Fuel Tech Reports Third Quarter 2012 Results
Fuel Tech Reports Third Quarter 2012 Results
WARRENVILLE, Ill.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Fuel Tech, Inc. (NAS: FTEK) , a world leader in advanced engineering solutions for the optimization of combustion systems and emissions control in utility and industrial applications, today reported results for the three- and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2012.
Recent Highlights
Record Air Pollution Control (APC) backlog of $52.3 million at September 30, 2012, up from $22.9 million in the same period a year ago, reflecting strong growth in international APC business and record order announcements during the current quarter
Record quarterly foreign revenue totaling $8.3 million offset by slower domestic market activity due to uncertainty in the U.S. regulatory environment and decreased coal usage
Increased year-over-year spending in Research & Development of $1.0 million, representing $0.04 diluted earnings per share, in support of new product development and additional offerings
Financial Results
Consolidated revenues for the third quarter totaled $24.9 million, a 4% increase from the comparable prior-year quarter. Net income for the quarter was $1.2 million, or $0.05 per diluted share, compared with net income of $2.7 million, or $0.11 per diluted share, in the same quarter in the prior year.
Consolidated revenues for the nine months ended June 30, 2012 totaled $71.0 million, representing an increase of $5.4 million or 8% from the comparable prior-year period amount of $65.7 million. Net income for the nine-month period was $2.8 million, or $0.12 per diluted share, compared with a net income of $4.4 million or $0.18 per diluted share in the same year-ago period. Adjusted EBITDA for the nine months ended September 30, 2012 totaled $7.4 million, a decrease of $4.1 million or 37% from the comparable prior-year period of $11.5 million.
The APC technology segment generated third quarter 2012 revenues of $15.7 million, an increase of 29% versus the third quarter of 2011. This increase is due primarily to the recognition of revenue from the prior period backlog, as well as revenue generated on the record bookings recorded during the third quarter of 2012. Gross margin for the APC segment was 33% in the third quarter of 2012 versus 46% reported in the third quarter of 2011, primarily due to a greater mix of lower margin international projects.
The APC segment recorded revenues of $44.2 million in the first three quarters of 2012, an increase of $11.3 million or 34% from the prior year amount of $32.9 million. Segment gross margin for the year-to-date period stood at 39% versus 44% reported in the prior year. This decrease is attributable to the aforementioned lower margin international projects.
The FUEL CHEM® technology segment generated revenues of $9.2 million in the third quarter of 2012, a decrease of $2.6 million, or 22%, from the comparable 2011 quarter. The revenue decrease is due in part to attrition at existing customer accounts due to the soft electric demand market and fuel switching as a result of low natural gas prices. These factors led to combustion units operating at less than full capacity which, along with unscheduled outages, resulted in a corresponding decrease in revenues. Segment gross margins increased from 43% in the third quarter of 2011 to 54% in the current quarter, the result of a higher mix of FUEL CHEM TIFI-XP™ applications where extreme performance is needed for higher slagging coals. The quarterly gross margin in 2011 was negatively impacted by $0.4 million attributable to the costs of a FUEL CHEM demonstration in China.
Revenues for the FUEL CHEM segment for the nine-month period totaled $26.8 million, a decrease of $5.9 million or 18% versus the prior year amount of $32.7 million. Nine-month revenues for 2011 include approximately $1.3 million in non-recurring lower-margin installation work for a specific new customer. Segment gross margin increased to 53% in the first three quarters of 2012 from 49% in the comparable period in 2011. The higher gross margin in 2012 is attributable to a higher margin mix of customer orders and the previously mentioned non-recurring, lower margin installation work that was recognized in 2011.
Selling, general and administrative (SG&A) expenses totaled $8.1 million in the current quarter versus $7.7 million in the same year-ago period. Research and development (R&D) expenses were $0.6 million versus $0.4 million in the year-ago quarter.
SG&A expenses totaled $25.0 million in the nine-month period ended September 30, 2012, versus $23.6 million in the same year-ago period, which represents a 1% decrease in SG&A costs as a percentage of revenue. The net-dollar increase in SG&A expenses is attributed primarily to higher employee and international-related costs, including sales commissions, offset by a decrease in stock-based compensation. Research and development (R&D) expenses increased to $2.0 million in the first three quarters of the year versus $1.1 million in the year-ago period, to support continued emphasis on R&D activities to enhance product offerings.
During the third quarter of 2012, the Company announced new contract awards with a value of approximately $52.3 million, including the largest contract in our history by a major utility company in Chile. After accounting for the conversion of backlog to revenues during this period, the APC segment capital projects backlog stood at $52.3 million as of September 30, 2012.
During the three- and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2012, the Company repurchased 145,443 and 1,604,876 shares of common stock for $0.7 million and $7.9 million, respectively, under our share repurchase programs. Since the inception of these programs, the Company has repurchased a total of 2,306,590 common shares for approximately $12.0 million, resulting in an average price of $5.20 per share. The two previously announced share repurchase programs were complete as of September 30, 2012.
Douglas G. Bailey, Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer, commented, "We are pleased to deliver solid results in a tough macro environment. We have consciously expanded our international presence with new contracts in our Pacific Rim and Chile operations to achieve both growth and regulatory diversification in our APC business and we are witnessing the results of those efforts."
"The APC segment benefitted by growth in our international business as record quarterly bookings and international revenues were achieved. With strong order flow in China and a record contract booking of $36.6 million in Chile, we are extending our global reach and capabilities. Thus far this year, $28.3 million in China orders have been announced, exceeding last year's total of $13.4 million. During the third quarter, seven awards were received for ULTRA™ projects on fifteen units as well as six awards for two projects each of our Selective Non-Catalytic Reduction (SNCR), Low NOx Burner and Over-Fire Air, and Flue Gas Conditioning (FGC) technologies. We are pleased to see not only continued penetration of ULTRA, but also the diversity of orders, including awards that represent our first commercial FGC applications. China continues to be an active market for our technologies as utility and industrial operators comply with the nitrogen oxide (NOx) reductions in the 12th Five-Year Plan. Bidding activity in China remains high and we anticipate additional bookings and revenue growth to continue into next year."
"Domestic APC contract bookings were slower than expected given the August vacatur of the Cross-State Air Pollution Rule (CSAPR) by the U.S. Court of Appeals. Despite regulatory uncertainty surrounding timing and specific emission reductions, the upcoming pressure on sources remains strong since states must comply with current and proposed ambient air quality standards. We continue to see industrial activity in the domestic market based on drivers from state and local permits, consent decrees, and Regional Haze requirements. Cost-effective flexible solutions remain a key element of our customer compliance strategies, and as such, we will pursue available opportunities and be ready with technology options as domestic regulatory clarity develops."
"The FUEL CHEM segment continues to be impacted by low natural gas prices and decreased coal usage which caused a number of our existing customer plants to operate below expectations. While challenges exist with current market conditions, we continue to work with our clients to improve their fuel selection capabilities, address the challenges of slag formation and furnace fouling, and offer effective flexible solutions to other emissions challenges."
Mr. Bailey concluded, "We continue to be encouraged about our business prospects and believe that we are well positioned to increase our market share in both the APC and FUEL CHEM segments. As we enter the fourth quarter with a record backlog and a good pipeline of international prospects, we reaffirm our outlook that we will see a stronger half of 2012."
Conference Call
As a reminder, Fuel Tech will host a conference call on Tuesday, November 6th at 9:00 AM EST to discuss the results.The call will simultaneously be broadcast over the Internet atwww.ftek.comand can be accessed under"Upcoming Events"on the Home page.The call can also be accessed by dialing 866-356-3095 (domestic) or 617-597-5391 (international) and using the passcode "FUEL TECH."A replay of the call will be available on the website and can be accessed by dialing 888.286.8010 (domestic) or 617.801.6888 (international) and using the passcode "41855407."The replay will be available until December 4, 2012.
About Fuel Tech
Fuel Tech is a leading technology company engaged in the worldwide development, commercialization and application of state-of-the-art proprietary technologies for air pollution control, process optimization, and advanced engineering services. These technologies enable customers to produce both energy and processed materials in a cost-effective and environmentally sustainable manner.
The Company's nitrogen oxide (NOx) reduction technologies include advanced combustion modification techniques - such as Low NOx Burners and Over-Fire Air systems - and post-combustion NOx control approaches, including NOxOUT® and HERT™ SNCR systems as well as systems that incorporate ASCR™ (Advanced Selective Catalytic Reduction), NOxOUT CASCADE®,ULTRA™ and NOxOUT-SCR® processes. These technologies have established Fuel Tech as a leader in NOx reduction, with installations on over 700 units worldwide, where coal, fuel oil, natural gas, municipal waste, biomass, and other fuels are utilized.
The Company's FUEL CHEM® technology revolves around the unique application of chemicals to improve the efficiency, reliability, fuel flexibility and environmental status of combustion units by controlling slagging, fouling, corrosion, opacity and operational issues associated with sulfur trioxide, ammonium bisulfate, particulate matter (PM2.5), carbon dioxide and NOx. This technology, in the form of a customizable FUEL CHEM program, is experienced on over 110 combustion units burning a wide variety of fuels including coal, heavy oil, biomass, and municipal waste.
Fuel Tech also provides a range of combustion optimization services, including airflow testing, coal flow testing and boiler tuning, as well as services to help optimize selective catalytic reduction system performance, including catalyst management services and ammonia injection grid tuning. In addition, flow corrective devices and physical and computational modeling services are available to optimize flue gas distribution and mixing in both power plant and industrial applications.
Many of Fuel Tech's products and services rely heavily on the Company's exceptional Computational Fluid Dynamics modeling capabilities, which are enhanced by internally developed, high-end visualization software. These capabilities, coupled with the Company's innovative technologies and multi-disciplined team approach, enable Fuel Tech to provide practical solutions to some of our customers' most challenging problems. For more information, visit Fuel Tech's web site at www.ftek.com.
This press release may contain statements of a forward-looking nature regarding future events. These statements are only predictions and actual events may differ materially.Please refer to documents that Fuel Tech files from time to time with the Securities and Exchange Commission for a discussion of certain factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in the forward-looking statements.
FUEL TECH, INC. CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (in thousands, except share and per share data) | ||||||||
September 30, 2012 | December 31, | |||||||
(Unaudited) | ||||||||
Assets | ||||||||
Current assets: | ||||||||
Cash and cash equivalents | $ | 24,483 | $ | 28,229 | ||||
Marketable securities | 57 | 57 | ||||||
Accounts receivable, net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $317 and $430, respectively | 29,586 | 34,346 | ||||||
Inventories | 957 | 311 | ||||||
Prepaid expenses and other current assets | 1,522 | 2,026 | ||||||
Prepaid income taxes | 1,400 | 1,124 | ||||||
Deferred income taxes | 411 | 163 | ||||||
Total current assets | 58,416 | 66,256 | ||||||
Property and equipment, net of accumulated depreciation of $19,880 and $18,239, respectively | 13,824 | 13,625 | ||||||
Goodwill | 21,051 | 21,051 | ||||||
Other intangible assets, net of accumulated amortization of $4,064 and $3,385, respectively | 4,990 | 5,442 | ||||||
Deferred income taxes | 3,663 | 3,798 | ||||||
Other assets | 2,578 | 2,818 | ||||||
Total assets | $ | 104,522 | $ | 112,990 | ||||
Liabilities and Shareholders' Equity | ||||||||
Current liabilities: | ||||||||
Short-term debt | $ | 1,184 | $ | 1,181 | ||||
Accounts payable | 9,825 | 10,476 | ||||||
Accrued liabilities: | ||||||||
Employee compensation | 3,014 | 4,902 | ||||||
Other accrued liabilities | 5,147 | 6,071 | ||||||
Total current liabilities | 19,170 | 22,630 | ||||||
Other liabilities | 952 | 1,347 | ||||||
Total liabilities | 20,122 | 23,977 | ||||||
Shareholders' equity: | ||||||||
Common stock, $.01 par value, 40,000,000 shares | ||||||||
authorized, 22,039,425 and 23,644,301 shares issued | ||||||||
and outstanding, respectively | 221 | 237 | ||||||
Additional paid-in capital | 133,137 | 132,350 | ||||||
Accumulated deficit | (49,099 | ) | (44,031 | ) | ||||
Accumulated other comprehensive income | 65 | 381 | ||||||
Nil coupon perpetual loan notes | 76 | 76 | ||||||
Total shareholders' equity | 84,400 | 89,013 | ||||||
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity | $ | 104,522 | $ | 112,990 | ||||
FUEL TECH, INC. CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS (Unaudited) (in thousands, except share and per-share data) | |||||||||||||||||
Three Months Ended | Nine Months Ended | ||||||||||||||||
2012 | 2011 | 2012 | 2011 | ||||||||||||||
Revenues | $ | 24,907 | $ | 24,023 | $ | 71,030 | $ | 65,666 | |||||||||
Costs and expenses: | |||||||||||||||||
Cost of sales | 14,671 | 13,050 | 39,771 | 35,069 | |||||||||||||
Selling, general and administrative | 8,064 | 7,701 | 24,932 | 23,618 | |||||||||||||
Gain on revaluation of ACT liability | - | - | - | (758 | ) | ||||||||||||
Research and development | 569 | 358 | 2,044 | 1,075 | |||||||||||||
23,304 | 21,109 | 66,747 | 59,004 | ||||||||||||||
Operating income | 1,603 | 2,914 | 4,283 | 6,662 | |||||||||||||
Interest expense | (16 | ) | (47 | ) | (90 | ) | (125 | ) | |||||||||
Interest income | 16 | 14 | 56 | 19 | |||||||||||||
Other expense | (27 | ) | (57 | ) | (78 | ) | (252 | ) | |||||||||
Income before income taxes | 1,576 | 2,824 | 4,171 | 6,304 | |||||||||||||
Income tax expense | (382 | ) | (169 | ) | (1,366 | ) | (1,880 | ) | |||||||||
Net income | $ | 1,194 | $ | 2,655 | $ | 2,805 | $ | 4,424 | |||||||||
Net income per common share: | |||||||||||||||||
Basic | $ | 0.05 | $ | 0.11 | $ | 0.12 | $ | 0.18 | |||||||||
Diluted | $ | 0.05 | $ | 0.11 | $ | 0.12 | $ | 0.18 | |||||||||
Weighted-average number of | |||||||||||||||||
Basic | 22,105,000 | 24,322,000 | 22,932,000 | 24,269,000 | |||||||||||||
Diluted | 23,022,000 | 24,850,000 | 23,749,000 | 24,881,000 | |||||||||||||
FUEL TECH, INC. CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (Unaudited) (in thousands) | ||||||||||||||
Three Months Ended | Nine Months Ended | |||||||||||||
2012 | 2011 | 2012 | 2011 | |||||||||||
Net income | $ | 1,194 | $ | 2,655 | $ | 2,805 | $ | 4,424 | ||||||
Other comprehensive income: | ||||||||||||||
Foreign currency translation adjustments | (394 | ) | (5 | ) | (290 | ) | 94 | |||||||
Unrealized gains/(losses) from marketable | 11 | (35 | ) | - | 33 | |||||||||
Total other comprehensive income | (383 | ) | (40 | ) | (290 | ) | 127 | |||||||
Comprehensive income | $ | 811 | $ | 2,615 | $ | 2,515 | $ | 4,551 | ||||||
FUEL TECH, INC. CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (Unaudited) (in thousands) | ||||||||
Nine Months Ended September 30, | ||||||||
2012 | 2011 | |||||||
Operating Activities | ||||||||
