Note 12—Equity
Dividend Payments
The following table summarizes the quarterly dividends declared by the Company during the three months ended March 31, 2023 (in thousands, except per share amounts):
Declaration Date | | Dividend Per Share | | | Aggregate Dividend Amount | | | Record Date | | Payment Date |
| | | | | |
|
|
|
|
| |
Series 2012-A Preferred Stock ("Preferred Stock") |
January 12, 2023 | | $ | 0.1594 | | | $ | 157 | | | February 7, 2023 | | February 15, 2023 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Class A Common Stock and Class B Common Stock
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
February 9, 2023 |
| $ | 0.0750 |
|
| $ | 1,951 |
|
| February 21, 2023 |
| March 1, 2023 |
In the year ended December 31, 2022, the Company accrued Additional Dividends of $0.5301 per share on its Preferred Stock, equal to $0.5 million in the aggregate in respect of the GRE results of operations through December 31, 2022, which the Company expects to pay in May 2023.
On April 17, 2023, the Company’s Board of Directors declared aggregate dividends of $0.6895 per share on its the Preferred Stock, consisting of a quarterly Base Dividend of $0.1594 per share for the first quarter of 2023, and Additional Dividends of $0.5301 per share in respect of the GRE results of operations during the year ended December 31, 2022 as discussed above. The dividend will be paid on or about May 15, 2023 to stockholders of record as of the close of business May 5, 2023 and to the holders of Preferred Stock that was redeemed by the Company in the three months ended March 31, 2023.
On May 3, 2023, the Company’s Board of Directors declared a quarterly dividend of $0.0750 per share on its Class A common stock and Class B common stock for the first quarter of 2023. The dividend will be paid on or about May 31, 2023 to stockholders of record as of the close of business on May 20, 2023.
The Delaware General Corporation Law allows companies to declare dividends out of “Surplus,” which is calculated by deducting the par value of the company’s stock from the difference between total assets and total liabilities. The Company has elected to record dividends declared against accumulated deficit.
Stock Repurchases and Redemption; Treasury Shares
On March 11, 2013, the Board of Directors of the Company approved a program for the repurchase of up to an aggregate of 7.0 million shares of the Company’s Class B common stock. There were no purchases under this program in the three months ended March 31, 2023 or 2022. At March 31, 2023, 4.7 million shares of Class B common stock remained available for repurchase under the stock repurchase program.
As of March 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022, there were 2.7 million outstanding shares of Class B common stock held in the Company's treasury, respectively, with a cost of $19,175 million and $19.0 million, respectively, at a weighted average cost per share of $7.05.and $7.03, respectively.
On February 7, 2022, the Board of Directors of the Company authorized a program to redeem up to $1.0 million per quarter of the Company's Preferred Stock at the liquidation preference of $8.50 per share beginning in the second quarter of 2022. In the three months ended March 31, 2023, the Company redeemed 117,647 Preferred Stock under this program for an aggregate amount of $1.0 million. There was no redemption under this program in the three months ended March 31, 2022.
On April 17, 2023, the Company's Board of Directors approved the redemption of 117,647 shares of outstanding Preferred Stock on May 15, 2023 (the "Redemption Date") at a price of $8.50 per share equivalent to approximately $1.0 million in the aggregate, together with an amount equal to all dividends accrued and unpaid up to, but not including, the Redemption Date.
On May 3, 2022, the Board of Directors authorized the redemption of $2.0 million of the Company's Preferred Stock during the second quarter of 2022, which the Company redeemed on June 13, 2022.
Warrants to Purchase Class B Common Stock
On June 8, 2018, the Company sold to Howard S. Jonas, the Chairman of the Company’s Board of Directors and then the holder of the controlling portion of the Company's common stock, shares of the Company’s Class B common stock and warrants to purchase an additional 1,048,218 shares of the Company’s Class B common stock at an exercise price of $4.77 per share for an aggregate exercise price of $5.0 million. The warrants will expire in June 2023. In addition, on June 12, 2018, the Company sold to a third-party investor treasury shares of the Company’s Class B common stock for an aggregate sales price of $1.0 million and warrants to purchase an additional 209,644 shares of the Company’s Class B common stock at an exercise price of $4.77 per share, for an aggregate exercise price of $1.0 million.
In May 2022, a holder of warrants exercised warrants to purchase 209,644 shares of Class B common stock warrants through a cashless exercise and the Company issued 72,657 common shares with the remaining 136,987 warrants being cancelled in payment of the exercise price.
As of March 31, 2023, there were outstanding warrants to purchase 1,048,218 shares of the Company’s Class B common stock at $4.77 per share, all of which will expire in June 2023.
Purchase of Equity of Subsidiaries
In November 2022, the Company purchased from a certain employee 5.1% and 2.3% interests in Lumo Finland and Lumo Sweden, respectively, by issuing 123,302 shares of the Company's Class B restricted common stock, which will ratably vest on a bi-annual basis between May 2023 and up to May 2025.
Stock-Based Compensation
The Company’s 2011 Stock Option and Incentive Plan (as amended, the "2011 Plan") is intended to provide incentives to executives, employees, directors and consultants of the Company. Incentives available under the Plan include stock options, stock appreciation rights, limited rights, deferred stock units, and restricted stock. The 2011 Plan expired in 2021 and no new grants are to be issued thereunder, however, outstanding grants are not impacted by the expiration of the plan.
On March 8, 2021, the Board of Directors adopted the Company 2021 Stock Option and Incentive Plan (the "2021 Plan"), subject to the approval of the Company's stockholders. In May 2021, the 2021 Plan became effective and replaced the 2011 Plan. Similar to the 2011 Plan, the 2021 Plan provides incentives to executives, employees, directors and consultants of the Company. Incentives available under the 2021 Plan include stock options, stock appreciation rights, limited stock appreciation rights, deferred stock units, and restricted stock. The Plan is administered by the Compensation Committee of the Company’s Board of Directors. The maximum number of shares reserved for the grant of awards under the 2021 Plan is 1.0 million shares of Class B Common Stock.
In February 2022, the Company granted certain employees and members of its Board of Directors an aggregate of 290,000 deferred stock units which will vest in two tranches contingent upon the achievement of a specified thirty-day average closing price of the Company's Class B common stock within a specified period of time (the "2022 market conditions") and the satisfaction of service-based vesting conditions. Each deferred stock unit entitles the recipient to receive, upon vesting, up to two shares of Class B common stock of the Company depending on market conditions. The Company used a Monte Carlo simulation model to estimate the grant-date fair value of the awards. Assumptions and estimates utilized in the model include the risk-free interest rate, dividend yield, expected stock volatility based on a combination of the Company’s historical stock volatility. In the second quarter of 2022, the 2022 market conditions were partially achieved and the Company issued 290,000 shares of its restricted Class B common stock. In February 2023, the remaining portion of the 2022 market conditions was achieved and, subject to amending the Company's 2021 Stock Option and Incentive Plan to reserve additional shares for issuance thereunder, the Company will issue an additional 290,000 restricted shares of its Class B common stock. The restricted shares to be issued will be subject to service-based vesting conditions as described above.
As of March 31, 2023, there were approximately $2.9 million of total unrecognized stock-based compensation costs related to outstanding and unvested equity-based grants. These costs are expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of approximately 1.2 years.
The following information should be read in conjunction with the accompanying consolidated financial statements and the associated notes thereto of this Quarterly Report, and the audited consolidated financial statements and the notes thereto and our Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations contained in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2022, as filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (or SEC).
As used below, unless the context otherwise requires, the terms “the Company,” “Genie,” “we,” “us,” and “our” refer to Genie Energy Ltd., a Delaware corporation, and its subsidiaries, collectively.
Forward-Looking Statements
This Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, including statements that contain the words “believes,” “anticipates,” “expects,” “plans,” “intends,” and similar words and phrases. These forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from the results projected in any forward-looking statement. In addition to the factors specifically noted in the forward-looking statements, other important factors, risks and uncertainties that could result in those differences include, but are not limited to, those discussed below under Part II, Item IA and under Item 1A to Part I “Risk Factors” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2022. The forward-looking statements are made as of the date of this report and we assume no obligation to update the forward-looking statements, or to update the reasons why actual results could differ from those projected in the forward-looking statements. Investors should consult all of the information set forth in this report and the other information set forth from time to time in our reports filed with the SEC pursuant to the Securities Act of 1933 and the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, including our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2022.
Overview
We are comprised of Genie Retail Energy ("GRE") and Genie Renewables. In the third quarter of 2022, we discontinued the operations of Lumo Finland and Sweden as discussed below. Following this discontinuance of operations, Genie Retail Energy International ("GRE International") ceased to be a segment and the remaining assets and liabilities and results of any continuing operations of GRE International were combined with corporate.
GRE owns and operates retail energy providers ("REPs"), including IDT Energy, Residents Energy, Town Square Energy ("TSE"), Southern Federal and Mirabito Natural Gas. GRE's REPs' businesses resell electricity and natural gas primarily to residential and small business customers, with the majority of the customers in the Eastern and Midwestern United States and Texas.
Genie Renewables holds a 95.5% interest in Genie Solar, a solar energy company, a 92.8% interest in CityCom Solar, a marketer of community solar energy solutions, a 96.0% interest in Diversegy, a broker for commercial customers, and a 60.0% interest in Prism Solar Solar Technology ("Prism"), a solar solutions company that is engaged in manufacturing of solar panels, solar installation design and solar energy project management.
As part of our ongoing business development efforts, we seek out new opportunities, which may include complementary operations or businesses that reflect horizontal or vertical expansion from our current operations. Some of these potential opportunities are considered briefly and others are examined in further depth. In particular, we seek out acquisitions to expand the geographic scope and size of our REP businesses.
Discontinued Operations in Finland and Sweden
As a result of continued volatility in the energy market in Europe, in the third quarter of 2022, we decided to discontinue the operations of Lumo Energia Oyj ("Lumo Finland") and Lumo Energi AB ("Lumo Sweden"). From July 13, 2022 to July 19, 2022, the Company entered into a series of transactions to sell most of the electricity swap instruments held by Lumo Sweden for a gross aggregate amount of €41.1 million (equivalent to approximately $41.4 million at the dates of the transactions) before fees and other costs. The sale price is to be settled monthly based on the monthly commodity volume specified in the instruments from September 2022 to March 2025. The net book value of the instruments sold was €34.2 million (equivalent to $35.8 million).
In July 2022, Lumo Sweden entered into a transaction to transfer, effective August 5, 2022, its customers to a third party for nominal consideration. In August 2022 Lumo Finland entered in a transaction to transfer its variable rate customers to a third party for €$1.9 million (equivalent to $2.0 million), and transferred the fixed rate customers to other utilities with no considerations.
We determined that exiting Finland and Sweden markets represented a strategic shift that would have a major effect on our operations and accordingly, presented the results of operations and related cash flows as discontinued operations for all periods presented. The assets and liabilities of the discontinued operations have been presented separately, and are reflected within assets and liabilities from discontinued operations in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets as of March 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022. Lumo Finland and Lumo Sweden will continue to liquidate their remaining receivables and settle any remaining liabilities.
In November 2022, Lumo Finland declared bankruptcy and the administration of Lumo Finland was transferred to an administrator (the "Lumo Administrator"). All assets and liabilities of Lumo Finland remain with Lumo Finland, in which Genie retains its interest, however, the management and control of Lumo Finland were transferred to the Lumo Administrator. Since the Company lost control of the management of Lumo Finland in favor of the Lumo Administrator, the accounts of Lumo Finland were deconsolidated effective November 9, 2022.
On November 3, 2022, we acquired additional minority interests in Lumo Finland and Lumo Sweden from an employee for 132,302 of our restricted Class B common stock, which will vest ratably from November 2022 to May 2025. We increased our interest in Lumo Finland from 91.6% to 96.6% and increased from 97.1% to 100% in Lumo Sweden.
Net loss from discontinued operations of Lumo Finland and Lumo Sweden, net of taxes was $0.2 million and $1.9 million for the three months ended March 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively.
Following the discontinuance of operations of Lumo Finland and Lumo Sweden, GRE International ceased to be a segment and the remaining assets and liabilities and results of continuing operations of GRE International were combined with corporate.
Discontinued Operations in United Kingdom
In 2021, the natural gas and energy market in the United Kingdom deteriorated which prompted us to suspend the then contemplated spin-off of our international operations and start the process of orderly withdrawal from the U.K. market. In October 2021, as part of the orderly exit process from the U.K. market, Orbit Energy Limited ("Orbit"), a REP that used to operate in the U.K., and Shell U.K. Limited ("Shell") agreed to terminate the exclusive supply contract between them. As part of the termination agreement, Orbit was required to unwind all physical forward hedges with Shell which resulted in net cash proceeds after settlement of all related liabilities with Shell. A portion of the net cash proceeds was transferred to us (see Note 5, Discontinued Operations and Divestiture, to our financial statements included elsewhere in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q).
Following the termination of the contract between Orbit and Shell, we filed a petition with the High Court of Justice Business and Property of England and Wales (the “Court”) to declare Orbit insolvent based on the Insolvency Act of 1986. On November 29, 2021, the Court declared Orbit insolvent based on the Insolvency Act of 1986, revoked Orbit's license to supply electricity and natural gas in the United Kingdom, ordered that Orbit's current customers be transferred to a “supplier of last resort” and transferred the administration of Orbit to Administrators effective December 1, 2021. All of the customers of Orbit were transferred to a third-party supplier effective December 1, 2021 as ordered by the Court. All assets and liabilities of Orbit, including cash and receivables remain with Orbit, the management and control of which was transferred to Administrators.
We determined that exiting the United Kingdom represented a strategic shift that would have a major effect on our operations and accordingly, presented the results of operations and related cash flows as discontinued operations for all periods presented. The assets and liabilities of the discontinued operations have been presented separately, and are reflected within assets and liabilities from discontinued operations in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets as of March 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022.
Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19)
Starting in the first quarter 2020, the world and the United States experienced the unprecedented impact of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic.
The COVID-19 pandemic has impacted our business, however, as we progressed through 2022 and have entered 2023, our service territories have reopened, and we expect the impacts of the pandemic will be less severe than in prior years. This was the case in the three months period ended March 31, 2023. COVID-19 pandemic has affected and may continue to affect our results of operations, financial conditions and cash flows in the future.
There are many uncertainties regarding the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, and we are closely monitoring those impacts on all aspects of our business, including how it will impact our customers, employees, suppliers, vendors and business partners.
Genie Retail Energy
GRE operates REPs that resell electricity and/or natural gas to residential and small business customers in Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Texas, Rhode Island, and Washington, D.C. GRE’s revenues represented approximately 96.3% and 97.6% of our consolidated revenues in the three months ended March 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively.
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Seasonality and Weather; Climate Change and Volatility in Pricing
The weather and the seasons, among other things, affect GRE’s REPs' revenues. Weather conditions have a significant impact on the demand for natural gas used for heating and electricity used for heating and cooling. Typically, colder winters increase demand for natural gas and electricity, and hotter summers increase demand for electricity. Milder winters and/or summers have the opposite effects. Unseasonable temperatures in other periods may also impact demand levels. Potential changes in global climate may produce, among other possible conditions, unusual variations in temperature and weather patterns, resulting in unusual weather conditions, more intense, frequent and extreme weather events and other natural disasters. Some climatologists believe that these extreme weather events will become more common and more extreme, which will have a greater impact on our operations. Natural gas revenues typically increase in the first quarter due to increased heating demands and electricity revenues typically increase in the third quarter due to increased air conditioning use. Approximately 39.7% and 44.5% of GRE’s natural gas revenues for the relevant years were generated in the first quarter of 2022 and 2021 respectively, when demand for heating was highest. Although the demand for electricity is not as seasonal as natural gas (due, in part, to usage of electricity for both heating and cooling), approximately 30.5% and 30.3% of GRE’s electricity revenues for 2022 and 2021 respectively, were generated in the third quarters of those years. GRE's REP's revenues and operating income are subject to material seasonal variations, and the interim financial results are not necessarily indicative of the estimated financial results for the full year.
In addition to the direct physical impact that climate change may have on our business, financial condition and results of operations because of the effect on pricing, demand for our offerings and/or the energy supply markets, we may also be adversely impacted by other environmental factors, including: (i) technological advances designed to promote energy efficiency and limit environmental impact; (ii) increased competition from alternative energy sources; (iii) regulatory responses aimed at decreasing greenhouse gas emissions; and (iv) litigation or regulatory actions that address the environmental impact of our energy products and services.
Purchase of Receivables and Concentration of Credit Risk
Utility companies offer purchase of receivable, or POR, programs in most of the service territories in which GRE operates. GRE’s REPs reduce their customer credit risk by participating in POR programs for a majority of their receivables. In addition to providing billing and collection services, utility companies purchase those REPs’ receivables and assume all credit risk without recourse to those REPs. GRE’s REPs’ primary credit risk is therefore nonpayment by the utility companies. In the three months ended March 31, 2023 the associated cost was approximately 0.9% of GRE revenue. At March 31, 2023, 83.8% of GRE’s net accounts receivable were under a POR program. Certain of the utility companies represent significant portions of our consolidated revenues and consolidated gross trade accounts receivable balance during certain periods, and such concentrations increase our risk associated with nonpayment by those utility companies.
The following table summarizes the percentage of consolidated trade receivable by customers that equal or exceed 10.0% of consolidated net trade receivables at March 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022 (no other single customer accounted for 10.0% or greater of our consolidated net trade receivable as of March 31, 2023 or December 31, 2022).
|
| March 31, 2023 |
|
| December 31, 2022 |
|
Customer A | |
| 10.9 | % | |
| 10.2 | % |
Customer B |
|
| 11.0 |
|
|
| na |
|
na—less than 10.0% of consolidated net trade receivables
The following table summarizes the percentage of revenues by customers that equal or exceed 10.0% of consolidated revenues for the March 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022 (no other single customer accounted for 10.0% or greater of our consolidated revenues for the March 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022):
|
|
| Three Months Ended September 30 |
|
|
| 2023
|
|
| 2022
|
|
Customer A
|
|
| na | % |
|
| 10.4 | % |
na—less than 10.0% of consolidated revenue in the period
Legal Proceedings
Although GRE endeavors to maintain best sales and marketing practices, such practices have been the subject of class action lawsuits in the past.
See Note 18, Commitments and Contingencies, in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, which is incorporated by reference.
Agency and Regulatory Proceedings
From time to time, the Company responds to inquiries or requests for information or materials from public utility commissions or other governmental regulatory or law enforcement agencies related to investigations under statutory or regulatory schemes. The Company cannot predict whether any of those matters will lead to claims or enforcement actions or whether the Company and the regulatory parties will enter into settlements before a formal claim is made. See Notes 18, Commitments and Contingencies, in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, which is incorporated by reference, for further detail on agency and regulatory proceedings.
State of Connecticut Public Utilities Regulatory Authority
Residents Energy
In August of 2020, Residents Energy began marketing retail energy services in Connecticut. For the year ended December 31, 2021 Residents Energy's gross revenues from sales in Connecticut was $0.2 million. During the fourth quarter of 2020, the enforcement division of the State of Connecticut Public Utilities Regulatory Authority ("PURA") contacted Residents Energy concerning customer complaints received in connection with alleged door-to-door marketing activities in violation of various rules and regulations. On March 12, 2021, the enforcement division filed a motion against Resident Energy with the adjudicating body of PURA, seeking the assessment of $1.5 million in penalties, along with a suspension of license for eighteen months, auditing of marketing practices upon reinstatement and an invitation for settlement discussions.
In May 2021, the parties reached a settlement, pursuant to which Residents will pay $0.3 million. Residents Energy has also volunteered to withdraw from the market in Connecticut for a period of 36 months.
Critical Accounting Policies
Our consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes are prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America, or U.S. GAAP. Our significant accounting policies are described in Note 1 to the consolidated financial statements included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2022. The preparation of financial statements requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses as well as the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities. Critical accounting policies are those that require the application of management’s most subjective or complex judgments, often as a result of matters that are inherently uncertain and may change in subsequent periods. Our critical accounting policies include those related to revenue recognition, allowance for doubtful accounts, acquisitions, goodwill, and income taxes. Management bases its estimates and judgments on historical experience and other factors that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances. Actual results may differ from these estimates under different assumptions or conditions. For additional discussion of our critical accounting policies, see our Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2022.
Recently Issued Accounting Standards
Information regarding new accounting pronouncements is included in Note 20—Recently Issued Accounting Standards, to the current period’s consolidated financial statements.
Results of Operations
We evaluate the performance of our operating business segments based primarily on income (loss) from operations. Accordingly, the income and expense line items below income (loss) from operations are only included in our discussion of the consolidated results of operations.
Three Months Ended March 31, 2023 Compared to Three Months Ended March 31, 2022
Genie Retail Energy Segment
| | Three months ended March 31, | | Change | |
(amounts in thousands) | | 2023 | | | 2022 | | | $ | | | % | |
Revenues: | | | | | | | | | | | |
Electricity | | $ | 74,487 | | | $ | 59,380 | | | $ | 15,107 | | | | 25.4 | % |
Natural gas | | | 26,925 | | | | 24,504 | | | | 2,421 | | | | 9.9 | |
Total revenues | | | 101,412 | | | | 83,884 | | | | 17,528 | | | | 20.9 | |
Cost of revenues | | | 68,874 | | | | 37,301 | | | | 31,573 |
| | | 84.6 |
|
Gross profit | | | 32,538 | | | | 46,583 | | | | (14,045 | ) | | | (30.2 | ) |
Selling, general and administrative expenses | | | 16,093 | | | | 16,407 | | | | (314 | ) | | | (1.9 | ) |
Income from operations | | $ | 16,445 | | | $ | 30,176 | | | $ | (13,731 | ) | | | (45.5 | )% |
Revenues. Electricity revenues increased by 25.4% in the three months ended March 31, 2023 compared to the same period in 2022. The increase was due to increases in electricity consumption and the average price per kilowatt hour charged to customers in the three months ended March 31, 2023 compared to the same period in 2022. Electricity consumption by GRE’s REPs' customers increased by 4.5% in the three months ended March 31, 2023, compared to the same period in 2022, reflecting a 16.2% increase in the average number of meters served partially offset by a 10.1% decrease in average consumption per meter. Electricity consumption per meter decreased in the three months ended March 31, 2023 due to milder weather conditions in our service areas compared to the same period in 2022. The increase in meters served was driven by a restart of customer acquisition efforts. The average rate per kilowatt hour sold increased 20.1% in the three months ended March 31, 2023 compared to the same period in 2022 due to increases in the average wholesale price of electricity.
GRE’s natural gas revenues increased by 9.9% in the three months ended March 31, 2023 compared to the same period in 2022. The increase in natural gas revenues in the three months ended March 31, 2023 compared to the same period in 2022 was a result of an increase in average revenue per therm sold partially offset by a slight decrease in natural gas consumption. The average revenue per therm sold increased by 10.8% in the three months ended March 31, 2023, compared to the same period in 2022. Natural gas consumption by GRE’s REPs’ customers decreased by 0.8% in the three months ended March 31, 2023 compared to the same period in 2022, reflecting an 8.1% decrease in average consumption per meter partially offset by 7.9% increase in average meters served in the three months ended March 31, 2023 compared to the same period in 2022.
The customer base for GRE’s REPs as measured by meters served consisted of the following:
(in thousands) | | March 31, 2023 | | | December 31, 2022 | | | September 30, 2022 | | | June 30, 2022 | | | March 31, 2022 | |
Meters at end of quarter: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Electricity customers | | 271 | | | | 196 | | | | 193 | | | | 203 | | | | 209 | |
Natural gas customers | | 78 | | | | 79 | | | | 77 | | | | 77 | | | | 77 | |
Total meters | | 349 | | | | 275 | | | | 270 | | | | 280 | | | | 286 | |
Gross meter acquisitions in the three months ended March 31, 2023, were 129,000 compared to 44,000 for the same period in 2022. The increase in the gross meter acquisitions for the three months ended March 31, 2023 compared to the same period in 2022 was due to a “strategic pause” on certain customer acquisition channels that started in the fourth quarter 2021. In the first quarter of 2023, we resumed customer acquisition activities using a variety of new channels.
Meters served increased by 74,000 meters or 26.9% from December 31, 2022 to March 31, 2023. Meters served increased by 63,000 meters or 22.0% from March 31, 2022 to March 31, 2023. The increases in the number of meters served at March 31, 2023 compared to December 31, 2022 and March 31, 2022 was due to the resumption of customer acquisition activities as discussed above. In the three months ended March 31, 2023, average monthly churn increased to 4.4% compared to 4.5% for same period in 2022.
The average rates of annualized energy consumption, as measured by RCEs, are presented in the chart below. An RCE represents a natural gas customer with annual consumption of 100 mmbtu or an electricity customer with annual consumption of 10 MWh. Because different customers have different rates of energy consumption, RCEs are an industry standard metric for evaluating the consumption profile of a given retail customer base.
(in thousands) | | March 31, 2023 | | | December 31, 2022 | | | September 30, 2022 | | | June 30, 2022 | | | March 31, 2022 | |
RCEs at end of quarter: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Electricity customers | | 276 | | | | 181 | | | | 174 | | | | 185 | | | | 182 | |
Natural gas customers | | 77 | | | | 81 | | | | 77 | | | | 77 | | | | 78 | |
Total RCEs | | 353 | | | | 262 | | | | 251 | | | | 262 | | | | 260 | |
RCEs increased 35.8% at March 31, 2023 compared to March 31, 2022. RCEs increased by 34.7% at March 31, 2023 compared to December 31, 2022. The increase is due to the resumption of customer acquisition activities as discussed above.
Cost of Revenues and Gross Margin Percentage. GRE’s cost of revenues and gross margin percentage were as follows:
| | Three Months Ended March 31, | | | Change | |
(amounts in thousands) | | 2023 | | | 2022 | | | $ | | | % | |
Cost of revenues: | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Electricity | | $ | 45,766 | | | $ | 25,197 | | | $ | 20,569 | | | | 81.6 | % |
Natural gas | | | 23,108 | | | | 12,104 | | | | 11,004 | | | | 90.9 | |
Total cost of revenues | | $ | 68,874 | | | $ | 37,301 | | | $ | 31,573 | | | | 84.6 | % |
| | Three months ended March 31, |
(amounts in thousands) | | 2023 | | | 2022 | | | Change |
Gross margin percentage: | | | | | | | | | | | |
Electricity | | 38.6 | % | | | 57.6 | % | | | (19.0 | )% |
Natural gas | | 14.2 | | | | 50.6 |
| | | (36.4 | ) |
Total gross margin percentage | | 32.1 | % | | | 55.5 | % | | | (23.4 | )% |
Cost of revenues for electricity increased in the three months ended March 31, 2023 compared to the same period in 2022 primarily because of increases in electricity consumption by GRE’s REPs’ customers and the average unit cost of electricity. The average unit cost of electricity increased 73.9% in the three months ended March 31, 2023 compared to the same period in 2022. The significant increase is due to a rise in the wholesale price of electricity during the three months ended March 31, 2023 compared to the same period in 2022. The gross margin on electricity sales decreased in the three months ended March 31, 2023 compared to the same period in 2022 because the average rate charged to customers increased less than the increase in the average unit cost of electricity.
Cost of revenues for natural gas increased in the three months ended March 31, 2023 compared to the same period in 2022 primarily because of increases in natural gas consumption by GRE's REPs' customers and in the average unit cost of natural gas. The average unit cost of natural gas increased by 92.5% per therm in the three months ended March 31, 2023 compared to the same period in 2022. The significant increase is due to a rise in the wholesale price of natural gas during the three months ended March 31, 2023 compared to the same period in 2022. Gross margin on natural gas sales decreased in the three months ended March 31, 2023 compared to the same period in 2022 because the average rate charged to customers increased less than the increase in the average unit cost of natural gas.
Selling, General and Administrative. The decrease in selling, general and administrative expenses in the three months ended March 31, 2023 compared to the same period in 2022 was primarily due to decreases in employee-related costs and POR program fees, partially offset by an increase in marketing and customer acquisition cost. Employee-related expenses decreased by $0.5 million in the three months ended March 31, 2023 compared to the same period in 2022 primarily due to a decrease in accrued bonuses as a result of a decrease in the income from operations of GRE. Marketing and customer acquisition expenses increased by $0.3 million in the three months ended March 31, 2023 compared to the same period in 2022 as a result of an increase in the number of meters acquired. POR program fees decreased by $0.1 million in the three months ended March 31, 2023 compared to the same period in 2022 as a result of changes in rates implemented by several utilities. As a percentage of GRE’s total revenues, selling, general and administrative expense increased from 19.6% in the three months ended March 31, 2022 to 15.9% in the three months ended March 31, 2023.
Genie Renewables Segment
The Genie Renewables (formerly GES) segment is composed of Genie Solar, CityCom Solar, Diversegy and Prism. Genie Solar is an integrated solar energy company. CityComm Solar is a marketer of community solar energy solutions. Diversegy provides energy brokerage and advisory services to commercial customers. Prism provides solar and manufacturing of solar panels, solar installation design and solar energy project management.
| | Three Months Ended March 31, | | | Change | |
|
(amounts in thousands) | | 2023 | | | 2022 | | | $ | | | % | |
|
Revenues | | $ | 3,864 | | | $ | 2,042 | | | $ | 1,822 | | | | 89.2 | % |
|
Cost of revenue | | | 3,116 | | | | 1,518 | | | | 1,598 | | | | 105.3 | |
|
Gross profit | | | 748 | | | | 524 | | | | 224 | | | | 42.7 | |
|
Selling, general and administrative expenses | | | 1,896 | | | | 1,003 | | | | 893 | | | | 89.0 | |
|
Loss from operations | | $ | (1,148 | ) | | $ | (479 | ) | | $ | 669 | | | | 139.7 | % |
|
Revenue. Genie Renewables' revenues increased in the three months ended March 31, 2023 compared to the same period in 2022. The increase in revenues was the result of increases in revenues from commissions from selling third-party products to customers by CityCom Solar and revenues from Diversegy that includes commissions, entry fees and other fees from our energy brokerage and marketing services businesses.
Cost of Revenues. Cost of revenue increased in the three months ended March 31, 2023 compared to the same period in 2022. The increase in the cost of revenues reflects the increase in revenues of CityCom Solar and Diversegy.
Selling, General and Administrative. Selling, general and administrative expenses increased in the three months ended March 31, 2023 compared to the same period in 2022 primarily due to increases in headcount in Genie Solar and Diversegy and consulting fees and warehousing costs at Genie Solar.
Corporate
As discussed above, the remaining accounts of GRE International were transferred to corporate starting in the third quarter of 2022. Entities under corporate do not generate any revenues, nor does it incur any cost of revenues. Corporate costs include unallocated compensation, consulting fees, legal fees, business development expense and other corporate-related general and administrative expenses.
| | Three Months Ended March 31, | | | Change | |
|
(amounts in thousands) | | 2023 | | | 2022 | | | $ | | | % | |
|
General and administrative expenses and loss from operations | | $ | (4,022 | ) | | $ | (2,735 | ) | | $ | 1,287 | | | | 47.1 | % |
|
Corporate general and administrative expenses increased in the three months ended March 31, 2023 compared to the same period in 2022 primarily because of increase in employee related cost. As a percentage of our consolidated revenues, Corporate general and administrative expense increased to 3.8% in the three months ended March 31, 2023 from 3.2% in the three months ended March 31, 2022.
Consolidated
Selling, general and administrative expenses. Stock-based compensation expense included in consolidated selling, general and administrative expense was $0.9 million in each of the three months ended March 31, 2023 and 2022. At March 31, 2023, the aggregate unrecognized compensation cost related to non-vested stock-based compensation was $4.1 million. The unrecognized compensation cost is recognized over the expected service period.
The following is a discussion of our consolidated income and expense line items below income from operations:
| | Three Months Ended March 31, | | | Change | |
|
(amounts in thousands) | | 2023 | | | 2022 | | | $ | | | % | |
|
Income from operations | | $ | 11,275 | | | $ | 26,962 | | | $ | (15,687 | ) | | | (58.2 | )% |
|
Interest income | | | 974 | | | | 17 | | | | 957 | | | | nm | |
|
Interest expense | | | (19 | ) | | | (50 | ) | | | (31 | ) | | | (62.0 | ) |
|
Other income (loss), net | | | 3,246 | | | | (498 | ) | | | 3,744 | | | | nm | |
|
Loss on marketable equity securities and investments | | | (71 | ) | | | (652 | ) | | | (581 | ) | | | (89.1 | ) |
|
Provision for benefit from income taxes | | | (4,068 | ) | | | (7,112 | ) | | | (3,044 | ) | | | (42.8 | ) |
|
Net income from continuing operations | | | 11,337 | | | | 18,667 | | | | (7,330 | ) | | | (39.3 | ) |
|
Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax | | | 3,055 | | | | (1,932 | ) | | | 4,987 | | | | 258.1 | |
|
Net income | | | 14,392 | | | | 16,735 | | | | (2,343 | ) | | | (14.0 | ) |
|
Net loss attributable to noncontrolling interests | | | (39 | ) | | | (1,154 | ) | | | (1,115 | ) | | | (96.6 | ) |
|
Net income attributable to Genie Energy Ltd. | | $ | 14,431 | | | $ | 17,889 | | | $ | (3,458 | ) | | | (19.3 | )% |
|
nm—not meaningful
Interest income. Interest income increased in the three months ended March 31, 2023, compared to the same period in 2022 primarily due to increases in average cash and cash equivalents during the period and significant increases in average effective interest rates on those balances.
Other Income (Loss), net. Other income (loss), net in the three months ended March 31, 2023 consisted primarily of on-time tax credit related to payroll taxes incurred in prior years. Other income (loss), net in the three months ended March 31, 2023 also includes net equity in net income of equity methods investees. Other income (loss), net in the three months ended March 31, 2022 consisted primarily of foreign currency transactions and equity in net loss in equity method investees.
Provision for Income Taxes. The change in the reported tax rate for the three months ended March 31, 2023 compared to the same periods in 2022, is the result of changes in the mix of jurisdiction in which taxable income was earned.
Net Loss Attributable to Noncontrolling Interests. The decrease in net loss attributable to noncontrolling interests in the three months ended March 31, 2023 compared to the same periods in 2022 was primarily due to a decrease in the share of noncontrolling interest in the net income of Lumo Sweden and Lumo Finland as well as a decrease in losses incurred by Citizens Choice Energy.
Loss on Marketable Equity Securities and Investments. The loss on marketable equity securities and investment for the three months ended March 31, 2023 pertains to the change in fair value of the Company's investments in common stock of Rafael Holdings, Inc. ("Rafael") which the Company acquired in December 2020. As discussed above, we sold a large portion of our holdings in the common stock of Rafael in the first quarter of 2023.
Income (Loss) from Discontinued Operations, net of tax. Income from discontinued operations, net of tax in the three months ended March 31, 2023 is mainly from an increase in the estimated value of our investments in Orbit and foreign exchange gain in Lumo Sweden. Loss from discontinued operations, net of tax in the three months ended March 31, 2022 is mainly due to results of operations of Lumo Finland and Lumo Sweden.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
General
We currently expect that our cash flow from operations and the $105.2 million balance of unrestricted cash and cash equivalents that we held at March 31, 2023 will be sufficient to meet our currently anticipated cash requirements for at least the period to May 9, 2024.
At March 31, 2023, we had working capital (current assets less current liabilities) of $142.4 million.
| | Three Months Ended March 31, | |
| | 2023 | | | 2022 | |
| | (in thousands) | |
Cash flows provided by (used in): | | | | | | |
Operating activities | | $ | 1,520 |
| | $ | 18,199 | |
Investing activities | | | (4,162 | ) | | | (1,628 | ) |
Financing activities | | | (3,273 | ) | | | (2,375 | ) |
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash | | | (10 | ) | | | 27 | |
Increase in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash of continuing operations |
|
| (5,925 | ) |
|
| 14,223 | |
Cash flows provided by (used in) discontinued operations |
|
| 9,714 | |
|
| (21,691 | ) |
Net increase (decrease) in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash | | $ | 3,789 | | | $ | (7,468 | ) |
Operating Activities
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash provided by operating activities of continuing operations was $1.5 million in the three months ended March 31, 2023 compared to net cash used in operating activities of continuing operations of $18.2 million in the three months ended March 31, 2022. The decrease is primarily the fluctuation in the results of operations in the three months ended March 31, 2023 compared to the same period in 2022.
Our cash flow from operations varies significantly from quarter to quarter and from year to year, depending on our operating results and the timing of operating cash receipts and payments, specifically trade accounts receivable and trade accounts payable. Changes in assets and liabilities decreased cash flows by $9.0 million for the three months ended March 31, 2023, compared to the same period in 2022.
Certain of GRE's REPs are party to an Amended and Restated Preferred Supplier Agreement with BP Energy Company, or BP, which is to be in effect through November 30, 2023. Under the agreement, the REPs purchase electricity and natural gas at market rate plus a fee. The obligations to BP are secured by a first security interest in deposits or receivables from utilities in connection with their purchase of the REP’s customer’s receivables, and in any cash deposits or letters of credit posted in connection with any collateral accounts with BP. The ability to purchase electricity and natural gas under this agreement is subject to satisfaction of certain conditions including the maintenance of certain covenants. At March 31, 2023, we were in compliance with such covenants. At March 31, 2023, restricted cash—short-term of $0.6 million and trade accounts receivable of $63.1 million were pledged to BP as collateral for the payment of trade accounts payable to BP of $14.2 million at March 31, 2023.
We had purchase commitments of $132.5 million at March 31, 2023, of which $114.8 million was for purchases of electricity.
From time to time, we receive inquiries or requests for information or materials from public utility commissions or other governmental regulatory or law enforcement agencies related to investigations under statutory or regulatory schemes, and we respond to those inquiries or requests. We cannot predict whether any of those matters will lead to claims or enforcement actions.
Investing Activities
Our capital expenditures were $0.1 million for each of the three months ended March 31, 2023 and 2022. We currently anticipate that our total capital expenditures in the twelve months ending December 31, 2023 will be between $15.0 to $20.00 million mostly related to the solar projects of Genie Renewables.
In 2020 and 2021, we invested an aggregate of $6.0 million for 261,984 shares of Class B common stock of Rafael Holdings, Inc. ("Rafael"). Rafael, a publicly-traded company, that is also a related party. We do not exercise significant influence over the operating or financial policies of Rafael. In the three months ended March 31, 2023, we sold 195,501 shares of our Class B common stock of Rafael for $0.3 million. At March 31, 2023, the carrying value of the remaining investments in the Class B common stock of Rafael was $0.1 million.
In the three months ended March 31, 2023, we invested $4.6 million to purchase the common stock of a publicly traded company. At March 21, 2023, the carrying value of our investments in the marketable equity securities was $4.6 million.
In March 2023, the Company received $0.1 million from Atid 613 Drilling Ltd. ("Atid 613") for the full settlement of its investment in Atid 613. The Company recognized a minimal gain from settlement of investment included in other income (loss), net in its consolidated statements of operations for the three months ended March 31, 2023.
In the three months ended March 31, 2022, we acquired minimal interests in various ventures for an aggregate amount of investments of $0.2 million.
On February 21, 2022, we entered into a Loan and Security Agreement to extend up to 5.5 million New Israel Shekel, or NIS (equivalent to $1.5 million as at March 31, 2023) with Natan Ohayon (the "Ohayon Loan"). Natan Ohayon holds a minority interest in Petrocycle Ltd ("Petrocycle"), a subsidiary of the Company. Petrocycle is a preoperating entity engaged in the development of a process to recycle used engine oil into usable gasoline. The Ohayon Loan, which is secured by all assets that Mr. Ohayon acquired using the proceeds of the loan bears a minimum interest as set by the Income Tax Regulations of Israel (3.23% in 2022) and is due, together with the principal amount on or before December 31, 2023. In December 2022, the Company suspended the development of business operations of Petrocycle after it was determined that the current operations will not meet the expected results. Petrocycle provided full impairment of its property and equipment and notes and other receivables from its minority interest partner for an aggregate amount of $2.1 million.
In the fourth quarter of 2021, Orbit transferred to GEIC a net amount of $49.7 million from the proceeds of the settlement of the contract with Shell which is included in cash and cash equivalents in the consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 2021. In January 2022, we transferred $21.5 million to the Administrators of Orbit to fund the settlement of the expected remaining liabilities of Orbit of $30.8 million, which were included in the current liabilities of discontinued operations in the consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 2021. In February 2022, we deposited $28.3 million into an attorney trust account to hold, preserve, and dispense funds to the extent needed in connection with the administration process. On February 24, 2022, the Administrators filed a petition under Chapter 15 of the U.S. Bankruptcy Code with the Bankruptcy Court of the Southern District of New York seeking (i) recognition of the U.K. administration proceeding as a foreign main proceeding and the U.K. Administrators as its foreign representatives, and (ii) entrusting distribution of the funds the Company deposited into its attorney’s trust fund to the U.K. Administrators. In the second quarter of 2022, the Administrators filed an application to transfer the funds back to the Administrators’ control in the U.K. Subject to certain representations and expectations regarding use and application of the funds to efficiently and expeditiously pay off creditors and bring a timely close to the insolvency administration, we decided not to oppose the application, and the Court transferred the $28.3 million to the Administrator. In August 2022, the Administrator paid the Company a partial return of its interest in Orbit of £4.6 million (equivalent to $5.4 million). In the three months ended March 31, 2023, the Administrator paid a partial return of its interest in Orbit of £0.4 million (equivalent to $0.5 million). We believe that the funds are more than sufficient to pay any remaining creditors of Orbit (with any surplus, which we expect to be significant, to be returned to us).
Financing Activities
In the three months ended March 31, 2023 and 2022, we paid aggregate quarterly Base Dividends of $0.1594 per share of our 2021-A Preferred Stock or Preferred Stock. We paid $0.2 million and $0.4 million for the three months ended March 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively. On April 17, 2023, our Board of Directors declared aggregate dividends of $0.6895 per share on the Preferred Stock, consisting of a quarterly Base Dividend of $0.1594 per share for the first quarter of 2023, and Additional Dividends of $0.5301 per share in respect of the GRE results of operations during the year ended December 31, 2022. The dividend will be paid on or about May 15, 2023 to stockholders of record as of the close of business May 5, 2023 and to the holders of Preferred Stock that we redeemed in the three months ended March 31, 2023.
In the three months ended March 31, 2023 and 2022, we paid aggregate quarterly dividends of $0.075 per share to stockholders of our Class A common stock and Class B common stock. The Company paid $2.0 million and $1.9 million for the three months ended March 31, 2023 and 2022. On May 3, 2023, our Board of Directors declared a quarterly dividend of $0.075 per share on our Class A common stock and Class B common stock. The dividend will be paid on or about May 31, 2023 to stockholders of record as of the close of business on May 20, 2023.
On March 11, 2013, our Board of Directors approved a program for the repurchase of up to an aggregate of 7.0 million shares of our Class B common stock. There were no repurchases under this program in the three months ended March 31, 2023 and 2022. At March 31, 2023, 4.7 million shares of Class B common stock remained available for repurchase under the stock repurchase program.
On February 7, 2022, our Board of Directors of the Company authorized a program to redeem up to $1.0 million per quarter of our Preferred Stock at the liquidation preference of $8.50 per share beginning in the second quarter of 2022. In the three months ended March 31, 2023, the Company redeemed 117,647 Preferred Stock under the stock purchase program for an aggregate amount of $1.0 million.
On April 17, 2023,the Company's Board of Directors approved the redemption of 117,647 shares of outstanding Preferred Stock on May 15, 2023 (the "Redemption Date") at a price of $8.50 per share equivalent to approximately $1.0 million, together with an amount equal to all dividends accrued and unpaid up to, but not including, the Redemption Date.
On December 13, 2018, we entered into a Credit Agreement with JPMorgan Chase Bank (“Credit Agreement”). On December 27, 2022, the Company entered into the third amendment of its existing Credit Agreement to extend the maturity date of December 31, 2023. The aggregate principal amount was reduced to $3.0 million credit line facility (“Credit Line”). The Company pays a commitment fee of 0.1% per annum on the unused portion of the Credit Line as specified in the Credit Agreement. The borrowed amounts will be in the form of letters of credit which will bear interest of 1.0% per annum. The Company will also pay a fee for each letter of credit that is issued equal to the greater of $500 or 1.0% of the original maximum available amount of the letter of credit. We agreed to deposit cash in a money market account at JPMorgan Chase Bank as collateral for the line of credit equal to $3.1 million. As of March 31, 2023, there is no issued letter of credit from the Credit Line. At March 31, 2023, the cash collateral of $3.8 million was included in restricted cash—short-term in the consolidated balance sheet.
In the three months ended March 31, 2023, we paid $0.2 million to repurchase 15,986 shares of our Class B common stock of our Class B common stock tendered by our employees and an officer to satisfy tax withholding obligations in connection with the lapsing of restrictions on awards of restricted stock. Such shares were repurchased by us based on their fair market value on the trading day immediately prior to the vesting date.
Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements
We do not have any “off-balance sheet arrangements,” as defined in relevant SEC regulations that are reasonably likely to have a current or future effect on our financial condition, results of operations, liquidity, capital expenditures or capital resources, other than the following. GRE has performance bonds issued through a third party for the benefit of certain utility companies and for various states in order to comply with the states’ financial requirements for retail energy providers. At March 31, 2023, the Company had outstanding aggregate performance bonds of $14.9 million and a minimal amount of unused letters of credit.