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8-K - 8-K - ARGAN INCa18-9951_18k.htm

Exhibit 99.1

 

 

Argan, Inc.  Reports Year-End and Fourth Quarter Results

Declares 1st Quarterly Dividend of $0.25 Per Share

 

April 11, 2018 — ROCKVILLE, MD — Argan, Inc. (NYSE: AGX) (“Argan” or the “Company”) today announced financial results for its fiscal year and fourth quarter ended January 31, 2018. For additional information, please read the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K, which the Company intends to file today with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”).  The Annual Report can be retrieved from the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov or from the Company’s website at www.arganinc.com.

 

Summary Information: (in thousands, except per share data):

 

 

 

January 31,

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2018

 

2017

 

Change

 

% Change

 

For the Fiscal Year Ended:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Revenues

 

$

892,815

 

$

675,047

 

$

217,768

 

32

%

Gross profit

 

149,325

 

146,711

 

2,614

 

2

 

Gross margins

 

16.7

%

21.7

%

(5.0

)%

(23

)

Net income attributable to the stockholders of the Company

 

$

72,011

 

$

70,328

 

$

1,683

 

2

 

Diluted per share

 

4.56

 

4.50

 

0.06

 

1

 

EBITDA attributable to the stockholders of the Company

 

116,101

 

110,640

 

5,461

 

5

 

Diluted per share

 

7.36

 

7.08

 

0.28

 

4

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

As of:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments

 

$

434,015

 

$

522,994

 

$

(88,979

)

(17

)%

Billings in excess of costs and estimated earnings

 

108,388

 

209,241

 

(100,853

)

(48

)

Project Backlog

 

379,000

 

1,011,000

 

(632,000

)

(63

)

 

Fiscal Year 2018 Results:

 

Revenues increased to an annual record of $893 million, up 32% compared to the prior year, primarily due to the ramped-up, peak and post-peak construction activities of Gemma Power Systems (GPS) on four large, natural gas-fired power plants.  The power industry services segment represented 91% of consolidated revenues for the year ended January 31, 2018, or Fiscal 2018. Gross profit increased 2% to $149 million, primarily due to the increased revenues, while our gross margin percentage decreased from 21.7% to 16.7% compared to the prior year, reflecting the effects of increased labor and subcontractor cost estimates in the latter part of the current year for certain projects and the changes in the mix, progress and gross margin levels of multiple power plant projects.

 



 

Selling, general and administrative expenses increased $9 million to $42 million, primarily in support of increased project work, but decreased as a percentage of revenues to 4.7% from 4.8% in the prior year.  Other income increased $3 million year over year, due to higher yields and increased short-term investment balances. Net income attributable to non-controlling interests decreased $7 million, or 95%, as we reached contractual completion on two large power plants built by joint ventures in the prior year.

 

These factors, partially offset by a net increase in the effective income tax rate, resulted in net income attributable to our stockholders for Fiscal 2018 increasing 2% to $72 million, or $4.56 per diluted share, from $70 million, or $4.50 per diluted share, compared to the prior year.  EBITDA attributable to our stockholders for Fiscal 2018 also increased 5% to $116 million, or $7.36 per diluted share, from $111 million, or $7.08 per diluted share, for the prior year.

 

Our balance sheet continues to be strong. As of January 31, 2018, our cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments totaled $434 million and net liquidity was $302 million; plus, we had no bank debt.

 

Our project backlog was $379 million as of January 31, 2018, down from $1.0 billion at the end of the prior year. The decrease reflects work progress on existing contracts during Fiscal 2018 partially offset with the value of new project awards in the United Kingdom for Atlantic Projects Company (APC).  Although we did not add a new major EPC contract for GPS during Fiscal 2018, we were pleased to add a 475 MW EPC project to backlog shortly after year-end. We are encouraged about the GPS project pipeline as GPS has been selected to perform the EPC work for several new power generation facilities with a collective potential project value in excess of $1.5 billion and projected start dates ranging from mid-2018 through 2019.

 

Fourth Quarter Results:

 

Revenues decreased 18% compared to the prior year’s fourth quarter to $170 million, primarily due to the construction work on four large, gas-fired power plants progressing to the commissioning and start up stages.  Gross profit decreased 47% to $20 million and gross margin percentage decreased to 11.9% from 18.3% compared to the prior year’s fourth quarter, reflecting the factors discussed above.

 

The other major factor contributing to a decreased bottom line between the fourth quarter of Fiscal 2018 and the prior year’s fourth quarter was increased selling, general and administrative expenses of $3.3 million, reflecting larger operations.  As a result, net income attributable to our stockholders for the three months ended January 31, 2018 decreased 66% to $7.0 million, or $0.45 per diluted share, compared to $20.3 million, or $1.29 per diluted share, for the prior year’s fourth quarter. EBITDA attributable to our stockholders for the fourth quarter decreased 66% to $10.7 million, or $0.68 per diluted share, from $31.3 million, or $1.99 per diluted share, for the prior year’s fourth quarter.

 

Quarterly Dividend:

 

On April 10, 2018, our Board of Directors declared a regular quarterly cash dividend in the amount of $0.25 per share of common stock, payable April 30, 2018 to stockholders of record at the close of business on April 20, 2018. This represents a change from our practice in prior years of paying dividends on an annual basis.

 



 

Commenting on Argan’s results, Rainer Bosselmann, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, stated, “Finishing the year with nearly $900 million in revenues, over $70 million in net income and a strong debt free balance sheet are major accomplishments that could not have happened without the hard work and dedication of our employees.  In fact, we are happy to report that we are approaching substantial completion on four of our larger power plant projects.  As we finish these major projects, we are focused on rebuilding our backlog and are cautiously optimistic that there will be several more projects to add this year. Fiscal 2019 is going to be a year where we transition into new projects and we look forward to resuming our revenue growth in the years to come.”

 

About Argan, Inc.

 

Argan’s primary business is providing a full range of services to the power industry including the engineering, procurement and construction of natural gas-fired power plants, along with related commissioning, operations management, maintenance, project development and consulting services, through its Gemma Power Systems and Atlantic Projects Company operations. Argan also owns SMC Infrastructure Solutions, which provides telecommunications infrastructure services, and The Roberts Company, which is a fully integrated fabrication, construction and industrial plant services company.

 

Certain matters discussed in this press release may constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of the federal securities laws and are subject to risks and uncertainties including but not limited to: (1) the continued strong operational performance of our power industry services business; (2) the Company’s successful addition of new contracts to backlog and the Company’s receipt of notices to proceed with the corresponding contract activities; and (3) the Company’s ability to execute on its business strategy while effectively managing costs and expenses. Actual results and the timing of certain events could differ materially from those projected in or contemplated by the forward-looking statements due to a number of factors detailed from time to time in Argan’s filings with the SEC. In addition, reference is hereby made to the cautionary statements made by us with respect to risk factors set forth in the Company’s most recent reports on Form 10-K and 10-Q, and other SEC filings.

 

Company Contact:

Investor Relations Contact:

 

 

Rainer Bosselmann

David Watson

 

 

301.315.0027

301.315.0027

 



 

ARGAN, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF EARNINGS

(In thousands, except per share data)

 

 

 

Three Months Ended January 31,

 

Fiscal Years Ended January 31,

 

 

 

2018

 

2017

 

2018

 

2017

 

 

 

(Unaudited)

 

(Unaudited)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

REVENUES

 

$

169,578

 

$

206,760

 

$

892,815

 

$

675,047

 

Cost of revenues

 

149,474

 

168,941

 

743,490

 

528,336

 

GROSS PROFIT

 

20,104

 

37,819

 

149,325

 

146,711

 

Selling, general and administrative expenses

 

11,356

 

8,049

 

41,764

 

32,478

 

Impairment losses

 

584

 

 

584

 

1,979

 

INCOME FROM OPERATIONS

 

8,164

 

29,770

 

106,977

 

112,254

 

Other income, net

 

1,427

 

995

 

5,648

 

2,278

 

INCOME BEFORE INCOME TAXES

 

9,591

 

30,765

 

112,625

 

114,532

 

Income tax expense

 

2,541

 

9,984

 

40,279

 

37,106

 

NET INCOME

 

7,050

 

20,781

 

72,346

 

77,426

 

Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests

 

32

 

430

 

335

 

7,098

 

NET INCOME ATTRIBUTABLE TO THE STOCKHOLDERS OF ARGAN, INC.

 

$

7,018

 

$

20,351

 

$

72,011

 

$

70,328

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

EARNINGS PER SHARE ATTRIBUTABLE TO THE STOCKHOLDERS OF ARGAN, INC.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Basic

 

$

0.45

 

$

1.33

 

$

4.64

 

$

4.67

 

Diluted

 

$

0.45

 

$

1.29

 

$

4.56

 

$

4.50

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

WEIGHTED AVERAGE NUMBER OF SHARES OUTSTANDING

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Basic

 

15,559

 

15,340

 

15,522

 

15,066

 

Diluted

 

15,743

 

15,731

 

15,780

 

15,625

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

CASH DIVIDENDS PER SHARE

 

 

 

$

1.00

 

$

1.00

 

 



 

ARGAN, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Reconciliations to EBITDA

(Unaudited)(In thousands)

 

 

 

Three Months Ended January 31,

 

 

 

2018

 

2017

 

Net income

 

$

7,050

 

$

20,781

 

Less EBITDA attributable to noncontrolling interests

 

(32

)

(430

)

Interest expense

 

 

 

Income tax expense

 

2,541

 

9,984

 

Depreciation

 

843

 

599

 

Amortization of purchased intangible assets

 

256

 

410

 

EBITDA attributable to the stockholders of Argan, Inc.

 

$

10,658

 

$

31,344

 

 

 

 

Fiscal Years Ended January 31,

 

 

 

2018

 

2017

 

Net income

 

$

72,346

 

$

77,426

 

Less EBITDA attributable to noncontrolling interests

 

(335

)

(7,098

)

Interest expense

 

 

 

Income tax expense

 

40,279

 

37,106

 

Depreciation

 

2,779

 

2,043

 

Amortization of purchased intangible assets

 

1,032

 

1,163

 

EBITDA attributable to the stockholders of Argan, Inc.

 

$

116,101

 

$

110,640

 

 

Management uses EBITDA, a non-GAAP financial measure, for planning purposes, including the preparation of operating budgets and the determination of appropriate levels of operating and capital investments. Management believes that EBITDA provides additional insight for analysts and investors in evaluating the Company’s financial and operational performance and in assisting investors in comparing the Company’s financial performance to those of other companies in the Company’s industry. However, EBITDA is not intended to be an alternative to financial measures prepared in accordance with GAAP and should not be considered in isolation from the Company’s GAAP results of operations. Consistent with the requirements of SEC Regulation G, reconciliations of the Company’s non-GAAP financial results from net income are included in the presentations above and investors are advised to carefully review and consider this information as well as the GAAP financial results that are presented in the Company’s SEC filings.

 



 

ARGAN, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(Dollars in thousands, except per share data)

 

 

 

As of January 31,

 

 

 

2018

 

2017

 

ASSETS

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

CURRENT ASSETS

 

 

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents

 

$

122,107

 

$

167,198

 

Short-term investments

 

311,908

 

355,796

 

Accounts receivable, net

 

94,440

 

54,836

 

Costs and estimated earnings in excess of billings

 

4,887

 

3,192

 

Prepaid expenses and other current assets

 

12,409

 

6,927

 

TOTAL CURRENT ASSETS

 

545,751

 

587,949

 

Property, plant and equipment, net

 

15,299

 

13,112

 

Goodwill

 

34,329

 

34,913

 

Other intangible assets, net

 

7,149

 

8,181

 

Deferred taxes

 

439

 

241

 

Other assets

 

426

 

92

 

TOTAL ASSETS

 

$

603,393

 

$

644,488

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

LIABILITIES AND EQUITY

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

CURRENT LIABILITIES

 

 

 

 

 

Accounts payable

 

$

100,238

 

$

101,944

 

Accrued expenses

 

35,360

 

39,539

 

Billings in excess of costs and estimated earnings

 

108,388

 

209,241

 

TOTAL CURRENT LIABILITIES

 

243,986

 

350,724

 

Deferred taxes

 

1,279

 

1,195

 

TOTAL LIABILITIES

 

245,265

 

351,919

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

 

 

 

 

 

Preferred stock, par value $0.10 per share — 500,000 shares authorized; no shares issued and outstanding

 

 

 

Common stock, par value $0.15 per share — 30,000,000 shares authorized; 15,570,952 and 15,461,452 shares issued at January 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively; 15,567,719 and 15,458,219 shares outstanding at January 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively

 

2,336

 

2,319

 

Additional paid-in capital

 

143,215

 

135,426

 

Retained earnings

 

211,112

 

154,649

 

Accumulated other comprehensive gain (loss)

 

1,422

 

(762

)

TOTAL STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

 

358,085

 

291,632

 

Noncontrolling interests

 

43

 

937

 

TOTAL EQUITY

 

358,128

 

292,569

 

TOTAL LIABILITIES AND EQUITY

 

$

603,393

 

$

644,488