California Water Service Group Reports Third Quarter Results
California Water Service Group (NYSE: CWT) reported strong Q3 2024 financial results with diluted earnings per share of $1.03, up from $0.60 in Q3 2023. Net income reached $60.7 million, compared to $34.4 million in Q3 2023. Operating revenue increased to $299.6 million from $255.0 million year-over-year. The company invested a record $332.2 million in infrastructure during the first nine months of 2024. Cal Water maintained its authorized return on equity of 10.27% for 2025 and received approval for regulatory mechanisms expected to recover $94.2 million over three years. The company declared its 319th consecutive quarterly dividend of $0.28 per share.
California Water Service Group (NYSE: CWT) ha riportato risultati finanziari solidi per il terzo trimestre del 2024, con utili per azione diluiti di $1,03, rispetto a $0,60 nel terzo trimestre del 2023. Il reddito netto ha raggiunto $60,7 milioni, rispetto a $34,4 milioni nel terzo trimestre del 2023. I ricavi operativi sono aumentati a $299,6 milioni, rispetto a $255,0 milioni anno su anno. L'azienda ha investito un record di $332,2 milioni in infrastrutture nei primi nove mesi del 2024. Cal Water ha mantenuto un ritorno autorizzato sul capitale del 10,27% per il 2025 e ha ricevuto l'approvazione per meccanismi regolatori previsti per recuperare $94,2 milioni in tre anni. L'azienda ha dichiarato il suo 319° dividendo trimestrale consecutivo di $0,28 per azione.
California Water Service Group (NYSE: CWT) reportó resultados financieros sólidos para el tercer trimestre de 2024, con ganancias por acción diluidas de $1.03, en comparación con $0.60 en el tercer trimestre de 2023. El ingreso neto alcanzó $60.7 millones, frente a $34.4 millones en el tercer trimestre de 2023. Los ingresos operativos aumentaron a $299.6 millones desde $255.0 millones interanualmente. La compañía invirtió un récord de $332.2 millones en infraestructura durante los primeros nueve meses de 2024. Cal Water mantuvo su retorno autorizado sobre el capital del 10.27% para 2025 y recibió aprobación para mecanismos regulatorios que se espera recuperen $94.2 millones en tres años. La compañía declaró su 319° dividendo trimestral consecutivo de $0.28 por acción.
캘리포니아 물 서비스 그룹 (NYSE: CWT)는 2024년 3분기 강력한 재무 결과를 보고했으며, 희석된 주당 순이익이 $1.03로 2023년 3분기의 $0.60에서 증가했습니다. 순이익은 $60.7백만에 도달했으며, 이는 2023년 3분기의 $34.4백만에 비해 증가한 수치입니다. 운영 수익은 연간 $255.0백만에서 $299.6백만으로 증가했습니다. 이 회사는 2024년 첫 9개월 동안 인프라에 기록적인 $332.2백만을 투자했습니다. Cal Water는 2025년을 위해 10.27%의 승인된 자기자본 수익률을 유지하고 있으며, 3년 동안 $94.2백만을 회수할 것으로 예상되는 규제 메커니즘에 대한 승인을 받았습니다. 이 회사는 주당 $0.28의 319번째 연속 분기 배당금을 발표했습니다.
California Water Service Group (NYSE: CWT) a annoncé des résultats financiers solides pour le troisième trimestre 2024, avec un bénéfice par action dilué de 1,03 $, en hausse par rapport à 0,60 $ au troisième trimestre 2023. Le revenu net a atteint 60,7 millions de dollars, contre 34,4 millions de dollars au troisième trimestre 2023. Les revenus d'exploitation ont augmenté à 299,6 millions de dollars, contre 255,0 millions de dollars d'une année sur l'autre. L'entreprise a investi un montant record de 332,2 millions de dollars dans des infrastructures au cours des neuf premiers mois de 2024. Cal Water a maintenu son rendement autorisé sur les capitaux propres de 10,27 % pour 2025 et a reçu l'approbation de mécanismes réglementaires qui devraient permettre de récupérer 94,2 millions de dollars sur trois ans. L'entreprise a déclaré son 319e dividende trimestriel consécutif de 0,28 $ par action.
California Water Service Group (NYSE: CWT) berichtete von starken Finanzergebnissen für das 3. Quartal 2024 mit verwässerten Erträgen pro Aktie von 1,03 USD, ein Anstieg von 0,60 USD im 3. Quartal 2023. Der Nettogewinn erreichte 60,7 Millionen USD, verglichen mit 34,4 Millionen USD im 3. Quartal 2023. Der Betriebsumsatz stieg im Jahresvergleich von 255,0 Millionen USD auf 299,6 Millionen USD. Das Unternehmen investierte im Laufe der ersten neun Monate des Jahres 2024 rekordverdächtige 332,2 Millionen USD in die Infrastruktur. Cal Water hielt die genehmigte Eigenkapitalrendite von 10,27 % für 2025 aufrecht und erhielt die Genehmigung für regulatorische Mechanismen, die voraussichtlich über drei Jahre 94,2 Millionen USD zurückgewinnen werden. Das Unternehmen erklärte seine 319. aufeinanderfolgende Quartalsdividende von 0,28 USD pro Aktie.
- EPS increased significantly to $1.03 in Q3 2024 from $0.60 in Q3 2023
- Net income grew 76% to $60.7 million in Q3 2024
- Operating revenue increased 17.5% to $299.6 million in Q3 2024
- Record capital investment of $332.2 million in infrastructure
- Expected recovery of $94.2 million through regulatory mechanisms
- Maintained strong ROE of 10.27% for 2025
- Operating expenses increased by $21.3 million to $232.8 million in Q3 2024
- Water production costs rose by $2.7 million due to higher wholesale rates
- MWRAM reduced revenue by $9.4 million
Insights
California Water Service Group delivered exceptional Q3 2024 results with
- Diluted EPS of
$1.03 in Q3 2024, up from$0.60 in Q3 2023 - Record capital investment of
$332.2 million in infrastructure improvements - Operating revenue increased by
$44.6 million to$299.6 million - Secured regulatory approval for
$94.2 million recovery over next three years
The company's strong financial position, maintained ROE of
SAN JOSE, Calif., Oct. 31, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- California Water Service Group (“Group” or “Company,” NYSE: CWT), a leading publicly traded water utility serving California, Hawaii, New Mexico, Washington, and Texas, today reported financial results for the third quarter of 2024.
Highlights included:
- Recorded diluted earnings per share of
$1.03 in Q3 2024 and$2.93 year-to-date, compared to$0.60 in Q3 and$0.38 year-to-date in 2023. - Invested a record
$332.2 million of capital in infrastructure during the first nine months of 2024. - Retained authorized return on equity (“ROE”) of
10.27% for 2025 for California Water Service (Cal Water). - Declared the 319th consecutive quarterly dividend in the amount of
$0.28 per common share. - Received approval on advice letter filings related to regulatory mechanisms expected to result in the recovery of
$94.2 million in cash over the next three years. - Received awards from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (“EPA”), Great Place to Work, and Newsweek.
According to Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Martin A. Kropelnicki, financial results were in line with expectations, as Group continued to benefit from the effects of the 2021 California General Rate Case (“2021 California GRC”) decision received on March 7, 2024.
“In addition to solid financial performance, our teams did exceptionally well on many fronts, including water system improvements, water conservation, and emergency response. During the third quarter, we invested
Q3 2024 Financial Results
- Q3 2024 net income attributable to Group was
$60.7 million , compared to net income of$34.4 million in Q3 2023. - Operating revenue was
$299.6 million in Q3 2024, compared to$255.0 million in Q3 2023, an increase of$44.6 million .- Increased rates added
$42.2 million in revenue. - Increased customer usage and new customers added
$9.6 million . - The increases were offset by the Monterey Water Rate Adjustment Mechanism (“MWRAM”) approved in the 2021 California GRC, which reduced revenue by
$9.4 million .
- Increased rates added
- Operating expenses were
$232.8 million in Q3 2024, compared to$211.5 million in Q3 2023, an increase of$21.3 million .- Water production costs increased by
$2.7 million to$95.1 million in Q3 2024 compared to the same period last year, primarily due to an increase in wholesale water rates and water usage. - Income tax expenses increased primarily due to the increase in pre-tax income.
- Water production costs increased by
Year-to-Date 2024 Financial Results
- Year-to-date net income attributable to Group was
$171.1 million , compared to net income of$21.8 million for the nine-month period ended September 30, 2023. - Operating revenue was
$814.6 million in the first nine months of 2024, compared to$580.1 million in the first nine months of 2023, an increase of$234.5 million .- A cumulative adjustment for the 2023 impacts of the 2021 California GRC decision and 2024 MWRAM added
$99.9 million in revenue. - Increased rates, including recognition of the 2024 Interim Rates Memorandum Account (“IRMA”), increased revenue by
$95.0 million . - Deferred revenue decreased by
$15.6 million primarily due to recognition of previously deferred Water Revenue Adjustment Mechanism (“WRAM”) revenue as a result of securing California Extended Water and Wastewater Arrearage Payment Program funds for the payment of eligible customer balances. - Accrued and unbilled revenue increased revenue by
$6.7 million .
- A cumulative adjustment for the 2023 impacts of the 2021 California GRC decision and 2024 MWRAM added
- Operating expenses were
$621.8 million for the nine-month period ended September 30, 2024, compared to$538.2 million in the same period last year.- Water production costs increased by
$18.7 million , mostly due to an increase in wholesale water rates and water usage. - Other operations expense increased
$11.4 million , primarily due to the recognition of$13.1 million of costs associated with the recognized deferred revenue. - Income taxes increased
$41.1 million primarily due to the increase in pre-tax net operating income.
- Water production costs increased by
As a result of the Q1 2024 adoption of the 2021 California GRC decision, interim rate relief related to 2023 totaling
Liquidity, Financing, and Capital Investment
As of September 30, 2024, Group maintained
On August 2, 2024, the California Public Utilities Commission (“CPUC”) approved Cal Water to issue up to
On October 22, 2024, Cal Water issued
Group capital investments during the nine-month period ended September 30, 2024 increased to a record total of
California Regulatory Activity
2024 Infrastructure Improvement Plan and General Rate Case
As reported last quarter, on July 8, 2024, Cal Water submitted a GRC that included Infrastructure Improvement Plans for 2025-2027. Cal Water proposes to invest more than
Cal Water has concluded an initial pre-hearing conference and an administrative law judge and Commissioner have been assigned to the GRC. The triennial filing begins an approximately 18-month review process by the CPUC.
Cost of Capital
Cal Water’s authorized Cost of Capital includes a mechanism that adjusts authorized ROE in the event there is a 100-basis point movement in the 12-month (October 1 through September 30) average of Moody’s Aa utility bond index as compared to the same period in the previous year. The average movement in the index during the measurement period was less than 100-basis points. As a result, no adjustment to Cal Water’s current ROE of
Other Regulatory Mechanisms and Filings
Cal Water recently filed advice letters pertaining to the IRMA, the 2023 MWRAM, and the 2023 Incremental Cost Balancing Account (“ICBA”). These filings were approved and became effective on October 1, 2024. Over a three-year period, Group anticipates recovering approximately
Group expects that
Water Conservation, Emergency Response, and Workplace Leadership Awards
The Company continued to demonstrate its industry leadership and commitment to excellence during the third quarter of 2024, earning several prestigious awards.
For the ninth consecutive year, the Great Place to Work® Institute certified the Company as a Great Place to Work in August. This recognition, based on employee feedback, reflects the Company's ongoing commitment to fostering a positive work environment and supporting its workforce through enhanced engagement initiatives and benefit programs.
In early September, Newsweek named the Company one of the "World's Most Trustworthy Companies" for the second year running. This global recognition, which considered feedback from customers, investors, and employees, places the Company among only five water utilities honored in the energy and utilities category.
Shortly thereafter, the National Association of Water Companies honored Hawaii Water Service Operations Manager John “Kani” Kadowaki with the Living Water Award in recognition of his leadership of the team that kept water flowing to local communities during the devastating fires in Lahaina in 2023. Hawaii Water Service was the only water provider in West Maui that did not need to issue boil water advisories or experience water service interruptions during the tragedy.
Capping off the quarter, the EPA awarded Cal Water the WaterSense® Excellence in Promoting WaterSense Labeled Products Award for the second consecutive year. This accolade recognizes Cal Water's outstanding efforts in promoting water efficiency, including the installation of water-saving devices that are projected to conserve an estimated 395 million gallons of water over their lifetime. Cal Water’s leadership in supporting customers’ conservation efforts ties directly to its commitment to maintaining affordable rates. In July, a study by the Alliance for Water Efficiency highlighted the significant financial benefits of Cal Water's conservation efforts, finding that these initiatives have reduced customers' bills by up to
Finally, shortly after the quarter closed, Newsweek named Group one of “America’s Greenest Companies” in recognition of the Company’s commitment to and advancements in sustainability. Group was one of two water utilities among the 500 companies honored.
These accolades reflect Group's holistic approach to excellence, encompassing environmental stewardship, customer service, employee satisfaction, and corporate trustworthiness, reinforcing its position as a leader in the water utility sector.
For additional details, please see Form 10-Q which will be available at https://www.calwatergroup.com/investors/financials-filings-reports/sec-filings
Quarterly Earnings Teleconference
All stockholders and interested investors are invited to attend the conference call on Thursday, October 31, 2024 at 8 a.m. PT (11 a.m. ET) by dialing 1-800-715-9871 or 1-646-307-1963 and keying in ID# 2796844, or you may access the live audio webcast at https://edge.media-server.com/mmc/p/z25hs69f/. Please join at least 15 minutes in advance to ensure a timely connection to the call. A replay of the call will be available from 2:00 p.m. ET on Thursday, October 31, 2024, through Monday, December 30, 2024, at 1-800-770-2030 or 1-609-800-9909 and key in ID# 2796844, or by accessing the webcast above. The call will be hosted by Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Martin A. Kropelnicki, Senior Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer James P. Lynch, and Vice President, Rates and Regulatory Affairs, Greg A. Milleman. Prior to the call, Group will furnish a slide presentation on its website.
About California Water Service Group
California Water Service Group is the parent company of regulated utilities California Water Service, Hawaii Water Service, New Mexico Water Service, and Washington Water Service, as well as Texas Water Service, a utility holding company. Together, these companies provide regulated and non-regulated water and wastewater service to more than 2.1 million people in California, Hawaii, New Mexico, Washington, and Texas. California Water Service Group’s common stock trades on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol “CWT.” Additional information is available online at www.calwatergroup.com.
This news release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning established by the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 (“PSLRA”). The forward-looking statements are intended to qualify under provisions of the federal securities laws for “safe harbor” treatment established by the PSLRA. Forward-looking statements in this news release are based on currently available information, expectations, estimates, assumptions and projections, and our management’s beliefs, assumptions, judgments and expectations about us, the water utility industry and general economic conditions. These statements are not statements of historical fact. When used in our documents, statements that are not historical in nature, including words like will, would, expects, intends, plans, believes, may, could, estimates, assumes, anticipates, projects, progress, predicts, hopes, targets, forecasts, should, seeks or variations of these words or similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. Examples of forward-looking statements in this news release include, but are not limited to, statements describing Group’s expected financial performance; Group’s plans and proposals pursuant to the California GRC filed on July 8, 2024; investments in infrastructure projects and estimated capital investments, anticipated recovery from unrecorded regulatory mechanisms (including the IRMA, M-WRAM, and ICBA); and expectations regarding the business and financial impact of the 2021 California GRC decision. Forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance. They are based on numerous assumptions that we believe are reasonable, but they are open to a wide range of uncertainties and business risks. Consequently, actual results may vary materially from what is contained in a forward-looking statement. Factors that may cause actual results to be different than those expected or anticipated include, but are not limited to: our ability to invest or apply the proceeds from the issuance of common stock in an accretive manner; governmental and regulatory commissions’ decisions, including decisions on proper disposition of property; consequences of eminent domain actions relating to our water systems; changes in regulatory commissions’ policies and procedures, such as the CPUC’s decision in 2020 to preclude companies from proposing fully decoupled WRAMs, which impacted the 2021 California GRC Filing; the outcome and timeliness of regulatory commissions’ actions concerning rate relief and other matters; increased risk of inverse condemnation losses as a result of climate change and drought; our ability to renew leases to operate water systems owned by others on beneficial terms; changes in California State Water Resources Control Board water quality standards; changes in environmental compliance and water quality requirements; electric power interruptions, especially as a result of public safety power shutoff programs; housing and customer growth; the impact of opposition to rate increases; our ability to recover costs; availability of water supplies; issues with the implementation, maintenance or security of our information technology systems; civil disturbances or terrorist threats or acts; the adequacy of our efforts to mitigate physical and cyber security risks and threats; the ability of our enterprise risk management processes to identify or address risks adequately; labor relations matters as we negotiate with the unions; changes in customer water use patterns and the effects of conservation, including as a result of drought conditions; our ability to complete, in a timely manner or at all, successfully integrate and achieve anticipated benefits from announced acquisitions; the impact of weather, climate change, natural disasters, and actual or threatened public health emergencies, including disease outbreaks, on our operations, water quality, water availability, water sales and operating results and the adequacy of our emergency preparedness; 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; risks associated with expanding our business and operations geographically; the impact of stagnating or worsening business and economic conditions, including inflationary pressures, general economic slowdown or a recession, increasing interest rates, instability of certain financial institutions, changes in monetary policy, adverse capital markets activity or macroeconomic conditions as a result of the geopolitical conflicts, and the prospect of a shutdown of the U.S. federal government; the impact of market conditions and volatility on unrealized gains or losses on our non-qualified benefit plan investments and our operating results; the impact of weather and timing of meter reads on our accrued unbilled revenue; the impact of evolving legal and regulatory requirements, including emerging environmental, social and governance requirements and our ability to comply with PFAS regulations; and other risks and unforeseen events described in our Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) filings. In light of these risks, uncertainties and assumptions, investors are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date of this news release. When considering forward-looking statements, you should keep in mind the cautionary statements included in this paragraph, as well as the Annual Report on Form 10-K, Quarterly 10-Q, and other reports filed from time-to-time with the SEC. We are not under any obligation, and we expressly disclaim any obligation to update or alter any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.
Contacts:
James P. Lynch (408) 367-8200 (analysts)
Shannon Dean (408) 367-8243 (media)
CALIFORNIA WATER SERVICE GROUP CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS Unaudited | |||
(In thousands, except per share data) | September 30, 2024 | December 31, 2023 | |
ASSETS | |||
Utility plant: | |||
Utility plant | $ 5,263,692 | $ 4,925,483 | |
Less accumulated depreciation and amortization | (1,222,808) | (1,152,228) | |
Net utility plant | 4,040,884 | 3,773,255 | |
Current assets: | |||
Cash and cash equivalents | 59,556 | 39,591 | |
Restricted cash | 45,641 | 45,375 | |
Receivables: | |||
Customers, net | 81,075 | 59,349 | |
Regulatory balancing accounts | 59,095 | 64,240 | |
Other, net | 20,254 | 16,431 | |
Accrued unbilled revenue, net | 55,971 | 36,999 | |
Materials and supplies | 19,872 | 16,170 | |
Taxes, prepaid expenses, and other assets | 21,487 | 18,130 | |
Total current assets | 362,951 | 296,285 | |
Other assets: | |||
Regulatory assets | 340,419 | 257,621 | |
Goodwill | 37,039 | 37,039 | |
Other assets | 233,615 | 231,333 | |
Total other assets | 611,073 | 525,993 | |
TOTAL ASSETS | $ 5,014,908 | $ 4,595,533 | |
CAPITALIZATION AND LIABILITIES | |||
Capitalization: | |||
Common stock, September 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023, respectively | $ 595 | $ 577 | |
Additional paid-in capital | 965,278 | 876,583 | |
Retained earnings | 671,913 | 549,573 | |
Accumulated other comprehensive loss | (9,197) | — | |
Noncontrolling interests | 3,043 | 3,579 | |
Total equity | 1,631,632 | 1,430,312 | |
Long-term debt, net | 1,051,585 | 1,052,768 | |
Total capitalization | 2,683,217 | 2,483,080 | |
Current liabilities: | |||
Current maturities of long-term debt, net | 890 | 672 | |
Short-term borrowings | 260,000 | 180,000 | |
Accounts payable | 171,501 | 157,305 | |
Regulatory balancing accounts | 24,133 | 21,540 | |
Accrued interest | 17,131 | 6,625 | |
Accrued expenses and other liabilities | 97,074 | 64,197 | |
Total current liabilities | 570,729 | 430,339 | |
Deferred income taxes | 365,598 | 352,762 | |
Regulatory liabilities | 734,925 | 683,717 | |
Pension | 83,412 | 82,920 | |
Advances for construction | 201,417 | 199,448 | |
Contributions in aid of construction | 292,540 | 286,491 | |
Other | 83,070 | 76,776 | |
Commitments and contingencies | |||
TOTAL CAPITALIZATION AND LIABILITIES | $ 5,014,908 | $ 4,595,533 |
CALIFORNIA WATER SERVICE GROUP CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS Unaudited | |||||||
(In thousands, except per share data) | |||||||
Three Months Ended September 30, | Nine Months Ended September 30, | ||||||
2024 | 2023 | 2024 | 2023 | ||||
Operating revenue | $ 299,563 | $ 254,976 | $ 814,611 | $ 580,120 | |||
Operating expenses: | |||||||
Operations: | |||||||
Water production costs | 95,091 | 92,347 | 236,920 | 218,222 | |||
Administrative and general | 35,453 | 34,216 | 103,091 | 105,177 | |||
Other operations | 33,618 | 32,331 | 86,169 | 74,758 | |||
Maintenance | 9,264 | 8,930 | 26,064 | 24,063 | |||
Depreciation and amortization | 33,065 | 29,897 | 98,887 | 89,636 | |||
Income tax expense (benefit) | 15,483 | 3,949 | 39,710 | (1,366) | |||
Property and other taxes | 10,841 | 9,832 | 30,962 | 27,731 | |||
Total operating expenses | 232,815 | 211,502 | 621,803 | 538,221 | |||
Net operating income | 66,748 | 43,474 | 192,808 | 41,899 | |||
Other income and expenses: | |||||||
Non-regulated revenue | 4,133 | 4,535 | 14,744 | 13,643 | |||
Non-regulated expenses | (934) | (5,992) | (7,013) | (11,224) | |||
Other components of net periodic benefit credit | 4,451 | 4,776 | 12,062 | 14,753 | |||
Allowance for equity funds used during construction | 1,691 | 1,387 | 5,252 | 4,146 | |||
Income tax expense on other income and expenses | (1,939) | (1,063) | (4,566) | (4,302) | |||
Net other income | 7,402 | 3,643 | 20,479 | 17,016 | |||
Interest expense: | |||||||
Interest expense | 14,384 | 13,482 | 45,024 | 39,791 | |||
Allowance for borrowed funds used during construction | (788) | (690) | (2,358) | (2,314) | |||
Net interest expense | 13,596 | 12,792 | 42,666 | 37,477 | |||
Net income | 60,554 | 34,325 | 170,621 | 21,438 | |||
Net loss attributable to noncontrolling interests | (126) | (113) | (527) | (345) | |||
Net income attributable to California Water Service Group | $ 60,680 | $ 34,438 | $ 171,148 | $ 21,783 | |||
Earnings per share of common stock: | |||||||
Basic | $ 1.03 | $ 0.60 | $ 2.93 | $ 0.38 | |||
Diluted | $ 1.03 | $ 0.60 | $ 2.93 | $ 0.38 | |||
Weighted average shares outstanding: | |||||||
Basic | 58,931 | 57,704 | 58,321 | 56,695 | |||
Diluted | 58,982 | 57,740 | 58,358 | 56,731 | |||
Dividends per share of common stock | $ 0.28 | $ 0.26 | $ 0.84 | $ 0.78 |
FAQ
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