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Energy West Reports Net Income Increase of 20% for Fiscal 2008 Third Quarter


GREAT FALLS, Mont., May 15 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Energy West (Nasdaq: EWST) today reported consolidated results for its fiscal 2008 third quarter and nine months ended March 31, 2008.

Net income for the third quarter of 2008 was $2.3 million, or $0.53 per diluted share. Net income for the third quarter of 2008 increased 20% compared to net income of $1.9 million or $0.42 per diluted share in the fiscal 2007 third quarter, which included $636,000 or $0.14 per diluted share relating to the results of discontinued operations. The Natural Gas Operations segment contributed net income of $1.6 million for the third quarter compared to $0.9 million for the same quarter of 2007, an increase of 72%. This increase was primarily due to the acquisitions of Frontier Utilities inNorth Carolina and Bangor Gas Company inMaine in October 2007 and December 2007, respectively, which contributed combined net income of $439,211 for the quarter. The Marketing and Production segment contributed $671,125 for the third quarter of 2008 compared to $367,326 for the same quarter of 2007. The Pipeline Operations segment contributed net income of $21,805 for the third quarter of 2008 compared to a loss of $8,607 for the same quarter of 2007.

For the nine months ended March 31, 2008, net income was $10.2 million, or $2.37 per diluted share, which included a $6.8 million extraordinary gain offset by approximately $600,000 associated with the realignment of the Company's management team. The $6.8 million extraordinary gain resulted from the recognition of a deferred tax asset of $11.5 million from the purchase of assets inNorth Carolina andMaine. Excluding the extraordinary item of $6.8 million and the management restructuring charge of approximately $600,000 (approximately $369,000 after tax), the adjusted net income for the first nine months of 2008 was $3.8 million, or $0.88 per diluted share. For the nine months ended March 31, 2007, net income was $3.0 million, or $0.67 per diluted share, including $0.13 per diluted share relating to the results of discontinued operations. The Natural Gas Operations segment contributed net income of $2.1 million for the nine months of 2008 compared to $1.6 million for the same period in 2007, an increase of 36%. This increase was primarily due to the acquisitions of Frontier Utilities and Bangor Gas which contributed combined net income of $641,625 for the first nine months of 2008. The Marketing and Production segment contributed $1.2 million for the first nine months of 2008 compared to $816,485 for 2007. The Pipeline Operations segment contributed net income of $67,913 for the first nine months of 2008 compared to $35,460 for 2007.

"Our strategy of growing Energy West through internal opportunities and gas utility acquisitions is yielding positive results. The third quarter of 2008 was the first full quarter that included both ourMaine andNorth Carolina operations as part of the Energy West team," said Richard M. Osborne, Chairman and CEO of Energy West. "We expect future growth in ourMaine and North Carolina markets as we fully integrate these growing markets into our company. We continue to concentrate on enhancing marketing and productivity in our operations, includingMaine andNorth Carolina, and reducing our expenses."

Safe Harbor Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

The Company is including the following cautionary statement in this release to make applicable and to take advantage of the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 for any forward-looking statements made by, or on behalf of, Energy West, Incorporated. Forward-looking statements are all statements other than statements of historical fact, including, without limitation, those that are identified by the use of the words "anticipates," "estimates," "expects," "intends," "plans," "predicts," "believes" and similar expressions. Such statements are inherently subject to a variety of risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed. Factors that may affect forward-looking statements and the company's business generally include but are not limited to the impact of regulation on the Company's business, the Company's gas purchase practices, operational issues, hazards involved in storing and transporting natural gas, consumption sensitivity, the Company's ability to implement its business plan (including controlling costs and managing growth), fluctuating energy commodity prices, the cost of natural gas, loss of customers, integration of acquired businesses, maintenance of effective internal controls, the possibility that regulators may not permit the company to pass through all of its increased costs to its customers, changes in the utility regulatory environment, wholesale and retail competition, weather conditions, future utilization of pipeline capacity, litigation risks, risks associated with contracts accounted for as derivatives, ability to meet financial covenants imposed by the Company's lenders, continued ability to make dividend payments and various other matters, many of which are beyond the Company's control, the risk factors and cautionary statements made in the company's public filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, and other factors that the company is currently unable to identify or quantify, but may exist in the future. Energy West expressly undertakes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statement contained herein to reflect any change in Energy West's expectations with regard thereto or any change in events, conditions or circumstances on which any such statement is based.

About Energy West

Energy West, Incorporated distributes and sells natural gas to end-use residential, commercial, and industrial customers. It distributes approximately 23 billion cubic feet of natural gas to approximately 36,000 customers through regulated utilities operating inMontana,Wyoming,North Carolina andMaine. The Company markets approximately 1.6 billion cubic feet of natural gas to commercial and industrial customers inMontana andWyoming on an unregulated basis. The Company also has a majority ownership interest in 162 natural gas producing wells and gas gathering assets. In addition, the Company owns the Shoshone interstate and the Glacier gathering pipelines located inMontana andWyoming. The Company'sMontana public utility was originally incorporated in 1909 and is headquartered inGreat Falls, Montana.

For additional information regarding Energy West, please contact: James W. Garrett, President and Chief Operating Officer, at (440) 205-1987. The Company's toll-free number is (800) 570-5688. The Company's web site is http://www.energywest.com. The Company's address is 1 First Avenue South, Great Falls, Montana 59401.



                          ENERGY WEST, INCORPORATED
                RECONCILIATION OF NON-GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES
                                  UNAUDITED

In this press release, the company presented adjusted net income and adjusted net income per share, which are non-GAAP financial measures. Management uses non-GAAP financial measures to evaluate the company's performance for the periods presented, and believes that these measures of profitability provide a meaningful presentation of the underlying earnings of the company's operations. Adjusted net income and adjusted net income per share exclude certain items that, in the opinion of management, may not be indicative of overall operating trends. These non-GAAP measures should not be considered an alternative to measurements required by GAAP. Our calculation of these measures may differ from similar measures used by other companies and investors should be careful when comparing the company's non-GAAP financial measures to those of other companies.

For the nine months ended March 31, 2008, adjusted net income and adjusted net income per share exclude an extraordinary gain related to a deferred tax asset and a one-time management restructuring charge. The following is a reconciliation to the most directly comparable GAAP financial measure:


    Reconciliation of GAAP Net Income to Adjusted Net Income

                                                 Nine Months Ended
                                                      March 31
                                             2008                 2007

                                        $(000)  Per Share  $(000)    Per Share

    GAAP basis net income as reported  $10,250    $2.37    $3,005     $0.67(1)

    Deduct extraordinary gain           (6,819)   (1.58)      -         -

    Add management restructuring costs
     (net of tax)                          369     0.09       -         -

    Adjusted net income                 $3,800    $0.88    $3,005     $0.67(1)

    (1) FY07 amounts include net
     income from discontinued operations                     $594     $0.13



    ENERGY WEST, INCORPORATED AND SUBSIDIARIES
    CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS (UNAUDITED)

                                Three Months Ended       Nine Months Ended
                                     March 31,               March 31,
                                 2008        2007        2008        2007
    REVENUES:
      Natural gas operations $24,167,479 $17,917,310 $45,285,774 $38,243,199
      Gas and electric --
       wholesale               6,620,996   3,521,291  12,437,687   9,508,646
      Pipeline operations         89,797      94,086     276,652     293,277
        Total revenues        30,878,272  21,532,687  58,000,113  48,045,122
    EXPENSES:
      Gas purchased           17,709,457  13,754,736  31,681,884  28,028,269
      Gas and electric --
       wholesale               5,529,655   2,756,280  10,260,840   7,675,841
        Total cost of sales   23,239,112  16,511,016  41,942,724  35,704,110
    GROSS MARGIN               7,639,160   5,021,671  16,057,389  12,341,012
      Distribution, general,
       and administrative      2,750,428   1,479,429   7,352,336   4,580,704
      Maintenance                203,190     149,543     529,105     393,978
      Depreciation and
       amortization              487,248     418,920   1,376,619   1,269,122
      Taxes other than income    644,844     615,265   1,508,457   1,290,680
        Total expenses         4,085,710   2,663,157  10,766,517   7,534,484
    OPERATING INCOME           3,553,450   2,358,514   5,290,872   4,806,528
    OTHER INCOME                  48,157      33,614     238,250     171,962
    INTEREST (EXPENSE)          (287,748)   (382,323)   (817,459) (1,186,228)
    INCOME FROM CONTINUING
     OPERATIONS BEFORE INCOME
     TAX                       3,313,859   2,009,805   4,711,663   3,792,262
    INCOME TAX (EXPENSE)      (1,006,561)   (716,802) (1,280,389) (1,382,089)
    INCOME FROM CONTINUING
     OPERATIONS                2,307,298   1,293,003   3,431,274   2,410,173
    DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS:
      Income from discontinued
       operations                      -   1,040,057           -     972,861
      Income tax benefit (expense)     -    (403,747)          -    (378,484)
    INCOME FROM DISCONTINUED
     OPERATIONS:                       -     636,310           -     594,377
    INCOME BEFORE EXTRAORDINARY
     ITEM                      2,307,298   1,929,313   3,431,274   3,004,550
    EXTRAORDINARY ITEM                 -           -   6,819,182           -
    NET INCOME                $2,307,298  $1,929,313 $10,250,456  $3,004,550

    BASIC EARNINGS PER
     COMMON SHARE:
      Income from continuing
       operations                  $0.53       $0.29       $0.80       $0.54
      Income from discontinued
       operations                  $0.00       $0.14       $0.00       $0.13
      Extraordinary item           $0.00       $0.00       $1.58       $0.00
                                   $0.53       $0.43       $2.38       $0.68
    DILUTED EARNINGS PER
     COMMON SHARE:
      Income from continuing
       operations                  $0.53       $0.28       $0.79       $0.54
      Income from discontinued
       operations                  $0.00       $0.14       $0.00       $0.13
      Extraordinary item           $0.00       $0.00       $1.58       $0.00

                                   $0.53       $0.42       $2.37       $0.67
    WEIGHTED AVERAGE COMMON
     SHARES OUTSTANDING:(a)
      Basic                    4,337,363   4,484,160   4,304,018   4,440,446
      Diluted                  4,342,462   4,540,815   4,316,500   4,482,440

    (a) On February 1, 2008, a 3:2 stock split was effectuated.  Weighted
        average shares and earning per share have been restated to reflect
        the stock split.

    Please refer to the notes as filed on Form 10-Q that are an integral part
    of these condensed consolidated financial statements.



    ENERGY WEST, INCORPORATED AND SUBSIDIARIES
    SEGMENTS OF OPERATIONS

    Income from continuing operations is summarized in the table below:

                               Three Months Ended       Nine Months Ended
                                   March 31                 March 31
                               2008         2007        2008        2007
    Gross margin (operating
     revenue less cost of
     gas sold):
    Natural gas operations  $6,458,022  $4,162,574  $13,603,890  $10,214,930
    Marketing and production
     operations              1,091,341     765,011    2,176,847    1,832,805
    Pipeline operations         89,797      94,086      276,652      293,277
                             7,639,160   5,021,671   16,057,389   12,341,012

    Operating income:
    Natural gas operations   2,558,912   1,737,540    3,457,680    3,286,577
    Marketing and production
     operations                954,819     630,007    1,719,632    1,438,536
    Pipeline operations         39,719      (9,033)     113,560       81,415
                             3,553,450   2,358,514    5,290,872    4,806,528

    Net income from continuing
     operations:
    Natural gas operations   1,610,688     934,284    2,118,182    1,558,228
    Marketing and production
     operations                671,125     367,326    1,241,499      816,485
    Pipeline operations         21,805      (8,607)      67,913       35,460
                            $2,303,618  $1,293,003   $3,427,594   $2,410,173



    ENERGY WEST, INCORPORATED AND SUBSIDIARIES
    CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS, MARCH 31, 2008 AND 2007, AND
    JUNE 30, 2007

    ASSETS                                       March 31,          June 30,
                                                (unaudited)        (audited)
                                             2008         2007        2007
    Current Assets:
      Cash                                $2,264,078   $1,147,704   $7,010,020
      Marketable securities                  301,989            -            -
      Accounts and notes receivable
       less $195,384,$220,118 and
       $64,054, respectively,
       allowance for bad debt              7,261,014    5,774,107    3,532,083
      Unbilled gas                         2,783,185    1,574,040      649,939
      Derivative assets                       92,258      107,975       57,847
      Natural gas and propane inventories    442,069      675,050    5,474,309
      Materials and supplies                 972,792      394,109      377,296
      Prepayments and other                  565,366      287,373      142,964
      Prepaid income tax                     959,697            -      162,432
      Recoverable cost of gas purchases      645,103    1,544,680      307,899
      Deferred tax asset                           -            -       53,370
      Assets held for sale                         -   12,524,572            -
        Total current assets              16,287,551   24,029,610   17,768,159

    Property, Plant and Equipment, Net    31,479,732   30,370,404   30,473,991

    Deferred Charges                       2,820,116    3,610,615    3,031,425
    Deferred Tax Asset Long Term           7,095,185            -            -
    Other Investments                        597,792            -            -
    Other Assets                             405,046      594,222      560,463
    TOTAL ASSETS                         $58,685,422  $58,604,851  $51,834,038

    LIABILITIES AND CAPITALIZATION

    Current Liabilities:
      Accounts payable                    $6,035,241   $5,265,257   $4,543,525
      Current portion of long-term debt            -    1,060,000            -
      Derivative liabilities                  92,423       63,039       58,018
      Accrued income taxes                         -      111,214            -
      Deferred income taxes                   73,711      431,964
      Accrued and other current
       liabilities                         4,168,474    3,975,397    3,092,726
      Liabilities held for sale                    -      936,305            -
        Total current liabilities         10,369,849   11,843,176    7,694,269

    Other Obligations:
      Deferred income taxes                        -    5,529,869    4,585,170
      Deferred investment tax credits        255,362      276,424      271,158
      Other long-term liabilities          3,875,811    4,069,602    3,987,731
        Total                              4,131,173    9,875,895    8,844,059
    Long-Term Debt                        13,000,000   15,218,333   13,000,000

    Commitments and Contingencies
     (see note 7 on Form 10-Q)

    Stockholders' Equity:
      Preferred stock; $.15 par value,
       1,500,000 shares authorized,
       no shares outstanding                       -            -            -
      Common stock; (a) $.15 par value,
       15,000,000 shares authorized,
       4,346,644, 4,502,928 and 4,288,656
       shares outstanding at March 31, 2008
       and 2007, and June 30, 2007
       respectively                          651,997      675,439      643,298
      Capital in excess of par value       6,192,241    7,964,587    5,867,727

      Retained earnings                   24,340,162   13,027,421   15,784,685
        Total stockholders' equity        31,184,400   21,667,447   22,295,710
      TOTAL CAPITALIZATION                44,184,400   36,885,780   35,295,710
    TOTAL LIABILITIES AND CAPITALIZATION $58,685,422  $58,604,851  $51,834,038

    (a) On February 1, 2008 a 3:2 stock split was effectuated. Outstanding
        common shares have been restated to reflect the stock split.

    Please refer to the notes as filed on Form 10-Q that are an integral part
    of these condensed consolidated financial statements.



    ENERGY WEST, INCORPORATED AND SUBSIDIARIES
    CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (UNAUDITED)

                                                        Nine Months Ended
                                                             March 31,
                                                       2008           2007
    CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
      Net income                                   $10,250,456     $3,004,550
      Adjustments to reconcile net income to
       net cash provided by operating activities:
        Depreciation and amortization, including
         deferred charges and financing costs        1,541,599      1,583,075
        Derivative assets                              (34,411)        29,890
        Derivative liabilities                          34,405         20,375
        Deferred gain                                   60,712       (182,806)
        Investment tax credit                          (15,796)       (15,796)
        Deferred income taxes                       (7,794,502)      (143,216)
        Changes in assets and liabilities:
          Accounts receivable                       (4,816,726)    (2,656,231)
          Natural gas and propane inventories        5,032,240      4,183,549
          Accounts payable                            (199,074)     1,436,316
          Recoverable/refundable cost of gas
           purchases                                  (372,713)    (1,465,169)
          Prepayments and other                       (347,095)       (25,609)
          Net assets held for sale                           -       (753,939)
          Other assets & liabilities                   924,131       (996,180)
            Net cash provided by operating
             activities                              4,263,226      4,018,809

    CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
      Construction expenditures                     (2,389,620)    (1,846,985)
      Purchase of Marketable Securities               (301,989)             -
      Purchase of stock - Frontier Utilities and
      Penobscot Natural Gas                         (4,601,599)             -
      Other investments                               (597,792)             -
      Customer advances received for construction      138,408        216,150
      Contributions in aid of construction              33,353          7,251
            Net cash used in investing activities   (7,719,239)    (1,623,584)

    CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
      Repayments of long-term debt                           -     (2,384,880)
      Proceeds from lines of credit                 12,475,495      8,777,000
      Repayments of lines of credit                (12,475,495)    (8,777,000)
      Repurchase of common stock                      (161,651)             -
      Sale of common stock                             410,221        565,563
      Dividends paid                                (1,538,499)    (1,067,782)
            Net cash used in financing activities   (1,289,929)    (2,887,099)

    NET DECREASE IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS       (4,745,942)      (491,874)

    CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS:
      Beginning of period                            7,010,020      1,639,578
      End of period                                 $2,264,078     $1,147,704

    Please refer to the notes as filed on Form 10-Q that are an integral part
    of these condensed consolidated financial statements.

SOURCE Energy West, Incorporated

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