* First quarter diluted EPS from continuing operations up 39% to a record $0.54 * First quarter sales up 23% to a record $840 million * Record performance was led by 109% increase in operating income from the Company's Access Services Segment * Results also benefited from the acquisition of Excell Minerals * Company raises full-year 2007 guidance for diluted EPS from $2.52 to $2.57 for continuing operations to new range of $2.69 to $2.74
HARRISBURG, Pa., April 23, 2007 (PRIME NEWSWIRE) -- Worldwide industrial services company Harsco Corporation (NYSE:HSC) today reported record first quarter 2007 results from continuing operations. All per share and share amounts in this release reflect the 2-for-1 stock split effective March 27, 2007.
First quarter 2007 diluted EPS from continuing operations was a record $0.54, up 39 percent from $0.39 in the first quarter of 2006. Income from continuing operations was a record $45.4 million, compared with $32.6 million last year, also an increase of 39 percent. Overall operating margins improved by 80 basis points to 10.3 percent from 9.5 percent in last year's comparable period. First quarter sales totaled a record $840 million, up 23 percent from sales of $682 million in the same period last year. Foreign currency translation increased first quarter sales by $36.6 million and pre-tax income by $1.8 million.
Commenting on the Company's results, Harsco Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Derek C. Hathaway said, "We are once again pleased with the strong start to a new fiscal year. Our end markets remain strong and we are particularly encouraged by the opportunities presented to our Access Services businesses from the strength of the global non-residential construction and industrial maintenance markets. We are also pleased with the success of our acquisition program which continues to provide us with accretive opportunities, a recent example of which is our acquisition of Excell Minerals. Perhaps most significant is the success of our continuing strategic efforts to focus the company in market-leading industrial services on a global basis. We are confident in our ability to continue to build on our successes in this regard and add to future growth in stockholder value."
Outlook
Harsco President, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer Salvatore D. Fazzolari said, "We look forward to continuing our first quarter momentum throughout all of 2007. Our overall global markets remain strong and provide us with numerous opportunities for growth. We see continued strength in future quarters, particularly from our Access Services Segment, as well as from our Excell Minerals, Harsco Track Technologies, and Air-X-Changers units. Likewise, we expect progressive year-over-year improvement in future quarters from our Mill Services Segment as production levels normalize in the U.S., new contracts are signed and work started, and unplanned mill maintenance outages diminish. In addition, we continue to pursue a prudent acquisition strategy of seeking further accretive bolt-on acquisitions to our existing industrial services platforms. As such, we are raising our full year 2007 guidance for EPS from continuing operations to a range of $2.69 to $2.74, from the previous range of $2.52 to $2.57 per diluted share. Using the midpoint of the updated guidance, this reflects an increase of approximately 23 percent over 2006's diluted EPS from continuing operations of $2.21.
For the second quarter of 2007, we are forecasting earnings from continuing operations in the range of $0.76 to $0.79 per diluted share, a 21 to 25 percent increase over the $0.63 in the second quarter of 2006."
First Quarter Business Review
Access Services
First quarter 2007 sales increased 40 percent to $316 million from $226 million last year. Organic sales growth contributed $53 million, or approximately 24 percent; the net effect of the third quarter acquisition of Cleton Industrial Services in Holland and the fourth quarter acquisition of MyATH in Chile contributed $21 million, or 9 percent; and positive foreign currency translation contributed $16 million, or approximately 7 percent. Operating income increased by 109 percent to $35.0 million in the first quarter, up from $16.8 million in the comparable period last year. Positive foreign currency translation increased operating income by approximately $0.8 million in this year's first quarter. Operating margins increased by approximately 370 basis points to 11.1 percent from 7.4 percent in the first quarter of last year. Included in this year's first quarter results was a $1.6 million pre-tax gain from the sale of property no longer required in the business. Without this gain, 2007 first quarter operating income would have been up by 99 percent and operating margins of 10.6 percent would have been 320 basis points higher than last year.
The increased performance in the quarter was led by continued strength in the Company's worldwide non-residential construction and industrial maintenance markets, particularly in North America and Eastern Europe; further market penetration; and positive returns from the Company's increased investment in higher value rental systems.
The market outlook for the Access Services Segment remains positive for 2007 and beyond. Industry sources continue to predict further growth in non-residential construction and industrial maintenance in North America, Europe, and other key markets. Further global expansion and market share gains are also expected from this Segment.
Mill Services
Sales in the first quarter of 2007 increased by approximately 11 percent to $361 million from $326 million in last year's first quarter. Organic sales growth contributed $14 million, or approximately 4 percent; the fourth quarter 2006 purchase of Technic Gum Services contributed $2 million, or 1 percent; and positive foreign currency translation contributed $19 million, or approximately 6 percent. First quarter operating income decreased by some 4 percent to $32.3 million, from $33.6 million in the first quarter of last year. Foreign currency translation contributed $1.6 million to operating income in the quarter. Operating margins decreased by approximately 130 basis points to 9.0 percent from 10.3 percent in the first quarter of 2006. The first quarter of 2007 included a $1.0 million provision associated with the termination of a mill services contract. Without this provision, 2007 first quarter operating income would have been only slightly less than that of the first quarter last year and operating margins would have been 9.2 percent.
Performance was negatively impacted by unplanned maintenance outages at a number of mill sites during the quarter, the timing of new contract signings and start-ups, and lower steel production in certain geographies, principally North America.
The first quarter is traditionally the slowest period for the Mill Services Segment due to seasonal factors. As such, the outlook for the remainder of the year remains positive. Liquid steel production in the U.S. has recently begun to improve over last year and global steel production, even excluding China, is expected to exceed that of 2006. In addition, bidding activity on new contract opportunities remains strong and signings should gain momentum as the year progresses. The Company's ongoing cost reduction program is also expected to continue to make a positive contribution to operating results.
Minerals & Rail Technologies, Services and Products ("All Other")
Sales of $163 million in the first quarter of 2007 were 25 percent higher than the $130 million in the same period last year. Operating income increased 26 percent to $19.4 million, from $15.4 million in the first quarter of last year. Operating margins were 11.9 percent, the same as last year. Foreign currency translation increased sales by $1.1 million in the quarter and operating income by $0.3 million.
As expected, the February 1, 2007 acquisition of Excell Minerals made a solid contribution to this group's improved performance in the quarter. Sales from Excell were almost $22 million and operating results were accretive to earnings. Sales on a year-over-year basis were also ahead for four of the five other operating divisions within this group. In addition, operating income in the first quarter of 2007 was up for three of the five other operating divisions, as were margins.
The outlook for this group remains positive. Excell Minerals is expected to continue to make a solid and growing contribution to results in the remaining quarters of 2007, as it is fully integrated into the Company. Likewise, the Company's Harsco Track Technologies unit is expected to see further improved results in future quarters due to the seasonality of its growing rail track maintenance services business and the timing of equipment deliveries. The group's remaining units continue to have an overall positive outlook, particularly Air-X-Changers, which continues to benefit from strong market demand for its gas compression equipment.
Discontinued Operations
As reported on January 24, 2007, the Company is pursuing the divestiture of its Gas Technologies business group. As such, first quarter results for Gas Technologies have been reclassified as discontinued operations.
Income from discontinued operations for the first quarter was $2.2 million after tax, or $0.03 per share, compared with $1.6 million after-tax or $0.02 per share in 2006. The first quarter 2007 results include a pre-tax pension curtailment loss of $1.5 million.
Liquidity, Capital Resources and Other Matters
Net cash provided by operating activities for the first quarter of 2007 was $42 million, down from $70 million for the comparable period last year. The decrease in cash flow from operating activities is due principally to working capital associated with Gas Technologies and Harsco Track Technologies. Although Gas Technologies is classified as a discontinued operation, its operating cash flows must be classified as cash from operating activities, as required by U.S. GAAP. For the first quarter of 2007, Gas Technologies had negative operating cash flow of approximately $15 million compared with last year. Also, Harsco Track Technologies had negative operating cash flow of approximately $13 million compared with last year, due mainly to working capital timing differences. The Company still expects to achieve its previously stated cash flow objectives for the year. Net cash used by investing activities was $292 million, a 360 percent increase over the $63 million last year. The increased cash usage was due primarily to the acquisition of Excell Minerals and higher capital expenditures for organic growth.
During the first quarter, the Company's total debt increased by some $266 million to $1,329 million from $1,063 million at the end of 2006. The debt-to-capital ratio increased by 450 basis points to 52.6 percent at the end of the first quarter of 2007 from 48.1 percent at the end of 2006. The increase in debt is due principally to the Excell Minerals acquisition.
Consistent with the quarterly results, improvement in Economic Valued Added (EVA(r)) continued to be achieved in the first quarter of 2007.
Forward-Looking Statements
The nature of the Company's business and the many countries in which it operates subject it to changing economic, competitive, regulatory, and technological conditions, risks, and uncertainties. In accordance with the "Safe Harbor" provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, the Company provides the following cautionary remarks regarding important factors which, among others, could cause future results to differ materially from the forward-looking statements, expectations and assumptions expressed or implied herein. Forward-looking statements include information about management's confidence and strategies for performance; expectations for new and existing products, technologies, and opportunities; and expectations regarding growth, sales, cash flows, earnings, and EVA. These statements are identified by the use of such terms as "may," "could," "expect," "anticipate," "intend," "believe," or other comparable terms.
Risk factors and uncertainties which could affect results include, but are not limited to: (1) changes in the worldwide business environment in which the Company operates, including general economic conditions; (2) changes in currency exchange rates, certain commodity costs, interest rates, and capital costs; (3) changes in the performance of stock and bond markets, particularly in the United States and United Kingdom; (4) changes in governmental laws and regulations, including taxes and import tariffs; (5) market and competitive changes, including pricing pressures, market demand, and acceptance for new products, services, and technologies; (6) unforeseen business disruptions in one or more of the over 40 countries in which the Company operates due to political instability, civil disobedience, armed hostilities or other calamities; and (7) other risk factors listed from time to time in the Company's SEC reports. The Company cautions that these factors may not be exhaustive and that many of these factors are beyond the Company's ability to control or predict. Accordingly, forward-looking statements should not be relied upon as a prediction of actual results. The Company undertakes no duty to update forward-looking statements.
Conference Call
As previously announced, the Company will hold a conference call today at 2:00 p.m. Eastern Time (ET) to discuss its results and respond to questions from the investment community. The conference call will be broadcast live through the Harsco Corporation website at www.harsco.com. The call can also be accessed by telephone by dialing (800) 611-4920, or (706) 634-5923 from outside the United States and Canada. Enter Conference ID number 4690936. Listeners are advised to dial in at least five minutes prior to the call. Replays will be available via the Harsco website, or by telephone beginning approximately 5:00 pm ET today. The telephone replay dial-in number is (800) 642-1687, or (706) 645-9291 from outside the United States and Canada. Enter Conference ID number 4690936.
About Harsco
Harsco Corporation is one of the world's leading diversified industrial services companies, serving major customers in the global non-residential construction, steel and metals, energy and railway industries. The Company posted 2006 revenues of $3.4 billion and employs approximately 21,500 people worldwide. Harsco's common stock is a component of the S&P MidCap 400 Index and the Russell 1000 Index. Additional information can be found at www.harsco.com.
The Harsco Corporation logo is available at http://www.primezone.com/newsroom/prs/?pkgid=361
HARSCO CORPORATION
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME (Unaudited)
Three Months Ended
(In thousands, except March 31
per share amounts) 2007 2006 (a)
----------------------------------------------------------------
Revenues from continuing
operations:
Service revenues $ 722,815 $ 572,631
Product revenues 117,211 109,434
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Total revenues 840,026 682,065
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Costs and expenses from
continuing operations:
Cost of services sold 538,538 422,824
Cost of products sold 87,079 79,534
Selling, general and
administrative expenses 127,754 112,251
Research and development
expenses 993 557
Other (income) expenses (912) 1,849
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Total costs and
expenses 753,452 617,015
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Operating income from
continuing operations 86,574 65,050
Equity in income of
unconsolidated entities,
net 128 61
Interest income 1,039 861
Interest expense (18,575) (14,090)
----------------------------------------------------------------
Income from continuing
operations before
income taxes and
minority interest 69,166 51,882
Income tax expense (21,602) (16,986)
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Income from continuing
operations before
minority interest 47,564 34,896
Minority interest in net
income (2,124) (2,271)
----------------------------------------------------------------
Income from continuing
operations 45,440 32,625
----------------------------------------------------------------
Discontinued operations:
Income from operations of
discontinued business 5,418 2,317
Loss on disposal of
discontinued business (2,297) -
Income tax expense (908) (690)
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Income from discontinued
operations 2,213 1,627
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Net Income $ 47,653 $ 34,252
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Average shares of common
stock outstanding 84,048 83,645
Basic earnings per common share:
Continuing operations $ 0.54 $ 0.39
Discontinued operations 0.03 0.02
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Basic earnings per common
share $ 0.57 $ 0.41
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Diluted average shares of
common stock outstanding 84,578 84,230
Diluted earnings per common
share:
Continuing operations $ 0.54 $ 0.39
Discontinued operations 0.03 0.02
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Diluted earnings per common
share $ 0.56 (b) $ 0.41
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(a) Reclassified for comparative purposes.
(b) Does not total due to rounding.
HARSCO CORPORATION
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (Unaudited)
March 31 December 31
(In thousands) 2007 2006
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ASSETS
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents $ 102,031 $ 101,260
Accounts receivable, net 757,549 753,168
Inventories 219,627 285,229
Other current assets 74,581 88,398
Assets held-for-sale 280,600 3,567
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Total current assets 1,434,388 1,231,622
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Property, plant and equipment,
net 1,320,983 1,322,467
Goodwill, net 692,149 612,480
Intangible assets, net 183,493 88,164
Other assets 92,319 71,690
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Total assets $ 3,723,332 $ 3,326,423
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LIABILITIES
Current liabilities:
Short-term borrowings $ 435,382 $ 185,074
Current maturities of
long-term debt 11,282 13,130
Accounts payable 260,312 287,006
Accrued compensation 70,654 95,028
Income taxes payable 36,437 61,967
Dividends payable 16,009 15,983
Insurance liabilities 42,270 40,810
Other current liabilities 224,414 211,777
Liabilities associated with
assets held-for-sale 57,532 -
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Total current liabilities 1,154,292 910,775
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Long-term debt 882,046 864,817
Deferred income taxes 147,295 103,592
Insurance liabilities 64,602 62,542
Retirement plan liabilities 181,190 189,457
Other liabilities 96,421 48,876
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Total liabilities 2,525,846 2,180,059
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STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
Common stock 138,161 85,614
Additional paid-in capital 115,507 166,494
Accumulated other comprehensive
loss (152,006) (169,334)
Retained earnings 1,698,995 1,666,761
Treasury stock (603,171) (603,171)
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Total stockholders' equity 1,197,486 1,146,364
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Total liabilities and
stockholders' equity $ 3,723,332 $ 3,326,423
================================================================
HARSCO CORPORATION
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (Unaudited)
Three Months Ended
March 31
(In thousands) 2007 2006
----------------------------------------------------------------
Cash flows from operating
activities:
Net income $ 47,653 $ 34,252
Adjustments to reconcile
net income to net cash
provided (used) by operating
activities:
Depreciation 65,008 58,415
Amortization 5,270 1,836
Equity in income of
unconsolidated entities,
net (128) (61)
Other, net (760) 2,336
Changes in assets and
liabilities, net of
acquisitions and
dispositions of businesses:
Accounts receivable (43,486) 27,464
Inventories (30,070) (27,611)
Accounts payable (13,942) (10,250)
Accrued interest payable 5,621 4,710
Accrued compensation (22,848) (14,543)
Other assets and
liabilities 29,369 (6,708)
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Net cash provided by
operating activities 41,687 69,840
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Cash flows from investing
activities:
Purchases of property, plant
and equipment (83,363) (66,940)
Net source (use) of cash
associated with the purchases
of businesses (212,337) 2,264
Proceeds from sale of assets 4,513 1,324
Other investing activities (392) -
----------------------------------------------------------------
Net cash used by
investing activities (291,579) (63,352)
----------------------------------------------------------------
Cash flows from financing
activities:
Short-term borrowings, net 248,887 10,352
Current maturities and
long-term debt:
Additions 294,788 59,841
Reductions (278,527) (92,484)
Cash dividends paid on common
stock (14,916) (13,580)
Common stock issued-options 541 6,345
Other financing activities (1,550) (2,266)
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Net cash provided (used)
by financing activities 249,223 (31,792)
----------------------------------------------------------------
Effect of exchange rate changes
on cash 1,440 3,227
----------------------------------------------------------------
Net increase (decrease) in cash
and cash equivalents 771 (22,077)
Cash and cash equivalents at
beginning of period 101,260 120,929
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Cash and cash equivalents at
end of period $ 102,031 $ 98,852
================================================================
HARSCO CORPORATION
REVIEW OF OPERATIONS BY SEGMENT (Unaudited)
(In thousands)
Three Months Ended Three Months Ended
March 31, 2007 March 31, 2006
Operating Operating
Income Income
Sales (loss) Sales (loss)
--------------------------------------------------------------------
Access Services Segment $ 316,209 $ 35,041 $ 225,794 $ 16,783
Mill Services Segment 360,771 32,308 326,235 33,580
Minerals & Rail
Technologies, Services
and Products ("all
other") Category 163,046 19,379 130,036 15,438
General Corporate - (154) - (751)
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Consolidated Totals $ 840,026 $ 86,574 $ 682,065 $ 65,050
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