LAS VEGAS, April 29 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ --
Southwest Gas Corporation (NYSE: SWX) announced consolidated earnings of $0.76
per share for the first three months of 2003, a $0.56 decrease from the $1.32
per share earned during the first quarter of 2002. Consolidated net income
was $25.5 million, compared to $42.9 million in the prior period.
(Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20010823/SWXLOGO )
According to Michael O. Maffie, President and Chief Executive Officer,
"As we disclosed last week, operating results were significantly impacted by
unseasonably warm temperatures during the first quarter of 2003. While the
eastern half of the United States was extremely cold and wet, Nevada
experienced its warmest January on record and Arizona its second warmest.
Warm temperatures continued through March. Although we can't control the
weather, we continue to monitor the expenses associated with our growing
business. Cost curbing initiatives have been implemented and we recently
completed a debt refinancing -- seizing an opportunity in the current low
interest rate environment."
For the twelve months ended March 31, 2003, consolidated net income was
$26.6 million, or $0.80 per share, compared to $46.2 million, or $1.43 per
share, during the twelve-month period ended March 31, 2002.
Natural Gas Operations Segment Results
First Quarter
Operating margin, defined as operating revenues less the cost of gas sold,
decreased $15 million, or eight percent, in the first quarter of 2003 compared
to the first quarter of 2002. The extreme warm temperatures in Arizona and
southern Nevada caused a $20 million reduction in margin, which was partially
offset by an incremental $5 million contribution from customer growth. The
Company added 59,000 customers during the last 12 months, an increase of four
percent.
Operating expenses for the quarter increased $2.6 million, or three
percent, compared to the first quarter of 2002. The impact of general cost
increases and costs associated with the continued expansion and upgrading of
the gas system to accommodate customer growth were mitigated by cost-saving
management initiatives. Net financing costs increased $1.3 million, or seven
percent, between periods primarily due to an increase in average debt
outstanding. In late March 2003, the Company refinanced $130 million of debt
to take advantage of the low interest rate environment. The associated
savings will be reflected in future periods.
Other income declined $10 million resulting from a one-time pretax gain of
$8.9 million on the sale of undeveloped property in northern Arizona,
recognized in the first quarter of 2002, and a reduction in interest income
between quarters.
Twelve Months to Date
Operating margin increased $8 million between periods. Customer growth
contributed an incremental $20 million while rate relief granted during the
fourth quarter of 2001 added $18 million. Differences in heating demand
caused by weather variations between periods resulted in a $30 million margin
decrease as warmer-than-normal temperatures were experienced during both
periods. During the current period, operating margin was negatively impacted
by $38 million, and in the prior period, the negative impact was $8 million.
Operating expenses increased $18.6 million, or five percent, reflecting
incremental costs associated with servicing additional customers. Net
financing costs increased $2.2 million, or three percent, due primarily to
incremental borrowings to finance construction expenditures.
Other income decreased $22.3 million between periods. Included in the
prior period was the $8.9 million gain on sale of property discussed
previously and a $3 million pretax gain on the sale of certain assets
recognized during the fourth quarter of 2001. Charges totaling $2.7 million
associated with a settled regulatory issue in California and $2.1 million of
incremental merger-related litigation costs recognized in 2002 are included in
the current period. Interest income earned primarily on the unrecovered
balance of deferred purchased gas costs declined $4.2 million between periods.
Southwest Gas Corporation provides natural gas service to approximately
1,470,000 customers in Arizona, Nevada and California. Its service territory
is centered in the fastest-growing region of the country.
This press release may contain statements which constitute "forward-
looking statements" within the meaning of the Securities Litigation Reform Act
of 1995 (Reform Act). All such forward-looking statements are intended to be
subject to the safe harbor protection provided by the Reform Act. A number of
important factors affecting the business and financial results of the Company
could cause actual results to differ materially from those stated in the
forward-looking statements. These factors include, but are not limited to,
the impact of weather variations on customer usage, customer growth rates,
natural gas prices, the effects of regulation/deregulation, the timing and
amount of rate relief, changes in gas procurement practices, changes in
capital requirements and funding, the impact of conditions in the capital
markets on financing costs, acquisitions, and competition.
SOUTHWEST GAS CONSOLIDATED EARNINGS DIGEST
(In thousands, except per share amounts)
QUARTER ENDED MARCH 31, 2003 2002
Consolidated Operating Revenues $403,285 $499,501
Net Income $25,539 $42,896
Average Number of Common Shares Outstanding 33,438 32,620
Basic Earnings Per Share $0.76 $1.32
Diluted Earnings Per Share $0.76 $1.30
TWELVE MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31, 2003 2002
Consolidated Operating Revenues $1,224,693 $1,408,691
Net Income $26,608 $46,243
Average Number of Common Shares Outstanding 33,155 32,319
Basic Earnings Per Share $0.80 $1.43
Diluted Earnings Per Share $0.80 $1.42
SOURCE Southwest Gas Corporation
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Photo Notes:
NewsCom:
http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20010823/SWXLOGO
AP Archive: http://photoarchive.ap.org
PRN Photo Desk, +1-888-776-6555 or +1-212-782-2840
CONTACT:
Media, Roger Buehrer, Las Vegas, NV,
+1-702-876-7132, or Shareholders, Ken Kenny, Las Vegas, NV,
+1-702-876-7237, both of Southwest Gas Corporation
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