VIDLER WATER RESOURCES, INC. - Quarter Report: 2006 September (Form 10-Q)
UNITED
STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington
DC 20549
FORM
10-Q
(Mark
One)
(X)
QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE
SECURITIES
EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For
the
quarterly period ended September 30, 2006
OR
(
) 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: 0-18786
PICO
HOLDINGS, INC.
(Exact
name of Registrant as specified in its charter)
California
(State
or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)
|
94-2723335
(I.R.S.
Employer
Identification
No.)
|
875
Prospect Street, Suite 301
La
Jolla, California 92037
(858)
456-6022
(Address
and telephone number of principal executive offices)
Indicate
by check mark whether 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 R
No
£
Indicate
by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an
accelerated filer, or a non-accelerated filer. See definition of “accelerated
filer and large accelerated filer” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check
one):
Large
accelerated filer £ Accelerated
filer R Non-accelerated
filer £
Indicate
by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule
12b-2 of the Exchange Act). Yes £
No
R
The
number of shares outstanding of the Registrant’s Common Stock, $0.001 par value,
was 15,880,458 as of September 30, 2006, excluding 3,228,300 shares of common
stock held by the registrant’s subsidiaries.
PICO
HOLDINGS, INC.
FORM
10-Q
For
the Three and Nine Months Ended September 30, 2006
TABLE
OF CONTENTS
Page
No.
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Part
I: Financial Information
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||
Item
1:
|
Condensed
Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)
|
|
3
|
||
4
|
||
5
|
||
6
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||
Item
2:
|
10
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|
Item
3:
|
17
|
|
Item
4:
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||
Part
II: Other Information
|
||
Item
1:
|
17
|
|
Item
1A:
|
17
|
|
Item
2:
|
17
|
|
Item
3:
|
17
|
|
Item
4:
|
18
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|
Item
5:
|
18
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|
Item
6:
|
19
|
2
Part
I: Financial
Information
Item
I: Condensed
Consolidated Financial Statements
PICO
HOLDINGS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(Unaudited)
September
30, 2006
|
December
31, 2005
|
||
ASSETS
|
|||
Investments
|
$286,098,163
|
$287,446,334
|
|
Cash
and cash equivalents
|
115,806,003
|
|
37,794,416
|
Notes
and other receivables, net
|
15,819,756
|
14,692,888
|
|
Reinsurance
receivables
|
15,182,387
|
16,186,105
|
|
Real
estate and water assets, net
|
87,293,218
|
76,891,435
|
|
Property
and equipment, net
|
561,239
|
1,572,492
|
|
Other
assets
|
3,126,937
|
7,188,858
|
|
Other
assets - Discontinued Operations
|
|
57,094
|
|
Total
assets
|
$523,887,703
|
$441,829,622
|
|
LIABILITIES
AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
|
|||
Unpaid
losses and loss adjustment expenses
|
$42,327,094
|
$46,646,906
|
|
Deferred
compensation
|
47,945,241
|
42,737,293
|
|
Bank
and other borrowings
|
12,399,452
|
12,334,868
|
|
Deferred
income taxes
|
10,419,434
|
17,239,062
|
|
Other
liabilities
|
20,179,868
|
20,039,392
|
|
Reinsurance
balance payable
|
317,431
|
325,081 | |
Other
liabilities - Discontinued Operations
|
370,365
|
533,548
|
|
Total
liabilities
|
133,958,885
|
139,856,150
|
|
Minority
interest
|
|
1,098,515
|
|
Commitments
and Contingencies (Note 4)
|
|||
|
|||
Common
stock, $.001 par value; authorized 100,000,000 shares,
|
|||
20,306,923
issued in 2006 and 17,706,923 issued in 2005
|
20,307
|
17,707
|
|
Additional
paid-in capital
|
331,582,308
|
257,466,412
|
|
Retained
earnings
|
81,155,822
|
61,725,860
|
|
Accumulated
other comprehensive income
|
55,465,191
|
60,092,462
|
|
Treasury
stock, at cost (common shares: 4,426,465 in 2006 and 4,435,483
in
2005)
|
(78,294,810)
|
(78,427,484)
|
|
Total
shareholders' equity
|
389,928,818
|
300,874,957
|
|
Total
liabilities and shareholders' equity
|
$523,887,703
|
$441,829,622
|
3
PICO
HOLDINGS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(Unaudited)
|
Three
Months Ended September 30, 2006
|
|
Three
Months Ended September 30, 2005
|
|
Nine
Months Ended
September
30, 2006
|
|
Nine
Months Ended
September
30, 2005
|
Revenues:
|
|||||||
Net
investment income
|
$3,311,097
|
$2,107,541
|
$9,816,302
|
$5,919,806
|
|||
Net
realized gain on investments
|
3,906,008
|
502,664
|
19,279,304
|
7,017,213
|
|||
Sale
of real estate and water assets
|
28,310,663
|
3,914,241
|
33,399,627
|
102,239,065
|
|||
Rents,
royalties and lease income
|
87,178
|
187,258
|
722,161
|
771,816
|
|||
Service
revenue
|
1,026,913
|
1,406,844
|
2,907,268
|
3,340,427
|
|||
Other
|
586,113
|
19,121
|
779,989
|
176,269
|
|||
Total
revenues
|
37,227,972
|
8,137,669
|
66,904,651
|
119,464,596
|
|||
Costs
and Expenses:
|
|||||||
Operating
and other costs
|
16,093,762
|
17,524,579
|
30,176,736
|
55,369,189
|
|||
Cost
of real estate and water assets sold
|
5,816,820
|
1,446,442
|
7,498,442
|
40,471,389
|
|||
Cost
of service revenue
|
438,805
|
440,053
|
1,326,162
|
1,002,050
|
|||
Depreciation
and amortization
|
492,378
|
496,905
|
1,459,766
|
1,622,287
|
|||
Interest
|
121,826
|
79,379
|
332,586
|
584,510
|
|||
Total
costs and expenses
|
22,963,591
|
19,987,358
|
40,793,692
|
99,049,425
|
|||
Income
(loss) before income taxes and minority interest
|
14,264,381
|
(11,849,689)
|
26,110,959
|
|
20,415,171
|
||
Provision
(benefit) for income taxes
|
2,608,646
|
|
(2,259,342)
|
7,045,249
|
14,319,896
|
||
Income
(loss) before minority interest
|
11,655,735
|
|
(9,590,347)
|
19,065,710
|
6,095,275
|
||
Minority
interest in loss of subsidiaries
|
8,843
|
231,514
|
34,252
|
1,214,692
|
|||
Income
(loss) from continuing operations
|
11,664,578
|
(9,358,833)
|
19,099,962
|
7,309,967
|
|||
Income
from discontinued operations, net of tax
|
165,000
|
75,732
|
330,000
|
36,083
|
|||
Net
income (loss)
|
$11,829,578
|
$(9,283,101)
|
$19,429,962
|
$7,346,050
|
|||
Net
income (loss) per common share - basic and diluted:
|
|||||||
Income
(loss) from continuing operations
|
$0.73
|
$(0.71)
|
$1.30
|
$0.57
|
|||
Discontinued
operations
|
0.01
|
0.01
|
0.02
|
||||
Net
income (loss) per common share
|
$0.74
|
$(0.70)
|
$1.32
|
$0.57
|
|||
Weighted
average shares outstanding
|
15,880,458
|
13,271,440
|
14,712,267
|
12,859,162
|
4
PICO
HOLDINGS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(Unaudited)
Nine
Months Ended
September
30, 2006
|
Nine
Months Ended
September
30, 2005
|
||
OPERATING
ACTIVITIES:
|
|||
Net
cash provided by operating activities
|
$9,079,884
|
$62,322,812
|
|
Net
cash provided by (used in) discontinued operations
|
213,080
|
(579,067)
|
|
9,292,964
|
61,743,745
|
||
INVESTING
ACTIVITIES:
|
|||
Purchases
of investments
|
(72,087,598)
|
(94,697,270)
|
|
Proceeds
from sale of investments
|
39,342,472
|
17,379,539
|
|
Proceeds
from maturity of investments
|
45,728,000
|
1,250,000
|
|
Purchases
of property and equipment and costs capitalized to water
infrastructure
|
(13,955,733)
|
(722,443)
|
|
Proceeds
from the sale of property and equipment
|
1,550
|
||
Capitalized
software costs
|
(1,400,394)
|
(2,156,587)
|
|
Net
cash used in investing activities
|
(2,373,253)
|
(78,945,211)
|
|
FINANCING
ACTIVITIES:
|
|
|
|
Proceeds
from common stock offering, net
|
73,945,146
|
21,378,095
|
|
Repayment
of borrowings
|
(537,928)
|
(3,915,176)
|
|
Proceeds
from borrowings
|
35,000
|
||
Distribution
to partner of V&B (minority interest)
|
(700,000)
|
|
|
Proceeds
from exercise of stock options (HyperFeed)
|
1,727
|
7,633
|
|
Purchase
of treasury stock for deferred compensation plans
|
(839)
|
||
Net
cash provided by financing activities
|
72,708,945
|
17,504,713
|
|
Effect
of exchange rate changes on cash
|
(1,617,069)
|
3,326,824
|
|
INCREASE
IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS
|
78,011,587
|
3,630,071
|
|
|
|
||
CASH
AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, BEGINNING OF PERIOD
|
37,794,416
|
17,407,138
|
|
|
|
||
CASH
AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, END OF PERIOD
|
$115,806,003
|
$21,037,209
|
|
|
|
||
SUPPLEMENTAL
CASH FLOW INFORMATION:
|
|||
Cash
paid for interest
|
$330,427
|
$566,831
|
|
Cash
paid for income taxes
|
$5,646,797
|
$19,917,021
|
|
Distribution
of treasury stock to settle deferred compensation
liability
|
$306,027
|
|
5
PICO
HOLDINGS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES
TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)
1. Basis
of Presentation
The
accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements of PICO
Holdings, Inc. and Subsidiaries (the “Company” or “PICO”) have been prepared in
accordance with the interim reporting requirements of Form 10-Q, pursuant to
the
rules and regulations of the United States Securities and Exchange Commission
(the “SEC”). Accordingly, they do not include all of the information and notes
required by accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of
America (“US GAAP”) for complete consolidated financial statements.
In
the
opinion of management, all adjustments and reclassifications considered
necessary for a fair and comparable presentation of the financial statements
presented have been included and are of a normal recurring nature. Operating
results presented are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be
expected for the year ending December 31, 2006.
These
condensed consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with
the Company’s audited financial statements and notes thereto, contained in the
Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2005 filed
with the SEC.
The
preparation of condensed consolidated financial statements in accordance with
US
GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the
reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets
and liabilities at the date of the condensed consolidated financial statements
and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses for each reporting period.
The
significant estimates made in the preparation of the Company’s condensed
consolidated financial statements relate to the assessment of the carrying
value
of real estate and water assets, investments, unpaid losses and loss adjustment
expenses, deferred income taxes, accounts and loans receivable, and contingent
liabilities. While management believes that the carrying values of such assets
and liabilities are appropriate as of September 30, 2006 and December 31, 2005,
it is reasonably possible that actual results could differ from the estimates
upon which the carrying values were based.
Stock-Based
Compensation:
On
January 1, 2006, PICO adopted Financial Accounting Standards No. 123
(revised 2004), “Share-Based Payment” (SFAS 123(R)), that addresses the
accounting for share-based payment transactions in which an enterprise receives
employee services in exchange for either equity instruments of the enterprise
or
liabilities that are based on the fair value of the enterprise’s equity
instruments or that may be settled by the issuance of such equity instruments.
The statement eliminates the ability to account for share-based compensation
transactions, as PICO formerly did, using the intrinsic value method as
prescribed by Accounting Principles Board, or APB, Opinion No. 25,
“Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees,” and generally requires that such
transactions be accounted for using a fair-value-based method and recognized
as
expenses over the requisite employee service period in the consolidated
statement of operations.
PICO
adopted SFAS 123(R) using the modified prospective method which requires
the application of the accounting standard as of January 1, 2006. In
accordance with the modified prospective method, the consolidated financial
statements for prior periods have not been restated to reflect, and do not
include, the impact of SFAS 123(R). However, as PICO had no unvested stock
options outstanding, the adoption of SFAS 123R had no impact on the accompanying
condensed consolidated financial statements.
Similarly,
because PICO had no stock options outstanding during the three and nine months
ended September 30, 2005, there was no difference between reported net loss
and
pro forma net loss (as required to be disclosed under SFAS No. 123) for that
period. However, the Company’s consolidated subsidiary, HyperFeed Technologies,
Inc. has stock options outstanding and recorded stock-based compensation expense
of $84,000 and $238,000 for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2006.
HyperFeed’s pro forma stock-based compensation expense for the three and nine
months ended September 30, 2005 was $41,000 and $141,000,
respectively.
Stock-Based
Plans Outstanding:
PICO
Holdings, Inc. 2005 Long Term Incentive Plan (the "2005 Plan").
The
2005 Plan provides for the grant or award of various equity incentives to PICO
employees, non-employee directors and consultants. A total of 2,654,000 shares
of common stock are issuable under the 2005 Plan and it provides for the
issuance of incentive stock options, non-statutory stock options, free-standing
stock-settled stock appreciation rights, restricted stock awards, performance
shares, performance units, restricted stock units, deferred compensation awards
and other stock-based awards.
As
of
September 30, 2006 2,185,965 stock-settled SARs were outstanding with a strike
price of $33.76. The awards are fully vested and exercisable at anytime.
In
the
three and nine months ended September 30, 2005 compensation expense was
recorded for previously outstanding cash settled SARs issued from the 2003
cash-settled SAR Plan. Compensation cost was measured as the amount by which
the
quoted market price of PICO stock exceeded the exercise price at the end of
the
period. Changes in the quoted market price were reflected as an adjustment
to
the accrued compensation obligation and compensation expense in the Company’s
consolidated financial statements. The Company recorded compensation expense
of
$6.6 million and $23.9 million for the three and nine months ended September
30,
2005, respectively, representing the difference between the exercise price
of
the vested SARs and the market value of PICO stock at the end of each period.
The cash liability for the accrued benefit was transferred to Rabbi Trust
accounts in September 2005 leaving no accrued stock appreciation rights payable
and increasing deferred compensation in the accompanying consolidated balance
sheets.
The
Company applies the provisions of Emerging Issues Task Force No. 97-14,
Accounting
for Deferred Compensation Arrangements Where Amounts Earned Are Held in a Rabbi
Trust and Invested.
In
summary, investment returns generated are reported within the Company’s
financial statements (with a corresponding increase in the trust assets) and
an
expense is recorded within the caption, “Operating and other costs” for
increases in the market value of the assets held with a corresponding increase
in the deferred compensation liability (except in the case of PICO stock, which
is reported as Treasury Stock, at cost). In the event the trust assets decline
in value, the Company will recover previously expensed
compensation.
During
the nine months ended September 30, 2006, the Company distributed treasury
stock
with a value of $306,000 that was held in trust accounts for certain Directors
of the Company in satisfaction of deferred compensation obligations.
Employee
Compensation and Bonus Plans:
In
the
three and nine months ended September 30, 2006, the Company accrued $1.8 million
and $3.9 million, respectively, in estimated incentive
award payable to certain members of management in accordance with the provisions
of the Company’s bonus plan. The final annual accrual will change based on
fluctuation in book value per share of the Company for the remainder of 2006.
In
addition, the accrual is based on the assumption that the increase in the
Company’s book value per share will again exceed 80% of the annual return of the
S&P 500 for the past five years. In addition, $813,000 in incentive award
was recorded for certain members of Vidler Water Company’s (“Vidler”) management
based on the combined net income of Vidler and Nevada Land and Resource Company
(“NLRC”) in accordance with the related bonus plan. Vidler and NLRC are
consolidated subsidiaries.
For
the
three and nine months ended September 30, 2005, the Company accrued $3.7 million
and $6.3 million, respectively, in estimated incentive award payable in
accordance with the provisions of the Company’s bonus plan. In addition, for the
three and nine months ended September 30, 2005, $30,000 and $2.2 million,
respectively, in incentive award was recorded for certain members of Vidler
management based on the combined net income of Vidler and NLRC in accordance
with the related bonus plan.
Notes
and
other receivables primarily consist of installment notes from the sale of real
estate. These notes generally have terms ranging from three to ten years, with
interest rates of 7% to 10%. The Company records a provision for doubtful
accounts to allow for any specific accounts which may be unrecoverable and
is
based upon an analysis of the Company's prior collection experience, customer
creditworthiness, and current economic trends. For the three and nine months
ended September 30, 2006 and 2005, no significant provision had been
recorded.
The
effective tax rate for
the nine months ended September 30, 2006 is 27% compared to 70.1% for the
nine months ended September 30, 2005. In the nine months ended
September 30, 2006, the effective tax
rate is lower than 35% primarily due to the
recognition of a $4.7 million tax benefit for the antticipated worthless stock
deduction for PICO's tax basis of HyperFeed. The effective rate of the
provision for income taxes for the nine months ended September 30, 2005 was
higher than the federal rate of 35% due primarily to the lack of tax
benefit recorded for the operating losses of HyperFeed, and certain state income
tax accruals.
Reclassification
Stock
appreciation rights expense of $6.6 million and $23.9 million in the three
and
nine months ended September 30, 2005, respectively, has been reclassified from
a
separate line item to operating and other costs in the accompanying condensed
consolidated statements of operations.
6
Recently
Issued Accounting Pronouncements
SFAS
153
- In
December 2004, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued
Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 153, “Exchanges of
Nonmonetary Assets - An amendment of APB 29, Accounting for Nonmonetary
Transactions”
(SFAS
153). This statement amends APB No. 29 to eliminate the exception for
nonmonetary exchanges of similar productive assets and replaces it with a
general exception for exchanges of nonmonetary assets that do not have
commercial substance. A nonmonetary exchange has commercial substance if the
future cash flows of the entity are expected to change significantly as a result
of the exchange. This statement was effective beginning in the first quarter
of
2006. The adoption of SFAS
153
did not have a material impact on PICO’s financial statements.
SFAS
154 -
In June
2005, the FASB issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 154 (SFAS
154), "Accounting Changes and Error Corrections." SFAS 154 changes the
requirements for the accounting for and reporting of a change in accounting
principle. This Statement requires retrospective application to prior periods'
financial statements of a voluntary change in accounting principle unless it
is
impracticable. In addition, this Statement requires that a change in
depreciation, amortization or depletion for long-lived, non-financial assets
be
accounted for as a change in accounting estimate effected by a change in
accounting principle. This new accounting standard was effective January 1,
2006. The adoption of SFAS 154 had no impact on PICO’s financial
statements.
SFAS
155
- In
February 2006, the FASB issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standards
No.
155 (SFAS 155), "Accounting for Certain Hybrid Financial Instruments - an
amendment of FASB Statements No. 133 and 140." SFAS 155 allows financial
instruments that have embedded derivatives to be accounted for as a whole,
eliminating the need to separate the derivative from its host, if the holder
elects to account for the whole instrument on a fair value basis. This new
accounting standard is effective January 1, 2007. The adoption of SFAS 155
is
not expected to have an impact on PICO’s financial statements.
FIN
48
- In
July 2006, the FASB issued FASB Interpretation 48, “Accounting for Income Tax
Uncertainties” (FIN 48). FIN 48 defines the threshold for recognizing the
benefits of tax return positions in the financial statements as
“more-likely-than-not” to be sustained by the taxing authority. The recently
issued literature also provides guidance on the de-recognition, measurement
and
classification of income tax uncertainties, along with any related interest
and
penalties. FIN 48 also includes guidance concerning accounting for income tax
uncertainties in interim periods and increases the level of disclosures
associated with any recorded income tax uncertainties.
FIN
48 is
effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2006. The differences
between the amounts recognized in the statements of financial position prior
to
the adoption of FIN 48 and the amounts reported after adoption will be accounted
for as a cumulative-effect adjustment recorded to the beginning balance of
retained earnings. PICO has not yet determined the impact, if any, of adopting
the provisions of FIN 48 on its financial statements.
SFAS
157
- In
September 2006, FASB issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No.
157
(SFAS 157) "Fair Value Measurements." This Statement defines fair value,
establishes a framework for measuring fair value in generally accepted
accounting principles (GAAP), and expands disclosures about fair value
measurements. This Statement applies in those instances where other
accounting pronouncements that require or permit fair value measurements, the
Board having previously concluded in those accounting pronouncements that fair
value is the relevant measurement attribute. Accordingly, this Statement does
not require any new fair value measurements. However, for some entities, the
application of this Statement will change current practice. This Statement
is
effective on January 1, 2008. PICO is currently evaluating the impact of this
pronouncement on the consolidated financial statements.
SFAS
158 - In
September 2006, the FASB issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standards
No. 158 (SFAS No. 158), “Employers’ Accounting for Defined Benefit Pension
and Other Postretirement Plans—an amendment of FASB Statements No. 87, 88,
106, and 132(R)”. SFAS No. 158 requires an employer to recognize the over-funded
or under-funded status of a defined benefit postretirement plan (other than
a
multiemployer plan) as an asset or liability in its statement of financial
position and to recognize changes in that funded status in the year in which
the
changes occur through other comprehensive income of a business entity or changes
in unrestricted net assets of a not-for-profit organization. This Statement
also
requires an employer to measure the funded status of a plan as of the date
of
its year-end statement of financial position. The adoption of SFAS 158 is not
expected to have a material effect on PICO’s financial statements.
SAB
108
- In
September 2006, the Securities and Exchange Commission issued Staff
Accounting Bulletin (SAB) No. 108, Considering
the Effects of Prior Year Misstatements when Quantifying Misstatements in
Current Year Financial Statements,
which
provides interpretive guidance on the consideration of the effects of prior
year
misstatements in quantifying current year misstatements for the purpose of
a
materiality assessment. PICO is required to adopt SAB 108 for the year ending
December 31, 2006. The adoption of SAB 108 is not expected to have a
material effect on PICO’s financial statements.
2. Net
Income Per Share
Basic
earnings per share is computed by dividing net earnings by the weighted average
number of shares outstanding during the period.
Diluted
earnings per share is computed similarly to basic earnings per share except
the
weighted average shares outstanding are increased to include additional shares
from the assumed exercise of potentially dilutive securities such as PICO’s
stock-settled stock appreciation rights (SARs), using the treasury method,
if
dilutive. The number of additional shares is calculated by assuming that the
SARs were exercised, and that the proceeds were used to acquire shares of common
stock at the average market price during the period.
For
the
three and nine months ended September 30, 2006 the Company’s stock-settled SARs
are not included in the diluted per share calculation because they are
out-of-the-money and consequently, their effect on earnings per share is
anti-dilutive.
During
the three and nine months ended September 30, 2005, the Company had cash-settled
stock appreciation rights outstanding. The rights were not considered common
stock equivalents for purposes of earnings per share because they were not
convertible into shares of the Company’s common stock when exercised; the
benefit was payable in cash. Consequently, diluted earnings per share was
identical to basic earnings per share.
7
3.
Comprehensive Income
The
Company applies the provisions of SFAS No. 130, “Reporting Comprehensive
Income.” Comprehensive income for the Company includes foreign currency
translation and unrealized holding gains and losses on available for sale
securities.
The
components of comprehensive income are as follows:
Three
Months Ended
September
30, 2006
|
|
Three
Months Ended
September
30, 2005
|
Three
Months Ended
September
30, 2006
|
|
Three
Months Ended
September
30, 2005
|
||
Net
income (loss)
|
$11,829,578
|
$(9,283,101)
|
$19,429,962
|
$7,346,050
|
|||
Net
change in unrealized appreciation
|
|||||||
(depreciation)
on available for sale investments
|
1,956,060
|
1,050,150
|
(4,791,041)
|
19,618,815
|
|||
Net
change in foreign currency translation
|
202,084
|
(5,278)
|
163,770
|
(472,124)
|
|||
Total
comprehensive income (loss)
|
$13,987,722
|
$(8,238,229)
|
$14,802,691
|
$26,492,741
|
Total
comprehensive income (loss) for the three and nine months ended September 30,
2006 is net of deferred income tax benefit of $1.9 million and $6.9 million,
respectively. Total comprehensive loss for the three months ended September
30,
2005 is net of deferred income tax benefit of $93,000 and total comprehensive
income for the nine months ended September 30, 2005 is net of a deferred income
tax charge of $4.1 million.
The
components of accumulated other comprehensive income:
September
30, 2006
|
December
31, 2005
|
||
Unrealized
appreciation on available
for sale investments
|
$61,333,371
|
$66,124,412
|
|
Foreign
currency translation
|
(5,868,180)
|
(6,031,950)
|
|
Accumulated
other comprehensive income
|
$55,465,191
|
$60,092,462
|
Accumulated
other comprehensive income is net of deferred income tax liabilities of $28.7
million and $32.7 million at September 30, 2006 and December 31, 2005,
respectively.
Investments:
At
September 30, 2006,
the Company had $1.6 million of unrealized losses before tax and $91.4 million
of unrealized gains before tax.
Marketable
equity securities: The
Company’s $194.9 million investments in marketable equity securities at
September 30, 2006 consist primarily of investments in common stock of other
publicly traded companies. The gross unrealized gains and losses on equity
securities were $90.9 million and $816,000, respectively, at September 30,
2006 and $99.2 million and $234,000, respectively, at December 31,
2005. The majority of the losses at September 30, 2006 were continuously
below cost for less than 12 months.
Corporate
Bonds and US Treasury Obligations:
At
September 30, 2006, the bond portfolio consists of $90.1 million of publicly
traded corporate bonds and $1.1 million United States Treasury obligations.
The
total bond portfolio had gross unrealized gains and losses of $507,000
and $760,000 respectively, at September 30, 2006 and $461,000 and $768,000
at December 31, 2005. At September 30, 2006 $458,000 of the total gross
loss was continuously below amortized cost for greater than 12 months. The
Company does not consider these investments to be other than temporarily
impaired because of its intent and ability to hold these bonds until recovery
of
fair value, which may be maturity. The impairment is mostly due to interest
rate
fluctuations rather than deterioration of the underlying issuer of the
particular bonds.
4.
Commitments and Contingencies
During
the first quarter of 2006, the Company entered into a Secured Convertible
Promissory Note Agreement (“Note”) with its 80%-owned consolidated subsidiary,
HyperFeed Technologies, Inc. (“HyperFeed”). The maximum borrowing under the Note
is $10 million and interest accrues at prime plus 2.75%. The exercise price
of
the conversion right is the lesser of $1.05 or 80% of the 5 day average at
the
exercise date. The Company can elect to convert all or any part of the principal
and interest outstanding into common stock of HyperFeed at any time. At
September 30, 2006 HyperFeed had borrowed $9.7 million and subsequently borrowed
the remaining $320,000. The intercompany Note and related interest have been
eliminated in consolidation.
On
June
19, 2006, HyperFeed announced a merger agreement with Exegy Incorporated
("Exegy"). Under the terms of the merger agreement the security holders of
HyperFeed would have owned 50% of the merged company on a fully-diluted basis,
and the security holders of Exegy would have owned 50% of the merged company
on
a fully-diluted basis.
After
further negotiations between HyperFeed and Exegy and in an attempt to expedite
the timing of a potential business combination primarily because of HyperFeed’s
liquidity issues, HyperFeed decided to abandon the merger and instead entered
into the Contribution Agreement with PICO and Exegy. In a filing with the U.S.
Securities and Exchange Commission on Form 8-K on August 29, 2006, the parties
announced that they had entered into a Contribution Agreement on August 25,
2006
by and among, PICO, HyperFeed and Exegy. Pursuant to the terms of the
Contribution Agreement, the previously announced June 19, 2006 merger was
terminated.
In a
letter dated November 7, 2006, Exegy informed PICO and HyperFeed that it was
terminating the Contribution Agreement among Exegy, HyperFeed and PICO Holdings,
Inc. dated August 25, 2006. Under the terms of the Contribution Agreement,
PICO
would have contributed to Exegy all shares of the common stock of HyperFeed
owned by it and received by it upon conversion of outstanding amounts owed
under
a Convertible Note dated March 30, 2006. In addition, PICO and stockholders
of
Exegy would have contributed a combined $10 million in cash to Exegy. Under
the
terms of Contribution Agreement, in exchange for its contribution of cash and
equity to Exegy, PICO would have received approximately 15.4 million shares
of
Series A-3 Preferred Stock of Exegy representing 50% of the equity of
Exegy.
At
this
time, PICO and HyperFeed dispute Exegy’s right to terminate the Contribution
Agreement and plan to vigorously defend its rights thereunder through all
available legal means.
Given
the uncertainty of
additional funding available to HyperFeed due to the termination of the
Contribution Agreement and therefore for HyperFeed to continue as a going
concern, it is expected that HyperFeed will file for bankruptcy protection
under
Chapter 7 of the U.S. Bankruptcy Code. As a result of these events, HyperFeed
has assessed the fair value of its long-lived assets, primarily technology
and
computer equipment, for impairment under SFAS No. 144, Accounting for the
Impairment or Disposal of Long-Lived Assets, and has determined that the
undiscounted cash flows from use of such assets will be less than the carrying
value of the asset group. Therefore, HyperFeed recorded an impairment charge
of
$4.9 million, included in the Operating and Other Costs in the financial
statements, during the three months ended September 30, 2006, to reduce all
of
HyperFeed’s assets to estimated fair value at September 30, 2006. PICO has
preliminarily estimated the fair value of these assets using the discounted
cash
flows and estimated selling prices. PICO anticipates that once HyperFeed
files
bankruptcy, the assets and liabilities will be deconsolidated from PICO’s
consolidated financial statements. Consequently, the remaining net liabilities,
$3.9 million at September 30, 2006, would be reported as a gain on the
deconsolidation of HyperFeed.
The
Company has spent approximately $12 million on construction of the pipeline
project to convey water from the Fish Springs Ranch to a storage tank near
Reno,
Nevada. The total cost of the pipeline project is estimated to be between $78
million to $83 million, which will be incurred over the next 9 to 15 months.
At
September 30, 2006 Vidler has remaining commitments for future capital
expenditure of approximately $41.5 million. The final regulatory approval
required for the pipeline project is a Record of Decision (“ROD”) for a right of
way, which was granted on May 31, 2006. Subsequently, there were two
protests against the ROD, and the matter was appealed to the Interior Board
of
Land Appeals (“IBLA”). During the third quarter, the IBLA dismissed the
two protests. However, in October 2006, one protestant filed an action with
the
U.S. District Court against the Beaurea of Land Management ("BLM") and the
US
Department of the Interior. The complaint is identical to the appeal dismissed
by the IBLA. The Company believes that this latest legal action is likely to
fail.
The
Company is subject to various litigation that arises in the ordinary course
of
its business. Based upon information presently available, management is of
the
opinion that such litigation will not have a material adverse effect on the
consolidated financial position, results of operations or cash flows of the
Company.
8
5.
Segment Reporting
|
PICO
Holdings, Inc. is a diversified holding company engaged in five major operating
segments: Water Resource and Water Storage Operations, Real Estate Operations
in
Nevada, Business Acquisitions and Financing, Insurance Operations in Run Off,
and HyperFeed Technologies, Inc.
The
accounting policies of the reportable segments are the same as those described
in the Company’s 2005 Annual Report on Form 10-K. Management analyzes segments
using the following information:
Segment
assets:
At
September 30, 2006
|
At
December 31, 2005
|
||
Total
Assets:
|
|||
Water
Resource and Water Storage Operations
|
$141,866,851
|
$86,353,051
|
|
Real
Estate Operations in Nevada
|
67,816,684
|
66,513,641
|
|
Business
Acquisitions and Financing
|
158,293,551
|
127,980,663
|
|
Insurance
Operations in Run Off
|
155,011,468
|
156,366,749
|
|
HyperFeed
Technologies, Inc.
|
899,149
|
4,615,518
|
|
|
$523,887,703
|
$441,829,622
|
Three
Months Ended September 30,
|
Nine
Months Ended September 30,
|
|||
2006
|
2005
|
2006
|
2005
|
|
Revenues:
|
||||
Water
Resource and Water Storage Operations
|
$4,343,945
|
$789,984
|
$5,326,229
|
$95,789,510
|
Real
Estate Operations in Nevada
|
26,021,029
|
4,277,212
|
32,412,616
|
8,795,171
|
Business
Acquisitions and Financing
|
1,852,718
|
859,731
|
14,013,587
|
4,743,211
|
Insurance
Operations in Run Off
|
3,981,139
|
803,828
|
12,241,059
|
6,796,125
|
HyperFeed
Technologies
|
1,029,141
|
1,406,914
|
2,911,160
|
3,340,579
|
Total
Revenues
|
$37,227,972
|
$8,137,669
|
$66,904,651
|
$119,464,596
|
Income
(Loss) Before Taxes and Minority Interest:
|
||||
Water
Resource and Water Storage Operations
|
$452,045
|
$(1,287,282)
|
$(1,509,332)
|
$49,027,144
|
Real
Estate Operations in Nevada
|
21,262,153
|
2,379,487
|
24,912,546
|
4,795,600
|
Business
Acquisitions and Financing
|
(3,261,070)
|
(11,607,367)
|
4,366,077
|
(34,212,034)
|
Insurance
Operations in Run Off
|
3,585,947
|
470,174
|
11,134,949
|
5,877,631
|
HyperFeed
Technologies
|
(7,774,694)
|
(1,804,701)
|
(12,793,281)
|
(5,073,170)
|
Income
Before Taxes and Minority Interest
|
$14,264,381
|
$(11,849,689)
|
$26,110,959
|
$20,415,171
|
9
The
following discussion and analysis of financial condition and results of
operations should be read in conjunction with the Unaudited Condensed
Consolidated Financial Statements and Notes thereto included elsewhere in this
report and the Consolidated Financial Statements and Notes thereto included
in
our annual report on Form 10-K.
This
Form 10-Q (including the “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial
Condition and Results of Operations” section) contains “forward-looking
statements” regarding our business, financial condition, results of operations,
and prospects, including, without limitation, statements about our expectations,
beliefs, intentions, anticipated developments, and other information concerning
future matters. Words such as “expects,” “anticipates,” “intends,” “plans,”
“believes,” “seeks,” “estimates,” and similar expressions or variations of such
words are intended to identify forward-looking statements, but are not the
exclusive means of identifying forward-looking statements in this Form 10-Q.
Although
forward-looking statements in this Form 10-Q represent the good faith judgment
of our management, such statements can only be based on facts and factors
currently known by us. Consequently, forward-looking statements are inherently
subject to risks and uncertainties, and the actual results and outcomes could
differ from those discussed in or anticipated by the forward-looking statements.
Factors that could cause or contribute to such differences in results and
outcomes include, without limitation, those discussed under the heading “Risk
Factors” and elsewhere in our 2005 Annual Report on Form 10-K. Readers are urged
not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak
only as of the date of this Form 10-Q. We undertake no obligation to revise
or
update any forward-looking statement in order to reflect any event or
circumstance which may arise after the date of this Form 10-Q. Readers are
urged
to carefully review and consider the various disclosures made in this Form
10-Q
and our 2005 Annual Report on Form 10-K, which attempt to advise interested
parties of the risks and factors which may affect our business, financial
condition, results of operations, and prospects.
INTRODUCTION
PICO
Holdings, Inc. (PICO and its subsidiaries are collectively referred to as “PICO”
and “the Company,” and by words such as “we” and “our”) is a diversified holding
company. We seek to acquire businesses and interests in businesses which we
identify as undervalued based on fundamental analysis--that is, our assessment
of what the business is worth, based on the private market value of its assets,
earnings, and cash flow.
Typically, the businesses will be generating free cash flow and have a low
level
of debt, or, alternatively, strong interest coverage ratios or the ability
to
realize surplus assets. As well as being undervalued, the business must have
special qualities such as unique assets, a potential catalyst for change, or
be
in an industry with attractive economics. We are also interested in acquiring
businesses and interests in businesses where there is significant unrecognized
value in land and other tangible assets.
We
have
acquired businesses and interests in businesses by the acquisition of private
companies, and the purchase of shares in public companies, both directly through
participation in financing transactions and through open market purchases.
When
acquisitions become core operations, we become actively involved in the
management and strategic direction of the business.
Our
objective is to maximize long-term shareholder value. We manage our
operations to achieve a superior return on net assets. This return
can be increased through the acquisition of operations or assets at a
significant discount to our assessment of current realizable value, and
enhancing that value through incorporation with existing operations or the
development of more viable operations.
We
regularly monitor and evaluate our
operations to determine how best to maximize shareholder value, which may
result
in the sale of existing operations, or the acquisition of new business or
assets.
Our
business is separated into five major operating segments:
· |
Water
Resource and Water Storage
Operations;
|
· |
Real
Estate Operations in Nevada;
|
· |
Business
Acquisitions and Financing (contains businesses, interests in businesses,
and other parent company assets);
|
· |
Insurance
Operations in “Run Off” and
|
· |
HyperFeed
Technologies, Inc. (“HyperFeed”).
|
Currently
our major consolidated subsidiaries are:
· |
Vidler
Water Company, Inc. (“Vidler”), which develops and owns water resources
and water storage operations in the southwestern United States, primarily
in Nevada and Arizona;
|
· |
Nevada
Land & Resource Company, LLC (“Nevada Land”), which owns approximately
648,000 acres of land in Nevada, and certain mineral rights and water
rights related to the land owned;
|
· |
Physicians
Insurance Company of Ohio (“Physicians”), which is running off its medical
professional liability insurance loss
reserves;
|
· |
Citation
Insurance Company (“Citation”), which is running off its historic property
& casualty insurance and workers’ compensation loss reserves;
|
· |
Global
Equity AG, which holds our interest in Jungfraubahn Holding AG;
and
|
· |
HyperFeed,
which is a developer of ticker plant technologies, data distribution,
smart order routing, and managed data services to the financial
community.
|
RESULTS
OF OPERATIONS--THREE AND NINE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2006 AND
2005
Shareholders’
Equity
At
September 30, 2006, PICO had shareholders’ equity of $389.9 million ($24.55 per
share), compared to $375.9 million ($23.67 per share) at June 30, 2006, and
$300.9 million ($22.67 per share) at December 31, 2005. Book value per share
increased by $1.88, or 8.3%, during the first nine months of 2006, and by $0.88,
or 3.7%, during the third quarter of 2006.
During
the third quarter of 2006, shareholders’ equity increased by $14 million,
primarily due to the quarter’s net income of $11.8 million, and a $2 million
increase in unrealized appreciation in investments.
The
$89.1
million increase in shareholders’ equity during the first nine months of 2006
primarily resulted from the issuance of 2.6 million new shares for net proceeds
of $73.9 million, and the reported $19.4 million in net income for the nine
months.
Comprehensive
Income
In
accordance with Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 130, “Reporting
Comprehensive Income,” PICO reports comprehensive income as well as net income
from the Condensed Consolidated Statement of Operations. Comprehensive income
measures changes in shareholders’ equity from non-owner sources, and includes
unrealized items which are not recorded in the Consolidated Statement of
Operations, for example, foreign currency translation and the change in
investment gains and losses on available-for-sale securities.
For
the
third quarter of 2006, PICO recorded comprehensive income of $14 million, which
primarily consisted of the quarter’s net income of $11.8 million, and a $2
million increase in unrealized appreciation in investments.
For
the
first nine months of 2006, PICO recorded comprehensive income of $14.8 million,
principally represented by the first nine months’ $19.4 million in net income,
which was partially offset by a $4.8 million net reduction in unrealized
appreciation in investments. During the first nine months of 2006, gains of
$19.3 million were realized and recognized as income in the Consolidated
Statements of Operations. Unrealized appreciation in available-for-sale
investments, net of deferred taxes, was $66.1 million at December 31, 2005,
and
$61.3 million at September 30, 2006, which represents a decrease of $4.8 million
between the two balance sheet dates.
Segment
Results of Operations
Segment
revenues and income (loss) before taxes and minority interest for the third
quarter and first nine months of 2006 and 2005 were:
Three
Months Ended September 30,
|
Nine
Months Ended September 30,
|
|||
2006
|
2005
|
2006
|
2005
|
|
Revenues:
|
||||
Water
Resource and Water Storage Operations
|
$4,344,000
|
$790,000
|
$5,326,000
|
$95,790,000
|
Real
Estate Operations in Nevada
|
26,021,000
|
4,277,000
|
32,413,000
|
8,795,000
|
Business
Acquisitions and Financing
|
1,853,000
|
860,000
|
14,014,000
|
4,743,000
|
Insurance
Operations in Run Off
|
3,981,000
|
804,000
|
12,241,000
|
6,796,000
|
HyperFeed
Technologies
|
1,029,000
|
1,407,000
|
2,911,000
|
3,341,000
|
Total
Revenues
|
$37,228,000
|
$8,138,000
|
$66,905,000
|
$119,465,000
|
Income
(Loss) Before Taxes and Minority Interest:
|
||||
Water
Resource and Water Storage Operations
|
$452,000
|
$(1,287,000)
|
$(1,509,000)
|
$49,027,000
|
Real
Estate Operations in Nevada
|
21,262,000
|
2,379,000
|
24,913,000
|
4,796,000
|
Business
Acquisitions and Financing
|
(3,261,000)
|
(11,607,000)
|
4,366,000
|
(34,212,000)
|
Insurance
Operations in Run Off
|
3,586,000
|
470,000
|
11,135,000
|
5,877,000
|
HyperFeed
Technologies
|
(7,775,000)
|
(1,805,000)
|
(12,794,000)
|
(5,073,000)
|
Income
(Loss) Before Taxes and Minority Interest
|
$14,264,000
|
$(11,850,000)
|
$26,111,000
|
$20,415,000
|
Third
Quarter Net Income (Loss)
Third
quarter revenues increased $29.1 million year over year. This was primarily
due
to Nevada Land’s sale of real estate and water assets at Spring Valley Ranch
which added $22 million to revenues in 2006. In addition, Insurance Operations
in Run Off segment revenues were $3.2 million higher year over year due to
a
$3.2 million increase in realized gains, and Water Resource and Water Storage
Operations segments revenues were $3.6 million higher year over year,
principally due to $2.9 million higher sales of land and water rights.
Third
quarter costs and expenses were $23 million in 2006 and $19.9 million in
2005. In 2005, costs and expenses also included Stock
Appreciation Rights (“SAR”) expense of $6.6 million in the third quarter,
compared to zero in 2006. In the third quarter of 2006, costs and expenses
included $3.2 million for the cost of the real estate and water assets sold
at
Spring Valley Ranch and an impairment charge of $4.9 million in HyperFeed.
PICO
recorded income before taxes and minority interest of $14.3 million in the
third
quarter of 2006, compared to an $11.8 million loss in the third quarter of
2005.
The $26.1 million year over year increase in third quarter income before taxes
and minority interest primarily resulted from a $18.9 million increase in Real
Estate Operations in Nevada segment income, principally due to the $18.8 million
contribution to income from the sale of real estate and water assets at Spring
Valley Ranch. The Business Acquisitions and Finance segment result improved
by
$8.3 million year over year, primarily due a $6.6 million expense related to
SAR
in the third quarter of 2005 which did not recur in 2006. In addition, the
Insurance Operations in Run Off segment result improved by $3.1 million year
over year, primarily due to a $3.2 million year over year increase in realized
gains. Offsetting these increases, the HyperFeed segment recorded a $4.9
million impairment charge reducing its non-cash assets to zero due to the
assessment that the asset values were impaired due to the uncertainty of
HyperFeed to continue as a going concern.
After
a
provision for taxes of $2.6 million, PICO reported net income of $11.8 million
($0.74 per share) for the third quarter of 2006, consisting of income of $11.7
million ($0.73 per share) from continuing operations and a gain from
discontinued operations of $165,000 after-tax ($0.01 per share). The
effective tax rate for the three months ended September 30, 2006 is 18.3%
compared to 19.1% for the three months ended September 30, 2005. In the
three months ended September 30, 2006, the effective tax rate is lower than
35%
primarily due to the recognition of a $4.7 million tax benefit for the
anticipated worthless stock deduction for PICO's tax basis of HyperFeed.
The effective tax rate of the benefit for income taxes for the three months
ended September 30, 2005 was lower than the federal rate of 35% due primarily
to
the lack of tax benefit recorded for the operating losses of HyperFeed, and
certain state income tax accruals.
For
the
third quarter of 2005, after a $2.3 million tax benefit, PICO incurred a net
loss of $9.3 million ($0.70 per share), consisting of a $9.4 million ($0.71
per
share) loss from continuing operations, partially offset by income from
discontinued operations of $76,000 after-tax ($0.01 per share).
Nine
Months Net Income
For
the
first nine months of 2006, revenues decreased $52.6 million year over year.
This
was primarily due to Vidler’s sale of real estate and water assets in the
Harquahala Valley Irrigation District of Arizona for $94.4 million, which was
included in revenues in the first nine months of 2005. This was partially offset
by the sale of Spring Valley Ranch which added $22 million to revenues in 2006,
and due to year over year increases in realized gains of $7.1 million in the
Business Acquisitions & Financing segment, and $5.2 million in the Insurance
Operations in Run Off segment.
For
the
first nine months of 2006, costs and expenses decreased $17.8 million year
over
year. In the first nine months of 2005, costs and expenses included $38.9
million for the cost of the real estate and water assets sold in the Harquahala
Valley. In 2005, costs and expenses also included Stock
Appreciation Rights (“SAR”) expense of $23.9 million, compared to zero in 2006.
In the first nine months of 2006, costs and expenses approximately included
$3.2
million for the cost of the real estate and water assets sold at Spring Valley
Ranch and a $4.9 million impairment charge by HyperFeed that
reduced its non-cash assets to zero due to the assessment that the
asset values were impaired due to the uncertainty of HyperFeed to continue
as a going concern.
PICO generated income before taxes and minority interest of $26.1 million in the first nine months of 2006, compared to $20.4 million in income before taxes and minority interest in the first nine months of 2005. The $5.7 million year over year increase in nine-month income before taxes and minority interest primarily resulted from a $20.1 million year over year increase in Real Estate Operations in Nevada segment income, which was principally due to the $18.8 million contribution to income from the sale of real estate and water assets at Spring Valley Ranch in 2006. The Business Acquisitions and Finance segment result improved by $38.6 million year over year, primarily due to a $23.9 million expense related to SAR in the first nine months of 2005, compared to zero in 2006, as well as a $7.1 million year over year increase in realized gains and a $4.8 million year over year change in a foreign exchange benefit (expense). In addition, the Insurance Operations in Run Off segment result improved by $5.3 million year over year, primarily due to a $5.2 million year over year increase in realized gains. The increases in income in these segments were partially offset by a $50.5 million decrease in Water Resources and Water Storage Operations segment income, due to the $55.5 million contribution to income from the sale of real estate and water assets in the Harquahala Valley in 2005 which did not recur in 2006, and a $7.7 million year over year increase in HyperFeed’s segment loss.
PICO generated income before taxes and minority interest of $26.1 million in the first nine months of 2006, compared to $20.4 million in income before taxes and minority interest in the first nine months of 2005. The $5.7 million year over year increase in nine-month income before taxes and minority interest primarily resulted from a $20.1 million year over year increase in Real Estate Operations in Nevada segment income, which was principally due to the $18.8 million contribution to income from the sale of real estate and water assets at Spring Valley Ranch in 2006. The Business Acquisitions and Finance segment result improved by $38.6 million year over year, primarily due to a $23.9 million expense related to SAR in the first nine months of 2005, compared to zero in 2006, as well as a $7.1 million year over year increase in realized gains and a $4.8 million year over year change in a foreign exchange benefit (expense). In addition, the Insurance Operations in Run Off segment result improved by $5.3 million year over year, primarily due to a $5.2 million year over year increase in realized gains. The increases in income in these segments were partially offset by a $50.5 million decrease in Water Resources and Water Storage Operations segment income, due to the $55.5 million contribution to income from the sale of real estate and water assets in the Harquahala Valley in 2005 which did not recur in 2006, and a $7.7 million year over year increase in HyperFeed’s segment loss.
After
a
provision for taxes of $7 million, in the first nine months of 2006, PICO
reported net income of $19.4 million ($1.32 per share), consisting of income
of
$19.1 million ($1.30 per share) from continuing operations, and a gain from
discontinued operations of $330,000 after-tax ($0.02 per share). The
effective tax rate for the nine months ended September 30, 2006 is 27% compared
to 70.1% for the nine months ended September 30, 2005. In the nine
months ended September 30, 2006, the effective tax rate is lower than 35%
primarily due to the recognition of a $4.7 million tax benefit for the
antticipated worthless stock deduction for PICO's tax basis of HyperFeed.
The effective rate of the provision for income taxes for the nine months
ended September 30, 2005 was higher than the federal rate of 35% due
primarily to the lack of tax benefit recorded for the operating losses of
HyperFeed, and certain state income tax accruals.
For
the
first nine months of 2005, after a $14.3 million provision for taxes, PICO
reported net income of $7.3 million ($0.57 per share), consisting of $7.3
million ($0.57 per share) in income from continuing operations, and income
from
discontinued operations of $36,000 after-tax ($0.00 per share).
10
WATER
RESOURCE AND WATER STORAGE OPERATIONS
Three
Months Ended September 30,
|
Nine
Months Ended September 30,
|
|||
2006
|
2005
|
2006
|
2005
|
|
Revenues:
|
||||
Sale
of Real Estate and Water Assets
|
$2,906,000
|
$26,000
|
$2,941,000
|
$94,573,000
|
Interest
|
1,031,000
|
692,000
|
1,914,000
|
787,000
|
Other
|
407,000
|
72,000
|
471,000
|
430,000
|
Segment
Total Revenues
|
$4,344,000
|
$790,000
|
$5,326,000
|
$95,790,000
|
Expenses:
|
||||
Cost
of Real Estate and Water Assets Sold
|
$(1,593,000)
|
$(
10,000)
|
$(1,605,000)
|
$(37,899,000)
|
Commission
and Other Cost of Sales
|
|
(1,065,000)
|
||
Depreciation
and Amortization
|
(313,000)
|
(271,000)
|
(902,000)
|
(907,000)
|
Interest
|
3,000
|
(269,000)
|
||
Overhead
Expenses
|
(1,424,000)
|
(391,000)
|
(2,475,000)
|
(3,411,000)
|
Project
Expenses
|
(562,000)
|
(1,408,000)
|
(1,853,000)
|
(3,212,000)
|
Segment
Total Expenses
|
$(3,892,000)
|
$(2,077,000)
|
$(6,835,000)
|
$(46,763,000)
|
Income
(Loss) Before Tax
|
$452,000
|
$(1,287,000)
|
$(1,509,000)
|
$49,027,000
|
Water
Resource and Water Storage Operations are primarily conducted through Vidler
Water Company.
Over
the
past 5 years, several large sales of real estate and water assets have generated
the bulk of Vidler’s revenues. Since the date of closing determines the
accounting period in which the sales revenues and gross margin are recorded,
Vidler’s reported revenues and income fluctuate from quarter to quarter
depending on the dates when specific transactions close. Consequently,
sales of real estate and water assets for any individual quarter are not
indicative of likely revenues for future quarters or the full financial
year.
Sale
of Harquahala Valley Irrigation District Real Estate and Water
Assets
In
June
2005, Vidler closed on the sale of real estate and water assets in the
Harquahala Valley Irrigation District of Arizona to a real estate developer.
The
sale of the Harquahala Valley Irrigation District real estate and water assets
added $94.4 million to revenues and approximately $55.5 million to income before
taxes.
Segment
Results
In
the
third quarter of 2006, Vidler generated $4.3 million in revenues, including
$2.9
million from the sale of the following real estate and water
assets:
· |
the
Lincoln County Water District/Vidler undertaking (“Lincoln/Vidler”) sold
approximately 570 acre-feet of water rights at Meadow Valley, Nevada
for
$6,050 per acre-foot. Vidler’s 50% share of the sales price was $1.7
million; and
|
· |
Vidler
sold its water rights at Golden, Colorado for $1.2
million.
|
After
deducting the $1.6 million cost of real estate and water assets sold, the
resulting gross margin was $1.3 million.
Interest
of $1 million was earned, primarily from the temporary investment of the cash
proceeds from an equity offering by PICO which raised net proceeds of $73.9
million that were principally allocated to the design and construction of a
pipeline to convey water from Fish Springs Ranch to Reno. See
"Fish Springs Ranch” below. After
other revenues of $407,000 and all other operating expenses of $2.3 million,
Vidler generated income before taxes of $452,000 for the third quarter of 2006.
In
the
third quarter of 2005, Vidler generated $790,000 in revenues. The largest
revenue item was $692,000 of interest earned, primarily from the temporary
investment of the sales proceeds described above in money market funds and
fixed-income securities. After operating expenses of $2.1 million, Vidler
generated a loss before taxes of $1.3 million for the third quarter of
2005.
Project
Expenses consist of costs such as maintenance and professional fees.
Project expenses are expensed as appropriate under GAAP, and could
fluctuate from period to period depending on activity regarding Vidler’s various
water resource projects. Costs related to the development of water resources
which meet the criteria to be recorded as assets in our financial statements
are
capitalized as part of the cost of the asset, and charged to cost of sales
when revenue is recognized.
Project
Expenses were $562,000 in the third quarter of 2006, compared to $1.4 million
in
the third quarter of 2005. The $846,000 year over year decrease was principally
due to development costs incurred at Fish Springs Ranch in 2005, which did
not
recur in 2006.
Overhead
Expenses consist of costs which are not related to the development of specific
water resources, such as salaries and benefits, rent, and audit fees. Overhead
Expenses were $1.4 million in the third quarter of 2006, compared to $391,000
in
the third quarter of 2005. The $1 million year over year increase was
principally due to a $753,000 year over year increase in the accrual of
incentive compensation for Vidler management, from $30,000 in the third quarter
of 2005 to $783,000 in the third quarter of 2006.
In
the
first nine months of 2006, Vidler generated $5.3 million in revenues. The
largest revenue item was $2.9 million from the sale of real estate and water
assets at Meadow Valley, Nevada and Golden, Colorado. After deducting the $1.6
million cost of real estate and water assets sold, the resulting gross margin
was $1.3 million.
Interest
of $1.9 million was earned from the temporary investment of funds in money
market funds and fixed-income securities maturing in 2006 and 2007. After other
revenues of $471,000 and all other operating expenses of $5.2 million, Vidler
generated a loss before taxes of $1.5 million for the first nine months of
2006.
In
the
first nine months of 2005, Vidler generated $95.8 million in revenues. The
sale
of the Harquahala Valley Irrigation District real estate and water assets added
$94.4 million to revenues and approximately $55.5 million to income. After
other
expenses of approximately $7.9 million, Vidler generated $49 million in income
before taxes in the first nine months of 2005.
Project
Expenses were $1.9 million in the first nine months of 2006, compared to $3.2
million in the first nine months of 2005. The $1.3 million year over year
decrease was principally due to development costs incurred at Fish Springs
Ranch
in 2005, which did not recur in 2006.
Overhead
Expenses were $2.5 million in the first nine months of 2006, compared to $3.4
million in the first nine months of 2005. The $936,000 year over year decrease
was principally due to a $1.4 million decrease in the accrual of incentive
compensation for Vidler management, from $2.2 million in the first nine months
of 2005, to $813,000 in the first nine months of 2006.
Fish
Springs Ranch
Vidler
has a 51% membership interest in, and is the managing partner of, Fish Springs
Ranch LLC. As discussed above, the primary use of the funds raised in the
PICO stock offering will be to design and construct a pipeline to convey 8,000
acre-feet of water annually from Fish Springs Ranch to a central storage tank
in
northern Reno, Nevada, which could supply water to the new projects of several
developers.
The
total
cost of the pipeline project is estimated at $78 million to $83 million, which
will be outlaid over the next 9 to 15 months. Design of the pipeline
project is nearly complete. As of September 30, 2006, Vidler has outlaid
approximately $12 million for the pipeline project, which has been capitalized
(i.e., recorded as an asset on our balance sheet, in the line “Real estate and
water assets, net”).
To
date,
six new wells have been drilled on Fish Springs Ranch, averaging 400 feet in
depth. The wells have been drilled and cased, and pumping has taken
place.
In
addition, a corridor approximately seven miles long has been cleared in
preparation for a trench to be dug for the pipeline. To
date, approximately 500 feet of pipe has been installed. We have taken
delivery of approximately two miles of the 28 miles of pipe that will
be required for the entire pipeline.
The
final
regulatory approval required for the pipeline project was a Record of Decision
(“ROD”) for a right of way, which was granted on May 31, 2006. During the
third quarter of 2006, the Interior Board of Land Appeals (“IBLA”)
dismissed two protests which had been filed against the ROD being granted.
With
the final ROD in hand, construction of the pipeline should accelerate.
In
October 2006, one of parties which filed a protest with the IBLA, the Pyramid
Lake Tribe, filed a further action in the U.S. District Court. Vidler management
believes that the complaint for Declaratory Relief and Injunctive Relief against
the Bureau of Land Management and U.S. Department of the Interior is identical
to the appeal and request for injunction which was brought before the IBLA.
In
September 2006, the IBLA rejected each and every allegation of the Tribe,
stating in its Order: “Based upon the preliminary review of the record and the
numerous pleadings filed by the parties, we conclude that the Tribe has failed
to establish that it is likely to succeed on the merits of the
appeal”.
Vidler
management believes that the Tribe’s latest legal action is also likely to fail.
Although Vidler is not currently a party to the proceedings, Vidler will be
monitoring the case closely to protect its interest in the pipeline project.
11
REAL
ESTATE OPERATIONS IN NEVADA
Three
Months Ended September 30,
|
Nine
Months Ended September 30,
|
||||
2006
|
2005
|
2006
|
2005
|
||
Revenues:
|
|||||
Sale
of Land: Former
Railroad Land
|
$3,405,000
|
$3,888,000
|
$8,459,000
|
$7,666,000
|
|
Spring Valley Ranch |
22,000,000
|
22,000,000
|
|||
Lease
and Royalty
|
170,000
|
145,000
|
722,000
|
431,000
|
|
Interest
and Other
|
446,000
|
244,000
|
1,232,000
|
698,000
|
|
Segment
Total Revenues
|
$26,021,000
|
$4,277,000
|
$32,413,000
|
$8,795,000
|
|
Expenses:
|
|||||
Cost
of Land Sales: Former
Railroad Land
|
$(1,049,000)
|
$(1,436,000)
|
$(2,720,000)
|
$(2,572,000)
|
|
Spring Valley Ranch |
(3,174,000)
|
(3,174,000)
|
|||
Operating
Expenses
|
(
536,000)
|
(
462,000)
|
(1,606,000)
|
(1,427,000)
|
|
Segment
Total Expenses
|
$(4,759,000)
|
$(1,898,000)
|
$(7,500,000)
|
$(3,999,000)
|
|
Income
Before Tax
|
$21,262,000
|
$2,379,000
|
$24,913,000
|
$4,796,000
|
Real
Estate Operations in Nevada are primarily conducted through Nevada Land &
Resource Company, LLC.
Nevada
Land recognizes revenue from land sales, and the resulting gross profit or
loss,
when the sales transactions close. On closing, the entire sales price is
recorded as revenue, and a gross margin is recognized depending on the cost
basis attributed to the land. Since the date of closing determines the
accounting period in which the sales revenue and gross margin are recorded,
Nevada Land’s reported revenues and income fluctuate from quarter to quarter
depending on the dates when specific transactions close. Consequently, land
sales revenues for any individual quarter are not necessarily indicative of
likely revenues for future quarters or the full financial year.
Spring
Valley Ranch
During
the third quarter of 2006, we closed on the sale of approximately 7,315 acres
of
deeded land and related water assets at Spring Valley Ranch, which is located
approximately 40 miles east of Ely in White Pine County, Nevada. The sale of
the
Spring Valley Ranch real estate and water assets added $22 million to revenues
and approximately $18.8 million to income in the third quarter and first nine
months of 2006.
All
Other Real Estate Operations in Nevada
Excluding
the sale of Spring Valley Ranch, in the third quarter of 2006 all other segment
revenues were $4 million. Nevada Land sold approximately 43,013 acres of former
railroad land for $3.4 million. The average sales price was $79 per acre, and
our average basis in the land sold was $24 per acre. The gross margin on land
sales was $2.4 million, which represents a gross margin percentage of 69.2%.
In
the
third quarter of 2005, segment total revenues were $4.3 million. Nevada Land
sold approximately 50,677 acres of land for $3.9 million. The average sales
price was $77 per acre, and our average basis in the land sold was $28 per
acre.
The gross margin on land sales was $2.5 million, which represents a gross margin
percentage of 63.1%.
Excluding
the sale of Spring Valley Ranch, for the first nine months of 2006 all other
segment revenues were $10.4 million. Nevada Land sold approximately 108,916
acres of former railroad land for $8.5 million. The average sales price was
$78
per acre, and our average basis in the land sold was $25 per acre. The gross
margin on land sales was $5.7 million, which represents a gross margin
percentage of 67.8%.
For
the
first nine months of 2005, segment total revenues were $8.8 million. Nevada
Land
sold approximately 89,594 acres of land for $7.7 million. The average sales
price was $86 per acre, and our average basis in the land sold was $29 per
acre.
The gross margin on land sales was $5.1 million, which represents a gross margin
percentage of 66.4%.
Summary
and Outlook
The
third
quarter segment result improved by $18.9 million year over year, principally
due
to the $18.8 million gross margin from the sale of Spring Valley Ranch.
The
nine
months segment result improved by $20.1 million year over year, principally
due
to the $18.8 million gross margin from the sale of Spring Valley Ranch and
a
$645,000 higher gross margin from land sales year over year. The remainder
of
the improvement in the nine months segment result was due to a $825,000 increase
in other revenues year over year, which exceeded a $179,000 increase in other
operating expenses year over year. The increase in other revenues resulted
from
increases of $291,000 in lease and royalty revenues, and $534,000 in interest
and other revenues.
Demand
continues to be strong for our real estate holdings. We currently have
approximately 47,633 acres of land in escrow for $5 million that we expect
to
close during the fourth quarter of 2006, or in 2007.
BUSINESS
ACQUISITIONS AND FINANCING
Three
Months Ended September 30,
|
Nine
Months Ended September 30,
|
|||
2006
|
2005
|
2006
|
2005
|
|
Revenues:
|
||||
Realized
Gains On Sale of Holdings
|
$727,000
|
$486,000
|
$9,424,000
|
$2,373,000
|
Investment
Income
|
1,032,000
|
402,000
|
4,298,000
|
2,308,000
|
Other
|
94,000
|
(
28,000)
|
292,000
|
62,000
|
Segment
Total Revenues
|
$1,853,000
|
$860,000
|
$14,014,000
|
$4,743,000
|
Segment
Total Expenses
|
$(5,114,000)
|
$(12,467,000)
|
$(9,648,000)
|
$(38,955,000)
|
Income
(Loss) Before Tax
|
$(3,261,000)
|
$(11,607,000)
|
$4,366,000
|
$(34,212,000)
|
This
segment contains businesses, interests in businesses, and other parent company
assets. Revenues and results in this segment vary considerably from period
to
period, primarily due to fluctuations in net realized gains or losses on the
sale of holdings, and are not necessarily comparable from year to year.
The
largest holding in this segment is Jungfraubahn Holding AG, which has a market
value and carrying value of $45.2 million (before taxes) at September 30, 2006.
For
the
third quarter of 2006, Business Acquisitions and Financing segment revenues
were
$1.9 million. Investment income was $1 million. Net gains of $727,000 were
realized gains on the sale of various securities. After total expenses of $5.1
million, the segment incurred a loss before taxes of $3.3 million for the third
quarter of 2006.
In
the
third quarter of 2005, Business Acquisitions and Financing segment revenues
were
$860,000. Investment income was $402,000, and net gains of $486,000 were
realized gains on the sale of various securities. After total expenses of $12.5
million, the segment incurred a loss before taxes of $11.6 million for the
third
quarter of 2005.
Third
quarter segment revenues increased by $993,000 year over year, primarily due
to
$630,000 greater investment income and $241,000 higher realized gains. The
increase in investment income was primarily due to higher interest income as
a
result of larger sums invested and rising interest rates.
Third
quarter segment expenses decreased by $7.4 million year over year. The expenses
recorded in this segment primarily consist of holding company costs which are
not allocated to our other segments, for example, rent for our head office.
Our
interests in Swiss public companies are held directly and indirectly by Global
Equity AG, a wholly owned subsidiary which is incorporated in Switzerland.
Part
of Global Equity AG’s funding comes from a loan from PICO, which is denominated
in Swiss Francs. Under GAAP, we are required to record a benefit (expense)
through the statement of operations to reflect fluctuation in the exchange
rate
between the Swiss Franc and the U.S. dollar, although there is no net impact
on
consolidated shareholders’ equity before related tax effects. An exchange rate
expense of $775,000 was recorded in PICO’s statement of operations in the third
quarter of 2006, compared to a $214,000 exchange rate expense in the third
quarter of 2005.
In
the
third quarter of 2005, segment expenses also included a $6.6 million expense
related to the PICO Holdings, Inc. Stock Appreciation Rights (“SAR”) Program,
which was still in effect during the first nine months of 2005. Under the SAR
program, the change in the “in the money” amount (i.e., the difference between
the market value of PICO stock and the exercise price of the SAR) of SAR
outstanding during each quarter was recorded through the consolidated statement
of operations. An increase in the “in the money” amount of SAR (i.e., if the
price of PICO stock rose during the quarter) was recorded as an expense.
Substantially all of the third quarter 2005 $6.6 million SAR expense resulted
from the $3.47 per share increase in the PICO stock price during the third
quarter of 2005. The SAR Program was amended in the third quarter of 2005,
and
the spread value of the SAR outstanding was monetized based on the last sale
price of PICO stock on September 21, 2005.
During
the fourth quarter of 2005, the Company’s shareholders approved the PICO
Holdings, Inc. 2005 Long-Term Incentive Plan (“2005 Plan”), and 2,185,965
stock-based SAR, with an exercise price of $33.76, were issued to various of
the
Company’s officers, employees, and non-employee Directors. When stock-based SAR
are exercised, new shares of stock will be issued to the participant to satisfy
the spread value of the SAR being exercised. No expense was recorded in the
third quarter and first nine months of 2006 related to the 2005 Plan, as all
of
the stock-based SAR that have been granted are fully vested.
In
the
first nine months of 2006, Business Acquisitions and Financing segment revenues
were $14 million. Net realized gains were $9.4 million, primarily represented
by
gains of $6.8 million on the sale of our holding in Anderson-Tully Company
and
$2 million on the sale of part of our holding in Raetia Energie AG. Investment
income was $4.3 million. After total expenses of $9.6 million, the segment
generated income before taxes of $4.4 million for the first nine months of
2006.
Segment expenses were reduced by a $1.6 million exchange rate benefit during
the
first nine months of 2006, as discussed above.
Anderson-Tully
was a timber Real Estate Investment Trust (“REIT”), which owned approximately
325,000 acres of high-quality timberlands in the southeastern United States.
During 2003 and 2004, we accumulated almost 10% of Anderson-Tully at an average
cost of approximately $242,000 per share. During the first quarter of 2006,
Anderson-Tully was acquired by a timberlands investment management organization,
for approximately $446,000 per share.
In
the
first nine months of 2005, Business Acquisitions and Financing segment revenues
were $4.7 million, principally consisting of $2.4 million in net realized gains,
and investment income of $2.3 million. After total expenses of $39 million,
the
segment incurred a loss before taxes of $34.2 million for the first nine months
of 2005.
Nine
months segment revenues increased by $9.3 million year over year, principally
due to $7.1 million higher realized gains and $2 million higher investment
income, as discussed above.
Nine
months segment expenses decreased by $29.3 million year over year. In 2005,
segment expenses included SAR expense of $23.9 million compared to zero in
2006.
The remainder of the reduction in expenses is primarily due to a $4.8 million
year over year change in the exchange rate expense (benefit), from a $3.2
million expense in the first nine months of 2005 to a $1.6 million benefit,
which reduced other expenses, in 2006.
During
the first quarter of 2006, the Company entered into a Secured Convertible
Promissory Note Agreement (the “Note”) with its 80%-owned consolidated
subsidiary, HyperFeed Technologies, Inc. (“HyperFeed”). The maximum borrowing
under the Note is $10 million and interest accrues at prime plus 2.75%. The
exercise price of the conversion right is the lesser of $1.05 or 80% of the
5
day average at the exercise date. Under the terms of the Note, the Company
can
elect to convert all or any part of the principal and interest outstanding
into
common stock of HyperFeed at any time. At September 30, 2006 HyperFeed had
borrowed $9.7 million. The Note and related interest have been eliminated in
consolidation.
On
June
19, 2006, HyperFeed announced a merger agreement with Exegy Incorporated. Under
the terms of the merger agreement the security holders of HyperFeed would own
50% of the merged company on a fully-diluted basis, and the security holders
of
Exegy would own 50% of the merged company on a fully-diluted basis.
After
further negotiations between HyperFeed and Exegy and in an attempt to expedite
the timing of a potential business combination primarily because of HyperFeed’s
liquidity issues, HyperFeed decided to abandon the merger and instead entered
into the Contribution Agreement with PICO and Exegy. In a filing with the U.S.
Securities and Exchange Commission on Form 8-K on August 29, 2006, the parties
announced that they had entered into a Contribution Agreement on August 25,
2006
by and among, PICO, HyperFeed and Exegy. Pursuant to the terms of the
Contribution Agreement, the previously announced June 19, 2006 merger was
terminated.
In
a letter dated November 7, 2006, Exegy informed PICO and HyperFeed that it
was terminating the Contribution Agreement among Exegy, HyperFeed and PICO
Holdings, Inc. dated August 25, 2006. Under the terms of the Contribution
Agreement, PICO would have contributed to Exegy all shares of the common stock
of HyperFeed owned by it and received by it upon conversion of outstanding
amounts owed under a Convertible Note dated March 30, 2006. In addition, PICO
and stockholders of Exegy would have contributed a combined $10 million in
cash
to Exegy. Under the terms of Contribution Agreement, in exchange for its
contribution of cash and equity to Exegy, PICO would have received approximately
15.4 million shares of Series A-3 Preferred Stock of Exegy representing 50%
of
the equity of Exegy.
At
this
time, PICO and HyperFeed dispute Exegy’s right to terminate the Contribution
Agreement and plan to vigorously defend its rights thereunder through all
available legal means.
Given
the
uncertainty of additional funding available to HyperFeed due to the termination
of the Contribution Agreement and therefore for HyperFeed to continue as a
going
concern, it is expected that HyperFeed will file for bankruptcy protection
under
Chapter 7 of the U.S. Bankruptcy Code. As a result of these events, HyperFeed
has assessed the fair value of its long-lived assets, primarily technology
and
computer equipment, for impairment under SFAS No. 144, Accounting for the
Impairment or Disposal of Long-Lived Assets, and has determined that the
undiscounted cash flows from use of such assets will be less than the carrying
value of the asset group. Therefore, HyperFeed recorded an impairment charge
of
$4.9 million, included in the Operating and Other Costs in the financial
statements, during the three months ended September 30, 2006, to reduce all
of
HyperFeed’s assets to estimated fair value at September 30, 2006. PICO has
preliminarily estimated the fair value of these assets using the discounted
cash
flows and estimated selling prices. PICO anticipates that once HyperFeed files
bankruptcy, the assets and liabilities will be deconsolidated from PICO’s
consolidated financial statements. Consequently, the remaining net liabilities,
$3.9 million at September 30, 2006, would be reported as a gain on the
deconsolidation of HyperFeed.
12
INSURANCE
OPERATIONS IN RUN OFF
Three
Months Ended September 30,
|
Nine
Months Ended September 30,
|
|||
2006
|
2005
|
2006
|
2005
|
|
Revenues:
|
||||
Investment
Income
|
$800,000
|
$785,000
|
$2,385,000
|
$2,149,000
|
Realized
Investment Gains
|
3,180,000
|
19,000
|
9,855,000
|
4,647,000
|
Other
|
1,000
|
1,000
|
||
Segment
Total Revenues
|
$3,981,000
|
$804,000
|
$12,241,000
|
$6,796,000
|
Expenses:
|
||||
Operating
and Underwriting Expenses
|
$(395,000)
|
$(334,000)
|
$(1,106,000)
|
$(919,000)
|
Segment
Total Expenses
|
$(395,000)
|
$(334,000)
|
$(1,106,000)
|
$(919,000)
|
Income
Before Taxes:
|
||||
Physicians
Insurance Company of Ohio
|
$2,593,000
|
$266,000
|
$8,538,000
|
$4,593,000
|
Citation
Insurance Company
|
993,000
|
204,000
|
2,597,000
|
1,284,000
|
Segment
Income Before Tax
|
$3,586,000
|
$470,000
|
$11,135,000
|
$5,877,000
|
This
segment consists of Physicians Insurance Company of Ohio and Citation Insurance
Company. Both Physicians and Citation are in “run off.” This means that the
companies are handling and resolving claims on expired policies, but not writing
new business.
Revenues
and results in this segment vary considerably from period to period, primarily
due to fluctuations in net realized gains or losses on the sale of holdings,
and
are not necessarily comparable from year to year. Typically, most of the
revenues of a “run off” insurance company come from investment income, which is
expected to decline over time as fixed-income securities mature or are sold
to
provide the funds to pay claims and expenses.
The
Insurance Operations in Run Off segment generated total revenues of $4 million
in the third quarter of 2006, compared to $804,000 in the third quarter of
2005.
Investment income was $800,000 in the third quarter of 2006, compared to
$785,000 in the third quarter of 2005. Realized investment gains were $3.2
million in the third quarter of 2006, compared to $19,000 in the third quarter
of 2005. Operating and underwriting expenses were $395,000 in the third quarter
of 2006, compared to $334,000 in the third quarter of 2005. Consequently,
segment income increased from $470,000 in the third quarter of 2005 to $3.6
million in the third quarter of 2006, primarily due to a $3.2 million increase
in realized gains.
The
Insurance Operations in Run Off segment generated total revenues of $12.2
million in the first nine months of 2006, compared to $6.8 million in the first
nine months of 2005. Investment income was $2.4 million in the first nine months
of 2006, compared to $2.1 million in the first nine months of 2005. Realized
investment gains were $9.9 million in the first nine months of 2006, compared
to
$4.7 million in the first nine months of 2005. Operating and underwriting
expenses were $1.1 million in the first nine months of 2006, compared to
$919,000 in the first nine months of 2005. Consequently, primarily as a result
of the $5.2 million year over year increase in realized gains, segment income
increased from $5.9 million in the first nine months of 2005 to $11.1 million
in
the first nine months of 2006.
On
February 7, 2005, we reported on Schedule 13G that Physicians and Citation
own a
total of 310,000 common shares of Consolidated-Tomoka Land Co. (Amex: CTO),
representing approximately 5.5% of CTO. Consolidated-Tomoka owns approximately
12,000 acres of land in and around Daytona Beach, Florida, and a portfolio
of
income properties in the southeastern United States. The investment was
purchased between September 2002 and February 2004 at a cash cost of $6.5
million, or approximately $20.90 per CTO share. At September 30, 2006, the
market value and carrying value of the investment was $19.8 million (before
taxes).
No
other
investments of the insurance companies have reached a threshold requiring public
disclosure under the securities laws of the countries where the investments
are
held.
Physicians
Insurance Company of Ohio
During
the third quarter of 2006, Physicians generated total revenues of $2.9 million,
including realized gains of $2.3 million. Operating and underwriting expenses
were $267,000, resulting in income before taxes of $2.6 million.
During
the first nine months of 2006, Physicians generated total revenues of $9.2
million, including realized gains of $7.5 million. Operating and underwriting
expenses were $630,000, resulting in income before taxes of $8.5 million.
PHYSICIANS
INSURANCE COMPANY OF OHIO -- LOSS AND LOSS ADJUSTMENT EXPENSE RESERVES
(In
Millions)
|
||||
September
30, 2006
|
June
30, 2006
|
December
31, 2005
|
||
Direct
Reserves
|
$11.3
|
$12.6
|
$12.9
|
|
Ceded
Reserves
|
(1.0)
|
(1.0)
|
(1.0)
|
|
Net
Medical Professional Liability Insurance Reserves
|
$10.3
|
$11.6
|
$11.9
|
At
September 30, 2006, Physicians’ loss and loss adjustment reserves were $10.3
million, net of reinsurance, compared to $11.6 million at June 30, 2006, and
$11.9 million at December 31, 2005. Reserves decreased by $1.3 million during
the third quarter and $1.6 million during the first nine months, due to the
payment of losses and loss adjustment expenses. Recoveries from reinsurance
companies were immaterial in both periods. No unusual trends in claims were
noted.
Citation
Insurance Company
During
the third quarter of 2006, Citation generated total revenues of $1.1 million,
including realized gains of $842,000. Operating and underwriting expenses were
$128,000, resulting in income before taxes of $993,000.
During
the first nine months of 2006, Citation generated total revenues of $3.1
million, including realized gains of $2.4 million. Operating and underwriting
expenses were $476,000, resulting in income before taxes of $2.6 million.
CITATION
INSURANCE COMPANY -- LOSS AND LOSS ADJUSTMENT EXPENSE RESERVES (In
Millions)
|
|||
September
30, 2006
|
June
30, 2006
|
December
31, 2005
|
|
Property
& Casualty Insurance
|
|||
Direct
Reserves
|
$7.5
|
$7.6
|
$8.2
|
Ceded
Reserves
|
(1.7)
|
(1.8)
|
(1.8)
|
Net
Property & Casualty Insurance Reserves
|
$5.8
|
$5.8
|
$6.4
|
|
|||
Workers’
Compensation Insurance
|
|
||
Direct
Reserves
|
$23.5
|
$24.4
|
$25.6
|
Ceded
Reserves
|
(11.9)
|
(12.4)
|
(13.1)
|
Net
Workers’ Compensation Insurance Reserves
|
$11.6
|
$12.0
|
$12.5
|
|
|||
Total
Reserves
|
$17.4
|
$17.8
|
$18.9
|
At
September 30, 2006, Citation’s claims reserves were $17.4 million, net of
reinsurance, consisting of $5.8 million in net property and casualty insurance
reserves and $11.6 million in net workers’ compensation reserves. At June 30,
2006, Citation’s claims reserves were $17.8 million, net of reinsurance,
consisting of $5.8 million in net property and casualty insurance reserves
and
$12 million in net workers’ compensation reserves. At December 31, 2005,
Citation’s claims reserves were $18.9 million, net of reinsurance, consisting of
$6.4 million in net property and casualty insurance reserves and $12.5 million
in net workers’ compensation reserves. There were no unusual trends in claims
during the first nine months of 2006.
During
the first nine months of 2006, Citation’s net property and casualty insurance
reserves declined by $687,000 due to the payment of $705,000 in direct losses
and loss adjustment expenses, partially offset by the recovery of approximately
$18,000 from reinsurance companies. During the third quarter of 2006, Citation’s
net property and casualty insurance reserves declined by $68,000.
During
the first nine months of 2006, Citation’s net workers’ compensation reserves
declined by $891,000 due to the payment of $2 million in direct losses and
loss
adjustment expenses, partially offset by the recovery of approximately $1.1
million from reinsurance companies. During the third quarter of 2006, Citation’s
net workers’ compensation reserves decreased $422,000.
13
HYPERFEED
TECHNOLOGIES
Three
months ended September 30,
|
Nine
months ended September 30,
|
|||
2006
|
2005
|
2006
|
2005
|
|
Revenues:
|
||||
Service
|
$1,027,000
|
$1,407,000
|
$2,907,000
|
$3,341,000
|
Investment
Income
|
2,000
|
4,000
|
||
Segment
Total Revenues
|
$1,029,000
|
$1,407,000
|
$2,911,000
|
$3,341,000
|
Expenses:
|
||||
Cost
of service
|
$(
439,000)
|
$
(440,000)
|
$(
1,326,000)
|
$(1,002,000)
|
Depreciation
and amortization
|
(
155,000)
|
(180,000)
|
(
447,000)
|
(589,000)
|
Other
|
(8,210,000)
|
(2,592,000)
|
(13,932,000)
|
(6,823,000)
|
Segment
Total Expenses
|
$(8,804,000)
|
$(3,212,000)
|
$(15,705,000)
|
$(8,414,000)
|
Segment
Loss Before Taxes and Minority Interest
|
$(7,775,000)
|
$(1,805,000)
|
$(12,794,000)
|
$(5,073,000)
|
During
the third quarter of 2006, HyperFeed generated $1 million in revenues. Service
revenues were $1 million and the costs of service were $439,000, resulting
in
gross margin of $588,000. After the deduction of $8.4 million in other operating
expenses, HyperFeed generated a segment loss before taxes and minority interest
of $7.8 million.
During
the third quarter of 2005, HyperFeed generated $1.4 million in revenues. Service
revenues were $1.4 million and the costs of service were $440,000, resulting
in
gross margin of $967,000. After the deduction of $2.8 million in other operating
expenses, HyperFeed generated a segment loss before taxes and minority interest
of $1.8 million.
The
third
quarter segment loss increased by $6 million year over year. Gross margin
decreased by $379,000 year over year. This was essentially due to a $380,000
decline in service revenues, primarily due to the inclusion of one-time fee
contracts in 2005, which did not recur in 2006. In addition, other operating
expenses increased by $5.6 million due to increases in the cost of labor,
communications and data, and a $5.1 million asset impairment charge which
includes a $4.9 million charge reducing all of HyperFeed's non-cash
assets to zero due to the uncertainty of HyperFeed to continue as a
going concern.
During
the first nine months of 2006, HyperFeed generated $2.9 million in revenues.
Service revenues were $2.9 million and the costs of service were $1.3 million,
resulting in gross margin of $1.6 million. After the deduction of $14.4 million
in other operating expenses, HyperFeed generated a segment loss before taxes
and
minority interest of $12.8 million.
During
the first nine months of 2005, HyperFeed generated $3.3 million in revenues.
Service revenues were $3.3 million and the costs of service were $1 million,
resulting in gross margin of $2.3 million. After the deduction of $7.4 million
in other operating expenses, HyperFeed generated a segment loss before taxes
and
minority interest of $5.1 million.
The
nine
months segment loss increased by $7.7 million year over year. Gross margin
decreased by $758,000 year over year. This resulted from the combination of
a
$434,000 decline in service revenues (primarily due to the inclusion of one-time
fee contracts in 2005, which did not recur in 2006), and $324,000 higher cost
of
service (primarily data license fees). In addition, other operating expenses
increased by $7 million year over year, primarily due to increases in the cost
of labor, communications, and data. In addition, given the uncertainty of
additional funding available to HyperFeed due to the termination of the
Contribution Agreement and therefore for HyperFeed to continue as a going
concern, it is expected that HyperFeed will file for bankruptcy protection
under
Chapter 7 of the U.S. Bankruptcy Code. As a result of these events, HyperFeed
has assessed the fair value of its long-lived assets, primarily technology
and
computer equipment, for impairment under SFAS No. 144, Accounting for the
Impairment or Disposal of Long-Lived Assets, and has determined that the
undiscounted cash flows from use of such assets will be less than the carrying
value of the asset group. Therefore, HyperFeed recorded an impairment charge
of
$4.9 million, included in the Operating and Other Costs in the financial
statements, during the three months ended September 30, 2006, to reduce all
of
HyperFeed’s assets to estimated fair value at September 30, 2006. PICO has
preliminarily estimated the fair value of these assets using the discounted
cash
flows and estimated selling prices. PICO anticipates that once HyperFeed files
bankruptcy, the assets and liabilities will be deconsolidated from PICO’s
consolidated financial statements. Consequently, the remaining net liabilities,
$3.9 million at September 30, 2006, would be reported as a gain on the
deconsolidation of HyperFeed.
DISCONTINUED
OPERATIONS
In
2003,
HyperFeed sold two businesses, which are now recorded as discontinued
operations: its retail trading business and its consolidated market data feed
customers. The discontinued operations of HyperFeed generated an after-tax
gain
of $165,000 in the third quarter of 2006, compared to income of $76,000
after-tax in the third quarter of 2005. In the first nine months of 2006, the
discontinued operations of HyperFeed generated an after-tax gain of $330,000,
compared to income of $36,000 after-tax in the first nine months of 2005.
14
LIQUIDITY
AND CAPITAL RESOURCES--NINE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2006 AND
2005
PICO’s
assets primarily consist of our operating subsidiaries, holdings in other public
companies, marketable securities, and cash and cash equivalents. On a
consolidated basis, the Company had $115.8 million in cash and equivalents
at
September 30, 2006, compared to $97.1 million at June 30, 2006 and $37.8 million
at December 31, 2005. The $78 million increase in cash and cash equivalents
during the first nine months of 2006 was primarily due to the May 2006 sale
of
2.6 million shares of the Company’s common stock for net proceeds of $73.9
million.
Our
cash
flow position fluctuates depending on the requirements of our operating
subsidiaries for capital, and activity in our insurance company investment
portfolios. Our primary sources of funds include cash balances, cash flow from
operations, the sale of holdings, and the proceeds of borrowings or offerings
of
equity and debt. Currently, management believes that cash balances and cash
flows are adequate to service existing debt and fund operations for the next
twelve months.
In
broad
terms, the cash flow profile of our principal operating subsidiaries
is:
· |
As
Vidler’s water assets are monetized, Vidler is generating free cash flow
as receipts from the sale of real estate and water assets have overtaken
maintenance capital expenditure, development costs, financing costs,
and
operating expenses;
|
· |
Nevada
Land is actively selling land which has reached its highest and best
use.
Nevada Land’s principal sources of cash flow are the proceeds of
cash sales
and collections of principal and interest on sales contracts where
Nevada
Land has provided vendor financing. These receipts and other revenues
exceed Nevada Land’s operating costs, so Nevada Land is generating strong
cash flow;
|
· |
Investment
income more than covers the operating expenses of the “run off” insurance
companies, Physicians and Citation. The funds to pay claims come
from the
maturity of fixed-income securities, the realization of fixed-income
investments and stocks held in their investment portfolios, and recoveries
from reinsurance companies; and
|
· |
HyperFeed
maintains its own cash and cash equivalents balances, and borrowings.
At
September 30, 2006, HyperFeed held approximately $899,000 in cash
and cash
equivalents, and had no external borrowings available. PICO has extended
a
$10 million secured convertible promissory note to HyperFeed (the
“Note”),
on which $9.7 million was drawn at September 30, 2006. Subsequent
to
September 30, 2006 HyperFeed had drawn another $320,000 on the Note.
By letter dated November 7, 2006, Exegy informed PICO and HyperFeed
that
it was terminating the Contribution Agreement among Exegy, HyperFeed
and
PICO Holdings, Inc. dated August 25, 2006. Under the terms of the
Contribution Agreement, PICO would have contributed to Exegy all
shares of
the common stock of HyperFeed owned by it and received by it upon
conversion of outstanding amounts owed under a Convertible Note dated
March 30, 2006. In addition, PICO and stockholders of Exegy would
have
contributed a combined $10 million in cash to Exegy. Under the terms
of
Contribution Agreement, in exchange for its contribution of cash
and
equity to Exegy, PICO would have received approximately 15.4 million
shares of Series A-3 Preferred Stock of Exegy representing 50% of
the
equity of Exegy.
At
this time, PICO and HyperFeed dispute Exegy’s right to terminate the
Contribution Agreement and plans to vigorously defend its rights
thereunder through all available legal means. Given
the uncertainty of additional funding available to HyperFeed due
to the
termination of the Contribution Agreement and therefore for HyperFeed
to
continue as a going concern, it is imminent that
HyperFeed file for bankruptcy protection under Chapter 7 of The U.S.
Bankruptcy Code.
|
The
Departments of Insurance in Ohio and California prescribe minimum levels of
capital and surplus for insurance companies, set guidelines for insurance
company investments, and restrict the amount of profits which can be distributed
as dividends. Typically, our insurance subsidiaries structure the maturity
of
fixed-income securities to match the projected pattern of claims payments.
When
interest rates are at very low levels, to insulate the capital value of the
bond
portfolios against a decline in value which would be brought on by a future
increase in interest rates, the bond portfolios may have a shorter duration
than
the projected pattern of claims payments.
As
shown
in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flow, cash and cash equivalents
increased by $78 million in the first nine months of 2006, compared to a $3.6
million net increase in the first nine months of 2005.
During
the first nine months of 2006, Operating Activities generated cash of $9.3
million. The principal operating cash inflow was the sale of Spring Valley
Ranch
for $22 million. The principal operating cash outflows include the payment
of
claims by Citation and Physicians and the cost of drilling wells in several
locations by Vidler.
During
the first nine months of 2005, Operating Activities generated cash of $61.7
million. Vidler’s sale of real estate and water assets in the Harquahala Valley
Irrigation District generated an operating cash inflow of approximately $87.4
million. Due to the income recognized on the sale, we paid $18.6 million in
federal and state taxes, and all other operating activities resulted in a net
cash outflow of approximately $7 million.
Investing
Activities used $2.4 million of cash in the first nine months of 2006, compared
to $78.9 million of cash used in the first nine months of 2005. Proceeds from
the sale of stocks exceeded purchases in 2006, providing $12.2 million in cash.
The principal use of investing cash was $13.9 million in outlays for property
and equipment, primarily related to the Fish Springs pipeline project. In 2005,
the use of $78.9 million of cash in Investing Activities primarily consisted
of
the purchase of $78.5 million of fixed-income securities, which principally
reflected the temporary investment of liquid funds from Vidler’s Harquahala
Valley Irrigation District sale and the May 2005 PICO stock
offering.
Financing
Activities provided $72.7 million of cash in the first nine months of 2006.
This
primarily represented the sale of 2.6 million newly-issued shares of PICO common
stock for net proceeds of $73.9 million. In the first nine months of 2005,
Financing Activities provided $17.5 million of cash. This primarily represented
the sale of 905,000 newly-issued shares of PICO common stock for net proceeds
of
$21.4 million, partially offset by the repayment of $3.9 million in principal
on
notes collateralized by certain farm properties which Vidler sold in the
Harquahala Valley Irrigation District.
During
the first nine months of 2006, we continued design of a pipeline to convey
water
from the Fish Springs Ranch to a storage tank near Reno, Nevada, and began
construction of a plant to generate the electricity which will be required
to
pump the water. The total cost of the pipeline project is estimated to be in
the
$78 million to $83 million range, which will be outlaid over the next 9 to
15
months. As of September 30, 2006, approximately $12 million of costs related
to
the design and construction of the Fish Springs Ranch pipeline project have
been
capitalized. Vidler has commitments for future capital expenditure amounting
to
approximately $41.5 million, including the construction of approximately 28
miles of 30-inch diameter steel pipeline.
Share
Repurchase Program
In
October 2002, PICO’s Board of Directors authorized the repurchase of up to $10
million of PICO common stock. The stock purchases may be made from time to
time
at prevailing prices through open market or negotiated transactions, depending
on market conditions, and will be funded from available cash.
As
of
September 30, 2006, no stock had been repurchased under this
authorization.
15
The
following information sets forth factors that could cause our actual results
to
differ materially from those contained in forward-looking statements we have
made in this quarterly report and those we may make from time to time.
You
should carefully consider the following risks, together with other matters
described in this Form 10-Q or incorporated herein by reference in evaluating
our business and prospects. If any of the following risks occurs, our business,
financial condition or operating results could be harmed. In such case, the
trading price of our securities could decline, in some cases significantly.
The
risks described below are not the only ones we face. Additional risks not
presently known to us, or that we currently deem immaterial, may also impair
our
business operations. For a more detailed discussion of the factors that could
cause actual results to differ, see the Risk Factors section in
our Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission
on March 10, 2006.
Our
future water revenues are uncertain and depend on a number of factors, which
may
make our revenue streams and profitability volatile.
We
engage
in various water resource acquisitions, management, development, and sale and
lease activities. Accordingly, our long-term future profitability will primarily
be dependent on our ability to develop and sell or lease water and water rights,
and will be affected by various factors, including timing of acquisitions,
conveyance issues, and changing technology. To the extent we possess junior
or
conditional water rights, such rights may be subordinated to superior water
right holders in periods of low flow or drought.
In
addition to the risk of delays associated with receiving all necessary
regulatory approvals and permits, we may also encounter unforeseen technical
difficulties which could result in construction delays and cost increases with
respect to our water resource and water storage development
projects.
Our
profitability is significantly affected by changes in the market price of water.
In the future, water prices may fluctuate widely as demand is affected by
climatic, demographic and technological factors.
Our
water activities may become concentrated in a limited number of assets, making
our growth and profitability vulnerable to fluctuations in local economies
and
governmental regulations.
In
the
future, we anticipate that a significant amount of Vidler’s revenues and asset
value will come from a limited number of assets, including our water resources
in Nevada and Arizona and the Vidler Arizona Recharge Facility. Although we
continue to acquire and develop additional water assets, in the foreseeable
future we anticipate that our revenues will still be derived from a limited
number of assets, primarily located in Arizona and Nevada.
Our
water sales may meet with political opposition in certain locations, thereby
limiting our growth in these areas.
The
transfer of water rights from one use to another may affect the economic base
of
a community and will, in some instances, be met with local opposition. Moreover,
certain of the end users of our water rights, namely municipalities, regulate
the use of water in order to manage growth. If we are unable to effectively
transfer water rights, our liquidity will suffer and our revenues would
decline.
The
fair values of our real estate and water assets are linked to external growth
factors.
The
real
estate and water assets we hold have fair values that are significantly affected
by the growth in population and the general state of the local economies where
our real estate and water assets are located, primarily in the states of Arizona
and Nevada.
The
current decline in the U.S. housing market, including the housing markets in
Arizona and Nevada, may lead to a near-term slowdown in demand for our real
estate and water assets, which could cause a decline in our revenues and income.
While we do not expect long-term demand for our assets to decline, a slowdown
in
the housing market may impact the timing of monetization of our real estate
and
water assets. Any prolonged delay in the monetization of our assets may have
an
adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations,
and
cash flows.
In
certain circumstances, we finance sales of real estate and water assets, and
we
secure such financing through deeds of trust on the property, which are only
released once the financing has been fully paid off.
Purchasers
of our real estate and water assets may default on their financing obligations
and the fair value of the secured property may be affected by the factors noted
above. Accordingly, such defaults and declines in market values may have an
adverse effect on our business, financial condition, and the results of
operations and cash flows.
Variances
in physical availability of water, along with environmental and legal
restrictions and legal impediments, could impact profitability from our water
rights.
The
water
rights held by us and the transferability of these rights to other uses and
places of use are governed by the laws pertaining to water rights in the
states
of Arizona, Colorado and Nevada. The volumes of water actually derived from
the
water rights applications or permitted rights may vary considerably based
upon
physical availability and may be further limited by applicable legal
restrictions. As a result, the amounts of acre-feet anticipated from the
water
rights applications or permitted rights do not in every case represent a
reliable, firm annual yield of water, but in some cases describe the face
amount
of the water right claims or management’s best estimate of such entitlement.
Legal impediments may exist to the sale or transfer of some of these water
rights, which in turn may affect their commercial value. If we were unable
to
transfer or sell our water rights, we may lose some or all of our value in
our
water rights acquisitions.
Water
we
lease or sell may be subject to regulation as to quality by the United States
Environmental Protection Agency acting pursuant to the federal Safe Drinking
Water Act. While environmental regulations do not directly affect us, the
regulations regarding the quality of water distributed affects our intended
customers and may, therefore, depending on the quality of our water, impact
the
price and terms upon which we may in the future sell our water
rights.
If
we do not successfully locate, select and manage acquisitions and investments,
or if our acquisitions or investments otherwise fail or decline in value, our
financial condition could suffer.
We
invest
in businesses that we believe are undervalued or that will benefit from
additional capital, restructuring of operations or improved competitiveness
through operational efficiencies. If a business in which we invest fails or
its
fair value declines, we could experience a material adverse effect on our
business, financial condition, the results of operations and cash flows.
Additionally, our failure to successfully locate, select and manage acquisition
and investment opportunities could have a material adverse effect on our
business, financial condition, the results of operations and cash flows. Such
business failures, declines in fair values, and/or failure to successfully
locate, select and manage acquisitions or investments could result in an
inferior return on shareholders’ equity. We could also lose part or all of our
capital in these businesses and experience reductions in our net income, cash
flows, assets and shareholders’ equity.
Failure
to successfully manage newly acquired companies could adversely affect our
business.
Our
management of the operations of acquired businesses requires significant
efforts, including the coordination of information technologies, research and
development, sales and marketing, operations, and finance. These efforts result
in additional expenses and involve significant amounts of management’s time. To
successfully manage newly acquired companies, we must, among other things,
continue to attract and retain key management and other personnel. The diversion
of the attention of management from the day-to-day operations, or difficulties
encountered in the integration process, could have a material adverse effect
on
our business, financial condition, and the results of operations and cash flows.
If we fail to integrate acquired businesses into our operations successfully,
we
may be unable to achieve our strategic goals and the value of your investment
could suffer.
Our
acquisitions may not achieve expected rates of return, and we may not realize
the value of the funds we invest.
We
will
continue to make selective acquisitions, and endeavor to enhance and realize
additional value to these acquired companies through our influence and control.
You will be relying on the experience and judgment of management to locate,
select and develop new acquisition and investment opportunities. Any acquisition
could result in the use of a significant portion of our available cash,
significant dilution to you, and significant acquisition-related charges.
Acquisitions may also result in the assumption of liabilities, including
liabilities that are unknown or not fully known at the time of the acquisition,
which could have a material adverse effect on us.
We
do not
know of any reliable statistical data that would enable us to predict the
probability of success or failure of our acquisitions and investments, or to
predict the availability of suitable investments at the time we have available
cash. We may not be able to find sufficient opportunities to make this business
strategy successful. Additionally, when any of our acquisitions do not achieve
acceptable rates of return or we do not realize the value of the funds invested,
we may write-down the value of such acquisitions or sell the acquired businesses
at a loss. We have made a number of acquisitions in the past that have been
highly successful, and we have also made acquisitions that have lost either
part
or all of the capital invested. Our ability to achieve an acceptable rate of
return on any particular investment is subject to a number of factors which
are
beyond our control, including increased competition and loss of market share,
quality of management, cyclical or uneven financial results, technological
obsolescence, foreign currency risks and regulatory delays.
We
may make acquisitions and investments that may yield low or negative returns
for
an extended period of time, which could temporarily or permanently depress
our
return on shareholders’ equity.
We
generally make acquisitions and investments that tend to be long term in nature.
We acquire businesses that we believe to be undervalued or may benefit from
additional capital, restructuring of operations or management or improved
competitiveness through operational efficiencies with our existing operations.
We may not be able to develop acceptable revenue streams and investment returns.
We may lose part or all of our investment in these assets. The negative impacts
on cash flows, income, assets and shareholders’ equity may be temporary or
permanent. We make acquisitions for the purpose of enhancing and realizing
additional value by means of appropriate levels of shareholder influence and
control. This may involve restructuring of the financing or management of the
entities in which we invest and initiating or facilitating mergers and
acquisitions. These processes can consume considerable amounts of time and
resources. Consequently, costs incurred as a result of these acquisitions and
investments may exceed their revenues and/or increases in their values for
an
extended period of time until we are able to develop the potential of these
acquisitions and investments and increase the revenues, profits and/or values
of
these acquisitions. Ultimately, however, we may not be able to develop the
potential of these assets that we originally anticipated.
We
may not be able to sell our investments when it is advantageous to do so and
we
may have to sell these investments at a discount to fair
value.
No
active
market exists for some of the companies in which we invest. We acquire stakes
in
private companies that are not as liquid as investments in public companies.
Additionally, some of our acquisitions may be in restricted or unregistered
stock of U.S. public companies. Moreover, even our investments for which there
is an established market are subject to dramatic fluctuations in their market
price. These illiquidity factors may affect our ability to divest some of our
acquisitions and could affect the value that we receive for the sale of such
investments.
Our
acquisitions of and investments in foreign companies subject us to additional
market, liquidity and foreign exchange risks which could affect the value
of our stock.
We
have
acquired, and may continue to acquire, shares of stock in foreign public
companies. Typically, these foreign companies are not registered with the SEC
and regulation of these companies is under the jurisdiction of the relevant
foreign country. The respective foreign regulatory regime may limit our ability
to obtain timely and comprehensive financial information for the foreign
companies in which we have invested. In addition, if a foreign company in which
we invest were to take actions which could be deleterious to its shareholders,
foreign legal systems may make it difficult or time-consuming for us to
challenge such actions. These factors may affect our ability to acquire
controlling stakes, or to dispose of our foreign investments, or to realize
the
full fair value of our foreign investments. In addition, investments in foreign
countries may give rise to complex cross-border tax issues. We aim to manage
our
tax affairs efficiently, but given the complexity of dealing with domestic
and
foreign tax jurisdictions, we may have to pay tax in both the U.S. and in
foreign countries, and we may be unable to offset any U.S. tax liabilities
with
foreign tax credits. If we are unable to manage our foreign tax issues
efficiently, our financial condition and the results of operations and cash
flows could be adversely affected. In addition, we are subject to foreign
exchange risk through our acquisitions of stocks in foreign public
companies. We attempt to mitigate this foreign exchange risk
by borrowing funds in the same currency to purchase the stocks.
Significant fluctuations in the foreign currencies in which we hold investments
or consummate transactions, could negatively impact our financial condition
and
the results of operations and cash flows.
If
we underestimate the amount of insurance claims, our financial condition could
be materially misstated and our financial condition could
suffer.
Our
insurance subsidiaries may not have established reserves that are adequate
to
meet the ultimate cost of losses arising from claims. It has been, and will
continue to be, necessary for our insurance subsidiaries to review and make
appropriate adjustments to reserves for claims and expenses for settling claims.
Inadequate reserves could have a material adverse effect on our business,
financial condition, and the results of operations and cash flows. Inadequate
reserves could cause our financial condition to fluctuate from period to period
and cause our financial condition to appear to be better than it actually is
for
periods in which insurance claims reserves are understated. In subsequent
periods when we discover the underestimation and pay the additional claims,
our
cash needs will be greater than expected and our financial results of operations
for that period will be worse than they would have been had our reserves been
accurately estimated originally.
The
inherent uncertainties in estimating loss reserves are greater for some
insurance products than for others, and are dependent on various factors
including:
·
|
the
length of time in reporting claims;
|
·
|
the
diversity of historical losses among
claims;
|
·
|
the
amount of historical information available during the estimation
process;
|
·
|
the
degree of impact that changing regulations and legal precedents may
have
on open claims; and
|
·
|
the
consistency of reinsurance programs over
time.
|
Because
medical malpractice liability, commercial property and casualty, and workers’
compensation claims may not be completely paid off for several years, estimating
reserves for these types of claims can be more uncertain than estimating
reserves for other types of insurance. As a result, precise reserve estimates
cannot be made for several years following the year for which reserves were
initially established.
During
the past several years, the levels of the reserves for our insurance
subsidiaries have been very volatile. We have had to significantly increase
and
decrease these reserves in the past several years.
Furthermore,
we have reinsurance agreements on all of our insurance books of business with
reinsurance companies. We base the level of reinsurance purchased on our direct
reserves on our assessment of the overall direct underwriting risk.
We
attempt to ensure that we have acceptable net risk, but it is possible that
we
may underestimate the amount of reinsurance required to achieve the desired
level of net claims risk.
In
addition, while we carefully review the credit worthiness of the companies
we
have reinsured part, or all, of our initial direct underwriting risk with,
our
reinsurers could default on amounts owed to us for their portion of the direct
insurance claim. Our insurance subsidiaries, as direct writers of lines of
insurance, have ultimate responsibility for the payment of claims, and any
defaults by reinsurers may result in our established reserves not being adequate
to meet the ultimate cost of losses arising from claims.
Significant
increases in the reserves may be necessary in the future, and the level of
reserves for our insurance subsidiaries may be volatile in the future. These
increases or volatility may have an adverse effect on our business, financial
condition, and the results of operations and cash flows.
State
regulators could require changes to our capitalization and/or to the operations
of our insurance subsidiaries, and/or place them into rehabilitation or
liquidation.
Beginning
in 1994, Physicians and Citation became subject to the provisions of the
Risk-Based Capital for Insurers Model Act which has been adopted by the National
Association of Insurance Commissioners for the purpose of helping regulators
identify insurers that may be in financial difficulty. The Model Act contains
a
formula which takes into account asset risk, credit risk, underwriting risk
and
all other relevant risks. Under this formula, each insurer is required to report
to regulators using formulas which measure the quality of its capital and the
relationship of its modified capital base to the level of risk assumed in
specific aspects of its operations. The formula does not address all of the
risks associated with the operations of an insurer. The formula is intended
to
provide a minimum threshold measure of capital adequacy by individual insurance
company and does not purport to compute a target level of capital. Companies
which fall below the threshold will be placed into one of four categories:
Company Action Level, where the insurer must submit a plan of corrective action;
Regulatory Action Level, where the insurer must submit such a plan of corrective
action, the regulator is required to perform such examination or analysis the
Superintendent of Insurance considers necessary and the regulator must issue
a
corrective order; Authorized Control Level, which includes the above actions
and
may include rehabilitation or liquidation; and Mandatory Control Level, where
the regulator must rehabilitate or liquidate the insurer. All companies’
risk-based capital results as of December 31, 2005 exceed the Company Action
Level.
If
we are required to register as an investment company, then we will be subject
to
a significant regulatory burden.
At
all
times we intend to conduct our business so as to avoid being regulated as an
investment company under the Investment Company Act of 1940. However, if we
were
required to register as an investment company, our ability to use debt would
be
substantially reduced, and we would be subject to significant additional
disclosure obligations and restrictions on our operational activities. Because
of the additional requirements imposed on an investment company with regard
to
the distribution of earnings, operational activities and the use of debt, in
addition to increased expenditures due to additional reporting responsibilities,
our cash available for investments would be reduced. The additional expenses
would reduce income. These factors would adversely affect our business,
financial condition, and the results of operations and cash flows.
We
are directly impacted by international affairs, which directly exposes us to
the
adverse effects of any foreign economic or governmental
instability.
As
a
result of global investment diversification, our business, financial condition,
the results of operations and cash flows may be adversely affected by:
·
|
exposure
to fluctuations in exchange rates;
|
·
|
the
imposition of governmental
controls;
|
·
|
the
need to comply with a wide variety of foreign and U.S. export
laws;
|
·
|
political
and economic instability;
|
·
|
trade
restrictions;
|
·
|
changes
in tariffs and taxes;
|
·
|
volatile
interest rates;
|
·
|
changes
in certain commodity prices;
|
·
|
exchange
controls which may limit our ability to withdraw money;
|
·
|
the
greater difficulty of administering business overseas;
and
|
·
|
general
economic conditions outside the United
States.
|
Changes
in any or all of these factors could result in reduced market values of
investments, loss of assets, additional expenses, reduced investment income,
reductions in shareholders’ equity due to foreign currency fluctuations and a
reduction in our global diversification.
Because
our operations are diverse, analysts and investors may not
be able to evaluate us adequately, which may negatively influence our share
price.
PICO
is a
diversified holding company with operations in real estate and related water
rights and mineral rights; water resource development and water storage;
insurance operations in run-off; and business acquisitions and financing. Each
of these areas is unique, complex in nature, and difficult to understand. In
particular, the water resource business is a developing industry within the
western United States with very little historical data, very few experts and
a
limited following of analysts. Because we are complex, analysts and investors
may not be able to adequately evaluate our operations and PICO in total. This
could cause them to make inaccurate evaluations of our stock, or to overlook
PICO, in general. These factors could have a negative impact on the trading
volume and price of our stock.
Fluctuations
in the market price of our common stock may affect your ability to sell your
shares.
The
trading price of our common stock has historically been, and is expected to
be,
subject to fluctuations. The market price of the common stock may be
significantly impacted by:
·
|
quarterly
variations in financial performance and condition;
|
·
|
shortfalls
in revenue or earnings from levels forecast by securities
analysts;
|
·
|
changes
in estimates by such analysts;
|
·
|
product
introductions;
|
·
|
our
competitors’ announcements of extraordinary events such as
acquisitions;
|
·
|
litigation;
and
|
·
|
general
economic conditions.
|
Our
results of operations have been subject to significant fluctuations,
particularly on a quarterly basis, and our future results of operations could
fluctuate significantly from quarter to quarter and from year to year. Causes
of
such fluctuations may include the inclusion or exclusion of operating earnings
from newly acquired or sold operations. At September 30, 2006, the closing
price
of our common stock on the NASDAQ National Market was $32.55 per share, compared
to $15.67 at December 31, 2003. On a quarterly basis between these two dates,
closing prices have ranged from a high of $35.37 to a low of $15.31.
Statements
or changes in opinions, ratings, or earnings estimates made by brokerage firms
or industry analysts relating to the markets in which we do business or relating
to us specifically could result in an immediate and adverse effect on the market
price of our common stock.
We
may not be able to retain key management personnel we need to succeed, which
could adversely affect our ability to make sound investment
decisions.
We
rely
on the services of several key executive officers. If they depart, it could
have
a significant adverse effect. Messrs. Langley and Hart, our Chairman and
CEO, respectively, are key to the implementation of our strategic focus, and
our
ability to successfully develop our current strategy is dependent upon our
ability to retain the services of Messrs. Langley and Hart.
We
use estimates and assumptions in preparing financial statements in
accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States
of
America.
The
preparation of our financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires
management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts
of
assets and liabilities, disclosure of contingent liabilities at the date of
financial statements and the reported amount of revenues and expenses during
the
reporting period. We regularly evaluate our estimates, which are based on
historical experience and on various other assumptions that are believed to
be
reasonable under the circumstances. The result of these evaluations forms the
basis for making judgments about the carrying values of assets and liabilities
and the reported amount of revenues and expenses that are not readily apparent
from other sources. The carrying values of assets and liabilities and the
reported amount of revenues and expenses may differ by using different
assumptions. In addition, in future periods, in order to incorporate all known
experience at that time, we may have to revise assumptions previously made
which
may change the value of previously reported assets and liabilities. This
potential subsequent change in value may have a material adverse effect on
our
business, financial condition, and the results of operations and cash
flows.
Repurchases
of our common stock could have a negative effect on our cash flows and our
stock
price.
Our
Board
of Directors has authorized the repurchase of up to $10 million of our common
stock. The stock purchases may be made from time to time at prevailing prices
though open market, or negotiated transactions, depending on market conditions,
and will be funded from available cash resources of the company. Such a
repurchase program may have a negative impact on our cash flows, and could
result in market pressure to sell our common stock.
Future
changes in financial accounting standards may cause adverse unexpected revenue
fluctuations and affect our reported results of
operations.
A
change
in accounting standards could have a significant effect on our reported results
and may even affect our reporting transactions completed before the change
is
effective. New accounting pronouncements and varying interpretations of
pronouncements have occurred and may occur in the future. Changes to existing
rules or the questioning of current practices may adversely affect our reported
financial results of the way we conduct our business.
Compliance
with changing regulation of corporate governance and public disclosure may
result in additional expenses.
Changing
laws, regulations and standards relating to corporate governance and public
disclosure, SEC regulations and NASDAQ Stock Market rules, are creating
uncertainty for companies such as ours. These new or changed laws, regulations
and standards are subject to varying interpretations in many cases due to their
lack of specificity, and as a result, their application in practice may evolve
over time as new guidance is provided by regulatory and governing bodies, which
could result in continuing uncertainty regarding compliance matters and higher
costs necessitated by ongoing revisions to disclosure and governance practices.
We are committed to maintaining high standards of corporate governance and
public disclosure. As a result, our efforts to comply with evolving laws,
regulations and standards have resulted in, and are likely to continue to result
in, increased general and administrative expenses and a diversion of management
time and attention from revenue-generating activities to compliance activities.
In particular, our efforts to comply with Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley
Act
of 2002 and the related regulations regarding our required assessment of our
internal controls over financial reporting and our external auditors’ audit of
that assessment has required the commitment of substantial financial and
managerial resources. We expect these efforts to require the continued
commitment of significant resources. Further, our board members, chief executive
officer, and chief financial officer could face an increased risk of personal
liability in connection with the performance of their duties and we may be
required to indemnify them for any expenses incurred in defending against
claims. As a result, we may have difficulty attracting and retaining qualified
board members and executive officers, which could harm our business. If our
efforts to comply with new or changes laws, regulations, and standards differ
from the activities intended by regulatory or governing bodies due to
ambiguities related to practice, our reputation could be harmed.
Absence
of dividends could reduce our attractiveness to investors.
Some
investors favor companies that pay dividends, particularly in market downturns.
We have never declared or paid any cash dividends on our common stock. We
currently intend to retain any future earnings for funding growth and,
therefore, we do not currently anticipate paying cash dividends on our common
stock.
We
may need additional capital in the future to fund the growth of our business,
and financing may not be available.
We
currently anticipate that our available capital resources and operating income
will be sufficient to meet our expected working capital and capital expenditure
requirements for at least the next 12 months. However, we cannot assure you
that
such resources will be sufficient to fund the long-term growth of our business.
We may raise additional funds through public or private debt or equity
financings if such financings become available on favorable terms, but such
financing may dilute our stockholders. We cannot assure you that any additional
financing we need will be available on terms favorable to us, or at all. If
adequate funds are not available or are not available on acceptable terms,
we
may not be able to take advantage of unanticipated opportunities or otherwise
respond to competitive pressures. In any such case, our business, operating
results or financial condition could be materially adversely
affected.
Litigation
may harm our business or otherwise distract our
management.
Substantial,
complex or extended litigation could cause us to incur large expenditures and
distract our management. For example, lawsuits by employees, stockholders or
customers could be very costly and substantially disrupt our business. Disputes
from time to time with such companies or individuals are not uncommon, and
we
cannot assure that that we will always be able to resolve such disputes out
of
court or on terms favorable to us.
THE
FOREGOING FACTORS, INDIVIDUALLY OR IN AGGREGATE, COULD MATERIALLY ADVERSELY
AFFECT OUR OPERATING RESULTS AND CASH FLOWS AND FINANCIAL CONDITION AND COULD
MAKE COMPARISON OF HISTORIC OPERATING RESULTS AND CASH FLOWS AND BALANCES
DIFFICULT OR NOT MEANINGFUL.
16
Item
3: Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosure about
Market Risk
PICO’s
balance sheets include a significant amount of assets and liabilities whose
fair
value are subject to market risk. Market risk is the risk of loss arising from
adverse changes in market interest rates or prices. PICO currently has interest
rate risk as it relates to its fixed maturity securities and mortgage
participation interests, equity price risk as it relates to its marketable
equity securities, and foreign currency risk as it relates to investments
denominated in foreign currencies. Generally, PICO’s borrowings are short to
medium term in nature and therefore approximate fair value. At September 30,
2006, PICO had $91.2 million of fixed maturity securities, $194.9 million of
marketable equity securities that were subject to market risk, of which $109.5
million were denominated in foreign currencies, primarily Swiss francs. PICO’s
investment strategy is to manage the duration of the portfolio relative to
the
duration of the liabilities while managing interest rate risk.
PICO
uses
two models to report the sensitivity of its assets and liabilities subject
to
the above risks. For its fixed maturity securities, and mortgage participation
interests, PICO uses duration modeling to calculate changes in fair value.
The
sensitivity analysis duration model calculates the price of a fixed maturity
assuming a theoretical 100 basis point increase in interest rates and compares
that to the actual quoted price if the security. At September 30, 2006, the
model calculated a loss in fair value of $1.8 million. For its marketable
securities, PICO uses a hypothetical 20% decrease in the fair value to analyze
the sensitivity of its market risk assets and liabilities. For investments
denominated in foreign currencies, PICO uses a hypothetical 20% decrease in
the
local currency of that investment. Actual results may differ from the
hypothetical results assumed in this disclosure due to possible actions taken
by
management to mitigate adverse changes in fair value and because the fair value
of securities may be affected by credit concerns of the issuer, prepayment
rates, liquidity, and other general market conditions. The hypothetical 20%
decrease in fair value of PICO’s marketable equity securities produced a loss in
fair value of $39 million that would impact the unrealized appreciation in
shareholders’ equity, before the related tax effect. The hypothetical 20%
decrease in the local currency of PICO’s foreign denominated investments
produced a loss of $18.8 million that would impact the foreign currency
translation in shareholders’ equity.
Under
the
supervision of and with the participation of our management, including our
principal executive officer and principal financial officer, we evaluated the
effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures, as such term is defined
under Rules 13a-15(e) promulgated under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934,
as
amended. Based on this evaluation, our principal executive officer and principal
financial officer concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures were
effective as of the end of the period covered by this quarterly report. There
were no material changes in our internal controls over financial reporting
for
the three
months ended September 30, 2006.
Part
II: Other Information
Item
1: Legal
Proceedings
The
Company is subject to various litigation that arises in the ordinary course
of
its business. Based upon information presently available, management is of
the
opinion that such litigation will not have a material adverse effect on the
consolidated financial position, results of operations or cash flows of the
Company.
Item
1A: Risk
Factors
A
description of the risk factors associated with our business is included under
“Risk Factors” in “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition
and Results of Operations”, contained in Item 2 of Part I of this
report. Such description includes any changes to and supersedes the description
of the risk factors associated with our business previously disclosed in
Item 1 of our 2005 Annual Report on Form 10-K and is incorporated herein by
reference. There are no material changes to the risk factors described in our
Form 10-K, except for an expanded description of risk under the heading “The
fair values of our real estate and water assets are linked to external growth
factors”.
Item
2: Unregistered
Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds
On
May 4,
2006, the Company completed a private placement of 2.6 million newly-issued
common shares to accredited investors at a price of $30.00 per share, for net
proceeds of $73.9 million. Merriman, Curham, Ford and Co. served as placement
agent for the transaction. The aggregate offering price was $78 million and
the
aggregate commissions were $3.9 million. The sale of these shares was exempt
from the registration requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended,
pursuant to Section 4(2) thereof. Under the terms of the agreement between
the
Company and the accredited investors, the Company filed a Registration Statement
on Form S-3 with the SEC to register these 2.6 million common shares for resale
and naming the accredited investors as Selling Shareholders therein. The SEC
declared the registration statement effective June 7, 2006. The Selling
Shareholders table from the registration statement is incorporated by reference
into this Item 2 of Part II of this report.
ISSUER
PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES
Period
|
(a)Total
number of shares purchased
|
(b)Average
Price Paid per Share
|
(c)Total
Number of Shares (or Units) Purchased as Part of Publicly Announced
Plans
or Programs (1)
|
(d)Maximum
Number (or Approximate Dollar Value) of Shares (or Units) that May
Yet Be
Purchased Under the Plans or Programs (1)
|
7/1/06
- 7/31/06
|
-
|
-
|
||
8/1/06
- 8/31/06
|
-
|
-
|
||
9/1/06
- 9/30/06
|
-
|
-
|
||
(1)
In October 2002, PICO’s Board of Directors authorized the repurchase of up
to $10 million of PICO common stock. The stock purchases may be made
from
time to time at prevailing prices through open market or negotiated
transactions, depending on market conditions, and will be funded
from
available cash. As of September 30, 2006, no stock had been repurchased
under this authorization.
|
Item
3: Defaults
Upon Senior Securities
None
17
Item
4: Submission
of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders
The
Company held an Annual Meeting of Shareholders on August 4, 2006. At the
meeting, S. Walter Foulkrod III, Esq., and Richard D. Ruppert, MD, were
re-elected as Directors. The vote for Mr. Foulkrod was 12,636,256 in
favor, -0- against, and 599,047 withheld. The vote for Dr. Ruppert was
12,353,169 in favor, -0- against, and 882,134 withheld.
The
following directors were not elected at the meeting but have terms continuing
after the meeting, as set forth:
Director: Elected
Through:
Ronald
Langley
2008
Annual Meeting
John
R.
Hart
2008
Annual Meeting
John
D.
Weil
2008
Annual Meeting
Carlos
C.
Campbell
2007
Annual Meeting
Kenneth
J.
Slepicka
2007
Annual Meeting
Item
5: Other
Information
None
18
Exhibit
Number
|
Exhibit
Description
|
|
3.1
|
|
Amended
and Restated Articles of Incorporation of PICO.(1)
|
3.2
|
|
Amended
and Restated By-laws of PICO. (2)
|
|
||
|
||
|
||
|
|
(1)
|
Incorporated
by reference to exhibit of same number filed with Form 8-K dated
December
4, 1996 (File No. 000-18786).
|
|
(2)
|
Filed
as Appendix to the prospectus in Part I of Registration Statement
on Form
S-4 filed with the SEC on October 2, 1996 (File No.
333-06671).
|
PICO
HOLDINGS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
SIGNATURE
Pursuant
to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant
has
duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto
duly authorized.
PICO
HOLDINGS, INC.
Dated:
November 9, 2006
By:
/s/
Maxim C. W. Webb
Maxim
C.
W. Webb
Chief
Financial Officer and Treasurer
(Principal
Financial and Accounting Officer)