LAS VEGAS, Aug. 9 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Southwest Gas Corporation
(NYSE: SWX) announced earnings of $0.09 per basic share for the second
quarter of 2006, a $0.16 improvement from the loss of $0.07 per basic share
recorded during the second quarter of 2005. The current-quarter results
include a benefit of approximately $0.07 per share related to a
nonrecurring property tax settlement reached in the second quarter of 2006.
Net income for the second quarter of 2006 was $3.7 million, compared to a
loss of $2.8 million in the prior period. Due to the seasonal nature of the
business, results during the second and third quarters are not generally
indicative of earnings for a complete twelve-month period.
According to Jeffrey W. Shaw, Chief Executive Officer, "This marks the
first time in recent memory that we have recognized net income during the
second quarter. Excluding the property tax settlement, earnings still would
have been $0.02 per basic share due to higher operating margin and
continued strong performance from our construction services subsidiary. We
optimistically anticipate a year of improved earnings results."
For the twelve months ended June 30, 2006, consolidated net income was
$61.7 million, or $1.57 per basic share, compared to $54.1 million, or
$1.48 per basic share, during the twelve-month period ended June 30, 2005.
Results for the current twelve-month period include a $10 million, or $0.16
per share, nonrecurring charge recorded in the fourth quarter of 2005
related to an injuries and damages incident, partially offset by the
favorable property tax settlement.
Natural Gas Operations Segment Results
Second Quarter
Operating margin, defined as operating revenues less the cost of gas
sold, increased approximately $8 million, or six percent, in the second
quarter of 2006 compared to the second quarter of 2005. During the last
twelve months, the Company added 80,000 customers, an increase of five
percent. New customers contributed an incremental $3 million in operating
margin during the quarter. Rate relief in Southwest's service territories
added $9 million ($8 million in Arizona) in operating margin compared to
the prior year. Differences in heating demand caused primarily by weather
variations between periods resulted in a $4 million operating margin
decrease.
In April 2006, a settlement was reached regarding property tax
valuation disputes in Arizona for the tax years 2001-2005. A decrease to
property tax expense of $3.7 million and an accrual of $746,000 in interest
income was recorded in the second quarter of 2006. This entry resulted in
an after-tax benefit of approximately $0.07 per share.
Operating expenses for the quarter were relatively unchanged, compared
to the second quarter of 2005. General cost increases and incremental
operating costs associated with serving additional customers were offset by
the property tax settlement in Arizona. Net financing costs increased $1.2
million, or six percent, between periods primarily due to an increase in
average debt outstanding (to help finance growth and the unrecovered
purchased gas adjustment (PGA) balance) and higher rates on variable-rate
debt.
Twelve Months to Date
Operating margin increased $30 million between periods. Customer growth
contributed an incremental $27 million and rate relief in all service
territories added $17 million. Differences in heating demand caused
primarily by weather variations between periods resulted in a $14 million
operating margin decrease as warmer-than-normal temperatures were
experienced during both periods.
Operating expenses increased $24.7 million, or five percent, between
periods reflecting a $10 million nonrecurring injuries and damages charge,
along with general increases in labor and maintenance costs, and
incremental operating costs associated with serving additional customers.
These costs were partially offset by the property tax settlement in
Arizona.
Other income improved $4.2 million primarily due to higher returns on
long-term investments, increased interest income on higher deferred PGA
balances, and interest income related to the property tax settlement in
Arizona. Net financing costs rose $4.1 million, or five percent, between
periods primarily due to an increase in average debt outstanding (to help
finance growth and the unrecovered PGA balance) and higher rates on
variable-rate debt.
Southwest Gas Corporation provides natural gas service to 1,743,000
customers in Arizona, Nevada, and California. Its service territories are
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, changes in natural gas prices, the ability to
recover costs through the PGA mechanism, the effects of
regulation/deregulation, the timing and amount of rate relief, changes in
rate design, changes in gas procurement practices, changes in capital
requirements and funding, the impact of conditions in the capital markets
on financing costs, changes in construction expenditures and financing,
changes in operations and maintenance expenses, future liability claims,
changes in pipeline capacity for the transportation of gas and related
costs, acquisitions and management's plans related thereto, competition,
and the ability to raise capital in external financings. In addition, the
Company can provide no assurance that its discussions regarding certain
trends relating to its financing, operations, and maintenance expenses will
continue in future periods.
SOUTHWEST GAS CONSOLIDATED EARNINGS DIGEST
(In thousands, except per share amounts)
QUARTER ENDED JUNE 30, 2006 2005
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Consolidated Operating Revenues $430,902 $361,130
Net Income (Loss) $3,709 $(2,817)
Average Number of Common Shares Outstanding 40,174 37,701
Basic Earnings (Loss) Per Share $0.09 $(0.07)
Diluted Earnings (Loss) Per Share $0.09 $(0.07)
SIX MONTHS ENDED JUNE 30, 2006 2005
----------- -----------
Consolidated Operating Revenues $1,107,843 $904,010
Net Income $47,889 $30,012
Average Number of Common Shares Outstanding 39,835 37,400
Basic Earnings Per Share $1.20 $0.80
Diluted Earnings Per Share $1.19 $0.80
TWELVE MONTHS ENDED JUNE 30, 2006 2005
----------- -----------
Consolidated Operating Revenues $1,918,116 $1,628,973
Net Income $61,700 $54,105
Average Number of Common Shares Outstanding 39,339 36,606
Basic Earnings Per Share $1.57 $1.48
Diluted Earnings Per Share $1.55 $1.47
SOURCE Southwest Gas Corporation
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Related links:
http://www.swgas.com
CONTACT:
Media, Cynthia Messina, +1-702-876-7132, or
Shareholders, Ken Kenny, +1-702-876-7237, both of Southwest Gas
Corporation
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