UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 8-K
CURRENT REPORT
Pursuant to Section 13 or 15 (d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
Date of Report: May 8, 2006
MIDDLESEX WATER COMPANY
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
NEW JERSEY 0-422 22-1114430
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(State or other jurisdiction of (Commission (I.R.S. Employer
incorporation or organization) File Number) Identification No.)
1500 RONSON ROAD, P.O. BOX 1500, ISELIN, NEW JERSEY 08830
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(Address of principal executive offices, including zip code)
(732)-634-1500
(Registrant's telephone number, including area code)
Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to
simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the
following provisions:
[_] Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17
CFR 230.425)
[_] Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR
240.14a-12)
[_] Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the
Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))
[_] Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the
Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))
Item. 8.01. Other Events
Announcement of Middlesex Water Company First Quarter 2006 Earnings as set forth
in the attached press release.
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 of the
undersigned hereunto duly authorized.
MIDDLESEX WATER COMPANY
(Registrant)
s/Kenneth J. Quinn
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Kenneth J. Quinn
Vice President, General Counsel,
Secretary and Treasurer
Dated: May 8, 2006
2
MIDDLESEX WATER COMPANY REPORTS
FIRST QUARTER EARNINGS
ISELIN, NJ, (May 8, 2006) Middlesex Water Company, (NASDAQ:MSEX), a
provider of water and wastewater and related services in New Jersey and
Delaware, today announced that its net income for the quarter ended March 31,
2006 increased to $1.8 million from $1.4 million from the prior year period.
First Quarter 2006 Results
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Consolidated operating revenues for the quarter ended March 31, 2006,
were $18.2 million, up $1.5 million, from $16.7 million for the same period in
2005. Water sales revenues improved by $1.0 million in our New Jersey systems,
which was primarily a result of base rate increases. Continued customer growth
and base rate increases for the Company's Delaware subsidiary, Tidewater
Utilities, Inc. (TUI) generated an additional $0.3 million in revenues during
the quarter. The Company's non-regulated subsidiaries, Utility Service
Affiliates, Inc. and White Marsh Environmental Systems, Inc. helped revenues
increase $0.2 million as compared with the same period in 2005.
"As expected, we are beginning to realize the full effect of rate
decisions received in 2005, and we continue to realize the impact of customer
growth in our Delaware operations. We remain focused on timely recovery of
prudently incurred capital investments as evidenced by our April 28th filing
before the Delaware Public Service Commission for a $5.5 million base rate
increase," said Dennis W. Doll, President & CEO.
Operating expenses increased to $14.3 million, up from $13.6 million
for the same period in 2005. Higher costs for water production and treatment for
the Middlesex system represented $0.2 million of the increase. This increase was
offset by reduced payroll and benefit costs of $0.2 million in New Jersey. The
continuing growth of TUI resulted in higher operating costs of $0.2 million. All
other operating expenses increased $0.2 million. Depreciation and other taxes
increased a combined $0.2 million.
The Company reported first quarter 2006 earnings applicable to common
stock increased to $1.7 million, compared to $1.3 million in the prior year, and
basic and diluted earnings per share of common stock increased from $0.12 to
$0.15.
MORE-MORE-MORE
MIDDLESEX WATER COMPANY REPORTS FIRST QUARTER EARNINGS/2
Board Declares Quarterly Dividend
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The Company's Board of Directors declared a quarterly cash dividend of
$0.17 per share, payable June 1, 2006 to common shareholders as of May 15, 2006.
The Company has paid cash dividends in varying amounts continually since 1912.
Middlesex Water has a Dividend Reinvestment Plan under which dividends and
optional cash payments can be used to purchase additional shares of Common
stock.
About Middlesex Water Company
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Middlesex Water Company, organized in 1897, is an investor-owned water
utility, serving customers in central and southern New Jersey and in the State
of Delaware. The Company and its New Jersey subsidiaries - Pinelands Water
Company and Pinelands Wastewater Company--are subject to the regulations of the
Board of Public Utilities of the State of New Jersey. Middlesex Water operates
the water and wastewater utilities for the City of Perth Amboy through its
subsidiary, Utility Service Affiliates (Perth Amboy), Inc. Middlesex Water also
provides contract operations services and a service line maintenance program
through its non-regulated subsidiary, Utility Service Affiliates, Inc. The
Company's regulated Delaware subsidiaries, Tidewater Utilities, Inc., together
with Southern Shores Water Company, and Tidewater Environmental Services, Inc.
(TESI) are subject to the regulations of the Public Service Commission in
Delaware. TESI provides regulated wastewater utility services. White Marsh
Environmental Systems, Inc. operates small water and wastewater systems under
contract on a non-regulated basis in Delaware. These companies are also subject
to various Federal, State and regulatory agencies concerning water and
wastewater effluent, quality standards.
For additional information regarding Middlesex Water Company, visit the
Company's Web site at www.middlesexwater.com or call (732) 634-1500.
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Certain matters discussed in this press release are "forward-looking statements"
regarding the Company's results of operations and financial position. Such
statements address future plans, objectives, expectations and events concerning
various matters such as capital expenditures, earnings, litigation, growth
potential, rate, regulatory matters, liquidity, capital resources and accounting
matters. Actual results in each case could differ materially from those
currently anticipated in such statements. The Company undertakes no obligation
to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result
of new information, future events or otherwise.
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For further information, please call:
Middlesex Water Company
1500 Ronson Road
Iselin, New Jersey 08830
www.middlesexwater.com
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Contact: Bernadette Sohler, Director of Communications
MIDDLESEX WATER COMPANY
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
(Unaudited)
Three Months Ended March 31,
2006 2005
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Operating Revenues $ 18,230,146 $ 16,742,903
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Operating Expenses:
Operations 9,646,131 9,041,996
Maintenance 738,984 898,685
Depreciation 1,668,393 1,548,048
Other Taxes 2,203,453 2,083,134
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Total Operating Expenses 14,256,961 13,571,863
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Operating Income 3,973,185 3,171,040
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Other Income:
Allowance for Funds Used During Construction 112,636 210,450
Other Income 57,938 55,219
Other Expense (1,739) (8,145)
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Total Other Income, net 168,835 257,524
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Income before Interest and Income Taxes 4,142,020 3,428,564
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Interest Charges 1,514,998 1,382,092
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Income before Income Taxes 2,627,022 2,046,472
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Income Taxes 814,658 666,770
Net Income 1,812,364 1,379,702
Preferred Stock Dividend Requirements 61,947 63,697
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Earnings Applicable to Common Stock $ 1,750,417 $ 1,316,005
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Earnings per share of Common Stock:
Basic $ 0.15 $ 0.12
Diluted $ 0.15 $ 0.12
Average Number of
Common Shares Outstanding :
Basic 11,593,624 11,367,475
Diluted 11,924,764 11,710,615
Cash Dividends Paid per Common Share $ 0.1700 $ 0.1675