Nov 1, 2019   SOURCE: BusinessWire

AdvanSix Announces Third Quarter 2019 Financial Results

AdvanSix (NYSE:ASIX) today announced its financial results for the third quarter ending September 30, 2019. Overall, the Company generated higher earnings versus the prior year while executing its strategic priorities in a challenging macro environment.

Third Quarter 2019 Highlights

  • Sales down approximately 16% versus prior year, including approximately 11% lower raw material pass-through pricing, 3% unfavorable impact of market-based pricing, and 2% lower volume
  • Net Income of $7.9 million, an increase of $2.4 million versus the prior year
  • EBITDA of $24.9 million, an increase of $5.0 million versus the prior year
  • EBITDA Margin of 8.0%, up 260 bps versus the prior year
  • Cash Flow from Operations of $33.2 million, a decrease of $17.3 million versus the prior year
  • Capital Expenditures of $35.2 million, an increase of $16.0 million versus the prior year
  • Free Cash Flow of ($2.0) million, a decrease of $33.3 million versus the prior year
  • Repurchased 534,049 shares for approximately $13 million

“The end market environment remains challenging as we saw a further slowdown in demand on a global basis through the third quarter. Given our global low-cost position, we continue to benefit from our strong utilization rates and operating leverage in the face of slowing nylon demand, acetone oversupply conditions and mixed fertilizer industry dynamics," said Erin Kane, president and CEO of AdvanSix. "We are planning conservatively in the near term based on the challenging macro environment and are taking proactive measures to drive disciplined cost management, optimize working capital performance and cash flow generation, while deploying capital prudently.”

Summary third quarter 2019 financial results for the Company are included below:

Third Quarter 2019 Results

($ in Thousands, Except Earnings Per Share)

3Q 2019

 

3Q 2018

Sales

$310,633

 

$368,653

Net Income

7,921

 

5,480

Earnings Per Share (Diluted)

$0.28

 

$0.18

EBITDA (1)

24,949

 

19,971

EBITDA Margin % (1)

8.0%

 

5.4%

Cash Flow from Operations

33,173

 

50,514

Free Cash Flow (1)(2)

(2,012)

 

31,287

(1) See “Non-GAAP Measures” included in this press release for non-GAAP reconciliations

(2) Net cash provided by operating activities less capital expenditures

Sales of $310.6 million decreased approximately 16% versus the prior year. Pricing overall decreased 14% versus the prior year, including an 11% unfavorable impact from raw material pass-through pricing following cost decreases in benzene and propylene (inputs to cumene which is a key feedstock to our products). Market-based pricing was unfavorable by approximately 3% compared to the prior year reflecting challenging end market conditions in our acetone, nylon and caprolactam product lines, partially offset by improved ammonium sulfate performance. Sales volume in the quarter decreased 2% versus the prior year primarily due to unfavorable mix across our nylon and ammonium sulfate product lines, driven in part by operational performance, and continued challenging industry dynamics in chemical intermediates, partially offset by improved caprolactam volume due to stronger utilization rates and the larger planned plant turnaround in the prior year period.

Sales by product line represented the following approximate percentage of our total sales:

 

3Q 2019

 

3Q 2018

Nylon

25%

 

28%

Caprolactam

26%

 

18%

Ammonium Sulfate Fertilizers

20%

 

19%

Chemical Intermediates

29%

 

35%

EBITDA of $24.9 million in the quarter increased $5.0 million versus the prior year primarily due to the net favorable year-over-year impact of planned plant turnarounds (approximately $25 million), partially offset by the unfavorable impact of market-based pricing, lower volume and operational performance, including fixed cost absorption and unfavorable product mix, and an approximately $4 million unfavorable impact from an extended cumene supply chain following the Philadelphia Energy Solutions (PES) supplier fire.

Earnings per share of $0.28 increased 56% versus the prior year driven by the factors discussed above and a lower share count driven by continued repurchases. The lower share count contributed an approximately $0.02 benefit versus the prior year.

Cash flow from operations of $33.2 million in the quarter decreased $17.3 million versus the prior year primarily due to the unfavorable impact of changes in working capital. Capital expenditures of $35.2 million in the quarter increased $16.0 million versus the prior year primarily due to higher planned turnaround maintenance spend and an increase in high-return growth and cost savings projects.

Outlook

  • Targeting strong nylon plant utilization rates despite further global demand softness
  • Expect mixed ammonium sulfate fertilizer environment to continue through 2019/2020 planting season
  • Expect acetone anti-dumping duties to be finalized by 1Q20
  • Expect an unfavorable impact to pre-tax income, as a result of PES supplier fire, of $8 to $10 million in 2019 (approximately $4 million in 3Q19, $4 to $6 million in 4Q19) and $10 to $15 million in 2020
  • Capital Expenditures tracking to approximately $150 million for the full year 2019; Expect Capital Expenditures to be $90 to $110 million in 2020
  • Expect pre-tax income impact of planned plant turnarounds to be $33 to $38 million in 2020 (versus approximately $35 million in 2019)

"Our organization shows its resiliency by navigating through challenging end market conditions and external factors, with a focus to outperform on what we can control. We recently completed our fourth quarter planned plant turnaround on time and on budget, which will have an approximately $25 million unfavorable impact to pre-tax income in the fourth quarter. Despite a more uncertain macro environment, we continue to position the Company for long-term performance by executing on our strategic priorities including safe, stable and sustainable operations, differentiated product growth and disciplined capital allocation,” added Kane.

Conference Call Information

AdvanSix will discuss its results during its investor conference call today starting at 9:00 a.m. ET. To participate on the conference call, dial (334) 777-6978 (domestic) or (800) 367-2403 (international) approximately 10 minutes before the 9:00 a.m. ET start, and tell the operator that you are dialing in for AdvanSix’s third quarter 2019 earnings call. The live webcast of the investor call as well as related presentation materials can be accessed at http://investors.advansix.com. Investors can hear a replay of the conference call from 12 noon ET on November 1 until 12 noon ET on November 8 by dialing (719) 457-0820 (domestic) or (888) 203-1112 (international). The access code is 5001686.

About AdvanSix

AdvanSix is a leading manufacturer of Nylon 6, a polymer resin which is a synthetic material used by our customers to produce engineered plastics, fibers, filaments and films that, in turn, are used in such end-products as automotive and electronic components, carpets, sports apparel, fishing nets and food and industrial packaging. As a result of our backward integration and the configuration of our manufacturing facilities, we also sell caprolactam, ammonium sulfate fertilizer, acetone and other intermediate chemicals, all of which are produced as part of our Nylon 6 integrated manufacturing chain. More information on AdvanSix can be found at http://www.advansix.com.

Forward Looking Statements

This release contains certain statements that may be deemed “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. All statements, other than statements of historical fact, that address activities, events or developments that our management intends, expects, projects, believes or anticipates will or may occur in the future are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements may be identified by words like "expect," "anticipate," "estimate," “outlook”, "project," "strategy," "intend," "plan," "target," "goal," "may," "will," "should" and "believe" or other variations or similar terminology. Although we believe forward-looking statements are based upon reasonable assumptions, such statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors, many of which are beyond our control and difficult to predict, which may cause the actual results or performance of the Company to be materially different from any future results or performance expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Such risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to: the impact of scheduled turnarounds and significant unplanned downtime and interruptions of production or logistics operations as a result of mechanical issues or other unanticipated events such as fires, severe weather conditions, and natural disasters; price fluctuations and supply of raw materials; our operations requiring substantial capital; general economic and financial conditions in the U.S. and globally; growth rates and cyclicality of the industries we serve including global changes in supply and demand; risks associated with our indebtedness including with respect to restrictive covenants; failure to develop and commercialize new products or technologies; loss of significant customer relationships; adverse trade and tax policies; extensive environmental, health and safety laws that apply to our operations; hazards associated with chemical manufacturing, storage and transportation; litigation associated with chemical manufacturing and our business operations generally; inability to acquire and integrate businesses, assets, products or technologies; protection of our intellectual property and proprietary information; prolonged work stoppages as a result of labor difficulties; cybersecurity and data privacy incidents; failure to maintain effective internal controls; disruptions in transportation and logistics; our inability to achieve some or all of the anticipated benefits of our spin-off including uncertainty regarding qualification for expected tax treatment; fluctuations in our stock price; and changes in laws or regulations applicable to our business. You are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date of this release. Such forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance, and actual results, developments and business decisions may differ from those envisaged by such forward-looking statements. We identify the principal risks and uncertainties that affect our performance in our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2018.

Non-GAAP Financial Measures

This press release includes certain non-GAAP financial measures intended to supplement, not to act as substitutes for, comparable GAAP measures. Reconciliations of non-GAAP financial measures to GAAP financial measures are provided in this press release. Investors are urged to consider carefully the comparable GAAP measures and the reconciliations to those measures provided. Non-GAAP measures in this press release may be calculated in a way that is not comparable to similarly-titled measures reported by other companies.

AdvanSix Inc.

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets

(Unaudited)

(Dollars in thousands, except share and per share amounts)

 

 

September 30, 2019

 

December 31, 2018

ASSETS

 

 

 

Current assets:

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents

$

10,048

 

$

9,808

Accounts and other receivables – net

109,292

 

160,266

Inventories – net

162,479

 

137,182

Other current assets

8,433

 

3,807

Total current assets

290,252

 

311,063

 

 

 

 

Property, plant and equipment – net

731,643

 

672,210

Operating lease right-of-use assets

136,122

 

—

Goodwill

15,005

 

15,005

Other assets

38,795

 

36,348

Total assets

$

1,211,817

 

$

1,034,626

 

 

 

 

LIABILITIES

 

 

 

Current liabilities:

 

 

 

Accounts payable

$

219,225

 

$

231,720

Accrued liabilities

29,839

 

30,448

Operating lease liabilities – short-term

35,656

 

—

Deferred income and customer advances

1,948

 

22,556

Total current liabilities

286,668

 

284,724

 

 

 

 

Deferred income taxes

112,579

 

103,783

Operating lease liabilities – long-term

100,752

 

—

Line of credit – long-term

266,000

 

200,000

Postretirement benefit obligations

22,581

 

21,080

Other liabilities

6,011

 

4,701

Total liabilities

794,591

 

614,288

 

 

 

 

STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY

 

 

 

Common stock, par value $0.01; 200,000,000 shares authorized;
30,600,708 shares issued and 27,481,162 outstanding at September 30, 2019;

30,555,715 shares issued and 29,345,001 outstanding at December 31, 2018

306

 

306

Preferred stock, par value $0.01; 50,000,000 shares authorized and 0 shares issued
and outstanding at September 30, 2019 and December 31, 2018

—

 

—

Treasury stock at par (3,119,546 shares at September 30, 2019;
1,210,714 shares at December 31, 2018)

(31)

 

(12)

Additional paid-in capital

189,242

 

234,699

Retained earnings

231,260

 

187,819

Accumulated other comprehensive loss

(3,551)

 

(2,474)

Total stockholders' equity

417,226

 

420,338

Total liabilities and stockholders' equity

$

1,211,817

 

$

1,034,626

AdvanSix Inc.

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations

(Unaudited)

(Dollars in thousands, except share and per share amounts)

   

 

Three Months Ended
September 30,

 

 

Nine Months Ended
September 30,

 

2019

 

2018

 

 

2019

 

2018

Sales

$

310,633

 

$

368,653

 

 

$

970,743

 

$

1,128,350

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Costs, expenses and other:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Costs of goods sold

280,123

 

343,434

 

 

850,131

 

1,007,712

Selling, general and administrative expenses

19,261

 

18,057

 

 

58,683

 

55,189

Other non-operating expense (income), net

1,815

 

1,453

 

 

4,871

 

6,581

Total costs, expenses and other

301,199

 

362,944

 

 

913,685

 

1,069,482

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Income before taxes

9,434

 

5,709

 

 

57,058

 

58,868

Income tax expense

1,513

 

229

 

 

13,617

 

13,385

Net income

$

7,921

 

$

5,480

 

 

$

43,441

 

$

45,483

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Earnings per common share

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Basic

$

0.29

 

$

0.18

 

 

$

1.54

 

$

1.50

Diluted

$

0.28

 

$

0.18

 

 

$

1.49

 

$

1.46

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Weighted average common shares outstanding

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Basic

27,608,985

 

30,160,991

 

 

28,192,760

 

30,375,873

Diluted

28,581,451

 

30,983,834

 

 

29,164,024

 

31,189,640

AdvanSix Inc.

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

(Unaudited)

(Dollars in thousands)

 

 

Three Months Ended
September 30,

 

Nine Months Ended
September 30,

 

2019

 

2018

 

2019

 

2018

Cash flows from operating activities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net income

$

7,921

 

$

5,480

 

$

43,441

 

$

45,483

Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash (used for)
provided by operating activities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Depreciation and amortization

14,222

 

12,992

 

42,094

 

38,905

Loss on disposal of assets

3,066

 

224

 

4,967

 

1,560

Deferred income taxes

(960)

 

1,971

 

9,149

 

8,816

Stock based compensation

2,001

 

2,626

 

7,575

 

7,506

Accretion of deferred financing fees

106

 

107

 

320

 

1,696

Restructuring charges

—

 

—

 

12,623

 

—

Changes in assets and liabilities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Accounts and other receivables

18,393

 

2,965

 

51,136

 

46,878

Inventories

(24,245)

 

7,103

 

(26,739)

 

14,182

Accounts payable

17,742

 

19,510

 

(12,844)

 

(10,675)

Accrued liabilities

(2,699)

 

(2,898)

 

(4,470)

 

(9,703)

Deferred income and customer advances

(1,236)

 

(130)

 

(20,608)

 

(14,899)

Other assets and liabilities

(1,138)

 

564

 

(6,108)

 

(2,014)

Net cash provided by operating activities

33,173

 

50,514

 

100,536

 

127,735

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash flows from investing activities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Expenditures for property, plant and equipment

(35,185)

 

(19,227)

 

(106,386)

 

(72,650)

Other investing activities

(918)

 

(402)

 

(2,203)

 

(1,656)

Net cash used for investing activities

(36,103)

 

(19,629)

 

(108,589)

 

(74,306)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash flows from financing activities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Payments of long-term debt

—

 

—

 

—

 

(266,625)

Borrowings from line of credit

106,500

 

23,500

 

316,750

 

284,500

Payments of line of credit

(95,500)

 

(33,500)

 

(250,750)

 

(84,500)

Payment of line of credit facility fees

—

 

—

 

—

 

(1,362)

Principal payments of finance leases

(2,279)

 

(63)

 

(4,656)

 

(225)

Purchase of treasury stock

(12,800)

 

(17,330)

 

(53,067)

 

(20,443)

Issuance of common stock

—

 

—

 

16

 

—

Net cash provided by (used for) financing activities

(4,079)

 

(27,393)

 

8,293

 

(88,655)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net change in cash and cash equivalents

(7,009)

 

3,492

 

240

 

(35,226)

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period

17,057

 

16,714

 

9,808

 

55,432

Cash and cash equivalents at the end of period

$

10,048

 

$

20,206

 

$

10,048

 

$

20,206

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Supplemental non-cash investing activities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Capital expenditures included in accounts payable

 

 

 

 

$

27,344

 

$

17,649

AdvanSix Inc.

Non-GAAP Measures

(Dollars in thousands)

 

Reconciliation of Net Cash Provided by Operating Activities to Free Cash Flow

 

 

Three Months Ended
September 30,

 

Nine Months Ended
September 30,

 

2019

 

2018

 

2019

 

2018

Net cash provided by operating activities

$

33,173

 

$

50,514

 

$

100,536

 

$

127,735

Expenditures for property, plant and equipment

(35,185)

 

(19,227)

 

(106,386)

 

(72,650)

Free cash flow (1)

$

(2,012)

 

$

31,287

 

$

(5,850)

 

$

55,085

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(1) Free cash flow is a non-GAAP measure defined as Net cash provided by operating activities less Expenditures for property, plant and equipment

The Company believes that this metric is useful to investors and management as a measure to evaluate our ability to generate cash flow from business operations and the impact that this cash flow has on our liquidity.

 

Reconciliation of Net Income to EBITDA

 

 

Three Months Ended
September 30,

 

 

Nine Months Ended
September 30,

 

2019

 

2018

 

 

2019

 

2018

Net income

$

7,921

 

$

5,480

 

 

$

43,441

 

$

45,483

Interest expense, net

1,293

 

1,270

 

 

3,727

 

5,958

Income taxes

1,513

 

229

 

 

13,617

 

13,385

Depreciation and amortization

14,222

 

12,992

 

 

42,094

 

38,905

EBITDA (2)

$

24,949

 

$

19,971

 

 

$

102,879

 

$

103,731

One-time Pottsville restructuring charges (3)

—

 

—

 

 

12,623

 

—

EBITDA excluding one-time Pottsville
restructuring charges

$

24,949

 

$

19,971

 

 

$

115,502

 

$

103,731

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sales

$

310,633

 

$

368,653

 

 

$

970,743

 

$

1,128,350

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

EBITDA margin (4)

8.0%

 

5.4%

 

 

10.6%

 

9.2%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

EBITDA margin excluding one-time Pottsville
restructuring charges

8.0%

 

5.4%

 

 

11.9%

 

9.2%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(2) EBITDA is a non-GAAP measure defined as Net Income before Interest, Income Taxes, Depreciation and Amortization

(3) One-time Pottsville restructuring charges reflect the closure of the Company's Pottsville, Pennsylvania films plant

(4) EBITDA margin is defined as EBITDA divided by Sales

The Company believes the non-GAAP financial measures presented in this release provide meaningful supplemental information as they are used by the Company’s management to evaluate the Company’s operating performance, enhance a reader’s understanding of the financial performance of the Company, and facilitate a better comparison among fiscal periods and performance relative to its competitors, as these non-GAAP measures exclude items that are not considered core to the Company’s operations.

AdvanSix Inc.

Appendix

(Pre-tax income impact, Dollars in millions)

 

Planned Plant Turnaround Schedule (5)

 

1Q

2Q

3Q

4Q

FY

2017

—

~$10

~$4

~$20

~$34

2018

~$2

~$10

~$30

—

~$42

2019

—

~$5

~$5

~$25

~$35

2020E

~$5

$25-$30

—

~$3

$33-$38

(5) Primarily reflects the impact of fixed cost absorption, maintenance expense, and the purchase of feedstocks which are normally manufactured by the Company