SJW

SJW GROUP

Utilities | Small Cap

$0.57

EPS Forecast

$181.3

Revenue Forecast

Announcing earnings for the quarter ending 2024-12-31 soon
EX-99.1 2 exhibit991-4qtr2019.htm EXHIBIT 99.1 Exhibit


EXHIBIT 99.1


SJW GROUP ANNOUNCES 2019 ANNUAL AND FOURTH QUARTER FINANCIAL RESULTS

SAN JOSE, CA, February 26, 2020 – SJW Group (NYSE: SJW) today reported financial results for the annual and fourth quarter ended December 31, 2019.

Annual and Fourth Quarter Highlights

On October 9, 2019, SJW Group completed its merger with Connecticut Water Service, Inc. (“CTWS”), forming the second largest pure play investor owned water utility in the United States based on rate base. CTWS is a holding company whose subsidiaries are primarily public utilities providing water service to approximately 480,000 people in 80 municipalities with a service area of approximately 269 square miles throughout Connecticut and Maine.

SJW Group President & CEO Eric W. Thornburg stated “Our transformative merger with CTWS positions us for future growth and success. We are incredibly proud of this achievement. We are also very pleased to begin to move forward with a focus on realizing the combination’s benefits for all of our stakeholders.”

Separate and apart from the CTWS merger, SJW Group incurred a significant non-recurring charge in 2019 related to the California Public Utility Commission’s (“CPUC”) decision to deny recovery of San Jose Water Company’s (“SJWC”), its wholly owned subsidiary, 2018 Water Conservation Memorandum Account (“WCMA”).

“Given the unique circumstances of this past year, notably the significant impact of the non-recurring merger and integration related expenses along with the WCMA charge on 2019 earnings, we want to provide guidance on our 2020 earnings. We are confident that it will provide investors a clear sense of the underlying strength of our company. Consistent with the consensus of analyst estimates, SJW Group expects earnings per share to be within the range of $2.25 - $2.35 for 2020,” Thornburg added.

Annual Operating Results

SJW Group net income was $23.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2019, compared to $38.8 million for the same period in 2018. Diluted earnings per share were $0.82 and $1.82 for the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018, respectively. Diluted earnings per share in 2019 includes non-recurring expenses related to the CTWS merger and integration planning expenses and regulatory commitments of $20.5 million (net of tax) or $0.72 per share and the WCMA charge of $6.7 million (net of tax) or $0.24 per share. Diluted earnings per share in 2018 includes non-recurring expenses of $14.8 million (net of tax) related to the CTWS merger.

Operating revenue was $420.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2019, compared to $397.7 million in 2018. The $22.8 million increase in revenue was primarily attributable to $21.7 million in new revenue, after $2.8 million of customer credits, as a result of the merger with CTWS, $11.0 million in cumulative water rates increases, $6.4 million from the federal tax rate change in 2018 related to the implementation of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, a $4.5 million change in the net recognition of certain balancing and memorandum accounts, and $3.1 million related to new customers. These net revenue increases were partially offset by the $19.8 million year over year change in the WCMA. In addition, we experienced a $2.1 million non-recurring revenue decrease related to the proposed settlement of an Order Instituting Investigation (“OII”) with the CPUC regarding past billing practices and a $1.7 million decrease due to lower customer usage.

Operating expenses for the year ended December 31, 2019, were $363.0 million, compared to $324.3 million in 2018, an increase of $38.7 million. Operating expenses include water production expenses of $175.8 million in 2019 compared to $168.7 million in 2018, an increase of $7.1 million. The increase in water production expenses was primarily attributable to $12.1 million in higher per unit costs for purchased water, groundwater extraction and energy charges, $5.9 million related to CTWS water sales, and $1.2 million in cost recovery balancing and memorandum

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accounts, partially offset by an $11.3 million reduction due to an increase in the use of available surface water supplies and $0.8 million in lower customer water usage.

Operating expenses, excluding water production costs, for the year ended December 31, 2019, increased $31.7 million to $187.2 million from $155.5 million. The increase was primarily due to $17.4 million in higher general and administrative expenses, including $7.3 million in post-merger CTWS expenses and $4.9 million in integration planning costs, $11.0 million in higher depreciation expenses including $6.1 million due to assets placed in service in 2018 and $4.9 million in new CTWS expenses, $4.1 million in higher property taxes other than non-income taxes primarily due to new CTWS expenses, and $2.1 million in higher maintenance expenses also primarily due to new CTWS expenses. These increases were partially offset by $2.8 million in lower merger expenses.

Other expenses and income in 2019 included $6.5 million of interest income earned on money market fund investments from the proceeds of our December 2018 equity offering offset by an increase of $7.4 million in interest expense on long-term debt. SJWC issued $80.0 million in Senior Notes in March 2019 and SJW Group issued $510.0 million in Senior Notes in October 2019.

The effective consolidated income tax rates were approximately 26% and 21% for the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018, respectively. The rate in 2019 includes the impact of previously deferred merger related tax benefits that were capitalized upon the successful closing of the CTWS transaction.

In December of 2018, the company issued approximately 7.8 million shares of common stock, the proceeds of which were used to partially finance the CTWS merger (the “Offering”). The weighted average number of shares from the Offering included in the diluted earnings per share calculation for years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018 were 7,762,000 and 611,000, respectively.

Fourth Quarter Financial Results

Net loss for the fourth quarter ended December 31, 2019 was $5.5 million, compared to net income of $8.8 million in 2018. Diluted (loss) earnings per share were ($0.19) and $0.38 for the quarters ended December 31, 2019 and 2018, respectively. The fourth quarter diluted loss per share in 2019 includes non-recurring expenses related to the CTWS merger of $15.3 million (net of tax) or $0.53 per share, including merger and integration planning expenses and regulatory commitments. Diluted earnings per share in the fourth quarter of 2018 includes non-recurring expenses of $2.8 million or $0.12 per share related to the CTWS merger.

Fourth quarter operating revenue was $125.8 million in the quarter compared to $98.7 million in 2018. The $27.1 million revenue increase was primarily attributable to $21.7 million in new CTWS revenue, a $4.3 million increase in customer usage, and a $2.9 million increase due to higher water rates. These increases were partially offset by a $2.7 million quarter over quarter change in the WCMA.

Operating expenses for the fourth quarter of 2019 were $119.8 million compared to $81.2 million in the fourth quarter of 2018. Operating expenses include water production expenses for the fourth quarter of 2019 of $50.5 million compared to $43.3 million for the same period in 2018, an increase of $7.2 million. The increase in water production expenses was primarily attributable to $5.9 million in new CTWS expenses, $1.9 million in higher per unit costs for purchased water, groundwater extraction and energy charges, and $1.5 million in higher customer water usage, partially offset by a $2.6 million decrease in cost recovery balancing and memorandum accounts. Operating expenses, excluding water production costs, increased $31.3 million to $69.3 million from $38.0 million. The increase was primarily due to an increase of $13.2 million in higher general and administrative expenses, including $2.8 million in integration planning costs and $7.3 million in new CTWS general and administrative expenses. In addition, we experienced $6.0 million in higher merger related expenses, which were primarily due to investment banking fees and legal expenses. Other fourth quarter expense changes included $6.5 million in higher depreciation expenses, $3.4 million in higher property taxes other than non-income taxes, and $2.2 million in higher maintenance expenses. The increases were primarily a result of inclusion of CTWS post-merger.


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Other expense and income in the fourth quarter of 2019 included $858,000 in new interest expense on the SJWC $80.0 million Senior Notes issued in March 2019 and $3.7 million in new interest on SJW Group’s $510.0 million Senior Notes issued in October 2019.

The effective consolidated income tax rates for the quarters ended December 31, 2019 and 2018 were approximately (6%) and 22%, respectively. The effective tax rate decreased primarily due to the capitalization of non-deductible merger costs which resulted in a decrease of tax benefit of the book loss generated in the 2019 fourth quarter.

The weighted average number of shares from the Offering included in the diluted earnings per share calculation for the fourth quarter of 2019 and 2018 were 7,762,000 and 2,425,000, respectively.
    
About SJW Group    

SJW Group is the second largest investor-owned pure play water and wastewater utility based on rate base in the United States, providing life-saving and high-quality water service to nearly 1.5 million people. SJW Group’s locally led and operated water utilities - San Jose Water Company in California; Connecticut Water Company, Avon Water Company and Heritage Village Water Company in Connecticut; Maine Water Company in Maine; and SJWTX, Inc. (dba Canyon Lake Water Service Company) in Texas - possess the financial strength, operational expertise and technological innovation to safeguard the environment, deliver outstanding service to customers and provide opportunities to employees. SJW Group remains focused on investing in its operations, remaining actively engaged in its local communities and delivering continued sustainable value to its shareholders. For more information about SJW Group, please visit www.sjwgroup.com.

Forward-Looking Statements

This release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, as amended. Some of these forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of forward-looking words such as "believes," "expects," "may," "will," "should," "seeks," "approximately," "intends," "plans," "estimates," "projects," "strategy," or "anticipates," or the negative of those words or other comparable terminology.

The accuracy of such statements is subject to a number of risks, uncertainties and assumptions including, but not limited to, the following factors: (1) the risk that the benefits expected from the merger of SJW Group and Connecticut Water Service, Inc. (the "Merger") will not be realized; (2) the risk that the integration of Connecticut Water Service, Inc. will be more difficult, time-consuming or expensive than anticipated; (3) the effect of water, utility, environmental and other governmental policies and regulations, including actions concerning rates, authorized return on equity, authorized debt-to-equity ratios, capital expenditures and other decisions; (4) the outcome of the California Public Utilities Commission’s investigation into the Merger; (5) litigation; (6) changes in demand for water and other products and services; (7) unanticipated weather conditions and changes in seasonality; (8) climate change and the effects thereof; (9) catastrophic events such as fires, earthquakes, explosions, floods, ice storms, tornadoes, hurricanes, terrorist acts, physical attacks, cyber-attacks, or other similar occurrences that could adversely affect our facilities, operations, financial condition, results of operations and reputation; (10) unexpected costs, charges or expenses; (11) our ability to successfully evaluate investments in new business and growth initiatives; (12) the risk of work stoppages, strikes and other labor-related actions; (13) changes in general economic, political, business and financial market conditions; (14) the ability to obtain financing on favorable terms, which can be affected by various factors, including credit ratings, changes in interest rates, compliance with regulatory requirements, compliance with the terms and conditions of our outstanding indebtedness, and general market and economic conditions; and (15) legislative and economic developments.

Results for a quarter are not indicative of results for a full year due to seasonality and other factors. In addition, actual results are subject to other risks and uncertainties that relate more broadly to our overall business, including those more fully described in our filings with the SEC, including our most recent reports

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on Form 10-K, Form 10-Q and Form 8-K. Forward-looking statements are not guarantees of performance, and speak only as of the date made, and we undertake no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements except as required by law.

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SJW Group
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income
(Unaudited)
(in thousands, except per share data)
 
 
Three months ended December 31,
 
Twelve months ended December 31,
 
2019
 
2018
 
2019
 
2018
REVENUE
$
125,838

 
98,718

 
$
420,482

 
397,699

OPERATING EXPENSE:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Production Expenses:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Purchased water
23,492

 
24,705

 
99,118

 
97,378

Power
2,496

 
1,406

 
7,443

 
6,180

Groundwater extraction charges
14,772

 
12,429

 
43,917

 
46,770

Other production expenses
9,738

 
4,724

 
25,291

 
18,398

Total production expenses
50,498

 
43,264

 
175,769

 
168,726

Administrative and general
25,890

 
12,655

 
66,301

 
48,933

Maintenance
6,528

 
4,378

 
20,505

 
18,414

Property taxes and other non-income taxes
7,027

 
3,643

 
19,068

 
14,975

Depreciation and amortization
20,224

 
13,680

 
65,592

 
54,601

Merger related expenses
9,655

 
3,616

 
15,768

 
18,610

Total operating expense
119,822

 
81,236

 
363,003

 
324,259

OPERATING INCOME
6,016

 
17,482

 
57,479

 
73,440

OTHER (EXPENSE) INCOME:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Interest expense
(12,703
)
 
(6,119
)
 
(31,796
)
 
(24,332
)
Unrealized loss on California Water Service Group stock

 

 

 
(527
)
Interest income on Money Market Fund
197

 
155

 
6,536

 
155

Gain on sale of real estate investment
184

 

 
929

 

Pension non-service cost
(409
)
 
(589
)
 
(3,158
)
 
(2,356
)
Other, net
881

 
368

 
2,091

 
2,452

(Loss) income before income taxes
(5,834
)
 
11,297

 
32,081

 
48,832

(Benefit) provision for income taxes
(348
)
 
2,474

 
8,454

 
10,065

NET (LOSS) INCOME BEFORE NONCONTROLLING INTEREST
(5,486
)
 
8,823

 
23,627

 
38,767

Less net income attributable to noncontrolling interest

 

 
224

 

SJW GROUP NET (LOSS) INCOME
(5,486
)
 
8,823

 
23,403

 
38,767

Unrealized gain on investment, net of taxes of $43
117

 

 
117

 

Adjustment to postretirement benefit plans, net of tax of $22
9

 

 
9

 

COMPREHENSIVE (LOSS) INCOME
$
(5,360
)
 
8,823

 
$
23,529

 
38,767

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
EARNINGS PER SHARE:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Basic
$
(0.19
)
 
0.38

 
$
0.82

 
1.83

Diluted
$
(0.19
)
 
0.38

 
$
0.82

 
1.82

DIVIDENDS PER SHARE
$
0.30

 
0.28

 
$
1.20

 
1.12

WEIGHTED AVERAGE SHARES OUTSTANDING:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Basic
28,456

 
23,056

 
28,443

 
21,214

Diluted
28,666

 
23,143

 
28,563

 
21,332



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SJW Group
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets
(Unaudited)
(in thousands)

 
December 31,
2019
 
December 31,
2018
ASSETS
 
 
 
   Utility plant:
 
 
 
Land
$
34,395

 
18,296

Depreciable plant and equipment
2,988,454

 
1,833,051

Construction in progress
112,232

 
68,765

Intangible assets
33,424

 
15,799

Total utility plant
3,168,505

 
1,935,911

Less accumulated depreciation and amortization
962,019

 
607,090

Net utility plant
2,206,486

 
1,328,821

 
 
 
 
   Real estate investments
57,699

 
56,336

   Less accumulated depreciation and amortization
13,597

 
12,327

Net real estate investments
44,102

 
44,009

CURRENT ASSETS:
 
 
 
   Cash and cash equivalents:
 
 
 
Cash
12,944

 
8,722

Restricted cash
5,000

 

Money market fund

 
412,000

   Accounts receivable and accrued unbilled utility revenue
88,077

 
50,219

   Current regulatory assets, net
6,472

 
26,910

   Other current assets
9,553

 
4,871

Total current assets
122,046

 
502,722

OTHER ASSETS:
 
 
 
   Regulatory assets, net
113,945

 
76,715

   Investments
12,928

 

   Goodwill
628,287

 
1,680

   Other
4,676

 
2,442

 
759,836

 
80,837

 
$
3,132,470

 
1,956,389



















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SJW Group
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets
(Unaudited)
(in thousands)

 
December 31,
2019
 
December 31,
2018
CAPITALIZATION AND LIABILITIES
 
 
 
CAPITALIZATION:
 
 
 
   Common stock
$
28

 
28

   Additional paid-in capital
506,639

 
495,366

   Retained earnings
383,191

 
393,918

   Accumulated other comprehensive income
126

 

Total stockholders equity
889,984

 
889,312

   Long-term debt, less current portion
1,283,597

 
431,424

Total capitalization
2,173,581

 
1,320,736

CURRENT LIABILITIES:
 
 
 
   Lines of credit
117,209

 
100,000

   Current portion of long-term debt
22,272

 

   Accrued groundwater extraction charges, purchased water and power
17,211

 
13,694

   Accounts payable
34,886

 
24,937

   Accrued interest
13,140

 
7,132

   Accrued payroll
11,570

 
7,181

   Other current liabilities
18,279

 
11,041

Total current liabilities
234,567

 
163,985

 
 
 
 
DEFERRED INCOME TAXES
195,598

 
79,651

ADVANCES FOR CONSTRUCTION AND CONTRIBUTIONS IN AID OF
 
 
 
CONSTRUCTION
398,374

 
248,853

POSTRETIREMENT BENEFIT PLANS
108,044

 
70,490

REGULATORY LIABILITY

 
59,149

OTHER NONCURRENT LIABILITIES
22,306

 
13,525

 
$
3,132,470

 
1,956,389





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