Environmental Services News

Artesian Resources Corporation Reports Third Quarter 2009 Results



    NEWARK, Del., Nov. 5 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- (Nasdaq: ARTNA) Artesian
Resources Corporation (Artesian) today announced that revenue through the
third quarter of 2009 was $45.4 million, up from $41.8 million for the same
nine-month period of 2008. Net income rose to $5.7 million for the year
through September 30, an increase of 11.6% from the same period last year.
Diluted net income per common share increased to $0.76 for the nine months
ended September 30, 2009 from $0.69 in the same period last year.

    For the third quarter of 2009, revenue was $16.2 million, up from $15.7
million for the same three-month period in 2008. Net income decreased to
$2.1 million from $2.6 million in the same quarter a year ago, while
diluted net income per common share declined to $0.28 from $0.35 in the
same period last year.

    "The extremely wet weather this summer has reduced customer demand for
water to the lowest levels we have seen in nearly a decade," said Artesian
President and CEO Dian C. Taylor. "However, we softened the impact of the
wet weather on our earnings by initiating company-wide cost containment
efforts, with particular focus on controlling discretionary spending, and
diversifying our business to provide revenue from non-utility sources that
are not weather dependent."

    Non-utility revenues for the year through September 30, 2009, increased
29.7% to $3.3 million. For the third quarter of 2009, non-utility revenues
grew to $1.3 million, a 32.5% increase from the same period of 2008. The
increase in non-utility revenue was attributable to last year's acquisition
of Artesian Consulting Engineers and the continued popularity of water and
wastewater Service Line Protection Plans.

    Revenues from water sales during the third quarter were steady at $14.4
million, up 1.4% from the third quarter of 2008. In 2009, the Delaware
Public Service Commission granted an increase in water rates of 15%. The
impact of the rate increase was offset by lower demand for water due to the
weather.

    Operating expenses increased 5.9% to $12.3 million in the third quarter
of 2009 compared to the same period in 2008, reflecting higher payroll and
employee benefits costs, as well as increased purchased water expenses and
taxes.

    About Artesian

    Artesian Resources Corporation operates as the holding company of eight
wholly-owned subsidiaries offering water, wastewater and engineering
services. Artesian Water Company, the principal subsidiary, is the oldest
and largest investor-owned public water utility on the Delmarva Peninsula,
and has been providing water service since 1905. Artesian Water distributes
and sells water to residential, commercial, industrial, governmental,
municipal and utility customers. Artesian Resources is a member of the
small-market Russell 2000 Index and has paid a common stock dividend for 68
consecutive quarters.

    http://artesianwater.com


Artesian Resources Corporation Condensed Consolidated Statement of Operations (In thousands, except per share amounts) (Unaudited) Three Three Nine Nine months months months months Ended ended ended ended September September September September 30, 30, 30, 30, 2009 2008 2009 2008 ---- ---- ---- ---- Operating Revenues Water sales $ 14,426 $ 14,224 $ 40,643 $ 37,827 Other utility operating revenue 470 477 1,480 1,469 Non-utility revenue 1,265 955 3,284 2,532 16,161 15,656 45,407 41,828 Operating Expenses Utility operating expenses 7,479 7,034 21,469 21,288 Non-utility operating expenses 819 621 2,279 1,766 Depreciation and amortization 1,653 1,422 4,852 4,062 State and federal income taxes 1,471 1,758 3,859 3,448 Property and other taxes 888 791 2,594 2,381 12,310 11,626 35,053 32,945 Operating Income 3,851 4,030 10,354 8,883 Allowance for funds used during construction 106 285 330 615 Other Income, Net (35) (49) 452 385 Income Before Interest Charges 3,922 4,266 11,136 9,883 Interest Charges 1,810 1,673 5,420 4,762 Net Income Applicable to Common Stock $ 2,112 $ 2,593 $ 5,716 $ 5,121 Weighted Average Common Shares Outstanding - Basic 7,465 7,355 7,439 7,340 Net Income per Common Share - Basic $ 0.28 $ 0.35 $ 0.77 $ 0.70 Weighted Average Common Shares Outstanding - Diluted 7,538 7,451 7,498 7,439 Net Income per Common Share - Diluted $ 0.28 $ 0.35 $ 0.76 $ 0.69 Artesian Resources Corporation Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet (In thousands) (Unaudited) September 30, December 31, 2009 2008 ---- ---- Assets Utility Plant, at original cost less accumulated depreciation $ 324,296 $ 318,243 Current Assets 13,979 13,472 Regulatory and Other Assets 18,888 16,991 $ 357,163 $ 348,706 Capitalization and Liabilities Stockholder's Equity $ 90,688 $ 87,794 Long Term Debt, Net of Current Portion 106,221 107,555 Current Liabilities 38,214 34,377 Advances for Construction 19,799 21,089 Contributions in Aid of Construction 68,008 66,841 Other Liabilities 34,233 31,050 $ 357,163 $ 348,706

 

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