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Essential Utilities, Inc. - Quarter Report: 2018 September (Form 10-Q)

Table of Contents

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 September 30, 2018 

 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) 





 

 

 

Pennsylvania

23-1702594

(State or other jurisdiction of

(I.R.S. Employer

incorporation or organization)

Identification No.)



 

762 W. Lancaster Avenue, Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania

19010 -3489

(Address of principal executive offices)

(Zip Code)



 

(610) 527-8000

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)



(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 every Interactive Data File required to be submitted 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 such files).  Yes   No 



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



 

Large accelerated filer 

Accelerated filer 

Non-accelerated filer  

Smaller reporting company 

Emerging growth company  

 



If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) 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  

October 24, 2018: 177,939,879

  

 


 

Table of Contents

AQUA AMERICA, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

 



TABLE OF CONTENTS



 



Page

Part I – Financial Information



 

Item 1.  Financial Statements:

 



 

Consolidated Balance Sheets (unaudited) – September 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017

 

 

Consolidated Statements of Net Income (unaudited) –
Three Months Ended September 30, 2018 and 2017



 

Consolidated Statements of Net Income (unaudited) –
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2018 and 2017



 

Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (unaudited) –
Three and Nine Months Ended September 30, 2018 and 2017



 

Consolidated Statements of Capitalization (unaudited) –
September 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017



 

Consolidated Statement of Equity (unaudited) –
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2018 



 

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flow (unaudited) –
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2018 and 2017



 

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited)



 

Item 2.  Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial
Condition and Results of Operations

31 



 

Item 3.  Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

37 



 

Item 4.  Controls and Procedures

37 

 

Part II – Other Information

 

 

Item 1.  Legal Proceedings

37 



 

Item 1A.  Risk Factors

37 



 

Item 2.  Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds

40 



 

Item 6.  Exhibits

40 



 

Signatures

41 







 

1


 

Table of Contents

AQUA AMERICA, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES 

 

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS 

(In thousands of dollars, except per share amounts) 

(UNAUDITED)





 

 

 

 

 

 



 

 

 

 

 



 

September 30,

 

December 31,

Assets

 

2018

 

2017

Property, plant and equipment, at cost

 

$

7,447,240 

 

$

7,003,993 

Less:  accumulated depreciation

 

 

1,706,439 

 

 

1,604,133 

Net property, plant and equipment

 

 

5,740,801 

 

 

5,399,860 



 

 

 

 

 

 

Current assets:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents

 

 

4,264 

 

 

4,204 

Accounts receivable and unbilled revenues, net

 

 

114,286 

 

 

98,596 

Inventory, materials and supplies

 

 

16,142 

 

 

14,361 

Prepayments and other current assets

 

 

13,027 

 

 

12,542 

Assets held for sale

 

 

1,558 

 

 

1,543 

Total current assets

 

 

149,277 

 

 

131,246 



 

 

 

 

 

 

Regulatory assets

 

 

767,902 

 

 

713,971 

Deferred charges and other assets, net

 

 

39,190 

 

 

38,485 

Investment in joint venture

 

 

6,689 

 

 

6,671 

Goodwill

 

 

53,242 

 

 

42,230 

Total assets

 

$

6,757,101 

 

$

6,332,463 

Liabilities and Equity

 

 

 

 

 

 

Stockholders' equity:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Common stock at $.50 par value, authorized 300,000,000 shares, issued 180,998,152 and 180,700,251 as of September 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017

 

$

90,499 

 

$

90,350 

Capital in excess of par value

 

 

814,004 

 

 

807,135 

Retained earnings

 

 

1,217,007 

 

 

1,132,556 

Treasury stock, at cost, 3,058,273 and 2,986,308 shares as of September 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017

 

 

(75,772)

 

 

(73,280)

Accumulated other comprehensive income

 

 

 -

 

 

860 

Total stockholders' equity

 

 

2,045,738 

 

 

1,957,621 



 

 

 

 

 

 

Long-term debt, excluding current portion

 

 

2,287,149 

 

 

2,029,358 

Less:  debt issuance costs

 

 

20,689 

 

 

21,605 

Long-term debt, excluding current portion, net of debt issuance costs

 

 

2,266,460 

 

 

2,007,753 

Commitments and contingencies (See Note 14)

 

 

 

 

 

 



 

 

 

 

 

 

Current liabilities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Current portion of long-term debt

 

 

108,075 

 

 

113,769 

Loans payable

 

 

21,689 

 

 

3,650 

Accounts payable

 

 

56,026 

 

 

59,165 

Book overdraft

 

 

12,968 

 

 

21,629 

Accrued interest

 

 

27,335 

 

 

21,359 

Accrued taxes

 

 

19,120 

 

 

23,764 

Other accrued liabilities

 

 

42,962 

 

 

41,152 

Total current liabilities

 

 

288,175 

 

 

284,488 



 

 

 

 

 

 

Deferred credits and other liabilities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Deferred income taxes and investment tax credits

 

 

839,271 

 

 

769,073 

Customers' advances for construction

 

 

94,112 

 

 

93,186 

Regulatory liabilities

 

 

533,340 

 

 

541,910 

Other

 

 

101,761 

 

 

107,341 

Total deferred credits and other liabilities

 

 

1,568,484 

 

 

1,511,510 



 

 

 

 

 

 

Contributions in aid of construction

 

 

588,244 

 

 

571,091 

Total liabilities and equity

 

$

6,757,101 

 

$

6,332,463 



 

 

 

 

 

 

See notes to consolidated financial statements beginning on page 9 of this report.

 



 

2


 

Table of Contents

AQUA AMERICA, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES 

 

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF NET INCOME

(In thousands, except per share amounts)

(UNAUDITED)







 

 

 

 

 

 



 

Three Months Ended



 

September 30,



 

2018

 

2017

Operating revenues

 

$

226,137 

 

$

215,008 



 

 

 

 

 

 

Operating expenses:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operations and maintenance

 

 

68,624 

 

 

66,744 

Depreciation

 

 

37,457 

 

 

34,264 

Amortization

 

 

199 

 

 

42 

Taxes other than income taxes

 

 

15,564 

 

 

15,234 

Total operating expenses

 

 

121,844 

 

 

116,284 



 

 

 

 

 

 

Operating income

 

 

104,293 

 

 

98,724 



 

 

 

 

 

 

Other expense (income):

 

 

 

 

 

 

Interest expense, net

 

 

25,359 

 

 

22,411 

Allowance for funds used during construction

 

 

(3,066)

 

 

(3,914)

Gain on sale of other assets

 

 

(261)

 

 

(43)

Equity earnings in joint venture

 

 

(215)

 

 

(593)

Other

 

 

325 

 

 

1,238 

Income before income taxes

 

 

82,151 

 

 

79,625 

Provision for income taxes

 

 

3,935 

 

 

3,400 

Net income

 

$

78,216 

 

$

76,225 



 

 

 

 

 

 

Net income per common share:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Basic

 

$

0.44 

 

$

0.43 

Diluted

 

$

0.44 

 

$

0.43 



 

 

 

 

 

 

Average common shares outstanding during the period:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Basic

 

 

177,923 

 

 

177,660 

Diluted

 

 

178,357 

 

 

178,124 



 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash dividends declared per common share

 

$

0.219 

 

$

0.2047 



 

 

 

 

 

 

See notes to consolidated financial statements beginning on page 9 of this report.



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

3


 

Table of Contents

AQUA AMERICA, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES 

 

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF NET INCOME

(In thousands, except per share amounts)

(UNAUDITED)









 

 

 

 

 

 



 

 

 

 

 

 



 

Nine Months Ended



 

September 30,



 

2018

 

2017

Operating revenues

 

$

632,344 

 

$

606,213 



 

 

 

 

 

 

Operating expenses:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operations and maintenance

 

 

216,085 

 

 

204,249 

Depreciation

 

 

110,037 

 

 

101,508 

Amortization

 

 

478 

 

 

358 

Taxes other than income taxes

 

 

45,360 

 

 

44,390 

Total operating expenses

 

 

371,960 

 

 

350,505 



 

 

 

 

 

 

Operating income

 

 

260,384 

 

 

255,708 



 

 

 

 

 

 

Other expense (income):

 

 

 

 

 

 

Interest expense, net

 

 

72,553 

 

 

65,124 

Allowance for funds used during construction

 

 

(8,510)

 

 

(10,570)

Gain on sale of other assets

 

 

(598)

 

 

(322)

Equity earnings in joint venture

 

 

(1,508)

 

 

(402)

Other

 

 

1,365 

 

 

3,714 

Income before income taxes

 

 

197,082 

 

 

198,164 

Provision for income taxes

 

 

1,437 

 

 

11,899 

Net income

 

$

195,645 

 

$

186,265 



 

 

 

 

 

 

Net income per common share:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Basic

 

$

1.10 

 

$

1.05 

Diluted

 

$

1.10 

 

$

1.05 



 

 

 

 

 

 

Average common shares outstanding during the period:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Basic

 

 

177,876 

 

 

177,583 

Diluted

 

 

178,347 

 

 

178,103 



 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash dividends declared per common share

 

$

0.6284 

 

$

0.5873 



 

 

 

 

 

 

See notes to consolidated financial statements beginning on page 9 of this report.













 

4


 

Table of Contents

AQUA AMERICA, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES 

 

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME 

(In thousands of dollars) 

(UNAUDITED)

  







 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



 

Three Months Ended

 

Nine Months Ended



 

September 30,

 

September 30,



 

2018

 

2017

 

2018

 

2017

Net income

 

$

78,216 

 

$

76,225 

 

$

195,645 

 

$

186,265 

Other comprehensive income, net of tax:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Unrealized holding gain on investments, net of tax expense of $22 for the three months, and $73 for the nine months ended September 30, 2017, respectively

 

 

 -

 

 

42 

 

 

 -

 

 

137 

Comprehensive income

 

$

78,216 

 

$

76,267 

 

$

195,645 

 

$

186,402 



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

See notes to consolidated financial statements beginning on page 9 of this report.

 

  



 

5


 

Table of Contents

AQUA AMERICA, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES 

 

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CAPITALIZATION 

(In thousands of dollars, except per share amounts) 

(UNAUDITED)







 

 

 

 

 

 

 



 

 

 

 

 

 



 

 

September 30,

 

December 31,



 

 

2018

 

2017

Stockholders' equity:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

    Common stock, $.50 par value

 

 

$

90,499 

 

$

90,350 

    Capital in excess of par value

 

 

 

814,004 

 

 

807,135 

    Retained earnings

 

 

 

1,217,007 

 

 

1,132,556 

    Treasury stock, at cost

 

 

 

(75,772)

 

 

(73,280)

    Accumulated other comprehensive income

 

 

 -

 

 

860 

Total stockholders' equity

 

 

 

2,045,738 

 

 

1,957,621 



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Long-term debt of subsidiaries (substantially collateralized by utility plant):

 

 

 

 

 

 

Interest Rate Range

Maturity Date Range

 

 

 

 

 

 

0.00% to  0.99%

2023 to 2033

 

 

3,732 

 

 

4,196 

1.00% to  1.99%

2019 to 2035

 

 

11,870 

 

 

12,914 

2.00% to  2.99%

2019 to 2033

 

 

17,934 

 

 

19,254 

3.00% to  3.99%

2019 to 2056

 

 

498,121 

 

 

475,232 

4.00% to  4.99%

2020 to 2057

 

 

706,149 

 

 

631,599 

5.00% to  5.99%

2019 to 2043

 

 

155,518 

 

 

205,578 

6.00% to  6.99%

2018 to 2036

 

 

44,000 

 

 

44,000 

7.00% to  7.99%

2022 to 2027

 

 

31,761 

 

 

32,335 

8.00% to  8.99%

2021 to 2025

 

 

5,712 

 

 

6,092 

9.00% to  9.99%

2018 to 2026

 

 

20,000 

 

 

25,700 

10.00% to 10.99%

2018

 

 

6,000 

 

 

6,000 



 

 

 

1,500,797 

 

 

1,462,900 



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Notes payable to bank under revolving credit agreement, variable rate, due 2021

 

 

295,000 

 

 

60,000 

Unsecured notes payable:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Bank notes at 2.48% and 3.5% due 2019 and 2020

 

 

100,000 

 

 

100,000 

Notes at 3.01% and 3.59% due 2027 and 2041

 

 

245,000 

 

 

245,000 

Notes ranging from 4.62% to 4.87%, due 2018 through 2024

 

 

112,000 

 

 

122,800 

Notes ranging from 5.20% to 5.95%, due 2018 through 2037

 

 

142,427 

 

 

152,427 

Total long-term debt

 

 

 

2,395,224 

 

 

2,143,127 



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Current portion of long-term debt

 

 

 

108,075 

 

 

113,769 

Long-term debt, excluding current portion

 

 

2,287,149 

 

 

2,029,358 

Less:  debt issuance costs

 

 

 

20,689 

 

 

21,605 

Long-term debt, excluding current portion, net of debt issuance costs

 

 

2,266,460 

 

 

2,007,753 



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total capitalization

 

 

$

4,312,198 

 

$

3,965,374 



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

See notes to consolidated financial statements beginning on page 9 of this report.

 



 



 

6


 

Table of Contents

AQUA AMERICA, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES 

 

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF EQUITY 

(In thousands of dollars)

(UNAUDITED)





 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Accumulated

 

 

 



 

 

 

 

Capital in

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Other

 

 

 



 

Common

 

Excess of

 

Retained

 

Treasury

 

Comprehensive

 

 

 



 

Stock

 

Par Value

 

Earnings

 

Stock

 

Income

 

Total

Balance at December 31, 2017

 

$

90,350 

 

$

807,135 

 

$

1,132,556 

 

$

(73,280)

 

$

860 

 

$

1,957,621 

Net income

 

 

 -

 

 

 -

 

 

195,645 

 

 

 -

 

 

 -

 

 

195,645 

Dividends

 

 

 -

 

 

 -

 

 

(111,766)

 

 

 -

 

 

 -

 

 

(111,766)

Issuance of common stock under dividend reinvestment plan (32,863 shares)

 

 

16 

 

 

1,085 

 

 

 -

 

 

 -

 

 

 -

 

 

1,101 

Repurchase of stock (71,965 shares)         

 

 

 -

 

 

 -

 

 

 -

 

 

(2,492)

 

 

 -

 

 

(2,492)

Equity compensation plan (190,062 shares)

 

 

96 

 

 

(96)

 

 

 -

 

 

 -

 

 

 -

 

 

 -

Exercise of stock options (74,976 shares)

 

 

37 

 

 

1,165 

 

 

 -

 

 

 -

 

 

 -

 

 

1,202 

Stock-based compensation

 

 

 -

 

 

5,327 

 

 

(288)

 

 

 -

 

 

 -

 

 

5,039 

Cumulative effect of change in accounting principle - financial instruments

 

 

 -

 

 

 -

 

 

860 

 

 

 -

 

 

(860)

 

 

 -

Other  

 

 

 -

 

 

(612)

 

 

 -

 

 

 -

 

 

 -

 

 

(612)

Balance at September 30, 2018

 

$

90,499 

 

$

814,004 

 

$

1,217,007 

 

$

(75,772)

 

$

 -

 

$

2,045,738 



Refer to Note 16 - Recent Accounting Pronouncements for a discussion of the cumulative effect of change in accounting principle - financial instruments

See notes to consolidated financial statements beginning on page 9 of this report.

 

  

 

 

7


 

Table of Contents

AQUA AMERICA, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES 

 

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOW 

(In thousands of dollars) 

(UNAUDITED)



  



 

 

 

 

 

 



 

Nine Months Ended



 

September 30,



 

2018

 

2017

Cash flows from operating activities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net income

 

$

195,645 

 

$

186,265 

Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash flows from operating activities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Depreciation and amortization

 

 

110,515 

 

 

101,866 

Deferred income taxes

 

 

81 

 

 

9,774 

Provision for doubtful accounts

 

 

3,645 

 

 

3,476 

Stock-based compensation

 

 

5,331 

 

 

4,379 

Loss on sale of market-based business unit

 

 

 -

 

 

324 

Gain on sale of other assets

 

 

(598)

 

 

(322)

Net change in receivables, inventory and prepayments

 

 

(18,058)

 

 

(13,550)

Net change in payables, accrued interest, accrued taxes and other accrued liabilities

 

 

4,330 

 

 

3,705 

Pension and other postretirement benefits contributions

 

 

(12,571)

 

 

(15,421)

Other

 

 

2,409 

 

 

1,565 

Net cash flows from operating activities

 

 

290,729 

 

 

282,061 

Cash flows from investing activities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Property, plant and equipment additions, including the debt component of allowance for funds used during construction of $2,550 and $2,533

 

 

(343,219)

 

 

(337,731)

Acquisitions of utility systems, net

 

 

(100,026)

 

 

(5,860)

Net proceeds from the sale of market-based business unit and other assets

 

 

604 

 

 

1,144 

Other

 

 

551 

 

 

1,448 

Net cash flows used in investing activities

 

 

(442,090)

 

 

(340,999)

Cash flows from financing activities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Customers' advances and contributions in aid of construction

 

 

6,031 

 

 

5,648 

Repayments of customers' advances

 

 

(2,763)

 

 

(3,519)

Net proceeds of short-term debt

 

 

18,039 

 

 

14,455 

Proceeds from long-term debt

 

 

402,913 

 

 

441,294 

Repayments of long-term debt

 

 

(151,571)

 

 

(293,270)

Change in cash overdraft position

 

 

(8,661)

 

 

(1,932)

Proceeds from issuing common stock

 

 

1,101 

 

 

1,084 

Proceeds from exercised stock options

 

 

1,202 

 

 

2,603 

Repurchase of common stock

 

 

(2,492)

 

 

(2,116)

Dividends paid on common stock

 

 

(111,766)

 

 

(104,286)

Other

 

 

(612)

 

 

(647)

Net cash flows from financing activities

 

 

151,421 

 

 

59,314 

Net change in cash and cash equivalents

 

 

60 

 

 

376 

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period

 

 

4,204 

 

 

3,763 

Cash and cash equivalents at end of period

 

$

4,264 

 

$

4,139 



Non-cash investing activities:

Property, plant and equipment additions purchased at the period end, but not yet paid for

 

$

42,245 

 

$

35,145 

Non-cash customer advances and contributions in aid of construction

 

 

14,916 

 

 

31,615 



 

 

 

 

 

 

See notes to consolidated financial statements beginning on page 9 of this report.

 



 

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Table of Contents

AQUA AMERICA, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(In thousands of dollars, except per share amounts)

(UNAUDITED)

 

Note 1 – Basis of Presentation 



The accompanying consolidated balance sheets and statements of capitalization of Aqua America, Inc. and subsidiaries (the “Company”) at September 30, 2018, the consolidated statements of net income and comprehensive income for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017 the consolidated statements of cash flow for the nine months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017, and the consolidated statement of equity for the nine months ended September 30, 2018 are unaudited, but reflect all adjustments, consisting of only normal recurring accruals, which are, in the opinion of management, necessary to present a fair statement of its consolidated financial position, consolidated changes in equity, consolidated results of operations, and 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, 2017.  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, 2017 consolidated balance sheet data presented herein was derived from the Company’s December 31, 2017 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 to conform to the current period presentation in the consolidated statements of net income as a result of the adoption, in the first quarter of 2018, of the Financial Accounting Standards Board’s (“FASB”) accounting guidance on the presentation of net periodic pension and postretirement benefit cost (refer to Note 16 – Recent Accounting Pronouncements).



The preparation of financial statements often requires the selection of specific accounting methods and policies.  Further, significant estimates and judgments may be required in selecting and applying those methods and policies in the recognition of the assets and liabilities in its consolidated balance sheets, the revenues and expenses in its consolidated statements of net income, and the information that is contained in its summary of significant accounting policies and notes to consolidated financial statements.  Making these estimates and judgments requires the analysis of information concerning events that may not yet be complete and of facts and circumstances that may change over time.  Accordingly, actual amounts or future results can differ materially from those estimates that the Company includes currently in its consolidated financial statements, summary of significant accounting policies, and notes.



There have been no changes to the summary of significant accounting policies, other than as described in Note 2 – Revenue Recognition as a result of the adoption of a new accounting pronouncement adopted on January 1, 2018, previously identified in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2017.

 

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Table of Contents

AQUA AMERICA, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)

(In thousands of dollars, except per share amounts)

(UNAUDITED)

 

Note 2 – Revenue Recognition



The Company recognizes revenue as water and wastewater services are provided to our customers, which happens over time as the service is delivered and the performance obligation is satisfied.  The Company’s utility revenues recognized in an accounting period include amounts billed to customers on a cycle basis and unbilled amounts based on estimated usage from the last billing to the end of the accounting period.  Unbilled amounts are calculated by deriving estimates based on average usage of the prior month.  The Company’s actual results could differ from these estimates, which would result in operating revenues being adjusted in the period that the revision to our estimates is determined.  Unbilled amounts are included in accounts receivable and unbilled revenues, net on the consolidated balance sheet.   



Generally, payment is due within 30 days once a bill is issued to a customer.  Sales tax and other taxes we collect on behalf of government authorities, concurrent with our revenue-producing activities, are primarily excluded from revenue.  The Company has determined that its revenue recognition is not materially different under the FASB’s new accounting standard for revenue from contracts with customer, and has not made any changes to our accounting policy.  The Company’s revenues are being reported identical in the consolidated statements of net income to how they were reported under the FASB’s former accounting standard for revenue recognition.  The following table presents our revenues disaggregated by major source and customer class:







 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



Three Months Ended

 

Nine Months Ended



September 30,2018

 

September 30,2018



Water Revenues

Wastewater Revenues

Other Revenues

 

Water Revenues

Wastewater Revenues

Other Revenues

Revenues from contracts with customers:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Residential

$

130,711 

$

18,799 

$

 -

 

$

367,078 

$

53,915 

$

 -

Commercial

 

37,608 

 

3,610 

 

 -

 

 

101,405 

 

9,473 

 

 -

Fire protection

 

8,196 

 

 -

 

 -

 

 

24,103 

 

 -

 

 -

Industrial

 

8,233 

 

451 

 

 -

 

 

21,902 

 

1,427 

 

 -

Other water

 

14,579 

 

 -

 

 -

 

 

39,821 

 

 -

 

 -

Other wastewater

 

 -

 

1,684 

 

 -

 

 

 -

 

4,381 

 

 -

Other utility

 

 -

 

 -

 

2,310 

 

 

 -

 

 -

 

6,963 

Revenues from contracts with customers

 

199,327 

 

24,544 

 

2,310 

 

 

554,309 

 

69,196 

 

6,963 

Alternative revenue program

 

(695)

 

(125)

 

 -

 

 

(815)

 

39 

 

 -

Other and eliminations

 

 -

 

 -

 

776 

 

 

 -

 

 -

 

2,652 

Consolidated

$

198,632 

$

24,419 

$

3,086 

 

$

553,494 

$

69,235 

$

9,615 



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



Revenues from Contracts with CustomersThese revenues are composed of three main categories:  water, wastewater, and other.  Water revenues represent revenues earned for supplying customers with water service.  Wastewater revenues represent revenues earned for treating wastewater and releasing it into the water supply.  Other revenues are associated fees that relate to the regulated business but are not water and wastewater revenues.  See description below for a discussion on the performance obligation for each of these revenue streams.



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Table of Contents

AQUA AMERICA, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)

(In thousands of dollars, except per share amounts)

(UNAUDITED)

 

Tariff Revenues – These revenues are categorized by customer class:  residential, commercial, fire protection, industrial, and other water and other wastewater.  The rates that generate these revenues are approved by the respective state utility commission, and revenues are billed cyclically and accrued for when unbilled.  Other water and other wastewater revenues consist primarily of fines, penalties, surcharges, and availability lot fees.  Our performance obligation for tariff revenues is to provide potable water or wastewater treatment service to customers.  This performance obligation is satisfied over time as the services are rendered.  The amounts that the Company has a right to invoice for tariff revenues reflect the right to consideration from the customers in an amount that corresponds directly with the value transferred to the customer for the performance completed to date.  The Company elected to use the right to invoice practical expedient for these revenues as the Company recognizes revenue in the amount for which the Company has the right to invoice the customer.    



Other Utility Revenues – Other utility revenues represent revenues earned primarily from:  antenna revenues, which represent fees received from telecommunication operators that have put cellular antennas on our water towers, operation and maintenance and billing contracts, which represent fees earned from municipalities for our operation of their water or wastewater treatment services or performing billing services, and fees earned from developers for accessing our water mains.  The performance obligations vary for these revenues, but all are primarily recognized over time as the service is delivered.



Alternative Revenue Program – These revenues represent the difference between the actual billed utility water and wastewater revenues for Aqua Illinois and the revenues set in the last Aqua Illinois rate case.  We recognize revenues based on the target amount established in the last rate case, and then record either a regulatory asset or liability based on the cumulative annual difference between the target and actual, which results in either a refund due to customers or a payment from customers.  The cumulative annual difference is either refunded to customers or collected from customers over a nine-month period.  This revenue program represents a contract between the utility and its regulators, not customers, and therefore is not within the scope of the FASB’s accounting guidance for recognizing revenue from contracts with customers.    



Other and Eliminations – Other and eliminations consist of our market-based revenues, which comprises:  Aqua Infrastructure and Aqua Resources (described below), and intercompany eliminations for revenue billed between our subsidiaries. 



Aqua Infrastructure is the holding company for our 49% investment in a joint venture that operates a private pipeline system to supply raw water to natural gas well drilling operations in the Marcellus Shale of north central Pennsylvania.  The joint venture earns revenues through providing non-utility raw water supply services to natural gas drilling companies which enter into water supply contracts.  The performance obligation is to deliver non-potable water to the joint venture’s customers.  Aqua Infrastructure’s share of the revenues recognized by the joint venture is reflected, net, in equity earnings in joint venture on our consolidated statements of net income.   



Aqua Resources earns revenues by providing non-regulated water and wastewater services through operating and maintenance contracts, and third-party water and sewer service line repair.  The performance obligations are performing agreed upon services in the contract, most commonly operation of third-party water or wastewater treatment services, or billing services, or allowing the use of our logo

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Table of Contents

AQUA AMERICA, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)

(In thousands of dollars, except per share amounts)

(UNAUDITED)

 

to a third-party water and sewer service line repair.  Revenues are primarily recognized over time as service is delivered.



Note 3 – Goodwill 



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

 





 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



 

Regulated

 

 

 

 

 

 



 

Segment

 

Other

 

Consolidated

Balance at December 31, 2017

 

$

37,389 

 

$

4,841 

 

$

42,230 

Goodwill acquired

 

 

11,297 

 

 

 -

 

 

11,297 

Reclassification to utility plant acquisition adjustment

 

 

(130)

 

 

 -

 

 

(130)

Other

 

 

(155)

 

 

 -

 

 

(155)

Balance at September 30, 2018

 

$

48,401 

 

$

4,841 

 

$

53,242 



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.



Goodwill is not amortized but is tested for impairment annually, or more often, if circumstances indicate it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount.  When testing goodwill for impairment, the Company may assess qualitative factors, including macroeconomic conditions, industry and market considerations, cost factors, overall financial performance, and entity specific events, for some or all of our reporting units to determine whether it’s more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount.   Alternatively, based on our assessment of the qualitative factors previously noted, we may perform a quantitative goodwill impairment test by determining the fair value of a reporting unit based on a discounted cash flow analysis.  If we perform a quantitative test and determine that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount, we would record an impairment loss for the amount by which a reporting unit’s carrying amount exceeds its fair value, not to exceed the carrying amount of goodwill.  The Company performed a qualitative assessment for its annual test of the goodwill attributable for each of its reporting units for impairment as of July 31, 2018, and concluded that the estimated fair value of each reporting unit, which has goodwill recorded, exceeded the reporting unit’s carrying amount, indicating that none of the Company’s goodwill was impaired.







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Table of Contents

AQUA AMERICA, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)

(In thousands of dollars, except per share amounts)

(UNAUDITED)

 

Note 4 – Acquisitions 



Subsequent to the quarterly period ended September 30, 2018, pursuant to the Company’s growth strategy, on October 22, 2018, the Company entered into a purchase agreement with LDC Parent LLC (“Seller”), to acquire its interests in LDC Funding LLC (“LDC”).  LDC is the parent of LDC Holdings LLC (“LDC Holdings”), and LDC Holdings is the parent of five natural gas public utility companies, which includes Peoples Natural Gas Company, Peoples Gas Company, and Delta Natural Gas Company as well as other operating subsidiaries.  Collectively these businesses are referred to as “Peoples,” a natural gas distribution company headquartered in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, serving approximately 740,000 gas utility customers in Western Pennsylvania, West Virginia, and Kentucky.  The Company will acquire LDC for $4,275,000,  which will be reduced by the amount of outstanding indebtedness at closing, which is estimated to approximate $1,300,000The Company expects to finance this acquisition and refinance certain debt with a mix of common equity, mandatory convertible equity units, debt financing, which could include senior notes issued in capital markets transactions, term loans or other credit facilities or any combination thereof.  On October 23,  2018, the Company entered into interest rate swap agreements which locked in the interest rate for an anticipated $850,000 of future debt issuances related to this acquisition.  The interest rate swaps do not qualify for hedge accounting and any changes in the fair value of the swaps will be included in our future earnings.  The purchase price for this pending acquisition is subject to certain other adjustments at closing, and is subject to regulatory approval by the United States Federal Trade Commission, and the public utility commissions in Pennsylvania, Kentucky, and West Virginia.    This acquisition is expected to close in mid-2019, once regulatory approvals are obtained, and it is anticipated that this transaction will result in the recording of goodwill.  In the event that this acquisition is terminated a fee of $120,000 would be payable to the Seller.   



In July 2018, the Company acquired the wastewater utility systems assets of Limerick Township, Pennsylvania which serves 5,497 customers.  The total cash purchase price for the utility system was $74,836.  The purchase price allocation for this acquisition consisted primarily of acquired property, plant and equipment of $64,759,  and goodwill of $11,297.    Additionally, during the first nine months of 2018, the Company completed four acquisitions of water and wastewater utility systems in various states adding 4,338 customers.  The total purchase price of these utility systems consisted of $25,190 in cash.  The purchase price allocation for these acquisitions consisted primarily of acquired property, plant and equipment.  The pro forma effect of the businesses acquired is not material either individually or collectively to the Company’s results of operations.



In July 2018, the Company entered into a purchase agreement to acquire the wastewater utility system assets of Cheltenham Township, Pennsylvania, which serves approximately 10,500 customers for $50,250.  The purchase price for this pending acquisition is subject to certain adjustments at closing, and is subject to regulatory approval, including the final determination of the fair value of the rate base acquired. 



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Table of Contents

AQUA AMERICA, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)

(In thousands of dollars, except per share amounts)

(UNAUDITED)

 

In addition to the Company’s pending acquisition in Cheltenham Township, Pennsylvania, as part of the Company’s growth-through-acquisition strategy, the Company entered into purchase agreements to acquire the water or wastewater utility system assets of seven municipalities for a total combined purchase price in cash of $65,418 which we plan to finance by the issuance of debt.  The purchase price for these acquisitions is subject to certain adjustments at closing, and the acquisitions are subject to regulatory approvals, including the final determination of the fair value of the rate base acquired.  In October 2018, we closed on the following acquisition:



·

Peotone, Illinois for $12,300 in cash, which serves approximately 3,000 water and wastewater customers.

   

Closings for our remaining acquisitions are expected to occur by the end of 2019, subject to the timing of the regulatory approval process.  In total, these acquisitions will add approximately 10,800 customers in three of the states in which the Company operates in.   



During 2017, the Company completed four acquisitions of water and wastewater utility systems in various states adding 1,003 customers.  The total purchase price of these utility systems consisted of $5,860 in cash, which resulted in $72 of goodwill being recorded.  The pro forma effect of the businesses acquired is not material either individually or collectively to the Company’s results of operations. 



Note 5 –  Assets Held for Sale



In the first quarter of 2017, the Company decided to market for sale a water system that serves approximately 265 customers.  This water system is reported as assets held for sale in the Company’s consolidated balance sheet.  The Company has been in discussions with a potential buyer for the water system and is currently negotiating the terms of a sale, which will require regulatory approval.  



]

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Table of Contents

AQUA AMERICA, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)

(In thousands of dollars, except per share amounts)

(UNAUDITED)

 

 

Note 6 – Capitalization



In June 2018, the Company amended its unsecured revolving credit facility, to extend the expiration from February 2021 to June 2023, and to increase the facility from $250,000 to $500,000.  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.



In June 2018, Aqua Pennsylvania issued $100,000 of first mortgage bonds, of which $25,000 is due in 2042,  $10,000 is due in 2045, and $65,000 is due in 2048 with interest rates of 3.99%,  4.04%, and 4.09%, respectively.  The proceeds from these bonds were used to repay existing indebtedness and for general corporate purposes.



In July 2018, Aqua Pennsylvania redeemed $49,660 of tax-exempt bonds at 5.25% that were originally maturing in 2042 and 2043, respectively.     



Note 7 – Financial Instruments 

 

The Company follows the FASB’s 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:



·

Level 1:  unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities that the Company has the ability to access; 

·

Level 2:  inputs other than Level 1 that are observable, either directly or indirectly, such as quoted market prices in active markets for similar assets or liabilities, quoted prices for identical or similar assets or liabilities in non-active markets, or other inputs that are observable or can be corroborated by observable market data for substantially the full term of the assets or liabilities; or 

·

Level 3:  inputs that are unobservable and significant to the fair value measurement. 



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 September 30, 2018. 



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. 

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Table of Contents

AQUA AMERICA, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)

(In thousands of dollars, except per share amounts)

(UNAUDITED)

 



The fair value of loans payable is determined based on its carrying amount and utilizing Level 1 methods and assumptions.  As of September 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017, the carrying amount of the Company’s loans payable was $21,689 and $3,650, respectively, which equates to their estimated fair value.  The fair value of cash and cash equivalents, which is comprised of uninvested cash, is determined based on the net asset value per unit utilizing Level 1 methods and assumptions.  As of September 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017, the carrying amounts of the Company's cash and cash equivalents was $4,264 and $4,204, respectively, which equates to their fair value.  The Company’s assets underlying the deferred compensation and non-qualified pension plans are determined by the fair value of mutual funds, which are based on quoted market prices from active markets utilizing Level 1 methods and assumptions.  As of September 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017, the carrying amount of these securities was $22,215 and $21,776,  respectively, which equates to their fair value, and is reported in the consolidated balance sheet in deferred charges and other assets. 



Unrealized gain and losses on equity securities held in conjunction with our non-qualified pension plan is as follows:







 

 

 

 

 

 



 

 

 

 

 

 



 

Three Months Ended

 

Nine Months Ended



 

September 30,

 

September 30,



 

2018

 

2018

Net gain recognized during the period on equity securities

 

$

62 

 

$

60 

Less:  net gain / loss recognized during the period on equity securities sold during the period

 

 

 -

 

 

 -

Unrealized gain recognized during the reporting period on equity securities still held at the reporting date

 

$

62 

 

$

60 



The net gain recognized on equity securities is presented on the consolidated statements of net income on the line item “Other.”  Additionally, the unrealized gain recognized during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017, was reported on the consolidated statements of comprehensive income. 



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



 

 

 

 

 

 



 

 

 

 

 

 



 

September 30,

 

December 31,



 

2018

 

2017

Carrying amount

 

$

2,395,224 

 

$

2,143,127 

Estimated fair value

 

 

2,388,288 

 

 

2,262,785 

 



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 $94,112 as of September 30, 2018, and $93,186 as of December 31, 2017.  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 rates.  Portions of these non-interest bearing instruments are payable annually through 2028 and amounts not paid by the respective contract

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Table of Contents

AQUA AMERICA, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)

(In thousands of dollars, except per share amounts)

(UNAUDITED)

 

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 8 – 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 stock-based compensation 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: 





 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



 

Three Months Ended

 

Nine Months Ended



 

September 30,

 

September 30,



 

2018

 

2017

 

2018

 

2017

Average common shares outstanding during the period for basic computation

 

177,923 

 

177,660 

 

177,876 

 

177,583 

Dilutive effect of employee stock-based compensation

 

434 

 

464 

 

471 

 

520 

Average common shares outstanding during the period for diluted computation

 

178,357 

 

178,124 

 

178,347 

 

178,103 



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



For the three months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017 and the nine months ended September 30, 2017, all 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.  For the nine months ended September 30, 2018, employee stock options to purchase 8,596 shares of common stock were excluded from the calculation of diluted net income per share as the calculated cost to exercise the stock options was greater than the average market price of the Company’s common stock during this period.    

 

Note 9 – 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.  No further grants may be made under the 2004 Plan.  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 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

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Table of Contents

AQUA AMERICA, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)

(In thousands of dollars, except per share amounts)

(UNAUDITED)

 

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 makes such awards.  At September 30, 2018, 3,388,594 shares were still available for issuance under the 2009 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: 





 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



 

Three Months Ended

 

Nine Months Ended



 

September 30,

 

September 30,



 

2018

 

2017

 

2018

 

2017

Stock-based compensation within operations and maintenance expenses

 

$

1,087 

 

$

1,035 

 

$

3,286 

 

$

2,875 

Income tax benefit

 

 

303 

 

 

420 

 

 

917 

 

 

1,167 

 

The following table summarizes the PSU transactions for the nine months ended September 30, 2018:   





 

 

 

 

 

 



 

 

 

 

 

 



 

 

Number

 

Weighted



 

 

of

 

Average



 

 

Share Units

 

Fair Value

Nonvested share units at beginning of period

 

 

452,333 

 

$

26.16 

Granted

 

 

93,339 

 

 

37.42 

Performance criteria adjustment

 

 

8,719 

 

 

31.88 

Forfeited

 

 

(10,911)

 

 

31.32 

Share units vested in prior period and issued in current period

 

 

9,400 

 

 

26.54 

Share units issued

 

 

(136,081)

 

 

31.70 

Nonvested share units at end of period

 

 

416,799 

 

 

26.87 



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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 nine months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017 was $37.42 and $30.79, 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 the Company’s 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

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AQUA AMERICA, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)

(In thousands of dollars, except per share amounts)

(UNAUDITED)

 

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 UnitsA 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 the compensation cost and income tax benefit for stock-based compensation related to RSUs:



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



 

Three Months Ended

 

Nine Months Ended



 

September 30,

 

September 30,



 

2018

 

2017

 

2018

 

2017

Stock-based compensation within operations and maintenance expenses

 

$

493 

 

$

311 

 

$

1,199 

 

$

915 

Income tax benefit

 

 

140 

 

 

129 

 

 

341 

 

 

378 

 



The following table summarizes the RSU transactions for the nine months ended September 30, 2018: 





 

 

 

 

 

 



 

 

 

 

 

 



 

 

Number

 

Weighted



 

 

of

 

Average



 

 

Stock Units

 

Fair Value

Nonvested stock units at beginning of period

 

 

116,787 

 

$

29.46 

Granted

 

 

68,082 

 

 

35.15 

Stock units vested in prior period and issued in current period

 

 

1,467 

 

 

31.47 

Stock units vested and issued

 

 

(41,530)

 

 

26.24 

Forfeited

 

 

(2,726)

 

 

32.99 

Nonvested stock units at end of period

 

 

142,080 

 

 

33.08 

 



The per unit weighted-average fair value at the date of grant for RSUs granted during the nine months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017 was $35.15 and $30.37, respectively.   



Stock Options – A stock option represents the option to purchase a number of shares of common stock of the Company as specified in the stock option grant agreement at the exercise price per share as determined by the closing market price of our common stock on the grant date.  Stock options are exercisable in installments of 33% annually, starting one year from the grant date and expire 10 years from the grant date, subject to satisfaction of designated performance goals.  The fair value of each stock option is amortized into compensation expense using the graded-vesting method, which results in the recognition of compensation costs over the requisite service period for each separately vesting tranche of the stock options as though the stock options were, in substance, multiple stock option grants.  The following table provides the compensation cost and income tax benefit for stock-based compensation related to stock options:



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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AQUA AMERICA, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)

(In thousands of dollars, except per share amounts)

(UNAUDITED)

 



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



 

Three Months Ended

 

Nine Months Ended



 

September 30,

 

 

September 30,



 

2018

 

2017

 

2018

 

2017

Stock-based compensation within operations and maintenance expenses

 

$

159 

 

$

73 

 

$

407 

 

$

177 

Income tax benefit

 

 

45 

 

 

43 

 

 

145 

 

 

167 



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The fair value of options was estimated at the grant date using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model.  The following assumptions were used in the application of this valuation model:





 

 

 

 



 

2018

 

2017

Expected term (years)

 

5.46 

 

5.45 

Risk-free interest rate

 

2.72% 

 

2.01% 

Expected volatility

 

17.2% 

 

17.7% 

Dividend yield

 

2.37% 

 

2.51% 

Grant date fair value per option

$

5.10 

$

4.07 



Historical information was the principal basis for the selection of the expected term and dividend yield.  The expected volatility is based on a weighted-average combination of historical and implied volatilities over a time period that approximates the expected term of the option.  The risk-free interest rate was selected based upon the U.S. Treasury yield curve in effect at the time of grant for the expected term of the option.



The following table summarizes stock option transactions for the nine months ended September 30, 2018:



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



 

 

 

Weighted

 

Weighted

 

 

 



 

 

 

Average

 

Average

 

Aggregate



 

 

 

Exercise

 

Remaining

 

Intrinsic



 

Shares

 

Price

 

Life (years)

 

Value

Outstanding at beginning of period

 

364,932 

 

$

19.83 

 

 

 

 

 

Granted

 

169,455 

 

 

34.56 

 

 

 

 

 

Forfeited

 

(7,648)

 

 

32.57 

 

 

 

 

 

Expired / Cancelled

 

(198)

 

 

30.47 

 

 

 

 

 

Exercised

 

(74,976)

 

 

16.03 

 

 

 

 

 

Outstanding at end of period

 

451,565 

 

$

25.76 

 

5.8 

 

$

5,028 



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Exercisable at end of period

 

213,149 

 

$

17.33 

 

2.2 

 

$

4,172 

 



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AQUA AMERICA, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)

(In thousands of dollars, except per share amounts)

(UNAUDITED)

 

Stock Awards –   Stock awards represent the issuance of the Company’s common stock, without restriction.  The issuance of stock awards results in compensation expense which is equal to the fair market value of the stock on the grant date, and is expensed immediately upon grant.  The following table provides the compensation cost and income tax benefit for stock-based compensation related to stock awards:









 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



 

Three Months Ended

 

Nine Months Ended



 

September 30,

 

September 30,



 

2018

 

2017

 

2018

 

2017

Stock-based compensation within operations and maintenance expenses

 

$

160 

 

$

150 

 

$

440 

 

$

412 

Income tax benefit

 

 

46 

 

 

62 

 

 

127 

 

 

171 



The following table summarizes stock award transactions for the nine months ended September 30, 2018:







 

 

 

 

 



 

 

 

 

 



 

Number

 

Weighted



 

of

 

Average



 

Stock Awards

 

Fair Value

Nonvested stock awards at beginning of period

 

 -

 

$

 -

Granted

 

12,451 

 

 

35.34 

Vested

 

(12,451)

 

 

35.34 

Nonvested stock awards at end of period

 

 -

 

 

 -



The per unit weighted-average fair value at the date of grant for stock awards granted during the nine months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017 was $35.34 and $32.92, respectively.

 

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AQUA AMERICA, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)

(In thousands of dollars, except per share amounts)

(UNAUDITED)

 

Note 10 – 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:



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



 

Pension Benefits



 

Three Months Ended

 

Nine Months Ended



 

September 30,

 

September 30,



 

2018

 

2017

 

2018

 

2017

Service cost

 

$

812 

 

$

794 

 

$

2,436 

 

$

2,382 

Interest cost

 

 

2,874 

 

 

3,108 

 

 

8,622 

 

 

9,324 

Expected return on plan assets

 

 

(4,553)

 

 

(4,270)

 

 

(13,659)

 

 

(12,810)

Amortization of prior service cost

 

 

132 

 

 

145 

 

 

396 

 

 

435 

Amortization of actuarial loss

 

 

1,823 

 

 

2,001 

 

 

5,469 

 

 

6,003 

Net periodic benefit cost

 

$

1,088 

 

$

1,778 

 

$

3,264 

 

$

5,334 



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



 

Other



 

Postretirement Benefits



 

 

Three Months Ended

 

 

Nine Months Ended



 

 

September 30,

 

 

September 30,



 

2018

 

2017

 

2018

 

2017

Service cost

 

$

262 

 

$

255 

 

$

786 

 

$

765 

Interest cost

 

 

708 

 

 

737 

 

 

2,124 

 

 

2,211 

Expected return on plan assets

 

 

(677)

 

 

(647)

 

 

(2,031)

 

 

(1,941)

Amortization of prior service cost

 

 

(127)

 

 

(127)

 

 

(381)

 

 

(381)

Amortization of actuarial loss

 

 

296 

 

 

291 

 

 

888 

 

 

873 

Net periodic benefit cost

 

$

462 

 

$

509 

 

$

1,386 

 

$

1,527 



The components of net periodic benefit cost other than service cost are presented on the consolidated statements of net income on the line item “Other.”  



The Company made cash contributions of $12,484 to its Pension Plan during the first nine months of 2018, which completed the Company’s 2018 cash contributions

 

Note 11 – Water and Wastewater Rates 

 

During the first nine months of 2018, the Company’s operating divisions in Illinois and Ohio were granted base rate increases designed to increase total operating revenues on an annual basis by $8,640.  On April 6, 2018, the base rate case in Illinois was petitioned for a rehearing; however, this petition was denied on April 19, 2018.  No appeals were filed and the approved rates are considered final.  Further, during the first nine months of 2018, the Company’s operating divisions in Pennsylvania, North Carolina,

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AQUA AMERICA, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)

(In thousands of dollars, except per share amounts)

(UNAUDITED)

 

and New Jersey received approval to bill infrastructure rehabilitation surcharges designed to increase total operating revenues on an annual basis by $19,366.  Additionally, commencing in the second quarter of 2018, due to the decrease in our federal income tax rate from 35% to 21% from the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (the “TCJA”), the Company’s operating divisions in Texas, New Jersey, Ohio, and Indiana implemented base rate reductions or added credits to customer bills that are estimated to reduce total operating revenues by $7,959 on an annualized basis.  



In August 2018, the Company’s operating subsidiary in Pennsylvania filed for a base rate increase in water and wastewater rates for its customers, proposing an aggregate increase of $71,769 in annual revenues.  The base rate case is being reviewed by the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission.    The Company expects resolution of the Pennsylvania base rate case in 2019.      



In March 2018, the Company’s operating subsidiary in North Carolina filed for a base rate increase in water and wastewater rates for its customers, proposing an aggregate increase of $4,968 in annual revenues.  The base rate case is being reviewed by the North Carolina Utilities Commission. 



As of February 10, 2018, the Company had been billing interim rates in Virginia, which had a base rate case filing in progress.  Because of the TCJA, which reduced our federal income tax rate from 35% to 21%, our Virginia subsidiary reduced its water rate increase request and eliminated its wastewater rate increase request.  In May 2018, the rates charged to our Virginia customers reverted to the previous rates, pursuant to a submitted stipulation, and in the second quarter of 2018, $183 of billings already collected was refunded to our Virginia customers.  Subsequently, a final order was issued on October 19, 2018 approving the stipulation.   

 

Note 12 – Taxes Other than Income Taxes 

 

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



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



 

Three Months Ended

 

Nine Months Ended



 

September 30,

 

September 30,



 

2018

 

2017

 

2018

 

2017

Property

 

$

7,019 

 

$

6,955 

 

$

20,542 

 

$

20,608 

Gross receipts, excise and franchise

 

 

3,940 

 

 

3,969 

 

 

10,994 

 

 

10,507 

Payroll

 

 

2,175 

 

 

2,066 

 

 

7,630 

 

 

7,322 

Regulatory assessments

 

 

747 

 

 

674 

 

 

2,001 

 

 

1,933 

Pumping fees

 

 

1,599 

 

 

1,526 

 

 

4,014 

 

 

3,820 

Other

 

 

84 

 

 

44 

 

 

179 

 

 

200 

Total taxes other than income

 

$

15,564 

 

$

15,234 

 

$

45,360 

 

$

44,390 



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 





Note 13 – Segment Information 

 

The Company has ten operating segments and one reportable segment.  The Regulated segment, the Company’s single reportable segment, is comprised of eight operating segments representing its water and wastewater regulated utility companies which are organized by the states where the Company provides water and wastewater services.  These operating segments are aggregated into one reportable segment because each of these operating segments has the following similarities: economic

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AQUA AMERICA, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)

(In thousands of dollars, except per share amounts)

(UNAUDITED)

 

characteristics, nature of services, production processes, customers, water distribution or wastewater collection methods, and the nature of the regulatory environment.



Two operating segments are included within the Other category below.  These segments are not quantitatively significant and are comprised of Aqua Infrastructure and Aqua Resources.  Aqua Infrastructure provides non-utility raw water supply services for firms in the natural gas drilling industry.  Aqua Resources provides water and wastewater service through operating and maintenance contracts with municipal authorities and other parties close to its utility companies’ service territories; and offers, through a third-party, water and sewer service line protection solutions and repair services to households.  In addition to these segments, Other is comprised of other business activities not included in the reportable segment, including corporate costs that have not been allocated to the Regulated segment and intersegment eliminations.  Corporate costs include general and administrative expenses, and interest expense.   



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



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



 

Three Months Ended

 

Three Months Ended



 

September 30, 2018

 

September 30, 2017



 

Regulated

 

Other

 

Consolidated

 

Regulated

 

Other

 

Consolidated

Operating revenues

 

$

225,361 

 

$

776 

 

$

226,137 

 

$

214,032 

 

$

976 

 

$

215,008 

Operations and maintenance expense

 

 

68,964 

 

 

(340)

 

 

68,624 

 

 

69,534 

 

 

(2,790)

 

 

66,744 

Depreciation

 

 

37,449 

 

 

 

 

37,457 

 

 

34,533 

 

 

(269)

 

 

34,264 

Amortization

 

 

136 

 

 

63 

 

 

199 

 

 

60 

 

 

(18)

 

 

42 

Operating income

 

 

103,674 

 

 

619 

 

 

104,293 

 

 

95,380 

 

 

3,344 

 

 

98,724 

Interest expense, net

 

 

22,689 

 

 

2,670 

 

 

25,359 

 

 

20,753 

 

 

1,658 

 

 

22,411 

Allowance for funds used during construction

 

 

3,066 

 

 

 -

 

 

3,066 

 

 

3,914 

 

 

 -

 

 

3,914 

Provision for income taxes

 

 

4,347 

 

 

(412)

 

 

3,935 

 

 

3,138 

 

 

262 

 

 

3,400 

Net income (loss)

 

 

80,126 

 

 

(1,910)

 

 

78,216 

 

 

74,208 

 

 

2,017 

 

 

76,225 



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



 

Nine Months Ended

 

Nine Months Ended



 

September 30, 2018

 

September 30, 2017



 

Regulated

 

Other

 

Consolidated

 

Regulated

 

Other

 

Consolidated

Operating revenues

 

$

629,692 

 

$

2,652 

 

$

632,344 

 

$

602,341 

 

$

3,872 

 

$

606,213 

Operations and maintenance expense

 

 

213,314 

 

 

2,771 

 

 

216,085 

 

 

207,128 

 

 

(2,879)

 

 

204,249 

Depreciation

 

 

110,010 

 

 

27 

 

 

110,037 

 

 

102,340 

 

 

(832)

 

 

101,508 

Amortization

 

 

327 

 

 

151 

 

 

478 

 

 

414 

 

 

(56)

 

 

358 

Operating income (loss)

 

 

262,404 

 

 

(2,020)

 

 

260,384 

 

 

250,075 

 

 

5,633 

 

 

255,708 

Interest expense, net

 

 

66,153 

 

 

6,400 

 

 

72,553 

 

 

60,277 

 

 

4,847 

 

 

65,124 

Allowance for funds used during construction

 

 

8,510 

 

 

 -

 

 

8,510 

 

 

10,570 

 

 

 -

 

 

10,570 

Provision for income taxes

 

 

3,557 

 

 

(2,120)

 

 

1,437 

 

 

12,243 

 

 

(344)

 

 

11,899 

Net income (loss)

 

 

202,030 

 

 

(6,385)

 

 

195,645 

 

 

184,733 

 

 

1,532 

 

 

186,265 

Capital expenditures

 

 

343,219 

 

 

 -

 

 

343,219 

 

 

337,321 

 

 

410 

 

 

337,731 



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



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AQUA AMERICA, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)

(In thousands of dollars, except per share amounts)

(UNAUDITED)

 





 

 

 

 

 

 



 

September 30,

 

December 31,



 

2018

 

2017

Total assets:

 

 

 

 

 

 

  Regulated

 

$

6,641,298 

 

$

6,236,109 

  Other

 

 

115,803 

 

 

96,354 

  Consolidated

 

$

6,757,101 

 

$

6,332,463 



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Note 14 – 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 September 30, 2018, the aggregate amount of $17,816 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 September 30, 2018, estimates that approximately $6,009 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.



Although the results of legal proceedings cannot be predicted with certainty, there are no pending legal proceedings to which the Company or any of its subsidiaries is a party or to which any of its properties is the subject that are material or are expected to have a material effect on the Company’s financial position, results of operations, or cash flows.



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 Company’s reserve for these claims totaled $1,515 at September 30, 2018 and represents a reserve for unpaid claim costs, including an estimate for the cost of incurred but not reported claims.  

 

Note 15 – Income Taxes 

 

During the nine months ended September 30, 2018, the Company’s Federal net operating loss (“NOL”) carryforward decreased by $51,031.  In addition, during the nine months ended September 30, 2018, the Company’s state NOL carryforward increased by $14,468.  As of September 30, 2018, the balance of the Company’s Federal NOL was $12,271.  The Company believes its Federal NOL carryforward is more likely than not to be recovered and requires no valuation allowance.  As of September 30, 2018, the balance of the Company’s gross state NOL was $646,676, a portion of which is offset by a valuation

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Table of Contents

AQUA AMERICA, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)

(In thousands of dollars, except per share amounts)

(UNAUDITED)

 

allowance because the Company does not believe the state 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 $65,194 and $85,636, respectively.  The amounts of the Company’s Federal and state NOL carryforwards prior to being reduced by the unrecognized tax positions were $77,465 and $732,311 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 third quarter of 2018 and 2017 was 4.8% and 4.3%, respectively, and for the first nine months of 2018 and 2017 was 0.7% and 6.0%, respectively. 



As of September 30, 2018, the total gross unrecognized tax benefit was $18,990.  As a result of the regulatory treatment afforded for qualifying infrastructure improvements in Pennsylvania, $26,400, if recognized, would affect the Company’s effective tax rate.  At December 31, 2017, the Company had unrecognized tax benefits of $17,583



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.



On December 22, 2017, President Trump signed the TCJA into law.  Substantially all the provisions of the TCJA are effective for taxable years beginning after December 31, 2017.  The TCJA includes significant changes to the Internal Revenue Code and the taxation of business entities, and includes specific provisions related to regulated public utilities.  Significant changes that impact the Company included in the TCJA are a reduction in the corporate federal income tax rate from 35% to 21%, effective January 1, 2018, and a limitation of the utilization of NOLs arising after December 31, 2017 to 80% of taxable income with an indefinite carryforward.  The specific TCJA provisions related to our regulated entities generally allow for the continued deductibility of interest expense, the elimination of full expensing for tax purposes of certain property acquired after September 27, 2017 and the continuation of certain rate normalization requirements for accelerated depreciation benefits.  Our market-based companies still qualify for 100% deductibility of qualifying property acquired after September 27, 2017.



In accordance with the FASB’s accounting guidance for income taxes, the tax effects of changes in tax laws must be recognized in the period in which the law is enacted, or December 22, 2017 for the TCJA.  Additionally, deferred tax assets and liabilities are required to be measured at the enacted tax rate expected to apply when temporary differences are to be realized or settled.  Thus, at the date of enactment, the Company’s deferred taxes were re-measured based upon the new tax rate.  For our regulated entities, the change in deferred taxes is recorded as either an offset to a regulatory asset or liability and may be subject to refund to customers.  In instances where the deferred tax balances are not

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AQUA AMERICA, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)

(In thousands of dollars, except per share amounts)

(UNAUDITED)

 

in ratemaking, such as the Company’s market-based operations, the change in deferred taxes is recorded as an adjustment to our deferred tax provision.



The staff of the SEC has recognized the complexity of reflecting the impacts of the TCJA, and on December 22, 2017 issued guidance, which clarifies accounting for income taxes if information is not yet available or complete and provides for up to a one year period in which to complete the required analyses and accounting (the measurement period).  The guidance describes three scenarios (or “buckets”) associated with a company’s status of accounting for income tax reform:  (1) a company is complete with its accounting for certain effects of tax reform, (2) a company is able to determine a reasonable estimate for certain effects of tax reform and records that estimate as a provisional amount, or (3) a company is not able to determine a reasonable estimate and therefore continues to apply the FASB’s accounting guidance, based on the provisions of the tax laws that were in effect immediately prior to the TCJA being enacted.



The Company has completed or has made a reasonable estimate for the measurement and accounting of the effect of the TCJA which were reflected in the December 31, 2017 financial statements, which resulted in a decrease to the accumulated deferred income tax liability of $303,320.  Additionally, due to the reduction in the Company’s corporate income tax rate, in the first nine months of 2018, the Company has reserved $4,679 for amounts expected to be refundable to utility customers.  During the first nine months of 2018, in Illinois,  Virginia, Texas, New Jersey, and two operating divisions in Ohio which operate under locally-negotiated contractual rates with their respective counties, the Company’s base rates have been adjusted or surcredits have been added to customer bills to reflect the lower corporate income tax rate.  In addition, through a reduction in base rates or surcredits, the Company has refunded approximately $6,700 to utility customers during the first nine months of 2018.             



As of December 31, 2017, the Company had provisionally estimated that $175,108 of deferred income tax liabilities for our Pennsylvania subsidiary will be a regulatory liability as a result of the accounting effect of the TCJA.  In May 2018, the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission (“PA PUC”) issued an order that set forth the requirements for utilities to either immediately initiate the refund or otherwise address the impacts of the TCJA in the utilities’ next rate case.  Aqua Pennsylvania was included in the rate filing group of utilities as the Company filed a base rate case in August 2018, during which the PA PUC is expected to address the effects of the TCJA within the base rate case filing.  Additionally, the PA PUC has ordered that all rates charged by utilities, including those billed by Aqua Pennsylvania since January 1, 2018, are temporary and subject to refund pending the outcome of its review of the effects of the TCJA within the next base rate case.  Based on the Company’s review of the present circumstances, no reserve is considered necessary for the revenue recognized to date in 2018.      



The Company’s regulated operations accounting for income taxes are impacted by the FASB’s accounting guidance for regulated operations.  Reductions in accumulated deferred income tax balances due to the reduction in the Federal corporate income tax rates to 21% under the provisions of the TCJA will result in amounts previously collected from utility customers for these deferred taxes to be refundable to such customers, generally through reductions in future rates.  The TCJA includes provisions that stipulate how these excess deferred taxes related to certain accelerated tax depreciation deduction benefits are to be passed back to customers.  Potential refunds of other deferred taxes will be determined by our state regulators.  Our state regulatory commissions have or are in the process of issuing procedural orders directing how the tax law changes are to be reflected in our utility customer rates. 

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AQUA AMERICA, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)

(In thousands of dollars, except per share amounts)

(UNAUDITED)

 

 

Note 16 – Recent Accounting Pronouncements   



In August 2018, the FASB issued updated accounting guidance on accounting for cloud computing arrangements.  The updated guidance requires entities that are customers in cloud computing arrangements to defer implementation costs if they would be capitalized by the entity in software licensing arrangements under the internal-use software guidance.  The guidance may be applied retrospectively or prospectively to implementation costs incurred after the date of adoption.  The updated accounting guidance is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019 and interim periods within those fiscal years.  The Company is evaluating the requirements of the updated guidance to determine the impact of adoption.



In August 2018, the FASB issued updated accounting guidance, which modifies the disclosures required for defined benefit pension and other postretirement benefit plans.  The modifications in this update remove disclosures that are no longer considered cost beneficial, clarify the specific requirements of disclosures, and add disclosure requirements identified as relevant.  The updated accounting guidance is effective for fiscal years ending after December 15, 2020, with early adoption available.  The Company is evaluating the requirements of the updated guidance to determine the impact of adoption.   



In August 2018, the FASB issued updated accounting guidance, which modifies the disclosure requirements on fair value measurements.  The modifications in this update eliminates, amends, and adds disclosure requirements for fair value measurements, which is expected to reduce costs for preparers while providing more decision-useful information for financial statement users.  The updated accounting guidance is effective for fiscal years ending after December 15, 2019, with early adoption available.  The Company is evaluating the requirements of the updated guidance to determine the impact of adoption.



In March 2017, the FASB issued updated accounting guidance on the presentation of net periodic pension and postretirement benefit cost (net benefit cost).  Historically, net benefit cost is reported as an employee cost within operating income, net of amounts capitalized.  The guidance requires the bifurcation of net benefit cost.  The service cost component will be presented with other employee compensation costs in operating income and the other components of net benefit cost will be reported separately outside of operating income, and will not be eligible for capitalization.  The guidance is effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2017, and interim periods within that reporting period, and is to be applied retrospectively for the presentation of the service cost component and the other components of net benefit cost, and on a prospective basis for the capitalization of only the service cost component of net benefit cost.  On January 1, 2018, the Company adopted the updated guidance, which did not have a material impact on its results of operations or financial position, and resulted in the reclassification, for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017, of $1,238 and $3,714, respectively, for the other components of net benefit cost from operations and maintenance expense to other in the consolidated statements of net income.



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AQUA AMERICA, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)

(In thousands of dollars, except per share amounts)

(UNAUDITED)

 

In January 2017, the FASB issued updated accounting guidance that provides a new framework for determining whether transactions should be accounted for as acquisitions (or disposals) of assets or businesses.  This update creates an initial screening test for which an entity would evaluate if substantially all the fair value of the gross assets acquired (or disposed of) is concentrated in a single identifiable asset or a group of similar identifiable assets.  If this threshold is met, the set of assets is not considered a business; however, if the threshold is not met, the entity evaluates whether the set of assets meets the requirement that a business included, at a minimum, an input and a substantive process that together significantly contribute to the ability to create outputs.  The update also narrows the definition of outputs by more closely aligning it with how outputs are described in the new revenue guidance.  The updated accounting guidance is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017, and interim periods within those years, with early adoption permitted.  On January 1, 2018, the Company adopted the updated guidance.      



In June 2016, the FASB issued updated accounting guidance on accounting for impairments of financial instruments, including trade receivables, which requires companies to estimate expected credit losses on trade receivables over their contractual life.  Historically, companies reserve for expected credit losses by applying historical loss percentages to respective aging categories.  Under the updated accounting guidance, companies will use a forward-looking methodology that incorporates lifetime expected credit losses, which will result in an allowance for expected credit losses for receivables that are either current or not yet due, which historically have not been reserved for.  The updated accounting guidance is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019, 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 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 implementing a process to address the requirements of the updated guidance and has not yet quantified the impact that the adoption of the updated accounting guidance on accounting for leases will have on the Company’s consolidated balance sheet due to the recognition of right-of-use assets and lease liabilities.          



In January 2016, the FASB issued updated accounting guidance on the recognition and measurement of financial assets and financial liabilities, which amends certain aspects of recognition, measurement, presentation, and disclosure of financial instruments, including the requirement to measure certain equity investments at fair value with changes in fair value recognized in net income.  The updated guidance is effective for interim and annual periods beginning after December 31, 2017.  On January 1, 2018, the Company adopted the updated guidance, which did not have a material impact on its results of operations or financial position, and resulted in the recognition of $860 of previous unrealized gains, which was recorded as an adjustment to beginning retained earnings (refer to the presentation of “cumulative effect of change in accounting principle – financial instruments” on the Company’s consolidated statement of equity).  



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AQUA AMERICA, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)

(In thousands of dollars, except per share amounts)

(UNAUDITED)

 

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 recognition.  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.  In 2017, the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (“AICPA”) power and utility entities revenue recognition task force determined that contributions in aid of construction are not in the scope of the new standard, which was approved by the AICPA’s revenue recognition working group.  The Company implemented the updated guidance using the modified retrospective approach on January 1, 2018, which did not result in a change in the Company’s measurement of revenue, and reached the following conclusions:



·

The Company’s tariff sale contracts, including those with lower credit quality customers, are generally deemed to be probable of collection, and thus the timing of revenue recognition will continue to be concurrent with the delivery of water and wastewater services, consistent with our current practice.

·

Contributions in aid of construction are outside of the scope of the standard, and will continue to be accounted for as a noncurrent liability.

 



 

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AQUA AMERICA, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES 

 

 MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF 

FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

(In thousands of dollars, except per share amounts)

 

Item 2 – Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations 

 

Forward-looking Statements 

 

This Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations and other sections of this Quarterly Report contain, in addition to historical information, forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.  These forward-looking statements address, among other things: the projected impact of various legal proceedings; the projected effects of recent accounting pronouncements; prospects, plans, objectives, expectations and beliefs of management, as well as information contained in this report where statements are preceded by, followed by or include the words “believes,” “expects,” “estimates,” “anticipates,” “plans,” “future,” “potential,” “probably,” “predictions,” “intends,” “will,” “continue,” “in the event” or the negative of such terms or similar expressions.  Forward-looking statements are based on a number of assumptions concerning future events, and are subject to a number of risks, uncertainties and other factors, many of which are outside our control, which could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such statements.  These risks and uncertainties include, among others: the effects of regulation, abnormal weather, changes in capital requirements and funding, acquisitions, changes to the capital markets, and our ability to assimilate acquired operations, as well as those risks, uncertainties and other factors discussed in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2017 under the captions “Risk Factors” and “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” and elsewhere in such report.  As a result, readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on any forward-looking statements.  We undertake no obligation to update or revise forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.     

 

General Information 

 

Aqua America, Inc. (“we”, “us”, “our” or the “Company”), a Pennsylvania corporation, is the holding company for regulated utilities providing water or wastewater services to what we estimate to be almost three million people in Pennsylvania, Ohio, Texas, Illinois, North Carolina, New Jersey, Indiana, and Virginia.  Our largest operating subsidiary, Aqua Pennsylvania, provides water or wastewater services to approximately one-half of the total number of people we serve, who are located in the suburban areas in counties north and west of the City of Philadelphia and in 27 other counties in Pennsylvania.  Our other regulated utility subsidiaries provide similar services in seven other states.  In addition, the Company’s market-based activities are conducted through Aqua Infrastructure, LLC and Aqua Resources, Inc.  Aqua Infrastructure provides non-utility raw water supply services for firms in the natural gas drilling industry.  Aqua Resources provides water and wastewater service through operating and maintenance contracts with municipal authorities and other parties close to our utility companies’ service territories; and offers, through a third-party, water and sewer service line protection solutions and repair services to households.   



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AQUA AMERICA, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES 

 

 MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF 

FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS (continued)

(In thousands of dollars, except per share amounts)

 

Aqua America, Inc., which prior to its name change in 2004 was known as Philadelphia Suburban Corporation, was formed in 1968 as a holding company for its primary subsidiary, Aqua Pennsylvania, formerly known as Philadelphia Suburban Water Company.  In the early 1990s, we embarked on a growth-through-acquisition strategy focused on water and wastewater operations.  Our most significant transactions to date have been the merger with Consumers Water Company in 1999, the acquisition of the regulated water and wastewater operations of AquaSource, Inc. in 2003, the acquisition of Heater Utilities, Inc. in 2004, and the acquisition of American Water Works Company, Inc.’s regulated operations in Ohio in 2012.  Since the early 1990s, our business strategy has been primarily directed toward the regulated water and wastewater utility industry, where we have more than quadrupled the number of regulated customers we serve, and has extended our regulated operations from southeastern Pennsylvania to include operations in seven other states.   The Company seeks to acquire businesses in the U.S. regulated sector, which includes water and wastewater utilities and other regulated utilities, and to opportunistically pursue growth ventures in select market-based activities, such as infrastructure opportunities that are supplementary and complementary to our regulated businesses.  On October 22, 2018 the Company entered into an agreement to acquire, from its parent company, a  natural gas company consisting of Peoples Natural Gas Company LLC, Peoples Gas Company LLC, and Delta Natural Gas Company Inc. (“Peoples”) expanding the Company’s regulated utility business to include natural gas distribution.  We believe the acquisition of Peoples, once consummated, will mark the creation of a new infrastructure company in the states served by the combined company.  



The following discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations should be read together with our consolidated financial statements and related notes.



Financial Condition

 

During the first nine months of 2018, we incurred $343,219 of capital expenditures, expended $100,026 for the acquisition of water and wastewater utility systems, issued $402,913 of long-term debt, and repaid debt and made sinking fund contributions and other loan repayments of $151,571. The capital expenditures were related to new and replacement water mains, improvements to treatment plants, tanks, hydrants, and service lines, well and booster improvements, and other enhancements and improvements.  The issuance of long-term debt was comprised principally of the funds borrowed under our revolving credit facility, and $100,000 of first mortgage bonds issued by Aqua Pennsylvania in June 2018.  The proceeds from the first mortgage bonds were used to repay existing indebtedness and for general corporate purposes.



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AQUA AMERICA, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES 

 

 MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF 

FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS (continued)

(In thousands of dollars, except per share amounts)

 

Pursuant to the Company’s growth strategy, on October 22, 2018, the Company entered into a purchase agreement with LDC Parent LLC (“Seller”), to acquire its interests in LDC Funding LLC (“LDC”).  LDC is the parent of LDC Holdings LLC (“LDC Holdings”), and LDC Holdings is the parent of five natural gas public utility companies, which includes Peoples Natural Gas Company, Peoples Gas Company, and Delta Natural Gas Company as well as other operating subsidiaries.  Collectively these businesses are referred to as “Peoples,” a natural gas distribution company headquartered in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, serving approximately 740,000 gas utility customers in Western Pennsylvania, West Virginia, and Kentucky.  The Company will acquire LDC for $4,275,000, which will be reduced by the amount of outstanding indebtedness at closing, which is estimated to approximate $1,300,000.  The Company expects to finance this acquisition and refinance certain debt with a mix of common equity, mandatory convertible equity units, debt financing, which could include senior notes issued in capital markets transactions, term loans or other credit facilities or any combination thereof.  On October 23, 2018, the Company entered into interest rate swap agreements which locked in the interest rate for an anticipated $850,000 of future debt issuances related to this acquisition.  The interest rate swaps do not qualify for hedge accounting and any changes in the fair value of the swaps will be included in our future earnings.  The purchase price for this pending acquisition is subject to certain other adjustments at closing, and is subject to regulatory approval by the United States Federal Trade Commission, and the public utility commissions in Pennsylvania, Kentucky, and West Virginia.  This acquisition is expected to close in mid-2019, once regulatory approvals are obtained, and it is anticipated that this transaction will result in the recording of goodwill.  In the event that this acquisition is terminated a fee of $120,000 would be payable to the Seller.   



In July 2018, we completed the acquisition of Manteno, Illinois for $25,000 in cash, which serves approximately 3,800 wastewater customers, and Limerick Township, Pennsylvania for $74,836 in cash, which serves approximately 5,400 wastewater customers.  Additionally, in October 2018, we completed the acquisition of Peotone, Illinois for $12,300 in cash, which services approximately 3,000 water and wastewater customers.  These acquisitions were funded through the issuance of debt.



At September 30, 2018, we had $4,264 of cash and cash equivalents compared to $4,204 at December 31, 2017.  During the first nine months of 2018, we used the proceeds from the issuance of long-term debt and internally generated funds to fund the cash requirements discussed above and to pay dividends.

 

At September 30, 2018, our $500,000 unsecured revolving credit facility, which expires in June 2023, had $185,517 available for borrowing.  At September 30, 2018, we had short-term lines of credit of $135,500, of which $113,811 was available for borrowing.  One of our short-term lines of credit is an Aqua Pennsylvania $100,000 364-day unsecured revolving credit facility with four banks, which is used to provide working capital, and as of September 30, 2018, $78,311 was available for borrowing.        



Our short-term lines of credit of $135,500 are subject to renewal on an annual basis.  Although we believe we will be able to renew these facilities, there is no assurance that they will be renewed, or what the terms of any such renewal will be.     

 

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AQUA AMERICA, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES 

 

 MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF 

FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS (continued)

(In thousands of dollars, except per share amounts)

 

The Company’s consolidated balance sheet historically has had a negative working capital position whereby routinely our current liabilities exceed our current assets.  Management believes that internally generated funds along with existing credit facilities and the proceeds from the issuance of long-term debt will be adequate to provide sufficient working capital to maintain normal operations and to meet our financing requirements for at least the next twelve months. 



Results of Operations 



Analysis of Third Quarter of 2018 Compared to Third Quarter of 2017 



Revenues increased by $11,129 or 5.2%, primarily due to:



·

an increase in water and wastewater rates and infrastructure rehabilitation surcharges of $7,832;

·

an increase in customer water consumption; and

·

additional water and wastewater revenues of $1,809 associated with a larger customer base due to organic growth and utility acquisitions;

·

offset by a reserve of $896 for amounts expected to be refundable to utility customers associated with the decrease in the corporate income tax rate from 35% to 21% due to the TCJA.     

 

Operations and maintenance expenses increased by $1,880 or 2.8%, primarily due to:



·

an increase in labor and benefits expenses of $2,352, primarily due to wage increases;

·

an increase in water production costs of $1,243, primarily associated with the increase in customer water consumption noted above; and

·

additional operating costs associated with acquired utility systems of $599;

·

offset by a favorable reduction to a regulatory liability of $3,899



Depreciation expense increased by $3,193 or 9.3%, primarily due to the utility plant placed in service since September 30, 2017. 

 

Interest expense increased by $2,948 or 13.2%, primarily due to an increase in average borrowings, offset by a decrease in our effective interest rate. 



Allowance for funds used during construction (“AFUDC”) decreased by $848, due to a decrease in the average balance of utility plant construction work in progress, to which AFUDC is applied. 



Equity earnings in joint venture decreased by $378 due to a decrease in the sale of raw water to firms in the natural gas drilling industry. 



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AQUA AMERICA, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES 

 

 MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF 

FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS (continued)

(In thousands of dollars, except per share amounts)

 

Other decreased by $913 primarily due to a decrease in the non-service cost components of our net benefit cost for pension and postretirement benefits.   



Our effective income tax rate was 4.8% in the third quarter of 2018 and 4.3% in the third quarter of 2017.  The effective income tax rate increased due to the effect of a decrease in tax benefits recognized in the third quarter of 2018 for deductions on certain qualifying infrastructure improvements for Aqua Pennsylvania, offset by the reduction in the corporate income tax rate from 35% to 21%.         



Net income increased by $1,991 or 2.6%, primarily as a result of the factors described above. 



Analysis of First Nine Months of 2018 Compared to First Nine Months of 2017 



Revenues increased by $26,131 or 4.3%, primarily due to:



·

an increase in water and wastewater rates and infrastructure rehabilitation surcharges of $21,428;

·

an increase in customer water consumption;

·

additional water and wastewater revenues of $4,705 associated with a larger customer base due to organic growth and utility acquisitions; and

·

an increase in wastewater revenues of $2,469 primarily due to an increase in the volume of treated wastewater flows from the City of Ft. Wayne, Indiana at our Indiana wastewater treatment plant;

·

offset by a reserve of $4,679 for amounts expected to be refundable to utility customers associated with the decrease in the corporate income tax rate from 35% to 21% due to the TCJA.    

 

Operations and maintenance expenses increased by $11,836 or 5.8%, primarily due to:



·

an increase in labor and benefits expenses of $11,147, primarily due to additional overtime expenses for increased maintenance activities in the first quarter and wage increases;

·

the prior year effect of a favorable settlement for a disputed contract of $1,062;

·

an increase in maintenance expenses of $1,057, mainly resulting from expenses incurred due to more severe winter weather conditions;

·

the prior year effect of the favorable treatment of a regulatory asset of $1,000 due to a rate proceeding that occurred in 2017; and

·

additional operating costs associated with acquired utility systems of $740;

·

offset by a favorable reduction to a regulatory liability of $3,899; and

·

a reduction in operating expenses for our market-based activities of $2,565 primarily associated with the completion of the disposition of business units within Aqua Resources, which was finalized in June 2017. 



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AQUA AMERICA, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES 

 

 MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF 

FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS (continued)

(In thousands of dollars, except per share amounts)

 

Depreciation expense increased by $8,529 or 8.4%, primarily due to the utility plant placed in service since September 30, 2017. 

 

Interest expense increased by $7,429 or 11.4%, primarily due to an increase in average borrowings, offset by a decrease in our effective interest rate. 



AFUDC decreased by $2,060, due to a decrease in the average balance of utility plant construction work in progress, to which AFUDC is applied. 



Equity earnings in joint venture increased by $1,106 due to an increase in the sale of raw water to firms in the natural gas drilling industry. 



Other decreased by $2,349 primarily due to a decrease in the non-service cost components of our net benefit cost for pension and postretirement benefits.   



Our effective income tax rate was 0.7% during the first nine months of 2018 and 6.0% during the first nine months of 2017.  The effective income tax rate decreased due to the reduction in the corporate income tax rate from 35% to 21%, and the effect of additional tax deductions recognized during the first nine months of 2018 for certain qualifying infrastructure improvements for Aqua Pennsylvania.        



Net income increased by $9,380 or 5.0%, primarily as a result of the factors described above. 





Impact of Recent Accounting Pronouncements 

 

We describe the impact of recent accounting pronouncements in Note 16, Recent Accounting Pronouncements, to the consolidated financial statements in this report.

 

 

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Item 3 – Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk 

 

We are subject to market risks in the normal course of business, including changes in interest rates and equity prices.  There have been no significant changes in our exposure to market risks since December 31, 2017.  Refer to Item 7A of the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2017, filed February 28, 2018, for additional information.

 

Item 4 – Controls and Procedures 

 

(a)

Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures 

 

Our management, with the participation of our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, evaluated the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures as of the end of the period covered by this report.  Based on that evaluation, the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures as of the end of the period covered by this report are effective such that the information required to be disclosed by us in reports filed under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 is (i) recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the Securities and Exchange Commission’s rules and forms and (ii) accumulated and communicated to our management, including the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding disclosure.   

 

(b)

Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting 

 

No change in our internal control over financial reporting occurred during our most recent fiscal quarter that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

 

Part II.  Other Information

 

Item 1 – Legal Proceedings 

 

We are party to various legal proceedings.  Although the results of legal proceedings cannot be predicted with certainty, there are no pending legal proceedings to which we or any of our subsidiaries is a party or to which any of our properties is the subject that we believe are material or are expected to have a material adverse effect on our financial position, results of operations or cash flows.   

 

Item 1A – Risk Factors 

 

Please review the risks disclosed in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2017, filed February 28, 2018, under “Part 1, Item 1A – Risk Factors.” In addition, we provide the following risk factors:



Our business requires significant capital expenditures that are partially dependent on our ability to secure appropriate funding.  Additionally, our pending acquisition of Peoples is dependent on our ability to secure appropriate funding.  Disruptions in the capital markets may limit our access to capital, and impact the timing of the Peoples acquisition.  If we are unable to obtain sufficient capital, or if the cost of borrowing increases, it may harm our business, financial condition, results of operations, and our ability to pay dividends.



Our business is capital intensive.  In addition to the capital required to fund customer growth through our acquisition strategy, on an annual basis, and particularly the acquisition of Peoples, we spend significant sums

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for additions to or replacement of property, plant and equipment.  We obtain funds for our capital expenditures from operations, contributions and advances by developers and others, debt issuances, and equity issuances.  We have paid dividends consecutively for 73 years and our Board of Directors recognizes the value that our common shareholders place on both our historical payment record and on our future dividend payments.  Our ability to maintain and meet our financial objectives, including the acquisition of Peoples, is dependent upon the availability of adequate capital, and we may not be able to access the capital markets on favorable terms or at all.  Further, in the event we are unable to obtain sufficient capital on favorable terms to finance the Peoples transaction, we would draw upon the committed bridge facility to complete this transaction at a higher cost of capital than desired, which would increase the overall cost of the Peoples acquisition; and, subsequently we would seek to obtain permanent financing to replace the borrowings under the bridge facility.  If in the future, our credit facilities are not renewed or our short-term borrowings are called for repayment, we would need to seek alternative financing sources; however, there can be no assurance that these alternative financing sources would be available on terms acceptable to us.  In the event we are unable to obtain sufficient capital, we may need to take steps to conserve cash by reducing our capital expenditures or dividend payments and our ability to pursue acquisitions may be limited.  The reduction in capital expenditures may result in reduced potential earnings growth, affect our ability to meet environmental laws and regulations, and limit our ability to improve or expand our utility systems to the level we believe appropriate.  There is no guarantee that we will be able to obtain sufficient capital in the future on reasonable terms and conditions for expansion, construction and maintenance.  In addition, delays in completing major capital projects could delay the recovery of the capital expenditures associated with such projects through rates.  If the cost of borrowing increases, we might not be able to recover increases in our cost of capital through rates.  The inability to recover higher borrowing costs through rates, or the regulatory lag associated with the time that it takes to begin recovery, may harm our business, financial condition, and results of operations. 



One of the important elements of our growth strategy is the acquisition of water and wastewater utility systems.  Any acquisition we decide to undertake may involve risks.  Further, competition for acquisition opportunities from other regulated utilities, governmental entities, and strategic and financial buyers may hinder our ability to grow our business.



One important element of our growth strategy is the acquisition and integration of water and wastewater utility systems in order to broaden our service areas.  In addition, the acquisition of Peoples is an opportunity to broaden our services and states of operation.  We will not be able to acquire other businesses if we cannot identify suitable acquisition opportunities or reach mutually agreeable terms with acquisition candidates.  It is our intent, when practical, to integrate any businesses we acquire with our existing operations.  The negotiation of potential acquisitions as well as the integration of acquired businesses could require us to incur significant costs and cause diversion of our management's time and resources.  Future acquisitions by us could result in:



·

dilutive issuances of our equity securities;

·

incurrence of debt, contingent liabilities, and environmental liabilities;

·

unanticipated capital expenditures;

·

failure to maintain effective internal control over financial reporting;

·

recording goodwill and other intangible assets for which we may never realize their full value and may result in an asset impairment that may negatively affect our results of operations;

·

fluctuations in quarterly results;

·

other acquisition related expenses; and

·

exposure to unknown or unexpected risks and liabilities.



Some or all of these items could harm our business and our ability to finance our business and to comply with regulatory requirements.  Additionally, the Peoples acquisition is subject to obtaining state and federal

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regulatory approvals, which approvals may be denied or subject to burdensome conditions.    The businesses we acquire in the future, as well as Peoples, may not achieve sales and profitability that would justify our investment, and any difficulties we encounter in the integration process, including in the integration of processes necessary for internal control and financial reporting, could interfere with our operations, reduce our operating margins and harm our internal controls.  



Some states in which we operate allow the respective public utility commissions to use fair market value to set ratemaking rate base instead of the traditional depreciated original cost of water or wastewater assets for certain qualifying municipal acquisitions.  Depending on the state, there are varying rules and circumstances in which fair value is determined.  One state’s regulations allows ratemaking rate base to equal the lower of the average of the appraisals or the purchase price, and is subject to regulatory approval.  There may be situations where we may pay more than the ultimate fair value of the utility assets as set by the regulatory commission, despite the fair value legislation suggesting its full recovery.  In these situations, goodwill may be recognized to the extent there is an excess purchase price over the fair value of net tangible and identifiable intangible assets acquired through acquisition.  Our financial condition and results of operations can be harmed by an inability to earn a return on, and recover our purchase price as a component of rate base.



We compete with governmental entities, other regulated utilities, and strategic and financial buyers, for acquisition opportunities.  As consolidation becomes more prevalent in the utility industry and competition for acquisitions increases, the prices for suitable acquisition candidates may increase to unacceptable levels and limit our ability to grow through acquisitions.  In addition, our competitors may impede our growth by purchasing utilities near our existing operations, thereby preventing us from acquiring them.  Governmental entities or environmental / social activist groups have challenged, and may in the future challenge our efforts to acquire new service territories, particularly from municipalities or municipal authorities.  Higher purchase prices and resulting rates may limit our ability to invest additional capital for system maintenance and upgrades in an optimal manner.  Our growth could be hindered if we are not able to compete effectively for new companies and/or service territories with other companies or strategic and financial buyers that have lower costs of operations or capital, or that submit more attractive bids. Any of these risks may harm our business, financial condition, and results of operations.

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Item 2 – Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds



The following table summarizes the Company’s purchases of its common stock for the quarter ended September 30, 2018:





 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



 

Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities

 

 



 

 

 

 

 

 

Total

 

Maximum



 

 

 

 

 

 

Number of

 

Number of



 

 

 

 

 

 

Shares

 

Shares



 

 

 

 

 

 

Purchased

 

that May



 

 

 

 

 

 

as Part of

 

Yet be



 

Total

 

 

 

 

Publicly

 

Purchased



 

Number

 

Average

 

Announced

 

Under the



 

of Shares

 

Price Paid

 

Plans or

 

Plan or

Period

 

Purchased (1)

 

per Share

 

Programs

 

Programs

July 1-31, 2018

 

 

$

35.26 

 

 -

 

 -

August 1-31, 2018

 

17 

 

$

36.48 

 

 -

 

 -

September 1-30, 2018

 

 -

 

$

 -

 

 -

 

 -

Total

 

25 

 

$

36.09 

 

 -

 

 -





(1) These amounts include 25 shares we acquired from employees associated with the withholding of shares to pay certain withholding taxes upon the vesting of stock-based compensation. 











Item 6 – Exhibits  

















 

 



 

 

Exhibit No. 

 

 Description 

2.1

 

Purchase Agreement, dated October 22, 2018, by and between LDC Parent LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“Seller”) and Aqua America, Inc., a Pennsylvania corporation (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 2.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K, filed with the SEC on October 23, 2018)

3.1

 

Amended and Restated Bylaws (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on August 10, 2018)

10.1

 

Form of Change In Control Agreement with Daniel Schuller (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Current Report on From 8-K, filed with the SEC on September 28, 2018)

31.1 

 

Certification of Chief Executive Officer, pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) under the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934.

31.2 

 

Certification of Chief Financial Officer, pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) under the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934.

32.1 

 

Certification of Chief Executive Officer, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350.

32.2 

 

Certification of Chief Financial Officer, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350.

101.INS

 

XBRL Instance Document

101.SCH

 

XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document

101.CAL

 

XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document

101.DEF

 

XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document

101.LAB

 

XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document

101.PRES

 

XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document



*Indicates management contract or compensatory plan or arrangement

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SIGNATURES 

 

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. 



November 6, 2018



 

 

 

 

 



 

Aqua America, Inc.                  



 

Registrant



 

 

 



 

 

 



 

 

 



 

/s/ Christopher H. Franklin



 

Christopher H. Franklin



 

Chairman, President and



 

Chief Executive Officer



 

 

 



 

 

 



 

 

 



 

/s/ Daniel J. Schuller



 

Daniel J. Schuller



 

Executive Vice President and



 

Chief Financial Officer 

 

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