SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, DC 20549
 

 
FORM 6-K
 
REPORT OF FOREIGN ISSUER
PURSUANT TO RULE 13a-16 OR 15d-16 OF THE
SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
 
For May 18, 2005

(Commission File No. 1-31317)
 

 
Companhia de Saneamento Básico do Estado de São Paulo - SABESP
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
 
Basic Sanitation Company of the State of Sao Paulo - SABESP
(Translation of Registrant's name into English)
 


Rua Costa Carvalho, 300
São Paulo, S.P., 05429-900
Federative Republic of Brazil
(Address of Regristrant's principal executive offices)



Indicate by check mark whether the registrant files or will file
annual reports under cover Form 20-F or Form 40-F.

Form 20-F ___X___ Form 40-F ______
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is submitting the Form 6-K
in paper as permitted by Regulation S-T Rule 101(b)(1)__.

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is submitting the Form 6-K
in paper as permitted by Regulation S-T Rule 101(b)(7)__.

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant by furnishing the
information contained in this Form is also thereby furnishing the
information to the Commission pursuant to Rule 12g3-2(b) under
the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.

Yes ______ No ___X___

If "Yes" is marked, indicated below the file number assigned to the
registrant in connection with Rule 12g3-2(b):

 


CIA. DE SANEAMENTO BÁSICO DO ESTADO DE SÃO PAULO - SABESP
Rui de Britto Álvares Affonso
Economic - Financial Officer and Investor Relations Officer
Mario Azevedo de Arruda Sampaio
Head of Capital Market and Investor Relations
Phone: (5511) 3388-8664 / Fax: (5511) 3388-8669
e-mail: maasampaio@sabesp.com.br


SBSP3: R$136.00/thousand shares
SBS: US$13.65 (ADR=250 shares)
Total shares:28,480 million
Market value: R$3,873.3 million
Closing price: 05/16/2005

SABESP announces first quarter 2005 results

São Paulo , May 16, 2005 - SABESP – Cia. de Saneamento Básico do Estado de São Paulo – (NYSE: SBS; Bovespa: SBSP3), the largest water and sewage utility company in the Americas and the third largest in the world, according to its number of customers, announces today its results for the first quarter 2005 (1Q05). The Company's operating and financial information, except when indicated otherwise, is shown in Brazilian Reais , in accordance with the Brazilian corporate law. All comparisons in this release, unless otherwise stated, refer to the first quarter 2004 .

Highlights

First Quarter 2005 Financial Results
May 16, 2005


1. SABESP posted a 6.6% net revenue growth and a 6.5% EBITDA growth


      (R$ million) 




Highlights  1Q04  1Q05  Change % 




Net operating revenue  1,087.4  1,158.7  6.6 
EBIT (*)  381.8  413.8  8.4 
EBITDA (**)  525.3  559.3  6.5 
EBITDA margin (%)  48.3  48.3  - 
Net income  115.5  151.4  31.1 




(*) Earnings before interest and taxes
(**) Earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization

SABESP recorded net revenue of R$1.2 billion and EBITDA of R$559.3 million in 1Q05. The final result in the period, a R$151.4 million net income, is mainly due to the 9.9% increase in gross operating revenue.

2. Net operating revenue – 6.6% growth

Net operating revenue recorded a R$71.3 million or 6.6% increase. Such upside is a result of the 6.8% tariff readjustments as of August 29, 2004. However, this increase was minimized by changes occurred in the COFINS/PASEP legislation.

Volume of water and sewage billed to the retail market grew by 4.1%, which had also contributed to operating revenue increase, as the migration of customers for a higher tariff consumption level took place.

The following tables show the water and sewage billed to the retail and to the wholesale markets by customer category and region, in the first quarter of 2004 and 2005:


VOLUME OF WATER AND SEWAGE BILLED*** BY CUSTOMER CATEGORY - million m3 

 
Water 
Chg. 
Sewage 
Chg. 
Water + Sewage 
Chg. 
  1Q04**  1Q05  %  1Q04**  1Q05  %  1Q04**  1Q05  % 










Residential  305.8  318.1  4.0  234.4  247.2  5.5  540.2  565.3  4.6 
Commercial  35.4  35.5  0.3  31.1  32.0  2.9  66.5  67.5  1.5 
Industrial  7.5  8.0  6.7  7.6  7.7  1.3  15.1  15.7  4.0 
Public  10.8  10.6  (1.9)  8.5  8.3  (2.4)  19.3  18.9  (2.1) 










Total Retail  359.5  372.2  3.5  281.6  295.2  4.8  641.1  667.4  4.1 










Wholesale  63.1  63.6  0.8        63.1  63.6  0.8 










Total  422.6  435.8  3.1  281.6  295.2  4.8  704.2  731.0  3.8 













VOLUME OF WATER AND SEWAGE BILLED*** BY REGION – million m3

 
Water 
Chg 
Sewage 
Chg 
Water + Sewage 
Chg 
  1Q04**  1Q05  %  1Q04**  1Q05  %  1Q04**  1Q05  % 

Metropolitan  235.6  243.6  3.4  188.4  197.2  4.7  424,0  440,8  4,0 
Regional Systems *  123.9  128.6  3.8  93.2  98.0  5.2  217,1  226,6  4,4 










Total Retail  359.5  372.2  3.5  281.6  295.2  4.8  641,1  667,4  4,1 










Wholesale  63.1  63.6  0.8        63,1  63,6  0,8 










Total  422.6  435.8  3.1  281.6  295.2  4.8  704,2  731,0  3,8 











(*) Composed of the Costal and Interior
(**) 1Q04 amounts differ from those expressed in previous releases due to adjustments made by customer category
(***) Non audited information


3. Costs, administrative and selling expenses

Costs, administrative and selling expenses went up by R$39.3 million or 5.6% .

Bellow we present the main variations:

       
(R$ million) 





 
1Q04 
1Q05 
Variation 
Chg. % 

Salaries and payroll  253.3  254.1  0.8  0.3 
General supplies  20.2  24.2  4.0  19.8 
Treatment supplies  27.4  31.0  3.6  13.1 
Third party services  88.9  101.6  12.7  14.3 
Electric power  96.8  98.0  1.2  1.2 
General expenses  29.2  38.2  9.0  30.8 
Depreciation and amortization  143.5  145.5  2.0  1.4 
Credit write-offs  39.5  45.9  6.4  16.2 
Tax expenses  6.8  6.4  (0.4)  (5.9) 





Costs, administrative and selling expenses  705.6  744.9  39.3  5.6 





3.1. Salaries and payroll

Salaries and payroll presented a R$0.8 million or 0.3% increase. Such increase was mainly due to the 4.2% increase in wages, benefits and charges from the labor agreement as from May 2004, partially offset by the Programa de Demissão Incentivada – PDI (Encouraged Dismissal Program).

3.2. General supplies

This line recorded a R$4.0 million or 19.8% growth, mainly directed towards materials utilized in the maintenance of residential connections, which amounted to R$1.2 million, system maintenance on the amount of R$1.0 million and gas and lubricant for the company’s vehicles on the amount of R$0.5 million.

3.3. Treatment supplies

Recorded a R$3.6 million or 13.1% increase, as a result of the following material’s variation: active carbon in the amount of R$1.0 million, chlorine in the amount of R$0.9 million, cooper sulfate in the amount of R$0.6 million and liquid aluminum sulfate in the amount of R$1.3 million. Such increases are related to water quality worsening, and to price increases in chlorine’s case.

3.4. Third party services

Went up by R$12.7 million or 14.3%, mainly motivated by technical professional services in the amount of R$10.1 million and hydrometer reading and bills delivering in the amount of R$1.9 million. The maintenance program for the water distribution in the metropolitan region (Global Sourcing) had contributed with R$8.0 million with paving, sidewalk replacement and residential connections maintenance.

Such increase was partially offset by the drop in advertising and media campaigns expenses in the amount of R$8.2 million (R$2.4 million in 2005 and R$10.7 million in 2004), due to the change in the Company’s communication strategy for media campaigns of the rational use of water.

3.5. Electric power

Electric power presented an increase of R$1.2 million or 1.2%, resulting from the average increase of 17.5% in electric power tariffs. Regarding electric power consumption, there was a 0.6% drop in the first quarter of 2005 (510,615 MWh) in comparison to the same period of 2004 (513,970 MWh).

Some factors had influenced in the proportion of the financial percentage of 1.2% over the average increase of 17.5% in tariffs: (i) entrance of SABESP as a free electric power consumer, resulting on significant savings (30.0% in some installations), (ii) the result of the electric power saving due to the Programa de Eficiência Energética (electric efficiency program) and (iii) intensification of high voltage electric power contracts management.

3.6. General expenses

Presented a R$ 9.0 million or 30.8% raise, mainly due to provision for civil contingencies, in the amount of R$6.7 million (increase in the number of lawsuits) and loss provision in the amount of R$3.9 million.

3.7. Depreciation and amortization

Presented an R$2.0 million or 1.4% increase, due to recognition of sites under construction as permanent assets, during the 2004 fiscal year, on the amount of R$828.8 million.

3.8. Credit write-offs

An increase of R$6.4 million, or 16.2%, relating to approximately R$15.2 million in credit write-offs and R$8.8 million in recoveries.

4. Financial expenses and passive monetary variations

4.1. Financial expenses

Financial expenses posted a R$0.2 million increase, due to:

4.2. Passive monetary variation

Passive monetary variation presented a drop of R$20.9 million, due to the following:

5. Operating indicators

The table bellow shows the continued improvement on the company’s services.


Operational Indicators 
1Q04 
1Q05 
Chg. % 

Water connections (1)  6,231  6,394 
2.6  
Sewage connections (1)  4,621  4,780 
3.5  
Population directly served – water (2)  22.0  22.4 
1.8  
Population directly served – sewage collection (2)  17.9  18.2 
1.7  
Bulk water sales billed (3)  63.1  63.6 
0.8  
Retail water sales billed (3)  359.5  372.2 
3.5  
Sewage services sales billed (3)  281.6  295.2 
4.8  
Number of employees  18,091  17,669 
(2.3) 
Operating productivity (4)  600  632 
5.3  




Notes:

(1) In 1,000 units at the end of the period
(2) Million of inhabitants at the end of the period (does not include bulk services)
(3) In million m³
(4) Number of water and sewage connection per employee

6. Loan settlements and financing

From the total loan and financing amount maturing by the end of 2005, we highlight Eurobonus in the amount of R$733.2 million due on July, R$75.0 million from the 4th debenture issuance, to be paid in 3 installments of R$25.0 million in the following quarters and the amortization of one third of the 5th debentures issuance par value in the amount of approximately R$150.0 million on April 1st, 2005. Part of this resources were funded by the 7th debenture issuance, in the amount of R$300.0 million, settled on March 14, 2005. On April 1, 2005 took place the repricing of two thirds of the 5th debenture issuance, in the amount of approximately R$298.1 million.

(R$ million) 

INSTITUTION 
Apr-Dec 2005 
2006 
2007 
2008 
2009 
2010 
2011 and onwards
TOTAL 









DOMESTIC                 
Banco do Brasil  132.2  189.8  206.6  224.8  244.7  266.4  1,039.5  2,304.0 
Caixa Econômica Federal  29.0  41.4  44.8  48.3  51.2  55.0  221.7  491.4 
Debentures  224.0  249.0  380.9  -  396.2  288.3  -  1,538.4 
BNDES  5.4  24.0  25.7  25.7  25.7  25.7  47.2  179.4 
Other  1.6  4.0  4.5  4.6  4.4  4.2  3.8  27.1 
Interest and charges  86.4  -  -  -  -  -  -  86.4 









Domestic Total  478.6  508.2  662.5  303.4  722.2  639.6  1,312.2  4,626.7 









 
INTERNATIONAL                 
World Bank  12.1  12.1  6.1  -  -  -  -  30.3 
Société Génerale  3.2  3.5  -  -  -  -  -  6.7 
IDB  84.4  116.5  116.5  80.6  80.6  80.6  670.1  1,229.4 
Eurobonus  733.2  -  -  599.9  -  -  -  1,333.1 
Deutsche Bank Luxembourg  53.3  -  -  -  -  -  -  53.3 
Interest and charges  54.0  -  -  -  -  -  -  54.0 









International Total  940.2  132.2  122.6  680.5  80.6  80.6  670.1  2,706.8 









Total  1,418.8  640.4  785.1  983.9  802.8  720.2  1,982.3  7,333.5 









7. Conference calls and webcast details

Portuguese:  Tuesday, May 31, 2005 
  10 am – US EST 
Phone: (55 11) 2101-1490
  Conference ID code: SABESP 
 
English:  Tuesday, May 31, 2005 
  12 pm – US EST 
Phone: +1 (973) 935-2401
  Conference ID code: 6075364 or SABESP 

For additional information please contact the Investor Relations Department:

Mario Sampaio  Marisa Guimarães 
(11) 3388-8664  (11) 3388-9135 
maasampaio@sabesp.com.br  marisag@sabesp.com.br 

www.sabesp.com.br

Statements contained in this press release may contain information that is forward-looking and reflects management's current view and estimates of future economic circumstances, industry conditions, SABESP performance, and financial results. Any statements, expectations, capabilities, plans and assumptions contained in this press release that do not describe historical facts, such as statements regarding the declaration or payment of dividends, the direction of future operations, the implementation of principal operating and financing strategies and capital expenditure plans, the factors or trends affecting financial condition, liquidity or results of operations are forward-looking statements within the meaning of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and involve a number of risks and uncertainties. There is no guarantee that these results will actually occur. The statements are based on many assumptions and factors, including general economic and market conditions, industry conditions, and operating factors. Any changes in such assumptions or factors could cause actual results to differ materially from current expectations.


Income Statement

Brazilian Corporate Law      R$ thousand 




 
1Q05 
1Q04 
% 




Sales/Services Gross Revenues  1,252,008   1,138,816   9.9  
Water Supply - Retail  652,077   588,826   10.7  
Water Supply - Wholesale  57,730   53,377   8.2  
Sewage Collection and Treatment  521,632   475,138   9.8  
Other Services  20,569   21,475   (4.2) 
Gross Revenue Deductions (Cofins/Pasep)  (93,339)  (51,425)  81.5  
Net Sales/Services  1,158,669   1,087,391   6.6  
Cost of Goods and/or Services Sold  (557,305)  (536,408)  3.9  
Gross Profit  601,364   550,983   9.1  
Selling Expenses  (113,011)  (99,006)  14.1  
General & Administrative Expenses  (74,564)  (70,187)  6.2  
Net Interest Income (Expense)  (182,979)  (202,816)  (9.8) 
Operating Result  230,810   178,974   29.0  
Non Operating Expenses (Income)  (518)  (483)  7.2  
Income Before Taxes  230,292   178,491   29.0  
Provivision for Income Tax/Social Contribution  (78,589)  (55,953)  40.5  
Provivision for Deferred Income Tax/Social Contribution  8,447   1,729   388.5  
Extraordinary Item Net of IT and SC  (8,780)  (8,781)  - 
Net Income  151,370   115,486   31.1  
Shares Outstanding (1000 shares)  28,479,577   28,479,577    
EPS (R$/1000 shares)  5.32   4.06    
 
Depreciation and Amortization  145,460   143,503    
EBITDA  559,249   525,293    
% of net sales  48.3%   48.3%    



Balance Sheet

Brazilian Corporate Law    R$thousand 

ASSETS  03/31/05  03/31/04 

Cash and Cash Equivalents  452,222  231,507 
Accounts Receivable, net  1,041,174  874,393 
Accounts Receivable from Shareholders  115,722  42,074 
Inventory  24,540  21,152 
Taxes and contributions  30,321  29,714 
Other Receivables  47,163  29,452 


Total Current Assets  1,711,142  1,228,292 
 
Accounts Receivable, net  287,717  195,796 
Accounts Receivable from Shareholders  754,403  683,485 
Indemnities Receivable  148,794  148,794 
Judicial Deposits  16,168  17,501 
Taxes and contributions  267,512  231,282 
Other Receivables  28,870  31,384 


Total Long-Term Assets  1,503,464  1,308,242 
 
Investments  5,100  740 
Permanent Assets  14,008,471  14,049,832 
Deferred Assets  37,164  46,837 


Total Permanent Assets  14,050,735  14,097,409 


 
Total Assets  17,265,341  16,633,943 
 

 

LIABILITIES  03/31/05  03/31/04 

Suppliers and Constructors  35,899  26,436 
Loans and Financing  1,532,353  973,931 
Salaries and Payroll Charges  132,158  141,384 
Provision for Judicial Pendencies  30,684  19,353 
Interest on Own Capital Payable  179,751  262,274 
Taxes and contributions payable  111,961  64,140 
Taxes and contributions  70,745  58,622 
Other Payables  82,948  122,161 


Total Current Liabilities  2,176,499  1,668,301 
 
Loans and Financing  5,801,212  6,254,980 
Taxes and contributions payable  268,861  117,099 
Taxes and Contributions  130,971  280,450 
Provision for Contingencies  491,256  409,850 
Pension Fund Obligations  235,963  164,649 
Other Payables  93,815  85,171 


Total Long-Term Liabilities  7,022,078  7,312,199 
 
Capital Stock  3,403,688  3,403,688 
Capital Reserves  67,297  51,055 
Revaluation Reserves  2,596,914  2,700,714 
Profit Reserves  1,863,389  1,398,796 
Retained Earnings  135,476  99,190 


Shareholder's Equity  8,066,764  7,653,443 


 
Total Liabilities and Shareholder's Equity  17,265,341  16,633,943 





Statements of Cash Flow
Brazilian Corporate Law    R$ thousand 



Description 
Jan-Mar/05 
Jan-Mar/04 

Cash flow from operating activities 
Net income for the period 
151,370  
115,486  
Adjustments for reconciliation of net income: 
Deferred income tax and social contribution 
(10,588) 
594  
Provisions for contingencies 
31,336  
25,366  
Liabilities related to pension plans 
17,125  
22,400  
Property, plant and equipment received as donations (Private Sector) 
 
(301) 
Loss in the wirte-off of property, plant and equipment 
884  
2,966  
Depreciation 
138,614  
135,202  
Amortization 
6,846  
8,301  
Interest calculated on loans and financing payable 
167,152  
173,955  
Foreign exchange loss on loans and financing 
11,100  
31,100  
Monetary exchange loss on interest on own capital 
715  
1,104  
Passive monetary exchange variation and interest 
6,503  
7,460  
Active monetary exchange variation and interest 
(6,397) 
 
Provisions for bad debt 
45,862  
39,530  


 
560,522  
563,163  
 

(Increase) decrease in assets: 
Clients 
(113,041) 
(46,396) 
Accounts receivable from shareholders 
12,813  
(61,342) 
Inventories 
5,064  
1,156  
Other accounts receivable 
(13,874) 
(16,436) 
Clients – long term 
(33,857) 
(10,706) 
Accounts receivable - State of São Paulo Government 
(55,314) 
(28,322) 
Judicial deposits 
21  
75  
Other long term receivables 
(895) 
(801) 


 
(199,083) 
(162,772) 
 

Increase (decrease) in liabilities: 
Accounts payable to suppliers 
(15,679) 
(25,498) 
Salaries and payroll charges 
24,930  
6,090  
Taxes and contributions 
(13,138) 
(29,573) 
Other accounts payable 
(852) 
14,929  
Pension plan 
(3,338) 
(3,291) 
Other accounts payable - long term 
1,127  
4,708  
 
(6,950) 
(32,635) 
 

Net cash from operating activities 
354,489  
367,756  


 
Cash flow from investing activities: 
 
Acquisition of property, plant and equipment 
(101,131) 
(169,386) 
Sale of property, plant and equipment 
-  
176  
Increase in Deferred Assets 
(25) 
(68) 


 
Net cash used in infesting activities 
(101,156) 
(169,278) 


 
Cash flow from financing activities: 
 
Loans and Financing - long term: 
Funding 
347,571  
51,893  
Payments 
(251,712) 
(298,488) 
Interest on own Capital: 
Interest on own capital payment 
(2,527) 
(1,389) 
 
Net cash used in financing activities 
93,332  
(247,984) 


 
Net increase (decrease) in cash equivalents 
346,665  
(49,506) 


 
Cash and cash equivalents at the beginning of the period 
105,557  
281,013  
Cash and cash equivalents at the end of the period 
452,222  
231,507  
 
 
Additional information on cash flow: 
Interest and payable taxes for loans and financing 
157,047  
165,853  
Capitalization of interest and financial charges 
8,799  
6,188  
Payable income tax and social contribution 
52,631  
67,710  
Property, plant and equip. received as donations and/or paid in stocks 
2,006  
316  
COFINS and PASEP taxes payable 
83,901  
52,744  
Balancing accounts 
(715) 
- 




 


 
SIGNATURE
 
 
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the city São Paulo, Brazil.

Date: May 18, 2005

 
Companhia de Saneamento Básico do Estado de São Paulo - SABESP
By:
/S/  Rui de Britto Álvares Affonso

 
Name: Rui de Britto Álvares Affonso
Title: Economic-Financial Officer and Investor Relations Officer
 

 

 
FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This press release may contain forward-looking statements. These statements are statements that are not historical facts, and are based on management's current view and estimates of future economic circumstances, industry conditions, company performance and financial results. The words "anticipates", "believes", "estimates", "expects", "plans" and similar expressions, as they relate to the company, are intended to identify forward-looking statements. Statements regarding the declaration or payment of dividends, the implementation of principal operating and financing strategies and capital expenditure plans, the direction of future operations and the factors or trends affecting financial condition, liquidity or results of operations are examples of forward-looking statements. Such statements reflect the current views of management and are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties. There is no guarantee that the expected events, trends or results will actually occur. The statements are based on many assumptions and factors, including general economic and market conditions, industry conditions, and operating factors. Any changes in such assumptions or factors could cause actual results to differ materially from current expectations.