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: October 25, 2017
MIDDLESEX WATER COMPANY
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
| NEW JERSEY | 0-422 | 22-1114430 |
| (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
(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:
o Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)
o Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)
o Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))
o Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))
Item. 8.01. Other Events
On October 25, 2017, the Company issued a press release announcing that its Board of Directors had declared a quarterly cash dividend payable on December 1, 2017 for shareholders of record as of November 9, 2017. The Board also approved a 5.9% increase in the quarterly dividend on the Company’s common shares from $0.21125 to $0.22375.
The information contained in the news release is incorporated herein by reference and furnished as Exhibit 99.1.
Item 9.01 Financial Statements and Exhibits
(d) Exhibits
The following exhibit is filed herewith:
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/A. Bruce O’Connor | |
| A. Bruce O’Connor | |
| Vice President, Treasurer and | |
| Chief Financial Officer |
Dated: October 25, 2017
Middlesex Water Company Announces
Dividend Increase of 5.9%
Utility Marks 45th Consecutive Year of Dividend Increases
ISELIN, N.J., October 25, 2017 -- Middlesex Water Company (Nasdaq:MSEX) announced today that its Board of Directors has declared a cash dividend of $0.22375 per share on its common stock, a 5.9% increase from the $0.21125 per share dividend in the third quarter of 2017. This increase raises the annual dividend rate to $0.895 from $0.845 per share of common stock. The declared dividend is payable on December 1, 2017 to shareholders of record as of November 9, 2017. Middlesex Water Company has paid cash dividends in varying amounts continually since 1912.
“The Company’s management and Board work on an ongoing basis to balance the needs of our shareholders, customers and employees and we continue to appreciate the loyalty of our investors,” said Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer Dennis W. Doll. “We are pleased to be able to share the Company’s continued success with our shareholders as we keep a sharp focus on improving shareholder value while delivering quality service to our customers.”
About Middlesex Water Company
Organized in 1897, Middlesex Water provides regulated and unregulated water and wastewater utility services in New Jersey, Delaware and Pennsylvania through various subsidiary companies. To learn more about Middlesex Water, including information about its Direct Share Purchase and Sale and Dividend Reinvestment Plan, visit the Investor Relations section at www.middlesexwater.com or call (732) 638-7549.
This release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, including, among others, our long-term strategy and expectations, the status of our acquisition program, the impact of our acquisitions, the impact of current and projected rate requests and the impact of our capital program on our environmental compliance. There are important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements including: general economic business conditions, unfavorable weather conditions, the success of certain cost containment initiatives, changes in regulations or regulatory treatment, availability and the cost of capital, the success of growth initiatives and other factors discussed in our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
CONTACT:
Bernadette Sohler, Vice President - Corporate Affairs
Middlesex Water Company
1500 Ronson Road
Iselin, New Jersey 08830
(732) 638-7549
www.middlesexwater.com