Rand Logistics, Inc. Reports Third Quarter Fiscal Year 2017 Financial Results


Operating Income for the Quarter increased 67.7% to $5.2 million

Net Loss for the Quarter was reduced by 85.7% to $0.6 million

EBITDA increased $2.4 million, or 26.7%, to $11.4 million

JERSEY CITY, N.J., Feb. 13, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Rand Logistics, Inc. (NASDAQ:RLOG) (“Rand”), a leading provider of bulk freight shipping services throughout the Great Lakes region, today announced its financial results for the fiscal year 2017 third quarter ended December 31, 2016.

Quarter Ended December 31, 2016 Versus Quarter Ended December 31, 2015
Financial Results

  • Total Sailing Days were 1,281 compared to 1,292 in the prior year period.
  • Freight and related revenue generated from Company-operated vessels (which excludes fuel and other surcharges) remained relatively flat at $35.9 million compared to $35.9 million during the year ago period.
  • Freight and related revenue per Sailing Day increased $190, or 0.7%, to $27,998 compared to $27,808 per Sailing Day in the year ago period.
  • Vessel operating expenses decreased $2.2 million, or 8.8%, to $22.2 million compared to $24.4 million during the year ago period. Vessel operating expenses per Sailing Day decreased $1,512, or 8.0%, to $17,350 from $18,862.
  • Vessel Margin per day increased $2,108, or 21.0%, from $10,027 in the prior year period to $12,135 this quarter.
  • EBITDA increased $2.4 million, or 26.7%, to $11.4 million from $9.0 million during the year ago period.
  • Net loss was $0.6 million, or $0.03 per share on a fully diluted basis, compared to a net loss of $4.2 million, or $0.23 per share, in the prior year period.

Nine Months Ended December 31, 2016 Versus Nine Months Ended December 31, 2015 Financial Results

  • Total Sailing Days were 3,435 compared to 3,798 in the prior year period. 
  • Freight and related revenue generated from Company-operated vessels (which excludes fuel and other surcharges) decreased $12.2 million, or 10.3%, to $106.5 million compared to $118.7 million during the year ago period.
  • Freight and related revenue per Sailing Day decreased $260, or 0.8%, to $31,001 compared to $31,261 during the nine-month period ended December 31, 2015.
  • Vessel operating expenses decreased $17.9 million, or 22.1%, to $63.1 million compared to $81.0 million during the year ago period. Vessel operating expenses per Sailing Day decreased $2,947, or 13.8%, to $18,368 from $21,315.    
  • Vessel margin per day increased $994, or 7.9%, from $12,586 in the prior year period to $13,580 in the nine-month period ended December 31, 2016.
  • EBITDA, before restructuring charges and impairment charges on a retired vessel, decreased $0.7 million, or 1.9%, to $36.4 million from $37.1 million during the prior year period. 
  • Net loss was $1.0 million, or $0.05 per share on a fully diluted basis, compared to net income of $10.0 million, or $0.54 per share, in the year ago period.

Management Comments:

"We were generally pleased with our operating and financial performance in both our fiscal 2017 third quarter and the 2016 sailing season," commented Ed Levy, President and CEO of Rand. "Improving demand conditions in the quarter ended December 31, 2016, including incremental business generated from both new and existing customers, helped to drive a 26.7% increase in EBITDA, bringing year to date EBITDA near to the prior year level. We achieved our 2016 sailing season results while sailing 363, or 9.6%, fewer days and carrying 6.7% less tons versus the 2015 season. We successfully offset weak demand for certain of the commodities we transport and the continued weakness in the Canadian dollar through effective operating cost controls and aggressive management of our vessel capacity. These initiatives resulted in an increase in vessel margin per day of 7.9%, or $994, on a year over year basis.”

In January 2017, we operated for approximately 125 sailing days, which was an increase of 48.8% compared with 84 days sailed in January 2016.

“We are finalizing our nominations for the upcoming sailing season. Consistent with the last four months, we believe that demand will be firmer this year versus last year at this time. Many of our customers are expressing a higher confidence level in their business and are indicating that their requirements for the upcoming sailing season are based on orders that they have already been awarded versus their expectation of demand.” Mr. Levy concluded, “Our intention for the 2017 sailing season is to continue to drive efficiencies by managing our capacity and operating expenses. This will position us to leverage vessel margin per day with improvements in the demand environment.”

Conference Call
Management will hold a conference call at 8:30 a.m. EST on Tuesday, February 14, 2017. Interested parties may participate in the conference call by dialing 1-888-797-2982 (1-913-312-0859 for international callers), and using Conference ID# 5837408. The conference call will be webcast simultaneously on the Rand Logistics, Inc. website at www.randlogisticsinc.com/presentations.html. A presentation file related to the conference call will be posted to the same website.

A replay of the conference call will be available at www.randlogisticsinc.com/presentations.html and will be archived for 12 months. A replay will also be available until March 14, 2017 by dialing 1-844-512-2921 (1-412-317-6671 for international callers), and using Conference ID# 5837408.

Non-GAAP Financial Measures/Financial Tables
This press release contains certain non-GAAP financial measures, including, when applicable, (1) operating income plus depreciation, amortization of drydock costs, amortization of intangibles, loss (gain) on foreign exchange, certain one-time equity-based severance costs and loss on termination of vessel lease, and (2) operating income plus depreciation, amortization of drydock costs and amortization of intangibles. Such measures are used internally when evaluating our operating performance and, we believe, allow investors to make a more meaningful comparison between our business operating results over different periods of time, as well as with those of other similar companies. Management believes that such measures, when viewed with the Company's results GAAP and the accompanying reconciliations, provide useful information about our operating performance and period-over-period comparisons. Additionally, management believes that (1) operating income plus depreciation, amortization of drydock costs, amortization of intangibles, loss (gain) on foreign exchange, restructuring charges and impairment charges on retired asset and (2) operating income plus depreciation, amortization of drydock costs and amortization of intangibles permit investors to gain an understanding of the factors and trends affecting our ongoing cash earnings. However, the Company's definition of such measures may differ from other companies reporting similarly named measures, and such measures are not measures of financial performance or liquidity under GAAP and, accordingly, should not be considered as an alternative to net income or cash flow from operating activities as indicators of operating performance or liquidity. Instead, such performance measures should be viewed in addition to, and not in lieu of, or superior to, our operating performance measures calculated in accordance with GAAP. Reconciliations of these and other non-GAAP measures to the comparable GAAP measures are included in the attached financial tables.

About Rand Logistics  
Rand Logistics, Inc. is a leading provider of bulk freight shipping services throughout the Great Lakes region. Through its subsidiaries, the Company operates a fleet of three conventional bulk carriers and twelve self-unloading bulk carriers including three tug/barge units. The Company is the only carrier able to offer significant domestic port-to-port services in both Canada and the U.S. on the Great Lakes. The Company's vessels operate under the U.S. Jones Act – which reserves domestic waterborne commerce to vessels that are U.S. owned, built and crewed – and the Canada Coasting Trade Act – which reserves domestic waterborne commerce to Canadian registered and crewed vessels that operate between Canadian ports.

Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains forward-looking statements which reflect management’s current views with respect to certain future events and Rand’s operations, performance and financial condition. Forward-looking statements are made only as of the date of this press release. Forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to: Rand’s future operating or financial results; Rand’s anticipated plans, goals or objectives of our management for operations and services, including future cost reduction initiatives; Rand’s anticipated financial position and liquidity, including Rand's ability to remain in compliance with debt covenants, growth regulatory and competitive outlook, investment and expenditure plans, investment results, strategic alternatives, business strategies, and other similar statements of expectations or objectives; and Rand’s outlook and financial and other guidance. For all forward-looking statements, we claim the protection of the Safe Harbor for Forward-Looking Statements contained in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements are inherently subject to risks and uncertainties, many of which cannot be predicted with accuracy or are otherwise beyond our control and some of which might not even be anticipated. Future events and actual results, affecting our strategic plan as well as our financial position, results of operations and cash flows, could differ materially from those described in or contemplated by the forward-looking statements.

Important factors that contribute to such risks include, but are not limited to, the effect of any economic downturn in certain of our markets; the weather conditions on the Great Lakes; our ability to maintain and replace our vessels as they age; changes in customer demand; changes in shipping regulations; fluctuations in currencies and interest rates; changes in fuel price and fuel surcharges; adequacy of capital resources, including the ability to refinance or obtain financing in the future; expectations of vessels’ useful lives and the estimated obligations, and the timing thereof, relating to vessel repair or maintenance work; expected capital spending or operating expenses, including dry-docking and insurance costs; the ability to comply with or regain compliance with applicable regulations, Nasdaq listing requirements, and Rand’s debt covenants; changes in laws, regulations or tax rates, or the outcome of pending legislative or regulatory initiatives; and potential liability from pending or future litigation.

The risks included are not exhaustive. For a more detailed description of these uncertainties and other factors, please see the "Risk Factors" section in Rand's Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on June 16, 2016 and in Rand’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on November 10, 2016.

― financial tables to follow ―

 
 
RAND LOGISTICS, INC.
Consolidated Statements of Operations (Unaudited)
(U.S. Dollars 000’s except for Shares and Per Share data)
         
   Three months ended Three months ended Nine months ended Nine months ended
   December 31, 2016 December 31, 2015 December 31, 2016 December 31, 2015
REVENUE           
 Freight and related revenue $35,866  $35,928 $106,489 $118,731 
 Fuel and other surcharges  1,930  1,617  4,364  11,144 
 Outside voyage charter revenue    8,217    12,647 
TOTAL REVENUE  37,796  45,762  110,853  142,522 
         
EXPENSES        
 Outside voyage charter fees    8,250    12,743 
 Vessel operating expenses  22,225  24,370  63,095  80,956 
 Repairs and maintenance  27  220  1,112  1,117 
 General and administrative  3,797  3,811  11,527  10,210 
 Depreciation  5,185  4,782  15,686  14,092 
 Amortization of drydock costs  746  877  2,353  2,644 
 Amortization of intangibles  247  268  752  824 
 (Gain) Loss on foreign exchange, net  357  92  (1,306) 397 
 Restructuring charges      2,375   
 Impairment charges on retired asset      1,872   
TOTAL EXPENSES  32,584  42,670  97,466  122,983 
OPERATING INCOME  5,212  3,092  13,387  19,539 
           
OTHER (INCOME) AND EXPENSES          
 Interest expense  5,449  3,079  13,345  9,060 
 Interest and other income  (15) (2) (19) (6)
    5,434  3,077  13,326  9,054 
           
INCOME (LOSS) BEFORE INCOME TAXES  (222) 15  61  10,485 
(RECOVERY) PROVISION  FOR INCOME TAXES          
 Deferred  (33) 3,862  (164) (466)
    (33) 3,862  (164) (466)
NET INCOME (LOSS) BEFORE PREFERRED STOCK DIVIDENDS  (189) (3,847) 225  10,951 
PREFERRED STOCK DIVIDENDS  426  351  1,207  1,000 
NET (LOSS) INCOME APPLICABLE TO COMMON STOCKHOLDERS $(615) $(4,198)$(982)$9,951 
           
Net (loss)  income per share basic $(0.03) $(0.23)$(0.05)$0.55 
Net (loss) income per share diluted  (0.03) (0.23) (0.05) 0.54 
Weighted average shares basic  18,445,350  18,091,303  18,381,880  17,984,278 
Weighted average shares diluted  18,445,350  18,091,973  18,381,880  20,396,276 
         

 

  
RAND LOGISTICS, INC. 
Consolidated Balance Sheets (Unaudited) 
(U.S. Dollars 000’s except for Shares and Per Share data) 
        
        
    December 31, 2016 March 31, 2016 
ASSETS      
CURRENT      
 Cash and cash equivalents $312 $77  
 Accounts receivable, net  15,939  2,697  
 Income taxes receivable  38  47  
 Prepaid expenses and other current assets  5,894  6,320  
Total current assets  22,183  9,141  
        
PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT, NET  211,270  228,504  
OTHER ASSETS  52  102  
DEFERRED DRYDOCK COSTS, NET  5,774  6,660  
INTANGIBLE ASSETS, NET  5,046  5,904  
GOODWILL  10,193  10,193  
        
Total assets $254,518 $260,504  
LIABILITIES      
CURRENT      
 Accounts payable  7,535  17,822  
 Accrued liabilities  11,253  8,144  
 Other current liability  99  776  
 Income taxes payable  14  34  
 Current portion of deferred payment liability  135  564  
Total current liabilities  19,036  27,340  
LONG-TERM DEBT  114,138  112,426  
SUBORDINATED DEBT  77,907  75,317  
DEFERRED INCOME TAXES  5,464  5,825  
        
Total liabilities  216,545  220,908  
COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES      
STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY      
 Preferred stock, $.0001 par value,      
 Authorized 1,000,000 shares, Issued and outstanding 295,480 shares at December 31, 2016 and at March 31, 2016  14,674  14,674  
 Common stock, $.0001 par value,      
 Authorized 50,000,000 shares, Issuable and outstanding 18,624,431 shares at December 31, 2016 and 18,359,397 shares at March 31, 2016  1  1  
 Additional paid-in capital  91,321  90,993  
 Accumulated deficit  (57,519) (56,537) 
 Accumulated other comprehensive loss  (10,504) (9,535) 
        
Total stockholders’ equity  37,973  39,596  
        
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity $254,518 $260,504  
        

 

          
RAND LOGISTICS, INC         
Non-GAAP Financial Measures / Financial Tables FY2017 - Q3 
(U.S. Dollars 000's except in "Per Day Statistics")         
  FY2017 ActualFY2016 ActualIncrease/(Decrease)FX Impact (Unfavorable)/
Favorable
Constant Currency Increase/(Decrease) 1 
    Change $Change %Change $Change $Change % 
          
Average Fx Rate  0.750   0.749               
                     
Sailing Days  1,281  1,292  (11)-0.9%        
                     
Financial Highlights (US$ '000s)                    
Freight and Related Revenue $35,866 $35,928 -$62 -0.2%-$8 -$54-0.2% 
                     
Fuel and Other Surcharges $1,930 $1,617 $313 19.4%$2 $31119.2% 
                     
Total Revenue $37,796 $45,762 -$7,966 -17.4%-$6 -$7,960-17.4% 
                     
Total Operation Expenses $22,225 $24,370 -$2,145 -8.8%$3 -$2,148-8.8% 
                     
Vessel Margin $15,544 $12,955 $2,590 20.0%-$9 $2,59820.1% 
                     
General & Admin Expense $3,797 $3,268 $529 16.2%$1 $52816.1% 
                     
Loss on foreign exchange $357 $92 $265 287.7%$20 $245266.0% 
                     
Adjusted EBITDA before Restructuring Charges $11,747 $9,111 $2,636 28.9%-$12 $2,64829.1% 
                     
                     
Per Day Statistics                    
Marine Freight Revenue/Day $27,998 $27,808 $190 0.7%-$6 $1950.7% 
                     
Total Revenue/Day $29,505 $35,420 -$5,915 -16.7%-$4 -$5,911-16.7% 
                     
Vessel Margin/Day $12,135 $10,027 $2,108 21.0%-$6 $2,11421.1% 
          
          
Non-GAAP Reconciliation (US$ '000s)         
          
Vessel margin $15,544 $12,955       
Outside Charter net margin $0 -$33       
General & Admin Expense $3,797 $3,268       
Adjusted EBITDA 3 $11,747 $9,654       
Loss on foreign exchange 2 $357 $92       
One-time equity based severance costs $0 $543       
EBITDA $11,390 $9,019       
Depreciation, Amortization of Dry-dock & Intangibles $6,178 $5,927       
Operating Income $5,212 $3,092       
            
          
Note:         
1. The constant currency information presented is calculated by translating current period results using prior period foreign currency exchange rates. 
          
2. (Gain) Loss on foreign exchange during the three month period ended December 31, 2016 includes a non-cash loss on translation of approximately $40.3 million USD denominated debt incurred in March 2014 and carried on the balance sheet of the Canadian subsidiary. 
          
3. Adjusted EBITDA is defined as operating income plus depreciation, amortization of drydock costs, amortization of intangibles, (gain) loss on foreign exchange, restructuring charges and impairment charges on retired vessel. 
          
          
RAND LOGISTICS, INC         
Non-GAAP Financial Measures / Financial Tables FY2016 - December 2016 YTD 
(U.S. Dollars 000's except in "Per Day Statistics")         
  FY2017 ActualFY2016 ActualIncrease/(Decrease)FX Impact (Unfavorable)/
Favorable
Constant Currency Increase/(Decrease) 1 
    Change $Change %Change $Change $Change % 
          
Average Fx Rate    0.764     0.776        
          
Sailing Days  3,435  3,798  (363)-9.6%    
            
Financial Highlights (US$ '000s)           
Freight and Related Revenue $106,489 $118,731 -$12,242 -10.3%-$843 -$11,399-9.6% 
            
Fuel and Other Surcharges $4,364 $11,144 -$6,780 -60.8%-$48 -$6,732-60.4% 
            
Total Revenue $110,853 $142,522 -$31,669 -22.2%-$891 -$30,778-21.6% 
            
Vessel Operating Expenses $63,095 $80,956 -$17,861 -22.1%-$505 -$17,356-21.4% 
            
Vessel Margin $46,646 $47,802 -$1,156 -2.4%-$360 -$796-1.7% 
            
General & Admin Expense $11,527 $9,652 $1,875 19.4%-$59 $1,93420.0% 
            
(Gain) Loss on foreign exchange -$1,306 $397 -$1,703 -428.5%$64 -$1,767-444.6% 
            
Adjusted EBITDA before Restructuring Charges $35,119 $37,496 -$2,377 -6.3%-$303 -$2,074-5.5% 
            
            
Per Day Statistics           
Marine Freight Revenue/Day $31,001 $31,261 -$260 -0.8%-$245 -$150.0% 
            
Total Revenue/Day $32,268 $37,526 -$5,258 -14.0%-$263 -$4,995-13.3% 
            
Vessel Operating Expenses/Day $18,368 $21,315 -$2,947 -13.8%-$147 -$2,800-13.1% 
            
Vessel Margin/Day $13,580 $12,586 $994 7.9%-$104 $1,0988.7% 
          
          
Non-GAAP Reconciliation (US$ '000s)         
          
Vessel margin $46,646 $47,802       
Outside Charter net margin $0 -$96       
General & Admin Expense $11,527 $9,652       
          
Adjusted EBITDA 3 $35,119 $38,054       
(Gain) Loss on foreign exchange -$1,306 $397       
One-time equity based severance costs $0 $558       
EBITDA $36,425 $37,099       
Impairment Charges on Assets held for Sale $1,872 $0       
Restructuring Charges $2,375 $0       
Depreciation, Amortization of Dry-dock & Intangibles $18,791 $17,560       
Operating Income $13,387 $19,539       
          
          
Note:         
1. The constant currency information presented is calculated by translating current period results using prior period foreign currency exchange rates. 
          
2. (Gain) Loss on foreign exchange during the nine month period ended December 31, 2016 includes a non-cash loss on translation of approximately $40.3 million USD denominated debt incurred in March 2014 and carried on the balance sheet of the Canadian subsidiary. 
          
3. Adjusted EBITDA is defined as operating income plus depreciation, amortization of drydock costs, amortization of intangibles, (gain) loss on foreign exchange, restructuring charges and impairment charges on retired vessel. 
  

            

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