Harsco Corporation Reports Third Quarter 2010 Results


HARRISBURG, Pa., Oct. 28, 2010 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Worldwide industrial services and engineered products company Harsco Corporation (NYSE:HSC) today reported third quarter 2010 results.

Third Quarter 2010 Highlights

Third quarter 2010 diluted earnings per share from continuing operations were $0.26, compared with $0.40 in the third quarter of last year. Income from continuing operations was $21.8 million, compared with $35.1 million last year. Third quarter 2009 results were negatively impacted by a $9.0 million or $0.11 per diluted share net non-cash, after-tax charge related to the Harsco Metals business. As expected, results in this year's third quarter continued to be negatively and significantly impacted by poor end-market conditions in the Company's Harsco Infrastructure business segment.  

Sales increased slightly to $752 million, compared with $744 million in the third quarter of last year. Foreign currency translation reduced sales by approximately $16 million when compared with the third quarter of 2009, but increased operating income by approximately $1.2 million, or $0.01 per diluted share. In addition, a higher tax rate reduced income from continuing operations by approximately $2.8 million, or $0.03 per diluted share, compared with the third quarter of 2009.

Sales for the first nine months of 2010 were approximately $2.3 billion, an increase of almost 3 percent from approximately $2.2 billion in the same period a year ago. However, income from continuing operations and diluted earnings per share were below last year's results, again due to substantially lower operating results from the Company's Harsco Infrastructure Segment. Income from continuing operations was $65.8 million, or $0.76 per diluted share, compared with $99.0 million or $1.17 per diluted share in the first nine months of 2009. Negatively impacting the 2009 results was the aforementioned $9.0 million or $0.11 per diluted share net non-cash, after-tax charge. For the first nine months of 2010, a higher tax rate reduced income from continuing operations by approximately $8 million, or $0.10 per diluted share, compared with the first nine months of 2009.

Foreign currency translation increased sales for the first nine months of 2010 by approximately $10 million and income before taxes by approximately $3.7 million, or $0.03 per diluted share when compared with the results for the first nine months of 2009.

Comment and Outlook

Commenting on the Company's results, Harsco Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer Salvatore D. Fazzolari said, "While our overall third quarter results were better than we expected, we continue to experience very difficult end-market conditions within our Harsco Infrastructure business. In this regard, we are taking a number of steps to right-size this business, under new leadership, to address the ongoing market challenges. We look forward to more fully discussing these steps at our Annual Analysts Conference to be held in New York City on December 10th. The result of these actions will culminate in an expected restructuring charge in the fourth quarter of 2010. 

"The Company's other businesses, specifically Harsco Metals, Harsco Rail, and the Harsco Minerals and Harsco Industrial ("All Other") group, all performed well and, in total, exceeded our expectations for the quarter. We continue to be pleased with the overall progress seen this year in their performance. However, much work needs to be done to bring our Harsco Infrastructure business back to profitability in future years. The recent austerity measures being implemented in Europe and particularly the United Kingdom, along with the continuing project deferrals, postponements and pricing pressures have significantly diminished our outlook for the Harsco Infrastructure business in the fourth quarter. We now expect the Harsco Infrastructure business to incur an operating loss in the fourth quarter at least equal to or greater than the operating loss of the third quarter."

"Given the foregoing, we are maintaining our previously communicated full year 2010 EPS guidance from continuing operations of $0.80 to $0.90 per diluted share. This full year 2010 guidance excludes any restructuring charge that we expect to incur in the fourth quarter for the Harsco Infrastructure segment."

Third Quarter Review

Harsco Infrastructure

Sales in the third quarter decreased 9 percent to $254 million from $279 million last year. An operating loss of $13.6 million was incurred in the quarter, compared with operating income in last year's third quarter of $22.5 million. Foreign currency translation decreased sales by approximately $12 million in the quarter and decreased operating income by approximately $0.4 million when compared with the third quarter of 2009.

Very difficult end-market conditions persist for this operating segment. Of particular note in the quarter was the reversal of moderating business conditions in the U.K. due to that country's recently implemented economic austerity measures, and continuing negative end-market conditions in mainland Europe due also to austerity measures and the sovereign debt crisis. The Gulf Region of the Middle East continues to be negatively impacted by the sovereign debt crisis of Dubai. All these negative events have resulted in projects being deferred and postponed at higher levels than expected, and pricing continues to be very challenging.

This business segment is expected to incur another significant operating loss in the fourth quarter of 2010. As the Company continues to respond to these difficult challenges with additional countermeasures and new operating leadership for this Segment, the Company expects to incur a substantial restructuring charge in the fourth quarter. Details will be provided at the Company's Annual Analysts Conference.

Harsco Metals

Sales in the third quarter increased 14 percent to $313 million from $275 million in last year's comparable quarter. Operating income in the quarter was $19.4 million, compared with a loss of $4.4 million in last year's quarter. Included in last year's loss was the previously discussed one-time charge. Operating margins in the quarter were 6.2 percent. When compared with the third quarter of 2009, foreign currency translation decreased sales in the quarter by $4.2 million, but increased operating income by $1.3 million. This business segment continues to benefit from cost savings initiatives and new contract start-ups.

As expected, global steel production in the quarter moderated from first half levels, yet still remained notably above the levels of the third quarter of 2009. Near term, steel production is expected to further moderate somewhat in the fourth quarter of 2010, as the restocking of steel inventories by service centers and end-customers returns to more normal levels.

Longer-term, this segment should continue to benefit from the Company's ongoing cost cutting initiatives, further new contract signings and higher steel production volumes as the economies of the world return to more normalized growth rates in the years ahead.

Harsco Rail

As expected, sales in the quarter decreased to $71 million, down approximately 8 percent from sales of $77 million in the comparable quarter of last year. However, operating income of $14.4 million was only slightly less than that of $14.8 million in last year's third quarter. Operating margins of 20.4 percent were some 130 basis points higher in the quarter, compared with last year. Foreign currency did not have a meaningful impact on results in the quarter when compared with the third quarter of 2009.

As has been reported previously, quarterly results of Harsco Rail are affected by the timing of unit deliveries as they are completed. In the first half of 2010, there was a significant pull-forward effect of deliveries at the request of a major customer. Nevertheless, operating income and margins in the third quarter benefited somewhat from improved year-over-year utilization rates under certain contract service programs, as well as the Company's cost containment initiatives and its continuous improvement program.

Looking ahead, Harsco Rail is expected to post its second consecutive record year and is currently positioning itself for another strong performance in 2011 and beyond. This expectation is underpinned by anticipated contract services revenue, expected parts sales for units previously sold, and new unit sales. Bidding activity remains strong across a wide range of geographies.

Harsco Minerals & Harsco Industrial ("All Other" Category)

Sales in the third quarter increased by approximately 2 percent to $115 million from last year's $112 million. Operating income of $24.9 million was essentially flat with the $24.8 million in the prior year quarter. Operating margins of 21.7 percent were slightly lower than the 22.1 percent posted last year. Foreign currency translation did not have a material impact on results in the quarter when compared with the third quarter of 2009.

The Harsco Minerals business showed healthy gains in sales, operating income and operating margins in this year's third quarter compared with the same period last year. While Harsco Industrial remained solidly profitable in the quarter, sales were flat and operating income and margins both declined. This is due to higher LIFO costs and the poor end markets in non-residential construction, which are negatively impacting the industrial grating product line.

While the Company anticipates that higher LIFO expense will continue to negatively impact Harsco Industrial in the fourth quarter, the longer-term outlook for this Category remains positive. Continued strong global bidding activity in the Harsco Minerals business; the start-up over the next several quarters of contracts previously signed; and the expected future benefits from international joint venture opportunities being developed within the Harsco Industrial businesses are expected to have an overall favorable effect on Harsco Minerals & Harsco Industrial performance.

Liquidity, Capital Resources and Other Matters

Net cash provided by operating activities for the first nine months of 2010 was $236 million, compared with $277 million for the prior year period. Net cash used by investing activities was $142 million, compared with $127 million in the first nine months of 2009. As previously reported, the increase was the result of the timing of the cash settlement of an acquisition that was announced in the fourth quarter of last year, for which the cash transfer occurred in this year's first quarter. The modest increase in capital expenditures year-over-year of $6.9 million is principally due to capital required for new contract signings in the Harsco Metals and Harsco Minerals businesses. Free cash flow (cash flow from operations less capital expenditures) was $106 million for the first nine months of 2010, compared with $154 million in the comparable period last year. The year-over-year decline is principally the result of lower income for the Harsco Infrastructure business in the first nine months of 2010. The Company's target is to achieve approximately $200 million in free cash flow in 2010.

The total debt to capital ratio at September 30, 2010 was 43.3 percent, compared with 39.5 percent at end of the prior year. However, this is due to the successful issuance on September 20, 2010 of $250 million in 5-year notes (coupon 2.70 percent). As previously announced, the proceeds from this offering were used to repay the maturing 200 million British pound sterling-denominated ($316 million) notes (coupon 7.25 percent) due on October 27, 2010. Net debt to net capital at September 30, 2010 was 35.5 percent, compared with 37.1 percent at December 31, 2009.

Discontinued Operations

The third quarter of 2010 includes a loss after tax of $0.9 million, or $0.01 per diluted share from discontinued operations, compared with a loss of $11.8 million or $0.15 per diluted share in 2009.

Forward Looking Statements

This news release contains forward-looking statements based on management's current expectations, estimates and projections. All statements that address expectations or projections about the future, including statements about the company's strategy for growth, product development, market position, expected expenditures and financial results are forward-looking statements. Some of the forward-looking statements may be identified by words like "may," "could," "believes," "expects," "anticipates," "plans," "intends," "projects," "indicates," and similar expressions. These statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve a number of risks, uncertainties and assumptions. Many factors, including those discussed more fully elsewhere in this release and in documents filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission by Harsco, particularly its latest annual report on Form 10-K and quarterly report on Form 10-Q, as well as others, could cause results to differ materially from those stated. These factors include, but are not limited to, changes in the worldwide business environment in which the Company operates, including general economic conditions; changes in currency exchange rates, interest rates, commodity and fuel costs and capital costs; changes in the performance of the equity and debt 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; changes in governmental laws and regulations, including environmental, tax and import tariff standards; market and competitive changes, including pricing pressures, market demand and acceptance for new products, services, and technologies; 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; the seasonal nature of the Company's business; our ability to successfully enter into new contracts and complete new acquisitions or joint ventures in the timeframe contemplated or at all; the ongoing global financial and credit crisis, which could result in our customers curtailing development projects, construction, production and capital expenditures, which, in turn, could reduce the demand for our products and services and, accordingly, our sales, margins and profitability; 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; the successful integration of the Company's strategic acquisitions; the amount and timing of repurchases of the Company's common stock, if any; our ability to successfully implement cost-reduction initiatives; and other risk factors listed from time to time in the Company's SEC reports. The Company undertakes no duty to update forward-looking statements.

Conference Call

As previously announced, the Company will hold a conference call today at 10:00 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 call can also be accessed by telephone by dialing (800) 611-4920, or (973) 200-3957 for international callers. Enter Conference ID number 15137207. Listeners are advised to dial in at least five minutes prior to the call. Replays will be available via the Harsco website, or by telephone beginning at approximately 11:00 am ET today through Tuesday, November 2, 2010. The telephone replay dial-in number is (800) 642-1687, or (706) 645‑9291 for international callers. Enter Conference ID number 15137207.

About Harsco

Harsco Corporation is a diversified, global industrial services and engineered products company serving major industries that are fundamental to worldwide economic growth. Harsco's common stock is a component of the S&P MidCap 400 Index and the Russell 1000 Index. Additional information can be found at http://www.harsco.com/">www.harsco.com

The Harsco Corporation logo is available at http://www.globenewswire.com/newsroom/prs/?pkgid=361

HARSCO CORPORATION
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME (Unaudited)
   
  Three Months Ended
September 30
Nine Months Ended
September 30
(In thousands, except per share amounts) 2010 2009 2010 2009
Revenues from continuing operations:        
Service revenues $ 627,901 $ 612,432 $ 1,865,333 $ 1,791,081
Product revenues  124,500  131,789  415,994  427,005
Total revenues  752,401  744,221  2,281,327  2,218,086
         
Costs and expenses from continuing operations:        
Cost of services sold  493,181  472,943  1,481,099  1,385,054
Cost of products sold  81,569  81,652  263,597  279,061
Selling, general and administrative expenses  131,405  125,443  401,496  381,354
Research and development expenses  1,293  861  2,979  2,236
Other (income) expense  883  6,898  (2,020)  6,427
Total costs and expenses  708,331  687,797  2,147,151  2,054,132
         
Operating income from continuing operations  44,070  56,424  134,176  163,954
         
Interest income  737  888  1,849  1,944
Interest expense  (15,709)  (15,822)  (47,239)  (46,621)
         
Income from continuing operations before income taxes and
equity income
 29,098  41,490  88,786  119,277
         
Income tax expense  (7,391)  (6,525)  (23,295)  (20,508)
Equity in income of unconsolidated entities, net  120  128  309  280
         
Income from continuing operations  21,827  35,093  65,800  99,049
         
Discontinued operations:        
Loss from discontinued business  (1,406)  (17,183)  (6,195)  (21,094)
Income tax benefit   511  5,391  2,716  6,609
Loss from discontinued operations  (895)  (11,792)  (3,479)  (14,485)
Net Income  20,932  23,301  62,321  84,564
Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests  (753)  (3,119)  (4,445)  (5,182)
Net Income attributable to Harsco Corporation $ 20,179 $ 20,182 $ 57,876 $ 79,382
         
Amounts attributable to Harsco Corporation common
stockholders:
       
Income from continuing operations, net of tax $ 21,074 $ 31,974 $ 61,355 $ 93,867
Loss from discontinued operations, net of tax  (895)  (11,792)  (3,479)  (14,485)
Net income attributable to Harsco Corporation common
stockholders
$ 20,179 $ 20,182 $ 57,876 $ 79,382
         
Weighted average shares of common stock outstanding  80,574  80,315  80,559  80,285
Basic earnings per common share attributable to Harsco Corporation
common stockholders:
       
Continuing operations $ 0.26 $ 0.40 $ 0.76 $ 1.17
Discontinued operations  (0.01)  (0.15)  (0.04)  (0.18)
Basic earnings per share attributable to Harsco Corporation
common stockholders
 
$ 0.25
 
$ 0.25
 
$ 0.72
 
$ 0.99
         
Diluted weighted average shares of common stock outstanding  80,762  80,631  80,747  80,557
Diluted earnings per common share attributable to Harsco Corporation
common stockholders:
       
Continuing operations $ 0.26 $ 0.40 $ 0.76 $ 1.17
Discontinued operations   (0.01)  (0.15)  (0.04)  (0.18)
Diluted earnings per share attributable to Harsco Corporation
common stockholders
 
$ 0.25
 
$ 0.25
 
$ 0.72
 
$ 0.99
     
HARSCO CORPORATION
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (Unaudited)
   
 
(In thousands)
September 30
2010
December 31
2009
ASSETS    
Current assets:    
Cash and cash equivalents  $ 330,337  $ 94,184
Trade accounts receivable, net 657,880 598,318
Other receivables 28,848 30,865
Inventories 278,922 291,174
Other current assets 163,818 154,797
Total current assets 1,459,805 1,169,338
Property, plant and equipment, net 1,428,705 1,510,801
Goodwill 698,261 699,041
Intangible assets, net 129,157 150,746
Other assets 128,819 109,314
Total assets  $ 3,844,747  $ 3,639,240
LIABILITIES    
Current liabilities:    
Short-term borrowings  $ 4,960  $ 57,380
Current maturities of long-term debt 319,803 25,813
Accounts payable 237,275 215,504
Accrued compensation 84,047 67,652
Income taxes payable 26,655 5,931
Dividends payable 16,503 16,473
Insurance liabilities 24,764 25,533
Advances on contracts 101,625 149,413
Other current liabilities 209,414 187,403
Total current liabilities 1,025,046 751,102
Long-term debt 850,586 901,734
Deferred income taxes 76,593 90,993
Insurance liabilities 64,417 61,660
Retirement plan liabilities 231,553 250,075
Other liabilities 58,755 73,842
Total liabilities 2,306,950 2,129,406
EQUITY    
Harsco Corporation stockholders' equity:    
Common stock 139,497 139,234
Additional paid-in capital 140,737 137,746
Accumulated other comprehensive loss (182,571) (201,684)
Retained earnings 2,141,560 2,133,297
Treasury stock (737,106) (735,016)
Total Harsco Corporation stockholders' equity 1,502,117 1,473,577
Noncontrolling interests 35,680 36,257
Total equity 1,537,797 1,509,834
Total liabilities and equity  $ 3,844,747  $ 3,639,240
   
HARSCO CORPORATION
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (Unaudited)
 
  Three Months Ended
September 30
Nine Months Ended
September 30
(In thousands) 2010 2009 2010 2009
         
Cash flows from operating activities:        
Net income  $ 20,932  $ 23,301  $ 62,321  $ 84,564
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net
cash provided by operating activities:
       
Depreciation 69,511 68,868 209,428 208,014
Amortization 9,016 7,070 27,033 20,627
Equity in income of unconsolidated entities, net (120) (128) (309) (280)
Dividends or distributions from unconsolidated entities -- 100 176 200
Other, net (2,934) 11,863 (17,271) 2,688
Changes in assets and liabilities, net of acquisitions 
and dispositions of businesses:
       
Accounts receivable 23,830 20,319 (57,299) 55,251
Inventories (4,761) 2,303 8,606 23,230
Accounts payable (2,248) 11,960 14,524 (55,162)
Accrued interest payable 9,882 9,948 21,252 20,935
Accrued compensation 2,639 356 16,429 (19,439)
Other assets and liabilities (15,418) (35,517) (48,910) (63,934)
         
Net cash provided by operating activities 110,329 120,443 235,980 276,694
         
Cash flows from investing activities:        
Purchases of property, plant and equipment (55,352) (40,493) (129,942) (123,072)
Purchases of businesses, net of cash acquired -- (9,978) (27,643) (12,732)
Proceeds from sales of assets 2,133 488 18,421 11,521
Other investing activities (4,813) (2,201) (3,093) (3,016)
         
Net cash used by investing activities (58,032) (52,184) (142,257) (127,299)
         
Cash flows from financing activities:        
Short-term borrowings, net (54,404) (30,422) (50,919) (84,303)
Current maturities and long-term debt:        
Additions 318,377 51,271 499,267 292,996
Reductions (74,528) (52,505) (251,646) (296,854)
Cash dividends paid on common stock (16,496) (16,063) (49,460) (47,750)
Dividends paid to noncontrolling interests (1,072) (26) (5,020) (2,466)
Purchase of noncontrolling interest (1,159) (67) (1,159) (12,953)
Contributions of equity from noncontrolling interests 88 5,332 442 5,332
Common stock issued-options 382 11 820 444
Other financing activities (369) -- (369) --
         
Net cash provided (used) by financing activities 170,819 (42,469) 141,956 (145,554)
         
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash 4,769 1,936 474 2,530
         
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents 227,885 27,726 236,153 6,371
         
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period 102,452 69,981 94,184 91,336
         
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period  $ 330,337  $ 97,707  $ 330,337  $ 97,707
 
Harsco Corporation
REVIEW OF OPERATIONS BY SEGMENT (Unaudited)
     
  Three Months Ended
September 30, 2010
Three Months Ended
September 30, 2009
         
(In thousands) Sales Operating
Income (loss)
Sales Operating
Income (loss)
         
Harsco Infrastructure  $ 253,569  $ (13,643)  $ 279,450  $ 22,503
         
Harsco Metals  313,214  19,443  275,093  (4,420)
         
Harsco Rail (a)  70,675  14,401  77,237  14,785
         
All Other Category (Harsco Minerals & Harsco
Industrial) (a)
 114,863  24,928  112,381  24,839
         
General Corporate  80  (1,059)  60  (1,283)
         
Consolidated Totals  $ 752,401  $ 44,070  $ 744,221  $ 56,424
         
(a) Segment information for prior periods has been reclassified to conform with the current presentation.  The Harsco Rail
operating segment, which was previously a component of the All Other Category, is now reported separately.
     
  Nine Months Ended
September 30, 2010
Nine Months Ended
September 30, 2009
         
(In thousands) Sales Operating
Income (loss)
Sales Operating
Income (loss)
         
Harsco Infrastructure  $ 766,851  $ (46,467)  $ 871,962  $ 66,267
         
Harsco Metals  927,104  55,674  772,958  (3,014)
         
Harsco Rail (a)  252,404  56,429  231,378  44,005
         
All Other Category (Harsco Minerals & Harsco
Industrial) (a)
 334,788  70,777  341,608  61,720
         
General Corporate  180  (2,237)  180  (5,024)
         
Consolidated Totals  $ 2,281,327  $ 134,176  $ 2,218,086  $ 163,954
         
(a) Segment information for prior periods has been reclassified to conform with the current presentation.  The Harsco Rail
operating segment, which was previously a component of the All Other Category, is now reported separately.
     
Harsco Corporation
FREE CASH FLOW (Unaudited)
   
  Three Months Ended
September 30
Nine Months Ended
September 30
(In thousands) 2010 2009 2010 2009
         
Net cash provided by operating activities  $ 110,329  $ 120,443  $ 235,980  $ 276,694
Purchases of property, plant and equipment  (55,352)  (40,493)  (129,942)  (123,072)
         
Free cash flow  $ 54,977  $ 79,950  $ 106,038  $ 153,622

Free Cash Flow is a non-GAAP financial measure.  The Company's Management believes that this measure is meaningful to investors because management reviews cash flows generated from operations after taking into consideration capital expenditures due to the fact that these expenditures are considered necessary to maintain and expand the Company's asset base and are expected to generate future cash flows from operations.  It is important to note that Free Cash Flow does not represent the residual cash flow available for discretionary expenditures since other non-discretionary expenditures, such as mandatory debt service requirements, are not deducted from the measure.



            

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