Note 12—Equity
Dividend Payments
The following table summarizes the quarterly dividends declared by the Company during the nine months ended September 30, 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 |
April 17, 2023 |
|
| 0.6895 |
|
|
| 370 |
|
| May 5, 2023 |
| May 15, 2023 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Class A Common Stock and Class B Common Stock
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
February 9, 2023 |
| $ | 0.0750 |
|
| $ | 1,951 |
|
| February 21, 2023 |
| March 1, 2023 |
May 3, 2023 |
|
| 0.0750 |
|
|
| 1,958 |
|
| May 20, 2023 |
| May 31, 2023 |
August 3, 2022 |
|
| 0.0750 |
|
|
| 2,055 |
|
| August 14, 2023 |
| August 21, 2023 |
In the year ended December 31, 2022, the Company accrued Additional Dividends on its Preferred Stock of $0.5301 per share outstanding as of May 5, 2023, equal to $0.5 million in the aggregate, in respect of GRE's results of operations through December 31, 2022. The Company paid these Additional Dividends in May 2023.
On November 1, 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 second quarter of 2023. The dividend will be paid on or about November 21, 2023 to stockholders of record as of the close of business on November 13, 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 and nine months ended September 30, 2023 or in the three months ended September 30, 2022. In the nine months ended September 30, 2022, the Company acquired 639,393 Class B common stock under the stock purchase program for an aggregate amount of $4.4 million. At September 30, 2023, 4.7 million shares of Class B common stock remained available for repurchase under the stock repurchase program.
As of September 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022, there were 2.9 million and 2.7 million outstanding shares of Class B common stock held in the Company's treasury, respectively, with a cost of $22.5 million and $19.0 million, respectively, at a weighted average cost per share of $7.63 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 nine months ended September 30, 2023, the Company redeemed 235,294 shares of Preferred Stock under this program for an aggregate amount of $2.0 million.
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, and on June 13, 2022 redeemed 235,294 Preferred Stock for an aggregate amount of $2.0 million.
On May 16, 2023, the Company's Board of Directors approved the redemption of all outstanding Preferred Stock on June 16, 2023 (the "Redemption Date") at the liquidation preference of $8.50 per share, together with an amount equal to all dividends accrued and unpaid up to, but not including, the Redemption Date. On the Redemption Date, the Company completed the redemption of 748,064 shares of Preferred Stock for an aggregate amount of $6.5 million and the related accrued dividends of $0.1349 per share equivalent to $0.1 million. Following the redemption, there are no shares of Preferred Stock outstanding, all rights of Preferred Stockholders have terminated, and the Preferred Stock’s ticker symbol, "GNEPRA", has been retired.
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. In June 2023, the holders of these warrants exercised the warrants to purchase 1,048,218 shares of Class B common stock warrants for $5.0 million.
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, the holder of these warrants exercised the 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 September 30, 2023, there were no outstanding warrants to purchase shares of the Company's common stock.
Exercise of Stock Options
In May 2023, Howard S. Jonas exercised options to purchase 256,818 shares of Class B common stock through a cashless exercise and the Company issued 98,709 Class B common stock to Howard S. Jonas with the remaining 158,109 Class B Common used for payment of the exercise price or retained by the Company to satisfy withholding tax obligations in connection to the exercise of the options.
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's 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. The 2021 Plan provides incentives to executives, employees, directors and consultants of the Company. Incentives available under the 2021 Plan provides for grants of 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. on May 10, 2023, the Company's stockholders approved an amendment to the 2021 Plan that, among other things, increased the number of shares of the Company’s Class B common stock available for the grant of awards thereunder by 0.5 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 the Company will issue an additional 290,000 restricted shares of its Class B common stock in May 2023. The restricted shares issued are subject to service-based vesting conditions as described above.
As of September 30, 2023, there were approximately $1.7 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 1.0 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, an integrated solar energy company that develops, constructs and operates solar energy projects for commercial and industrial customers as well as its own portfolio, a 92.8% interest in CityCom Solar, a marketer of alternative products and services complementary to our energy offerings, a 96.0% interest in Diversegy, an energy broker for commercial customers, and a 60.0% interest in Prism 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, presents the results of operations and related cash flows as discontinued operations for all periods. The assets and liabilities of the discontinued operations are presented separately and reflected within assets and liabilities from discontinued operations in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets as of June 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022. Lumo Finland and Lumo Sweden are continuing 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 ownership 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 $0.3 million and $1.5 million for the three months ended September 30, 2023 and 2022, respectively. Net income from discontinued operations of Lumo Finland and Lumo Sweden, net of taxes was $0.5 million and $25.9 million for the three months ended September 30, 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.
In October 2023, we Company received notice from the Lumo Administrators of recovery claims against (i) Lumo Sweden pertaining to the distribution of the proceeds related to Lumo Sweden's swap instruments, and (ii) the Company based on a guarantee provided to a third party. We dispute these claims, have engaged counsel and intend to vigorously defend against the claims. At this time, there is insufficient basis to deem any loss probable or to assess the amount of any possible loss.
Discontinued Operations in the 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 United Kingdom, 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 the discontinued operations of Orbit represented a strategic shift that would have a major effect on our operations and accordingly, presents the results of operations and related cash flows as discontinued operations for all periods. The assets and liabilities of the discontinued operations are presented separately and reflected within assets and liabilities from discontinued operations in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets as of September 30, 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 our service territories have reopened, we expect the impacts of the pandemic will be less severe than in 2020-2021, as was the case in the three and nine months ended September 30, 2023.
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. We cannot predict how COVID-19 pandemic may affect our results of operations, financial conditions and cash flows in the future.
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 96.2% of our consolidated revenues for each of the three and nine months ended September 30, 2023, respectively and 98.3% and 96.9% of our consolidated revenues in the three and nine months ended September 30, 2022, respectively.
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 and nine months ended September 30, 2023 the associated cost was approximately 0% of GRE revenue and approximately 1.2% for the three and six months ended September 30, 2022, respectively. At September 30, 2023, 85.7% 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 receivables by customers that equal or exceed 10.0% of consolidated net trade receivables at September 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022 (no other single customer accounted for 10.0% or greater of our consolidated net trade receivable as of September 30, 2023 or December 31, 2022).
|
| September 30, 2023 |
|
| December 31, 2022 |
|
Customer A | |
| 21.9 | % | |
| na | % |
Customer C |
|
| 11.7 |
|
|
| 10.2 |
|
na—less than10.0% of consolidated net trade receivables at the relevant date
The following table summarizes the percentage of revenues by customers that equal or exceed 10.0% of consolidated revenues for the three and six months ended September 30, 2023 or 2022 (no other single customer accounted for 10.0% or greater of our consolidated revenues for the three and six months ended September 30, 2023 or 2022):
|
|
| Three Months Ended September 30, |
|
|
| Nine Months Ended September 30, |
|
|
| 2023
|
|
| 2022
|
|
|
| 2023 |
|
|
| 2022 |
|
Customer A
|
|
| 24.1 | % |
|
| na | % |
|
| 17.4 | % |
|
| na | % |
Customer B |
|
| na |
|
|
| 11.6 |
|
|
| na |
|
|
| na |
|
Customer C |
|
| na |
|
|
| 11.4 |
|
|
| 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.
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 and Nine Months Ended September 30, 2023 Compared to Three and Nine Months Ended September 30, 2022
Genie Retail Energy Segment
| | Three months ended September 30, |
| | Change | |
| Nine months ended September 30,
|
|
| Change |
|
(amounts in thousands) | | 2023 | | | 2022 | | | $ | | | % | |
| 2023
|
|
| 2022
|
|
| $
|
|
| % |
|
Revenues: | | | | | | | | | | | |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Electricity | | $ | 114,002 | | | $ | 73,764 | | | $ | 40,238 | | | | 54.5 | % |
| $ | 268,688 |
|
| $ | 186,207 |
|
| $ | 82,481 | |
|
| 44.3 | % |
Natural gas | | | 4,990 | | | | 6,153 | | | | (1,163 | ) | | | (18.9 | ) |
|
| 40,890 |
|
|
| 40,754 |
|
|
| 136 | |
|
| 0.3 | |
Others |
|
| 1,321 |
|
|
| — |
|
|
| 1,321 |
|
|
| nm |
|
|
| 1,880 |
|
|
| — |
|
|
| 1,880 |
|
|
| nm |
|
Total revenues | | | 120,313 | | | | 79,917 | | | | 40,396 | | | | 50.5 | |
|
| 311,458 |
|
|
| 226,961 |
|
|
| 84,497 | |
|
| 37.2 | |
Cost of revenues | | | 79,484 | | | | 36,689 | | | | 42,795 | | | | 116.6 | |
|
| 200,613 |
|
|
| 108,148 |
|
|
| 92,465 | |
|
| 85.5 | |
Gross profit | | | 40,829 | | | | 43,228 | | | | (2,399 | ) | | | (5.5 | ) |
|
| 110,845 |
|
|
| 118,813 |
|
|
| (7,968 | ) |
|
| (6.7 | ) |
Selling, general and administrative expenses | | | 18,831 | | | | 15,813 | | | | 3,018 | | | | 19.1 | |
|
| 53,983 |
|
|
| 46,809 |
|
|
| 7,174 | |
|
| 15.3 | |
Income from operations | | $ | 21,998 | | | $ | 27,415 | | | $ | (5,417 | ) | | | (19.8 | ) |
| $ | 56,862 |
|
| $ | 72,004 |
|
| $ | (15,142 | ) |
|
| (21.0) | % |
Revenues. Electricity revenues increased by 54.5% in the three months ended September 30, 2023 compared to the same period in 2022. The increase was due to an increase in electricity consumption partially offset by a decrease in the average price per kilowatt hour charged to customers in the three months ended September 30, 2023 compared to the same period in 2022. Electricity consumption by GRE’s REPs' customers increased by 72.7% in the three months ended September 30, 2023, compared to the same period in 2022, reflecting a 53.2% increase in the average number of meters served and a 12.8% increase in average consumption per meter. The increase in meters served was driven by strong customer acquisitions during 2023 which had been reduced during 2022. The increase in per meter consumption is due to warmer weather in the three months ended September 30, 2023 compared to the same period in 2022. The average rate per kilowatt hour sold decreased 10.5% in the three months ended September 30, 2023 compared to the same period in 2022 due to a decrease in the average wholesale price of electricity.
Electricity revenues increased by 44.3% in the nine months ended September 30, 2023 compared to the same period in 2022. The increase was due to increases in electricity consumption and the average price charged per kilowatt hour charged to customers in the nine months ended September 30, 2023 compared to the same period in 2022. Electricity consumption by GRE’s REPs' customers increased by 42.5% in the nine months ended September 30, 2023, compared to the same period in 2022. The increase in electricity consumption reflected a 38.0% increase in the average number of meters served and a 3.3% increase in average consumption per meter. The increase in meters served was driven by strong customer acquisition efforts during 2023. Electricity consumption per meter increased in the nine months ended September 30, 2023 due to warmer weather conditions in our service areas compared to the same period in 2022. The average rate per kilowatt hour sold increased 1.3% in the nine months ended September 30, 2023 compared to the same period in 2022 due to an increase in the wholesale price of electricity in the nine months ended September 30, 2023 compared to the same period in 2022.
GRE’s natural gas revenues decreased by 18.9% in the three months ended September 30, 2023 compared to the same period in 2022. The decrease was a result of a decrease in average revenue per therm sold partially offset by an increase in natural gas consumption. The average revenue per therm sold decreased by 21.0% in the three months ended September 30, 2023, compared to the same period in 2022. The decrease in revenue per therm was driven by an increase in the portion of the customer base consisting of commercial customers with fixed rates compared to customers with variable rates in the three months ended September 30, 2023 compared to the same period in 2022. Natural gas consumption by GRE’s REPs’ customers increased by 2.7% in the three months ended September 30, 2023 compared to the same period in 2022, reflecting a 5.2% increase in average meters served in the three months ended September 30, 2023 compared to the same period in 2022 partially offset by a 2.4% decrease in average consumption per meter.
GRE’s natural gas revenues increased by 0.3% in the nine months ended September 30, 2023 compared to the same period in 2022. The increase was a result of an increase in average revenue per therm sold partially offset by a decrease in natural gas consumption. The average revenue per therm sold increased by 2.6% in the nine months ended September 30, 2023, compared to the same period in 2022 due to an increase in the wholesale price of natural gas in the nine months ended September 30, 2023 compared to the same period in 2022. Natural gas consumption by GRE’s REPs’ customers decreased by 2.2% in the nine months ended September 30, 2023 compared to the same period in 2022, reflecting a 13.5% decrease in average consumption per meter in the nine months ended September 30, 2023 compared to the same period in 2022, partially offset by 13.5% increase in average meters served. The increase in meters served was driven by a strong customer acquisition efforts during 2023.
Other revenues in the three and nine months ended September 30, 2023 included revenues from the sale of petroleum products in Israel.
The customer base for GRE’s REPs as measured by meters served consisted of the following:
(in thousands) | | September 30, 2023 | | | June 30, 2023 | | | March 31, 2023 | | | December 31, 2022 | | | September 30, 2022 | |
Meters at end of quarter: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Electricity customers | | 304 | | | | 301 | | | | 271 | | | | 196 | | | | 193 | |
Natural gas customers | | 81 | | | | 80 | | | | 78 | | | | 76 | | | | 77 | |
Total meters | | 385 | | | | 381 | | | | 349 | | | | 272 | | | | 270 | |
Gross meter acquisitions in the three months ended September 30, 2023, were 60,000 compared to 33,000 for the same period in 2022. Gross meter acquisitions in the nine months ended September 30, 2023, were 264,000 compared to 112,000 for the same period in 2022. The increase in the gross meter acquisitions for the three and nine months ended September 30, 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 and continued through 2022. In the first quarter of 2023, we resumed customer acquisition activities using a variety of new and existing channels.
Meters served increased by 4,000 meters or 1.0% from June 30, 2023 to September 30, 2023. Meters served increased by 113,000 meters or 41.5% from December 31, 2022 to September 30, 2023. The increases in the number of meters served at September 30, 2023 compared to June 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022 was due to the resumption of customer acquisition activities in 2023 as discussed above.
In the three months ended September 30, 2023, average monthly churn slightly decreased to 4.4% compared to 4.7% for same period in 2022. In the nine months ended September 30, 2023, the average monthly churn slightly decreased 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) | | September 30, 2023 | | | June 30, 2023 | | | March 31, 2023 | | | December 31, 2022 | | | September 30, 2022 | |
RCEs at end of quarter: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Electricity customers | | 298 | | | | 304 | | | | 276 | | | | 181 | | | | 174 | |
Natural gas customers | | 77 | | | | 76 | | | | 77 | | | | 81 | | | | 77 | |
Total RCEs | | 375 | | | | 380 | | | | 353 | | | | 262 | | | | 251 | |
RCEs at September 30, 2023 decreased 1.3% compared to June 30, 2023. RCEs increased by 43.1% at September 30, 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 September 30, | | | Change | |
| Nine Months Ended September 30, |
|
| Change |
|
(amounts in thousands) | | 2023 | | | 2022 | | | $ | | | % | |
| 2023 |
|
| 2022 |
|
| $
|
|
| %
|
|
Cost of revenues: | | | | | | | | | | | | |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Electricity | | $ | 75,117 | | | $ | 33,997 | | | $ | 41,120 | | | | 121.0 | |
| $ | 166,206 |
|
| $
| 83,720
|
|
| $ | 82,486 | |
|
| 98.5 | |
Natural gas | | | 3,327 | | | | 2,692 | | | | 635 | | | | 23.6 | |
|
| 32,858 |
|
|
| 24,428 |
|
|
| 8,430 | |
|
| 34.5 | |
Others |
|
| 1,040 |
|
|
| — |
|
|
| 1,040 |
|
|
| nm |
|
|
| 1,549 |
|
|
| — |
|
|
| 1,549 |
|
|
| nm |
|
Total cost of revenues | | $ | 79,484 | | | $ | 36,689 | | | $ | 42,795 | | | | 116.6 | |
| $ | 200,613 |
|
| $ | 108,148
|
|
| $ | 92,465 | |
|
| 85.5 | |
| | Three months ended September 30, |
|
| Nine months ended September 30, |
|
(amounts in thousands) | | 2023 | | | 2022 | | | Change |
|
| 2023
|
|
| 2022
|
|
| Change |
|
Gross margin percentage: | | | | | | | | |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Electricity | | 34.1 | % | | 53.9 | % | | (19.8 | ) |
| 38.1 | % |
| 55.0 | % |
| (16.9 | ) |
Natural gas | | 33.3 | | | 56.2 | | | (22.9 | ) |
| 19.6 |
|
| 40.1 |
|
| (20.4 | ) |
Others |
| 21.3 |
|
| — |
|
| 21.3 |
|
| 17.6 |
|
| — |
|
| 17.6 |
|
Total gross margin percentage | | 33.9 | % | | 54.1 | % | | (20.2 | ) |
| 35.6 | % |
| 52.3 | % |
| (16.8 | ) |
Cost of revenues for electricity increased in the three months ended September 30, 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 27.9% in the three months ended September 30, 2023 compared to the same period in 2022 due to a rise in the wholesale price of electricity. The gross margin on electricity sales decreased in the three months ended September 30, 2023 compared to the same period in 2022 because the average unit cost of electricity increased while the average rate charged to customers decreased and due to the impact on the cost of revenues in 2022 related to the favorable results of hedges.
Cost of revenues for electricity increased in the nine months ended September 30, 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 39.3% in the nine months ended September 30, 2023 compared to the same period in 2022 due to a rise in the wholesale price of electricity. The gross margin on electricity sales decreased in the nine months ended September 30, 2023 compared to the same period in 2022 because the average rate charged to customers increased less than the increase in average unit cost of electricity.
Cost of revenues for natural gas increased in the three months ended September 30, 2023 compared to the same period in 2022 primarily because of increases in the average unit cost of natural gas and the natural gas consumption by GRE's REPs' customers. The average unit cost of natural gas increased by 20.4% per therm in the three months ended September 30, 2023 compared to the same period in 2022 to an increase in the wholesale price of natural gas. Gross margin on natural gas sales increased in the three months ended September 30, 2023 compared to the same period in 2022 because the average rate charged to customers decreased less than the decrease in the average unit cost of natural gas.
Cost of revenues for natural gas increased in the nine months ended September 30, 2023 compared to the same period in 2022 primarily because of an increase in the average unit cost of natural gas partially offset by a decrease in natural gas consumption by GRE's REPs' customers. The average unit cost of natural gas increased 37.5% in the nine months ended September 30, 2023 compared to the same period in 2022 due to rise in the wholesale price of natural gas, particularly in the first quarter of 2023. Gross margin on natural gas sales decreased in the nine months ended September 30, 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. Selling, general and administrative expenses increased by 19.1% in the three months ended September 30, 2023 compared to the same period in 2022 primarily due to increases in marketing and customer acquisition costs, employee-related costs, POR program fees and processing fees. Marketing and customer acquisition expenses increased by $2.1 million in the three months ended September 30, 2023 compared to the same period in 2022 as a result of an increase in the number of meters acquired during 2023 period. Employee-related expenses increased by $0.4 million in the three months ended September 30, 2023 compared to the same period in 2022 primarily due to an increase in the number of employees. POR program fees increased by $0.1 million in the three months ended September 30, 2023 compared to the same period in 2022 as a result of changes in rates implemented by several utilities. Processing and regulatory fees increased by $0.5 million in the three months ended September 30, 2023 compared to the same period in 2022 as a result of a higher level of activities from an increase in the number of meters. As a percentage of GRE’s total revenues, selling, general and administrative expense decreased from 19.8% in the three months ended September 30, 2022 to 15.7% in the three months ended September 30, 2023.
Selling, general and administrative expenses increased by 15.3% in the nine months ended September 30, 2023 compared to the same period in 2022 due to increases in marketing and customer acquisition costs, processing and regulatory fees, POR processing and employee-related costs. Marketing and customer acquisition expenses increased by $5.6 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2023 compared to the same period in 2022 as a result of an increase in the number of meters acquired. Bad debt and POR processing and regulatory fees increased by $0.2 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2023 compared to the same period in 2022 as a result of changes in rates implemented by several utilities. Processing and regulatory fees increased by $0.8 million in the three months ended September 30, 2023 compared to the same period in 2022 as a result of a higher level of activities from an increase in the number of meters. Employee-related expenses increased by $0.4 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2023 compared to the same period in 2022. As a percentage of GRE’s total revenues, selling, general and administrative expense decreased from 20.6% in the nine months ended September 30, 2022 to 17.3% in the nine months ended September 30, 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 that develops, constructs and operates solar energy projects for commercial and industrial customers as well as its own portfolio. CityCom Solar is a marketer of alternative products and services complementary to our energy offerings. 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 September 30, | | | Change | |
| Nine Months Ended September 30,
|
|
| Change |
|
(amounts in thousands) | | 2023 | | | 2022 | | | $ | | | % | |
| 2023
|
|
| 2022
|
|
| $
|
|
| %
|
|
Revenues | | $ | 4,736 | | | $ | 1,368 | | | $ | 3,368 | | | | 246.2 | % |
| $ | 12,329 |
|
| $ | 7,189 |
|
| $ | 5,140 | |
|
| 71.5 | |
Cost of revenue | | | 4,483 | | | | 1,453 | | | | 3,030 | | | | 208.5 | |
|
| 10,598 |
|
|
| 5,934 |
|
|
| 4,664 | |
|
| 78.6 | |
Gross profit (loss) | | | 253 | | | | (85 | ) | | | 338 | | | | (397.6 | ) |
|
| 1,731 |
|
|
| 1,255 |
|
|
| 476 | |
|
| 37.9 | |
Selling, general and administrative expenses | | | 2,304 | | | | 1,418 | | | | 886 | | | | 62.5 | |
|
| 6,208 |
|
|
| 3,755 |
|
|
| 2,453 | |
|
| 65.3 | |
Loss from operations | | $ | (2,051 | ) | | $ | (1,503 | ) | | $ | 548 | | | | 36.5 | |
| $ | (4,477 | ) |
| $ | (2,500 | ) |
| $ | (1,977 | ) |
|
| 79.1 | |
Revenue. Genie Renewables' revenues increased in the three and nine months ended September 30, 2023 compared to the same periods in 2022. The increases in revenues were 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 in the first quarter of 2023.
Cost of Revenues. The variations in the cost of revenues for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2023 compared to the same periods in 2022 are consistent with the variations in revenues of CityCom Solar and Diversegy. In the third quarter of 2023, we recorded a $0.8 million charge to the cost of revenues of Genie Solar to write down the carrying value of solar panel inventories to the estimated net realizable value.
Selling, General and Administrative. Selling, general and administrative expenses increased in the three and nine months ended September 30, 2023 compared to the same periods 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 September 30, | | | Change | |
| Nine Months Ended September 30, |
|
| Change |
|
(amounts in thousands) | | 2023 | | | 2022 | | | $ | | | % | |
| 2023
|
|
| 2022
|
|
| $
|
|
| %
|
|
General and administrative expenses and loss from operations | | $ | (2,061 | ) | | $ | (2,374 | ) | | $ | 313 | | | | (13.2 | )% |
| $ | (8,189 | ) |
| $ | (7,232 | ) |
| $ | (957 | ) |
|
| (13.2 | ) |
Corporate general and administrative expenses decreased in the three and nine months ended September 30, 2023 compared to the same period in 2022, primarily because of a decrease in employee related cost. As a percentage of our consolidated revenues, Corporate general and administrative decreased to 1.6% in the three months ended September 30, 2023 from 2.9% in the three months ended September 30, 2022 and decreased to 2.5% in the nine months ended September 30, 2023 from 3.1% in the nine months ended September 30, 2023.
Consolidated
Selling, general and administrative expenses. Stock-based compensation expense included in consolidated selling, general and administrative expenses was $0.6 million and $0.7 million in the three months ended September 30, 2023 and 2022, respectively and $2.3 million and $2.2 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2023 and 2022, respectively. At September 30, 2023, the aggregate unrecognized compensation cost related to non-vested stock-based compensation was $1.7 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 September 30, | | | Change | |
| Nine Months Ended September 30, |
| Change |
|
(amounts in thousands) | | 2023 | | | 2022 | | | $ | | | % | |
| 2023 |
|
| 2022 |
|
| $ |
|
| % |
|
Income from operations | | $ | 17,886 | | | $ | 23,538 | | | $ | (5,652 | ) | | | (24.0 | )% |
| $ | 44,196 |
|
| $
| 62,272
|
|
| $ | (18,076
| ) |
|
| (29.0
| )% |
Interest income | | | 1,331 | | | | 194 | | | | 1,137 | | | | nm | |
|
| 3,313 |
|
|
| 259
|
|
|
| 3,054
| |
|
| nm
|
|
Interest expense | | | (27 | ) | | | (33 | ) | | | 6 | | | | 18.2 | |
|
| (75
| ) |
|
| (135 | ) |
|
| 60 | |
|
| 44.4 | |
Other (loss) income, net | | | (4 | ) | | | 156 | | | | (160 | ) | | | 102.6 | |
|
| 3,137
|
|
|
| (712 | ) |
|
| 3,849 |
|
|
| (540.6 | ) |
Gain (loss) on marketable equity securities and investments | | | 334 | | | | 57 | | | | 277 | | | | (486.0 | ) |
|
| 385 |
|
|
| (742
| ) |
|
| 1,127
|
|
|
| (151.9
| ) |
Provision for benefit from income taxes | | | (5,018 | ) | | | (6,482 | ) | | | 1,464 | | | | 22.6 | |
|
| (12,951 | ) |
|
| (16,791
| ) |
|
| 3,840
|
|
|
| 22.9
|
|
Net income from continuing operations | | | 14,502 | | | | 17,430 | | | | (2,928 | ) | | | (16.8 | ) |
|
| 38,005 |
|
|
| 44,151
|
|
|
| (6,146
| ) |
|
| (13.9
| ) |
(Loss) income from discontinued operations, net of tax | | | (304 | ) | | | (1,459 | ) | | | 1,155 | | | | (79.2 | ) |
|
| 5,923 |
|
|
| 25,929
|
|
|
| (20,006
| ) |
|
| (77.2
| ) |
Net income | | | 14,198 | | | | 15,971 | | | | (1,773 | ) | | | (11.1 | ) |
|
| 43,928 |
|
|
| 70,080
|
|
|
| (26,152
| ) |
|
| 37.3
|
|
Net loss attributable to noncontrolling interests | | | (261 | ) | | | (2,797 | ) | | | 2,536 | | | | (90.7 | ) |
|
| (118 | ) |
|
| (1,056
| ) |
|
| 938
|
|
|
| (88.8
| ) |
Net income attributable to Genie Energy Ltd. | | $ | 14,459 | | | $ | 18,768 | | | $ | (4,309 | ) | | | (23.0) | % |
| $ | 44,046 |
|
| $ | 71,136
|
|
| $ | (27,090
| ) |
|
| 38.1 |
|
nm—not meaningful
Interest income. Interest income increased in the three and nine months ended September 30, 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 (Loss) Income, net. Other (loss) income, net in the three months ended September 30, 2023 and 2022 and in the nine months ended September 30, 2023 consisted primarily of foreign currency transactions and equity in net loss in equity method investees. Other (loss) income, net in the nine months ended September 30, 2023 consisted primarily of on-time tax credit related to payroll taxes incurred in prior years.
Provision for Income Taxes. The change in the reported tax rate for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2023 compared to the same periods in 2022, is the result of changes in the mix of jurisdictions in which taxable income was earned.
Net Loss Attributable to Noncontrolling Interests. The decreases in net loss attributable to noncontrolling interests in the three and nine months ended September 30, 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.
Gain (loss) on Marketable Equity Securities and Investments. The gain on marketable equity securities and investment for the three and nine months ended September 30, 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.
(Loss) income from Discontinued Operations, net of tax. Loss from discontinued operations, net of tax in the three months ended September 30, 2023 is mainly related to foreign exchange differences in Lumo Sweden during the period. Gain from discontinued operations, net of tax in nine months ended September 30, 2023 is mainly from an increase in the estimated value of our investments in Orbit and foreign exchange differences in Lumo Sweden. Income from discontinued operations, net of tax in the three and nine months ended September 30, 2022 is mainly due to result of operations of Lumo Finland and Lumo Sweden.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
General
We currently expect that our cash flow from operations and the $139.8 million balance of unrestricted cash and cash equivalents that we held at September 30, 2023 will be sufficient to meet our anticipated cash requirements for at least the period to November 8, 2024.
At September 30, 2023, we had working capital (current assets less current liabilities) of $164.5 million.
| | Nine Months Ended September 30, | |
| | 2023 | | | 2022 | |
| | (in thousands) | |
Cash flows provided by (used in): | | | | | | |
Operating activities | | $ | 32,561 |
| | $ | 44,948 | |
Investing activities | | | (749 | ) | | | (3,844 | ) |
Financing activities | | | (12,515 | ) | | | (14,717 | ) |
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash | | | 61 | | | | (15 | ) |
Increase in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash of continuing operations |
|
| 19,358 | |
|
| 26,372 | |
Cash flows provided by (used in) discontinued operations |
|
| 22,039 | |
|
| (35,791 | ) |
Net increase (decrease) in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash | | $ | 41,397 | | | $ | (9,419 | ) |
Operating Activities
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash provided by operating activities of continuing operations was $32.6 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2023 compared to $44.9 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2022. The decrease is primarily the fluctuation in the results of operations in the nine months ended September 30, 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 $5.5 million for the nine months ended September 30, 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 September 30, 2023, we were in compliance with such covenants. At September 30, 2023, restricted cash—short-term of $0.3 million and trade accounts receivable of $65.6 million were pledged to BP as collateral for the payment of trade accounts payable to BP of $19.8 million at September 30, 2023.
We had purchase commitments of $170.4 million at September 30, 2023, of which $148.1 million was for purchases of electricity.
Investing Activities
Our capital expenditures decreased by $0.2 million to $0.9 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2023 compared to the same period in 2022. The capital expenditures are mainly for the construction of solar projects at Genie Solar. In the third quarter of 2023, we transferred $4.3 million worth of solar panels that are intended to be used in Genie Solar projects from inventories to construction in progress related to solar panels expected to be used in the solar project by Genie Solar. We currently anticipate that our total capital expenditures in the twelve months ending December 31, 2023 will be between $6.0 to $10.00 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 and a related party. In the nine months ended September 30, 2023, we sold 195,501 shares of our Class B common stock of Rafael for $0.3 million. In the nine months ended September 30, 2023, we acquired 150,001 shares of our Class B common stock of Rafael for $0.3 million. We do not exercise significant influence over the operating or financial policies of Rafael. At September 30, 2023, the carrying value of the remaining investments in the Class B common stock of Rafael was $0.4 million.
In the nine months ended September 30, 2023, we invested $4.6 million to purchase the common stock of a publicly traded company which we sold for $3.9 million during the same period.
In the nine months ended September 30, 2023, we invested $4.4 million to purchase investments in total return swap which we sold for $5.5 million during the same period.
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 nine months ended September 30, 2023.
In the nine months ended September 30, 2022, we acquired minimal interests in various ventures for an aggregate amount of investments of $0.6 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 September 30, 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 fully impaired 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 United Kingdom. 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 the nine months ended September 30, 2023 and 2022, the Administrator paid the Company a partial return of its interest in Orbit of £2.0 million (equivalent to $2.6 million on the dates of the transfer) and £4.6 million (equivalent to $5.4 million the dates of the transfer), respectively. 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 nine months ended September 30, 2023 and 2022, we paid dividends of $0.225 per share to stockholders of our Class A common stock and Class B common stock. The Company paid common stock dividends in an aggregate amount of $6.0 million and $5.8 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2023 and 2022, respectively. On November 1, 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 November 21, 2023 to stockholders of record as of the close of business on November 13, 2023.
In the nine months ended September 30, 2023, we paid Base Dividends of $0.1594 per share of our 2012-A Preferred Stock or Preferred Stock. In the year ended December 31, 2022, the Company accrued Additional Dividends on its Preferred Stock of $0.5301 per share on its Preferred Stock in respect of GRE's results of operations through December 31, 2022, which the Company paid on May 15, 2023 for stockholders of record as of May 5, 2023. In the nine months ended September 30, 2022, we paid Base Dividends of $0.3188 per share of our 2012-A Preferred Stock or Preferred Stock. We paid $0.9 million and $0.8 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2023 and 2022, respectively.
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 and nine months ended September 30, 2023 In the nine months ended September 30, 2022, we acquired 639,393 Class B common stock under the stock purchase program for an aggregate amount of $4.4 million. At September 30, 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 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 nine months ended September 30, 2023, the Company redeemed 253,294 shares of Preferred Stock under the stock purchase program for an aggregate amount of $2.0 million.
On May 16, 2023, our Board of Directors approved the redemption of all outstanding Preferred Stock on June 16, 2023 (the "Redemption Date") at the liquidation preference of $8.50 per share, together with an amount equal to all dividends accrued and unpaid up to, but not including, the Redemption Date. On the Redemption Date, we completed the redemption of 748,064 shares of Preferred Stock for an aggregate amount of $6.5 million and the related accrued dividends of $0.1349 per share equivalent to $0.1 million. Following the redemption, there are no shares of Preferred Stock outstanding, all rights of Preferred Stockholders have terminated, and the Preferred Stock’s ticker symbol, "GNEPRA", has been retired.
On May 3, 2022, our Board of Directors authorized the redemption of $2.0 million of our Preferred Stock during the second quarter of 2022, and on June 13, 2022, redeemed 235, 294 Preferred Stock for an aggregate amount of $2.0 million.
In June 2023, several holders of warrants exercised warrants to purchase 1,048,218 shares of Class B common stock warrants for $5.0 million.
In the nine months ended September 30, 2023, we paid $2.3 million to repurchase 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 and exercise of stock options. Such shares were repurchased by us based on their fair market value on the trading day immediately prior to the vesting 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 September 30, 2023, there is no issued letter of credit from the Credit Line. At September 30, 2023, the cash collateral of $3.2 million was included in restricted cash—short-term in the consolidated balance sheet.
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 September 30, 2023, the Company had outstanding aggregate performance bonds of $19.4 million and a minimal amount of unused letters of credit.