Artesian Resources Corporation (Nasdaq:ARTNA), a leading provider of water and wastewater services, and related services on the Delmarva Peninsula, today announced that net income for the second quarter of 2017 was $3.3 million, an increase of $0.2 million, or 6.9%, compared to the second quarter of 2016.  Diluted net income per share increased to $0.35 compared to $0.33 for the second quarter of 2016. 

“We are pleased to report continued solid financial results in 2017,” said Dian C. Taylor, Chair, President and CEO.  “During the first six months of 2017, we made significant investments in treatment facilities, pumping equipment, transmission and distribution facilities and mains totaling $17.1 million, consistent with our continued effort to ensure high quality reliable service to our customers.  We also continue to build upon public and private partnerships such as those with the Fort DuPont Redevelopment and Preservation Corporation, the Town of Odessa and Allen Harim Foods that are important to the continued economic vitality of Delaware and the sustained growth of Artesian,” said Taylor.

Revenues for the second quarter of 2017 were $20.5 million, a $1.1 million, or 5.7%, increase from the $19.4 million in revenues recorded for the same three month period of 2016.  Water sales revenues increased $0.9 million, or 5.3%, for the three months ended June 30, 2017 compared to the same period a year ago, primarily as a result of an increase in the Distribution System Improvement Charge, or DSIC, applied to customer bills and an increase in overall water consumption.  The Distribution System Improvement Charge allows Delaware water utilities to place into effect interim rate increases for timely recovery of investments made in certain infrastructure improvements.  Other utility operating revenue increased $0.1 million, or 11.8%, for the three months ended June 30, 2017 compared to the same period a year ago as a result of an increase in the number of wastewater customers and new development inspection fees. 

Excluding depreciation and income taxes, operating expenses increased $1.0 million, or 9.2%, to $11.4 million for the second quarter of 2017.  Utility operating expenses increased $0.8 million, or 9.4%, for the three months ended June 30, 2017 compared to the same period in 2016, mainly the result of increases in payroll, employee benefit, purchased water and water treatment equipment maintenance expenses. 

Miscellaneous income decreased $0.3 million for the three months ended June 30, 2017 compared to the same period a year ago as a result of a pledge made to a non-profit entity in Delaware being organized to support the State’s economic development efforts.

Interest expense decreased $0.1 million, or 7.4%, to $1.5 million for the second quarter of 2017, compared to $1.6 million for the same period in 2016.  The decrease reflects the refinancing of the Series O and Series Q First Mortgage Bonds in January 2017, reducing interest rates from 8.17% and 4.75%, respectively, to 4.24%. 

Income tax expense decreased $0.3 million, or 12.9%, for the three months ended June 30, 2017 compared to the same period a year ago as a result of a decrease in our effective tax rate arising as a consequence of the adoption of amended guidance issued by the Financial Accounting Standards Board in 2017 that impacted accounting for stock compensation activities and the impact of the federal Qualified Domestic Production Activities Deduction.

Year to Date Results

Through the first six months of 2017, net income was $6.3 million, a $0.5 million, or 8.0%, increase compared to the same period a year ago.  Diluted earnings per share was $0.69 for the six months ended June 30, 2017 compared to $0.64 for six months ended June 30, 2016. 

Revenues during the first six months of 2017 were $39.7 million, a $1.9 million, or 4.9%, increase from the $37.8 million in revenues recorded for the same six month period in 2016.  Water sales revenues increased $1.4 million, or 4.2%, for the six months ended June 30, 2017 compared to the same period a year ago, primarily as a result of an increase in the DSIC applied to customer bills and an overall increase in water consumption.  Other utility operating revenue increased $0.3 million, or 14.8%, for the six months ended June 30, 2017 compared to the same period a year ago as a result of growth in the number of wastewater customers and new development inspection fees. 

Excluding depreciation and income taxes, operating expenses increased $1.4 million, or 6.8%, to $22.2 million for the six months ended June 30, 2017, compared to $20.8 million for the same period in 2016.  Utility operating expenses for the six months ended June 30, 2017 were $18.5 million, a $1.2 million, or 6.8%, increase from the same period a year ago, mainly the result of increases in payroll, employee benefit, purchased water and water treatment equipment maintenance expenses. 

Miscellaneous income decreased $0.3 million for the first six months of 2017 compared to the same period a year ago as a result of a pledge made to a non-profit entity in Delaware being organized to support the State’s economic development efforts.

Interest expense decreased $0.3 million, or 8.0%, to $3.1 million for the first six months of 2017 due to the refinancing of the Series O and Series Q First Mortgage Bonds in January 2017, reducing interest rates from 8.17% and 4.75%, respectively, to 4.24%.  The decrease in interest expense also reflects the reduction in the Series S First Mortgage Bond annual interest rate from 6.73% to 4.45%, which became effective March 1, 2016. 

Income tax expense decreased $0.1 million, or 3.0%, for the six months ended June 30, 2017 compared to the same period a year ago as a result of a decrease in our effective tax rate arising as a consequence of the adoption of amended guidance issued by the Financial Accounting Standards Board in 2017 that impacted accounting for stock compensation activities and the impact of the federal Qualified Domestic Production Activities Deduction.

Declaration of Quarterly Dividend

Artesian Resources Corporation also announced today that its Board of Directors has declared a regular quarterly dividend on the company’s Class A and Class B Common Stock.  The quarterly dividend of $0.2317 is payable August 25, 2017 to shareholders of record at the close of business on August 14, 2017.  This is the 99th consecutive quarterly dividend paid to shareholders.

Other Second Quarter Highlights

  • Closed on the purchase of water assets in the Fort DuPont Historic District in New Castle County, Delaware.  The acquisition was the culmination of a public-private partnership between Fort DuPont Redevelopment and Preservation Corporation and state and local governments to redevelop and revitalize the 325 acre historic waterfront community located on the Delaware River. 
  • Acquired the water assets of the Cantwell Water Company of Odessa and expanded water service to the residents of the Town of Odessa in southern New Castle County, Delaware through its regionalized integrated system.   
  • Increased dividends to common shareholders for the 21st consecutive year in May 2017.  The 1.5% increase raised the quarterly common stock dividend per share to $0.2317.

About Artesian ResourcesArtesian Resources Corporation operates as a holding company of wholly-owned subsidiaries offering water and wastewater services, and related services on the Delmarva Peninsula.  Artesian Water Company, the principal subsidiary, is the oldest and largest regulated 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 1,260 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         Six months ended  
      June 30,         June 30,  
      2017       2016           2017     2016  
Operating Revenues                              
Water sales   $ 18,248     $ 17,323         $ 35,183   $ 33,760  
Other utility operating revenue     1,020       912           2,039     1,777  
Non-utility operating revenue     1,234       1,160           2,469     2,308  
      20,502       19,395           39,691     37,845  
                               
Operating Expenses                              
Utility operating expenses     9,588       8,766           18,494     17,312  
Non-utility operating expenses     662       590           1,349     1,226  
Depreciation and amortization     2,329       2,249           4,648     4,564  
State and federal income taxes     1,763       2,023           3,857     3,975  
Property and other taxes     1,170       1,098           2,364     2,246  
      15,512       14,726           30,712     29,323  
                               
Operating Income     4,990       4,669           8,979     8,522  
                               
Allowance for funds used during construction     76       49           146     72  
Miscellaneous     (290 )     (31 )         293     625  
                               
Income Before Interest Charges     4,776       4,687           9,418     9,219  
                               
Interest Charges     1,525       1,646           3,081     3,349  
                               
Net Income    $ 3,251     $ 3,041         $ 6,337   $ 5,870  
                               
Weighted Average Common Shares Outstanding - Basic     9,163       9,092           9,149     9,079  
Net Income per Common Share - Basic   $ 0.35     $ 0.33         $ 0.69   $ 0.65  
                               
Weighted Average Common Shares Outstanding - Diluted     9,235       9,155           9,220     9,142  
Net Income per Common Share - Diluted   $ 0.35     $ 0.33         $ 0.69   $ 0.64  
                               
Artesian Resources Corporation  
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet  
(In thousands)  
(Unaudited)  
                               
    June 30,   December 31,                  
    2017     2016                    
Assets                              
Utility Plant, at original cost less                              
accumulated depreciation   $ 438,259     $ 425,502                    
Current Assets     12,907       14,635                    
Regulatory and Other Assets     15,467       10,839                    
    $ 466,633     $ 450,976                    
                               
Capitalization and Liabilities                              
                               
Stockholders' Equity   $ 142,539     $ 139,023                    
Long Term Debt, Net of Current Portion     81,262       102,331                    
Current Liabilities     44,210       19,328                    
Net Advances for Construction     7,844       8,169                    
Contributions in Aid of Construction     118,679       112,106                    
Other Liabilities     72,099       70,019                    
    $ 466,633     $ 450,976                    
                               

 

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