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 24, 2018
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))
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an emerging growth company as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.405) or Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.12b-2).
Emerging growth company o
If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. o
Item 8.01 Other Events.
On October 23, 2018, the Board of Directors of Middlesex Water Company (the "Company") declared a quarterly cash dividend of $0.24 per common share payable on December 3, 2018 for shareholders of record as of November 15, 2018. A copy of the press release announcing the dividend declaration is attached hereto as Exhibit 99.1 and incorporated into this Form 8-K by reference.
Item 9.01 Financial Statements and Exhibits.
(c) Exhibits
| Exhibit | |
| Number | Description of Document |
| 99.1 | Press Release issued by Middlesex Water Company, dated October 24th, 2018 |
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 24, 2018
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Middlesex Water Company Announces Quarterly Cash Dividend Increase of 7.3%
Utility Marks 46th Consecutive Year of Dividend Increases
ISELIN, N.J., October 24, 2018 – Middlesex Water Company (Nasdaq:MSEX) announced today that its Board of Directors has declared a cash dividend of $0.24 per share on its common stock, a 7.3% increase from the $0.22375 per share dividend in the third quarter of 2018. This increase raises the annual dividend rate to $0.96 from $0.895 per share of common stock. The declared dividend is payable on December 3, 2018 to shareholders of record as of November 15, 2018. Middlesex Water Company has paid cash dividends in varying amounts continually since 1912.
“The ability to increase the dividend is due in no small part to the dedicated and committed workforce that effectively manages all facets of our businesses,” said Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer Dennis W. Doll. “As we continue to invest in drinking water infrastructure through our Water For Tomorrow program, we appreciate the support and confidence of our shareholders.”
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 section of our website 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