EX-99.1 2 pressrelease.htm CHESAPEAKE ANNOUNCES 4TH QTR AND YEAR-END 2006 EARNINGS Chesapeake Announces 4th Qtr and Year-end 2006 Earnings
Exhibit 99.1
[Chesapeake Utilities
Corporation Logo]

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 1, 2007
NYSE Symbol: CPK

CHESAPEAKE UTILITIES CORPORATION ANNOUNCES
RESULTS FOR THE QUARTER AND YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2006

Dover, Delaware— Chesapeake Utilities Corporation (NYSE: CPK) today announced the results for the fourth quarter ended December 31, 2006. Net income was $3.9 million, or $0.62 per share (diluted), for the quarter ended December 31, 2006, 4.8 percent lower than the $4.1 million, or $0.69 per share (diluted), reported for the fourth quarter of 2005. Operating income increased $327,000, or 4.2 percent, to $8.1 million for the fourth quarter of 2006 compared to 2005. The increased operating income in the fourth quarter was offset by higher interest expense and higher income tax expense. Weather on the Delmarva Peninsula had a significant impact on the quarterly results as temperatures were 14 percent warmer in the fourth quarter of 2006 compared to 2005 and 9 percent warmer compared to normal. The Company estimates that the warmer weather reduced net income for the quarter by approximately $543,000, or $0.09 per share (diluted) when compared to 2005.

For the year ended December 31, 2006, net income increased $39,000, or 0.4 percent compared to 2005. Net income was $10.50 million, or $1.72 per share (diluted), compared to net income of $10.47 million, or $1.77 per share (diluted), for the same period in 2005. Operating income increased $1.4 million, or 6.5 percent to $22.9 million for 2006 compared to 2005. The increase in operating income for the year was offset by higher interest and income tax expense. Weather on the Delmarva Peninsula had a significant impact on the year-to-date results as temperatures were 18 percent warmer for the year compared to 2005 and 10 percent warmer than normal. The Company estimates that the warmer weather reduced net income by approximately $2.1 million, or $0.34 per share (diluted), for 2006 when compared to 2005.

“Results for 2006 reflect the continued strong earnings and growth potential of Chesapeake Utilities’ businesses,” said John R. Schimkaitis, President and Chief Executive Officer of Chesapeake Utilities Corporation. “Our team’s successful execution of our strategy during the past decade, including 2006, enabled the Company to maintain net income at the same level as last year despite the warmer weather. Our 2006 accomplishments include:

§  
Our natural gas transmission operation completed construction of the first phase of its 2006 - 2008 expansion project, extending the pipeline further southward in Sussex County from Milton to Millsboro, Delaware. The completion of this phase enabled us to implement additional transportation services in November 2006 that contributed $612,000 to gross margin. In 2007, these additional services are expected to generate additional gross margin of $3.3 million above and beyond 2006 amounts;
 
§  
Our natural gas distribution operations aggressively pursued new service areas, including Frederica, Delaware, where more than 800 homes are under contract for natural gas service;
 
§  
Customer growth in the natural gas and propane businesses remained strong, with the Delmarva and Florida natural gas distribution operations each showing a 9 percent increase over last year in residential customers and the Delmarva propane Community Gas Systems (“CGS”) generating a 30 percent increase in customers;
 
 
 
§  
Our propane distribution subsidiary, Sharp Energy, began constructing CGS in the states of Pennsylvania and Florida;
 
§  
Our advanced information services segment began offering Managed Database Administration services in 2006; and
 
§  
In November, we completed the public offering of approximately 700,000 shares of our common stock at a price of $30.10 per share.”
 

The discussions of the results for each of the periods ended December 31, 2006 and 2005 use the term “gross margin.” Gross margin is a non-GAAP financial measure that management uses to evaluate the performance of its business segments. For an explanation of the calculation of gross margin see the footenote to the Supplemental Income Statement Data which follows. The discussions also refer to “other operating expenses.” Other operating expenses refer to the following expense categories: operations, maintenance, depreciation and amortization, and other taxes.


Results for the quarter ended December 31, 2006

Operating income was $8.1 million for the fourth quarter of 2006, an increase of $327,000, compared to operating income of $7.8 million for the fourth quarter of 2005. Gross margin decreased $1.2 million, or 5 percent, for the fourth quarter of 2006 compared to 2005, primarily due to the adverse affect of warmer weather in 2006 and the inclusion of the one-time sale of the LAMPSTM product by our advanced information services segment in 2005.

Natural Gas Operations

§  
Natural gas operating income for the fourth quarter increased by $1.4 million, or 27 percent, on gross margin growth of $777,000, or 6 percent, compared to the fourth quarter of 2005.
 
§  
The natural gas transmission operation achieved gross margin growth of $616,000, or 14 percent, primarily due to additional firm transportation services that were implemented in November 2006.
 
§  
Gross margin for the natural gas distribution and marketing operations increased by $161,000, or 2 percent. Continued residential customer growth on the Delmarva Peninsula and within our Florida territories was partially offset by the warmer weather experienced in the fourth quarter of 2006 compared to the same period in 2005.
 
§  
Other operating expenses for the natural gas segment decreased $580,000, or 7 percent, for the fourth quarter of 2006 compared to the fourth quarter of 2005, due primarily to lower health care costs, bad debt expense, and the deferral of pre-service costs for the Bay Crossing Project that were incurred in the fourth quarter of 2005. These decreases in costs were partially offset by an increase in costs to support customer growth, including higher payroll, depreciation and property taxes.

Propane Operations

§  
Propane experienced a decrease of $27,000 in operating income in the fourth quarter of 2006 compared to 2005 as gross margin decreased $201,000. The decrease in gross margin was partially offset by lower other operating expenses of $174,000 during the fourth quarter.
 
 
 
§  
Gross margin for the Delmarva propane distribution operation increased by $39,000. The increase was primarily attributed to increases in the average gross margin per retail gallon of propane sold, partially offset by lower sales volume as temperatures were 14 percent warmer in fourth quarter of 2006.
 
§  
The propane wholesale and marketing operation experienced a decrease of $245,000 in gross margin for the fourth quarter of 2006 compared to the same period in 2005. The results for the fourth quarter of 2005 reflected increased trading opportunities due to the unusually high levels of price volatility in the propane wholesale market resulting from hurricanes in the Gulf of Mexico area. The same level of price volatility was not experienced in the fourth quarter of 2006.
 
§  
Other operating expenses of the propane segment decreased $174,000 for the quarter, compared to the fourth quarter of 2005. Lower health care costs were the primary contributor to the lower expenses.
 

Advanced Information Services

The advanced information services segment reported operating income of $257,000 for the fourth quarter of 2006, representing a decrease of $1.0 million compared to the same period in 2005. The lower operating income in 2006 is primarily because in 2005 we had non-recurring operating income of $1.5 million from the sale of the LAMPSTM product in October 2005.

Interest Expense

Interest expense for the fourth quarter of 2006 increased $131,000 to $1.4 million from $1.3 million in the fourth quarter of 2005. The 10 percent increase was primarily due to an increase in short-term borrowing and an increase in long-term debt. The Company’s average short-term borrowing was $5.5 million higher during the fourth quarter of 2006 when compared to the fourth quarter of 2005. Interest on long-term debt increased in the fourth quarter of 2006 over 2005 as the average long-term debt balance was $14.8 million higher during the fourth quarter of 2006, compared to the same period in 2005. The long-term debt balance increase is from the $20 million placement of 5.5 percent Senior Notes in October 2006. The Company also capitalized $319,000 of interest as part of capital project costs during the fourth quarter of 2006 compared to $136,000 during the same period in 2005.




Results for the year ended December 31, 2006

Operating income increased $1.4 million, or 6.5 percent, to $22.9 million for the year 2006, compared to $21.5 million for 2005. The year 2006 reflects the strong year-over-year operating income growth experienced by our natural gas operations of $2.5 million, or 14 percent. This growth was offset by reductions in operating income from propane and advanced information services. In 2006, both natural gas and propane were negatively impacted by weather that was 18 percent warmer than in 2005. We estimate that the warmer weather reduced the Company’s gross margin by approximately $3.4 million. The natural gas distribution operations were able to overcome the weather impact and show an increase in operating income due to customer growth and cost containment efforts. 

Natural Gas Operations

§  
Natural gas operating income for the year 2006 increased by $2.5 million, or 14 percent, on gross margin growth of $2.0 million, compared to 2005.
 
§  
The natural gas transmission operation achieved gross margin growth of $1.8 million, or 11 percent. Of the $1.8 million increase, $1.1 million was attributed to a full-year of certain transportation capacity contracts that became effective in November 2005 and $612,000 was due to new transportation capacity contracts that became effective in November 2006. In 2007, the November 2006 contracts are expected to generate additional gross margin of $3.3 million above and beyond the 2006 levels.
 
§  
Gross margin for the Delaware and Maryland distribution operations decreased by $210,000, as temperatures on the Delmarva Peninsula were 18 percent warmer during 2006 compared to 2005. The Company estimates that the warmer temperatures resulted in a decrease in gross margin of approximately $1.7 million compared to 2005, which was partially offset by gross margin from new customers.
 
§  
Continued growth in residential customers on the Delmarva Peninsula generated approximately $1.2 million of increased gross margin for 2006, compared to 2005.
 
§  
Gross margin for the Florida operations increased $470,000 for 2006, compared to 2005, primarily due to an 8 percent increase in residential customers and growth in unregulated natural gas supply management services.
 
§  
Other operating expenses for the natural gas segment decreased by $476,000, or 1 percent, in 2006 when compared to 2005. Operations and maintenance expenses were down $1.2 million, or 5 percent, depreciation and amortization was up by $630,000, or 11 percent, and other taxes were up $96,000, or 3 percent. Operations and maintenance expenses were down due to lower health care costs, lower bad debts expense, lower corporate overhead costs and the deferral of the Bay Crossing Project development costs. The Bay Crossing Project development costs are being deferred as a result of the June 2006 Federal Energy Regulatory Commission decision that Eastern Shore could collect those costs through rates. Depreciation and amortization expense and other taxes were up primarily due to the Company’s capital expenditure program that is supporting the growth.

Propane Operations

§  
Propane operating income for 2006 decreased $675,000, or 21 percent, compared to the same period in 2005, due primarily to the negative impact of warmer weather.
 
§  
Gross margin for the Delmarva propane distribution operation decreased $834,000, primarily attributed to lower sales volume as temperatures were 18 percent warmer in 2006. The reduced volume was offset by an increase in the average gross margin per retail gallon of propane sold.
 
§  
Gross margin for Delmarva CGS increased $155,000 when compared to 2005, primarily from an increase in the number of customers. The average number of customers increased approximately 1,000 to 3,900, or 34%, in 2006, compared to the same period in 2005. The Company expects the growth of its CGS operation to continue in the future due to the number of systems currently under construction.
 
 
 
§  
The Florida propane distribution operation experienced a decrease in gross margin of $146,000 when compared to the same period in 2005. The lower gross margin reflects a decrease of $208,000 for in-house piping sales as the Florida operation exits the house piping service.
 
§  
Gross margin for the Company’s propane wholesale marketing operation decreased by $159,000 in 2006 compared to 2005. This decrease from the 2005 results reflects the increased opportunities in 2005 due to the extreme price volatility in the propane wholesale market from rising propane prices following the hurricanes in the Gulf of Mexico area. The same level of price fluctuations was not experienced in 2006.
 
§  
Other operating expenses of the propane unit decreased for 2006 by $463,000, compared to the same period in 2005, primarily as a result of the Company being reimbursed for $387,000 in fixed costs by a propane supplier in connection with a propane contamination incident that occurred in March 2006 and lower health care costs.
 

Advanced Information Services

The advanced information services segment reported operating income of $767,000 for 2006, representing a decrease of $429,000 compared to 2005. The decrease in operating income is primarily related to the non-recurring operating income generated by the LAMPSTM product in 2005, which contributed $1.2 million to 2005’s operating income. Consulting revenues increased $749,000 in 2006 when compared to 2005, primarily from implementing a new service, Managed Database Administration, during 2006 and an increase of 7.6 percent in the average hourly billing rate. Partially offsetting the increase in consulting revenues, were decreases of $128,000 and $244,000 from training and product sales and other revenues, respectively.

Interest Expense

Total interest expense for 2006 increased approximately $644,000, or 12.5 percent, compared to 2005. The increase reflects an increase in the average short-term debt balance and higher short-term interest rates in 2006 compared to 2005. The average short-term borrowing balance increased $21.2 million to $26.9 million as the Company had capital investments of $49.0 million in 2006. The weighted average interest rate for short-term borrowing increased from 4.47 percent for 2005 to 5.46 percent for 2006. The Company also capitalized $586,000 of interest as part of capital project costs during 2006 compared to $136,000 during 2005.



Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income
  
For the Periods Ended December 31, 2006 and 2005
  
Dollars in Thousands Except Per Share Amounts
  
(Unaudited)
  
                   
   
Fourth Quarter
  
Year to Date
  
   
2006
  
2005
  
2006
  
2005
  
Operating Revenues
  
$
60,805
  
$
74,409
  
$
231,201
  
$
229,630
  
                           
Operating Expenses
                          
Cost of sales, excluding costs below
    
39,622
   
52,062
   
155,811
   
153,515
 
Operations
    
9,153
   
10,856
   
37,053
   
40,182
 
Maintenance
    
563
   
539
   
2,104
   
1,819
 
Depreciation and amortization
    
2,185
   
1,867
   
8,244
   
7,568
 
Other taxes
    
1,155
   
1,285
   
5,058
   
5,016
 
Total operating expenses
    
52,678
   
66,609
   
208,270
   
208,100
 
Operating Income
    
8,127
   
7,800
   
22,931
   
21,530
 
Other income, net of other expenses
    
59
   
52
   
189
   
383
 
Interest charges
    
1,442
   
1,310
   
5,777
   
5,133
 
Income Before Income Taxes
    
6,744
   
6,542
   
17,343
   
16,780
 
Income taxes
    
2,810
   
2,409
   
6,836
   
6,312
 
Net Income
  
$
3,934
  
$
4,133
  
$
10,507
  
$
10,468
  
                           
Earnings Per Share of Common Stock:
                          
Basic
  
$
0.63
  
$
0.70
  
$
1.74
  
$
1.79
  
Diluted
 
$
0.62
  
$
0.69
  
$
1.72
  
$
1.77
  
Basic weighted average shares outstanding
    
6,291,643
   
5,875,986
   
6,032,462
   
5,836,463
 
Diluted weighted average shares outstanding
    
6,408,066
   
6,034,322
   
6,155,131
   
5,992,552
 


 
 

Supplemental Income Statement Data
  
For the Periods Ended December 31, 2006 and 2005
  
Dollars in Thousands
  
(Unaudited)
  
                   
   
Fourth Quarter
  
Year to Date
  
   
2006
  
2005
  
2006
  
2005
  
Gross Margin (1)
                  
Natural Gas
  
$
14,535
  
$
13,758
  
$
52,426
  
$
50,404
  
Propane
    
5,303
   
5,503
   
17,796
   
18,935
 
Advanced Information Services
    
1,445
   
3,143
   
5,486
   
6,959
 
Other
    
(100
)
  
(57
)
  
(318
)
  
(183
)
Total Gross Margin
  
$
21,183
  
$
22,347
  
$
75,390
  
$
76,115
  
                           
Operating Income
                          
Natural Gas
  
$
6,477
  
$
5,119
  
$
19,733
  
$
17,236
  
Propane
    
1,368
   
1,395
   
2,534
   
3,209
 
Advanced Information Services
    
257
   
1,274
   
767
   
1,197
 
Other
    
25
   
12
   
(103
)
  
(112
)
Total Operating Income
  
$
8,127
  
$
7,800
  
$
22,931
  
$
21,530
  
                           
Heating Degree-Days — Delmarva Peninsula
                          
Actual
    
1,429
   
1,654
   
3,931
   
4,792
 
10-year average (normal)
    
1,575
   
1,583
   
4,372
   
4,436
 

(1) “Gross margin” is determined by deducting the cost of sales from operating revenue. Cost of sales includes the purchased gas cost for natural gas and propane and the cost of labor spent on direct revenue-producing activities. Gross margin should not be considered an alternative to operating income or net income, which are determined in accordance with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (“GAAP”). Chesapeake believes that gross margin, although a non-GAAP measure, is useful and meaningful to investors as a basis for making investment decisions. It provides investors with information that demonstrates the profitability achieved by the Company under its allowed rates for regulated operations and under its competitive pricing structure for non-regulated segments. Chesapeake’s management uses gross margin in measuring its business units’ performance and has historically analyzed and reported gross margin information publicly. Other companies may calculate gross margin in a different manner.




Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets
 
Dollars and Share Amounts in Thousands
 
(Unaudited)
  
           
Assets
         
At December 31,
 
2006
  
2005
  
Property, Plant and Equipment
         
Natural gas distribution and transmission
 
$
269,013
  
$
220,685
  
Propane
   
44,792
   
41,564
 
Advanced information services
   
1,054
   
1,221
 
Other plant
   
9,147
   
9,276
 
Total property, plant and equipment
   
324,006
   
272,746
 
Less: Accumulated depreciation and amortization
   
(85,010
)
  
(78,840
)
Plus: Construction work in progress
   
1,829
   
7,598
 
Net property, plant and equipment
   
240,825
   
201,504
 
               
Investments
   
2,016
   
1,686
 
               
Current Assets
             
Cash and cash equivalents
   
4,488
   
2,488
 
Accounts receivable (less allowance for uncollectible accounts of $661 and $861, respectively)
   
44,969
   
54,284
 
Accrued revenue
   
4,325
   
4,716
 
Propane inventory, at average cost
   
7,187
   
6,333
 
Other inventory, at average cost
   
1,565
   
1,539
 
Regulatory assets
   
1,276
   
4,435
 
Storage gas prepayments
   
7,393
   
8,628
 
Income taxes receivable
   
1,079
   
2,726
 
Deferred income taxes
   
1,365
   
-
 
Prepaid expenses
   
2,281
   
2,021
 
Other current assets
   
1,554
   
1,597
 
Total current assets
   
77,482
   
88,767
 
               
Deferred Charges and Other Assets
             
Goodwill
   
674
   
674
 
Other intangible assets, net
   
192
   
206
 
Long-term receivables
   
824
   
961
 
Other regulatory assets
   
1,765
   
1,178
 
Other deferred charges
   
1,216
   
1,004
 
Total deferred charges and other assets
   
4,671
   
4,023
 
               
               
Total Assets
 
$
324,994
  
$
295,980
  
 
 
 

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets
 
Dollars and Share Amounts in Thousands
 
(Unaudited)
  
           
Capitalization and Liabilities
         
At December 31,
 
2006
  
2005
  
Capitalization
         
Stockholders' equity
         
Common Stock, par value $0.4867 per share (authorized 12,000 shares) (1)
  
$
3,255
  
$
2,863
  
Additional paid-in capital
   
61,960
   
39,620
 
Retained earnings
   
46,271
   
42,855
 
Accumulated other comprehensive income
   
(335
)
  
(578
)
Deferred compensation obligation
   
1,119
   
795
 
Treasury stock
   
(1,118
)
  
(798
)
Total stockholders' equity
   
111,152
   
84,757
 
Long-term debt, net of current maturities
   
71,050
   
58,991
 
Total capitalization
   
182,202
   
143,748
 
               
Current Liabilities
             
Current portion of long-term debt
   
7,656
   
4,929
 
Short-term borrowing
   
27,554
   
35,482
 
Accounts payable
   
33,871
   
45,645
 
Customer deposits and refunds
   
7,502
   
5,141
 
Accrued interest
   
832
   
559
 
Dividends payable
   
1,939
   
1,676
 
Deferred income taxes
   
-
   
1,151
 
Accrued compensation
   
2,901
   
3,793
 
Regulatory liabilities
   
4,199
   
551
 
Other accrued liabilities
   
4,007
   
3,560
 
Total current liabilities
   
90,461
   
102,487
 
               
Deferred Credits and Other Liabilities
             
Deferred income taxes
   
26,517
   
24,249
 
Deferred investment tax credits
   
328
   
367
 
Other regulatory liabilities
   
1,236
   
2,009
 
Environmental liabilities
   
212
   
353
 
Accrued pension costs
   
1,608
   
3,100
 
Accrued asset removal cost
   
18,411
   
16,727
 
Other liabilities
   
4,019
   
2,940
 
Total deferred credits and other liabilities
   
52,331
   
49,745
 
               
               
Total Capitalization and Liabilities
 
$
324,994
  
$
295,980
  
               
(1) Shares issued were 6,688 and 5,883 for 2006 and 2005, respectively.
              
Shares outstanding were 6,688 and 5,883 for 2006 and 2005, respectively.
              



Matters discussed in this release may include forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. Actual results may differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements. Please refer to the Cautionary Statement in the Company’s report on Form 10-K for further information on the risks and uncertainties related to the Company’s forward-looking statements.

Chesapeake Utilities Corporation is a diversified utility company engaged in natural gas distribution, transmission and marketing, propane distribution and wholesale marketing, advanced information services and other related businesses. Information about Chesapeake's businesses is available at www.chpk.com.

For more information, contact:
Michael P. McMasters
Senior Vice President & Chief Financial Officer
302.734.6799