Harsco Corporation Reports Fourth Quarter and Full-Year 2018 Results
- Q4 Operating Income of $44 Million on GAAP Basis and $41 Million Excluding Unusual Items; Increased from Operating Income (GAAP and Adjusted) of $39 Million in Q4 2017
- GAAP Diluted Earnings per Share in Q4 Totaled $0.55, or $0.33 After Excluding Unusual Items
- Repurchased $30 Million of Harsco Shares in Q4; $45 Million Remaining Under Share Repurchase Program Authorization
- Full-Year 2018 GAAP and Adjusted Operating Income Increased to $191 Million and $187 Million, Respectively
- 2019 Adjusted Operating Income Expected to Increase to Between $200 Million to $220 Million
CAMP HILL, Pa. – (February 21, 2019) – Harsco Corporation (NYSE: HSC) today reported fourth quarter 2018 and full-year 2018 results. On a U.S. GAAP ("GAAP") basis, fourth quarter of 2018 diluted earnings per share from continuing operations were $0.55, which included a non-cash adjustment to the Company's deferred tax assets due to the impact of U.S. tax reform, costs incurred to initiate a productivity improvement initiative in Harsco Rail and a quarterly accounting adjustment to the Altek contingent consideration liability. Excluding these items, diluted earnings per share from continuing operations in the fourth quarter of 2018 were $0.33.
These figures compare with fourth quarter of 2017 GAAP diluted loss per share from continuing operations of $0.42 and adjusted diluted earnings per share from continuing operations of $0.20, which excluded expenses incurred to reprice the Company's term loan and a provisional non-cash adjustment to the Company's deferred tax assets resulting from U.S. tax reform.
GAAP operating income from continuing operations for the fourth quarter of 2018 was $44 million. Excluding unusual items, operating income was $41 million, compared to the Company's previously provided guidance range of $39 million to $44 million.
“2018 marked another year of successful execution against our priorities and we again delivered meaningful financial improvements,” said Chairman and CEO Nick Grasberger. “Importantly, each Harsco business contributed to the stronger results, highlighting consistency across our portfolio and the progress we have made on our objective to drive more balanced performance."
“Our business momentum broadened through the year, and we enter 2019 with strong backlogs in Industrial and Rail. We also continue to sign growth contracts and deepen relationships in M&M with new and existing customers, many of whom are increasingly coming to us for value-added environmental solutions. In 2019, we will continue making additional investments to strengthen our capabilities and leadership position in our markets, including by pursuing a robust pipeline of growth opportunities. Overall, we are confident in our ability to deliver our third consecutive year of growth in 2019 and to achieve our long-term financial targets.”
Harsco Corporation—Selected Fourth Quarter Results
($ in millions, except per share amount)
| Q4 2018 | Q4 2017 (1) | |
|---|---|---|
| Revenues | $ 437 | $ 455 |
| Operating income from continuing operations - GAAP | $ 44 | $ 39 |
| Operating margin from continuing operations - GAAP | 10.0% | 8.6% |
| Diluted EPS from continuing operations - GAAP | $ 0.55 | $ (0.42) |
| Return on invested capital (TTM) - excluding unusual items | 16.1% | 11.5% |
(1) 2017 figures reflect new pension accounting standard
Consolidated Fourth Quarter Operating Results
Total revenues were $437 million, a decrease of 4 percent compared with the prior-year quarter. Revenues increased in the Company's Metals & Minerals and Industrial segments, while revenues in the Rail segment declined as anticipated in the quarter. The fourth quarter of 2018 included revenues of approximately $4 million related to the Company's multi-year contracts with SBB (federal railway system in Switzerland) versus $42 million in the comparable 2017 quarter. Also, foreign currency translation negatively impacted fourth quarter 2018 revenues by approximately $14 million compared with the prior-year quarter.
GAAP operating income from continuing operations was $44 million, while operating income excluding unusual items was $41 million for the fourth quarter of 2018. These figures compare with operating income of $39 million in the same quarter of last year. Operating income in the Company's Metals & Minerals and Industrial segments improved and Corporate spending decreased relative to the prior-year quarter. These positive factors were only partially offset by a decline in operating income within the Rail segment, which again had been anticipated given the comparison to very strong results in the fourth quarter of 2017.
The Company's GAAP and adjusted operating margins in the fourth quarter of 2018 increased to 10.0 percent and 9.4 percent, respectively, versus an operating margin of 8.6 percent in the fourth quarter of 2017.
Harsco Corporation—Selected 2018 Results
($ in millions, except per share amount)
| 2018 | 2017 (1) | |
|---|---|---|
| Revenues | $ 1,722 | $ 1,607 |
| Operating income from continuing operations - GAAP | $ 191 | $ 145 |
| Operating margin from continuing operations - GAAP | 11.1 % | 9.0 % |
| Diluted EPS from continuing operations - GAAP | $1.64 | $ 0.09 |
(1) 2017 figures reflect new pension accounting standard
Consolidated 2018 Results
Total revenues were $1.7 billion in 2018, compared with $1.6 billion in 2017, with the Company's Metals & Minerals and Industrial segments realizing revenue growth during the year. Metals & Minerals' revenues were positively impacted by higher customer steel output and related demand for mill services, new contracts, higher commodity prices, increased Applied Products sales and the Altek Group acquisition. In Industrial, improved demand for all three major product lines led to higher revenues during the year. Meanwhile, Rail revenues declined as a result of lower SBB sales, which totaled $24 million in 2018 as compared to $42 million in 2017. Otherwise, Rail revenues in 2018 were consistent with 2017.
GAAP operating income from continuing operations was $191 million in 2018, while GAAP operating income from continuing operations in 2017 was $145 million. These figures are $187 million and $150 million, respectively, when excluding the unusual items in each of the periods. Financial performance in each segment improved compared with the previous year due to the above factors as well as a more favorable product mix in the Industrial and Rail segments and continuous improvement benefits realized during the year. Also, Corporate costs declined in 2018 relative to 2017.
On a GAAP basis, diluted earnings per share from continuing operations in 2018 was $1.64, including the fourth quarter items mentioned above as well as Altek Group acquisition costs, a non-cash deferred tax asset valuation allowance adjustment, expenses incurred to amend and reprice the Company's credit facilities and a Metals & Minerals expense accrual reversal. This figure compares with diluted earnings per share in 2017 of $0.09, which included the fourth quarter 2017 items also noted above and a Metals & Minerals bad debt expense related to a customer that had entered administration in Australia.
Excluding unusual items, adjusted diluted earnings per share from continuing operations increased to $1.31 in 2018 from $0.74 in 2017.
Fourth Quarter Business Review
Metals & Minerals
($ in millions, except per share amount)
| Q4 2018 | Q4 2017 (1) | % Change | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Revenues | $ 262 | $ 250 | 5 % |
| Operating income - GAAP | $ 28 | $ 22 | 32% |
| Operating margin - GAAP | 10.8 % | 8.6 % |
(1) 2017 figures reflect new pension accounting standard
Revenues increased 5 percent to $262 million, mainly as a result of higher service levels and the Altek Group acquisition. These positive factors were partially offset by the impact of foreign currency translation. The segment's operating income in the fourth quarter of 2018 totaled $28 million, or $25 million when excluding unusual items in the period. These figures compare with GAAP and adjusted operating income of $22 million in the prior-year period. The improvement in adjusted operating earnings is attributable to increased services demand and higher contributions from certain Applied Products businesses, partially offset by FX impacts and general and administrative investments (costs) to support the Company's growth strategy. Lastly, the segment's operating margin was 10.8 percent and adjusted operating margin was 9.6 percent in the fourth quarter of 2018, compared with an operating margin of 8.6 percent in the same quarter of 2017.
Industrial
($ in millions, except per share amount)
| Q4 2018 | Q4 2017 (1) | % Change | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Revenues | $ 105 | $ 82 | 28 % |
| Operating income - GAAP | $ 14 | $ 10 | 35% |
| Operating margin - GAAP | 13.4 % | 12.8 % |
(1) 2017 figures reflect new pension accounting standard
Revenues increased 28 percent to $105 million, due to increased demand and higher product prices. Meanwhile, operating income increased to $14 million from $10 million and the segment's operating margin increased to 13.4 percent from 12.8 percent in the comparable quarter last year. These changes are attributable to the improvement in underlying demand and a more favorable product mix, partially offset by higher compensation and commission expenses.
Rail
($ in millions, except per share amount)
| Q4 2018 | Q4 2017 (1) | % Change | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Revenues | $ 69 | $ 123 | (44) % |
| Operating income - GAAP | $ 8 | $ 14 | (45) % |
| Operating margin - GAAP | 11.2 % | 11.5 % |
(1) 2017 figures reflect new pension accounting standard
Revenues decreased 44 percent to $69 million, principally due to lower SBB revenues and other international equipment sales. The segment's operating income (GAAP and adjusted) declined to $8 million from $14 million in the prior-year quarter. This change resulted from lower international equipment sales, a less favorable equipment mix and higher engineering and development expenses, partially offset by higher contributions from after-market parts and Protran Technology product sales. Lastly, the segment's GAAP operating margin was little changed at 11.2 percent in the fourth quarter of 2018 (12.1 percent on adjusted basis), compared with 11.5 percent in the same quarter of 2017.
Rail - Operational Improvement Initiative
Harsco Rail has undertaken a number of actions over the past two years to improve manufacturing processes. Recently, the Company decided to consolidate and centralize its principal North American manufacturing and distribution into one facility, allowing for improved efficiency and better service to customers. As a result, operations in Ludington, Michigan will be transferred to a streamlined and expanded facility in Columbia, South Carolina. The capital investment to complete this program and other expenditures began in the second-half of 2018 and will continue through 2019. The annualized manufacturing savings anticipated from this latest action are approximately $7 million, with a portion of these benefits expected to materialize in the second-half of 2019.
Cash Flow
Net cash provided by operating activities totaled $97 million in the fourth quarter of 2018, compared with $94 million in the prior-year period. Further, free cash flow was $60 million in the fourth quarter of 2018, compared with $63 million in the prior-year period. The modest change in free cash flow reflects an increase in net capital expenditures compared with the prior-year quarter.
For the full-year, net cash provided by operating activities was $192 million and free cash flow was $73 million in 2018. These figures compare to $177 million and $93 million respectively in 2017. The full-year change in free cash flow reflects incremental growth capital spending mainly in Metals & Minerals, partially offset by an increase in net cash from operating activities.
2019 Outlook
The Company's 2019 guidance reflects an overall positive outlook across its services and products businesses, supported by positive fundamentals in relevant end markets, strong backlog positions that provide forward visibility in Industrial and Rail, and a robust pipeline of growth opportunities in Metals & Minerals.
For Metals & Minerals, adjusted operating income is expected to increase as higher customer steel output and mill services demand, new site ramp-ups, operational savings and the Altek Group integration are expect to be only partially offset by exited sites, investments to support growth initiatives and foreign exchange translation impacts.
Industrial earnings are projected to increase significantly due to improved demand for heat exchangers, industrial grating and commercial boilers as well as product and market expansions, partially offset by a less favorable product mix and higher benefits and commission expenses.
And in Rail, adjusted operating income is also anticipated to be significantly higher compared with 2018, as a result of increased global demand for equipment, after-market parts and Protran Technology products as well as productivity initiatives. These benefits are expected to be only partially offset by lower contracting contributions, a less favorable product mix as well as R&D and administrative investments (costs) to support the segment's multi-year growth strategy.
Lastly, Corporate spending is expected to increase compared with 2018 due to investments and professional fees.
Key highlights in the Outlook are included below.
Full Year 2019
- GAAP and adjusted operating income for the full year are expected to range from $192 million to $212 million and $200 million to $220 million, respectively; compared with GAAP operating income of $191 million and adjusted operating income of $187 million in 2018.
- GAAP and adjusted diluted earnings per share from continuing operations for the full year are expected in the range of $1.22 to $1.40 and $1.29 to $1.47, respectively; compared with GAAP diluted earnings per share of $1.64 and adjusted diluted earnings per share of $1.31 in 2018.
- Free cash flow is expected in the range of $50 million to $70 million including anticipated net capital expenditures of between $170 million and $190 million and growth-oriented investments of approximately $80 million; as a result, free cash flow before growth capital is expected in the range of $130 million to $150 million compared with $104 million in 2018.
- Net interest expense is forecasted to range from $37 million to $39 million.
- Non-operating defined benefit pension expense of approximately $5 million.
- The effective tax rate, excluding any unusual items, is expected to range from 26 percent to 28 percent.
- Adjusted return on invested capital is expected to range from 16.0 percent to 17.0 percent; compared with 16.1 percent in 2018.
Q1 2019
- GAAP and adjusted operating income of $30 million to $37 million and $36 million to $43 million, respectively; compared with GAAP operating income of $37 million in the prior-year quarter.
- GAAP and adjusted earnings per share from continuing operations of $0.15 to $0.21 and $0.20 to $0.26, respectively; compared with GAAP diluted earnings per share of $0.22 in the prior-year quarter.
Conference Call
The Company will hold a conference call today at 9:00 a.m. Eastern Time to discuss its results and respond to questions from the investment community. The conference call will be broadcast live through the Harsco Corporation website at www.harsco.com. The Company will refer to a slide presentation that accompanies its formal remarks. The slide presentation will be available on the Company’s website.
The call can also be accessed by telephone by dialing (800) 611-4920, or (973) 200-3957 for international callers. Enter Conference ID number 60531311. Listeners are advised to dial in at least five minutes prior to the call.
Replays will be available via the Harsco website and also by telephone through March 8, 2019 by dialing (800) 585-8367, (855) 859-2056 or (404) 537-3406.
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About Harsco Corporation
Harsco Corporation serves key industries that are fundamental to worldwide economic development, including steel and metals production, railways and energy. Harsco’s common stock is a component of the S&P SmallCap 600 Index and the Russell 2000 Index. Additional information can be found at www.harsco.com.
Forward-Looking Statements
The nature of the Company's business and the many countries in which it operates subject it to changing economic, competitive, regulatory and technological conditions, risks and uncertainties. In accordance with the "safe harbor" provisions of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Company provides the following cautionary remarks regarding important factors that, among others, could cause future results to differ materially from the results contemplated by forward-looking statements, including the expectations and assumptions expressed or implied herein. Forward-looking statements contained herein could include, among other things, statements about management's confidence in and strategies for performance; expectations for new and existing products, technologies and opportunities; and expectations regarding growth, sales, cash flows, and earnings. Forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of such terms as "may," "could," "expect," "anticipate," "intend," "believe," "likely," "estimate," "outlook," "plan" or other comparable terms.
Factors that could cause actual results to differ, perhaps materially, from those implied by forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to: (1) changes in the worldwide business environment in which the Company operates, including general economic conditions; (2) changes in currency exchange rates, interest rates, commodity and fuel costs and capital costs;(3) changes in the performance of equity and bond markets that could affect, among other things, the valuation of the assets in the Company's pension plans and the accounting for pension assets, liabilities and expenses; (4) changes in governmental laws and regulations, including environmental, occupational health and safety, tax and import tariff standards; (5) market and competitive changes, including pricing pressures, market demand and acceptance for new products, services and technologies; (6) the Company's inability or failure to protect its intellectual property rights from infringement in one or more of the many countries in which the Company operates; (7) failure to effectively prevent, detect or recover from breaches in the Company's cybersecurity infrastructure; (8) unforeseen business disruptions in one or more of the many countries in which the Company operates due to political instability, civil disobedience, armed hostilities, public health issues or other calamities; (9) disruptions associated with labor disputes and increased operating costs associated with union organization; (10) the seasonal nature of the Company's business; (11) the Company's ability to successfully enter into new contracts and complete new acquisitions or strategic ventures in the time-frame contemplated, or at all; (12) the integration of the Company's strategic acquisitions; (13) the amount and timing of repurchases of the Company's common stock, if any; (14) the outcome of any disputes with customers, contractors and subcontractors; (15) the financial condition of the Company's customers, including the ability of customers (especially those that may be highly leveraged and those with inadequate liquidity) to maintain their credit availability; (16) implementation of environmental remediation matters; (17) risk and uncertainty associated with intangible assets; and (18) other risk factors listed from time to time in the Company's SEC reports. A further discussion of these, along with other potential risk factors, can be found in Part I, Item 1A, "Risk Factors," of the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2017. The Company cautions that these factors may not be exhaustive and that many of these factors are beyond the Company's ability to control or predict. Accordingly, forward-looking statements should not be relied upon as a prediction of actual results. The Company undertakes no duty to update forward-looking statements except as may be required by law.