Advanced Emissions Solutions Reports Second Quarter 2018 Results
Strong Refined Coal Distributions and Royalty Income Highlight Quarter
Marked by Net Income of $15.3 Million or $0.75 per diluted share
HIGHLANDS RANCH, Colorado, August 6, 2018 - GlobeNewswire - Advanced Emissions Solutions, Inc. (NASDAQ: ADES) (the "Company" or "ADES") today filed its Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q and reported financial results for the second quarter ended June 30, 2018, including information about its equity investments in Tinuum Group, LLC ("Tinuum Group") and Tinuum Services, LLC ("Tinuum Services") (collectively "Tinuum"), of which ADES owns 42.5% and 50%, respectively.
Tinuum & Refined Coal (“RC”) Highlights
• | As previously announced in June, Tinuum Group obtained a third party tax equity investor for an RC facility previously in installation phase, increasing the number of invested facilities to 18; this RC facility is royalty bearing and is located at a coal-burning power plant that has historically burned in excess of 3.3 million tons of coal per year; |
• | Tinuum distributions to ADES were $14.7 million during the second quarter of 2018, and $28.2 million year to date, increases of 40% and 12%, respectively, from the prior year; |
• | Royalty earnings from Tinuum were $3.5 million for the second quarter of 2018, an 89% increase from the same quarter in 2017; |
• | Tinuum invested tonnage was 13.2 million during the second quarter of 2018 compared to 10.5 million during the same quarter in 2017; |
• | Based on the 18 invested RC facilities as of June 30, 2018 and cash distributions occurring in the three months ended June 30, 2018, expected future net RC cash flows to ADES are between $225 million and $250 million through the end of 2021. |
ADES Consolidated Highlights
• | Recognized consolidated revenue of $4.3 million for the quarter, a decrease of 84% from the prior year's comparable quarter. The decrease was primarily due to the recognition of all remaining equipment systems effective with the adoption of the new revenue accounting standard ("ASC 606") through an opening adjustment to equity on January 1, 2018 as well as lower revenue from chemical sales. Partially offsetting these decreases were higher royalty earnings from Tinuum, which, for both 2018 and 2017, are now reported as revenues under ASC 606 |
• | Other operating expenses increased $1.1 million during the second quarter of 2018 compared to the same quarter in 2017, primarily due to restructuring charges of $0.9 million; |
• | Achieved consolidated pre-tax and net income of $13.9 million and $15.3 million, respectively, for the quarter, resulting in earnings per diluted share of $0.75, an increase of 159% from the prior year; |
• | Increased cash and cash equivalents to $32.2 million as of June 30, 2018; an increase of $1.5 million since December 31, 2017, which is inclusive of cash usage for dividends and stock repurchase which totaled over $19.3 million for the six month period; |
L. Heath Sampson, President and CEO of ADES commented, “Our ongoing focus on our Refined Coal business and supporting the Tinuum Group delivered another quarter of strong distributions and higher royalties. These increased earnings will continue to support our broader capital allocation program, as cash levels continue to rise despite our ongoing commitment to executing on our shareholder return initiatives in the form of dividends and share repurchases.”
Sampson continued, “Also included in our second quarter performance was the previously announced June closure of an additional RC facility with a third-party tax equity investor. This facility was one of the two units discussed in the prior quarter that had entered the installation phase. While this process requires the upfront use of cash, we view this most recent closure as evidence that the pipeline and market for these facilities remains strong. As such, there are developing plans to install additional facilities in anticipation of further closures, and our confidence in the market lends us the conviction to take these proactive steps, as securing investors for idle units remains our first priority.”
Second quarter revenues and costs of revenues were $4.3 million and $0.7 million, respectively, compared with $27.3 million and $23.3 million in the second quarter of 2017. The decrease in revenues was primarily due to the completion of all material equipment contracts impacting revenues as of December 31, 2017 as well as a reduction in chemical sales due to the loss of a customer during the latter portion of 2017 and overall decrease in sales. Partially offsetting the decrease was second quarter royalty earnings from Tinuum of $3.5 million, an increase of 89% compared to $1.9 million in the second quarter of 2017, due to increased RC facilities and earnings from the respective RC facilities.
Second quarter other operating expenses were $5.1 million, an increase of 28% compared to $4.0 million in the second quarter of 2017. The increase was primarily due to restructuring charges during the three months ended June 30, 2018 in connection with a reduction in force, including the departure of certain executive officers and management's further alignment of the business with strategic objectives.
Second quarter earnings from equity method investments were $15.9 million, compared to $10.2 million for the second quarter of 2017. Tinuum distributions to ADES for the second quarter of 2018 were $14.7 million, up from $10.5 million for the comparable quarter in 2017. The increase was driven primarily by an increase in cash distributions related to additional invested RC facilities in the second half of 2017 and first half of 2018.
Second quarter operating expenses related to the RC business were $1.1 million, an increase of 31% compared to 2017 primarily due to increased payroll and benefits attributed to the RC segment. RC segment operating income was $18.3 million, compared to $11.1 million in the second quarter of 2017.
Second quarter consolidated interest expense was $0.4 million, compared to $0.6 million in the second quarter of 2017. Second quarter income tax (benefit) expense was $(1.3) million, compared to $3.6 million in the second quarter of 2017, which was due to a reduction in the valuation allowance against the Company's deferred tax assets as well as a reduction in the federal tax rate.
Consolidated net income for the second quarter was $15.3 million, resulting in $0.75 per diluted earnings per share, an increase of 159% from the prior year, primarily driven by higher equity earnings and royalties from the RC business and the tax benefit recognized.
As of June 30, 2018, the Company had cash and cash equivalents of $32.2 million, an increase of 5% compared to $30.7 million as of December 31, 2017, due primarily to higher Tinuum royalties, which offset the stock repurchases and dividends totaling over $19.3 million for the first half of 2018.
Dividend
Today, the Board of Directors declared a quarterly cash dividend of $0.25 per share of common stock. The dividend is payable on September 6, 2018 to stockholders of record at the close of business on August 20, 2018.
Conference Call and Webcast Information
The Company has scheduled a conference call to begin at 9:00 a.m. Eastern Time on Tuesday, August 7, 2018. The conference call will be webcast live via the Investor section of ADES's website at www.advancedemissionssolutions.com. Interested parties may also participate in the call by dialing (833) 227-5845 (Domestic) or (647) 689-4072 (International) conference ID 8075628. A supplemental investor presentation will be available on the Company's investor relations website prior to the start of the conference call.
About Advanced Emissions Solutions, Inc.
Advanced Emissions Solutions, Inc. serves as the holding entity for a family of companies that provide emissions solutions to customers in the power generation and other industries.
 | ADA-ES, Inc. (“ADA”) is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Advanced Emissions Solutions, Inc. (“ADES”) that provides emissions control solutions for coal-fired power generation and industrial boiler industries. With more than 25 years of experience developing advanced mercury control solutions, ADA delivers proprietary environmental technologies, equipment and specialty chemicals that enable coal-fueled boilers to meet emissions regulations. These solutions enhance existing air pollution control equipment, maximizing capacity and improving operating efficiencies. Our track record includes securing more than 40 US and international patents for emissions control technology and systems and selling the most activated carbon injection systems for power plant mercury control in North America. For more information on ADA, and its products and services, visit www.adaes.com. |
 | Tinuum Group, LLC (“Tinuum Group”) is a 42.5% owned joint venture by ADA that provides ADA’s patented Refined Coal (“RC”) CyClean™ technology to enhance combustion of and reduce emissions of NOx and mercury from coals in cyclone boilers and ADA’s patented M-45™ and M-45-PC™ technologies for Circulating Fluidized Bed boilers and Pulverized Coal boilers respectively. |
Caution on Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, which provides a “safe harbor” for such statements in certain circumstances. The forward-looking statements include projection on future RC cash flows and expectations about potential transactions with tax-equity investors. These forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties. Actual events or results could differ materially from those discussed in the forward-looking statements as a result of various factors including, but not limited to, timing of new and pending regulations and any legal challenges to or extensions of compliance dates of them; the US government’s failure to promulgate regulations that benefit our business; changes in laws and regulations, IRS interpretations or guidance, accounting rules, any pending court decisions, prices, economic conditions and market demand; impact of competition; availability, cost of and demand for alternative energy sources and other technologies; technical, start up and operational difficulties; failure of the RC facilities to produce RC; inability to sell or lease additional RC facilities; termination of or amendments to the contracts for sale or lease of RC facilities; decreases in the production of RC; loss of key personnel; as well as other factors relating to our business, as described in our filings with the SEC, with particular emphasis on the risk factor disclosures contained in those filings. You are cautioned not to place undue reliance on the forward-looking statements and to consult filings we have made and will make with the SEC for additional discussion concerning risks and uncertainties that may apply to our business and the ownership of our securities. The forward-looking statements speak only as to the date of this press release.
Source: Advanced Emissions Solutions, Inc.
Investor Contact:
Alpha IR Group
Chris Hodges or Ryan Coleman
312-445-2870
ADES@alpha-ir.com
TABLE 1
Advanced Emissions Solutions, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets
(Unaudited)
As of | ||||||||
(in thousands, except share data) | June 30, 2018 | December 31, 2017 | ||||||
ASSETS | ||||||||
Current assets: | ||||||||
Cash and cash equivalents | $ | 32,179 | $ | 30,693 | ||||
Receivables, net | 1,087 | 1,113 | ||||||
Receivables, related parties, net | 3,523 | 3,247 | ||||||
Prepaid expenses and other assets | 2,211 | 1,835 | ||||||
Total current assets | 39,000 | 36,888 | ||||||
Property and equipment, net of accumulated depreciation of $1,074 and $1,486, respectively | 269 | 410 | ||||||
Equity method investments | 5,043 | 4,351 | ||||||
Deferred tax assets | 38,517 | 38,661 | ||||||
Other long-term assets | 2,043 | 2,308 | ||||||
Total Assets | $ | 84,872 | $ | 82,618 | ||||
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY | ||||||||
Current liabilities: | ||||||||
Accounts payable | $ | 1,323 | $ | 1,000 | ||||
Accrued payroll and related liabilities | 1,536 | 1,384 | ||||||
Billings in excess of costs on uncompleted contracts | — | 1,830 | ||||||
Other current liabilities | 1,100 | 2,664 | ||||||
Total current liabilities | 3,959 | 6,878 | ||||||
Other long-term liabilities | 293 | 2,285 | ||||||
Total Liabilities | 4,252 | 9,163 | ||||||
Commitments and contingencies (Note 5) | ||||||||
Stockholders’ equity: | ||||||||
Preferred stock: par value of $.001 per share, 50,000,000 shares authorized, none outstanding | — | — | ||||||
Common stock: par value of $.001 per share, 100,000,000 shares authorized, 22,627,635 and 22,465,821 shares issued, and 20,088,451 and 20,752,055 shares outstanding at June 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017, respectively | 23 | 22 | ||||||
Treasury stock, at cost: 2,539,184 and 1,713,766 shares as of June 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017, respectively | (25,508 | ) | (16,397 | ) | ||||
Additional paid-in capital | 95,680 | 105,308 | ||||||
Retained earnings (deficit) | 10,425 | (15,478 | ) | |||||
Total stockholders’ equity | 80,620 | 73,455 | ||||||
Total Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity | $ | 84,872 | $ | 82,618 | ||||
TABLE 2
Advanced Emissions Solutions, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations
(Unaudited)
Three Months Ended June 30, | Six Months Ended June 30, | |||||||||||||||
(in thousands, except per share data) | 2018 | 2017 | 2018 | 2017 | ||||||||||||
Revenues: | ||||||||||||||||
Chemicals | $ | 726 | $ | 846 | $ | 1,347 | $ | 3,127 | ||||||||
License royalties, related party | 3,523 | 1,866 | 6,753 | 3,621 | ||||||||||||
Equipment sales | 24 | 24,619 | 72 | 29,727 | ||||||||||||
Total revenues | 4,273 | 27,331 | 8,172 | 36,475 | ||||||||||||
Operating expenses: | ||||||||||||||||
Chemicals cost of revenue, exclusive of depreciation and amortization | 902 | 645 | 1,613 | 2,403 | ||||||||||||
Equipment sales cost of revenue, exclusive of depreciation and amortization | (198 | ) | 22,650 | (346 | ) | 26,793 | ||||||||||
Payroll and benefits | 2,759 | 2,033 | 4,973 | 4,215 | ||||||||||||
Rent and occupancy | 248 | 255 | 516 | 300 | ||||||||||||
Legal and professional fees | 1,213 | 1,219 | 2,761 | 2,254 | ||||||||||||
General and administrative | 846 | 395 | 1,748 | 1,850 | ||||||||||||
Depreciation and amortization | 72 | 118 | 188 | 600 | ||||||||||||
Total operating expenses | 5,842 | 27,315 | 11,453 | 38,415 | ||||||||||||
Operating (loss) income | (1,569 | ) | 16 | (3,281 | ) | (1,940 | ) | |||||||||
Other income (expense): | ||||||||||||||||
Earnings from equity method investments | 15,889 | 10,155 | 28,142 | 23,969 | ||||||||||||
Interest expense | (412 | ) | (628 | ) | (748 | ) | (1,321 | ) | ||||||||
Other | 34 | 507 | 60 | 3,416 | ||||||||||||
Total other income | 15,511 | 10,034 | 27,454 | 26,064 | ||||||||||||
Income before income tax (benefit) expense | 13,942 | 10,050 | 24,173 | 24,124 | ||||||||||||
Income tax (benefit) expense | (1,349 | ) | 3,642 | 1,220 | 9,028 | |||||||||||
Net income | $ | 15,291 | $ | 6,408 | $ | 22,953 | $ | 15,096 | ||||||||
Earnings per common share (Note 1): | ||||||||||||||||
Basic | $ | 0.76 | $ | 0.29 | $ | 1.13 | $ | 0.68 | ||||||||
Diluted | $ | 0.75 | $ | 0.29 | $ | 1.12 | $ | 0.68 | ||||||||
Weighted-average number of common shares outstanding: | ||||||||||||||||
Basic | 20,062 | 21,866 | 20,275 | 21,961 | ||||||||||||
Diluted | 20,195 | 21,880 | 20,386 | 21,981 | ||||||||||||
Cash dividends declared per common share outstanding: | $ | 0.25 | $ | 0.25 | $ | 0.50 | $ | 0.25 | ||||||||
TABLE 3
Advanced Emissions Solutions, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
(Unaudited)
Six Months Ended June 30, | ||||||||
(in thousands) | 2018 | 2017 | ||||||
Cash flows from operating activities | ||||||||
Net income | $ | 22,953 | $ | 15,096 | ||||
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash used in operating activities: | ||||||||
Deferred tax benefit from release of valuation allowance | (498 | ) | — | |||||
Depreciation and amortization | 188 | 600 | ||||||
Provision for bad debt expense | 153 | — | ||||||
Stock-based compensation expense | 1,010 | 1,173 | ||||||
Earnings from equity method investments | (28,142 | ) | (23,969 | ) | ||||
Other non-cash items, net | 39 | 509 | ||||||
Changes in operating assets and liabilities: | ||||||||
Receivables | (64 | ) | 6,758 | |||||
Prepaid expenses and other assets | (375 | ) | (453 | ) | ||||
Costs incurred on uncompleted contracts | 15,945 | 25,634 | ||||||
Deferred tax asset, net | (246 | ) | 8,106 | |||||
Other long-term assets | — | (767 | ) | |||||
Accounts payable | 323 | (303 | ) | |||||
Accrued payroll and related liabilities | 152 | (987 | ) | |||||
Other current liabilities | (1,505 | ) | (1,227 | ) | ||||
Billings on uncompleted contracts | (15,945 | ) | (28,671 | ) | ||||
Other long-term liabilities | (135 | ) | 164 | |||||
Legal settlements and accruals | — | (10,685 | ) | |||||
Distributions from equity method investees, return on investment | 2,700 | 2,875 | ||||||
Net cash used in operating activities | (3,447 | ) | (6,147 | ) | ||||
Cash flows from investing activities | ||||||||
Distributions from equity method investees in excess of cumulative earnings | 25,500 | 22,313 | ||||||
Acquisition of property, equipment and intangibles, net | (131 | ) | (247 | ) | ||||
Contributions to equity method investees | (750 | ) | — | |||||
Net cash provided by investing activities | 24,619 | 22,066 | ||||||
Cash flows from financing activities | ||||||||
Dividends paid | (10,216 | ) | — | |||||
Repurchase of common shares | (9,111 | ) | (12,973 | ) | ||||
Repurchase of common shares to satisfy tax withholdings | (359 | ) | (517 | ) | ||||
Borrowings on Line of Credit | — | 808 | ||||||
Repayments on Line of Credit | — | (808 | ) | |||||
Net cash used in financing activities | (19,686 | ) | (13,490 | ) | ||||
Increase in Cash and Cash Equivalents and Restricted Cash | 1,486 | 2,429 | ||||||
Cash and Cash Equivalents and Restricted Cash, beginning of period | 30,693 | 26,944 | ||||||
Cash and Cash Equivalents and Restricted Cash, end of period | $ | 32,179 | $ | 29,373 | ||||
Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information: | ||||||||
Cash paid for interest | $ | 660 | $ | 1,791 | ||||
Cash paid for income taxes | $ | 2,349 | $ | 839 | ||||
Supplemental disclosure of non-cash investing and financing activities: | ||||||||
Dividends declared, not paid | $ | 63 | $ | 5,268 | ||||