EX-99.1 2 exhibit991-3qtr2020.htm EXHIBIT 99.1 Exhibit


EXHIBIT 99.1


SJW GROUP ANNOUNCES 2020 THIRD QUARTER FINANCIAL RESULTS

Third quarter 2020 diluted earnings reach $0.91 per share
Connecticut and Maine operations contribute $37.1 million in new revenues
The CPUCs Order Instituting Investigation into SJW Groups merger with Connecticut Water Service, Inc. was dismissed and the proceeding was officially concluded
Reaffirming 2020 guidance of $1.95 to $2.05 per diluted share    

SAN JOSE, CA, November 4, 2020 – SJW Group (NYSE: SJW) today reported financial results for the third quarter ended September 30, 2020. SJW Group net income was $26.1 million for the quarter ended September 30, 2020, compared to $9.5 million for the same period in 2019. Diluted earnings per share were $0.91 and $0.33 for the quarters ended September 30, 2020 and 2019, respectively. Diluted earnings per share in 2020 includes $0.92 per share from ongoing operations offset by non-recurring expenses related to COVID-19 of $319,000 (net of tax) or $0.01 per share. Diluted earnings per share in 2019 includes $0.60 per share from ongoing operations and $0.06 per share of interest income earned on temporarily invested proceeds from our equity offering in December 2018, offset by $0.29 per share related to the reserve recorded against our 2018 and 2019 Water Conservation Memorandum Account (“WCMA”) balances as we determined we no longer met the requirements for revenue recognition and $0.05 per share of non-recurring expenses related to our merger with Connecticut Water Service, Inc. (“CTWS”).

Operating revenue was $165.9 million for the quarter ended September 30, 2020, compared to $114.0 million in 2019. The $51.9 million increase in revenue was primarily attributable to $37.1 million in new revenue as a result of the merger with CTWS, $2.3 million in cumulative water rate increases, and $2.4 million in increased customer usage. In addition, we recorded a $9.5 million reserve for the 2018 and 2019 WCMA balances in the prior year as we determined we no longer met the requirements for revenue recognition. No similar reserve was required in 2020.

Operating expenses for the quarter ended September 30, 2020, were $124.0 million, compared to $96.9 million in 2019, an increase of $27.1 million. Operating expenses include 2020 third quarter water production expenses of $69.7 million compared to $56.4 million for the same period in 2019, an increase of $13.3 million. The increase in water production expenses was primarily attributable to $6.5 million in new CTWS expenses, $5.4 million due to a decrease in surface water supplies, and $2.2 million in higher customer water usage, partially offset by $0.5 million in lower per unit costs for purchased water, groundwater extraction and energy charges. Operating expenses, excluding water production costs, increased $13.7 million to $54.3 million from $40.6 million. The increase was primarily due to a $7.3 million increase in depreciation and amortization expenses, $4.4 million in higher general and administrative expenses, and $3.7 million in higher property taxes and other non-income taxes. The increases were primarily a result of inclusion of CTWS post-merger activities. In addition, we experienced $1.7 million in lower merger related expenses as compared to the same quarter in 2019.

Other expense and income in the third quarter of 2020 included $1.8 million of interest from CTWS, $4.1 million in new interest on SJW Group’s $510.0 million Senior Notes issued in October 2019 and $0.3 million in new interest on Connecticut Water Company’s $35.0 million Senior Notes issued in March 2020. Other expense and income in the third quarter of 2019 included $2.2 million of interest income earned on temporarily invested proceeds from our equity offering in December 2018. The proceeds were used to partially finance the CTWS merger and no similar income was earned in the third quarter of 2020.

The effective consolidated income tax rates for the quarters ended September 30, 2020 and 2019, were approximately 15% and 21%, respectively. The effective tax rate decreased primarily due to the flow-through impact of certain CTWS tax deductions.





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Year-to-Date Operating Results

Year-to-date net income was $48.2 million, compared to $28.9 million in 2019. Diluted earnings per share were $1.68 in the first nine months of 2020, compared to $1.01 per diluted share for the same period in 2019. Diluted earnings per share in 2020 includes $1.75 per share from ongoing operations offset by non-recurring expenses related to COVID-19 of $1.0 million (net of tax) or $0.03 per share and CTWS merger and integration fees of $1.2 million (net of tax) or $0.04 per share. Diluted earnings per share in 2019 includes $1.34 per share from ongoing operations and $0.17 per share of interest income earned on temporarily invested proceeds from our equity offering in December 2018, offset by $0.28 per share related to the reserve recorded against our 2018 and 2019 WCMA revenue balances, $0.16 per share of non-recurring expenses related to the CTWS merger and $0.06 per share related to a settlement of San Jose Water Company’s Order Instituting Investigation proceeding with the California Public Utilities Commission over a past customer billing practice.

Year-to-date operating revenue increased by $134.2 million to $428.8 million from $294.6 million in the first nine months of 2020. The increase was primarily attributable to $97.4 million in new revenue as a result of the merger with CTWS, $16.9 million in increased customer usage, and $7.4 million in cumulative water rate increases. In addition, as previously noted we recorded a $9.4 million reserve for the 2018 and 2019 WCMA balances in the prior year and we issued $2.2 million in customer rate credits in the prior year related to our billing settlement with the CPUC. No similar reserve or rate credits were required in 2020.

Year-to-date water production expenses increased to $171.6 million from $125.3 million in 2019. The $46.3 million increase was primarily attributable to $19.6 million in new CTWS expenses, $17.5 million due to a decrease in the use of available surface water supplies, $10.4 million in higher customer water usage, and $2.4 million in higher per unit costs for purchased water, groundwater extraction and energy charges, partially offset by a $3.6 million decrease in cost recovery balancing and memorandum accounts. Operating expenses, excluding water production costs, increased $45.9 million to $163.8 million from $117.9 million. The increase was primarily due to a $21.2 million increase in depreciation and amortization expenses, $18.2 million in higher general and administrative expenses, $10.3 million in higher property taxes and other non-income taxes, and $2.0 million in higher maintenance expenses. The increases were primarily a result of inclusion of CTWS post-merger activities. In addition, we experienced $6.1 million in lower merger related expenses.

Other expense and income year-to-date for 2020 included $12.3 million in new interest on SJW Group’s $510.0 million Senior Notes issued in October 2019, $6.3 million of interest from CTWS, and $614,000 in new interest on Connecticut Water Company’s $35.0 million Senior Notes issued in March 2020. Other expense and income year-to-date 2019 included $6.3 million of interest income earned on temporarily invested proceeds from our equity offering in December 2018. The proceeds were used to partially finance the CTWS merger and no similar income was earned in 2020.

The effective consolidated income tax rates for the nine-month periods ended September 30, 2020 and 2019, were approximately 16% and 23%, respectively. The effective tax rate decreased primarily due to the flow-through impact of certain CTWS tax deductions.

Milestones

SJW Group marked the one-year anniversary of its transformative combination with Connecticut Water Service, Inc. on October 9, 2020. “The strength of our combination is evident as our combined team, across all four states, have responded to unprecedented challenges that began just months into the integration,” stated Eric W. Thornburg, chairman, president and CEO of SJW Group. Thornburg added, “The similarity of our cultures, values and commitment to service have accelerated our integration in many ways. Our cross-country teams have collaborated on a response to COVID-19 that has honored our mission of protecting public health, keeping our people safe and living our values. We are delivering results for our shareholders through exceptional service to families and communities while protecting the environment and being socially responsible.”


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On July 30, 2020, the Maine Water Company held a virtual groundbreaking for the new Saco River Drinking Water Treatment Facility in Biddeford, Maine. The new facility replaces the current treatment facility that has been in service since 1884. The new facility will cost more than $50 million and is expected to be online in 2022. It is a generational investment that will serve the needs of current and future customers and communities in southern Maine for decades to come. It is being designed to be certified as sustainable infrastructure through the Institute for Sustainable Infrastructure’s Envision program.

On August 31, 2020, the California Public Utilities Commission issued a decision dismissing the Order Instituting Investigation 18-07-007 (OII) into SJW Group’s merger with CTWS. The OII is officially concluded.

Dividend

As previously announced on October 28, 2020, the Directors of SJW Group declared a quarterly dividend on common stock of $0.32 per share. The dividend is payable on December 1, 2020 to shareholders of record on November 9, 2020. This marks SJW Group’s 309th quarterly consecutive dividend payment. For 53 consecutive years, SJW Group stockholders have received an increase in their calendar year dividend without interruption or reduction, which places it in an exclusive group of companies on the New York Stock Exchange.

SJW Group Reaffirms Earnings Guidance

SJW Group is affirming its 2020 guidance provided in the 2020 first quarter press release of a range of $1.95 and $2.05 per diluted share.

Earnings Call Information

Eric W. Thornburg, chairman of the board, president and chief executive officer, and James P. Lynch, chief financial officer and treasurer, will review the results in a live webcast presentation at 8:00 a.m. PT, 11:00 a.m. ET on November 5, 2020.

Interested parties may access the webcast and related presentation materials at the website www.sjwgroup.com. An archive of the webcast will be available until January 25, 2021.


About SJW Group    

SJW Group is the second largest investor-owned pure play water and wastewater utility based on estimated rate base in the United States, providing life-saving and high-quality water service to nearly 1.5 million people. SJW Group’s locally led and operated water utilities - San Jose Water Company in California; Connecticut Water Company; Maine Water Company in Maine; and SJWTX, Inc. (dba Canyon Lake Water Service Company) in Texas - possess the financial strength, operational expertise and technological innovation to deliver outstanding service to customers, safeguard the environment, and provide opportunities to employees. SJW Group remains focused on investing in its operations, remaining actively engaged in its local communities and delivering continued sustainable value to its shareholders. For more information about SJW Group, please visit www.sjwgroup.com.


Forward-Looking Statements

This release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, as amended. Some of these forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of forward-looking words such as "believes," "expects," "may," "will," "should," "seeks," "approximately," "intends," "plans," "estimates," "projects," "strategy," or "anticipates," or the negative of those words or other comparable terminology. These forward looking statements are only predictions and are subject to risks, uncertainties and assumptions that are difficult to predict.

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The accuracy of such statements is subject to a number of risks, uncertainties and assumptions including, but not limited to, the following factors: (1) the effect of water, utility, environmental and other governmental policies and regulations, including actions concerning rates, authorized return on equity, authorized capital structures, capital expenditures and other decisions; (2) changes in demand for water and other services; (3) the impact of the Coronavirus ("COVID-19") pandemic on our business operation and financial results; (4) unanticipated weather conditions and changes in seasonality; (5) climate change and the effects thereof; (6) the risk that the benefits expected from the merger of SJW Group and Connecticut Water Service, Inc. will not be realized; (7) the risk that the integration of Connecticut Water Service, Inc. will be more difficult, time-consuming or expensive than anticipated; (8) unexpected costs, charges or expenses; (9) our ability to successfully evaluate investments in new business and growth initiatives; (10) the risk of work stoppages, strikes and other labor-related actions; (11) catastrophic events such as fires, earthquakes, explosions, floods, ice storms, tornadoes, hurricanes, terrorist acts, physical attacks, cyber-attacks, or other similar occurrences; (12) changes in general economic, political, business and financial market conditions; (13) the ability to obtain financing on favorable terms, which can be affected by various factors, including credit ratings, changes in interest rates, compliance with regulatory requirements, compliance with the terms and conditions of our outstanding indebtedness, and general stock and debt market conditions; and (14) legislative and general market and economic developments.

Results for a quarter are not indicative of results for a full year due to seasonality and other factors. In addition, actual results are subject to other risks and uncertainties that relate more broadly to our overall business, including those more fully described in our filings with the SEC, including our most recent reports on Form 10-K, Form 10-Q and Form 8-K. Forward-looking statements are not guarantees of performance, and speak only as of the date made, and we undertake no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements except as required by law.

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SJW Group
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income
(Unaudited)
(in thousands, except per share data)
 
 
Three months ended September 30,
 
Nine months ended September 30,
 
2020
 
2019
 
2020
 
2019
REVENUE
$
165,863

 
113,997

 
$
428,826

 
294,644

OPERATING EXPENSE:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Production Expenses:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Purchased water
35,130

 
35,583

 
76,953

 
75,626

Power
3,994

 
2,294

 
10,145

 
4,947

Groundwater extraction charges
20,471

 
13,182

 
54,082

 
29,145

Other production expenses
10,092

 
5,295

 
30,465

 
15,553

Total production expenses
69,687

 
56,354

 
171,645

 
125,271

Administrative and general
19,529

 
14,712

 
58,917

 
40,411

Maintenance
4,550

 
4,923

 
15,970

 
13,977

Property taxes and other non-income taxes
7,797

 
4,065

 
22,362

 
12,041

Depreciation and amortization
22,417

 
15,122

 
66,552

 
45,368

Merger related expenses

 
1,737

 

 
6,113

Total operating expense
123,980

 
96,913

 
335,446

 
243,181

OPERATING INCOME
41,883

 
17,084

 
93,380

 
51,463

OTHER (EXPENSE) INCOME:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Interest expense
(13,174
)
 
(6,588
)
 
(39,638
)
 
(19,093
)
Pension non-service cost
(218
)
 
(921
)
 
(270
)
 
(2,749
)
Interest income on money market fund

 
2,165

 

 
6,339

Gain on sale of real estate investment
1,050

 

 
1,050

 
745

Other, net
1,130

 
303

 
2,935

 
1,210

Income before income taxes
30,671

 
12,043

 
57,457

 
37,915

Provision for income taxes
4,578

 
2,565

 
9,226

 
8,802

NET INCOME BEFORE NONCONTROLLING INTEREST
26,093

 
9,478

 
48,231

 
29,113

Less net income attributable to noncontrolling interest

 

 

 
224

SJW GROUP NET INCOME
26,093

 
9,478

 
48,231

 
28,889

Other comprehensive income (loss), net
76

 

 
(49
)
 

SJW GROUP COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
$
26,169

 
9,478

 
$
48,182

 
28,889

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
SJW GROUP EARNINGS PER SHARE:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Basic
$
0.91

 
0.33

 
$
1.69

 
1.02

Diluted
$
0.91

 
0.33

 
$
1.68

 
1.01

DIVIDENDS PER SHARE
$
0.32

 
0.30

 
$
0.96

 
0.90

WEIGHTED AVERAGE SHARES OUTSTANDING:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Basic
28,534

 
28,452

 
28,510

 
28,439

Diluted
28,703

 
28,550

 
28,687

 
28,528



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SJW Group
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets
(Unaudited)
(in thousands, except share and per share data)

 
September 30,
2020
 
December 31,
2019
ASSETS
 
 
 
   Utility plant:
 
 
 
Land
$
34,938

 
34,395

Depreciable plant and equipment
3,117,413

 
2,988,454

Construction in progress
117,546

 
112,232

Intangible assets
35,274

 
33,424

Total utility plant
3,305,171

 
3,168,505

Less accumulated depreciation and amortization
1,023,677

 
962,019

Net utility plant
2,281,494

 
2,206,486

 
 
 
 
   Real estate investments
58,085

 
57,699

   Less accumulated depreciation and amortization
14,493

 
13,597

Net real estate investments
43,592

 
44,102

CURRENT ASSETS:
 
 
 
   Cash and cash equivalents:
 
 
 
Cash
20,211

 
12,944

Restricted cash

 
5,000

   Accounts receivable and accrued unbilled utility revenue
113,842

 
88,077

   Current regulatory assets, net
4,758

 
6,472

   Other current assets
16,091

 
9,553

Total current assets
154,902

 
122,046

OTHER ASSETS:
 
 
 
   Regulatory assets, net
132,216

 
113,945

   Investments
13,629

 
12,928

   Goodwill
627,036

 
628,287

   Other
6,845

 
4,676

 
779,726

 
759,836

 
$
3,259,714

 
3,132,470



















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SJW Group
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets
(Unaudited)
(in thousands, except share and per share data)

 
September 30,
2020
 
December 31,
2019
CAPITALIZATION AND LIABILITIES
 
 
 
CAPITALIZATION:
 
 
 
   Stockholders equity:
 
 
 
   Common stock, $0.001 par value; authorized 70,000,000 shares; issued and outstanding shares 28,552,177 on September 30, 2020 and 28,456,508 on December 31, 2019
$
29

 
28

   Additional paid-in capital
509,031

 
506,639

   Retained earnings
403,923

 
383,191

   Accumulated other comprehensive income
78

 
126

Total stockholders equity
913,061

 
889,984

   Long-term debt, less current portion
1,307,612

 
1,283,597

Total capitalization
2,220,673

 
2,173,581

CURRENT LIABILITIES:
 
 
 
   Lines of credit
125,803

 
117,209

   Current portion of long-term debt
71,943

 
22,272

   Accrued groundwater extraction charges, purchased water and power
27,607

 
17,211

   Accounts payable
33,759

 
34,886

   Accrued interest
17,586

 
13,140

   Accrued payroll
10,599

 
11,570

   Other current liabilities
18,101

 
18,279

Total current liabilities
305,398

 
234,567

 
 
 
 
DEFERRED INCOME TAXES
186,952

 
195,598

ADVANCES FOR CONSTRUCTION AND CONTRIBUTIONS IN AID OF
 
 
 
CONSTRUCTION
414,525

 
398,374

POSTRETIREMENT BENEFIT PLANS
107,129

 
108,044

OTHER NONCURRENT LIABILITIES
25,037

 
22,306

COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

 

 
$
3,259,714

 
3,132,470





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