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): August 6, 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) |
Registrants 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))
Item 2.02 Results of Operations and Financial Condition.
On August 6, 2008, Aqua America, Inc. issued a press release announcing its financial results for the quarter and six
months ended June 30, 2008.
Item 9.01 Financial Statements and Exhibits.
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99.1 |
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Press Release, dated August 6, 2008, issued by Aqua America, Inc. |
- 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.
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AQUA AMERICA, INC. |
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By:
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ROY H. STAHL |
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Roy H. Stahl |
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Chief Administrative Officer and General Counsel |
Dated: August 6, 2008
- 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 August 6, 2008, issued by Aqua America, Inc. |
Filed by Bowne Pure Compliance
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EXHIBIT 99.1 |
FOR RELEASE: August 6, 2008
Contact: Brian Dingerdissen
Director, Investor Relations
610.645.1191
bjdingerdissen@aquaamerica.com
Gretchen Toner
Senior Communications Specialist
610.645.1175
gmtoner@aquamerica.com
AQUA AMERICA REPORTS SECOND QUARTER EARNINGS
Board of Directors to increase dividend by eight percent
Significant rate awards received in five states
Companys largest subsidiary Aqua Pennsylvania maintains A+ S&P rating
BRYN MAWR, PA, August 6th, 2008 Aqua America, Inc. (NYSE: WTR) today reported revenues for the
quarter ended June 30, 2008 of $150.8 million compared to $150.6 million in the second quarter of
2007. Net income in the second quarter was $22.6 million versus $23.7 million in the same period of
2007. Corresponding diluted earnings per share for the quarter were $0.17, compared to $0.18 in the
same quarter 2007 on less than one percent more shares outstanding.
At its regularly scheduled meeting on August 5, 2008, the companys Board of Directors voted to
increase the quarterly common stock cash dividend payable December 1, 2008 to shareholders of
record on November 17, 2008 by 8 percent to $0.135 per share, an annualized rate of $0.54 per
share. This is the tenth consecutive year in which Aqua America has increased its dividend above
its stated five percent target and the eighteenth dividend increase in 17 years. The Board also
declared the regular $0.125 per share quarterly common stock cash dividend to be paid on September
1, 2008 to shareholders of record on August 18, 2008. Aqua has paid a consecutive dividend for more
than 60 years.
Aqua America Chairman and CEO Nicholas DeBenedictis said, So far, 2008 has been a year focused on
efforts to improve our revenue and net income growth through rate case activity as the company
looks to limit regulatory lag associated with the infrastructure investments and operating expense
growth we have incurred over the last few years. I am pleased that despite the current economic
environment, our largest subsidiary, Aqua Pennsylvania, has maintained its A+ Standard & Poors
rating, which helps the company keep its borrowing costs down resulting in a benefit to our
customers rates. I am also pleased
that our Board has expressed its continued confidence in our long-term growth business model by
once again authorizing a dividend increase above our stated five percent target.
1
Revenue for the quarter was flat due to decreased consumption resulting from unfavorable weather
and economic conditions and the disposition of customers in Fort Wayne, Indiana and Henrico,
Virginia in prior quarters. These losses were offset by gains in surcharges, rate awards, and
year-over-year customer growth. The unfavorable weather included wet weather in the Midwest and
Mid-Atlantic regions and mandatory drought restrictions in North Carolina.
Rate relief continues to be a major focus of management for 2008 under the companys program to
address regulatory lag, which has affected results over recent quarters. Since May, the company
received awards on several rate cases in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Ohio, Virginia and Maine, and
expects rulings on five other cases over the next several months. To date in 2008, the company has
received rate awards that are intended to provide $49 million in additional annualized revenue,
including rate awards totaling approximately $39 million in Pennsylvania and New Jersey. The
company currently has rate requests in progress seeking approximately $34 million in annualized
revenues which are expected to positively impact 2009. This includes two recently filed major rate
cases in Florida and North Carolina requesting approximately $21 million in annualized revenues.
During the quarter, operating and maintenance expenses increased 2.9 percent from the same period
in 2007. In addition to some inflationary impact, expenses were influenced by continuing increases
in fuel, bad debt expense associated with current economic conditions, and increased operating
expense to support growth year over year. However this was offset by a decrease in expenses
associated with disposed systems. The company has successfully reduced fuel usage, consuming 21,000
gallons less fuel in the first half of 2008 than in the first half of 2007 by reducing the number
of miles driven and improving miles per gallon. We continue to look for ways to improve fleet
efficiency, said Aqua America Chairman and CEO Nicholas DeBenedictis. Management remains
committed to improving operating efficiency while continuing to provide outstanding service to its
customers, even in a time of increasing costs.
To date in 2008, the company has invested $111 million in infrastructure improvements and plans to
invest approximately $280 million in water and wastewater infrastructure improvements for the full
year compared to $238 million in 2007. Most of the increase from our prior 2008 planned capital
investment of approximately $260 million is associated with accelerated pipe rehabilitation and
replacement work in Pennsylvania. Even with the record capital investment, the company does not
foresee any significant additional equity financing needs to support its capital program because of
increasing internally-generated cash and the benefits of the Economic Stimulus Act, which allows
the company to take bonus tax depreciation in 2008.
In July, Standard and Poors affirmed the A+ corporate credit rating on the companys largest
subsidiary, Aqua Pennsylvania. The strong rating reflects the consolidated credit quality of Aqua
America, which helps Aqua Pennsylvania borrow money at lower rates. Management continues to strive
to lower its cost of borrowing and now has an imbedded cost of fixed rate, long-term debt of 5.58
percent vs. 5.67 percent at the end of the second quarter of 2007.
Aqua America remains committed to expanding its operations through its growth-through-acquisition
program and recently announced three growth ventures. Aqua purchased a company providing wastewater
service to 12,000 residents in South Haven, Indiana and entered into a bulk water supply agreement
with the Borough of Sharpsville (population 7,300) in Mercer County, Pennsylvania. Aqua also
announced a partnership with Mopac, a division of Smithfield Beef Group that will allow it to grow
its operations and improve efficiencies in the grease removal business in Pennsylvania.
2
Aqua Americas conference call with financial analysts will take place on Wednesday, August 6, 2008
at 11:00 a.m. Eastern 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 August 6, 2008 for 10
business days following the call. To access the audio replay in the U.S., dial 888.203.1112 (pass
code 463117). For international callers, dial 719.457.0820 (pass code 463117).
Aqua America, Inc. is a publicly traded water and wastewater utility holding company with operating
subsidiaries 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, projected revenue and net income growth,
the companys and Board of Directors continued confidence in the companys long-term growth
business model, the effects of current economic conditions, our plans for capital investment, the
effects of our capital investments, managements focus on rate relief and the anticipated revenue
from completed and planned rate cases, the filing of additional rate requests to recover capital
expenditures, the timing of the expected impact of rate increases, efforts to improve fleet
efficiency, managements commitment to improving operating efficiency and customer service,
anticipated needs for new equity, the effects of internally generated cash, our financial condition
and continuation of our business strategy. 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 customer growth trends; unfavorable
weather conditions; the success of certain cost containment initiatives; the extent to which rate
increase requests are granted and the timing of rate awards; 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
3
The following table shows selected operating data for the quarters and six months ended June 30,
2008 and 2007 (in thousands, except per share data) for Aqua America, Inc. and subsidiaries.
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(Unaudited) |
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(Unaudited) |
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Quarter Ended |
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Six Months Ended |
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June 30, |
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June 30, |
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2008 |
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2007 |
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2008 |
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2007 |
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Operating revenues |
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$ |
150,751 |
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$ |
150,624 |
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$ |
290,034 |
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$ |
287,925 |
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Net income |
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$ |
22,552 |
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$ |
23,727 |
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$ |
36,873 |
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$ |
40,585 |
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Basic net income per common share |
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$ |
0.17 |
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$ |
0.18 |
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$ |
0.28 |
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$ |
0.31 |
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Diluted net income per common share |
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$ |
0.17 |
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$ |
0.18 |
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$ |
0.28 |
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$ |
0.30 |
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Average common shares outstanding: |
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Basic |
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133,683 |
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132,652 |
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133,549 |
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132,504 |
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Diluted |
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134,060 |
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133,520 |
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133,998 |
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133,404 |
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4
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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Six Months Ended |
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June 30, |
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June 30, |
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2008 |
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2007 |
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2008 |
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2007 |
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Operating revenues |
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$ |
150,751 |
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$ |
150,624 |
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$ |
290,034 |
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$ |
287,925 |
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Cost & expenses: |
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Operations and maintenance |
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65,146 |
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63,334 |
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129,450 |
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123,629 |
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Depreciation |
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20,619 |
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20,456 |
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42,100 |
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40,592 |
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Amortization |
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1,012 |
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1,233 |
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2,185 |
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2,442 |
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Taxes other than income taxes |
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10,845 |
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10,831 |
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22,954 |
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22,747 |
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Total |
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97,622 |
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95,854 |
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196,689 |
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189,410 |
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Operating income |
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53,129 |
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54,770 |
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93,345 |
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98,515 |
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Other expense (income): |
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Interest expense, net |
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17,063 |
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16,441 |
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34,193 |
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32,990 |
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Allowance for funds
used during construction |
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(1,100 |
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(742 |
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(2,056 |
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(1,463 |
) |
Gain on sale of other assets |
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(553 |
) |
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(319 |
) |
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(553 |
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(388 |
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Income before income taxes |
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37,719 |
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39,390 |
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61,761 |
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67,376 |
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Provision for income taxes |
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15,167 |
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15,663 |
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24,888 |
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26,791 |
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Net income |
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$ |
22,552 |
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$ |
23,727 |
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$ |
36,873 |
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$ |
40,585 |
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Net income |
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$ |
22,552 |
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$ |
23,727 |
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$ |
36,873 |
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$ |
40,585 |
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Other comprehensive income, net of tax: |
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Unrealized holding gain on
certain investments |
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189 |
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213 |
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189 |
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218 |
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Comprehensive income |
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$ |
22,741 |
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$ |
23,940 |
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$ |
37,062 |
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$ |
40,803 |
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Net income per common share: |
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Basic |
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$ |
0.17 |
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$ |
0.18 |
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$ |
0.28 |
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$ |
0.31 |
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Diluted |
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$ |
0.17 |
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$ |
0.18 |
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$ |
0.28 |
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$ |
0.30 |
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Average common shares outstanding: |
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Basic |
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133,683 |
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132,652 |
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133,549 |
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132,504 |
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Diluted |
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134,060 |
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133,520 |
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133,998 |
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133,404 |
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5
Aqua America, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets
(In thousands of dollars)
(Unaudited)
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June 30, |
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December 31, |
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2008 |
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2007 |
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Net property, plant and equipment |
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$ |
2,872,247 |
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$ |
2,792,794 |
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Current assets |
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119,862 |
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|
115,511 |
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Regulatory assets and other assets |
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302,128 |
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318,607 |
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$ |
3,294,237 |
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$ |
3,226,912 |
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Common stockholders equity |
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$ |
1,022,114 |
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$ |
976,298 |
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Long-term debt, excluding current portion |
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1,212,423 |
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1,215,053 |
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Current portion of long-term debt and
loans payable |
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|
86,727 |
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|
80,845 |
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Other current liabilities |
|
|
76,837 |
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|
102,367 |
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Deferred credits and other liabilities |
|
|
896,136 |
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|
852,349 |
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$ |
3,294,237 |
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$ |
3,226,912 |
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6