Essential Utilities, Inc. - Quarter Report: 2016 March (Form 10-Q)

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON DC  20549

FORM 10-Q

(Mark One) 

☒ QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 or 15 (d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934. 

For the quarterly period ended March 31, 2016 

☐ TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934. 

For the transition period from_______________ to _______________

Commission File Number 1-6659 

AQUA AMERICA, INC. 

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter) 





(Former Name, former address and former fiscal year, if changed since last report.)



Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has 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 ☒    No ☐



Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).  Yes ☒    No ☐



Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer or a smaller reporting company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12(b)-2 of the Exchange Act.:   



Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).  Yes ☐  No ☒ 

 

Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the issuer's classes of common stock, as of  

April 22, 2016:  177,271,652

  

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TABLE OF CONTENTS





 

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Note 1 – Basis of Presentation 



The accompanying consolidated balance sheets and statements of capitalization of Aqua America, Inc. and subsidiaries (the “Company”) at March 31, 2016, the consolidated statements of net income and comprehensive income for the three months ended March 31, 2016 and 2015 the consolidated statements of cash flow for the three months ended March 31, 2016 and 2015, and the consolidated statement of equity for the three months ended March 31, 2016 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, the consolidated changes in equity, 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 Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2015.  The results of operations for interim periods may not be indicative of the results that may be expected for the entire year.  The December 31, 2015 consolidated balance sheet data presented herein was derived from the Company’s December 31, 2015 audited consolidated financial statements, but does not include all disclosures and notes normally provided in annual financial statements.    Certain prior period amounts have been reclassified, including debt issuance costs (see Note 15 - Recent Accounting Pronouncements), to conform to the current period presentation.          



Note 2 – Goodwill 



The following table summarizes the changes in the Company’s goodwill, by business segment:

 



 

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The reclassification of goodwill to utility plant acquisition adjustment results from a mechanism approved by the applicable utility commission.  The mechanism provides for the transfer over time, and the recovery through customer rates, of goodwill associated with some acquisitions upon achieving specific objectives. 







  

Note 3 – Acquisitions 



Pursuant to our strategy to grow through acquisitions, in January 2016, the Company acquired Superior Water Company, Inc., which provides public water service to approximately 3,900 customers in portions of Berks, Chester, and Montgomery counties in Pennsylvania.  The total purchase price for the utility system was $16,750, which consisted of the issuance of 439,943 shares of the Company’s common stock and $3,905 in cash. The purchase price allocation for this acquisition consists primarily of acquired property, plant and equipment of $25,167, contributions in aid of construction of $16,565, and goodwill of $8,622.  Additionally, during the first quarter of 2016, the Company completed six acquisitions of water and wastewater utility systems in various states.  The total purchase price of these utility systems consisted of $556 in cash.  The pro forma effect of the business acquired is not material either individually or collectively to the Company’s results of operations.     



In April 2015, the Company acquired the water and wastewater utility system assets of North Maine Utilities located in the Village of Glenview, Illinois serving approximately 7,400 customers.  The total purchase price consisted of $23,079 in cash.  The purchase price allocation for this acquisition consists primarily of acquired property, plant and equipment.  Additionally, in 2015, the Company completed 14 acquisitions of water and wastewater utility systems in various states.  The total purchase price of these utility systems consisted of $5,210 in cash.      



Note 4 –  Assets Held for Sale



In December 2015, the Company decided to sell a business unit within the Company’s market-based subsidiary, Aqua Resources, which provides liquid waste hauling and disposal services, and is reported as assets held for sale in the Company’s Consolidated Balance Sheets.  The completion of the sale is expected to occur in the second quarter of 2016.  This business unit is included in “Other” in the Company’s segment information.       







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Note 5 – Capitalization 



In February 2016, the Company amended its unsecured revolving credit facility to extend the expiration from March 2017 to February 2021, to increase the facility from $200,000 to $250,000, and to add a fourth bank to the lending group.  Funds borrowed under this facility are classified as long-term debt and are used to provide working capital as well as support for letters of credit for insurance policies and other financing arrangements.  Interest under this facility is based at the Company’s option, on the prime rate, an adjusted Euro-Rate, an adjusted federal funds rate or at rates offered by the banks.  A facility fee is charged on the total commitment amount of the agreement. 



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Note 6 – Fair Value of Financial Instruments 

 

The Company follows the Financial Accounting Standards Board’s (“FASB”) accounting guidance for fair value measurements and disclosures, which defines fair value and establishes a framework for using fair value to measure assets and liabilities.  That framework provides a fair value hierarchy that prioritizes the inputs to valuation techniques used to measure fair value.  The hierarchy gives highest priority to unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities (Level 1 measurements) and the lowest priority to unobservable inputs (Level 3 measurements).  The three levels of the fair value hierarchy are as follows:



 

 

 

The asset’s or liability’s fair value measurement level within the fair value hierarchy is based on the lowest level of any input that is significant to the fair value measurement.  Valuation techniques used need to maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs.  There have been no changes in the valuation techniques used to measure fair value or asset or liability transfers between the levels of the fair value hierarchy for the quarter ended March 31, 2016. 

 

Financial instruments are recorded at carrying value in the financial statements and approximate fair value as of the dates presented.  The fair value of these instruments is disclosed below in accordance with current accounting guidance related to financial instruments. 

 

The fair value of loans payable is determined based on its carrying amount and utilizing Level 1 methods and assumptions.    As of March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015, the carrying amount of the Company’s loans payable was $28,041 and $16,721, respectively, which equates to their estimated fair value.  The fair value of cash and cash equivalents, which is comprised of a money market fund, is determined based on the net asset value per unit utilizing Level 2 methods and assumptions.  As of March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015, the carrying amounts of the Company's cash and cash equivalents was $3,981 and $3,229, respectively, which equates to their fair value.   

 

The carrying amounts and estimated fair values of the Company’s long-term debt is as follows:

 



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The fair value of long-term debt has been determined by discounting the future cash flows using current market interest rates for similar financial instruments of the same duration utilizing Level 2 methods and assumptions.  The Company’s customers’ advances for construction have a carrying value of $86,546 as of March 31, 2016, and $86,934 as of December 31, 2015.  Their relative fair values cannot be accurately estimated because future refund payments depend on several variables, including new customer connections, customer consumption levels, and future rate increases.  Portions of these non-interest bearing instruments are payable annually through 2026 and amounts not paid by the respective contract expiration dates become non-refundable.  The fair value of these amounts would, however, be less than their carrying value due to the non-interest bearing feature.



Note 7 – Net Income per Common Share 

 

Basic net income per common share is based on the weighted average number of common shares outstanding.  Diluted net income per common share is based on the weighted average number of common shares outstanding and potentially dilutive shares.  The dilutive effect of employee stock-based compensation is included in the computation of diluted net income per common share.  The dilutive effect of stock-based compensation is calculated using the treasury stock method and expected proceeds upon exercise or issuance of the stock-based compensation.  The treasury stock method assumes that the proceeds from the exercise of stock options are used to purchase the Company’s common stock at the average market price during the period.  The following table summarizes the shares, in thousands, used in computing basic and diluted net income per common share: 





For the three months ended March 31,  2016 and 2015, all of the Company’s employee stock options were included in the calculations of diluted net income per share as the calculated cost to exercise the stock options was less than the average market price of the Company’s common stock during these periods.  

 

 

 

 



 

Note 8 – Stock-based Compensation 

 

Under the Company’s 2009 Omnibus Equity Compensation Plan, as amended as of February 27, 2014 (the “2009 Plan”), as approved by the Company’s shareholders to replace the 2004 Equity Compensation Plan (the “2004 Plan”), stock options, stock units, stock awards, stock appreciation rights, dividend equivalents, and other stock-based awards may be granted to employees, non-employee directors, and consultants and advisors.  The 2009 Plan authorizes 6,250,000 shares for issuance under the plan.  A maximum of 3,125,000 shares under the 2009 Plan may be issued pursuant to stock awards, stock units and other stock-based awards, subject to adjustment as provided in the 2009 Plan.  During any calendar year, no individual

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may be granted (i) stock options and stock appreciation rights under the 2009 Plan for more than 500,000 shares of Company stock in the aggregate or (ii) stock awards, stock units or other stock-based awards under the 2009 Plan for more than 500,000 shares of Company stock in the aggregate, subject to adjustment as provided in the 2009 Plan.  Awards to employees and consultants under the 2009 Plan are made by a committee of the Board of Directors of the Company, except that with respect to awards to the Chief Executive Officer, the committee recommends those awards for approval by the non-employee directors of the Board of Directors.  In the case of awards to non-employee directors, the Board of Directors of makes such awards.  At March 31, 2016,  3,989,744 shares underlying stock-based compensation awards were still available for grants under the 2009 Plan.    No further grants may be made under the 2004 Plan.     

 

Performance Share Units – A performance share unit (“PSU”) represents the right to receive a share of the Company’s common stock if specified performance goals are met over the three-year performance period specified in the grant, subject to exceptions through the respective vesting period, generally three years.  Each grantee is granted a target award of PSUs, and may earn between 0% and 200% of the target amount depending on the Company’s performance against the performance goals.  The following table provides compensation costs for stock-based compensation related to PSUs: 



 

The following table summarizes nonvested PSU transactions for the three months ended March 31, 2016:   



 

 

 

A portion of the fair value of PSUs was estimated at the grant date based on the probability of satisfying the market-based conditions using the Monte Carlo valuation method, which assesses probabilities of various outcomes of market conditions.  The other portion of the fair value of the PSUs is based on the fair market value of the Company’s stock at the grant date, regardless of whether the market-based condition is satisfied.  The per unit weighted-average fair value at the date of grant for PSUs granted during the three months ended

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March 31, 2016 and 2015 was $28.89 and $26.54, respectively.  The fair value of each PSU grant is amortized monthly into compensation expense on a straight-line basis over their respective vesting periods, generally 36 months.  The accrual of compensation costs is based on our estimate of the final expected value of the award, and is adjusted as required for the portion based on the performance-based condition.  The Company assumes that forfeitures will be minimal, and recognizes forfeitures as they occur, which results in a reduction in compensation expense.  As the payout of the PSUs includes dividend equivalents, no separate dividend yield assumption is required in calculating the fair value of the PSUs.  The recording of compensation expense for PSUs has no impact on net cash flows.   



Restricted Stock Units – A restricted stock unit (“RSU”) represents the right to receive a share of the Company’s common stock.  RSUs are eligible to be earned at the end of a specified restricted period, generally three years, beginning on the date of grant.  The Company assumes that forfeitures will be minimal, and recognizes forfeitures as they occur, which results in a reduction in compensation expense.  As the payout of the RSUs includes dividend equivalents, no separate dividend yield assumption is required in calculating the fair value of the RSUs.  The following table provides compensation costs for stock-based compensation related to RSUs:

 



The following table summarizes nonvested RSU transactions for the three months ended March 31, 2016: 



 



The per unit weighted-average fair value at the date of grant for RSUs granted during the three months ended March 31, 2016 and 2015 was $32.04 and $26.26, respectively.   

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Stock Options – The following table provides the income tax benefit for stock-based compensation related to stock options granted in prior periods:

For the three months ended March 31, 2016 and 2015, there were no compensation costs for stock-based compensation related to stock options, as stock options were fully amortized in 2013.  Additionally, there were no stock options granted during the three months ended March 31, 2016 or 2015. 



The following table summarizes stock option transactions for the three months ended March 31, 2016:

 



Stock Awards – On March 31, 2016, the Company granted 3,522 shares of common stock to the non-employee members of the Board of Directors.  The fair market value of the shares is $31.94 per share.  The shares granted are not subject to any restrictions.  In the first quarter of 2016, the Company recognized $112 of compensation expense and an income tax benefit of $47 associated with these grants.  There were no stock awards granted to the non-employee members of the Board of Directors during the quarter ended March 31, 2015.    



 

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Note 9 – Pension Plans and Other Postretirement Benefits   

 

The Company maintains a qualified defined benefit pension plan (the “Pension Plan”), a nonqualified pension plan and other postretirement benefit plans for certain of its employees.  The net periodic benefit cost is based on estimated values and an extensive use of assumptions about the discount rate, expected return on plan assets, the rate of future compensation increases received by the Company’s employees, mortality, turnover, and medical costs.  The following tables provide the components of net periodic benefit cost:



Effective July 1, 2015, the Company added a permanent lump sum option to the form of benefit payments offered to participants of the qualified defined benefit pension plan and non-qualified retirement plans upon retirement or termination.  During the first quarter of 2016, the lump sum payments paid to participants who elected this option for payments from the non-qualified retirement plans resulted in a settlement charge.  The Company made cash contributions of $2,715 to its Pension Plan during the first three months of 2016,  and intends to make cash contributions of $5,430 to the Pension Plan during the remainder of 2016. 

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Note 10 – Water and Wastewater Rates 

 

During the first three months of 2016, the Company’s operating divisions in Ohio, Texas, and Virginia were granted base rate increases designed to increase total operating revenues on an annual basis by $3,090.  Further, during the first three months of 2016, the Company’s operating divisions in Illinois, Pennsylvania (wastewater), and North Carolina received approval to bill infrastructure rehabilitation surcharges designed to increase total operating revenues on an annual basis by $1,365.



Note 11 – Taxes Other than Income Taxes 

 

The following table provides the components of taxes other than income taxes:







Note 12 – Segment Information 

 

The Company has identified ten operating segments and has one reportable segment named the “Regulated” segment.  The reportable segment is comprised of eight operating segments for the Company’s water and wastewater regulated utility companies which are organized by the states where we provide these services.  In addition, two segments are not quantitatively significant to be reportable and are comprised of the Company’s market-based activities:  Aqua Resources, Inc. and Aqua Infrastructure, LLC.  Aqua Resources provides water and wastewater service through operating and maintenance contracts with municipal authorities and other parties in close proximity to our utility companies’ service territories; offers, through a third party, water and wastewater line repair service and protection solutions to households; inspects, cleans and repairs storm and sanitary wastewater lines; installs and tests devices that prevent the contamination of potable water; designs and builds water and wastewater systems; and provides other market-based water and wastewater services.  In addition, Aqua Resources provides liquid waste hauling and disposal services in a business unit that, in December 2015, the Company decided to sell, which is reported as assets held for sale in the Company’s consolidated balance sheets included in this report.  Aqua Infrastructure provides non-utility raw water supply services for firms in the natural gas drilling industry.  These two segments are included as a component of “Other” in the tables below.  Also included in “Other” are corporate costs that have not been allocated to the Regulated segment and intersegment eliminations.  Corporate costs include general and administrative expense, and interest expense. 



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The following table presents information about the Company’s reportable segment:





 

 

Note 13 – Commitments and Contingencies 

 

The Company is routinely involved in various disputes, claims, lawsuits and other regulatory and legal matters, including both asserted and unasserted legal claims, in the ordinary course of business.  The status of each such matter, referred to herein as a loss contingency, is reviewed and assessed in accordance with applicable accounting rules regarding the nature of the matter, the likelihood that a loss will be incurred, and the amounts involved.  As of March 31, 2016, the aggregate amount of $14,913 is accrued for loss contingencies and is reported in the Company’s consolidated balance sheet as other accrued liabilities and other liabilities.  These accruals represent management’s best estimate of probable loss (as defined in the accounting guidance) for loss contingencies or the low end of a range of losses if no single probable loss can be estimated.  For some loss contingencies, the Company is unable to estimate the amount of the probable loss or range of probable losses.  While the final outcome of these loss contingencies cannot be predicted with certainty, and unfavorable outcomes could negatively impact the Company, at this time in the opinion of management, the final resolution of these matters are not expected to have a material adverse effect on the Company’s financial position, results of operations or cash flows.  Further, the Company has insurance coverage for certain of these loss contingencies, and as of March 31, 2016, estimates that approximately $1,544 of the amount accrued for these matters are probable of recovery through insurance, which amount is also reported in the Company’s consolidated balance sheet as deferred charges and other assets, net.



In addition to the aforementioned loss contingencies, the Company self-insures its employee medical benefit program, and maintains stop-loss coverage to limit the exposure arising from these claims.  The

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Company’s reserve for these claims totaled $1,496 at March 31, 2016 and represents a reserve for unpaid claim costs, including an estimate for the cost of incurred but not reported claims.  





Note 14 – Income Taxes 

 

During the three months ended March 31, 2016, the Company utilized $22 of its Federal net operating loss (“NOL”) carryforward.  In addition, during the three months ended March 31, 2016, the Company’s state NOL carryforward increased by $8,473.  As of March 31, 2016, the balance of the Company’s Federal NOL was $158,254.  The Company believes its Federal NOL carryforward is more likely than not to be recovered and requires no valuation allowance.  As of March 31, 2016, the balance of the Company’s gross state NOL was $557,144, a portion of which is offset by a valuation allowance because the Company does not believe the NOLs are more likely than not to be realized.  The Company’s Federal and state NOL carryforwards begin to expire in 2032 and 2023, respectively.  The Company’s Federal and state NOL carryforwards are reduced by an unrecognized tax position, on a gross basis, of $63,286 and $89,251, respectively.  The amounts of the Company’s Federal and state NOL carryforwards prior to being reduced by the unrecognized tax positions were $221,540 and $646,395 respectively.  The Company records its unrecognized tax benefit as a reduction to its deferred income tax liability. 



In accordance with a 2012 settlement agreement with the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission, Aqua Pennsylvania expenses, for tax purposes, qualifying utility asset improvement costs, which results in a substantial reduction in income tax expense and greater net income and cash flows.  The Company’s effective income tax rate for the first quarter of 2016 and 2015, was 5.5% and 8.6%, respectively. 



As of March 31, 2016, the total gross unrecognized tax benefit was $28,208, of which $18,597, if recognized, would affect the Company’s effective tax rate as a result of the regulatory treatment afforded for qualifying infrastructure improvements in Pennsylvania.  At December 31, 2015, the Company had unrecognized tax benefits of $28,016. 



Accounting rules for uncertain tax positions specify that tax positions for which the timing of resolution is uncertain should be classified as long-term liabilities.  Judgment is required in evaluating the Company’s uncertain tax positions and determining the provision for income taxes.  Management believes that an adequate provision has been made for any adjustments that may result from tax examinations.  Although the timing of income tax audit resolutions and negotiations with taxing authorities is highly uncertain, the Company does not anticipate a significant change to the total amount of unrecognized income tax benefits within the next 12 months.



Note 15 – Recent Accounting Pronouncements   



In March 2016, the FASB issued updated accounting guidance on simplifying the accounting for share-based payments, which includes several aspects of the accounting for share-based payment transactions, including the income tax consequences, classification of awards as either equity or liabilities, and classification on the statement of cash flows.   The updated guidance is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2016, and interim periods within those fiscal years, with early adoption available.  The Company is evaluating the requirements of the updated guidance to determine the impact of adoption.    

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In February 2016, the FASB issued updated accounting guidance on accounting for leases, which requires lessees to establish a right-of-use asset and a lease liability on the balance sheet for all leases with terms longer than 12 months.  For income statement purposes, leases will be classified as either operating or finance.  Operating leases will result in straight-line expense while finance leases will result in a front-loaded expense pattern.  The updated accounting guidance is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018, and interim periods within those fiscal years, with early adoption available.  The Company is evaluating the requirements of the updated guidance to determine the impact of adoption.



In September 2015, the FASB issued updated accounting guidance on simplifying measurement-period adjustment in business combinations, which eliminates the requirement that an acquirer in a business combination account for measurement-period adjustments retrospectively.  Instead, an acquirer will recognize a measurement-period adjustment during the period in which it determines the amount of the adjustment.  The Company adopted the provisions of this accounting standard,  as required on January 1, 2016, and it did not have an impact on its results of operations or financial position.  

 

In April 2015, the FASB issued updated accounting guidance on simplifying the presentation of debt issuance costs, which requires debt issuance costs to be presented in the balance sheet as a direct deduction from the carrying value of the associated debt liability.  Previously, debt issuance costs were presented in the balance sheet as a deferred charge.    The Company adopted the provisions of this accounting standard as required on January 1, 2016.  The adoption of this standard was applied retrospectively and resulted in the reclassification of $23,165 from deferred charges and other assets, net to debt issuance costs, which is reported as a reduction to long-term debt, in the December 31, 2015 Consolidated Balance Sheet.  



In August 2014, the FASB issued an accounting standard that will require management to assess an entity’s ability to continue as a going concern for each annual and interim reporting period and to provide related footnote disclosures in circumstances in which substantial doubt exists.  The accounting standard is effective in the first annual reporting period ending after December 15, 2016.  The Company does not expect the provisions of this accounting standard to have an impact on its results of operations or financial position.



In May 2014, the FASB issued updated accounting guidance on recognizing revenue from contracts with customers, which outlines a single comprehensive model that an entity will apply to determine the measurement of revenue and timing of when it is recognized.  The underlying principle is that an entity will recognize revenue to depict the transfer of goods or services to customers at an amount that the entity expects to be entitled to in exchange for those goods or services.  The updated guidance also requires additional disclosure about the nature, amount, timing, and uncertainty of revenue and cash flows arising from customer contracts, including significant judgments and changes in judgments and assets recognized from costs incurred to fulfill a contract.  In July 2015, the FASB approved a one year deferral to the original effective date of this guidance.  The updated guidance is effective for reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2017, and will be applied retrospectively.  The Company is evaluating the requirements of the updated guidance to determine the impact of adoption.