SEC Filing | Chesapeake Utilities Corporation

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1 SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549 ------------------------------- FORM 10-Q [X] QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 For the quarterly period ended: March 31, 2001 -------------- 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: 001-11590 CHESAPEAKE UTILITIES CORPORATION -------------------------------- (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter) DELAWARE 51-0064146 ------------------ ---------------- (State or other jurisdiction of (I.R.S. Employer incorporation or organization) Identification No.) 909 SILVER LAKE BOULEVARD, DOVER, DELAWARE 19904 ------------------------------------------------- (Address of principal executive offices, including Zip Code) (302) 734-6799 -------------- (Registrant's Telephone Number, including Area Code) Indicate by check mark whether the 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 [X] No [ ] Common Stock, par value $.4867 -- 5,329,437 shares issued as of March 31, 2001.

2 TABLE OF CONTENTS PART I -- FINANCIAL INFORMATION...................................................................................1 ITEM 1. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.................................................................................1 NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS...................................................................5 1. Quarterly Financial Data.............................................................................5 2. Calculation of Earnings Per Share....................................................................5 3. Commitments and Contingencies........................................................................5 4. Reclassification of Amounts for Prior Years..........................................................7 5. Recent Authoritative Pronouncements on Financial Reporting and Accounting............................7 ITEM 2. MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS......................................................................................7 FINANCIAL POSITION, LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES..........................................................7 RESULTS OF OPERATIONS FOR THE QUARTER ENDED MARCH 31, 2001...................................................9 Consolidated Overview.....................................................................................9 Natural Gas Distribution and Transmission.................................................................9 Propane Gas Distribution and Marketing...................................................................10 Advanced Information Services............................................................................10 Operating Income Taxes...................................................................................10 Interest Expense.........................................................................................11 Environmental Matters....................................................................................11 OTHER MATTERS...............................................................................................11 Regulatory Matters.......................................................................................11 Competition..............................................................................................11 Inflation................................................................................................12 Cautionary Statement.....................................................................................12 ITEM 3. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK..........................................12 PART II -- OTHER INFORMATION.....................................................................................14 SIGNATURES.......................................................................................................15

3 PART I -- FINANCIAL INFORMATION ITEM 1. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS CHESAPEAKE UTILITIES CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME (UNAUDITED) - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31, 2001 2000 - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ OPERATING REVENUES $ 134,039,485 $ 98,509,179 COST OF SALES 110,987,728 77,040,624 - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ GROSS MARGIN 23,051,757 21,468,555 - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ OPERATING EXPENSES Operations 9,264,770 8,108,555 Maintenance 495,036 403,293 Depreciation and amortization 2,098,623 1,861,728 Other taxes 1,157,590 1,028,285 Income taxes 3,369,407 3,425,968 - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Total operating expenses 16,385,426 14,827,829 - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ OPERATING INCOME 6,666,331 6,640,726 OTHER INCOME, NET 134,872 26,883 - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ INCOME BEFORE INTEREST CHARGES 6,801,203 6,667,609 INTEREST CHARGES 1,435,734 998,143 - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ NET INCOME $ 5,365,469 $ 5,669,466 ====================================================================================================== EARNINGS PER SHARE OF COMMON STOCK: BASIC $ 1.01 $ 1.09 - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ DILUTED $ 0.98 $ 1.05 - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements. 1

4 CHESAPEAKE UTILITIES CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (UNAUDITED) - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ MARCH 31, DECEMBER 31, ASSETS 2001 2000 - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT Natural gas distribution and transmission $ 152,593,230 $ 149,121,319 Propane gas distribution and marketing 31,922,072 31,630,208 Advanced information services 1,844,277 1,699,968 Other plant 10,770,086 10,488,581 - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Total property, plant and equipment 197,129,665 192,940,076 Less: Accumulated depreciation and amortization (63,405,179) (61,473,757) - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Net property, plant and equipment 133,724,486 131,466,319 - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ INVESTMENTS 616,026 616,293 - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ CURRENT ASSETS Cash and cash equivalents 3,012,580 4,606,316 Accounts receivable, less allowance for uncollectibles 29,051,719 38,046,582 Materials and supplies, at average cost 1,335,406 1,566,126 Merchandise inventory, at average cost 1,519,878 1,234,072 Propane inventory, at average cost 2,172,442 4,379,599 Storage gas prepayments 264,210 3,500,323 Underrecovered purchased gas costs 6,524,717 5,388,725 Income taxes receivable - 1,159,761 Prepaid expenses and other current assets 2,034,495 2,015,274 - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Total current assets 45,915,447 61,896,778 - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ DEFERRED CHARGES AND OTHER ASSETS Environmental regulatory assets 2,872,945 2,910,000 Environmental expenditures 3,513,217 3,626,475 Underrecovered purchased gas costs 2,247,338 1,959,562 Other deferred charges and intangible assets 8,266,158 8,224,076 - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Total deferred charges and other assets 16,899,658 16,720,113 - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ TOTAL ASSETS $ 197,155,617 $ 210,699,503 ====================================================================================================== The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements. 2

5 - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ MARCH 31, DECEMBER 31, CAPITALIZATION AND LIABILITIES 2001 2000 - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ CAPITALIZATION Stockholders' equity Common Stock, par value $.4867 per share; (authorized 12,000,000 shares; issued 5,329,437 and 5,297,443 shares, respectively) $ 2,589,856 $ 2,577,992 Additional paid-in capital 28,109,126 27,672,005 Retained earnings 37,648,268 33,721,747 - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Total stockholders' equity 68,347,250 63,971,744 Long-term debt, net of current maturities 49,903,818 50,920,818 - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Total capitalization 118,251,068 114,892,562 - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ CURRENT LIABILITIES Current portion of long-term debt 2,665,091 2,665,091 Short-term borrowing 21,500,000 25,400,000 Accounts payable 17,525,956 33,654,718 Refunds payable to customers 772,344 1,015,128 Income taxes payable 2,263,653 - Accrued interest 948,393 595,175 Dividends payable 1,583,637 1,429,945 Deferred income taxes payable 985,349 985,349 Other accrued liabilities 6,171,515 5,674,419 - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Total current liabilities 54,415,938 71,419,825 - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ DEFERRED CREDITS AND OTHER LIABILITIES Deferred income taxes 15,086,951 15,086,951 Deferred investment tax credits 648,906 657,172 Environmental liability 2,872,945 2,910,000 Accrued pension costs 1,670,134 1,625,128 Other liabilities 4,209,675 4,107,865 - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Total deferred credits and other liabilities 24,488,611 24,387,116 - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ TOTAL CAPITALIZATION AND LIABILITIES $ 197,155,617 $ 210,699,503 ====================================================================================================== The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements. 3

6 CHESAPEAKE UTILITIES CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (UNAUDITED) - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31, 2001 2000 - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- OPERATING ACTIVITIES Net Income $ 5,365,469 $ 5,669,466 Adjustments to reconcile net income to net operating cash: Depreciation and amortization 2,553,745 2,316,267 Deferred income taxes, net 267 60,765 Investment tax credit adjustments (8,266) (7,484) Mark-to-market adjustments 919,460 87,380 Other, net 146,817 272,186 Changes in assets and liabilities: Accounts receivable, net 8,075,403 (293,727) Inventory, materials, supplies and storage gas 5,388,184 2,158,621 Other current assets (19,219) 361,926 Other deferred charges (175,138) (142,836) Accounts payable, net (16,128,763) (1,102,598) Refunds payable to customers (242,784) (115,276) (Under) Overrecovered purchased gas costs (1,423,768) 738,464 Other current liabilities 4,378,745 3,505,316 - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Net cash provided by operating activities 8,830,152 13,508,470 - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- INVESTING ACTIVITIES Property, plant and equipment expenditures, net (4,565,599) (3,586,052) - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Net cash used by investing activities (4,565,599) (3,586,052) - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- FINANCING ACTIVITIES Common stock dividends, net of amounts reinvested (1,285,256) (1,226,574) Issuance of stock: Dividend Reinvestment Plan optional cash 50,839 40,106 Retirement Savings Plan 280,169 206,725 Net repayment under line of credit agreements (3,900,000) (9,000,000) Repayment of long-term debt (1,004,041) (1,000,028) - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Net cash used by financing activities (5,858,289) (10,979,771) - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- NET DECREASE IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS (1,593,736) (1,057,353) CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS AT BEGINNING OF PERIOD 4,606,316 2,357,173 - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS AT END OF PERIOD $ 3,012,580 $ 1,299,820 =========================================================================================== The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements. 4

7 NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 1. QUARTERLY FINANCIAL DATA The financial information for Chesapeake Utilities Corporation (the "Company") included herein is unaudited and should be read in conjunction with the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K. In the opinion of management, this financial information reflects only normal recurring adjustments, which are necessary for a fair presentation of the Company's interim results. Due to the seasonal nature of the Company's business, there are substantial variations in the results of operations reported on a quarterly basis and, accordingly, results for any particular quarter may not give a true indication of results for the year. Certain amounts in 2000 have been reclassified to conform to the presentation for the current year. 2. CALCULATION OF EARNINGS PER SHARE - --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31, 2001 2000 - --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- CALCULATION OF BASIC EARNINGS PER SHARE: Net Income $ 5,365,469 $ 5,669,466 Weighted Average Shares Outstanding 5,317,760 5,206,266 - --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- BASIC EARNINGS PER SHARE $ 1.01 $ 1.09 ============================================================================================= CALCULATION OF DILUTED EARNINGS PER SHARE: RECONCILIATION OF NUMERATOR: Net Income-- Basic $ 5,365,469 $ 5,669,466 Effect of 8.25% Convertible debentures 42,821 45,367 - --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Adjusted numerator-- Diluted $ 5,408,290 $ 5,714,833 - --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- RECONCILIATION OF DENOMINATOR: Weighted Shares Outstanding-- Basic 5,317,760 5,206,266 Effect of Dilutive Securities Stock options 12,782 11,880 8.25% Convertible debentures 203,395 213,122 - --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Adjusted denominator-- Diluted 5,533,937 5,431,268 - --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- DILUTED EARNINGS PER SHARE $0.98 $1.05 - --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 3. COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES ENVIRONMENTAL MATTERS The Company is continuing to participate in the investigation, assessment and remediation of environmental contamination of three former gas manufacturing plant sites located in different jurisdictions, including consideration of alternative courses of action with respect to removal of environmental contaminants. In May 2001, the parties signed a settlement term sheet reflecting the agreement in principle reached between Chesapeake, General Public Utilities Corporation, Inc. ("GPU"), the State of Delaware and the United States Environmental Protection Agency ("EPA") to settle a lawsuit with respect to the Dover Gas Light site. The parties to the agreement are in the process of documenting the final agreement. The agreement will then be published for public comment and submitted to a federal judge for approval. At March 31, 2001, the Company had accrued $2.1 million of costs associated with the remediation of the Dover site and an associated regulatory asset for the same amount. Of that amount, $1.5 million was for estimated ground-water remediation and $600,000 was for remaining soil remediation. The $1.5 million represented the low end of the ground-water remediation estimates prepared by an independent consultant and was used because the Company could not, at that time, predict the remedy the EPA might require. 5

8 If the agreement in principle receives final approval, Chesapeake will: - Design and construct a parking lot on the site and dismantle the soil vapor extraction system that had been erected at the site. - Receive a net payment of $1.15 million from other parties to the agreement. These proceeds will be passed on to Chesapeake's firm customers, in accordance with the environmental rate rider. - Receive a release from liability and covenant not to sue from the EPA and the State of Delaware. This will relieve Chesapeake from liability for future remediation at the site, unless previously unknown conditions are discovered at the site, or information previously unknown to EPA is received that indicates the remedial action is not sufficiently protective, related to the prior manufactured gas plant. This provision is standard, and is required by the United States in all liability settlements. Upon receiving approval of the final agreement, Chesapeake will reduce both the accrued environmental liability and the associated environmental regulatory asset to the amount required to complete its obligations (primarily the design and construction of the parking lot). Those costs are estimated at $600,000. In cooperation with the Maryland Department of the Environment ("MDE"), the Company is engaged in remediation procedures at the Salisbury Town Gas Light site. However, these procedures are currently suspended awaiting approval from the MDE to permanently shut them down. The Company reduced the accrual for the costs associated with remediation procedures at this site to $138,000 from the $175,000 that was accrued as of December 31, 2000. This revised amount is based on current estimates of the costs of continuing the remediation procedures for the next two years and shutting down the process in 2002. The corresponding regulatory asset that was recorded based on management's belief that costs incurred will be recoverable in base rates, was also reduced. The Winter Haven Coal Gas site is located in the state of Florida. In January 2001 the Company filed a remedial action plan ("RAP") with the Florida Department of the Environment ("FDEP"). The RAP included an estimate of $635,000 of costs to complete remediation procedures at a portion of the site. Accordingly, the Company has recorded a liability of $635,000 and a corresponding regulatory asset at March 31, 2001. Once the FDEP approves the RAP, the Company will begin the implementation of its remediation plan. Most of the costs associated with the remediation of environmental contamination caused by natural gas distribution or transmission are recoverable by the Company through its base rates. Management believes that any unrecovered costs incurred to date, as well as costs to be incurred in the future, relating to remediation of contamination of these sites will be recoverable through future rates, or from other responsible parties. OTHER COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES The Company has made contractual commitments of varying terms for daily entitlements of natural gas from various suppliers. In 2000, the Company entered into a long-term contract with an energy marketing and risk management company for management of its natural gas transportation and storage capacity. The Company is involved in certain legal actions and claims arising in the normal course of business. The Company is also involved in certain legal and administrative proceedings before various governmental agencies concerning rates. In the opinion of management, the ultimate disposition of these proceedings will not have a material effect on the consolidated financial position of the Company. Certain assets and liabilities of the Company are accounted for in accordance with Statement of Financial Accounting Standards ("SFAS") No. 71, which among other matters, provides standards for regulated 6

9 enterprises for the deferral of costs that will be recovered through future rate increases. If the Company were required to terminate the application of these standards to its regulated operations, all such deferred amounts would be recognized in the income statement at that time. This would result in a charge to earnings, net of applicable income taxes, which could be material. 4. RECLASSIFICATION OF AMOUNTS FOR PRIOR YEARS Certain amounts and balances reported in prior years have been reclassified in the financial statements included in this report to conform to the presentation for the current period. 5. RECENT AUTHORITATIVE PRONOUNCEMENTS ON FINANCIAL REPORTING AND ACCOUNTING The Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") issued SFAS No. 133 in 1998, establishing accounting and reporting standards for derivative instruments, including certain derivative instruments embedded in other contracts, and for hedging activities. In June of 2000, SFAS No. 138, amending certain provisions of SFAS No. 133 was issued by the FASB. The Company adopted these new standards in the current quarter, as required. The adoption of these new standards did not have a material impact on the Company's financial position or results of operations. In February 2001, the FASB issued a revised limited Exposure Draft on Business Combinations and Intangible Assets. Under the draft, the pooling-of-interests method of accounting for business combinations would be eliminated and the purchase method would be required. Additionally, the draft would require a non-amortization approach to account for purchased goodwill, which would be separately tested for impairment. The provisions of the draft would be effective as of the beginning of the first fiscal quarter following the issuance of the final statement. Neither early application, nor retroactive application, would be permitted. Once the exposure draft is final, the Company will be able to determine the impact the standard will have on the Company's financial position and results of operations. ITEM 2. MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS BUSINESS DESCRIPTION Chesapeake Utilities Corporation (the "Company") is a diversified utility company engaged in natural gas distribution and transmission, propane distribution and marketing, advanced information services and other related businesses. The Company's strategy is to grow earnings from a stable utility foundation by investing in related businesses and services that provide opportunities for higher, unregulated returns. This growth strategy includes acquisitions and investments in unregulated businesses as well as the continued investment and expansion of the Company's utility operations that provide the stable base of earnings. The Company continually reevaluates its investments to ensure that they are consistent with its strategy and the goal of enhancing shareholder value. The Company's unregulated businesses and services currently include propane distribution and marketing, water conditioning and treatment, and advanced information services. By investing in these related business and services, Chesapeake has created opportunities to earn higher returns than a traditional utility. The reinvestment of these higher returns has increased the Company's earnings and will contribute to future earnings growth. FINANCIAL POSITION, LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES The Company's capital requirements reflect the capital-intensive nature of its business and are principally attributable to the construction program and the retirement of outstanding debt. The Company relies on cash generated by operations and short-term borrowing to meet normal working capital requirements and to temporarily finance capital expenditures. During the first three months of 2001, net cash provided by operating activities, net cash used by investing activities and net cash used by financing activities were approximately 7

10 $8.8 million, $4.6 million and $5.9 million, respectively. Cash provided by operations was down $4.7 million in the current quarter compared to the first quarter of 2000 reflecting the use of funds to reduce the outstanding payables balance. Based upon anticipated cash requirements in 2001, the Company may fund its capital expenditures and refinance short-term borrowings through the issuance of long-term debt. The timing of the issuance of any long-term debt is dependent upon a number of considerations, including the nature of the securities to be issued, and existing economic and financial market conditions. The Board of Directors has authorized the Company to borrow up to $45 million from various banks and trust companies. As of March 31, 2001, the Company had four unsecured bank lines of credit with two financial institutions, totaling $60 million. Two of the lines of credit are fully committed. Short-term debt outstanding at March 31, 2001 and December 31, 2000 was $21.5 million and $25.4 million, respectively. In the first quarter, cash provided by operations and cash on hand was adequate to fund capital expenditures and the reduction in short-term debt outstanding. As of March 31, 2001, the Company had deferred $8.8 million, up $1.4 million since December 31, 2000, of natural gas costs in excess of the cost of gas presently included in its base rates. Management expects to recover these deferred costs through the gas cost recovery mechanism in each of the jurisdictions that regulate the Company's natural gas businesses. During the three-month periods ended March 31, 2001 and 2000, capital expenditures were approximately $4.6 million and $3.6 million, respectively. The Company has budgeted $31.5 million for capital expenditures during 2001. This amount includes $25.8 million for natural gas distribution and transmission; $2.5 million for propane distribution and marketing; $495,000 for advanced information services; and $2.7 million for general plant. The natural gas expenditures are for expansion and improvement of facilities, for the improvement and expansion of the pipeline system to better serve existing customers and to extend service to customers in the City of Milford, Delaware. The propane expenditures are to support customer growth and for the replacement of older equipment. The advanced information services expenditures are for computer hardware, software and related equipment. Expenditures for general plant include building improvements, and computer software and hardware. Management expects to finance the 2001 construction program from short-term borrowing, cash from operations and the issuance of long-term debt, if conditions warrant. The construction program is subject to continual review and modification. Actual capital expenditures may differ from these estimates due to a number of factors including acquisition opportunities, changing economic conditions, customer growth in existing markets, regulation and new growth opportunities. The Company has budgeted $1.9 million for capital expenditures in 2001 related to environmental remediation projects, and expects to make additional expenditures in future years, a portion of which may need to be financed through external sources. Management does not expect such financing to have a material adverse effect on the financial position or capital resources of the Company (see Note 3 to the Consolidated Financial Statements). As of March 31, 2001, common equity represented 57.8 percent of permanent capitalization, compared to 55.7 percent as of December 31, 2000. Including both short-term financing and total capitalization, the equity component would have been 48.0 percent and 44.7 percent, respectively. The Company remains committed to maintaining a sound capital structure and strong credit ratings in order to provide the financial flexibility needed to access the capital markets when required. This commitment, along with adequate and timely rate relief for the Company's regulated operations, is intended to ensure that the Company will be able to attract capital from outside sources at a reasonable cost. Interest for the first three months of 2001 increased approximately $438,000, or 43.8%, over the same period in 2000. The increase was caused by an increase in average short-term borrowing for the quarter of $6.2 million and an increase in the average long-term debt balances of $17.2 million for the quarter. The increase in borrowing was generated primarily by capital spending and by increases in under-recovered gas costs. The Company earns interest on the under-recovered gas costs. The weighted average interest rates for the first 8

11 quarter of 2001 for both the short-term and long-term debt did not change significantly from the first quarter of 2000. RESULTS OF OPERATIONS FOR THE QUARTER ENDED MARCH 31, 2001 CONSOLIDATED OVERVIEW The Company recognized net income of $5.4 million -- $1.01 per share -- for the first quarter of 2001, down $304,000, or $0.08 per share, compared to the corresponding period in 2000. As indicated in the following table, the decline in income is primarily attributable to lower profitability of natural gas operations, the increased costs of operating the water business and a substantial increase in interest expense due to higher debt levels. - ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31, 2001 2000 CHANGE - ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Pre-tax Operating Income (Loss) Natural Gas Distribution & Transmission $ 6,267,995 $ 6,387,419 $ (119,424) Propane Gas Distribution & Marketing 3,695,473 3,491,998 203,475 Advanced Information Services 103,613 26,254 77,359 Other & Eliminations (31,343) 161,023 (192,366) - ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Pre-tax Operating Income 10,035,738 10,066,694 (30,956) Operating Income Taxes 3,369,407 3,425,968 (56,561) Interest 1,435,734 998,143 437,591 Non-Operating Income, net 134,872 26,883 107,989 - ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Net Income $ 5,365,469 $ 5,669,466 $ (303,997) ============================================================================================== NATURAL GAS DISTRIBUTION AND TRANSMISSION The natural gas distribution and transmission segment earned pre-tax operating income of $6.3 million for the first quarter of 2001 compared to $6.4 million for the corresponding period last year -- a decrease of $119,000. The increase in gross margin was more than offset by higher costs and expenses. - ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31, 2001 2000 CHANGE - ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Revenue $ 44,240,049 $ 30,072,568 $ 14,167,481 Cost of Gas 31,633,598 17,868,342 13,765,256 - ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Gross Margin 12,606,451 12,204,226 402,225 Operations & Maintenance 4,152,517 3,899,928 252,589 Depreciation & Amortization 1,479,368 1,322,101 157,267 Other Taxes 706,571 594,778 111,793 - ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Total Operating Expenses 6,338,456 5,816,807 521,649 - ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Pre-tax Operating Income $ 6,267,995 $ 6,387,419 $ (119,424) ============================================================================================== Gross margin increased due to a 5.2 percent increase in the customer base, cooler temperatures, and a rate increase in Florida, partially offset by the loss of two industrial customers who have shut down their operations. Additionally, margins were somewhat offset by a reduction in the level of interruptible margin sharing earned in 2001 when compared to 2000. This reduction in interruptible shared margins is the result of cooler temperatures in 2001, which significantly reduced the level of shared margin retained by the Company under the Delaware division's weather normalization mechanism. Operations and maintenance expenses increased due to compensation, benefits and the allowance for bad debts. The increase in benefit costs is primarily due to higher medical claims. The Company has increased the reserve for bad debts in 2001 due to the higher energy costs and their anticipated effect on its customers. Depreciation and amortization costs have increased due to the plant additions placed in service in 2000 and early 2001. Other taxes, primarily revenue related taxes, have increased in conjunction with the increase in revenue. 9

12 PROPANE GAS DISTRIBUTION AND MARKETING For the first quarter of 2001, the propane segment contributed pre-tax operating income of $3.7 million compared to $3.5 million for the first quarter of 2000. Gross margin increased $827,000 but operating expenses were up $624,000. - ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31, 2001 2000 CHANGE - ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Revenue $ 84,595,907 $ 63,791,873 $ 20,804,034 Cost of Sales 76,691,822 56,714,813 19,977,009 - ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Gross Margin 7,904,085 7,077,060 827,025 Operations & Maintenance 3,598,616 3,045,824 552,792 Depreciation & Amortization 386,823 343,601 43,222 Other Taxes 223,173 195,637 27,536 - ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Total Operating Expenses 4,208,612 3,585,062 623,550 - ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Pre-tax Operating Income $ 3,695,473 $ 3,491,998 $ 203,475 ============================================================================================== Gross margin was higher for the quarter due to an increase in the margin earned per gallon in 2001 as compared to 2000 coupled with the margin earned by the our propane start-up operations in Florida and a slight rise in our marking margins. Operations and maintenance expenses increased due to compensation, vehicle expenses, benefits, the allowance for bad debts, facility costs and customer service-related initiatives. The vehicle expenses are primarily fuel and maintenance, while the benefit costs are primarily health claims. The Company is increasing the level of allowance for bad debts due to the rise in energy costs and the effect it may have on our future bad debts. Facility and customer service-related initiatives have increased the Company's costs since their implementation in 2000. During the second quarter of 2001, the Company will be implementing changes to specific initiatives to reduce the growth in future costs. The Florida propane start-up operations have contributed $188,000 to the cost increase for the quarter. The start-ups were initiated during the second quarter of 2000 so expenses are expected to be higher for the remaining quarters of 2001 as the operations continue to grow at levels greater than 2000. Depreciation, amortization and property taxes are higher due to capital additions placed in service in 2000. ADVANCED INFORMATION SERVICES The advanced information services business earned pre-tax operating income of $104,000 for the first quarter of 2001 compared to $26,000 for the first quarter of last year. The increase is the result of increased revenues offset by increased operating expenses. - ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31, 2001 2000 CHANGE - ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Revenue $ 3,490,786 $ 3,170,067 $ 320,719 Cost of Sales 1,767,615 1,731,239 36,376 - ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Gross Margin 1,723,171 1,438,828 284,343 Operations & Maintenance 1,398,056 1,171,248 226,808 Depreciation & Amortization 62,272 73,038 (10,766) Other Taxes 159,230 168,288 (9,058) - ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Total Operating Expenses 1,619,558 1,412,574 206,984 - ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Pre-tax Operating Income $ 103,613 $ 26,254 $ 77,359 ============================================================================================== The increase in revenue was met with very little change in cost of goods sold, thereby increasing gross margin by $284,000, or 20%. The 15% increase in operating expenses is primarily being driven by increased marketing, recruiting, health claims and benefits. Marketing expenses are up due to the launch of the new "BravePoint" name in 2001. Recruiting fees and benefits are up due to the hiring of new employees. Health claims are up company-wide. OPERATING INCOME TAXES Operating income taxes were lower due to the decrease in operating income for the current quarter. For 2001, the Company anticipates paying tax at a higher composite income tax rate. 10

13 INTEREST EXPENSE Interest for the first three months of 2001 increased approximately $438,000, or 43.8%, over the same period in 2000. The increase was caused by an increase in average short-term borrowing of $6.2 million and an increase in the average long-term debt balances of $17.2 million. The increase in borrowing was generated primarily by capital spending and increased under-recovered gas costs. The Company earns interest on the under-recovered gas costs. The weighted average interest rates for the first quarter of 2001 for both the short-term and long-term debt did not change significantly from the first quarter of 2000. ENVIRONMENTAL MATTERS The Company continues to work with federal and state environmental agencies to assess the environmental impact and explore options for corrective action at three former gas manufacturing plant sites (see Note 3 to the Consolidated Financial Statements). The Company believes that future costs associated with these sites will be recoverable in rates or through sharing arrangements with, or contributions by, other responsible parties. OTHER MATTERS REGULATORY MATTERS The Company's natural gas distribution operations are subject to regulation by the Delaware, Maryland and Florida Public Service Commissions, while the natural gas transmission operation is subject to regulation by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission. In January 2000, the Company filed a request for approval of a rate increase with the Florida Public Service Commission and, in November 2000, that Commission issued an order approving a rate increase of $1.25 million effective in December 2000. Also in 2000, two of the Company's large industrial customers in Florida that they would be closing their facilities. Considering these two factors, management estimates that gross margin on gas sales in Florida in 2001 will increase by approximately $449,000 over gross margin earned in 2000. The Company plans to file for a base rate increase with the Delaware Public Service Commission during the second or third quarter of 2001. Management expects to begin charging higher interim rates, subject to refund, in the second or third quarter of 2001 with permanent rates going into effect subject to approval by the Public Service Commission. COMPETITION The Company's natural gas operations compete with other forms of energy such as electricity, oil and propane. The principal competitive factors are price, and to a lesser extent, accessibility. The Company's natural gas distribution operations have several large volume industrial customers that have the capacity to use fuel oil as an alternative to natural gas. When the cost of using fuel oil to provide power for their operations is lower than the cost of natural gas, these "interruptible" customers convert to oil. Oil prices, as well as the prices of electricity and other fuels, are subject to fluctuation for a variety of reasons; therefore, future competitive conditions are not predictable. In order to address this uncertainty, the Company uses flexible pricing arrangements on both the supply and sales side of its business to maximize sales volumes. As a result of the transmission segment's conversion to open access, the segment has shifted from providing bundled sales service to providing transportation and contract storage services. The Company's natural gas distribution systems in Maryland and Delaware offer transportation services to certain industrial customers. In doing so, the Company is competing with the interstate transmission company, if the customer's facility is located close enough to the transmission company's pipeline to make a connection economically feasible. The customers at risk are usually large volume commercial and industrial customers with the financial resources and capability to bypass the distribution systems in this manner. In certain situations, the Company may adjust services and rates for these customers to retain their business. The Company expects to expand the availability of transportation services to additional classes of distribution 11

14 customers in the future. The Company's distribution system in Florida also provides transportation services to certain industrial customers, and operates a natural gas brokering and supply business to compete more effectively for these customers. The Company's propane distribution operations compete with several other propane distributors in their service territories, primarily on the basis of service and price. Competitors include several large national propane distribution companies, as well as an increasing number of local suppliers. The Company's advanced information services segment faces significant competition from a number of larger competitors, many of which have substantially greater resources available to them than those of the Company. This segment competes on the basis of technological expertise, reputation and price. INFLATION Inflation affects the cost of labor, products and services required for operation, maintenance and capital improvements. While the impact of inflation has lessened in recent years, natural gas and propane prices are subject to rapid fluctuations. Fluctuations in natural gas prices are passed on to customers through the gas cost recovery mechanism in the Company's tariffs. To help cope with the effects of inflation on its capital investments and returns, the Company seeks rate relief from regulatory commissions for regulated operations while monitoring the returns of its unregulated business operations. To compensate for fluctuations in propane gas prices, the Company adjusts its propane selling prices to the extent allowed by the market. CAUTIONARY STATEMENT The Company has made statements in this report that are considered to be forward-looking statements. Such statements are not matters of historical fact. Sometimes they contain words such as "believes," "expects," "intends," "plans," "will," or "may," and other similar words of a predictive nature. These statements relate to matters such as customer growth, changes in revenues or margins, capital expenditures, environmental remediation costs, regulatory approvals, market risks associated with the Company's propane marketing operation, the competitive position of the Company and other matters. It is important to understand that these forward-looking statements are not guarantees, but are subject to certain risks and uncertainties and other important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements. These factors include, among other things: - the temperature sensitivity of the natural gas and propane businesses; - the wholesale prices of natural gas and propane and market movements in these prices; - the effects of competition on the Company's unregulated and regulated businesses; - the effect of changes in federal, state or local legislative requirements; - the ability of the Company's new and planned facilities and acquisitions to generate expected revenues; and - the Company's ability to obtain the rate relief and cost recovery requested from utility regulators and the timing of the requested regulatory actions. ITEM 3. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK Market risk represents the potential loss arising from adverse changes in market rates and prices. The Company's long-term debt consists of first mortgage bonds, senior notes and convertible debentures with fixed interest rates, none of which was entered into for trading purposes. The carrying value of this long-term debt at March 31, 2001 was $52.6 million with a fair value of $58.4 million, based mainly on current market prices or discounted cash flows using current rates for similar issues with similar terms and remaining maturities. The Company is exposed to changes in interest rates due to the use of fixed rate long-term debt to finance the business. Management continually monitors fluctuations in interest rates and debt markets to assess the benefits of changing the mix of long and short-term debt or refinancing existing debt. The Company's propane marketing business is a party to natural gas liquids ("NGL") forward contracts, primarily propane contracts, with various third parties. These contracts obligate the propane marketing 12

15 business to purchase or sell NGL at a fixed price at fixed future dates. At expiration, the contracts are settled by the delivery of NGL to the respective party. The propane marketing business also enters into futures contracts that are traded on the New York Mercantile Exchange. In certain cases, the futures contracts are settled by the payment of a net amount equal to the difference between the current market price of the futures contract and the original contract price. The forward and futures contracts are entered into for trading and wholesale marketing purposes. The propane marketing business is subject to commodity price risk on its open positions to the extent that market prices for NGL deviate from fixed contract settlement prices. Market risk associated with the trading of futures and forward contracts are monitored daily for compliance with the Company's Risk Management Policy, which includes volumetric limits for open positions. To manage exposures to changing market prices, open positions are marked up or down to market prices and reviewed by oversight officials on a daily basis. Additionally, the Risk Management Committee reviews periodic reports on market and credit risk, approves any exceptions to the Risk Management Policy (within limits established by the Board of Directors) and authorizes the use of any new types of contracts. Quantitative information on forward and futures contracts at March 31, 2001 is presented in the following table. All of the contracts mature within twelve months. - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- QUANTITY ESTIMATED WEIGHTED AVERAGE AT MARCH 31, 2001 IN GALLONS MARKET PRICES CONTRACT PRICES - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- FORWARD CONTRACTS Sale 13,238,000 $0.5300 -- $0.5400 $0.5426 Purchase 12,810,000 $0.5300 -- $0.5400 $0.5474 FUTURES CONTRACTS Sale 252,000 $0.5300 -- $0.5400 $0.5450 Purchase 1,848,000 $0.5300 -- $0.5400 $0.5432 - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Estimated market prices and weighted average contract prices are in dollars per gallon. 13

16 PART II -- OTHER INFORMATION ITEM 1. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS See Note 3 to the Consolidated Financial Statements ITEM 2. CHANGES IN SECURITIES AND USE OF PROCEEDS None ITEM 3. DEFAULTS UPON SENIOR SECURITIES None ITEM 4. SUBMISSION OF MATTERS TO A VOTE OF SECURITY HOLDERS None ITEM 5. OTHER INFORMATION None ITEM 6. EXHIBITS AND REPORTS ON FORM 8-K On May 14, 2001, the Company filed, under Item 5, that an agreement in principle had been reached to settle a lawsuit filed by Chesapeake in 1996 against General Public Utilities Corporation, Inc. 14

17 SIGNATURES 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. CHESAPEAKE UTILITIES CORPORATION /S/ MICHAEL P. MCMASTERS - ------------------------ Michael P. McMasters Vice President, Treasurer and Chief Financial Officer Date: May 14, 2001 15