Cal Water Announces First Quarter 2008 Results

California Water Service Group (NYSE:CWT) today announced net income of $0.2 million and diluted earnings per common share of $0.01 for the first quarter of 2008, compared to net income of $1.6 million and diluted earnings per common share of $0.07 for the first quarter of 2007. Revenues increased by $1.4 million, or 2%, to $72.9 million, with rate increases adding $4.2 million and sales to new customers adding $0.4 million, partially offset by a decrease in sales to existing customers of $3.2 million. Total operating expenses for the first quarter of 2008 increased by $1.8 million. A decrease of $0.5 million in water production costs was partially offset by an increase of $1.8 million in administrative & general and other operations costs, primarily attributable to payroll increases effective at the beginning of 2008 and increases for employee benefit programs. Maintenance expense decreased by $0.4 million to $4.1 million for the quarter. Depreciation expense increased $0.8 million to $9.2 million as a result of increases in 2007 capital expenditures, while taxes other than income increased $0.3 million due to increases in payroll and property taxes. Other income, net of income taxes, reflected a loss of $0.1 million, compared to income of $0.8 million last year, due to a decline in investment income and a mark-to-market adjustment in investments associated with pension and deferred compensation plans. For the twelve months ended March 31, 2008, net income was $29.8 million and dilutive earnings per share were $1.43, compared to net income of $26.3 million and dilutive earnings per share of $1.34 for the same period in the prior year. Revenues for the trailing twelve months were $368.4 million, compared to $341.1 million for the same period last year. "In 2007, our first quarter results benefited from higher water sales resulting from above-average temperatures. In 2008, we were affected by cool, wet winter weather, with many of our districts getting more than twice the rainfall than they did in the same period last year. Our results were also impacted by increases in benefits costs and negative mark-to-market adjustments associated with our pension and deferred compensation plans,” said Peter C. Nelson, President and Chief Executive Officer. "However, during the quarter, we continued to make progress with the California Public Utilities Commission’s (CPUC) Water Action Plan. Our 2007 General Rate Case progressed, and we believe it will address many of the areas affected by regulatory lag. In addition, the CPUC issued Decision #08-02-036 in February authorizing the decoupling of sales and revenues (weather revenue adjustment mechanism), modified cost balancing accounts, and tiered rates, which are scheduled to go into effect later this year,” Nelson said. All stockholders and interested investors are invited to listen to the 2008 first quarter conference call on May 1, 2008, at 11:00 a.m. (EST), by dialing 1-866-814-1919 and keying in ID# 1226399. A replay of the call will be available from 2:00 p.m. (EST) Thursday, May 1, 2008, through June 30, 2008, at 888-266-2081, ID# 1226399. 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 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 but not limited to rate case decisions and implementation of the CPUC Water Action Plan; 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) March 31 December 31   2008     2007   ASSETS Utility plant: Utility plant $ 1,468,966 $ 1,447,047 Less accumulated depreciation and amortization   (446,637 )   (436,851 ) Net utility plant   1,022,329     1,010,196     Current assets: Cash and cash equivalents 2,967 6,734 Receivables Customers 17,404 18,600 Other 5,357 8,617 Unbilled revenue 11,368 12,911 Materials and supplies at average cost 4,779 4,744 Taxes, prepaid expense, and other assets   9,244     8,369   Total current assets   51,119     59,975     Other assets: Regulatory assets 90,999 90,908 Other assets   22,768     23,420   Total other assets   113,767     114,328   $ 1,187,215   $ 1,184,499     CAPITALIZATION AND LIABILITIES Capitalization: Common stock, $.01 par value $ 207 $ 207 Additional paid-in capital 211,976 211,885 Retained earnings   167,710     173,617   Total common stockholders' equity 379,893 385,709 Preferred stock 3,475 3,475 Long-term debt, less current maturities   288,495     289,220   Total capitalization   671,863     678,404     Current liabilities: Current maturities of long-term debt 2,701 2,701 Accounts payable 26,653 36,694 Notes payable 14,000 - Accrued expenses and other liabilities   35,318     30,258   Total current liabilities 78,672 69,653   Unamortized investment tax credits 2,467 2,467 Deferred income taxes, net 68,001 69,712 Pension and postretirement benefits other than pensions 39,444 39,444 Regulatory and other liabilities 40,113 38,783 Advances for construction 168,822 168,024 Contributions in aid of construction 117,833 118,012 Commitments and contingencies     $ 1,187,215   $ 1,184,499   CALIFORNIA WATER SERVICE GROUP     CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME Unaudited (In thousands, except per share data)     For the three months ended: March 31, March 31,   2008     2007     Operating revenue $ 72,921   $ 71,570   Operating expenses: Water production costs 25,358 25,814 Administrative and General 13,418 12,570 Other operations 12,065 11,085 Maintenance 4,114 4,509 Depreciation and amortization 9,222 8,401 Income taxes 174 543 Property and other taxes   3,739     3,406   Total operating expenses   68,090     66,328     Net operating income   4,831     5,242     Other income and expenses: Non-regulated revenue 2,905 3,042 Non-regulated expenses (3,036 ) (1,751 ) Less: income taxes on other income and expenses   49     (526 )   (82 )   765     Interest expense: Interest Expense 5,014 4,926 Less: capitalized interest   (450 )   (500 ) Total interest expense   4,564     4,426     Net income $ 185   $ 1,581     Earnings per share Basic $ 0.01   $ 0.07   Diluted $ 0.01   $ 0.07   Weighted average shares outstanding Basic   20,688     20,659   Diluted   20,711     20,681   Dividends per share of common stock $ 0.29250   $ 0.29000