SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION Washington, DC 20549 FORM 11-K (Mark One) [X] ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 For the year ended December 31, 1996 OR [ ] TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 [NO FEE REQUIRED] For the transition period from ___________to ______________ Commission file number 1-8353 NUI CORPORATION SAVINGS AND INVESTMENT PLAN for COLLECTIVE BARGAINING EMPLOYEES NUI Corporation 550 Route 202-206 P.O. Box 760 Bedminster, New Jersey 07921-0760 NUI CORPORATION SAVINGS AND INVESTMENT PLAN for COLLECTIVE BARGAINING EMPLOYEES FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AS OF DECEMBER 31, 1996 AND 1995 TOGETHER WITH AUDITORS' REPORT NUI CORPORATION SAVINGS AND INVESTMENT PLAN for COLLECTIVE BARGAINING EMPLOYEES INDEX TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS DECEMBER 31, 1996 AND 1995 Page Report of Independent Public Accountants Financial Statements: Statement of Net Assets Available for Benefits 1 Statement of Changes in Net Assets Available for Benefits 2 Notes to Financial Statements 3-6 Supplemental Schedules: I - Item 27a-Schedule of Assets Held for Investment Purposes at December 31, 1996 7 II - Item 27d-Schedule of Reportable Transactions for the Year Ended December 31, 1996 8 All other supplemental schedules are omitted since they are not applicable or are not required based on the disclosure requirements of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 and the applicable regulations issued by the Department of Labor. REPORT OF INDEPENDENT PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS To the Administrative Committee of the NUI Corporation Savings and Investment Plan for Collective Bargaining Employees We have audited the accompanying statement of net assets available for benefits of the NUI Corporation Savings and Investment Plan for Collective Bargaining Employees ("Plan") as of December 31, 1996 and 1995, and the related statement of changes in net assets available for benefits for the year ended December 31, 1996. These financial statements and the schedules referred to below are the responsibility of the Plan's management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements and schedules based on our audits. We conducted our audits in accordance with generally accepted auditing standards. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion. In our opinion, the financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the net assets available for benefits of the Plan as of December 31, 1996 and 1995, and the changes in net assets available for benefits for the year ended December 31, 1996, in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles. Our audits were performed for the purpose of forming an opinion on the basic financial statements taken as a whole. The supplemental schedules of assets held for investment purposes and reportable transactions are presented for purposes of additional analysis and are not a required part of the basic financial statements but are supplementary information required by the Department of Labor's Rules and Regulations for Reporting and Disclosure under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974. The Fund Information in the statement of changes in net assets available for benefits is presented for purposes of additional analysis rather than to present the changes in net assets available for plan benefits of each fund. The supplemental schedules and Fund Information have been subjected to the auditing procedures applied in the audits of the basic financial statements and, in our opinion, are fairly stated in all material respects in relation to the basic financial statements taken as a whole. June 26, 1997 ARTHUR ANDERSEN LLP New York, New York NUI CORPORATION SAVINGS AND INVESTMENT PLAN for COLLECTIVE BARGAINING EMPLOYEES STATEMENT OF NET ASSETS AVAILABLE FOR BENEFITS As of December 31, 1996 and 1995 1996 1995 ASSETS Investments at market value Barclays Global Investors: Insured Money Market Fund $ 70 $ 67 Income Accumulation Fund 87,176 35,204 Asset Allocation Fund 56,331 23,478 Growth Stock Fund 263,253 97,621 S&P 500 Stock Fund 394,404 146,996 NUI Stock Fund 417,477 142,070 Templeton Foreign Fund 8,777 - Loans to Participants 4,803 1,001 ---------- ---------- Net Assets Available for Benefits $ 1,232,292 $ 446,437 ========== ========== The accompanying notes to financial statements are an integral part of this statement. NUI CORPORATION SAVINGS AND INVESTMENT PLAN STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN NET ASSETS AVAILABLE FOR BENEFITS For the Year Ended December 31, 1996 Insured Money Income Asset Growth Market Accumulation Allocation Stock Total Fund Fund Fund Fund Additions to Net Assets Attributable to: Net Apprecition in Market Value of Investments $137,835 $ - $ - $ 101 $ 9,384 Interest 3,770 7 3,483 - - Mutual Fund 19,632 - - 4,667 3,537 Income Contributions: Participants' 531,007 - 52,592 31,002 155,002 Employer's, 109,744 - - - - Net --------- ------- -------- ------- ------- Total Additions 801,988 7 56,074 35,769 167,923 --------- ------- -------- ------- -------- Deductions from Net Assets Attributable to: Benefits Paid to Participants Expenses (4,138) (1,892) (233) (162) (600) --------- ------- -------- ------- -------- Total Deductions (16,134) (1,992) (3,095) (233) (1,252) --------- ------- -------- -------- -------- Interfund Transfers - 1,989 (1,007) (2,684) (1,040) --------- ------ -------- ------- -------- Net Increase 785,855 3 51,973 32,853 165,632 Net Assets Available for Benefits at Beginning of the Year 446,437 67 35,204 23,478 97,621 --------- -------- ------- ------ -------- Net Assets Available for Benefits at End of the Year $1,232,292 $ 70 $87,176 $56,331 $263,253 ========= ======= ======= ======= ======== S&P 500 NUI Stock Templeton Loans to Stock Fund Fund Foreign Participants (I) Additions to Net Assets Attributable to: Net Apprecition in Market Value of $ 44,105 $ 83,858 $ 387 $ - Investments Interest - - - 280 Mutual Fund 11,367 - 61 - Income Contributions: Participants' 200,849 90,643 919 - Employer's, - 109,744 - - Net --------- --------- ------- -------- Total Additions 256,321 284,246 1,367 280 ---------- --------- ------- -------- Deductions from Net Assets Attributable to: Benefits Paid to (2,971) (5,341) - - Participants Expenses (815) (430) (5) - --------- --------- -------- -------- Total Deductions (3,787) (5,771) (5) - --------- --------- -------- -------- Interfund Transfers (5,127) (3,068) 7,415 3,522 --------- --------- ------- -------- Net Increase 247,408 275,408 8,777 3,802 Net Assets Available for Benefits at Beginning of the 146,996 142,070 - 1,001 Year -------- ------- ------- ------ Net Assets Available for Benefits at End of the Year $394,404 $417,477 $8,777 $4,803 ======== ======== ====== ====== The accompanying notes to financial statements are an integral part of this statement NUI CORPORATION SAVINGS AND INVESTMENT PLAN for COLLECTIVE BARGAINING EMPLOYEES NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1996 AND 1995 1. Summary Description of the Plan The NUI Corporation Savings and Investment Plan for Collective Bargaining Employees (the Plan) is a defined contribution plan established April 1, 1995 covering eligible employees of NUI Corporation and its subsidiaries (the Company). Eligible employees are those whose compensation and conditions of employment are covered by a collective bargaining agreement which calls for participation in the Plan, providing the employee has completed twelve months of service. The Plan conforms to the requirements of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended. The following description provides only general information. See the Plan agreement for a more complete description. The Plan allows eligible employees who participate to make "basic" contributions of up to 6% of their annual base pay, which are matched by contributions by the Company. Participant contributions are matched at a rate of 25% of their "basic" contributions. Participants may make additional contributions of up to 4% of their annual base pay, providing these contributions do not exceed limits imposed by the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the Code). These additional contributions are not matched by the Company. Contributions may be made on a before-tax or after-tax basis as permitted by tax regulations. Company contributions are invested in the NUI Stock Fund, unless the participant has reached age 55, whereby they can direct the investment of these contributions into any fund. Participant contributions may be invested in the following funds: Income Accumulation Fund, Asset Allocation Fund, Growth Stock Fund, S&P 500 Stock Fund, the LifePath Funds, Templeton Foreign Fund, and the NUI Stock Fund, as designated by the participants. A Plan participant is vested at all times in the amount of his/her contributions and earnings thereon. A participant becomes 50% vested in the Company contributions after 36 months of service, 75% after 48 months of service and 100% after 60 months of service. An eligible employee with five or more years of service with the Company becomes fully vested upon entering the Plan. A participant also becomes fully vested upon attaining his/her normal retirement date as an employee, or upon his/her death or disability. Forfeitures of participant's non-vested account balances can be used to pay Plan fees and/or reduce Company contributions, as directed by the Plan Administrator. There were no forfeitures during the year ended December 31, 1996. Participants may borrow up to 50% of the value of the vested portion of their accounts, excluding the Company match portion of their accounts, as calculated on the effective date of the loan up to a maximum of $50,000. The interest rate is the prime rate plus 1% at the time of the loan. The term of the loan cannot exceed five years, nor be less than one year. If a loan participant's employment is terminated for any reason, the remaining unpaid balance becomes immediately due and payable, and if unpaid, may become a taxable distribution. Loan repayments are credited to the participant's account based upon the participant's current investment election for new contributions. Although it has not expressed any intent to do so, the Company has the right under the Plan agreement to terminate the Plan or completely discontinue contributions. Upon either of these two events, all employees would become 100% vested. Benefits would be distributed to participants upon termination of the Plan. 2. Significant Accounting Policies The financial statements have been prepared on the accrual basis of accounting. The Plan's investments in each Investment Fund are maintained in shares/units and are reflected in the accompanying Statement of Net Assets Available for Benefits at market value. The market value of the Insured Money Market and loans to participants is based on cost which approximates market value. The market value of the Income Accumulation Fund is determined in good faith and in the best judgment of the investment officers of BZW Barclays Global Investors, N.A. (Barclays) in accordance with accepted accounting practices, applicable laws and regulations, and procedures formulated by Barclays. The market value of the Asset Allocation, Growth Stock, the LifePath Funds, Templeton Foreign Fund and S&P 500 Stock Funds is based on the Funds' published quotation. The market value of the NUI Stock Funds is based on published market quotations of the Funds' underlying assets. Purchases and sales of assets are reflected on a trade-date basis. The value of a share/unit is determined daily by dividing the value of each Investment Fund by its total number of outstanding shares/units. The following is a summary of the share/unit values and shares/units outstanding as of December 31, 1996 and 1995: 1996 1995 Share/Unit Shares/Units Share/Unit Shares/Units Value Outstanding Value Outstanding Income Accumulation $13.14 6,634 $12.42 2,834 Fund Asset Allocation Fund $11.92 4,726 $11.75 1,998 Templeton Foreign $10.36 847 $ - - Growth Stock Fund $15.32 17,184 $13.86 7,043 S&P 500 Stock Fund $15.91 24,790 $13.44 10,937 NUI Stock Fund $15.58 26,796 $11.90 11,939 LifePath 2000 $ - - $ - - LifePath 2010 $ - - $ - - LifePath 2020 $ - - $ - - LifePath 2030 $ - - $ - - LifePath 2040 $ - - $ - - In accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, distributions are recorded when paid. There were no distributions payable to participants at December 31, 1996 and 1995. Recordkeeping and Investment Fund Election Changes and loan fees are paid by the participants from their accounts. Investment Management fees are also paid by the participants and are included as a reduction of the investment return. All other fees of the Plan (e.g. legal, accounting, tax, etc.) are paid by the Company. Plan assets are invested in various mutual funds, any of which could from time-to-time utilize financial derivatives. Generally accepted accounting principles require the investment managers of such funds to list in their financial statements the amount and purpose of such derivatives. Upon request, participants can be provided with copies of the funds' financial statements directly from Barclays and should refer to these for information on this issue. Derivative securities are not used for speculative purposes. When derivatives are used, it is simply to manage a fund into a market-neutral position, to attempt to match the return of a stated benchmark. 3. Investment Funds Wells Fargo Bank was the Trustee, Recordkeeper and Custodian of the Plan. Effective January 1, 1996, BZW Barclays Global Investors, N.A. acquired Wells Fargo and assumed these duties. The Plan consists of six separate funds (investment funds) as follows: Income Accumulation Fund - This fund seeks to provide a stable return while preserving value by investing in U.S. government and agency securities, and other short-term fixed-income securities. 5 Asset Allocation Fund - This fund seeks to achieve a high level of long-term total return at reasonable risk by shifting investments among three asset classes: common stocks, U.S. Treasury long-term bonds and money market instruments. Growth Stock Fund - This fund seeks to provide investors an above-average rate of return by investing primarily in small and medium-sized companies whose growth rates in earnings and revenues are expected to be above average. S&P 500 Fund - This fund seeks to achieve a long-term total rate of return approximating the total rate of return of the stocks composing the S&P 500 index. NUI Stock Fund - This fund is invested and dividends are reinvested in common stock of NUI Corporation. LifePath Funds - These are asset allocation funds that change their investment mix based on the expected risk and return of the different asset classes in which they invest. LifePath represents a family of five funds with each fund name containing a target date; the nearer the target date the more conservatively the fund invests. The objective of each fund is to maximize return while maintaining a level of risk appropriate to its target date. Templeton Foreign Fund - This is an international equity fund that seeks long-term capital growth. Principal investments are in stocks and debt obligations of companies and governments outside the United States. The Plan also uses an Insured Money Market Fund as a pass-through of amounts in and out of the Investment Funds. This fund had a balance of $70 as of December 31, 1996. Interest and other income earned by the Investment Funds are reinvested by the Trustee in accordance with the terms of the Plan. 4. Federal Income Taxes The Internal Revenue Service issued a determination letter, dated November 20, 1995, stating that the Plan, as designed, met the requirements of Section 401 (a) of the Internal Revenue Code and was exempt from taxation. Under present Federal income tax law, a participant is not taxed currently on any before-tax contributions or Company contributions to the Plan, income earned by the Plan, or gain on the sale of securities held by the Plan until the participant's account is distributed to him/her or made available to him/her without restriction. Participants are taxed currently on the amount of their after-tax contributions. EIN #22-1869941 Schedule I PLAN #002 NUI CORPORATION SAVINGS AND INVESTMENT PLAN FOR COLLECTIVE BARGAINING EMPLOYEES ITEM 27a - SCHEDULE OF ASSETS HELD FOR INVESTMENT PURPOSES AT DECEMBER 31, 1996 Description Identity of of Historical Current Issue Investment Shares/Units Cost Value Barclays Global Investors Insured Money Market Fund - $ 70 $ 70 Income Accumulation Fund 6,634 $ 87,176 $ 87,176 Asset Allocation Fund 4,726 $ 54,952 $ 56,331 Growth Stock Fund 17,184 $257,648 $263,253 S & P 500 Stock Fund 24,790 $340,874 $394,404 NUI Stock Fund 26,796 $320,639 $417,477 Templeton Foreign Fund 847 $8,390 $8,777 Participant Loans Loans at Interest Rates Ranging from 9.25% to 9.75% -- $4,803 $4,803 * Represents a party in interest for the year ended December 31, 1996. The accompanying notes to financial statements are an integral part of this schedule. EIN #22-1869941 Schedule II PLAN #002 NUI CORPORATION SAVINGS AND INVESTMENT PLAN FOR COLLECTIVE BARGAINING EMPLOYEES ITEM 27d - SCHEDULE OF REPORTABLE TRANSACTIONS FOR THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1996 Identity Description No. of Purchase No. of Selling of Party of Asset Purchases Price Sales Price Series of transactions with Barclays Global Investors, involving securities that, in the aggregate, exceed 5% of the plan assets as of the beginning of the year. Barclays Global Investors: Income 55 $52,078 15 $3,589 Accumulation Fund Asset 65 $35,639 5 $2,886 Allocation Fund Growth Stock 68 $160,424 7 $4,176 Fund S&P 500 Stock 67 $209,518 8 $6,215 Fund NUI Stock Fund 64 $198,797 8 $7,247 Current Value of asset on Identity Description Cost of Transaction Net Gain of Party of Asset Asset Date or (Loss) Barclays Global Investors: Income Accumulation Fund $3,589 $3,589 $ _ Asset Allocation Fund $2,787 $2,886 $99 Growth Stock Fund $3,998 $4,176 $178 S&P 500 Stock Fund $5,448 $6,215 $766 NUI Stock Fund $5,909 $7,247 $1,338 *Represents a party in interest for the year ended December 31, 1996. The accompanying notes to financial statements are an integral part of this schedule. SIGNATURES Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this annual report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized. NUI CORPORATION Richard J. O'Neill June 30, 1997 Plan Administrator Robert F. Lurie June 30, 1997 Plan Sponsor