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8-K - 8-K - EMPIRE RESOURCES INC /NEW/v418341_8k.htm

 

 

Exhibit 99.1

 

Empire Resources Reports Results for Second Quarter of 2015

 

·Net Sales are $134.5 Million

·Operating Income Totals $2.0 Million

·GAAP Net Income per Diluted Share Is $0.06; Non-GAAP Net Income per Diluted Share Is $0.02

 

Fort Lee, NJ, August 14, 2015 — Empire Resources, Inc. (NASDAQ: ERS), a distributor of value added, semi-finished metal products, announced today that net sales for the second quarter of 2015 were $134.5 million, compared with $146.5 million in the second quarter of 2014. A 23% increase in U.S. sales in the second quarter of 2015 compared with the prior year period was offset by lower sales in all other regions, especially Latin America, where the Company has substantially reduced its activity due to the severe economic stresses there.

 

Gross profit for the second quarter of 2015 was $5.7 million, or 4.2% sales, compared with $7.0 million, or 4.8% of sales, in the second quarter of 2014. Gross profit was negatively impacted by the lower sales level as well as increased competitive pressures across all regions compared with the prior year second quarter. 

 

Operating income for the second quarter of 2015 was $2.0 million, compared with $3.5 million for the second quarter of 2014 reflecting the lower gross margin and a 5% increase in SG&A costs due to higher legal and consulting expenses.

 

Net interest expense for the second quarter of 2015 increased to $1.6 million from $1.1 million in the second quarter of 2014, as a result of increased bank loans primarily to support higher inventory levels, higher accounts receivable and lower accounts payable balances. The Company has focused on reducing inventories in 2015, which totaled $163.3 million at June 30, 2015, compared with $186.8 million at March 31, 2015, and $192.1 million at December 31, 2014. Inventories at the end of the second quarter of 2014 were $124.3 million.

 

The Company recognized a non-cash non-operating gain of $0.4 million in the second quarter of 2015 related to the change in fair market valuation of the derivative feature of its convertible subordinated note.  That compares with a non-cash non-operating gain of $0.2 million in the 2014 second quarter.

 

Fair value accounting requires that changes in derivative liabilities related to the Company's convertible notes be charged or credited to income during each accounting period. The changes in valuation have several drivers, primary among them is the change in the Company's stock price, with increases in the stock price causing losses, increasing the value of the derivative liability, while decreases in the stock price produce gains, reducing the value of the derivative liability. Such losses are not tax deductible, and likewise any recoveries of such losses are not taxable upon recovery.  Accordingly, no tax effect was given to the non-cash non-operating gain of $0.4 million in the second quarter of 2015, or the non-cash non-operating gain of $0.2 million in the second quarter of 2014.

 

Non-GAAP net income for the second quarter of 2015, excluding the effect of the change in fair market valuation of the derivative liability and the associated tax treatment, was $0.3 million, or $0.02 per diluted share, compared with $1.5 million, or $0.12 per diluted share in the second quarter of 2014.

 

On a GAAP basis, the Company reported net income for the second quarter of 2015 of $0.8 million, or $0.06 per diluted share, compared with net income of $1.6 million, or $0.15 per diluted share, in the second quarter of 2014.   

 

For the first six months of 2015, net sales increased 6% to $302.7 million and net income was $2.5 million, or $0.15 per diluted share, on a GAAP basis, and $1.3 million, or $0.11 per diluted share, on a non-GAAP basis. For the first six months of 2014, net sales were $284.8 million and net income was $2.5 million, or $0.26 per diluted share, on a GAAP basis, and $2.8 million, or $0.23 per diluted share, on a non-GAAP basis.

 

 

 

 

The Company uses the non-GAAP measures internally, which exclude the effect of the non-cash non-operating gains and losses due to the quarterly changes in the valuation of the derivative liability, to evaluate its operating performance and believes that this is a useful measure also used by investors.

 

About Empire Resources, Inc.

 

Empire Resources, Inc. is a distributor of a wide range of semi-finished metal products to customers in the transportation, automotive, housing, appliance and packaging industries in the U.S., Canada, Latin America, Australia, New Zealand and Europe. The Company maintains supply contracts with mills in various parts of the world.

 

Use of Non-GAAP Financial Measures

 

To supplement the Company's consolidated financial statements presented on a GAAP basis, the Company discloses non-GAAP net income, because management uses this supplemental non-GAAP financial measure to evaluate performance period over period, to analyze the underlying trends in its business, and to establish operational goals. In addition, the Company believes investors already use this non-GAAP measure to monitor the Company's performance. Non-GAAP net income is defined by the Company as net income excluding non-cash, non-operating changes in value of derivative liability related to the conversion option on its convertible debt.

 

Generally, a non-GAAP financial measure is a numerical measure of a company's performance, financial position or cash flow that either excludes or includes amounts that are not normally excluded or included in the most directly comparable measure calculated and presented in accordance with GAAP. The non-GAAP measure discussed above, however, should be considered in addition to, and not as a substitute for, or superior to net income or other measures of financial performance prepared in accordance with GAAP.  A reconciliation of non-GAAP to GAAP net income is set forth in the table below.

 

The Company believes that providing this information assists investors in understanding the Company's operating performance and the methodology used by management to evaluate and measure such performance.

 

Forward-Looking Statements:

 

This press release contains "forward-looking statements." Such statements may be preceded by the words "intends," "may," "will," "plans," "expects," "anticipates," "projects," "predicts," "estimates," "aims," "believes," "hopes," "potential" or similar words. Forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance, are based on certain assumptions and are subject to various known and unknown risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond the Company's control, and cannot be predicted or quantified and consequently, actual results may differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Such risks and uncertainties include, without limitation, risks and uncertainties associated with (i) the loss or default of one or more suppliers; (ii) the loss or default of one or more significant customers; (iii) a default by counterparties to derivative financial instruments; (iv) changes in general, national or regional economic conditions; (v) an act of war or terrorism that disrupts international shipping; (vi) changes in laws, regulations and tariffs; (vii) the imposition of anti-dumping duties on products the Company imports; (viii) changes in the size and nature of the Company's competition; (ix) changes in interest rates, foreign currencies or spot prices of aluminum; (x) the loss of one or more key executives; (xi) increased credit risk from customers; (xii) the Company's failure to grow internally or by acquisition and (xiii) the Company's failure to improve operating margins and efficiencies. More detailed information about the Company and the risk factors that may affect the realization of forward-looking statements is set forth in the Company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), including the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K and its Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q. Investors and security holders are urged to read these documents free of charge on the SEC's web site at http://www.sec.gov. The Company assumes no obligation to publicly update or revise its forward-looking statements as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

 

CONTACT: Investor Relations, Comm-Counsellors, LLC, Edward Nebb, +1-203-972-8350, enebb@optonline.net, or June Filingeri, +1-203-972-0186, junefil@optonline.net; or Shareholders, David Kronfeld, +1 917-408-1940, kronfeld@empireresources.com

 

 

 

 

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income
(In thousands except per share amounts)

(Unaudited)

 

   Three Months Ended June 30,   Six Months Ended June 30, 
   2015   2014   2015   2014 
               (see note 20) 
Net sales  $134,486   $146,516   $302,739   $284,833 
Cost of goods sold   128,808    139,501    289,885    271,331 
Gross profit   5,678    7,015    12,854    13,502 
Selling, general and administrative expenses   3,640    3,482    7,538    6,781 
Operating income   2,038    3,533    5,316    6,721 
Interest expense, net   1,571    1,091    3,246    2,182 
Income before other expenses   467    2,442    2,070    4,539 
Other expenses                    
Change in value of derivative liability   412    249    1,408    (180)
Income before income taxes   879    2,691    3,478    4,359 
Income taxes   75    1,045    1,019    1,905 
Net income  $804   $1,646   $2,459   $2,454 
Weighted average shares outstanding:                    
Basic   8,863    8,669    8,753    8,649 
Diluted   11,864    11,968    11,821    11,949 
Earnings per share:                    
Basic  $0.09   $0.19   $0.28   $0.28 
Diluted  $0.06   $0.15   $0.15   $0.26 

 

See notes to unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements

 

Non-GAAP Consolidated Statements of Income
(In thousands except per share amounts)

 

   Three Months Ended June 30,   Six Months Ended June 30, 
   2015   2014   2015   2014 
GAAP income before income taxes  879   2,691   3,478   4,359 
Elimination of the change in value of derivative liability   (412)   (249)   (1,408)   180 
Non-GAAP net income before taxation   467    2,442    2,070    4,539 
Income taxes   182    952    807    1,770 
Non-GAAP net income  $285   $1,490   $1,263   $2,769 
Weighted average shares outstanding:                    
Basic   8,863    8,669    8,753    8,649 
Diluted   11,864    11,968    11,821    11,949 
Non-GAAP earnings per share:                    
Basic  $0.03   $0.17   $0.14   $0.32 
Diluted  $0.02   $0.12   $0.11   $0.23 

 

 

 

 

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets
(In thousands except share and per share amounts)

 

   June 30, 2015   December 31, 2014 
   Unaudited     
ASSETS          
Current assets:          
Cash  $4,039   $1,130 
Trade accounts receivable (less allowance for doubtful accounts of $544 and $562)   87,220    89,693 
Inventories   163,291    192,064 
Deferred tax assets   3,834    3,911 
Advance to supplier, net of imputed interest of $13 and $66   1,654    3,277 
Other current assets, including derivatives   17,304    18,605 
Total current assets   277,342    308,680 
Preferential supply agreement, net   160    321 
Long-term financing costs, net of amortization   944    1,024 
Property and equipment, net   4,358    4,258 
Total assets  $282,804   $314,283 
           
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY          
Current liabilities:          
Notes payable - banks  $184,836   $201,088 
Subordinated convertible debt net of unamortized discount of $476   10,524    - 
Trade accounts payable   28,720    42,626 
Income taxes payable   4,381    4,190 
Accrued expenses and derivative liabilities   3,901    4,137 
Dividends payable   217    449 
Total current liabilities   232,579    252,490 
           
Subordinated convertible debt net of unamortized discount of $803   -    10,197 
Derivative liability for embedded conversion option   1,325    2,734 
Deferred taxes payable   58    51 
Total liabilities   233,962    265,472 
           
Commitments (Note 18)          
           
Stockholders' equity:          
Common stock $0.01 par value, 20,000,000 shares authorized and 11,749,651 shares issued at June 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014   117    117 
Additional paid-in capital   13,038    13,678 
Retained earnings   42,829    40,805 
Accumulated other comprehensive loss   (589)   (334)
Treasury stock, 3,091,702 and 2,843,717 shares at June 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014, respectively   (6,553)   (5,455)
Total stockholders' equity   48,842    48,811 
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity  $282,804   $314,283 

 

See notes to unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements

 

 

 

 

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
(In thousands)

(Unaudited)

 

  

Six Months Ended June 30,

 
   2015   2014 
Cash flows - operating activities:          
Net income  $2,459   $2,454 
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by/(used in) operating activities:          
Depreciation and amortization   318    317 
Change in value of derivative liability   (1,408)   180 
Amortization of convertible note discount   327    283 
Imputed interest on vendor advance   (43)   (103)
Amortization of supply agreement   160    160 
Deferred income taxes   85    45 
Foreign exchange loss and other   342    2 
Stock-based compensation        373 
Changes in:          
Trade accounts receivable   1,907    (39,954)
Inventories   28,080    15,421 
Other current assets   1,294    448 
Trade accounts payable   (13,898)   (10,742)
Income taxes payable   199    1,708 
Accrued expenses and derivative liabilities   (194)   3,260 
Net cash provided by/(used in) operating activities   19,628    (26,148)
Cash flows - investing activities:          
Repayment related to supply agreement   1,666    1,667 
Purchases of property and equipment   (180)   (16)
Net cash provided by investing activities   1,486    1,651 
Cash flows - financing activities:          
(Repayment of)/proceeds from notes payable – banks   (15,600)   26,255 
Repayments - mortgage payable   -    (90)
Deferred financing costs   (158)   (965)
Dividends paid   (668)   (431)
Treasury stock purchased   (1,098)   (13)
Purchase of stock options   (922)   - 
Proceeds from stock options exercised   -    15 
Excess tax benefit related to purchase of stock options   282    - 
Net cash (used in)/provided by financing activities   (18,164)   24,771 
Net increase in cash   2,950    274 
Effect of exchange rate   (41)   (2)
Cash at beginning of period   1,130    2,477 
Cash at end of the period  $4,039   $2,749 
Supplemental disclosures of cash flow information:          
Cash paid during the period for:          
Interest  $2,769   $2,502 
Income taxes  $2,046   $1,404 
Non cash financing activities:          
Dividend declared but not yet paid  $216   $217 

 

See notes to unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements