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 March 29, 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):

 


SABESP announces its fourth quarter 2004 results

São Paulo, March 28, 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 fourth quarter 2004 (4Q04). 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 fourth quarter of 2003.

Highlights


1. SABESP posted 4.9% net revenue growth.

(R$ million)

Highlights 4Q03  4Q04  Chg.% 

Net Operating Revenues 1,128.4 1,183.9 4.9
EBIT (*) 434.7 302.7 (30.4)
EBITDA (**) 602.7 456.7 (24.2)
EBITDA Margin 53.4 38.6
Net Income (Loss) 299.9 235.3 (21.5)

(*) 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$456.7 million in 4Q04. The final results for this period, a net income that adds up to R$235.3 million, is a reflection of the positive effect from the 7.1% Brazilian Real appreciation versus US Dollar in the period and tariff readjustment of 6.78% in August 2004.

EBITDA margin dropped to 38.6%, mainly due to the increase in credit write-offs, to non-manageable costs, such as, electric power and treatment supplies, and to the increase in costs and services regarding the campaign aimed at water consumption reduction.

2. Gross Operating Revenue – 8.9% growth

The 8.9% growth at gross operating revenue is due to the recovery trend from the retail market, with the conclusion of the campaign aimed at water consumption reduction in October 2004.

As of November, 2004 revenue figures include the 6.78% tariff readjustment effect that took place on August 29, 2004.

Volume of water and sewage billed to the retail market increased by 5.2%, mainly as a result of the inclusion of São Bernardo do Campo, in 2004. Disregarding the effect of São Bernardo do Campo, we still notice a billed volume increase of 1.7%. Taking into consideration total volume, there was a 1.3% growth. The following tables show the water and sewage services volume billed by type of use and region, in the fourth quarter of 2003 and 2004:


VOLUME OF WATER AND SEWAGE BILLED BY TYPE OF USER - million m3

Type of user          Water Chg.         Sewage Chg. Water + Sevage Chg.
  4Q03  4Q04  4Q03  4Q04  4Q03  4Q04 

Residential 297.8 312.6 5.0 229.2 244.0 6.5 527.0 556.6 5.6
Commercial 35.3 36.1 2.3 31.4 32.6 3.8 66.7 68.7 3.0
Industrial 7.8 8.4 7.7 7.5 8.0 6.7 15.3 16.4 7.2
Public 11.4 11.3 (0.9) 8.9 8.8 (1.1) 20.3 20.1 (1.0)

Total Retail 352.3 368.4 4.6 277.0 293.4 5.9 629.3 661.8 5.2

Total Retail without SBC 352.3 356.9 1.3 277.0 283.3 2.3 629.3 640.2 1.7

Wholesale 86.4 63.5 (26.5)(**) 86.4 63.5 (26.5)

Total 438.7 431.9 (1.6) 277.0 293.4 5.9 715.7 725.3 1.3



VOLUME OF WATER AND SEWAGE BILLED BY TYPE OF USER - million m3

By Region          Water Chg.         Sewage Chg. Water + Sevage Chg.
  4Q03  4Q04  4Q03  4Q04  4Q03  4Q04 

Metropolitan 230.3 244.6 6.2 183.8 198.6 8.1 414.1 443.2 7.0
Reg. Systems* 122.0 123.8 1.5 93.2 94.8 1.7 215.2 218.6 1.6

Total Retail 352.3 368.4 4.6 277.0 293.4 5.9 629.3 661.8 5.2

Wholesale 86.4 63.5 (26.5) (**) 86.4 63.5 (26.5)

Total 438.7 431.9 (1.6) 277.0 293.4 5.9 715.7 725.3 1.3

(*) Composed of the Coastal and Interior regions.
(**) decreased due to the São Bernardo do Campo reclassification from wholesale to retail.

3. Costs, Administrative and Selling Expenses

Product and service rendering costs, along with administrative and selling expenses increased R$187.4 million or 27.0%.

Bellow we present the main variations:

(R$ million)

  4Q03  4Q04  Variation Chg.%

Salaries and Payroll 299.5 265.9 (33.6) (11.2)
General Supplies 25.1 30.5 5.4 21.6
Treatment Supplies 19.5 21.8 2.3 11.7
Third Party Services 91.1 131.9 40.8 44.7
Electric Power 87.4 117.1 29.7 34.0
General Expenses 54.4 63.4 9.0 16.7
Depreciation and Amortization 168.0 153.9 (14.1) (8.4)
Credit Write-offs (57.5) 89.0 146.5
Tax Expenses 6.2 7.6 1.4 22.6

Costs, Administrative and Selling Expenses 693.7 881.1 187.4 27.0

3.1. Salaries and Payroll

Salaries and payroll presented a R$33.6 million, or 11.2% decrease. Such decrease came as a result of the Programa de Demissão Incentivada – PDI (Encouraged Dismissal Program), accrued on December, 2003.

3.2. General Supplies

General supplies posted a 21.6% increase, totaling R$5.4 million, mainly directed towards materials utilized in the maintenance of residential connections, system and network maintenance, facilities and real estate preservation, lab material, and the company’s vehicles maintenance and safekeeping.

3.3. Treatment Supplies

Treatment supplies expenses increased by R$2.3 million or 11.7%, as a result of the high consumption levels of active carbon, cooper sulfate and aluminum sulfate. An increase in the price per ton of active carbon (74.0 %) in cooper sulfate (26.4 %) during the 4Q04 also contributed to increased expenses.

3.4. Third Party Services

Total increase of R$40.8 million or 44.7%, due to the following factors:

3.5. Electric power

Electric power presented an increase of $29.7 million or 34.0%, resulting from the average increase of 7.7% in electric power tariffs, and from the provision established in December 2004, regarding non billed and non read amounts in the electric power bills in the amount of R$14.1 million. Electric power consumption in the 4Q03 and 4Q04 was 511,777 MWh and 510,718 MWh, respectively.

3.6. General Expenses

Presented a R$9.1 million or 16.7% raise, mainly due to water bills payment receiving impacted by a 4.1% banking fees increase and for contingency provisions regarding new estimates for the already existing processes.

3.7. Depreciation and Amortization

Presented an 8.4% decrease, totaling R$14.1 million, resulted from the transfer of works in place from permanent assets under development to operating permanent assets. Works amounting R$459.1 million during the 4Q03 and R$221.6 million during the 4Q04, were finalized and transferred.

3.8. Credit Write-offs

Write-offs increased by R$146.6 million, mostly due to increased write-offs in 2004, after initiated litigation procedures mainly regarding receivables up to R$ 5,000 which were 180 days overdue, and also of receivables over R$ 30,000 which were 360 days overdue. In addition, there was a significant one-time write-off reversion in December 2003, after the settlement of receivables from the city of São Bernardo do Campo due to its incorporation to SABESP’s retail network.

3.9. Tax Expenses

Increased R$1.4 million, or 22. 6%, mainly due to CPMF – contribution on financial activities.

4. Financial Expenses and Monetary Variations

4.1 Financial Expenses

Financial expenses posted a decrease of 45.2%, equivalent to R$103.9 million due to:

4.2 Monetary Exchange Variation

The monetary exchange variation presented a drop of R$165.6 million, due to Real exchange rate appreciation versus US Dollar of 7.1% in 4Q04 compared to a depreciation of 1.2% which occurred in 4Q03, mainly affecting loans denominated in foreign currency

5. Financial revenues and active monetary variation

5.1 Financial Revenues

Financial revenues were increased by R$14.1 million or 62.9%, from R$22.5 million to R$36.6 million, mainly due to interest from GESP agreement recorded in 2004.

5.2 Active monetary variation

Active monetary variation posted a decrease amounting to R$128.7 million, due to the update of the GESP agreement and to the impact of monetary variation over São Bernardo do Campo’s precatory letter that took place during 2003.

6. Operating Indicators

As presented in the following table, the Company showed significant improvement as a result of São Bernardo do Campo’s insertion in the retail market.


Operational Indicators 4Q03  4Q04  Var.%

Water connections (1) 6.044 6.358 5.2
Sewage connections (1) 4.462 4.747 6.4
Population directly served – water (2) 21.3 22.3 4.7
Population directly served - sewage (2) 17.2 18.2 5.8
Bulk Water Sales billed (3) 86.4 63.5 (26.5)
Retail Water Sales billed (3) 352.3 368.4 4.6
Sewage Services Sales billed (3) 277.0 293.4 5.9
Number of employees 18.546 17.735 (4.4)
Operating productivity (4) 566 626 10.6

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 connections per employee.

7. Loan Settlements and Financing

Total indebtedness payable by the end of 2005, in which we highlight the Eurobonus in the amount of R$730 million due on July, the single largest impact on the Company’s cash, R$100 million from the 4th debenture issuance, to be paid in 4 installments of R$25 million per quarter and on one third of the 5th debenture issuance in the amount approximately of R$150 million.

(R$ million)

INSTITUTION 2005  2006  2007  2008  2009  2010  2011 and 
onwards 
TOTAL 

DOMESTIC
Banco do Brasil 174  189  206  224  244  265  1.035  2.335 
Caixa Econômica Federal 40  41  44  47  50  54  220  498 
Debentures 248  248  380  193  185  1.255 
BNDES 24  25  25  25  25  47  178 
Other 27 
Interest and Charges 77  77 

Domestic Total 547  507  660  301  517  533  1.305  4.370 

 
INTERNATIONAL
World Bank 12  12  31 
Société Génerale
BID 104  115  115  78  78  78  647  1.215 
Eurobonus 730  597  1.327 
Deutsche Bank Luxembourg 53  53 
Interest and Charges 47  47 

International Total 950  131  121  675  78  78  647  2.681 

Total 1.497 638  781  976  595  612  1.952  7.051 

In addition to the maturities above, the repayment of two thirds of the 5th debenture issuance is ongoing, due on April 1, 2005, in the amount of approximately R$ 300 million.

8. Conference Call and Webcast Details

Portuguese: Thursday, April 7, 2005
  10:00 a.m. – US EST
  Phone: +55 (11) 2101-1490
  Conference ID: SABESP
 
English: Thursday, April 7, 2005
  12:00 p.m – US EST
  Phone: +1 (973) 935-8511
  Conference ID: 5893347 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

  4T04  4T03 

Sales/Services Gross Revenues 1,276,679  1,171,978  8.9 
Water Supply - Retail 675,966  604,176  11.9 
Water Supply - Wholesale 57,087  73,071  (21.9)
Sewage Collection and Treatment 543,626  494,731  9.9 
Other Services
 
Gross Revenue Deductions (Cofins/Pasep) (92,768) (43,561) 113.0 
 
Net Sales 1,183,911  1,128,417  4.9 
 
Cost of Goods and/or Services Sold (616,185) (589,586) 4.5 
 
Gross Profit 567,726  538,831  5.4 
 
Selling Expenses (159,973) (13,689) 1,068.6 
General & Administrative Expenses (104,979) (90,433) 16.1 
Net Interest Income (Expense) 42,334  (116,030)
 
Operating Result 345,108  318,679  8.3 
 
Non Operating Expenses (Income) (22,955) (21,817) 5.2 
 
Income Before Taxes 322,153  296,862  8.5 
 
Provision for Income Tax/Social Contribution (79,746) (18,727) 325.8 
Provision for Deferred Income Tax/Social Contribution 1,715  30,563  (94.4)
 
Extraordinary Item Net of IT and SC (8,780) (8,778)
 
Net Income 235,342  299,920  (21.5)
 
Shares Outstanding (1000 shares) 28,479,577  28,479,577 
EPS (R$/1000 shares) 8.26  10.53  (21.5)
 
 
Depreciation and Amortization (153,899) (168,033) (8.4)
EBITDA 456,673  602,742  (24.2)
% of net sales 38.6% 53.4%
 

Balance Sheet

Brazilian Corporate Law    R$thousand 

ASSETS 31/12/04  12/31/03 

Cash and Cash Equivalents 105,557  281,013 
Accounts Receivable 949,792  871,145 
Accounts Receivable from Shareholders 81,334 
Inventory 29,604  22,308 
Tax loss carryforwards
Taxes and Contributions 30,215  29,684 
Other Receivables 33,288  13,015 
 

Total Current Assets 1,229,790  1,217,165 
 
Accounts Receivable 278,060  185,090 
Accounts Receivable from Shareholders 740,609  655,163 
Indemnities Receivable 148,794  148,794 
Judicial Deposits 16,189  17,576 
Taxes and Contributions 257,271  222,804 
Other Receivables 27,976  30,583 
 

Total Long-Term Assets 1,468,899  1,260,010 
 
Investments 5,100  740 
Permanent Assets 14,040,922  14,063,248 
Deferred Assets 39,097  48,951 
 

Total Permanent Assets 14,085,119  14,112,939 
 
 

Total Assets 16,783,808  16,590,114 
 

 

LIBILITIES 31/12/04  12/31/03 

Suppliers and Constructors 51,578  51,934 
Loans and Financing 1,496,810  996,998 
Salaries and Payroll Charges 107,228  135,294 
Provision for Judicial Pendencies 30,373  19,266 
Interest on Own Capital Payable 144,078  242,524 
Taxes and Contributions payable 115,119  84,488 
Taxes and Contributions 71,902  45,502 
Other Payables 83,801  155,993 
 

Total Current Liabilities 2,100,889  1,731,999 
 
Loans and Financing 5,553,843  6,267,265 
Taxes and Contributions 130,055  121,117 
Taxes and Contributions payable 272,338  282,214 
Provision for Contingencies 460,231  384,571 
Pension Fund Obligations 222,176  145,540 
Other Payables 92,688  80,465 
 

Total Long-Term Liabilities 6,731,331  7,281,172 
 
Capital Stock 3,403,688  3,403,688 
Capital Reserves 65,291  50,739 
Revaluation Reserves 2,619,220  2,723,720 
Profit Reserves 1,863,389  1,398,796 
Retained Earnings
 

Shareholder's Equity 7,951,588  7,576,943 
 

Total Liabilities and Shareholder's Equity 16,783,808  16,590,114 
 

 

Statements of Cash Flow

Brazilian Corporate Law R$ thousand

Description Jan-Dec/03  Jan-Dec/04 

Cash flow from operating activities
Net income (loss) for the period 833,320  513,028 
Adjustments for reconciliation of net income (loss)
Deferred income tax and social contribution 16,617  340 
Compensated taxes (43,096)
Provisions for contingencies (13,468) 91,183 
Liabilities related to pension plans 77,204  89,906 
Property, plant and equipment received as donations (Private Sector) (2,428)
Loss in the wirte-off of property, plant and equipment 61,654  34,440 
Loss resulting from defered assets 984 
Gain in the sale of investment
Gain in the sale of property, plant and equipment (4)
Depreciation 544,731  570,353 
Amortization 19,724  28,558 
Interest calculated on loans and financing payable 802,976  693,684 
Foreign exchange loss on loans and financing (396,147) (103,640)
Monetary exchange loss on interest on own capital 31,098  9,794 
Passive monetary variation 14,686  28,128 
Active monetary variation (36,000)
Provisions for bad debt 37,625  241,577 
 

  2,028,572  2,118,255 
 

(Increase) decrease in assets
Clients 61,909  (244,047)
Accounts receivable from shareholders 116,990  (166,627)
Inventories 334  (7,296)
Tax loss carryforwards
Other accounts receivable 71,845  (20,273)
Clients – long term (172,681) (169,839)
Accounts receivable from shareholders- long term (47,789) (104,977)
Judicial deposits 5,931  1,387 
Other long term receivables (10,150) (1,753)
 

  26,389  (713,425)
 

Increase (decrease) in liabilities
Accounts payable to suppliers and contractors 15,323  (356)
Salaries and payroll charges 49,543  (28,066)
Interest on own capital payable (6,685) (1,865)
Taxes and contributions 192,370  49,735 
Other accounts payable 108,961  25,811 
Pension plans (13,270)
Contingencies (4,416)
Taxes and contributions – long term
Other accounts payable - long term 8,487  3,723 
 
 

Net cash from operating activities 367,999  31,296 
 

 
Cash flow from investing activities 2,422,960  1,436,126 
 
Acquisition of property, plant and equipment (1,007,260) (670,257)
Sale of investment
Sale of property, plant and equipment 176 
Increase in Deferred Assets (9,469) (444)
 

 
Net cash used in infesting activities (1,016,722) (670,525)
 

 
Cash flow from financing activities
 
Loans and Financing - short term
Funding 130,000 
Payments (133,787)
Loans and Financing - long term
Funding 918,623  780,722 
Payments (1,937,286) (1,585,496)
Interest on own Capital
Interest on own capital payment (119,521) (132,496)
Balancing accounts (401,712)
 
Net cash used in financing activities (1,539,896) (941,057)
 

 
 

Net increase (decrease) in cash equivalents (133,658) (175,456)
 

Cash and cash equivalents at the beginning of the period 414,671  281,013 
Cash and cash equivalents at the end of the period 281,013  105,557 
 
Change in Cash (133,658) (175,456)
 

 
Additional information on cash flow
Interest and payable taxes for loans and financing 856,331  701,261 
Capitalization of interest and financial charges (1,559) 4,907 
Payable income tax and social contribution 130,731  129,973 
Property, plant and equip. received as donations and/or paid in stocks 3,664  14,552 
COFINS and PASEP taxes payable 154,344  216,699 
 
Transactions that does not affet the cash flow
Acquisition regarding São Bernardo do Campo
Acquisition price 415,471 
Carryforward accounts receivable (265,432)
Amount payable
Amount paid 88,813 
 
Balancing accounts - Agreemente w/ State of São Paulo Government (126,814)

 


 
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: March 29, 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.