- Third quarter 2024 recorded earnings were $0.95 per share
compared to third quarter 2023 recorded earnings of $0.85 per
share, a $0.10 per share increase
- AWR’s regulated utilities reach settlement agreements in
connection with both the water and electric general rate cases that
combined authorize nearly $650 million in capital investments over
the rate cycles
- AWR’s contracted services business is expected to contribute
$0.54 to $0.57 per share for the full 2024 year
- The contracted services business has been awarded $54
million in new construction projects through year-to-date September
2024 to be completed during 2024 through 2027
- Quarterly dividend increased 8.3% beginning with payment
made on September 3
- This marks the 70th consecutive year that AWR has increased
annual dividends to shareholders
American States Water Company (NYSE: AWR) today reported basic
and fully diluted earnings per share of $0.95 for the quarter ended
September 30, 2024, as compared to basic and fully diluted earnings
per share of $0.85 for the quarter ended September 30, 2023, an
increase of $0.10 per share, generated from higher earnings at
AWR’s water utility subsidiary, Golden State Water Company
(“GSWC”), which contributed an increase of $0.12 per share that
included a net favorable variance of $0.06 per share from gains
generated on investments held to fund one of the company’s
retirement plans during the third quarter of 2024 as compared to
losses recorded during the same period in 2023 due to financial
market conditions.
Third Quarter 2024 Results
The table below sets forth a comparison of the third quarter
2024 diluted earnings per share contribution recorded by business
segment and for the parent company with amounts recorded during the
same period in 2023.
Diluted Earnings per
Share
Three Months Ended
9/30/2024
9/30/2023
CHANGE
Water
$
0.84
$
0.72
$
0.12
Electric
0.02
0.04
(0.02
)
Contracted services
0.11
0.12
(0.01
)
AWR (parent)
(0.02
)
(0.02
)
—
Consolidated diluted earnings per share,
as recorded (GAAP)
0.95
0.85
0.10
Note: Certain amounts in the table above
may not foot or crossfoot due to rounding.
Water Segment:
For the three months ended September 30, 2024, recorded diluted
earnings from the water utility segment were $0.84 per share, as
compared to $0.72 per share for the same period in 2023, an
increase of $0.12 per share due, in part, to a net favorable
variance of $0.06 per share from gains totaling $2.1 million, or
$0.04 per share, generated on investments held to fund one of the
company’s retirement plans during the three months ended September
30, 2024, as compared to losses on investments of $1.0 million, or
$0.02 per share, recorded during the same period in 2023 due to
financial market conditions. The discussion below presents the
other major variances in earnings for the two periods and which
resulted in a net overall increase in earnings at the water segment
of $0.06 per share for the third quarter of 2024.
- An increase in water operating revenues of approximately $7.8
million that was largely a result of the third-year rate increases
approved by the California Public Utilities Commission (“CPUC”)
that went into effect on January 1, 2024, and an overall increase
in the authorized rate of return on rate base in 2024 compared to
the same period in 2023 due to triggering the Water Cost of Capital
Mechanism, which increased the return on equity from 9.36% to
10.06% effective January 1, 2024.
- An increase in water supply costs of $1.4 million, which
consist of purchased water, purchased power for pumping,
groundwater production assessments and changes in the water supply
cost balancing accounts. The increase in water supply costs is
primarily related to an increase in customer water usage, wholesale
water prices and water production costs. Actual water supply costs
are tracked against adopted costs in the revenue requirement, and
passed through to customers on a dollar-for-dollar basis by way of
the CPUC-approved water supply cost balancing accounts. The
increase in water supply costs results in a corresponding increase
in water operating revenues and has no material impact on the water
segment’s profitability.
- An overall increase in operating expenses of $2.8 million
(excluding supply costs) due primarily to increases in (i) overall
labor costs and other employee-related benefits, (ii)
operation-related costs resulting from higher conservation
spending, (iii) administrative and general expenses resulting
largely from higher outside-services costs including related to the
pending general rate case application and other regulatory filings,
and higher insurance-related costs, and (iv) depreciation and
amortization expenses as well as property taxes, both of which are
impacted by the increasing capital expenditures and are reflected
and recovered in customer rates. These increases were partially
offset by a decrease in maintenance expenses due to timing.
- An increase in interest expense (net of interest income) of
$1.6 million resulting primarily from an overall increase in
interest rates, as well as an increase in total borrowing levels to
support, among other things, the capital expenditure program at
GSWC, and a decrease in interest income earned on regulatory assets
bearing interest at the current 90-day commercial paper rate due to
a decrease in the level of regulatory assets recorded.
- Changes in certain flowed-through income taxes and permanent
items included in GSWC’s income tax expense for the three months
ended September 30, 2024 as compared to the same period in 2023
that favorably impacted the water segment’s earnings. As a
regulated utility, GSWC treats certain temporary differences as
being flowed-through in computing its income tax expense consistent
with the income tax method used in its CPUC-jurisdiction rate
making. Changes in the magnitude of flowed-through items either
increase or decrease tax expense, thereby affecting diluted
earnings per share.
- A decrease in earnings of approximately $0.01 per share due to
the dilutive effects from the issuance of equity under AWR’s
at-the-market (“ATM”) offering program. Under the ATM offering
program, AWR may offer and sell its Common Shares, with an
aggregate gross offering price of up to $200 million, from time to
time at its sole discretion. Through September 30, 2024, AWR has
sold 791,097 Common Shares through this ATM offering program.
Electric Segment:
Diluted earnings from the electric utility segment decreased
$0.02 per share for the three months ended September 30, 2024 as
compared to the same period in 2023 primarily due to an increase in
interest expense (net of interest income) resulting from an overall
increase in interest rates, as well as an increase in total
borrowing levels to support, among other things, the capital
expenditure program at Bear Valley Electric Service, Inc. (“BVES”),
and a decrease in interest income earned on regulatory assets.
On August 30, 2022, BVES filed a general rate case application
with the CPUC to determine new electric rates for the years 2023
through 2026, which is still pending finalization. On November 1,
2024, BVES, the Public Advocates Office at the CPUC and the other
intervenor in the proceeding filed a joint motion to adopt a
settlement agreement between the parties resolving all issues in
connection with the general rate case. When a decision is issued in
the electric general rate case, new rates are expected to be
retroactive to January 1, 2023 and cumulative adjustments will be
recorded at that time.
Contracted Services Segment:
Diluted earnings from the contracted services segment were
consistent for the quarter when compared to 2023 with a decrease of
$0.01 per share due to the effects of rounding.
AWR (Parent):
Diluted losses from AWR (parent) were consistent for the three
months ended September 30, 2024 when compared to the same period in
2023.
Year-to-Date (“YTD”) 2024 Results
- $0.40 per share decrease in recorded YTD 2024 consolidated
diluted EPS compared to YTD 2023, or $0.11 per share increase as
adjusted
- YTD 2023 recorded results reflect the impact of retroactive
rates of $0.38 per share related to the full year of 2022 due to
receiving a final decision in the water utility general rate
case.
- YTD 2023 recorded results also reflect a favorable variance
of $0.13 per share resulting from the reversal of revenues subject
to refund previously recorded in 2022 following the receipt of a
final decision in the cost of capital proceeding in June
2023.
- Company-funded capital expenditures for 2024 by the two
regulated utility subsidiaries are expected to be between $210
million and $230 million, a record high
The table below sets forth a comparison of the diluted earnings
per share contribution by business segment and for the parent
company as recorded and as adjusted during the year-to-date
September 30, 2024 and 2023.
Diluted Earnings per
Share
Nine Months Ended
9/30/2024
9/30/2023
CHANGE
Water
$
1.99
$
2.36
$
(0.37
)
Electric
0.07
0.14
(0.07
)
Contracted services
0.44
0.38
0.06
AWR (parent)
(0.07
)
(0.06
)
(0.01
)
Consolidated diluted earnings per share,
as recorded (GAAP)
$
2.42
$
2.82
$
(0.40
)
Adjustments to GAAP
measure:
Impact of retroactive rates related to the
full year of 2022 from the final decision in the water general rate
case*
—
(0.38
)
0.38
Impact related to the final cost of
capital decision*
—
(0.13
)
0.13
Consolidated diluted earnings per share,
as adjusted (Non-GAAP)*
$
2.42
$
2.31
$
0.11
Water diluted earnings per share, as
adjusted (Non-GAAP)*
$
1.99
$
1.85
$
0.14
Note: Certain amounts in the table above
may not foot or crossfoot due to rounding.
*
All adjustments to 2023’s recorded diluted
earnings per share relate to the water segment. The water segment’s
adjusted earnings for 2023 exclude both the impact of the final
decision in the water general rate case that included retroactive
rates related to the full year of 2022, and the impact of reversing
previously recorded estimated 2022 revenues subject to refund as a
result of the final cost of capital decision issued in June 2023
that made all adjustments to rates prospective. Both adjustments
are shown separately in the table above.
As noted in the table above, consolidated diluted earnings for
the nine months ended September 30, 2024 were $2.42 per share, as
compared to $2.82 per share recorded for the same period in 2023, a
decrease of $0.40 per share. Included in the results for the nine
months ended September 30, 2023 were (i) the impact from the final
decision in the water general rate case recorded in 2023 that
included retroactive new rates related to the full year of 2022 of
$0.38 per share, and (ii) the impact of the final cost of capital
decision that resulted in the reversal of estimated water revenues
subject to refund previously recorded in 2022 of $6.4 million, or
$0.13 per share. Excluding these items from the nine months ended
September 30, 2023, adjusted consolidated diluted earnings were
$2.31 per share, compared to recorded consolidated earnings of
$2.42 per share during the same period in 2024, an adjusted
increase of $0.11 per share, largely generated from the water
utility segment.
Excluding the two items discussed above, there was an adjusted
increase of $0.14 per share in YTD 2024 water segment results
largely due to 3rd year increases in customer rates, and a net
favorable variance of $0.06 per share from higher gains generated
on investments held to fund one of the company’s retirement plans
during YTD 2024 as compared to the same period in 2023 due to
financial market conditions; partially offset by higher operating
expenses and interest costs. There was also a decrease in earnings
in the YTD 2024 water results of approximately $0.02 per share due
to the dilutive effects from the issuance of equity under AWR’s ATM
offering program as previously discussed in the quarterly
results.
The decrease in diluted earnings per share at the electric
utility segment was largely due to not having new rates while
awaiting the processing of the pending electric general rate case
that will set new rates for 2023 – 2026. The increase in diluted
earnings per share at the contracted services segment was largely
due to an increase in management fee revenue resulting from the
finalization of various economic price adjustments and the
commencement of operations of the water and wastewater systems at
Joint Base Cape Cod and Naval Air Station Patuxent River, partially
offset by higher overall operating expenses (excluding construction
expenses) and interest costs as compared to the same period of
2023. The contracted services segment is projected to contribute
$0.59 - $0.63 per share in 2025. The increase in diluted losses
from AWR (parent) was due primarily to an increase in interest
expense resulting from higher short-term interest rates and higher
borrowings made under AWR's revolving credit facility.
For more details on the YTD results, please refer to the
company’s Form 10-Q filed with the Securities and Exchange
Commission.
Regulatory Matters
On November 1, 2024, BVES, the Public Advocates Office at the
CPUC and the other intervenor in the proceeding filed a joint
motion to adopt a settlement agreement between the parties
resolving all issues in connection with the pending general rate
case that will determine new electric rates for the years 2023
through 2026. Among other things, the settlement agreement, if
approved by the CPUC, (i) settles and adopts the revenue
requirements for each of the four years 2023 through 2026, (ii)
authorizes BVES to invest approximately $52.5 million in capital
infrastructure included in base rates over the four-year rate cycle
and an additional $23.1 million (plus an allowance for funds used
during construction or AFUDC) to be filed for revenue recovery
through advice letters when the projects are completed, all of
which are dedicated to improving system safety and reliability;
(iii) adopts a cost of capital that increases BVES’s adopted return
on equity from 9.6% to 10.0%, lowers the cost of debt from 6.6% to
5.51%, and maintains the capital structure of 57% equity and 43%
debt, and (iv) approves for recovery the requested capital
expenditures and other incremental operating costs already incurred
in connection with BVES’s wildfire mitigation plans that are
currently not included in customer rates.
Excluding the additional revenues from the advice letter capital
projects discussed above, under the terms of the settlement
agreement (i) BVES’s adopted operating revenues less electric
supply costs for 2023 are projected to increase by approximately
$5.1 million as compared to the 2022 adopted and recorded operating
revenues less electric supply costs to cover, among other things,
the higher incremental operating costs as settled in the revenue
requirement related to BVES’s wildfire mitigation plans that were
previously not included in customer rates and not expensed because
they were being tracked in memorandum accounts, and (ii) it
provides increases in the adopted operating revenues of $2.2
million for each of the years 2024 and 2025, and by $3.3 million in
2026. The rate increases for 2024 - 2026 are not subject to an
earnings test. As previously mentioned, the advice letter projects
of $23.1 million plus AFUDC are expected to generate additional
annual operating revenues of approximately $3 million when the
respective projects are completed and filed for recovery.
Due to the delay in finalizing the electric general rate case,
electric revenues billed to customers for 2023 and through
September 30, 2024 have been based on 2022 adopted rates, and will
remain in effect until finalization of the pending general rate
case proceeding. BVES has been authorized to establish a general
rate case memorandum account that will make the new rates
retroactive to January 1, 2023 and, therefore, when a final
decision is issued by the CPUC, cumulative adjustments will be
recorded at that time to reflect the full impact of retroactive
rates. The CPUC has extended the statutory deadline of this
proceeding to January 31, 2025. Therefore, a decision on the
electric general rate case is scheduled to be issued by the first
quarter of 2025.
Dividends
On October 29, 2024, AWR’s Board of Directors approved a fourth
quarter dividend of $0.4655 per share on AWR’s Common Shares.
Dividends on the Common Shares will be paid on December 2, 2024 to
shareholders of record at the close of business on November 15,
2024. AWR has paid common dividends every year since 1931, and has
increased the dividends received by shareholders each calendar year
for 70 consecutive years, which places it in an exclusive group of
companies on the New York Stock Exchange that have achieved that
result. The company has grown its quarterly dividend rate at a
compound annual growth rate (“CAGR”) of 8.8% over the last five
years and is on pace to achieve a 10-year CAGR of 8.0% in its
calendar year dividend payments. AWR's current policy is to achieve
a CAGR in the dividend of more than 7% over the long-term.
Non-GAAP Financial Measures
This press release includes a discussion on AWR’s operations in
terms of diluted earnings per share by business segment, which is
each business segment’s earnings divided by the company’s weighted
average number of diluted common shares. The impact of retroactive
rates related to the full year of 2022 recorded during the nine
months ended September 30, 2023 resulting from the final decision
on the water general rate case approved in June 2023, and the
impact from the reversal of revenues subject to refund due to a
change in estimates recorded during the nine months ended September
30, 2023 following the receipt of a final cost of capital decision
in June 2023 have been excluded in this analysis when communicating
AWR’s consolidated and water segment results for the nine months
ended September 30, 2024 and 2023 to help facilitate comparisons of
AWR’s performance from period to period. All of these measures are
derived from consolidated financial information but are not
presented in our financial statements that are prepared in
accordance with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (“GAAP”)
in the United States. These items constitute “non-GAAP financial
measures” under Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) rules,
which supplement our GAAP disclosures but should not be considered
as an alternative to the respective GAAP measures. Furthermore, the
non-GAAP financial measures may not be comparable to similarly
titled non-GAAP financial measures of other registrants.
The company uses earnings per share by business segment as an
important measure in evaluating its operating results and believes
this measure is a useful internal benchmark in evaluating the
performance of its operating segments. The company reviews this
measurement regularly and compares it to historical periods and to
the operating budget. The company has provided the computations and
reconciliations of diluted earnings per share from the measure of
operating income by business segment to AWR’s consolidated fully
diluted earnings per share in this press release.
Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains forward-looking statements within
the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of
1995. Forward-looking statements can often be identified by words
such as “anticipate,” “estimate,” “expect,” “intend,” “may,”
“should” and similar phrases and expressions, and variations or
negatives of these words. They are not guarantees or assurances of
any outcomes, financial results, levels of activity, performance or
achievements, and readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance
upon them. The forward-looking statements are subject to a number
of estimates and assumptions, and known and unknown risks,
uncertainties and other factors, including those described in
greater detail in the Company’s filings with the SEC, particularly
those described in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K and
Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q. Readers are encouraged to review
the Company’s filings with the SEC for a more complete discussion
of risks and other factors that could affect any forward looking
statements. The statements made herein speak only as of the date of
this press release and except as required by law, the Company does
not undertake any obligation to publicly update or revise any
forward-looking statement.
Conference Call
Robert Sprowls, president and chief executive officer, and Eva
Tang, senior vice president and chief financial officer, will host
a conference call to discuss these results at 2:00 p.m. Eastern
Time (11:00 a.m. Pacific Time) on Thursday, November 7. There will
be a question and answer session as part of the call. Interested
parties can listen to the live conference call and view
accompanying slides on the internet at www.aswater.com. The call
will be archived on the website and available for replay beginning
November 7, 2024 at 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time (2:00 p.m. Pacific Time)
through November 14, 2024.
About American States Water Company
American States Water Company is the parent of Golden State
Water Company, Bear Valley Electric Service, Inc. and American
States Utility Services, Inc., serving over one million people in
ten states. Through its water utility subsidiary, Golden State
Water Company, the company provides water service to approximately
264,600 customer connections located within more than 80
communities in Northern, Coastal and Southern California. Through
its electric utility subsidiary, Bear Valley Electric Service,
Inc., the company distributes electricity to approximately 24,800
customer connections in the City of Big Bear Lake and surrounding
areas in San Bernardino County, California. Through its contracted
services subsidiary, American States Utility Services, Inc., the
company provides operations, maintenance and construction
management services for water distribution, wastewater collection,
and treatment facilities located on twelve military bases
throughout the country under 50-year privatization contracts with
the U.S. government and one military base under a 15-year
contract.
American States Water
Company
Consolidated
Comparative Condensed Balance
Sheets (Unaudited)
(in thousands)
September 30, 2024
December 31, 2023
Assets
Net Property, Plant and Equipment
$
2,040,589
$
1,892,280
Goodwill
1,116
1,116
Other Property and Investments
48,103
42,932
Current Assets
222,360
205,978
Other Assets
108,456
103,816
Total Assets
$
2,420,624
$
2,246,122
Capitalization and Liabilities
Capitalization
$
1,519,713
$
1,351,664
Current Liabilities
321,432
166,623
Other Credits
579,479
727,835
Total Capitalization and
Liabilities
$
2,420,624
$
2,246,122
Condensed Statements of Income
(Unaudited)
Three Months Ended
September 30,
Nine Months Ended
September 30,
(in thousands,
except per share amounts)
2024
2023
2024
2023
Operating Revenues
Water
$
124,043
$
116,231
$
324,732
$
345,851
Electric
9,040
8,956
29,948
30,688
Contracted services
28,699
26,509
97,681
93,980
Total operating revenues
161,782
151,696
452,361
470,519
Operating Expenses
Water purchased
24,059
23,216
55,788
55,590
Power purchased for pumping
4,996
4,291
11,349
9,514
Groundwater production assessment
6,971
5,990
17,643
15,188
Power purchased for resale
2,467
2,383
8,302
9,838
Supply cost balancing accounts
(381
)
723
2,447
15,126
Other operation
11,021
10,429
31,377
30,261
Administrative and general
24,200
20,982
73,034
66,032
Depreciation and amortization
10,849
10,184
32,341
31,645
Maintenance
3,719
4,097
10,479
11,026
Property and other taxes
7,063
6,034
20,162
17,884
ASUS construction
11,750
11,616
43,649
46,554
Total operating expenses
106,714
99,945
306,571
308,658
Operating income
55,068
51,751
145,790
161,861
Other Income and Expenses
Interest expense
(13,225
)
(11,691
)
(39,217
)
(31,900
)
Interest income
1,739
2,125
5,902
5,792
Other, net
2,308
(1,073
)
6,169
2,243
Total other income and (expenses),
net
(9,178
)
(10,639
)
(27,146
)
(23,865
)
Income Before Income Tax
Expense
45,890
41,112
118,644
137,996
Income tax expense
10,056
9,547
27,811
33,503
Net Income
$
35,834
$
31,565
$
90,833
$
104,493
Weighted average shares outstanding
37,564
36,977
37,302
36,974
Basic earnings per Common Share
$
0.95
$
0.85
$
2.43
$
2.82
Weighted average diluted shares
37,683
37,071
37,409
37,064
Fully diluted earnings per Common
Share
$
0.95
$
0.85
$
2.42
$
2.82
Dividends paid per Common Share
$
0.4655
$
0.4300
$
1.3255
$
1.2250
Computation and Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Financial Measure
(Unaudited)
Below are the computation and reconciliation of diluted earnings
per share from the measure of operating income by business segment
to AWR’s consolidated fully diluted earnings per share for the
three and nine months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023.
Water
Electric
Contracted Services
AWR (Parent)
Consolidated (GAAP)
In 000's except per
share amounts
Q3 2024
Q3 2023
Q3 2024
Q3 2023
Q3 2024
Q3 2023
Q3 2024
Q3 2023
Q3 2024
Q3 2023
Operating income (loss)
$
46,846
$
43,243
$
2,042
$
2,049
$
6,182
$
6,204
$
(2
)
$
255
$
55,068
$
51,751
Other (income) and expenses, net
6,052
7,820
1,325
754
436
428
1,365
1,637
9,178
10,639
Income tax expense (benefit)
9,228
8,830
135
(154
)
1,425
1,430
(732
)
(559
)
10,056
9,547
Net income (loss)
$
31,566
$
26,593
$
582
$
1,449
$
4,321
$
4,346
$
(635
)
$
(823
)
$
35,834
$
31,565
Weighted Average Number of Diluted
Shares
37,683
37,071
37,683
37,071
37,683
37,071
37,683
37,071
37,683
37,071
Diluted earnings (loss) per share
$
0.84
$
0.72
$
0.02
$
0.04
$
0.11
$
0.12
$
(0.02
)
$
(0.02
)
$
0.95
$
0.85
Water
Electric
Contracted Services
AWR (Parent)
Consolidated (GAAP)
In 000's except per
share amounts
YTD 2024
YTD 2023
YTD 2024
YTD 2023
YTD 2024
YTD 2023
YTD 2024
YTD 2023
YTD 2024
YTD 2023
Operating income (loss)
$
116,578
$
134,006
$
6,416
$
7,783
$
22,801
$
19,854
$
(5
)
$
218
$
145,790
$
161,861
Other (income) and expenses, net
18,484
16,743
3,094
1,959
1,148
1,042
4,420
4,121
27,146
23,865
Income tax expense (benefit)
23,539
29,674
656
794
5,307
4,621
(1,691
)
(1,586
)
27,811
33,503
Net income (loss)
$
74,555
$
87,589
$
2,666
$
5,030
$
16,346
$
14,191
$
(2,734
)
$
(2,317
)
$
90,833
$
104,493
Weighted Average Number of Diluted
Shares
37,409
37,064
37,409
37,064
37,409
37,064
37,409
37,064
37,409
37,064
Diluted earnings (loss) per share
$
1.99
$
2.36
$
0.07
$
0.14
$
0.44
$
0.38
$
(0.07
)
$
(0.06
)
$
2.42
$
2.82
Note: Certain amounts in the tables above
may not foot or crossfoot due to rounding.
View source
version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20241105297204/en/
Eva G. Tang Senior Vice President-Finance, Chief Financial
Officer, Corporate Secretary and Treasurer Telephone: (909)
394-3600, ext. 707
American States Water (NYSE:AWR)
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American States Water (NYSE:AWR)
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