increase in North Carolina plus
cases and surcharges in other states designed to increase annual operating revenues by more than $3
million.
Aqua continued its major capital program in 2007 spending $238 million on infrastructure
improvements such as pipe replacement and utility plant rehabilitations. These capital investments,
representing a 10 percent increase to year end 2006 net utility plant, set the stage for future
rate increase applications, which with efficient management and the recovery of cost increases can
lead to growth in net income and earnings per share. In 2008, Aqua plans to spend about $250
million on its capital investment program.
Operations and maintenance expenses in 2007 rose 15 percent to $253.1 million when compared to
2006. Approximately one half of this increase was a result of acquisitions. Operations and
maintenance expenses in 2007 also included a $2.4 million write-off from the Florida rate case
withdrawal. DeBenedictis said, Depreciation, property taxes and interest expense each rose more
than 14 percent versus 2006 as financings grew to pay for capital improvements coupled with higher
year over year borrowing rates. Property tax comparisons in 2007 were higher as a result of the New
York Water acquisition. Costs associated with employee and retiree benefits, power, chemicals and
purchased water also grew. We routinely attempt to recover increases in such costs in rate case
filings.
Aquas conference call with financial analysts will take place on Wednesday, February 27, 2008 at
11:00 a.m. Eastern Standard Time. The call will be web cast live so that interested parties may
listen over the Internet by logging on to www.aquaamerica.com. The conference call will be archived
in the investor relations section of the companys Web site for 90 days following the call.
Additionally, the call will be recorded and made available for replay at 3:00 p.m. on February 27, 2008 for 10 business days
following the call. To access the audio replay in the U.S., dial 888.203.1112 (pass code 2461016).
For international callers, dial 719.457.0820 (pass code 2461016).
2
Aqua America, Inc. is a large U.S.-based publicly-traded water and wastewater utility serving
approximately three million people in Pennsylvania, Ohio, North Carolina, Illinois, Texas, New
Jersey, New York, Indiana, Florida, Virginia, Maine, Missouri and South Carolina. Aqua America is
listed on the New York and Philadelphia Stock Exchanges under the ticker symbol WTR.
This release contains forward looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities
Litigation Reform Act of 1995, including, among others, our plans for capital investment, rate case
awards and acquisitions to continue to be key components of our long-term strategy, the anticipated
revenue from completed and planned rate cases, the filing of additional rate requests to recover
capital expenditures and higher operating costs, the impact of our plans to evaluate and dispose of
underperforming assets, and the outlook for 2008 organic growth. There are important factors that
could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such
forward-looking statements including: general economic business conditions, housing and population
growth trends, unfavorable weather conditions, the success of certain cost containment initiatives,
changes in regulations or regulatory treatment, availability and the cost of capital, the success
of growth initiatives, and other factors discussed in our Annual Report on Form 10-K which is on
file with the SEC. We undertake no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking
statement.
# # #
WTRF
The companys results stated here are unaudited. The final audited financial statements will be
filed with the companys annual report on Form 10-K. The following table shows selected operating
data for the quarter and full year ended December 31, 2007 and 2006 (in thousands, except per share
data) for Aqua America, Inc.
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(Unaudited) |
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Quarter Ended |
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Year Ended |
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December 31, |
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December 31, |
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2007 |
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2006 |
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2007 |
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2006 |
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Operating revenues |
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$ |
149,083 |
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$ |
136,843 |
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$ |
602,499 |
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$ |
533,491 |
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Net income |
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$ |
24,911 |
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$ |
25,723 |
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$ |
95,014 |
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$ |
92,004 |
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Basic net income per share |
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$ |
0.19 |
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$ |
0.19 |
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$ |
0.72 |
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$ |
0.70 |
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Diluted net income per share |
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$ |
0.19 |
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$ |
0.19 |
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$ |
0.71 |
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$ |
0.70 |
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Average common shares
outstanding: |
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Basic |
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133,227 |
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132,145 |
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132,814 |
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130,725 |
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Diluted |
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133,993 |
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133,391 |
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133,602 |
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131,774 |
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3
Aqua America, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Consolidated Statements of Income and Comprehensive Income
(In thousands, except per share amounts)
(Unaudited)
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Quarter Ended |
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Year Ended |
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December 31, |
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December 31, |
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2007 |
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2006 |
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2007 |
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2006 |
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Operating revenues |
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$ |
149,083 |
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$ |
136,843 |
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$ |
602,499 |
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$ |
533,491 |
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Cost & expenses: |
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Operations and maintenance |
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62,394 |
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53,684 |
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253,092 |
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219,560 |
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Depreciation |
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21,521 |
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18,476 |
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83,178 |
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70,895 |
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Amortization |
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1,230 |
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1,018 |
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4,833 |
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4,146 |
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Taxes other than income taxes |
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11,784 |
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8,352 |
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45,380 |
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33,343 |
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Total |
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96,929 |
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81,530 |
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386,483 |
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327,944 |
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Operating income |
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52,154 |
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55,313 |
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216,016 |
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205,547 |
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Other expense (income): |
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Interest expense, net |
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16,828 |
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14,764 |
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66,921 |
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58,432 |
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Allowance for funds used during
construction |
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(835 |
) |
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(1,040 |
) |
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(2,953 |
) |
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(3,941 |
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Gain on sale of other assets |
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(2,846 |
) |
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(360 |
) |
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(3,494 |
) |
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(1,194 |
) |
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Income before income taxes |
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39,007 |
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41,949 |
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155,542 |
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152,250 |
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Provision for income taxes |
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14,096 |
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16,226 |
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60,528 |
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60,246 |
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Net income |
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$ |
24,911 |
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$ |
25,723 |
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$ |
95,014 |
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$ |
92,004 |
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Net income |
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$ |
24,911 |
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$ |
25,723 |
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$ |
95,014 |
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$ |
92,004 |
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Other comprehensive income, net of tax: |
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Minimum pension liability adjustment |
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3,082 |
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3,082 |
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Unrealized holding gain (loss) on
certain investments |
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(132 |
) |
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1,121 |
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194 |
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Reclassification adjustment for gains
reported in net income |
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(1,315 |
) |
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(1,315 |
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Comprehensive income |
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$ |
23,596 |
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$ |
28,673 |
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$ |
94,820 |
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$ |
95,280 |
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Net income per common share: |
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Basic |
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$ |
0.19 |
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$ |
0.19 |
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$ |
0.72 |
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$ |
0.70 |
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Diluted |
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$ |
0.19 |
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$ |
0.19 |
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$ |
0.71 |
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$ |
0.70 |
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Average common shares outstanding: |
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Basic |
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133,227 |
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132,145 |
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132,814 |
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|
130,725 |
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Diluted |
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133,993 |
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133,391 |
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133,602 |
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131,774 |
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4
Aqua America, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets
(In thousands of dollars)
(Unaudited)
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December 31, |
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December 31, |
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2007 |
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2006 |
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Net property, plant and equipment |
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$ |
2,792,794 |
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$ |
2,505,995 |
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Current assets |
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|
115,511 |
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|
134,700 |
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Regulatory assets and other assets |
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|
318,607 |
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|
237,208 |
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$ |
3,226,912 |
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$ |
2,877,903 |
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Common stockholders equity |
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$ |
976,298 |
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$ |
921,630 |
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Long-term debt, excluding current portion |
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|
1,215,053 |
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|
951,660 |
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Current portion of long-term debt and
loans payable |
|
|
80,845 |
|
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|
150,305 |
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Other current liabilities |
|
|
102,367 |
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|
|
105,306 |
|
Deferred credits and other liabilities |
|
|
852,349 |
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|
|
749,002 |
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$ |
3,226,912 |
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$ |
2,877,903 |
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5