UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
REGISTRATION STATEMENT PURSUANT TO SECTION 12(b) OR (g) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 | ||
OR | ||
ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2006 | ||
OR | ||
TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 |
Commission file number 001-31317 | ||
Companhia de Saneamento Básico | ||
do Estado de São Paulo-SABESP | ||
(Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter) | ||
Basic Sanitation Company |
||
of the State of São Paulo-SABESP | ||
(Translation of the Registrants name into English) | ||
Federative Republic of Brazil | ||
(Jurisdiction of incorporation or organization) | ||
Rua Costa Carvalho, 300 | ||
05429-900 São Paulo, SP, Brazil | ||
(Address of principal executive offices) | ||
Securities registered or to be registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act: |
Title of each class | Name of each exchange on which registered | |
Common Shares, without par value | New York Stock Exchange* | |
American Depositary Shares, evidenced by American Depositary | New York Stock Exchange | |
Receipts, each representing 250 Common Shares(1) |
(1) As of June 8, 2007, American Depositary Shares, evidenced by American Depositary Receipts, each representing 2 Common Shares.
Securities registered or to be registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act: None
Securities for which there is a reporting obligation pursuant to Section 15(d) of the Act: None
Indicate the number of outstanding shares of each of the issuers classes of capital or common stock as of the close of the period covered by the annual report.
28,479,577,827 Common Shares, without par value, as of December 31, 2006
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act.
Yes No
If this report is an annual or transition report, indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.
Yes No
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 No
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, or a non-accelerated filer. See definition of accelerated filer and large accelerated filer in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):
Large acelerated filer Accelerated filer Non-accelerated filer
Indicate by check mark which financial statement item the registrant has elected to follow.
Item 17 Item 18
If this is an annual report, indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).
Yes No
TABLE OF CONTENTS
PRESENTATION OF FINANCIAL INFORMATION
In this annual report, references to real, reais or R$ are to the Brazilian real, the official currency of Brazil. All references to U.S. dollars or US$ are to United States dollars. Solely for the convenience of the reader, we have translated some of the real amounts contained in this annual report into U.S. dollars at a rate equal (unless otherwise indicated) to R$2.1380 to US$1.00, the commercial selling rate as of December 31, 2006 as reported by the Central Bank of Brazil, or the Central Bank. As a result of the recent fluctuations in the real/U.S. dollar exchange rate, the commercial selling rate may not be indicative of current or future exchange rates. Therefore, you should not read these translations as representations that any such amounts have been, could have been or could be converted into U.S. dollars at that or at any other exchange rate. See Item 3.A. Selected Financial DataExchange Rates for information regarding exchange rates allocable to the Brazilian currency since January 1, 2002.
Our audited financial statements as of December 31, 2005 and 2006 and for the years ended December 31, 2004, 2005 and 2006 are included in this annual report. The financial statements as of and for the years ended December 31, 2004, 2005 and 2006 have been audited by Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Auditores Independentes, São Paulo, Brazil. The selected financial data as of December 31, 2002 and 2003 and for the two years ended December 31, 2003 is derived from our financial statements audited by PricewaterhouseCoopers Auditores Independentes for the year ended December 31, 2002 and by Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Auditores Independentes for the year ended December 31, 2003, both included in previously filed annual reports.
Our audited financial statements are presented in reais and are prepared in accordance with the Brazilian Corporate Law Method, which is based on Brazilian Corporate Law (Law No. 6,404/76, as amended), the rules and regulations issued by the Brazilian Securities Commission (Comissão de Valores Mobiliários), or CVM, and the accounting standards issued by the Brazilian Institute of Independent Auditors (Instituto dos Auditores Independentes do Brasil), or IBRACON, hereinafter referred to as the Brazilian Corporate Law Method.
Like other Brazilian companies, we have the option of presenting our primary financial statements on the basis of accounting principles established in accordance with the Brazilian Corporate Law Method with a reconciliation to generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America, or U.S. GAAP. Unless otherwise indicated, our financial statements and all financial data included in this annual report have been prepared in accordance with the Brazilian Corporate Law Method.
The Brazilian Corporate Law Method differs in significant respects from U.S. GAAP. Note 23 to our financial statements provides a description of the differences between the Brazilian Corporate Law Method and U.S. GAAP as they relate to our financial statements and a reconciliation from the Brazilian Corporate Law Method to U.S. GAAP, for periods presented therein, of our net income (loss) and shareholders equity. The reconciliation from the financial statements prepared in accordance with the Brazilian Corporate Law Method to U.S. GAAP includes, among others, adjustments for differences related to the accounting for past revaluations of property, plant and equipment, historical inflation accounting and accounting for pension and other employee benefits.
All information related to liters, water and sewage volumes, number of employees, kilometers, water and sewage connections, population served, operating productivity, water production rate, sewage lines (in kilometers), savings achieved and investments in improvement programs have not been audited.
Other Information
We do not have any subsidiaries.
Some figures in this annual report may not total due to rounding adjustments.
In this annual report, unless the context otherwise requires, references to we, us, our, Company, or Sabesp refer to Companhia de Saneamento Básico do Estado de São PauloSabesp. Brazil refers to the Federative Republic of Brazil and State refers to the State of São Paulo, which is also our controlling shareholder. The phrases Federal Government and Brazilian government refer to the federal government of the Federative Republic of Brazil and State government refers to the state government of the State of São Paulo.
1
In this annual report, we refer to the São Paulo Metropolitan Region, the area where the Metropolitan Executive Office operates, comprising 38 municipalities, including the City of São Paulo. We refer to the Regional Systems, the area where the Regional Systems Executive Ofiice operates, comprising 329 municipalities in the interior and coastline regions of the State of São Paulo. As of the date of this annual report, we provide water supply and sewage services to a total of 367 of the 645 municipalities in the State of São Paulo.
References to Water Coverage Ratio in this annual report mean the ratio between the number of residences connected to the water supply network, divided by the number of urban residences in a certain area. References to Sewage Coverage Ratio mean the ratio between the number of residences connected to the sewage collection network, divided by the number of urban residences in a certain area.
References to urban and total population in this annual report are estimated based on a research made by State System Foundation Data Analysis (Fundação Sistema Estadual de Análise de Dados SEADE): Projections for the State of São Paulo Population and Residences until 2025 (Projeções para o Estado de São Paulo População e Domicílios até 2025).
2
FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS CONTAINED IN THIS ANNUAL REPORT
This annual report includes forward-looking statements, principally in Items 3 through 5. We have based these forward-looking statements largely on our current expectations and projections about future events and financial trends affecting our business. These forward-looking statements are subject to risks, uncertainties and assumptions, including, among other things:
The words believe, may, will, estimate, continue, anticipate, plan, intend, expect and similar words are intended to identify forward-looking statements. In light of these risks and uncertainties, the forward-looking events and circumstances discussed in this annual report might not occur. Our actual results could differ substantially from those anticipated in our forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they were made and we do not undertake the obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, unless required by law. Any such forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve risks.
3
PART I
ITEM 1. IDENTITY OF DIRECTORS, SENIOR MANAGEMENT AND ADVISERS
1.A. Directors and Senior Management
Not applicable.
1.B. Advisers
Not applicable.
1.C. Auditors
Not applicable.
ITEM 2. OFFER STATISTICS AND EXPECTED TIMETABLE
2.A. Offer Statistcs
Not applicable.
2.B. Method and Expected Timetable
Not applicable.
ITEM 3. KEY INFORMATION
3.A. Selected Financial Data
The selected financial data as of December 31, 2002 and 2003 and for the two years ended December 31, 2003 is derived from our financial statements audited by PricewaterhouseCoopers Auditores Independentes for the year ended December 31, 2002 and by Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Auditores Independentes for the year ended December 31, 2003, included in previously filed annual reports. The selected financial data as of December 31, 2004, 2005 and 2006 and for the three years ended December 31, 2006 is derived from our financial statements audited by Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Auditores Independentes, and is included in this annual report.
Our financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the Brazilian Corporate Law Method, which differs in significant respects from U.S. GAAP. You should read this selected financial data in conjunction with our financial statements and the related notes thereto included in this annual report. Solely for the convenience of the reader, real amounts as of and for the year ended December 31, 2006 have been translated into U.S. dollars at the selling rate as of December 31, 2006 of R$2.1380 per US$1.00.
The following table presents our selected financial data as of and for each of the periods indicated.
4
As of and for the year ended December 31, | ||||||||||||
2002 | 2003 | 2004 | 2005 | 2006 | ||||||||
(in millions, except per share and per ADS data) | ||||||||||||
Brazilian Corporate Law Method | ||||||||||||
R$ | R$ | R$ | R$ | R$ | US$ | |||||||
Statement of operations data: | ||||||||||||
Net revenue from sales and services | 3,767.1 | 4,130.8 | 4,397.1 | 4,953.4 | 5,527.3 | 2,585.3 | ||||||
Cost of sales and services | (1,815.0) | (2,067.1) | (2,253.4) | (2,376.4) | (2,616.8) | (1,224.0) | ||||||
Gross profit | 1,952.2 | 2,063.6 | 2,143.7 | 2,577.0 | 2,910.5 | 1,361.3 | ||||||
Selling expenses | (385.1) | (297.5) | (502.5) | (537.8) | (719.2) | (336.4) | ||||||
Administrative expenses | (226.0) | (254.1) | (313.6) | (349.6) | (387.4) | (181.2) | ||||||
Financial income (expenses), net | (2,276.3) | (346.5) | (503.7) | (447.0) | (563.3) | (263.5) | ||||||
Income (loss) from operations(1) | (935.3) | 1,165.5 | 823.9 | 1,242.6 | 1,240.6 | 580.2 | ||||||
Non-operating income (expenses) | (3.4) | (54.5) | (33.9) | (25.4) | (50.9) | (23.8) | ||||||
Income (loss) before taxes on income | (938.7) | 1,111.1 | 790.0 | 1,217.2 | 1,189.7 | 556.4 | ||||||
Income tax and social contribution tax | 323.3 | (242.6) | (241.9) | (316.5) | (375.7) | (175.7) | ||||||
Extraordinary item, net of income and social | ||||||||||||
contribution taxes(2) | (35.1) | (35.1) | (35.1) | (35.1) | (35.1) | (16.4) | ||||||
Net income (loss) | (650.5) | 833.3 | 513.0 | 865.6 | 778.9 | 364.3 | ||||||
Net income (loss) per 1,000 common shares | (22.84) | 29.26 | 18.01 | 30.40 | 27.35 | 12.80 | ||||||
Net income (loss) per ADS | (5.71) | 7.32 | 4.50 | 7.60 | 6.84 | 3.20 | ||||||
Dividends and interest on shareholders equity | ||||||||||||
per 1,000 common shares | 3.80 | 17.70 | 5.37 | 12.23 | 9.51 | 4.45 | ||||||
Number of common shares outstanding at year | ||||||||||||
end (in thousands of shares) | 28,479,578 | 28,479,578 | 28,479,578 | 28,479,578 | 28,479,578 | 28,479,578 | ||||||
Balance sheet data: | ||||||||||||
Cash and cash equivalents | 414.7 | 281.0 | 105.6 | 280.2 | 328.2 | 153.5 | ||||||
Customer accounts receivables, net | 820.5 | 1,056.2 | 1,227.9 | 1,332.5 | 1,407.9 | 658.5 | ||||||
Reimbursement for pension benefits paid | 403.9 | 491.0 | 576.3 | 672.7 | 774.5 | 362.3 | ||||||
Short and long-term receivables from | ||||||||||||
shareholders, net(3) | 423.7 | 164.2 | 245.6 | 420.4 | 456.9 | 213.7 |
5
As of and for the year ended December 31, | ||||||||||||
2002 | 2003 | 2004 | 2005 | 2006 | ||||||||
(in millions, except per share and per ADS data) | ||||||||||||
R$ | R$ | R$ | R$ | R$ | US$ | |||||||
Property, plant and equipment, net | 13,395.1 | 13,376.6 | 13,523.5 | 13,613.6 | 13,837.5 | 6,472.2 | ||||||
Concession assets acquired, net | 275.7 | 686.6 | 517.4 | 502.5 | 495.1 | 231.6 | ||||||
Total assets | 16,348.7 | 16,590.1 | 16,783.8 | 17,431.1 | 18,000.0 | 8,419.1 | ||||||
Total short-term loans and financing | 1,332.5 | 997.0 | 1,496.8 | 759.0 | 852.5 | 398.7 | ||||||
Total long-term loans and financing | 6,545.2 | 6,267.3 | 5,553.8 | 5,905.2 | 5,474.3 | 2,560.5 | ||||||
Total liabilities | 9,102.2 | 9,013.2 | 8,832.2 | 8,948.5 | 8,981.5 | 4,200.9 | ||||||
Shareholders equity | 7,246.5 | 7,576.9 | 7,951.6 | 8,482.5 | 9,018.5 | 4,218.2 | ||||||
Other financial information: | ||||||||||||
Cash provided by operating activities(4) | 1,764.8 | 1,655.3 | 1,441.1 | 1,737.6 | 2,020.8 | 945.2 | ||||||
Cash used in investing activities(4) | (597.2) | (650.8) | (675.5) | (643.2) | (850.0) | (397.6) | ||||||
Cash used in financing activities(4) | (1,165.7) | (1,138.2) | (941.1) | (919.7) | (1,122.8) | (525.2) | ||||||
Adjusted EBITDA(5) | 1,860.1 | 2,076.5 | 1,926.5 | 2,285.6 | 2,446.1 | 1,144.1 | ||||||
Capital expenditures(4) | 586.0 | 641.3 | 670.3 | 643.1 | 855.1 | 399.9 | ||||||
Depreciation and amortization | 519.1 | 564.5 | 598.9 | 596.0 | 642.2 | 300.4 |
As of and for the year ended December 31, | ||||||||||||
2002 | 2003 | 2004 | 2005 | 2006 | ||||||||
(in millions, except per share and per ADS data) | ||||||||||||
U.S. GAAP | ||||||||||||
R$ | R$ | R$ | R$ | R$ | US$ | |||||||
Statement of operations data: | ||||||||||||
Net revenue from sales and services | 3,767.1 | 4,130.8 | 4,397.1 | 4,953.4 | 5,527.3 | 2,585.3 | ||||||
Gross profit | 1,820.1 | 1,853.3 | 1,953.1 | 2,383.2 | 2,704.8 | 1,265.1 | ||||||
Selling expenses | (393.6) | (323.4) | (521.5) | (555.4) | (737.3) | (344.9) | ||||||
Administrative expenses | (328.8) | (276.3) | (324.1) | (350.2) | (428.7) | (200.5) | ||||||
Income from operations(6) | 1,086.5 | 1,136.5 | 1,073.0 | 1,470.2 | 1,451.4 | 678.9 | ||||||
Financial income (expenses), net | (2,284.5) | (329.4) | (479.2) | (401.9) | (542.3) | (253.6) | ||||||
Net income (loss) | (847.6) | 642.6 | 417.5 | 791.2 | 622.5 | 291.2 | ||||||
Net income (loss) per common shares- | ||||||||||||
basic and diluted | (3.72) | 2.82 | 1.83 | 3.47 | 2.73 | 1.28 | ||||||
Net income (loss) per ADS-basic and | ||||||||||||
diluted | (7.44) | 5.64 | 3.67 | 6.95 | 5.46 | 2.56 | ||||||
Weighted average number of common | ||||||||||||
shares outstanding | 227,836,623 | 227,836,623 | 227,836,623 | 227,836,623 | 227,836,623 | 227,836,623 | ||||||
Balance sheet data: | ||||||||||||
Property, plant and equipment, net | 15,390.3 | 15,268.9 | 15,347.2 | 15,393.9 | 15,473.5 | 7,237.4 | ||||||
Concession assets acquired, net | 275.7 | 686.6 | 517.4 | 502.5 | 495.1 | 231.6 | ||||||
Total assets | 17,625.6 | 17,630.4 | 17,704.5 | 18,209.8 | 18,498.7 | 8,652.3 | ||||||
Short-term loan financing | 1,753.6 | 997.0 | 1,496.8 | 759.0 | 852.5 | 398.7 | ||||||
Long-term loan financing | 6,124.0 | 6,267.3 | 5,553.8 | 5,905.2 | 5,459.9 | 2,553.7 | ||||||
Total liabilities | 11,679.8 | 11,604.3 | 11,339.7 | 11,388.4 | 11,200.5 | 5,238.8 | ||||||
Shareholders equity | 5,945.8 | 6,085.6 | 6,364.8 | 6,821.4 | 7,298.2 | 3,413.6 |
6
As of and for the year ended December 31, | ||||||||||
2002 | 2003 | 2004 | 2005 | 2006 | ||||||
Operating data (at period end): | ||||||||||
Number of water connections (in thousands) | 5,898 | 6,044 | 6,358 | 6,489 | 6,609 | |||||
Number of sewage connections (in thousands) | 4,304 | 4,462 | 4,747 | 4,878 | 5,002 | |||||
Percentage of population with water connections | ||||||||||
(%) | 100 | 100 | 100 | 100 | 99 | |||||
Percentage of population with sewer | ||||||||||
connections (%) | 77 | 78 | 78 | 78 | 78 | |||||
Volume of water billed during period (in millions | ||||||||||
of cubic meters) | 1,770 | 1,765 | 1,692 | 1,759 | 1,807 | |||||
Water loss percentage during period | ||||||||||
(average)(%)(7) | 31.7 | 33.0 | 34.0 | 32.4 | 31.9 | |||||
Water loss per connection (average)(8) | 546 | 563 | 547 | 520 | 511 | |||||
Number of employees | 18,505 | 18,546 | 17,735 | 17,448 | 16,978 |
(1) |
Includes financial expenses, net. |
(2) |
The extraordinary item charged to income in the years ended December 31, 2004, 2005 and 2006 relates to the amortization (over a five- year period) of the actuarial liability recorded on December 31, 2001 upon first time recognition of the defined
benefits pension plan. The presentation of the charge as an extraordinary item is consistent with the instructions of the CVM and the Brazilian Corporate Law Method. For purposes of U.S. GAAP, the pension expense has been treated as a payroll expense from the first year presented. |
(3) |
Short and long-term receivables from shareholders, net represent amounts due from the State for water and sewage services. See note 6 to our financial statements. |
(4) |
Based upon the statements of cash flows for the years ended December 31, 2006, 2005 and 2004 included in note 25 to our financial statements and the statements of cash flows for the years ended December 31, 2003 and 2002 which are not included in
this annual report. |
(5) |
The inclusion of Adjusted EBITDA information aims at presenting a measure for our economic operating performance. Our Adjusted EBITDA means net income before financial expenses, net, income tax and social contribution tax (federal taxes on income),
depreciation and amortization, non-operating income (expenses) and extraordinary item, net of income tax and social contribution. Adjusted EBITDA is not a measure of financial performance recognized under the Brazilian Corporate Law Method, and
should not be considered individually or as an alternative for net income, as a measure of operating performance, or alternative for operating cash flows, or as a measure of liquidity. Our definition of Adjusted EBITDA or EBITDA may not be comparable with the definition of Adjusted EBITDA or EBITDA used by other companies. In our operations, we relate our Adjusted EBITDA to our operating cash flows. We do not include in the calculation of Adjusted EBITDA expenses with interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization, therefore, our Adjusted EBITDA works as a general indicator of economic performance and it is not affected by debt restructurings, interest rate fluctuations, changes in tax burden or in depreciation and amortization levels. Consequently, we believe that Adjusted EBITDA works as an adequate tool to regularly compare our operating performance. Additionally, Adjusted EBITDA is used in covenants related to some of our financial commitments. We believe that Adjusted EBITDA allows a better understanding not only of our financial performance but also of our capacity to satisfy our liabilities and to raise funds for our capital expenditures and working capital. Adjusted EBITDA, however, has limitations that prevent it from being used as a measure of our profitability because it does not take into consideration other costs resulting from our business or certain other costs, which could significantly affect our profits, such as financial expenses, taxes, depreciation, capital expenses and other related charges. Adjusted EBITDA calculation presented herein is in accordance with the rules issued by the Brazilian regulatory authorities, which set forth the Brazilian Corporate Law Method. The table below sets forth, for the periods indicated, the reconciliation between our net income with Adjusted EBITDA: |
For the year ended December 31, | ||||||||||||
2002 | 2003 | 2004 | 2005 | 2006 | ||||||||
(in millions) | ||||||||||||
R$ | R$ | R$ | R$ | R$ | US$ | |||||||
Brazilian Corporate Law Method | ||||||||||||
Net income (loss) | (650.5) | 833.3 | 513.0 | 865.6 | 778.9 | 364.3 | ||||||
Add: | ||||||||||||
Financial expenses (income), net | 2,276.3 | 346.5 | 503.7 | 447.0 | 563.3 | 263.5 | ||||||
Income and social contribution tax | (323.3) | 242.6 | 241.9 | 316.5 | 375.7 | 175.7 | ||||||
Depreciation and amortization | 519.1 | 564.5 | 598.9 | 596.0 | 642.2 | 300.4 | ||||||
Non-operating income (expenses), net | 3.4 | 54.5 | 33.9 | 25.4 | 50.9 | 23.8 | ||||||
Extraordinary item, net of income and | ||||||||||||
social contribution taxes | 35.1 | 35.1 | 35.1 | 35.1 | 35.1 | 16.4 | ||||||
Adjusted EBITDA | 1,860.1 | 2,076.5 | 1,926.5 | 2,285.6 | 2,446.1 | 1,144.1 |
(6) |
Under U.S. GAAP, income from operations is determined before financial expenses, net. |
(7) |
Includes both physical and non-physical losses. Water loss percentage represents the quotient of (a) the difference between (i) the total amount of water produced by us less (ii) the total amount of water invoiced by us to customers minus (iii) the
volume of water set out below that we exclude from our calculation of water losses, divided by (b) the total amount of water produced. We exclude from our calculation of water losses the following: (1) water discharged for periodic maintenance of
water mains and water storage tanks; (2) water supplied for municipal uses such as firefighting; (3) water we consume in our facilities; and (4) estimated water losses associated with water we supply to favelas (shantytowns). |
(8) | Measured in liters/connections per day, according to the new method of measuring our water losses, based on worldwide market practice for the sector. See Item 4.B. Information on the CompanyBusiness Overview. |
7
Exchange Rates
Before March 14, 2005, there were two principal legal foreign exchange markets in Brazil, the commercial rate exchange market and the floating rate exchange market. On March 4, 2005, the Brazilian National Monetary Council (Conselho Monetário Nacional) enacted Resolution No. 3,265, pursuant to which the floating rate market and the commercial market were unified under the denomination exchange market, effective as of March 14, 2005. The new regulation allows the purchase and sale of foreign currency and the international transfer of reais by any person or legal entity, regardless of the amount, provided, however, the transaction is legal and subject to certain regulatory procedures.
Since 1999, the Central Bank has allowed the real/U.S. dollar exchange rate to float freely, and, since then, the real/U.S. dollar exchange rate has fluctuated considerably. Since the beginning of 2001, the Brazilian exchange market has been increasingly volatile, and, until early 2003, the value of the real declined relative to the U.S. dollar. The real appreciated against the U.S. dollar in 2003, 2004, 2005 and 2006. As of December 31, 2006, the exchange rate for U.S. dollars was R$2.138 per U$1.00. In the past, the Central Bank has intervened occasionally to control unstable movements in foreign exchange rates. We cannot predict whether the Central Bank or the Brazilian government will continue to let the real float freely or will intervene in the exchange rate market through the return of a currency band system or otherwise. The real may depreciate or appreciate against the U.S. dollar substantially in the future. For more information on these risks, see Item 3.D. Risk FactorsRisks Relating to Brazil.
The following tables set forth the commercial selling rate, expressed in reais per U.S. dollar (R$/US$), for the periods indicated.
Average for | ||||||||
Year-end | year(1) | Low | High | |||||
(reais per U.S. dollar) | ||||||||
Year | ||||||||
2002 | 3.5333 | 2.9309 | 2.2709 | 3.9552 | ||||
2003 | 2.8892 | 3.0715 | 2.8219 | 3.6623 | ||||
2004 | 2.6544 | 2.9257 | 2.6544 | 3.2051 | ||||
2005 | 2.3407 | 2.4341 | 2.1633 | 2.7621 | ||||
2006 | 2.1380 | 2.1771 | 2.0586 | 2.3711 | ||||
2007 (through June 30, 2007) | 1.9262 | 1.9319 | 1.9047 | 1.9638 |
Average for | ||||||||
Period-end | period(2) | Low | High | |||||
(reais per U.S. dollar) | ||||||||
Month | ||||||||
November 2006 | 2.1668 | 2.1579 | 2.1353 | 2.1870 | ||||
December 2006 | 2.1380 | 2.1499 | 2.1380 | 2.1693 | ||||
January 2007 | 2.1247 | 2.1385 | 2.1247 | 2.1556 | ||||
February 2007 | 2.1182 | 2.0963 | 2.0766 | 2.1182 | ||||
March 2007 | 2.0504 | 2.882 | 2.0504 | 2.1388 | ||||
April 2007 | 2.0339 | 2.0320 | 2.0231 | 2.0478 | ||||
May 2007 | 1.9289 | 1.9816 | 1.9289 | 2.0309 | ||||
June 2007 | 1.9262 | 1.9319 | 1.9047 | 1.9638 |
Source: Central Bank | |
(1) | Represents the average of the exchange rates of each trading date. |
(2) | Represents the average of the lowest and highest rates in the month. |
8
Exchange rate fluctuations will affect the U.S. dollar equivalent of the real price of our common shares on the BOVESPA as well as the U.S. dollar equivalent of any distributions we make in reais with respect to our common shares.
3.B. Capitalization and Indebtedness
Not applicable.
3.C. Reasons for the Offer and Use of Proceeds
Not applicable.
3.D. Risk Factors
Risks Relating to Brazil
The Brazilian government has exercised, and continues to exercise, significant influence over the Brazilian economy. This involvement, as well as Brazilian political and economic conditions, could adversely affect us and the market price of our shares and ADSs.
The Brazilian government frequently intervenes in the Brazilian economy and occasionally makes significant changes in policy and regulations. The Brazilian governments actions to control inflation and other policies and regulations have often involved, among other measures, increases in interest rates, changes in tax policies, price and tariff controls, currency devaluations, capital controls and limits on imports. Our business, financial condition and results of operations, as well as the market price of our shares or ADSs, may be adversely affected by changes in public policy at federal, state and municipal levels with respect to public tariffs and exchange controls, as well as other factors, such as:
Uncertainty over whether the Brazilian government will implement changes in policy or regulation affecting these or other factors in the future may contribute to economic uncertainty in Brazil and to heightened volatility in the Brazilian securities markets and in the securities issued abroad by Brazilian issuers, which could have a material adverse effect on us and on our shares and ADSs.
In October 2006, Brazil held presidential elections and President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva was reelected. There can be no assurance that the Brazilian government will continue to follow the economic policies that were adopted under President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silvas first administration, or that any changes that may be implemented to these policies will not have an adverse effect upon us.
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Inflation, and the Brazilian governments measures to combat inflation, may contribute to economic uncertainty in Brazil, adversely affecting us and the market value of our shares or ADSs.
Brazil has in the past experienced extremely high rates of inflation. Inflation and the Brazilian governments measures to fight inflation have had significant negative effects on the Brazilian economy, contributing to economic uncertainty and heightened volatility in the Brazilian securities markets. The Brazilian governments measures to control inflation have often included maintaining a tight monetary policy with high interest rates, thereby restricting the availability of credit and reducing economic growth. The official interest rate in Brazil, the SELIC, which is the interest rate of the Special Clearing and Settlement System (Sistema Especial de Liquidação e Custódia), at the end of 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005 and 2006 was 24.90%, 16.32%, 17.74%, 18.00% and 13.19%, respectively. On June 30, 2007, the official interest rate in Brazil was 12.00% .
The annual rate of inflation, as measured by the General Market Price Index (Índice Geral de PreçosMercado), or IGP-M index, has fallen from 9.95% in 2000 to 3.83% in 2006. However, Brazilian governmental actions, including interest rate decreases, intervention in the foreign exchange market and actions to adjust or fix the value of the real, may trigger increases in inflation. If Brazil again experiences high inflation, our costs and expenses may rise, we may be unable to increase our tariffs to counter the effects of inflation, and our overall financial performance may be adversely affected. In addition, a substantial increase in inflation may weaken investors confidence in Brazil, causing the decline in the market value of our shares or ADSs.
Additionally, in the event of an increase in inflation, the Brazilian government may choose to raise official interest rates. Increases in interest rates would not only affect our cost of funding, but could also have a material adverse effect on us and may also adversely affect the market value of our shares or ADSs.
Exchange rate instability may adversely affect us and the market price of our shares or ADSs.
The Brazilian currency has experienced frequent and substantial devaluations in relation to the U.S. dollar and other foreign currencies during the last decades. Throughout this period, the Brazilian government has implemented various economic plans and utilized a number of exchange rate policies, including sudden devaluations, periodic mini-devaluations during which the frequency of adjustments has ranged from daily to monthly, floating exchange rate systems, exchange controls and dual exchange rate markets. From time to time, there have been significant fluctuations in the exchange rate between the Brazilian real and the U.S. dollar and other currencies. For example, the real depreciated against the U.S. dollar by 9.3% in 2000, 18.7% in 2001 and 34.3% in 2002. Although the real appreciated 22.3%, 8.8%, 13.4% and 9.5% against the U.S. dollar in 2003, 2004, 2005 and 2006, respectively, no assurance can be given that the real will not depreciate against the U.S. dollar again. On June 30, 2007, the exchange rate was R$1.9262 per US$1.00.
In the event of a significant devaluation of the real in relation to the U.S. dollar or other currencies, our ability to meet our foreign currency-denominated obligations could be adversely affected, particularly because our tariff revenue and other sources of income are based solely in reais. In addition, because we have foreign currency-denominated indebtedness, any significant devaluation of the real during a financial period will increase our financial expenses as a result of foreign exchange losses that we must record. We had total foreign currency-denominated indebtedness of R$1,472.8 million as of December 31, 2006, and we anticipate that we may incur substantial amounts of foreign currency-denominated indebtedness in the future. Our overall results of operations were positively affected by the 9.5% appreciation of the real against the U.S. dollar in 2006, which amounted to R$96,1 million. We do not currently have any hedging instruments in place to protect us against a devaluation of the real in relation to any foreign currency. A devaluation of the real may adversely affect us and the market price of our shares or ADSs.
Developments and the perception of risk in other countries, especially emerging market countries, may adversely affect our financing and the market price of our shares or ADSs.
The market value of securities of Brazilian issuers is affected to varying degrees by economic and market conditions in other countries, including other Latin American and emerging market countries. Although economic conditions in those countries may differ significantly from economic conditions in Brazil, investors reactions to developments in these other countries may have an adverse effect on the market value of securities of Brazilian issuers. Crises in other emerging countries may diminish investors interest in securities of Brazilian issuers, including our securities. This could adversely affect the market price of our shares or ADSs and could also make it more difficult for us to gain access to the capital markets and finance our operations in the future on acceptable terms, or at all.
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Risks Relating to our Control by the State of São Paulo
We are controlled by the State of São Paulo, whose interests may differ from ours or from minority shareholders interests, and which could have a material adverse effect on us.
The State of São Paulo, through its ownership of our common shares, has the ability to determine our operating policies and strategy, to authorize tariff adjustments, to control the election of a majority of the members of our board of directors and to appoint our senior management. As of December 31, 2006, the State owned 50.3% of our outstanding common shares.
The State has from time to time in the past, and may in the future, through its control of our board of directors, set our tariffs and direct that we engage in certain business activities and make certain expenditures that promote political, economic or social goals but that do not necessarily also enhance our business and results of operations. See Item 5.A. Operating and Financial Review and ProspectsFactors Affecting Our Results of Operations.
Newly elected Governors of the State typically make significant changes in our board of directors and senior management and, historically, the chairman of our board of directors has been the Secretary of the former Energy, Water Resources and Sanitation Secretariat of the State (Secretaria Estadual de Energia, Recursos Hídricos e Saneamento), currently denominated Sanitation and Energy Secretariat of the State of São Paulo (Secretaria de Saneamento e Energia do Estado de São Paulo).
We have a substantial amount of accounts receivable owed to us by the State and some State entities, and we cannot assure you as to when or whether the State will pay us.
Historically, the State and some State entities have had substantial overdue accounts payable to us relating to (1) the provision of water and sewage services and (2) State-mandated special retirement and pension payments that we make to some of our former employees for which the State is required to reimburse us. As of December 31, 2006, the amounts owed to us by the State for the provision of water and sewage services totaled R$456.9 million and, with respect to payment of pensions on behalf of the State, the State owed us R$774.5 million. Amounts owed to us by the State for water and sewage services and reimbursements for pensions paid may increase in the future.
We have entered into agreements with the State to settle these overdue amounts payable to us. For a detailed discussion of these agreements, see Item 7.B. Major Shareholders and Related Party TransactionsRelated Party Transactions. Pursuant to these agreements, the amounts due with respect to water and sewage services may be settled through the application of dividends payable to the State by us to the repayment of amounts owed to us. Since the State entered into these agreements in 1997, we have applied the dividends payable to the State to the repayment of amounts owed to us. However, the agreements do not require application of all dividends payable to the State to the repayment of amounts owed to us. Furthermore, there can be no assurance as to whether and to what extent we will continue to record sufficient profits to pay dividends.
Pursuant to the agreements, part of the amounts due to us with respect to payments of pensions on behalf of the State may be settled through the transfer to us of certain reservoirs in the Alto Tietê system that we use and are owned by the State. We are unable to predict whether and when these reservoirs will be transferred to us because a final judicial determination as to the fair value of these reservoirs is still pending and the Public Prosecution Office of the State of São Paulo (Ministério Público do Estado de São Paulo) brought a civil public action alleging that a transfer to us of ownership of the Alto Tietê system reservoirs is illegal. See Item 8.A. Consolidated Statements and other Financial InformationLegal Proceedings.
We cannot assure you as to when or if the State will pay overdue amounts owed to us. Due to the States history of not making timely payments to us in respect of services and of not reimbursing us in a timely manner for the payments of pensions on behalf of the State, we cannot assure you that the amount of accounts receivable owed to us by the State and some State entities will not significantly increase in the future. In addition, we have not established any provisions for any amounts due to us by the State, as we do not expect to incur any significant losses relating to these amounts. If the State does not pay the amount it owes to us, we will be adversely affected.
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We may be required to acquire reservoirs that we use and that are owned by a State-controlled company, or we may be required to pay substantial charges to the owner with respect to our use of these reservoirs.
In connection with the provision of water services, we use the Billings and Guarapiranga reservoirs that are owned by a State-controlled company. Our right to use these reservoirs is provided for through a grant issued by the State Department of Water and Energy (Departamento de Águas e Energia Elétrica do Estado de São PauloDAEE). The State, through its control of our board of directors, could require us to acquire the Billings and Guarapiranga reservoirs. As a result of these acquisitions, our cash position and overall financial condition could be adversely affected. In addition, since we are not currently charged for the use of these reservoirs, we are uncertain as to whether we will continue to be able to use the reservoirs without paying charges, or what the likely fee scale would be, if imposed. We may also be required to pay additional maintenance and operational costs for our use of the Billings and Guarapiranga reservoirs. If we were required to pay substantial charges to the owner or additional maintenance or operational costs for our use of these properties, we could be adversely affected.
Risks Relating to Our Business
We cannot anticipate the effects that the new legislation enacted in January 2007 will have on the basic sanitation sector in Brazil.
On January 8, 2007, Law No. 11,445 was enacted to regulate the basic sanitation industry in Brazil. This law is in its initial stage of implementation and we cannot anticipate the effects that it will have on our operations and business. There are several uncertainties related to the new legislation, mainly with respect to the imposition of the regulatory authority for the basic sanitation industry and the tariff adjustment formula and structure that will be used for new contracts that we will enter into under the new law, which could have a material adverse effect on us. See Item 4.B. Business OverviewThe Basic Sanitation Law.
We are exposed to risks associated with the provision of water and sewage services.
We engage in the provision of water and sewage services, which are essential public services. In addition to being subject to the discretionary power of the State and the Federal Government and several governmental regulations, our industry is specifically affected by the following risks:
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The occurrence of any of the above may have a material adverse effect on us.
We do not hold formal concessions to provide water and sewage services to the City of São Paulo and several other municipalities that we serve, and therefore we may not be able to enforce our rights to continue to provide services in these municipalities.
Our operations are concentrated in the City of São Paulo with which we have not entered into a concession contract. As of December 31, 2006, the City of São Paulo accounted for 56.8% of our sales and services rendered. In addition, we do not hold formal concessions in 40 other municipalities in the State of São Paulo, particularly in the municipality of Santos, in the coastal region, where we operate under a deed of authorization (escritura pública de autorização) and that has a significant population of aproximately 426,000 as of December 31, 2006.
Because we do not hold concessions or formal contract rights to provide services in these municipalities, we may not be able to effectively enforce our right to continue to provide services or to be paid for the services we provide. In the future, our rights in respect of the City of São Paulo and these other municipalities could be modified or adversely affected by Brazilian federal, state or local governmental actions, judicial decisions or other factors.
From time to time, mayors of the City of São Paulo have initiated or proposed discussions with the State regarding entering into a formal concession contract with us to provide water and sewage services in the City of São Paulo. For a detailed discussion of these initiatives, see Item 4.B. Business OverviewGovernment RegulationConcessions.
The new basic sanitation legislation, Law No. 11,445, enacted in January 2007, provides December 31, 2010 as the deadline for water and sewage services companies, such as us, to regularize the provision of water and sewage services to municipalities, in case there is no formal concessions to provide services to municipalities. We cannot anticipate the terms and conditions of these contracts and their effects on the provision of our services in these municipalities, particularly with respect to the City of São Paulo.
Furthermore, we cannot assure you when and if there will be changes to the conditions under which we currently provide water and sewage services to these municipalities without holding formal concessions and we cannot anticipate their effects on the provision of our services in the City of São Paulo and in these other municipalities.
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We may face difficulties to continue to provide water and sewage services in the municipalities we serve and we cannot assure you that these municipalities will continue to require our provision of services under the same terms.
We provide water and sewage services to 367 municipalities in the State of São Paulo, of which 324 we operate pursuant to concessions granted by the municipalities. Substantially all of these concessions have 30-year terms. Until December 31, 2006, 120 of our concessions had expired, all of which are under negotiation. In 2007, 53 concessions will expire. From 2008 through 2034, 150 concessions will expire. The remainder of the concessions is for an undetermined period of time. As of December 31, 2006, the book value of our assets in the municipalities where the concessions are under negotiation or will expire in 2007 totaled R$1.9 billion. For the year ended December 31, 2006, the net revenue from sales and services was R$796.0 million with respect to these concessions.
In case certain municipalities continue to require our provision of water and sewage services, we cannot assure you that we will obtain in the new contracts the same terms under which we currently provide services to them because the new basic sanitation law prevents us from planning, regulating and monitoring our services and it requires a more stringent control by the municipalities or by the regulatory entity to be created for the Brazilian basic sanitation industry. In case certain municipalities no longer require our provision of water and sewage services, we may adversely affected. See Item 4.B. Business OverviewOur Operations and Item 4.B. Business OverviewGovernment RegulationPublic Consortia Law.
We may also face difficulties in continuing to provide water and sewage services to certain municipalities by means of new contracts because of an increase in competition and in case we are outbid from a public bidding process.
Municipalities may terminate our concessions before their expiration and the compensation may be inadequate to recover the full value of our investments.
The concessions we hold are subject to early termination by the municipalities under certain circumstances. Municipalities may terminate our concessions if we fail to comply with our obligations under the relevant concession contract and applicable law, or if the municipality determines, based on authorization by municipal law, through an expropriation proceeding, that terminating our concession prior to the contractual expiration date is in the public interest. If any municipality terminates our concession, we are entitled to be indemnified for the unamortized portion of our investments, but the compensation may not be sufficient for us to recover the full value of our investments. Further, under the terms of the Constitution of the State of São Paulo, we may receive the compensation over a term of 25 years. The early termination by municipalities of any of our concession contracts, or our inability to receive adequate compensation for the investments we made, or if compensation is paid over a term of 25 years, would have a material adverse effect on us.
In 1997, the municipality of Santos enacted a law expropriating our water and sewage systems in Santos. In 1995, the municipality of Diadema terminated the concession agreement that had been entered into with us prior to the expiration of the agreement. There are pending legal proceedings discussing both the expropriation carried out by the municipality of Santos and early termination by the municipality of Diadema. We continue to provide water and sewage services to Santos and sell water on a wholesale basis to Diadema. For further information on these lawsuits, see See Item 8.A. Consolidated Statements and other Financial InformationLegal Proceedings.
We cannot assure you that other municipalities will not seek to terminate their concessions before the contractual expiration date. Exercise of concession termination rights by substantial numbers of municipalities could have a material adverse effect on us.
Law No. 11,445, the new basic sanitation law, provides that the parties to new contracts have to establish the amount of the compensation in the agreement for the unamortized portion of the invesment in case of termination of the agreement prior to the contractual expiration date. In the event there is no agreement between the parties for the unamortized portion of the invesment to be repaid to the service provider in case of termination of the agreement prior to the contractual expiration date, the new law determines a default provision, i.e., the valuation of the investment by an independent expert based on the economic value or revaluation of the book value of the invesment. This default provision of Law No. 11,445 may also be applicable to current concessions but in the absence of mutual agreements, the calculation of the indemnity is based on the terms and conditions of the previous agreement. In addition, we cannot anticipate the effects of this law on the amount of, and enforceability of the right to, compensation and how Brazilian courts will enforce the provisions of Law No. 11,445.
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Any failure to obtain new financing may adversely affect our ability to continue our capital expenditure program.
Our capital expenditure program requires substantial liquidity and capital resources of approximately R$5.87 billion in the period from 2007 through 2010, of which we expect to spend R$960.0 million in 2007.
We have funded in the past, and we plan to continue to fund, these expenditures out of funds generated by operations and domestic and foreign currency borrowings on acceptable terms. A significant portion of our financing needs have been funded by lenders controlled by the Federal Government. We also benefit from long-term financing from international multilateral agencies and development banks at attractive interest rates. Changes in the policies of the Federal Government regarding the financing of water and sewage services, or our failure to continue to benefit from long-term financing from domestic and international multilateral agencies and development banks at attractive interest rates may impair our ability to meet our obligations or finance our capital expenditure program and could have a material adverse effect on us.
As a general rule, financial institutions and other institutions authorized to provide credit by the Central Bank may only provide loans to public sector entities, such as us, up to a certain percentage of the entities shareholders equity. Because of these limitations on our ability to obtain credit from domestic financial institutions, our options for raising funds, other than the cash generated by our operations, consist principally of borrowing from international financial institutions or development agencies and issuing debt securities in both the domestic and international capital markets. These legal limitations could adversely affect our ability to continue our capital expenditure program.
We are also subject to financial covenants limiting our ability to incur additional indebtedness, whether denominated in reais or foreign currency. Under these covenants, we would have been able to borrow up to an additional R$2,291.6 million as of December 31, 2006. These contractual limitations may prevent us from completing our capital expenditure program, which could have a material adverse effect on us.
Potential costs of environmental compliance and potential environmental liability could have a material adverse effect on us.
Our facilities are subject to extensive Brazilian federal, state and local laws and regulations relating to the protection of human health and the environment. These laws and regulations limit or prohibit emissions or spills of effluents and toxic substances, such as raw sewage, produced in connection with our operations. Current and past disposal and emissions practices may result in the need for us to clean up or retrofit our facilities at substantial costs and could result in substantial liabilities.
We could be subject to civil public actions and criminal, administrative and other civil proceedings for non-compliance with environmental laws and regulations, which could expose us to civil penalties and criminal sanctions, such as fines, closure orders and significant indemnification obligations. Since environmental laws and their enforcement by Brazilian authorities are becoming more stringent, our capital expenditures and expenses for environmental compliance may increase substantially. Expenditures required for compliance with environmental laws and regulations may result in reductions in other strategic investments that we have planned, which could negatively affect us.
We are a party to a number of civil public actions related to environmental matters, with regard to which we are unable to calculate our estimated amount of potential liability, especially fines, and have not provisioned any amounts. In addition, due to more stringent enforcement of environmental laws by Brazilian courts, we may be required to pay substantial fines and indemnifications in amounts that may vary widely from those currently anticipated. Any unfavorable judgment in relation to these proceedings or any material unforeseen environmental liabilities may have a material adverse effect on us.
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Any substantial monetary judgment against us in legal proceedings may have a material adverse effect on us.
We are a party to a number of legal proceedings involving significant monetary claims. These legal proceedings include, among others, tax, labor, condemnation and other proceedings. A substantial monetary judgment against us in one or more of these legal proceedings may have a material adverse effect on us. Based on advice from our lawyers, we have provisioned a total aggregate amount of R$657.6 million as of December 31, 2006 to cover probable losses related to legal proceedings. However, this provision does not cover all legal proceedings involving monetary claims filed against us and it may be insufficient to cover our liabilities related to these claims. Any unfavorable judgment in relation to these proceedings may have an adverse effect on us. For more information, see Item 8.A. Consolidated Statements and other Financial InformationLegal Proceedings.
Because we are not insured for all business-related and environmental-related contingencies, the occurrence of any of these events may have a material adverse effect on us.
We do not have insurance coverage for business interruption risk or for liabilities arising from contamination or other problems involving our water supply to customers. In addition, we do not have insurance coverage for liabilities relating to non-compliance with environmental laws and regulations relating to our sewage services. As a result, any major business interruption or environmental-related liability may have a material adverse effect on us.
Risks Relating to our Common Shares and ADSs
The relative volatility and illiquidity of the Brazilian securities markets may substantially limit your ability to sell our common shares underlying the ADSs at the price and time you desire.
Investing in securities that trade in emerging markets, such as Brazil, often involves greater risk than investing in securities of issuers in the United States, and these investments are generally considered to be more speculative in nature. The Brazilian securities market is substantially smaller, less liquid, more concentrated and can be more volatile than major securities markets in the United States. Accordingly, although you are entitled to withdraw the common shares underlying the ADSs from the depositary at any time, your ability to sell the common shares underlying the ADSs at a price and time at which you wish to do so may be substantially limited. There is also significantly greater concentration in the Brazilian securities market than in major securities markets in the United States. The ten largest companies in terms of market capitalization represented approximately 50.4% of the aggregate market capitalization of the BOVESPA as of December 31, 2006. The top ten stocks in terms of trading volume accounted for approximately 45%, 51% and 46.4% of all shares traded on the BOVESPA in 2004, 2005 and 2006, respectively.
Restrictions on the movement of capital out of Brazil may impair the ability of holders to receive dividends and distributions on, and the proceeds of any sale of, the common shares underlying our ADSs.
The Brazilian government may impose temporary restrictions on the conversion of Brazilian currency into foreign currencies and on the remittance to foreign investors of the proceeds of their investments in Brazil. Brazilian law permits the government to impose these restrictions whenever there is a serious imbalance in Brazils balance of payments or there are reasons to foresee a serious imbalance.
The Brazilian government imposed remittance restrictions in 1990. Similar restrictions, if imposed, would impair or prevent the conversion of dividends, distributions, or the proceeds from any sale of common shares, as the case may be, from reais into U.S. dollars and the remittance of the U.S. dollars abroad. We cannot assure you that the Brazilian government will not take similar measures in the future. In such a case, the depositary for our ADSs will hold the reais it cannot convert for the account of the ADR holders who have not been paid. The depositary will not invest the reais and it will not be liable for the interest.
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Investors who exchange ADSs for common shares may lose their ability to remit foreign currency abroad and to obtain Brazilian tax advantages.
The Brazilian custodian for the common shares underlying our ADSs must obtain a certificate of registration from the Central Bank to be entitled to remit U.S. dollars abroad for payments of dividends and other distributions relating to our common shares or upon the disposition of our common shares. If an ADR holder decides to exchange ADSs for the underlying common shares, this holder will be entitled to continue to rely for five business days from the date of exchange on the custodians certificate of registration. After that period, the holder may not be able to obtain and remit U.S. dollars abroad upon the disposition of our common shares, or distributions relating to our common shares, unless he or she obtains his or her own certificate of registration or register under Resolution No. 2,689, of January 26, 2000, of the Brazilian National Monetary Council, which entitles registered foreign investors to buy and sell on the Brazilian stock exchanges. If the holder does not obtain a certificate of registration or register under Resolution No. 2,689, this holder will generally be subject to less favorable tax treatment on gains with respect to our common shares.
If a holder attempts to obtain his or her own certificate of registration, the holder may incur expenses or suffer delays in the application process, which could delay his or her ability to receive dividends or distributions relating to our common shares or the return of his or her capital in a timely manner. We cannot assure you that the custodians certificate of registration or any foreign capital registration obtained by a holder may not be affected by future legislative changes, or that additional restrictions applicable to the holder, the disposition of the underlying common shares or the repatriation of the proceeds from disposition will not be imposed in the future.
A holder of common shares or ADSs may face difficulties in protecting his or her interests as a shareholder because we are a Brazilian mixed capital company.
We are a mixed capital company (sociedade de economia mista) organized under the laws of Brazil, and all of our directors and officers and our controlling shareholder reside in Brazil. All of our fixed assets and those of these other persons are located in Brazil. As a result, it may not be possible for a holder to effect service of process upon us or these other persons within the United States or other jurisdictions outside Brazil or to enforce against us or these other persons judgments obtained in the United States or other jurisdictions outside Brazil. Because judgments of U.S. courts for civil liabilities based upon the U.S. federal securities laws may only be enforced in Brazil if certain requirements are met, a holder may face difficulties in protecting his or her interests in the case of actions by our directors, officers or our controlling shareholder than would shareholders of a corporation incorporated in a state or other jurisdiction of the United States. In addition, under Brazilian law, none of our assets which are essential to our ability to render public services are subject to seizure or attachment. Furthermore, the execution of a judgment against our controlling shareholder may be delayed as payment of the judgment must be made pursuant to the States budget in a subsequent fiscal year. None of the public property of our controlling shareholder is subject to seizure or attachment, either prior to or after judgment.
The protections afforded to minority shareholders in Brazil are different from those in the United States and other jurisdictions and may be more difficult to enforce.
Under Brazilian law, the protections afforded to minority shareholders are different from those in the United States and other jurisdictions. In particular, the case law with respect to shareholder disputes is less developed under Brazilian law than under US law and the laws of other jurisdictions and there are different procedural requirements for bringing shareholder lawsuits, such as shareholder derivative suits. As a result, in practice it may be more difficult for our minority shareholders to enforce their rights against us or our directors or controlling shareholder than it would be for shareholders of a non-Brazilian company.
Actual or anticipated sales of a substantial number of our common shares could decrease the market prices of our common shares and ADSs.
Sales of a substantial number of our common shares or the anticipation of such sales could decrease the trading price of our common shares and ADSs. As of December 31, 2006, we had 28,479,577,827 common shares outstanding, including 14,313,511,867 shares held by the State. As a consequence of the issuance of common shares or sales by the State or other existing shareholders, the market price of our common shares and, by extension, our ADSs may decrease significantly. As a result, a holder may not be able to sell his or her securities at or above the price he or she paid for them.
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Mandatory arbitration provisions in our by-laws may limit the ability of a holder of our ADSs to enforce liability under U.S. securities laws.
Under our by-laws, any disputes among us, our shareholders and our management with respect to the application of Novo Mercado rules, Brazilian Corporate Law and the application of the rules and regulations regarding Brazilian capital markets will be resolved by arbitration conducted pursuant to the São Paulo Stock Exchange Arbitration Rules in the São Paulo Stock Exchange Arbitration Chamber. Any disputes among shareholders, including ADR holders, and disputes between us and our shareholders, including ADR holders, will also be submitted to arbitration. The State is currently not permitted by law to sell its control shares. As a result, a court in the United States might require that a claim brought by an ADR holder predicated upon the U.S. securities laws be submitted to arbitration in accordance with our by-laws. In that event, a purchaser of ADSs would be effectively precluded from pursuing remedies under the U.S. securities laws in the U.S. courts.
A holder of our common shares and ADSs might be unable to exercise preemptive rights and tag-along rights with respect to the common shares.
U.S. holders of common shares and ADSs may not be able to exercise the preemptive rights and tag-along rights relating to common shares unless a registration statement under the U.S. Securities Act of 1933 is effective with respect to those rights or an exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act is available. We are not obligated to file a registration statement with respect to our common shares relating to these rights, and we cannot assure you that we will file any such registration statement. Unless we file a registration statement or an exemption from registration is available, an ADR holder may receive only the net proceeds from the sale of his or her preemptive rights and tag-along rights or, if these rights cannot be sold, they will lapse and the ADR holder will receive no value for them.
A holder of our ADSs may find it more difficult than a holder of our common shares to exercise his or her voting rights at our shareholders meetings.
Holders may exercise voting rights with respect to the common shares represented by our ADSs only in accordance with the deposit agreement relating to our ADSs. There are no provisions under Brazilian law or under our by-laws that limit the exercise by ADR holders of their voting rights through the depositary with respect to the underlying common shares. However, there are practical limitations upon the ability of ADR holders to exercise their voting rights due to the additional procedural steps involved in communicating with these holders. For example, our common shareholders will receive notice of shareholders meetings through publication of a notice in an official government publication in Brazil and will be able to exercise their voting rights by either attending the meeting in person or voting by proxy. ADR holders, by comparison, will not receive notice directly from us. Instead, in accordance with the deposit agreement, we will provide the notice to the depositary, which will, in turn, as soon as practicable thereafter mail to ADR holders the notice of the meeting and a statement as to the manner in which instructions may be given by holders, but only if we request the depositary to do so. To exercise their voting rights, ADR holders must then instruct the depositary as to voting the common shares represented by their ADSs. Due to these procedural steps involving the depositary, the process for exercising voting rights may take longer for ADR holders than for holders of common shares. ADSs for which the depositary fails to receive timely voting instructions will not be voted at any meeting.
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ITEM 4. INFORMATION ON THE COMPANY
4.A. History and Development of the Company
Companhia de Saneamento Básico do Estado de São Paulo-SABESP is a sociedade de economia mista, a mixed capital company with limited liability of unlimited duration, duly organized and operating under Brazilian Corporate Law on Setember 6, 1973. Our principal executive offices are located at Rua Costa Carvalho, 300, 05429-900 São Paulo, SP, Brazil. Our telephone number is (55-11 3388-8000). Our agent for service of process in the United States is CT Corporation System, with offices at 111 Eighth Avenue, New York, New York 10011. As set forth in Article 2 of our by-laws, our corporate purpose is to plan, provide and operate basic sanitation services throughout the territory of the State of São Paulo, and sell these services and the related benefits that directly or indirectly arise in connection with these services. Since March 2006, we are also authorized to provide these services in all Brazilian territory and abroad.
We believe we are one of the largest water and sewage service providers in the world based on customers in 2005. We operate water and sewage systems in the State of São Paulo in which the City of São Paulo, Brazils largest city, is located. According to the Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics (Instituto Brasileiro de Geografia e Estatística), or IBGE, the State of São Paulo is Brazils most populous state and the state with the highest gross domestic product, or GDP, in Brazil. We had net revenue from sales and services of R$5,527.3 million (US$2,585.3 million) and net income of R$778.9 million (US$364.3 million) for 2006. We had total assets of R$18,000.0 million (US$8,419.1 million) and shareholders equity of R$9,018.5 million (US$4,218.2 million) as of December 31, 2006.
We provide water and sewage services to a broad range of residential, commercial, industrial and governmental customers in 367 of the 645 municipalities in the State of São Paulo, including the City of São Paulo. We also supply water on a wholesale basis to six municipalities in the São Paulo Metropolitan Region in which we do not operate water systems. For the year ended December 31, 2006, the São Paulo Metropolitan Region (including the municipalities to which we provide water on a wholesale basis) and the Regional Systems accounted for 75.8% and 24.2% of our gross revenue from sales and services, respectively.
As of December 31, 2006, we provided water services to approximately 22.7 million people, approximately 59% of the urban population of the State of São Paulo, with a universalization of Water Coverage through 61,469 kilometers of water pipes and mains to approximately 6.6 million water connections. As of December 31, 2006, we provided sewage services to approximately 18.5 million people through 39,126 kilometers of sewer lines to approximately 5.0 million sewage connections. In addition, we currently sell water on a wholesale basis to six municipalities with a total estimated population of approximately 3.2 million.
The State, our controlling shareholder, is required by our by-laws and State law to own at least one-half plus one of our common (voting) shares. The State currently owns 50.3% of our outstanding common shares. As a mixed capital company, we are an integral part of the governmental structure of the State. Our strategy and major policy decisions are formulated in conjunction with the Sanitation and Energy Secretariat of the State of São Paulo (Secretaria de Saneamento e Energia do Estado de São Paulo) as part of the overall strategic planning for the State. The majority of the members of our board of directors and our board of executive officers are nominated by the State Council for Protection of Capitals of the State (Conselho de Defesa de Capitais do Estado de São Paulo), or CODEC, a State agency presided over by the Secretary of the State Treasury and reporting directly to the Governor.
In addition, our capital expenditure budget is subject to approval by the legislature of the State and is approved in conjunction with the budget of the Sanitation and Energy Secretariat of the State of São Paulo (Secretaria de Saneamento e Energia do Estado de São Paulo) as a whole. Our financial statements and accounting records are subject to review by the State Accounts Tribunal (Tribunal de Contas), as are all accounts of the State.
Our Strengths
We believe that our strong business position and future prospects relate to the following strengths:
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Well-established business with significant size and scale. We believe we are one of the largest water and sewage service providers in the world based on population served in 2005. We provide water services directly and through other public companies to approximately 25.9 million people (including the municipalities to which we provide water services on a wholesale basis), having a universalization of Water Coverage as of December 31, 2006, and sewage services to approximately 18.5 million people, having a Sewage Coverage Ratio of 78% as of December 31, 2006. From 2003 to 2006, our net revenue from sales and services has increased by an average of 10.2% per year.
Operations in Brazils most populous and wealthy state. The State of São Paulo, part of the most developed and economically active region of Brazil, is the most populous state in Brazil, with an estimated population of 40.8 million as of December 31, 2006. The City of São Paulo had an estimated population of 10.8 million as of December 31, 2006, with 19.5 million inhabitants in the São Paulo Metropolitan Region. Based on its GDP, the State of São Paulo is the wealthiest state and largest economy in Brazil. The GDP of the State of São Paulo was approximately R$546.6 billion in 2004, representing approximately 31% of Brazils total GDP. The State of São Paulo generates more revenues from water and sewage services than any other Brazilian state.
High-quality operations. We believe that we adhere to high standards of service and utilize the best available technology in the sanitation business. All of our water quality laboratories in the São Paulo Metropolitan Region and all of our ten laboratories in the Regional Systems have received ISO 9001/2000 certification and three in the Regional Systems have received ISO 17025 certification with respect to the quality of our management systems to respond to clients needs and the technical ability of our laboratories to produce results. We believe our technology enhances the efficiency and quality of our operations.
Access to low-cost and diverse sources of financing. Strong cash flow generation from our operations and compliance with financial covenants place us in a privileged position in our industry to obtain low cost, long-term financing from Brazilian public banks and international multilateral agencies and development banks. In addition, we are not dependent upon one or few sources of financing. We benefit from various alternatives of funding available in the Brazilian and international markets for our working capital needs and our capital expenditure programs.
Strong corporate governance practices. In 2002, we joined the Novo Mercado, the highest corporate governance listing segment of the São Paulo Stock Exchange (Bolsa de Valores de São Paulo BOVESPA). We are committed to maintaining certain corporate governance practices and disclosure requirements in addition to those already required under Brazilian law. These corporate governance practices have require us to increase shareholders rights and to enhance the quality of information provided to our shareholders.
Expansion opportunities. We had a Sewage Coverage Ratio of 78% as of December 31, 2006, and plan to increase this level to 84% by 2010 by adding over 791,700 sewage connections. Since January 1, 1997, we have obtained concessions for 32 additional municipalities (representing a total population of 2.2 million). In addition, there are municipalities in the State of São Paulo in which we currently do not operate water or sewage concessions or to which we currently supply water solely on a wholesale basis, which represent a total population of approximately 15.7 million. Our strong presence in the State and experience in providing water and sewage services place us in a privileged position to expand our Sewage Coverage Ratio in municipalities where we only provide water services and to expand our water and sewage services to municipalities where we are not yet operating, not only in the State of São Paulo but also in other states of Brazil and abroad.
Our Strategy
Our mission is to make public sanitation services universally available in the State of São Paulo and to provide quality services in both the national and international markets. To this end, our strategic objectives are based upon the guiding principles of growth, quality, universalization of water services, social, economic and environmental sustainability, as well as our political and institutional relationships. We seek to implement these guiding principles through the following strategies:
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Continue to reduce operating costs and increase productivity and profitability. We intend to continue our efforts to reduce operating costs and increase productivity and profitability. To this end, we plan to improve the management of our assets, as well as continue reducing our total salary and payroll expenses by decreasing the number of our employees, automating some of our operations, streamlining operational processes, implementing integrated planning and further investing in internal technological research and development. We are also continuing our efforts to improve our collection of overdue accounts receivable from municipalities to which we provide water on a wholesale basis, from the State and from other governmental entities. We are actively pursuing the overdue amounts and in some cases exploring opportunities to swap these amounts for rights and infrastructure to operate water and sewage systems.
Ensure the quality and availability of our services in our existing service area. Our goal is to maintain universal coverage of water services with a high standard of quality and availability. We intend to continue providing universal water services and meet population growth by adding 652,100 water connections by 2010 and to increase our Sewage Coverage Ratio to 84% by 2010. To ensure the quality and availability of our services, we also intend to improve customer relations by shortening response times for customer installations as well as through a focused public relations program to enhance our image. In addition, we are also developing short, medium and long-term marketing strategies, such as client segmentation and tailor-made solutions for each type of client, which we believe will help us increase our customers base.
Maintain our operating geographic base. We intend to maintain our operating base through the execution of new agreements. To this end, we are also seeking to develop closer relationships with the municipal governments that we serve to increase customer loyalty and thereby increase our revenues.
Continue to expand our existing service areas and provide our services in other municipalities. Our goal is to expand sewage collection and treatment services. A significant portion of our capital expenditure program, which will require total expenditures of approximately R$5.87 billion between 2007 and 2010, is designed to achieve this goal. We also regularly explore the possibility of executing agreements for the provision of water and sewage services in municipalities of the State of São Paulo in which we currently have no operations or to which we currently supply water solely on a wholesale basis, representing a total population of approximately 15.7 million. We evaluate possible expansion opportunities in terms of proximity to our existing service areas to maximize return on investment and improve our financial performance. We also intend to study, and take advantage of, opportunities in other Brazilian states and in other countries to expand our services and increase our market share.
Set our tariffs to cover our costs of operations and to provide a return on investment. Until the definition of the entity responsible for establishing tariffs regulations, we intend to continue adjusting our tariffs for water and sewage services according to the formula we currently use, which covers our operating costs and other expenses, accounts for inflation, and provides for return on investment. We generally adjust our tariffs once a year, usually in the month of August, for a period of at least 12 months. We increased our tariffs by 9.0% on August 31, 2005 and by 6.71% on August 31, 2006. To ensure proper adjustment of our tariffs and higher return on investment, we intend to restructure our tariffs with values based on costs of services for all segments or clients, except for the low-income population, which should be subsidized.
Continue to diversify sources of financing and reduce levels of indebtedness. Our total financial indebtedness decreased by 5%, from R$6,664.2 million in 2005 to R$6,326.7 million in 2006. In 2006, we raised funds in the Brazilian capital market through a new funding instrument called Fundo de Investimentos em Direitos Creditórios, or FIDC. This instrument involves the securitization of receivables, and enabled R$250.0 million to be raised at a significantly reduced cost. As a debt management strategy, we used part of these funds for the early redemption of higher cost indebtedness in the Brazilian money market. Based on our pre-refinancing strategy, we carried out a tender offer to promote the partial redemption of our 12% notes due 2008, in the amount of US$225.0 million, with funds raised through a new issuance of 7.5% notes due 2016, in the amount of US$140.0 million.
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Improve operating efficiency and reduce water losses. We seek to reduce both physical water losses and non-physical water losses. We are continuing our efforts to reduce physical water losses through, among other things, the replacement and repairing of water mains and pipes and installation of probing and other equipment. We are continuing our program of strategically locating pressure-regulating valves throughout our water system, which regulate water pressure at a variable rate corresponding to consumption in the relevant sector. We are also striving to reduce physical water losses by continuing to shorten the average time to detect and repair leaks in our systems. We intend to reduce non-physical water losses by upgrading and replacing inaccurate water meters and through increased outsourcing of meter reading activities to third-party contractors outside the São Paulo Metropolitan Region. In particular, we are replacing the water meters for our industrial and commercial customers, as well as increasing the rate at which we read the meters for these customers in each case to minimize losses.
We believe that our overall strategy will enable us to meet the demand for high-quality water and sewage services in the State of São Paulo, in other Brazilian states and abroad and, at the same time, bolster our results of operations and our financial condition and enhance shareholder value.
State of São Paulo
The State of São Paulo is one of 26 states that, together with the Federal District of Brasília, constitute the Federative Republic of Brazil. The State of São Paulo is located in the southeastern region of the country, which is, according to IBGE, the most developed and economically active region of Brazil, and which includes the States of Minas Gerais, Espírito Santo and Rio de Janeiro. The State of São Paulo lies between the States of Rio de Janeiro and Minas Gerais to the north, the State of Paraná to the south, Mato Grosso do Sul to the west and the Atlantic Ocean to the east.
The State of São Paulo occupies 3.0% of Brazils land mass and encompasses an area totaling approximately 96,000 square miles. According to the State of São Paulo Data System (Fundação Sistema Estadual de Análises de DadosSEADE), the State of São Paulo had an estimated population as of December 31, 2006 of 40.8 million.
As of December 31, 2006, the City of São Paulo, the State of São Paulos capital, had an estimated population of 10.8 million, with 19.5 million inhabitants in the greater São Paulo Metropolitan Region. The São Paulo Metropolitan Region encompasses 39 cities and is the second largest metropolitan area in the Americas and among the four largest metropolitan areas in the world, according to the United Nations World Urbanization Prospects, 2000 Revision. The São Paulo Metropolitan Region accounted for approximately 48% of the population of the State of São Paulo as of December 31, 2006.
According to IBGE, in 2004 , the most recent year for which this data is available, the GDP of the State of São Paulo was approximately R$ 546.6 billion, representing approximately 31% of Brazils total GDP, making it the largest economy of any state in Brazil, based on GDP. The State of São Paulo is the leading Brazilian state in terms of manufacturing and industrial activity, also according to IBGE, with a strong position in car manufacturing, pharmaceuticals, computer production, steel making and plastics, among others, as well as the leading position in the banking and financial services industries. The State of São Paulo is the most important exporting state in Brazil, according to the Brazilian Ministry of Development, Industry and Foreign Trade (Ministério do Desenvolvimento, Indústria e Comércio Exterior).
History
Until the end of the 19th century, water and sewage services in the State of São Paulo were generally provided by private companies. In 1877, the Province of São Paulo granted a concession for the provision of water and sewage services to Companhia Cantareira de Água e Esgotos. In 1893, the Government of the Province of São Paulo assumed responsibility for the provision of water and sewage services from the Companhia Cantareira de Água e Esgotos and formed the Office of Water and Sewers (Repartição de Água e Esgotos), a governmental agency. Since that time, water and sewage services in the São Paulo Metropolitan Region have been administered by the government of the State. Historically, water and sewage services in substantially all other municipalities of the State were administered by the municipalities directly either by municipal water and sewage departments or through autarquias of the municipal government. Autarquias are relatively autonomous public bodies with separate legal standing, assets and revenues, created by law to undertake administration of public services, which are considered to be better managed by a decentralized administrative and financial structure.
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In 1954, in response to dramatic population growth in the São Paulo Metropolitan Region, the government of the State created the Department of Water and Sewers (Departamento de Águas e Esgotos), as an autarquia of the State. The Department of Water and Sewers provided water and sewage services to various municipalities in the São Paulo Metropolitan Region.
A major restructuring of the entities providing water and sewage services in the State of São Paulo occurred in 1968 with the creation of the Companhia Metropolitana de Água de São Paulo, or COMASP, which purpose was to provide potable water on a wholesale basis for public consumption in the municipalities making up the São Paulo Metropolitan Region. All assets relating to the production of potable water for the São Paulo Metropolitan Region previously owned by the Department of Water and Sewers were transferred to COMASP. In 1970, the Superintendência de Água e Esgoto da Capital, or SAEC, was created by the government of the State to distribute water and collect sewage in the City of São Paulo. All assets previously owned by the Department of Water and Sewers in connection with these activities were transferred to SAEC. Also in 1970, the State created the Companhia Metropolitana de Saneamento de São Paulo, or SANESP, to provide sewage treatment services for the São Paulo Metropolitan Region. All assets previously owned by the Department of Water and Sewers in connection with those activities were transferred to SANESP. The Department of Water and Sewers was subsequently closed.
On June 29, 1973, COMASP, SAEC and SANESP merged to form our company with the purpose of implementing the directives of the Brazilian government set forth in the National Water Supply and Sanitation Plan (Plano Nacional de Saneamento). The National Water Supply and Sanitation Plan was a program sponsored by the Brazilian government, which financed capital investments in, and assisted in the development of, state-controlled water and sewage companies. Since our formation, other State governmental and State-controlled companies involved in water supply and sewage collection and treatment in the State of São Paulo have been merged into us.
Corporate Organization
During 2004, we reorganized our corporate management structure. As a result, we currently have six management divisions, each of which is supervised by one of our executive officers.
The allocation of responsibilities among the executive officers is made by the board of directors, in accordance with the by-laws and following receipt of an initial proposal from the Chief Executive Officer. The Chief Executive Officer is responsible for coordinating all management divisions in accordance with the policies and directives established by our board of directors and board of executive officers, performing the coordination, evaluation and control of all functions related to senior management, strategic planning, corporate organization, corporate communication, audit, ombudsman, new businesses and concession negotiation. The executive officers that are below the Chief Executive Officer are:
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Recovery Program
We experienced significant operational and financial problems beginning in the mid-1980s, which culminated in 1994. These problems were due, in part, to adverse economic conditions in Brazil prior to implementation of the Real Plan in mid-1994, but also to our position as a State-controlled company which financial performance was then only a secondary consideration of the State.
We also had significant and increasing levels of unpaid account receivables from our customers, including the State and municipal governments.
In 1995, we, in conjunction with the administration of the State, initiated a recovery program designed to restore our business operations and financial condition, including the organizational restructuring, the implementation of the initial stages of our strategy and the development of a new for-profit orientation.
We believe that our continuing recovery program and the continuing implementation of our overall strategy have, to date, permitted a recovery in terms of our business operations and financial performance, which we expect to provide the basis for our long-term operational and financial development.
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Capital Expenditure Program
Our capital expenditure program is designed to improve and expand our water and sewage system and to increase and protect our water sources in order to meet the growing demand for water and sewage services in the State of São Paulo. Our capital expenditure program has four specific goals in the municipalities we serve: (1) to continue to meet the maximum demand for treated water; (2) to expand the percentage of households connected to our sewage system; (3) to increase the treatment of sewage collected; and (4) to increase operating efficiency and reduce water losses.
From 1998 through 2006, our capital expenditure program included capital expenditures totaling R$6.4 billion in the aggregate, primarily to build up our infrastructure and for our program to reduce water losses. We have budgeted investments in the amount of approximately R$5.87 billion from 2007 through 2010. We invested R$678.2 million and R$904.9 million in 2005 and 2006, respectively.
The following table sets forth our planned capital expenditures for water and sewage for the years indicated.
Planned Capital Expenditures | ||||||||||
2007 | 2008 | 2009 | 2010 | 2007-2010 | ||||||
(in millions of reais) | ||||||||||
Water | 336 | 563 | 622 | 755 | 2,276 | |||||
Sewage | 487 | 907 | 824 | 814 | 3,032 | |||||
Others | 137 | 104 | 145 | 176 | 562 | |||||
Total | 960 | 1,574 | 1,591 | 1,745 | 5,870 |
Our capital expenditure program from 2007 through 2010 will continue to focus on achieving our targets by making regular investments in and expanding our infrastructure as well as making investments in our program for the reduction of water losses throughout the 367 municipalities that we serve. The following is a description of four of the principal projects in our capital expenditure program.
Metropolitan Water Program
Demand for our water services has grown steadily over the years in the São Paulo Metropolitan Region and has exceeded at times the capacities of our water systems there. As a result, prior to September 1998, certain of our customers in this region received water only on certain days of the week. We refer to this as rotation. In order to remedy this situation, we implemented the Metropolitan Water Project to improve regular water supply to the entire São Paulo Metropolitan Region. This program was terminated in 2000, but we have maintained our investment projections for the São Paulo Metropolitan Region. In 2005 and 2006, we invested R$75.0 million and R$53.0 million, respectively, in this region.
Tietê Project
The Tietê River crosses the São Paulo Metropolitan Region and receives most of the regions run-off and wastewater. The environmental status of the river reached a critical level in 1992. As a way of reversing the situation, the State of São Paulo created a recovery program to save the river. The Tietê Project is designed to reduce pollution of the Tietê River by installing sewage collection lines along the banks of the Tietê River and its tributaries. These lines collect raw sewage and deliver it to our sewage treatment facilities. We completed the first phase of the program during the years of 1992 and 1998.
In connection with the first phase of the Tietê Project, in June 1998, we completed construction of three additional sewage treatment facilities and invested a total of US$900.0 million, of which US$450.0 million was financed by the Inter-American Development Bank and US$450.0 million was funded by us. As of December 31, 2006, we owed US$265.4 million to the Inter-American Development Bank for the financing it provided. For further information on the agreement entered into with the Inter-American Development Bank, see Item 5.B. Operating and Financial Review and ProspectsLiquidity and Capital ResourcesCapital Sources. We now provide secondary treatment to approximately 58% of the sewage collected in the São Paulo Metropolitan Region. The five principal sewage treatment facilities in the São Paulo Metropolitan Region have an aggregate installed capacity of 18 cubic meters of sewage per second and currently treat an aggregate of 12 cubic meters of sewage per second. Currently, raw sewage is delivered to our secondary treatment facilities along the Tietê River and the Tamanduateí River before treated sewage is discharged into those rivers. We plan to build additional collection lines to direct more raw sewage to our treatment facilities.
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We are currently in the second phase of the Tietê Project, for which we budgeted for additional capital expenditures of approximately US$400.0 million from 2000 through 2007, US$200.0 million of which is financed by the Inter-American Development Bank. We have also entered into a loan agreement and an on-lending agreement with the Brazilian National Bank for Social and Economic Development (Banco Nacional de Desenvolvimento Econômico e Social), or BNDES, for R$60.0 million and R$180.0 million, respectively, to finance this second phase. Until December 31, 2006, we had invested US$336.9 million in this phase of the Tietê Project.
The main objective of this second phase is the continuity of the expansion and optimization of the sewage systems of the São Paulo Metropolitan Region, primarily focusing on actions that allow the destination of a higher volume of raw sewage to the sewage treatment facilities that were built in the first phase of the Tietê Project.
As part of the second phase of the Tietê Project, we implemented the geographic information system named SIGNOS. SIGNOS is a management information system which automates and integrates various business processes, including project management, maintenance, operations and customer service and maps out our entire municipal infrastructure in the São Paulo Metropolitan Region. In addition, this phase included the undertaking of a project aimed at evaluating and potentially revising our current tariff structure in order to cover the systems operation and maintenance costs and appropriately remunerate current and future investments. This project is also financed by our loan with the Inter-American Development Bank.
Regional Systems Investment Programs
We currently have a number of projects in progress and planned for the Regional Systems, including projects relating to abstraction of water and collection, removal and final disposal of sewage. We spent R$212.0 million, R$222.0 million and R$331.2 million on these projects in 2004, 2005 and 2006, respectively, and we have budgeted for additional capital expenditures approximately R$2.4 billion (unaudited) from 2007 through 2010.
Environmental Recovery Program for the Santos Metropolitan Region
On August 6, 2004, we entered into a credit agreement with Japan Bank for International Cooperation, or JBIC, for the financing of the Environmental Recovery Program for the Santos Metropolitan Region, which was guaranteed by the Federative Republic of Brazil, for a total amount of R$382.8 million. For further information on the agreement entered into with the JBIC, see Item 5.B. Operating and Financial Review and ProspectsLiquidity and Capital ResourcesCapital Sources. The total investment to be made with respect to this project is approximately R$1.1 billion and the balance will be our responsibility. The first disbursements under this agreement began in August 2005 with the commencement of the management agreement. We expect that construction works will begin in the second quarter of 2007. The main goals of this program are to improve and expand the water and sewage systems in the municipalities comprising the Santos Metropolitan Region.
Research and Development
Our policy is to invest continually in the modernization of equipment and in the technology needed to identify, evaluate and improve our provision of basic sanitation services while promoting environmental protection and maintaining our competitiveness and profitability. Our research and development function is divided into committees according to strategy and complexity. In 2004, 2005 and 2006, we spent R$4.2 million, R$4.7 million and R$4.9 million, respectively, on research and development. We have also partnered with several research institutions.
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4.B. Business Overview
Our Operations
We provide water and sewage services to 367 municipalities in the State of São Paulo either under concession contracts or under another form of legal arrangement. We also provide water services on a wholesale basis.
Because of the enactment of new legislation regarding basic sanitation in Brazil, we currently operate under two different contractual environments: (1) for the concession contracts that have already expired, we will negotiate a new contract model that follows the terms and conditions of the new legislation, and (2) for the concession contracts that will expire, we will continue to operate under the terms and conditions of the previous concession contracts, except in circumstances where the new legislation is automatically applicable. For further information on this topic, see The Basic Sanitation Law.
The new basic sanitation legislation, Law No. 11,445, establishes the date of December 31, 2010 as the deadline for water and sewage services companies, such as us, to regularize the provision of water and sewage services to municipalities, in case there is no formal concessions to provide services to them.
Concessions
Under the Brazilian Constitution, the authority to develop public water and sewage systems is shared by the states and municipalities, with the municipalities having primary responsibility for providing water and sewage services to their residents. The Constitution of the State of São Paulo provides that the State shall assure the correct operation, necessary expansion and efficient administration of water and sewage services in the State of São Paulo by a company under its control.
Under the terms of the new basic sanitation law, Law No. 11,445, existing concessions will remain in effect until payment of compensation is made based on the valuation of investments. The new law provides that our new concession contracts be planned, overseen and regulated by the municipalities together with the State under a new model of associated management that will allow for better control, supervision, transparency and efficiency in the provision of public services.
We provide water and sewage services to 367 municipalities in the State of São Paulo, of which 324 we operate pursuant to concessions granted by the municipalities. Substantially all of these concessions have 30-year terms. Until December 31, 2006, 120 of our concessions had expired, all of which are under negotiation. In 2007, 53 concessions will expire. From 2008 through 2034, 150 concessions will expire. The remainder of the concessions is for an undetermined period of time. Some of the expired concession contracts have been extended for a short term while we negotiate the terms and conditions of the termination of the previous contract and the terms and conditions for the new final contract with each municipality. Despite the expiration of the contracts, we continue to provide water and sewage services to all municipalities regardless of whether we have entered into contracts with them.
In February 2006, we created a new internal division to manage the renewal of expiring concessions. The main responsibility of this division, which reports directly to the Chief Executive Officer, is to maintain the existing base of municipalities that we operate and formalize contracts under the new model of associated management.
The current concessions are based on a standard form of contract between us and the relevant municipality. Each contract must receive the prior approval of the legislative council of each municipality. The principal terms of the concession contracts are as follows:
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Under concession contracts executed prior to 1998, we were reimbursed for these assets through payment of either:
Concession contracts we have entered into since 1998 provide that after a period of 30 years from the commencement of the concession, the total value of the concession and assets will be amortized to zero on our books and we receive no payment for the assets. If the concession is terminated prior to the end of the 30-year period, we are paid an amount equal to the present value of the cash-flow from the concession over the years remaining in the concession, using the same assumptions used to determine the value of the concession at its inception (adjusted for inflation).
Following the enactment of the Concessions Law (Law No. 8,987/95) and of the Consortium Law (Law No. 11,107/05), the new contracts will adopt the new regime. This new regime gives municipalities a greater role and sets out more clearly the provision of services and the responsibilities of the parties. Therefore, all new contracts acquired by us and the new contracts to be executed after the expiration of the concessions will follow this new contract model. See Government RegulationPublic Consortia Law.
Our new contract model follows the provisions of the newly enacted Law No. 11,445. The main contractual provisions are: joint execution of responsibilities related to planning, supervision and regulation of services, appointment of regulatory authority of services and periodic disclosure of accounts, among others.
Municipalities have the inherent power under Brazilian law to terminate concessions prior to their contractual expiration dates for reasons of public interest. The municipalities of Diadema and Mauá, two municipalities we previously served, terminated our concessions in February 1995 and December 1995, respectively. The municipality of Diadema terminated our concession after asserting that we did not provide adequate water and sewage services, while the municipality of Mauá did so with our consent. However, we currently serve both municipalities through the sale of water on a wholesale basis.
We currently do not anticipate that other municipalities will seek to terminate concessions due to our close relationship with municipal governments, recent improvements in the water and sewage services we provide and the obligation of the municipality to repay us for the return of the concession as described above. We cannot be certain, however, that other municipalities will not seek to terminate their concessions in the future.
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In addition, there is currently ongoing litigation with respect to municipalities that intend to expropriate our water and sewage systems or to terminate concession contracts prior to paying us any indemnification. For example, among others, we have pending proceedings with the municipalities of Santos, Sandovalina, Presidente Prudente and Itapira. For a detailed discussion on these proceedings, see Item 8.A. Financial InformationConsolidated Statements and other InformationLegal ProceedingsOther Legal Proceedings.
We are also defendants in legal proceedings initiated by municipalities seeking to require us to exhibit documents and information in connection with our concessions. These legal proceedings involve the municipalities of Guariba, Ribeirão Pires, Itupeva and Monte Mor. For a detailed discussion of these proceedings, see Item 8.A. Financial InformationConsolidated Statements and other InformationLegal ProceedingsOther Legal Proceedings.
Operations in the São Paulo Metropolitan Region and in Other Metropolitan Regions
We do not hold a formal concession to provide water and sewage services to the City of São Paulo, which accounts for 56.8% of our revenue, and to 40 other municipalities in the State of São Paulo. None of these other municipalities has a significant population, other than the municipality of Santos, which has a population of approximately 426,000. We believe that we have a vested and exclusive right to provide water and sewage services to the City of São Paulo and these other municipalities based, in some cases, upon a deed (escritura pública) and, also among other things, based on our ownership of the water and sewage systems serving the City of São Paulo and these other municipalities and certain succession rights resulting from the merger that formed us.
The new basic sanitation law, Law No. 11,445, provides that, in case of termination of the relationship with the aforementioned municipalities with which we have not entered into a concession contract, an indemnification should be paid by the municipalities to us, in amounts to be calculated by studies and appraisals.
Wholesale Operations
We provide wholesale water services to six municipalities, including the municipalities of Diadema and Mauá. In addition, until December 2003 we provided wholesale water services to the municipality of São Bernardo do Campo. In December 2003, we acquired water and sewage service assets in this municipality through the transfer of all related assets from the municipality to us. The amount paid for the purchase of assets was estimated by an economic-financial valuation report in approximately R$415.5 million, which included the liquidation of the water wholesale supply accumulated debt totaling approximately R$265.4 million. The difference between the value of the assets and the accumulated debt was paid by us in cash to the municipality. Accordingly, we started providing water and sewage services to the municipality of São Bernardo do Campo beginning in January 2004.
Execution of Sewage Services Agreements with Municipalities
We provide wholesale sewage services to the municipalities of Mogi das Cruzes, Santo André, São Caetano e Mauá. The negotiation of the agreement for the provision of wholesale sewage services with the municipality of Santo André had the intervention of the Public Prosecution Service, and in other municipalities, it was a result of our efforts concerning the environment and the awareness of the municipal public authorities related to environmental issues. Through these agreements, we started treating about 2.2 million cubic meters of sewage per month from these municipalities. This is an example of our social-environmental responsibility and commitment. In 2006, the revenues from these services were approximately R$1.9 million.
Description of Our Activities
We plan, execute, operate and market basic sanitation services and their connected benefits throughout the territory of the State of São Paulo.
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Water Operations
Our supply of water to our customers generally involves abstraction of water from various sources, subsequent treatment and distribution to customers premises. In 2006, we produced approximately 2,886.8 million cubic meters of water. The São Paulo Metropolitan Region currently is, and has historically been, our core market, accounting for approximately 72% of water invoiced by volume in 2006.
The following table sets forth the volume of water that we produced and invoiced for the periods indicated.
Year ended | ||||||
December 31, | ||||||
2004 | 2005 | 2006 | ||||
Produced | (in millions of cubic meters) | |||||
São Paulo Metropolitan Region | 2,046.4 | 2,088.9 | 2,134.8 | |||
Regional Systems | 724.1 | 741.2 | 752.0 | |||
Total | 2,770.5 | 2,830.1 | 2,886.8 | |||
Invoiced | ||||||
São Paulo Metropolitan Region | 954.5 | 997.8 | 1,030.8 | |||
Wholesale | 251.4 | 258.7 | 263.4 | |||
Regional Systems | 486.5 | 502.4 | 513.0 | |||
Total | 1,692.4 | 1,758.9 | 1,807.2 | |||
The difference between the volume of water produced and the volume of water invoiced generally represents both physical and non-physical water loss. See Water ResourcesWater Distribution. In addition, we do not invoice:
The São Paulo Metropolitan Region experiences its highest levels of demand during the summer months when water use increases. Water use generally decreases during the winter months. The summer months, when demand is highest, coincide with the rainy season, while the winter, when demand for water is lowest, corresponds to the dry season in the São Paulo Metropolitan Region. Demand within the Regional Systems will vary depending on the area; while the interior region experiences seasonality in demand similar to the São Paulo Metropolitan Region, the demand in the coastal region is chiefly a function of tourism, with the greatest demand occurring during the Brazilian summer holiday months.
The following table provides information on our revenues by geographic region:
Year ended December 31, | ||||||
2004 | 2005 | 2006 | ||||
(in millions of reais) | ||||||
São Paulo Metropolitan Region | 3,456.8 | 4,044.2 | 4,534.1 | |||
Regional Systems | 1,185.7 | 1,312.1 | 1,449.9 | |||
Total revenue from sales and services | 4,642.5 | 5,356.3 | 5,984.0 | |||
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Water Resources
We can abstract water only to the extent permitted by the State Department of Water and Energy and pursuant to authorization contracts entered into with it. Under some circumstances, depending on the geographic location of the relevant river basin or reservoir, the approval of the National Water Agency (Agência Nacional de Águas), or ANA, is also required. We currently abstract substantially all of our water supply from rivers and reservoirs, with a small portion being abstracted from groundwater. Our reservoirs are filled by impounding water from rivers and streams, by diverting flow from nearby rivers, or by a combination of these sources.
In order to supply water to the São Paulo Metropolitan Region, we rely on 20 reservoirs of non-treated water and 182 reservoirs of treated water, which are located in the areas under the influence of the eight water producing systems which comprise the interconnected water system of the São Paulo Metropolitan Region. Resource availability, or volume of water available at the source for public distribution in these areas, is 71.7 cubic meters per second, due to the conclusion of the barriers of the Alto Tietê system. Total current capacity, or volume of water that can be treated from the interconnected water system of the São Paulo Metropolitan Region, is 67.7 cubic meters per second and has been designed to reach 75.2 cubic meters per second in 2009. Average verified production or volume treated during 2006 on the interconnected water system of the São Paulo Metropolitan Region was 66.2 cubic meters per second. The Cantareira, Guarapiranga and Alto Tietê systems, as a whole, supply approximately 84.1% of the water we produced for the São Paulo Metropolitan Region in 2006.
The Cantareira system accounts for approximately 48.7% of the water that we provided to the São Paulo Metropolitan Region (including the municipalities to which we provide water on a wholesale basis) in 2006, which represented 75.8 % of our operating revenue for 2006. The authorization (outorga) for the Cantareira system to use the water in the Piracicaba water basin was renewed on August 6, 2004 for a period of ten years.
With respect to water usage, federal and state agencies are authorized to collect charges from entities, such as us, for the abstraction of water from, or dumping of sewage into, water recourses. Since February 2004 we have been incurring expenses in connection with the use of water from the Paraíba do Sul River Basin and since January 2006 from the Piracicaba, Capivari and Jundiaí River Basin. Our tariff readjustment formula takes into consideration the variation of expenses considered as non-administrable, which these expenses fall under. We expect to continue to be able to pass on these expenses to our customers. However, we are uncertain as to the likely charges that may be assessed in connection with the abstraction of water from or the dumping of sewage into other water resources that we use, or whether we will be able to continue to pass on the cost of all of these charges to our customers. For more information on water usage regulation, see Water Usage.
The following table sets forth the water production systems from which we produce water for the São Paulo Metropolitan Region:
Production | ||
rate(1) (in | ||
cubic meters | ||
System | per second) | |
Cantareira | 32.3 | |
Guarapiranga | 13.8 | |
Alto Tietê | 9.7 | |
Rio Claro | 4.7 | |
Rio Grande (Billings reservoir) | 3.8 | |
Alto Cotia | 1.0 | |
Baixo Cotia | 0.8 | |
Ribeirão da Estiva | 0.1 | |
Total production rate | 66.2 | |
(1) |
Average of the twelve months ended December 31, 2006. |
We own all of the reservoirs in our production systems other than the Guarapiranga and Billings reservoirs and a portion of some of the reservoirs of the Alto Tietê system, which is owned by other companies controlled by the State. We currently do not pay any charges with respect to the use of these reservoirs. In December 2001, we entered into an agreement with the State whereby the State, among other things, agreed to transfer the remaining reservoirs in the Alto Tietê system to us. However, the transfer of these reservoirs is currently being disputed and we are not certain whether this transfer will be legally allowed. See Item 8.A. Financial InformationConsolidated Statements and other InformationLegal ProceedingsOther Legal Proceedings.
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In the largest municipalities of the interior region, our principal source of water consists of surface water from nearby rivers. In the smaller municipalities of the interior region, we draw water primarily from wells. The coastal region is provided with water principally by surface water from rivers and mountain springs.
Statewide, we estimate that we are able to supply nearly all of the demand for water in all of the areas where we operate, subject to droughts and extraordinary climate events. In 2004, 2005 and 2006, we were able to meet the demand for water in the São Paulo Metropolitan Region, primarily as a result of our water conservation program, reductions in water loss, and the installation of 907,665 new water connections from 2000 through December 2004 and 158,323 new water connections in 2005 statewide. In 2006, we installed 156,139 new water connections.
The interconnected water system of the São Paulo Metropolitan Region services 30 municipalities, of which 24 are operated directly by us. We serve the other six municipalities on a wholesale basis, and the distribution is made by other companies or departments related to the relevant municipality.
In order to reach the final customer, the water is stored and transported through a complex and interconnected system comprising 30,535 kilometers of water mains and 182 reservoirs. This water system requires permanent operational supervision, engineering inspection, maintenance, quality monitoring and measurement control.
To ensure the continued provision of regular water supply in the São Paulo Metropolitan Region, we intend to invest R$1.2 million (unaudited) from the years 2007 until 2010 to increase our water production and distribution capacities as well as to improve the water supply systems.
Water Treatment. We treat all water at our water treatment facilities prior to placing it into our water distribution network. We operate 197 treatment facilities, of which the eight largest, located in the São Paulo Metropolitan Region, account for approximately 72% of all water we produce. The type of treatment used depends on the nature of the source and quality of the untreated water. Water abstracted from rivers requires extensive treatment, while water drawn from groundwater sources requires less treatment. All water treated by us also receives fluoridation treatment.
Water Distribution. We distribute through our own networks of water pipes and mains, ranging in size from 2.5 meters to 100 millimeters in diameter. Storage tanks and pumping stations regulate the volume of water flowing through the networks to maintain adequate pressure and continuous water supply. As of December 31, 2006, our water network contained 61,469 kilometers of water pipes and mains and 6.6 million water connections. The following table sets forth the total number of kilometers of water pipes in our network for the periods indicated.
As of | ||||||
December 31, | ||||||
2004 | 2005 | 2006 | ||||
Water distribution pipes and mains (kilometers) | 57,321 | 58,000 | 61,469 | |||
Number of connections (in thousands) | 6,358 | 6,489 | 6,609 |
More than 90% of the water pipes in our water distribution network are made of cast iron or polyvinylchloride (PVC). Distribution pipes at customers residences typically are made from high-density polyethylene tubing. Our water mains are mostly made of steel, cast iron or concrete.
As of December 31, 2006, our water distribution pipes and mains included:
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We have 373 storage tanks in the São Paulo Metropolitan Region with a total capacity of 1.8 million cubic meters, and 1,650 storage tanks in the Regional Systems. We have 122 treated water pumping stations in the São Paulo Metropolitan Region aqueduct system, including stations at treatment facilities, intermediate trunk transfer pumping stations and small booster stations serving local areas.
Water mains that require maintenance are cleaned and relined. We are typically notified of water main fractures or breaks by the public through a toll-free number maintained by us. We consider the condition of the water pipes and mains in the São Paulo Metropolitan Region generally to be adequate. Due to age, external factors such as traffic, the dense population and commercial and industrial development, water pipes and mains in the São Paulo Metropolitan Region are somewhat more susceptible to degradation than those in the Regional Systems. To counteract these effects, we have a maintenance program in place for water pipes and mains that is intended to deal with anticipated fractures and clogs due to brittleness and encrustation and to help ensure water quality.
We expect that new customers will be responsible for covering part of the costs of connecting to our water distribution network. Our water connection policy is to pay for the cost of installation of up to 15 meters of pipe from our distribution network to the point of connection, with the remainder paid by the customer. Thereafter, the customer must cover the costs of connecting to the network from the customers residence, including costs of purchasing and installing the water meter and related labor costs. Industrial customers are responsible for the entire cost of connection. We perform the installation of the water meter and conduct periodical inspections and measurements. After completion of installation, the customer is responsible for the water meter.
The following table sets forth projected new water connections for the periods indicated.
2007- | ||||||||||
2007 | 2008 | 2009 | 2010 | 2010 | ||||||
(in thousands) | ||||||||||
São Paulo Metropolitan Region | 86.7 | 96.9 | 89.3 | 87.6 | 360.5 | |||||
Regional Systems | 62.1 | 70.0 | 75.0 | 84.4 | 291.6 | |||||
Total System | 148.8 | 166.9 | 164.3 | 172.0 | 652.1 | |||||
Water Losses. The difference between the amount of water produced and the amount of water invoiced generally represents both physical and non-physical water losses. Water loss percentage represents the quotient of (1) the difference between (a) the total amount of water produced by us less (b) the total amount of water invoiced by us to customers minus (c) the volume of water set out below that we exclude from our calculation of water losses, divided by (2) the total amount of water produced by us. We exclude the following from our calculation of water losses: (1) water discharged for periodic maintenance of water mains and water storage tanks; (2) water supplied for municipal uses such as firefighting; (3) water we consume in our facilities; and (4) estimated water losses associated with water we supply to favelas (shantytowns).
Since 2005, we have established a new method of measuring our water losses, based on worldwide market practice for the sector. According to this new measurement method, average water losses are calculated by dividing (1) average annual water loss by (2) the average number of active water connections multiplied by 365. The result of this calculation is the liters of water lost per connection per day.
Using this calculation method, as of December 31, 2006, we experienced 615 liters/connections per day of water losses in the São Paulo Metropolitan Region and 353 liters/connections per day in the Regional Systems, averaging 511 liters/connections per day. We plan to reduce water losses in both regions to 450 liters/connections per day for the São Paulo Metropolitan Region and 278 liters/connections per day for the Regional Systems, which we expect will result in a total reduction to 405 liters/connections per day by 2010. Using another methodology, we intend to reduce water losses from 32.5% to 24% in the São Paulo Metropolitan Region, and from 30% to 23% in the Regional Systems. In 2006, we experienced 31.9% in water losses and we expect to decrease the water losses to 24% in 2010.
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Our strategy to reduce water loss will be carried out by a two-step process:
We are taking measures to decrease physical losses by reducing response times for fixing leakages to less than 24 hours and by better monitoring non-visible water mains fractures. Among other measures we have adopted to reduce physical water losses are:
Water Quality. We believe that we supply high quality treated water that is consistent with standards set by Brazilian law, which requirements are similar to the standards set in the United States and Europe. Under a Health Ministry (Ministério da Saúde) regulation in Brazil, we have significant statutory obligations regarding the quality of treated water. These laws set certain standards that govern water quality.
In general, the State of São Paulo has excellent quality water from underground or superficial water sources. However, urbanization and disorganized occupation of some areas of the São Paulo Metropolitan Region ended up reducing the quantity of water in mains in the southern area of the São Paulo Metropolitan Region and in the coastal region. Currently, we successfully treat this water to make it potable. We also work to recover the quality of water of mains and invest in improvements of our treatment systems to guarantee the quality and availability of water in the next years.
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Water quality is monitored in all stages of the distribution process, including at the water sources, water treatment facilities and on the distribution network. We have 15 regional laboratories, one central laboratory, and laboratories located in all water treatment facilities that monitor water quality and purity as required by standards set by us and as required by law, which employ approximately 300 technicians, biologists, engineers and chemists. Our laboratories perform an average of 130,000 analyses per month on distributed water, with samples collected from residences. Our central laboratory located in the City of São Paulo is responsible for organic compound analysis using the chromatographic and spectrometric methods, as well as heavy metals analysis by atomic absorption technique. All of our laboratories have obtained ISO 9001/2000 certification and three of the Regional Systems laboratories have obtained a ISO 17025 certification awarded by INMETRO with respect to the quality of our management systems and the technical ability of our laboratories to produce results. Until 2008 we expect that all of water and sewage quality control laboratories will have been granted the ISO 17025 certification.
All chemical products used for water treatment are analyzed and follow strict specifications set out in recommendations made by the National Sanitation Foundation, or NSF, and the Brazilian Association of Technical Rules (Associação Brasileira de Normas Técnicas), or ABNT, to eliminate toxic substances that are harmful to human health.
Water Source Program. From time to time, we face problems with the proliferation of algae, which may cause water to have an unpleasant taste and odor. In order to mitigate this problem, we work on two fronts: (1) fighting algae growth at the water resource, resulting in our detection of no significant algae growth in 2006, and (2) using advanced treatment processes at the water treatment facilities, which involves the use of powdered activated carbon and oxidation by potassium permanganate. The algae growth creates significant additional costs because of the higher volumes of chemicals used to treat the raw water.
We are planning to participate in the Water Source Program (Programa Mananciais) together with other organizations engaged in the promotion of urban development and social inclusion to mitigate the pollution problem in all systems of the São Paulo Metropolitan Region. In this program, we will be responsible for the expansion of sewage systems, pre-treatment of streams and development of more sophisticated treatment facilities. It is expected that the execution of this program will initiate in the first semester of 2008 financed by the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development, or World Bank. In addition, we also participate in the Clean-up Program of Streams in the City of São Paulo (Programa de Despoluição dos Córregos do Município de São Paulo), a joint program with the City of São Paulo to clean up 42 important streams in this region.
We believe that there are no material instances where our standards are not being met. However, we cannot be certain that future breaches of these standards will not occur.
Fluoridation. As required by Brazilian law, we have adopted a water fluoridation program which is designed to assist in the prevention of tooth decay among the population. Fluoridation primarily consists of adding fluorosilicic acid to water at 0.7 parts per million. We add fluoride to the water at our treatment facilities prior to its distribution into the water supply network.
Sewage Operations
We are responsible for the collection and removal of sewage through our sewage systems and for its subsequent disposal with or without prior treatment. As of December 31, 2006, we collected approximately 82% and 71% of all the sewage produced in the municipalities in which we operate in the São Paulo Metropolitan Region and the Regional Systems, respectively, accounting for approximately 78% of all the sewage produced in the municipalities in which we operated in the State of São Paulo during 2006.
Sewage System. The function of our sewage system is to collect, remove and dispose of sewage. As of December 31, 2006, we were responsible for the operation and maintenance of 39,126 kilometers of sewer lines, of which approximately 19,845 kilometers are located in the São Paulo Metropolitan Region and 19,281 kilometers are located in the Regional Systems.
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The following table sets forth the total number of kilometers of sewer lines and the total number of sewage connections in our network for the periods indicated.
As of | ||||||
December 31, | ||||||
2004 | 2005 | 2006 | ||||
Sewage lines (kilometers) | 36,435 | 37,181 | 39,126 | |||
Sewage connections (thousands) | 4,747 | 4,878 | 5,002 |
Our sewage system comprises a number of systems built at different times and constructed primarily from clay pipes and, more recently, PVC tubing. Sewage lines larger than 0.5 meters in diameter are primarily made of concrete. Our sewage system is generally designed to operate by gravitational flow, although pumping stations are required in certain parts of the system to ensure the continuous flow of sewage. Where pumping stations are required, we use sewer lines made of cast iron.
Industrial sewage can vary in nature and concentration of contaminants. The standards for disposal of industrial effluents are set forth in Article 19A of State Decree No. 8,468, of September 8, 1976, as amended, and broadly correspond to the standards for such disposal set by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. The basic premise of these standards is that industrial effluents interfere with the natural biological process at sewage treatment facilities and, therefore, the effluents must be treated so that the final effluent meets the parameters set forth in State Decree No. 8,468. This decree requires industries that produce industrial sewage to pre-treat the sewage so that levels of certain parameters, such as pH, temperature, sediments, grease, oil and metals, are reduced to environmentally sound levels prior to release into our sewer lines. To ensure compliance with Article 19A, we periodically analyze sewage produced by each industrial customer to check whether the customer has complied with the requirements of the decree. Although we may take certain actions which include imposing penalties or cutting a customers connection in the event that customer is continuously not in compliance, we are not responsible for and are not obligated to ensure the compliance of our customers with the requirements of this decree.
Effluents from our sewage treatment facilities (Estações de Tratamento de EsgotosETEs) must comply with discharge standards established by federal and state regulations. Flow standards are related to the composition of effluents before being discharged into water bodies, while quality standards measure the condition of the water bodies after the dilution of effluents. Both flow and quality standards will vary according to the expected use of the relevant body of water: the more important the use of the body of water, the more stringent the standards applicable.
We consider the condition of the sewer lines in the São Paulo Metropolitan Region generally to be adequate. Due to greater volume of sewage collected and to higher population and commercial and industrial development, the condition of the sewer lines in the São Paulo Metropolitan Region is somewhat worse than that of the Regional Systems. To counteract the effects of deterioration, we maintain a continuing program for the maintenance of sewer lines intended to deal with anticipated fractures arising from obstructions caused by system overloads.
Unlike the São Paulo Metropolitan Region, the interior region does not generally suffer obstructions caused by sewage system overload. The coastal region, however, experiences obstructions in its sewer lines primarily due to infiltration of sand, especially during the rainy season in the summer months. In addition, the number of sewage connections in the coastal region is significantly lower than in the other regions served by us, with approximately 51% of all residences in the coastal region currently connected to our sewage network.
New sewage connections are made on substantially the same basis as connections to water lines: we assume the cost of installation for the first 15 meters of sewer lines from the sewage network to residential and commercial customers sewage connections and the customer is responsible for the remaining costs. Industrial customers are responsible for the entire cost of extension and connection to the sewage network.
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The following table sets forth projected new sewage connections for the periods indicated.
Projected New Sewage Connections | ||||||||||
(in thousands) | ||||||||||
2007- | ||||||||||
2007 | 2008 | 2009 | 2010 | 2010 | ||||||
São Paulo Metropolitan Region | 81.2 | 100.5 | 87.2 | 84.2 | 353.0 | |||||
Regional Systems | 58.9 | 63.9 | 82.4 | 233.4 | 438.6 | |||||
Total | 140.1 | 164.4 | 169.6 | 317.6 | 791.6 | |||||
Sewage Treatment and Disposal. In 2006, approximately 58% and 73% of the sewage we collected in the São Paulo Metropolitan Region and the Regional Systems respectively, or 63% of the sewage we collected in the State of São Paulo, was treated at our treatment facilities and afterwards discharged into receiving water bodies such as inland waters and the Atlantic Ocean, in accordance with applicable legislation. Our sewage treatment facilities have a finite capacity. Flows in excess of this capacity are discharged directly, untreated, to inland waters and the Atlantic Ocean. Currently we operate 438 sewage treatment facilities and eight ocean outfalls.
The purpose of sewage treatment is to reduce the polluting impact of the incoming sewage in order to comply with State Decree No. 8,468, and the Resolution No. 357/05 of the Brazilian National Environment Committee (Conselho Nacional do Meio Ambiente), or CONAMA, which stipulates maximum concentrations of certain substances prior to discharge into the environment. Although the flow and composition of sewage arriving at sewage treatment facilities varies, on average more than 98% of its content is water. Our sewage treatment relies essentially on physical separation processes and on natural biological processes to break down organic matter and reduce the amount of harmful organisms and chemicals.
The primary treatment process is the principal separation process for suspended solid material present in raw sewage. The sewage is passed into sedimentation tanks. Solid matter settles to the bottom of the tanks, is removed as sludge and is then passed to the sludge treatment process. The sewage remaining after this sedimentation process is either given activated sludge treatment or may be discharged to receiving waters.
The activated sludge treatment process, the principal method for secondary treatment of sewage used by us, relies on natural bacterial action to break down the organic matter in sewage and, where required, to remove ammonia. In the activated sludge treatment process, the sewage from primary treatment is passed into aeration tanks that are continuously replenished with re-circulated activated sludge. The mixture in the tanks is agitated and aerated, enabling the micro-organisms in the activated sludge to digest organic material contained in the incoming sewage. The effluent and activated sludge mixture produced by this process flows over to the final sedimentation stage.
We operate 44 activated sewage treatment facilities, each of which also contains a primary treatment facility. The five largest activated sewage treatment facilities located in the São Paulo Metropolitan Region have treatment capacity of approximately 18 cubic meters of sewage per second.
Sewage treatment in the Regional Systems will vary according to the particularities of each area. In the interior region, treatment consists largely of stabilization ponds where the organic matter is treated and discharged to receiving waters. There are 354 secondary treatment facilities in the interior region which have treatment capacity of approximately 9.7 cubic meters of sewage per second.
The majority of sewage collected in the coastal region receives treatment and disinfection and is then discharged into rivers and into the Atlantic Ocean. We have 66 sewage treatment facilities in the coastal region.
Our trunk lines are currently not sufficiently extensive to transport all sewage collected by us to our treatment facilities. As a result, a portion of the sewage collected by us is released untreated into receiving waters, resulting in high levels of pollution in these bodies of water. We are a party to a number of legal proceedings related to environmental matters. See Item 8.A. Financial InformationConsolidated Statements and other InformationLegal Proceedings. In addition, our capital expenditure program includes projects to increase the amount of sewage that we treat. See Capital Expenditure Program and Government RegulationSewage Requirements.
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Sludge Disposal. Sludge removed from the primary and secondary treatment processes typically contains water and a very small proportion of solids. We use filter presses, belt presses and centrifugation machines to abstract the water from the sludge. In 2006, we produced approximately 53,789 tons of sludge-dry base, of which 49,387 tons were discharged into landfills and the remainder was used for agricultural purposes. In addition, we are testing new technologies for sludge disposal as fertilizer in forest projects, fuel development and concrete manufacturing.
Customers
We currently operate water and sewage systems in 367 of the 645 municipalities in the State of São Paulo. In addition, we currently sell water on a wholesale bases to six municipalities with a total population of approximately 3.2 million. The following table provides a breakdown of total revenues by geographic market for the periods indicated.
Year ended December 31, | |||||||
2004 | 2005 | 2006 | |||||
(in millions of reais) | |||||||
São Paulo Metropolitan Region | 3,456.8 | 4,044.2 | 4,534.1 | ||||
Regional Systems | 1,185.7 | 1,312.1 | 1,449.9 | ||||
Total revenue from sales and services | 4,642.5 | 5,356.3 | 5,984.0 | ||||
Competition
We believe there are at least two reasons behind a possible increase in our participation in the domestic sanitation market. There are 273 municipalities in the State of São Paulo that operate their own water and sewage systems and that collectively have a population of approximately 12.4 million, or approximately 30% of the population of the State of São Paulo, excluding the population of the municipalities to which we provide water services on a wholesale basis. In addition, there are private water companies which provide water and sewage services to a small number of municipalities in the State of São Paulo, which may indicate a potential opportunity for the increase of our market share.
In general, we do not face any competition in the municipalities in which we provide water and sewage services. However, governments of these municipalities may also compete with us, if they resume the water and sewage services that were granted to us and start providing these services directly to the local population. In this case, the municipal governments would be required to indemnify us for the unamortized portion of our investment. See Our OperationsConcessions. In the past, municipal governments have terminated our concessions contracts before the expiration date. Also, municipal governments have tried to expropriate our assets in an attempt to resume the provision of water and sewage services to local populations. See Item 8.A. Financial InformationConsolidated Statements and other InformationLegal Proceedings. We negotiate expired concession contracts and concession contracts to be expired with the municipalities in an attempt to maintain our existing areas of operations.
We face a limited level of competition with respect to the supply of water to large customers. Several large industrial customers located in municipalities served by us use their own wells to supply themselves with water. This use of private wells has been increasing in recent years. We have established new tariff schedules for commercial and industrial customers in order to help retain these customers. Additionally, we already face competition for the disposal of non-residential, commercial and industrial sludge in the São Paulo Metropolitan Region.
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Billing Procedures
The procedure for billing and payment of our water and sewage services is basically the same for each customer category. Water and sewage bills are based upon water usage determined by monthly water meter readings. Larger customers, however, have their meters read every 15 days to avoid non-physical losses resulting from faulty water meters. Sewage billing is included as part of the water bill and is based on the water meter reading.
We deliver all water and sewage bills by hand to our customers, mainly through independent contractors who are also responsible for reading water meters.
Water and sewage bills can be paid at some banks and other locations in the State of São Paulo. These funds are paid over to us and average service fees between R$0.32 (unaudited) and R$1.15 (unaudited) per transaction are charged for collection and remittance of these payments.
Customers must pay their water and sewage bills by the due date if they wish to avoid paying a fine. We generally charge a penalty fee and interest on late bill payments. In 2004, 2005 and 2006, we received, respectively, payment of 94.1%, 90.8% and 91.5% of the amount billed to our retail customers, and 94.4%, 91.1% and 92.5% of the amount billed to those customers other than State entities, within 30 days after the due date. With respect to wholesale sales, in 2005 and 2006, we received payment of 60.6% and 61.4%, respectively, of the amount billed within 30 days.
In the São Paulo Metropolitan Region, we monitor water meter readings by use of hand-held computers and transmitters. The system allows the meter reader to input the gauge levels on the meters into the computer and automatically print the bill for the customer. The hand-held computer tracks water consumption usage at each metered location and prepares bills based on actual meter readings. We outsourced this billing system to third-party contractors that employ and train their own meter readers whose training we supervise. We have water meter reading and printing by hand-held computers in some municipalities that we serve in the Regional Systems and intend to expand this system in other municipalities we serve.
Tariffs
The new basic sanitation law, Law No. 11,445, does not affect the terms and conditions with respect to tariff adjustments under our existing concessions. Contracts that are currently in effect will be adjusted according to the formula that we have applied to them. Pursuant to Law No. 11,445, as a general rule, the new state regulatory authority that will be created and replace the Commission for the Regulation of Sanitation Service of the State of São Paulo (Comissão para a Regulação dos Serviços de Saneamento Básico do Estado de São Paulo), or CORSANPA, will be responsible for setting and adjusting tariffs. While the new state regulatory authority is not created, the Sanitation and Energy Secretariat of the State of São Paulo will be temporarily in charge of these responsibilities.
Until the definition of the entity responsible for establishing tariffs regulations, we intend to continue adjusting our tariffs for water and sewage services according to the formula we current1y use, which covers our operating costs and other expenses, accounts for inflation, and provides for return on investment. To ensure proper adjustment of our tariffs and higher return on investment, we intend to restructure our tariffs with values based on costs of services for all segments or clients, except for the low-income population, which should be subsidized.
Tariffs have historically been adjusted once a year and for periods of at least 12 months. We raised tariffs in June 2001, in July 2002 and in August 2003. We increased our tariffs for water and sewage services by 6.8% on August 29, 2004 and by 9.0% on August 31, 2005. On August 31, 2006, we increased our tariffs by 6.71% .
Although we have the power to set our tariffs for water and sewage services, the State of São Paulo, our controlling shareholder, through its ownership of our common shares and control of our board of directors, may interfere in our tariff adjustment. For example, we did not increase tariffs in 2000 due to a State policy for the year of not increasing tariff rates for some public carriers, such as public transportation and water supply services.
39
We established a new tariff schedule, effective May 2002, for commercial and industrial customers that consume at least 5,000 cubic meters of water per month and that enter into demand agreements with us for at least one-year terms. We believe this tariff schedule will help prevent our commercial and industrial customers from switching to the use of private wells.
On August 29, 2003, we developed and implemented a new readjustment formula for our tariffs to better reflect changes in our cost structure. According to this new formula, the cost components of the Tariffs Readjustment Index, or IRT, are separated into two parts (Part A and Part B), where Part A encompasses all costs related to energy, to water and sewage treatment materials, to federal, state and local taxes, and to financial compensation due to use of water resources; and where Part B encompasses all other costs and expenses. The readjustment of Part A is based on the price variation observed in its components during the preceding 12-month period. Part B is adjusted by the IPCA index.
We establish separate tariff schedules for our services in each of the São Paulo Metropolitan Region and each of the interior and coastal regions which comprise our Regional Systems. Each tariff schedule incorporates regional cross-subsidies, taking into account the customers type and volume of consumption. Tariffs paid by customers with high monthly water consumption rates are higher tariffs than our costs of providing the water service. We use the excess tariff billed to high-volume customers to compensate for the lower tariffs paid by low-volume customers. Similarly, tariffs for non-residential customers are established at levels that subsidize residential customers. In addition, the tariffs for the São Paulo Metropolitan Region generally are higher than tariffs in the interior and coastal regions.
We divide tariffs into two categories: residential and non-residential. The residential category is subdivided into standard residential, social and favela (shantytowns). The residential social tariffs apply to residences of low-income families, residences of persons unemployed for up to 12 months and collective living residences. The favela tariffs apply to residences in shantytowns characterized by a lack of urban infrastructure. The latter two subcategories were instituted to assist lower-income customers by providing lower tariffs for consumption. The non-residential category consists of:
Sewage charges in each region are fixed and are based on the same volume of water charged. In the São Paulo Metropolitan Region and the coastal region, the sewage tariffs equal the water tariffs. In the interior region, sewage tariffs are approximately 20% lower than water tariffs. Wholesale water rates are the same for all municipalities served. We also make available sewage treatment services to those municipalities in line with the applicable contracts and tariffs. In addition, various industrial customers pay an additional sewage charge, depending on the characteristics of the sewage they produce.
Each category and class of customer pays tariffs according to the volume of water consumed. The tariff paid by a certain category and class of customer increases progressively according to the increase in the volume of water consumed. The following table sets forth the water and sewage services tariffs by (1) customer category and class and (2) volume of water consumed charged during the years and period stated in the São Paulo Metropolitan Region, which accounted for approximately 75.8% of our gross revenue from sales and services in 2006.
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As of | ||||||
December 31, | ||||||
Customer Category Consumption | 2004 | 2005 | 2006 | |||
(in cubic meters per month) | ||||||
Residential: | ||||||
Basic Residential: | ||||||
0-10(2) | 1.03 | 1.12 | 1.19 | |||
11-20 | 1.60 | 1.74 | 1.86 | |||
21-50 | 4.00 | 4.36 | 4.65 | |||
Above 50 | 4.41 | 4.81 | 5.13 | |||
Social: | ||||||
0-10(2) | 0.35 | 0.38 | 0.40 | |||
11-20 | 0.61 | 0.66 | 0.70 | |||
21-30 | 2.12 | 2.31 | 2.47 | |||
31-50 | 3.03 | 3.30 | 3.52 | |||
Above 50 | 3.35 | 3.65 | 3.89 |
As of | ||||||
December 31, | ||||||
Customer Category Consumption | 2004 | 2005 | 2006 | |||
(in cubic meters per month) | ||||||
Favela (shantytown): | ||||||
0-10(2) | 0.27 | 0.29 | 0.30 | |||
11-20 | 0.30 | 0.33 | 0.35 | |||
21-30 | 1.00 | 1.09 | 1.16 | |||
31-50 | 3.03 | 3.30 | 3.52 | |||
Above 50 | 3.35 | 3.65 | 3.89 | |||
Non-Residential: | ||||||
Commercial/Industrial/Governmental: | ||||||
0-10(2) | 2.06 | 2.24 | 2.39 | |||
11-20 | 4.00 | 4.36 | 4.65 | |||
21-50 | 7.72 | 8.41 | 8.97 | |||
Above 50 | 8.03 | 8.75 | 9.34 | |||
Commercial/Not-for-profit entities: | ||||||
0-10(2) | 1.03 | 1.12 | 1.19 | |||
11-20 | 2.01 | 2.19 | 2.34 | |||
21-50 | 3.87 | 4.22 | 4.50 | |||
Above 50 | 4.01 | 4.37 | 4.66 | |||
Government entities with reduction agreement: | ||||||
0-10(2) | 1.54 | 1.68 | 1.79 | |||
11-20 | 3.00 | 3.27 | 3.49 | |||
21-50 | 5.79 | 6.31 | 6.73 | |||
Above 50 | 6.02 | 6.56 | 7.00 |
(1) |
Water and sewage tariffs are the same per cubic meter. |
(2) |
The minimum volume charged is for ten cubic meters per month. |
In 2006, the average tariff calculated for the Regional Systems was 30% below the average tariff of the São Paulo Metropolitan Region.
During mid-1999 until mid-2001, we did not raise our tariffs, due to a State policy of not increasing tariffs for some public services. In June 2001, we increased our average tariffs by approximately 13.1%, which was broadly in line with the prevailing inflation rates in Brazil since mid-1999, and in August 2002 we raised our tariffs by approximately 8.2% . Using a new readjustment formula approved by our board of directors, in August 2003 we raised our tariffs for water and sewage services by approximately 18.9%, and in August 2004 we raised our tariffs for water and sewage services by approximately 6.8% .
The application of the formula in 2005 would result in a tariff increase of 11.12%, part of which increase is attributable to the increase in the federal taxes. Because this increase was much higher than the accumulated inflation levels for the corresponding period, we decided to adjust the tariff by 9%, effective August 31, 2005. The remaining percentage (1.94%) was deferred to the 2006 tariff adjustment. On August 31, 2006, we increased our tariffs by 6.71% . In 2004, we initiated certain studies for the restructuring of our tariffs. These studies include a study of our costs, taking into account economic efficiency, future costs of operation and payment capacity of low-income families. We have also prepared a marketing strategy for the segmentation of our clients and of the market, taking into consideration specific characteristics and commercial potential as well as proposals for improvement of our tariff policies.
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We concluded a study on this topic in January 2006 and our board of executive officers created a team to evaluate and, if needed, to update and report the actions necessary for the implementation of the recommendations of the study. To date, we have not defined the term for these actions and we believe, based on our advisors opinion, that we will implement the recommendations of the study within four years. See Government RegulationTariff Regulation of São Paulo for additional information regarding our tariffs.
Energy Consumption
The use of energy is material to our operations, and as a result we are one of the largest users of energy in the State of São Paulo, which represents 1,9% of the total energy consumption in the State of São Paulo. We obtain energy primarily from Companhia Energética São Paulo, or CESP, pursuant to a long-term contract expiring in 2012. To date, we have not experienced any major disruptions in energy supply. Any significant disruption of energy to us could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations or prospects.
Energy prices have a significant impact on our results of operations. An average increase of 17.5% in 2004 negatively affected our results of operations. In 2005, we migrated 43% of our energy requirements to the free market where we can more efficiently negotiate the supply of energy and improve energy efficiency. See Item 5. Operating and Financial Review and Prospects.
Insurance
We maintain insurance covering, among other things, fire or other damage to our property, office buildings and third-party liability. We also maintain insurance coverage for directors and officers liability (D&O insurance). We currently obtain our insurance policies through public bids involving major Brazilian and international insurance companies in Brazil. As of December 31, 2006, we had paid a total aggregate amount of R$4.78 million in premiums, covering approximately R$667.5 million on assets, third-party liabilities and D&O insurance. We do not have insurance coverage for business interruption risk because we do not believe that the high premiums for such insurance are justified by the low risk of major interruption. In addition, we do not have insurance coverage for liabilities arising from water contamination or other problems involving our water supply to customers. We believe that we maintain insurance at levels customary in Brazil for the type of business in which we are engaged.
Environmental Matters
Our water and sewage operations are subject to stringent Brazilian federal, state and local laws and regulations relating to the prevention and control of the environments pollution.
In the State of São Paulo, the Environmental Sanitation Technology Company (Companhia de Tecnologia de Saneamento Ambiental), or CETESB, is the governmental agency in charge of the control, supervision and licensing of the activities that generate pollution, pursuant to State Law No. 997, dated May 31, 1976, which sets forth the control of the environments pollution. In particular, the construction and operation of water and sewage treatment facilities, as well as the release of effluents and final disposal of the sludge generated as a result of the water and sewage treatment processes, must comply with environmental standards established by state and federal legislation, such as State Decree No. 8,468, dated September 8, 1976, in addition to the provisions and amendments of the State Decree No. 15,425, dated July 23, 1980. At the federal level, it is important to mention CONAMA Resolution No. 357, dated March 17, 2005.
Non-compliance with environmental laws and regulations can lead to the imposition of criminal and administrative penalties, in addition to civil liability which may arise as a result of environmental damages. Pursuant to Federal Law No. 9,605, of February 12, 1998, individuals (including but not limited to the directors, officers and managers of legal entities) may be penalized with imprisonment or other restrictions on personal rights for violations of environmental rules and regulations, and legal entities may be penalized with fines, restrictions on rights, including, among other things, rights to be granted tax benefits and to enter into contracts with public entities, and mandatory rendering of services in the public benefit. At the administrative level, penalties range from warnings and fines to partial or total suspension of corporate activities, and may also include the forfeiture of, or restriction on, tax incentives, and the cancellation or interruption of participation in credit facilities granted by government banks, as well as a prohibition on contracting with entities of the public sector.
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Our procedure for constructing and operating water and sewage facilities involves the mandatory compliance with environmental legal requirements. Firstly, for those projects which have a significant environmental impact, specific studies denominated Studies of Environmental Impact (Estudos de Impacto Ambiental), or EIA. These studies are related to actions addressed to minimize the environmental impact of a project and are prepared by independent experts multidisciplinar teams allocated to prepare the Report of Environmental Impact (Relatório de Impacto Ambiental), or RIMA, which presents various recommendations that aim at minimizing the environmental consequences of a project. This report is then submitted to governmental authorities for analysis and approval, and is subject to a formal process denominated Evaluation of Environmental Impact (Avaliação de Impacto Ambiental), or AIA. After the approval of the project, it undergoes a licensing process to assure that the preventive and control measures for the projects are compatible with sustainable development. The licensing process is composed of three phases, which include the following licenses:
In order to obtain the environmental licensing of those undertakings that may provoke a significant environmental impact, environmental agencies may impose on us an obligation to establish a nature conservation area. In order to fulfill this obligation, we are required by environmental regulations to spend not less than 0.5% of the total cost of the relevant undertaking for that purpose. We have strongly participated in the protection of water mains to improve environmental conditions and preserve water resources of the São Paulo Metropolitan Region, either because of the execution of construction projects to eliminate the disposal of raw sewage into bodies of water through the collection and treatment of sewage, or indirectly through several programs of on-going environmental education at Sabesp that involve various sectors of the society, elementary and high schools, universities, associations of neighborhood, not-for-profit organizations, among others. It is also our policy to implement water conservation programs, under several types, in order to minimize the impact of our operations on our water supply, through the reuse of effluents of sewage treatment facilities at the site of operation of the facility, or through stimulation of the rational use of water by means of specific programs with this goal.
In the development of our funtions, we directly interact with the environment to attain our principles in order to be recognized for our worldwide standard of excellence in the provision of environmental sanitation services through our commitment to enviromental health, as well as to social and environmental responsibility. Environmental issues are important at different levels, either because of the legislation that is becoming more restrictive, or because of the society that is becoming more conscious and participating more actively in solving these issues. In addition, the market is also becoming more stringent and demanding with respect to the solution of these issues.
We believe that sustainable development is a means of ensuring not only quality for the environment and peoples lives, but also long-term economic-financial sustainability. In order to strengthen our commitment to environmental sustainability, our structure includes organizational units that are in charge of environmental planning and management, environmental control and monitoring, environmental technique and development and water resources management. In the external sphere, we plan to integrate initiatives with state and municipal agencies to work on recovering and preservation of water supply resources, and articulation with non-governmental organizations to run environmental guidance and education campaigns.
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Government Regulation
Basic sanitation services in Brazil are subject to an extensive federal, state and local legislation and regulation that, among other things, regulates:
General
Pursuant to Article 23 of the Brazilian Constitution, water and sewage services are the common responsibility of the Federal Government, the states and the municipalities.
Article 216 of the Constitution of the State of São Paulo provides that, by law, the State must provide the conditions for efficient management and adequate expansion of water and sewage services rendered by its agencies and State-controlled companies or any other concessionaire under its control. State law authorized our formation to plan, provide and operate water and sewage services in the State and also acknowledged the autonomy of the municipalities.
Pursuant to Article 175 of the Brazilian Constitution, the furnishing of public services, such as water and sewage services, is the responsibility of the applicable public authority. However, any such public authority has the right to furnish these services directly or through a concession granted to a third party.
Law No. 11,107/05 (Consortium Law) and Law No. 11,445/07, the new basic sanitation law, recently enacted by the Brazilian Congress, have caused significant impacts in the development of the state sanitation policy and the regulatory structuring of the industry.
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Because we are the legal concessionaire for the State of São Paulo for water supply and sewage services, serving approximately 60% of the States population and providing sanitation services through concession contracts, we notice the impacts of this legislation on the expiration of our contracts in the 1970s when the Brazilian Sanitation Plan (Plano Nacional de Saneamento), or PLANASA, was created.
Law No. 11,107/05 has caused important changes in the relationship among municipalities, states and public sanitation services providers, most notably mixed capital companies, such as ourselves, because of the implementation of the program agreements as a substitute for concession contracts.
In addition, Law No. 11,445/07 in its role of general guideline for the development of the Brazilian sanitation industry, addresses the conditions of validity for the delegation of water supply and sewage services, the exercise of ownership by the granting authority and the regulatory conditions for the industry. The new basic sanitation law also provides for a significant amendment to Article 42 of the Concessions Law (Law No. 8,987/95), which establishes the termination of concessions prior to the due expiration date and the reversibility conditions of unamortized assets. The amendment requires that the service provider be compensated for unamortized assets, prioritizing an agreement between the parties setting out the criteria for calculation and payments of indemnity.
The Basic Sanitation Law
On January 8, 2007, Law No. 11,445 was enacted and it establishes nationwide guidelines for basic sanitation and seeks to create solutions that are adequate for the reality of each state and municipality, facilitating the technical cooperation between the state and municipalities. In addition, the Federal Government will enact its public policy to facilitate access to financing alternatives that are compatible with the costs and terms of the sanitation industry, in substitution of the PLANASA model.
Law No. 11,445 establishes the following principles for basic sanitation public services: universalization, integrality, efficiency and economic sustainability, transparency of actions, social control and integration of infrastructure and services with the management of water resources.
This law does not define the ownership of the sanitation services, but establishes the minimum liability for the exercise of ownership, such as the development of the sanitation plan, definition of the person responsible for regulation and control, establishment of the rights and obligations of the users and of the social control mechanisms. It also defines the regionalized performance of the services (i.e., one single provider serves two or more owners, for which there may be one plan for the combination of services).
In addition, the new basic sanitation law defines the guidelines and objectives of the federal basic sanitation policy to be observed when securing public funds generated or operated by agencies or entities of the Federal Government, and foresees the possibility of having subsidies as an instrument of social policy to ensure access to basic sanitation services to everyone, particularly the low-income population. The subsidies may be granted either directly, through tariffs or internal, depending on the characteristics of the beneficiaries and on the source of the funds.
Furthermore, the law also provides that the sanitation services may be interrupted by the service provider, in the event of default of payment of the tariffs by the customer, among other reasons, after written notice, as long as minimum health requirements are met.
Finally, the legislation establishes the criteria for the reversal of assets at the time of termination of the agreement and with regard to the concessions, such as those that have expired or are effective for an indefinite term, or those that were not formalized by an agreement. In adittion, the law provides the calculation and value of the indeminity that must be calculated by a specialized institution chosen by mutual agreement between the parties.
In the absence of mutual agreement, the calculation of the indemnity is based on the terms and conditions of the previous agreement, or in the absence thereof, upon economic valuations or book value revaluation of the investment. It should also be calculated by a specialized institution chosen by mutual agreement between the parties.
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Payment is to be effected in up to four, equal and successive, annual installments, with a guarantee, being the first payment payable by no later than the end of the financial year in which the reversal occurs.
Concessions
Concessions for providing water and sewage services are formalized by agreements executed between the state or municipality, as the case may be, and a concessionaire to which the performance of these services is granted in a given municipality or region. Our concessions normally have a contractual term of up to 30 years, although some of our concessions have an indefinite term of effectiveness. However, our concessions in general can be revoked at any time if certain standards of quality and safety are not met, or in the event of default of the terms of the concession contract.
A municipality that chooses to assume the control of its water and sewage services must terminate the current relationship by means of evaluation of the value of the investments to compensate the service provider. Subsequently, the municipality will be in charge of rendering services or of conducting a public bidding process to grant the concession to potential concessionaires, including agreements with public companies directly. Although the Constitution of the State of São Paulo determines that the relevant municipality would have to pay us for the unamortized book value of the assets related to the concession and assume any correlated debt, with the exclusion of any amounts that have been paid to us by the municipality, upon termination or non-renewal of the concession, the payment for termination may not be effected immediately, and any termination could negatively affect our cash flows, operating results and financial situation.
The Federal Concessions Law and the State Concessions Law require that the granting of a concession by the government be preceded by a public bidding process. However, the Federal Public Bidding Law provides that a public bidding process can be waived in certain circumstances, including in the case of services to be provided by a public entity created for such specific purpose on a date prior to the effectiveness of this law, provided that the contracted price is compatible with what is practiced in the market. Furthermore, a provision of the Federal Constitution determines waiver of the public bidding requirement in similar situations. Based on this provision, the municipalities granted concessions with waiver of public bidding processes to us after the enactment of the Federal Constitution. Currently, the new basic sanitation law provides that the program agreement can be executed with waiver of a public bidding process.
Municipal Law No. 13,670, dated November 25, 2003, created the Municipal System for Regulation of Water Supply and Sanitary Sewage Services (Sistema Municipal de Regulação dos Serviços de Abastecimento de Água e Esgotamento Sanitário), providing for their constitution and operation and also establishing the Municipal Sanitation Plan (Plano Municipal de Saneamento). According to this Law, the Mayor of the City of São Paulo has powers to grant and monitor formal concessions for water and sewage services in the City of São Paulo. Subsequent to Law No. 13,670, the Governor of the State filed a legal action claiming that this law was unconstitutional and, as a consequence, the applicability of Law No. 13,670 was suspended. On April 20, 2005 the court ruled, by majority of votes, in favor of the Governor of the State. The City of São Paulo appealed the decision and a final decision is still pending to this date.
Public Consortia Law
On April 6, 2005, the Federal Government enacted Law No. 11,107, which regulates Article 241 of the Brazilian Constitution. This new regulation provides general principles to be observed when public consortia enter into contracts with the Brazilian political divisions and subdivisions (the Federal Government, states, the Federal District and municipalities) aiming at the joint management of public services of common interests.
Federal Decree No. 6,017/07, which regulated the Public Consortia Law, sets forth the manner in which new agreements will be entered into.
On January 13, 2006, the Governor of the State of São Paulo enacted State Decree No. 50,470, which provides for the rendering of water and sewage services in the State of São Paulo. According to this Decree, we may enter into agreements with municipalities in connection with the provision of water and sewage services by means of the so-called program agreements. In addition, the Decree establishes that we will continue to render services in the areas where the concession is granted by the State.
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Based on the aforementioned statutes, in January 2007 we executed our first program agreement with the municipality of Lins, located in the State of São Paulo.
On June 8, 2006, the State of São Paulo enacted the Decree No. 50,868 creating the Commission for the Regulation of Sanitation Service of the State of São Paulo to provide the State of São Paulo with a more independent regulatory ability in relation to sanitation services. The Commission for the Regulation of Sanitation Service of the State of São Paulo is directly subordinated to the Sanitation and Energy Secretariat of the State of São Paulo.
The Commission for the Regulation of Sanitation Service of the State of São Paulos responsibilities include, among others, (1) the regulation and inspection of basic sanitation services under the State governments responsibility, including the monitoring of the development of our performance and the development of dispute resolution between Sabesp and Sabesps customers, (2) the approval of the agreements entered into between us and the municipalities, (3) the conduction of studies for the creation of a regulatory agency for the basic sanitation industry and the presentation of legal and regulatory measures, if applicable. The Commission for the Regulation of Sanitation Service of the State of São Paulo shall also present the terms of the cooperation agreements to be entered into by the State government and the municipalities to better regulate our relationship with the communities to which we currently provide services (or to which we are interested in providing services in the future), but where the State government has no granting authority. The creation of the state regulatory authority is currently under analysis.
Public-Private Partnerships and Growth Acceleration Plan
The Public-Private Partnership, or PPP, is a form of contract with the public administration used for the concession of services only to private enterprises, as well as for construction works coupled with the provision of services. PPPs are regulated in the State of São Paulo by Law No. 11,688 enacted on May 19, 2004. PPPs may be used for: (1) implantation, expansion, improvement, reform, maintenance, or management of public infra-structure; (2) provision of public services; and (3) exploitation of public assets and non-material rights belonging to the State.
Payment is conditional upon performance. The payment may be collected through: (1) fares paid by users; (2) assignment of credits belonging to the Public Administration, except taxes; and (3) transfer of rights related to the commercial exploitation of public assets.
Law No.11,688 also authorized the creation of Companhia Paulista de Parcerias CPP. CPP may grant guarantees, enter into insurance contracts, and participate in PPP contracts.
In January 2007, the President of Brazil announced a new Growth Acceleration Plan, known as the PAC, that includes major investments in infrastructure services, including the service provision of water and sewage, housing, as well as highways, airports, ports, energy, that would benefit the poor population of Brazil. The Plan calls for a total of R$504,0 billion (unaudited) through 2010 and most part of this amount would be provided by state-owned companies and the private sector, while the rest would come from the federal government.
Public Bidding Procedures
Pursuant to the Federal Public Bidding Law, the public bid process commences with publication by the granting authority in the federal, state or municipal official gazette, as the case may be, and another leading Brazilian newspaper, of an announcement that it will carry out a public bidding contest pursuant to provisions set forth in an edital (invitation to bid). The invitation to bid must specify, among other terms:
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After receiving proposals, the granting authority will evaluate each proposal according to the following criteria, which must have been set forth in the invitation to bid:
The Edital bid the concession power to its terms.
The provisions of the State Public Bidding Law parallel the provisions of the Federal Public Bidding Law.
The Federal and State bidding laws will apply to us in the event that we seek to secure new concessions. Moreover, these bidding laws currently apply to us with respect to obtaining goods and services from third parties for, among other things, our business operations or in connection with our capital expenditure program, in each case subject to certain exceptions.
Water Usage
In July 2000, the National Water Agency, a federal agency under the Ministry of the Environment, was established to develop the National System for Water Resources Management. According to existing law, federal and state agencies are authorized to collect charges related to water usage from entities, such as us, for the abstraction of water from, or dumping of sewage into, water resources controlled by these agencies. The charges collected by these agencies will be used to sponsor studies, programs, projects and constructions provided for in the Water Resources Plan (Plano de Recursos Hídricos) and for the payment of expenses concerning the creation of the Federal System for Water Resources Managing (Sistema Nacional de Gerenciamento de Recursos Hídricos), as well as administrative costs regarding the bodies and entities pertaining thereto and they may be loaned or provided as grants or subsidies to governmental agencies and corporations, including us, for use in the development and maintenance of water resources.
The legislature of the State and the Federal Government enacted legislation under which we must pay charges to the Federal Government, the State or an agency in respect of the use of water from specified sources. Since February 2004, we have been incurring expenses in connection with the use of water from the Paraíba do Sul River Basin and since January 2006, from the Piracicaba, Capivari and Jundiaí River Basin.
State law establishes the basic principles governing the development and use of water resources in the State of São Paulo in accordance with the State Constitution. These principles include:
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In order to implement these principles, authorizations granting a right of use are required from the relevant public authority for water usage (whether for collection, release of effluents or other otherwise), modification of the regime and modification of the quality or the quantity of the existing water. In the case of rivers under the Federal Governments domain (rivers crossing more than one state), the National Water Agency is the public authority which grants the authorization. With respect to the rivers under a states domain, the applicable state authority has jurisdiction to grant the right of use. In the State of São Paulo, the State Department of Water and Energy is the public authority responsible for granting such authorizations. According to a report prepared in May 2001, the granting of rights for our water usage should be regulated in 391 of our projects.
Under state law, implementation of any project that involves the use of surface or underground water requires prior authorization or licensing from the competent government authority.
The State Department of Water and Energy has, as its objectives, establishing (1) a policy for the use of water resources with a view to developing the water business of the State, and (2) plans, studies and projects related to the integral use of water resources, directly or by means of agreements with third parties. The State Department of Water and Energy has established the standards which regulate abstraction of water from water resources in the State of São Paulo.
On December 29, 2005, State Law No.12,183 established the basis for the fees charged by governmental water agencies in the State of São Paulo for the abstraction of water from the State of São Paulos water resources. The fees will be implemented gradually and a specific official register of users of water resources will be created. The proposed fees must be, in each case, approved by a decree from the State Governor, after the consideration by the State Department of Water and Energy. State Law No. 12,183 also established that, until December 2009, the fees charged for the use of water resources by public or private water and sewage services providers will correspond to 50% of the fees charged for the other users of water resources. Fines applied for the non-payment of the fees may vary from 2% of the debt to the suspension of the right of use of the water resources.
Water Quality
Administrative Rule No. 518/04, issued by the Ministry of Health of the Federal Government provides the standards for drinking water for human consumption in Brazil. This rule conforms to the U. S. Safe Drinking Water Act and the regulations enacted by the U.S. 70 Environmental Protection Agency, establishing rules for sampling and limits related to substances that are potentially hazardous to health.
In compliance with Brazilian law, the physical-chemical, organic and bacteriological analyses carried out for water quality control follow the methodologies of the Standard Methods for Water and Wastewater (21st edition) of the American Water Works Association.
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Decree No. 5,440/05 provides for the obligation to disclose the quality of water to consumers. We have been complying with these regulations by publishing the relevant information in monthly bills and annual reports delivered to all consumers that we serve.
Sewage Requirements
State law sets forth regulations regarding pollution and protection of the environment in the State of São Paulo. The standards for disposal of industrial effluents set forth in this law broadly correspond to the standards for such disposal set by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. State law generally prohibits the discharge of pollutants into water, air or land in the State of São Paulo.
State law provides that, in areas in which there exists a public sewage system, all effluents of a polluting source must be discharged to such system. It is the responsibility of the polluting source to connect itself to the public sewage system. All effluents to be discharged are required to meet certain characteristics, which allow such effluents to be treated by our treatment facilities and discharged in an environmentally safe manner. Effluents which exceed such characteristics are prohibited from being discharged into the public sewage system. State law requires industries that produce industrial sewage to pre-treat such sewage so that maximum levels of certain parameters, such as pH, temperature, sediment, grease, oil and metals, are reduced to environmentally sound levels prior to release into our sewer lines.
Environmental Sanitation Technology Company (Companhia de Tecnologia de Saneamento Ambiental) or CETESB, a State-controlled company under the jurisdiction of the Secretariat of the Environment of the State, is authorized under State law to monitor discharges of pollutants into the environment and to enforce the requirements of State law. CETESB is responsible for operating Installation and Operation Licenses issued to sewage treatment facilities and other pollution sources. Although we have not received formal authorization from CETESB to discharge raw sewage into waters, we continue to discharge such sewage. Our capital expenditure program includes the Tietê Project, which is designed to reduce the discharge of raw sewage into the Tietê River, a major river in the São Paulo Metropolitan Region. CETESB participates in the development of this project. There can be no assurance that we will not be required in the future to obtain specific consents or authorizations for discharges of raw sewage.
The disposal of sludge must also meet the requirements of State law. CETESB also regulates the discharge of effluents into bodies of water under State law and must approve all of our treatment facilities without prejudging whether we have complied with standards established by federal legislation.
State law also stipulates the basis for fees to be charged for discharging effluents into the State of São Paulos water resources. Although neither the State nor its agencies currently assesses fees for the discharges, we cannot assure you that the fees will not be charged in the future.
Some municipalities of the State of São Paulo have enacted municipal laws requiring us to charge a fixed fee, and not a tariff, for sewage services being provided. To date, we have not been the subject of the enforcement of these laws.
Tariff Regulation of São Paulo
The tariffs we set for our services are to some extent subject to Federal and State regulation.
On December 16, 1996, the Governor of the State issued a decree which approved the existing tariff system and allowed us to continue to set our own tariffs. We have set our tariffs based on the general objectives of maintaining our financial condition and preserving social equity in terms of the provision of water and sewage services to the population while providing a return on investment. The Governors decree also directs us to apply the following criteria in determining our tariffs:
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In determining tariffs, we may also consider the costs associated with the exploitation of basic sanitation services, depreciation, provision for bad debts, amortization of expenses and adequate remuneration for investments. We usually submit new tariffs to the Governor of the State for approval, although we are not required by law to do so. We implemented a new readjustment formula designed to better reflect costs in August 2003. See Business OverviewTariffs.
We maintain three different tariff schedules, depending upon whether a customer is located in the São Paulo Metropolitan Region or the interior or coastal regions comprising our Regional Systems. There are four levels of volume consumed for each category of customer, except for the residential social and favelas (shantytowns) that present five levels of volume consumed. Customers are billed on a monthly basis. We are also authorized to enter into individual contracts with certain customers, such as municipalities, to sell water or sewage services on a wholesale basis.
Our tariff system also establishes criteria for billing and collection of services and for the publicity to be given to such criteria and tariffs. Tariffs are published in the Official Gazette of the State of São Paulo (Diário Oficial do Estado de São Paulo).
We may be subject to a federal law which, in the case of water and sewage services, provided pursuant to certain concessions, effectively prohibits tariffs that would produce a return on assets in excess of 12% per annum. Return on assets is calculated using operating income (before financial and certain other expenses) measured against operational assets (property, plant and equipment and certain other assets), based on our financial statements prepared in accordance with the Brazilian Corporate Law Method. We could be subject to the above return on assets limitation in adjusting tariffs because substantially all of our concessions were granted during the period in which these rate regulations were in effect. We are not, however, subject to such limitations in setting tariffs under our newer concessions. The above return on assets limitation does not apply to renewals of existing concessions.
In addition to the specific regulation mentioned above, we are also subject to general rules such as periodic readjustments established by Law No. 9,069/95 which established, among other things, the Real Plan.
Governmental Restrictions on Incurrence of Debt
On June 30, 1998, the Central Bank issued a resolution amending certain conditions that must be observed with respect to the external credit operations (i.e., foreign currency borrowings) of states, the Federal District of Brasilia, municipalities and their respective autarquias (agencies), foundations and non-financial companies, including us. This resolution provides, among other things, that, with certain exceptions applicable to the importation of goods and services:
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The Central Bank resolution further provides that the requirements described above do not apply to financing transactions involving multilateral or official organizations such as the World Bank, the Inter-American Development Bank or the JBIC. The Central Bank regulation implementing this resolution provides, among other things, that the account referred to in the first bullet point above must be an account opened in a federal financial institution, which is to hold such funds until released for the purpose of refinancing outstanding obligations of the issuer. The Central Bank regulation further provides that the account described in the second bullet point above must be an escrow account to be opened in a federal financial institution and to secure the payment of principal and interest on the external debt.
Our external credit transactions are also subject to the approval of the National Treasury Secretariat and the Central Bank, which, after reviewing the financial terms and conditions of the transaction, will issue an approval for the closing of the foreign exchange transaction relating to the entry of the funds into Brazil and, following such entry and at our request, an electronic certificate of registration through which all scheduled payments of principal, interest and expenses will be remitted by us. The electronic certificate of registration grants the borrower access to the market for foreign exchange.
Finally, our external credit transactions are also subject to the prior approval of the Secretariat of Finance of the State.
Lending Limits of Brazilian Financial Institutions
The National Monetary Council resolutions limit the amount that Brazilian financial institutions may lend to public sector companies, such as us. Financing of projects which are put up for international bid and any financing in reais provided to the Brazilian counterpart of such international bids are excluded from these limits.
Conselho Estadual de SaneamentoConesan
State law regulates the provision of sanitation services and establishes rules for the planning of sanitation-related public works in the State of São Paulo. The State plan for public sanitation services must integrate institutional, technological, financial and administrative resources to ensure that a healthy environment is created for inhabitants of the State of São Paulo. The State plan must also assist in developing and organizing the sanitation sector in the State of São Paulo.
Pursuant to State law, the States sanitation policy is implemented by the State Sanitation System (Sistema Estadual de Saneamento). The State Sanitation Fund (Fundo Estadual de Saneamento) collects funds and manages resources to fund the programs approved in the sanitation plan.
The State Sanitation Council (Conselho Estadual de Saneamento) must approve proposals related to the sanitation plan and prepare an annual report regarding environmental health issues confronting the State. The State Sanitation Council establishes protocols for the development of investment programs approved by the State Sanitation System and resolves disputes related to the State Sanitation Systems implementation of the sanitation plan.
4.C. Organizational structure
Not applicable.
4.D. Property, Plant and Equipment
Our principal properties consist of reservoirs, water treatment facilities, water distribution networks consisting of water pipes, water mains, water connections and water meters, sewage treatment facilities, and sewage collection networks consisting of sewer lines and sewage connections. As of December 31, 2006, we owned 197 water treatment facilities and 61,469 kilometers of water pipes and mains, 446 sewage treatment facilities and 39,126 kilometers of sewer lines, as well as 16 water quality control laboratories.
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We own our headquarters building and all other major administrative buildings. We have pledged some of our properties as collateral to the Federal Government in connection with a long-term financing transaction we have entered into with the World Bank that was guaranteed by the Federal Government. We have also pledged part of our assets in the amount of R$249.0 million as collateral with respect to our indebtedness under the Special Program for Payment of Federal and Social Security-Related Taxes in Installments (Programa de Parcelamento Especial para Impostos Federais e Previdenciários), or PAES program, as set forth by Law No. 10,684, dated May 30, 2003. Three of our properties in the amount of R$60.5 million were pledged as collateral for the financing granted by the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development.
As of December 31, 2006, the total net book value of our property, plant and equipment was R$14,332.6 million, including concession assets acquired (intangible assets).
All of our material properties are located in the State of São Paulo.
ITEM 5. OPERATING AND FINANCIAL REVIEW AND PROSPECTS
The following managements discussion and analysis of financial condition and results of operations should be read in conjunction with our audited financial statements included in this annual report. This annual report contains forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. Our actual results may differ materially from those discussed in the forward-looking statements as a result of various factors, including, without limitation, those set forth in Risk Factors.
The financial statements in this annual report have been prepared in accordance with the Brazilian Corporate Law Method, which differs in certain significant respects from U.S. GAAP. We have included a discussion below of the material differences between the Brazilian Corporate Law Method and U.S. GAAP related to each critical accounting policy in our audited financial statements. For additional information regarding other differences between the Brazilian Corporate Law Method and U.S. GAAP, please see note 23 to our financial statements.
In the following discussion, references to increases or decreases in any period are made by comparison with the corresponding prior period, except as the context otherwise indicates.
5.A. Operating and Financial Review and Prospects
Overview
We operate water and sewage systems in the State of São Paulo, including in the City of São Paulo, Brazils largest city, and in more than one-half of the other municipalities in the State of São Paulo. We also make wholesale sales of water to six additional municipalities in which we do not operate water systems.
The São Paulo Metropolitan Region, which includes the City of São Paulo, is our most important service territory. With a population of approximately 19.5 million, the São Paulo Metropolitan Region accounted for approximately 74.5%, 75.5% and 75.8% of our gross revenue from sales and services in 2004, 2005 and 2006, respectively. Approximately 71.8% of the property, plant and equipment reflected on our balance sheet as of December 31, 2006 is located in this region. In an effort to respond to demand in the São Paulo Metropolitan Region and because the region represents the principal opportunity to increase our net revenue from sales and services, we have dedicated a major portion of our capital expenditure program to expand the water and sewage systems and to increase and protect water sources in this region. Our capital expenditure program is our most significant liquidity and capital resource requirement.
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Factors Affecting Our Results of Operations
Our results of operations and financial condition are generally affected by our ability to raise tariffs, general economic conditions in Brazil and, in some previous periods, meteorological conditions. In 2004, results of operations and financial condition were also significantly affected by an increase in bad debt expenses net of recoveries, increases in electricity costs, and increases in payments for outside services. In 2005, hydrological conditions improved and with the increase in efficiencies in our system, we were able to increase capacity and production. We were therefore able to increase revenues reflecting both operational improvement and greater demand arising from the end of our water usage reduction bonus program. In 2006, our results of operations and financial condition were affected by an increase in the invoiced volume of water and sewage, as well as by a decrease in our financial expenses, as a result of our strategy to actively manage our capital market debts. Additionally, in 2006, our results of operations and financial condition was negatively affected by the adjustment of R$ 93.8 million, as a result of an analysis and conciliation procedure related to the accounting balance of our accounts receivable. See note 5 to our financial statements.
Effects of Tariff Increases
Our results of operations and financial condition are highly dependent upon our ability to set and collect adequate tariffs for our water and sewage services. Although we generally have broad power to establish tariffs within our service territories, this power is, in practice, subject to limits due to, among other factors, the following:
Tariffs have often failed to keep up with inflation during periods of high inflation in the past. During the past few years, we generally have been able to raise tariffs in line with increases in cost of sales and services and operating expenses and to support our liquidity and capital resource requirements. In 2000, we did not raise tariffs due to the State policy for that year of not increasing tariffs for many public services. In June 2001, however, we increased our average tariff by approximately 13.1%, which was broadly in line with prevailing inflation rates in Brazil since mid-1999 as measured by the consumer price index, and in August 2002, we increased our tariffs by 8.2% . In August 2003, we increased our tariffs for water and sewage services by 18.9%, in August 2004 we raised our tariffs for water and sewage services by 6.8% and in August 2005 we raised our tariffs for water and sewage services by 9.0% . In August 2006, we increased our tariffs by 6.71% .
Since August 2003, our tariffs have been determined using a transparent formula which accounts for inflation, covers our operating costs and other expenses and provides for a return on investment. Tariffs have historically been adjusted once a year and for periods of at least 12 months. We are currently evaluating and considering a potential revision to our tariff structure in order to improve our return on investment. We concluded a study on this topic in January 2006 and our board of executive officers created a team to evaluate and, if needed, to update and report the actions necessary for the implementation of the recommendations of the study. To date, we have not defined the term for these actions and we believe, based on our advisors opinion, that we will implement the recommendations of the study within four years.
The new basic sanitation law, Law No. 11,445, does not affect terms and conditions related to tariff adjustments under our existing concessions. Contracts that are currently in effect will be adjusted according to the formula that we have applied to them. Pursuant to Law No. 11,445, as a general rule, the new state regulatory authority that will be created and replace the Commission for the Regulation of Sanitation Service of the State of São Paulo, will be responsible for setting and adjusting tariffs. While the new state regulatory authority is not created, the Sanitation and Energy Secretariat of the State of São Paulo will be temporarily in charge of these responsibilities.
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The following table sets forth, for the periods indicated, the percentage increase of our tariffs, as compared to three inflation indices:
Year ended December 31, | ||||||||
2003(1) | 2004 | 2005 | 2006 | |||||
Increase in Average Tariff(2) | 18.9% | 6.8% | 9.0% | 6.7% | ||||
Inflation Índice de Preços ao Consumidor IPC FIPE | ||||||||
(Conscccumer Price Index) | 8.2% | 6.6% | 4.5% | 2.5% | ||||
Inflation Índice de Preços ao Consumidor Ampliado IPCA | ||||||||
(Extended Consumer Price) | 9.3% | 7.6% | 5.7% | 3.1% | ||||
Inflation Índice Geral de Preços do Mercado IGP-M (General | ||||||||
Price Index-Market) | 8.7% | 12.4% | 1.2% | 3.8% |
(1) |
Tariff increase effective August 29, 2003 for all categories except residential social (residences of low income families that live in sub- standard conditions, residences of persons unemployed for up to 12 months and collective living residences) and favela (shantytown). |
(2) |
Tariff increases, if any, for each period took effect in August of such year. |
Sources: Central Bank, Fundação Getúlio Vargas and Fundação Instituto de Pesquisas Econômicas. |
Effects of Brazilian Economic Conditions
As a company with all of its operations in Brazil, our results of operations and financial condition are affected by general economic conditions in Brazil, particularly by currency exchange rate movements, inflation rates and interest rate levels. For example, the general performance of the Brazilian economy affects demand for water and sewer services, and inflation affects our costs and our margins. The Brazilian economic environment has been characterized by significant variations in economic growth rates.
General Economic Conditions. In 2002, several negative economic factors adversely affected consumer confidence levels in Brazil. Prior to and subsequent to the presidential elections in November 2002, there was substantial uncertainty relating to Brazils own political and economic future.
In 2003, the new administration largely continued the macroeconomic policies of the previous administration. The real appreciated by 22.3% against the U.S. dollar in 2003 to R$2.8892 per US$1.00 as of December 31, 2003. Inflation for 2003, as measured by the IGP-M, was 8.7% . However, real gross domestic product decreased by 0.2% during 2003 largely because the very high interest rates that prevailed at the beginning of 2003 also constrained economic growth. The Brazilian economy showed signs of improvement in the third and fourth quarters of 2003 that continued through 2004. During 2004 real gross domestic product grew by 5.2%, inflation was 12.4% as measured by the IGP-M and the real appreciated 8.8% against the U.S. dollar as the real/U.S. dollar exchange rate decreased to 2.6544 reais as of December 31, 2004.
The principal events affecting the Brazilian macroeconomy in 2005 were the corruption allegations against government officials and Brazilian house representatives of the current president's support base, and the Central Banks efforts to meet the goal of 5.1% annual inflation, which resulted in the maintenance of high levels of interest rates, starting from November, the Central Bank has begun a process of reducing the official interest rate in order to encourage economic growth. As of December 31, 2005, the official interest rate was 18.00% .
In 2006, the appreciation trend continued and the real appreciated by 7.5% against the U.S. dollar between December 31, 2005 and 2006. Notwithstanding the reals appreciation, Brazils trade surplus was US$46.1 billion. The average unemployment rate increased from 8.3% for the year ended December 31, 2005, to 10.0% for the year ended December 31, 2006, in the principal metropolitan regions of Brazil, according to IBGE estimates. In 2006, the inflation rate, as measured by the IGP-M, was 3.8% .
Interest Rates. Interest rate levels in Brazil are closely linked to exchange rate movements and inflation rates. High domestic interest rates result in increases in our financial expenses and also negatively affect our ability to obtain financing, on a cost-effective basis, in domestic capital and lending markets. As a result, we may continue to require substantial amounts of foreign currency-denominated debt in order to satisfy our liquidity and capital resource requirements, which increase our exposure to exchange rate movements as discussed below.
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The Central Bank increased the official interest rate to 26.3% on February 19, 2003 and decreased it to 15.8% on April 14, 2004. The Central Bank increased the official interest rate to 17.74% on December 15, 2004. During the first four months of 2005, the Central Bank continued to raise the official interest rate, which reached 19.5% on April 20, 2005. However, starting from November, the Central Bank has begun a process of reducing the official interest rate. On December 31, 2005, the official interest rate was 18.0% . In 2006, the Central Bank continued to reduce the official interest rate, reaching 13.19% .
We have not utilized any derivative financial instruments, or any hedging instruments to mitigate interest rate fluctuations. We do, however, continually monitor market interest rates in order to evaluate the possible need to refinance our debt.
Inflation. Inflation affects our financial performance by increasing our costs of services rendered and operating expenses. In addition, all of our real-denominated debt is indexed to take into account the effects of inflation. Most of our real-denominated debt provides for inflation-based increases in the respective principal amounts of that debt, which increases are determined by reference to the daily government interest rate (Taxa Referencial-TR) plus an agreed margin. We cannot assure that we will be able, in future periods, to increase tariffs to offset, in full or in part, the effects of inflation.
The following table shows Brazilian inflation for the periods indicated:
Year ended December 31, | ||||||||
2003 | 2004 | 2005 | 2006 | |||||
Inflation Consumer Price Index (IPC-FIPE) | 8.2% | 6.6% | 4.5% | 2.5% | ||||
Inflation General Price Index- | ||||||||
Market (IGP-M) | 8.7% | 12.4% | 1.2% | 3.8% |
Currency Exchange Rates. We had total foreign currency-denominated indebtedness of R$1,472.8 million as of December 31, 2006. In the event of further significant devaluations of the real in relation to the U.S. dollar or other currencies, the cost of servicing our foreign currency-denominated obligations would increase as measured in reais, particularly as our tariff and other revenue are based solely in reais. In addition, any significant devaluation of the real will increase our financial expenses as a result of foreign exchange losses that we must record. For example, the 34.3% devaluation of the real in 2002 increased our financial expenses and negatively affected our overall results of operations for that year. In contrast, in 2003, the real appreciated 22.3% against the U.S. dollar, which resulted in a foreign exchange gain of R$540.6 million. The 8.8% appreciation of the real against the U.S. dollar in 2004 led to a foreign exchange gain of R$179.7 million. The 13.4% appreciation of the real against the U.S. dollar in 2005 led to a foreign exchange gain of R$312.1 million. The 9.5% appreciation of the real against the U.S. dollar in 2006 led to a foreign exchange gain of R$96.1 million.
The following table shows the devaluation (appreciation) of the real against the U.S. dollar, the period-end exchange rates and average exchange rates for the periods indicated:
Year ended December 31, | ||||||||
2003 | 2004 | 2005 | 2006 | |||||
Devaluation (appreciation) of the real versus U.S. dollar | (22.3)% | (8.8)% | (13.4)% | (9.5)% | ||||
Period-end exchange rate US$1.00 | R$2.8892 | R$2.6544 | R$2.3407 | R$2.1380 | ||||
Average exchange rate US$1.00(1) | R$3.0786 | R$2.9259 | R$2.4341 | R$2.1771 |
(1) | Represents the average for period indicated. |
Source: The Central Bank. |
At times, we enter into forward exchange transactions and financial funding transactions in reais to mitigate foreign currency exposure. In addition, we have monitored, overseen and controlled our indebtedness denominated in foreign currency, taking advantage of market opportunities to improve the profile of our indebtedness and reduce our costs.
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Effects of Drought
Brazil experienced a prolonged and severe drought during 2000 and 2001, although historically droughts have not impacted all of our water supply systems equally. During this period, the São Paulo Metropolitan Region, in particular, faced its worst drought in 65 years. As a result, from mid-June to mid-September in 2000, we rationed water in the south of the São Paulo Metropolitan Region, affecting approximately 3.5 million people, or approximately 20% of the total population of this region. Under this rationing, water was made available to our customers for only two out of every three days. During this period of rationing, we also reduced our total water production by approximately 8%. From April 2001 through January 2002, we rationed water in the west of the São Paulo Metropolitan Region, affecting approximately 300,000 people. Under this rationing, water was made available to these 300,000 customers for only 40 out of every 78 hours. Throughout 2003 rain levels were below average resulting in a weak replenishment of our reservoirs, particularly in the Cantareira system, the largest water supply system in the São Paulo Metropolitan Region. From October to December 2003, we rationed water on the western part of the São Paulo Metropolitan Region, served by the Alto Cotia system, affecting approximately 450,000 people, or approximately 2% of the regions population. Under this rationing, water was available to those people for three days, followed by two days of rationing. During this period our total water production volume was reduced by 0.8% . As a result of the drought, our revenue declined as our volume of water billed decreased, and our costs increased because of required expenditures to protect and develop water sources and to preserve water quality. The impact that droughts have may vary across our different systems, which may allow us to mitigate the effects of any particular drought. The effects of the drought continued to affect our systems through 2004. In order to minimize the effects of this drought we implemented a water usage reduction bonus program. Due to this program and the return to normal rainfall levels that occurred throughout 2004 and early 2005, the conditions of our reservoirs have improved. In 2006, the rainfall was sufficient to enable the increase in the volume of water held in our reservoirs.
Effects of the Water Usage Reduction Bonus Program
In order to encourage customers to use less water in drought conditions, in 2004 we instituted a bonus system, rewarding customers who reduced their water consumption by specified amounts. The bonus was shown on each customers bill as a discount, and was calculated based on the customers water usage each month, and applied to decrease the amount payable by that customer.
This water usage reduction program took effect on March 15, 2004 and ended on September 15, 2004, and had the following effects:
Our results for 2004 reflect the impact of these effects, all of which lowered our revenue from March 15, 2004 to September 15, 2004, thus affecting bills sent out through October. In 2004, the volume of water and sewage invoiced decreased by 1.4%, and our revenue from water and sewage services provided to the São Paulo Metropolitan Region decreased by R$74.1 million, as a result of our water reduction program. This reduction was offset in part by the positive impact of tariff readjustments.
Critical Accounting Policies, Practices and Estimates
Critical accounting policies and practices are those that are both (1) important to the portrayal of our financial condition and results of operations and (2) require managements most difficult, subjective or complex judgments, often as a result of the need to make estimates about the effect of matters that are inherently uncertain. As the number of variables and assumptions affecting the possible future resolution of the uncertainties increase, those judgments become even more subjective and complex. In order to provide an understanding about how our management forms its judgments about future events, including the variables and assumptions underlying the estimates, and the sensitivity of those judgments to different circumstances, we have identified the critical accounting policies and practices discussed below.
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Our management discussion and analysis of financial condition and results of operations are based upon our primary financial statements, which have been prepared in accordance with the Brazilian Corporate Law Method, which differs in significant respects from U.S. GAAP. We have included a discussion on material differences between the Brazilian Corporate Law Method and U.S. GAAP related to each critical accounting policy in our audited financial statements.
Allowance for Doubtful Accounts
We record allowance for doubtful accounts in an amount that our management considers sufficient to cover probable losses, based on an analysis of customer accounts receivable, taking into consideration the expected recovery in different categories of customers. We record an allowance for doubtful accounts for balances receivable in excess of R$5,000 and overdue for more than 360 days, and for balances receivable in excess of R$30,000 and overdue for more than 360 days as to which we have commenced judicial collection proceedings. The amount is thus calculated and adjusted when it is in excess or insufficient, based on an aging analysis of receipts and on the expected recovery at different categories of customers. Accounts receivable balances under R$5,000 and overdue for more than 180 days are written off as a direct charge to income.
Provisions for the allowance for doubtful accounts are included in selling expenses, net of recoveries. The net charge to this allowance was R$37.6 million in 2003, R$241.6 million in 2004 and R$255.3 million in 2005. In 2006, it was R$411.9 million (excluding the effects of the adjustment of R$93.8 million, as a result of an analysis and conciliation procedure related to the accounting balance of our accounts receivable, the net charge to this allowance in 2006 was R$318.2 million).
Our methodology for determining the allowance for doubtful accounts receivable requires significant estimates, considering a number of factors including historical collection experience, current economic trends, estimates of forecast write-offs, the aging of the accounts receivable portfolio and other factors. While we believe that the estimates we use are reasonable, actual results could differ from those estimates.
In addition, we have substantial assets consisting of amounts owed by the State. These amounts consist primarily of accounts receivable for services, reimbursement for pensions paid and amounts due under our December 2001 and March 2004 agreement with the State. See Item 7.B. Major Shareholders and Related Party TransactionsRelated Party Transactions. We do not reserve against any of these amounts owed by the State due to the following factors:
As of December 31, 2006, the amounts owed to us by the State for the provision of water and sewage services included R$148.8 million which was considered overdue as of February 29, 2004. As of December 31, 2006 the State owed us an additional R$308.0 million in accounts receivable related to the provision of water and sewage services rendered from February 2004. With respect to reimbursement for pensions paid on behalf of the State, the State owed us R$774.5 million as of December 31, 2006 (R$320.6 million of which was acknowledged by the State in an agreement with us subject to a further audit which has not yet occurred). We have not established any provisions for any amounts due to us by the State.
For U.S. GAAP purposes, the amounts receivable from the State for pensions paid is not recorded as accounts receivable, but rather is included as part of our estimated pension and other post-retirement obligations. Only amounts effectively reimbursed by the State are presented as additional paid-in capital. No additional differences have been identified between accounting policies for accounts receivable and allowance for doubtful accounts under the Brazilian Corporate Law Method and U.S. GAAP.
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Indemnities Receivable
Indemnities receivable is a long-term asset representing amounts receivable from the Municipalities of Diadema and Mauá as indemnification for the unilateral withdrawal by those authorities of our water and sewage service concessions in 1995. As of December 31, 2006 this asset amounted to R$148.8 million.
Under our concession agreements we invested in the construction of water and sewage systems in these municipalities to meet our concession service commitments. Upon the unilateral termination of the Diadema and Mauá concessions, our assets were impounded by the municipal authorities, which took on the responsibility of providing water and sewage services in these areas. At that time, we reclassified our property, plant and equipment balances relating to the impounded assets to long-term assets (indemnities receivable) and recorded impairment charges to reduce the carrying value of the assets to the estimated recoverable amounts for which we had contractually agreed as fair compensation with the relevant authorities.
Our rights to the recovery of these amounts are being disputed by the municipalities and no amounts have been received to date. Based on the advice of legal counsel, we continue to believe that we have the right to receive such amounts and we continue to monitor the status of the legal proceedings. However, the ultimate amounts to be received, if any, will most likely be subject to a final court decision. As such, actual amounts received could differ from those recorded.
With respect to Mauá, a decision has been issued by the lower court requiring Mauá to pay us the amount of R$153.2 million as compensation for the loss of profits. For more information, see Item 8.A. Financial InformationConsolidated Statements and other InformationLegal Proceedings.
No differences have been identified between accounting policies on compensation for concession termination adopted under the Brazilian Corporate Law Method and U.S. GAAP.
Property, Plant and Equipment
Valuation of Long-Lived Assets. We review long-lived assets, primarily buildings, water and sewage system assets and acquired concession assets to be held and used in our business, for the purpose of determining and measuring impairment on a recurring basis or when events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying value of an asset or group of assets may not be recoverable. Under the Brazilian Corporate Law Method, we evaluate possible impairment by determining whether projected future operating income is sufficient to absorb the depreciation or amortization of long-lived assets, within the context of the balance sheet as a whole.
Studies supporting the write-offs for obsolescence and abandonment of projects are conducted in the accounting period of the write-offs based on undiscounted cash flow projections, and approved by our board of directors. We monitor the carrying value of our property, plant and equipment on an on-going basis and adjust the net book value to assure future projected operations will be sufficient to recover the carrying value of the assets. Depreciation is provided using the straight-line method based on the estimated useful lives of the underlying assets. When possible, depreciation rates are adjusted to take account of changes in estimated prospective depreciable lives as assets are replaced.
U.S. GAAP Statement of Financial Accounting Standards, or SFAS, No. 144, Accounting for the Impairment of Long-lived Assets, requires companies to periodically evaluate the carrying value of long-lived assets to be held and used, and for long-lived assets to be disposed of, when events and circumstances warrant such a review. Companies are required to identify the smallest unit, or group, of assets at which cash flows generated by the group can be measured. The projected undiscounted cash flows from each such asset group is compared to its carrying value. For those assets for which the projected cash flows are not sufficient to recover the carrying values, a loss is recognized to the extent that the carrying value exceeds the fair market value of the assets.
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In evaluating impairment of our long-lived assets, we make significant assumptions and estimates regarding matters that are inherently uncertain, including projections of future operating income and cash flows, future growth rates, and the remaining useful lives of the assets, among others. In addition, projections are computed over an extended period of time, which subjects those assumptions and estimates to an even larger degree of uncertainty. While we believe that the estimates we use are reasonable, the use of different assumptions could materially affect our valuations.
No adjustments have been included in the reconciliation from the Brazilian Corporate Law Method to U.S. GAAP to take account of differences between the measurement criteria, because no impairment provisions were required based on our analysis of cash flows. Losses on the write-off of property, plant and equipment arose primarily from adjustments upon withdrawal of concession assets, construction-in-progress projects which were deemed no longer to be economically feasible and obsolescence write-offs.
Depreciation of Property, Plant and Equipment. Depreciation of our property, plant and equipment, primarily buildings, water and sewage service and other assets acquired, is provided using the straight-line method based on the estimated useful lives of the underlying assets.
While we believe that our estimates of current remaining estimated lives is reasonable, the use of different assumptions and estimates and changes in future circumstances, could affect the remaining useful lives of our asset, which could have a significant impact on our results of operations in the future.
Loss Contingencies
We are a party to a number of legal proceedings involving significant monetary claims. These legal proceedings include, among others, tax, labor, civil, environmental, condemnation and other proceedings. For a more detailed discussion of these legal proceedings, see note 15 to our financial statements. We accrue for probable losses resulting from these claims and proceedings when we determine that the likelihood that a loss has occurred is probable and the amount of such loss can be reasonably estimated. As such, we are required to make judgments regarding future events for which we often seek the advice of legal counsel. As a result of the significant judgment required in assessing and estimating these loss contingencies, actual losses realized in future periods could differ significantly from our estimates and could exceed the amounts which we have provisioned.
No differences have been identified between accounting policies on loss contingencies adopted under the Brazilian Corporate Law Method and U.S. GAAP.
Pension Plans
Plan G1. We sponsor a funded defined-benefit pension and benefits fund, or Plan G1, which is operated and administered by SABESPREVFundação SABESP de Seguridade Social.
Under the Brazilian Corporate Law Method, prior to January 1, 2002, we recorded pension expense on an accrual basis based on our contributions to the plan. Effective January 1, 2002, in accordance with the issuance of a new accounting standard, we began accounting for our actuarial obligation under Plan G1. As permitted under this standard, we are amortizing the transition liability related to the actuarial value of our obligation at the date of adoption of the new standard over a period of five years, which is recorded in our statements of operations as an extraordinary item, net of the related tax impacts. For 2005, pension costs charged to income totaled R$65.7 million, of which R$53.2 million (net of tax effects, totaling R$35.1million) was presented as extraordinary item net of income tax and social contribution. The remaining R$12.5 million was charged to cost of services rendered, general and administrative expenses and selling expenses. For 2006, pension costs charged to income totaled R$56.0 million, of which R$53.2 million (net of tax effects totaling R$35.1 million) was presented as extraordinary item net of income tax and social contribution. The remaining R$2.8 million was charged to cost of services rendered, general and administrative expenses and selling expenses. Based on independent actuarial reports, as of December 31, 2006, our obligation under Plan G1 was R$321.2 million. See note 13 to our financial statements.
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Under U.S. GAAP, we had already adopted the provisions of SFAS No. 87, Employers Accounting for Pensions prior to 2002, which requires that we recognize an actuarial liability for pension benefits under Plan G1. While the actuarial assumptions used for U.S. GAAP are the same as those used in determining the actuarial liability under the Brazilian Corporate Law Method, pension costs and obligations under U.S. GAAP and the Brazilian Corporate Law Method are not the same, mainly due to differences related to the first year of application, the amortization of the initial transition obligation, amortization periods for other actuarial gains and losses, and actuarial calculation methods, among others. After the issuance of SFAS 158 Employers Accounting for Defined Benefit Pension and Other Postretirement Plans an amendment of FASB Statements No. 87, 88, 106, and 132(R), in September 2006, an employer is required to recognize the overfunded or underfunded status of a defined benefit postretirement plan (other than a multi-employer plan) as an asset or liability in its statement of financial position and to recognize changes in that funded status in the year in which the changes occur through comprehensive income of a business entity or changes in unrestricted net assets of a not-for-profit organization. This statement also requires an employer to measure the funded status of a plan as of the date of its year-end statement of financial position, with limited exceptions. See note 23 to our financial statements.
We are currently evaluating the possible introduction of a defined contribution plan for new employees and providing existing employees an option to switch to this new plan from Plan G1.
Plan G0. Pursuant to a law enacted by the State, some of its employees who provided service to us prior to May 1974 and retired as employees of ours acquired a legal right to receive supplemental pension payments (which rights are referred to as Plan G0). These amounts are paid by us on behalf of the State and are claimed as reimbursement from the State. As such, no pension expense related to Plan G0 is recorded and no future obligations are recorded under the Brazilian Corporate Law Method.
Consistent with the guidance in SEC Staff Accounting Bulletin Topic 5-T (SAB No. 5-T), under U.S. GAAP, we recognize the costs and obligations associated with Plan G0 supplemental pension benefits on a push-down basis, as we are the recipients of the benefits of the employee service for which the supplemental pension benefits are made. The Plan G0 benefit obligation and expenses are accounted for in accordance with SFAS No. 87. Eventual amounts received as reimbursement from the State, if any, are treated as additional paid-in-capital. As such, Plan G0 is considered unfunded for purposes of U.S. GAAP. See note 23 to our financial statements.
Assumptions. Accounting for these pension benefits under the Brazilian Corporate Law Method and U.S. GAAP, requires an extensive use of assumptions, including those related to the inflation adjusted discount rate, expected return on plan assets, the expected rate of future compensation increases received by our employees, mortality rates, and turnover. We review each assumption annually, with the assistance of our actuarial consultant who provides guidance in establishing the assumptions. The assumptions are selected to represent the weighted average expected experience over time and may differ in any one year from actual experience due to changes in the capital markets and the overall economy, regulatory events, judicial rulings, and higher or lower actual rates of withdrawal, turnover or mortality among our participating employees. While we believe that our assumptions used are appropriate, differences in actual experience or changes in assumptions could affect the amount of pension expense that we recognize.
The present value of our pension obligations was based on a discount rate of 12.32% for 2004, 2005 and 2006. Our pension obligation and expense increases as the discount rate is reduced.
Our expected return on assets for Plan G1 is determined by evaluating the asset class return expectations with our advisors, as well as actual, long-term historical results of our asset returns. For 2006, we used an expected rate of return on assets assumption of 12.06% . The expected return on assets assumption is based on a targeted allocation of investments in accordance with the investment strategies of the plans. We believe that this targeted allocation will, on average, approximate actual long-term asset allocation.
Certain Transactions with Controlling Shareholder
Reimbursement Due from the State. Reimbursement due from the State for pensions paid represent supplementary pensions (Plan G0) that we pay, on behalf of the State, to former employees of the State-owned companies which merged to form a company. These amounts are reimbursed to us by the State, as primary obligor. However, these amounts have been outstanding for a long period. We account for these as long-term assets, and we do not reserve against such accounts receivable as we expect to recover these amounts and loss is not considered probable.
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Accounts Receivable from the State for Water and Sewage Service Provided. Certain of these accounts receivable have been overdue for a long period and we do not reserve against such accounts receivable as we fully expect to recover these amounts and loss is not considered probable. We have entered into agreements with the state with respect to these accounts receivable. For further information on these agreements, see note 6 to our financial statements.
Use of Certain Assets Owned by the State. We currently use certain reservoirs in the Alto Tietê System and the Billings and Guarapiranga reservoirs which are owned indirectly by the State. We currently do not pay any fees with respect to the use of these reservoirs. However, we are responsible for maintaining and meeting the operating costs of these reservoirs. If these facilities had not been made available for our use, we would have had to obtain water from more distant sources, which would be more costly. The State does not incur operating costs on our behalf.
The arrangement not to pay any fees to the State for the use of certain reservoirs of the Alto Tietê System is addressed by a number of formal agreements first entered into on March 31, 1992 and on April 24, 1997 and later amended on March 16, 2000 and on November 21, 2001, respectively. As part of the arrangement, we agreed to fund 100.0% of the estimated costs of the 1992 agreement (equal to R$27.8 million) and 75.0% of the 1997 agreement (equal to R$63.4 million) which was already disbursed, and the Government of the State of São Paulo, through the State Department of Water and Energy, agreed to fund approximately 25.0% of the estimated costs of the 1997 agreement (equal to R$21.1 million), to construct ducts, tunnels and other facilities to interconnect the Tietê River with the Biritiba and Jundiaí reservoirs and other bodies of water in exchange for our use of the reservoirs during a 30-year period. The amendments to the 1997 agreement increased our obligations under such agreement by R$5.9 million.
We have the right to draw water and release emissions in the reservoirs in the Alto Tietê system during a 30-year period which began in 1997. We capitalize our expenditures on the facilities we construct. The project subject to the 1992 agreement was concluded and the assets entered operations in 1994. The project subject to the 1997 contract became operational in 2002 and is being depreciated on a straight-line basis through 2027.
The arrangement for use of the Billings and Guarapiranga reservoirs is provided for through a grant issued by the Department of Water and Energy. We have a right to use these reservoirs so long as we remain responsible for maintaining and meeting their operating costs.
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Results of Operations
The following table sets forth, for the periods indicated, certain items in our statement of operations, each expressed as a percentage of net revenue from sales and services:
Year ended December 31, | ||||||
2004 | 2005 | 2006 | ||||
Net revenue from sales and services | 100 | 100 | 100 | |||
Cost of sales and services | (51.2) | (48.0) | (47.3) | |||
Gross profit | 48.8 | 52.0 | 52.7 | |||
Selling expenses | (11.4) | (10.9) | (13.0) | |||
Administrative expenses | (7.1) | (7.0) | (7.1) | |||
Financial expenses, net | (11.5) | (9.0) | (10.2) | |||
Income (loss) from operations | 18.8 | 25.1 | 22.4 | |||
Non-operating expenses, net | (0.8) | (0.5) | (0.9) | |||
Income (loss) before taxes on income | 18.0 | 24.6 | 21.5 | |||
Income tax and social contribution tax | (5.5) | (6.4) | (6.8) | |||
Extraordinary item, net of income tax and social contribution tax | (0.8) | (0.7) | (0.6) | |||
Net income (loss) | 11.7 | 17.5 | 14.1 |
Year Ended December 31, 2006 Compared to Year Ended December 31, 2005
Net Revenue from Sales and Services
Net revenue from sales and services increased by R$573.9 million, or 11.6%, to R$5,527.3 million in 2006, from R$4,953.4 million in 2005.
Net revenue from sales and services relating to water services in 2006 increased by R$320.8 million, or 11.2%, to R$3,177.3 million in 2006, from R$2,856.5 million in 2005. This increase was principally due to:
Net revenue from sales and services relating to sewage services increased by R$253.2 million, or 12.1%, to R$2,350.1 million in 2006, from R$2,096.9 million in 2005. Volumes of sewage increased by 4.0%, while tariffs increased by 9.0% .
Cost of Sales and Services
The cost of sales and services increased by R$240.4 million, or 10.1%, to R$2,616.8 million in 2006, from R$2,376.4 million in 2005. As a percentage of net revenue from sales and services, cost of sales and services decreased to 47.3% in 2006 from 48.0% in 2005.
The increase in overall costs was principally due to the following factors:
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Gross Profit
As a result of the factors discussed above, gross profit in 2006 increased by R$333.5 million, or 12.9%, to R$2,910.5 million in 2006, from R$2,577.0 million in 2005. As a percentage of net revenue from sales and services, gross profit increased to 52.7% in 2006 from 52.0% in 2005.
Selling Expenses
Selling expenses in 2006 increased by R$181.4 million, or 33.7%, to R$719.2 million in 2006, from R$537.8 million in 2005. As a percentage of net revenue from sales and services, selling expenses increased to 13.0% in 2006, from 10.9% in 2005.
The increase in selling expenses was primarily due to the following factors:
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Administrative Expenses
Administrative expenses for 2006 increased by R$37.8 million, or 10.8%, to R$387.4 million in 2006, from R$349.6 million in 2005. As a percentage of net revenue from sales and services, administrative expenses decreased to 7.0% in 2006, from 7.1% in 2005.
The increase in administrative expenses primarily reflected:
Financial Expenses, Net
Financial expenses, net consist primarily of interest on our indebtedness, foreign exchange losses (or gains) in respect of our indebtedness, offset partially by interest income on cash and time deposits and inflation-based indexation accruals, mainly relating to agreements entered into with some customers to settle overdue accounts receivable.
Financial expenses, net in 2006 increased by R$116.3 million, or 26.0%, to R$563.3 million in 2006, from R$447.0 million in 2005. As a percentage of net revenue from sales and services, financial expenses, net decreased to 10.2% in 2006, from 9.0% in 2005. Financial expenses increased R$127.1 million, or 22.6% . The increase in financial expenses was primarily due to:
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The increase in financial expenses, net was partially offset by:
Financial income increased by R$10.4 million, or 9.0%, to R$125.9 million in 2006, from R$115.5 million in 2005, which was related to interest income from short-term investments.
As of December 31, 2006, 76.7% of our debt was denominated in reais and 23.3% was denominated in U.S. dollars.
Income from Operations
As a result of the factors discussed above, income from operations in 2006 decreased by R$2.0 million, or 0.2%, to R$1,240.6 million in 2006, from R$1,242.6 million in 2005.
Non-Operating Expenses
Non-operating expenses in 2006 increased by R$25.5 million, or 100.4%, to R$50.9 million, from R$25.4 million in 2005. Losses on the disposal of obsolete assets were R$47.8 million in 2006, compared to R$19.1 million in 2005.
Income Tax and Social Contribution Tax
Income tax and social contribution tax (including deferred taxes) in 2006 increased by R$59.2 million, or 18.7%, to R$375.7 million from R$316.5 million in 2005. This was primarily due to the increase in taxable income, which was R$1,283.5 in 2006, compared to R$1,217.2 million in 2005. This increase in profits was partially offset by tax benefits resulting from the declaration of interest on shareholders equity. This benefit amounted to R$92.1 million in 2006, compared to R$118.4 million in 2005, over interest on shareholders equity in the amounts of R$270.8 million and R$348.2 million, respectively.
Extraordinary Item
In accordance with the requirements of the CVM, under CVM Deliberation No. 371/2000, we have elected to recognize the actuarial transition liability of R$266.1 million calculated as of December 31, 2001 with respect to our defined-benefit pension plan (Plan G1) on a straight-line basis against earnings over the five-year period ending December 31, 2006.
As permitted, the expense is recorded as an extraordinary item of R$35.1 million, net of income tax, of R$18.1 million, for both 2006 and 2005.
Net Income
As a result of the factors discussed above, net income decreased by 10.0%, to R$778.9 million in 2006, from R$865.6 million in 2005. Excluding the effects of the adjustment of R$93.8 million, which was a result of an analysis and conciliation procedure related to the accounting balance of our accounts receivable, our net income would have increased by R$7.0 million. The bulk of this increase derived from profits from operations, which recorded a significant growth of 40.3%, and the 8.7% appreciation of the real contributed to the balance of the increase.
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Year Ended December 31, 2005 Compared to Year Ended December 31, 2004
Net Revenue from Sales and Services
Net revenue from sales and services increased by R$556.3 million, or 12.7%, to R$4,953.4 million in 2005, from R$4,397.1 million in 2004.
Net revenue from sales and services relating to water services in 2005 increased by R$315.5 million, or 12.4%, to R$2,856.5 million in 2005, from R$2,541.0 million in 2004. This increase was principally due to:
Net revenue from sales and services relating to sewage services increased by R$240.8 million, or 13%, to R$2,096.9 million in 2005, from R$1,856.1 million in 2004. Volumes of sewage increased by 5.0%, while tariffs increased by 9.0% .
Cost of Sales and Services
The cost of sales and services increased by R$123.0 million, or 5.5%, to R$2,376.4 million in 2005, from R$2,253.4 million in 2004. As a percentage of net revenue from sales and services, cost of sales and services decreased to 48.0% in 2005 from 51.2% in 2004.
The increase in overall costs was principally due to the following factors:
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Gross Profit
As a result of the factors discussed above, gross profit in 2005 increased by R$433.3 million, or 20.2%, to R$2,577.0 million in 2005, from R$2,143.7 million in 2004. As a percentage of net revenue from sales and services, gross profit increased to 52.0% in 2005 from 48.8% in 2004.
Selling Expenses
Selling expenses in 2005 increased by R$35.3 million, or 7.0%, to R$537.8 million in 2005, from R$502.5 million in 2004. As a percentage of net revenue from sales and services, selling expenses decreased to 10.9% in 2005, from 11.4% in 2004.
The increase in selling expenses was primarily due to the following factors:
These increases were offset by:
Administrative Expenses
Administrative expenses for 2005 increased by R$36.0 million, or 11.5%, to R$349.6 million in 2005, from R$313.6 million in 2004. As a percentage of net revenue from sales and services, administrative expenses were approximately 7.1% in 2005 and in 2004.
The increase in administrative expenses primarily reflected:
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Financial Expenses, Net
Financial expenses, net consist primarily of interest on our indebtedness, foreign exchange losses (or gains) in respect of our indebtedness, offset partially by interest income on cash and time deposits and inflation-based indexation accruals, mainly relating to agreements entered into with some customers to settle overdue accounts receivable.
Financial expenses, net in 2005 decreased by R$56.7 million, or 11.3%, to R$447.0 million in 2005, from R$503.7 million in 2004. As a percentage of net revenue from sales and services, financial expenses, net decreased to 9.0% in 2005, from 11.5% in 2004. Financial expenses decreased R$79.9 million, or 12.5% .
The decrease in financial expenses was primarily due to:
The decrease in financial expenses was offset by:
Financial income decreased by R$23.2 million, or 16.8%, to R$114.7 million in 2005, from R$137.9 million in 2004, which was related to a decrease of R$26.3 million in income from monetary variations, to R$34.0 million in 2005, from R$60.3 million in 2004, due to indexation adjustments.
As of December 31, 2005, 76.4% of our debt was denominated in reais and 23.6% was denominated in U.S. dollars.
Income from Operations
As a result of the factors discussed above, income from operations in 2005 increased by R$418.7 million, or 50.8%, to R$1,242.6 million in 2005, from R$823.9 million in 2004.
Non-Operating Expenses
Non-operating expenses in 2005 decreased by R$8.5 million, or 25.1%, to R$25.4 million, from R$33.9 million in 2004. Losses on disposal of obsolete assets were R$19.1 million in 2005, compared to R$34.4 million in 2004.
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Income Tax and Social Contribution Tax
Income tax and social contribution tax (including deferred taxes) in 2005 increased by R$74.6 million, or 30.8%, to R$316.5 million from R$241.9 million in 2004. This was primarily due to the increase in taxable income, which was R$1,217.2 in 2005, compared to R$790.0 million in 2004. This increase in profits was partially offset by tax benefits resulting from the declaration of interest on shareholders equity. This benefit amounted to R$118.4 million in 2005, compared to R$52.0 million in 2004, over interest on shareholders equity in the amounts of R$348.2 million and R$152.9 million, respectively.
Extraordinary Item
In accordance with the requirements of the CVM, under CVM Deliberation No. 371/2000, we have elected to recognize the actuarial transition liability of R$266.1 million calculated as of December 31, 2001 with respect to our defined-benefit pension plan (Plan G1) on a straight-line basis against earnings over the five-year period ending December 31, 2006.
As permitted, the expense is recorded as an extraordinary item of R$35.1 million, net of income tax, of R$18.1 million, for both 2005 and 2004.
Net Income
As a result of the factors discussed above, net income increased by 68.8%, to R$865.6 million in 2005, from R$513.0 million in 2004. The bulk of this increase derived from profits from operations, which recorded a significant growth of 66.2%, and the 11.8% appreciation of the real contributed to the balance of the increase.
U.S. GAAP Reconciliation
Our net income in accordance with the Brazilian Corporate Law Method was R$513.0 million, R$865.6 million and R$778.9 million in 2004, 2005 and 2006, respectively. Under U.S. GAAP, we would have reported net income of R$417.5 million, R$791.2 million and R$622.5 million in 2004, 2005 and 2006.
Our shareholders equity in accordance with the Brazilian Corporate Law Method totaled R$7,951.6 million, R$8,482.5 million and R$9,018.5 million as of December 31, 2004, 2005 and 2006, respectively. Under U.S. GAAP, we would have reported shareholders equity of R$6,364.8 million, R$6,821.4 million and R$7,298.2 million as of December 31, 2004, 2005 and 2006, respectively.
The principal differences between the Brazilian Corporate Law Method and U.S. GAAP that affect our net income in 2004, 2005 and 2006, as well as shareholders equity as of December 31, 2004, 2005 and 2006, relate to the treatment of the following items:
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See note 23 to our financial statements for a description of these differences as they relate to us and a reconciliation of net income and total shareholders equity from the Brazilian Corporate Law Method to U.S. GAAP.
5.B. Liquidity and Capital Resources
Capital Sources
In order to satisfy our liquidity and capital requirements, we have primarily relied on cash provided by operating activities, borrowings from Brazilian Federal and State governmental financial institutions, and financing from multilateral organizations and from domestic and international capital markets. As of December 31, 2006, we had R$328.2 million of cash and cash equivalents. Outstanding short-term debt was R$852.5 million as of December 31, 2006, of which R$120.1 million was denominated in foreign currency. Long-term debt was R$5,474.3 million, of which R$1,352.6 million consisted of foreign currency-denominated obligations. We believe that we have sufficient sources of liquidity and capital to meet our liquidity and capital requirements for the next few years, in light of our current financial position and our expected cash generated by operating activities.
Cash Provided by Operating Activities. Cash provided by operating activities is, and we anticipate that it will continue to be, the single largest source of our liquidity and capital resources in future years and financial periods. Our cash generated by operating activities was R$1,441.1 million, R$1,737.6 million and R$2,020.8 million in 2004, 2005 and 2006.
We have overdue accounts receivable from the State and from the municipalities to which we provide water on a wholesale basis. For more information, see Item 7.B. Major Shareholders and Related Party TransactionsRelated Party Transactions.
Debt Financing. As of December 31, 2006, we had R$5,474.3 million in long-term debt outstanding (excluding the current portion of long-term debt), of which R$1,352.6 million consisted of foreign currency-denominated long-term debt. We had outstanding short-term debt of approximately R$852.5 million as of December 31, 2006, representing the current portion of our long-term debt.
As of December 31, 2006, approximately R$120.1 million of this short-term debt was denominated in foreign currencies. Substantially all of our foreign currency-denominated debt of R$1,472.8 million as of December 31, 2006 was denominated in U.S. dollars or in baskets of foreign currencies.
This debt consisted principally of:
(1) R$931.9 million (US$435.9 million) in U.S. dollar denominated loans from the Inter-American Development Bank. Under these loans, payments of principal are made in semi-annual installments with final maturity in July 2025. The principal amount is adjusted semi-annually for the variation in a basket of foreign currencies and accrues interest at a rate varying from 3.00% to 7.70% . We have pledged part of our receivables from our sales and services up to the amount due as collateral. For further information on the terms of these loan agreements, see Item 4.A. History and Development of the CompanyCapital Expenditure ProgramTietê Project.
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(2) R$209.6 million (US$98.1 million) in aggregate principal amount of our 12% notes due 2008 sold in the international capital markets in June 2003 and R$299.3 million (US$140.0 million) in the aggregate principal amount of our 7.5% notes due 2016 sold to the international capital markets in November 2006.
(3) R$4.8 million (US$2.2 million) in U.S. dollar loans from the World Bank. Under the loan agreement, amortizations of principal are made in 20 semi-annual installments every month of April and October, with final maturity in April 2007 (the 20th installment was paid on April 15, 2007). The principal amount is adjusted semi-annually for the variation in the basket of foreign currencies and accrues interest at a rate of 5.15% . We have granted as collateral some of our properties. For more information on the properties pledged, see Item 4.A. History and Development of the CompanyCapital Expenditure ProgramTietê Project and Item 4.D. History and Development of the CompanyProperty, Plant and Equipment. For a detailed discussion on the terms and guarantees of this loan agreement, see Item 7.B. Major Shareholders and Related Party TransactionsRelated Party TransactionsGovernment Guarantees on Financing.
Our borrowings from multilateral institutions, such as the World Bank and the Inter-American Development Bank, have in the past been, and in the future are likely to be, guaranteed by the Government of the State or the Federal Government. We do not pay fees for these guarantees. Under some of the loan agreements with the Inter-American Development Bank, we have granted a guarantee (contra garantia) to the Federal Government.
Our outstanding domestic debt was approximately R$4,854.0 million as of December 31, 2006 and consisted primarily of real-denominated loans from Federal and State-owned banks, in particular, Banco do Brasil S.A., Caixa Econômica Federal and the Brazilian National Bank for Economic and Social Development (Banco Nacional de Desenvolvimento Econômico e Social), or BNDES, as well as debentures issued in April 2001, April 2002, September 2004 and March and June 2005.
The following summarizes our principal borrowings from Federal and State-owned banks:
(1) In March 1994, we entered into a loan agreement with Banco do Brasil S.A.. Amortizations of principal amount are made in 240 successive monthly installments, with final maturity in 2014. The principal amount accrues interest at the daily government interest rate plus 8.50% per annum and monetary adjustment.
(2) We have entered into several line of credit agreements with Caixa Econômica Federal, pursuant to which amortizations of principal are made paid in 120 or 180 months in monthly installments after 30 days following a grace period, which varies from 14 to 36 months from the date of the first draw-down. The final maturity is 2022. The principal amount accrues interest at a rate varying from 5.00% to 9.50% .
(3) In August 2002, we entered into a line of credit agreement with BNDES. The final maturity date will be in February 2013. The principal amount accrues interest at the long-term rate fixed by the Federal Government (Taxa de Juros de Longo Prazo), or TJLP, limited to 6%, plus 3.00% per annum. If the TJLP exceeds 6%, such excess will be added to the principal amount payable at maturity.
In addition, we entered into a credit agreement on August 6, 2004 with the JBIC for the financing of the Environmental Recovery Program for the Santos Metropolitan Region, which was guaranteed by the Federal Government for an aggregate principal amount of Í21,320 million (R$382.8 million). The disbursements began in January 2006. As of December 31, 2006, the total amount disbursed was R$11.7 million. In addition to the amount received under the JBIC credit agreement, we intend to invest up to R$355.0 million in this program. Under this financing agreement, amortizations are made in semi-annual installments in August and February, with final maturity 2029. This obligation is guaranteed by the Federal Government. For further information on the terms and guarantees of this financing agreement, see Item 7.B. Major Shareholders and Related Party TransactionsRelated Party TransactionsGovernment Guarantees of Financing and Item 4.A. History and Development of the CompanyCapital Expenditure ProgramCapital Expenditure ProgramEnvironmental Recovery Program for the Santos Metropolitan Region.
In addition, we are currently negotiating with BNDES and Caixa Econômica Federal for additional loans to finance portions of our capital expenditure program.
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With respect to the debentures issued on September 17, 2004, we filed a securities shelf program with the CVM through which we were able to offer non-convertible debentures in the aggregate amount of R$1.5 billion. We issued the total amount available under this shelf program by July 1995. As part of the program:
(1) We issued R$600.0 million in aggregate principal amount of debentures in September 2004 (our 6th issuance), offered in three separate series. The debentures of the first, second and third series will mature within three, five and six years after issuance, respectively. The debentures of the first series in the amount of R$231.8 million bear interest at the interbank deposit rate (CDI) plus 1.75% per year, and the debentures of the second series in the amount of R$188.3 million, and of the third series, in the amount of R$179.9 million, bear interest at rates of IGP-M index plus 11.0% per year.
(2) We also issued R$300.0 million in aggregate principal amount of debentures in March 2005 (our 7th issuance), offered in two series. The debentures of the first and second series will mature within four and five years, respectively, after issuance. The debentures of the first series, in the total amount of R$200.0 million, bear interest at the interbank deposit rate (CDI) plus 1.5% per year, and the debentures of the second series, in the total amount of R$100.0 million, bear interest at the rate of IGP-M index plus 10.8% per year.
(3) We also issued R$700.0 million in aggregate principal amount of debentures in June 2005 (our 8th issuance), offered in two series. The debentures of the first and second series will mature within four and six years, respectively, after issuance. The debentures of the first series, in the total amount of R$350.0 million, bear interest at the interbank deposit rate (CDI) plus 1.5% per year, and the debentures of the second series, in the total amount of R$350.0 million, bear interest at the rate of IGP-M index plus 10.75% per year.
All of our real-denominated debt is indexed to take into account the effects of inflation. Most of our real-denominated debt provides for inflation-based increases in their respective principal amounts; the increases are determined by reference to the daily government interest rate (Taxa Referencial) plus an agreed margin.
Furthermore, in March 2006, a securitization fund (Fundo de Direitos Creditórios) was created having our future account receivables as its underlying assets. On March 23, 2006, the fund issued senior and junior quotas to investors in Brazil with a value per unit of R$500,000.00. The senior quotas will be amortized in 54 monthly installments. The fund is designed to have a return to investors corresponding to 100% of the interbank deposit rate (CDI) variation, plus a fixed interest rate of 0.7% per annum. We subscribed and paid for and maintain in a deposit account 26 junior, or subordinated, quotas of this fund in the total amount of R$13.0 million.
In March 2006, the fund advanced to us revenues derived from the provision of water and sewage services in the amount of R$250.0 million, representing a portion of the payments due under the underlying receivables during a five-year period. We retain the right to receive the balance of additional payments accounting for the remaining portion of the receivables, provided that no event of default under the by-laws of the fund has occurred or is continuing. Once payments to the fund are made in full, which is expected to happen five years after the creation of the fund, we will be entitled to all payments received under the underlying receivables. The fund manager is Caixa Econômica Federal. See note 10 to our financial statements.
The following table sets forth information on our outstanding debt as of December 31, 2006. See note 10 to our financial statements:
As of December 31, 2006 | ||||||||||
Total | ||||||||||
Aggregate | ||||||||||
Principal | Final | |||||||||
Facility | Current | Long Term | Amount | Maturity | Interest(1) | |||||
(in millions of reais) | ||||||||||
Real-denominated loans and financings: | ||||||||||
Federal Government/Banco do Brasil | 215.7 | 1,854.0 | 2,069.7 | 2014 | UPR+8.5% | |||||
Debentures 5th Issue | 46.0 | 0 | 46.0 | 2007 | 10.65% and IGPM |
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Debentures 6th Issue | 231.8 | 397.2 | 629.0 | 2010 | CDI+1.75% and | |||||
11.00% and IGPM | ||||||||||
Debentures 7th Issue | 0 | 304.4 | 304.4 | 2010 | CDI+1.5% and | |||||
10.80% and IGPM | ||||||||||
Debentures 8th Issue | 0 | 709.8 | 709.8 | 2011 | CDI+1.5% and | |||||
10.75% and IGPM | ||||||||||
Caixa Econômica Federal(2) | 49.6 | 477.6 | 527.2 | 2007/22 | UPR+5.00% to | |||||
9.50% | ||||||||||
FIDC Sabesp 1 | 55.6 | 180.6 | 236.2 | 2011 | CDI+0.70% | |||||
Brazilian Economic and Social | TJLP + 3% (limited | |||||||||
Development Bank (BNDES) | 31.5 | 154.0 | 185.5 | 2013 | to 6.00%) | |||||
Other | 2.8 | 23.1 | 25.9 | 2009/11 | 12.00%, CDI and | |||||
TJLP + 6.00% | ||||||||||
Accrued interest and charges | 99.3 | 20.9 | 120.2 | |||||||
732.3 | 4,121.6 | 4,853.9 | ||||||||
Foreign currency denominated loans and | ||||||||||
financings: | ||||||||||
Long-term Notes: US$238,052,000 | 0 | 509.0 | 509.0 | 2008/16 | 12.00% and 7.50% | |||||
Inter-American Development | ||||||||||
Bank (IDB): US$435,866,779 | 99.9 | 832.0 | 931.9 | 2007/25 | 3.00% and 7.70% | |||||
International Bank for Reconstruction | ||||||||||
and Development (World Bank): | ||||||||||
US$2,222.612 | 4.8 | 0 | 4.8 | 2007 | 5.15% | |||||
JBIC Yens 652,813.650 | 0 | 11.7 | 11.7 | 2029 | 1.8% and 2.5% | |||||
Accrued interest and charges | 15.4 | 0 | 15.4 | |||||||
120.1 | 1,352.7 | 1,472.8 | ||||||||
Total Debt | 852.4 | 5,474.3 | 6,326.7 | |||||||
(1) |
UPR stands for Standard Reference Unit (Unidade Padrão Referência)
and is equal to the daily government interest rate (Taxa ReferencialTR), which was 0,152% per month as of December
31, 2006; CDI stands for Interbank
Deposit Rate (Certificado de Depósitos Interbancários), which was 13.17% per annum as of December 31, 2006; IGP-M stands for Índice Geral de Preços a Mercado, which was 3.9% per annum as of December 31, 2006;
TJLP stands for Long-term Rate Fixed by the Federal Government on a quarterly basis (Taxa de Juros a Longo Prazo), which was 6.8% per annum as of December 31, 2006. |
(2) |
Agreements to provide up to approximately R$474.7 million (unaudited) in financing for our capital expenditure program until final maturity. We have pledged amounts in certain bank accounts as collateral for these loans. |
Financial Covenants. We are subject to financial covenants under the agreements evidencing or governing our outstanding indebtedness.
With respect to our indebtedness denominated in U.S. dollars or in baskets of foreign currencies, we are subject to financial covenants, including but not limited to those set forth in the loan agreements entered into with the Inter-American Development Bank and the World Bank. Each of these agreements contains, among other provisions, limitations on our ability to incur debt. The indenture relating to the 7.5% notes due 2016 is the most stringent of these debt agreements. This indenture prohibits, subject to some exceptions, the incurrence of additional debt in the event that (1) the ratio of Adjusted Total Debt to Adjusted EBITDA (as defined in the related indenture) is greater than 3.65x or (2) the Debt Service Coverage Ratio (as defined in the indenture) is less than 2.35x. We do not believe that these covenants will impose constraints on our ability to finance our capital expenditure program or, more generally, to develop our business and enhance our financial performance.
In addition, with respect to our outstanding domestic debt, we entered into a financing agreement with the Federal Government and Banco do Brasil S.A. and also into several credit agreements with Caixa Econômica Federal that do not contain material financial covenants. Under our credit agreement with BNDES we are required to keep (1) an EBITDA/net operational income ratio equal to or higher than 38%, (2) an asset/short-term liability (excluding the short term portion of long-term liabilities) ratio higher than 1.0, (3) total connections (water and sewage)/employees ratio equal to or higher than 520, (4) EBITDA/debt service equal to or higher than 1.5 and (v) a shareholders equity/total debt ratio equal to or higher than 0.8.
With respect to our debentures, the 4th and the 5th issuances contain no material financial covenants and the 6th, 7th and 8th issuances require us to maintain a current debt ratio higher than 1.0:1.0 and an EBITDA/expenditures ratio equal to or higher than 1.5:1.0.
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Brazilian regulations provide that a state-owned company, such as us, must use the proceeds of external credit operations (i.e., foreign currency borrowings), subject to some exceptions, exclusively to refinance outstanding financial obligations. Until so used, these proceeds must be deposited as directed by the Central Bank. The deposit requirement does not apply in the case of import financing and financing transactions involving multilateral and official organizations, such as the JBIC, the World Bank and the Inter-American Development Bank.
Capital Requirements
We have, and expect to continue to have, substantial liquidity and capital resource requirements. These requirements include debt-service obligations, capital expenditures to maintain, improve and expand our water and sewage systems, payment of pension plan and other employee benefits, including pension plan payments to certain of our former employees on behalf of the State, and dividend payments and other distributions to our shareholders, including the State.
Debt-Service and Other Contractual Obligations. Our debt service obligations and other contractual obligations as of December 31, 2006 were as follows:
2011 and | ||||||||||||
2007 | 2008 | 2009 | 2010 | thereafter | Total | |||||||
(in millions of reais) | ||||||||||||
Outstanding long-term debt due | 852.5 | 670.6 | 1,237.7 | 809.4 | 2,756.5 | 6,326.7 | ||||||
Operational lease | 6.6 | 3.5 | 0.3 | 10.4 | ||||||||
Pension benefits - SABESPREV(1) | - | - | - | - | - | 321.2 | ||||||
PAES program | 41.9 | 41.9 | 41.9 | 41.9 | 104.7 | 272.3 | ||||||
Take-or-pay contracts | 209.5 | 177.3 | 167.6 | 169.5 | 321.2 | 1,045.2 | ||||||
Total | 1,110.5 | 893.3 | 1,447.5 | 1,020.8 | 3,182.4 | 7,975.8 | ||||||
(1) |
Based on actuarial estimates. Amounts payable in any specific year depend on unknown factors including life expectancy. |
We believe that we can meet the maturity schedule through a combination of funds generated by operations, the net proceeds of new issuances of debt securities in the Brazilian and international capital markets and additional borrowings from domestic and foreign lenders. Our borrowings are not affected by seasonality. For information concerning the current interest rates borne by our outstanding indebtedness, see note 10 to our financial statements.
Capital Expenditures. Historically, our capital expenditures have been significantly financed with resources from international and national multilateral agencies and development banks. We generally include in our capital expenditure program for the following year the amount of investment that was not realized in the previous year. In 2003 and 2004, our cash disbursements for purchases of property, plant and equipment under our capital expenditure program totaled R$641.3 million and R$670.3 million, respectively. In 2005, we planned to invest approximately R$758.0 million (unaudited) under our capital expenditure program, but effectively invested R$660.4 million. We have budgeted investments in the amount of approximately R$5.87 billion from 2007 through 2010, of which we expect to spend R$960.0 million in 2007. As of December 31, 2006, we had invested R$904.9 million under our capital expenditure program.
Pension Plan Payments and Employee Benefits. We have been making State-mandated special retirement and pension payments to certain former employees who were employed by our predecessor entities prior to May 1974. These special payments totaled R$101.7 million in 2006, R$96.4 million in 2005 and R$85.3 million in 2004. The State is required to reimburse us for these amounts, but has not been paying us on a timely basis. The States obligation to us for these amounts is recorded under receivables from shareholder on the balance sheet and totaled R$774.5 million as of December 31, 2006. As of December 31, 2004 and 2005 these receivables had reached R$576.3 million and R$672.7 million, respectively, and they were classified as non-current assets in our financial statements. The special payments to former employees made by us are not reflected in our statement of operations, but nonetheless represent a significant component of our liquidity requirements. Although we have had discussions with the State regarding more timely reimbursement for the special payments to former employees, we cannot assure you as to when or whether such payments will be made by the State. We may continue to be held responsible for these special payments to former employees, irrespective of whether the State reimburses us or not. For further information on State-mandated special retirement and pension payments made by us to certain former employees, see Item 7.B. Major Shareholders and Related Party TransactionsRelated Party Transactions.
75
Tax Financing Agreements. We did not make payments in respect of certain Brazilian federal income tax and social contribution liabilities during the period from 1991 to mid-1996 mainly because we were contesting certain assessments by the federal tax authorities and, in the case of 1993 and 1994, because we did not have sufficient funds to meet all of our then existing liquidity and capital resources requirements. Under the Programa de Recuperacão FiscalREFIS tax recovery program, we entered into an agreement with the Brazilian tax authorities regarding these tax obligations and have agreed to make payments on them in monthly installments ending in 2005. We were also required to pay interest on the unpaid balance of this tax liability. However, in July 2003, we included the amounts due under the REFIS program in the PAES program, which is an alternative payment plan for taxes owed. In accordance with this settlement agreement, we are paying amounts due, of approximately R$317.0 million, in 120 monthly installments, from July 2003. See note 12 to our financial statements. Payments in respect of this aggregate tax liability continue to constitute a liquidity and capital resource requirement that must be satisfied.
Dividend Distributions. We are required by our by-laws to make dividend distributions, which can be made as payments of interest on shareholders equity to our shareholders in an amount equal to not less than 25% of the amounts available for distribution. The aggregate amount of distributions we made for 2004, 2005 and 2006 were R$152.9 million, R$348.2 million and R$270.8 million, respectively.
On April 28, 2005, our board of directors approved the payment of dividends, in the form of interest on shareholders equity, in the amount of R$38.2 million, to be paid within 60 days after our 2006 shareholders meeting to shareholders of record as of May 9, 2005. On June 23, 2005, our board of directors approved the payment of dividends, in the form of interest on shareholders equity, in the amount of R$66.8 million, to be paid within 60 days after our 2006 shareholders meeting to shareholders of record as of July 6, 2005. On October 20, 2005, our board of directors approved the payment of dividends, in the form of interest on shareholders equity, in the amount of R$85.2 million, to be paid within 60 days after our 2006 shareholders meeting to shareholders of record as of November 3, 2005. On December 15, 2005, our board of directors approved the payment of dividends in the form of interest on shareholders equity in the amount of R$158.1 million, to be paid within 60 days of our 2006 shareholders meeting to shareholders of record as of December 28, 2005. The payments of interest on shareholders equity declared in 2006 began being made on June 29, 2007.
On April 20 and December 14, 2006, our board of directors approved the payment of dividends, in the form of interest on shareholders equity, in the amount of R$129.6 million and R$141.2 million, respectively, to be paid on June 29, 2007.
As of December 31, 2006, our dividends payable to the State, due from 2004 through 2005, were in the amount of R$260.2 million, with an additional R$136.1 million related to 2006 due beginning in June 2007. We are currently unable to determine the amount, if any, of the portion of these declared dividends that the State will apply to the current and future accounts receivable owed to us by the State or its controlled entities.
Interest on Shareholders Equity
Brazilian corporations are permitted to distribute dividends in the form of a tax-deductible notional interest expense on shareholders equity in accordance with Law No. 9,249, dated December 26, 1995, as amended. The rate at which tax-deductible interest may be paid is limited to the product of the average TJLP and shareholders equity during the relevant period and cannot exceed the greater of:
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Distribution of interest on our shareholders equity is a tax-deductible expense, for both income tax and social contribution purposes. The amount paid to shareholders as interest on shareholders equity, net of any withholding tax, may be included as part of any mandatory dividend. We are required to pay a mandatory dividend of not less than 25% of our net income, subject to some exceptions and adjustments.
For tax purposes, payments of interest on shareholders equity are recognized when the payments are declared, not when they are paid, within 60 days of the following general shareholders meeting. In April, May and November 2003 and January 2004, we declared interest on shareholders equity to be paid after our 2004 general shareholders meeting. In February and December 2004 and January 2005, we declared interest on shareholders equity to be paid within 60 days after our 2005 general shareholders meeting. In April, June, October and December 2005, we declared interest on shareholders equity to be paid within 60 days after our 2006 general shareholders meeting. On April 20 and December 14, 2006, we declared interest on shareholders equity in the amount of R$129.6 million and R$141.2 million, respectively. The payments of interest on shareholders equity declared in 2006 began being made on June 29, 2007.
Interest on shareholders equity is recorded as part of, but is immediately reversed under, the financial expenses line item in our statement of operations. The tax deduction relating to distributions of interest on shareholders equity is reflected under the income tax and social contribution line items in our statement of operations. This tax benefit consequently contributes positively to net income in our statement of operations.
5.C. Research and Development, Patents and Licenses, Etc.
Trademarks
We have secured registration of our logo and composite trademark at the Brazilian Institute of Industrial Property (Instituto Nacional da Propriedade Industrial), or INPI. We have registered with the INPI the following trademarks: Reuse of the Water (Reuso da Água), Rational Use of the Water (PURA Programa de Uso Racional da Água) and Tietê Project (Projeto Tietê). We have also filed applications with the INPI for registration of the trademarks: HORA HSABESP, SIGNOS (Sistema de Informação Geográfica no Saneamento), SCORPION (a software to control operating measures, reduction in water losses and on-line information for water distribution and sewage collection), and some characters from Clubinho Sabesp, which is a tool for environmental education directed to children in our website, including Dr. Gastão, Super H20, Gota Borralheira, Rantantan and Gotucho, which are still under examination and are pending a final decision by the INPI.
Patents
We have a patent granted by INPI covering a differential pressure gauge with digital reading. We have also filed a patent application to cover an engine-powered starting system to automatically correct product dosage in conventional dispensers by gravity, anti-fraud device for hidrometers, equipment to clean the filters of water treatment facilities, equipment for alignment of motion-bombs and device to facilitate the removal of the register to measure hydraulic parameters in water main load.
Software
To manage our activities, we use software systems to manage our activities which we have acquired from vendors. We have also developed certain computer programs for management and control of water and sewage treatment facilities, as well as for third-party services management, called AQUALOG, SGL, Electronic Price Quotation (Cotação Eletrônica de Preços), and SCORPION. We also have secured registration of these programs at the INPI and the agency of trademarks. AQUALOG is the only Brazilian software designed to monitor water treatment. SGL (Bid Management System) is an electronic price quotation system that allows us to view and control all bid and acquisitions proceedings in real time.
5.D. Trend Information
Not applicable.
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5.E. Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements
We had no off-balance sheet obligations as of December 31, 2004, 2005 and 2006.
5. F. Tabular disclosure of contractual obligations
Debt-Service and Other Contractual Obligations. Our debt service obligations and other contractual obligations as of December 31, 2006 were as follows:
2011 and | ||||||||||||
2007 | 2008 | 2009 | 2010 | thereafter | Total | |||||||
(in millions of reais) | ||||||||||||
Outstanding long-term debt due | 852.5 | 670.6 | 1,237.7 | 809.4 | 2,756.5 | 6,326.7 | ||||||
Operational lease | 6.6 | 3.5 | 0.3 | - | - | 10.4 | ||||||
Pension benefits - SABESPREV(1) | - | - | - | - | - | 321.2 | ||||||
PAES program(2) | 41.9 | 41.9 | 41.9 | 41.9 | 104.7 | 272.3 | ||||||
Take-or-pay contracts | 209.5 | 177.3 | 167.6 | 169.5 | 321.2 | 1,045.2 | ||||||
Total | 1,110.5 | 893.3 | 1,447.5 | 1,020.8 | 3,182.4 | 7,975.8 | ||||||
(1) |
Based on actuarial estimates. Amounts payable in any specific year depend on unknown factors including life expectancy. |
(2) |
The Special Program for Payment of Federal and Social Security-Related Taxes in Installments (Programa de Parcelamento Especial para Impostos Federais e Previdenciários), or PAES program, as set forth by Law No. 10,684, dated May 30,
2003. |
We believe that we can meet the maturity schedule through a combination of funds generated by operations, the net proceeds of new issuances of debt securities in the Brazilian and international capital markets and additional borrowings from domestic and foreign lenders. Our borrowings are not affected by seasonality. For information concerning the current interest rates borne by our outstanding indebtedness, see note 10 to our financial statements.
ITEM 6. DIRECTORS, SENIOR MANAGEMENT AND EMPLOYDEES
6.A. Directors and Senior Management
Under our by-laws and Brazilian Corporate Law, we are managed by our board of directors (Conselho de Administração), which currently consists of ten directors, and a board of executive officers (Diretoria), which currently consists of six executive officers.
As our controlling shareholder, the State has the ability to control the election of the board of directors and, therefore, our direction and future operations. Upon the election of a new Governor and any resulting change in the administration of the State, all or some of the members of the board of directors, including the chairman, have historically been replaced by designees of the new administration. The board of directors may in turn replace some or all of the executive officers.
Board of Directors
Our by-laws provide for a minimum of five and a maximum of 11 directors. The members of our board of directors are elected at a general shareholders meeting to serve renewable one-year terms. Each member of our board of directors must be one of our shareholders, under Brazilian Corporate Law, and a resident of Brazil, under our bylaws. Pursuant to our by-laws, our employees have the option to elect one member of our board of directors, who must be an employee with more than two years of service to us. Currently, our employees have not elected a director. In addition, pursuant to Brazilian Corporate Law, at least one member of the board of directors of mixed capital companies, such as us, must be appointed by the minority shareholders. Finally, according to the Novo Mercado rules, at least 20% of the board of directors must be comprised of independent members.
The current members of our board of directors were elected in the general shareholders meeting held on April 30, 2007. The tenure of the directors will end upon the election of the new members at the general shareholders meeting to be held in April 2008. Currently, we have three directors considered independent under the Novo Mercado rules.
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Our board of directors ordinarily meets once a month or when called by a majority of the directors or the chairman. Its responsibilities include the establishment of policy and general orientation of our business and the appointment and supervision of our executive officers.
The following are the names, ages, position and brief biographical descriptions of the current members of our board of directors:
Director | Age | Position | Date Elected | |||
Dilma Seli Pena | 57 | Chairman | April 30, 2007 | |||
Humberto Rodrigues da Silva | 50 | Vice-Chairman | April 30, 2007 | |||
Alexander Bialer | 60 | Independent Director* | April 30, 2007 | |||
Reinaldo Guerreiro | 54 | Independent Director* | April 30, 2007 | |||
Roberto Yoshikazu Yamazaki | 51 | Director | April 30, 2007 | |||
Manuelito Pereira Magalhães Júnior | 39 | Director | April 30, 2007 | |||
Renilson Rehem de Souza | 56 | Director | April 30, 2007 | |||
Mario Engler Pinto Junior | 51 | Director | April 30, 2007 | |||
Antero Paes de Barros Neto | 54 | Director | April 30, 2007 | |||
Farrer Jonathan Paul Lascelles Pallin | 62 | Independent Director* | April 30, 2007 |
* |
These directors comply with the independence requirements established by the Novo Mercado rules. |
Dilma Seli Pena Mrs. Pena has been the chairman of the board of directors since January 2007. She holds a masters degree in public administration from Escola de Administração de Empresas de São Paulo - Fundação Getúlio Vargas and a degree in geography from Universidade de Brasília. She was director of the Sanitation of the Urban Policy Office, director of strategic investments of the Ministry of Planning and director of the National Water Agency of the Brazilian government. She was deputy secretary for the Economics and Planning Secretariat of the government of the State of São Paulo. She is a regular member of Federação das Indústrias do Estado do São Paulo, or FIESP. Until December 2006, she was a member of our fiscal council. Currently, she is responsible for the State Secretariat of Sanitation and Energy and manages the board of directors of the following São Paulo state-owned companies: SABESP, Empresa Metropolitana de Águas e Energia S.A., or Emae, Cia Energética de São Paulo, or CESP and Companhia Paulista de Obras e Serviços, or CPOS. She has published a number of articles, texts and books in the areas of sanitation, water resources and planning.
Humberto Rodrigues da Silva Mr. Silva has been the vice-chairman of the board of directors since January 2007. He holds a post-graduate degree in methodology and projects of municipal and urban development from Escola Nacional de Serviços Urbanos ENSUR and a post-graduate degree in hospital management from Universidade Federal da Bahia. He also holds a degree in public administration from Escola de Administração de Empresas de São Paulo Fundação Getúlio Vargas. Currently, he is the deputy secretary of the Political Affairs Department of the government of the State of São Paulo. He was the chief of the Secretariat of the City of São Paulo, of the Secreatariat of Science, Technology and Economic Development of the State of São Paulo and also of the Companhia Metropolitana de Habitação de São Paulo - COHAB. From 1999 to 2004, he was a consultant and the director of planning and projects of the São Paulo Development Corporation. He was a member of the board of directors of the Fundação Paula Souza, of the Instituto de Pesquisa Tecnológica de São Paulo and of the São Paulo Turismo S.A., or SPTURIS. He worked for the government of the State of Bahia and for the municipality of Camaçari.
Alexander Bialer. Mr. Bialer has been a member of our board of directors since April 2003. He holds a degree in mechanical engineering from Instituto Tecnológico da AeronáuticaITA and a specialization degree in systems administration from the Escola de Administração de Empresas de São Paulo - Fundação Getúlio Vargas. He is also the chairman of the board of directors of GE Hydro Inepar, a member of the Advisory Board of GE Brasil Previdência, a member of the Consultant Board of Synergy Group, GE CELMA and TRAFO, a member of the board of directors of AVIANCA, and member of the Superior Board of Strategy of Associação Brasileira de Deselvolvimento da InfraestruturaABDIB. He worked at GE Brasil from 1980 to 2002 in several positions. He worked at Avon from 1971 to 1973, at Máquinas Piratininga in 1974, and at ASEA from 1975 to 1980. Mr. Bialer is currently a consultant at Nucleon Engenharia.
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Reinaldo Guerreiro Mr. Guerreiro has been a member of our board of directors since January 2007. He holds a Ph.D in accounting and controllership, a masters degree in accounting and controllership and a bachelors degree in accounting sciences, all of them from Faculdade de Economia, Administração e Contabilidade da Universidade de São Paulo FEA-USP. He also headed the Department of Accounting and Actuarial Sciences at FEA-USP for many years. He was a corporate consultant cooperator for some international consultancy offices such as Roberto Dreyfuss Consultores, Klynveld Main Goerdeler Auditores S/C, SBS Sérgio Bio, Splendore & Associados S/C Ltda. Consultores em Administração, Artur Young Consultores, Biedermann, Bordasch, Ernest & Whinney, Directa and BDO Consultores. He is also a consultant specialized in economic management. He has worked in many projects in the areas of economic management, costs, budgeting and information systems in several companies such as Grupo Zillo Lorenzetti, Grupo Feital, Construtora Mendes Junior, Starret Ind. e Com., CMTC, FEPASA, COSIPA, MAFERSA, Usina Santa Elisa, Gillete do Brasil, Hansen Máquinas e Equipamentos, CIPLA Indústria do Lar, Metalúrgica Matarazzo, Elebra Informática, NEC do Brasil, CEF, Banco do Brasil.
Roberto Yoshikazu Yamazaki Mr. Yamazaki has been a member of the board of directors since January 2007. He has a degree in business administration. He is the technical advisor of the Treasury Secreatariat of the State of São Paulo. From 2006 to January 2007, he was the deputy secretary of the Treasury Secreatariat of the State. From 2003 to 2006, he was the coordinator of the Financial Administration of the State. From 1997 to 2003, he was the technical director of the State Treasury Department of the State. From 1995 to 1997, he was the technical assistant of the Coordination of Financial Administration of the State. From 1993 to 1994, he was the advisor of the Secretariat of Education of the State of São Paulo. From 1992 to 1993, he was the technical advisor of the Administrative and Financial Board of Executive Officers at the Companhia de Entrepostos e Armazéns Gerais de São Paulo, or CEAGESP. From 1976 to 1992, he was the administrative and financial manager of TERRAFOTO S/A Atividades de Aerolevantamentos.
Manuelito Pereira Magalhães Júnior Mr. Magalhães has been a member of the board of directors since January 2007. He is a candidate for a masters degree in economic sciences from the Instituto de Economia, Universidade Estadual de Campinas UNICAMP. He holds a degree in economic sciences from the Instituto de Economia UNICAMP. He was a member of the board of directors of the Companhia de Engenharia de Tráfego de São Paulo (CET-SP), of the Companhia Metropolitana de Habitação de São Paulo - COHAB and, of the Empresa de Tecnologia de Informação e Comunicação de São Paulo - PRODAM-SP. He was the parliamentary advisor in the Federal Senate. From 1998 to 2002, he was the special advisor of the Minister of Health. From 2005 to 2006 he was the ombudsman of the National Supplementary Health Agency, or ANS. From 2005 to 2006, he was the deputy secretary of the Planning Secreatariat and the secretary of Planning of the Municipality of São Paulo. He was also the technical advisor, the secretary of finance and the director of the Department of Advisory, Planning and Management in the municipality of Campinas, State of São Paulo.
Renilson Rehem de Souza Mr. Souza has been a member of the board of directors since January 2007. He holds a masters degree in health administration management of the health system from the Universidade do Estado do Rio de Janeiro and a masters degree in community health from Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade Federal da Bahia (completed credits in the discipline, pending presentation of dissertation). He also holds a post-graduate degree in human resources planning from the Universidade Federal do Ceará. He holds a degree in epidemiology and hospital administration from the Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade Federal da Bahia. He worked at the Ministry of the Interior, Organization of the American States (Organização dos Estados Americanos, or OEA). He was the secretary of social medicine of the Regional Superintendence of Bahia and a consultant for the following organizations: Pan-American Health Organization, for the Brazilian Ministry of Health, Council of Health Secretaries, UNICAMP Foundation, or FUNCAMP, Ministry of Public Health and Social Welfare of Paraguay and of the Secretariat for Health Vigilance of the Ministry of Health.
Mário Engler Pinto Junior Mr. Engler has been a member of our board of directors since March 2006. He holds a law degree from the Faculdade de Direito da Universidade de São Paulo, where he is currently a Commercial Law Ph.D. student. Mr. Engler has been a public attorney for the State of São Paulo Public Attorney's Office since 1984, having been the adjunct general public attorney from 2000 to 2003. As an attorney of the State of São Paulo, Mr. Engler rendered legal advice to the State Privatization Program (Programa Estadual de Desestatização PED) and to the Public-Private Partnership Program of the State of São Paulo (Programa Estadual de Parcerias Público-Privadas). Mr. Engler has been a member of the board of directors of the Conselho de Defesa dos Capitais do Estado CODEC (an institution responsible for the control and supervision of state-owned companies) since 2002 and he renders advice to the Secretariat of Treasury in relation to corporate finances. Mr. Engler is also a member of the board of directors of Companhia Paulista de Parcerias CPP and of Companhia do Metropolitano de São Paulo METRO.
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Antero Paes de Barros Neto. Mr. Barros Neto has been member of the board of directors since May 2007. He is a journalist and broadcaster. He holds an undergraduate law degree from UPIS União Pioneira de Integração Social, currently pursuing a graduate degree in constitutional law at IDP in Cuiabá, State of Mato Grosso. He was a council member of the municipality of Cuiabá from 1982 to 1986. He was a congressman from 1986 to 1990. He was the State Chief of Staff and Communications Secretary of Mato Grosso during the administration of Dante de Oliveira, Senator of the Republic from 1999 to January 2003, where he held the position of second vice-president and second Secretary. He was the chairman of the parliamentary inquiry commission, or CPMI, on Banestado. He was an editor of the Diário de Cuiabá, Equipe, Diário de Mato Grosso newspapers. He was the executive officer and editor of Jornal do Dia newspaper, Artistic Director of Real FM and Real AM radio stations, and also editor and reporter of A Voz D Oeste, Cultura and Difusora radio stations, and Artistic Director of Gazeta television broadcast. He worked as a reporter and broadcaster of Centro América television (Globo Network) and Brasil Oeste television (Bandeirantes Network).
Farrer Jonathan Paul Lascelles Pallin. Mr. Pallin has been a member of our board of directors since June 2006. He holds an MBA degree from the Cranfield Institute of Technology in England. He is a chartered accountant in England and Wales and a Brazilian registered accountant. In 2004, he retired from PricewaterhouseCoopers, where he had been a partner since 1977, working in the audit and management consulting departments, as the partner responsible for corporate finance and for management consulting, and was also a member of the management team. From 1999 onwards, he was the partner responsible for operations in South America, including as with regard to finance, infra-structure, technology and risk management. Throughout his career, he has been deeply involved in advising multi-national and national clients, in both private and public sectors, on mergers and acquisitions and corporate restructuring, including various privatization programs. Currently, he is the chairman of the fiscal council of Arcelor Brasil S.A. and of the advisory council of the Hospital Samaritano. He was the chairman of the fiscal council of Companhia Siderúrgica de Tubarão in 2005 and 2006. From 1991 to 2005, he was a director of the Hospital Samaritano, where he was the chairman from 1995 to 1999. Between 1992 and 1994, he was the chairman of the British Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Brazil and the council of European Chambers of Commerce.
Board of Executive Officers
Our executive officers are responsible for all matters concerning our day-to-day management and operations. Members of our board of executive officers have individual responsibilities established by our board of directors and our by-laws.
The following are the names, ages, position and brief biographical descriptions of our board of executive officers:
Executive Officer | Age | Position | Date Elected | |||
Gesner José de Oliveira Filho | 51 | Chief Executive Officer | January 12, 2007 | |||
Marcio Saba Abud | 50 | Corporate Management Officer | January 12, 2007 | |||
Rui de Britto Álvares Affonso | 49 | Chief Financial Officer and Investor | January 12, 2007 | |||
Relations Officer | ||||||
Paulo Massato Yoshimoto | 54 | Metropolitan Officer | January 12, 2007 | |||
Umberto Cidade Semeghini | 57 | Regional Systems Officer | January 12, 2007 | |||
Marcelo Salles Holanda de Freitas | 51 | Planning and Technology Officer | January 12, 2007 |
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Gesner José de Oliveira Filho He has been our chief executive officer since January 2007. He holds a Ph.D degree in economics from the University of California, Berkeley, a masters degree in economics from the Instituto de Economia da UNICAMP, a bachelors degree in economics from the Faculdade de Economia e Administração da Universidade de São Paulo USP. From 1996 to 2000, he was the chairman of the Administrative Council of Economic Protection, (Conselho Administrativo de Defesa Econômica), or CADE. From 1993 to 1995, he was the deputy secretary of the Secretariat of the Economic Policy of the Ministry of Finance. In 1995, he was the interim secretary of the Economic Monitoring of the Ministry of Finance. He was the chairman of the Instituto Tendências de Direito e Economia, the managing partner of Tendências Consultoria Integrada, a consultant and an arbitrator in the areas of regulation of infrastructure and defense of competition, a consultant on scenarios and analysis of the environment for a number of economic groups, and a columnist of the Folha de São Paulo newspaper in the economic opinion section.
Marcio Saba Abud Mr. Abud has been our coporate management officer since January 2007. He holds a degree in economics sciences from the Faculdade de Economia e Administração da Universidade de São Paulo FEA/USP. He has a broad experience in the financial area and in various segments of the domestic and international markets in the areas of treasury, capital markets, customer service, creation and management of funds and structured transactions (both equity and debt) and, in proposing and managing customer credit lines. He has also experience in creating and implementing international programs and structures involving foreign exchange/foreign trade and offshore transactions. From April 1987 to January 2007, he had been the vice-chairman of Banco Westlb do Brasil S/A.
Rui de Britto Álvares Affonso. Mr. Affonso has been our chief financial officer and investor relations officer since July 2003. Mr. Affonso holds a Ph.D and a masters degree in economics from Universidade Estadual de Campinas UNICAMP, and a degree in economics from the Universidade de São Paulo USP. He has been a professor at Instituto de Economia da Universidade Estadual de Campinas UNICAMP since 1986, a professor at Faculdade de Economia e AdministraçãoUSP from 1983 to 1999, and a director of public economy at FUNDAP from 1994 to 2003. He also represents Brazil on the board of the Forum of Federations (a non-governmental entity based in Canada) since 2000. Mr. Affonso has also held several positions at the State Government.
Paulo Massato Yoshimoto. Mr. Massato has been our metropolitan officer since February 2004. He holds a degree in civil engineering from Escola de Engenharia de Lins. Mr. Yoshimoto has been working at SABESP since 1983, and has held the following positions: executive assistant to the operations office and head of the water production, maintenance, technical and management of water losses, and metropolitan planning and development departments. Mr. Yoshimoto has also held a number of different positions at the Empresa Metropolitana de PlanejamentoEMPLASA, from 1975 to 1983.
Umberto Cidade Semeghini Mr. Semeghini has been our regional systems officer since January 2007. He holds a degree in electrical engineering from the Faculdade de Engenharia Industrial FEI. He was secretary of planning of the Ministry of Transport and the executive officer of Gerentec Engenharia. He has experience in the operation of systems, consulting services in the development of studies and projects for water supply and sanitary sewage systems, highway systems and, through partnerships with domestic and foreign companies, development of economic engineering studies (i.e., definition of tariff structures for public services).
Marcelo Salles Holanda de Freitas Mr. Freitas has been our technology and planning officer since January 2007. He holds a degree in civil engineering post-graduation degree in sanitation from the Escola Politécnica da Universidade de São Paulo USP. He also has a specialization degree in business administration from the IBMEC. He is a regular member of some of the most important institutions and associations of the sanitation and environment market. He was the vice-chairman for the interior and for the metropolitan region at SABESP. He was the executive officer of projects of the Ondeo Services do Brasil, executive officer of sanitation of Suez Ambiental, CEO of Águas do Amazonas and executive officer of the sanitation services of ETEP.
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6.B. Compensation
Pursuant to Brazilian Corporate Law, our shareholders are responsible for establishing the aggregate amount of compensation we pay to the members of our board of directors, members of our fiscal council and our executive officers.
For the year ended December 31, 2006, the aggregate compensation, including benefits in kind granted, that we paid to members of our board of directors and to our executive officers for services in all capacities was approximately R$3.1 million. In addition, in 2006, the executive officers accrued pension benefits of approximately R$0.5 million, and we have set aside R$0.5 million with respect to such pension benefits. The members of our board of directors did not receive any such benefits.
Profit Sharing and Pension Plans
We have established a defined-benefit pension and benefits fund (Fundação Sabesp de Seguridade Social), or SABESPREV, to provide our employees with retirement and pension benefits. This pension plan provides defined-benefit payments to former employees and their families. Both we and our employees make contributions to the pension plan. Our contributions include the responsibility assumed relating to service prior to the constitution of SABESPREV, which is payable up to February 2011. We made contributions to the pension plan totaling R$10.3 million in 2004, R$11.3 million in 2005 and R$11.4 million in 2006. See note 13 to our financial statements. Based on independent actuarial reports, as of December 31, 2006, our obligation under this plan was R$321.2 million. See note 13 to our financial statements.
Since 1996, we have annually negotiated with the unions the profit-sharing plan. We did not pay any profit-sharing amounts to our employees due to State Decree No. 43,794, which prohibited any profit-sharing amounts to be paid in 1999 to employees of State-controlled companies, including us. On April 14, 2000, the State issued Decree No. 44,836 which allows for the payment of profit-sharing amounts on an exceptional basis, provided that specific authorizations are obtained by us from the Wages Policy Commission (Comissão de Política Salarial). We have obtained this authorization every year since 2000 and, therefore, paid profit-sharing amounts to our employees during this period.
The goals evaluate the business performance in the economic-financial, operating and administrative aspects. Over the years, the programs have suffered some changes. In 1996, 1997 and 1998, the payment was allocated to all active employees with more than six months of service with the company. As from 2000, the payment was then allocated to all active employees with more than three months of service with the company. Up to 2004, the general goals were established to evaluate Sabesp as a whole, and others goals were established to evaluate the various business units and 25% of the profit-sharing payments were made as each of the companys general goals were accomplished, while the other 75% were effected as each of the various business units fulfilled its goals. As from 2005, all of the goals established evaluate Sabesp as a whole and 50% of the payment has been effected as the principal financial goal is fulfilled, and the other 50% of the payment has been effected as each one of the other established goals is fulfilled. The payments are reduced proportionately if the goals are not fully attained. Up to 2006, the payment was effected in a six-month basis. The program for 2006 was paid on an annual basis.
We recorded profit-sharing expenses of R$40.3 million in 2004, R$44.3 million in 2005 and R$79.5 million in 2006. We believe that the profit-sharing plan has, in the past, contributed to increased employee productivity. We do not have a stock-option plan for our employees.
6.C. Board Practices
The members of our board of directors are elected at a general shareholders meeting to serve renewable one-year terms. Our board of directors ordinarily meets once a month or when called by a majority of the directors or the chairman. See Board of Directors.
Our board of executive officers is composed of six executive officers appointed by our board of directors for renewable two-year terms. Meetings of our board of executive officers are held weekly in the case of ordinary meetings or when called by the chief executive officer in the case of special or extraordinary meetings. See Board of Executive Officers.
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None of our directors and executive officers is party to an employment contract providing for benefits upon termination of employment, except for those officers who are also our employees, in which case they are granted all benefits regularly applicable.
Fiscal Council (Conselho Fiscal)
Our Conselho Fiscal, which is established on a permanent basis and generally meets once a month, consists of five members and five alternates. The current members of our Conselho Fiscal were elected in the shareholders meeting held on April 30, 2007. Their tenure will end in 2008. The primary responsibility of the fiscal council, which is independent from management and from the external auditors appointed by our board of directors, is to review our financial statements and report on them to our shareholders.
The following are the current members and alternate members of our fiscal council:
Fiscal Council Members | Alternates | |
Sandra Maria Giannella | Vanildo Rolando Neubauer | |
Jorge Michel Lepeltier | Alexandre Luiz Oliveira de Toledo | |
Atílio Gerson Bertoldi | Ana Maria Linhares Richtman | |
Maria de Fátima Alves Ferreira | Tomás Bruginski de Paula | |
João Carlos Araujo dos Santos | Artur Quartim Barbosa Araujo |
Audit Committee
Our by-laws provide for an audit committee to be comprised of three board members, who shall cumulatively comply with the requirements of (1) independence, (2) technical expertise, and (3) availability. The members may be appointed simultaneously as their appointment to the board of directors, or by later resolution of the board of directors.
The audit committee is responsible for assisting and advising the board of directors in its responsibilities to ensure the quality, transparency and integrity of the Companys published financial information. To this end, the audit committee supervises all matters relating to accounting, internal controls and the internal and independent audit functions. The audit committee and its members have no decision making powers or executive functions.
The minimum availability required from each member of the audit committee is thirty hours per month. Since its implementation in July 2006, the audit committee has met three times a month on average. Under our by-laws, the members shall exercise their roles for the same period as their corresponding term of office, or until otherwise resolved by the general shareholders meeting or by resolution of the board of directors.
At a board meeting held on May 10, 2007, the following members of the board of directors were elected to serve on our audit committee:
Director | Position | |
Farrer Jonathan Paul Lascelles Pallin | Coordinator and Financial Expert | |
Reinaldo Guerreiro | Member | |
Mario Engler Pinto Junior | Member |
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Corporate Governance Practices
The significant differences between our corporate governance practices and the New York Stock Exchange standards can be found on our website, www.sabesp.com.br. The information found at this website is not incorporated by reference into this document.
6D. Employees
As of December 31, 2006, we had 16,978 full-time employees. In 2006, we had an average of 350 trainees and 584 apprentices (aprendizes), as defined by Federal Law No. 10,097 of December 19, 2000.
The following table sets forth the number of our full-time employees by main category of activity and geographic location as of the dates indicated:
As of | ||||||
December 31, | ||||||
2004 | 2005 | 2006 | ||||
Total number of employees | 17,735 | 17,448 | 16,978 | |||
Number of employees by category of activity: | ||||||
Projects and operations | 11,474 | 11,450 | 11,145 | |||
Administration | 2,997 | 2,812 | 2,735 | |||
Finance | 621 | 614 | 606 | |||
Marketing | 2,643 | 2,572 | 2,492 | |||
Number of employees by corporate division: | ||||||
Head office | 1,257 | 2,029 | 1,981 | |||
São Paulo Metropolitan Region | 9,055 | 8,046 | 7,732 | |||
Regional Systems | 7,423 | 7,373 | 7,265 |
The average tenure of our employees is approximately 16 years. We also outsource certain services such as maintenance, delivery of water and sewage bills, meter reading, catering and security. We believe that our relations with our employees are generally satisfactory.
Approximately 70% of all our employees are members of unions. The four main unions that represent our employees are the Sindicato dos Trabalhadores em Água, Esgoto e Meio Ambiente de São PauloSINTAEMA, Sindicato dos Trabalhadores da Região Urbana de Santos, São Vicente, Santos Metropolitan Region, Litoral Sul e Vale RibeiraSINTIUS, the Sindicato dos Engenheiros do Estado de São PauloSEESP and the Sindicato dos Advogados de São PauloSASP. Our most recent collective bargaining agreements, which became effective on May 1, 2007 and will expire on April 30, 2008, do not contemplate total job protection for our employees. However, we have a formal understanding with the unions that represent our employees that we would not dismiss more than 2.0% of our current employees before April 30, 2008. We have experienced the following strikes in the last five years, none of which interrupted the essential services that we provide: a two-day strike in May 2003, a two-day strike in May 2004, a two-day strike in June 2005 and a one-day strike in May 2006. We have not experienced any strike until March 31, 2007. Under Brazilian law, our non-administrative employees are considered essential employees and therefore are limited in their right to strike.
6.E. Share Ownership
As of June 30, 2007, the members of the board of directors and the executive officers owned an aggregate of 4,808 common shares. The members of our board of directors and our executive officers, on an individual basis and as a group, beneficially own less than 1% of our common shares. See Item 7A. Major Shareholders and Related Party Transactions Major Shareholder for more information. As of the same date, none of our directors and executive officers owned any stock option plans.
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ITEM 7. MAJOR SHAREHOLDERS AND RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS
7.A. Major Shareholder
Our outstanding share capital as of June 30, 2007 consisted of 227,836,623 common shares, without par value. Under our by-laws and the laws of the State of São Paulo, the State is required to own at least one-half plus one of our outstanding common shares. All of our shareholders, including the State, have the same voting rights.
The following table sets forth ownership information for each of our shareholders that beneficially owned 5.0% or more of our common shares and for our officers and directors, individually and as a group, as of June 30, 2007.
Common shares* | ||||
Shares | % | |||
State of São Paulo | 114,508,087 | 50.3% | ||
Directors and executive officers of Sabesp(1) | 4,808 | 0.0% | ||
Others | 113,323,728 | 49.7% | ||
Total(2) | 227,836,623 | 100% | ||
(1) | Our directors and executive officers collectively own less than 0.1% of our outstanding common shares. | |
(2) | As of June 30, 2007, our outstanding common shares were held 2,149 registered shareholders. | |
* | After June 4, 2007 our common shares have been traded considering the reverse stock split. |
7.B. Related Party Transactions
Transactions with the State of São Paulo
We have entered into extensive transactions with the State of São Paulo, which is our controlling shareholder, and we expect to continue to do so. The State of São Paulo is our largest customer, it owns some of the facilities we use in our business, it is one of the governmental entities that regulate our business, and it has assisted us in obtaining financing on favorable terms.
Many of our transactions with the State of São Paulo reflect policies of the State that depend on decisions of elected officials or public servants and are accordingly subject to change. Among the practices that could change are those described below concerning the application of dividends to offset accounts receivable from the State, the provision of State guarantees, and the terms on which we use state-owned reservoir facilities.
Provision of Services
We provide water and sewage services to the Federal Government, the State and municipal governments and government entities in the ordinary course of our business. Sales of water and sewage services to the State, including State entities, totaled approximately R$321.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2006. Our accounts receivable from the State totaled R$456.9 million as of December 31, 2006. In addition, as required by law, we invest our cash and cash equivalents with government financial institutions in short-term securities.
Payment of Pensions
Pursuant to a law enacted by the State, certain former employees of some state-owned companies which merged to form Sabesp, who provided service to us between our inception and 1974, when the law was prospectively repealed, acquired a legal right to receive supplemental pension benefit payments which rights are referred to as Plan G0. These amounts are paid by us, on behalf of the State, and are claimed by us as reimbursements from the State, as primary obligor. In 2006, we made payments to former employees of R$101.7 million in respect of Plan G0. The State did not make any reimbursements in this period. See note 6 to our financial statements. The amount owed to us by the State for reimbursement of these costs was R$774.5 million as of December 31, 2006. The State, however, has not agreed with this amount. We have undertaken to conduct a joint inquiry with the State with respect to the methodology employed in determining the reimbursement amounts to ensure we reach a mutual agreement.
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Agreements with the State
In September 1997, we and the State entered into a memorandum of understanding providing that we would, in effect, apply dividends we declared that were otherwise payable to the State to offset accounts receivable in connection with the provision of water and sewage services to the State and its controlled entities. In 1998, 2000 and 2001, we applied dividends, in the form of interest on shareholders equity due to the State in respect of its shareholding in us to settle a portion of the unpaid accounts receivable from the State. In 1999, we did not pay dividends or other distributions to our shareholders.
On December 11, 2001, we entered into an agreement with the State and the State Department of Water and Energy. Pursuant to this agreement, the State acknowledged and agreed, subject to an audit by a State-appointed auditor, to pay us amounts it owed to us in respect of:
As a result, a portion of these amounts became a long-term receivable from the State in our financial statements on December 31, 2001.
The agreement provided that the State Department of Water and Energy would transfer to us ownership of the Taiaçupeba, Jundiaí, Biritiba, Paraitinga and Ponte Nova reservoirs, which make up the Alto Tietê system, and that the fair value of these assets would reduce the amounts owed to us by the State.
Under the December 2001 agreement, in July and August 2002, a State-owned construction company (Companhia Paulista de Obras e Serviços), or CPOS, on behalf of the State, and an independent appraisal firm (Engenharia de Avaliações), or ENGEVAL, on our behalf, presented their valuation reports relating to the reservoirs. Under the agreement, the arithmetic average of these appraisals is deemed the fair value of the reservoirs. The appraisals contained in these reports were in the amounts of R$335.8 million and R$341.2 million, respectively. Because we had already made investments in these reservoirs by then, the arithmetic average of the appraisals submitted to our board of directors by August 2002, R$300.9 million, was net of a percentage corresponding to these investments. Our board of directors approved the valuation reports.
Under the December 2001 agreement, for amounts due in excess of the fair value of the reservoirs, the State is to make payments in 114 consecutive monthly installments, with the first payment to be made upon the latest of (1) 210 days after the date of the agreement, (2) agreement by the parties on the fair value of the reservoirs and (3) conclusion of the audit by a State-appointed auditor of amounts owed. The nominal amount owed by the State would not be indexed to inflation or earn interest if there was a delay in concluding the appraisal of fair value. The installments will be indexed on a monthly basis by the IGP-M index, plus 6.0% per year, starting on the date the first installment becomes due.
On October 29, 2003, the Public Prosecution Office of the State of São Paulo (Ministério Público do Estado de São Paulo), on behalf of the people of the State, brought a civil public action in a Trial Court of the State of São Paulo (12a Vara da Fazenda Pública do Estado de São Paulo) alleging that a transfer to us of ownership of the Alto Tietê system reservoirs from the State Department of Water and Energy would be illegal. An injunction against the transfer of ownership of such reservoirs was granted but was later reversed. However, in October 2004, the court ruled in favor of the Public Prosecution Office of the State of São Paulo, which ruling we believe relates only to the illegality of the transfer of the reservoirs. In response, we filed an appeal which is pending final decision and the State successfully filed an action suspending the lower courts decision until final judgment is reached by the Court of Justice of the State of São Paulo. We are unable to predict whether we will succeed in appealing such decision. However, we currently do not expect that an eventual unfavorable decision would have a material adverse effect on our business and financial condition.
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The December 2001 agreement also provided that the legal advisors of the State would carry out specific analyses, which have commenced, to ensure agreement among the parties as to the methodology employed in determining the amount of reimbursement for pension benefits owed to us by the State. Our management does not expect these analyses to differ significantly from the amounts we have recorded in respect of these amounts. The commencement of payments with respect to pension amounts owed to us by the State has been postponed until these analyses are completed, the appraisal report is approved and the credit assignments relating to the transfer of the reservoirs described above are formalized. In addition, the transfer of these reservoirs is currently being disputed and we are not certain whether such transfer will be legally allowed. Under the December 2001 agreement, the original first payment was to be made in July 2002. Based on Official Notice No. 53/2005 of the State Capital Defense Council (CODEC), dated March 21, 2005, negotiations are still ongoing between us and the State with a view to restatement of the debt for supplemental retirement and pension benefits, under the terms defined in the December 2001 agreement, including amounts due after November 2001. These negotiations are expected to be consolidated in a second amendment to the December 2001 agreement. We hired FIPECAFI to validate the actual values to be reimbursed by the State, provided by the Office of the State Attorney General. See note 6 to our financial statements.
At a meeting held on January 30, 2002, our board of directors unanimously declared dividends, in the form of interest on shareholders equity, in an aggregate amount of R$489.8 million. This distribution was paid on June 25, 2002, to shareholders of record as of February 7, 2002. Accordingly, the State was entitled to receive R$432.7 million of this distribution and we paid the State R$347.3 million of this amount. The State applied approximately R$202.3 million of the dividend it received to settle current accounts receivable owed by the State or its controlled entities. We have withheld the remaining share of the dividend that the State was entitled to pending the States payment of certain accounts receivable owed to us.
At a meeting, our board of directors reviewed our 2002 budget, which incorporated the payment to the State, and one of our directors voted against us making this payment. We cannot assure you that our minority shareholders will not contest the payment of a cash distribution to the State on the grounds that it is inconsistent with the September 1997 protocol of understanding.
On April 29, 2002, our board of directors declared dividends, in the form of interest on shareholders equity, in an aggregate amount of R$108.2 million, paid in June 2003 to shareholders of record as of June 17, 2002. The State applied the entire amount of this dividend, or R$77.4 million, to accounts receivable owed to us.
On April 24, May 29, and November 20, 2003, and on January 8, 2004, our board of directors approved the payment of dividends, in the form of interest on shareholders equity, in aggregate amounts of R$40.2 million, R$118.2 million, R$154.9 million and R$190.8 million, respectively. These dividends were paid on June 29, 2004.
On February 26, 2004, December 16, 2004 and January 13, 2005, our board of directors approved the payment of dividends, in the form of interest on shareholders equity, in the amount of R$39.3 million, R$85.4 million and R$28.2 million, respectively. These dividends were paid on June 28, 2005.
On April 28, 2005, our board of directors approved the payment of dividends, in the form of interest on shareholders equity, in the amount of R$38.2 million, to be paid within 60 days after our 2006 general shareholders meeting. On June 23, 2005, our board of directors approved the payment of dividends, in the form of interest on shareholders equity, in the amount of R$66.8 million, to be paid within 60 days after our 2006 shareholders meeting to shareholders of record as of July 6, 2005. On October 20, 2005, our board of directors approved the payment of dividends, in the form of interest on shareholders equity, in the amount of R$85.2 million, to be paid within 60 days after our 2006 shareholders meeting to shareholders of record as of November 3, 2005. On December 15, 2005, our board of directors approved the payment of dividends in the form of interest on shareholders equity in the amount of R$158.1 million, to be paid within 60 days of our 2006 shareholders meeting to shareholders of record as of December 28, 2005. On April 20, and December 14, 2006, our board of directors approved the payment of dividends, in the form of interest on shareholders equity, in the amount of R$129.6 million, and R$141.2 million, respectively, to be paid within 60 days after our 2007 shareholders meeting to shareholders of record as of May 3, 2006. The amount related to the dividends approved in 2006 for the controlling shareholder, the State of São Paulo, was R$136.1 million. The payments of interest on shareholders equity declared in 2005 began being made on June 27, 2006. The payments of interest on shareholders equity declared in 2006 began being made on June 29, 2007.
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On March 22, 2004, we and the State executed the first amendment to the December 2001 agreement. Under this amendment, the State acknowledged a debt owed to us of R$581.8 million, related to unpaid accounts receivable from the State until February 29, 2004, and we acknowledged the aggregate amount of R$518.7 million due to the State as dividends in the form of interest on shareholders equity. See note 6 to our financial statements.
Accordingly, we and the State agreed to set-off each others credit up to the limit of R$404.9 million (value adjusted up to February 2004). The remaining amount of R$176.9 million as of February 29, 2004 of the States consolidated debt will be paid in monthly consecutive installments from May 2005 until April 2009. These installments will be indexed according to the IPCA index, plus an interest rate of 0.5% per month.
With the execution of the March 2004 agreement, we were able to reconcile the compensation of part of the values owed to us by the State for the use of water and sewage services until February 2004 with values owed to the State by us as interest on shareholders equity. The remaining amount of interest on shareholders equity owed by us to the State, of R$113.8 million was netted against accounts overdue after February 2004.
This amendment did not alter the payment terms and conditions related to the supplemental retirement and pension benefits we pay on behalf of the State, which remain governed by the terms of the December 2001 agreement itself.
As of December 31, 2006, the amounts owed to us by the State for the provision of water and sewage services included R$148.8 million, which was considered overdue as of February 29, 2004. As of December 31, 2006 the State owed us an additional R$308.0 million in accounts receivable related to the provision of water and sewage services rendered from February 2004. With respect to reimbursement for pensions paid on behalf of the State, the State owed us R$774.5 million as of December 31, 2006 (R$320.6 million of which was acknowledged by the State in the December 2001 agreement subject to a further audit). We expect amounts owed to us by the State for water and sewage services and reimbursements for pensions paid to increase in the future. We have not established any provisions for any amounts due to us by the State, because we expect to recover these amounts and net losses are not considered probable.
During 2005, we received payment installments from the State in the amount of R$35.8 million, for the months from May to December 2005 and we offset the remaining balance of interest on shareholders equity owed by us to the State in the amount of R$105.5 million against the balance due to us for water and sewage services provided as contemplated in the first amendment to the December 2001 agreement.
In 2006, we received payment installments from the State in the amount of R$199.4 million. As of December 31, 2006, our dividends payable to the State, due from 2004 through 2006, were in the amount of R$396.4 million. We are currently unable to determine the amount, if any, of the portion of these declared dividends that the State will apply to the current and future accounts receivable owed to us by the State or its controlled entities.
Investment of Liquid Assets
Our cash and cash equivalents invested with State financial institutions in short-term securities amounted to R$288.0 million as of December 31, 2006.
Government Guarantees of Financing
In some situations, the Federal Government, the State or government agencies guarantee our performance under debt- and project-related agreements.
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On December 17, 1992, the State entered into a loan agreement with the World Bank in the amount of US$119.0 million. This loan was guaranteed by the Federal Government and its proceeds were designated to finance the environmental clean-up of the Guarapiranga basin. Pursuant to this agreement, we would receive a loan from the State to be used in the expansion of the wastewater collection network and sewage treatment facilities in the Guarapiranga reservoir. As a result, on March 12, 1993, we entered into an agreement with the State pursuant to which the State transferred to us US$37.0 million of this loan, which loan amount was increased to US$42.5 million pursuant to an amendment entered into between the State and us in September of 1999. We have pledged three of our properties as collateral for this financing in the amount of R$60.5 million, according to a valuation of the properties carried out in November 2005. As of December 31, 2006 our outstanding debt relating to this loan was approximately US$2.2 million.
The State has also guaranteed a portion of our repayment obligations under loan agreements that we entered into with the Federal Government in 1994 through its financial agent, Banco do Brasil S.A. which totaled R$2,069.8 million as of December 31, 2006. The Federal Government has guaranteed, and the State has provided a counter-guarantee, in respect of the financial agreement we entered into with the Inter-American Development Bank in 2000 for the total aggregate amount of US$200 million related to the financing of the Tietê River recovery project to reduce pollution.
On August 6, 2004, we entered into a credit agreement with the JBIC for the financing of the Environmental Recovery Program for the Santos Metropolitan Region, which was guaranteed by the Federal Government, with counter-guarantee from the State of São Paulo, for an aggregate principal amount of R$382.8 million. In addition to the amount received under the JBIC credit agreement, we intend to invest up to R$355.1 million in this program. We are currently also negotiating with BNDES and Caixa Econômica Federal for additional loans to finance portions of our capital expenditure program.
Use of State-Owned Reservoir Facilities
We currently use the Guarapiranga and Billings reservoirs and a portion of some of the reservoirs of the Alto Tietê system, which are owned by another company controlled by the State. We do not pay any fees with respect to the use of these reservoirs. We are, however, responsible for maintaining them and funding their operating costs. The State incurs no operating costs on our behalf. If these facilities were not available for our use, we would have to obtain water from more distant sources, which would be more costly.
The arrangement not to pay any fees to the State for the use of certain reservoirs of the Alto Tietê system is addressed by a number of formal agreements first entered into on March 31, 1992 and on April 24, 1997 and later amended on March 16, 2000 and on November 21, 2001. As part of these arrangements, we agreed to fund 100.0% of the estimated costs of the 1992 agreement equal to R$27.8 million and 75.0% of the 1997 agreement equal to R$63.4 million which was already disbursed, and the Government of the State, through the State Department of Water and Energy, agreed to fund approximately 25% of the estimated costs of the 1997 agreement equal to R$21.1 million, to construct ducts, tunnels and other facilities to interconnect the Tietê River with the Biritiba and Jundiaí reservoirs and with other bodies of water in exchange for our use of the reservoirs over a 30-year period. The amendments to the 1997 agreement increased our obligations under this agreement by R$5.9 million.
We have the right to draw water from and release emissions into the reservoirs in the Alto Tietê system over a 30-year period which began in 1997.
Our use of the Billings and Guarapiranga reservoirs is provided for through a grant issued by the State Department of Water and Energy. We have the right to use these reservoirs as long as we remain responsible for maintaining them and funding their operating costs.
Water Use Incentive Agreements
We have entered into agreements with public entities, including State entities and municipalities, that manage approximately 6,000 properties under which we provide these entities with a 25.0% tariff reduction for the water and sewage services we provide if such entities implement our program for the rational use of water, which includes a reduction of at least 10.0% in water consumption. These agreements are valid for a period of 12 months with automatic renewal for equal periods. Pursuant to the terms of these agreements, if these entities fail to make any payment on a timely basis to us, we have the right to cancel the agreement, thereby revoking the 25.0% tariff reduction.
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Transactions with SABESPREV Pension Fund
SABESPREV is the funded defined-benefit pension plan that we established to provide our employees with retirement and pension benefits. The assets of SABESPREV are independently held, but we nominate the majority of directors of SABESPREV. Both we and our employees make contributions to the pension plan. We contributed R$10.3 million, R$11.3 million and R$11.4 million in 2004, 2005 and 2006.
On May 29, 2001, a Federal law was enacted which, among other things, limits the amount mixed capital companies, like us, may contribute to their pension plans. Specifically, the ordinary contributions made by us to our pension plans may not exceed the contributions made by the beneficiaries of these plans. Studies have been undertaken in order to cure the deficit with respect to the current plan and transform it into a defined contribution plan.
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ITEM 8. FINANCIAL INFORMATION
8.A. Consolidated statements and other financial information
See Item 3.A. Key InformationSelected Financial Data and Item 18. Financial Statements.
Legal Proceedings
In the ordinary course of our business, we are a party to judicial and administrative proceedings relating to civil, environmental, labor and tax matters. As of December 31, 2006, we estimated that these legal proceedings totaled approximately R$2,128.0 million (excluding the amount of R$19.5 milllion related to court deposits). This amount was based on probable and possible losses and on the value attributed to the lawsuit by the plaintiffs in some cases and on the economic value of the lawsuits in others. Out of this total amount of contingencies, approximately R$1,062.6 million relate to tariff-related legal proceedings and consumers claims, approximately R$367.0 million relate to contractors claims, approximately R$126.1 million relate to tax proceedings, approximately R$114.9 million relate to labor proceedings, approximately R$258.4 million relate to civil public actions related to environmental matters and R$218.5 million relate to other civil matters. On the same date, the provisions for legal contingencies totaled R$657.6 million (excluding the amount of R$19.5 million related to court deposits), of which approximately R$273.3 million relate to tariff-related legal proceedings and consumers claims, approximately R$168.5 million relate to contractors claims, approximately R$21.2 million relate to tax proceedings, approximately R$71.2 million relate to labor proceedings, approximately R$66.0 million relate to civil public actions related to environmental matters and approximately R$76.9 million relate to other civil matters.
The difference between the provisioned amount and the total amount of the contingencies derives from the methodology for establishing our provisions. This methodology takes into account: (1) the probability of loss of each lawsuit, based on the alleged facts, the claim based on the factual circumstances vis-à-vis the law, as well as prevailing precedents in similar cases; and (2) the calculation of the provisioned amounts, which requires significant judgment and in certain circumstances, given the nature of the claim, we are unable to estimate with accuracy its exposure. In these cases, we have taken into account the value attributed to the lawsuits by the plaintiff and legal opinions of counsel in charge of each lawsuit. Once the methodology is applied, as a general rule, we make the provisions only for the lawsuits that are considered as probable loss.
We cannot give any assurances either as to the sufficiency of the provisioned amount to cover the contingencies or as to the total amount of potential liabilities that we may incur or penalties that may be imposed. We may not obtain a favorable outcome in the administrative or court proceedings to which we are a party. In addition, the total amount of the contingencies, based on the value attributed to the lawsuit by the plaintiff, may not correspond to the economic value of the lawsuits, which may be substantially higher than the total amount of contingencies. If the economic outcome of these lawsuits is higher than the amount attributed to the lawsuit by the plaintiff or, in the event the total amount of our provisions does not suffice to pay the contingencies due, we could incur greater costs than those that were originally foreseen. If these costs are significant, our results of operations and financial condition could be negatively affected.
Civil Public Actions Related to Environmental Matters
We are a party to civil public actions brought by municipalities that seek cessation of the collection of fees relating to sewage services, alleging that we do not treat the sewage in these municipalities and that we failed to make certain investments in sewage treatment facilities as provided in the relevant concession contracts.
In addition, we are being sued by the Public Prosecution Office of the State of São Paulo (Ministério Público do Estado de São Paulo) as well as some non-governmental organizations through a number of environmental civil public actions: (1) aiming to enjoin us from releasing raw sewage into certain local water courses; (2) in some cases seeking remedies for environmental damages, which have not yet been specified and evaluated by technical experts of the courts; and (3) aiming to require us to install and operate sewage treatment facilities in those locations. In each case, we are subject to daily fines for noncompliance therewith. In our response to these lawsuits we emphasize that the installation and operation of sewage treatment facilities in those locations is included in our business plan and that the immediate cessation of the release of raw sewage into the relevant local water courses would hinder us from collecting sewage a primary necessity in those locations, causing even more damages against the environment and public health. In most of these lawsuits, no final judicial decision has yet been reached by local judges. Although we are not able to predict the final outcome of these lawsuits, we believe that the outcome, if unfavorable to us, may have a material adverse effect on us.
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The civil public lawsuits to which we are party include the following:
(1) The Public Prosecution Office of the State of São Paulo has brought a civil public action before the São Bernardo do Campo Court (5a. Vara Cível de São Bernardo do Campo) seeking reparation for environmental damage caused by us dumping sludge from our water treatment facilities into certain receiving waters, the immediate cessation of this practice and the implementation of an environmental recovery project. The Court of Justice of the State of São Paulo (Tribunal de Justiça do Estado de São Paulo) ruled against us and ordered that we stop dumping sludge within a year from the date the decision is considered final, or to pay a daily penalty of R$10,000, in addition to repair the environmental damage. This decision is not yet final. We are currently unable to evaluate the extent or cost of any remedy that we may be held responsible for in connection with this matter. We have not made any provisions for this proceeding. Our internal legal counsel considered the risk of loss in this lawsuit as probable and we have provisioned the amount of R$141,000 based on the value attributed to the lawsuit by the plaintiff.
(2) The Public Prosecution Office of the State of São Paulo brought a civil public action against us before the Paraguaçu Paulista Court of Law (1a. Vara de Paraguaçu Paulista), which seeks reparation for and cessation of environmental damage allegedly caused by the release of raw sewage into the Alegre River, situated in the municipality of Paraguaçu Paulista. The court ruled against the Company in the first instance, requiring that we (a) cease the release of raw sewage into the Alegre River; (b) invest in a water and sewage treatment facility in the municipality of Paraguaçu Paulista; and (c) pay an administrative penalty in the amount of R$116.9 million for environmental damages (the adjusted amount, as of December 31, 2006, was approximately R$168.9 million). The decision imposes an additional daily penalty on us if we fail to comply with (a) and (b) above. We have appealed this decision.
On September 21, 2006, the Court of Justice of the State of São Paulo ruled against our appeal. While we maintain our legal right to appeal the decision issued by the Court of Justice of the State of São Paulo, we are currently negotiating with the Public Prosecution Office of the State of São Paulo with respect to the terms and conditions of a possible settlement agreement, which, if entered into, will result in the effective settlement and termination of this legal proceeding. While the exact amounts payable under any such settlement have not yet been quantified and the terms of any such settlement remain subject to further negotiation, our management believes that the total estimated disbursements will be considerably less than the aggregate amount of the administrative penalties required by the courts decision as described above. The first negotiations of the settlement agreement resulted in an estimated disbursement of R$20.7 million. In the last quarter of 2006, the scope of the agreement was expanded and new projects were included in the settlement, totaling R$33.6 million, which has been recorded as a provision.
In the event that we are unable to settle with the Public Prosecution Office of the State of São Paulo under the terms currently contemplated, our results of operations may be materially adversely affected.
(3) Civil public action against us and the municipality of Cotia aiming at the joint and several liabiliaty of Sabesp and this municipality with respect to: (a) the obligation to interrupt the disposal of sewage into the Cotia River, subject to a daily fine in case of noncompliance; (b) the obligation to submit to previous treatment the sewage before dumping it into the Cotia River, subject to a daily penalty in case of noncompliance, and (c) the payment of indemnity for environmental damages caused to the soil, water sources and underground and superficial bodies of water that cannot be recovered. The court decided in favor of (a) and (c) above. The technical expert of the court calculated the indemnity in the amount of R$5.8 million for environmental damages. This amount is still under discussion and depends on final decision of the court. Our internal legal counsel evaluated the risk of loss as probable. As of December 31, 2006, we recorded a provision in the amount of R$ 5.8 million.
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(4) On February 25, 2003, a request for a preliminary injunction was filed against us, aiming at restricting us from disposing sewage without due treatment, in the municipality of Lutécia. The injunction was granted in order to determine that payments for water and sewage services by users be deposited with the court until we have made the necessary investment in the water and sewage treatment facility of the municipality, in addition to paying a daily fine in the amount equivalent to 1,000 minimum salaries (approximately R$350,000) in the event we do not cease to discharge raw sewage. The injunction was suspended at our request until a final ruling is issued. After submission of an expert report, the Public Prosecution Office of the State of São Paulo requested that we be sentenced to pay an amount of R$82.8 million (the adjusted amount, as of December 31, 2006, was approximately R$119.6 million) in addition to the daily fines. We and the Public Prosecution Office of the State of São Paulo are engaged in negotiations in order to settle this legal proceeding. We have not made any provisions for this proceeding as the risk of loss was evaluated as possible.
(5) On February 17, 2003, a civil public action was brought against us before the Paraguaçu Paulista Court of Law with respect to the municipality of Borá, related to the obligation not to dump and discharge, under any circumstance, raw sewage in the Borá stream, or in any other municipality, as well as the obligation to invest in the water and sewage treatment facility and immediately carry out the necessary construction works for the treatment of sewage. A preliminary injunction was not granted by the court of law. The technical expert of the court calculated the amount of R$48.1 million as indemnity for environmental damages. Our expert contested this amount and no judicial decision has been issued yet. Sabesp carried out the construction works that CETESB requested to adapt the sewage treatment to the legislation currently in force. CETESB issued a temporary operating license on August 25, 2006, with validity until August 25, 2011. Our internal legal counsel evaluated the risk of loss as possible.
(6) A civil public action was brought against us by the Coordination Council for the Civil Entities of Piracicaba (Conselho Coordenador das Entidades Civis de Piracicaba) concerning the limits for water collection from the Piracicaba River and the operation of the Cantareira water distribution system. The plaintiff requests, among other things, a prohibitory injunction in order to restrict the amount of water we collect, the reduction of the Piracicaba Rivers collection limit and the payment of damages to the riparian cities in order to cover the direct and indirect environmental damages caused by the installation and operation of the Cantareira water distribution system. After our defense, the injunction was not granted, and this action is now awaiting judgment by the lower court. This proceeding is still at an initial stage and no amount has been determined so far for the alleged damage. Our internal legal counsel evaluated the risk of loss as remote so that we have not made any provisions for this proceeding.
We are also involved in other environmental lawsuits in municipalities where we operate, arising from the discharge of raw sewage, which are considered as possible and probable losses by our legal counsel. We provisioned amounts that not always represent the final amount to be disbursed as indemnity for the alleged damages because of the current phase of the lawsuits and the impossibility for our management to estimate on a reasonable basis future amounts to be disbursed. As of December 31, 2006, the total amount provisioned was R$65,988, including the provisions described in itens (1), (2) and (3) above.
Labor Proceedings
We are a party to numerous lawsuits and administrative proceedings involving SINTAEMA and current and former employees.
On January 9, 1990, SINTAEMA initiated a lawsuit against us, alleging that we had failed to pay certain employee benefits and were required to make a penalty payment to SINTAEMA under a then existing collective bargaining agreement. On July 31, 1992, the labor court issued a ruling against us, but did not award damages to SINTAEMA at that time. We and SINTAEMA are currently engaged in negotiations concerning the amount to be paid by us. We also filed a writ of mandamus seeking a court decision establishing that the penalty imposed against us, totaling approximately R$6.7 million, as of December 31, 2006, is excessive since it exceeds the principal amount by a large margin. Our request was denied by the courts and the lawsuit is now awaiting a final decision at the Superior Labor Court (Tribunal Superior do Trabalho). We currently cannot predict the amount that we will be required to pay to SINTAEMA and we have not made any provisions for this proceeding.
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On October 6, 1989, SINTAEMA filed a lawsuit against us, asking for the payment of salary differences arising from additional payments due to unhealthy work conditions from September 1987 through February 1991. On December 19, 1997, the Superior Labor Court issued a decision unfavorable to us. We appealed against this decision, however, it was maintained by the Superior Labor Court. SINTAEMA started the enforcement of the judicial decision and the valuation report of the technical expert of the court was presented on February 21, 2007 in the updated amount of R$28.3 million. Our internal legal counsel considered the risk of loss as probable and the amount was provisioned on December 31, 2006.
We are defendants in 1,941 labor proceedings and in one civil public action initiated by and on behalf of some of our current and former employees relating to certain benefits awarded by Law No. 4,819, dated August 26, 1958. In all cases, we claim that the State, and not us, is responsible for the payments due to the plaintiffs. As of the date of this annual report, we and the State have not agreed on the amounts to be reimbursed. The civil public action is now awaiting decision on the merits. Some labor and civil proceedings have been ruled upon by the lower courts, but no final decision has been issued in any of the legal proceedings as of the date of this annual report. An injunction was granted by a lower court in the civil public action to compel us to pay the benefits awarded by Law No. 4,819 to all plaintiffs in that lawsuit.
As of December 31, 2006, the total amounts involved related to labor proceedings were R$114.9 million for risks considered as probable and possible losses. We had established a provision totaling R$71.2 million with respect to potential damages in lawsuits and administrative proceedings involving present and former employees, including the lawsuits described in the preceding paragraphs, based on calculations made by our legal and human resources departments.
Tax Proceedings
We filed a claim in July 1999 to challenge the creation by the municipality of the City of São Paulo of a tax on the use of public areas. The tax would apply to our water and sewage mains and other installations located in public areas. Based on the advice of our internal legal counsel, we believe that this municipal tax is unlawful because it was established by a municipal decree instead of a municipal statute. We are currently disputing the creation of this tax and any related tax assessment. On May 11, 2000, the trial court of the State of São Paulo (12a. Vara da Fazenda Pública do Estado de São Paulo) issued a decision upholding this municipal tax. We have appealed the trial court decision to the Court of Justice of the State of São Paulo. A recently approved law enacted the tax on the use of public areas in the City of São Paulo. In April 2004, we filed a request for an injunction seeking the suspension of the tax assessment by the municipality. The injunction was granted by the lower court and later maintained in the decision issued by the lower courts. The municipality has appealed this decision to the Court of Justice of the State of São Paulo and the decision is still pending. We currently cannot estimate the potential increase in our expenses if we were required to pay this tax or if any future assessment of this tax is retroactive to 1999. To date, we have not established a provision for any potential expense arising from this municipal tax.
We also took legal action to challenge a City of São Paulo municipal law enacted in December 2002 that revoked our blanket exemption from municipal taxes. As a result of the loss of our exemption from municipal taxes, we may be subject to a tax on services charged at a rate of 5.0% on our gross revenue from sewage services. Our request for an injunction against the municipality was granted by the Court of Justice of the State of São Paulo, and this injunction was maintained after the filing of an appeal by the municipality. However, on May 5, 2005, the lower tax court issued a decision against us and revoked the injunction granted in our favor. We appealed the decision to maintain the effects of the injunction until a trial decision in this legal proceeding is issued, but our appeal was denied. To date, despite our efforts to obtain a decision from the Superior Court of Justice to maintain the effects of the injunction until a final judgment, we have not been able to revert the lower tax court decision. We intend to challenge the loss of the exemptions to the fullest extent permitted by law. This legal action, for which potential expenses amount to approximately R$70.0 million, was assessed by our tax advisors as being a possible loss; accordingly, no provision has been recorded.
In November 2004, we took legal action against the municipality of Bragança Paulista against the imposition of a new charge for the use of public areas for the installation of water and sewage mains for the provision of public sanitation services. On February 16, 2005, we were granted an injunction suspending the imposition of this charge and preventing the municipality from collecting any current or future amounts due in respect of this charge until there is a final decision on the merits. In June 2005, the lower court ruled in our favor and the injunction was maintained. The municipality appealed the decision and, as of the date of this annual report, a trial decision was still pending. We have not made any provisions for this proceeding.
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In 2006, the Federal Revenue Service by means of a lawsuit verified the compliance of our fiscal obligations related to income and social contribution taxes for 2001, calculating a fiscal credit to the Federal Revenue Service in the amount of R$277.0 million. We filed a response in a timely manner contesting this amount and will appeal against the administrative decision by means of an administrative proceeding and a lawsuit. Based on the opinion of our internal legal counsel, approximately 90% of this amount is considered as a remote loss and the remaining 10% as a possible loss.
We cannot predict the outcome of any of these lawsuits nor can we assure you that, in the event of an adverse decision, we will be able to pass on to our customers any increase in our deductions from gross revenue, operating expenses or other expenses.
Condemnation Proceedings
We are party to a significant number of condemnation proceedings arising from the partial or total expropriation or use of private property for water mains, sewer lines and facilities. Under Brazilian law, the State or the relevant municipality is entitled to condemn private property to the extent required for the construction, development or improvement of parts of water and sewage systems operated by us. However, we are required to provide compensation to affected property owners based upon appraised fair market values. Although we generally provide compensation to property owners on the basis of negotiated settlements, we are a party to many lawsuits related to compensation awards. As of December 31, 2006, we estimated that we will be required to make payments totaling R$467.0 million with respect to all condemnation matters. After we make these payments, we will have ownership of the property, which will be recorded as our asset. Therefore, we have not made any provisions for these proceedings.
Concession-Related Legal Proceedings
In connection with discussions we had with the municipality of Presidente Prudente, we filed a claim against the municipality seeking a court decision determining the continuation of the concession contract that we have entered into with that municipality until the indemnification payment owed to us in connection with the return of water and sewage treatment facility of Presidente Prudente is made. The lower court issued a decision in our favor to the effect that we still continue to provide services in the municipality until the indemnification provided for in the concession contract is paid to us.
On March 25, 2004, the Public Attorneys Office filed a civil action against the municipality of Itapira, its mayor, the Municipal House of Representatives and us, claiming that Municipal Law No. 3,593/04 is unconstitutional and seeking termination of the concession contract we entered into with the municipality of Itapira. Although an injunction was granted, the Court of Justice of the State of São Paulo has stayed the injunction. On March 23, 2005, the House of Representatives of Itapira approved a decree revoking the concession contract. In addition, Municipal Law No. 3,730/05 was enacted revoking an earlier law which authorized the municipality to enter into the concession contract with us. The municipality of Itapira has further filed an action against us seeking to repossess the assets related to its water and sewage services and has obtained an injunction which was later confirmed by a court decision. We appealed against this ruling but we have not been able to suspend the effects of the decision until final judgment. Accordingly, we are currently not rendering water and sewage services at Itapira. As of the date of this annual report, a trial decision on this litigation was pending. We have not made any provisions for this proceeding.
On October 10, 2003, the municipality of Monte Mor filed a lawsuit against us, seeking the additional issuance and delivery of shares by us, as consideration for our concession to render basic water and sewage services. The lawsuit was dismissed without judgment on the merits of the case. We have not made any provisions for this proceeding.
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The municipality of Sandovalina has brought a legal action against us seeking to (1) obtain the termination of the concession entered into with us and (2) obtain remedies for environmental damage and alleged losses caused to the municipality due to our failure to provide sewage treatment, as well as other damage caused to public property. We have responded with a counterclaim against the municipality for payment of R$115,000 related to the supply of water from December 1999 through August 2003. We are also seeking the payment of a contractual indemnification based on the early termination of the contract. We are currently operating the water and sewage treatment facility of Sandovalina, and the lawsuit is still in the fact-finding phase. We have not made any provisions for this proceeding.
We are also defendants in legal proceedings initiated by municipalities seeking to require us to produce documents and information in connection with our concessions. These legal proceedings include the following: (1) a preliminary proceeding (ação cautelar) started by the municipality of Guariba seeking a court order requiring us to produce documents in order to inform an account revision proceeding; (2) the municipality of Ribeirão Pires has proposed preliminary proceedings seeking the production of documents to inspect the services which we provide; (3) the municipalities of Itupeva and Monte Mor have proposed proceedings seeking to obtain a court order to require us to produce documents and information in order to evaluate the possibility of renewal of our concession agreement.
Tariff-Related Legal Proceedings and Consumers Claims
We are party to a number of proceedings with the Public Prosecution Office of the State of São Paulo and several municipalities which have contested our right to charge a tariff for sewage services provided as opposed to charging a fixed fee for these services. In most of these proceedings, we have received decisions in our favor. In addition, the Superior Court of Justice of Brazil (Superior Tribunal de Justiça) has confirmed the understanding that we have the right to charge a tariff for the sewage services we provide.
Approximately 980 lawsuits have been brought by our commercial customers that claim that their tariff rates should be equal to those of another category of customers and, consequently, seek the reimbursement of the difference between the amounts we charged and collected and those tariffs. We have obtained final decisions both in favor and against us in these lawsuits and, as of December 31, 2006, we have established a provision in the amount of R$273.3 million with respect to these lawsuits. We cannot predict, however, the amounts we would have to pay to these customers if they were to prevail in their lawsuits, nor can we provide assurance that new lawsuits will not be brought by other customers on similar grounds.
The Association of Distinguished Bars and Restaurants (Associação de Bares e Restaurantes DiferenciadosABREDI), has initiated several lawsuits to challenge the 10.0% penalty fee we charge on late water and sewage payments. In several of these cases, lower courts have dismissed the lawsuits based on the lack of standing by the plaintiff to initiate such a lawsuit. In other cases, the lawsuits were dismissed because a civil public action with respect to the same matter was already being heard at the civil courts of the State of São Paulo. In this civil public action, a decision was granted against us and we appealed against this decision and a final decision is still pending. Notwithstanding these legal proceedings, we have reduced to 2.0% the penalty fee we charge on late bill payments by all of our customers.
Contractors Claims
Certain contractors have filed claims against us alleging underpayment of inflation indexation adjustments and monetary losses incurred in connection with introduction of the real. Based on advice from our legal counsel, as of December 31, 2006, we established a provision for these claims in the amount of R$168.5 million to meet probable losses arising from unfavorable decisions in these actions.
Other Legal Proceedings
We are a party to a series of lawsuits initiated by the municipality of Ferraz de Vasconcelos in 1997, seeking payment of penalties in the aggregate amount of R$71.9 million, which we allegedly owe for damages caused during construction in the municipality. Several of these lawsuits have already been rejected by lower courts but are still subject to appeal. We have not made any provisions for these proceedings.
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In December 1997, the municipality of Santos enacted a law expropriating our water and sewage systems in Santos. In response, we filed an action seeking an injunction against this expropriation, which was denied by the lower court. This decision was later reversed by the Court of Justice of the State of São Paulo, which issued a preliminary order suspending that law. On August 2, 2002, a decision on this matter was rendered in our favor by a lower court, but that decision remains subject to appeal. Despite the pending lawsuit, we continue to provide water and sewage services to Santos.
We are a party to several administrative proceedings with the Environmental Sanitation Technology Company (Companhia de Tecnologia de Saneamento Ambiental) seeking the imposition of penalties for environmental damages allegedly caused by us and other regulatory matters. We have not made any provisions for these proceedings.
On October 29, 2003, the Public Prosecution Office of the State of São Paulo on behalf of the people of the State of São Paulo, brought a civil public action in a trial court of the State of São Paulo (12a. Vara da Fazenda Pública do Estado de São Paulo) alleging that a transfer to us of ownership of the Alto Tietê System reservoirs from the State Department of Water and Energy would be illegal. In October 2004, the court ruled in favor of the Public Prosecution Office of the State of São Paulo, with respect to the illegality of the transfer of the reservoirs. In response, we filed an appeal which is pending final decision.
In December 1996, we filed a claim to collect payment due from the municipality of Diadema. In December 2005, the Court of Justice of the State of São Paulo ruled in our favor. This legal proceeding was followed by several other related legal proceedings, some of which are currently pending. A civil public action and an annulment action have been decided in our favor. On October 11, 2006, the municipality of Diadema appealed againts the decision and on November 21, 2006 a decision was published allowing us to present our response to the appeal. We filed our response on December 6, 2006.
We entered into a settlement agreement with the municipality of Mauá at the time the concession was terminated in which Mauá agreed to make the payments owed to us in connection with the return of water and sewage treatment facilities. However, to date Mauá has not yet made any payments to us under the settlement agreement. We filed a claim against Mauá in December 1996 and a decision was issued in February 2005 by the lower court requiring Mauá to pay us the amount of R$153.2 million. The municipality of Mauá and SAMASaneamento Básico do Município de Mauá appealed this decision. The appeal is pending final decision by the Court of Justice of the State of São Paulo. On July 4, 2006 the judgement was converted into investigation to clarify the amount related to the indemnity. The technical expert has not yet testified before the court to clarify the value of the indemnity. Based on our internal legal counsel opinion, our management still believes that we have the legal right to receive the amount related to the indemnity and we continue to monitor the status of these legal proceedings.
We are a party to a substantial number of other legal proceedings, in addition to the lawsuits and administrative proceedings discussed above, in the normal course of our business. These legal proceedings include personal injury and property damage cases, environmental proceedings, challenges to our ability to cease rendering water and sewage services upon default by our customers and a range of other matters. We have not established provisions with respect to these other legal proceedings.
Dividends and Dividend Policy
Amounts Available for Distribution
At each annual shareholders meeting, the board of directors is required to recommend how net profits for the preceding fiscal year are to be allocated. For purposes of Brazilian Corporate Law, net profits are defined as net income after income taxes and social contribution taxes for such fiscal year, net of any accumulated losses from prior fiscal years and any amounts allocated to employees and managements participation in our profits. In accordance with Brazilian Corporate Law, the amounts available for dividend distribution are the amounts equal to our net profits less any amounts allocated from such net profits to:
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We are required to maintain a legal reserve, to which we must allocate 5% of net profits for each fiscal year until the amount for such reserve equals 20% of our paid-in capital. However, we are not required to make any allocations to our legal reserve in respect of any fiscal year in which the aggregate amount of the legal reserve plus our other established capital reserves exceeds 30% of our capital. Net losses, if any, may be charged against the legal reserve. On December 31, 2006, the balance of our legal reserve was R$254.2 million, which was equal to 7.6% of our paid-in capital.
Brazilian Corporate Law also provides for two discretionary allocations of net profits that are subject to approval by the shareholders at the annual meeting. First, a percentage of net profits may be allocated to a contingency reserve for anticipated losses that are deemed probable in future years. Any amount so allocated in a prior year must be either reversed in the fiscal year in which the loss was anticipated if such loss does not in fact occur, or written off in the event that the anticipated loss occurs. Second, if the mandatorily distributable amount exceeds the sum of realized net profits in a given year, such excess may be allocated to an unrealized revenue reserve. Under Brazilian Corporate Law, realized net profits is defined as the amount of net profits that exceeds the net positive result of equity adjustments and profits or revenues from operations with financial results after the end of the next succeeding fiscal year.
Under Brazilian Corporate Law, any company may, as a term in its by-laws, create a discretionary reserve. By-laws which authorize the allocation of a percentage of a companys net income to the discretionary reserve must also indicate the purpose, criteria for allocation and maximum amount of the reserve. We may also allocate a portion of our net profits for discretionary appropriations for plan expansion and other capital investment projects, the amount of which would be based on a capital budget previously presented by management and approved by shareholders. Under Law No. 10,313 of October 3, 2001, capital budgets for more than one year must be revised at each annual shareholders meeting. After completion of the relevant capital projects, we may retain the appropriation until the shareholders vote to transfer all or a portion of the reserve to capital or retained earnings. At December 31, 2006, we had an investment reserve of R$2,826.4 million.
The amounts available for distribution may be further increased by a reversion of the contingency reserve for anticipated losses constituted in prior years but not realized. The amounts available for distribution are determined on the basis of financial statements prepared in accordance with the Brazilian Corporate Law Method.
The legal reserve is subject to approval by the shareholders voting at the annual meeting and may be transferred to capital but is not available for the payment of dividends in subsequent years. Our calculation of net profits and allocations to reserves for any fiscal year are determined on the basis of financial statements prepared in accordance with the Brazilian Corporate Law Method.
Mandatory Distribution
Brazilian Corporate Law generally requires that the by-laws of each Brazilian corporation specify a minimum percentage of the amounts available for distribution by such corporation for each fiscal year that must be distributed to shareholders as dividends, also known as the mandatory distributable amount. Under our by-laws, the mandatory distributable amount has been fixed at an amount equal to not less than 25% of the amounts available for distribution, to the extent amounts are available for distribution.
The mandatory distribution is based on a percentage of adjusted net income, not lower than 25%, rather than a fixed monetary amount per share. Brazilian Corporate Law, however, permits a publicly held company, such as Sabesp, to suspend the mandatory distribution of dividends if the board of directors and the conselho fiscal report to the shareholders meeting that the distribution would be inadvisable in view of the companys financial condition. The suspension is subject to approval of holders of common shares. In this case, the board of directors must file a justification for such suspension with the Brazilian securities commission. Profits not distributed by virtue of the suspension mentioned above shall be attributed to a special reserve and, if not absorbed by subsequent losses, must be paid as dividends as soon as the financial condition of such company permits such payments.
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Payment of Dividends
We are required by Brazilian Corporate Law and by our by-laws to hold an annual shareholders meeting by the fourth month after the end of each fiscal year at which, among other things, the shareholders have to decide on the payment of an annual dividend. The payment of annual dividends is based on the financial statements prepared for the relevant fiscal year. Under Brazilian Corporate Law, dividends generally are required to be paid within 60 days following the date the dividend was declared, unless a shareholders resolution sets forth another date of payment, which, in either case, must occur prior to the end of the fiscal year in which the dividend was declared. A shareholder has a three-year period from the dividend payment date to claim dividends (or interest payments as described under Record of Dividend Payments and Interest Attributed to Shareholders Equity) in respect of its shares, after which the amount of the unclaimed dividends reverts to us. The depositary will set the currency exchange date to be used for payments to ADS holders as soon as practicable upon receipt of those payments from Sabesp.
Our by-laws do not permit us to pay interim dividends out of preexisting and accumulated profits for the preceding fiscal year or semester.
In general, shareholders who are not residents of Brazil must register with the Central Bank to have dividends, sales proceeds or other amounts with respect to their shares eligible to be remitted outside of Brazil. The common shares underlying our ADSs are held in Brazil by Banco Itaú S.A., also known as the custodian, as agent for the depositary, which is the registered owner on the records of their registrar for our common shares. Our current registrar is Banco Itaú S.A. The depositary electronically registers the common shares underlying the ADSs with the Central Bank and, therefore, is able to have dividends, sales proceeds or other amounts with respect to these shares eligible to be remitted outside Brazil. See Item 10.D. Additional InformationExchange Controls.
Payments of cash dividends and distributions, if any, will be made in Brazilian currency to the custodian on behalf of the depositary, which will then convert such proceeds into U.S. dollars and will cause such U.S. dollars to be delivered to the depositary for distribution to holders of ADSs. See Item 10.D. Additional InformationExchange Controls. Under current Brazilian law, dividends paid to shareholders who are not Brazilian residents, including holders of ADSs, will not be subject to Brazilian withholding income tax, except for dividends declared based on profits generated prior to December 31, 1995. See Item 10.E. Additional InformationTaxation.
Record of Dividend Payments and Interest on Shareholders Equity
Brazilian corporations are permitted to distribute dividends in the form of a tax-deductible notional interest expense on shareholders equity in accordance with Law No. 9,249, dated December 26, 1995, as amended. The rate at which tax-deductible interest may be paid is limited to the product of the average Taxa de Juros de Longo Prazo TJLP (a long-term interest rate published by the Brazilian government) and shareholders equity during the relevant period and cannot exceed the greater of:
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The following table sets forth the distributions out of net income that we made or will make to our shareholders in respect of our 2004, 2005 and 2006 net income. All these amounts distributed or to be distributed were or will be in the form of interest on shareholders equity.
Distributions out of net income
Payment | Aggregate | |||||||||||
Net | Payment | per 1,000 | Payment | amount | Pay-out | |||||||
Year ended December 31, | income(1) | Dates | shares | per ADS | distributed(1) | ratio(2) | ||||||
R$ | R$ | R$ | R$ | % | ||||||||
2004 | 513.0 | (3) | 5.37 | 1.34 | 152.9 | 29.8 | ||||||
2005 | 865.6 | (4) | 12.23 | 3.06 | 348.2 | 40.2 | ||||||
2006 | 778.9 | (5) | 9.51 | 2.38 | 270.8 | 34.8 |
(1) |
In millions of reais. |
(2) |
Represents distributions divided by net income. |
(3) |
June 28, 2005. |
(4) |
June 26, 2006. |
(5) |
June 29, 2006. |
On April 28, June 23, October 20 and December 15, 2005, our board of directors approved the payment of dividends, in the form of interest on shareholders equity, in the amount of R$38.2 million, R$66.8 million, R$85.2 million and R$158.1 million respectively, to be paid within 60 days after our 2006 shareholders meeting. On April 20 and December 14, 2006, our board of directors approved the payment of dividends, in the form of interest on shareholders equity, in the amount of R$129.6 million and R$141.2 million, respectively. The payments of interest on shareholders equity declared in 2006 began being made on June 29, 2007.
Dividend Policy
We intend to declare and pay dividends and/or interest on shareholders equity, as required by Brazilian Corporate Law and our by-laws. Our board of directors may approve the distribution of interest on shareholders equity, calculated based on our semiannual or quarterly financial statements. The declaration of dividends is annual, including dividends in excess of the mandatory distribution, and requires approval by the vote of the majority of the holders of our common shares. The amount of any distributions will depend on many factors, such as our results of operations, financial condition, cash requirements, prospects and other factors deemed relevant by our board of directors and shareholders. Within the context of our tax planning, we may in the future continue determining that it is to our benefit to distribute interest on shareholders equity.
8.B. Significant Changes
We are not aware of any significant changes bearing upon our financial condition since the date of the consolidated financial statements included in this annual report.
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ITEM 9. THE OFFER AND LISTING
9.A. Offer and Listing Details
Market Price of Common Shares
Our common shares are traded on the São Paulo Stock Exchange under the symbol SBSP3. As of December 31, 2006, we had 1,862 registered holders of common shares.
On April 30, 2007, our shareholders approved a reverse stock split of 125 common shares into one common share.
The table below sets forth, for the periods indicated, the reported high and low closing sale prices in reais for common shares on the São Paulo Stock Exchange. The table also sets forth prices per ADS assuming that ADSs had been outstanding on all such dates and translated into U.S. dollars at the commercial market rate for the sale of U.S. dollars for each of the respective dates of such quotations. In addition, the table sets forth the average daily trading volume for our common shares. See Item 3.A. Key InformationSelected Financial DataExchange Rates for information with respect to exchange rates applicable during the periods set forth below.
Reais per 1,000 | U.S. dollar equivalent | Average daily trading | ||||||||
common shares | per ADS | volume (in lots of | ||||||||
1,000 common | ||||||||||
Low | High | Low | High | shares) | ||||||
2002: | 74.00 | 152.00 | 4.77 | 16.33 | 39,657 | |||||
2003: | 74.60 | 168.00 | 5.21 | 14.29 | 50,002 | |||||
2004: | 115.82 | 182.00 | 10.10 | 16.24 | 51,359 | |||||
2005: | ||||||||||
First quarter | 125.10 | 163.90 | 11.57 | 15.39 | 68,844 | |||||
Second quarter | 121.41 | 153.99 | 11.60 | 15.91 | 43,222 | |||||
Third quarter | 131.01 | 158.50 | 13.49 | 17.36 | 56,375 | |||||
Fourth quarter | 138.31 | 160.00 | 15.65 | 17.00 | 48,371 | |||||
2006: | ||||||||||
First quarter | 154.80 | 191.00 | 17.10 | 21.98 | 54,056 | |||||
Second quarter | 174.00 | 219.02 | 19.04 | 26.53 | 62,225 | |||||
Third quarter | 196.00 | 259.98 | 22.14 | 29.89 | 54,545 | |||||
Fourth quarter | 250.01 | 308.49 | 29.24 | 35.94 | 38,664 | |||||
2007: | ||||||||||
January | 258.99 | 296.37 | 30.04 | 34.72 | 51,332 | |||||
February | 283.00 | 302.00 | 33.53 | 36.19 | 56,524 | |||||
March | 272.00 | 299.00 | 32.51 | 35.16 | 43,040 | |||||
April | 270.00 | 285.10 | 32.96 | 35.19 | 36,132 | |||||
May | 274.01 | 327.00 | 33.80 | 41.99 | 42,021 | |||||
June * | 37.21 | 44.49 | 38.32 | 46.72 | 426,786 |
* | After June 4, 2007 our common shares have been traded considering the reverse stock split. |
Share prices for the most recent six months are as follows:
Reais per | ||||
1000 | ||||
common | ||||
shares | ||||
Low | High | |||
December 2006 | 256.75 | 308.49 | ||
January 2007 | 258.99 | 296.37 | ||
February 2007 | 283.00 | 302.00 | ||
March 2007 | 272.00 | 299.00 | ||
April 2007 | 270.00 | 285.10 | ||
May 2007 | 274.01 | 327.00 | ||
June 2007 * | 37.21 | 44.49 |
* | After June 4, 2007 our common shares have been traded considering the reverse split. |
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Our common shares have been listed on the São Paulo Stock Exchange since June 4, 1997 and since April 24, 2002 our common shares have been included on the Novo Mercado segment of that Exchange. Prior to June 4, 1997, our common shares were traded on Sociedade Operadora do Mercado de Acesso (SOMA), an over-the-counter market in Brazil.
Market Price of ADSs
Our American Depositary Shares, or ADSs, each of which represent 2 of our common shares, as of the date of the filing of this annual report, are listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol SBS. Prior to June 8, 2007, each ADS represented 250 of our common shares. Our ADSs began trading on the New York Stock Exchange on May 10, 2002 in connection with the initial offering of our equity securities in the United States. We did not receive any of the proceeds from this sale.
The table below sets forth, for the periods indicated, the reported high and low closing prices for our ADSs on the New York Stock Exchange.
Price in U.S. dollars per ADS | ||||||
Average daily | ||||||
Low | High | trading volume | ||||
2002: | ||||||
Second quarter (commencing May 10) | 8.60 | 11.80 | 186,311 | |||
Third quarter | 4.75 | 8.80 | 42,784 | |||
Fourth quarter | 4.65 | 6.45 | 25,098 | |||
2003: | ||||||
First quarter | 5.29 | 7.80 | 17,014 | |||
Second quarter | 6.33 | 10.05 | 30,020 | |||
Third quarter | 8.20 | 11.90 | 83,056 | |||
Fourth quarter | 10.92 | 14.47 | 69,912 | |||
2004: | ||||||
First quarter | 11.21 | 16.07 | 116,077 | |||
Second quarter | 9.24 | 13.45 | 73,830 | |||
Third quarter | 10.55 | 12.35 | 45,982 | |||
Fourth quarter | 10.00 | 14.97 | 271,470 | |||
2005: | ||||||
First quarter | 11.73 | 15.10 | 235,987 | |||
Second quarter | 11.76 | 15.99 | 142,430 | |||
Third quarter | 13.60 | 17.44 | 260,919 | |||
Fourth quarter | 15.65 | 17.32 | 201,740 | |||
2006: | ||||||
First quarter | 17.21 | 22.01 | 419,783 | |||
Second quarter | 18.96 | 26.63 | 345,676 | |||
Third quarter | 22.04 | 30.10 | 265,682 | |||
Fourth quarter | 29.19 | 35.35 | 254,846 | |||
2007: | ||||||
January | 29.15 | 34.72 | 435,752 | |||
February | 33.55 | 36.11 | 304,103 | |||
March | 31.95 | 35.55 | 290,202 | |||
April | 32.99 | 35.37 | 181,016 | |||
May | 33.71 | 42.00 | 323,585 | |||
June | 37.75 | 46.26 | 427,028 |
9.B. Plan of Distribution
Not applicale.
9.C. Markets
Trading on the Brazilian Stock Exchanges
In 2000, the Brazilian stock exchanges were reorganized through the execution of memoranda of understanding by the Brazilian stock exchanges. Pursuant to the memoranda, all securities are now traded only on the São Paulo Stock Exchange, with the exception of electronically traded public debt securities and privatization auctions, which are traded on the Rio de Janeiro Stock Exchange.
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If you were to trade in our common shares on the São Paulo Stock Exchange, your trade would settle in three business days after the trade date without adjustment of the purchase price for inflation. The seller is ordinarily required to deliver the shares to the exchange on the second business day following the trade date. Delivery of and payment for shares are made through the facilities of the clearinghouse, or Companhia Brasileira de Liquidação e Custódia.
The São Paulo Stock Exchange has an electronic trading system that conducts trading from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.. The São Paulo Stock Exchange also permits trading from 5:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., on a differentiated trading time called the after market. Trading on the after market is subject to regulatory limits on price volatility and on the volume of shares transacted through internet brokers. There are no specialists or officially recognized market makers for our shares.
In order to better control volatility, the São Paulo Stock Exchange adopted a circuit breaker pursuant to which trading sessions may be suspended for a period of 30 minutes or one hour whenever its main index (the Index of the São Paulo Stock Exchange or BOVESPA) fall below the limits of 10% or 15%, respectively, in relation to the index registered in the previous trading session.
The São Paulo Stock Exchange is less liquid than the New York Stock Exchange or other major exchanges in the world. As of December 31, 2006, the aggregate market capitalization of the 394 companies listed on the São Paulo Stock Exchange was equivalent to approximately US$722.6 billion and the 10 largest companies listed on the São Paulo Stock Exchange represented approximately 51.3% of the total market capitalization of all listed companies. Although any of the outstanding shares of a listed company may trade on a Brazilian stock exchange, in most cases fewer than half of the listed shares are actually available for trading by the public, the remainder being held by small groups of controlling persons, by governmental entities or by one principal shareholder. As of December 31, 2006, we accounted for approximately 1% of the market capitalization of all listed companies on the São Paulo Stock Exchange.
Trading on Brazilian stock exchanges by a holder not deemed to be domiciled in Brazil for Brazilian tax and regulatory purposes (a non-Brazilian holder) is subject to certain limitations under Brazilian foreign investment legislation. With limited exceptions, non-Brazilian holders may only trade on Brazilian stock exchanges in accordance with the requirements of Resolution No. 2,689, of January 26, 2000, of the National Monetary Council. Resolution No. 2,689 requires that securities held by non-Brazilian holders be maintained in the custody of, or in deposit accounts with, financial institutions duly authorized by the Central Bank and the Brazilian securities commission. In addition, Resolution No. 2,689 requires non-Brazilian holders to restrict their securities trading to transactions on Brazilian stock exchanges or qualified over-the-counter markets. With limited exceptions, non-Brazilian holders may not transfer the ownership of investments made under Resolution No. 2,689 to other non-Brazilian holders through a private transaction. See Item 10.E Additional InformationTaxationBrazilian Tax ConsiderationsTaxation of Gains for a description of certain tax benefits extended to non-Brazilian holders who qualify under Resolution No. 2,689.
Novo Mercado
Since April 24, 2002, our shares have been listed on the Novo Mercado. The Novo Mercado is a listing segment under the São Paulo Stock Exchange designed for the trading of shares issued by companies that voluntarily undertake to abide by some additional corporate governance practices and disclosure requirements in addition to those already imposed by Brazilian law. A company in the Novo Mercado must follow a series of corporate rules known as good practices of corporate governance. These rules generally increase shareholders rights and enhance the quality of information provided to shareholders. On April 18, 2002 and on June 19, 2006, our shareholders approved changes to our by-laws to comply with the Novo Mercado requirements. In addition, the Novo Mercado provides for the creation of a Market Arbitration Chamber for conflicts resolution between investors and companies listed in the Novo Mercado.
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In addition to the obligations imposed by current Brazilian law, a company listed on the Novo Mercado is obligated to:
Regulation of Brazilian Securities Markets
The Brazilian securities markets are principally governed by Law No. 6,385, of December 7, 1976, and Brazilian Corporate Law, each as amended and supplemented, and by regulations issued by the Brazilian securities commission, which has regulatory authority over the stock exchanges and securities markets generally, the National Monetary Council, and by the Central Bank, which has licensing authority over brokerage firms and regulates foreign investment and foreign exchange transactions. These laws and regulations, among others, provide for disclosure requirements applicable to issuers of traded securities, protection of minority shareholders and criminal penalties for insider trading and price manipulation. They also provide for licensing and oversight of brokerage firms and governance of the Brazilian stock exchanges. Nevertheless, the Brazilian securities markets are not as highly regulated and supervised as the U.S. securities markets.
Under Brazilian Corporate Law, a company is either public (companhia aberta), such as we are, or closely held (companhia fechada). All public companies, including us, are registered with the Brazilian securities commission and are subject to reporting requirements. A company registered with the Brazilian securities commission may have its securities traded on the Brazilian stock exchanges or in the Brazilian over-the-counter market. Our common shares are listed and traded on the São Paulo Stock Exchange and may be traded privately subject to some limitations.
To be listed on a Brazilian stock exchange a company must apply for registration with the Brazilian securities commission and the stock exchange where the head office of the company is located.
We have the option to ask that trading in our securities on the São Paulo Stock Exchange be suspended in anticipation of a material announcement. Trading may also be suspended on the initiative of the São Paulo Stock Exchange or the Brazilian securities commission, among other reasons, based on or due to a belief that a company has provided inadequate information regarding a material event or has provided inadequate responses to the inquiries by the Brazilian securities commission or the São Paulo Stock Exchange.
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The Brazilian over-the-counter market consists of direct trades between individuals in which a financial institution registered with the Brazilian securities commission serves as intermediary. No special application, other than registration with the Brazilian securities commission, is necessary for securities of a public company to be traded in this market. The Brazilian securities commission requires that it be given notice of all trades carried out in the Brazilian over-the-counter market by the respective intermediaries.
Trading on the São Paulo Stock Exchange by non-residents of Brazil is subject to limitations under Brazilian foreign investment and tax legislation. The Brazilian custodian for the common shares underlying the ADSs must, on behalf of the depositary for our ADSs, obtain registration from the Central Bank to remit U.S. dollars abroad for payments of dividends, any other cash distributions, or upon the disposition of the shares and sales proceeds thereto. In the event that a holder of ADSs exchanges ADSs for common shares, the holder will be entitled to continue to rely on the custodians registration for five business days after the exchange. Thereafter, the holder may not be able to obtain and remit U.S. dollars abroad upon the disposition of our common shares, or distributions relating to our common shares, unless the holder obtains a new registration. See Item 10.D Additional InformationExchange Controls.
9.D. Selling Shareholders
Not applicale.
9.E. Dilution
Not applicale.
9.F. Expenses of the Issue
Not applicale.
ITEM 10. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
10.A. Share Capital
Not applicale.
10.B. Memorandum and Articles of Association
The following is a summary of the material terms of our common shares, including related provisions of our by-laws and Brazilian Corporate Law. This description is qualified by reference to our by-laws and to Brazilian law.
Corporate Purposes
We are a mixed capital company duly organized under the laws of Brazil with unlimited duration. We have the legal status of a sociedade de economia mista, a mixed capital company with limited liability, operating under Brazilian Corporate Law. As set forth in Article 2 of our by-laws, our corporate purpose is to plan, execute, operate and market basic sanitation services and their connected benefits throughout the territory of the State of São Paulo. Since March 2006, we are also authorized to provide such services in all national territory and abroad.
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Description of Common Shares
General
Each common share entitles the holder thereof to one vote at our annual and special shareholders meetings. Brazilian Corporate Law requires that all our shareholders meetings be called by publication of a notice in the Diário Oficial do Estado de São Paulo, the official government publication of the State of São Paulo, and in a newspaper of general circulation in our principal place of business, currently the City of São Paulo, at least fifteen days prior to the meeting. In addition, the Brazilian Securities Commission may also require the first call for a shareholders meeting to be up to 30 days before such shareholders meeting. The quorum to hold shareholders meetings on first call is generally 25% of the shares entitled to vote and on second call the meetings can be held with the presence of any number of the shares entitled to vote.
Under Brazilian Corporate Law, our common shares are entitled to dividends or other distributions made in respect of our common shares in proportion to their share of the amount available for the dividend or distribution. See Item 8.A Financial InformationConsolidated Statements and Other Financial InformationDividends and Dividend Policy for a more complete description of payment of dividends and other distributions on our common shares. In addition, upon any liquidation of Sabesp, our common shares are entitled to return of capital in proportion to their share of our net worth.
In principle, a change in shareholder rights of shareholders, such as the reduction of the compulsory minimum dividend, is subject to a favorable vote of the shareholders representing at least one half of our voting shares. Under some circumstances that may result in a change in the rights of shareholders, such as the creation of preferred shares, Brazilian Corporate Law requires the approval of a majority of the shareholders who would be adversely affected by the change present in a special meeting called for such reason. Brazilian Corporate Law specifies other circumstances where the dissenting shareholder may also have appraisal rights.
According to Brazilian Corporate Law, neither a companys by-laws nor actions taken at a general meeting of shareholders may deprive a shareholder of some specific rights, such as:
Pursuant to Brazilian Corporate Law and our by-laws, each of our common shares carries the right to one vote at a general meeting of shareholders. Sabesp may not restrain or deny that right without the consent of the holders of a majority of the shares affected.
Neither Brazilian Corporate Law nor our by-laws expressly addresses:
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However, under the laws of the State of São Paulo and our by-laws, the State is required to own at least a majority of our outstanding common shares.
According to Brazilian Corporate Law, shareholders representing at least one-tenth of the voting capital may request that a multiple voting procedure be adopted to entitle each share to as many votes as there are board members and to give each shareholder the right to vote cumulatively for only one candidate or to distribute their votes among several candidates. Pursuant to Brazilian Corporate Law, shareholder action must be taken at a shareholders meeting duly called and not by written consent.
Preemptive Rights
Each of our shareholders has a general preemptive right to subscribe for shares or securities convertible into shares in any capital increase, in proportion to its shareholding, except in the event of the grant and exercise of any option to acquire shares of our share capital. A period of at least 30 days following the publication of notice of the issuance of shares or securities convertible into shares is allowed for exercise of the right, and the right is negotiable. Under Brazilian Corporate Law, we may amend our by-laws to eliminate preemptive rights or to reduce the exercise period in connection with a public offering of shares or an exchange offer made to acquire another company. Currently our by-laws provide our shareholders with preemptive rights with respect to any offering.
In the event of a capital increase by means of the issuance of new shares, holders of ADSs, or of common shares, would, except under circumstances described above, have preemptive rights to subscribe for any class of our newly issued shares. However, an ADS holder may not be able to exercise the preemptive rights relating to the common shares underlying his or her ADSs unless a registration statement under the Securities Act is effective with respect to those rights or an exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act is available. See Item 3.D. Key InformationRisk FactorsRisks Relating to Our Common Shares and ADSsA holder might be unable to exercise preemptive rights and tag-along rights with respect to the common shares.
Redemption and Rights of Withdrawal
Brazilian Corporate Law provides that, under limited circumstances, a shareholder has the right to withdraw his or her equity interest from the company and to receive payment for the portion of shareholders equity attributable to his or her equity interest. This right of withdrawal may be exercised by dissenting shareholders of Sabesp in the event that at least half of all voting shares outstanding authorize us:
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The right of withdrawal lapses 30 days after publication of the minutes of the shareholders meeting that approved the corporate actions described above. We would be entitled to reconsider any action giving rise to withdrawal rights within 10 days following the expiration of such rights if the withdrawal of shares of dissenting shareholders would jeopardize our financial stability. Brazilian Corporate Law allows companies to redeem their shares at their economic value, subject to the provisions of their by-laws and certain other requirements. Our by-laws currently do not provide that our capital stock will be redeemable at its economic value and, consequently, any redemption pursuant to Brazilian Corporate Law would be made based on the book value per share, determined on the basis of the last balance sheet approved by the shareholders. However, if a shareholders meeting giving rise to redemption rights occurred more than 60 days after the date of the last approved balance sheet, a shareholder would be entitled to demand that his or her shares be valued on the basis of a new balance sheet dated within 60 days of such shareholders meeting.
In addition, the rights of withdrawal in the third, fourth and eighth bullet points above may not be exercised by holders of shares if such shares (1) are liquid, defined as being part of the São Paulo Stock Exchange Index or other stock exchange index (as defined by the Brazilian securities commission), and (2) are widely held, such that the controlling shareholder or companies it controls have less than 50% of our shares. Our common shares are included on the São Paulo Stock Exchange Index.
This right of withdrawal may also be exercised in the event that the entity resulting from a merger, incorporação de ações, as described above, consolidation or spin-off of a listed company fails to become a listed company within 120 days of the shareholders meeting at which such decision was taken.
Arbitration
In connection with our listing with the Novo Mercado, we, our controlling shareholders, directors and officers have undertaken to refer to arbitration any and all disputes or controversies arising out of the Novo Mercado rules or any other corporate matters. See Item 9.C. The Offer and ListingMarkets. Under our by-laws, any disputes among us, our shareholders and our management with respect to the application of Novo Mercado rules, Brazilian Corporate Law, the application of the rules and regulations regarding Brazilian capital markets, will be resolved by arbitration conducted pursuant to the BOVESPA Arbitration Rules in the BOVESPA Arbitration Chamber. Any disputes among shareholders, including holders of ADSs, and disputes between us and shareholders, including holders of ADSs, will also be submitted to arbitration.
Options
There are currently no outstanding options to purchase any of our common shares.
Directors Powers
Although our by-laws contain no specific provisions regarding a director or executive officers power to vote on a proposal, arrangement or contract in which that director has a material interest, under Brazilian Corporate Law, a director or an executive officer is prohibited from voting in any meeting or with respect to any transaction in which that director or executive officer has a conflict of interest with the company and must disclose the nature and extent of the conflicting interest for transcription in the minutes of the meeting. In any case, a director or an executive officer may not transact any business with the company, including any borrowing, except on reasonable or fair terms and conditions that are identical to the terms and conditions prevailing in the market or offered by third parties.
Under our by-laws our shareholders are responsible for establishing the compensation we pay to the members of our board of directors and the executive officers.
Pursuant to Brazilian Corporate Law, each member of our board of directors must be a shareholder of Sabesp and, pursuant to our by-laws, a resident of Brazil. Our by-laws do not establish any mandatory retirement age limits.
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See also Item 6.A. Directors and Senior Management.
10.C. Material Contracts
For a description of the material contracts entered into by Sabesp and the State, see Item 7. Major Shareholders and Related Party TransactionsRelated Party TransactionsTransactions with the State of São PauloAgreements with the State.
10.D. Exchange Controls
There are no restrictions on ownership of common shares by individuals or legal entities domiciled outside Brazil. However, the right to convert dividend payments and proceeds from the sale of common shares into foreign currency and to remit such amounts outside Brazil is subject to restrictions under foreign investment legislation which generally requires, among other things, the registration of the relevant investment with the Central Bank.
Pursuant to Brazilian law, investors may invest in common shares under Resolution 2,689, of January 26, 2000, of the National Monetary Council.
Resolution No. 2,689 allows non-Brazilian investors to invest in almost all financial assets and to engage in almost all transactions available in the Brazilian financial and capital markets, provided that some requirements are fulfilled. In accordance with Resolution No. 2,689, the definition of non-Brazilian investor includes individuals, legal entities, mutual funds and other collective investment entities, domiciled or headquartered outside of Brazil.
Pursuant to Resolution 2,689, a foreign investor must: (1) appoint at least one representative in Brazil with powers to perform actions relating to the foreign investment; (2) complete the appropriate foreign investor registration form; (3) register as a foreign investor with the Brazilian securities commission; and (4) register the foreign investment with the Central Bank.
Securities and other financial assets held by foreign investors pursuant to Resolution 2,689 must be registered or maintained in deposit accounts or under the custody of an entity duly licensed by the Central Bank or the Brazilian securities commission. In addition, securities trading is restricted to transactions carried out in the stock exchanges or organized over-the-counter markets licensed by the Brazilian securities commission, except for transfers resulting from a corporate reorganization, occurring upon the death of an investor by operation of law or will or as a consequence of the de-listing of the relevant shares from a stock exchange and the cancellation of the registration with the Brazilian securities commission.
Under Resolution No. 2,689, foreign investors registered with the Brazilian securities commission may buy and sell shares on the São Paulo Stock Exchange without obtaining a separate certificate of registration for each transaction. Investors under these regulations are also generally entitled to favorable tax treatment.
Annex V to Resolution No. 1,289, as amended, of the National Monetary Council, also known as the Annex V Regulations, provides for the issuance of depositary receipts in foreign markets in respect of shares of Brazilian issuers.
Following the closing of the sale of our ADSs in May 2002, an electronic certificate of registration was made in the name of The Bank of New York, as the depositary, with respect to such ADSs and will be maintained by the Brazilian custodian for our common shares on behalf of the depositary. This electronic registration is carried on through the Central Bank Information System. Pursuant to the registration, the custodian and the depositary are able to convert dividends and other distributions with respect to the common shares represented by ADSs into foreign currency and remit the proceeds outside Brazil. In the event that a holder of ADSs exchanges such ADSs for common shares, the holder will be entitled to continue to rely on such electronic registration for five business days after the exchange. Thereafter, unless our common shares are held pursuant to Resolution No. 2,689 by a duly registered investor, or, if not a registered investor under Resolution No. 2,689, a holder of common shares applies for and obtains a new certificate of registration from the Central Bank, the holder may not be able to convert into foreign currency and remit outside Brazil the proceeds from the disposition of, or distributions with respect to, our common shares, and the holder, if not registered under Resolution No. 2,689, will be subject to less favorable Brazilian tax treatment than a holder of ADSs. In addition, if the foreign investor resides in a tax haven jurisdiction, the investor will be also subject to less favorable tax treatment.
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See Item 3.D. Key InformationRisk FactorsRisks Relating to Our Common Shares and ADSsInvestors who exchange ADSs for common shares may lose their ability to remit foreign currency abroad and to obtain Brazilian tax advantages and Item 10.E. TaxationBrazilian Tax Considerations.
10.E. Taxation
This summary contains a description of certain Brazilian and U.S. federal income tax consequences of the purchase, ownership and disposition of common shares or ADSs by a holder.
The summary is based upon the tax laws of Brazil and the federal income tax laws of the United States as in effect on the date of this annual report, which are subject to change, possibly with retroactive effect, and to differing interpretations. Holders of common shares or ADSs should consult their own tax advisors as to the Brazilian, U.S. or other tax consequences of the purchase, ownership and disposition of common shares or ADSs, including, in particular, the effect of any non-Brazilian, non-U.S., state or local tax laws.
Although there presently is no income tax treaty between Brazil and the United States, the tax authorities of the two countries have had discussions in the past regarding such a treaty. No assurance can be given, however, as to if or when a treaty will enter into force or how it will affect the U.S. holders of common shares or ADSs.
Brazilian Tax Considerations
The following discussion summarizes the principal Brazilian tax consequences of the acquisition, ownership and disposition of common shares or ADSs by a holder that is not domiciled in Brazil for purposes of Brazilian taxation (a non-Brazilian holder). It is based on Brazilian law as currently in effect, and, therefore, any change in such law may change the consequences described below. Each non-Brazilian holder should consult his or her own tax adviser concerning the Brazilian tax consequences of an investment in common shares or ADSs.
A non-Brazilian holder of ADSs may withdraw them in exchange for common shares in Brazil. Pursuant to Brazilian law, the non-Brazilian holder may invest in the common shares under Resolution 2,689, of January 26, 2000, of the National Monetary Council (2,689 holder).
Taxation of Dividends
As a result of the tax legislation adopted on December 26, 1995, dividends based on profits generated after January 1, 1996, including dividends paid in kind, payable by us in respect of common shares or ADSs, are exempt from withholding income tax. Dividends relating to profits generated prior to January 1, 1996 may be subject to Brazilian withholding income tax at varying rates, depending on the year the profits were generated.
Taxation of Gains
Gains realized outside Brazil by a non-Brazilian holder on the disposition of ADSs to another non-Brazilian holder are not currently subject to Brazilian tax. However, according to Law No. 10,833 of December 2003, or Law No. 10,833, the disposition of assets located in Brazil by a non-Brazilian holder, whether to other non-Brazilian holder or Brazilian holders, may become subject to taxation in Brazil. Although we believe that the ADSs do not fall within the definition of assets located in Brazil for the purposes of Law No. 10,833, considering the general and unclear scope of it and the lack of judicial court ruling in respect thereto, we are unable to predict whether such understanding will ultimately prevail in the courts of Brazil.
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Thus, the gain on disposition of ADSs by a non-Brazilian holder to a resident in Brazil (or even to a non Brazilian resident in case the argument above does not prevail) may be subject to income tax in Brazil according to the rules described below for ADSs or the tax rules applicable to common shares, as applicable.
The withdrawal of ADSs in exchange for common shares is not subject to Brazilian income tax provided that the regulatory rules are appropriately observed in respect to the registration of the investment before the Central Bank of Brazil. The deposit of common shares in exchange for ADSs may be subject to Brazilian capital income tax at the rate of 15% or 25%, in case the non-Brazilian holder is located in a tax haven, i.e. considered to be places which do not impose any income tax at a maximum rate of less than 20% and those where the internal legislation imposes restrictions on disclosure of the shareholding composition or the ownership of the investment (tax haven holder), if the acquisition cost of the common shares is lower than (1) the average price per common share on a Brazilian stock exchange on which the greatest number of such shares were sold on the day of deposit, or (2) if no common shares were sold on that day, the average price on the Brazilian stock exchange on which the greatest number of common shares were sold in the fifteen trading sessions immediately preceding such deposit. In this case, the difference between the acquisition cost and the average price of the common shares, calculated as above, shall be considered a capital gain.
Gains realized on disposition of common shares, are subject to income tax in Brazil, regardless of whether the sale or the disposition is made by the non-Brazilian holder to a resident or person domiciled in Brazil or not, based on the fact that the common shares could be considered as assets located in Brazil for purposes of Law No. 10,833.
Thus, for purposes of taxation of gains earned in a sale or disposition of common shares carried out on the Brazilian stock exchange (which includes the transactions carried out on the organized over-the-counter market):
Any other gains assessed on the disposition of the common shares that are not carried out on the Brazilian stock exchange are subject to income tax a rate of 15%, except for tax haven holder which, in this case, is subject to income tax at a rate of 25%. In case these gains are related to transactions conducted on the Brazilian non-organized over-the-counter market with intermediation, the withholding income tax of 0,005% shall also be applicable and can be offset with the eventual income tax due on the capital gain.
In the case of redemption of securities or capital reduction by a Brazilian corporation, such as ourselves, the positive difference between the amount effectively received by the non-Brazilian holder and the corresponding acquisition cost is treated, for tax purposes, as capital gain derived from disposition of common shares not carried out on a Brazilian stock exchange market, and is therefore subject to income tax at the rate of 15% or 25%, as the case may be.
Any exercise of preemptive rights relating to the common shares will not be subject to Brazilian income tax. Any gain on the sale or assignment of preemptive rights relating to the common shares by a non-Brazilian holder of common shares or ADSs will be subject to Brazilian taxation at the same rate applicable to the sale or disposition of common shares.
There is no assurance that the current preferential treatment for holders of ADSs and non-Brazilian holders of common shares under Resolution 2,689 will continue in the future or that it will not be changed in the future. Reductions in the rate of tax provided for by Brazils tax treaties do not apply to the tax on gains realized on sales or exchange of common shares.
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Interest Attributed to Shareholders Equity
Distribution of an interest on equity charge attributed to shareholders equity in respect of the common shares or ADSs as an alternative form of payment to shareholders, including non-Brazilian holders of common shares or ADSs, is subject to Brazilian withholding income tax at the rate of 15% or 25%, in case of a tax-haven holder. Such payments, subject to certain limitations and requirements, are deductible for Brazilian income tax purposes.
Other Brazilian Taxes
There are no Brazilian inheritance, gift or succession taxes applicable to the ownership, transfer or disposition of common shares or ADSs by a non-Brazilian holder, except for gift and inheritance taxes, which are levied by some states of Brazil on gifts made or inheritances bestowed by a non-Brazilian holder to individuals or entities resident or domiciled within such states in Brazil. There are no Brazilian stamp, issue, registration, or similar taxes or duties payable by a non-Brazilian holder of common shares or ADSs.
Tax on Bank Account Transaction, or CPMF
As a general rule, CPMF is imposed on debits to bank accounts at a current rate of 0.38% . Therefore, transactions by the depositary or by holders of common shares which involve the transfer of Brazilian currency through Brazilian financial institutions shall be subject to the CPMF tax. In some cases, transactions involving foreign investors may be exempt from CPMF. Additionally, according to article 4th of Provisory Measure No. 281, dated as of February 15th, 2006, the CPMF rate is reduced to zero on withdrawals from bank accounts used to buy commons shares in a public offering, provided the public offering is registered with the CVM and that the issuer is listed in the Brazilian stock exchange. This Provisory Measure is currently valid but it must be approved by the Congress before it becomes a law and is signed by the President. The responsibility for the collection of the CPMF tax is borne by the financial institution that carries out the relevant financial transaction.
In addition, according to section 4 of the Provisory Measure No. 281, dated February 15, 2006, which is currently in effect, the CPMF rate is reduced to zero on withdrawals from bank accounts used to buy common shares in a public offering, provided that (1) the public offering is registered with the CVM and (2) the issuer is listed on the Brazilian stock exchange. In order for the effects of this Provisory Measure to become permanent, it must be converted into law pursuant to the applicable legal procedures.
Taxation of Foreign Exchange Transactions, or IOF/Câmbio
IOF/Câmbio may be imposed on the conversion of Brazilian currency into foreign currency (e.g., for purposes of paying dividends and interest) and on the conversion of foreign currency into Brazilian currency. Except under specific circumstances, the rate of IOF/Câmbio tax on such conversions is currently 0%, but the Minister of Finance has the legal power to increase at any time the rate to a maximum of 25%, but only in relation to future transactions.
Tax on Bonds and Securities Transactions, or IOF/Títulos
The IOF/Títulos may be imposed on any transactions involving bonds and securities, including those carried out on Brazilian futures and commodities stock exchanges. As a general rule, the rate of this tax for transactions involving common shares or ADSs is currently zero, although the executive branch may increase such rate up to 1.5% per day, but only with respect to future transactions.
United States Tax Considerations
The summary discussion below is applicable to you only if you are a U.S. holder that is not domiciled in Brazil (or domiciled or resident in a tax haven jurisdiction) for purposes of Brazilian taxation and, in the case of a holder of common shares, that has registered its investment in common shares with the Central Bank as a U.S. dollar investment. A U.S. holder is a beneficial owner of a common share or ADS that, for U.S. federal income tax purposes, is:
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Except where noted, this summary deals only with common shares or ADSs held as capital assets and does not deal with special situations, such as those of banks, dealers in securities or currencies, traders in securities that elect to use a mark-to-market method of accounting for their securities holdings, financial institutions, tax-exempt entities, insurance companies, real estate investment trusts, regulated investment companies, persons holding common shares or ADSs as part of a hedging, integrated, conversion or constructive sale transaction or a straddle, persons liable for alternative minimum tax, pass-through entities and investors in a pass-through entity, persons owning 10% or more of our voting stock, or persons whose functional currency is not the U.S. dollar. Furthermore, this discussion set forth under United States Taxation is based upon the provisions of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, or the Code, and regulations, rulings and judicial decisions thereunder as of the date hereof, and such authorities may be repealed, revoked or modified so as to result in United States federal income tax consequences different from those discussed below possibly with retroactive effect. In addition, such summary is based, in part, upon representations made by the Depositary to us and assumes that the deposit agreement, and all other related agreements, will be performed in accordance with their terms.
If a partnership holds common shares or ADSs, the tax treatment of a partner will generally depend upon the status of the partner and the activities of the partnership. If you are a partner of a partnership holding common shares or ADSs, you should consult your tax advisors.
ADSs
In general, for United States federal income tax purposes, U.S. holders of ADSs will be treated as the owners of the underlying common shares that are represented by such ADSs. Deposits or withdrawals of common shares by U.S. holders for ADSs will not be subject to United States federal income tax. However, the United States Treasury has expressed concerns that parties involved in transactions wherein depositary shares are pre-released may be taking actions that are inconsistent with the claiming of foreign tax credits by the holders of ADSs. Accordingly, the analysis of the creditability of Brazilian taxes described herein could be affected by future actions that may be taken by the United States Treasury.
Taxation of Dividends
The gross amount of distributions paid to you (including amounts withheld by the Brazilian taxing authority, if any, and any payments of interest on shareholders equity, as described above under Brazilian Tax Considerations) will be treated as dividend income to the extent paid out of our current or accumulated earnings and profits, as determined under United States federal income tax principles. Such income may be included in your gross income as ordinary income when actually or constructively received by you, in the case of common shares, or when actually or constructively received by the Depositary, in the case of ADSs. Such dividends will not be eligible for the dividends received deduction allowed to corporations under the Code. To the extent that the amount of any distribution exceeds our current and accumulated earnings and profits for a taxable year, the distribution will first be treated as a tax-free return of capital to the extent of the U.S. holders tax basis in the common shares or ADS, causing a reduction in the adjusted basis of our common shares or ADSs (thereby increasing the amount of gain, or decreasing the amount of loss, to be recognized on a subsequent disposition of our common shares or ADSs), and thereafter, as capital gain recognized on a sale or exchange.
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The amount of any dividend paid in reais will equal the U.S. dollar value of the reais received calculated by reference to the exchange rate in effect on the date the dividend is received by you, in the case of common shares, or by the Depositary, in the case of ADSs, regardless of whether the reais are converted into U.S. dollars. If the reais received as a dividend are not converted into U.S. dollars on the date of receipt, you will have a basis in the reais equal to their U.S. dollar value on the date of receipt. Any gain or loss realized on a subsequent conversion or other disposition of the reais will be treated as United States source ordinary income or loss.
Certain dividends received by certain non-corporate U.S. Holders through taxable years beginning on or before 31 December 2010 are subject to a reduced maximum tax rate of 15% so long as (1) specified holding period requirements are met, (2) the U.S. Holder is not under an obligation (whether pursuant to a short sale or otherwise) to make related payments with respect to positions in substantially similar or related property, (3) the company paying the dividend is a qualified foreign corporation and (4) the company is not a passive foreign investment company for U.S. federal income tax purposes (a PFIC) in the year of distribution or the prior year. We do not believe that we were classified as a PFIC for our prior taxable year nor do we expect to be classified as a PFIC. We generally will be treated as a qualified foreign corporation with respect to our ADSs so long as the ADS remain listed on the New York Stock Exchange. Based on existing guidance, it is not entirely clear whether dividends received with respect to the common shares (to the extent not represented by ADSs) will be treated as qualified dividend income, because the common shares are not themselves listed on a U.S. exchange. You should consult your own advisor about the application of this rate to dividends paid directly on common shares.
Subject to certain limitations, Brazilian withholding taxes on dividends, if any, may be treated as foreign taxes eligible for credit against a U.S. holders United States federal income tax liability. Alternatively, at a U.S. holders election if it does not elect to claim a foreign tax credit for any foreign taxes paid during the taxable year, all foreign income taxes paid may instead be deducted in computing such U.S. holders taxable income. For purposes of calculating the foreign tax credit, dividends paid on our common shares will be treated as income from sources outside the United States. The limitation on foreign taxes eligible for credit is calculated separately with respect to specific classes of income. Special rules apply to certain individuals whose foreign source income during the taxable year consists entirely of qualified passive income and whose creditable foreign taxes paid or accrued during the taxable year do not exceed US$300 (US$600 in the case of a joint return). Further, a U.S. holder that (q) has held common shares or ADSs for less than a specific minimum period during which it is not protected from risk of loss or (2) is obligated to make payments related to the dividends will not be allowed a foreign tax credit for foreign taxes imposed on dividends paid on common shares or ADSs. In addition, a U.S. holder that holds the shares in certain arrangements in which the U.S. holders expected economic profits are insubstantial may not be allowed a foreign tax credit for such foreign taxes. The rules governing the foreign tax credit are complex. You should consult your tax advisors regarding the availability of the foreign tax credit under your particular circumstances.
Taxation of Capital Gains
For United States federal income tax purposes, you generally will recognize taxable gain or loss on any sale, exchange or other disposition of a common share or ADS in an amount equal to the difference between the U.S. dollar value of the amount realized for the common share or ADS and your adjusted tax basis in the common share or ADS, determined in U.S. dollars. Such gain or loss will be capital gain or loss. The capital gain or loss will be long-term capital gain or loss if at the time of sale, exchange or other disposition you have held our common shares or ADSs for more than one year. Capital gains of individuals derived with respect to capital assets held for more than one year are eligible for reduced rates of taxation. The deductibility of capital losses is subject to limitations. Any gain or loss recognized by you will generally be treated as United States source gain or loss. Consequently, a U.S. holder may not be able to use the foreign tax credit arising from Brazilian tax imposed, if any, on the disposition of a common share or ADS unless such credit can be applied (subject to applicable limitations) against tax due on other income treated as derived from foreign sources.
Passive Foreign Investment Company Rules
Based upon our current and projected income, assets and activities, we do not expect the common shares or ADSs to be considered shares of a PFIC for our current fiscal year or for future fiscal years. However, because the determination of whether the common shares or ADSs constitute shares of a PFIC will be based upon the composition of our income and assets, and entities in which we hold at least a 25% interest, from time to time, and because there are uncertainties in the application of the relevant rules, there can be no assurance that the common shares or ADSs will not be considered shares of a PFIC for any fiscal year. If the common shares or ADSs were shares of a PFIC for any fiscal year, U.S. holders (including certain indirect U.S. holders) may be subject to adverse tax consequences, including the possible imposition of an interest charge on gains or excess distributions allocable to prior years in the U.S. holders holding period during which we were determined to be a PFIC. If we are deemed to be a PFIC for a taxable year, dividends on our ADSs would not be qualified dividend income subject to preferential rates of U.S. federal income taxation. U.S. holders should consult their own tax advisors regarding the application of the PFIC rules to the common shares or ADSs.
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Information Reporting and Backup Withholding
In general, information reporting requirements will apply to dividends in respect of our common shares or ADSs or the proceeds received on the sale, exchange, or redemption of our ADSs, in each case to the extent treated as being paid within the United States (and in certain cases, outside of the United States) to you unless you establish you are an exempt recipient (such as a corporation), and backup withholding may apply to such amounts if you do not establish you are an exempt recipient and you fail to provide a correct taxpayer identification number. The amount of any backup withholding from a payment to you will be allowed as a refund or credit against your United States federal income tax liability provided you timely furnish the required information to the Internal Revenue Service.
10.F. Dividends and Payments Agents
Not applicale.
10.G. Statements by Experts
Not applicale.
10.H. Documents on Display
We are subject to the periodic reporting and other informational requirements of the U.S. Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Accordingly, we are required to file reports and other information with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. You may inspect and copy reports and other information filed by us at the public reference facilities maintained by the Commission at 450 Fifth Street, N.W, Washington D.C. 20549. You may obtain copies of these materials upon written request from the Public Reference Section of the Commission at 450 Fifth Street, N.W, Washington D.C. 20549 at prescribed rates. You may also inspect this material at the offices of the New York Stock Exchange, Inc., 20 Broad Street, New York, New York 10005. In addition to the public reference facilities maintained by the Commission and the New York Stock Exchange, you may obtain a copy of the annual report, upon written request from the depositary for our ADSs at its corporate trust office located at 101 Barclay Street, New York, New York 10286.
We also furnish to the depositary annual reports in English including audited annual financial statements and unaudited quarterly financial statements in English for each of the first three quarters of the fiscal year. We also furnish to the depositary English translations or summaries of all notices of shareholders meetings and other reports and communications that are made generally available to holders of common shares.
ITEM 11. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK
We are exposed to various market risksin particular, foreign currency exchange rate risk and interest rate risk. We are exposed to exchange rate risk because a substantial portion of our financial expenses are denominated in foreign currencies (primarily the U.S. dollar), while we generate all of our net operating revenues in reais.
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Similarly, we are subject to interest rate risk based upon changes in interest rates, which affect our net financial expenses.
Exchange Rate Risk
As of December 31, 2006 and 2005, approximately R$1,472.8 million and R$1,576.0 million, or 23.3% and 23.7%, respectively, of our debt obligations were denominated in foreign currencies (including debt pegged to baskets of foreign currencies). The basket of foreign currency-pegged debt consists primarily of our debt with the Inter-American Development Bank and the World Bank. As a result, we are exposed to exchange rate risks that may adversely affect our financial condition and results of operations, as well as our ability to meet debt service obligations. For example, we estimate that the potential loss to us in connection with U.S. dollar-denominated debt that would have resulted as of December 31, 2006 and 2005 from each hypothetical instantaneous and unfavorable 1% change in the U.S. dollar against the real would have been approximately (unaudited) R$14.7 million and R$15.8 million, respectively. Consistent with these estimates, a hypothetical instantaneous and unfavorable 10% change in this exchange rate would have resulted in losses of approximately (unaudited) R$147.3 million and R$157.6 million as of December 31, 2006 and 2005, respectively. These estimates do not take into account that the changes in exchange rates comprising the baskets of foreign currencies often present variations different from the devaluation of the real in relation to the U.S. dollar.
The devaluation of the real in relation to the U.S. dollar and with the Inter-American Development Bank and World Bank basket of currencies, for the year ended December 31, 2006 were as follows:
Year ended December 31, | ||||
2006 | 2005 | |||
Devaluation (appreciation) of real in relation to: | (in percentages) | |||
U.S. dollar | (9.5) | (13.4) | ||
World Bank basket of currencies | 3.42 | 9.52 | ||
Inter-American Development Bank basket of currencies | 2.1 | 7.25 |
We have not utilized derivative financial instruments, although at times, we enter into forward exchange transactions and financial funding transactions in reais to mitigate foreign currency exposure.
As of December 31, 2006 and 2005, we had no short-term debt outstanding, other than the current portion of long-term debt.
Interest Rate Risk
As of December 31, 2006 and 2005, approximately R$2,598.8 million, or 53.3%, and R$2,726.7 million, or 53.6%, respectively, of our total debt outstanding balance denominated in reais, was based on variable rates of interest based on the Unidade Padrão de ReferênciaUPR (Reference Standard Unit), which is equal to the Taxa ReferencialTR (daily government interest rate). In addition, on December 31, 2006 and 2005, approximately R$1,041.4 million, or 21.5%, and R$1,116.4 million, or 21.9%, respectively, of our total debt denominated in reais was subject to interest rates based on the Certificado de Depósito Interbancário, or CDI, rate (benchmark interest rate set by the Brazilian interbank market on a daily basis). As of December 31, 2006 and 2005, R$849.4 million and R$901.8 million, respectively, of our foreign-currency denominated debt was based on the Inter-American Development Bank and the World Bank variable rates of interest, which are determined based on the cost of funding of these multilateral organizations in each period.
As of December 31, 2006 and 2005, we did not have any derivative contracts outstanding which limited exposure to changes in the UPR or the CDI or in the Inter-American Development Bank or World Bank variable rates. However, we are obliged by law to invest our excess cash with financial institutions controlled by the Brazilian government. We invest these excess funds, which totaled R$248.1 million on December 31, 2006 and R$155.7 million on December 31, 2005, mainly in short-term instruments. As a result, our exposure to Brazilian interest rate risk is partially limited by our real-denominated floating interest time deposits investments, which generally earn the CDI rate. In addition to our exposure with respect to existing indebtedness, we may become exposed to interest rate volatility with respect to indebtedness incurred in the future.
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We estimate that we would have suffered a loss over periods of one year, respectively, of up to R$10.5 million (unaudited) and R$11.2 million if a hypothetical instantaneous and unfavorable change of 100 basis points in the interest rates applicable to financial liabilities on December 31,2006 and 2005, respectively, had occurred. Consistent with these estimates, a hypothetical instantaneous and unfavorable 10%, or 1000 basis point, change in these interest rates would have resulted in losses of approximately R$104.1 million (unaudited) and R$116.6 million as of December 31, 2006 and 2005, respectively. This sensitivity analysis is based on the assumption of an unfavorable 100 basis point movement of the interest rates applicable to each homogeneous category of financial liabilities and sustained over a period of one year and that such movement may or may not affect interest rates applicable to any other homogenous category of financial liabilities. A homogeneous category is defined according to the currency in which financial liabilities are denominated and assumes the same interest rate movement within each homogeneous category (e.g., U.S. dollars). As a result, our interest rate risk sensitivity model may overstate the effect of interest rate fluctuation on these financial instruments, as consistently unfavorable movements of all interest rates are unlikely.
The tables below provide information about our interest rate-sensitive instruments. For variable interest rate debt, the rate presented is the weighted average rate calculated as of December 31, 2006. For the foreign currency denominated obligations these amounts have been converted at the selling rates as of December 31, 2006, and do not represent amounts which may actually be payable with respect to such obligations on the dates indicated.
As of December 31, 2006 | ||||||||||||||
Expected maturity date | ||||||||||||||
Average | ||||||||||||||
annual | ||||||||||||||
2007 | 2008 | 2009 | 2010 | After 2010 | Total | interest rate | ||||||||
(in millions, except percentages) | ||||||||||||||
Assets: | ||||||||||||||
Time deposits denominated | ||||||||||||||
in reais | 248.1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 248.1 | ||||||||
Total assets | 248.1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 248.1 | ||||||||
Liabilities: | ||||||||||||||
Long-term debt: | ||||||||||||||
Floating rate, denominated in reais | ||||||||||||||
indexed by TR or UPR | 282.6 | 289.7 | 313.5 | 340.0 | 1,389.7 | 2,615.5 | 10.59% | |||||||
Floating rate, denominated in reais | ||||||||||||||
indexed by TJLP | 32.5 | 31.8 | 31.6 | 31.5 | 59.5 | 186.9 | 4.00% | |||||||
Floating rate, denominated in reais | ||||||||||||||
indexed by IGPM | 94 | 0 | 203.1 | 298.4 | 359.8 | 955.3 | 15.13% | |||||||
Floating rate, denominated in reais | ||||||||||||||
indexed by CDI | 323.2 | 67.5 | 617.5 | 67.5 | 20.6 | 1,096.3 | 14.68% | |||||||
Floating rate, denominated in U.S. | ||||||||||||||
dollars | 79.6 | 66.1 | 66.1 | 66.1 | 580.2 | 858.1 | 4.66% | |||||||
Floating rate, denominated in Euro | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||
Fixed rate, denominated in | ||||||||||||||
U.S. dollars | 40.5 | 215.6 | 5.9 | 5.9 | 346.7 | 614.6 | 8.51% | |||||||
Total long-term debt | 852.4 | 670.7 | 1,237.7 | 809.4 | 2,756.5 | 6,326.7 |
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The percentage of our debt subject to fixed and floating interest rates is as follows:
On December 31, | ||||
2006 | 2005 | |||
Floating rate debt: | ||||
Denominated in U.S. dollars | 13.56% | 13.70% | ||
Denominated in Euro | 0 | 0.05% | ||
Denominated in reais | 76.72% | 76.25% | ||
Fixed rate debt: | ||||
Denominated in U.S. dollars | 9.72% | 10.00% | ||
Total | 100.0% | 100.00% |
ITEM 12. DESCRIPTION OF SECURITIES OTHER THAN EQUITY SECURITIES
12.A. Debt Securities
Not applicable.
12.B. Warrants and Rights
Not applicable.
12.C. Other Securities
Not applicable.
12.D. American Depositary Shares
Not applicable.
PART II
ITEM 13. DEFAULTS, DIVIDEND ARREARAGES AND DELINQUENCIES
Not applicable.
ITEM 14. MATERIAL MODIFICATIONS TO THE RIGHTS OF SECURITY HOLDERS AND USE OF PROCEEDS
Not applicable.
ITEM 15. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES
Disclosure Controls and Procedures. We maintain disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in the U.S. Securities Exchange Act of 1934 under Rule 13a-15(e)) that are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed by us in the reports that we file and submit under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in Securities and Exchange Commission rules and forms, and accumulated and communicated to management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer and Investor Relations Officer, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosures. Our management, under the supervision and with the participation of our Chief Executive Officer and our Chief Financial Officer and Investor Relations Officer, has evaluated the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures as of December 31, 2006, the end of the period covered by this annual report. Based on this evaluation, which included consideration of the material weaknesses described below and our inability to file this annual report within the statutory time period, our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and our Chief Financial Officer and Investor Relations Officer, has concluded that as of December 31, 2006, our disclosure controls and procedures were not effective.
119
In light of the material weaknesses, we performed additional analysis and other post-closing procedures to ensure that our financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in Brazil and in the United States. Accordingly, we believe that the financial statements included in this annual report fairly present, in all material respects, our financial position, results of operations and cash flows for the period presented.
Managements Annual Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting. Our management is responsible for establishing and maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting and for its assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting as defined in Rules 13a-15 (f) under the U.S. Securities Exchange Act of 1934.
The Companys internal control over financial reporting is a process designed by, or under the supervision of, the Companys Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer and Investor Relations Officer, and effected by the Companys board of directors, audit committee, management, and other personnel to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. The Companys internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that (1) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the Company; (2) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of th e Com pany are b eing made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the Company; and (3) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of the Companys assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.
Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect material misstatements on a timely basis. Therefore even those systems determined to be effective can provide only reasonable assurance with respect to financial statement preparation and presentation. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.
Our management, under the supervision and with the participation of our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer and Investor Relations Officer, assessed the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2006, based on the criteria established in Internal Control Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission - COSO.
A material weakness is a control deficiency, or a combination of control deficiencies, that results in more than a remote likelihood that a material misstatement of the financial statements will not be prevented or detected. During our managements assessment of the Companys internal control over financial reporting described above, our management identified the following material weaknesses in internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2006:
1. Ineffective controls related to the reconciliation and monitoring of the balance of the Unidentified Collections (Unapplied Cash Receipts) account, included as part of Customer Accounts Receivable. As a result of this control deficiency, the Company identified the need to adjust the balance of this account in the amount of R$93,758 thousand for the year ended December 31, 2006.
2. Ineffective controls to ensure the timely and accurate transfer of amounts from the construction-in-progress account to the corresponding accounts for property, plant and equipment, as well as the timely commencement of recorded depreciation expense associated with capital assets placed in service. This control deficiency resulted in audit adjustments to the financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2006.
Because of the material weaknesses described above, management concluded that as of December 31, 2006, we did not maintain effective internal control over financial reporting based on the criteria established in Internal Control Integrated Framework issued by COSO.
Managements assessment of the effectiveness of the Companys internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2006 has been audited by Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Auditores Independentes, the Companys independent registered public accounting firm, whose report is included herein.
Changes in internal control over financial reporting. There have been improvements in our internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2006. Our management adjusted the current controls and implemented other controls that reinforced our internal control structure and guaranteed a substantial improvement in the effectiveness of the financial statements such as the Code of Ethics, the Whistleblowing hotline, the updating of the Procedure for the Establishment of Responsibilities, the restructuring of the internal auditing body, and the reviewing of procedures through the introduction of a system for checking approvals.
To address the identified material weaknesses noted above, subsequent to December 31, 2006, we have begun to implement a remediation program, including the establishment of additional controls intended to strengthen internal controls over financial reporting in general, and specifically to address the identified material weaknesses.
120
Plans to Remediate the Material Weaknesses.
Specifically to address the material weaknesses described above, our management, under the supervision and with the participation of our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer and Investor Relations Officer, has been actively engaged in the implementation of remediation efforts.
Major initiatives include:
1. |
to implement more stringent policies and procedures for our processes over accounting reconciliation; |
2. |
to perform an extensive study and a reconciliation of the balance of the Unidentified Collections (Unapplied Cash Receipts) account, included as part of Customer Accounts Receivable; |
3. |
to introduce a review by an independent department to ensure the timely and accurate transfer of amounts from the construction-in-progress account to the corresponding accounts for property, plant and equipment; |
4. |
to automate certain controls that are currently performed manually; |
5. |
to perform a month-end review and closing processes as well as to provide additional oversight and supervision within the accounting department; |
6. |
to promote programs that provide ongoing training and professional education as well as development plans for the accounting department and to improve internal communications procedures throughout the company. |
The action plan described above has been submitted and approved by our audit committee.
All of this work is being conducted by a group designed specifically to address the internal control issues related to the reconciliation of the balance of the Unidentified Collections account and the timely and accurate transfer of amounts from the construction-in-progress account to the corresponding accounts for property, plant and equipment.
Our management will review progress on these activities on a consistent and ongoing basis at the chief executive officer level, across the senior management team. An assessment report will be presented to our audit committee by the end of the third quarter of 2007. Our management also plans to take additional steps to elevate our awareness and communications of these important issues through formal channels such as meetings and training.
Our management believes that these actions will generally strengthen our disclosure controls and procedures, as well as our internal control over financial reporting, and will address the material weaknesses that we identified in its internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2006.
121
ITEM 16
16.A. Audit Committee Financial Expert
At a board meeting held on June 26, 2006, we established an audit committee, as defined under section 3(a)(58) of the Exchange Act. Our board of directors has determined that Farrer Jonathan Paul Lascelles Pallin qualifies as an audit committee financial expert as defined for the purposes of this Item 16A in Item 16A of Form 20-F. Farrer Jonathan Paul Lascelles Pallin is an independent director within the meaning of the SEC rules.
16.B. Code of Ethics
We have adopted a code of business conduct and ethics, as defined in Item 16B of Form 20-F under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Our code of business conduct and ethics, called Code of Ethics and Conduct, applies to all employees of Sabesp, including directors, principal executive officer, principal financial officer and principal accounting officer. Our Code of Ethics and Conduct is available on our web site at http://www.sabesp.com.br under Information to shareholders and Corporate Governance. If we amend the provisions of our Code of Ethics and Conduct, or if we grant any waiver of such provisions, we will disclose the amendment or waiver on our web site at the same address.
16.C. Principal Accountant Fees and Services
Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Auditores Independentes served as our independent registered public accounting firm for the years ended December 31, 2004, 2005 and 2006 appearing in this annual report on Form 20-F.
The following table presents the aggregate fees for professional services and other services rendered to us by Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Auditores Independentes in 2004, 2005 and 2006.
2004 | 2005 | 2006 | ||||
(in thousands of R$) | (in thousands of R$) | (in thousands of R$) | ||||
Audit Fees(1) | 793 | 370 | 1,548 | |||
Audit-related Fees(2) | | | | |||
Tax Fees | | | | |||
All Other Fees | | | | |||
Total | 793 | 370 | 1,548 | |||
(1) | Audit Fees are the fees billed by Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Auditores Independentes for the fiscal year 2003, for the audit of our annual financial statements, reviews of interim financial statements and attestation services that are provided in connection with statutory and regulatory filings or engagements. |
(2) | Audit-related Fees consist of fees billed for assurance and related services that are reasonably related to the performance of the audit or review of the Companys financial statements or that are traditionally performed by the external auditor, and include consultations concerning financial and tax accounting, and reporting standards; internal control reviews; review of security controls and operational effectiveness of systems; and employee benefit plan audits. |
Pre-approval policies and procedures
Pursuant to Brazilian law, our board of directors is responsible, among other matters, for the selection, dismissal and oversight of the external auditor. Our management is required to obtain the board of directors approval before engaging independent auditors to provide any audit or permitted non-audit services to us. The Brazilian Federal and State Public Bidding Laws also apply to us with respect to obtaining services from third parties for our business, including the services provided by our independent external auditor. As part of the bidding process, the external independent auditing firms are required to submit proposals, and are then selected by us based on certain criteria including technical expertise and cost.
During 2004, 2005 and 2006, Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu did not provide non-audit services to us.
16.D. Exemptions from the Listing Standards for Audit Committees
We are in full compliance with the listing standards for audit committee pursuant to Exchange Act Rule 10A-3. For a further discussion of our fiscal council and the audit committee exemption, see Item 6.C. Directors, Senior Management and EmployeesBoard Practices.
122
PART III
ITEM 17. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
We have responded to Item 18 in lieu of responding to this Item.
ITEM 18. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
The following financial statements, together with the Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firms, are filed as part of this annual report:
ITEM 19.EXHIBITS
Item | Description |
1.1 | By-laws of the Registrant (English translation) (incorporated by reference to the June 22, 2007 Form 6- K). |
4.1 | Agreement between the Registrant and the State Department of Water and Energy (Departamento de Águas e Energia ElétricaDAEE), dated April 24, 1997 (English translation) (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Registrants Registration Statement on Form F-1 filed on April 8, 2002 (the April 8, 2002 Form F-1)). |
4.2 | Protocol of Understanding between the Registrant and the State of São Paulo, dated September 30, 1997 (English translation) (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the April 8, 2002 Form F-1). |
4.3 | Agreement between the Registrant and the State of São Paulo, through the Secretariat of Finance, dated September 10, 2001 (English translation) (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3 to the April 8, 2002 Form F-1). |
4.4 | Agreement between the Registrant and the State of São Paulo, through the Secretariat of the Treasury, dated December 11, 2001 (English translation) (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.4 to the April 8, 2002 Form F-1). |
4.5 | Amendment to the Agreement, dated April 24, 1997, between the Registrant and the State Department of Water and Energy, dated March 16, 2000 (English translation) (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.5 to the April 8, 2002 Form F-1). |
4.6 | Amendment to the Agreement, dated April 24, 1997, between the Registrant and the State Department of Water and Energy, dated November 21, 2001 (English translation) (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.6 to the April 8, 2002 Form F-1). |
4.7 | First Amendment to the Agreement, dated December 11, 2001, between the Registrant and the State of São Paulo, dated March 22, 2004. (English Translation) (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.7 to the June 28, 2004 Form 20-F). |
123
124
SIGNATURES
The registrant hereby certifies that it meets all of the requirements for filing on Form 20-F and that it has duly caused and authorized the undersigned to sign this annual report on its behalf.
COMPANHIA DE SANEAMENTO BÁSICO DO | |||
ESTADO DE SÃO PAULO-SABESP | |||
/s/GESNER JOSÉ DE OLIVEIRA FILHO | |||
By: | Name: | Gesner José de Oliveira Filho | |
Title: | Chief Executive Officer | ||
/s/RUI DE BRITTO ÁLVARES AFFONSO | |||
By: | Name: | Rui de Britto Álvares Affonso | |
Title: | Chief Financial Officer and | ||
Investor Relations Officer |
Date: June 29, 2007
125
INDEX TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
F-1
Companhia de Saneamento |
Básico do Estado de São Paulo |
SABESP |
F-2
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM ON INTERNAL CONTROL OVER FINANCIAL REPORTING
To the Shareholders and Management of
Companhia de Saneamento Básico do Estado de São Paulo - SABESP
We have audited managements assessment, included in the accompanying Management's Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting, that Companhia de Saneamento Básico do Estado de São Paulo - SABESP (a Brazilian Corporation hereinafter referred to as the Company) did not maintain effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2006, based on criteria established in Internal ControlIntegrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). The Companys management is responsible for maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting and for its assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on managements assessment and an opinion on the effectiveness of the Companys internal control over financial reporting based on our audit.
We conducted our audit in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether effective internal control over financial reporting was maintained in all material respects. Our audit included obtaining an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, evaluating managements assessment, testing and evaluating the design and operating effectiveness of internal control, and performing such other procedures as we considered necessary in the circumstances. We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinions.
A companys internal control over financial reporting is a process designed by, or under the supervision of, the companys principal executive and principal financial officers, or persons performing similar functions, and effected by the companys board of directors, management, and other personnel to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. A companys internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that (1) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the company; (2) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the company; and (3) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of the companys assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.
Because of the inherent limitations of internal control over financial reporting, including the possibility of collusion or improper management override of controls, material misstatements due to error or fraud may not be prevented or detected on a timely basis. Also, projections of any evaluation of the effectiveness of the internal control over financial reporting to future periods are subject to the risk that the controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.
A material weakness is a significant deficiency, or combination of significant deficiencies, that results in more than a remote likelihood that a material misstatement of the annual or interim financial statements will not be prevented or detected. The following material weaknesses have been identified and included in management's assessment:
Ineffective controls related to the reconciliation and monitoring of the balance of the Unidentified Collections (Unapplied Cash Receipts) account, included as part of Customer Accounts Receivable. As a result of this control deficiency, the Companyidentified the need to adjust the balance of this account in the amount of R$93,758 thousand for the year ended December 31, 2006; and | |
Ineffective controls to ensure the timely and accurate transfer of amounts from the construction-in-progress account to the corresponding accounts for property, plant and equipment, as well the timely commencement of recorded depreciation expense associated with capital assets placed in service. This control deficiency resulted in audit adjustments to the annual financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2006. |
These material weaknesses were considered in determining the nature, timing, and extent of audit tests applied in our audit of the balance sheet as of December 31, 2006, and the related statements of income, shareholders equity and changes in financial position as of and for the year ended December 31, 2006 of the Company, and this report does not affect our report on such financial statements.
F-3
In our opinion, management's assessment that the Company did not maintain effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2006 is fairly stated, in all material respects, based on the criteria established in Internal ControlIntegrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission. Also in our opinion, because of the effect of the material weaknesses described above on the achievement of the objectives of the control criteria, the Company has not maintained effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2006, based on the criteria established in Internal ControlIntegrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO).
We have also audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), the financial statements as of and for the year ended December 31, 2006 of the Company and our report dated June 29, 2007 expressed an unqualified opinion on those financial statements, containing explanatory paragraphs concerning (1) the Companys negotiations with the State of São Paulo Government regarding the reimbursement of the amounts for supplementary retirement and pension paid by the Company and the future flow of these payments to be reimbursed by the State of São Paulo Government; (2) how the Company´s application of accounting practices adopted in Brazil vary in certain respects from accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America; (3) the Companys restatement of restatement of its presentation of cash and cash equivalents as prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP for the years ended December 31, 2005 and 2004; and (4) the Companys adoption of Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 158, Employers Accounting for Defined Benefit Pension and Other Postretirement Plans an amendment of FASB Statements No. 87, 88, 106 and 132(R) effective December 31, 2006.
/s/ Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu
Auditores Independentes
June 29, 2007
São Paulo, Brazil.
F-4
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
To the Shareholders and Management of
Companhia de Saneamento Básico do Estado de São Paulo - SABESP
We have audited the accompanying balance sheets of Companhia de Saneamento Básico do Estado de São Paulo - SABESP (a Brazilian Corporation hereinafter referred to as the Company) as of December 31, 2006 and 2005, and the related statements of income, changes in shareholders equity and changes in financial position for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2006. These financial statements are the responsibility of the Companys management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements based on our audits.
We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. An audit also includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements, assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statements presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
In our opinion, such financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of Companhia de Saneamento Básico do Estado de São Paulo - SABESP as of December 31, 2006 and 2005, and the results of its operations, changes in shareholders equity and changes in its financial position for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2006, in conformity with accounting practices adopted in Brazil.
Accounting practices adopted in Brazil vary in certain respects from accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. The application of the latter would have affected results of operations for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2006 and the determination of shareholders equity as of December 31, 2006 and 2005, to the extent summarized in Note 23 to the financial statements.
Our audit was conducted for the purpose of forming an opinion on the basic financial statements taken as a whole. The statements of cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2006 are presented for purposes of additional analysis and is not a required part of the basic consolidated financial statements prepared in accordance with accounting practices adopted in Brazil. Such information has been subjected to the auditing procedures applied in the audit of the basic financial statements and, in our opinion, is fairly stated in all material respects in relation to the basic financial statements taken as a whole.
As mentioned in Note 6, the Company is negotiating with the State of São Paulo Government the reimbursement of the amounts for supplementary retirement and pension paid by the Company and the future flow of these payments to be reimbursed by the State of São Paulo Government.
As discussed in Note 28, the Company has restated its presentation of cash and cash equivalents as prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP for the years ended December 31, 2005 and 2004.
As mentioned in Note 23(i), the Company adopted the provisions of Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 158, Employers Accounting for Defined Benefit Pension and Other Postretirement Plans an amendment of FASB Statements No. 87, 88, 106 and 132(R) effective December 31, 2006.
We have also audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), the effectiveness of the Companys internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2006, based on the criteria established in Internal ControlIntegrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO) and our report, dated June 29, 2007, expressed an unqualified opinion on managements assessment of the effectiveness of the Companys internal control over financial reporting and an adverse opinion on the effectiveness of the Companys internal control over financial reporting because of material weaknesses.
/s/ Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu
Auditores Independentes
June 29, 2007
São Paulo, Brazil.
F-5
COMPANHIA DE SANEAMENTO BÁSICO DO ESTADO DE SÃO PAULO - SABESP
BALANCE SHEETS AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2006 AND 2005
(In thousands of Brazilian reais R$)
Assets | 2006 | 2005 | ||
Current assets | ||||
Cash and cash equivalents (note 4) | 328,206 | 280,173 | ||
Customer accounts receivable, net (note 5) | 1,111,289 | 1,069,098 | ||
Receivable from shareholder, net (note 6) | 367,864 | 292,507 | ||
Inventories | 48,889 | 36,070 | ||
Taxes Recoverable | 31,582 | 853 | ||
Other current assets | 24,124 | 23,170 | ||
Deferred taxes (note 11) | 7,078 | 23,515 | ||
Total current assets | 1,919,032 | 1,725,386 | ||
Non current assets | ||||
Long-term assets | ||||
Customer accounts receivable, net (note 5) | 296,562 | 263,356 | ||
Receivable from shareholder, net (note 6) | 863,467 | 800,594 | ||
Indemnities receivable (note 7) | 148,794 | 148,794 | ||
Escrow deposits | 33,835 | 23,857 | ||
Other assets | 52,238 | 32,920 | ||
Deferred taxes (note 11) | 342,654 | 298,820 | ||
Investments | 720 | 740 | ||
Property, plant and equipment, net (note 8) | 13,837,498 | 13,613,581 | ||
Intangible assets (note 9 (a)) | 495,118 | 502,518 | ||
Deferred charges | 10,035 | 20,531 | ||
Total non current assets | 16,080,921 | 15,705,711 | ||
Total Assets | 17,999,953 | 17,431,097 | ||
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.
F-6
COMPANHIA DE SANEAMENTO BÁSICO DO ESTADO DE SÃO PAULO - SABESP
BALANCE SHEETS AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2006 AND 2005
(In thousands of Brazilian reais R$)
Liabilities and Shareholders Equity | 2006 | 2005 | ||
Current liabilities | ||||
Accounts payable to suppliers and contractors | 144,167 | 77,781 | ||
Loans and financing (note 10) | 852,475 | 759,013 | ||
Accrued payroll and related charges | 177,705 | 117,289 | ||
Taxes payable (note 12) | 105,552 | 106,131 | ||
Deferred taxes (note 11) | 76,359 | 70,893 | ||
Interest on shareholders equity (16 (c)) | 511,519 | 409,725 | ||
Provisions for contingencies (note 15) | 2,294 | 28,520 | ||
Services Received | 152,953 | 107,660 | ||
Other current liabilities | 78,912 | 85,746 | ||
2,101,936 | 1,762,758 | |||
Non Current | ||||
Long-term liabilities | ||||
Loans and financing (note 10) | 5,474,254 | 5,905,208 | ||
Taxes payable (note 12) | 230,440 | 256,114 | ||
Deferred taxes (note 11) | 146,901 | 133,443 | ||
Provisions for contingencies (note 15) | 655,258 | 579,808 | ||
Accrued pension obligation (note 13) | 321,212 | 276,558 | ||
Other liabilities | 51,470 | 34,660 | ||
6,879,535 | 7,185,791 | |||
Shareholders equity (note 16) | ||||
Paid-in capital | 3,403,688 | 3,403,688 | ||
Capital reserve | 106,690 | 78,820 | ||
Revaluation reserve | 2,427,499 | 2,529,771 | ||
Profit reserves | 3,080,605 | 2,470,269 | ||
9,018,482 | 8,482,548 | |||
Total Liabilities & Shareholders Equity | 17,999,953 | 17,431,097 | ||
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.
F-7
COMPANHIA DE SANEAMENTO BÁSICO DO ESTADO DE SÃO PAULO - SABESP
STATEMENTS OF INCOME
FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2006, 2005 AND 2004
(In thousands of Brazilian reais R$, except for earnings per share)
2006 | 2005 | 2004 | ||||
GROSS REVENUE FROM SALES AND SERVICES | ||||||
(Note 19) | 5,984,012 | 5,356,326 | 4,642,491 | |||
Gross Revenue Deductions | (456,679) | (402,963) | (245,419) | |||
Net revenue from sales and services | 5,527,333 | 4,953,363 | 4,397,072 | |||
Cost of sales and services (note 20) | (2,616,764) | (2,376,375) | (2,253,380) | |||
GROSS PROFIT | 2,910,569 | 2,576,988 | 2,143,692 | |||
OPERATING EXPENSES (Note 20) | ||||||
Selling expenses | (719,185) | (537,831) | (502,520) | |||
Administrative expenses | (387,407) | (349,584) | (313,557) | |||
OPERATING INCOME BEFORE FINANCIAL AND | ||||||
FOREIGN EXCHANGE RESULTS, NET | 1,803,977 | 1,689,573 | 1,327,615 | |||
Financial expenses, net (note 20) | (658,863) | (758,275) | (683,072) | |||
Foreign Exchange Result, net (note 20) | 95,598 | 311,271 | 179,366 | |||
OPERATING PROFIT | 1,240,712 | 1,242,569 | 823,909 | |||
NON OPERATING INCOME (EXPENSES) | ||||||
Income | 7,810 | 9,456 | 5,391 | |||
Expenses | (58,717) | (34,877) | (39,313) | |||
(50,907) | (25,421) | (33,922) | ||||
INCOME BEFORE TAXES ON INCOME | 1,189,805 | 1,217,148 | 789,987 | |||
Income and social contribution taxes (note 11) | ||||||
Current | (383,123) | (343,426) | (250,609) | |||
Deferred | 7,345 | 27,047 | 8,772 | |||
INCOME BEFORE EXTRAORDINARY ITEM | 814,027 | 900,769 | 548,150 | |||
Extraordinary item, net of income and | ||||||
social contribution taxes (note 13(b)) | (35,122) | (35,122) | (35,122) | |||
NET INCOME | 778,905 | 865,647 | 513,028 | |||
Earnings per thousand shares outstanding at year end in R$ | 27.35 | 30.40 | 18.01 | |||
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.
F-8
COMPANHIA DE SANEAMENTO BÁSICO DO ESTADO DE SÃO PAULO - SABESP
STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN SHAREHOLDERS EQUITY
FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2006, 2005 AND 2004
(In thousands of Brazilian reais R$)
Paid in | Capital | Revaluation | Profit reserves | Retained | ||||||||||
capital | reserve | reserve | Legal | Investment | earnings | Total | ||||||||
BALANCES AS OF | ||||||||||||||
JANUARY 1, 2004 | 3,403,688 | 50,739 | 2,723,720 | 146,340 | 1,252,456 | - | 7,576,943 | |||||||
Donations | 14,552 | 14,552 | ||||||||||||
Realization of revaluation | ||||||||||||||
reserve | (104,500) | 104,500 | - | |||||||||||
Net income | 513,028 | 513,028 | ||||||||||||
Allocation of income: | ||||||||||||||
Legal reserve | 25,651 | (25,651) | - | |||||||||||
Interest on shareholders | ||||||||||||||
equity | (152,935) | (152,935) | ||||||||||||
Investment reserve | 438,942 | (438,942) | - | |||||||||||
BALANCES AS OF | ||||||||||||||
DECEMBER 31, 2004 | 3,403,688 | 65,291 | 2,619,220 | 171,991 | 1,691,398 | - | 7,951,588 | |||||||
Donations (note 16 (d)) | 13,529 | 13,529 | ||||||||||||
Realization of revaluation | ||||||||||||||
reserve (note 8 (h)) | (89,449) | 89,449 | - | |||||||||||
Net income | 865,647 | 865,647 | ||||||||||||
Allocation of income: | ||||||||||||||
Legal reserve (note 16 (c)) | 43,282 | (43,282) | - | |||||||||||
Interest on shareholders | ||||||||||||||
equity (note 16 (c)) | (348,216) | (348,216) | ||||||||||||
Investment reserve (note 16 | ||||||||||||||
(e)) | 563,598 | (563,598) | - | |||||||||||
BALANCES AS OF | ||||||||||||||
DECEMBER 31, 2005 | 3,403,688 | 78,820 | 2,529,771 | 215,273 | 2,254,996 | - | 8,482,548 | |||||||
Donations (note 16 (d)) | 27,870 | 27,870 | ||||||||||||
Realization of revaluation | ||||||||||||||
reserve (note 8 (h)) | (102,272) | 102,272 | - | |||||||||||
Net income | 778,905 | 778,905 | ||||||||||||
Allocation of income: | ||||||||||||||
Legal reserve (note 16 (c)) | 38,946 | (38,946) | - | |||||||||||
Interest on shareholders | ||||||||||||||
equity (note 16 (c)) | (270,841) | (270,841) | ||||||||||||
Investment reserve (note 16 | ||||||||||||||
(e)) | 571,390 | (571,390) | - | |||||||||||
BALANCES AS OF | ||||||||||||||
DECEMBER 31, 2006 | 3,403,688 | 106,690 | 2,427,499 | 254,219 | 2,826,386 | - | 9,018,482 | |||||||
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.
F-9
COMPANHIA DE SANEAMENTO BÁSICO DO ESTADO DE SÃO PAULO - SABESP
STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN FINANCIAL POSITION
FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2006, 2005 AND 2004
(In thousands of Brazilian reais - R$)
2006 | 2005 | 2004 | ||||
SOURCES OF FUNDS | ||||||
From operations: | ||||||
Net income | 778,905 | 865,647 | 513,028 | |||
Items not affecting working capital | ||||||
Bad debt expense Long term accounts receivable | 102,025 | 137,639 | 76,870 | |||
Depreciation and amortization | 642,171 | 595,981 | 598,911 | |||
Investments write-off | 20 | 4,360 | - | |||
Write-off of property, plant and equipment | 54,350 | 19,051 | 34,616 | |||
Write-off of deferred assets | 5,195 | 6,700 | - | |||
Monetary variations on long-term items | (11,521) | (19,597) | (38,548) | |||
Reversal of provision for losses with escrow deposits, net | (4,421) | - | - | |||
Provisions for contingencies | 75,450 | 119,577 | 75,660 | |||
Other provisions | 7,504 | - | - | |||
Provision for pension obligation | 44,654 | 54,382 | 76,636 | |||
Interests and monetary and foreign exchange variation on non | ||||||
current liabilities: | ||||||
Loans and financing | 15,733 | (143,210) | 8,656 | |||
Taxes payable | 15,151 | 21,761 | 25,018 | |||
Deferred income and social contribution taxes: | ||||||
In long-term assets | (43,834) | (41,549) | (34,467) | |||
In long-term liabilities | 13,458 | 3,388 | 8,938 | |||
Total from operations | 1,694,840 | 1,624,130 | 1,345,318 | |||
From third parties: | ||||||
Transfers from non-current assets to current assets | 394,738 | 328,548 | 278,700 | |||
Increase in non current liabilities: | ||||||
Loans and financings funding | 706,774 | 1,153,479 | 780,722 | |||
Other increases | 9,306 | - | 12,226 | |||
Increase in property, plant and equipment by donations work aid | 27,870 | 13,529 | 14,552 | |||
Total from third parties | 1,138,688 | 1,495,556 | 1,086,200 | |||
Decrease in working capital | 145,532 | - | 356,265 | |||
Total sources | 2,979,060 | 3,119,686 | 2,787,783 | |||
USES OF FUNDS | ||||||
Increase in long-term assets | 606,197 | 504,482 | 495,807 | |||
Capitalized amounts property, plant and equipment | 22,118 | 24,417 | 18,225 | |||
Decrease in non current liabilities | - | 58,028 | - | |||
In non current assets | ||||||
Property, plant and equipment | 892,318 | 673,489 | 575,079 | |||
Intangible | 12,630 | 4,748 | 25,824 | |||
Deferred charges | 2,789 | 106 | 444 | |||
In non current liabilities | ||||||
Transfers from non current liabilities to current liabilities: | ||||||
Loans and financing | 858,532 | 634,487 | 1,484,575 | |||
Taxes and contributions | 40,824 | 37,986 | 34,894 | |||
Anticipated settlement of loans and financings | 272,811 | - | ||||
Interest on shareholders equity | 270,841 | 348,216 | 152,935 | |||
Increase in working capital | - | 833,727 | - | |||
Total uses | 2,979,060 | 3,119,686 | 2,787,783 | |||
Current assets | ||||||
At end of year | 1,919,032 | 1,725,386 | 1,229,790 | |||
At beginning of year | 1,725,386 | 1,229,790 | 1,217,165 | |||
Variation in current assets | 193,646 | 495,596 | 12,625 | |||
Current liabilities | ||||||
At end of year | 2,101,936 | 1,762,758 | 2,100,889 | |||
At beginning of year | 1,762,758 | 2,100,889 | 1,731,999 |
F-10
Variation in current liabilities | 339,178 | (338,131) | 368,890 | |||
Increase (decrease) in working capital | (145,532) | 833,727 | (356,265) | |||
F-11
COMPANHIA DE SANEAMENTO BÁSICO DO ESTADO DE SÃO PAULO SABESP
STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN FINANCIAL POSITION
FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2006, 2005 AND 2004
(In thousands of Brazilian reais - R$)
2006 | 2005 | 2004 | ||||
SUMMARY | ||||||
SOURCES | ||||||
From operations | 1,694,840 | 1,624,130 | 1,345,318 | |||
From third parties | 1,138,688 | 1,495,556 | 1,086,200 | |||
Decrease in working capital | 145,532 | - | 356,265 | |||
Total sources | 2,979,060 | 3,119,686 | 2,787,783 | |||
USES | ||||||
Increase in non current assets | 606,197 | 504,482 | 495,807 | |||
Capitalized amounts property, plant and equipment | 22,118 | 24,417 | 18,225 | |||
Decrease in non current liabilities | - | 58,028 | - | |||
In property, plant and equipment, deferred assets and intangible | 907,737 | 678,343 | 601,347 | |||
Transfers from non current liabilities to current liabilities | 899,356 | 672,473 | 1,519,469 | |||
Anticipated settlement of loans and financings | 272,811 | - | - | |||
Shareholders - Interests on shareholders equity | 270,841 | 348,216 | 152,935 | |||
Increase in working capital | - | 833,727 | ||||
TOTAL USES | 2,979,060 | 3,119,686 | 2,787,783 | |||
For 2006 the Company has chosen to enhance the model of its Statements of Change in Financial Position, presenting the increase in working capital as uses and the decrease in working capital as sources.
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.
F-12
COMPANHIA DE SANEAMENTO BÁSICO DO ESTADO DE SÃO PAULO - SABESP |
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS |
AS OF AND FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2006, 2005 AND 2004 |
(Amounts in thousands of Brazilian reais-R$, unless otherwise stated) |
1. OPERATIONS
Companhia de Saneamento Básico do Estado de São Paulo - SABESP (the Company) is engaged in the operation of public water and sewage systems in the State of São Paulo, Brazil, providing water and sewage services to a broad range of residential, commercial, industrial and government customers. The Company also provides water on a wholesale basis to certain municipalities in the São Paulo Metropolitan Region that do not have water production systems.
With the enactment of Law 12,292 on March 2, 2006 we became authorized to provide water and sewage services outside the State of São Paulo, including in other countries, either directly or through national or international consortia. We may also have equity participation in other state or mixed-capital companies, and establish subsidiaries.
The Companys shares are listed on the São Paulo Stock Exchange (BOVESPA) in the New Market segment since April, 2002, and on the New York Stock Exchange - NYSE, in the form of ADRs (American Depositary Receipts) since May, 2002.
The Company provides water and sewage services in 367 municipalities in the State of São Paulo, nearly all of which are through concessions granted by the municipalities, most of them initially contracted for a 30-years term. The 120 (one hundred twenty) concession contracts that expired until December 31, 2006 are in process of negotiation. In 2007, 53 (fifty three) contracts are going to expire, 150 (one hundred fifty) contracts between 2008 and 2034 and the remaining without determined term. Management expects that the referred concessions will be renewed or extended, thus there will not be a discontinuity of the water supply and sewage collection. The net book value of property, plant and equipment items relating to the municipalities where the concessions are under negotiation or will expire in 2007 totals R$ 1.94 billion, and the net revenue for the year ended December 31, 2006 totals R$ 796 million in relation to these concessions.
The Company does not hold a formal concession to provide water and sewage services in the City of São Paulo, which accounts for 56,8% of the sales and services rendered. In Santos, a municipality located in the Santos Coastal Area, which also has a significant population, the Company operates under a public deed of authorization, like in some other municipalities in the Santos Coastal Area and in the Ribeira Valley, where the Company started operating after the merger of companies that formed SABESP.
On January 5, 2007 Law 11,445 was enacted establishing the regulatory framework of basic sanitation, with the national guidelines and the fundamental principles to the rendering of services, like the social control, the transparency, the command integration of the sanitation infrastructures, the management of hydric resources, as well as the command for the articulation of the industry with the public policies of urban and regional development, housing, combat and irradication of poverty, promotion of health and environmental protection, among other related ones. The regulatory framework seeks also the improvement of life quality with efficiency and the economic sustainability, allowing the adoption of gradual and progressive solutions coherent to the users payment capacity.
As benefits to the Company, the law:
F-13
COMPANHIA DE SANEAMENTO BÁSICO DO ESTADO DE SÃO PAULO - SABESP |
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS |
AS OF AND FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2006, 2005 AND 2004 |
(Amounts in thousands of Brazilian reais-R$, unless otherwise stated) |
In general, the Company does not face any competition in the municipalities in which it provides water and sewage services, and management believes that in those municipalities the Company has an exclusive right to provide such services.
All information about the concession area, number of municipalities, volume of water and sewage and other related data disclosed in this report that do not arise from the accounting and/or financial statements are not examined by the independent auditors.
2. PRESENTATION OF THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
The Companys statutory financial statements, which are used as the basis for determining income taxes and mandatory minimum dividend calculations, have been prepared in accordance with accounting practices adopted in Brazil, which are based on the Brazilian Corporate Law (Law No. 6,404/76, as amended), the rules and regulations of the Brazilian Securities Commission ("CVM") and the accounting standards issued by the Brazilian Institute of Independent Auditors (IBRACON), collectively referred to hereinafter as Corporate Law or BR CL. The financial statements prepared in accordance with Corporate Law have not been indexed for inflation after 1995.
(a) | Inflation accounting under BR CL |
BR CL provided a simplified methodology for accounting for the effects of inflation through 1995. This method consisted of restating permanent assets (property, plant and equipment, investments and deferred charges) and shareholders equity accounts using indices mandated by the Brazilian Federal Government. The net effect of these restatements was credited or charged to the statement of income.
(b) | Presentation of financial statements |
To facilitate an understanding of Brazilian accounting practices, the presentation of the financial statements has been adapted from the financial statements filed for Brazilian legal and regulatory purposes. In addition, certain terminology changes have been made and the notes to the financial statements have been expanded to conform them more closely to reporting practices prevailing in the United States of America. All amounts are presented in Brazilian currency (real or reais), unless otherwise indicated.
These financial statements include the modifications introduced by the following accounting normative rules: (i) Accounting Rules and Procedures 27 (NPC 27 - Presentation and Disclosure), issued by the Brazilian Institute of Accountants - Ibracon, on October 3, 2005, approved by the CVM Resolution n. 488, on the same date, and (ii) NPC 22 - Provisions, Liabilities, Contingent Liabilities and Assets, issued by Ibracon, on October 3, 2005, approved by the CVM Resolution n. 489, on the same date. In the financial statements refering to the year ended December 31, 2005, presented for comparative purposes, some reclassifications have been made in order to conform them to the mentioned resolutions, and to allow users the comparability to the current period. The main changes resulting from the application of these resolutions were the following:
F-14
COMPANHIA DE SANEAMENTO BÁSICO DO ESTADO DE SÃO PAULO - SABESP |
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS |
AS OF AND FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2006, 2005 AND 2004 |
(Amounts in thousands of Brazilian reais-R$, unless otherwise stated) |
The financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2005 were reclassified for better presentation and comparability maintenance, as well as the respective impact to the Statement of Changes in Financial Position, cash flow and value added statement, when applicable, as described below:
- | Previoulsy classified as escrow deposits as non-current assets, the amount of R$ 4,069 was classified as a reduction of the provisions for contingencies in current liabilities and provision for contingencies in non-current liabilities, in the
amounts of R$ 3,037 and R$ 1,032, respectively. |
- | Previously classified as accounts receivable from private customers, the amount of R$ 126,151 was reclassified to the account transactions with related parties. |
- | Refundable amounts previously classified as other liabilities, in non-current liabilities, in the amount of R$ 73,829 were reclassified to the account other current liabilities as current liabilities. |
- | Taxes recoverable in the amount of R$ 853, previously classified in other accounts receivable in current assets, were reclassified to the account taxes recoverable in current assets. |
- | Services received, previously classified as other current liabilities in current liabilities, in the amount of R$ 107,660, were reclassified to the account services received in current liabilities. |
- | Previously classified as costs of sales and services provided, the amount of R$ 14,046 was reclassified to administrative expenses. |
- | Previously classified as selling expenses, the amount of R$ 32 was reclassified to administrative expenses. |
3. SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING PRACTICES
The Companys accounting practices, which are based on the accrual concept, comply with the Corporate Law but differ in certain significant respects from accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (US GAAP). See Note 23 for further discussion of the differences between BR CL and US GAAP and the reconciliation of shareholders equity and net income between BR CL and US GAAP. Additional disclosure has been included in the notes to the financial statements to comply with the regulations of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the SEC) for foreign registrants.
(a) | Revenues from sales and services |
Revenues from water and sewage services are recognized as water is consumed or as services are provided. Revenues from water and sewer services rendered, but not billed, are recorded as unbilled customer accounts receivable based on monthly estimates, in order to match such revenue with costs incurred.
F-15
COMPANHIA DE SANEAMENTO BÁSICO DO ESTADO DE SÃO PAULO - SABESP |
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS |
AS OF AND FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2006, 2005 AND 2004 |
(Amounts in thousands of Brazilian reais-R$, unless otherwise stated) |
In the fiscal year ended December 31, 2004, revenue was recorded net of customer discounts relating to the Program for Consumption Reduction Incentive Program (see Note 19).
(b) | Marketing costs |
Marketing costs are generally recorded in administrative expenses. Marketing costs were R$ 11,895, R$ 17,861 and R$31,615 for the years ended on December 31, 2006, 2005 and 2004, respectively. No marketing costs were deferred at December 31, 2006, 2005 and 2004.
(c) Financial income and expenses
Financial income and expense are primarily comprised of interest, monetary and exchange variations on loans and financing, contingencies, accounts receivable and financial investments, and are calculated and reported on the accrual basis of accounting.
(d) Income tax and social contribution
Income and social contribution taxes (a federally mandated tax based on income) are accrued on taxable results.
Income tax is calculated at the rate of 15%, plus a 10% surtax, and social contribution at the rate of 9%. Those rates are reported on an accrual basis.
Deferred taxes are calculated based on taxable or dedutible amounts in future years and are recognized to the extent that realization is believed to be probable.
As permitted by the CVM, the Company opted not to recognize the deferred income and social contribution taxes on the revaluation reserve of property, plant and equipment recorded up to 1991.
(e) Other income and expenses
Other income and expenses are recorded on an accrual basis.
(f) Cash and cash equivalents
Cash and cash equivalents comprise primarily bank deposits and financial investments and are carried at cost plus accrued interest, if applicable. Financial investments denominated in Reais have a ready market, and are mostly represented by Bank Deposit Certificates - CDBs in 2006 and by Financial Investment Funds - FIFs in 2005 and 2004. The Company is required by law to invest excess cash with financial institutions controlled by the State Government (see note 6).
(g) Customer accounts receivable and allowance for doubtful accounts
Customer accounts receivable generally do not accrue interest or indexation charges or penalties, except for refinanced agreements.
The Company records an allowance for doubtful accounts for receivable balances in an amount that is deemed by management to be sufficient to cover probable losses in accounts receivable, based on an aging analysis of receipts, taking into consideration the expected recovery in the different categories of customers accounts. Amounts in excess of R$ 5 and overdue for more than 360 days and in excess of R$ 30 and overdue for more than 360 days, which are under judicial collection proceedings, are provisioned. Accounts receivable balances under R$ 5 and overdue more than 180 days are written off through a direct charge to income.
F-16
COMPANHIA DE SANEAMENTO BÁSICO DO ESTADO DE SÃO PAULO - SABESP |
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS |
AS OF AND FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2006, 2005 AND 2004 |
(Amounts in thousands of Brazilian reais-R$, unless otherwise stated) |
The Company does not record allowance for doubtful accounts for any amounts due to it by the State Government or entities controlled by the State Government, since it does not expect to incur in losses from such balances.
(h) Inventories
Inventories of materials used in operations and in the maintenance of the Companys water and sewage systems are stated at lower of average acquisition cost or realizable value and are classified in current assets. Inventories for capital projects are classified under property, plant and equipment and are stated at the average acquisition cost.
(i) Other current assets and long-term receivables
Other current assets and long-term receivables are stated at the lower of acquisition cost or realization value, plus accrued interest, when applicable.
(j) Property, plant & equipment
Property, plant and equipment are generally stated at amounts established by independent technical appraisals, plus price-level restatements from the date of the appraisals to 1995. Revaluation increments arising from revaluing assets to appraised values are recorded in the revaluation reserve component of shareholders' equity and subsequently transferred from the reserve to retained earnings as the related assets are depreciated, sold or upon disposal. The price-level restatement adjustments were based on official inflation indices published by the federal government. The Company believes that the distortion caused by indices which understated the independently measured inflation rate have been mitigated by recording revaluation increments.
The revaluation of property, plant and equipment items, carried out in two separate stages in 1990 and 1991, was based on an appraisal report issued by independent experts. The referred revaluation was recorded with a corresponding credit to the Revaluation Reserve account in Shareholders Equity, and is realized through depreciation, sale, and disposal of the respective assets, with a corresponding entry to Retained Earnings.
Contributions of property, plant and equipment by third parties and from government entities (such as property owners) to allow the Company to supply water and sewage services are recorded as a capital reserve.
Construction-in-progress is recorded at cost and is primarily related to construction projects under contract with third parties. For long-term projects, the Company capitalizes these projects once the Companys engineering department approves that the project milestones have been achieved and the Company takes delivery of the assets.
Depreciation
F-17
COMPANHIA DE SANEAMENTO BÁSICO DO ESTADO DE SÃO PAULO - SABESP |
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS |
AS OF AND FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2006, 2005 AND 2004 |
(Amounts in thousands of Brazilian reais-R$, unless otherwise stated) |
Depreciation of property, plant and equipment, is recorded using the straight-line method based on the estimated useful lives of the underlying assets. The principal depreciation rates are detailed in Note 8.
Capitalization of interest
Consistent with the requirements of accounting regulations for Brazilian utility companies, up to 1985, interest was capitalized at 12% per annum on construction-in-progress. Interest capitalized which exceeded interest expense on loans obtained to finance construction-in-progress was recorded in a capital reserve directly in shareholders' equity. Up to 1995, BR CL did not require the capitalization of interest costs incurred during the construction period as part of the cost of the related property, plant and equipment. However, as permitted by the Brazilian Water and Sewage Plan (Plano Nacional de Saneamento Básico - PLANASA), the Company capitalized interest on construction in progress through 1988. No interest was capitalized from 1989 to 1995. Interest was again capitalized beginning in 1996, following changes in the CVM requirements in 1996. Beginning in 1999, the Company has capitalized indexation charges on the real - denominated loans and financing and the foreign exchange effects on foreign currency loans and financing. The Company capitalizes interest incurred on borrowings to the extent that borrowings do not exceed construction-in-progress, which is recorded as a reduction of interest expense.
Interest capitalized is depreciated with the cost of the asset, once the related asset becomes operational. Through December 31, 1998, but not thereafter, such depreciation of capitalized interest was deductible for purposes of determining taxes on income.
Repairs and maintenance
Improvements to existing property are capitalized, while costs of general maintenance and repairs are expensed as incurred. Materials allocated to specific projects are added to construction-in-progress.
Impairment
The Company reviews long-lived assets, primarily buildings and water and sewage systems, including property, plant and equipment and concession assets, to be held and used in the business, for the purpose of determining and measuring impairment on a recurring basis or when events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying value of an asset or group of assets may not be recoverable. The Company assesses impairment on the basis of the projected recovery of depreciation charges through results of operations. The carrying value of assets or groups of assets is written down to realizable value if and when appropriate.
(k) Concessions
Beginning in 1999, acquisitions of concession assets and concession rights from third parties have been accounted for at fair values, as determined in technical appraisal reports. Accordingly, the purchase price, plus direct costs of acquisition, is allocated to assets acquired and liabilities assumed based upon their estimated fair values at the date of acquisition. These concessions are recorded as concession assets acquired, included as intangible assets in the balance sheets.
Concession rights are amortized on a straight-line basis over the estimated future periods to be benefited, not to exceed the contractual term of the concession. The straight-line method of depreciation is modified, when applicable, to avoid the backloading of charges in later years by estimating future disbursement commitments to meet the Companys concession obligations.
F-18
COMPANHIA DE SANEAMENTO BÁSICO DO ESTADO DE SÃO PAULO - SABESP |
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS |
AS OF AND FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2006, 2005 AND 2004 |
(Amounts in thousands of Brazilian reais-R$, unless otherwise stated) |
(l) Deferred Assets
Deferred charges are comprised primarily of deferred project costs and technical studies, wich are being amortized using the straight-line method over 5 years from the date when benefits start to be generated.
(m) Loans and Financing
Loans and financing are adjusted by indexation charges and foreign exchange variations and include accruals for related interest expenses up to closing date. Loans and financing denominated in foreign currencies are translated to reais using the exchange rate in effect at the balance sheet date. The resulting foreign currency exchange adjustments are recognized as incurred in financial income (expense), net.
(n) Salaries and payroll charges
Salaries and other payroll charges, including provisions for vacation pay, 13th salary and complementary payments agreed upon through collective bargaining agreements, added by the corresponding payroll charges, are recorded on an accrual basis.
(o) Provision for Contingencies
Provisions for contingencies are recorded at the estimated amounts to cover potential losses related to labor, tax, civil, commercial, environmental and other claims and lawsuits, at administrative and court levels, when such losses are considered probable by the Companys legal advisors and are estimateable by management.
Provisions for contingencies balances are being disclosed net of the related escrow deposits for 2006 and 2005.
(p) Environmental costs
Costs relating to ongoing environmental programs are expensed, as incurred. Ongoing programs are designed to minimize the environmental impact of operations and to manage the environmental risks inherent to the Companys activities. Provisions for contingent losses related to environmental claims are recorded when they are considered to be probable and reasonably estimated by Management.
(q) Pension obligation
The Company sponsors a private defined benefit pension plan, which is operated and administered by Fundação SABESP de Seguridade Social (SABESPREV). CVM resolution 371 of December 13, 2000 determines the recognition of actuarial liabilities exceeding to the plan assets. As permitted, the Company has elected to recognize the transition obligation as of the date of adoption in earnings on a straight-line basis over five years beginning January 1, 2002.
(r) Interest on shareholders equity
Brazilian corporations are permitted to deduct for tax purposes interest on shareholders equity, which is a distribution similar to a dividend. For financial reporting purposes, interest on shareholders equity is recorded as a deduction directly from unappropriated retained earnings. This interest has been recorded in accordance with Law 9249/95, for tax deductibility purposes, limited to the daily pro-rata variation of the Long-Term Interest Rate (TJLP). Withholding taxes with respect to the payment of interest on shareholders equity is generally withheld and paid by the Company on behalf of shareholders (see note 16).
F-19
COMPANHIA DE SANEAMENTO BÁSICO DO ESTADO DE SÃO PAULO - SABESP |
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS |
AS OF AND FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2006, 2005 AND 2004 |
(Amounts in thousands of Brazilian reais-R$, unless otherwise stated) |
(s) Use of estimates
The preparation of financial statements requires management to make estimates based on certain assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and the reported amounts or revenues and expenses for the reporting periods. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
(t) Earnings per share
Earnings per share is calculated based on the number of shares outstanding at the balance sheet date.
4. CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS
2006 | 2005 | |||
Cash and banks | 80,118 | 124,455 | ||
Financial investments | 248,088 | 155,718 | ||
328,206 | 280,173 | |||
5. CUSTOMER ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLE
The following summarizes customer accounts receivable balances at December 31:
F-20
COMPANHIA DE SANEAMENTO BÁSICO DO ESTADO DE SÃO PAULO - SABESP |
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS |
AS OF AND FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2006, 2005 AND 2004 |
(Amounts in thousands of Brazilian reais-R$, unless otherwise stated) |
2006 | 2005 | |||
(a) Private-sector customers | ||||
General customers and special customers (i) (ii) | 667,143 | 687,155 | ||
Agreements (iii) | 179,353 | 142,139 | ||
846,496 | 829,294 | |||
Government Entities: | ||||
Municipal | 446,495 | 377,373 | ||
Federal | 23,524 | 19,391 | ||
Agreements | 85,909 | 59,408 | ||
555,928 | 456,172 | |||
Wholesale customers - municipal authorities: (iv) | ||||
Guarulhos | 340,534 | 294,035 | ||
Mauá | 115,189 | 94,887 | ||
Mogi das Cruzes | 4,139 | 4,145 | ||
Santo André | 289,592 | 256,063 | ||
São Caetano do Sul | 2,932 | 2,708 | ||
Diadema | 85,620 | 76,054 | ||
Total wholesale customers - municipal authorities | 838,006 | 727,892 | ||
Unbilled amounts | 290,578 | 239,832 | ||
Subtotal | 2,531,008 | 2,253,190 | ||
Allowance for doubtful accounts | (1,123,157) | (920,736) | ||
Total | 1,407,851 | 1,332,454 | ||
Current portion | 1,111,289 | 1,069,098 | ||
Non current portion (v) | 296,562 | 263,356 |
(i) General customers - residential and small and medium-sized businesses.
(ii) Special customers - large consumers, commercial industries, plants, condominiums and special billing consumers (industrial waste, wells, etc.)
(iii) Agreements - renegotiation of past due debts into installments, added by monetary variation and interests, with maturity dates between 6 and 12 months, except for agreements with municipal City Halls, with maturity dates up to 2011.
(iv) Wholesale customers - municipal authorities - Accounts receivable from wholesale customers relate to the wholesale of treated water to certain municipalities, which are responsible for distribution, billing and collection with the final customers, some of these municipalities judicially contest the tariffs charged by Sabesp and do not pay the amounts in dispute. Based on the collection history, these amounts are classified as non current assets, as demonstrated below:
2006 | 2005 | |||
Balance in the beginning of year | 727,892 | 632,244 | ||
Billings for services provided | 265,298 | 241,126 | ||
Collections -current year services | (133,926) | (113,496) | ||
Collections - prior years services | (21,258) | (31,982) | ||
Balance at end of year | 838,006 | 727,892 | ||
Current portion | 16,170 | 13,092 | ||
Non current portion | 821,836 | 714,800 |
F-21
COMPANHIA DE SANEAMENTO BÁSICO DO ESTADO DE SÃO PAULO - SABESP |
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS |
AS OF AND FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2006, 2005 AND 2004 |
(Amounts in thousands of Brazilian reais-R$, unless otherwise stated) |
(v) The non current portion comprises past due and renegotiated accounts receivable with customers and past due amounts from the wholesale supply to municipal authorities, and it is recorded net of the allowance for doubtful accounts.
(b) Customer accounts receivable aging summary
2006 | 2005 | |||
Current | 705,863 | 669,917 | ||
Past due: | ||||
Up to 30 days | 247,970 | 174,129 | ||
From 31 to 60 days | 72,064 | 86,206 | ||
From 61 to 90 days | 48,962 | 61,743 | ||
From 91 to 120 days | 40,540 | 52,237 | ||
From 121 to 180 days | 71,101 | 95,253 | ||
From 181 to 360 days | 186,387 | 114,382 | ||
For more than 360 days | 1,158,121 | 999,323 | ||
Total | 2,531,008 | 2,253,190 | ||
(c) Allowance for doubtful accounts
(i) Changes in the allowance for doubtful accounts are as follows:
2006 | 2005 | |||
Balance at beginning of year | 920,736 | 759,640 | ||
Private-sector customers/government entities | 87,160 | 23,457 | ||
Wholesale customers | 115,261 | 137,639 | ||
Additions in the fiscal year | 202,421 | 161,096 | ||
Balance at end of year | 1,123,157 | 920,736 | ||
Current portion | 501,500 | 401,104 | ||
Long-term portion | 621,657 | 519,632 |
(ii) In the income
Bad debt included as part of selling expenses for the years ended December 31 was as follows:
F-22
COMPANHIA DE SANEAMENTO BÁSICO DO ESTADO DE SÃO PAULO - SABESP |
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS |
AS OF AND FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2006, 2005 AND 2004 |
(Amounts in thousands of Brazilian reais-R$, unless otherwise stated) |
2006 | 2005 | 2004 | ||||
Provisions (over five thousand reais) | (241,050) | (207,233) | (99,297) | |||
Recoveries (over five thousand reais) | 38,629 | 46,137 | 9,088 | |||
Direct write-offs (less than five thousand reais and | ||||||
adjustment (e)) | (289,191) | (177,138) | (205,261) | |||
Recoveries (less than five thousand reais) | 79,694 | 82,942 | 53,893 | |||
Total bad debt expenses (note 20) | (411,918) | (255,292) | (241,577) | |||
A number of wholesale customers have been contesting certain tariffs since mid-1998. As a result, some municipalities are currently not paying the Companys invoices in full or on a timely basis. In addition, some governmental entities located in municipalities the Company serves are also not paying on a regular basis. While the Company continues to enter into negotiations with municipalities to reschedule the related accounts receivable and continues to file legal proceedings against municipalities to collect overdue amounts, in some cases, the Brazilian courts have required that the Company continue to provide water on a wholesale basis to municipalities, even if they fail to pay the Companys invoices.
The Company recorded direct charges for probable losses in accounts receivable incurred in 2006, in the amount of R$ 411,918, being R$ 115,739 (net of recoveries) written-off from accounts receivable (in 2005 - R$ 94,196), directly to the income for the year, recorded in Selling Expenses. These losses amounted to R$ 255,292 and R$ 241,577 in 2005 and in 2004, respectively.
Management believes that the allowance for doubtful accounts is sufficient to absorb probable losses in customer accounts receivable.
(d) Unbilled amounts
Unbilled amounts represent water and sewage services provided but not yet billed, which are estimated from the last measurement date to month-end based on prior months billings.
(e) Unidentified collections
In the process of analyzing and reconciliating the accounting balances related to the account unidentified collections, which belongs to the accounts receivable group, the Company identified the need to adjust the balance of this account in the amount of R$93,758. This amount results from differences accumulated in the course of the years. The adjustment was made in the statement of income for the year ended December 31, 2006 due to the impossibility to identify the period of the amounts that caused the accumulated differences.
6. TRANSACTIONS WITH RELATED PARTIES
The Company is party to a number of transactions with its majority shareholder, the State Government, and its related agencies.
(a) Receivable from Shareholder | 2006 | 2005 | ||
Current: | ||||
Water and sewage services (i) | 308,030 | 237,701 | ||
GESP Agreement (iii) (iv) | 59,834 | 54,806 | ||
Total current | 367,864 | 292,507 | ||
Long-term: |
F-23
COMPANHIA DE SANEAMENTO BÁSICO DO ESTADO DE SÃO PAULO - SABESP |
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS |
AS OF AND FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2006, 2005 AND 2004 |
(Amounts in thousands of Brazilian reais-R$, unless otherwise stated) |
Water and sewage services - GESP Agreement | 89,012 | 127,879 | ||
Reimbursement for pension benefits paid (ii) | 774,455 | 672,715 | ||
Gross long-term receivable from shareholder | 863,467 | 800,594 | ||
Total receivable from shareholder | 1,231,331 | 1,093,101 | ||
Water and sewage services | 456,876 | 420,386 | ||
Reimbursement for pension benefits | 774,455 | 672,715 | ||
1,231,331 | 1,093,101 | |||
Interest on Shareholders Equity | 396,361 | 260,240 | ||
Operating Revenues | ||||
Gross revenue from sales and services | ||||
Water sales | 175,124 | 161,798 | ||
Sewage services | 146,074 | 134,313 | ||
Collections | (199,375) | (233,039) | ||
Financial revenues | 50,882 | 32,293 |
The Company does not record an allowance for doubtful accounts for any amounts due from the State government or entities controlled by the State Government, since it does not expect losses on such receivables.
(i) Water and sewage services
The Company provides water and sewage services to the State Government and its related agencies under terms and conditions that management believes are equal to those with third parties, except for the settlement of amounts outstanding, as described further below in items (iii) and (iv).
(ii) Reimbursement for pension and benefits paid.
Reimbursement for pension and benefits paid represents supplementary pension and leave benefit paid by the Company to former employees of State Government-owned companies which merged to form SABESP. These amounts should be reimbursed to the Company by the State Government, as the primary obligor, in conformity with Law No. 200/74. At December 31, 2006 and 2005, 2,670 and 2,761 retirees, respectively, received supplementary pension payments, for which the Company paid R$ 101,740 and R$ 96,388 at December 31, 2006 and 2005, respectively. There were 163 active employees at December 31, 2006, who will be entitled to such benefits at the time of their retirement, as compared to 189 at December 31, 2005.
(iii) GESP Agreement
On December 11, 2001, the Company entered into an agreement with the State of São Paulo Government, through the State Department of Finance and the State Department of Water and Energy - DAEE, having the State Department of Water Resources, Sanitation and Works as intervening party, under which the State Government, by force of Law no 200/74, acknowledged to be responsible for the benefit arising out of supplementation of retirement and pension payments and agreed to pay amounts it owed to the
F-24
COMPANHIA DE SANEAMENTO BÁSICO DO ESTADO DE SÃO PAULO - SABESP |
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS |
AS OF AND FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2006, 2005 AND 2004 |
(Amounts in thousands of Brazilian reais-R$, unless otherwise stated) |
Company in respect of water and sewage services. The value to date of the Agreement was R$ 678,830, of which R$ 320,623 refer to supplemental retirement and pension benefits in the period from March 1986 until November 2001, and R$ 358,207 refer to water supply and sewage collection services invoiced and due from 1985 until December 1, 2001. The agreement foresees the equalizing of the balance of our accounts receivable with the use of dividends, when applicable.
Considering the strategic importance of Taiacupeba, Jundiaí, Biritiba, Paraitinga and Ponte Nova reservoirs, for ensuring the volume of water of the Alto Tietê System to be maintained, it was agreed that DAEE would transfer these properties to the Company, with the fair value of these transferred assets used to reduce the amounts owed to the Company.
Under the December 2001 agreement, in July and August 2002, a State Government owned construction company (Companhia Paulista de Obras e ServiçosCPOS), on behalf of the State, and an independent appraisal firm (ENGEVALEngenharia de Avaliações), on the Companys behalf, presented their valuation reports relating to the reservoirs. Under the agreement, the arithmetic average of these appraisals is deemed the fair value of the reservoirs. The appraisals contained in these reports were in the amounts of R$ 335.8 million and R$ 341.2 million, respectively. Because the Company had already made investments in these reservoirs by then, the arithmetic average of the appraisals submitted to the Companys Board of Directors for approval in August 2002 of R$ 300.9 million was net of a percentage corresponding to these investments. Our Board of Directors approved the valuation reports.
Under the December 2001 agreement, for amounts due in excess of the fair value of the reservoirs, the State Government is to make payments in 114 consecutive monthly installments, with the first payment to be made upon the latest of (1) 210 days after the date of the agreement, (2) agreement by the parties on the fair value of the reservoirs and (3) conclusion of the audit by a State-appointed auditor of amounts owed. The nominal amount owed by the State Government would not be indexed to inflation or earn interest if there was a delay in concluding the appraisal of fair value. The installments will be indexed on a monthly basis by the IGP-M, plus 6.0% per year, starting on the date the first installment becomes due. The original first payment was to be made in July 2002.
On October 29, 2003, the Public Attorney of the State (Ministério Público do Estado de São Paulo), on behalf of the people of the State, brought a civil public action in a Trial Court of the state of São Paulo (12a Vara da Fazenda Pública do Estado de São Paulo) alleging that a transfer to the Company of ownership of the Alto Tietê System reservoirs from DAEE would be illegal. An injunction against the transfer of ownership of such reservoirs was granted but was later reversed. However, in October 2004, the court ruled in favor of the Public Attorney of the State, which the Company believes relates only to the illegality of the transfer of the reservoirs. In response, the Company filed an appeal which is pending final decision and the State Government successfully filed an action suspending the lower Courts decision until final judgment is reached by the Court of Appeals of the state of São Paulo (Tribunal de Justiça do Estado de São Paulo). The Company is unable to predict whether it will succeed in appealing such decision. Management currently does not expect that an eventual unfavorable decision would have material adverse effect on the Companys business and financial condition.
The December 2001 agreement also provided that the legal advisors of the State Government would carry out specific analyses, which have commenced, to ensure agreement among the parties as to the methodology employed in determining the amount of reimbursement for pension benefits owed to us by the State Government. Management does not expect these analyses to differ significantly from the amounts recorded in respect of these amounts. The commencement of payments with respect to pension amounts owed by the State Government has been postponed until such analyses are completed, the appraisal report is approved and the credit assignments relating to the transfer of the reservoirs described above are formalized. In addition, the transfer of these reservoirs is currently being disputed and we are not certain whether such transfer will be legally allowed, as discussed above.
F-25
COMPANHIA DE SANEAMENTO BÁSICO DO ESTADO DE SÃO PAULO - SABESP |
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS |
AS OF AND FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2006, 2005 AND 2004 |
(Amounts in thousands of Brazilian reais-R$, unless otherwise stated) |
Based on Official Notice No. 53/2005 of the State Capital Defense Council (CODEC), dated March 21, 2005, negotiations are still ongoing between the Company and the State Government with a view to restatement of the debt for supplemental retirement and pension benefits, under the terms defined in the December 2001 agreement, including amounts due after November 2001. These negotiations are expected to be consolidated in a second amendment to the December 2001 agreement, including criteria for recovery of future amounts to be disbursed by the Company. The Company has retained Fundação Instituto de Pesquisas Contábeis, Atuariais e Financeiras, USP FIPECAFI to validate the actual values to be reimbursed by the State Government, taking into account the legal advice provided by the General Office of the State Attorney provided by the Office of the State Attorney General.
It is not possible to determine the net effects on the balance sheet resulting from such negotiation. Management does not expect to incur significant net losses relating to any differences between the amounts recorded as due from the State Government and the amounts expected to be received by Sabesp.
The following summarizes activity with respect to amounts due from the State Government related to the reimbursement of pension and retirement benefits:
December 31, | ||||
2006 | 2005 | |||
Receivable from shareholder reimbursement for | ||||
pension benefits paid: | ||||
Balance at beginning of the year | 672,715 | 576,326 | ||
Payments made on behalf of State Government | 101,740 | 96,389 | ||
Balance at end of the year | 774,455 | 672,715 | ||
Management continues to believe that the amounts due from the State Government are collectible and does not expect to incur losses on these accounts receivable.
The balances for water and sewage services were included in the 1st amendment, as described below (iv).
(iv) First Amendment to GESP Agreement
On March 22, 2004, the Company and the State Government amended the terms of the original GESP Agreement, thereby (1) consolidating and acknowledging amounts due from the State Government for water and sewage services through February 2004, monetarily adjusted through February 2004; (2) formally providing for the offset of amounts due from the State Government against interest on shareholderss equity declared by the Company and any other debt owed to the State Government at December 31, 2003, which were monetarily adjusted through February 2004; and (3) defining the payment terms of the remaining obligations of the State Government for water and sewage services.
Under the terms of the Amendment, the State Government acknowledged amounts due to the Company for water and sewage services provided through February 2004, in the amount of R$ 581,779, including monetary adjustments based on the Reference Rate (TR) at the end of each fiscal year through February 2004. The Company acknowledged amounts due to the State Government with respect to interest on
F-26
COMPANHIA DE SANEAMENTO BÁSICO DO ESTADO DE SÃO PAULO - SABESP |
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS |
AS OF AND FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2006, 2005 AND 2004 |
(Amounts in thousands of Brazilian reais-R$, unless otherwise stated) |
shareholders equity of R$ 518,732, including (1) amounts declared and paid relationg to years prior to 2003 (R$ 126,967), (2) monetary adjustments on these amounts based on the annual change in the Consumer Prices Index (IPC/FIPE) through February 2004 (R$ 31,098); and (3) amounts declared and paid relating to 2003 (R$ 360,667).
The Company and the State Government have agreed to the reciprocal offset of R$ 404,889 (monetarily adjusted through February 2004). The remaining obligation of R$ 176,890 at February 29, 2004 will be payable in monthly installments from May 2005 through April 2009, which will be subject to monthly monetary adjustment at the Expanded Consumer Price Index (IPCA/IBGE), plus 0.5% .
In 2005 the offset of R$ 105,520 with interest on shareholders equity from 2003 occurred, as forecasted. In 2006, the Company received the amount of R$ 47,228 corresponding to the installments from January through October. On March 2007, the company received the amount of R$ 25,261 corresponding to the installments from November 2006 through March 2007.
The Amendment to the GESP Agreement does not provide for amounts owed by the State Government for supplementary retirement and pension plan benefits, paid by the Company on behalf of the State Government. Such amounts continue to be subject to the terms of the original GESP Agreement. Part of such amounts may be netted upon the transfer of the reservoirs that make up the Alto Tietê System. As discussed above, the Company and the State Government are negotiating the transfer and netting of the additional amounts owed.
Management believes that the amounts owed by the State Government shall be received and it is not estimated that losses will be incurred with such accounts receivable. Management continues its efforts to maintain in permanent basis the payments of the State with regards to the transactions between the parties.
(b) Cash and cash equivalents
The Companys balance of cash and short-term investments accounts with financial institutions controlled by the State Government was R$ 287,999 and R$ 242,021 at December 31, 2006 and 2005, respectively. The financial income from such investments was R$ 50,882, R$ 32,293 and R$ 23,114 in fiscal years ended December 31, 2006, 2005 and 2004, respectively. The Company must, by force of State Decree, invest its excess resources together with financial institutions controlled by the State.
(c) Arrangements to use reservoirs
The Company uses the Guarapiranga and Billings reservoirs and a portion of some of the reservoirs of the Alto Tietê System, which are owned by the State Department of Water and Energy (DAEE). The Company does not pay any fees with respect to the use of these reservoirs, but is responsible for maintaining and funding the operating costs of these reservoirs. The State of São Paulo does not incur such costs on behalf of the Company. In the event these facilities had not been made available to the Company, it would have had to obtain water from more distant sources which would have been more costly.
As part of these arrangements, the Company funded approximately R$97,115 of costs for the 1992 and 1997 projects. A portion of these project costs were funded by the State Government, through DAEE. The agreements included the construction of ducts, tunnels and other facilities to interconnect the Tietê River with the Biritiba and Jundiaí reservoirs and other bodies of water in exchange for the Companys use of the reservoirs during a 30-year period.
F-27
COMPANHIA DE SANEAMENTO BÁSICO DO ESTADO DE SÃO PAULO - SABESP |
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS |
AS OF AND FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2006, 2005 AND 2004 |
(Amounts in thousands of Brazilian reais-R$, unless otherwise stated) |
The Company has the right to draw water from and release emissions into the reservoirs during a 30-year period which began in 1997. The Company capitalizes expenditures on the facilities constructed. The assets relating to the original reservoir project were placed in service in 1994 and 2002 and are being depreciated over the remaining term of the original 30 year period. The Company had recorded as part of property, plant and equipment R$ 55,660 and R$ 58,397 of amounts capitalized with respect to these agreements, net of accumulated depreciation, at December 31, 2006 and 2005, respectively.
(d) Contracts with reduced Fare for State and Municipal Public Entities that adhere to the Program of Rational Use of Water
The Company has entered into contracts with public entities related to the State Government and other municipalities involving approximately 6,800 properties that are benefited with a 25% tariff reduction for water and sewage services. The contract provides for the implantation of the program of rational use of water, which considers the reduction in water consumption.
(e) Guarantees
The State Government and the Brazilian Federal Government, in some cases, provide guarantees of, or security for, the Companys loans and financing. The Company does not pay any fees with respect to these guarantees.
7. INDEMNITIES RECEIVABLE
Indemnities Receivable is a non current asset representing amounts receivable from the municipalities of Diadema and Mauá as indemnification for the unilateral withdraw of the concessions of water and sewage services from the Company in 1995. On December 31, 2006 this asset amounted to R$ 148,794.
Under these concession agreements, the Company invested in the construction of water and sewage systems in those municipalities in order to meet its concession services commitments. Due to the unilateral termination of the concessions of Diadema and Mauá, the municipalities have assumed the responsibility to provide water and sewage services in those areas. At that moment, the Company reclassified the property, plant and equipment balances related to the impounded assets used in those municipalities to non current assets (indemnities receivable) and it has recorded non indemnifiable costs in order to reflect the assets by the recoverable amounts contractually estimated as indemnification by the Company before the competent authorities. The net book value of the property, plant and equipment items related to the municipality of Diadema, written-off for accounting purposes in December 1996, was R$ 75,231 and the indemnification balance and other credits receivable from the municipality was of R$ 62,876 on December 31, 2006. The net book value of the property, plant and equipment items related to the municipality of Mauá, written-off in the fiscal year 1999, was R$ 103,763, and the balance of indemnifications receivable from the municipality was R$ 85,918 on December 31, 2006.
The Companys rights to the recovery of these amounts are being disputed by the municipalities and no amount has been received up to the date.
F-28
COMPANHIA DE SANEAMENTO BÁSICO DO ESTADO DE SÃO PAULO - SABESP |
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS |
AS OF AND FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2006, 2005 AND 2004 |
(Amounts in thousands of Brazilian reais-R$, unless otherwise stated) |
Sabesp filed judicial demands to collect the amounts due by the municipalities. With regards to Diadema, the first court level judge decided against Sabesp, against which there was an appeal in November 2000. On Deceber 1, 2005 a partial acceptance to Sabesps appeal was granted to declare the validity of the agreement entered into with the municipality of Diadema. On November 11, 2006 the City Hall filed special and extraordinary appeals, and on November 21, 2006 the decision allowing the Company to present its responses to the referred appeals was published, which has been done on December 6, 2006.
With regards to Mauá, a first court level decision was given requiring that the Municipality pay an amount of R$ 153.2 million as compensation for the loss of profits. This decision was appealed by Mauá on April 15, 2005 and it is still pending a decision by the Court of Justice. On July 4, 2006, the sentence was converted into a diligence comprised by an expert clarification about the amount attributed for indemnification purposes, which has not yet been provided by the expert.
Based on the legal counsel opinion, Management continues to affirm that the Company has legal right to receive the amounts corresponding to the indemnification and it continues to monitor the situation of the legal proceedings. However, the ultimate amounts to be received, if any, will most likely be subject to a final court decision. As such, actual amounts received could differ from those recorded.
F-29
COMPANHIA DE SANEAMENTO BÁSICO DO ESTADO DE SÃO PAULO - SABESP |
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS |
AS OF AND FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2006, 2005 AND 2004 |
(Amounts in thousands of Brazilian reais-R$, unless otherwise stated) |
8. PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT
December, 31 | ||||
2006 | 2005 | |||
In use: | ||||
Water systems: | ||||
Land | 941,757 | 938,589 | ||
Buildings | 2,717,073 | 2,660,875 | ||
Connections | 833,600 | 800,544 | ||
Water meters | 277,623 | 272,240 | ||
Networks | 3,328,333 | 3,235,646 | ||
Equipment | 265,552 | 246,893 | ||
Other | 599,216 | 498,950 | ||
8,963,154 | 8,653,737 | |||
Accumulated depreciation | (3,365,745) | (3,074,797) | ||
Total water systems | 5,597,409 | 5,578,940 | ||
Sewage system: | ||||
Land | 346,471 | 352,080 | ||
Buildings | 1,516,769 | 1,456,577 | ||
Connections | 881,024 | 846,334 | ||
Networks | 4,933,032 | 4,660,594 | ||
Equipment | 436,444 | 500,449 | ||
Other | 126,899 | 15,493 | ||
8,240,639 | 7,831,527 | |||
Accumulated depreciation | (2,476,692) | (2,222,011) | ||
Total sewage systems | 5,763,947 | 5,609,516 | ||
General use: | ||||
Land | 107,707 | 102,952 | ||
Buildings | 133,705 | 120,853 | ||
Transportation equipment | 136,129 | 133,433 | ||
Furniture, fixtures and equipment | 310,122 | 280,097 | ||
687,663 | 637,335 | |||
Accumulated depreciation | (407,012) | (368,534) | ||
Total general use | 280,651 | 268,801 | ||
Non Operational assets, net of accumulated | ||||
depreciation | 26,478 | 31,832 | ||
F-30
COMPANHIA DE SANEAMENTO BÁSICO DO ESTADO DE SÃO PAULO - SABESP |
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS |
AS OF AND FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2006, 2005 AND 2004 |
(Amounts in thousands of Brazilian reais-R$, unless otherwise stated) |
Subtotal | 11,668,485 | 11,489,089 | ||
Construction in progress: | ||||
Water systems | 708,097 | 683,094 | ||
Sewage systems | 1,454,994 | 1,421,491 | ||
Other | 5,922 | 19,907 | ||
2,169,013 | 2,124,492 | |||
13,837,498 | 13,613,581 | |||
The fixed assets represent the assets involved in the service providing of supply of water and collection of sewage in 352 municipalities. In the other municipalities, which were negotiated by financial economic appraisal, described in the item above, SABESP holds the possession of the assets.
In 2006, 120 (one hundred twenty) concession contracts expired, being that all of them are under negotiation. The net book value of the fixed assets in the Municipalities where the concessions are under negotiation (2006) or that will expire in 2007 amounts to R$ 1.94 billion.
In 2006, the depreciation costs of these municipalities were of R$ 122,785.
The concession contracts provide that the assets shall turn to the conceding power at the end of the term, either by means of indemnification by the residual amount or market value in accordance with the established in each agreement.
(a) Depreciations
Depreciation is calculated at the following annual rates: - buildings - 4%, networks - 2%, furniture, fixtures and equipment - 10%, water meters - 10%, vehicles - 20%, IT hardwares - 20%, residential connections- 5% and office furniture - 10%.
(b) Disposals of property, plant and equipment
The Company wrote-off property, plant and equipment in the amount of R$ 54,350, R$ 19,051 and R$ 34,616 in 2006, 2005 and 2004, respectively. Of these losses, R$ 21,348, R$ 9,879 and 26,034 in 2006, 2005 and 2004, respectively, were related to the obsolescence, theft or disposal of assets in use. The remaining balances of losses, of R$ 26,459, R$ 9,172 and R$ 8,582 were related to the write-off of construction in progress projects which were determined to be no longer economically feasible.
Studies supporting the write-offs for obsolescence and construction-in-progress were concluded by the Company in the accounting period of the write-off, based on undiscounted cash flow projections, and have been approved by Management. The carrying value of property, plant and equipment is monitored on an on-going basis and is adjusted, when appropriate, to assure future projected operating revenue is sufficient to recover the carrying value of the assets. When applicable, depreciation rates are adjusted to take into account changes in estimated remaining economic lives as assets are replaced.
F-31
COMPANHIA DE SANEAMENTO BÁSICO DO ESTADO DE SÃO PAULO - SABESP |
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS |
AS OF AND FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2006, 2005 AND 2004 |
(Amounts in thousands of Brazilian reais-R$, unless otherwise stated) |
(c) Capitalization of interests and financial charges
The Company capitalized interests and monetary variation, including foreing currency exchange variation, to property, plant and equipment in the amount of R$ 5,784 for the year ended on December 31, 2006 (2005 - R$ 4,335), during the period in which the related assets were under construction.
(d) Construction in Progress
Construction in progress primarily related to new projects and operating improvements, are as follows:
2006 | 2005 | |||
Water systems: | ||||
Networks and connections | 227,360 | 238,122 | ||
Transmission | 29,626 | 36,712 | ||
Water treatment | 80,130 | 97,502 | ||
Sub-transmission | 188,342 | 155,493 | ||
Production and storage | 126,519 | 116,306 | ||
Other | 56,120 | 38,959 | ||
Total water systems | 708,097 | 683,094 | ||
Sewage systems: | ||||
Collection | 1,133,958 | 1,139,045 | ||
Treatment | 187,047 | 182,967 | ||
Others | 133,989 | 99,479 | ||
Total sewage systems | 1,454,994 | 1,421,491 | ||
Others | 5,922 | 19,907 | ||
Total | 2,169,013 | 2,124,492 | ||
Estimated disbursements relating to construction works already contracted are estimated to be approximately R$ 1,009 million for fiscal years from 2007 to 2012 (unaudited).
(e) Expropriations
Development of major water and sewage systems frequently requires the expropriation or establishment of rights of way through third-party properties. The owners of these properties are generally compensated either through negotiated settlements or judicial arbitration.
Disbursements to be effected as from fiscal year 2007 are estimated to be approximately R$ 467 million (unaudited), which will be paid out of Company funds. The related assets acquired as a result of these negotiations are recorded as property, plant and equipment when the expropriation is complete. In 2006, the amount referring to expropriations was R$ 8,385 (2005 - R$ 11,472).
(f) Assets in guarantee
At December 31, 2006 and 2005, the Company had assets in the amount of R$ 249,034 provided as guarantee under the Special Tax Debt Refinancing Program - PAES (Note 12).
Additionally, three of the Companys real estate properties, in the amount of R$ 60,539, have been pledged as guarantee for financing together with the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development - Bird (note 10).
F-32
COMPANHIA DE SANEAMENTO BÁSICO DO ESTADO DE SÃO PAULO - SABESP |
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS |
AS OF AND FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2006, 2005 AND 2004 |
(Amounts in thousands of Brazilian reais-R$, unless otherwise stated) |
(g) Non-operating assets
The Company had R$ 26,478 at December 31, 2006 (2005 - R$ 31,832) referring to other non-operating assets given as free leases, comprised primarily of lands surrounding reservoirs.
(h) Revaluation
Property, plant and equipment items were revaluated in 1990 and 1991 and have been depreciated at annual rates which take into consideration the estimated remaining economic useful lives of the assets as determined in the respective valuation reports that, as a rule, fall within the ranges of the above presented rates.
(i) Totally depreciated assets
On December 31, 2006 the gross accounting value of the totally depreciated assets which are still in use is R$ 426,659 (2005 - R$ 336,086).
9. INTANGIBLE ASSETS
(a) Concessions
Beginning in 1999, negotiations and acquisition of new concessions considers the financial economic value of the business, defined in an appraisal report, issued by independent experts.
The terms of these concessions are generally for a period of 30 years and generally include the corresponding right to operate the related concession assets for which the Company does not have title. The purchase price for these concessions is generally the fair value of the concession, based on appraisal reports which take into consideration the projected cash flows and the remaining concession period at the date of acquisition. The cost of the concession assets acquired is amortized over the concession period using the straight-line method.
The net disclosed amount refers to the assumption of the following municipalities:
Municipalities | Year ended December 31, | |||
2006 | 2005 | |||
Agudos | 7,538 | 7,331 | ||
Bom Sucesso do Itararé | 338 | 131 | ||
Campo Limpo Paulista | 11,811 | 11,509 | ||
Conchas | 2,250 | 2,171 | ||
Duartina | 1,462 | 1,459 | ||
Estância de Serra Negra | 13,255 | 11,423 | ||
Itapira | 14,729 | 14,762 | ||
Itararé | 5,554 | 5,508 | ||
Marabá Paulista | 444 | 358 | ||
Miguelópolis | 4,083 | 3,978 | ||
Osasco | 269,068 | 260,013 | ||
Paraguaçu Paulista | 14,166 | 13,966 | ||
Paulistânia | 150 | 149 | ||
F-33
COMPANHIA DE SANEAMENTO BÁSICO DO ESTADO DE SÃO PAULO - SABESP |
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS |
AS OF AND FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2006, 2005 AND 2004 |
(Amounts in thousands of Brazilian reais-R$, unless otherwise stated) |
Sandovalina | 215 | 211 | ||
Santa Maria da Serra | 1,090 | 885 | ||
São Bernardo do Campo | 237,459 | 237,459 | ||
Várzea Paulista | 11,999 | 11,668 | ||
Total | 595,611 | 582,981 | ||
Less accumulated amortization | (100,493) | (80,463) | ||
Concession assets, net | 495,118 | 502,518 | ||
Amortization expense related to intangible concession rights was R$ 20,030, R$ 19,617 and R$ 18,259 for the years ended December 31, 2006, 2005 and 2004, respectively. Amortization expense for the next five years is estimated to be approximately R$ 20,000 per year.
F-34
COMPANHIA DE SANEAMENTO BÁSICO DO ESTADO DE SÃO PAULO - SABESP |
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS |
AS OF AND FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2006, 2005 AND 2004 |
(Amounts in thousands of Brazilian reais-R$, unless otherwise stated) |
10 - LOANS AND FINANCING
2006 | 2005 | |||||||||||||||||||
Final | ||||||||||||||||||||
Non | Non | Maturity | Adjustment | |||||||||||||||||
Current | Current | Total | Current | Current | Total | Guarantees | Date | Annual interest rate | to inflation | |||||||||||
In local currency: | ||||||||||||||||||||
Banco do Brasil | State of S. Paulo | |||||||||||||||||||
215,723 | 1,854,042 | 2,069,765 | 194,238 | 2,028,429 | 2,222,667 | Government and Own Funds | 2014 | 8.50% | UPR | |||||||||||
Debentures 4th Issue | - | - | - | 99,998 | - | 99,998 | 2006 | CDI+1.2% | - | |||||||||||
Debentures 5th Issue | 46,038 | - | 46,038 | 148,917 | 148,917 | 297,834 | 2007 | 10.65% | IGP-M | |||||||||||
Debentures 6th Issue | 231,813 | 397,165 | 628,978 | - | 614,383 | 614,383 | 2010 | CDI+1.75% / 11% | IGP-M | |||||||||||
Debentures 7th Issue | - | 304,350 | 304,350 | - | 300,516 | 300,516 | 2010 | CDI+1.5% / 10.8% | IGP-M | |||||||||||
CDI+1.5% / | ||||||||||||||||||||
Debentures 8th Issue | - | 709,815 | 709,815 | - | 696,594 | 696,594 | 2011 | 10.75% | IGP-M | |||||||||||
Caixa Econômica Federal | 49,648 | 477,628 | 527,276 | 42,938 | 459,919 | 502,857 | Own Funds | 2007/2022 | 5% to 9.5% | UPR | ||||||||||
FIDC - Sabesp I | 55,555 | 180,556 | 236,111 | - | - | - | Own Funds | 2011 | CDI + 0.70% | |||||||||||
Brazilian Economic and Social Development | 3% + TJLP | |||||||||||||||||||
Bank - BNDES | 31,515 | 154,043 | 185,558 | 28,699 | 182,358 | 211,057 | Own Funds | 2013 | LIMITE 6% | |||||||||||
12% / CDI /TJLP + | ||||||||||||||||||||
Other | 2,791 | 23,136 | 25,927 | 2,505 | 24,308 | 26,813 | 2009/2011 | 6% | UPR | |||||||||||
Accrued Interest and financial charges | 99,252 | 20,891 | 120,143 | 115,554 | - | 115,554 | ||||||||||||||
732,335 | 4,121,626 | 4,853,961 | 632,849 | 4,455,424 | 5,088,273 | |||||||||||||||
In foreign currency: | ||||||||||||||||||||
Eurobonus: US$ 238,052 thousand (2005 -US$ | ||||||||||||||||||||
225,000 thousand) | - | 508,955 | 508,955 | - | 526,658 | 526,658 | 2008/2016 | 12% / 7.5% | US$ | |||||||||||
Currency | ||||||||||||||||||||
Interamerican Development Bank (IDB): US$ | bsket var. | |||||||||||||||||||
435,867 thousand (2005-US$ 435,451 thousand) | 99,930 | 831,952 | 931,882 | 101,157 | 918,103 | 1,019,260 | Federal Government | 2007/2025 | 3.00% to 7.70% | +US$ | ||||||||||
International Bank for Reconstruction and | Currency | |||||||||||||||||||
Development - BIRD (World Bank): US$ 2,223 | bsket var. | |||||||||||||||||||
thousand (2005-US$ 6,439 thousand) | 4,752 | - | 4,752 | 10,049 | 5,023 | 15,072 | Federal Government | 2007 | 5.15% | +US$ | ||||||||||
JBIC - Yens 652,814 | - | 11,721 | 11,721 | - | - | - | Federal Government | 2029 | 1.8% / 2.5% | Yens | ||||||||||
Société Générale: (2005- 1,020 thousand) | - | - | - | 2,824 | - | 2,824 | Federal Government | 2006 | 4.04% | EUR | ||||||||||
Accrued Interest and financial charges | 15,458 | - | 15,458 | 12,134 | - | 12,134 | ||||||||||||||
120,140 | 1,352,628 | 1,472,768 | 126,164 | 1,449,784 | 1,575,948 | |||||||||||||||
Total loans and financing | 852,475 | 5,474,254 | 6,326,729 | 759,013 | 5,905,208 | 6,664,221 | ||||||||||||||
Exchange rate at December 31, 2006: US$ 2.1380; Yens 0.017954 - (2005 - US$ 2.3407; Euro 2.76905)
On December 31, 2006 the Company did not record any balances of short-term loans and financing.
F-35
COMPANHIA DE SANEAMENTO BÁSICO DO ESTADO DE SÃO PAULO - SABESP |
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS |
AS OF AND FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2006, 2005 AND 2004 |
(Amounts in thousands of Brazilian reais-R$, unless otherwise stated) |
(a) Banco do Brasil
In March 1994, existing loan agreements with Caixa Econômica Federal were refinanced and the loan rights were transferred by that financial institution to the Federal Government, with Banco do Brasil acting as an agent. Under the terms of the agreement signed with the Federal Government, charges and payments are made on the Price amortization system, indexed monthly to the Standard Reference Unit (UPR), which is equal to the Governments benchmark Interest Rate (TR), plus interest 8.5% per year. Interest and principal are payable monthly, with final maturity in 2014. This financing is guaranteed by the State of São Paulo Governments revenue and by the Companys own revenues.
(b) Debentures
(i) 4th Issue
On April 1, 2001 the Company made a public placement of 30,000 non-convertible, registered, book-entry type, single series, non-renegotiable debentures, at the unit value of R$ 10, in an aggregate amount of R$ 300,000. The placement of these debentures in the local market occurred through an auction held on June 8, 2001 and the payment of the last installment occurred on December 15, 2006.
(ii) 5th Issue
On April 1, 2002 the Company made a public placement for the 5th issue of simple, book-entry, registered, unsecured, non-convertible debentures, with face value of R$ 10. The amount of the 2nd issue is monthly changed, due to its characteristics, in accordance with the indenture.
40,000 debentures were issued, distributed in two series, as follows:
1st Series | 2nd Series | |||
Placement date | 05/16/2002 | 05/16/2002 | ||
Number | 31,372 | 8,628 | ||
Face value of Issue | R$ 313,720 | R$ 86,280 | ||
Original yield | CDI + 1.85% per year | IGP-M + 13.25% per year | ||
Interest payments | Quarterly, except for last installment on | Annual, except for last installment in | ||
03/01/2007 | 03/01/2007 | |||
3 installments on 04/01/2005, | 3 installments on 04/01/2005, | |||
Amortization | 04/01/2006 and 03/01/2007 | 04/01/2006 and 03/01/2007 |
The interest rates for the two series were renegotiated for the last time in April 2005, whereby the rate for the 1st Series was changed from CDI + 2.0% per year to CDI + 1.1% per year, and the rate for the 2nd Series was changed from IGPM + 12.7% per year to IGPM + 10.65% per year, in effect until the agreement conclusion.
F-36
COMPANHIA DE SANEAMENTO BÁSICO DO ESTADO DE SÃO PAULO - SABESP |
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS |
AS OF AND FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2006, 2005 AND 2004 |
(Amounts in thousands of Brazilian reais-R$, unless otherwise stated) |
Interest expense was R$ 10,991, R$ 45,015 and R$ 54,376 in 2006, 2005 and 2004, respectively relating to the 1st Series, and R$ 6,089, R$ 11,584 and R$ 16,641, respectively, relating to the 2nd Series. The remaining accrued interest balance of R$ 3,571 (2005 - R$ 7,032 and 2004 R$ 12,328) relating to the 2nd Series is recorded under Loans and financing, in current liabilities.
On April 19, 2006, the Company made the anticipated settlement of the 5th issue of debentures, 1st series which maturity was scheduled for March 2007, through the use of part of the resources obtained from the funding of the Investment Fund in Credit Rights Sabesp I - FIDC, in the amount of R$ 106,373.
(iii) 6th Issue
On September 17, 2004, the Company registered with the CVM a securities program in the total amount of R$ 1,500,000. As part of such program, on September 1, 2004 the Company issued 600,000 debentures, distributed in three series, without renegotiation with face value of R$ 1, totaling R$ 600,000. The date of the financial settlement of the transaction was September 21, 2004 for the 1st series, and September 22, 2004, for the 2nd and 3rd series.
The debentures were placed on the market as follows:
Amount | Adjustment | Interest | Interest payment | Amortization | Maturity date | |||||||
1st Series | 231,813 | - | CDI+1.75% p.a. | Semiannual | Single payment | Sep/2007 | ||||||
2nd Series | 188,267 | IGP-M | 11% | Annual | Single payment | Sep/2009 | ||||||
3rd Series | 179,920 | IGP-M | 11% | Annual | Single payment | Sep/2010 |
Interest expense was R$ 38,054, R$ 46,481 and R$ 13,484 in 2006, 2005 and 2004, respectively, relating to the 1st series; R$ 21,932, R$ 21,420 and R$ 6,757, respectively, relating to the 2nd series, and R$ 20,960 and R$ 20,470, respectively, relating to the 3rd series. Remaining accrued interest balances to be paid in the amount of R$ 10,974 (2005 - R$ 14,837 and 2004 - R$ 13,484) for the 1st series; R$ 6,841 (2005 - R$ 6,757 and 2004 - R$ 6,757) for the 2nd series, and R$ 6,538 (2005 - R$ 6,458 and 2004 R$ 6,457) for the 3rd series. Such amounts are recorded under Loans and financing in current liabilities.
(iv) 7th Issue of Debentures
Within the program registered together with the CVM on September 17, 2004, the Company issued, in March 1, 2005, 300,000 debentures distributed into two series, without renegotiation, at the par value of R$ 1, totaling R$ 300,000. The date of the financial settlement was March 14, 2005.
The debentures were placed in the market as follows:
Amount | Adjustment | Interests | Interest Payment | Amortization | Maturity Date | |||||||
1st series | 200,000 | - | CDI + 1.5%p.a. | Semiannual | Single payment | Mar/2009 | ||||||
2nd series | 100,000 | IGP-M | 10.80% | Annual | Single payment | Mar/2010 |
F-37
COMPANHIA DE SANEAMENTO BÁSICO DO ESTADO DE SÃO PAULO - SABESP |
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS |
AS OF AND FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2006, 2005 AND 2004 |
(Amounts in thousands of Brazilian reais-R$, unless otherwise stated) |
Interest expense was R$ 32,305 and R$ 33,378 in 2006 and 2005, respectively, relating to the 1st series; and R$ 11,162 and R$ 9,013, respectively, relating to the 2nd series. Remaining accrued interest balances to be paid, in the amount of R$ 9,304 (2005 - R$ 12,631) for the 1st series and R$ 9,218 (2005 - R$ 9,013) for the 2nd series, are recorded under Loans and financing in current liabilities.
(v) 8th Issue of Debentures
In completion to the program registered at the CVM on September 17, 2004 the Company issued, on June 1st, 2005, 700,000 debentures, using the option to increase the quantity of debentures allowed up to 20%, according to the paragraph 2 of article 14 of the CVM inscription nr. 400/03, distributed in two series, without renegotiation, at par value of R$ 1, amounting to R$ 700,000. The settlement date of the financial operation was June 24, 2005. The amount received has been destined to the settlement of the Eurobonds contract (note 10 (f(i))).
The debentures were placed in the market as follows:
Amount | Adjustment | Interests | Interest Payment | Amortization | Maturity Date | |||||||
1st series | 350,000 | - | CDI+1.5% p.a. | Semiannual | Single payment | Jun/2009 | ||||||
2nd series | 350,000 | IGP-M | 10.75% p.a. | Annual | Single payment | Jun/2011 |
Interest expense was R$ 56,385 and R$ 41,028 in 2006 and 2005, respectively, relating to the 1st series, and R$ 37,953 and R$ 21,420, respectively, relating to the 2nd series. Remaining accrued interest balances to be paid, in the amount of R$ 3,668 (2005 - R$ 5,341) for the 1st series, and R$ 21,773 (2005 - R$ 21,420) for the 2nd Series, are recorded under Loans and financing in current liabilities.
Financial covenants of the 6th, 7th and 8th issue of debentures
(c) Caixa Econômica Federal
Pro-Sanitation Program
(i) Water and sewage agreements
F-38
COMPANHIA DE SANEAMENTO BÁSICO DO ESTADO DE SÃO PAULO - SABESP |
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS |
AS OF AND FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2006, 2005 AND 2004 |
(Amounts in thousands of Brazilian reais-R$, unless otherwise stated) |
From 1996 through 2004, the Company entered into several loan agreements under Pro-Sanitation Program, with a view to expanding and improving the water supply and sewage systems of several municipalities of the State of São Paulo and of the City of São Paulo. The loans are collateralized by collections of the daily billings from water supply and sewage services up to the total amount of the debt.
Contractually established repayment terms range from 120 to 180 months, from the date the related projects become operational.
The balance at December 31, 2006 is R$ 506,221 (2005 - R$ 482,984), being the amount to use from these contracts of R$ 463,851.
Contract charges are as follows:
Contract executed in: | ||||||
1996 | 1997 | 1998 - 2004 | ||||
Interest rates | 9.5% p.a. | 6.5% to 8.0% p.a. | 6.5% to 8.0% p.a. | |||
In the grace period: | ||||||
Risk fee | 1.0% on disbursed | 1.0% on disbursed | 0.6% p.a. or 2% p.a. on | |||
amount | amount | outstanding balance | ||||
Management fee | 0.12% p.m. on | 2.0% p.a. on | 1.0% p.a. on | |||
contract value | disbursed value | disbursed value or 2% | ||||
p.a. on outstanding | ||||||
balance for agreements | ||||||
executed in 2003-2004. | ||||||
In the repayment stage: | ||||||
Management fee | Difference between | 1.0% p.a. on | 1.0% p.a. on | |||
calculation of | ||||||
installment | ||||||
at the rate of 10.5% | outstanding balance | outstanding balance | ||||
p.a. | ||||||
less rate of 9.5% | ||||||
p.a. |
(ii) |
Pro-sanitation Program - Pró-Sanear |
In 1997 and 1998 contracts were signed under the Pro-Sanitation - Pró-Sanear program for the improvement of water and sewage services in several municipalities of the Metropolitan Region of São Paulo, with the participation of the communities receiving the services. The loans are collateralized by collections of the billings from water supply and sewage services up to the total amount of the debt. Contractually established repayment terms are 180 months from the date the related projects become operational. Outstanding loan balances at December 31, 2006 and 2005 were R$ 21,055 (2005 - R$ 19,873), being the amount available for use from these loans for projects already in progress of R$ 10,885.
F-39
COMPANHIA DE SANEAMENTO BÁSICO DO ESTADO DE SÃO PAULO - SABESP |
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS |
AS OF AND FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2006, 2005 AND 2004 |
(Amounts in thousands of Brazilian reais-R$, unless otherwise stated) |
Applicable financial charges:
Interest rate - 5.0% p.a.
Management fee (Grace period) - 2.0% p.a. on outstanding balance Management fee (amortization stage) - 1.0% p.a. on outstanding balance Risk fee (grace period) - 1.0% on disbursement
Financial covenants:
(d) BNDES
Agreement 01.2.619.3.1 - Executed in August 2002, in the total amount of R$ 60,000, with the purpose of financing part of the Companys counterparty in the performance of the Tietê River Depolluting Project - Stage II, object also of loan agreement no. 1212/OC - BR, with the Interamerican Development Bank - IDB. The related project is in the execution stage and the outstanding balance at December 31, 2006 was R$ 46,389 (2005 - R$ 52,735).
Onlending agreement 10/669.748 -6, in the total amount of R$ 180,000, distributed among the financial agents in the following proportions:
Agent | Amount | |
F-40
COMPANHIA DE SANEAMENTO BÁSICO DO ESTADO DE SÃO PAULO - SABESP |
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS |
AS OF AND FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2006, 2005 AND 2004 |
(Amounts in thousands of Brazilian reais-R$, unless otherwise stated) |
Unibanco - União de Bancos Brasileiros S.A. | 60,000 | |
Banco BBA Creditanstalt S.A. | 51,000 | |
Banco Alfa de Investimento S.A. | 39,000 | |
Banco Itaú S.A. | 30,000 | |
Total | 180,000 | |
The related project is in the execution stage, the total amount disbursed at December 31, 2006 the outstanding balance was R$ 139,169 (R$ 158,322 in 2005). The onlending agreement funds are passed on from BNDES to the financial agents, and by the agents to the Company. The onlending agreement has the same purpose as the agreement entered into between BNDES and the Company, and the charges and amortization terms are equal for both, being::
Interest - Long-Term Interest Rate TJLP limited to 6% p.a., plus a spread of 3% per annum, payable quarterly during the grace period, and monthly in the repayment period.
The portion of the TJLP that exceeds 6% p.a. shall be incorporated into the outstanding balance.
Monthly principal repayments began in September 2005, with final maturity in February 2013.
The agreements are collateralized by part of the revenue from water and sewage services.
Financial covenants:
(e) FIDC
On March 23, 2006 a single series of senior quotas and 26 (twenty six) subordinated quotas were issued, kept in deposit account in name of their respective holders, with unit value at the date of issuance corresponding to R$500,000 (five hundred thousand reais). The senior quotas are being amortized in 54 (fifty four) monthly installments, beginning on October 2006 and with final maturity in 2011. On December 31, 2006 the balance related to the subordinated quotas was R$ 14,316, recorded as Other Accounts Receivable in non current assets; the balance related to the senior quotas was R$ 236,111 recorded as Loans and Financing. The subordinated quotas were underwritten and paid up exclusively by Sabesp. The fund has a profitability parameter corresponding to 100% (one hundred per cent) over the DI rate, added by a pre-fixed coupon of 0.70% (seventy centesimal points per cent) interest per year, based on 252 working days, observed the terms of its regulation.
F-41
COMPANHIA DE SANEAMENTO BÁSICO DO ESTADO DE SÃO PAULO - SABESP |
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS |
AS OF AND FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2006, 2005 AND 2004 |
(Amounts in thousands of Brazilian reais-R$, unless otherwise stated) |
The Fund is managed by Caixa Econômica Federal and has as custody and underwriting agent Banco do Brasil S.A.
The resources obtained, in the amount of R$ 250 million, were used by the Company for the settlement of debts during the year 2006.
(f) Eurobonds
(i) A foreign credit transaction was entered into in July, 1997, having UBS - Securities LLC as lead arranger and Deutsche Morgan Grenfell and BB Securities as co-lead arrangers, in the amount of US$ 275,000 thousand, with interest rate of 10% p.a.. In July 28, 2005 the Company settled the total contract with the resources obtained through the 8th issue of debentures.
(ii) In June 2003, the Company issued US$ 225 million 12% Notes due 2008. Interest is payable semiannually with final maturity in June 2008. The Bank of New York acted as lead arranger and The Bank of Tokyo Mitsubishi Ltd. as principal paying agent. These funds were used for final settlement of the Eurobonds issue of US$ 200,000 thousand matured in July 2003.
On November 6, 2006 the Company partially settled this loan, in the amount of R$ 272,811, with the resources obtained through the issue of Eurobonds in the amount of US$140,000 thousand.
(iii) On November 3, 2006 an issue of Eurobonds took place (Eurobonds 2016) in the foreign market in the amount of US$140,000 thousand, having as leader Deutsche Bank Trust Company Americas and as principal paying agent Deutsche Bank Luxembourg S.A., with interest rate of 7.5% p.a. paid semi-annually and with final maturity in November 2016. As mentioned in (ii) above, the resources were used for the advanced and partial settlement of the issue of Eurobonds of US$225,000 thousand with final maturity in June 2008, and the redempted amount was US$126,948 thousand.
As a result of the advanced settlement of Eurobonds 2008, an amendment to the contract has been executed cancelling the obligation of financial convenants.
F-42
COMPANHIA DE SANEAMENTO BÁSICO DO ESTADO DE SÃO PAULO - SABESP |
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS |
AS OF AND FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2006, 2005 AND 2004 |
(Amounts in thousands of Brazilian reais-R$, unless otherwise stated) |
Financial Covenants - for Eurobonus 2016.
Limiting the incurrence of new debt in such a way that:
(g) Inter-American Development Bank (IDB)
Agreement 229 - In June 1987, the Company signed a loan agreement with the IDB for US$ 163 million destined to the execution of a sewage program in the São Paulo Metropolitan Region. Semiannual principal repayments began in January 1994, with final maturity in July 2007. The loan bears interest of 7.7% per annum. A guarantee agreement between the Federative Republic of Brazil and the IDB was executed in June 1987, to warrant the provision of funds to meet the obligations set forth in the financing agreement. The outstanding balance of such agreement on December 31, 2006 was US$ 13,047 thousand, equivalent to R$ 27,894 (2005 - R$ 61,051)
Agreement 713 - In December 1992, the Company signed a loan agreement with the IDB for US$ 400 million destined to the execution of the Tietê River Clean-up Project - Stage I. Semiannual principal repayments began in June 1999, with final maturity in December 2017. The loan bears interest at variable rate based on the cost of funding to the IDB. A guarantee agreement between the Federative Republic of Brazil and the IDB was executed in December 1992, to warrant the provision of funds to meet the obligations set forth in the financing agreement. The outstanding balance of such agreement on December 31, 2006 was US$ 237,593 thousand, equivalent to R$ 507,974 (2005 - R$ 593,868).
Agreement 896 - In December 1992, the Company signed an additional loan agreement with the IDB for US$ 50 million for the Tietê River Clean-up Project - Stage I. This loan bears interest at 3.0% per annum. Semiannual principal repayments began in June 1999, with final maturity in December 2016. A guarantee agreement between the Federative Republic of Brazil and the IDB was executed in December 1992, to warrant the provision of funds to meet the obligations set forth in the financing agreement. The outstanding balance of such agreement at December 31, 2006 was US$ 27,778 thousand, equivalent to R$ 59,389 (2005 - R$ 71,521).
Agreement 1.212 - In July 2000, the Company signed a loan agreement with the IDB for US$ 200 million to finance the Tietê River Clean-up Project - Stage II. The related project is in the execution stage, the total amount disbursed in 2006 having been US$ 38,803 thousand and the amount available for use from these loans is US$ 36,098 thousand. The loan will be repaid in semiannual installments and the last one is in July, 2025. The loan bears interest semiannually, on the daily outstanding balance, at the annual rate determined in accordance with the costs of loans borrowed by the bank in the previous semester, plus a spread, being variable for each semester. The outstanding balance of such agreement at December 31, 2006 was US$ 157,449 thousand, equivalent toR$ 336,625 (2005 - R$ 292,820).
F-43
COMPANHIA DE SANEAMENTO BÁSICO DO ESTADO DE SÃO PAULO - SABESP |
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS |
AS OF AND FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2006, 2005 AND 2004 |
(Amounts in thousands of Brazilian reais-R$, unless otherwise stated) |
Financial covenants
(h) International Bank for Reconstruction and Development - BIRD
Agreement 3.504 - Aiming at transferring the funds of the agreement executed between the State of São Paulo and the BIRD in December 1992 and destined to the execution of the environmental clean-up of the Guarapiranga Basin, an onlending agreement between the State of São Paulo and the Company was executed in March 1993. In December 1992, a guarantee agreement was executed between the Federal Republic of Brazil and the BIRD, to warrant the provision of funds to meet the obligations set forth in the financing agreement. Semiannual principal repayments began in October 1997, with final maturity in April 2007. The loan bears interest at 0.5% p.a. above the BIRDs funding cost. The outstanding balance of such agreement at December 31, 2006 was US$ 2,223 thousand, equivalent to R$ 4,752 (2005 - R$ 15,072).
(i) Japan Bank For International Cooperation (JBIC)
On August 06, 2004, the Company executed a financing agreement with the JBIC - Japan Bank for International Cooperation, guaranteed by the Federal Government, in the amount of 21,320 million Japanese Yens, equivalent to approximately R$ 382,779, which is intended for the Environment Recovery Program for the Metropolitan Region of Santos Coastal Area. The total term of the financing agreement is 25 years, comprising 18 years for amortization in semiannual installments and 7 years for grace period. Interests will be paid semiannually beginning on January, 2006 at the rate of 2.5% p.a. for the sewage network and 1.8% p.a. for sewage treatment facilities. The outstanding balance of this contract in December 31, 2006 was R$ 11,721.
F-44
COMPANHIA DE SANEAMENTO BÁSICO DO ESTADO DE SÃO PAULO - SABESP |
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS |
AS OF AND FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2006, 2005 AND 2004 |
(Amounts in thousands of Brazilian reais-R$, unless otherwise stated) |
At December 31, 2006, the Company was in compliance with all debt covenants and, consequently, the balances of the loans and financings are duly classified between short and long term, in accordance to the contracts.
(k) Maturity dates of loans and financing
2013 | ||||||||||||||||
2007 | 2008 | 2009 | 2010 | 2011 | 2012 | onward | Total | |||||||||
In local currency | 732,335 | 388,976 | 1,165,681 | 737,389 | 781,555 | 427,543 | 620,482 | 4,853,961 | ||||||||
In foreign currency | 120,140 | 281,670 | 72,035 | 72,035 | 72,652 | 72,651 | 781,585 | 1,472,768 | ||||||||
Total | 852,475 | 670,646 | 1,237,716 | 809,424 | 854,207 | 500,194 | 1,402,067 | 6,326,729 | ||||||||
F-45
COMPANHIA DE SANEAMENTO BÁSICO DO ESTADO DE SÃO PAULO - SABESP |
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS |
AS OF AND FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2006, 2005 AND 2004 |
(Amounts in thousands of Brazilian reais-R$, unless otherwise stated) |
11. TAXES AND CONTRIBUTIONS
Income tax and social contribution (a federally mandated tax based on income) are accrued on taxable results at the applicable tax rates, generally 25% for income tax and 9% for social contribution tax (34% composite rate).
(a) Reconciliation of the effective tax rate
The amount recorded as income tax and social contribution expenses in the financial statements is reconciled from the nominal rates provided by law, as shown below:
2006 | 2005 | 2004 | ||||
Income before taxes on income | 1,189,805 | 1,217,148 | 789,987 | |||
Statutory rate | 34% | 34% | 34% | |||
Tax expense at statutory rate | (404,534) | (413,830) | (268,596) | |||
Permanent differences | ||||||
Realization of revaluation reserve | (34,772) | (30,413) | (35,530) | |||
Interest on shareholders equity | 92,086 | 118,393 | 51,998 | |||
Other differences | (28,558) | 9,471 | 10,291 | |||
Income and social contribution taxes | (375,778) | (316,379) | (241,837) | |||
Current Income and social contribution taxes | (383,123) | (343,426) | (250,609) | |||
Deferred Income and social contribution taxes | 7,345 | 27,047 | 8,772 | |||
Effective rate | 32% | 26% | 31% | |||
(b) Composition of deferred taxes and social contributions
In current assets: | 2006 | 2005 | ||
Provision for contingencies | 7,078 | 10,730 | ||
Tax loss carryforwards | - | 12,785 | ||
7,078 | 23,515 | |||
In long-term assets: | ||||
Provision for contingencies | 226,265 | 197,486 | ||
Provision for pension obligations | 106,097 | 90,889 | ||
Other | 10,292 | 10,445 | ||
342,654 | 298,820 | |||
Total deferred tax assets | 349,732 | 322,335 | ||
In current liabilities: | ||||
Revenue from public entities | 76,359 | 70,893 | ||
In non current liabilities | ||||
Profit for governmental agencies | 81,978 | 80,031 |
F-46
COMPANHIA DE SANEAMENTO BÁSICO DO ESTADO DE SÃO PAULO - SABESP |
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS |
AS OF AND FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2006, 2005 AND 2004 |
(Amounts in thousands of Brazilian reais-R$, unless otherwise stated) |
Revenue for governmental agencies | 64,923 | 53,412 | ||
146,901 | 133,443 | |||
Total deferred tax liabilities | 223,260 | 204,336 | ||
(i) In current assets
Mainly calculated on temporary differences in the amount of R$ 20,819 (2005 - R$ 31,557). The tax loss carryforwards basis of social contribution accumulated in December 31, 2005 was R$ 142,061 which was totally realized in 2006.
(ii) In long-term assets
Mainly calculated on temporary differences in the amount of R$ 1,000,985 (2005 - R$ 873,152) related to income tax and R$ 1,026,756 (2005 - R$ 894,795) related to social contribution.
As per a technical feasibility study, the temporary differences mentioned in items (i) and (ii) are likely to be realized in 2007.
(iii) In current liabilities
Substantially calculated on amounts invoiced to government agencies, with taxes being deducted upon receipt of the invoices.
(iv) In non current liabilities
-Income tax and social contribution
Substantially calculated based on temporary differences in the amount of R$ 254,376 (2005 - R$ 248,651) relating to income tax and R$ 204,269 (2005 - R$ 198,545) relating to social contribution.
- Pasep e Cofins
Substantially calculated on amounts invoiced to government agencies, wich are accrued for when services are rendered and wich are paid when the related amounts are effectively received by the Company.
(c) Tax effects on the revaluation of assets
As permitted by CVM Instruction 197/93, the Company did not record a provision for the tax effects (deferred taxes) on the surplus of the revaluation of property, plant and equipment carried out in 1990 and 1991. Had the income tax and social contribution on the revaluation reserve been accounted for, the unrealized amount at December 31, 2006 and 2005 would have been R$ 430,375 and R$ 461,068, respectively. In the years ended on December 31, 2006 and 2005, the realized revaluation reserve amounts were R$ 102,272 and R$ 89,449.
F-47
COMPANHIA DE SANEAMENTO BÁSICO DO ESTADO DE SÃO PAULO - SABESP |
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS |
AS OF AND FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2006, 2005 AND 2004 |
(Amounts in thousands of Brazilian reais-R$, unless otherwise stated) |
12. TAXES PAYABLE
Current | Non Current | |||||||
2006 | 2005 | 2006 | 2005 | |||||
Income tax | - | 2,040 | - | - | ||||
Social contribution | - | 2,536 | - | - | ||||
COFINS and PASEP | 38,142 | 39,470 | - | - | ||||
Paes | 41,897 | 39,401 | 230,440 | 256,114 | ||||
Inss | 18,230 | 17,320 | - | - | ||||
Other | 7,283 | 5,364 | - | - | ||||
Total | 105,552 | 106,131 | 230,440 | 256,114 | ||||
The Company applied for enrollment in the Special Tax Debt Refinancing Program (PAES) on July 15, 2003 in accordance with Law No. 10,684 of May 30, 2003, in which the Company included certain tax liabilities related to COFINS and PASEP, debts involved in a lawsuit brought against the enforcement of Law No. 9718/98, and consolidated the previously outstanding balance of tax liabilities included under the Tax Recovery Program (REFIS). The total amount of tax liabilities included in the PAES was R$ 316,953, as follows:
Tax |
Principal | Fine | Interest | Total | ||||
Cofins | 132,499 | 13,250 | 50,994 | 196,743 | ||||
Pasep | 5,001 | 509 | 2,061 | 7,571 | ||||
Refis | 112,639 | - | - | 112,639 | ||||
Total | 250,139 | 13,759 | 53,055 | 316,953 | ||||
The PAES obligation is being paid in 120 months. The amounts paid in 2006 and 2005 were of R$ 40,824 and R$ 37,986, respectively, and financial expenses were recorded in the amount of R$ 17,646 and R$ 24,852, respectively. The outstanding balance in December 31, 2006 was R$ 272,337. Assets pledged as guarantee under the previous REFIS Program, in the amount of R$ 249,034, continue to secure amounts under the PAES Program.
13. PENSION AND HEALTH BENEFIT PLANS
(a) Health benefit plan
Managed by Fundação Sabesp de Seguridade Social - SABESPREV, the plan is comprised of free-election health benefit plans, funded by contributions from the sponsor and the participating employees, which were the following in the year:
Company: average of 7.00% (2005 - 6.89%) on the payroll;
Participating employees: 3.21% of base salary and bonus, corresponding to 2.3% of the gross payroll, on average.
F-48
COMPANHIA DE SANEAMENTO BÁSICO DO ESTADO DE SÃO PAULO - SABESP |
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS |
AS OF AND FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2006, 2005 AND 2004 |
(Amounts in thousands of Brazilian reais-R$, unless otherwise stated) |
(b) Pension benefits
Managed by Fundação Sabesp de Seguridade Social - SABESP, the defined benefit pension plan is supported by monthly contributions as follows: 2.10% from the Company and 2.19% from the participating employees. In order to meet the provisions of CVM Resolution No. 371, of December 13, 2000, below is a description of the amounts of pension and retirement benefits paid granted and payable, to which the employees will be entitled after their service time.
Based on independent actuarial reports at December 31, 2006, calculated in conformity with the Projected Unit Credit Method, the Company had a net actuarial liability of R$ 321,212 (R$ 329,772 in 2005), representing the difference between the present value of the Companys liability to the participating employees, retired employees, and pensioners, of the related assets, as shown below:
(i) Reconciliation of assets and liabilities | 2006 | 2005 | ||
Present value of actuarial liabilities | (1,096,219) | (790,552) | ||
Fair value of plan assets | 812,909 | 678,185 | ||
Gains to be recognized in future years | (37,902) | (217,405) | ||
Net actuarial liability | (321,212) | (329,772) | ||
Amortization of past service cost | - | 53,214 | ||
Net liability recognized in the balance sheet | (321,212) | (276,558) | ||
2006 | 2005 | |||
(ii) Expenses recognized in the statements of income | ||||
Current service cost | 17,545 | 9,889 | ||
Interest cost | 93,270 | 91,886 | ||
Expected return on plan assets | (83,065) | (70,221) | ||
Amortization (gain)/loss | (9,508) | (5,312) | ||
Employee contributions | (15,411) | (13,752) | ||
Amortization of past service cost | 53,214 | 53,215 | ||
Total | 56,045 | 65,705 | ||
(iii) Changes in net actuarial liabilities | 2006 | 2005 | ||
Present value of the net actuarial liability in the beginning of the year | (276,558) | (222,176) | ||
Current service cost | (17,545) | (9,889) | ||
Interest cost | (93,270) | (91,886) | ||
Expected return on plan assets | 83,065 | 70,221 | ||
Amortization (gain)/loss | 9,508 | 5,312 | ||
Employee contributions | 15,411 | 13,752 | ||
Amortization of past service cost | (53,214) | (53,215) | ||
(332,603) | (287,881) | |||
Actual contributions by the Company in the year | 11,391 | 11,323 | ||
Present value of net actuarial liability at the end of the year | (321,212) | (276,558) | ||
F-49
COMPANHIA DE SANEAMENTO BÁSICO DO ESTADO DE SÃO PAULO - SABESP |
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS |
AS OF AND FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2006, 2005 AND 2004 |
(Amounts in thousands of Brazilian reais-R$, unless otherwise stated) |
(iv) Reconciliation of changes in the present value of assets | ||||
Fair value of plan assets in the beginning of the year | 678,185 | 584,702 | ||
Actual return on plan assets | 138,444 | 98,667 | ||
Actual contributions in the year | 26,802 | 25,076 | ||
Benefits paid | (30,522) | (30,260) | ||
Fair value of plan assets at the end of the year | 812,909 | 678,185 | ||
(v) Reconciliation of changes in the present value of liabilities | ||||
Present value of liabilities in the beginning of the year | 790,552 | 760,015 | ||
Current service cost | 17,545 | 9,889 | ||
Interest cost | 93,270 | 91,886 | ||
Benefits paid | (30,522) | (30,260) | ||
Loss (gain) in the present value of liabilities | 225,374 | (40,978) | ||
Present value of liabilities at the end of the year | 1,096,219 | 790,552 | ||
(vi) Estimated expenses | 2007 | 2006 | ||
Current service cost | 33,440 | 17,545 | ||
Interest cost | 131,848 | 93,270 | ||
Expected return on plan assets | (96,439) | (83,065) | ||
Amortization (gain)/loss | - | (9,508) | ||
Employees contributions | (12,925) | (15,411) | ||
Amortization of past service cost | - | 53,214 | ||
Total | 55,924 | 56,045 | ||
(vii) Actuarial assumptions
Several statistical and other factors that attempt to project future events are used in calculating the expense and liability related to the plans. These factors include assumptions about the discount rate, expected return on plan assets and the rate of future salary increases as determined by the Company, within certain internal guidelines. In addition, the actuary also uses subjective factors such as termination, turnover and mortality rates to estimate these factors. The actuarial assumptions used by the Company are reviewed on a regular basis and may differ materially from actual results due to changing market and economic conditions, regulatory events, judicial rulings, higher or lower termination/withdrawal rates or longer or shorter life spans of participants. Such differences may result in a significant impact on the amount of pension expense recorded by the Company.
The assumptions used for the actuarial valuation were as follows:
F-50
COMPANHIA DE SANEAMENTO BÁSICO DO ESTADO DE SÃO PAULO - SABESP |
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS |
AS OF AND FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2006, 2005 AND 2004 |
(Amounts in thousands of Brazilian reais-R$, unless otherwise stated) |
Economic assumptions | 2006 | 2005 | ||
Discount rate | 12.32% a.a. | 12.32% a.a. | ||
Expected rate of return assets | 12.06% a.a. | 12.06% a.a. | ||
Future salary increases | 6.08% a.a. | 6.08% a.a. | ||
Growth in social security benefits | ||||
and limits | 4.00% a.a. | 4.00% a.a. | ||
Capacity factor | ||||
- Salaries | 98% | 98% | ||
- Benefits | 98% | 98% | ||
Demographic assumptions for | 2006 | 2005 | ||
Mortality table | AT 83 | GAM 83 | ||
Disabled mortality table | RRB 1944 | RRB 1944 | ||
Disability entry table | Modified RRB 1944 | Modified RRB 1944 | ||
Turnover table | Prudential | Prudential | ||
Retirement age | First age with entitlement to one | First age with entitlement to one | ||
of the benefits | of the benefits | |||
% active participants married at time | 95% | 95% | ||
of retirement | ||||
Age difference between participants | Wives are 4 years younger than | Wives are 4 years younger than | ||
and their spouses | husbands | husbands |
For 2006 actuarial assessment, the general mortality table has been changed to AT-83 in replacement to GAM-1983 table reflects the increase in life expectancy of the population evaluated.
The number of active participants at December 31, 2006 and 2005 was 16,681 and 16,449 respectively. The number of inactive participants at December 31, 2006 and 2005 was 3,692 and 3,326 respectively.
The evaluation of SABESPREV costing plan is made by an independent actuarial expert, based on different assumptions than those adopted for purposes of ascertaining benefits to employees, as set forth in CVM Resolution no. 371. SABESPREVs technical deficit at December 31, 2006 is R$ 491,391 (2005 - R$ 456,861). Calculation is substantially different as for the actuarial method in calculating risk benefits before retirement, with sharing to SABESPREV and capitalization for the purpose of meeting CVM Resolution no. 371. Another significant difference is the discount rate of 6% for SABESPREV and 12.32% nominal rate for CVM Resolution no. 371, resulting from the combination of a long-term inflation rate of 4% per year and actual interest rate of 8%.
As permitted by CVM Resolution No. 371, the Company has elected to amortize the actuarial liability R$ 266,074 at December 31, 2001 over five years using the straight-line method beginning in 2002. The amortization of the transition obligation for past service cost is being recorded as an Extraordinary Item, net of tax effects, in the statement of income for the year as follows:
F-51
COMPANHIA DE SANEAMENTO BÁSICO DO ESTADO DE SÃO PAULO - SABESP |
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS |
AS OF AND FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2006, 2005 AND 2004 |
(Amounts in thousands of Brazilian reais-R$, unless otherwise stated) |
2006 | 2006 | 2004 |
Extraordinary item | 53,215 | 53,215 | 53,215 | |||
Deferred income and social contribution taxes | (18,093) | (18,093) | (18,093) | |||
Net extraordinary item | 35,122 | 35,122 | 35,122 | |||
Liabilities on December 31, 2001 | 266,074 | |||||
Extraordinary item recorded for the period from 2002 to 2006 | (266,074) |
The Sponsor and the SABESPREV are in process of negotiation so that the technical deficit is resolved, by changing from the Defined Benefit Plan to Variable Contribution Plan. Management expects not to incur in additional costs resulting from the change of the referred plans.
14. PROFIT SHARING AND BONUS
As a result of negotiations held by the Company with entities representing the employees, a Profit Sharing Program was implemented. For 2005 it was considered the period from July 2005 to June 2006; for 2006, the period for goal assessment was changed to January through December, both with the payment of an amount corresponding to up to one months payroll, in conformity with pre-established goals.
In December 2005 the Company made an advance payment of R$ 22,906, equivalent to 50% of one months payroll. The payment of the remainder was made in August 2006 in the amount of R$ 25,082. The amount of R$ 54,128, referring to the period from January through December 2006, was paid in February 2007.
In 2006, the accrued amount corresponds to one and a half months payroll, in the amount of R$ 79,489. The Company recorded additional salary and payroll charges in the amounts of R$ 44,292 and R$ 40,262, for the years ended December 31, 2005 and 2004, respectively
The Company paid in November, 2006, bonus of R$ 31,035 referring to the performance evaluation for the year 2006.
15. PROVISIONS FOR CONTINGENCIES
(a) Provisions for contingencies:
The Company is party to a number of claims and legal proceedings arising in the normal course of business, including civil, labor, environmental, tax and other matters. The Company has accrued amounts deemed by its legal counsels and its management to be enough to cover probable losses. As of December 31, 2006 and 2005, these provisions are as follow, in accordance with the nature of the respective cases:
2006 | 2005 | |||
Customer claims (i) | 273,258 | 279,509 | ||
Contractor claims (ii) | 168,547 | 194,357 | ||
Other civil claims (iii) | 76,909 | 52,777 | ||
Tax claims (iv) | 21,162 | 32,980 |
F-52
COMPANHIA DE SANEAMENTO BÁSICO DO ESTADO DE SÃO PAULO - SABESP |
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS |
AS OF AND FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2006, 2005 AND 2004 |
(Amounts in thousands of Brazilian reais-R$, unless otherwise stated) |
Labor claims (v) | 71,213 | 28,576 | ||
Environmental claims (vi) | 65,988 | 24,198 | ||
Subtotal | 677,077 | 612,397 | ||
Escrow deposits | (19,525) | (4,069) | ||
Total, net of escrow deposits | 657,552 | 608,328 | ||
Current portion | 2,294 | 28,520 | ||
Non current portion | 655,258 | 579,808 |
Changes to the provision for contingencies for the year ended in December 31, 2006 are demonstrated below:
Interests, Monetary | ||||||||||
December | Adjustment and | December | ||||||||
31,2005 | Additions | Payments | Reversals | 31, 2006 | ||||||
Customer claims | 279,509 | 13,756 | (18,592) | (1,415) | 273,258 | |||||
Contractor claims | 194,357 | 1,819 | (1,648) | (25,981) | 168,547 | |||||
Other civil claims | 52,777 | 41,416 | (23,152) | 5,868 | 76,909 | |||||
Tax claims | 32,980 | 5,297 | (17,229) | 114 | 21,162 | |||||
Labor claims | 28,576 | 28,091 | (4,244) | 18,790 | 71,213 | |||||
Environmental claims | 24,198 | 45,370 | (3,529) | (51) | 65,988 | |||||
Sub-total | 612,397 | 135,749 | (68,394) | (2,675) | 677,077 | |||||
Escrow deposits | (4,069) | (16,579) | 1,123 | - | (19,525) | |||||
Total | 608,328 | 119,170 | (67,271) | (2,675) | 657,552 | |||||
(b) Lawsuits with possible likelihood of loss
The lawsuits in course in administrative and judicial levels, in different courts, where the Company is the contrary party, considered by its legal counsels of possible likelihood of loss, not being, for this reason, provisioned in the financial statements, are distributed as follows:
2006 | 2005 | |||
Customer claims (i) | 789,300 | 690,000 | ||
Contractor claims (ii) | 198,500 | 178,100 | ||
Other civil claims (iii) | 141,600 | 116,900 | ||
Tax claims (iv) | 104,900 | 246,300 | ||
Labor claims (v) | 43,700 | 11,500 | ||
Environmental claims (vi) | 192,400 | 211,200 | ||
Total | 1,470,400 | 1,454,000 | ||
(c) Summary of claims and assessments
(i) Customer claims
F-53
COMPANHIA DE SANEAMENTO BÁSICO DO ESTADO DE SÃO PAULO - SABESP |
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS |
AS OF AND FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2006, 2005 AND 2004 |
(Amounts in thousands of Brazilian reais-R$, unless otherwise stated) |
Approximately 980 customer claims were filed by business customers claiming that their tariffs should be equal to those of other categories of consumers and, consequently, claim the refund of amounts imposed and charged by the Company. The Company has obtained final decisions, both favorable and adverse, in several different court levels, and has recorded provisions for cases with probable risk of loss. In the year 2006, new customer claims were filed in the estimated amount of R$ 46.5 million, as well as revisions and adjustments of already existing suits in the amount approximately of R$ 52.8 million, for the cases assessed by the Companys legal counsels as possible loss.
Lawsuits from municipalities to which the Company provides water in a wholesale basis are not included (note 5 (a(iv))).
(ii) Contractor claims
Certain construction service contractors have filed claims in court alleging underpayment of monetary adjustments, withholding of amounts relating to the effects of the Real Plan and economic-financial unbalance of the contract. These lawsuits are in progress in several different court levels, and provisions are recorded for cases with probable chance of loss.
(iii) Other civil claims
The Company is party to several civil claims related to indemnities for moral and material damages and loss of profits allegedly caused to third parties. In December 31, 2006 provisions were recorded in the amount of R$ 76,909 (R$ 52,777 in 2005) for claims which risk of loss was assessed as probable.
(iv) Tax Claims
Provisions for contingencies of tax nature refer mostly to questions related to tax collection, questioned in view of divergence in interpretation of the legislation by the Companys legal counsels.
In 2006 the Federal Revenue Service, by means of a tax claim, verified the fulfillment, by the Company, of tax obligations related to the Income Tax of Legal Entities and Social Contribution on Net Profit for the fiscal year 2001, arriving at a tax credit of R$ 277 million. The Company promptly filed its contest and shall appeal the tax assessment in all administrative and judicial court levels. According to its legal counsels, approximately 90% of this administrative lawsuit is considered as remote loss and 10% as possible loss.
The Company filed a writ of mandamus against the revocation of the exemption from service tax in the Municipality of São Paulo, occurred by means of municipal law enacted in 2002. In April 2003, the request for concession of preliminary injunction was granted determining the suspension of the taxation. In May 2005 the lower court published a decision denying the injunction. In July 2005, Sabesp filed appeals aiming at maintaining the effectiveness of the injunction granted. There has not been a final decision about the question. The amount involved is estimated in R$ 70.0 million and the Company, based on its legal counsels assessment, classifies the risk of loss as possible.
The Company filed claims against the City Hall of Brangança Paulista and São Paulo due to the imposition of tax on the use of public areas for the installation of water and sewage networks related to the sanitation services provided to the municipalities. In the lawsuit filed against the City Hall of Bragança Paulista, a preliminary injunction has been granted to the Company suspending the imposition of this charge and preventing the City Hall from charging any current or future amounts with respect to this charge until there is a final decision of the merits of the cause. In June 2005, the Lower Court ruled in favor of the Company and the injunction was maintaned. The City Hall appealed against such decision, which is still pending a trial decision. With regards to the claim filed against the City Hall of São Paulo, the First Level Court issued a decision upholding the legality of this municipal tax. The Company appealed against the courts decision. An approved law enacted the tax on use of public areas in the city of São Paulo. In April 2004, the Company filed a request for injunction seeking the suspension of the assessment by the municipality. The preliminary injunction was granted by the First Level Court and confirmed at the occasion of the pronounciation of the sentence, recognizing the collection to be undue. The City Hall filed an appeal recourse and awaits a decision by the superior court. The Company, based on its legal counsel assessment, has not recorded any provision resulting from this municipal tax.
F-54
COMPANHIA DE SANEAMENTO BÁSICO DO ESTADO DE SÃO PAULO - SABESP |
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS |
AS OF AND FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2006, 2005 AND 2004 |
(Amounts in thousands of Brazilian reais-R$, unless otherwise stated) |
We are a party to a series of lawsuits initiated by the municipality of Ferraz de Vasconcelos in 1997, seeking payment of penalties in the aggregate amount of R$71.9 million, which we allegedly owe for damages caused during construction in the municipality. Several of these lawsuits have already been rejected by lower courts but are still subject to appeal. We have not made any provisions for these proceedings.
(v) Labor claims
The Company is party to a number of labor proceedings, such as matters referring to overtime, health hazard, premium claims, prior notice period, job deviation, salary parity and others, with a major portion of the amounts claimed under provisional or final execution stage, in several different court levels, and thus are classified as probable loss, and duly provisioned for.
On January 9, 1990, SINTAEMA initiated a lawsuit against us, alleging that we had failed to pay certain employee benefits and were required to make a penalty payment to SINTAEMA under a then existing collective bargaining agreement. On July 31, 1992, the labor court issued a ruling against us, but did not award damages to SINTAEMA at that time. We and SINTAEMA are currently engaged in negotiations concerning the amount to be paid by us. We also filed a writ of mandamus seeking a court decision establishing that the penalty imposed against us, totaling approximately R$6.7 million, as of December 31, 2006, is excessive since it exceeds the principal amount by a large margin. Our request was denied by the courts and the lawsuit is now awaiting a final decision at the Superior Labor Court (Tribunal Superior do Trabalho). We currently cannot predict the amount that we will be required to pay to SINTAEMA and we have not made any provisions for this proceeding.
On October 6, 1989, SINTAEMA filed a lawsuit against us, asking for the payment of salary differences arising from additional payments due to unhealthy work conditions from September 1987 through February 1991. On December 19, 1997, the Superior Labor Court issued a decision contraryunfavorable to Sabespus. We appealed against this decision, however, the decisionit was keptmaintained by the Superior Labor Court. SINTAEMA started the enforcement of the judicial decision and the valuation report of the technical expert of the court was presented on February 21, 2007 in the updated amount of R$28.3 million. Our internal legal counsel considered the risk of loss as probable and the amount was provisioned on December 31, 2006.
F-55
COMPANHIA DE SANEAMENTO BÁSICO DO ESTADO DE SÃO PAULO - SABESP |
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS |
AS OF AND FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2006, 2005 AND 2004 |
(Amounts in thousands of Brazilian reais-R$, unless otherwise stated) |
(vi) Environmental Claims
Environment claims refer to several administrative proceedings brought by public agencies, including Companhia de Tecnologia de Saneamento Ambiental - CETESB (Environment Sanitation Technology Company), seeking to impose fine for environmental damages allegedly caused by the Company.
Among other matters involving the State of São Paulo Public Attorneys Office, the following are worthy of mention:
(A) On April 4, 2002, the Company was served process in a public action filed by the District Attorney´s Office of the Municipality of São Bernardo do Campo, aiming at repairing damages caused by reason of the mud discharge arising from the waste treatment facilities of the Company in current waters, as well as requesting the interruption of such discharge. An injunction has been granted determining that the Company suspended the mud discharge and assessing a daily fine in the amount of R$ 50 in case the Company does not comply with the provision of such injunction; however, such injunction was withdrawn. The trial court rendered an affirmative judgment to the Company, against which an appeal has been filed. The superior court decided against the Company and ordered it to stop dumping waste within one year from the date the decision is considered final, or to pay a daily fine of R$ 10, in addition to repairing the environmental damage caused. The Company legal counsels assessed the risk of loss as probable and the provision recorded represents the amount of R$ 141 reflecting the amount attributed to the cause; (B) Civil Public Action before the Paraguaçu Paulista courts of law (1ª Vara de Paraguaçu Paulista) seeking compensation and cessation of environmental damages allegedly caused by discharge of sewage in natura by the Company in Alegre River, located in the Municipality of Paraguaçu Paulista. The first instance judge ruled against the Company, requiring that it: (i) ceases the release of raw sewage into the Alegre River; (ii) invests in a water and sewage treatment facility in the municipality of Paraguaçu Paulista; and (iii) pays an indemnity for environmental damages arbitrated in the amount of R$ 116.9 million (the adjusted amount, as of December 31, 2006, was approximately R$ 168.9 million). The court decision determined, further, that the non-compliance with items (i) and/or (ii) above would subject the Company to the payment of daily fines. The Company filed an appeal against the trial court decision; however, the works necessary to meet items (i) and (ii) above have their conclusion estimated to October 2007. On September 21, 2006, the Court of Justice of the State of São Paulo ruled against the Companys appeal. Although the unfavorable decision by the Court of Justice of the State of São Paulo is not definitive, the Company is negotiating with the Public Prosecution Office of the State of São Paulo the terms and conditions of an agreement that shall result in the extinction of the legal suit. The first deals of the agreement resulted in an expectancy of future disbursements in the amount of R$ 20.7 million. In the last quarter of 2006, the basis of the agreement was expanded, being included new projects, which total the provision in the amount of R$ 33.6 million; (C) Civil Public Action against the Company and the Municipality of Cotia aiming at their mutual condemnation: (a) to the obligation to make consisting of interrupting the disposal of sewage into Cotia River under penalty of daily fines; (b) in the obligation to make it consistent and submit to previous treatment all sewages before their discharging into Cotia River, under penalty of daily fine and (c) to pay indemnities for environmental damages caused to the soil, hydric resources, superficial and underground bodies of water that cannot be recovered. The First Level Court accepted the requests (a) and (c). In the decision settlement, the amount calculated by the judicial expert was R$ 5.8 million as indemnification for environmental damages, an amount that is still under discussion and pending to be set up by the First Level Court. The Companys legal counsels assessed the risk of loss as probable; (D) on February 25, 2003, a request for a preliminary injunction was filed for the Company to immediately refrain itself from disposing of sewage without due treatment, in the
F-56
COMPANHIA DE SANEAMENTO BÁSICO DO ESTADO DE SÃO PAULO - SABESP |
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS |
AS OF AND FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2006, 2005 AND 2004 |
(Amounts in thousands of Brazilian reais-R$, unless otherwise stated) |
(Amounts in thousands of Brazilian reais-R$, unless otherwise indicated)
municipality of Lutécia, as well as for the purpose of determining that payments for water and sewage services by users thereof be deposited in court until the Company has fulfilled the necessary plan of investments in the water and sewage system of the municipality, in addition to daily fine in the amount of one thousand (1,000) minimum salaries (approximately R$ 350) in case of non-compliance with the award-making decision. After submission of an expert report, the Public Prosecutor Office requested the Company to be sentenced to pay the amount of R$ 82.8 million (the adjustment amount, as of December 31, 2006, was approximately R$ 119.6 million). The Company, considering the possibility of an eventual settlement with the Public Prosecutor Office, condemned the area and requested the respective environment licenses, being that its legal counsels assessed the risk of loss as possible; (E) in February 17, 2003 a civil public action has been filed before the Paraguaçu Paulista Courts referring to the municipality of Borá, of obligation to do and not do consisting of not discharging and let it be thrown, in any way, sewage without due treatment into Borá Brook, or in any other one in the municipality, as well as the obligation to do, consisting of investing into the sewage and water treatment system, performing immediately the necessary works for the proper sewage treatment. The anticipated tutelage has been denied. The judicial expert presented as indemnification for environmental damages the updated amount of R$ 48.1 million. The Companys technical assistant presented impugnation to the experts report and there is still no decision. The Company carried out the works requested by Cetesb, in order to adequate the treatment to the legislation in force. Cetesb, after monitoring, has issued the Operating Permit under Provisional Title in August 25, 2006, valid until August 25, 2011. The Companys legal counsels assessed the risk of loss as possible; (F) A civil public action was brought against us by the Coordination Council for the Civil Entities of Piracicaba (Conselho Coordenador das Entidades Civis de Piracicaba) concerning the limits for water collection from the Piracicaba River and the operation of the Cantareira water distribution system. The plaintiff requests, among other things, a prohibitory injunction in order to restrict the amount of water we collect, the reduction of the Piracicaba Rivers collection limit and the payment of damages to the riparian cities in order to cover the direct and indirect environmental damages caused by the installation and operation of the Cantareira water distribution system. After our defense, the injunction was not granted, and this action is now awaiting judgment by the lower court. This proceeding is still at an initial stage and no amount has been determined so far for the alleged damage. We have not made any provisions for this proceeding.
The Company is involved in other environmental processes in municipalities where we operate, arising from the discharge of waste without treatment, assessed as probable and possible risk of loss by our legal counsels. The amounts provisioned do not always represent the final amount to be disbursed as indemnification for alleged damages, taking into account the status in which the referred lawsuits are and Managements impossibility to estimate the amounts of future disbursements in a reasonable way. On December 31, 2006 the total provisioned represents the amount of R$ 65,988 already contemplating those described on items (A), (B) and (C).
(vii) Other proceedings related to the Concession
In connection with discussions we had with the municipality of Presidente Prudente, we filed a claim against the municipality seeking a court decision determining the continuation of the concession contract that we have entered into with that municipality until the indemnification payment owed to us in connection with the return of water and sewage treatment facility of Presidente Prudente is made. The lower court issued a decision in our favor to the effect that we still continue to provide services in the municipality until the indemnification provided for in the concession contract is paid to us.
F-57
COMPANHIA DE SANEAMENTO BÁSICO DO ESTADO DE SÃO PAULO - SABESP |
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS |
AS OF AND FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2006, 2005 AND 2004 |
(Amounts in thousands of Brazilian reais-R$, unless otherwise stated) |
On March 25, 2004, the Public Attorneys Office filed a civil action against the municipality of Itapira, its mayor, the Municipal House of Representatives and us, claiming that Municipal Law No. 3,593/04 is unconstitutional and seeking termination of the concession contract we entered into with the municipality of Itapira. Although an injunction was granted, the Court of Justice of the State of São Paulo has stayed the injunction. On March 23, 2005, the House of Representatives of Itapira approved a decree revoking the concession contract. In addition, Municipal Law No. 3,730/05 was enacted revoking an earlier law which authorized the municipality to enter into the concession contract with us. The municipality of Itapira has further filed an action against us seeking to repossess the assets related to its water and sewage services and has obtained an injunction which was later confirmed by a court decision. We appealed against this ruling but we have not been able to suspend the effects of the decision until final judgment. Accordingly, we are currently not rendering water and sewage services at Itapira. As of the date of this annual report, a trial decision on this litigation was pending. We have not made any provisions for this proceeding.
On October 10, 2003, the municipality of Monte Mor filed a lawsuit against us, seeking the additional issuance and delivery of shares by us, as consideration for our concession to render basic water and sewage services. The lawsuit was dismissed without judgment on the merits of the case. We have not made any provisions for this proceeding.
The municipality of Sandovalina has brought a legal action against us seeking to (1) obtain the termination of the concession entered into with us and (2) obtain remedies for environmental damage and alleged losses caused to the municipality due to our failure to provide sewage treatment, as well as other damage caused to public property. We have responded with a counterclaim against the municipality for payment of R$115 related to the supply of water from December 1999 through August 2003. We are also seeking the payment of a contractual indemnification based on the early termination of the contract. We are currently operating the water and sewage treatment facility of Sandovalina, and the lawsuit is still in the fact-finding phase. We have not made any provisions for this proceeding.
We are also defendants in legal proceedings initiated by municipalities seeking to require us to produce documents and information in connection with our concessions. These legal proceedings include the following: (1) a preliminary proceeding (ação cautelar) started by the municipality of Guariba seeking a court order requiring us to produce documents in order to inform an account revision proceeding; (2) the municipality of Ribeirão Pires has proposed preliminary proceedings seeking the production of documents to inspect the services which we provide; (3) the municipalities of Itupeva and Monte Mor have proposed proceedings seeking to obtain a court order to require us to produce documents and information in order to evaluate the possibility of renewal of our concession agreement.
In December 1997, the municipality of Santos enacted a law expropriating our water and sewage systems in Santos. In response, we filed an action seeking an injunction against this expropriation, which was denied by the lower court. This decision was later reversed by the Court of Justice of the State of São Paulo, which issued a preliminary order suspending that law. On August 2, 2002, a decision on this matter was rendered in our favor by a lower court, but that decision remains subject to appeal. Despite the pending lawsuit, we continue to provide water and sewage services to Santos.
F-58
COMPANHIA DE SANEAMENTO BÁSICO DO ESTADO DE SÃO PAULO - SABESP |
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS |
AS OF AND FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2006, 2005 AND 2004 |
(Amounts in thousands of Brazilian reais-R$, unless otherwise stated) |
We are a party to a substantial number of other legal proceedings, in addition to the lawsuits and administrative proceedings discussed above, in the normal course of our business. These legal proceedings include personal injury and property damage cases, environmental proceedings, challenges to our ability to cease rendering water and sewage services upon default by our customers and a range of other matters. We have not established provisions with respect to these other legal proceedings.
F-59
COMPANHIA DE SANEAMENTO BÁSICO DO ESTADO DE SÃO PAULO - SABESP |
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS |
AS OF AND FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2006, 2005 AND 2004 |
(Amounts in thousands of Brazilian reais-R$, unless otherwise stated) |
16. SHAREHOLDERS EQUITY
(a) Authorized capital
The Company is authorized to increase its capital up to a maximum of R$ 4,100,000 registered common shares without par value, upon resolution of the board of directors.
The Company has from time to time issued shares to purchase assets from third parties, usually municipal authorities. These shares are issued at market value, which correspond to the fair value of the assets acquired.
(b) Subscribed and paid-up capital
Subscribed and paid-up capital is represented by 28,479,577,827 registered common shares without par value as follows:
Shareholders | 2006 | 2005 | ||||||
Number of shares | % | Number of shares | % | |||||
Secretaria da Fazenda | 14,313,511,867 | 50.26 | 14,313,511,871 | 50.26 | ||||
Companhia Brasileira de Liquidação e Custódia | 7,722,535,287 | 27.11 | 7,708,472,937 | 27.06 | ||||
The Bank Of New York ADR Department | ||||||||
(Equivalent to stock )(*) | 6,415,657,250 | 22.53 | 6,430,069,500 | 22.58 | ||||
Other | 27,873,423 | 0.10 | 27,523,519 | 0.10 | ||||
28,479,577,827 | 100.00 | 28,479,577,827 | 100.00 | |||||
(*) each ADR equals 250 shares
(c) Distribution of earnings
Shareholders are entitled to a mandatory minimum dividend distribution of 25% of adjusted net income, calculated in conformity with Brazilian Corporate Law. This requirement can be met through payments made in the form of dividends and interest on shareholders equity (net of withholding tax), to the extent amounts are available for distribution. Dividend distributions are limited to retained earnings as determined in accordance with BR CL. At December 31, 2006, as required by the CVM, management designated the retained earnings balance to a discretionary investment reserve account (see (e) below).
For purposes of BR CL, and in accordance with the by-laws of the Company, adjusted annual net income is an amount equal to the Companys annual net income adjusted to reflect allocations to or from (i) statutory legal reserve, (ii) an equity contingency reserve for anticipated losses, if any, and (iii) an unrealized revenue reserve, if any. The calculation of the mandatory minimum dividends for 2006 is as follows:
Net income for the year | 778,905 | |
(-) Legal reserve 5% | 38,946 | |
Net income | 739,959 | |
F-60
COMPANHIA DE SANEAMENTO BÁSICO DO ESTADO DE SÃO PAULO - SABESP |
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS |
AS OF AND FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2006, 2005 AND 2004 |
(Amounts in thousands of Brazilian reais-R$, unless otherwise stated) |
Mandatory minimum dividend | 184,988 | |
The Company by-laws also provide for distribution of interest on shareholders equity as an alternative form of distribution to shareholders. The interest rate is limited to the variation in the TJLP during the applicable period and the deductible distribution cannot exceed the greater of 50% of net income (before distribution and deductions for income taxes) for the period or 50% of retained earnings. Distribution of interest on shareholders equity is a tax-deductible expense for both income tax and social contribution purposes. The amount paid to shareholders as interest on shareholders equity, net of any withholding tax, is taken into account in determining the mandatory dividend.
The Company declared interest on shareholders equity, in lieu of dividends, in the amount of R$ 251,238, net of withheld income tax in the amount of R$ 19,603 in 2006. In 2005, the amount was R$ 324,461 net of income tax of R$ 23,755. Interest on shareholders equity was calculated in conformity with with article 9 of Law No. 9.249/95, at the Long-Term Interest Rate (TJLP); this interest was originally recorded in Financial expenses for income and social contribution tax purposes and subsequently, for presentation purposes, was reflected directly in Shareholders equity.
The amounts due to the major shareholder relating to the years 2004 to 2006 have not been paid, as mentioned in note 6.
(d) Capital reserves
Capital reserve comprises tax incentives and donations from government agencies and private entities, which amounted to R$ 27,870 during the year 2006 (R$ 13,529 in 2005).
The tax incentive reserve results from an option to invest in the capital stock of companies undertaking specified government-approved projects. In lieu of paying part of the income tax due, the amount is credited to income tax and subsequently appropriated from retained earnings to this reserve.
The donations reserve reflects the value of assets received from government entities, principally enabling the Company to provide service access to properties. No shares are issued in exchange nor other remuneration provided in connection with assets received. These donations are recorded as a direct benefit to shareholders equity.
(e) Investment reserve
Management proposed to transfer the balance of retained earnings not distributed to shareholders to a discretionary reserve (investment reserve) in accordance with the Companys capital expenditure program.
The following summarizes the allocation of net income to the investment reserve for the years ended December 31,
F-61
COMPANHIA DE SANEAMENTO BÁSICO DO ESTADO DE SÃO PAULO - SABESP |
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS |
AS OF AND FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2006, 2005 AND 2004 |
(Amounts in thousands of Brazilian reais-R$, unless otherwise stated) |
2006 | 2005 | |||
Net income | 778,905 | 865,647 |
(+) Revaluation reserve realization | 102,272 | 89,449 | ||
(-) Interest on own capital | 270,841 | 348,216 | ||
(-) Legal reserve 5% | 38,946 | 43,282 | ||
Investment reserve | 571,390 | 563,598 | ||
Management will propose to transfer the balance of retained earnings in the amount of R$ 571,390 to the Investment Reserve account in order to meet the needs for investments out of own funds, as provided for in the Capital Budget.
(f) Legal (statutory) reserve
Under Brazilian Corporate Law, the Company is required to record a legal reserve to which it must allocate 5% of the adjusted net income each year until the amount of the reserve equals 20% of paid-in capital. Accumulated deficit, if any, may be charged against the legal reserve.
17. INSURANCE COVERAGE
Insurance policies held by the Company provide the following coverage, taking into account the risks and nature of the related assets:
Type of insurance | Insured amount - R$ | Premium | ||
Engineering risk | 281,884 | 669 | ||
Fire | 294,691 | 325 | ||
Civil liability - officers and employees | 80,000 | 3,219 | ||
Civil liability - construction in progress | 9,438 | 403 | ||
Civil liability - operations | 1,500 | 160 |
The Company does not have insurance coverage for business interruption risks nor for liabilities arising from contamination or other problems involving the supply of water to customers. In addition, the Company does not have insurance coverage for liabilities relating to non-compliance with environmental laws and regulations.
18. FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS AND RISK
(a) Valuation of Financial Instruments
In accordance with CVM Instruction No. 235/95, the Company has determined the market values of its assets and liabilities based on available information and appropriate valuation methodologies. Market values and book values of the Companys financial instruments at December 31, 2006 and 2005 are as follows:
F-62
COMPANHIA DE SANEAMENTO BÁSICO DO ESTADO DE SÃO PAULO - SABESP |
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS |
AS OF AND FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2006, 2005 AND 2004 |
(Amounts in thousands of Brazilian reais-R$, unless otherwise stated) |
December 31, 2006 | December 31, 2005 | |||||||||||
Book |
Market | Unrealized | Book | Market | Unrealized | |||||||
value |
value | gain | value | value | gain | |||||||
Financial | 248,088 | 248,088 | - | 155,718 | 155,718 | - | ||||||
investiments (i) | ||||||||||||
Debentures (ii) | (1,309,265) | (1,010,003) | (299,262) | (918,367) | (955,630) | 37,263 | ||||||
Loans and | (508,955) | (523,300) | 14,345 | (526,658) | (604,315) | 77,657 | ||||||
financing (ii) | ||||||||||||
(1,570,132) | (1,285,215) | (284,917) | (1,289,307) | (1,404,227) | 114,920 | |||||||
The main financial instruments, assets or liabilities of the Company, on December 31, 2006 are described as follows, as well as their valuation criteria:
(i) Financial Investments: The market value of these assets does not differ from the amounts demonstrated in the Companys balance sheets.
(ii) Loans, Financings and debentures (5th issue, 2nd series; 6th issue, 2nd and 3rd series and 7th and 8th issues, 2nd series), with financial instruments with the same characteristics in the market, had the market value determined based on the discounted cash flow, using interest rates projections available. The remain loans and financings were not marked to market either for being financial instruments with exclusive characteristics (without corresponding ones in the market) or for which no material difference between the market value and the book value exist, as they are indexed to the CDI which is a floating rate used in the market.
(b) Exchange rate risks
Exchange rate risk is the risk that the Company may incur losses due to exchange rate fluctuations, which could increase the liability balances and related financial expenses of loans and financing denominated in foreign currencies funded in the market and, consequently, the financial expenses. The Company does not enter into hedge or swap transactions, however, at times, it enters into forward exchange transaction and financial funding transactions to mitigate foreign currency exposure, taking advantage of opportunities in order to exchange them for less expensive debts, reducing the cost by means of advancing maturities.
A significant portion of the Companys debt is denominated in foreign currency, primarily the US dollar and the Yen, totaling R$ 1,472,768 (note 10). The Companys net exposure to the exchange rate risk at December 31, 2006 is summarized as follows:
In thousands | ||||||||
December 31, 2006 | December 31, 2005 | |||||||
US$ | Yens | US$ | | |||||
Loans and financing | 676,142 | 652,814 | 666,890 | 1,020 | ||||
(c) Interest rate risks
This risk arises out of the possibility for the Company to incur losses due to interest rates fluctuations that would increase its financial expenses related to loans and financing. The Company has not entered into hedge agreements to mitigate such risk. The Company does, however, continually monitors market interest rates in order to evaluate the possible need to replace or refinance its debt. On December 31, 2006, the Company had loans and financing in the amount of R$ 1,283,197 (R$ 1,327,694 in 2005), at variable interest rates (CDI and TJLP).
F-63
COMPANHIA DE SANEAMENTO BÁSICO DO ESTADO DE SÃO PAULO - SABESP |
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS |
AS OF AND FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2006, 2005 AND 2004 |
(Amounts in thousands of Brazilian reais-R$, unless otherwise stated) |
Another risk faced by the company is that the monetary adjustments of its debts are not correlated to the accounts receivable. The Companys related water and sewage tariff rates are not necessarily correlated with the increases in the interest rates and price-level restatement indexes associated with the Companys debt.
(d) Credit Risk
The Company manages credit risk principally by selling to a geographically dispersed customer base, including sales to municipal governments.
No single customer represented more than 10% of the Companys sales and services rendered in the years ended December 31, 2006, 2005, and 2004.
(e) Drought weather risk
The atypical meteorogical conditions for the past three years, resulted in the need to launch institutional campaigns to encourage economical and rational use of water, which has led to a decrease in billed water volumes. At the same time, higher investments were required to mitigate the drought effects on the Companys water production systems. This drought period has required a reduction in water supply, with a consequent reduction in water volumes billed. In view of the present levels of the reservoirs, no rationing is estimated to occur in 2006.
19. GROSS REVENUE | ||||||
2006 | 2005 | 2004 | ||||
Metropolitan São Paulo | 4,534,093 | 4,044,191 | 3,456,837 | |||
Regional systems | 1,449,919 | 1,312,135 | 1,185,654 | |||
Total | 5,984,012 | 5,356,326 | 4,642,491 | |||
(i) Comprises the municipalities served in the country side and coastal area of the State of São Paulo
In October 2003, the Company launched a new campaign Watch the Water Level, involving advertisements in all media, together with a program consisting of discounts to customers who reduce their water consumption for the period from March to September 2004, by at least 20%, in relation to the average consumption determined by the Company. The Incentive Program for Water Consumption Reduction was implemented in the Metropolitan Region of São Paulo.
The program resulted in a reduction of R$ 74.1 million in the revenue from water and sewage services in the Metropolitan Region of São Paulo during its effective period.
F-64
COMPANHIA DE SANEAMENTO BÁSICO DO ESTADO DE SÃO PAULO - SABESP |
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS |
AS OF AND FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2006, 2005 AND 2004 |
(Amounts in thousands of Brazilian reais-R$, unless otherwise stated) |
2006 | 2005 | 2004 | ||||
Cost of sales and services: | ||||||
Salaries and payroll charges | 966,751 | 851,290 | 806,362 | |||
General supplies | 117,872 | 105,333 | 84,489 | |||
Treatment supplies | 104,466 | 98,823 | 91,450 | |||
Outsourced services | 326,422 | 297,469 | 260,423 | |||
Electric power | 446,974 | 421,319 | 396,940 | |||
General expenses | 32,560 | 29,840 | 35,044 | |||
Depreciation and amortization | 621,719 | 572,301 | 578,672 | |||
2,616,764 | 2,376,375 | 2,253,380 | ||||
Selling expenses: | ||||||
Salaries and payroll charges | 159,094 | 142,685 | 138,180 | |||
General supplies | 5,276 | 6,632 | 6,028 | |||
Outsourced services | 80,467 | 82,354 | 66,956 | |||
Electric power | 768 | 941 | 802 | |||
General expenses | 58,946 | 46,636 | 46,025 | |||
Depreciation and amortization | 2,716 | 3,291 | 2,952 | |||
Bad debt expense, net of recoveries (note 5(c)) | 411,918 | 255,292 | 241,577 | |||
719,185 | 537,831 | 502,520 | ||||
Administrative expenses: | ||||||
Salaries and payroll charges | 132,554 | 112,458 | 110,388 | |||
General supplies | 4,574 | 3,973 | 3,527 | |||
Outsourced services | 79,379 | 94,153 | 94,825 | |||
Electric power | 1,119 | 1,250 | 904 | |||
General expenses | 118,646 | 88,027 | 60,936 | |||
Depreciation and amortization | 17,736 | 20,389 | 17,287 | |||
Tax expenses | 33,399 | 29,334 | 25,690 | |||
387,407 | 349,584 | 313,557 | ||||
Total costs of sales and services, selling and | ||||||
administrative and expenses: | ||||||
Salaries and payroll charges | 1,258,399 | 1,106,433 | 1,054,930 | |||
General supplies | 127,722 | 115,938 | 94,044 | |||
Treatment supplies | 104,466 | 98,823 | 91,450 | |||
Outsourced services | 486,268 | 473,976 | 422,204 | |||
Electric power | 448,861 | 423,510 | 398,646 | |||
General expenses | 210,152 | 164,503 | 142,005 | |||
Depreciation and amortization | 642,171 | 595,981 | 598,911 | |||
Tax expenses | 33,399 | 29,334 | 25,690 | |||
Bad debt expense, net of recoveries | 411,918 | 255,292 | 241,577 | |||
3,723,356 | 3,263,790 | 3,069,457 | ||||
Financial expenses: | ||||||
Interest and other charges on loans and financing - local | 517,547 | 526,585 | 448,955 | |||
currency | ||||||
Interest and other charges on loans and financing - foreign | ||||||
currency | 121,194 | 141,844 | 218,900 | |||
Interest on shareholders equity (note 16 (e)) | 270,841 | 348,216 | 152,935 | |||
Interest on shareholders equity (reversal) | (270,841) | (348,216) | (152,935) |
F-65
COMPANHIA DE SANEAMENTO BÁSICO DO ESTADO DE SÃO PAULO - SABESP |
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS |
AS OF AND FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2006, 2005 AND 2004 |
(Amounts in thousands of Brazilian reais-R$, unless otherwise stated) |
2006 | 2005 | 2004 | ||||
Other expenses on loans and financing | 7 | 1,825 | 282 | |||
Income tax on remittances abroad | 12,564 | 9,450 | (23,786) | |||
Other financial expenses | 38,642 | 35,574 | 41,126 | |||
Monetary variations on loans and financing | 86,594 | 80,411 | 76,057 | |||
Other monetary and foreign exchange variations | 10,937 | 1,611 | 21,257 | |||
Provisions | (2,675) | 76,482 | 38,483 | |||
784,810 | 873,782 | 821,274 | ||||
Financial income: | ||||||
Monerary variation | 28,475 | 34,803 | 60,636 | |||
Income from financial investments | 50,882 | 32,292 | 23,114 | |||
Sale of third parties shares | 207 | - | - | |||
Interest | 46,383 | 48,368 | 57,552 | |||
COFINS and PASEP (taxes on financial income) | - | - | (3,101) | |||
Other | - | 44 | 1 | |||
125,947 | 115,507 | 138,202 | ||||
Financial result, net | 658,863 | 758,275 | 683,072 | |||
Foreign exchange, net | ||||||
Exchange variations on loans and financing | (96,071) | (312,116) | (179,697) | |||
Foreign exchange income | 473 | 845 | 331 | |||
(95,598) | (311,271) | (179,366) | ||||
21. MANAGEMENT COMPENSATION
Compensation paid by the Company to the members of its board of directors and Management totaled R$ 3,084, R$ 2,104 and R$ 1,838 for the years ended December 31, 2006, 2005 and 2004, respectively.
22. COMMITMENTS
(i) Operating leases
Administrative operating leases and property leases already contracted require the following minimum payments, as follows:
2007 | 6,568 | |
2008 | 3,494 | |
2009 | 270 | |
2010 | 4 | |
2011 | 58 | |
TOTAL | 10,394 | |
F-66
COMPANHIA DE SANEAMENTO BÁSICO DO ESTADO DE SÃO PAULO - SABESP |
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS |
AS OF AND FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2006, 2005 AND 2004 |
(Amounts in thousands of Brazilian reais-R$, unless otherwise stated) |
Lease expenses for the years ended December 31, 2006, 2005 and 2004 were R$ 9,810, R$ 9,505 and R$ 11,300, respectively.
(ii) Take-or-pay contracts
The Company has entered into long-term take-or-pay-contracts with electric power providers. The main amounts of contracts of such type are shown as follows:
2007 | 209,506 | |
2008 | 177,333 | |
2009 | 167,616 | |
2010 | 169,548 | |
2011 | 175,009 | |
2012 | 146,244 | |
TOTAL | 1,045,256 | |
Electric power expenses for the years ended December 31, 2006, 2005 and 2004 were R$ 449,089, R$ 423,814 and R$ 398,744, respectively.
F-67
COMPANHIA DE SANEAMENTO BÁSICO DO ESTADO DE SÃO PAULO - SABESP |
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS |
AS OF AND FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2006, 2005 AND 2004 |
(Amounts in thousands of Brazilian reais-R$, unless otherwise stated) |
23. SUMMARY OF DIFFERENCES BETWEEN BR CL AND US GAAP
The Companys primary financial statements have been prepared in accordance with BR CL which differs significantly from US GAAP as described below:
(a) Inflation accounting methodology and indices
In Brazil, because of highly inflationary conditions which prevailed in the past, a form of inflation accounting had been in use for many years to minimize the impact of the distortions in financial statements caused by inflation. Two methods of inflation accounting were developed: one required under BR CL; and the other known as the Constant Currency Method. The primary difference between BR CL and the Constant Currency Method relates to accounting for the effects of inflation. Under BR CL, inflation accounting was discontinued effective January 1, 1996. Prior to that date, BR CL required inflationary indexation of property, plant and equipment, investments, deferred charges and shareholders' equity, the net effect of which was reported in the statement of operations as a single line item. The Constant Currency Method is similar to U.S. Accounting Principles Board Statement No. 3 ("APS 3"), except that the former continues to apply inflationary accounting in periods of low inflation. Under US GAAP, the Brazilian economy ceased to be highly inflationary effective July 1, 1997. The other significant difference between the two sets of principles relates to the present-value discounting of fixed-rate receivables and payables, which is required by the Constant Currency Method and is prohibited under BR CL.
Financial statements prepared in accordance with BR CL have been, and continue to be, required of all Brazilian corporate entities and are used by the Brazilian tax authorities in determining taxable income. Financial statements prepared in accordance with the constant currency method were required through 1995 for those entities whose securities were registered with the CVM. Since 1996, presentation of supplemental financial statements under the Constant Currency Method has been optional.
(i) Additional inflation restatement in 1996 and 1997 for US GAAP
In the reconciliation from BR CL to US GAAP, consistent with the position paper prepared by the U.S. AICPA International Practice Task Force, an adjustment for inflation accounting has been included for the period from January 1, 1996 to December 31, 1997. During this period, inflation accounting was prohibited by BR CL but was required by APB statement 3 under US GAAP. Shareholders' equity under US GAAP was increased by R$ 1,171,576 and R$ 1,247,117 at December 31, 2006 and 2005, respectively, due to the additional inflation restatement adjustments.
(ii) Supplementary inflation restatement replaces revaluation of property, plant and equipment for US GAAP
F-68
COMPANHIA DE SANEAMENTO BÁSICO DO ESTADO DE SÃO PAULO - SABESP |
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS |
AS OF AND FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2006, 2005 AND 2004 |
(Amounts in thousands of Brazilian reais-R$, unless otherwise stated) |
The price-level restatement methodology under BR CL relied on an official inflation index announced by the Brazilian Federal government which was also used for purposes of determining taxes payable. Shortly after the launch of an economic stabilization plan in 1990, the government announced an inflation rate for that year which was materially understated in relation to the general and consumer price indexes as measured by independent economic institutes. In 1991, the government acknowledged this distortion and companies were required to re-present their statutory financial statements using a revised inflation index and the effects thereof were also used to determine income taxes, retroactively. The same law (Law No. 8,200/91) also granted companies the option (and the CVM required adoption when the effects were significant) to reprocess the accumulated inflation accounting effects since the date of acquisition of assets based on an independently sourced consumer or general price index. This supplemental indexation of property, plant and equipment, investments and deferred charges was to be recorded in the statutory BR CL accounting books but would have no effect for tax purposes. The Company anticipated the effects of this measure by contracting an independent firm of experts to perform an appraisal to market value of its property, plant and equipment and recorded the revaluation increment in its statutory BR CL accounting records, without affecting its tax position, in much the same way as Law No. 8,200/91 later required. As the revaluation increment had eliminated the effects of the supplemental price-level restatements, no further action was taken and the Company did not apply the incremental indexation.
Under US GAAP, revaluations of assets to market value are not permitted and the effects of the revaluation have been reversed in the reconciliation to US GAAP. However, in order to preserve the integrity of the historical cost of its assets based on the price-level restatement convention adopted by BR CL, the Company has recorded the supplemental price-level restatement adjustments, in accordance with Article 2 of Law No. 8,200/91, as an adjusting item in the reconciliation to US GAAP. The Company has presented the balances of shareholders' equity and net income under BR CL, adjusted for the effects of the revaluation and the replacement of the reversal by the supplemental price-level restatements, and related tax effects, as a subtotal, prior to presenting the reconciling items to US GAAP. The subtotal also includes the effects of including an additional two years' inflation accounting adjustments through to 1997 for purposes of US GAAP.
Shareholders' equity under US GAAP was increased by R$ 2,806,638 and R$ 2,924,881 at December 31, 2006 and 2005, respectively, due to the supplementary inflation restatement adjustments and reduced by R$ 2,427,499 and R$ 2,529,771 at December 31, 2006 and 2005, respectively, due to the reversal of the revaluations, before tax effects.
(iii) Inflation indexes
The indexation of the financial statements through 1995, except for the year 1990, under BR CL was based on an official government index, the Unidade Fiscal de Referência - UFIR and for the year ended December 31, 1990 on a consumer price index (¥ndice de Preços ao Consumidor, or IPC). For purposes of US GAAP, a general price index, the ¥ndice Geral de Preços - Mercado, or IGP-M, was used to record the additional inflation restatement in 1996 and 1997 and the supplementary inflation restatement through 1995.
F-69
COMPANHIA DE SANEAMENTO BÁSICO DO ESTADO DE SÃO PAULO - SABESP |
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS |
AS OF AND FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2006, 2005 AND 2004 |
(Amounts in thousands of Brazilian reais-R$, unless otherwise stated) |
(b) Income taxes and social contribution
Under BR CL, deferred tax assets are recognized at the estimated amounts that management considers are probable to be recovered. In addition, deferred income taxes are shown gross rather than net.
Under US GAAP, deferred taxes are recorded on all temporary tax differences. Valuation allowances are established when it is more likely than not that deferred tax assets, including tax loss carryforwards, will not be recovered. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are classified as current or long-term based on the classification of the asset or liability underlying the temporary difference, and are presented net.
For purposes of deferred tax accounting, the US GAAP adjustments relating to inflation restatement of land and the push-down expenses from the Plan G0 pension fund (j)(ii) below and sabbatical paid leave benefits are treated as permanent tax differences, as such items are not deductible for tax purposes by the Company.
Taxes on income in Brazil consist of two types of taxes: income tax and social contribution. In Brazil, the tax law and tax rates are sometimes significantly altered by provisional measures ("medidas provisórias") announced by Presidential decree. The provisional measures can affect tax rates as well as other areas that could impact deferred taxes. Until September 2001, these measures remained in force for one month and expired automatically if they were not extended for an additional one-month period. In September 2001 all provisional measures were automatically enacted, and the Presidential decree powers restricted. Under BR CL, when calculating deferred income taxes, the provisional measures are usually taken into account.
Under US GAAP, only enacted tax rates may be used to calculate deferred taxes. Tax rates for future periods which have been established by provisional measures are not considered to have been enacted and are ignored. However, the provisional measure, to the extent it has not lapsed, is used for determining the amount of current tax payable.
Shareholders' equity under US GAAP was reduced by R$ 1,356,545 and R$ 1,304,723 at December 31, 2006 and 2005, respectively, due to deferred tax adjustments on US GAAP differences, excluding revaluations and permanent differences related to monetary readjustment on land of approximately R$ 150.0 million.
No valuation allowance adjustments were required to be included in the reconciliation between BR CL and US GAAP.
(c) Financial instruments and concentration of credit risk
Under BR CL, there are less detailed requirements regarding the disclosure of information on financial instruments not reflected on the balance sheet or on concentration of financial instruments with credit risk.
F-70
COMPANHIA DE SANEAMENTO BÁSICO DO ESTADO DE SÃO PAULO - SABESP |
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS |
AS OF AND FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2006, 2005 AND 2004 |
(Amounts in thousands of Brazilian reais-R$, unless otherwise stated) |
Under US GAAP, the applicable accounting practice for financial instruments depends on management's intention for their disposition and requires adjustments to their market or fair values. Additional information on face or contract or notional principal amount; nature and terms including (i) credit and market risk, (ii) cash requirements and (iii) accounting policy followed; amount of loss, if any party to the financial instrument fails to perform; and policy as to requiring collateral is required. Disclosure as to concentration of credit risk arising from all financial instruments is required to include information about the activity, region or other characteristic that identifies the concentration; amount of loss if parties to the concentrated risk fail to completely perform; and policy as to requiring collateral.
Statement of Financial Accounting Standards ("SFAS") No. 133, "Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities" of the U.S. Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) establishes accounting and reporting standards for derivative instruments and for hedging activities. It requires that an entity recognize all derivatives as either assets or liabilities and measure those instruments at fair value. This statement was effective January 1, 2001 and did not have a significant impact on the Companys financial statements.
No adjustments have been included in the reconciliation from BR CL to US GAAP.
(d) Cash and cash equivalents
Under BR CL, cash equivalents are not defined.
Under US GAAP, SFAS No. 95, "Statement of Cash Flows", defines cash equivalents as short-term highly liquid investments that are both (i) readily convertible to known amounts of cash and (ii) so near their maturity that they present insignificant risk of changes in value because of changes in interest rates. Generally, only investments with original maturities of three months or less qualify under that definition The Company holds certain highly liquid, low risk financial investments, comprised principally of high quality government debt, which are classified as cash equivalents under BR GAAP. Although the investments have high level of liquidity and present insignificant risks of changes in value, under US GAAP, since these investments have original maturities of over 90 days, such investments do not qualify as cash equivalents. The effect of this difference in classification on the Companys balance sheets and statements of cash flows for the periods presented are as follows:
2006 | 2005 | |||
(restated) | ||||
Cash and cash equivalents under Brazilian GAAP | 328,206 | 280,173 | ||
Difference in classification of temporary investments | - | (155,783) | ||
Cash and cash equivalents under US GAAP | 328,206 | 124,390 |
Cash Flows | 2006 | 2005 | 2004 | |||
(restated) | (restated) | |||||
Operating activities under Brazilian GAAP | 2,020,824 | 1,737,575 | 1,441,095 | |||
Cash flows relating to short-term investments under | ||||||
US GAAP | 155,783 | (99,815) | 108,588 | |||
Operating activities under US GAAP | 2,176,607 | 1,637,760 | 1,549,683 |
F-71
COMPANHIA DE SANEAMENTO BÁSICO DO ESTADO DE SÃO PAULO - SABESP |
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS |
AS OF AND FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2006, 2005 AND 2004 |
(Amounts in thousands of Brazilian reais-R$, unless otherwise stated) |
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of the year | ||||||
under Brazilian GAAP | 280,173 | 105,557 | 281,013 | |||
Difference in classification of temporary investments | ||||||
at beginning of the year | (155,783) | (55,968) | (164,556) | |||
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of the year | ||||||
under US GAAP | 124,390 | 49,589 | 116,457 | |||
Increase in cash and cash equivalents under Brazilian | ||||||
GAAP | 48,033 | 174,616 | (175,456) | |||
Cash flows relating to short-term investments under | ||||||
US GAAP | 155,783 | (99,815) | 108,588 | |||
Cash and cash equivalents at end of year under US | ||||||
GAAP | 328,206 | 124,390 | 49,589 |
(e) Investments in debt and equity securities
Under BR CL, marketable debt and equity securities are generally stated at the lower of inflation-indexed amortized cost or market value less interest or dividends received. Gains and losses are reflected in earnings.
Under US GAAP, in accordance with SFAS No. 115, "Accounting for Certain Investments in Debt and Equity Securities", the accounting and reporting for investments in equity securities that have readily determinable fair values and for all investments in debt securities is as follows:
(i) |
Debt securities that the enterprise has the positive intent and ability to hold to maturity are classified as held-to-maturity securities and are reported at amortized cost. |
(ii) |
Debt and equity securities that are bought and held principally for the purpose of selling them in the near term are classified as trading securities and reported at fair value, with unrealized gains and losses included in earnings. |
(iii) |
Debt and equity securities not classified as either held to maturity or trading securities are classified as available for sale securities and reported at fair value, with unrealized gains and losses excluded from earnings and reported in a separate
component of shareholders' equity. |
For purposes of US GAAP, certain unrealized gains and losses from the Companys available-for-sale securities are recorded directly in shareholders' equity, net of tax effects, until realized. Shareholders' equity under US GAAP was reduced by R$ 93 and R$ 30 at December 31, 2006 and 2005, respectively, for unrealized losses from available-for-sale securities.
(f) Property, plant and equipment
(i) |
Revaluations of property, plant and equipment |
F-72
COMPANHIA DE SANEAMENTO BÁSICO DO ESTADO DE SÃO PAULO - SABESP |
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS |
AS OF AND FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2006, 2005 AND 2004 |
(Amounts in thousands of Brazilian reais-R$, unless otherwise stated) |
BR CL permits appraisal write-ups, provided that certain formalities are complied with. The revaluation increment is credited to a reserve account in shareholders' equity. Depreciation of the asset revaluation increments is charged to income and an offsetting portion is relieved from the revaluation reserve in shareholders' equity and transferred to retained earnings as the related assets are depreciated or are disposed
For US GAAP reconciliation purposes, net revaluation of property, plant and equipment in the amounts of R$ 2,427,499 and R$ 2,529,771 at December 31, 2006 and 2005, respectively, have been eliminated in order to present property, plant and equipment at historical cost, indexed for inflation through 1997 based on a general price index, less accumulated depreciation. The depreciation on such revaluation charged to income, totaling R$ 102,272, R$ 89,449 and R$ 104,500 for the years ended December 31, 2006, 2005 and 2004, respectively, has also been eliminated for US GAAP purposes in the reconciliation of net income.
Under BR CL, no deferred tax liability was recorded on the revaluation increment. Under US GAAP, although the depreciation from the additional inflation restatement ((a)(i) above) and the supplementary inflation restatement ((a)(ii) above) will not be deductible for tax purposes, these depreciation charges are considered to be temporary tax differences as the expense will reverse through income in the future, and, as such, are recorded for purposes of determining deferred tax liabilities.
(ii) Different criteria for capitalizing and depreciating capitalized interest
Under BR CL, until December 31, 1995, capitalization of interest cost incurred during the construction period as part of the cost of the related property, plant and equipment was not required. However, as permitted by the Brazilian Water and Sewage Plan (Plano Nacional de Saneamento Básico - PLANASA), SABESP capitalized interest on construction-in-progress through 1989. Also, under BR CL as applied to companies in the utilities industry, during the period from 1979 to 1985, a notional interest rate was applied to construction-in-progress computed at the rate of 12% per annum of the balance of construction-in-progress; that part which related to interest on third-party loans was credited to interest expense based on actual interest costs with the balance relating to the self-financing portion being credited to capital reserves. Beginning in 1999, SABESP has capitalized indexation charges on the real - denominated loans and financing and the foreign exchange effects on foreign currency loans and financing.
Under US GAAP, in accordance with SFAS No. 34, "Capitalization of Interest Cost", interest incurred on borrowings is capitalized to the extent that borrowings do not exceed construction-in-progress. Such interest is capitalized as part of the cost of the related assets with a corresponding credit to financial expenses. Under US GAAP, the amount of interest capitalized excludes the indexation charges associated with the borrowings and the foreign exchange gains and losses on foreign currency borrowings.
The effects of these different criteria for capitalizing and amortizing interest are presented below:
F-73
COMPANHIA DE SANEAMENTO BÁSICO DO ESTADO DE SÃO PAULO - SABESP |
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS |
AS OF AND FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2006, 2005 AND 2004 |
(Amounts in thousands of Brazilian reais-R$, unless otherwise stated) |
2006 | 2005 | |||
Interest capitalized under US GAAP in the period from 1989 to 1995 | 206,227 | 208,826 | ||
Amortization thereof | (105,964) | (100,222) | ||
Capitalized interest credited to income under BR CL (12% per annum, | ||||
applied monthly to the balance of construction-in progress) in excess of | ||||
actual interest | (32,569) | (32,983) | ||
Amortization thereof | 29,188 | 28,285 | ||
Indexation charges and foreign exchange losses capitalized since 1999 | ||||
under BR CL, net | 50,576 | 27,528 | ||
US GAAP difference in shareholders' equity at December 31 | 147,458 | 131,434 | ||
US GAAP difference on pre-tax income for the year ended December 31 | 16,024 | 25,929 | ||
(iii) Valuation of long-lived assets
Under BR CL, companies are required to determine if operating income is sufficient to absorb the depreciation or amortization of long-lived assets, within the context of the balance sheet as a whole, in order to assess potential asset impairment. As it pertains to property, plant and equipment, in the event that such operating income is insufficient to recover the depreciation due to their permanent impairment, the assets, or groups of assets, are written-down to recoverable values, preferably, based on the projected discounted cash flows of future operations.
Under US GAAP, SFAS No. 144, "Accounting for the Impairment or Disposal of Long-lived Assets", requires companies to periodically evaluate the carrying value of long-lived assets to be held and used, and for long lived assets to be disposed of, when events and circumstances require such a review. The carrying value of long-lived assets is considered impaired when the anticipated undiscounted cash flows from identified assets, representing the lowest level for which identifiable cash flows largely independent of the cash flows of other groups of assets and liabilities, is less than their carrying value. In that event, a loss is recognized to the extent that the carrying value exceeds the fair market value of the assets.
No adjustment has been included in the reconciliation from BR CL to US GAAP to take account of differences between the measurement criteria, as based on analysis of cash flows measured at the smallest unit of assets groups for which cash flow data is captured no impairment provisions were required. Losses recognized on the write-off of property, plant and equipment arose primarily from adjustments related to the withdrawal of concession assets, construction-in-progress projects which were deemed to be no longer economically feasible and obsolescence write offs.
(g) Deferred charges
F-74
COMPANHIA DE SANEAMENTO BÁSICO DO ESTADO DE SÃO PAULO - SABESP |
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS |
AS OF AND FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2006, 2005 AND 2004 |
(Amounts in thousands of Brazilian reais-R$, unless otherwise stated) |
Under BR CL deferral of feasibility study costs and pre-operating expenses incurred in the construction or expansion of a new facility is permitted until such time as the facility begins commercial operations. Deferred charges are amortized over a period of five to ten years.
Under US GAAP, such amounts do not meet the conditions established for deferral and accordingly are charged to income as incurred.
The balance of feasibility study costs outstanding, amounted to R$ 10,035 and R$ 20,531 at December 31, 2006 and 2005, respectively, was written-off for US GAAP purposes. The net effects from amortization and deferrals in the statement of operations at December 31, 2006, 2005 and 2004 were an increase of R$ 10,496, R$ 18,566 and R$ 9,854 respectively.
(h) Dismissal encouragement program
In December 2003 the Company announced a one-time, special dismissal encouragement / early retirement program. Under BR CL, the total estimated termination benefits for all employees who would formally accept the offer were accrued for at December 31, 2003. Under US GAAP, such benefits are considered special termination benefits, as defined in SFAS No. 88, Employers' Accounting for Settlements and Curtailments of Defined Benefit Pension Plans and for Termination Benefits and as such, are only allowed to be accrued as an expense when an employee accepts the offer. At December 31, 2003, approximately 330 employees had requested to apply to enter the dismissal encouragement program. In the reconciliation between BR CL and US GAAP, the difference between the estimated benefits under BR CL and the estimated benefits associated with those employees who had accepted offers at December 31, 2003 has been reversed for US GAAP. Such benefits were accrued and expensed in 2004. At December 31, 2004, 711 employees entered this program and the Company had paid R$ 29,409.
(i) Pension benefits
Under BR CL, prior to 2002, amounts related to the pension plan were recorded on an accrual basis as the obligations for contributions fell due. In accordance with a new accounting standard issued by IBRACON and approved by the CVM, effective January 1, 2002, Brazilian public companies must account for pension obligations based on actuarial calculations and provide certain disclosures related to their pension plans. Under the new standard, the actuarial pension obligation determined at the date of adoption could be either recorded directly in shareholders equity, or prospectively, during the five-year period ending December 31, 2006 in results of operations. As permitted, the Company has elected to recognize this transition obligation on a straight-line basis through income over five years beginning in 2002. The amortization of the liability is being presented as an Extraordinary item in the statements of operations, net of applicable tax effects.
Under US GAAP, the Company accounts for its pension plans in accordance with the provisions of SFAS No. 87, "Employers' Accounting for Pensions," which among other requirements, requires that the Company recognize the actuarially-determined liability of its pension plan obligations. SFAS No. 87 also requires that an additional liability (minimum pension liability) is required to be recorded when the accumulated benefit obligation exceeds the fair value of the plan assets, less accrued pension amounts. This additional minimum liability is recorded as a charge to accumulated other comprehensive income in equity.
F-75
COMPANHIA DE SANEAMENTO BÁSICO DO ESTADO DE SÃO PAULO - SABESP |
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS |
AS OF AND FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2006, 2005 AND 2004 |
(Amounts in thousands of Brazilian reais-R$, unless otherwise stated) |
SFAS No. 132 (revised 2003), Employers' Disclosures about Pensions and Other Postretirement Benefits sets forth the requirements for information that must be disclosed with respect to the Companys pension plans.
After the issuance of SFAS 158 Employers Accounting for Defined Benefit Pension and Other Postretirement Plans an amendment of FASB Statements No. 87, 88, 106, and 132(R), in September 2006, an employer is required to recognize the overfunded or underfunded status of a defined benefit postretirement plan (other than a multi-employer plan) as an asset or liability in its statement of financial position and to recognize changes in that funded status in the year in which the changes occur through comprehensive income of a business entity or changes in unrestricted net assets of a not-for-profit organization. This Statement also requires an employer to measure the funded status of a plan as of the date of its year-end statement of financial position, with limited exceptions.
Another requirement of the statement is that the employer must disclose in the notes to financial statements additional information about certain effects on net periodic benefit cost for the next fiscal year that arise from delayed recognition of the gains or losses, prior service costs or credits, and transition asset or obligation. An employer with publicly traded equity securities is required to initially recognize the funded status of a defined benefit postretirement plan and to provide the required disclosures as of the end of the fiscal year ending after December 15, 2006.
The additional adjustments required by the SFAS 158 has been made after the accounting according to the SFAS 87 and SFAS 132.
Although the adopted accounting standard under BR CL requires the Company to recognize pension obligation based on actuarial methods effective January 1, 2002, differences under BR CL related to the prescribed actuarial methods, date of first adoption and amortization of transition obligations, among others, as compared with those under US GAAP, generate reconciling adjustments for US GAAP purposes.
(i) Pension plan (Plan G1)
The Company sponsors a defined-benefit plan for its employees (Plan G1). For the purposes of calculating the funded status of Plan G1, the provisions of SFAS No. 87, were applied with effect from January 1, 1992, because it was not feasible to apply them from the effective date specified in the standard.
(ii) Supplementary pension plan (Plan G0)
Pursuant to a law enacted by the State Government, certain employees who provided service to the Company prior to May 1974 and retired as an employee of the Company acquired a legal right to receive supplemental pension payments (which rights are referred to as Plan G0). The Company pays these supplemental benefits on behalf of the State Government and makes claims for reimbursement from the State Government, which are recorded as accounts receivable, shareholder under BR CL. No expense is recognized for these benefits under BR CL.
F-76
COMPANHIA DE SANEAMENTO BÁSICO DO ESTADO DE SÃO PAULO - SABESP |
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS |
AS OF AND FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2006, 2005 AND 2004 |
(Amounts in thousands of Brazilian reais-R$, unless otherwise stated) |
Consistent with the guidance in SEC Staff Accounting Bulletin Topic 5-T ("SAB No. 5-T"), under US GAAP, the Company recognizes the costs and obligations associated with Plan G0 supplemental pension benefits incurred by the State Government on behalf of the Company with respect to its employees on a push-down basis, as the Company is the recipient of the benefits of the employee service for which the supplemental pension benefits are made. These benefits are accounted for in accordance with SFAS No. 87. Eventual amounts received as reimbursement from the State Government, if any, are treated as additional paid-in-capital.
Retained earnings was reduced in the first year of presentation (1998) for the actuarial liability computed under SFAS No. 87. and the balance of amounts due from the State Government for pensions paid was charged to income, as this amount relates to a charge for past services rendered by the Companys former employees. Amounts reimbursed to the Company by the State Government were accounted for as additional paid-in capital and a reduction of the actuarial liability to reflect gross benefits paid. The remaining unpaid reimbursable balance due from the State Government (effectively a subscription receivable) was charged off as a deduction to shareholders' equity.
(iii) Sabbatical paid leave
The Company also pays amounts equivalent to three months of vacation for each five years' of service as a form of sabbatical paid leave to certain of the Companys employees for which it also claims reimbursement from the State Government. Consistent with the guidance in SAB Topic 5-T, under US GAAP the Company recognizes the costs and obligations associated with these sabbatical leave benefits incurred by the State Government on behalf of the Company with respect to its employees on a push-down basis, as the Company is the recipient of the benefits of the employee service for which the supplemental pension benefits are made. The Company has accounted for this sabbatical expense by relieving directly against retained earnings for the first year presented and subsequently the Company recognized as a charge to income the receivable due from the State Government, for sabbatical leave paid, as this amount relates to a charge for past services rendered by the Companys former/current employees. Amounts reimbursed by the State Government, if any, are accounted for as additional paid-in capital.
During the year ended December 31, 2000, in the financial statements prepared in accordance with BR CL, sabbatical leave accruals totaling R$ 23,747, which had in prior years been charged to income, and were accounted for as a receivable (reimbursement) due from the State Government, were reversed, as the Company does not consider this to be an expense under BR CL. Similarly, during December 31, 2006, 2005 and 2004, total amounts not accrued were R$ 1,991, R$ 968 and R$ 14,743, respectively. Such amounts, consistent with the US GAAP difference mentioned above, were pushed down as expenses in the reconciliation to US GAAP.
F-77
COMPANHIA DE SANEAMENTO BÁSICO DO ESTADO DE SÃO PAULO - SABESP |
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS |
AS OF AND FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2006, 2005 AND 2004 |
(Amounts in thousands of Brazilian reais-R$, unless otherwise stated) |
(iv) Summary of pension benefits adjustments
The effects included in the shareholders' equity reconciliation arising from these different criteria for pension and benefit accounting are presented below:
2006 | 2005 | |||
Plan G1 | ||||
Accrued pension liability under US GAAP (SFAS 87) | (644,760) | (585,637) | ||
Accrued pension liability under BR CL | 321,212 | 276,558 | ||
Difference Plan G1 (SFAS 87) | (323,548) | (309,079) | ||
Incremental Effect of Applying SFAS Nº 158 | 361,450 | |||
Difference Plan G1 | 37,902 | (309,079) | ||
Plan G0 | ||||
Accrued pension cost under US GAAP (SFAS 87) | (1,156,492) | (1,130,511) | ||
Incremental Effect of Applying SFAS Nº 158 | (87,575) | - | ||
Difference Plan G0 | (1,244,067) | (1,130,511) | ||
Sabbatical paid leave | ||||
Recognition of reversed expense (i) (iii) | (8,565) | (10,556) | ||
Push-down accounting of Plan G0 and sabbatical | ||||
paid leave | ||||
Gross amount paid for Plan G0 and sabbatical paid leave | ||||
recorded as receivables from the State | ||||
Government (i) | (889,425) | (787,684) | ||
Additional paid-in capital - Plan G0 and sabbatical | ||||
paid leave reimbursed by the State Government (i) | 114,970 | 114,970 | ||
The effects included in the reconciliation of net income (los) arising from these different criteria for pension and benefit accounting are presented bellow:
2006 | 2005 | 2004 | ||||
Plan G1 | ||||||
Accrued pension obligation Plan G1 | (14,469) | 45,163 | 41,617 | |||
Plan G0 | ||||||
Accrued pension obligation Plan G0 | (25,981) | (27,258) | (37,148) | |||
Sabbatical paid leave |
F-78
COMPANHIA DE SANEAMENTO BÁSICO DO ESTADO DE SÃO PAULO - SABESP |
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS |
AS OF AND FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2006, 2005 AND 2004 |
(Amounts in thousands of Brazilian reais-R$, unless otherwise stated) |
2006 | 2005 | 2004 | ||||
Recognition of reversed expense | 1,991 | 968 | 14,743 | |||
Push-down accounting of Plan G0 and sabbatical | ||||||
paid leave | ||||||
Gross amount paid for Plan G0 and sabbatical | ||||||
paid leave recorded as receivables from the | ||||||
State Government | (101,741) | (96,388) | (85,340) | |||
(j) Capitalization of debt issuance costs
Under BR CL the costs associated with issuance of debts are recognized as a operational expenses. Under US GAAP, APB 21 Interest on Receivables and Payables debt issue costs are deferred and amortized using the effective interest method over the remaining term of the applicable debt obligations. At December 31, 2006, the balance of deferred debt issue costs included as an adjustment to shareholders equity, related to debt issue costs was R$ 11,331 (in 2005 was R$ 13,976), net of accumulated amortization.
(k) Donations
Under BR CL these amounts, which comprise principally contributions of property, plant and equipment that we receive from third parties, were recorded at fair value, generally determined based on estimates of the current replacement cost of the assets contributed, as a revenue until December 31, 2003 an as a credit to other capital reserves after this date.
For U.S. GAAP purposes, the amounts recorded as revenues and capital reserves related to donations received from third parties would be classified as a deferred credit, recorded as a reduction of the related amount of property, plant and equipment in the balance sheet, and amortized to reduce depreciation expense over the related estimated useful life of the donated assets. Prior to 2006, we did not account for any differences between BR CL and US GAAP, as the amounts of such donations have not historically been, and were not expected to be material. However, in light of the cumulative nature of such donations, beginning January 1, 2006, we began accounting for such differences.
As a result, shareholders equity under U.S. GAAP was lower by R$ 69,535, net of tax effects, as compared to BR CL at December 31, 2006. Net income in 2006 was also lower by R$15,871, net of tax effects, as compared to BR CL, as a result of the cumulative differences in the accounting for donations under BR CL. The related impacts on prior year results of operations were not material.
(l) Segment reporting
Under BR CL, no separate segment reporting is required.
F-79
COMPANHIA DE SANEAMENTO BÁSICO DO ESTADO DE SÃO PAULO - SABESP |
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS |
AS OF AND FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2006, 2005 AND 2004 |
(Amounts in thousands of Brazilian reais-R$, unless otherwise stated) |
Under US GAAP, SFAS No. 131, "Disclosures about Segments of an Enterprise and Related Information" establishes the standards for the manner in which public enterprises are required to report financial and descriptive information about their operating segments. SFAS No. 131 defines operating segments as components of an enterprise for which separate financial information is available and evaluated regularly as a means for assessing segment performance and allocating resources to segments. A measure of profit or loss, total assets and other related information are required to be disclosed for each operating segment.
The Company operates in two segments: water services and sewage services.
(m) Comprehensive income
BR CL does not embody the concept of comprehensive income.
Under US GAAP, the Company has adopted the provisions of SFAS No. 130, "Reporting Comprehensive Income." A foreign (i.e., non-U.S.) registrant may present the statement of comprehensive income in any format permitted by SFAS No. 130. The information required by SFAS No. 130, has been included in the condensed financial statement information as prepared in accordance with US GAAP below.
(n) Provision for dividends and interest on shareholders' equity
Under BR CL, at each annual balance sheet date management is required to propose a dividend distribution from earnings and accrue for this in the financial statements. Under BR CL, companies are permitted to distribute a notional amount of interest, subject to certain limitations, calculated based on the government TJLP interest rate, on shareholders' equity. Such amounts are deductible for tax purposes and are presented as a deduction from shareholders' equity. Although not affecting net income except for the tax benefit, in certain cases companies include this notional charge in interest expense and reverse the same amount before totaling net income. The Company presents the financial expense net of the reversal in its financial statements.
Under US GAAP, since proposed dividends must be ratified or modified at the annual shareholders' meeting, dividends would generally not be considered as declared at the balance sheet date and, as such, would not be accrued. However, because the State Government is the Companys controlling shareholder, the minimum dividend proposal when made by management at year end is maintained as a provision, and therefore, no adjustments has been included in the reconciliation from BR CL to US GAAP. Interim dividends paid or interest credited to shareholders as interest on shareholders' equity under BR CL is considered as declared for US GAAP purposes. Under US GAAP, no similar interest distribution concept exists.
Distributions per share data (in the form of dividends or interest on shareholdersequity) is not required to be disclosed under BR CL.
Interest on shareholders' equity per thousand common shares for the years ended December 31, 2006, 2005 and 2004 were as follows:
F-80
COMPANHIA DE SANEAMENTO BÁSICO DO ESTADO DE SÃO PAULO - SABESP |
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS |
AS OF AND FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2006, 2005 AND 2004 |
(Amounts in thousands of Brazilian reais-R$, unless otherwise stated) |
December 31, | ||||||
2006 | 2005 | 2004 | ||||
Interest on shareholders' | ||||||
equity per shares | 1.19 | 1.53 | 0.67 |
(o) Related parties
Under BR CL, related parties are generally defined in a more limited manner and require fewer disclosures than US GAAP. The Company has expanded its disclosure for purposes of BR CL.
No adjustments have been included in the reconciliation from BR CL to US GAAP.
(p) Items posted directly to shareholders' equity accounts
Under BR CL, various items are posted directly to shareholders' equity accounts. Examples include certain capitalized interest, the effects of adjustments to tax rates and tax incentive investment credits received. As noted in (a) above, Brazilian utility companies used to capitalize interest attributable to construction-in-progress at the rate of 12% per annum of the balance of construction-in-progress and that part which relates to interest on third-party loans is credited to interest expense based on actual interest costs with the balance relating to the self-financed portion being credited to capital reserves.
Under US GAAP, such items relating to third-party debt would be posted to the statement of operations. Since the original posting to equity accounts would, under US GAAP, be made directly to the statement of operations, these adjustments are included in the reconciliation of shareholders' equity and net income determined in accordance with US GAAP.
(q) Discounting
Under BR CL, discounting of trade receivables and payables to present value is not permitted. Under US GAAP, APB No. 21 "Interest on Receivables and Payables", such discounting, in certain cases, is required to record the effects of implicit interest income or expense or which are different from market rates on long-term assets and liabilities, except for transactions in which interest rates are affected by the tax attributes or legal restrictions prescribed by a government agency. The company does not have original long term agreements.
No adjustments have been included in the reconciliation from BR CL to US GAAP as the Company had no long-term trade accounts payables or receivables potentially subject to discounting at December 31, 2006, 2005 and 2004.
(r) Classification of statement of operations line items
Under BR CL, as noted above, the classification of certain income and expense items is presented differently from US GAAP. The Company has recast its statement of operations under BR CL to present a condensed statement of operations prepared in accordance with US GAAP. The reclassifications are summarized as follows:
F-81
COMPANHIA DE SANEAMENTO BÁSICO DO ESTADO DE SÃO PAULO - SABESP |
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS |
AS OF AND FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2006, 2005 AND 2004 |
(Amounts in thousands of Brazilian reais-R$, unless otherwise stated) |
(i) |
Interest income and interest expense, together with other financial charges, are displayed within operating income in the statement of operations presented in accordance with BR CL. Such amounts have been reclassified to non-operating income and expenses in the condensed statement of operations prepared in accordance with US GAAP. |
(ii) |
Under BR CL, gains and losses on the disposal or impairment of permanent assets are classified as non-operating income (expense). Under US GAAP, gains and losses on the disposal or impairment of property, plant and equipment are classified as an
adjustment to operating income. |
(iii) |
Following the issue of a new accounting standard under BR CL, effective January 1, 2002, the Company is amortizing the related transition obligation related to Plan G1 over five years. The related amortization, as permitted, is being presented as an
Extraordinary item net of taxes, in the statement of operations. Under US GAAP, this amortization expense would be included as part of operating income. |
(s) Earnings per share
Under BR CL, net income per share is calculated on the number of shares outstanding at the balance sheet date. Information is disclosed per lot of one thousand shares, because this is the minimum number of shares of the Company that can be traded on the stock exchanges.
Under US GAAP, in accordance with SFAS No.128, "Earnings per Share", the presentation of earnings per share is required for public companies, including earnings per share from continuing operations and net income per share on the face of the statement of operations, and the per share effect of changes in accounting principles, discontinued operations and extraordinary items either on the face of the statement of operations or in a note. A dual presentation is required: basic and diluted. Computations of basic and diluted earnings per share data are based on the weighted average number of shares outstanding during the period and all potentially dilutive shares outstanding during each period presented, respectively.
Statement 128 requires the retroactive restatement of earnings-per-share computations for stock dividends, stock splits, and reverse splits. If a stock dividend or split is consummated after the close of the period but prior to the issuance of the financial statements, the earnings-per-share computation should be based on the new number of shares.
The Board of Directors, in its meeting on March 30, 2007, approved the proposal for submission to the Annual Shareholders Meeting, which took place on April 30, 2007, of the Grouping of Shares. On June 4, 2007, the shares were grouped in the proportion of 125 (one hundred twenty five) shares to 1 (one) share. The capital stock is represented by 227,836,623 common nominative and scriptural shares, without par value, remaining unchanged Sabesps capital stock.
F-82
COMPANHIA DE SANEAMENTO BÁSICO DO ESTADO DE SÃO PAULO - SABESP |
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS |
AS OF AND FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2006, 2005 AND 2004 |
(Amounts in thousands of Brazilian reais-R$, unless otherwise stated) |
Simultaneously to the grouping operation, the American Depositary Receits (ADRs) started to be traded in the proportion of 2 (two) shares to each ADR.
Considering the grouping of shares mentioned above the weighted-average number of shares used in computing basic earnings per share for December 31, 2006, 2005 and 2004 was 227,836,623. The Company had no potentially dilutive shares outstanding during 2006, 2005 or 2004.
(t) Financial statement note disclosures
BR CL requires, in general, less information to be disclosed in the notes to the financial statements than US GAAP. The additional disclosures required by US GAAP which are relevant to these financial statements are included in this Note 23, 24 and 25.
(u) Leasing Transactions
Under Brazilian GAAP, generally, lessees account for long-term leases as operating leases, whereas in accordance with U.S. GAAP such leases could be accounted for as operating or capital leases. As a result, under Brazilian GAAP, lease payments by lessees with respect to leases are charged as an expense as incurred. Under U.S. GAAP, the lease payments may be charged as an expense as incurred (operating leases) or the leased asset and the corresponding lease liability may be recognized in the balance sheet and the effect of depreciation and interest expense in the results of operations (capital leases).
F-83
COMPANHIA DE SANEAMENTO BÁSICO DO ESTADO DE SÃO PAULO - SABESP |
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS |
AS OF AND FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2006, 2005 AND 2004 |
(Amounts in thousands of Brazilian reais-R$, unless otherwise stated) |
Net income (loss) reconciliation of the differences between BR CL and US GAAP
The following is a reconciliation of the differences in net income (loss) between BR CL and US GAAP:
2006 | 2005 | 2004 | ||||||
Net income as reported under the BR CL | 778,905 | 865,647 | 513,028 | |||||
Depreciation of additional inflation restatement | ||||||||
in 1996 and 1997 | (a) (i) | (75,541) | (61,955) | (70,251) | ||||
Reversal of depreciation of revaluation increments | (f) (i) | 102,272 | 89,449 | 104,500 | ||||
Depreciation of supplementary restatement prior | ||||||||
to 1991 | (a) (ii) | (118,243) | (103,420) | (120,820) | ||||
Deferred tax effects on above (excluding | ||||||||
revaluation) | (b) | 65,887 | 56,228 | 64,964 | ||||
Net income as reported under the BR CL, | ||||||||
adjusted for inflation restatements and | ||||||||
revaluations | 753,280 | 845,949 | 491,421 | |||||
Accrued pension cost - Plan G1 | (i) | (14,469) | 45,163 | 41,617 | ||||
Accrued supplementary pension cost - Plan G0 | (i) | (25,981) | (27,258) | (37,148) | ||||
Sabbatical leave benefits | (i) | 1,991 | 968 | 14,743 | ||||
Actuarial liability (Plan G0) and sabbatical leave | ||||||||
benefits push-down recognition | (i) | (101,741) | (96,388) | (85,340) | ||||
Capitalized interest | (f) (ii) | 16,024 | 25,929 | 17,934 | ||||
Interests on Capital Leasing | (u) | 6,967 | (645) | |||||
Deferred charges, net of effects of accumulated | ||||||||
amortization | (g) | 10,496 | 18,566 | 9,854 | ||||
Capitalization of debt issuance costs | (j) | (2,645) | 13,976 | |||||
Deferred Credits - Donations | (k) | (26,622) | ||||||
Dismissal Encouragement Program | (h) | - | - | (18,113) | ||||
617,300 | 826,260 | 434,968 | ||||||
Deferred income taxes effects: | ||||||||
Other GAAP differences above, excluding | ||||||||
reversal of revaluation increments | (b) | 5,184 | (35,016) | (17,439) | ||||
Net income under US GAAP | 622,484 | 791,244 | 417,529 | |||||
Net income per thousand common shares | ||||||||
Basic and diluted (in reais) | (s) | 2.73 | 3.47 | 1.83 | ||||
Weighted average number of common shares | ||||||||
outstanding on December 31, | ||||||||
2006 | (s) | 227,836,623 | 227,836,623 | 227,836,623 |
F-84
COMPANHIA DE SANEAMENTO BÁSICO DO ESTADO DE SÃO PAULO - SABESP |
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS |
AS OF AND FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2006, 2005 AND 2004 |
(Amounts in thousands of Brazilian reais-R$, unless otherwise stated) |
Shareholders' equity reconciliation of the differences between BR CL and US GAAP
The following is a reconciliation of the differences in shareholders equity between BR CL and US GAAP:
2006 | 2005 | |||||
Shareholders' equity, as reported under BR CL | 9,018,482 | 8,482,548 | ||||
Add (deduct): | ||||||
Additional inflation restatement in 1996 and 1997, net | (a) (i) | 1,171,576 | 1,247,117 | |||
(a) (i)/ | ||||||
Reversal of revaluation increments, net | (f) (i) | (2,427,499) | (2,529,771) | |||
Supplementary restatement prior to 1991, net | (a) (ii) | 2,806,638 | 2,924,881 | |||
Deferred tax effects on above (excluding revaluation) | (b) | (1,301,684) | (1,367,571) | |||
Shareholders' equity, as reported under BR CL, adjusted for | ||||||
inflation restatements and revaluations | 9,267,513 | 8,757,204 | ||||
Accrued pension cost - Plan G1 | (i) | 37,902 | (309,079) | |||
Accrued supplementary pension cost -Plan G0 | (i) | (1,244,067) | (1,130,511) | |||
Actuarial liability (Plan G0) and sabbatical leave expense | ||||||
push-down recognition | (i) | (889,425) | (787,684) | |||
Additional paid-in capital - Plan G0 and sabbatical expense | ||||||
reimbursed by the State Government | (i) | 114,970 | 114,970 | |||
Sabbatical paid leave of absence benefits | (i) | (8,565) | (10,556) | |||
Capitalized interest | (f) (ii) | 147,458 | 131,434 | |||
Interests on Capital Leasing | (u) | 6,322 | (645) | |||
Deferred charges expensed, net | (g) | (10,035) | (20,531) | |||
Capitalization of debt issuance costs | (j) | 11,331 | 13,976 | |||
Deferred Credits - Donations | (k) | (80,286) | ||||
Other GAAP differences | (e) | (93) | (30) | |||
Deferred income taxes effects: | ||||||
Other deferred tax effects on US GAAP differences above, | ||||||
excluding adjustments for available-for-sale securities, | ||||||
inflation restatements and revaluation increments | (54,861) | 62,848 | ||||
Shareholders' equity under US GAAP | 7,298,164 | 6,821,396 | ||||
F-85
COMPANHIA DE SANEAMENTO BÁSICO DO ESTADO DE SÃO PAULO - SABESP |
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS |
AS OF AND FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2006, 2005 AND 2004 |
(Amounts in thousands of Brazilian reais-R$, unless otherwise stated) |
Supplemental Condensed Financial Statement Information in Accordance with US GAAP.
The following presents condensed financial statement information in accordance with US GAAP.
2006 | 2005 | |||
Assets | ||||
Current assets | ||||
Cash and cash equivalents | 328,206 | 124,390 | ||
Short term investments | - | 155,783 | ||
Customer accounts receivable, net | 1,111,289 | 1,069,098 | ||
Receivables from shareholder, net | 367,864 | 292,507 | ||
Inventories | 48,889 | 36,070 | ||
Taxes recoverable | 31,582 | 853 | ||
Other current assets | 28,852 | 26,915 | ||
Total current assets | 1,916,682 | 1,705,616 | ||
Investments | 627 | 710 | ||
Intangible assets concession rights, net | 495,118 | 502,518 | ||
Property, plant and equipment, net | 15,473,542 | 15,393,916 | ||
Other long-term assets | ||||
Customer accounts receivable, net | 296,562 | 263,356 | ||
Receivables from shareholder, net | 89,012 | 127,880 | ||
Escrow deposits | 33,835 | 23,857 | ||
Indemnities receivable | 148,794 | 148,794 | ||
Other assets | 44,525 | 43,151 | ||
612,728 | 607,038 | |||
Total assets | 18,498,697 | 18,209,798 | ||
F-86
COMPANHIA DE SANEAMENTO BÁSICO DO ESTADO DE SÃO PAULO - SABESP |
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS |
AS OF AND FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2006, 2005 AND 2004 |
(Amounts in thousands of Brazilian reais-R$, unless otherwise stated) |
2006 | 2005 | |||
Liabilities and shareholders equity | ||||
Current liabilities | ||||
Accounts payable to suppliers and contractors | 144,167 | 77,781 | ||
Loans and financing | 852,475 | 759,013 | ||
Accrued payroll and related charges | 177,705 | 117,289 | ||
Deferred income taxes | 69,281 | 47,378 | ||
Taxes payable | 105,552 | 106,131 | ||
Accrued pension obligation | ||||
Plan G0 | 110,059 | |||
Provisions for contingencies | 2,294 | 28,520 | ||
Interest on shareholders equity | 511,519 | 409,725 | ||
Services Received | 152,953 | 107,660 | ||
Other current liabilities | 99,312 | 103,621 | ||
Total current liabilities | 2,225,317 | 1,757,118 | ||
Long-term liabilities | ||||
Loans and financing | 5,459,938 | 5,905,208 | ||
Taxes payable | 230,440 | 256,114 | ||
Accrued pension obligation | ||||
Plan G0 | 1,134,008 | 1,130,511 | ||
Plan G1 | 283,310 | 585,637 | ||
Provisions for contingencies | 655,258 | 579,808 | ||
Deferred income taxes | 1,160,792 | 1,139,346 | ||
Other liabilities | 51,470 | 34,660 | ||
Total long-term liabilities | 8,975,216 | 9,631,284 | ||
Commitments and contingencies | ||||
Shareholders equity | ||||
Paid-in capital | 3,518,658 | 3,518,658 | ||
Capital reserves | 53,026 | 78,820 | ||
Supplementary and additional inflation restatement reserves | 3,978,214 | 4,171,998 | ||
Accumulated other comprehensive income net of taxes | 150,982 | |||
Appropriated earnings | 254,219 | 215,273 | ||
Accumulated deficit | (656,935) | (1,163,353) | ||
Total shareholders equity | 7,298,164 | 6,821,396 | ||
Total liabilities and shareholders equity | 18,498,697 | 18,209,798 | ||
F-87
COMPANHIA DE SANEAMENTO BÁSICO DO ESTADO DE SÃO PAULO - SABESP |
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS |
AS OF AND FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2006, 2005 AND 2004 |
(Amounts in thousands of Brazilian reais-R$, unless otherwise stated) |
Condensed Statements of Operations in accordance with US GAAP
2006 | 2005 | 2004 | ||||
Gross revenue from sales and services | 5,984,012 | 5,356,326 | 4,642,491 | |||
Taxes on sales and services | (456,679) | (402,963) | (245,419) | |||
Net revenue from sales and services | 5,527,333 | 4,953,363 | 4,397,072 | |||
Cost of sales and services | (2,822,616) | (2,570,180) | (2,443,965) | |||
Gross profit | 2,704,717 | 2,383,183 | 1,953,107 | |||
Operating expenses | ||||||
Selling | (737,303) | (555,435) | (521,532) | |||
Administrative | (428,670) | (350,180) | (324,119) | |||
Other operating expenses, net | (87,380) | (7,356) | (34,465) | |||
Income from operations | 1,451,364 | 1,470,212 | 1,072,991 | |||
Financial expenses, net | (542,266) | (401,894) | (479,243) | |||
Income before taxes on income | 909,098 | 1,068,318 | 593,748 | |||
Income and social contribution taxes | (286,614) | (277,074) | (176,219) | |||
Net income for the year | 622,484 | 791,244 | 417,529 | |||
Net income per thousand shares Basic and | ||||||
diluted (in reais) | 2.73 | 3.47 | 1.83 | |||
Weighted average number of common shares | ||||||
outstanding | 227,836,623 | 227,836,623 | 227,836,623 | |||
Condensed Statement of Comprehensive Income (Loss) in accordance with US GAAP (under SFAS No. 130)
2006 | 2005 | 2004 | ||||
Net income for the year | 622,484 | 791,244 | 417,529 | |||
Unrealized gains (losses) on available-for-sale securities | (63) | 62 | 7 | |||
Comprehensive income | 622,421 | 791,306 | 417,536 | |||
F-88
COMPANHIA DE SANEAMENTO BÁSICO DO ESTADO DE SÃO PAULO - SABESP |
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS |
AS OF AND FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2006, 2005 AND 2004 |
(Amounts in thousands of Brazilian reais-R$, unless otherwise stated) |
Condensed Statement of Changes in Shareholders' Equity in accordance with US GAAP.
2006 | 2005 | 2004 | ||||
Balance at beginning of the year | 6,821,396 | 6,364,777 | 6,085,624 | |||
Donations | (25,794) | 13,529 | 14,552 | |||
Unrealized gains (losses) on available-for-sale | ||||||
securities | (63) | 62 | 7 | |||
Effects of Applying SFAS Nº 158: | ||||||
Pension Plan - Plan G1 | 238,557 | - | - | |||
Pension Plan - Plan G0 | (87,575) | - | - | |||
Net income for the year | 622,484 | 791,244 | 417,529 | |||
Interest on shareholders' equity | (270,841) | (348,216) | (152,935) | |||
Balance at end of the year | 7,298,164 | 6,821,396 | 6,364,777 | |||
Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements
The Financial Accounting Standard Board (FASB) has issued some accounting pronouncements and interpretations, but neither of the standards or interpretations had impacted materially the Financial Statements of the company as described below:
In February 2006, the FASB issued Statement No. 155, Accounting for Certain Hybrid Financial Instruments, an amendment of FASB Statement No. 133 and 140 (SFAS 155), which permits fair value measurement for any hybrid financial instrument that contains an embedded derivative that otherwise would require bifurcation, with changes in fair value recognized in earnings. The fair-value election will eliminate the need to separately recognize certain derivatives embedded in hybrid financial instruments under FASB Statement No. 133, Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities. SFAS 155 is effective for all financial instruments acquired or issued after the beginning of the first fiscal year that begins after September 15, 2006. The adoption of the pronouncement is not expected to have a material effect to SABESP financial statements.
F-89
COMPANHIA DE SANEAMENTO BÁSICO DO ESTADO DE SÃO PAULO - SABESP |
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS |
AS OF AND FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2006, 2005 AND 2004 |
(Amounts in thousands of Brazilian reais-R$, unless otherwise stated) |
In March 2006, the FASB issued SFAS No. 156, "Accounting for Servicing of Financial Assets". SFAS 156 amends SFAS No. 140, "Accounting for Transfers and Servicing of Financial Assets and Extinguishments of Liabilities", which establishes, among other things, the accounting for all separately recognized servicing assets and servicing liabilities. SFAS 156 amends Statement 140 to require that all separately recognized servicing assets and servicing liabilities be initially measured at fair value, if practicable. SFAS 156 permits, but does not require, the subsequent measurement of separately recognized servicing assets and servicing liabilities at fair value. An entity that uses derivative instruments to mitigate the risks inherent in servicing assets and servicing liabilities is required to account for those derivative instruments at fair value. Under this Statement, an entity can elect subsequent fair value measurement to account for its separately recognized servicing assets and servicing liabilities. An entity shall adopt this Statement as of the beginning of its first fiscal year that begins after September 15, 2006. Earlier adoption is permitted in certain cases. The impact of adopting this new rule is dependent on events that could occur in future periods, and as such, an estimate of the impact cannot be determined until the event occurs in future periods.
In June 2006, the FASB issued Interpretation No. 48, Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes, An Interpretation of SFAS No. 109, (FIN 48). FIN 48 clarifies the accounting for uncertainty in income taxes recognized in an enterprise's financial statements in accordance with SFAS No. 109, Accounting for Income Taxes. FIN 48 requires that realization of an uncertain income tax position must be more likely than not (i.e., greater than 50% likelihood of receiving a benefit) before it can be recognized in the financial statements.
Further, this interpretation prescribes the benefit to be recorded in the financial statements as the amount most likely to be realized assuming a review by tax authorities having all relevant information and applying current conventions. Additionally, FIN 48 provides guidance on derecognition, income statement classification of interest and penalties, accounting in interim periods, disclosure, and transition. This interpretation is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2006. SABESP is currently evaluating the effect the application of FIN 48 will have on its financial statements.
In September 2006, the FASB issued Statement No. 157, Fair Value Measurements (SFAS 157). SFAS No.157 defines fair value, establishes a framework for measuring fair value in generally accepted accounting principles, and expands disclosures about fair value measurements. SFAS No. 157 is effective for financial statements issued for fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2007, and interim periods within those fiscal years. The transition adjustment, which is measured as the difference between the carrying amount and the fair value of those financial instruments at the date this statement is initially applied, should be recognized as a cumulative effect adjustment to the opening balance of retained earnings for the fiscal year in which this statement is initially applied. SABESP is currently evaluating the effect the application of SFAS No. 157 will have on its financial statements.
F-90
COMPANHIA DE SANEAMENTO BÁSICO DO ESTADO DE SÃO PAULO - SABESP |
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS |
AS OF AND FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2006, 2005 AND 2004 |
(Amounts in thousands of Brazilian reais-R$, unless otherwise stated) |
In September 2006, the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") issued Staff Accounting Bulletin 108, Considering the Effects on Prior Year Misstatements when Quantifying Misstatements in Current Year Financial Statements ("SAB 108"). SAB 108 requires registrants to quantify errors using both the income statement method (i.e. iron curtain method) and the rollover method and requires adjustment if either method indicates a material error. If a correction in the current year relating to prior year errors is material to the current year, then the prior year financial information needs to be corrected. A correction to the prior year results that are not material to those years would not require a restatement process where prior financials would be amended. SAB 108 is effective for fiscal years ending after November 15, 2006. The Company has assessed SAB 108 and has concluded that it did not have a material effect on its financial position, results of operations or cash flows.
In September 2006, the FASB issued SFAS No. 158, Employers Accounting for Defined Benefit Pension and Other Postretirement Plans an amendment of FASB Statements No. 87, 88, 106, and 132(R).
The SFAS 158 requires an employer to recognize the overfunded or underfunded status of a defined benefit postretirement plan (other than a multi-employer plan) as an asset or liability in its statement of financial position and to recognize changes in that funded status in the year in which the changes occur through comprehensive income of a business entity or changes in unrestricted net assets of a not-for-profit organization. This Statement also requires an employer to measure the funded status of a plan as of the date of its year-end statement of financial position, with limited exceptions.
Another requirement of the statement is that the employer must disclose in the notes to financial statements additional information about certain effects on net periodic benefit cost for the next fiscal year that arise from delayed recognition of the gains or losses, prior service costs or credits, and transition asset or obligation. An employer with publicly traded equity securities is required to initially recognize the funded status of a defined benefit postretirement plan and to provide the required disclosures as of the end of the fiscal year ending after December 15, 2006. The adoption of the pronouncement has impacted the SABESPs financial statements as presented on note 23.
F-91
COMPANHIA DE SANEAMENTO BÁSICO DO ESTADO DE SÃO PAULO - SABESP |
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS |
AS OF AND FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2006, 2005 AND 2004 |
(Amounts in thousands of Brazilian reais-R$, unless otherwise stated) |
In February 2007, the FASB issued SFAS No. 159 which provides reporting entities an option to report selected financial assets, including investment securities designated as available for sale, and liabilities, including most insurance contracts, at fair value. SFAS No. 159 establishes presentation and disclosure requirements designed to facilitate comparisons between companies that choose different measurement attributes for similar types of assets and liabilities. The standard also requires additional information to aid financial statement users understanding of a reporting entitys choice to use fair value on its earnings and also requires entities to display on the face of the balance sheet the fair value of those assets and liabilities for which the reporting entity has chosen to measure at fair value. SFAS No. 159 is effective as of the beginning of a reporting entitys first fiscal year beginning after November 15, 2007. Early adoption is permitted as of the beginning of the previous fiscal year provided the entity makes that choice in the first 120 days of that fiscal year and also elects to apply the provisions of SFAS No. 157. Because application of the standard is optional, any impacts are limited to those financial assets and liabilities to which SFAS No. 159 would be applied, which has yet to be determined, as is any decision concerning the early adoption of the standard.
F-92
COMPANHIA DE SANEAMENTO BÁSICO DO ESTADO DE SÃO PAULO - SABESP |
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS |
AS OF AND FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2006, 2005 AND 2004 |
(Amounts in thousands of Brazilian reais-R$, unless otherwise stated) |
24. ADDITIONAL DISCLOSURES REQUIRED UNDER US GAAP
(a) Pension and post-retirement benefits
(i) Pension plan - Plan G1
The Company sponsors a defined-benefit pension plan ("Plan G1"), which is operated and administered by SABESPREV. The status of this pension plan and the related actuarial assumptions presented in accordance with US GAAP are as follows:
2006 | 2005 | |||
Accumulated benefit obligation | ||||
Vested | 331,324 | 369,490 | ||
Non-vested | 669,684 | 270,764 | ||
Total | 1,001,008 | 640,254 | ||
Projected benefit obligation | 1,096,219 | 790,552 | ||
Fair value of plan assets | (812,909) | (678,185) | ||
Funded position | 283,310 | 112,367 | ||
Unrecognized net transition obligation | - | (29,082) | ||
Unrecognized net gains | 361,450 | 502,352 | ||
Accrued pension liability (SFAS Nº 87) | 644,760 | 585,637 | ||
Incremental Effect of Applying SFAS Nº 158 | (361.450) | - | ||
Accrued pension liability recorded in Balance | ||||
Sheet (SFAS Nº 158) | 283.310 | 585,637 | ||
2007(1) | 2006 | 2005 | 2004 | |||||||
Net periodic pension cost | ||||||||||
Service cost | 33,440 | 17,545 | 9,889 | 11,960 | ||||||
Interest cost | 131,848 | 93,270 | 91,886 | 93,991 | ||||||
Expected return on assets | (96,439) | (83,065) | (70,222) | (58,478) | ||||||
Amortization of transition obligation | 29,082 | 29,082 | 29,082 | |||||||
Amortization of actuarial gain | (22,687) | (29,092) | (26,341) | (17,484) | ||||||
Employee contributions | (12,925) | (15,410) | (13,752) | (13,754) | ||||||
Total net periodic pension cost | 33,237 | 12,330 | 20,542 | 45,317 | ||||||
Weighted-average assumptions | ||||||||||
Discount rate (nominal) | 12.3% | 12.3% | 12.3% |
F-93
COMPANHIA DE SANEAMENTO BÁSICO DO ESTADO DE SÃO PAULO - SABESP |
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS |
AS OF AND FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2006, 2005 AND 2004 |
(Amounts in thousands of Brazilian reais-R$, unless otherwise stated) |
Projected long-term inflation rate | 4.0% | 4.0% | 4.0% | |||
Expected return on plan assets | 12.1% | 12.1% | 12.1% | |||
Rate of compensation increase | 6.1% | 6.1% | 6.1% |
(1) Expected NPPC for 2007 according to the Actuarial Report.
The reconciliation of changes in the projected benefit obligation and the fair value of plan assets is as follows for the years ended December 31:
2006 | 2005 | 2004 | ||||
Change in projected benefit obligation | ||||||
At beginning of year | 790,552 | 760,015 | 774,126 | |||
Service cost | 17,545 | 9,889 | 11,960 | |||
Interest cost | 93,270 | 91,886 | 93,991 | |||
Actuarial (gain) loss | 225,373 | (40,978) | (93,546) | |||
Benefits paid | (30,521) | (30,260) | (26,516) | |||
At end of year | 1,096,219 | 790,552 | 760,015 | |||
Change in fair value of plan assets | ||||||
At beginning of year | 678,185 | 584,702 | 482,881 | |||
Actual return on plan assets | 138,444 | 98,667 | 104,015 | |||
Employer contributions | 11,391 | 11,324 | 10,298 | |||
Employee contributions | 15,410 | 13,752 | 14,024 | |||
Gross benefits paid | (30,521) | (30,260) | (26,516) | |||
At end of year | 812,909 | 678,185 | 584,702 | |||
Funded status | 283,310 | 112,367 | 175,313 | |||
Unrecognized actuarial gain | 361,450 | 502,352 | 459,269 | |||
Unrecognized net transition obligation | - | (29,082) | (58,164) | |||
Net amounts recognized in financial | ||||||
statements (SFAS Nº 87) | 644,760 | 585,637 | 576,418 | |||
Incremental Effect of Applying SFAS Nº 158 | (361,450) | - | - | |||
Net amounts recognized in financial | ||||||
statements (SFAS Nº 158) | 283,310 | 585,637 | 576,418 | |||
The date used to determine pension benefits was December 31, 2006.
The amortization of the unrecognized liability at transition is over 16 years commencing on January 1, 1990.
F-94
COMPANHIA DE SANEAMENTO BÁSICO DO ESTADO DE SÃO PAULO - SABESP |
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS |
AS OF AND FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2006, 2005 AND 2004 |
(Amounts in thousands of Brazilian reais-R$, unless otherwise stated) |
The expected long-term rate of return on plan assets was determined based on the weighted average estimated return of the plan assets, which includes equity securities, real state, loans and fixed income, based on information obtained from SABESPREV. This projected long-term rate includes the projected long-term inflation rate and takes into consideration such factors as projected future interest yield curves and economic projections available in the market.
The plans investment policies and strategies are aimed to reduce investment risk through diversification, considering such factors as the liquidity needs and funded status of plan liabilities, types and availability of financial instruments in the local market, general economic conditions and forecasts as well as requirements under local pension plan law. The plans asset allocation and external asset management strategies are determined with the support of reports and analyses prepared by SABESPREV and independent financial consultants. Under its current investment strategy, pension assets of the Company are allocated with a goal to achieve the following distribution:
Assets category | % | |
Equity securities | 17.1 | |
Real estate | 6.0 | |
Loans | 3.6 | |
Fixed income | 73.3 | |
Total | 100.00 |
Restrictions with respect to asset portfolio investments, in the case of federal government securities for internal management, are as follows:
Restrictions with respect to asset portfolio investments, in the case of variable-income securities for external management, are as follows
F-95
COMPANHIA DE SANEAMENTO BÁSICO DO ESTADO DE SÃO PAULO - SABESP |
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS |
AS OF AND FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2006, 2005 AND 2004 |
(Amounts in thousands of Brazilian reais-R$, unless otherwise stated) |
The weighted average actual asset allocations of Plan G1 at December 31 by asset category, are as follows for the years ended December 31:
% | ||||
Asset Category | 2006 | 2005 | ||
Equity securities | 13 | 15 | ||
Real estate | 6 | 6 | ||
Loan | 3 | - | ||
Fixed income | 78 | 79 | ||
Total | 100 | 100 | ||
Expected future benefit payments, which reflect expected future service as appropriate, under Plan G1 are as follows:
G1 Plan | ||
2007 | 52,044 | |
2008 | 57,825 | |
2009 | 64,273 | |
2010 | 70,711 | |
2011 | 77,509 | |
Years 2012-2021 | 1,032,647 | |
Total | 1,355,009 | |
The expected Companys contributions for 2007 amounts to R$ 12,624.
(ii) Pension plan - Plan G0
The Company is also co-obligor to a supplemental defined benefit pension plan ("Plan G0").
The status of the supplemental pension benefit plan and the related actuarial assumptions used in accordance with US GAAP are as follows:
2006 | 2005 | |||
Accumulated benefit obligation | ||||
Vested | 1,195,637 | 1,006,397 | ||
Non-vested | 1,299 | 83,681 | ||
Total | 1,196,936 | 1,090,078 | ||
Projected benefit obligation | 1,244,067 | 1,096,517 | ||
Funded position | 1,244,067 | 1,096,517 | ||
Unrecognized actuarial gain | (87.575) | 33,994 | ||
Accrued pension liability (SFAS Nº 87) | 1.156.492 | 1,130,511 | ||
Incremental Effect of Applying SFAS Nº 158 | 87,575 | - | ||
F-96
COMPANHIA DE SANEAMENTO BÁSICO DO ESTADO DE SÃO PAULO - SABESP |
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS |
AS OF AND FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2006, 2005 AND 2004 |
(Amounts in thousands of Brazilian reais-R$, unless otherwise stated) |
2006 | 2005 | |||
Accrued pension liability recorded in balance sheet | ||||
(SFAS Nº 158) | 1.244,067 | 1,130,511 | ||
2007(1) | 2006 | 2005 | 2004 | |||||
Net periodic pension cost | ||||||||
Service cost | 24 | 397 | 1,858 | 2,531 | ||||
Interest cost | 146,167 | 126,262 | 121,685 | 117,547 | ||||
Amortization of transition obligation | - | - | ||||||
Total net periodic pension cost | 146,191 | 126,659 | 123,543 | 120,078 | ||||
Weighted-average assumptions | ||||||||
Discount rate (nominal) | 12.3% | 12.3% | 12.3% | |||||
Projected long-term inflation rate | 4.0% | 4.0% | 4.0% | |||||
Rate of compensation increase | 6.1% | 6.1% | 6.1% |
(1) Expected NPPC for 2007 according to the Actuarial Report.
The reconciliation of changes in the projected benefit obligation is as follows:
Years Ended December 31, | ||||||
2006 | 2005 | 2004 | ||||
Change in projected benefit obligation | ||||||
At beginning of year | 1,096,517 | 1,034,285 | 997,534 | |||
Service cost | 397 | 1,858 | 2,531 | |||
Interest cost | 126,262 | 121,685 | 117,547 | |||
Actuarial (gain) loss | 121,568 | 34,975 | (397) | |||
Benefits paid | (100,677) | (96,286) | (82,930) | |||
At end of year | 1,244,067 | 1,096,517 | 1,034,285 | |||
Funded status | 1,244,067 | 1,096,517 | 1,034,285 | |||
Unrecognized actuarial gain | (87,575) | 33,994 | 68,968 | |||
Net amounts recognized in financial | ||||||
statements (SFAS Nº 87) | 1,156,492 | 1,130,511 | 1,103,253 | |||
Incremental Effect of Applying SFAS Nº 158 | 87,575 | - | - | |||
Net amounts recognized in financial | ||||||
statements (SFAS Nº 158) | 1,244,067 | 1,130,511 | 1,103,253 | |||
The date used to determine pension benefits was December 31, 2006.
F-97
COMPANHIA DE SANEAMENTO BÁSICO DO ESTADO DE SÃO PAULO - SABESP |
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS |
AS OF AND FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2006, 2005 AND 2004 |
(Amounts in thousands of Brazilian reais-R$, unless otherwise stated) |
The amortization of the unrecognized liability at transition was over 15 years commencing on January 1, 1988.
Expected future benefit payments, which reflect expected future service as appropriate, under Plan G0 are as follows:
G0 Plan | ||
2007 | 110,059 | |
2008 | 110,029 | |
2009 | 109,802 | |
2010 | 109,448 | |
2011 | 109,204 | |
Years 2012-2021 | 1,028,661 | |
Total | 1,577,203 | |
(iii) Effect of initial recognition of the provisions of SFAS 158:
Adjustment | ||||||
Before | After | |||||
Aplication | Unfunded | Aplication | ||||
of SFAS | Pension | of SFAS | ||||
158 | Plans | 158 | ||||
Total assets | 18,513,013 | - | 18,513,013 | |||
Accred Pension Obligation ST | ||||||
Plan G0 | - | 110,059 | 110,059 | |||
Accred Pension Obligation LT | ||||||
Plan G0 | 1,156,492 | (22,484) | 1,134,008 | |||
Plan G1 | 644,760 | (361,450) | 283,310 | |||
Deferred income tax - LT | 1,037,899 | 122,893 | 1,160,792 | |||
Total liabilities | 9,140,514 | (150,982) | 8,989,532 | |||
Accumulated other comprehensive income net of taxes | - | 150,982 | 150,982 | |||
Total stockholders equity | 7,147,182 | 150,982 | 7,298,164 |
(b) |
Other information |
(i) |
Concentration of labor in unions |
F-98
COMPANHIA DE SANEAMENTO BÁSICO DO ESTADO DE SÃO PAULO - SABESP |
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS |
AS OF AND FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2006, 2005 AND 2004 |
(Amounts in thousands of Brazilian reais-R$, unless otherwise stated) |
Approximately 70% of all the Companys employees are members of unions. The four main unions that represent the Companys employees are the Sindicato dos Trabalhadores em Água, Esgoto e Meio Ambiente de São PauloSINTAEMA, Sindicato dos Trabalhadores da Região Urbana de Santos, São Vicente, Baixada Santista, Litoral Sul e Vale RibeiraSINTIUS, the Sindicato dos Engenheiros do Estado de São PauloSEESP and the Sindicato dos Advogados de São PauloSASP. Every year the Company negotiates collective bargaining agreements, which establish the level of compensation and other benefits of the employees.
(ii) Law 11.445/07
On January 5, 2007, Law No. 11,445 was enacted to regulate the basic sanitation industry in Brazil. This law is in its initial stage of implementation and we cannot anticipate the effects that it will have on our operations and business. There are several uncertainties related to the new legislation, mainly with respect to the creation of the regulatory authority for the basic sanitation industry and the tariff adjustment formula and structure that will be used for new concession contracts that we enter into under the new law, which could have a material adverse effect on us.
F-99
COMPANHIA DE SANEAMENTO BÁSICO DO ESTADO DE SÃO PAULO - SABESP |
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS |
AS OF AND FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2006, 2005 AND 2004 |
(Amounts in thousands of Brazilian reais-R$, unless otherwise stated) |
25. SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION
(a) Statement of Cash Flow
The statement of cash flows reflects the Companys operating, investing and financing activities derived from accounting records prepared in accordance with Brazilian Corporate Law and has been presented in accordance with International Accounting Standards (IAS) No. 7 - Cash Flow Statements.
Year ended December 31, | ||||||
2006 | 2005 | 2004 | ||||
Cash flow from operating activities: | ||||||
Net income for the year | 778,905 | 865,647 | 513,028 | |||
Adjustments to reconcile net income: | ||||||
Deferred taxes and contributions | (8,473) | (32,470) | 340 | |||
Provisions for contingencies | 144,480 | 143,586 | 91,183 | |||
Reversal of provision for losses | (8,819) | |||||
Other provisions | 7,504 | |||||
Pension obligation | 60,070 | 68,665 | 89,906 | |||
Write-off of property, plant and equipment | 47,807 | 19,051 | 34,440 | |||
Write-off of deferred assets | 5,195 | 6,700 | ||||
Write-off of investments | 20 | 4,360 | ||||
Gain in the sale of fixed assets | (1,294) | |||||
Depreciation | 614,051 | 564,392 | 570,353 | |||
Amortization | 28,120 | 31,589 | 28,558 | |||
Interests calculated on loans and financing payable | 619,909 | 677,921 | 693,684 | |||
Interests, Monetary and foreign exchange variation | (8,380) | (226,573) | (101,718) | |||
Bad debt expense | 411,918 | 255,292 | 241,577 | |||
Changes in Working Capital: | ||||||
Customers accounts receivable | (458,824) | (359,894) | (413,886) | |||
Inventories | (12,851) | (6,466) | (7,296) | |||
Transactions with related parties | (151,343) | (250,530) | (271,604) | |||
Other assets | (66,412) | (15,288) | (20,639) | |||
Change in Liabilities: | ||||||
Suppliers | 50,176 | 8,950 | 4,613 | |||
Payroll and related charges | 60,416 | 10,061 | (28,066) | |||
Taxes and contributions Payable | (43,899) | (50,064) | 6,639 | |||
Contingencies | (79,801) | (13,921) | (4,416) | |||
Other obligations | 32,349 | 36,567 | 14,399 | |||
Cash flow from operating activities | 2,020,824 | 1,737,575 | 1,441,095 | |||
Cash flow from investment Activities: | ||||||
Purchase of property, plant and equipment | (842,454) | (638,372) | (649,402) | |||
Increase in intangibles | (12,630) | (4,748) | (25,824) | |||
Sale of property, plant and equipment | 7,837 | - | 176 | |||
Increase in deferred asset | (2,789) | (106) | (444) | |||
Net cash from in investment activities | (850,036) | (643,226) | (675,494) | |||
Cash flow from financing activities | ||||||
Loans and Financing | ||||||
Funds raised | 706,774 | 1,153,479 | 910,722 | |||
Repayments | (1,660,482) | (1,991,370) | (1,719,283) |
F-100
COMPANHIA DE SANEAMENTO BÁSICO DO ESTADO DE SÃO PAULO - SABESP |
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS |
AS OF AND FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2006, 2005 AND 2004 |
(Amounts in thousands of Brazilian reais-R$, unless otherwise stated) |
Year ended December 31, | ||||||
2006 | 2005 | 2004 | ||||
Payment of interest on shareholders equity | (169,047) | (81,842) | (132,496) | |||
Net cash used in financing activities | (1,122,755) | (919,733) | (941,057) | |||
Increase in cash and cash equivalents | 48,033 | 174,616 | (175,456) | |||
Cash and cash equivalents at the beginning of the year | 280,173 | 105,557 | 281,013 | |||
Cash and cash equivalents at the end of the year | 328,206 | 280,173 | 105,557 | |||
Supplementary cash flow information: | ||||||
Interests and fees paid on loans and financings | 637,989 | 701,641 | 701,261 | |||
Income tax and social contribution paid | 404,272 | 359,826 | 129,973 | |||
Non - cash transactions | ||||||
Property, plant and equipment received as donations | 27,870 | 13,529 | 14,552 |
26. SEGMENT INFORMATION
The Company has two identifiable reportable segments: (i) water supply systems; and (ii) sewage collection systems. The chief operating decision maker uses these two segments to analyse the Company and uses income from operations before financial expenses, net as a measure of segment profit or loss.
Total assets by segment is not readily available, and therefore not regularly provided to, nor reviewed by the Companys chief operating decision maker. However, total property, plant and equipment by segment is readily available and reviewed regularly by the Companys chief operating decision maker to make decisions about resource allocations and to measure performance. As such, management believes that total property, plant and equipment is a relevant measure for its operating segments and is disclosed by segment in Note 8.
Year Ended December 31, 2006 | ||||||
Water | Sewage | |||||
system | system | Consolidated | ||||
Gross revenue from sales and services | 3,093,122 | 2,530,796 | 5,623,918 | |||
Gross sales revenue wholesale | 265,298 | 1,870 | 267,168 | |||
Other sales and services | 60,738 | 32,188 | 92,926 | |||
3,419,158 | 2,564,854 | 5,984,012 | ||||
Taxes on sales and services | (241,885) | (214,794) | (456,679) | |||
F-101
COMPANHIA DE SANEAMENTO BÁSICO DO ESTADO DE SÃO PAULO - SABESP |
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS |
AS OF AND FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2006, 2005 AND 2004 |
(Amounts in thousands of Brazilian reais-R$, unless otherwise stated) |
Net revenue from sales and services | 3,177,273 | 2,350,060 | 5,527,333 | |||
Cost of sales and services and operating | ||||||
expenses | (2,460,178) | (1,263,178) | (3,723,356) | |||
Income from operations before financial | ||||||
expenses, net | 717,095 | 1,086,882 | 1,803,977 | |||
Year Ended December 31, 2006 | ||||||||
Common | ||||||||
assets and | ||||||||
concession | ||||||||
Water | Sewage | assets | ||||||
system | System | acquired | Consolidated | |||||
Depreciation and amortization charges | ||||||||
BR CL | (361,675) | (280,496) | - | (642,171) | ||||
US GAAP | (411,959) | (319,493) | - | (731,452) | ||||
Additions to property, plant and | ||||||||
equipment | ||||||||
BR CL | 349,708 | 430,305 | 24,934 | 804,947 | ||||
US GAAP | 349,708 | 453,949 | 24,934 | 828,591 |
Year Ended December 31, 2005 | ||||||
Water | Sewage | |||||
system | system | Consolidated | ||||
Gross revenue from sales and services | 2,771,633 | 2,256,857 | 5,028,490 | |||
Gross sales revenue wholesale | 241,209 | - | 241,209 | |||
Other sales and services | 57,034 | 29,593 | 86,627 | |||
3,069,876 | 2,286,450 | 5,356,326 | ||||
Taxes on sales and services | (213,394) | (189,569) | (402,963) | |||
Net revenue from sales and services | 2,856,482 | 2,096,881 | 4,953,363 | |||
Cost of sales and services and operating | ||||||
expenses | (2,205,146) | (1,058,644) | (3,263,790) | |||
F-102
COMPANHIA DE SANEAMENTO BÁSICO DO ESTADO DE SÃO PAULO - SABESP |
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS |
AS OF AND FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2006, 2005 AND 2004 |
(Amounts in thousands of Brazilian reais-R$, unless otherwise stated) |
COMPANHIA DE SANEAMENTO BÁSICO DO ESTADO DE SÃO PAULO - SABESP
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2006, 2005 AND 2004
(Amounts in thousands of Brazilian reais-R$, unless otherwise indicated)
Income from operations before financial | ||||||
expenses, net | 651,336 | 1,038,237 | 1,689,573 |
Year Ended December 31, 2005 | ||||||||
Common | ||||||||
assets and | ||||||||
concession | ||||||||
Water | Sewage | assets | ||||||
system | System | acquired | Consolidated | |||||
Depreciation and amortization charges | ||||||||
BR CL | (336,450) | (259,531) | - | (595,981) | ||||
US GAAP | (392,449) | (302,728) | - | (695,177) | ||||
Additions to property, plant and | ||||||||
equipment | ||||||||
BR CL | 301,815 | 345,426 | 30,995 | 678,236 | ||||
US GAAP | 301,815 | 376,560 | 30,995 | 709,370 |
Year Ended December 31, 2004 | ||||||
Water | Sewage | |||||
system | system | Consolidated | ||||
Gross revenue from sales and services | 2,396,159 | 1,939,971 | 4,336,130 | |||
Gross sales revenue wholesale | 217,378 | - | 217,378 | |||
Other sales and services | 60,931 | 28,052 | 88,983 | |||
2,674,468 | 1,968,023 | 4,642,491 | ||||
Taxes on sales and services | (133,494) | (111,925) | (245,419) | |||
Net revenue from sales and services | 2,540,974 | 1,856,098 | 4,397,072 | |||
Cost of sales and services and operating | ||||||
expenses | (2,051,911) | (1,017,546) | (3,069,457) | |||
Income from operations before financial | ||||||
expenses, net | 489,063 | 838,552 | 1,327,615 | |||
Year Ended December 31, 2004 | ||||||||
Common | ||||||||
F-103
COMPANHIA DE SANEAMENTO BÁSICO DO ESTADO DE SÃO PAULO - SABESP |
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS |
AS OF AND FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2006, 2005 AND 2004 |
(Amounts in thousands of Brazilian reais-R$, unless otherwise stated) |
assets and | ||||||||
concession | ||||||||
Water | Sewage | assets | ||||||
system | System | acquired | Consolidated | |||||
Depreciation and amortization charges | ||||||||
BR CL | (333,200) | (265,711) | - | (598,911) | ||||
US GAAP | (380,346) | (303,308) | - | (683,654) | ||||
Additions to property, plant and | ||||||||
equipment | ||||||||
BR CL | 207,651 | 336,545 | 56,707 | 600,903 | ||||
US GAAP | 207,651 | 359,437 | 56,707 | 623,795 |
F-104
COMPANHIA DE SANEAMENTO BÁSICO DO ESTADO DE SÃO PAULO - SABESP |
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS |
AS OF AND FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2006, 2005 AND 2004 |
(Amounts in thousands of Brazilian reais-R$, unless otherwise stated) |
27. SUBSEQUENT EVENT
Program Contract with the Municipality of Lins.
Federal Law nr. 11,107 of April 2006 created the Program Contract as the legal instrument to the set up of obligations related to the transfer of public services between the entities of the Federation. This new juridical model is called associated management. The cooperation agreement is the juridical instrument able to discipline the associated management of public services, according to the provisions of article 241 of the Federal Constitution.
Thus, authorized by the cooperation agreement between the municipality of Lins and the State of São Paulo, Sabesp formalized, in January 26, 2007, the program contract with this municipality, which objective is the provision of services of water supply and sanitary sewage for 30 years, being extendable for an equal period. By the agreement, it is attributable to the State of São Paulo, through the Secretary of Sanitation and Energy, to establish the targets and define the basic sanitation policy in the State of São Paulo, incorporating the specific targets expected for the Municipality. The compensation system of the services will be by means of tariff, to be set up by the Municipality and it shall be revised, when necessary, to insure the economic-financial balance of the contract.
All assets and rights pre-existing to the contract as well as those acquired during its term integrate the services of water supply and sanitary sewage. The pre-existing amounts invested by Sabesp referring to the assets reversible by force of the concession contract terminated in 2005 remain as its property and they shall be indemnified by the municipality, in case of extinction of the present contract, when the assets will be transferred to the municipality and, then, the amount of indemnification, at the time of extinction, shall be set up. The new reversible assets shall be amortized within the period of the contract and they shall be indemnified by the municipality to Sabesp, in case of the extinction of the contract before it matures.
Grouping of Shares
The Board of Directors, in its meeting on March 30, 2007, approved the proposal for submission to the Annual Shareholders Meeting, to take place on April 30, 2007, the Grouping of Shares. On June 4, 2007, the shares were grouped in the proportion of 125 (one hundred twenty five) shares to 1 (one) share. The capital stock is represented by 227,836,623 common nominative and scriptural shares, without par value, remaining unchanged Sabesps capital stock.
Simultaneously to the grouping operation, the American Depositary Receits (ADRs) started to be traded in the proportion of 2 (two) shares to each ADR.
28. RESTATEMENT OF PREVIOUSLY ISSUED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Cash and cash equivalents
Subsequent to the issuance of the financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2005, management determined that certain investments included in exclusive investment funds that were previously classified as cash equivalents under Brazilian GAAP should not have been classified as cash equivalents under US GAAP, since the investments have original maturities of over 90 days. Cash flows from investing activities in Note 23 have been restated to correct this classification. These reclassifications had no impact on shareholders equity or net income for the periods presented. Under US GAAP, the summary of the effects of these restatements is as follows:
F -105
COMPANHIA DE SANEAMENTO BÁSICO DO ESTADO DE SÃO PAULO - SABESP |
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS |
AS OF AND FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2006, 2005 AND 2004 |
(Amounts in thousands of Brazilian reais-R$, unless otherwise stated) |
2005 | 2004 | 2003 | ||||||||||
Previously | Previously | Previously | ||||||||||
reported | Restated | reported | Restated | reported | Restated | |||||||
Cash and cash equivalents under | ||||||||||||
US GAAP | 280,173 | 124,390 | 105,557 | 49,589 | 281,013 | 116,457 | ||||||
Short-term investments | - | 155,783 | - | 55,968 | - | 164,556 | ||||||
Cash from operating activities | ||||||||||||
under US GAAP | 1,737,575 | 1,637,760 | 1,441,095 | 1,549,683 | ||||||||
Increase/(decrease) in cash and | ||||||||||||
cash equivalents under US GAAP | 174,616 | 74,801 | 48,033 | (66,868) |
F - 106