ARTNA Artesian Resources Corporation

Artesian Resources Corporation (Nasdaq:ARTNA), a leading provider of water, wastewater services and related services on the Delmarva Peninsula, announced today that net income for the third quarter of 2016 was $4.4 million, an increase of $0.7 million, or 17.9%, compared to the $3.7 million in net income reported during the third quarter of 2015.  Diluted net income per share increased 17.1% to $0.48 compared to $0.41 for the third quarter of 2015.

Revenues for the third quarter of 2016 were $21.8 million, a $1.0 million, or 5.1%, increase over the same quarter of 2015.  Water sales revenue increased $0.8 million, or 4.5%, to $19.7 million for the third quarter of 2015 compared to $18.8 million for the third quarter of 2015.  The increase is due primarily to an increase in the Distribution System Improvement Charge, or DSIC, and overall greater water consumption. 

Excluding depreciation and income taxes, operating expenses increased $0.4 million, or 4.0%, to $11.1 million for the third quarter of 2016 compared to $10.7 million for the same period in 2015.  Utility operating expenses for the third quarter of 2016 were $9.3 million, a $0.3 million, or 2.8%, increase from the $9.0 million recorded for the same period in 2015.  The increase is primarily the result of increased legal costs and increased purchased water expense due to the timing of purchases.

Interest expenses decreased $0.1 million, or 6.1%, to $1.7 million for the third quarter of 2016 compared to $1.8 million for the same period of 2015 primarily due to a decrease in the Series S First Mortgage Bond interest rate from 6.73% to 4.45%, effective March 1, 2016, and a decrease in short-term debt outstanding.

Through the first nine months of 2016, Artesian had net income of $10.2 million, an increase of 8.0% compared to net income of $9.5 million recorded for the same period of 2015.  Diluted net income per share increased 5.7% to $1.12 for the nine months ended September 30, 2016 from $1.06 for the same period of 2015.

Revenues during the first nine months of 2016 increased $1.4 million, or 2.4%, to $59.7 million.  Water sales revenue increased $1.1 million, or 2.1%, for the nine months ended September 30, 2016 from the corresponding period in 2015.  The increase in water sales revenue is primarily due to an increase in the DSIC and an increase in the number of customers served and resulting fixed customer and fire protection charges.

Excluding depreciation and income taxes, operating expenses increased $0.7 million, or 2.3%, to $31.9 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2016 compared to $31.2 million for the same period of 2015.  Utility operating expenses for the nine months ended September 30, 2016 were $26.6 million, a $0.4 million, or 1.5%, increase from the $26.2 million recorded for the same period of 2015.  The increase is primarily the result of increased legal, payroll and employee benefit expenses, somewhat offset by lower purchased power costs under a new three-year electric generation supply contract effective May 2016.

Interest expenses decreased $0.3 million, or 4.9%, to $5.0 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2016 compared to $5.3 million for the same period of 2015 primarily due to a decrease in the Series S First Mortgage Bond interest rate from 6.73% to 4.45%, effective March 1, 2016, and a decrease in short-term debt outstanding.

The Company invested $20.0 million in infrastructure improvements during the first nine months of 2016 to ensure high quality and reliable service to customers.  Significant infrastructure improvements included the replacement of aging water mains, upgrade of meter equipment, enhancement of water treatment facilities, rehabilitation of pumping equipment and the relocation of mains as mandated by state highway projects. 

“Our ability to continue to control expenses coupled with increased water consumption during the third quarter of 2016 contributed to our overall positive results.  We are also able to obtain timely recovery through the Distribution System Improvement Charge on a portion of our investments made in infrastructure so that our customers receive reliable and safe water,” said Dian C. Taylor, Chair, President and CEO.

About Artesian ResourcesArtesian Resources Corporation operates as a holding company of wholly-owned subsidiaries offering water, wastewater services and related services on the Delmarva Peninsula.  Artesian Water Company, the principal subsidiary, is the oldest and largest investor-owned water utility on the Delmarva Peninsula and has been providing water service since 1905.  Artesian supplies 7.6 billion gallons of water per year through 1,218 miles of water main to approximately 301,000 people.

Artesian Resources Corporation
Condensed Consolidated Statement of Operations
(In thousands, except per share amounts)
(Unaudited)
		Three months ended										Nine months ended
		September 30,										September 30,
			2016					2015				2016			2015
Operating Revenues
Water sales	$		19,680			$		18,831			$	53,440		$	52,343
Other utility operating revenue			976					861				2,752			2,618
Non-utility operating revenue			1,172					1,084				3,480			3,313
			21,828					20,776				59,672			58,274
Operating Expenses
Utility operating expenses			9,292					9,036				26,603			26,198
Non-utility operating expenses			698					578				1,924			1,705
Depreciation and amortization			2,270					2,196				6,835			6,597
State and federal income taxes			2,498					2,497				6,473			6,452
Property and other taxes			1,125					1,075				3,371			3,270
			15,883					15,382				45,206			44,222
Operating Income			5,945					5,394				14,466			14,052
Allowance for funds used during construction			87					86				160			153
Miscellaneous			(26	)				(28	)			598			521
Income Before Interest Charges			6,006					5,452				15,224			14,726
Interest Charges			1,646					1,753				4,996			5,256
Net Income	$		4,360			$		3,699			$	10,228		$	9,470
Weighted Average Common Shares Outstanding - Basic			9,112					8,960				9,090			8,935
Net Income per Common Share - Basic	$		0.48			$		0.41			$	1.13		$	1.06
Weighted Average Common Shares Outstanding - Diluted			9,177					9,000				9,154			8,972
Net Income per Common Share - Diluted	$		0.48			$		0.41			$	1.12		$	1.06
Artesian Resources Corporation
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet
(In thousands)
(Unaudited)
	September 30,					December 31,
	2016					2015
Assets
Utility Plant, at original cost less
accumulated depreciation	$		419,952			$		405,606
Current Assets			15,879					14,444
Regulatory and Other Assets			11,108					11,576
	$		446,939			$		431,626
Capitalization and Liabilities
Stockholders' Equity	$		135,877			$		132,331
Long Term Debt, Net of Current Portion			102,599					103,647
Current Liabilities			20,893					22,403
Net Advances for Construction			8,542					8,752
Contributions in Aid of Construction			110,868					99,847
Other Liabilities			68,160					64,646
	$		446,939			$		431,626

Contact:
Nicki Taylor
Investor Relations
(302) 453-6900
ntaylor@artesianwater.com