EX-99.1 3 b415645_ex99-1.htm EXHIBIT 99.1 Prepared and filed by St Ives Financials

Exhibit 99.1

Newark, DE, November 6, 2006 – (ARTNA) Artesian Resources Corporation (Artesian) today announced that basic and diluted net income per common share for the quarter ended September 30, 2006 were $0.43 and $0.42 as compared to $0.28 and $0.27 for the quarter ended September 30, 2005. Revenues for the quarter were $14.2 million, up 14.7% from $12.4 million in 2005. Net income was $2.6 million, compared to $1.7 million last year, a 55.3% increase.

Basic and diluted net income per common share for the nine months ended September 30, 2006 were $0.82 and $0.80, as compared to $0.64 and $0.62 for the comparable period in 2005. Revenues for the nine-month period were $36.7 million, up 8.6% from $33.8 million in 2005. Net income available to common stockholders was $5.0 million, compared to $3.8 million last year, a 29.3% increase.

The increased net income for both the quarter and nine months ended September 30, 2006, compared to the same periods a year ago were primarily due to the gain on the September 2006 sale of four acres of land owned by Artesian Development Corporation, a non-regulated subsidiary. The sale price was $1.35 million and the gain on the sale of the parcel of land after expenses, but before income taxes, was approximately $1.32 million.

Increased revenues for both the quarter and nine months ended September 30, 2006, were due to increased water sales revenues of $942,000 and $2.3 million respectively, and the gain on the sale of land. Water sales revenues reflect a 2.9% increase in the number of customers served, a 5.9% temporary rate increase implemented on July 10, 2006 (associated with the rate increase request filed with the Delaware Public Service Commission on May 9, 2006) and revenues generated from our 1.2% Distribution System Improvement Charge in effect from January 1 to July 10, 2006. The increases in utility operating revenue in both periods were offset by decreases in non-utility revenue of $427,000 for the quarter and $707,000 for the nine-month period ended September 30, 2006. The decrease in non-utility revenue was the result of less non-regulated wastewater project activity compared to last year.

Utility operating expense increased $413,000 for the quarter ended September 30, 2006, or 7.1%, over the same period in 2005, primarily as a result of increases in repair and maintenance and purchased power costs.

For the nine months ended September 30, 2006, utility operating expense increased $1.6 million, or 9.5%, over the same period in 2005, as a result of increases in payroll and employee benefits, outside services related to the implementation of our GIS system, purchased power expense, purchased water costs and water treatment expense.

Non-utility operating expenses decreased $268,000 for the quarter and $809,000 for the nine months ended September 30, 2006, compared to the same periods last year as a result of less wastewater construction activity.

On October 26, Artesian declared a 5.0%, or a $0.03 per share, increase in the Class A Non-Voting and Class B Common shareholders’ annual dividend. With this increase, the annual dividend is 7.5% greater than a year ago. The quarterly dividend of $0.16 per share is payable November 21, 2006 to shareholders of record at the close of business on November 10, 2006.

Artesian Resources Corporation, through our wholly-owned subsidiary Artesian Water Company, is the largest investor owned regulated public water utility in the State of Delaware and has been providing superior water service within the state since 1905. About $181 million has been invested in Artesian’s utility plant over the last 10 years to provide sufficient treated supply, new water mains and additional storage capacity to meet peak demands and provide fire protection. We distribute and sell water to residential, commercial, industrial, governmental, municipal and utility customers. As of September 30, 2006, Artesian was serving approximately 73,400 metered customers, providing water service to about 242,000 residents (including contract services). Last year, Artesian distributed 7.5 billion gallons of water. Artesian serves its customers through 107 operating wells. Artesian’s water supply is treated at 50 different locations. Artesian owns and maintains approximately 1,000 miles of water main. Artesian has increased its water customer base by 28% and its franchised service territory by 71% over the past decade. Artesian also provides water and wastewater treatment contract services on the Delmarva Peninsula through Artesian Utility Development, Inc., a non-regulated subsidiary, and wastewater utility services through Artesian Wastewater Management, Inc., a regulated subsidiary.

Contact: Nicki Taylor

Investor Relations

(302) 453-6943 ntaylor@artesianwater.com

 


Artesian Resources Corporation

Condensed Consolidated Statement of Operations

(In thousands, except per share amounts)

 

 

 

(Unaudited) 

 

 

 

Three months ended September 30, 2006

 

Three months ended September 30, 2005

 

Nine months ended September 30, 2006

 

Nine months ended September 30, 2005

 

 

 


 


 


 


 

Operating Revenues

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Utility Operating Revenue

 

 

12,498

 

 

11,579

 

 

34,032

 

 

31,735

 

Non-Utility Operating Revenue

 

 

374

 

 

801

 

 

1,342

 

 

2,049

 

Gain on Sale of Land

 

 

1,322

 

 

 

 

1,322

 

 

0

 

 

 



 



 



 



 

 

$

14,194

 

$

12,380

 

$

36,696

 

$

33,784

 

 

 



 



 



 



 

Operating Expenses

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Utility Operating Expenses

 

 

6,240

 

 

5,827

 

 

18,210

 

 

16,635

 

Non-Utility Operating Expenses

 

 

289

 

 

557

 

 

892

 

 

1,701

 

Depreciation and Amortization

 

 

1,237

 

 

1,098

 

 

3,422

 

 

3,220

 

State & Federal Taxes

 

 

1,599

 

 

1,116

 

 

3,127

 

 

2,561

 

Property and Other Taxes

 

 

648

 

 

618

 

 

1,922

 

 

1,790

 

 

 



 



 



 



 

 

 

 

10,013

 

 

9,216

 

 

27,573

 

 

25,907

 

 

 



 



 



 



 

Operating Income

 

 

4,181

 

 

3,164

 

 

9,123

 

 

7,877

 

Other Income, net

 

 

69

 

 

33

 

 

568

 

 

503

 

 

 



 



 



 



 

Income Before Interest Charges

 

 

4,250

 

 

3,197

 

 

9,691

 

 

8,380

 

 

 



 



 



 



 

Interest Charges

 

 

1,643

 

 

1,518

 

 

4,729

 

 

4,543

 

 

 



 



 



 



 

Net Income Applicable to Common Stock

 

$

2,607

 

$

1,679

 

$

4,962

 

$

3,837

 

 

 



 



 



 



 

Weighted Average Common Shares Outstanding - Basic

 

 

6,065

 

 

5,996

*

 

6,047

 

 

5,972

*

Net Income per Common Share - Basic

 

$

0.43

 

$

0.28

*

$

0.82

 

$

0.64

*

Weighted Average Common Shares Outstanding - Diluted

 

 

6,247

 

 

6,187

*

 

6,232

 

 

6,174

*

Net Income per Common Share - Diluted

 

$

0.42

 

$

0.27

*

$

0.80

 

$

0.62

*

*

Shares outstanding and per share amounts restated to reflect a three for two common stock split effective May 30, 2006.

 


Artesian Resources Corporation

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet

(In thousands)

 

 

 

(Unaudited)

 

 

 

 

 

September 30, 2006

 

December 31, 2005

 

 

 


 


 

ASSETS

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Utility Plant, at original cost less accumulated depreciation

 

$

248,619

 

$

227,566

 

Current Assets

 

 

13,456

 

 

10,406

 

Regulatory and Other Assets

 

 

5,966

 

 

5,882

 

 

 



 



 

 

 

$

268,041

 

$

243,854

 

 

 



 



 

CAPITALIZATION AND LIABILITIES

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Stockholders’ Equity

 

$

61,344

 

$

57,813

 

Long Term Debt, Net of Current Portion

 

 

92,114

 

 

92,379

 

Current Liabilities

 

 

20,558

 

 

12,238

 

Advances for Construction

 

 

24,866

 

 

24,404

 

Contributions in Aid of Construction

 

 

46,648

 

 

37,350

 

Other Liabilities

 

 

22,511

 

 

19,670

 

 

 



 



 

 

 

$

268,041

 

$

243,854