EX-99.1 2 d389201dex991.htm EX-99.1 EX-99.1

Exhibit 99.1

 

LOGO

NEWS RELEASE

RITCHIE BROS. AUCTIONEERS ANNOUNCES SECOND QUARTER

RESULTS AND INCREASES DIVIDEND

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: August 2, 2012

VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA – Ritchie Bros. Auctioneers Incorporated (NYSE and TSX: RBA), the world’s largest auctioneer of industrial equipment, announces net earnings for the six months ended June 30, 2012 of $49.3 million, or $0.46 per diluted share, and adjusted net earnings of $50.5 million, or $0.47 per diluted share. This compares to net earnings of $43.3 million and adjusted net earnings of $40.3 million, or $0.41 per diluted share, for the six months ended June 30, 2011, representing a 25% increase in adjusted net earnings. Adjusted net earnings is a non-GAAP financial measure and is defined below. The Company’s auction revenues for the first six months of 2012 grew 13% to $228.5 million compared to $203.0 million for the same period in 2011. All dollar amounts in this release are presented in U.S. dollars.

For the quarter ended June 30, 2012 net earnings were $31.3 million or $0.29 per diluted share and adjusted net earnings were $32.5 million or $0.30 per diluted share compared to net earnings and adjusted net earnings of $26.8 million or $0.25 per diluted share for the same period in 2011, representing a 17% increase in net earnings and a 21% increase in adjusted net earnings. The Company’s auction revenues for the second quarter of 2012 grew 11% to $127.2 million compared to $114.5 million for the same period in 2011.

Quarterly dividend

The Company also announces a 9% increase in its quarterly cash dividend. The quarterly cash dividend increases to $0.1225 per common share and is payable on September 7, 2012 to shareholders of record as of August 17, 2012.

Gross auction proceeds and auction revenues

For the six months ended June 30, 2012, gross auction proceeds were $2.1 billion, 3% higher than in the first half of 2011. Gross auction proceeds is a non-GAAP financial measure and is defined below. The Company’s auction revenue rate (auction revenues as a percentage of gross auction proceeds) was 11.10% during the first six months of 2012 compared to 10.14% in the same period in 2011. The Company’s revised fee structure, which came into effect on July 1, 2011, contributed $25.9 million to auction revenues for the first half of 2012. The Company’s at risk business, comprised of guarantee and purchase contracts, represented 33% of gross auction proceeds in the first half of 2012 (2011: 36%).

For the three months ended June 30, 2012, gross auction proceeds were $1.2 billion, 4% higher than in the same period of 2011. The Company’s auction revenue rate was 10.65% during the three months ended June 30, 2012 compared to 9.96% in the same period in 2011.

Summary comments

“We are pleased to have achieved gross auction proceeds of over $2 billion and adjusted earnings growth of 25% for the first half of this year, both of which are testaments to the hard work and dedication of our employee team in the face of a challenging used equipment supply environment,” said Peter Blake, Ritchie Bros. CEO. “Although we experienced generally strong demand and good pricing for late model equipment at our auctions, values began to level off towards the end of the second quarter. In addition, competition for late model equipment remained intense during the second quarter. The combination of these market factors reduced the performance of our at risk business which negatively impacted our second quarter auction revenue rate.”

Mr. Blake continued: “As we move into the third quarter we are seeing increased deliveries of new equipment, reducing original equipment manufacturers backlogs and making new equipment more readily available for end users. This is resulting in a more balanced used equipment supply and demand environment, which should stimulate the supply of used equipment for our auctions. As a result we remain confident in our ability to execute and achieve our 2012 plan. We are pleased to announce the increase in our dividend by 9%.”

Acquisition of AssetNation Inc.

On May 15, 2012 the Company acquired AssetNation, Inc., a leading online marketplace and solutions provider for surplus and salvage assets. The Company recognized goodwill of approximately $40 million on the acquisition, and the results of AssetNation for the period May 16 – June 30, 2012 are included in the Ritchie Bros. consolidated results for the second quarter.

Online bidding statistics

Ritchie Bros. sold over $669 million of equipment, trucks and other assets to online bidders during the first half of 2012, representing a 24% increase compared to the same period in 2011 (first half of 2011: approximately $540 million). Internet bidders continued to comprise over 50% of the total bidder registrations at Ritchie Bros. industrial auctions during the first half of 2012. Since launching its real-time online bidding service in 2002, the Company has now sold over $5.9 billion worth of trucks, equipment, and other assets to online bidders, confirming Ritchie Bros.’ position as the world’s largest seller of used equipment and trucks to online buyers.

Website statistics

The Ritchie Bros. website (www.rbauction.com) attracted roughly 2.6 million unique visitors in the first half of 2012, a 30% increase compared to the same period in 2011.

Definitions of non-GAAP measures

The Company defines adjusted net earnings as financial statement net earnings excluding the after-tax effects of excess property sales and other non recurring items, and has provided a reconciliation below. Adjusted net earnings is a non-GAAP financial measure that does not have a standardized meaning, and is therefore unlikely to be comparable to similar measures presented by other companies. The Company believes that comparing adjusted net earnings for different financial periods provides more useful information about the growth or decline of its net earnings for the relevant financial period and identifies the impact of items which the Company does not consider to be part of its normal operating results.

Gross auction proceeds represent the total proceeds from all items sold at Ritchie Bros. auctions. The Company’s definition of gross auction proceeds may differ from those used by other participants in its industry. Gross auction proceeds is an important measure the Company uses in comparing and assessing its operating performance. It is not a measure of the Company’s financial performance, liquidity or revenue and is not presented in its consolidated financial statements. The Company believes that auction revenues, which is the most directly comparable measure in its Consolidated Income Statements, and certain other line items, are best understood by considering their relationship to gross auction proceeds. Auction revenues represent the revenues earned by Ritchie Bros. in the course of conducting its auctions, and consist primarily of commissions earned on consigned equipment and net profit on the sale of equipment purchased by the Company and sold in the same manner as consigned equipment.

About Ritchie Bros.

Established in 1958, Ritchie Bros. Auctioneers (NYSE and TSX: RBA) is the world’s largest industrial auctioneer, selling more equipment to on-site and online bidders than any other company in the world. Ritchie Bros. offers services that enable the world’s builders to easily and confidently exchange equipment. The Company conducts hundreds of unreserved public auctions each year, selling a broad range of used and unused industrial assets, including equipment, trucks and other assets utilized in the construction, transportation, agricultural, material handling, mining, forestry, petroleum and marine industries. Ritchie Bros. has over 110 locations in more than 25 countries, including 44 auction sites worldwide. The Company maintains a website at www.rbauction.com and sponsors an equipment wiki at www.RitchieWiki.com.

Earnings Conference Call

Ritchie Bros. is hosting a conference call to discuss its financial results for the six months ended June 30, 2012 at 8:00am Pacific Time (11:00am Eastern Time) on August 2, 2012. To access a live broadcast of the conference call, please go to the Ritchie Bros. website http://www.rbauction.com, click on ‘About Ritchie Bros.’ then click on ‘For Investors’. Please go to the website at least fifteen minutes early to download and install any necessary audio software. A replay will be available on the website shortly after the call.

Forward-looking Statements

The discussion in this press release relating to future events or operating periods contains forward-looking statements (as defined in Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended) that involve risks and uncertainties, including, in particular, statements regarding anticipated results for future periods; anticipated pricing and competitive environments for good quality equipment in the future; the impact of manufacturers’ backlog on market demand for near new equipment; competition in the used equipment market; continued growth of the AssetNation business and leverage of its e-commerce enterprise and technology platform to develop and launch new services for equipment owners, and the Company’s long-term growth strategy. These risks and uncertainties include: the numerous factors that influence the supply of and demand for used equipment; fluctuations in the market conditions and values of used equipment; seasonal and periodic variations in operating results; actions of competitors; economic and other conditions in local, regional and global markets and other risks and uncertainties as detailed from time to time in the Company’s SEC and Canadian securities filings, including the Company’s Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations for the year ended December 31, 2011 and for the three and six month periods ended June 30, 2012, available on the SEC, SEDAR and the Company’s websites. Actual results may differ materially from those forward-looking statements. The Company does not undertake any obligation to update the information contained herein, which speaks only as of this date.

Condensed Consolidated Interim Income Statements

(Amounts in table and related footnotes are in USD

thousands, except share and per share amounts)

    Six months ended
June 30, 2012
(unaudited)		     Six months ended
June 30, 2011
(unaudited)		  

Gross auction proceeds

    $ 2,059,042      $ 2,001,130   
  

 

 

    

 

 

  

Auction revenues

    $ 228,489      $ 202,987   

Direct expenses

      25,624        24,214   
  

 

 

    

 

 

  
     202,865        178,773   

Selling, general and administrative expenses:

     

Depreciation and amortization

      19,738        21,105   

Other selling, general and administrative expenses

      111,137        101,563   
  

 

 

    

 

 

  
     130,875        122,668   
  

 

 

    

 

 

  

Earnings from operations

      71,990        56,105   

Other income (expense):

     

Foreign exchange loss

      (174 )      (574 ) 

Gain (loss) on disposition of property, plant and equipment

      (1,725 )      3,643   

Other income

      1,246        2,019   
  

 

 

    

 

 

  
     (653 )      5,088   
  

 

 

    

 

 

  

Finance income (costs):

     

Finance income

      1,243        1,286   

Finance costs

      (3,098 )      (2,912 ) 
  

 

 

    

 

 

  
     (1,855 )      (1,626 ) 
  

 

 

    

 

 

  

Earnings before income taxes

      69,482        59,567   

Income taxes

      20,210        16,234   
  

 

 

    

 

 

  

Net earnings

   $ 49,272      $ 43,333   
  

 

 

    

 

 

  

Net earnings per share

    $ 0.46      $ 0.41   

Net earnings per share—diluted

    $ 0.46      $ 0.41   

Weighted average shares outstanding

      106,411,229        105,989,978   

Diluted weighted average shares outstanding

      106,926,045        106,809,634   

Net earnings

    $ 49,272      $ 43,333   

Less: after-tax (gain) on sale of excess property (1)

      —          (2,995 ) 

Add: after-tax loss on sale of excess property (2)

      1,197        —     
  

 

 

    

 

 

  

Adjusted net earnings

    $ 50,469      $ 40,338   
  

 

 

    

 

 

  

Adjusted net earnings per share

    $ 0.47      $ 0.38   

Adjusted net earnings per share—diluted

    $ 0.47      $ 0.38   

 

(1) Net earnings for the six months ended June 30, 2011 included a gain of $3,482 ($2,995 after tax, or $0.03 per diluted share) recorded on the sale of the Company’s former Vancouver, British Columbia permanent auction site.
(2) Net earnings for the six months ended June 30, 2012 included a loss of $1,946 ($1,197 after tax, or $0.01 per diluted share) recorded on the sale of the Company’s former Olympia, Washington permanent auction site.

Condensed Consolidated Interim Income Statements

(Amounts in table and related footnotes are in USD

thousands, except share and per share amounts)

    Three months ended
June 30, 2012
(unaudited)		     Three months ended
June 30, 2011
(unaudited)		  

Gross auction proceeds

    $ 1,194,356      $ 1,149,847   
  

 

 

    

 

 

  

Auction revenues

    $ 127,213      $ 114,524   

Direct expenses

      15,490        15,281   
  

 

 

    

 

 

  
     111,723        99,243   

Selling, general and administrative expenses:

     

Depreciation and amortization

      10,073        10,793   

Other selling, general and administrative expenses

      57,533        51,690   
  

 

 

    

 

 

  
     67,606        62,483   
  

 

 

    

 

 

  

Earnings from operations

      44,117        36,760   

Other income (expense):

     

Foreign exchange loss

      (172 )      (87 ) 

Gain (loss) on disposition of property, plant and equipment

      (1,775 )      4   

Other income

      528        1,335   
  

 

 

    

 

 

  
     (1,419 )      1,252   
  

 

 

    

 

 

  

Finance income (costs):

     

Finance income

      684        606   

Finance costs

      (1,722 )      (1,455 ) 
  

 

 

    

 

 

  
     (1,038 )      (849 ) 
  

 

 

    

 

 

  

Earnings before income taxes

      41,660        37,163   

Income taxes

      10,357        10,400   
  

 

 

    

 

 

  

Net earnings

   $ 31,303      $ 26,763   
  

 

 

    

 

 

  

Net earnings per share

    $ 0.29      $ 0.25   

Net earnings per share—diluted

    $ 0.29      $ 0.25   

Weighted average shares outstanding

      106,422,964        106,168,275   

Diluted weighted average shares outstanding

      106,852,613        106,960,860   

Net earnings

    $ 31,303      $ 26,763   

Add: after-tax loss on sale of excess property (1)

      1,197        —     
  

 

 

    

 

 

  

Adjusted net earnings

    $ 32,500      $ 26,763   
  

 

 

    

 

 

  

Adjusted net earnings per share

    $ 0.30      $ 0.25   

Adjusted net earnings per share—diluted

    $ 0.30      $ 0.25   

 

(1) Net earnings for the three months ended June 30, 2012 included a loss of $1,946 ($1,197 after tax, or $0.01 per diluted share) recorded on the sale of the Company’s former Olympia, Washington permanent auction site.

Selected Balance Sheet Data (USD thousands)    June 30, 2012
(unaudited)		     December 31, 2011  

Current assets

    $ 485,781      $ 253,840   

Current liabilities

      399,680        190,544   
  

 

 

    

 

 

  

Working capital

    $ 86,101      $ 63,296   

Total assets

    $ 1,262,535      $ 967,241   

Non-current borrowings

    $ 197,732      $ 133,881   

Total shareholders’ equity

    $ 641,827      $ 617,906   
Selected Operating Data (unaudited)    Six months ended
June 30, 2012		     Six months ended
June 30, 2011		  

Auction revenues as percentage of gross auction proceeds

      11.10 %      10.14 % 

Number of consignments at industrial auctions

      21,450        20,500   

Number of registrants at industrial auctions

      197,000        193,000   

Number of buyers at industrial auctions

      50,000        48,950   

Number of lots at industrial auctions

      146,000        138,500   

Number of permanent auction sites(1)

      39        39   

Number of regional auction sites(1)

      5        4   

Total auction sites

      44        43   

Number of industrial auctions

      109        105   
Average Industrial Auction Data (unaudited)    Twelve months
ended
June 30, 2012		     Twelve months
ended
June 30, 2011		  

Gross auction proceeds

    $ 15.4 million      $ 14.8 million   

Bidder registrations

      1,677        1,516   

Consignors

      182        171   

Lots

      1,190        1,133   

 

(1) Effective February 2012, the Company changed its definition of permanent auction sites and regional auction sites (formerly known as regional auction units) to better reflect recent investments, which resulted in the reclassification of four sites; refer to the Company’s Annual Information Form for the year ended December 31, 2011 (filed on the SEDAR website at www.sedar.com) for further discussion.

For further information, please contact:

Jeremy Black

Vice President, Business Development

Corporate Secretary

Phone:    778 331 5500
Fax:    778 331 4628
Email:    ir@rbauction.com