HC2 Holdings Reports Third Quarter 2017 Results

NEW YORK, Nov. 08, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- HC2 Holdings, Inc. (“HC2”) (NYSE:HCHC), a diversified holding company, announced today its consolidated results for the third quarter 2017, which ended on September 30, 2017.

“We continue to demonstrate the power of the HC2 business model during and after what was a very active third quarter,” said Philip Falcone, HC2's Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer.  “In addition to delivering sequential growth in Adjusted EBITDA, DBM Global posted another record backlog, coming in at $656 million for the third quarter, up 106% year-over-year.  Demonstrating DBM’s extensive capabilities to execute on large, complex, profitable projects, Rustin Roach and the team were recently selected to provide steel pre-construction services, fabrication and final erection for the construction of the shell and roof assembly of the new National Football League stadium in Inglewood, California, the new home of the Los Angeles Rams and Los Angeles Chargers.  Global Marine Systems also reported sequential improvement in Adjusted EBITDA and record backlog and its Huawei Marine joint venture posted backlog close to their historic highs.  Global Marine was also recently awarded a five-year renewal of the South East Asia and Indian Ocean Cable Maintenance Agreement maintenance contract, and currently delivers support in three of the world’s six maintenance zone agreements.”

Mr. Falcone continued, “During the third quarter, American Natural Gas continued to integrate acquired stations to solidify its national footprint, PTGi ICS paid its fifth consecutive cash dividend to HC2, and our Pansend Life Sciences companies continued to make progress, as they carefully evaluate a number of meaningful strategic opportunities for these early stage businesses.  After the end of the quarter, our Insurance segment announced the acquisition of Humana’s long-term care insurance business, which, once completed, will increase our insurance investment platform to approximately $3.5 billion of cash and invested assets.  In addition, we expect to sign a $75 million bridge loan to primarily finance acquisitions in low power broadcast television distribution, a market we believe offers a number of compelling opportunities.  We believe the steps we've taken to extend and deepen our diverse business portfolio, the results these businesses have generated, and the opportunities these companies present, will help us continue to create a long-term value for shareholders as we close out 2017 and beyond.”

Third Quarter & Year-To-Date Financial Highlights

• Net Revenue: For the third quarter of 2017, HC2 recorded consolidated total net revenue of $406.4 million, as compared to $413.1 million for the year-ago quarter.  For the first nine months of 2017, HC2 recorded consolidated total net revenue of $1.2 billion, as compared to $1.1 billion for the 2016 comparable period.
                 
• Net Income / (Loss): For the third quarter of 2017, HC2 reported a Net (Loss) attributable to common and participating preferred stockholders of $(6.7) million or $(0.16) per fully diluted share, as compared to Net (Loss) of $(7.5) million or $(0.20) per fully diluted share for the third quarter 2016.  For the first nine months of 2017, HC2 reported a Net (Loss) attributable to common and participating preferred stockholders of $(40.5) million or $(0.95) per fully diluted share, as compared to a Net (Loss) of $(38.1) million or $(1.07) per fully diluted share in the 2016 comparable period.
  
  
• Adjusted EBITDA: Adjusted EBITDA for “Core Operating Subsidiaries,” which includes HC2's Construction, Marine Services, Energy and Telecom segments, was a combined $27.3 million for the third quarter of 2017, as compared to $31.5 million for the year-ago quarter, due primarily to the Marine Services segment, offset in part by an improvement in the Construction segment.  For the nine months of 2017, Adjusted EBITDA for “Core Operating Subsidiaries” was $73.0 million, as compared to $71.3 million for the 2016 comparable period.
  
  For the third quarter of 2017, Total Adjusted EBITDA (excluding the Insurance segment), which includes results from Core Operating Subsidiaries, Early-Stage and Other, and Non-operating Corporate segments, was $9.8 million, as compared to $18.2 million for the year-ago quarter, due primarily to increased expenses in Life Sciences as companies within the Pansend platform continue to increase scale and ramp up operations to meet critical clinical, developmental and operational milestones, as well as lower results in the Marine Services segment due to expected declines in telecom installation, partially offset by higher Construction and lower reported net losses associated with Other segment investments.
  
  For the first nine months of 2017, Total Adjusted EBITDA (excluding the Insurance segment), was $31.1 million, as compared to $33.7 million for the 2016 comparable period, driven primarily by year-over-year increases in Life Sciences expenses, partially offset by lower reported net losses associated with Other segment investments.
  
  
• Balance Sheet: As of September 30, 2017, HC2 had consolidated cash, cash equivalents and investments of $1.7 billion, which includes cash and investments associated with HC2's Insurance segment.  Excluding the Insurance segment, consolidated cash was $100.8 million, of which $48.5 million was at the HC2 corporate level.

Third Quarter & Year-to-Date Segment Highlights

• Construction - For the third quarter of 2017, HC2’s DBM Global Inc. (“DBM”), reported Net Income of $7.1 million, as compared to $7.0 million for the year-ago quarter.  For the nine months of 2017, Net Income was $14.5 million, as compared to $20.7 million for the 2016 comparable period.
  
  Adjusted EBITDA was $16.8 million for the third quarter, as compared to $14.5 million for the year-ago quarter, due in part to contributions from large complex projects in backlog which began gaining momentum during the third quarter 2017, primarily in the West region, as well as incremental contributions from the BDS and PDC acquisitions, partially offset by better-than-bid performance on commercial projects in the West region recognized in the year-ago quarter.
  
  For the first nine months of 2017, DBM Global’s Adjusted EBITDA was $36.5 million, as compared to $39.2 million in the 2016 comparable period, due in part to timing associated with design changes on certain existing projects in backlog for the first nine months of 2017, as well as better-than bid performance on commercial projects in the year-ago period.
  
  Backlog at the end of the third quarter was a record $656 million, as compared to approximately $590 million in the prior-quarter and $318 million in the year-ago third quarter.  Taking into consideration awarded, but not yet signed contracts, backlog would have been approximately $900 million.  DBM Global continues to see a number of large opportunities in the commercial sector totaling approximately $300 million in potential new projects that could be awarded over the next several quarters.  These projects include new sporting arenas or stadiums, as well as new healthcare facilities, commercial office buildings and convention centers.
  
  DBM Global’s subsidiary, Schuff Steel, has recently been awarded a major contract for the new Los Angeles Sports and Entertainment District.  Specifically, Schuff Steel was selected to provide steel pre-construction services, fabrication and final erection for the construction of the shell and roof assembly of the new National Football League stadium in Inglewood, California.  The new stadium, which is expected to be completed for the 2020 season, will be the new home of the Los Angeles Rams and Los Angeles Chargers NFL football teams.
  
  On October 26, 2017, DBM Global announced that it would acquire the North American operations of Candraft VSI (“Candraft”).  Candraft, which was founded in 1978 and is headquartered in Vancouver, is one of the premier bridge infrastructure detailing and modeling companies in North America. Candraft VSI has an extensive track record of successful projects across the United States and Canada, including the replacement of New York City’s Kosciuszko Bridge, between Brooklyn and Queens; the Portageville (NY) railroad bridge across the Genesee River; the widening of the Huey P. Long Bridge in New Orleans; and construction of the new San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge, the largest self-anchored single tower suspension bridge in the world.  The acquisition of Candraft complements DBM Global’s previous acquisitions of BDS VirCon and PDC, providing DBM with greater depth and expertise in bridge detailing and broader exposure to the infrastructure sector.  DBM used cash on hand to fund the acquisition, which closed on November 1, 2017.
  
  On November 1, 2017, DBM Global announced that it will pay a cash dividend of $1.29 per share on November 29, 2017 to stockholders of record at the close of business on November 15, 2017.  As the largest stockholder of DBM Global, HC2 expects to receive approximately $4.5 million of the total $5.0 million dividend payout.
  
  
• Marine Services - For the third quarter of 2017, Global Marine Systems (“Global Marine”) reported a Net Income of $0.8 million, as compared to $8.7 million for the year-ago quarter.  For the first nine months of 2017, Net Income was $8.9 million, as compared to $8.8 million for the 2016 comparable period.
  
  Adjusted EBITDA was $8.8 million for the third quarter, as compared to $14.1 million for the year-ago quarter, due primarily to an expected reduction in large complex telecom installation projects and lower joint venture income from Huawei Marine as compared to the year-ago quarter.
  
  For the first nine months of 2017, Global Marine's Adjusted EBITDA was $28.8 million, as compared to $26.4 million in the 2016 comparable period, due primarily to higher joint venture income from Huawei Marine, largely in the first quarter of 2017.
  
  During the quarter, Global Marine was awarded a five-year renewal of the South East Asia and Indian Ocean Cable Maintenance Agreement (“SEAIOCMA”) maintenance contract, which now runs through then end of 2022.  Global Marine has provided maintenance services to SEAIOCMA since its inception in 1986 and currently delivers support in three of the world’s six maintenance zone agreements.  Over the past five years, Global Marine has achieved 99.7% of the contractual Key Performance Indictors (KPIs) in its maintenance agreements globally.
  
  Global Marine's backlog at the end of the third quarter of 2017 was the highest backlog since the acquisition by HC2 in September 2014.  Its joint venture with Huawei Marine recorded backlog close to historic highs from the third quarter, with a strong pipeline of opportunities.
  
  On October 12, 2017, Global Marine announced that it had entered into an agreement with Fugro N.V. (“Fugro”) under which Global Marine will acquire Fugro’s trenching and cable lay services business.  The acquisition, which Global Marine believes will be accretive, involves the transfer of 23 Fugro employees located in Aberdeen, as well as one vessel (M/V Symphony), two powerful Q1400 trenchers, and two work class remotely operated vehicles, and significantly eliminate previously planned capital expenditures for 2018.  The purchase consideration, valued at approximately $73 million, consists of the issuance to a subsidiary of Fugro of a 23.6% equity interest in Global Marine Holdings LLC (the parent company of Global Marine) valued at $65 million, and an obligation of Global Marine to pay Fugro $7.5 million within one year pursuant to a secured loan.  The transaction is expected to close in the fourth quarter of 2017.
  
  
• Energy - For the third quarter of 2017, American Natural Gas (“ANG”) reported a Net (Loss) of $(0.9) million, as compared to Net Income of $0.03 million for the year-ago quarter.  For the first nine months of 2017, Net (Loss) was $(2.0) million, as compared to Net Income of $0.07 million for the 2016 comparable period.
  
  Adjusted EBITDA was $0.3 million for the third quarter, as compared to $0.7 million for the year-ago quarter, driven primarily by increased station down time and repair and maintenance expenses associated with the integration of acquired stations from Constellation CNG and Questar Fueling Company.
  
  For the first nine months of 2017, ANG's Adjusted EBITDA was $2.5 million, as compared to $1.7 million in the 2016 comparable period, due primarily to the increased number of stations versus the comparable period as a result of the Constellation CNG and Questar Fueling acquisitions.  ANG continues to own and/or operate approximately 40 natural gas fueling stations, including stations under development, in 15 states and is focused on increasing volumes at existing stations while also expanding the geographic footprint through both internal / organic growth and strategic M&A transactions.
  
  
• Telecommunications - For the third quarter of 2017, PTGi-ICS reported Net Income of $1.3 million, as compared to $1.8 million for the year-ago quarter.  For the first nine months of 2017, Net Income was $4.9 million, as compared to $4.0 million for the 2016 comparable period.
  
  Adjusted EBITDA was $1.5 million for the third quarter, as compared to $2.2 million for the year-ago quarter, driven primarily by fluctuations in wholesale traffic volumes.
  
  For the first nine months of 2017, PTGi-ICS's Adjusted EBITDA was $5.3 million, as compared to $4.0 million in the 2016 comparable period, due primarily to continued focus on higher margin wholesale traffic mix and improved operational efficiencies and customer relationships across the platform.
  
  
• Insurance - As of September 30, 2017, Continental Insurance Group (“CGIC”) had approximately $73 million of statutory surplus, $84 million of total adjusted capital and $2.1 billion in total GAAP assets.
  
  As announced on November 6, 2017, CGIC has signed a definitive agreement to acquire Humana’s Inc.’s (NYSE:HUM) long-term care insurance business, KMG America Corporation (“KMG”).  As of June 30, 2017, KMG’s subsidiary, Kanawha Insurance Company (“Kanawha”), had approximately $150 million of Statutory Capital and Surplus with approximately $2.3 billion of cash and invested assets. Once the proposed transaction is completed, CGIC’s insurance platform will have approximately $3.5 billion in cash and invested assets.  The transaction is expected to close by the third quarter of 2018 and is expected to be immediately accretive to CGIC's Risk Based Capital ratio and statutory capital.
  
  
• Pansend Life Sciences - Companies in the Pansend Life Sciences, LLC portfolio continued to ramp-up operations and meet critical milestones during the third quarter and for the nine month period, including R2 Dermatology, MediBeacon and BeneVir.
  
  
• HC2 Corporate - During the third quarter, HC2 received approximately $2.0 million in dividends from PTGi-ICS. On a year-to-date basis, HC2 received approximately $24.5 million in dividends and tax share from DBM Global and PTGi ICS.  Also during the third quarter, HC2 announced that a subsidiary entered into a series of transactions, that once closed, will result in HC2 and its subsidiaries acquiring 38 operating stations in 28 cities from Mako Communications, building upon the DTV America acquisition announced in the second quarter 2017.
  
  The Company said it expects to sign a $75 million bridge loan to primarily finance acquisitions in the low power broadcast television distribution market.  The Company plans to file the credit agreement related to the bridge loan on a Form 8-K which once executed.

Conference Call

HC2 Holdings, Inc. will host a live conference call to discuss its third quarter 2017 financial results and operations today, Wednesday, November 8, 2017, at 5:00 p.m. ET.

Dial-in instructions for the conference call and the replay are as follows:

Live Call

Dial-In (Toll Free): 1-866-395-3893

International Dial-In: 1-678-509-7540

Participant Entry Number: 99349087

Alternatively, a live webcast of the conference call can be accessed by interested parties through the Investor Relations section of the HC2 Website, www.HC2.com.

Conference Replay*

Domestic Dial-In (Toll Free): 1-855-859-2056

International Dial-In: 1-404-537-3406

Conference Number: 99349087

*Available approximately two hours after the end of the conference call through December 8, 2017.

About HC2

HC2 Holdings, Inc. is a publicly traded (NYSE:HCHC) diversified holding company, which seeks opportunities to acquire and grow businesses that can generate long-term sustainable free cash flow and attractive returns in order to maximize value for all stakeholders.  HC2 has a diverse array of operating subsidiaries across seven reportable segments, including Construction, Marine Services, Energy, Telecommunications, Life Sciences, Insurance and Other.  HC2's largest operating subsidiaries include DBM Global Inc., a family of companies providing fully integrated structural and steel construction services, and Global Marine Systems Limited, a leading provider of engineering and underwater services on submarine cables. Founded in 1994, HC2 is headquartered in New York, New York.  Learn more about HC2 and its portfolio companies at www.hc2.com.

For information on HC2 Holdings, Inc., please contact Andrew G. Backman - Managing Director - Investor Relations & Public Relations - abackman@hc2.com - 212-339-5836

Non-GAAP Financial Measures

In this release, HC2 refers to certain financial measures that are not presented in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”), including Core Operating Subsidiary Adjusted EBITDA, Total Adjusted EBITDA (excluding the Insurance segment) and Adjusted EBITDA for its operating segments.  Management believes that Adjusted EBITDA measures provide investors with meaningful information for gaining an understanding of the Company’s results as it is frequently used by the financial community to provide insight into an organization’s operating trends and facilitates comparisons between peer companies, because interest, taxes, depreciation, amortization and the other items for which adjustments are made as noted in the definition of Adjusted EBITDA below can differ greatly between organizations as a result of differing capital structures and tax strategies. In addition, management uses Adjusted EBITDA measures in evaluating certain of the Company’s segments performance because they eliminate the effects of considerable amounts of non-cash depreciation and amortization and items not within the control of the Company’s operations managers. While management believes that these non-GAAP measurements are useful as supplemental information, such adjusted results are not intended to replace our GAAP financial results and should be read together with HC2’s results reported under GAAP.

Management defines Adjusted EBITDA as net income (loss) adjusted to exclude the impact of depreciation and amortization; amortization of equity method fair value adjustments at acquisition; (gain) loss on sale or disposal of assets; lease termination costs; asset impairment expense; (gain) loss on early extinguishment or restructuring of debt; interest expense; net gain (loss) on contingent consideration; other income (expense), net; foreign currency transaction (gain) loss included in cost of revenue; income tax (benefit) expense; (gain) loss from discontinued operations; non-controlling interest; bonus to be settled in equity; share-based compensation expense; non-recurring items; and acquisition costs. A reconciliation of Adjusted EBITDA to Net Income (Loss) is included in the financial tables at the end of this release.

Management recognizes that using Adjusted EBITDA as a performance measure has inherent limitations as an analytical tool as compared to net income (loss) or other GAAP financial measures, as these non-GAAP measures exclude certain items, including items that are recurring in nature, which may be meaningful to investors.

As a result of the exclusions, Adjusted EBITDA should not be considered in isolation and do not purport to be alternatives to net income (loss) or other GAAP financial measures as a measure of our operating performance.

Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

Safe Harbor Statement under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995: This release contains, and certain oral statements made by our representatives from time to time may contain, forward-looking statements. Generally, forward-looking statements include information describing actions, events, results, strategies and expectations and are generally identifiable by use of the words “believes,” “expects,” “intends,” “anticipates,” “plans,” “seeks,” “estimates,” “projects,” “may,” “will,” “could,” “might,” or “continues” or similar expressions. The forward-looking statements in this press release include without limitation statements regarding our expectation regarding building shareholder value and future cash and invested assets.  Such statements are based on the beliefs and assumptions of HC2's management and the management of HC2's subsidiaries and portfolio companies. The Company believes these judgments are reasonable, but you should understand that these statements are not guarantees of performance or results, and the Company’s actual results could differ materially from those expressed or implied in the forward-looking statements due to a variety of important factors, both positive and negative, that may be revised or supplemented in subsequent reports on Forms 10-K, 10-Q and 8-K. Such important factors include, without limitation, issues related to the restatement of our financial statements; the fact that we have historically identified material weaknesses in our internal control over financial reporting, and any inability to remediate future material weaknesses; capital market conditions; the ability of the Company to complete its proposed bridge loan; the ability of HC2's subsidiaries and portfolio companies to generate sufficient net income and cash flows to make upstream cash distributions; volatility in the trading price of HC2 common stock; the ability of HC2 and its subsidiaries and portfolio companies to identify any suitable future acquisition opportunities; our ability to realize efficiencies, cost savings, income and margin improvements, growth, economies of scale and other anticipated benefits of strategic transactions; difficulties related to the integration of financial reporting of acquired or target businesses; difficulties completing pending and future acquisitions and dispositions; effects of litigation, indemnification claims, and other contingent liabilities; changes in regulations and tax laws; and risks that may affect the performance of the operating subsidiaries and portfolio companies of HC2. These risks and other important factors discussed under the caption “Risk Factors” in our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”), and our other reports filed with the SEC could cause actual results to differ materially from those indicated by the forward-looking statements made in this press release.

You should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. All forward-looking statements attributable to HC2 or persons acting on its behalf are expressly qualified in their entirety by the foregoing cautionary statements. All such statements speak only as of the date made, and HC2 undertakes no obligation to update or revise publicly any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.