EX-99.1 2 a19-8126_1ex99d1.htm EX-99.1

Exhibit 99.1

 

 

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

Declares Quarterly Dividend of $0.25 Per Share

 

April 10, 2019 — ROCKVILLE, MD — Argan, Inc. (NYSE: AGX) (“Argan” or the “Company”) today announced financial results for its fiscal year and fourth quarter ended January 31, 2019. 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: (dollars in thousands, except per share data):

 

 

 

January 31,

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2019

 

2018

 

Change

 

% Change

 

For the Fiscal Year Ended:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Revenues

 

$

482,153

 

$

892,815

 

$

(410,662

)

(46

)%

Gross profit

 

82,438

 

149,325

 

(66,887

)

(45

)

Gross margins

 

17.1

%

16.7

%

0.4

%

2

 

Net income attributable to the stockholders of the Company

 

$

52,036

 

$

72,011

 

$

(19,975

)

(28

)

Diluted per share

 

3.32

 

4.56

 

(1.24

)

(27

)

EBITDA attributable to the stockholders of the Company

 

52,478

 

116,101

 

(63,623

)

(55

)

Diluted per share

 

3.34

 

7.36

 

(4.02

)

(55

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

As of:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments

 

$

296,531

 

$

434,015

 

$

(137,484

)

(32

)%

Net liquidity (1)

 

334,072

 

301,817

 

32,255

 

11

 

Project backlog

 

1,094,000

 

379,000

 

715,000

 

189

 

 


(1)         We define net liquidity, or working capital, as our total current assets less our total current liabilities.

 

Fiscal Year 2019 Results:

 

As the construction activity of Gemma Power Systems (“GPS”) on four large natural gas-fired power plants wound down and reached completion during the current year, the Company’s revenues experienced a decline to $482.2 million compared to $892.8 million in the prior year when the construction activity on all of these projects was at peak or near-peak levels. However, partially offsetting the decline at GPS, the Company’s revenues doubled in aggregate at its other operating units reflecting the Company’s increased diversity in revenue streams. Gross profit for the current year was $82.4 million compared with $149.3 million for the prior year, reflecting primarily the reduction in consolidated revenues between years. However, the Company’s gross margin percentage increased to 17.1% for the current year from 16.7% for the prior year.

 


 

The levels of selling, general and administrative expenses decreased for the year ended January 31, 2019 by $1.1 million, or 3%, as compared to the prior year and other income increased by $1.3 million for the current year over the prior year. During the current year, the Company recorded a $1.5 million impairment charge on its goodwill for The Roberts Company (“TRC”).

 

The Company completed a year-long detailed review of the work performed by its engineering staff on major EPC services projects in order to identify and quantify the amounts of research and development (“R&D”) credits that may be available to reduce prior year income taxes. Based on this review, the resulting income tax benefits associated with R&D activities in the total amount of $16.6 million, or $1.06 per diluted share, have been recognized in income taxes in the current year. Also, the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act had a favorable impact on the Company’s income tax rate, resulting in an effective annual income tax rate of 30% (before the effects of R&D credits) for the current year, compared to an effective annual income tax rate of 36% for the prior year.

 

These factors resulted in net income attributable to our stockholders decreasing 28% to $52.0 million for the current year, or $3.32 per diluted share, from $72.0 million, or $4.56 per diluted share, for the prior year. EBITDA attributable to our stockholders for the year ended January 31, 2019 decreased 55% to $52.5 million, or $3.34 per diluted share, from $116.1 million, or $7.36 per diluted share, for the prior year. The Company paid its fourth regular quarterly cash dividend of $0.25 per share in January for total dividends paid during the current year of $1.00 per share.

 

As of January 31, 2019, our cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments totaled $297 million and net liquidity was $334 million; plus, we had no debt. Our project backlog increased $715 million to $1.1 billion as of January 31, 2019, from $379 million at the end of the prior year, primarily reflecting the addition of two large natural gas-fired power plant engineering, procurement and construction (“EPC”) contracts for GPS.

 

Fourth Quarter Results:

 

Revenues decreased 48% to $87.7 million, compared to $169.6 million for the fourth quarter last year which reflected meaningful construction work on four large gas-fired power plants that were largely completed by the current year quarter. Gross profit decreased 66% to $6.7 million and gross margin percentage decreased to 7.7% from 11.9% compared to the prior year’s fourth quarter, reflecting negative gross profit adjustments in the current year quarter due to operational and contractual challenges on two power plant projects.

 

The other factors contributing to a decreased bottom line between the fourth quarter of the current year and the prior year’s fourth quarter were the increased goodwill impairment loss of $0.9 million at TRC, partially offset by decreased selling, general and administrative expenses of $1.8 million, reflecting smaller operations, and decreased taxes of $2.7 million reflecting a lower tax rate and pre-tax losses during the current fourth quarter. As a result, net (loss) income attributable to our stockholders for the three months ended January 31, 2019 decreased to $(2.2) million, or $(0.14) per diluted share, compared to $7.0 million, or $0.45 per diluted share, for the prior year’s fourth quarter.

 


 

Quarterly Dividend:

 

Yesterday, our Board of Directors declared a regular quarterly cash dividend in the amount of $0.25 per share of common stock, payable April 30, 2019 to stockholders of record at the close of business on April 22, 2019.

 

Commenting on Argan’s results, Rainer Bosselmann, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, stated, “It has been an eventful year between reaching final completion on four of our major power plant projects, entering into three EPC services contracts to build electricity generation plants having an aggregate power output of approximately 4.0 gigawatts, seeing our project backlog once again exceed a billion dollars and achieving record revenues at APC and TRC. We are optimistic that we will receive the go ahead to start construction on several of these new projects and others over the next couple of quarters and look forward to a rebound in our revenues later in the year and into the next.  It has taken a lot of hard work and effort to get to this point and we appreciate the patience our shareholders have shown us.”

 

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 described 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-Q and 10-K, and other SEC filings.

 

Company Contact:

 

Investor Relations Contact:

 

 

 

Rainer Bosselmann

 

David Watson

 

 

 

301.315.0027

 

301.315.0027

 


 

ARGAN, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF EARNINGS

(In thousands, except per share data)

 

 

 

Three Months Ended
January 31,

 

Fiscal Years Ended
January 31,

 

 

 

2019

 

2018

 

2019

 

2018

 

 

 

(Unaudited)

 

(Unaudited)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

REVENUES

 

$

87,658

 

$

169,578

 

$

482,153

 

$

892,815

 

Cost of revenues

 

80,912

 

149,474

 

399,715

 

743,490

 

GROSS PROFIT

 

6,746

 

20,104

 

82,438

 

149,325

 

Selling, general and administrative expenses

 

9,548

 

11,356

 

40,710

 

41,764

 

Impairment losses

 

1,491

 

584

 

1,491

 

584

 

(LOSS) INCOME FROM OPERATIONS

 

(4,293

)

8,164

 

40,237

 

106,977

 

Other income, net

 

1,860

 

1,427

 

6,981

 

5,648

 

(LOSS) INCOME BEFORE INCOME TAXES

 

(2,433

)

9,591

 

47,218

 

112,625

 

Income tax benefit (expense)

 

142

 

(2,541

)

4,651

 

(40,279

)

NET (LOSS) INCOME

 

(2,291

)

7,050

 

51,869

 

72,346

 

Net (loss) income attributable to non-controlling interests

 

(84

)

32

 

(167

)

335

 

NET (LOSS) INCOME ATTRIBUTABLE TO THE STOCKHOLDERS OF ARGAN, INC.

 

(2,207

)

7,018

 

52,036

 

72,011

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Foreign currency translation adjustments

 

596

 

1,430

 

(1,768

)

2,184

 

COMPREHENSIVE (LOSS) INCOME ATTRIBUTABLE TO THE STOCKHOLDERS OF ARGAN, INC.

 

$

(1,611

)

$

8,448

 

$

50,268

 

$

74,195

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Basic

 

$

(0.14

)

$

0.45

 

$

3.34

 

$

4.64

 

Diluted

 

$

(0.14

)

$

0.45

 

$

3.32

 

$

4.56

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

WEIGHTED AVERAGE NUMBER OF SHARES OUTSTANDING

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Basic

 

15,573

 

15,559

 

15,569

 

15,522

 

Diluted

 

15,573

 

15,743

 

15,693

 

15,780

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

CASH DIVIDENDS PER SHARE

 

$

0.25

 

$

 

$

1.00

 

$

1.00

 

 


 

ARGAN, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Reconciliations to EBITDA

(In thousands)(Unaudited)

 

 

 

Three Months Ended January 31,

 

 

 

2019

 

2018

 

Net (loss) income

 

$

(2,291

)

$

7,050

 

Less EBITDA attributable to noncontrolling interests

 

84

 

(32

)

Interest expense

 

 

 

Income tax (benefit) expense

 

(142

)

2,541

 

Depreciation

 

957

 

843

 

Amortization of purchased intangible assets

 

253

 

256

 

EBITDA attributable to the stockholders of the Company

 

$

(1,139

)

$

10,658

 

 

 

 

Fiscal Years Ended January 31,

 

 

 

2019

 

2018

 

Net income

 

$

51,869

 

$

72,346

 

Less EBITDA attributable to noncontrolling interests

 

167

 

(335

)

Interest expense

 

659

 

 

Income tax (benefit) expense

 

(4,651

)

40,279

 

Depreciation

 

3,422

 

2,779

 

Amortization of purchased intangible assets

 

1,012

 

1,032

 

EBITDA attributable to the stockholders of the Company

 

$

52,478

 

$

116,101

 

 

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 results of operations presented in accordance with GAAP. 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

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(In thousands, except share and per share data)

 

 

 

As of January 31,

 

 

 

2019

 

2018

 

ASSETS

 

 

 

 

 

CURRENT ASSETS

 

 

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents

 

$

164,318

 

$

122,107

 

Short-term investments

 

132,213

 

311,908

 

Accounts receivable, net

 

36,174

 

26,287

 

Contract assets

 

58,357

 

13,847

 

Other current assets

 

25,286

 

10,878

 

TOTAL CURRENT ASSETS

 

416,348

 

485,027

 

Property, plant and equipment, net

 

19,778

 

15,299

 

Goodwill

 

32,838

 

34,329

 

Other purchased intangible assets, net

 

6,137

 

7,149

 

Deferred taxes

 

1,257

 

439

 

Other assets

 

290

 

426

 

TOTAL ASSETS

 

$

476,648

 

$

542,669

 

LIABILITIES AND EQUITY

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

CURRENT LIABILITIES

 

 

 

 

 

Accounts payable

 

$

44,427

 

$

100,238

 

Accrued expenses

 

29,500

 

35,360

 

Contract liabilities

 

8,349

 

47,664

 

TOTAL CURRENT LIABILITIES

 

82,276

 

183,262

 

Deferred taxes

 

 

1,279

 

TOTAL LIABILITIES

 

82,276

 

184,541

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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; 15,577,102 and 15,570,952 shares issued at January 31, 2019 and 2018, respectively; 15,573,869 and 15,567,719 shares outstanding at January 31, 2019 and 2018, respectively

 

2,337

 

2,336

 

Additional paid-in capital

 

144,961

 

143,215

 

Retained earnings

 

247,616

 

211,112

 

Accumulated other comprehensive (loss) income

 

(346

)

1,422

 

TOTAL STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

 

394,568

 

358,085

 

Non-controlling interests

 

(196

)

43

 

TOTAL EQUITY

 

394,372

 

358,128

 

TOTAL LIABILITIES AND EQUITY

 

$

476,648

 

$

542,699