Essential Utilities
WTRG
#1921
Rank
$10.66 B
Marketcap
$37.69
Share price
0.78%
Change (1 day)
9.56%
Change (1 year)

Essential Utilities - 10-Q quarterly report FY


Text size:
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington D.C. 20549


FORM 10-Q

QUARTERLY REPORT UNDER SECTION 13 or 15 (d) OF
THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934



For Quarter Ended June 30, 1997

Commission File Number 1-6659



PHILADELPHIA SUBURBAN CORPORATION
------------------------------------------------------
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)


Pennsylvania 23-1702594
------------------------------ -------------------
(State or other jurisdiction of (I.R.S. Employer
incorporation or organization) Identification No.)


762 Lancaster Avenue, Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania 19010
- --------------------------------------------- ----------
(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code)


Registrant's telephone number, including area code: (610)-527-8000
--------------


Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) filed all reports required to
be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during
the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was
required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing
requirements for the past 90 days.


Yes __X__ No ______


Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the issuer's classes of
common stock, as of June 30, 1997.

19,455,333
- ----------
PHILADELPHIA SUBURBAN CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES



CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(In thousands of dollars, except per share amounts)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>


June 30, December 31,
1997 1996
--------- ----------
(Unaudited) (Audited)

<S> <C> <C>
Property, plant and equipment, at cost $ 625,875 $ 612,812
Less accumulated depreciation 117,235 109,874
--------- ---------
Net property, plant and equipment 508,640 502,938

Current assets:
Cash 1,012 1,518
Accounts receivable, net 22,990 21,914
Inventory, materials and supplies 2,010 1,943
Prepayments and other current assets 683 660
--------- ---------
Total current assets 26,695 26,035

Regulatory assets 48,423 48,491
Deferred charges and other assets, net 6,936 5,480
--------- ---------

$ 590,694 $ 582,944
========= =========

Stockholders' equity:
6.05% Series B cumulative preferred stock $ 3,220 $ 3,220
Common stock at $.50 par value, authorized 40,000,000 shares,
outstanding 19,455,333 and 19,198,579 in 1997 and 1996 9,894 9,731
Capital in excess of par value 126,712 121,439
Retained earnings 51,699 49,272
Treasury stock, 333,005 and 262,230 shares in 1997 and 1996 (5,001) (3,647)
--------- ---------
Total stockholders' equity 186,524 180,015
--------- ---------

Preferred stock of subsidiary with mandatory
redemption requirements 2,786 4,214

Long-term debt, excluding current portion 195,391 217,518

Commitments -- --

Current liabilities:
Current portion of long-term debt and preferred stock of subsidiary 40,841 13,873
Loans payable 8,365 5,560
Accounts payable 4,436 9,659
Accrued interest 3,884 3,660
Accrued taxes 1,583 3,363
Other accrued liabilities 8,941 8,924
--------- ---------
Total current liabilities 68,050 45,039
--------- ---------

Deferred credits and other liabilities:
Deferred income taxes and investment tax credits 78,252 75,949
Customers' advances for construction 22,517 23,524
Other 12,693 12,826
--------- ---------
Total deferred credits and other liabilities 113,462 112,299
--------- ---------

Contributions in aid of construction 24,481 23,859
--------- ---------

$ 590,694 $ 582,944
========= =========
</TABLE>

See notes to consolidated financial statements on page 6 of this report.

1
PHILADELPHIA SUBURBAN CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
(In thousands, except per share amounts)

(UNAUDITED)
Six Months Ended
June 30,
--------------------
1997 1996
-------- --------
Earned revenues $ 64,336 $ 59,973

Costs and expenses
Operating expenses 26,363 25,684
Depreciation 7,296 6,505
Amortization 13 139
Taxes other than income taxes 4,324 4,325
-------- --------
37,996 36,653
-------- --------

Operating income 26,340 23,320
Interest expense 8,960 7,572
Dividends on preferred stock of subsidiary 188 250
Allowance for funds used during construction (193) (82)
-------- --------

Income before income taxes 17,385 15,580
Provision for income taxes 7,051 6,331
-------- --------
Net income 10,334 9,249
Dividends on preferred stock 96 --
-------- --------
Net income available to common stock $ 10,238 $ 9,249
======== ========


Net income per common share $ 0.52 $ 0.49
======== ========


Average common and common equivalent
shares outstanding during the period 19,564 18,730
======== ========


See notes to consolidated financial statements on page 6 of this report.


2
PHILADELPHIA SUBURBAN CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
(in thousands, except per share amounts)

(UNAUDITED)

Three Months Ended
June 30,
---------------------
1997 1996
-------- --------

Earned revenues $ 33,315 $ 30,683

Costs and expenses
Operating expenses 13,295 12,614
Depreciation 3,609 3,250
Amortization 3 70
Taxes other than income taxes 2,082 2,008
-------- --------
18,989 17,942
-------- --------

Operating income 14,326 12,741
Interest expense 4,524 3,789
Dividends on preferred stock of subsidiary 91 123
Allowance for funds used during construction (103) (50)
-------- --------

Income before income taxes 9,814 8,879
Provision for income taxes 3,988 3,598
-------- --------
Net income 5,826 5,281
Dividends on preferred stock 48 --
-------- --------
Net income available to common stock $ 5,778 $ 5,281
======== ========


Net income per common share $ 0.29 $ 0.28
======== ========


Average common and common equivalent
shares outstanding during the period 19,608 18,854
======== ========


See notes to consolidated financial statements on page 6 of this report.


3
PHILADELPHIA SUBURBAN CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOW
(In thousands of dollars)

(UNAUDITED)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

Six Months Ended
June 30,
----------------------
1997 1996
---------- ---------
<S> <C> <C>
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net income $ 10,334 $ 9,249
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net
cash flows from operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization 7,309 6,644
Deferred taxes, net of taxes on customers' advances 1,829 607
Net increase in receivables, inventory and prepayments (1,051) (1,858)
Net decrease in payables, accrued interest, accrued taxes
and other accrued liabilities (6,576) (4,528)
Other (509) (2)
-------- --------
Net cash flows from operating activities 11,336 10,112
-------- --------

Cash flows from investing activities:
Property, plant and equipment additions, including allowance
for funds used during construction of $193 and $82 (12,666) (10,373)
Acquisitions of water systems (435) (2,377)
Other (236) (240)
-------- --------
Net cash flows used in investing activities (13,337) (12,990)
-------- --------

Cash flows from financing activities:
Customers' advances and contributions in aid of
construction, net of income tax payments 527 93
Repayments of customers' advances (1,244) (1,442)
Net proceeds (repayments) of short-term debt 2,805 (3,325)
Proceeds from long-term debt 17,142 27,540
Repayments of longterm debt (12,400) (20,054)
Redemption of preferred stock of subsidiary (1,428) (1,500)
Proceeds from issuing common stock 5,680 7,827
Repurchase of common stock (1,599) (4)
Dividends paid on preferred stock (96) --
Dividends paid on common stock (7,810) (7,127)
Other (82) (161)
-------- --------
Net cash flows from financing activities 1,495 1,847
-------- --------

Net decrease in cash (506) (1,031)
Cash balance beginning of year 1,518 2,387
-------- --------
Cash balance at end of period $ 1,012 $ 1,356
======== ========
</TABLE>

See notes to consolidated financial statements on page 6 of this report.


4
PHILADELPHIA SUBURBAN CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CAPITALIZATION
(In thousands of dollars, except per share amounts)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>


June 30, December 31,
1997 1996
---------- -----------
(Unaudited) (Audited)
Stockholders' equity:
<S> <C> <C>
6.05% Series B cumulative preferred stock $ 3,220 $ 3,220
Common stock, $.50 par value 9,894 9,731
Capital in excess of par value 126,712 121,439
Retained earnings 51,699 49,272
Treasury stock (5,001) (3,647)
---------- ----------
Total stockholders' equity 186,524 180,015
---------- ----------

Preferred stock of subsidiary with mandatory
redemption requirements 4,215 5,643
Current portion of preferred stock of subsidiary 1,429 1,429
---------- ----------
2,786 4,214
---------- ----------

Long-term debt:
First Mortgage Bonds secured by utility plant:
8.44% Series, due 1997 - 12,000
5.95% Series, due 2002* 2,000 2,400
6.83% Series, due 2003 10,000 10,000
7.47% Series, due 2003 10,000 10,000
7.06% Series, due 2004 10,000 -
6.82% Series, due 2005 10,000 10,000
6.99% Series, due 2006 10,000 10,000
6.75% Series, due 2007 10,000 -
9.89% Series, due 2008 5,000 5,000
7.15% Series, due 2008* 22,000 22,000
9.12% Series, due 2010 20,000 20,000
6.50% Series, due 2010* 3,200 3,200
9.17% Series, due 2011 5,000 5,000
9.93% Series, due 2013 5,000 5,000
6.89% Series, due 2015 12,000 12,000
9.97% Series, due 2018 5,000 5,000
9.17% Series, due 2021* 8,000 8,000
6.35% Series, due 2025 22,000 22,000
7.72% Series, due 2025 15,000 15,000
9.29% Series, due 2026 12,000 12,000
---------- ----------
Total First Mortgage Bonds 196,200 188,600
Note payable to bank under revolving credit agreement, due March 1998 36,968 39,727
Installment note payable, 9%, due in equal annual payments through 2013 1,635 1,635
---------- ----------
234,803 229,962
Current portion of long-term debt 39,412 12,444
---------- ----------
Long-term debt, excluding current portion 195,391 217,518
---------- ----------
Total capitalization $ 384,701 $ 401,747
=========== ==========
</TABLE>

*Trust indentures relating to these First Mortgage Bonds require annual sinking
fund payments.

See notes to consolidated financial statements on page 6 of this report.


5
PHILADELPHIA SUBURBAN CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(In thousands of dollars, except per share amounts)

Note 1 Basis of Presentation

The accompanying consolidated balance sheet and statement of
capitalization of Philadelphia Suburban Corporation at June 30, 1997,
the consolidated statements of income for the six months and quarter
ended June 30, 1997 and 1996, and the consolidated statements of cash
flow for the six months ended June 30, 1997 and 1996 are unaudited,
but reflect all adjustments, consisting of only normal recurring
accruals, which are, in the opinion of management, necessary to
present fairly the consolidated financial position at June 30, 1997,
the consolidated results of operations, and the consolidated cash flow
for the periods presented. Because they cover interim periods, the
statements and related notes to the financial statements do not
include all disclosures and notes normally provided in annual
financial statements and, therefore, should be read in conjunction
with the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31,
1996 and the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March
31, 1997.

Note 2 Long-Term Debt and Loans Payable

In July 1997, PSW established a two-year $150,000 medium-term note
program which replaced a similar program that expired in the first
quarter of 1997. The program provides for the issuance of long-term
debt with maturities ranging between one and 30 years at fixed rates
of interest, as determined at the time of issuance. The notes issued
under this program are secured by the Thirty-first Supplement to the
trust indenture relating to PSW's First Mortgage Bonds.

In July 1997, PSW issued $10,000 First Mortgage Bonds 6.75% Series due
2007 through this program. The net proceeds of this issue were used to
repay amounts outstanding under PSW's revolving credit agreement and,
accordingly, $10,000 of the outstanding balance of PSW's revolving
credit agreement has been classified as long-term debt.

In July 1997, the Company increased its short-term lines of credit by
$6,000. Funds borrowed under these lines are used to provide working
capital.


6
PHILADELPHIA SUBURBAN CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF
FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
(In thousands of dollars, except per share amounts)

Philadelphia Suburban Corporation ("PSC" or "the Company"), a Pennsylvania
corporation, is the holding Company of Philadelphia Suburban Water Company
("PSW"), a regulated water utility. PSW provides water to approximately 286,000
customers in 93 municipalities within its 465 square-mile service territory.
PSW's service territory is located north and west of the City of Philadelphia.

Financial Condition


During the first half of 1997, the Company made $12,666 of expenditures related
to routine capital improvements and replacements, retired $12,400 in long-term
debt, repaid $1,244 of customer advances for construction, repurchased $1,599 of
its common stock and redeemed $1,428 of Preferred Stock.


During the first six months, internally generated funds, available working
capital, funds available under the revolving credit facility and the proceeds
from the issuance of common stock and long-term debt were used to fund the cash
requirements discussed above, and to pay dividends. Proceeds from the issuance
of common stock, primarily through the Company's Customer Stock Purchase Plan
and the Dividend Reinvestment and Optional Stock Purchase Plan amounted to
approximately $5,680. Effective with the September 1, 1997 payment, the Company
has increased the quarterly dividend on common stock from $.2025 per share to
$.2125 per share.


In July 1997, PSW established a two-year $150,000 medium-term note program. This
program replaced a $100,000 medium-term note program that expired in March 1997.
The program provides for the issuance of long-term debt with maturities ranging
between one and 30 years at fixed rates of interest, as determined at the time
of issuance. The terms and conditions for debt issued under the new program are
essentially the same as those under the expired program. In March 1997, PSW
issued $10,000 of First Mortgage Bonds 7.06% Series due 2004 through the expired
program. In July 1997, PSW issued $10,000 of First Mortgage Bonds 6.75% Series
due 2007 through the new program. The net proceeds of these issues were used to
repay amounts outstanding under PSW's revolving credit agreement and fund PSW's
ongoing construction program.

At June 30, 1997, the Company and PSW had $635 and $1,000 available,
respectively under short-term lines of credit and PSW had $3,032 available under
its revolving credit agreement. In July 1997, the Company increased its
short-term lines of credit by $6,000 to provide additional working capital. The
current portion of long-term debt includes $46,968 borrowed under the revolving
credit agreement that expires in March 1998. The Company intends to renew this
facility and refinance a portion of this balance through the issuances of First
Mortgage Bonds.

At its August meeting, the Board of Directors approved a resolution allowing the
Company to purchase, from time to time, up to 500,000 shares of its common stock
in the open market or through privately negotiated transactions. The shares
purchased by the Company, if any, shall be used by the Company for share
issuance under the Company's direct stock purchase plans, its dividend
reinvestment plan, its employee stock purchase plan and upon the exercise of
stock options granted under the Company's stock option plans. The purchase of
shares has been authorized in order to reduce the number of new shares issued
under these plans and the dilutive effect on earnings per share of issuances of
additional shares under these plans. Funding for any stock purchases is not
expected to have a material impact on the Company's financial position.

7
PHILADELPHIA SUBURBAN CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF
FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS (continued)
(In thousands of dollars, except per share amounts)



Results of Operations

Analysis of First Six Months of 1997 Compared to First Six Months of 1996


Revenues increased $4,363 or 7.3% primarily as a result of $2,856 in water
revenues associated with the water system acquisitions made in 1996. In
addition, water revenues included $460 from the Distribution System Improvement
Charge (DSIC). The balance of the increase is primarily due to additional sales
proceeds from a subsidiary the Company sold in 1991, the sale of a vacated
operating facility and additional revenues earned from operating and maintenance
contracts.

Operating expenses increased by $679 or 2.6% primarily as a result of the 1996
acquisitions. These increases were partially offset by the effects of the mild
1997 winter which resulted in fewer main breaks and reduced maintenance
expenses. Operating expenses were also lower because of additional capitalized
labor as more labor resources were utilized on capital projects in the first
half of 1997 as compared to 1996, causing a corresponding reduction in employee
benefit costs. In addition, the Company benefited from reduced insurance and
legal costs.


Depreciation increased by $791 or 12.2% reflecting utility plant placed in
service, including the assets from the acquisitions, in the past year.
Depreciation was approximately 2.31% and 2.41% of average utility plant in
service in the first half of 1997 and 1996 respectively.

Amortization decreased $126 primarily due to the completion of the amortization
of the costs associated with PSW's 1995 rate filing, offset partially by the
amortization of additional debt issuance costs.


Interest expense increased $1,388 or 18.3% reflecting an increase in borrowing
levels, partially offset by lower interest rates. The increase in borrowings
were used to finance the 1996 acquisitions and PSW's ongoing capital projects.


Allowance for funds used during construction increased by $111 due to an
increase in the average balance of utility plant construction work in progress.

The Company's effective income tax rate was 40.6% in the first half of 1997 and
1996.

Net income available to common stock increased by $989 or 10.7% primarily as a
result of increased revenues partially offset by increased operating expenses,
interest expense and depreciation. On a per share basis, earnings increased $.03
or 6.1% reflecting the improvement in net income, offset by a 4.5% increase in
the average number of shares outstanding. The increased number of shares
outstanding reflects additional shares sold since the first half of 1996 through
the Customer Stock Purchase Plan and the Dividend Reinvestment and Optional
Stock Purchase plan.

8
PHILADELPHIA SUBURBAN CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF
FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS (continued)
(In thousands of dollars, except per share amounts)

Analysis of Second Quarter of 1997 Compared to Second Quarter of 1996


Revenues for the quarter increased $2,632 or 8.6% primarily due to water
revenues from the 1996 acquisitions of $1,474, the DSIC, which contributed $318,
and additional non-water revenues of $264 primarily from consulting and
operating contracts.

Operating expenses increased by $681 or 5.4% as a result of the 1996
acquisitions, partially offset by reduced labor and employee benefit costs
resulting from a greater proportion of labor resources being assigned to capital
projects and lower legal expenses.

Depreciation increased by $359 or 11.0% reflecting the impact of utility plant
placed in service since the second quarter of 1996. Depreciation was
approximately 2.31% and 2.40% of average utility plant in service in the second
quarter of 1997 and 1996, respectively.

Amortization decreased $67 primarily due to the completion of the amortization
of the costs associated with PSW's 1995 rate filing, offset by the amortization
of additional debt issuance costs.

Taxes other than income taxes increased $74 or 3.7% due to higher state
regulatory assessments and an increase in payroll taxes.

Interest expense increased by $735 or 19.4% reflecting an increased level of
borrowings, partially offset by lower interest rates. The increased borrowings
were used to finance acquisitions and other PSW capital projects.

Allowance for funds used during construction increased by $53 primarily due to
an increase in the average balance of utility plant construction work in
progress.

The Company's effective income tax rate was 40.6% in 1997 and 40.5% in 1996.

Net income available to common stock for the quarter increased by $497 or 9.4%
principally due to increased revenues offset in part by increased operating
expenses, depreciation and interest expense. Earnings per share increased $.01
or 3.6% reflecting the improvement in net income, offset by a 4.0% increase in
the average number of shares outstanding.

Impact of Recent Accounting Pronouncements

In February 1997, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued
Statement of Financial Accounting Standard No. 128, Earnings per Share (SFAS
128). This Statement introduces new methods for calculating earnings per share.
The adoption of this Statement will not affect results from operations,
financial condition, or long-term liquidity, but will require the Company to
restate earnings per share reported in prior periods. Compliance with this
Statement, which will be effective for periods ending after December 15, 1997,
is not expected to have a material effect on the Company's earnings per share
amounts.

In June 1997, the FASB issued SFAS 130, Reporting Comprehensive Income. This
Statement requires that all items that are required to be recognized under
accounting standards as components of comprehensive income be reported in a
financial statement that is displayed with the same prominence as other
financial statements. The Company plans to adopt this Statement on January 1,
1998, as required. The Company does not have any

9
PHILADELPHIA SUBURBAN CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF
FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS (continued)
(In thousands of dollars, except per share amounts)

items of comprehensive income, other than that presented on its consolidated
statements of income that would require disclosure and presentation of
accumulated balances in the equity section of the balance sheet.

In June 1997, the FASB issued SFAS 131, Disclosures About Segments of and
Related Information. This Statement established standards for reporting
information about operating segments in annual financial statements and requires
selected information about operating segments in interim financial reports
issued to shareholders. It also establishes standards for related disclosure
about products and services, geographic areas and major customers. The Company
plans to adopt this statement on January 1, 1998, as required. The adoption of
this Statement will not affect results from operations, financial conditions or
long-term liquidity.




10
PHILADELPHIA SUBURBAN CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

Part II. Other Information

Item 1. Legal Proceedings

There are no pending legal proceedings to which the Registrant or any
of its subsidiaries is a party or to which any of their properties is
the subject that present a reasonable likelihood of a material adverse
impact on the Registrant. Reference is made to Item 3 of the Company's
Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1996, which
is included by a reference herein.

Item 4. Results of Vote of Security Holders

The Annual Meeting of Shareholders of Philadelphia Suburban
Corporation (the "Company") was held on May 15, 1997 at the
headquarters of the Company, 762 Lancaster Avenue, Bryn Mawr,
Pennsylvania, pursuant to the Notice sent on or about April 4, 1997 to
all shareholders of record at the close of business on March 24, 1997.
At that meeting, the following nominees were elected as directors of
the Company for terms expiring in the year 2000 and received the votes
set forth after their names below:

Name of Nominee For Withheld
--------------- --- --------

John H. Austin, Jr. 15,321,105 195,320
Alan R. Hirsig 15,351,158 181,267
John F. McCaughan 15,375,795 140,630
Harvey J. Wilson 15,354,208 162,217

Since the Board of Directors is divided into three classes with one
class elected each year to hold office for a three-year term, the term
of office for the following directors continued after the Annual
Meeting: John W. Boyer, Jr.; Mary C. Carroll; Nicholas DeBenedictis;
G. Fred DiBona, Jr.; and Richard H. Glanton, Esq..

Item 6. Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K

(a) Exhibits
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

Exhibit No. Description
----------- -----------

<S> <C>
4.22 Thirty-first Supplemental Indenture dated as of July 1, 1997

10.26 Placement Agency Agreement between Philadelphia Suburban Water Company
and A.G. Edwards and Sons, Janney Montgomery Scott, Inc., HSBC Securities,
Inc., and Paine Webber Incorporated

27 Financial Data Schedule

</TABLE>
(b) Report on Form 8-K

None

11
SIGNATURE


Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934,
the registrant has duly caused this report to be executed on its behalf by the
undersigned thereunto duly authorized.






August 12, 1997

PHILADELPHIA SUBURBAN CORPORATION
---------------------------------
Registrant


Nicholas DeBenedictis
---------------------------------
Nicholas DeBenedictis
Chairman and President






Michael P. Graham
---------------------------------
Michael P. Graham
Senior Vice President - Finance
and Treasurer


12
EXHIBIT INDEX


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

Exhibit No. Description Page No.
- ----------- ----------- --------

<S> <C> <C>
4.22 Thirty-first Supplemental Indenture dated as of July 1, 1997 15

10.26 Placement Agency Agreement between Philadelphia Suburban 60
Water Company and A.G. Edwards and Sons, Janney Montgomery
Scott, Inc., HSBC Securities, Inc., and Paine Webber Incorporated

27 Financial Data Schedule 139


</TABLE>