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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 28, 2007

Aqua America, Inc.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

         
Pennsylvania   001-06659   23-1702594
(State or other Jurisdiction of Incorporation)   (Commission File Number)   (IRS Employer Identification No.)
     
762 West Lancaster Avenue
Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania
  19010-3489
(Address of Principal Executive Offices)   (Zip Code)

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (610) 527-8000

 
 
(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))

 
 

 

 

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Item 2.02 Results of Operations and Financial Condition.

On February 28, 2007, Aqua America, Inc. issued a press release announcing its financial results for the quarter and year ended December 31, 2006.

Item 9.01  
Financial Statements and Exhibits.

  (d)  
Exhibits.

  99.1  
Press Release, dated February 28, 2007, issued by Aqua America, Inc.

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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
       Executive Vice President and General Counsel

Dated: February 28, 2007

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Exhibit Index

     
Exhibit
  Exhibit Description
     
99.1
  Press Release, dated February 28, 2007, issued by Aqua America, Inc.

 

 

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exv99w1
 

EXHIBIT 99.1
(AQUA AMERICA LOGO)
FOR RELEASE: February 28, 2007
Contact: Christopher Purtill
Director, Investor Relations
610.645.1020
cjpurtill@aquaamerica.com
Donna Alston
Director, Communications
610.645.1095
dpalston@aquaamerica.com
AQUA AMERICA REPORTS FOURTH QUARTER AND YEAR-END EARNINGS
Another year of solid customer growth — up seven percent
BRYN MAWR, PA, February 28, 2007 — Aqua America, Inc. (NYSE: WTR) today reported increases in revenue, net income and earnings per share for the quarter ending December 31, 2006 compared to the same period in 2005. Operating revenue was up 11 percent to $136.8 million compared to $122.9 in the fourth quarter of 2005. Net income for the quarter grew 16 percent to $25.7 million, from $22.2 million in the same period in 2005. Corresponding diluted earnings per share for the quarter increased to $0.19 per share versus $0.17 per share for the fourth quarter 2005, on three percent more shares outstanding.
Favorable fourth quarter figures are in contrast to the previous three quarters in 2006 where earnings were adversely affected by weather, regulatory lag, inflationary impact on production costs, stock option expense and a rapid rise in short-term interest rates. For the 12 months ending December 31, 2006, revenue grew 7.4 percent to $533.5 million from $496.8 million for the same period in 2005. Net income was up slightly at $92.0 million compared to $91.2 million during 2005. Corresponding diluted earnings per share was $0.70 versus $0.71 for the full year in 2005.
Aqua America Chairman and CEO Nicholas DeBenedictis said, “Despite the challenges we faced throughout 2006, rate settlements and customer growth contributed positively to the fourth quarter results.” The company received rate relief in early 2006 for divisions in Ohio and Virginia, and in mid-year for its largest subsidiary, Aqua Pennsylvania. Also helping to bolster earnings in the fourth quarter was the recognition of additional revenue in Texas, subject to refund, in connection with a pending rate request. Late in the year and in early 2007, the company settled significant rate cases in Illinois, and New Jersey, and implemented a distribution system improvement charge in Pennsylvania designed to provide annualized revenues totaling $6.7 million.

 

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Customer growth for the year was seven percent, largely due to the closing of the New York Water Service Company on January 1, 2007 which serves 135,000 residents on Long Island and added five percent to the company’s customer base. The company has already begun building on its New York Water acquisition having announced earlier this month an agreement with Kelda Group, Inc. to acquire the nearby Aquarion Water Company of Sea Cliff, Inc. (Sea Cliff), also on Long Island. Located just north of its recently-acquired New York Water operations, Sea Cliff provides drinking water to approximately 13,000 residents in the villages of Sea Cliff, Glenwood Landing and Glen Head in Nassau County, New York. Including the cost of the New York Water transaction (cash and the assumption of debt), Aqua America paid $64.2 million to complete a total of 28 acquisitions.
Among its 28 acquisitions were four new septage hauling operations, consistent with Aqua’s strategy to grow in the wastewater business. These businesses provide a platform on which to further expand the wastewater hauling business in Pennsylvania and offer these additional services to Aqua’s existing customers who have septic systems.
Wet weather during peak demand seasons was a key factor in the company’s 2006 performance. “Last year, the number of rainy days had a significant impact on non-essential use—like landscaping, washing cars and filling pools. As a result, water sales were down in our mid-Atlantic and northern states,” said DeBenedictis.
Aqua continued its capital program in 2006 spending $271.7 million, including $56.5 million in its southern states to maintain and enhance environmental compliance. This capital investment sets the stage for future rate increase applications. The company plans to request increased rates in North Carolina, Virginia and Florida in 2007.
The company’s conference call with analysts will take place on Wednesday, February 28, 2007 at 11:00 a.m. Eastern Time. The call will be Webcast, 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 company’s Web site for 90 days following the call. Additionally, the call will be recorded and made available for replay for 10 business days, beginning at 1:00 p.m. Wednesday, February 28, 2007. To access the audio replay in the U.S., dial 888.286.8010 (passcode 57500554). For international callers, dial 617.801.6888 (passcode 57500554).
Aqua America, Inc. is a U.S.-based publicly-traded water and wastewater utility, serving approximately 2.8 million residents in Pennsylvania, Ohio, North Carolina, Illinois, Texas, New Jersey, New York, Florida, Indiana, Virginia, Maine, Missouri, and South Carolina. Aqua America is listed on both 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 long-term strategy and expectations, the status of our acquisition program, the impact of our acquisitions, the impact of current and projected rate requests and the impact of our capital program on our environmental compliance. 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, 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 filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
# # #
WTRF

 

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The company’s results stated here are unaudited. The final audited financial statements will be filed with the company’s annual report on Form 10-K. The following table shows selected operating data for the quarters and full year ended December 31, 2006 and 2005 (in thousands, except per share data) for Aqua America, Inc.
                                 
    (Unaudited)  
    Quarter Ended     Year Ended  
    December 31,     December 31,  
    2006     2005     2006     2005  
Operating revenues
  $ 136,843     $ 122,908     $ 533,491     $ 496,779  
 
                       
Net income
  $ 25,723     $ 22,150     $ 92,004     $ 91,156  
 
                       
Basic net income per share
  $ 0.19     $ 0.17     $ 0.70     $ 0.72  
 
                       
Diluted net income per share
  $ 0.19     $ 0.17     $ 0.70     $ 0.71  
 
                       
Average common shares outstanding:
                               
Basic
    132,145       128,016       130,725       127,364  
 
                       
Diluted
    133,391       129,828       131,774       129,206  
 
                       

 

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Aqua America, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Consolidated Statements of Income and Comprehensive Income
(In thousands, except per share amounts)
(Unaudited)
                                 
    Quarter Ended     Year Ended  
    December 31,     December 31,  
    2006     2005     2006     2005  
Operating revenues
  $ 136,843     $ 122,908     $ 533,491     $ 496,779  
Cost & expenses:
                               
Operations and maintenance
    53,684       52,222       219,560       203,088  
Depreciation
    18,476       15,857       70,895       60,747  
Amortization
    1,018       1,114       4,146       4,741  
Taxes other than income taxes
    8,352       7,663       33,343       31,696  
 
                       
Total
    81,530       76,856       327,944       300,272  
 
                       
Operating income
    55,313       46,052       205,547       196,507  
Other expense (income):
                               
Interest expense, net
    14,764       13,447       58,432       52,062  
Allowance for funds used during construction
    (1,040 )     (950 )     (3,941 )     (2,447 )
Gain on sale of other assets
    (360 )     (595 )     (1,194 )     (1,177 )
 
                       
Income before income taxes
    41,949       34,150       152,250       148,069  
Provision for income taxes
    16,226       12,000       60,246       56,913  
 
                       
Net income
  $ 25,723     $ 22,150     $ 92,004     $ 91,156  
 
                       
Net income
  $ 25,723     $ 22,150     $ 92,004     $ 91,156  
Other comprehensive income, net of tax:
                               
Minimum pension liability adjustment
    3,082       (1,340 )     3,082       (1,340 )
Unrealized holding gain (loss) on certain investments
    (132 )           194        
 
                       
Comprehensive income
  $ 28,673     $ 20,810     $ 95,280     $ 89,816  
 
                       
Net income per common share:
                               
Basic
  $ 0.19     $ 0.17     $ 0.70     $ 0.72  
Diluted
  $ 0.19     $ 0.17     $ 0.70     $ 0.71  
Average common shares outstanding:
                               
Basic
    132,145       128,016       130,725       127,364  
 
                       
Diluted
    133,391       129,828       131,774       129,206  
 
                       

 

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Aqua America, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets
(In thousands of dollars)
(Unaudited)
                 
    December 31,     December 31,  
    2006     2005  
Net property, plant and equipment
  $ 2,505,995     $ 2,279,950  
Current assets
    134,700       98,277  
Regulatory assets and other assets
    237,208       256,819  
 
           
 
  $ 2,877,903     $ 2,635,046  
 
           
Common stockholders’ equity
  $ 921,630     $ 811,923  
Long-term debt, excluding current portion
    951,660       878,438  
Current portion of long-term debt and loans payable
    150,305       163,150  
Other current liabilities
    105,306       108,510  
Deferred credits and other liabilities
    749,002       673,025  
 
           
 
  $ 2,877,903     $ 2,635,046  
 
           

 

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