VIDLER WATER RESOURCES, INC. - Quarter Report: 2007 June (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 June 30, 2007
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)
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94-2723335
(I.R.S.
Employer Identification No.)
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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 18,833,737 as of June 30, 2007, excluding 3,218,408 shares of common stock
held by the registrant’s subsidiaries.
PICO
HOLDINGS, INC.
FORM
10-Q
For
the Three and Six Months Ended June 30, 2007
TABLE
OF CONTENTS
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Page
No.
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Part
I: Financial Information
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Item
1:
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Condensed
Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)
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Condensed
Consolidated Balance Sheets as of June 30, 2007 and December 31,
2006
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2
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Condensed
Consolidated Statements of Operations for the Three and Six Months
Ended
June 30, 2007 and 2006
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3
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Condensed
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the Six Months Ended June
30,
2007 and 2006
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4
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5
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Item
2:
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8
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Item
3:
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13
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Item
4:
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Controls
and Procedures
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13
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Part
II: Other Information
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Item
1:
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14
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Item
1A:
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Risk
Factors
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14
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Item
2:
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Unregistered
Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds
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14
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Item
3:
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Defaults
Upon Senior Securities
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14
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Item
4:
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Submission
of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders
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14
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Item
5:
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Other
Information
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14
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Item
6:
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Exhibits
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15
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1
Part
I: Financial
Information
Item
I: Condensed
Consolidated Financial Statements
PICO
HOLDINGS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(Unaudited)
June
30, 2007
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December
31, 2006
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ASSETS
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|||
Investments
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$
383,067,287
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$
271,961,941
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Cash
and cash equivalents
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112,361,708
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136,621,578
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Notes
and other receivables, net
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16,916,723
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17,177,827
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Reinsurance
receivables
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16,841,265
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17,290,039
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Real
estate and water assets, net
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142,157,039
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102,538,859
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Property
and equipment, net
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614,134
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518,564
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Other
assets
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6,478,843
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2,934,131
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Total
assets
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$
678,436,999
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$
549,042,939
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LIABILITIES
AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
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|||
Unpaid
losses and loss adjustment expenses
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$
38,432,265
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$
41,083,301
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Deferred
compensation
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54,866,213
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49,776,043
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Bank
and other borrowings
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12,690,355
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12,720,558
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Deferred
income taxes, net
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26,165,562
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17,952,916
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Other
liabilities
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23,832,041
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22,282,822
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Total
liabilities
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155,986,436
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143,815,640
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Commitments
and Contingencies (Note 4)
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Common
stock, $.001 par value; authorized 100,000,000 shares, 23,259,367
shares
issued in 2007 and 20,306,923 shares issued in 2006
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23,259
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20,307
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Additional
paid-in capital
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431,246,138
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331,582,308
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Accumulated
other comprehensive income
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81,981,177
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60,950,679
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Retained
earnings
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87,483,218
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90,968,815
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600,733,792
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483,522,109
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Treasury
stock, at cost (common shares: 4,425,630 in 2007 and 4,426,465
in
2006)
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(78,283,229)
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(78,294,810)
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Total
shareholders' equity
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522,450,563
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405,227,299
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Total
liabilities and shareholders' equity
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$
678,436,999
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$
549,042,939
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The
accompanying notes are an integral part of the condensed consolidated financial
statements.
2
PICO
HOLDINGS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(Unaudited)
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Three
Months Ended June 30, 2007
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Three
Months Ended June 30,
2006
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Six
Months Ended June 30,
2007
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Six
Months Ended June 30,
2006
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Revenues:
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Net
investment income
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$
5,730,337
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$
4,431,215
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$
9,542,404
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$
6,503,541
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Net
realized gain on investments
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210,185
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687,349
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1,618,093
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15,373,296
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Sale
of real estate and water assets
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2,117,378
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3,832,629
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4,426,376
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5,088,964
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Rents,
royalties and lease income
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151,381
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448,128
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301,539
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634,983
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Other
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104,995
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148,700
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139,265
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193,876
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Total
revenues
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8,314,276
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9,548,021
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16,027,677
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27,794,660
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Costs
and Expenses:
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Operating
and other costs
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13,026,793
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4,203,431
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18,252,066
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8,361,705
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Cost
of real estate and water assets sold
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704,342
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1,301,736
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1,471,206
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1,681,622
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Depreciation
and amortization
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272,283
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362,844
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548,695
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675,407
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Interest
expense
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111,222
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210,760
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Total
costs and expenses
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14,003,418
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5,979,233
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20,271,967
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10,929,494
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Income
(loss) before income taxes and minority interest
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(5,689,142)
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3,568,788
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(4,244,290)
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16,865,166
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Provision
(benefit) for income taxes
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(1,975,946)
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1,662,176
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(1,052,038)
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6,211,490
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Income
(loss) before minority interest
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(3,713,196)
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1,906,612
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(3,192,252)
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10,653,676
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Minority
interest in loss of subsidiaries
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12,950
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25,409
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Income
(loss) from continuing operations
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(3,713,196)
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1,919,562
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(3,192,252)
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10,679,085
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Loss
from discontinued operations, net of tax
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(1,537,379)
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(3,078,701)
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Net
income (loss)
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$
(3,713,196)
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$
382,183
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$
(3,192,252)
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$
7,600,384
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Net
income (loss) per common share - basic and diluted:
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Income
(loss) from continuing operations
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$
(0.20)
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$
0.13
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$
(0.18)
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$
0.76
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Loss
from discontinued operations
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(0.10)
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(0.22)
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Net
income (loss) per common share
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$
(0.20)
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$
0.03
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$
(0.18)
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$
0.54
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Weighted
average shares outstanding
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18,769,015
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14,927,125
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17,811,337
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14,099,282
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The
accompanying notes are an integral part of the condensed consolidated financial
statements.
3
PICO
HOLDINGS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(Unaudited)
Six
Months Ended June 30,
2007
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Six
Months Ended June 30,
2006
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OPERATING
ACTIVITIES:
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Net
cash used by operating activities - continuing operations
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$
(25,458,736)
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$
(10,018,737)
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Net
cash used by operating activities - discontinued
operations
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(2,340,970)
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(25,458,736)
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(12,359,707)
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INVESTING
ACTIVITIES:
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Purchases
of investments
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(98,799,107)
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(61,099,224)
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Proceeds
from sale of investments
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3,848,950
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32,494,541
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Proceeds
from maturity of investments
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18,213,245
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39,735,857
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Purchases
of property and equipment and costs capitalized to water
infrastructure
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(27,138,070)
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(9,138,601)
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Cash
used in investing activities - discontinued operations
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(1,405,980)
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Net
cash provided by (used in) investing activities
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(103,874,982)
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586,593
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FINANCING
ACTIVITIES:
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Proceeds
from common stock offering, net
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100,141,935
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73,945,144
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Sale
of treasury stock for deferred compensation plans
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29,392
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Excess
tax benefits from share based payment arrangements
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4,905,804
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Repayment
of borrowings
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(37,929)
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Cash
used in financing activities - discontinued operations
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(498,272)
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Net
cash provided by financing activities
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105,077,131
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73,408,943
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Effect
of exchange rate changes on cash
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(3,283)
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(2,326,009)
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INCREASE
(DECREASE) IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS
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(24,259,870)
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59,309,820
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CASH
AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, BEGINNING OF PERIOD
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136,621,578
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37,794,416
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CASH
AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, END OF PERIOD
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$
112,361,708
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$
97,104,236
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SUPPLEMENTAL
CASH FLOW INFORMATION:
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Cash
paid for interest, net of amounts capitalized
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$
209,744
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Cash
paid for income taxes, net of refunds
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$
2,865,896
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$
2,053,000
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Non-cash
investing and financing activities:
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Change
in capitalized costs included in other liabilities
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$
5,608,295
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Withholding
taxes recorded in additional paid in capital related to stock appreciation
rights exercise
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$ 5,398,767
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The
accompanying notes are an integral part of the condensed consolidated financial
statements.
4
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, 2007.
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, 2006 filed
with the SEC.
The
preparation of 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 liabilities at the date
of
the 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 consolidated financial statements relate to the assessment of the
carrying value of investments, unpaid losses and loss adjustment expenses,
reinsurance receivables, real estate and water assets, deferred income taxes
and
contingent liabilities. While management believes that the carrying value of
such assets and liabilities are appropriate as of June 30, 2007 and December
31,
2006, 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” (FAS 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 FAS 123(R). However, as PICO had
no unvested stock options outstanding as of January 1, 2006, the adoption of
SFAS 123R had no impact on the accompanying condensed consolidated financial
statements. FAS 123R will be applied to new awards granted from the date of
adoption.
The
Company did not grant any awards, and therefore did not recognize any stock
based compensation for the three or six months ended June 30, 2007.
Stock-Based
Plans Outstanding:
Stock
Settled Stock Appreciation Rights:
At
June
30, 2007 the Company had one share-based payment arrangement. The 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. The plan allows for broker assisted cashless
exercises and net-settlement of income taxes and employee withholding taxes
required. At June 30, 2007 1,347,609 stock-settled SARs were outstanding (all
issued in 2005) with a strike price of $33.76. The awards are fully vested
and
exercisable at any time before December 12, 2015.
Upon
exercise, the employee will receive newly issued shares of PICO Holdings common
stock equal to the in-the-money value of the award, less applicable federal,
state and local withholding and income taxes. No compensation expense was
recorded under this plan for the three or six months ended June 30, 2007.
However, during the three months ended June 30, 2007, 838,356 SAR’s were
exercised at a price of $47.54 resulting in the issuance of 129,444 newly-issued
common shares. The intrinsic value of the award was $11.6 million which
represents an income tax deduction for the Company. No compensation expense
was
recorded for these options as they were fully vested at December 31, 2006.
However, the Company recorded $4.9 million in excess tax benefits directly
to
shareholders’ equity along with the corresponding employee withholding taxes of
$5.6 million, for a net deduction to Additional Paid in Capital of $493,000.
Deferred
Compensation:
At
June
30, 2007 and December 31, 2006, the Company had $54.9 million and $49.8 million,
respectively recorded as deferred compensation payable to various members of
management and certain non-employee directors of the Company. The assets of
the
plan are held in Rabbi Trust accounts which are invested consistent with the
Company’s investment policy. The investments are held in separate accounts,
accounted for as available for sale securities, and are reported in the
accompanying consolidated balance sheets within the line item “Investments”.
Assets of the trust will be distributed according to predetermined payout
elections established by each employee.
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 reverse previously expensed
compensation.
During
the six months ended June 30, 2007, the Company sold 835 shares of PICO common
stock that were held as trust assets and distributed cash proceeds of $29,000
to
a director of the Company in satisfaction of deferred compensation obligations.
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 and circumstances. No provision
for bad debts was required for the three and six months ended June 30, 2007
and
2006.
Accounting
for Income Taxes:
The
Company adopted the provisions of Financial Standards Accounting Board
Interpretation No. 48, “Accounting
for Uncertainty in Income Taxes”
(“FIN
48”) an interpretation of FASB Statement No. 109 (“SFAS 109”) on January 1,
2007. As a result of the implementation of FIN 48, the Company recognized a
$293,000 increase in the liability for unrecognized income tax benefits through
opening retained earnings. At the adoption date of January 1, 2007, the
Company provided for $3.5 million of unrecognized tax benefits, $2.5
million of which would affect the effective tax rate if recognized. For the
three and six months ended June 30 2007, there was no significant increase
in
the liability for unrecognized tax benefits.
The
Company recognizes any interest and penalties related to uncertain tax positions
in income tax expense. As of June 30, 2007, the Company had recorded
approximately $377,000 of accrued interest related to uncertain tax
positions.
The
tax
years 2002-2006 remain open to examination by the major taxing jurisdictions
to
which the Company is subject.
Reclassifications:
The
following financial statement items from the three and six months ended June
30,
2006 have been reclassified to discontinued operations:
Three
Months Ended June 30, 2006
|
Six
Months Ended June 30, 2006
|
||
Revenues
|
$
883,385
|
$
1,882,019
|
|
Expenses
|
$
3,329,639
|
$
6,900,607
|
|
Income
tax benefit
|
$
908,887
|
$
1,774,887
|
5
Recently
Issued Accounting Pronouncements
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 was effective January 1, 2007. The adoption of
SFAS
155 did not have an impact on PICO’s 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 under 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
159
-
In
February 2007, the FASB issued FASB
issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 159 (SFAS
159),
“The
Fair Value Option for Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities—Including an
amendment of FASB Statement No. 115”.
This
Statement permits entities to choose to measure many financial instruments
and
certain other items at fair value. This Statement is effective for PICO on
January 1, 2008. PICO
is
currently evaluating the impact of this pronouncement on the consolidated
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 any common stock equivalents - PICO’s stock-settled
stock appreciation rights (SARs) are considered common stock equivalents for
this purpose - 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 six months ended June 30, 2007 and 2006 the Company’s stock-settled
SARs were excluded from the diluted per share calculation because their effect
on earnings per share was anti-dilutive.
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 June 30,
2007
|
|
Three
Months Ended June 30,
2006
|
Six
Months Ended June 30,
2007
|
|
Six
Months Ended June 30,
2006
|
|
Net
income (loss)
|
$
(3,713,196)
|
$
382,183
|
$
(3,192,252)
|
$
7,600,384
|
|||
Net
change in unrealized appreciation
|
|||||||
(depreciation)
on available for sale investments
|
12,168,869
|
(1,139,841)
|
19,973,245
|
(6,747,101)
|
|||
Net
change in foreign currency translation
|
599,035
|
243,164
|
1,057,253
|
(38,314)
|
|||
Total
comprehensive income (loss)
|
$
9,054,708
|
$
(514,494)
|
$
17,838,246
|
$
814,969
|
Total
comprehensive income is net of deferred income tax charge of $4.5 million and
$8.2 million for the three and six months ended June 30, 2007, respectively
and
net of a deferred income tax benefit of $19,000 and $5 million for the three
and
six months ended June 30, 2006, respectively.
The
components of accumulated other comprehensive income:
June
30, 2007
|
December
31, 2006
|
||
Unrealized
appreciation on available for sale investments
|
$
86,166,673
|
$
66,193,428
|
|
Foreign
currency translation
|
(4,185,496)
|
(5,242,749)
|
|
Accumulated
other comprehensive income
|
$
81,981,177
|
$
60,950,679
|
Accumulated
other comprehensive income is net of deferred income tax liabilities of $49.2
million and $37.1 million at June 30, 2007 and December 31, 2006,
respectively.
At
June
30, 2007, the Company had $133.7 million of unrealized gains before tax and
$2.1
million of unrealized losses before tax.
Marketable
equity securities: The
Company’s $253.4 million investments in marketable equity securities at June 30,
2007 consist primarily of investments in common stock of other publicly traded
companies. The gross unrealized gains and losses on equity securities were
$133.4 million and $999,000 respectively, at June 30, 2007 and $100.3 million
and $701,000, respectively at December 31, 2006. The majority of these losses
were continuously below cost for less than 12 months.
Corporate
Bonds and US Treasury Obligations:
At June
30, 2007, the bond portfolio consisted of $128.6 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 $230,000 and $1.1
million, respectively at June 30, 2007. At June 30, 2007, $380,000 of the 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
Fish
Springs
Ranch:
The
Company has capitalized
approximately $61.1 million on construction of the pipeline project to convey
water from the Fish Springs Ranch ("Fish Springs") to a storage tank near Reno,
Nevada. The total cost of the pipeline project is estimated to be $82 million,
and the balance of the remaining expenditure will be incurred over the next
6 to
9 months. At June 30, 2007 the Company has remaining commitments for future
capital expenditure of approximately $20 million. In addition to the $82 million
estimated total cost of the pipeline project, during the third quarter of 2007,
the Company intends to enter into approximately $7.7 million in commitments
to
construct approximately 4 additional miles of 30 inch pipeline from the terminal
tank of the original pipeline construction, to the general area of development
in the north valleys of Reno. Management believes that the pipeline will
be completed in accordance with the permits, within the expected pipeline
project timetable.
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.
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 of 2006, the IBLA dismissed the two protests. However, in October 2006,
one protestant, the Pyramid Lake Paiute Tribe, filed an action with the U.S.
District Court against the Bureau of Land Management and US Department of the
Interior. The Tribe asserted that the exportation of 8,000 acre feet of water
per year from Fish Springs Ranch to the northern valleys of Reno would
negatively impact their water rights located in a basin within the boundaries
of
the Pyramid Lake Paiute Tribe reservation.
The
Tribe
initiated several legal actions to assert their claims and to stop construction
of the pipeline. While the Company believed the claims were without merit,
the
Tribe’s legal actions might have caused significant delays to the completion of
the construction of the pipeline. To avoid any such delays, Fish
Springs and the Tribe entered into negotiations to settle all outstanding
claims and legal actions. On May 30, 2007 the parties signed an agreement that
resolved all of the Tribe’s claims. The amounts payable to the Tribe as a result
of the settlement agreement are predominately attributable to settlement of
the
claims rather than the acquisition of additional water rights or other
assets. The settlement obligates Fish Springs to:
· |
pay
$500,000 upon signing of agreement;
|
· |
transfer
6,214 acres of real estate Fish Spring owns (fair value of $500,000
and a
book value of $139,000);
|
· |
pay
$3.1 million on January 8, 2008;
and
|
· |
pay
$3.6 million on the later of January 8, 2009 or the date an Act of
Congress ratifies the settlement agreement (Interest accrues at LIBOR
from
January 8, 2009, if the payment is made after that
date).
|
There
are
13,000 acre-feet per-year of permitted water rights at Fish Springs Ranch.
The
existing permit allows up to 8,000 acre-feet of water per year to be exported
to
support the development in the Reno area. The settlement agreement also provides
that, in exchange for the Tribe agreeing to not oppose all permitting activities
for the pumping and export of groundwater in excess of 8,000 acre-feet of
water
per year, Fish Springs will pay the Tribe 12% of the gross sales price for
each
acre-foot of additional water that Fish Springs sells in excess of 8,000
acre-feet per year, up to 13,000 acre- feet per year. The obligation to
expense and pay the 12% fee is due only if and when the Company sells
water in excess of 8,000 acre-feet, accordingly, Fish Springs Ranch will
record
the liability for such amounts due at that time. Currently there is not
regulatory approval to export any water in excess of 8,000 acre-feet per
year
from Fish Springs Ranch to support further development in northern Reno,
and it
is uncertain whether such regulatory approval will be granted in the
future.
Consequently,
for the three months ended June 30, 2007, the Company accrued settlement expense
of $7.3 million. At June 30, 2007, the initial payment of $500,000 and the
real
estate had been transferred leaving an accrued liability of $6.7
million.
Exegy
Litigation:
On
November 13, 2006 Exegy Inc. filed a lawsuit against PICO and HyperFeed in
state
court in Missouri seeking a declaratory judgment that Exegy’s purported November
7, 2006 termination of the August 25, 2006 Contribution Agreement was
valid. In the event that Exegy’s November 7, 2006 letter is not determined
to be a valid termination of the Contribution Agreement, Exegy seeks a
declaration that PICO and HyperFeed have materially breached the Contribution
Agreement, for which Exegy seeks monetary damages and an injunction
against further material breach. Finally, Exegy seeks a declaratory
judgment that if its November 7, 2006 notice of termination was not valid,
and that if PICO and HyperFeed did materially breach the Contribution Agreement
but that a continuing breach cannot be remedied or enjoined, then Exegy
seeks a declaration that Exegy should be relieved of further performance
under
the Contribution Agreement due to alleged HyperFeed actions deemed by Exegy
to
be inconsistent with the Contribution Agreement. On December 15, 2006 the
lawsuit filed by Exegy on November 13, 2006 was removed from Missouri state
court to federal court. On February 2, 2007, this case was transferred to
the
United States Bankruptcy Court, District of Delaware.
On
November 17, 2006 HyperFeed and PICO filed a lawsuit against Exegy in
state court in Illinois. PICO and HyperFeed allege that Exegy, after the
November 7, 2006 letter purporting to terminate the Contribution Agreement,
used
and continues to use HyperFeed’s confidential and proprietary information in an
unauthorized manner and without HyperFeed’s consent. PICO and HyperFeed are also
seeking a preliminary injunction enjoining Exegy from disclosing, using,
or
disseminating HyperFeed’s confidential and proprietary information, and from
continuing to interfere with HyperFeed’s business relations. PICO and
HyperFeed also seek monetary damages from Exegy. On January 18, 2007 this
case
was removed from Illinois state court to federal bankruptcy court in Illinois.
On February 6, 2007 this case was transferred to the United States Bankruptcy
Court, District of Delaware.
The
United States Bankruptcy Court, District of Delaware has accepted both cases
and
both cases will continue as adversary proceedings. On July 11, 2007, the
parties
entered into mediation to attempt to resolve these two
lawsuits.
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 resolution of such litigation will not likely have a material
adverse effect on the consolidated financial position, results of operations
or
cash flows of the Company.
6
5.
Segment Reporting
|
PICO
Holdings, Inc. is a diversified holding company engaged in four major operating
segments: Water Resource and Water Storage Operations, Real Estate Operations,
Business Acquisitions and Financing, and Insurance Operations in Run Off.
The
accounting policies of the reportable segments are the same as those described
in the Company’s 2006 Annual Report on Form 10-K. Total assets increased $129.4
million from December 31, 2006 primarily due to the proceeds received from
the
Company’s stock offering which closed in February 2007. Such proceeds were
allocated between the Water Resource and Water Storage Operations and the
Business Acquisitions and Financing segment.
Management
analyzes segments using the following information:
Segment
assets:
At
June 30, 2007
|
At
December 31, 2006
|
Increase
|
|||
Total
Assets:
|
|||||
Water
Resource and Water Storage Operations
|
$
226,204,042
|
$
146,115,727
|
$
80,088,315
|
||
Real
Estate Operations
|
80,539,150
|
73,266,068
|
7,273,082
|
||
Business
Acquisitions and Financing
|
145,524,972
|
127,304,476
|
18,220,496
|
||
Insurance
Operations in Run Off
|
226,168,835
|
202,356,668
|
23,812,167
|
||
$
678,436,999
|
$
549,042,939
|
$
129,394,060
|
Segment
Revenues:
Three
Months Ended June 30,
|
Six
Months Ended June 30,
|
|||
|
2007
|
2006
|
2007
|
2006
|
Water
Resource and Water Storage Operations
|
$1,492,627
|
$
673,935
|
$2,466,991
|
$
982,284
|
Real
Estate Operations
|
2,960,805
|
4,626,254
|
6,467,991
|
6,391,587
|
Business
Acquisitions and Financing
|
2,647,646
|
3,188,181
|
3,824,052
|
12,160,869
|
Insurance
Operations in Run Off
|
1,213,198
|
1,059,652
|
3,268,643
|
8,259,920
|
Total
Revenues
|
$8,314,276
|
$9,548,021
|
$16,027,677
|
$27,794,660
|
|
||||
Income
(Loss) Before Taxes and Minority Interest:
|
||||
Water
Resource and Water Storage Operations
|
$(7,209,479)
|
$(782,481)
|
$(7,590,530)
|
$(1,961,377)
|
Real
Estate Operations
|
1,638,571
|
2,723,539
|
3,838,589
|
3,650,393
|
Business
Acquisitions and Financing
|
(980,614)
|
879,281
|
(3,055,579)
|
7,627,147
|
Insurance
Operations in Run Off
|
862,380
|
748,449
|
2,563,230
|
7,549,003
|
Income
(Loss) Before Taxes and Minority Interest
|
$(5,689,142)
|
$3,568,788
|
$(4,244,290)
|
$16,865,166
|
6.
Private Placement of Common Stock
On
February 28, 2007, the Company closed a Securities Purchase Agreement to sell
2,823,000 shares of newly issued common stock to institutional investors at
a
price of $37 per share. After placement costs, net proceeds to the Company
were
$100.1 million. The Company was obligated under the Securities Purchase
Agreement to file a registration statement on Form S-3 to register the shares
under the Securities Act of 1933. Such statement became effective on April
13,
2007.
7
Item
2: Management’s Discussion
and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of
Operations
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 2006 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 2006 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 build and operate businesses where significant value can
be
created from the development of unique assets, and to acquire businesses which
we identify as undervalued and where our participation can aid in the
recognition of the business’s fair value, as well as create additional value.
Our
objective is to maximize long-term shareholder value. We manage our
operations to achieve a superior return on net assets over the long term,
as opposed to short-term earnings.
Our
business is separated into four major operating segments:
·
|
Water
Resource and Water Storage Operations;
|
·
|
Real
Estate Operations;
|
·
|
Business
Acquisitions & Financing (which contains businesses, interests in
businesses, and other parent company assets); and
|
·
|
Insurance
Operations in “Run Off”.
|
Currently
our major consolidated subsidiaries are:
·
|
Vidler
Water Company, Inc. (“Vidler”), a business which we started more than 10
years ago, 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”), an operation that we
built since we acquired the company more than 10 years ago, which
owns
approximately 507,000 acres of land in Nevada, and certain mineral
rights
and water rights related to the property;
|
·
|
Physicians
Insurance Company of Ohio (“Physicians”), which is “running off” its
medical professional liability insurance loss reserves, and was our
original business historically;
|
·
|
Citation
Insurance Company (“Citation”), which is “running off” its historic
property & casualty insurance and workers’ compensation loss reserves.
Citation was acquired because it was complimentary to our other insurance
operations at the time; and
|
·
|
Global
Equity AG, which holds our interest in Jungfraubahn Holding AG
(“Jungfraubahn”). Jungfraubahn is a Swiss public company that operates
railway and related tourism and transport activities in the Swiss
Alps.
Jungfraubahn’s shares trade on the SWZ Swiss Exchange. We believe that
Jungfraubahn was significantly undervalued at the time we acquired
our
interest, which was primarily between 1999 and
2003.
|
RESULTS
OF OPERATIONS--THREE AND SIX MONTHS ENDED JUNE 30, 2007 AND
2006
Shareholders’
Equity
At
June
30, 2007, PICO had shareholders’ equity of $522.5 million ($27.74 per share),
compared to $513.9 million ($27.48 per share) at March 31, 2007, and $405.2
million ($25.52 per share) at December 31, 2006. Book value per share increased
by $2.22, or 8.7%, during the first half of 2007, and by $0.26, or 1%, during
the second quarter of 2007.
During
the second quarter of 2007, shareholders’ equity increased by $8.6 million,
primarily due to a $12.2 million net increase in unrealized appreciation in
available-for-sale securities (after-tax), which more than offset the net loss
of $3.7 million for the quarter.
Shareholders’
equity increased by $117.3 million during the first half of 2007, primarily
due
to a $20 million net increase in unrealized appreciation in available-for-sale
securities (after-tax), and the issuance of 2.8 million new shares at $37 per
share, for net proceeds of $100.1 million (after placement costs).
At
June
30, 2007, on a consolidated basis, available-for-sale investments showed a
net
unrealized gain of $86.2 million after-tax, consisting of approximately $87.6
million in gains, partially offset by $1.4 million in losses. This compares
to a
net unrealized gain of $66.2 million after-tax at December 31,
2006.
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
second quarter of 2007, PICO recorded comprehensive income of $9.1 million,
which consisted of a $12.2 million net increase in unrealized appreciation
in investments and a $599,000 foreign currency translation credit , partially
offset by the quarter’s net loss of $3.7 million.
For
the
first half of 2007, PICO recorded comprehensive income of $17.8 million, which
consisted of a $20 million net increase in unrealized appreciation in
investments and a $1.1 million foreign currency translation credit , partially
offset by the first half’s net loss of $3.2 million.
8
Segment
Results of Operations
Segment
revenues and income (loss) before taxes and minority interest for the second
quarter and first half of 2007 and 2006 were:
|
Three
Months Ended June 30,
|
Six
Months Ended June 30,
|
||
|
2007
|
2006
|
2007
|
2006
|
Revenues:
|
|
|||
Water
Resource and Water Storage Operations
|
$1,493,000
|
$
674,000
|
$2,467,000
|
$
982,000
|
Real
Estate Operations
|
2,961,000
|
4,626,000
|
6,467,000
|
6,392,000
|
Business
Acquisitions and Financing
|
2,647,000
|
3,188,000
|
3,824,000
|
12,161,000
|
Insurance
Operations in Run Off
|
1,213,000
|
1,060,000
|
3,270,000
|
8,260,000
|
Total
Revenues
|
$8,314,000
|
$9,548,000
|
$16,028,000
|
$27,795,000
|
|
||||
Income
(Loss) Before Taxes and Minority Interest:
|
||||
Water
Resource and Water Storage Operations
|
$(7,209,000)
|
$(782,000)
|
$(7,591,000)
|
$(1,961,000)
|
Real
Estate Operations
|
1,639,000
|
2,724,000
|
3,839,000
|
3,650,000
|
Business
Acquisitions and Financing
|
(
981,000)
|
879,000
|
(3,055,000)
|
7,627,000
|
Insurance
Operations in Run Off
|
862,000
|
748,000
|
2,563,000
|
7,549,000
|
Income
(Loss) Before Taxes and Minority Interest
|
$(5,689,000)
|
$3,569,000
|
$(4,244,000)
|
$16,865,000
|
Second
Quarter Net Income
Second
quarter revenues were $8.3 million in 2007, compared to $9.5 million in
2006, a decrease of $1.2 million year over year. Revenues from the Business
Acquisitions and Financing segment decreased $541,000 year over year,
principally due to $535,000 lower realized gains on the sale of holdings.
Revenues from Real Estate Operations were $1.7 million lower year over year,
primarily due to $1.7 million lower land sales revenues. These decreases were
partially offset by revenue increases of $819,000 in Water Resource and Water
Storage Operations, primarily due to higher net investment income, and $153,000
in the Insurance Operations in Run Off segment.
Second
quarter costs and expenses were $14 million in 2007, compared to $6 million
in 2006. The $8 million increase in expenses is principally due to the
settlement with the Pyramid Lake Pauite Tribe (“the Tribe settlement”) for which
$7.3 million was recorded as an expense in the Water Resources and Water Storage
Operations segment in the second quarter of 2007.
PICO
recorded a $5.7 million loss before taxes and minority interest in the second
quarter of 2007, compared to income before taxes and minority interest of $3.6
million in the second quarter of 2006. The $9.3 million year over year decrease
in second quarter income before taxes and minority interest primarily resulted
from a $6.4 million greater segment loss from Water Resource and Water Storage
Operations, and a $1.9 million decline in the Business Acquisitions &
Financing segment result. The $6.4 million year over year increase in the Water
Resource and Water Storage Operations segment loss largely resulted from the
$7.3 million Tribe settlement expense recognized in the second quarter of 2007.
The Business Acquisitions and Financing segment incurred a $981,000 loss in
the
second quarter of 2007, compared to income of $879,000 in the second quarter
of
2006, principally as a result of a $2.4 million unfavorable change in a foreign
currency expense (income) item year over year. In addition, Real Estate
Operations segment income decreased $1.1 million year over year, primarily
due
to a $1.1 million lower gross margin from the sale of former railroad land.
After
an
income tax benefit of $2 million, PICO reported a net loss of $3.7 million
($0.20 per share) for the second quarter of 2007.
For
the
second quarter of 2006, PICO recorded net income of $382,000 ($0.03 per share),
consisting of income of $1.9 million ($0.13 per share) from continuing
operations, partially offset by a loss from discontinued operations of $1.5
million after-tax ($0.10 per share).
First
Half Net Income
Revenues
for the first half of 2007 were $16 million in 2007, compared to $27.8 million
in 2006, a decrease of $11.8 million year over year. Revenues from the Business
Acquisitions and Financing segment decreased $8.3 million year over year,
principally as a result of an $8.7 million decline in realized gains. Similarly,
revenues from the Insurance Operations in Run Off segment decreased $5 million,
primarily due to $5.2 million lower realized gains. These revenue decreases
were
partially offset by a $1.5 million increase in Water Resource and Water Storage
Operations revenues, principally as a result of $1.5 million higher net
investment income.
First
half costs and expenses were $20.3 million in 2007, compared to $10.9
million in 2006. The $9.4 million increase in expenses is principally due to
the
$7.3 million Tribe settlement in the first half of 2007.
PICO
recorded a $4.2 million loss before taxes and minority interest in the first
half of 2007, compared to income before taxes and minority interest of $16.9
million in the first half of 2006, a year over year decrease of $21.1 million.
The $5.6 million year over year increase in the Water Resource and Water Storage
Operations segment loss largely resulted from the $7.3 million Tribe settlement
expense. The Business Acquisitions and Financing segment incurred a $3.1 million
loss in the first half of 2007, compared to income of $7.6 million in 2006,
principally as a result of an $8.7 million decrease in realized gains, and
a
$2.3 million unfavorable change in a foreign currency expense (income) year
over
year. Insurance Operations in Run Off segment income decreased $5 million year
over year, primarily due to a $5.2 million lower realized gains.
After
an
income tax benefit of $1.1 million, PICO reported a net loss of $3.2 million
($0.18 per share) for the first half of 2007.
For
the
first half of 2006, PICO recorded net income of $7.6 million ($0.54 per share),
consisting of income of $10.7 million ($0.76 per share) from continuing
operations, partially offset by a loss from discontinued operations of $3.1
million after-tax ($0.22 per share).
9
WATER
RESOURCE AND WATER STORAGE OPERATIONS
|
Three
Months Ended June 30,
|
Six
Months Ended June 30,
|
||
|
2007
|
2006
|
2007
|
2006
|
Revenues:
|
||||
Sale
of Real Estate and Water Assets
|
$
5,000
|
$
7,000
|
$
8,000
|
$
35,000
|
Net
Investment Income
|
1,451,000
|
577,000
|
2,411,000
|
883,000
|
Other
|
37,000
|
90,000
|
48,000
|
64,000
|
Segment
Total Revenues
|
$1,493,000
|
$674,000
|
$2,467,000
|
$982,000
|
|
|
|
|
|
Expenses:
|
|
|
|
|
Cost
of Real Estate and Water Assets
|
$(
2,000)
|
$(
2,000)
|
$(
2,000)
|
$(
11,000)
|
Depreciation
and Amortization
|
(
255,000)
|
(
323,000)
|
(
517,000)
|
(
589,000)
|
Overhead
|
(
503,000)
|
(
563,000)
|
(
1,039,000)
|
(1,051,000)
|
Project
Expenses
|
(7,942,000)
|
(
568,000)
|
(
8,500,000)
|
(1,292,000)
|
Segment
Total Expenses
|
$(8,702,000)
|
$(1,456,000)
|
$(10,058,000)
|
$(2,943,000)
|
Loss
Before Tax
|
$(7,209,000)
|
$(782,000)
|
$(7,591,000)
|
$(1,961,000)
|
Over
the
past six years, several large sales of real estate and water assets have
generated the bulk of Vidler’s revenues. Since the date of closing
generally determines the accounting period in which the sales revenues and
cost
of sales 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 necessarily indicative of likely revenues for future
quarters or the full financial year.
Segment
Results
Vidler
generated net investment income of $1.5 million in the second quarter of 2007,
and $2.4 million for the first half of 2007, primarily interest from the
temporary investment of cash proceeds from the May 2006 and February 2007 equity
offerings by PICO. In aggregate, the stock offerings raised net proceeds of
$174.1 million, which were principally allocated to Vidler for existing and
new
projects, including the design and construction of a pipeline to convey water
from Fish Springs Ranch to Reno. See
"Fish Springs Ranch” and “Idaho” below.
Vidler
generated net investment income of $577,000 in the second quarter of 2006,
and
$833,000 in the first half of 2006, primarily interest from the temporary
investment of funds to be expended on the Fish Springs pipeline project in
money
market funds and fixed-income securities.
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.
Project
Expenses consist of costs related to the development of existing water
resources, such as maintenance and professional fees. Project Expenses
are expensed as appropriate under GAAP, and could fluctuate from period to
period depending on activity within 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 principally relate to:
·
|
the
operation and maintenance of the Vidler Arizona Recharge
Facility;
|
·
|
the
development of water rights in the Tule Desert groundwater basin
(part of
the Lincoln County agreement);
|
·
|
the
utilization of water rights at Fish Springs Ranch as future municipal
water supply for the north valleys of the Reno, Nevada
area;
|
·
|
the
operation of Fish Springs Ranch, and maintenance of the associated
water
rights; and
|
·
|
in
the second quarter and first half of 2007, a settlement of all outstanding
claims and legal actions with the Pyramid Lake Paiute Tribe
(“the Tribe settlement”). See
“Fish Springs Ranch”
below.
|
Overhead
Expenses were little changed year over year, at $503,000 in the second quarter
of 2007, compared to $563,000 in the second quarter of 2006. However, Project
Expenses were $7.9 million in the second quarter of 2007, compared to $568,000
in the second quarter of 2006. The increase was due to an expense of
$7.3
million
resulting from a settlement between Fish Springs Ranch LLC, and the Pyramid
Lake
Paiute Tribe, in the second quarter of 2007. See
“Fish Springs Ranch” below. Excluding
the Tribe settlement, project expenses in the second quarter of 2007 were
approximately $642,000.
Overhead
Expenses were $1 million in the first half of 2007, slightly less than the
$1.1
million in the first half of 2006. However, Project Expenses were $8.5 million
in the first half of 2007, compared to $1.3 million in the first half of 2006,
due to the $7.3
million
expense resulting from the Tribe settlement. Excluding
the Tribe settlement, project expenses in the first half of 2007 were
approximately $1.2 million.
The
year
over year decreases of $6.4 million in the second quarter segment result, and
$5.6 million in the first half segment result, were principally due to the
$7.3
million Tribe settlement expense, partially offset by higher net investment
income earned in 2007 as a result of higher liquid funds available for
short-term investment.
Fish
Springs Ranch
Vidler
has a 51% membership interest in, and is the managing partner of, Fish Springs
Ranch. Vidler is constructing 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
in
the north valleys of Reno.
We
believe that the current market value of water in the area exceeds the total
estimated cost of the pipeline and the water to be supplied. To date, Vidler
has
entered into agreements to sell approximately 117.5 acre-feet of water at a
price of $45,000 per acre-foot, as and when water can be delivered through
the
completed pipeline.
During
2006, we began construction of the pipeline and an electrical substation to
provide the power which will be required to pump the water. As of June 30,
2007,
approximately 75% of the project has been completed, on time and on budget.
We
anticipate being able to deliver water in late 2007 or early 2008.
The
total
cost of the pipeline project is estimated to be approximately $82 million.
As of
June 30, 2007, approximately $61.1 million of the costs related to the design
and construction of the pipeline have been spent and capitalized (i.e., recorded
as an asset on our balance sheet, in the line “Real estate and water assets”).
The remaining costs will be incurred over the next 6 to 9 months. As of June
30,
2007, Vidler has commitments for future capital expenditure of approximately
$20
million, related to the Fish Springs pipeline.
In
addition to the $82 million estimated total cost of the pipeline project, during
the third quarter of 2007, Fish Springs intends to enter into approximately
$7.7
million in commitments to construct additional infrastructure. The
proposed additional infrastructure is approximately 4 miles of 30 inch pipeline,
to be constructed from the terminal tank (part of the original pipeline
construction) to the general area of development in the north valleys of
Reno. Originally, it was anticipated that this infrastructure would be
constructed by the local utility. However, Fish Springs is able to design,
construct, and complete this infrastructure in less time, at a more competitive
cost, and thus enhance access to the Fish Springs water resource by the
development community. This additional cost will be factored in the price of
the
water that is sold to developers.
Project
expenses for the second quarter and first half of 2007 include an expense of
$7.3
million
resulting from a settlement between Fish Springs Ranch LLC, and the Pyramid
Lake
Paiute Tribe.
The
final
regulatory approval required for the pipeline project was a Record of Decision
(“ROD”) for a right of way, which was granted in May 2006. Subsequently,
the Tribe pursued a number of protests and legal challenges to the granting
of
the ROD, which by April 2007 had resulted in construction on the Project being
restricted to the private lands involved in the pipeline route and the existing
open trench on the public lands.
The
Tribe
had asserted that exporting 8,000 acre-feet of water per year from the Fish
Springs Ranch to the north valleys of Reno through a 38 mile pipeline would
negatively impact the Tribe’s water rights in a basin, within the boundaries of
the Pyramid Lake Paiute Tribe reservation. While we believed that the
claims were without merit, the Tribe’s legal actions could have caused
significant delays to the completion of the construction of the pipeline. To
avoid any such delays, Fish Springs and the Tribe entered into negotiations
to
settle all outstanding claims and legal actions. On May 30, 2007 Fish Springs
and the Tribe signed an agreement that resolved all of the Tribe’s claims to the
exportation of water from the Fish Springs ranch. The amounts payable to
the Tribe as a result of the settlement agreement are predominately attributable
to settlement of the claims rather than the acquisition of additional water
rights or other assets.
The
$7.3
million settlement expense consists of:
·
a
cash
payment of $500,000, which was made during the second quarter of
2007;
·
the
transfer of approximately 6,214 acres of land, with a fair value of $500,000
and
a book value of $139,000, to the Tribe in the second quarter of
2007;
·
a
payment
of $3.1 million scheduled for January 8, 2008; and
·
a payment of $3.6
million on the later of January 8, 2009 or the date an Act of Congress ratifies
the settlement agreement (Interest accrues at LIBOR from January 8, 2009, if
the
payment is made after that date).
Accordingly,
Fish Springs accrued a liability of $6.7 million for the outstanding payments
due at June 30, 2007.
There
are
13,000 acre-feet per-year of permitted water rights at Fish Springs Ranch.
The
existing permit allows up to 8,000 acre-feet of water per year to be exported
to
support the development in the Reno area. The settlement agreement also provides
that, in exchange for the Tribe agreeing to not oppose all permitting activities
for the pumping and export of groundwater in excess of 8,000 acre-feet of water
per year, Fish Springs will pay the Tribe 12% of the gross sales price for
each
acre-foot of additional water that Fish Springs sells in excess of 8,000
acre-feet per year, up to 13,000 acre- feet per year. The obligation to
expense and pay the 12% fee is due only if and when the Company sells
water in excess of 8,000 acre-feet, accordingly, Fish Springs Ranch will record
the liability for such amounts due at that time. Currently there is not
regulatory approval to export any water in excess of 8,000 acre-feet per year
from Fish Springs Ranch to support further development in northern Reno, and
it
is uncertain whether such regulatory approval will be granted in the
future.
In
accordance with the Fish Springs partnership agreement, our 49%
partner’s proportionate share of the Tribe settlement expense will be recouped
from the net revenues generated from the sale of Fish Springs water
resources.
Management
believes that the pipeline will be completed within the expected pipeline
project timetable.
Coyote
Springs
In
January 2007, Lincoln County Water District and Vidler (“Lincoln/Vidler”) were
awarded 1,000 acre-feet of new water rights at Kane Springs, Nevada. Once the
final permit is received and a right of way has been obtained, sale of the
water
rights to Coyote Springs is scheduled to close in 30 days. We expect to obtain
the right of way before the end of 2007. The current price for the water is
$6,655 per acre-foot.
Western
Nevada
Vidler
is
developing water resources in the Carson City and Lyon County areas of western
Nevada, to help resolve system demand and water shortage issues. Vidler
entered into a water resource teaming agreement with Carson City in December
2006, which could initially result in the creation of 2,000 acre-feet of new
water supply.
In
addition, and separately from our agreement with Carson City, Vidler has
obtained an option to acquire 1,000 acre-feet of agricultural water rights,
which we intend to deliver to municipal users.
Idaho
In
July
2007, after the end of the second quarter, Vidler closed on the purchase of
approximately 1,350 acres of land and the related 5,186 acre-feet of
agricultural water rights for $9.2 million, located in Idaho. The property
is
currently being farmed, and grows apples, silage corn, and alfafa.
This
purchase is Vidler’s first acquisition of real estate and water resources in
Idaho. The property is near the fast-growing areas of Boise, Nampa and Caldwell,
where future development could be constrained by the lack of developable land
with water to support development.
We
believe that the property is well suited to a residential planned unit
development, although we are also considering other alternative future uses
for
both the land and the water resources acquired.
10
REAL
ESTATE OPERATIONS
|
Three
Months Ended June 30,
|
Six
Months Ended June 30,
|
||
|
2007
|
2006
|
2007
|
2006
|
Revenues:
|
||||
Sale
of former Railroad Land
|
$2,112,000
|
$3,826,000
|
$4,419,000
|
$5,054,000
|
Net
Investment Income
|
680,000
|
391,000
|
1,537,000
|
770,000
|
Other
|
169,000
|
409,000
|
511,000
|
568,000
|
Segment
Total Revenues
|
$2,961,000
|
$4,626,000
|
$6,467,000
|
$6,392,000
|
|
|
|
|
|
Expenses:
|
|
|
|
|
Cost
of former Railroad Land Sold
|
$(
703,000)
|
$(1,299,000)
|
$(1,469,000)
|
$(1,671,000)
|
Operating
Expenses
|
(
619,000)
|
(
603,000)
|
(1,159,000)
|
(1,071,000)
|
Segment
Total Expenses
|
$(1,322,000)
|
$(1,902,000)
|
$(2,628,000)
|
$(2,742,000)
|
Income
Before Tax
|
$1,639,000
|
$2,724,000
|
$3,839,000
|
$3,650,000
|
The
largest business in the Real Estate Operations segment is Nevada Land &
Resource Company, LLC (“Nevada Land”).
Nevada
Land recognizes revenue from land sales when a sale transaction closes. On
closing, the entire sales price is recorded as revenue, and the associated
cost
basis is reported as cost of land sold. Since the date of closing determines
the
accounting period in which the revenue and cost of land are recorded, Nevada
Land’s reported results fluctuate from quarter to quarter, depending on the
dates when transactions close. Consequently, results for any one quarter are
not
necessarily indicative of likely results for future quarters or the full
financial year. In the following, gross margin is defined as revenue less cost
of sales, and gross margin percentage is defined as gross margin divided by
revenue.
During
the first quarter of 2007, we commenced two new real estate operations through
two wholly-owned subsidiary companies, Bedrock Land Development, Inc.
(“Bedrock”), and Global Equity Corporation (“Global Equity”). The new real
estate operations generated minimal revenues in the first half of
2007.
Bedrock
has been formed with the objective of acquiring attractive and well-located
developable land, partially developed lots, or finished lots, in select
California markets, where medium-sized regional developers and homebuilders
may
have run into liquidity challenges as a result of the downturn in the housing
market.
In
April
2007, Bedrock closed on the purchase of 167 un-entitled lots in east Fresno,
California for approximately $3.7 million. Bedrock is now working through the
entitlement process. The City of Fresno is located in the Central Valley of
California, an area where housing is affordable and which is forecast to
experience strong population growth over the next 20 years. Bedrock is taking
a
highly selective approach to acquisitions, and is actively reviewing other
opportunities.
Global
Equity is a Canadian company which manages the Phoenix Capital Income Trust
and
its subsidiary Phoenix Capital, Inc. (collectively “Phoenix”). Phoenix is in the
business of acquiring interests in privately-traded Canadian real estate
partnerships and syndicates (collectively “partnership units”) at an appropriate
discount, to reflect the lack of a public trading market for the partnership
units. Global Equity is managing the existing portfolio of partnership units
owned by Phoenix, and Global Equity will be the vehicle through which additional
partnership units will be acquired. During the second quarter of 2007, Global
Equity acquired partnership units with a cost basis of $394,000.
In
the
second quarter of 2007, Nevada Land sold approximately 21,620 acres of former
railroad land for $2.1 million. The average sales price was $98 per acre, and
our average basis in the land sold was $33 per acre. The gross margin on land
sales was $1.4 million, which represents a gross margin percentage of 66.7%.
In
the
second quarter of 2006, Nevada Land sold approximately 51,539 acres of land
for
$3.8 million. The average sales price was $74 per acre, and our average basis
in
the land sold was $25 per acre. The gross margin on land sales was $2.5 million,
which represents a gross margin percentage of 66%.
The
second quarter segment result decreased by $1.1 million year over year,
principally due to a $1.1 million, or 44.2%, decline in gross margin from land
sales year over year. This primarily resulted from a 58% decrease in the volume
of land sold, although the gross margin percentage improved slightly year over
year. We believe that the decrease in land sales reflects typical quarterly
fluctuation due to the timing of closings, rather than a decrease in demand
for
our lands. There are land sales in escrow, scheduled to close by the end of
2007, with a value of more than $9 million.
In
the
first half of 2007, segment total revenues were $6.5 million. Nevada Land sold
approximately 47,404 acres of former railroad land for $4.4 million. The average
sales price was $93 per acre, and our average basis in the land sold was $31
per
acre. The gross margin on land sales was $2.9 million, which represents a gross
margin percentage of 66.8%.
In
the
first half of 2006, Nevada Land sold approximately 65,902 acres of land for
$5.1
million. The average sales price was $77 per acre, and our average basis in
the
land sold was $25 per acre. The gross margin on land sales was $3.4 million,
which represents a gross margin percentage of 66.9%.
The
first
half segment result improved by $189,000 year over year. This was principally
due to a $767,000 year over year increase in net investment income, which
represents interest earned on the proceeds from land sales and on land sales
contracts where Nevada Land has provided vendor financing. The gross margin
from
land sales declined $434,000 year over year, primarily as a result of a 28%
decrease in the volume of land sold.
11
BUSINESS
ACQUISITIONS AND FINANCING
|
Three
Months Ended June 30,
|
Six
Months Ended June 30,
|
||
|
2007
|
2006
|
2007
|
2006
|
Revenues:
|
||||
Realized
Gains on Sale of Holdings
|
$
6,000
|
$
541,000
|
$
5,000
|
$
8,698,000
|
Net
Investment Income
|
2,609,000
|
2,551,000
|
3,786,000
|
3,266,000
|
Other
|
32,000
|
96,000
|
33,000
|
197,000
|
Segment
Total Revenues
|
$2,647,000
|
$3,188,000
|
$3,824,000
|
$12,161,000
|
|
|
|
|
|
Segment
Total Expenses
|
$(3,628,000)
|
$(2,309,000)
|
$(6,879,000)
|
$(4,534,000)
|
Income
(Loss) Before Tax
|
$(981,000)
|
$879,000
|
$(3,055,000)
|
$7,627,000
|
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 $63.5 million (before taxes) at June 30, 2007,
compared to $49.1 million at December 31, 2006.
For
the
second quarter of 2007, net investment income was $2.6 million, including $1.4
million from Jungfraubahn’s annual dividend payment for 2006.
In
the
second quarter of 2006, net investment income was $2.6 million, including $1.2
million from Jungfraubahn’s annual dividend payment for 2005.
Second
quarter segment revenues decreased $541,000 year over year, primarily due to
a
$535,000 lower level of realized gains.
Second
quarter segment expenses increased $1.3 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.
The
bulk of the year over year increase in segment expenses is due to a $2.4 million
unfavorable change in a foreign currency benefit (expense).
Certain
of our interests in Swiss public companies are held by PICO European Holdings,
LLC (“PICO European Holdings”), a wholly owned subsidiary of Physicians
Insurance Company of Ohio. Part of PICO European Holdings’ funding comes from a
loan from PICO Holdings, Inc. which is denominated in Swiss Francs. Since the
U.S. dollar is the functional currency for our financial reporting, under GAAP
we are required to record a benefit (expense) through the statement of
operations to reflect fluctuation in the rate of exchange 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
$317,000 was recorded in PICO’s statement of operations in the second quarter of
2007, compared to a $2.1 million exchange rate benefit, which reduced segment
expenses, in the second quarter of 2006.
In
the
first half of 2007, net investment income was $3.8 million, including the $1.4
million dividend from Jungfraubahn.
In
the
first half of 2006, realized gains on the sale of holdings were $8.7 million,
primarily represented by gains of $6.8 million on the sale of our holding in
Anderson-Tully Company, and $1 million on the sale of part of our holding in
Raetia Energie AG. Net investment income was $3.3 million, including a $1.2
million dividend from Jungfraubahn.
First
half segment revenues decreased $8.3 million year over year, primarily due
to an
$8.7 million reduction in realized gains.
First
half segment expenses increased $2.3 million year over year, primarily due
to a
$2.3 million reduction in the foreign currency benefit.
INSURANCE
OPERATIONS IN RUN OFF
|
Three
Months Ended June 30,
|
Six
Months Ended June 30,
|
||
|
2007
|
2006
|
2007
|
2006
|
Revenues:
|
||||
Realized
Gains on Sale of Holdings
|
$204,000
|
$
147,000
|
$1,432,000
|
$6,676,000
|
Net
Investment Income
|
990,000
|
913,000
|
1,807,000
|
1,584,000
|
Other
|
19,000
|
31,000
|
||
Segment
Total Revenues
|
$1,213,000
|
$1,060,000
|
$3,270,000
|
$8,260,000
|
|
|
|
|
|
Segment
Total Expenses
|
$(351,000)
|
$(312,000)
|
$(707,000)
|
$(711,000)
|
Income
Before Taxes:
|
||||
Physicians
Insurance Company of Ohio
|
$742,000
|
$652,000
|
$1,991,000
|
$5,945,000
|
Citation
Insurance Company
|
120,000
|
96,000
|
572,000
|
1,604,000
|
Income
Before Tax
|
$862,000
|
$748,000
|
$2,563,000
|
$7,549,000
|
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.
Once
an
insurance company has gone into “run off” and the last of its policies have
expired, typically most revenues come from net investment income and realized
gains or losses on the sale of the securities investments which correspond
to
the insurance company’s reserves and shareholders’ equity.
Revenues
and results in this segment vary considerably from period to period and are
not
necessarily comparable from year to year, primarily due to fluctuations in
net
realized investment gains, and favorable or unfavorable development in our
loss
reserves.
Realized
investment gains were $1.4 million in the first half of 2007, compared to $6.7
million in the first half of 2006. Segment income decreased from $7.5 million
in
the first half of 2006 to $2.6 million in the first half of 2007, primarily
due
to a $5.3 million decrease in realized gains. Realized gains in the first half
of 2006 included a $6.1 million gain from the sale of one equity position.
Physicians
Insurance Company of Ohio
PHYSICIANS
INSURANCE COMPANY OF OHIO -- LOSS AND LOSS ADJUSTMENT EXPENSE RESERVES
(In
Millions)
|
||
June
30, 2007
|
December
31, 2006
|
|
Direct
Reserves
|
$9.7
|
$10.4
|
Ceded
Reserves
|
(
0.8)
|
(1.0)
|
Net
Medical Professional Liability Insurance Reserves
|
$8.9
|
$9.4
|
Net
reserves decreased by $487,000 during the first half of 2007, due to the payment
of $672,000 in direct losses and loss adjustment expenses, partially offset
by
reinsurance recoveries of $185,000. No unusual trends in claims were
noted.
Citation
Insurance Company
CITATION
INSURANCE COMPANY -- LOSS AND LOSS ADJUSTMENT EXPENSE
RESERVES
(In
Millions)
|
||
June
30, 2007
|
December
31, 2006
|
|
Property
& Casualty Insurance
|
||
Direct
Reserves
|
$6.3
|
$6.6
|
Ceded
Reserves
|
(1.6)
|
(1.5)
|
Net
Property & Casualty Insurance Reserves
|
$4.7
|
$5.1
|
Workers’
Compensation
|
||
Direct
Reserves
|
$22.4
|
$24.1
|
Ceded
Reserves
|
(13.6)
|
(14.5)
|
Net
Workers’ Compensation Insurance Reserves
|
$8.8
|
$9.6
|
Total
Reserves
|
$13.5
|
$14.7
|
During
the first half of 2007, Citation’s net property and casualty insurance reserves
declined by $329,000, due to the payment of $322,000 in direct losses and loss
adjustment expenses and a $7,000 adjustment to reinsurance.
During
the first half of 2007, Citation’s net workers’ compensation reserves declined
by $849,000, due to the payment of $1.7 million in direct losses and loss
adjustment expenses, partially offset by the recovery of approximately $807,000
from reinsurance companies. There were no unusual trends in claims during the
first half of 2007.
12
DISCONTINUED
OPERATIONS - HYPERFEED TECHNOLOGIES
|
Three
Months Ended June 30,
|
Six
Months Ended June 30,
|
||
|
2007
|
2006
|
2007
|
2006
|
Loss
Before Income Taxes
|
$(2,446,000)
|
$(5,018,000)
|
||
Income
Tax Benefit
|
909,000
|
1,774,000
|
||
Gain
On Sale of HyperFeed’s Discontinued Operations, net
|
165,000
|
|||
Loss
After Tax
|
$(1,537,000)
|
$(3,079,000)
|
During
the fourth quarter of 2006, HyperFeed filed for bankruptcy under Chapter 7
of
the Bankruptcy Code. After the bankruptcy filing, HyperFeed was removed from
PICO’s financial statements as a consolidated entity, so there were no
Discontinued Operations related to HyperFeed in 2007.
LIQUIDITY
AND CAPITAL RESOURCES—SIX MONTHS ENDED JUNE 30, 2007 AND
2006
Cash
Flow
PICO’s
assets primarily consist of our operating subsidiaries, holdings in public
companies, and cash and cash equivalents. On a consolidated basis, the Company
had $112.4 million in cash and equivalents at June 30, 2007, compared to $136.6
million at December 31, 2006.
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.
In
broad
terms, the cash flow profile of our principal operating subsidiaries
is:
·
|
As
Vidler’s water assets are monetized, Vidler should generate 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 and development costs,
so Nevada Land is generating strong cash flow;
and
|
·
|
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.
|
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
decreased by $24.3 million in the first half of 2007, compared to a $59.3
million net increase in the first half of 2006.
During
the first half of 2007, Operating Activities used $25.5 million in cash. The
principal operating cash inflow was land sales by Nevada Land. The principal
operating cash outflows include overhead expenses, tax payments, and the payment
of management incentive compensation related to 2006 performance. In addition,
an Operating Cash outflow of $4.9 million was recorded, which relates to the
exercise of stock-based stock appreciation rights (“SAR”) during the first half
of 2007.
During
the first half of 2006, the Operating Activities of continuing operations used
cash of $10 million. The principal operating cash inflow was the collection
of
principal on collateralized notes related to Vidler’s sale of assets at Big
Springs Ranch and West Wendover in previous years. The principal operating
cash
outflows include overhead expenses, the payment of management incentive
compensation related to 2005 performance, tax payments, the cost of drilling
wells in several locations by Vidler, and the payment of claims by our insurance
companies. In addition, the operating activities of discontinued operations
used
cash of $2.3 million
Investing
Activities used $103.9 million of cash in the first half of 2007. The principal
investing use of cash was a $65.3 million net increase in fixed-income
securities, which represents the temporary investment of a portion of the
proceeds of the February 2007 stock offering. In addition, we outlaid $27.1
million for property and equipment, primarily related to the Fish Springs
pipeline project, and $11.5 million net was invested in stocks.
In
the
first half of 2006, the Investing Activities of continuing operations generated
cash of $2 million. The sale of investments exceeded purchases, providing $11.1
million in cash. The principal use of investing cash was $9.1 million in outlays
for property and equipment, primarily related to the Fish Springs pipeline
project. In the first half of 2006, the investing activities of discontinued
operations used cash of $1.4 million.
Financing
Activities provided $105.1 million of cash in the first half of 2007. This
primarily represented the sale of 2.8 million newly-issued shares of PICO common
stock for net proceeds of $100.1 million. In addition, there was a $4.9 million
tax benefit related to the exercise of SAR. During the period, $2.5 million
of
the loan facility held at Global Equity AG became due and was refinanced at
a
rate of LIBOR plus 200 basis points (currently at 4.19%) for two more years.
In
the first half of 2006, the Financing Activities of continuing operations
provided cash of $73.4 million, which primarily represented the sale of 2.6
million newly-issued shares of PICO common stock for net proceeds of $73.9
million, and the financing activities of discontinued operations used $498,000
of cash.
During
the first six months of 2007, we continued construction of a pipeline to convey
water from the Fish Springs Ranch to a storage tank near Reno, Nevada, and
continued construction of a plant to generate the electricity which will be
required to pump the water. As of June 30, 2007, approximately $61.2 million
of
the $82 million of the costs related to the design and construction of the
Fish
Springs Ranch pipeline project had been paid. However, the Company intends
to
enter new contracts to build additional infrastructure related to the pipeline
that could cost up to $6 million. The total remaining expenditure will be
incurred over the next 6 to 9 months. At June 30, 2007, Vidler had commitments
for future capital expenditure of approximately $20 million.
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
June 30, 2007, no stock had been repurchased under this
authorization.
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, 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 June 30, 2007, PICO had $129.7 million of fixed maturity securities,
$253.4 million of marketable equity securities that were subject to market
risk,
of which $154.3 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 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 June 30, 2007, the model calculated a loss in fair value of $3.7
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 $50.7 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 $28.3 million that would
impact the foreign currency translation in shareholders’ equity.
Item
4: Controls and Procedures
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 June 30, 2007.
13
Part
II: Other Information
The
Company is subject to various litigation arising in the ordinary course of
its
business. Members of PICO’s insurance group are frequently a party in claims
proceedings and actions regarding insurance coverage, all of which PICO
considers routine and incidental to 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.
Neither
PICO nor its subsidiaries are parties to any potentially material pending legal
proceedings other than the following.
Exegy
Litigation:
On
November 13, 2006 Exegy Inc. filed a lawsuit against PICO and HyperFeed in
state
court in Missouri seeking a declaratory judgment that Exegy’s purported November
7, 2006 termination of the August 25, 2006 Contribution Agreement was
valid. In the event that Exegy’s November 7, 2006 letter is not determined
to be a valid termination of the Contribution Agreement, Exegy seeks a
declaration that PICO and HyperFeed have materially breached the Contribution
Agreement, for which Exegy seeks monetary damages and an injunction
against further material breach. Finally, Exegy seeks a declaratory
judgment that if its November 7, 2006 notice of termination was not valid,
and that if PICO and HyperFeed did materially breach the Contribution Agreement
but that a continuing breach cannot be remedied or enjoined, then Exegy
seeks a declaration that Exegy should be relieved of further performance under
the Contribution Agreement due to alleged HyperFeed actions deemed by Exegy
to
be inconsistent with the Contribution Agreement. On December 15, 2006 the
lawsuit filed by Exegy on November 13, 2006 was removed from Missouri state
court to federal court. On February 2, 2007, this case was transferred to the
United States Bankruptcy Court, District of Delaware.
On
November 17, 2006 HyperFeed and PICO filed a lawsuit against Exegy in
state court in Illinois. PICO and HyperFeed allege that Exegy, after the
November 7, 2006 letter purporting to terminate the Contribution Agreement,
used
and continues to use HyperFeed’s confidential and proprietary information in an
unauthorized manner and without HyperFeed’s consent. PICO and HyperFeed are also
seeking a preliminary injunction enjoining Exegy from disclosing, using, or
disseminating HyperFeed’s confidential and proprietary information, and from
continuing to interfere with HyperFeed’s business relations. PICO and
HyperFeed also seek monetary damages from Exegy. On January 18, 2007 this case
was removed from Illinois state court to federal bankruptcy court in Illinois.
On February 6, 2007 this case was transferred to the United States Bankruptcy
Court, District of Delaware.
The
United States Bankruptcy Court, District of Delaware has accepted both cases
and
both cases will continue as adversary proceedings. On July 11, 2007, the parties
entered into mediation to attempt to resolve these two lawsuits.
Fish
Springs Ranch, LLC:
All
outstanding claims and legal actions between Fish Springs Ranch LLC and the
Pyramid Lake Paiute Tribe (“the Tribe”) were settled during the second quarter
of 2007, in an agreement which permanently resolves all of the Tribe’s
objections to the exportation of water from Fish Springs Ranch. The agreement
is
awaiting ratification by an Act of Congress. See
the Water Resources and Water Storage Operations segment discussion in Part
I,
Item 2, “Management’s
Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of
Operations”.
Item
1A: Risk Factors
There
are
no material changes to our risk factors described in our Form 10-K for the
year
ended December 31, 2006, as filed on March 12, 2007.
Item
2: Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of
Proceeds
On
February 28, 2007, the Company completed a private placement of 2,823,000
newly-issued common shares to accredited investors at a price of $37.00 per
share, for net proceeds of $100,227,450. ThinkEquity Partners, LLC served as
placement agent for the transaction. The aggregate offering price was
$104,451,000 and the aggregate commissions were $4,223,550. 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 (the "Registration Statement”) with the SEC to register
these 2,823,000 common shares for resale and naming the accredited investors
as
Selling Shareholders therein. The SEC declared the Registration Statement
effective April 13, 2007. The Selling Shareholders table from the Registration
Statement is incorporated by reference into this Item 2 of Part II of this
report.
Item
3: Defaults Upon Senior Securities
None
Item
4: Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders
None
Item
5: Other Information
None
14
Item
6: Exhibits
Exhibit
Number
|
|
Description
|
3(i)
|
|
Amended
and Restated Articles of Incorporation of PICO.(1)
|
3(ii)
|
|
Amended
and Restated By-laws of PICO. (2)
|
4.1
|
|
Form
of Form of Securities Purchase Agreement dated February 28, 2007
between
PICO Holdings, Inc. and the Purchasers. (3)
|
10.15
|
|
Form
of Employment Agreement for John R. Hart. (4)
|
10.17
|
Form
of Pyramid Lake Paiute Tribe Fish Springs Ranch LLC Settlement Agreement.
(5)
|
|
31.1
|
|
Certification
of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) as
adopted
pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of
2002.
|
31.2
|
|
Certification
of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) as
adopted
pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of
2002.
|
32.1
|
|
Certification
of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350 (Section
906
of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002).
|
32.2
|
|
Certification
of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350 (Section
906
of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002).
|
|
(1)
|
Incorporated
by reference to exhibit of same number filed with Form 8-K dated
December
4, 1996.
|
|
(2)
|
Filed
as Appendix to the prospectus in Part I of Registration Statement
on Form
S-4 (File No. 333-06671).
|
|
(3)
|
Incorporated
by reference to Exhibit 10.12 to the Form 8-K filed on March 2,
2007.
|
|
(4)
|
Incorporated
by reference to Exhibit 10.15 to the Form 8-K filed on May 9,
2007.
|
(5)
|
Incorporated
by reference to Exhibit 10.17 to the Form 8-K filed on June 5,
2007.
|
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:
August 8, 2007
By:
/s/
Maxim C. W. Webb
Maxim
C.
W. Webb
Chief
Financial Officer and Treasurer
(Principal
Financial and Accounting Officer and Authorized Signatory)