Press Releases

LAS VEGAS, March 14 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Southwest Gas Corporation (NYSE: SWX) announced consolidated earnings of $1.61 per basic share for 2004, a $0.47 per share increase from the $1.14 per basic share earned in 2003. Consolidated net income for 2004 was $56.8 million, compared to $38.5 million during 2003.

According to Jeffrey W. Shaw, Chief Executive Officer, "2004 showed solid improvement in the Company's earnings. Rate relief in California and Nevada, a return to more normal weather patterns, record customer growth, and a stellar contribution from our pipeline construction subsidiary combined to favorably impact results. As we move forward in 2005, we will continue our focus on seizing prudent customer growth opportunities, seeking rate relief that provides an adequate revenue stream, and encouraging rate design that mitigates the impact of usage variations on customers and shareholders."

Shaw noted that "NPL Construction Co., a wholly owned subsidiary, achieved record net income of $8.4 million during 2004, compared to $4.3 million in 2003 due to profitable bid work, increased workload under existing contracts, and a positive equipment resale market. However, given the cyclical nature of the construction business, achieving similar results in 2005 will likely be challenging."

During the fourth quarter of 2004, consolidated net income was $40.4 million, or $1.12 per basic share, versus $34.5 million, or $1.01 per basic share, for the fourth quarter of 2003.

                    Natural Gas Operations Segment Results

Full Year 2004

Operating margin, defined as operating revenues less the cost of gas sold, increased $64 million in 2004 as compared to 2003. A return to more normal temperatures in 2004 from the warm temperatures experienced in 2003 resulted in a $25 million increase in margin between years. Rate relief in California and Nevada provided $18 million. A record 82,000 customers were added during 2004, a growth rate of five percent. This marked the fifth time in ten years the Company reported record growth. New customers contributed $21 million in incremental margin.

Operating expenses increased $35 million, or eight percent, in 2004 reflecting general increases in labor and maintenance costs, and incremental operating costs associated with serving additional customers. Additional factors include increases in insurance premiums, employee-related costs, and costs to develop energy efficient technology.

Net financing costs rose $2.8 million, or three percent, between periods primarily due to an increase in average debt outstanding to help finance growth, partially offset by a reduction in interest costs associated with the purchased gas adjustment account balance.

Fourth Quarter

Operating margin increased approximately $22 million over the fourth quarter of 2003 consisting of customer growth ($6 million), rate relief ($7 million), and improved weather conditions ($9 million). Operating expenses increased $7.4 million, or seven percent, reflecting general cost increases and incremental costs associated with continuing customer growth. Net financing costs increased $2.8 million principally due to an increase in outstanding debt.

Southwest Gas Corporation provides natural gas service to 1,613,000 customers in Arizona, Nevada, and California. Its service territories are centered in the fastest-growing region of the country.

This press release may contain statements which constitute "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 (Reform Act). All such forward-looking statements are intended to be subject to the safe harbor protection provided by the Reform Act. A number of important factors affecting the business and financial results of the Company could cause actual results to differ materially from those stated in the forward-looking statements. These factors include, but are not limited to, the impact of weather variations on customer usage, customer growth rates, changes in natural gas prices, the ability to recover costs through the PGA mechanism, the effects of regulation/deregulation, the timing and amount of rate relief, changes in rate design, changes in gas procurement practices, changes in capital requirements and funding, the impact of conditions in the capital markets on financing costs, changes in construction expenditures and financing, changes in operations and maintenance expenses, future liability claims, changes in pipeline capacity for the transportation of gas and related costs, acquisitions and management's plans related thereto, competition, and the ability to raise capital in external financings. In addition, the Company can provide no assurance that its discussions regarding certain trends relating to its financing, operations, and maintenance expenses will continue in future periods.

                  SOUTHWEST GAS CONSOLIDATED EARNINGS DIGEST
                   (In thousands, except per share amounts)

     YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,                          2004           2003
     Consolidated Operating Revenues              $1,477,060     $1,231,004
     Net Income                                      $56,775        $38,502
     Average Number of Common Shares Outstanding      35,204         33,760
     Basic Earnings Per Share                          $1.61          $1.14
     Diluted Earnings Per Share                        $1.60          $1.13

     QUARTER ENDED DECEMBER 31,
     Consolidated Operating Revenues                $460,496       $351,705
     Net Income                                      $40,446        $34,474
     Average Number of Common Shares Outstanding      36,239         34,077
     Basic Earnings Per Share                          $1.12          $1.01
     Diluted Earnings Per Share                        $1.11          $1.00

SOURCE Southwest Gas Corporation
03/14/2005
CONTACT: Media, Robyn Clayton, +1-702-364-3297, or Shareholder Contact, Ken Kenny, +1-702-876-7237, both for Southwest Gas Corporation

Web site: http://www.swgas.com
(SWX)
03/14/2005 08:00 EST http://www.prnewswire.com