BOISE, ID--(Marketwire - July 27, 2010) - US Ecology, Inc. (
NASDAQ:
ECOL) ("the Company")
today reported results for the quarter ended June 30, 2010. Net income for
the second quarter of 2010 was $2.3 million, or $0.13 per diluted share,
down from net income of $3.5 million, or $0.19 per diluted share, in the
second quarter last year. Operating income for the quarter ending June 30,
2010 was $3.8 million compared to $5.7 million for the second quarter of
2009. Operating income and net income increased 26% and 30%, respectively,
from the first quarter of 2010. For the 21st consecutive quarter, all four
of the Company's disposal facilities were profitable.
Revenue for the second quarter of 2010 was $19.8 million, down from $36.4
million in the same quarter last year. This reflects declines in
transportation, treatment and disposal revenue associated with the
completion of the four-year Honeywell International Jersey City project
("Honeywell") in early October of 2009. Excluding Honeywell, which
contributed $18.5 million in total revenue during the second quarter of
2009, revenue would have increased approximately 11% quarter over quarter.
"Base" business revenue (revenue from recurring waste streams) increased 7%
in the second quarter of 2010 compared to the same quarter last year on
increased shipments from refinery, other industry, government and broker
customers. "Event" remediation revenue (revenue from discrete projects)
declined 48% in the second quarter of 2010 over the same quarter last year
due to the completion of Honeywell in 2009. Excluding Honeywell, Event
revenue would have been down 1% year over year. Our Texas thermal
recycling service contributed $2.2 million in revenue from a combination of
Base and Event business in the second quarter of 2010, down 9% from the
$2.5 million generated in the second quarter of 2009. This reduction was
caused by a decline in average selling price and lower volumes during the
second quarter of 2010 compared to the same quarter last year. Total
volumes disposed at our Idaho, Nevada and Texas waste facilities (including
thermal services) were 118,000 tons in the second quarter of 2010, down 48%
from the 228,000 tons in the second quarter of 2009, which included 105,000
tons from Honeywell.
For the quarter ending June 30, 2010, gross profit was $7.1 million, down
from $9.1 million reported in the second quarter of 2009. Gross profit as
a percentage of total revenue ("gross margin") was 36.0% for the second
quarter of 2010 as compared with 25.0% in the same quarter last year. This
improvement in gross margin reflects lower pass-through transportation and
logistics services being offered in the second quarter of 2010 than in the
same quarter the prior year, which was heavily weighted with transportation
associated with Honeywell. Treatment and disposal gross margin for the
second quarter of 2010 and 2009 was 44%.
Selling, general and administrative ("SG&A") expense for the three months
ending June 30, 2010 was $3.3 million, or 16.9% of revenue, as compared to
$3.4 million, or 9.3% of revenue, in the same quarter last year. In
absolute dollars, total SG&A expenses were lower for the second quarter of
2010 compared to the same quarter last year reflecting reduced sales
commission and lower labor costs. However, the effect of these
quarter-over-quarter reductions in SG&A were partially offset by increases
in estimated regulatory fines, employee benefit costs and business
development expenses.
Our effective income tax rate for the second quarter of 2010 was 39.9% as
compared with 39.8% in the second quarter of 2009. This increase primarily
reflects an increase in non-deductible expenses for income taxes.
At June 30, 2010, we had $32.3 million of cash, cash equivalents and
short-term investments on hand, with $16.0 million of our $20.0 million
line of credit unused. The $4.0 million line of credit usage covers a
standby letter of credit providing collateral for financial assurance for
future closure and post-closure obligations. We had no outstanding
borrowings during the quarter or at the quarter ending June 30, 2010.
"Despite challenging economic conditions, we were pleased by the stability
and sequential improvements seen in our business during the second quarter
over the first quarter of 2010," commented Chief Financial Officer, Jeff
Feeler. "In addition, our non-Honeywell revenue and earnings both improved
year over year."
The Company estimates that Honeywell contributed approximately $0.09 per
share of earnings in the second quarter of 2009.
"As expected, while our Event Business continued to be impacted by the
sluggish economic environment, our Base business increased 7% from the same
period last year and 3% from the first quarter of 2010 reflecting what we
believe to be slow improvements in industrial production," Feeler
concluded.
Year-To-Date Results
Revenue for the six months ending June 30, 2010 was $39.4 million, down
from $71.3 million in the same period in 2009. In the six months ended
June 30, 2009, Honeywell represented $33.9 million of total revenue.
Excluding Honeywell revenue, revenue was up 5% in the first half of 2010.
Disposal volumes in the first half of 2010 were 237,000 tons, down 46% from
the same period last year. However, when Honeywell is excluded, volume for
the first six months was only down 5%.
Gross profit was $13.7 million for the first half of 2010, down from $18.7
million in the first half of 2009. Gross margin was 34.8% for the first
half of 2010 as compared with 26.1% in the same period last year. The
gross margin improvement in the first half of 2010 reflects lower
pass-through transportation and logistics services being offered compared
to the same period of 2009. Treatment and disposal margin for the first
half of 2010 was 42% compared with 45% in the same period last year. This
decline reflects lower disposal volumes and the lower average selling
prices in our thermal recycling services.
SG&A expenses for the first six months of 2010 were $6.9 million, or 17.6%
of revenue, as compared to $7.0 million, or 9.8% of revenue, for the same
period last year. SG&A includes a $497,000 charge related to a proposed
offer to settle a pending regulatory fine associated with our Beatty,
Nevada facility dating back to 2005.
Operating income for the first half of 2010 was $6.8 million compared to
$11.7 million for the first half of 2009.
Our effective income tax rate for the six months ending June 30, 2010 was
40.6% as compared with 39.8% in the first half of 2009. This increase
primarily reflects an increase in non-deductible expenses for income taxes.
Net income was $4.1 million, or $0.23 per diluted share, for the first half
of 2010, down from net income of $7.2 million, or $0.39 per diluted share,
in the first six months of 2009, of which $0.15 represented estimated
earnings per share from Honeywell.
2010 Outlook
The Company continues to expect full year earnings per share of between
$0.57 and $0.67 per diluted share, which represents 10% to 29% growth in
earnings over 2009 when Honeywell and proceeds from insurance are excluded.
Additionally, based on expected increased demand for landfill services, the
Company is accelerating planned construction of new landfill capacity at
its Beatty, Nevada facility. Capital expenditures for the full year 2010
are now estimated to be between $15.6 and $16.6 million, up $2.6 million
from our previous capital spending guidance.
"The first half of 2010 played out largely as we expected with the Base
Business slowly improving and continued softness in the Event Business,"
commented President and Chief Executive Officer, Jim Baumgardner. "Bidding
activity for remedial event projects has improved in the last several
months, giving us increased confidence that the second half of 2010 will
indeed be stronger."
"We also continued to execute on our strategy of controlling costs, landing
large event projects, as demonstrated by our recent General Electric
contract investing in waste handling infrastructure and working toward
acquiring additional assets," Baumgardner concluded.
Dividend
On July 1, 2010 the Company declared a quarterly dividend of $0.18 per
common share for stockholders of record on July 16, 2010. This $3.3
million dividend was paid on July 23, 2010 using cash on hand.
Conference Call
US Ecology, Inc. will hold an investor conference call on Tuesday, July 27,
2010 at 10 a.m. Eastern Daylight Time (8:00 a.m. Mountain Daylight Time) to
discuss these results and its current financial position. Questions will
be invited after management's presentation. Interested parties can join the
conference call by dialing (866) 700-6293 or (617) 213-8835 and using the
passcode 20083109. The conference call will also be broadcast live on our
website at
www.usecology.com. An audio replay will be available through
August 3, 2010 by calling (888) 286-8010 or (617) 801-6888 and using the
passcode 99785873. The replay will also be accessible on our website at
www.usecology.com.
About US Ecology, Inc.
US Ecology, Inc., (formerly known as American Ecology Corporation) through
its subsidiaries, provides radioactive, hazardous, PCB and non-hazardous
industrial waste management and recycling services to commercial and
government entities, such as refineries and chemical production facilities,
manufacturers, electric utilities, steel mills, medical and academic
institutions and waste broker / aggregators. Headquartered in Boise, Idaho,
the Company is one of the nation's oldest radioactive and hazardous waste
services company in the United States.
This press release contains forward-looking statements as defined in the
Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 that are based on our
current expectations, beliefs and assumptions about the industry and
markets in which US Ecology, Inc. and its subsidiaries operate. Because
such statements include risks and uncertainties, actual results may differ
materially from what is expressed herein and no assurance can be given that
the Company will achieve its 2010 earnings estimates, successfully execute
its growth strategy, increase market share, or declare or pay future
dividends. For information on other factors that could cause actual results
to differ materially from expectations, please refer to US Ecology, Inc.'s
December 31, 2009 Annual Report on Form 10-K and other reports filed with
the Securities and Exchange Commission. Many of the factors that will
determine the Company's future results are beyond the ability of management
to control or predict. Readers should not place undue reliance on
forward-looking statements, which reflect management's views only as of the
date such statements are made. The Company undertakes no obligation to
revise or update any forward-looking statements, or to make any other
forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future
events or otherwise. Important assumptions and other important factors that
could cause actual results to differ materially from those set forth in the
forward-looking information include a loss of a major customer, compliance
with and changes to applicable laws and regulations, market conditions and
production rates for the thermal recycling service at our Texas facility,
our ability to replace business from completed Honeywell Jersey City
project, access to cost effective transportation services, access to
insurance and other financial assurances, loss of key personnel, lawsuits,
adverse economic conditions including a tightened credit market, the timing
or level of government funding or competitive conditions, incidents that
could limit or suspend specific operations, our ability to perform under
required contracts, our willingness or ability to pay dividends and our
ability to integrate any potential acquisitions.
Investors should also be aware that while we do, from time to time,
communicate with securities analysts, it is against our policy to disclose
any material non-public information or other confidential commercial
information. Accordingly, stockholders should not assume that we agree with
any statement or report issued by any analyst irrespective of the content
of the statement or report. Furthermore, we have a policy against issuing
or confirming financial forecasts or projections issued by others. Thus, to
the extent that reports issued by securities analysts contain any
projections, forecasts or opinions, such reports are not the responsibility
of US Ecology, Inc.
US ECOLOGY, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
(in thousands, except per share data)
(unaudited)
Three Months Ended Six Months Ended
June 30, June 30,
------------------- ------------------
2010 2009 2010 2009
--------- --------- -------- --------
Revenue $ 19,832 $ 36,377 $ 39,372 $ 71,342
Direct operating costs 9,725 12,002 20,010 23,247
Transportation costs 2,964 15,263 5,644 29,437
--------- --------- -------- --------
Gross profit 7,143 9,112 13,718 18,658
Selling, general and administrative
expenses 3,343 3,396 6,910 6,969
--------- --------- -------- --------
Operating income 3,800 5,716 6,808 11,689
Other income (expense):
Interest income 17 37 31 85
Interest expense - - (1) (1)
Other 49 91 90 124
--------- --------- -------- --------
Total other income 66 128 120 208
Income before income taxes 3,866 5,844 6,928 11,897
Income tax expense 1,543 2,326 2,815 4,735
--------- --------- -------- --------
Net income $ 2,323 $ 3,518 $ 4,113 $ 7,162
========= ========= ======== ========
Earnings per share:
Basic $ 0.13 $ 0.19 $ 0.23 $ 0.39
Diluted $ 0.13 $ 0.19 $ 0.23 $ 0.39
Shares used in earnings
per share calculation:
Basic 18,166 18,145 18,165 18,144
Diluted 18,187 18,175 18,186 18,175
Dividends paid per share $ 0.18 $ 0.18 $ 0.36 $ 0.36
========= ========= ======== ========
US ECOLOGY, INC.
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(in thousands)
(unaudited)
June 30, December 31,
2010 2009
------------ ------------
Assets
Current Assets:
Cash and cash equivalents $ 29,256 $ 31,347
Short-term investments 2,999 1,395
Receivables, net 13,541 16,302
Prepaid expenses and other current assets 2,204 1,752
Deferred income taxes 413 41
------------ ------------
Total current assets 48,413 50,837
Property and equipment, net 71,809 67,485
Restricted cash 4,114 4,800
Other assets 509 540
------------ ------------
Total assets $ 124,845 $ 123,662
============ ============
Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity
Current Liabilities:
Accounts payable $ 4,095 $ 4,264
Deferred revenue 1,749 1,353
Accrued liabilities 4,630 4,150
Accrued salaries and benefits 1,680 1,735
Income tax payable 666 201
Current portion of closure and post-closure
obligations 2,457 293
Current portion of capital lease obligations 10 11
------------ ------------
Total current liabilities 15,287 12,007
Long-term closure and post-closure obligations 12,554 13,070
Long-term capital lease obligations 5 10
Deferred income taxes 5,336 5,077
------------ ------------
Total liabilities 33,182 30,164
Contingencies and commitments
Stockholders' Equity
Common stock 183 183
Additional paid-in capital 61,443 61,459
Retained earnings 32,016 34,446
Treasury stock (1,979) (2,590)
------------ ------------
Total stockholders' equity 91,663 93,498
------------ ------------
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity $ 124,845 $ 123,662
============ ============
US ECOLOGY, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(in thousands)
(unaudited)
For the six months Ended
June 30,
--------------------------
2010 2009
------------ ------------
Cash Flows From Operating Activities:
Net income $ 4,113 $ 7,162
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net
cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation, amortization and accretion 3,637 4,642
Deferred income taxes (113) 935
Stock-based compensation expense 595 416
Net loss (gain) on sale of property and
equipment 51 (3)
Investment premium amortization 20 -
Changes in assets and liabilities:
Receivables, net 2,761 4,261
Income tax receivable - 2,392
Other assets (421) (336)
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities (1,078) (1,120)
Deferred revenue 396 556
Accrued salaries and benefits (55) (899)
Income tax payable 465 -
Closure and post-closure obligations (147) (288)
Other (1) (19)
------------ ------------
Net cash provided by operating activities 10,223 17,699
Cash Flows From Investing Activities:
Purchases of short-term investments (4,998) -
Purchases of property and equipment (4,879) (4,768)
Maturities of short-term investments 3,375 -
Restricted cash, net 686 (11)
Proceeds from sale of property and equipment 51 42
------------ ------------
Net cash used in investing activities (5,765) (4,737)
Cash Flows From Financing Activities:
Dividends paid (6,543) (6,534)
Stock repurchases - (2)
Other (6) (4)
------------ ------------
Net cash used in financing activities (6,549) (6,540)
(Decrease) Increase in cash and cash
equivalents (2,091) 6,422
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of
period 31,347 18,473
------------ ------------
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period $ 29,256 $ 24,895
============ ============
Contact Information: Contact:
Alison Ziegler
Cameron Associates
(212) 554-5469
alison@cameronassoc.com
www.usecology.com