Exterran Corporation Announces First Quarter 2018 Results

Quarterly Highlights Include Sustained Revenue Growth and Sequential Margin Expansion Resulting from Ongoing, Focused Productivity Initiatives


HOUSTON, May 02, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Exterran Corporation (NYSE:EXTN) (“Exterran” or the “Company”) today announced net income from continuing operations for the first quarter of 2018 of $3.9 million, or $0.11 per share, on revenue of $350.4 million. This compares to net income from continuing operations of $2.1 million, or $0.06 per share, on revenue of $337.7 million for the fourth quarter of 2017 and net loss from continuing operations of $12.3 million, or $0.35 per share, on revenue of $245.4 million for the first quarter of 2017.

Andrew Way, Exterran’s President and Chief Executive Officer commented, “Revenue was the highest reported in eight quarters as we benefited from conversion of strong 2017 product bookings and contractual recoveries in our contract operations business. In addition, first quarter product bookings rebounded as expected from fourth quarter 2017 levels, with bookings of $193.4 million.

“We are pleased with the way the year has started, coupled with what we believe will be a very strong second quarter for contract operations and product orders, provides us strong momentum as we look to the second half of the year and beyond. Product segment margins continue to improve and our commercial teams continue to work their extensive project pipelines to capture new contract operations and aftermarket opportunities.”

Net income for the first quarter of 2018 was $5.3 million. This compares to net income of $6.7 million for the fourth quarter of 2017 and net income of $20.3 million for the first quarter of 2017.

EBITDA, as adjusted, was $50.7 million for the first quarter of 2018, as compared with EBITDA, as adjusted, of $50.5 million for the fourth quarter of 2017 and $34.5 million for the first quarter of 2017.

Selling, general and administrative expenses were $44.2 million in the first quarter of 2018, as compared with $44.5 million in the fourth quarter of 2017 and $44.4 million in the first quarter of 2017.

Contract Operations Segment
Contract operations revenue in the first quarter of 2018 was $96.5 million, a 1% increase from fourth quarter of 2017 revenue of $95.3 million and a 5% increase from first quarter of 2017 revenue of $92.0 million.

Contract operations gross margin in the first quarter of 2018 was $61.1 million, unchanged from fourth quarter of 2017 gross margin of $61.1 million and slightly lower from first quarter of 2017 gross margin of $61.2 million. Gross margin percentage in the first quarter of 2018 was 63%, as compared with 64% in the fourth quarter of 2017 and 67% in the first quarter of 2017.

The sequential revenue increase was primarily due to contractual recoveries, while the sequential gross margin percentage decrease was due to an increase in project expenses which are not expected to repeat.

Aftermarket Services Segment
Aftermarket services revenue in the first quarter of 2018 was $26.4 million, a 14% decrease from fourth quarter of 2017 revenue of $30.5 million and a 17% increase from first quarter of 2017 revenue of $22.5 million.

Aftermarket services gross margin in the first quarter of 2018 was $7.5 million, a 7% decrease from fourth quarter of 2017 gross margin of $8.1 million and a 26% increase from first quarter of 2017 gross margin of $5.9 million. Gross margin percentage in the first quarter of 2018 was 28%, as compared with 26% in the fourth quarter of 2017 and 26% in the first quarter of 2017.

The sequential decrease in aftermarket service revenue and gross margin were driven by the normal first quarter decrease in parts sales and maintenance services in the Latin America region.

Product Sales Segment
Product sales revenue in the first quarter of 2018 was $227.5 million, a 7% increase from fourth quarter of 2017 revenue of $211.9 million, and a 74% increase from first quarter of 2017 revenue of $130.9 million.

Product sales gross margin in the first quarter of 2018 was $27.2 million, an 11% increase from fourth quarter of 2017 gross margin of $24.5 million and a 140% increase from first quarter of 2017 gross margin of $11.3 million. Gross margin percentage in the first quarter of 2018 improved 40 basis points as compared to fourth quarter of 2017 and 330 basis points as compared to first quarter of 2017.

The sequential increase in revenue and gross margin was primarily due to an increase in processing and treating equipment and compression equipment sales, resulting from higher activity in the North America region. The gross margin was positively impacted as a result of a continued strong focus on productivity.

Product sales backlog was $426.9 million at March 31, 2018, as compared to $461.0 million at December 31, 2017 and $424.6 million at March 31, 2017. Product bookings for the first quarter of 2018 were $193.4 million, resulting in a book-to-bill ratio of 85%. This compares to bookings of $113.0 million for the fourth quarter of 2017 and bookings of $249.2 million for the first quarter of 2017.

Sale of PEQ Assets
On April 17, 2018, the Company entered into a definitive agreement for the sale of its North America production equipment manufacturing facility and associated inventory to Titan Production Equipment Acquisition, LLC, an affiliate of Castle Harlan, Inc. The sale is not expected to have a material financial impact to the Company, and it allows Exterran to accelerate its growth strategy by focusing as a systems and process company for oil, gas, water and power. The Company will continue to manufacture production equipment outside of North America. In addition, Exterran will continue to offer its customers complete solutions in gas gathering, processing, treating and compression, including offering production equipment in North America through Titan.

Conference Call Information
The Company will host a conference call at 10 a.m. Central Time on Thursday, May 3, 2018. The call can be accessed from the Company’s website at www.exterran.com or by telephone at 877-524-8416. For those who cannot listen to the live call, a telephonic replay will be available through Thursday, May 10, 2018 and may be accessed by calling 877-660-6853 and using the pass code 13679034.

For information, contact:
Dave Barta, Chief Financial Officer, 281-836-7825
Or visit www.exterran.com 

About Exterran Corporation
Exterran Corporation (NYSE:EXTN) is a global systems and process company offering solutions in the oil, gas, water and power markets. We are a market leader in natural gas processing and treatment and compression products and services, providing critical midstream infrastructure solutions to customers throughout the world. Exterran Corporation is headquartered in Houston, Texas and operates in approximately 30 countries.

Non-GAAP and Other Financial Information
Gross Margin is defined as revenue less cost of sales (excluding depreciation and amortization expense). Gross margin percentage is defined as gross margin divided by revenue. The Company evaluates the performance of its segments based on gross margin for each segment.

EBITDA, as adjusted, a non-GAAP measure, is defined as net income (loss) excluding income (loss) from discontinued operations (net of tax), cumulative effect of accounting changes (net of tax), income taxes, interest expense (including debt extinguishment costs), depreciation and amortization expense, impairment charges, restructuring and other charges, non-cash gains or losses from foreign currency exchange rate changes recorded on intercompany obligations, expensed acquisition costs and other items. EBITDA, as adjusted, excludes the benefit of the two previously announced sales of our Venezuelan assets.

Adjusted net income (loss) from continuing operations and diluted adjusted net income (loss) from continuing operations per common share, non-GAAP measures, are defined as net income (loss) and earnings per share, excluding the impact of income (loss) from discontinued operations (net of tax), cumulative effect of accounting changes (net of tax), impairment charges (net of tax), restructuring and other charges (net of tax), the benefit of the previously announced sale of our joint ventures’ Venezuelan assets, the effect of income tax adjustments that are outside of the Company’s anticipated effective tax rates and other items.

See tables below for additional information concerning non-GAAP financial information, including a reconciliation of the non-GAAP financial information presented in this press release to the most directly comparable financial information presented in accordance with GAAP. Non-GAAP financial information supplements should be read together with, and are not an alternative or substitute for, the Company’s financial results reported in accordance with GAAP. Because non-GAAP financial information is not standardized, it may not be possible to compare these financial measures with other companies’ non-GAAP financial measures having the same or similar names.

Forward-Looking Statements
All statements in this release (and oral statements made regarding the subjects of this release) other than historical facts are forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. These statements may include words such as “guidance,” “anticipate,” “estimate,” “expect,” “forecast,” “project,” “plan,” “intend,” “believe,” “confident,” “may,” “should,” “can have,” “likely,” “future” and other words and terms of similar meaning in connection with any discussion of the timing or nature of future operating or financial performance or other events. Examples of forward-looking information in this release include, but are not limited to: Exterran’s financial and operational strategies and ability to successfully effect those strategies; Exterran’s expectations regarding future economic and market conditions; Exterran’s financial and operational outlook and ability to fulfill that outlook; demand for Exterran’s products and services and growth opportunities for those products and services; and statements regarding industry activity levels and infrastructure build-out opportunities.

These forward-looking statements rely on a number of assumptions concerning future events and are subject to a number of uncertainties and factors, many of which are outside Exterran’s control, which could cause actual results to differ materially from such statements. As a result, any such forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance or results. While Exterran believes that the assumptions concerning future events are reasonable, it cautions that there are inherent difficulties in predicting certain important factors that could impact the future performance or results of its business. Among the factors that could cause results to differ materially from those indicated by such forward-looking statements are: local, regional, national and international economic conditions and the impact they may have on Exterran and its customers; Exterran’s reduced profit margins or loss of market share resulting from competition or the introduction of competing technologies by other companies; Exterran’s ability to secure new oil and gas product sales customers; conditions in the oil and gas industry, including a sustained imbalance in the level of supply or demand for oil or natural gas or a sustained low price of oil or natural gas; Exterran’s ability to timely and cost-effectively execute projects; Exterran enhancing its asset utilization, particularly with respect to its fleet of compressors; Exterran’s ability to integrate acquired businesses; employment and workforce factors, including the ability to hire, train and retain key employees; Exterran’s ability to accurately estimate costs and time required under Exterran’s fixed price contracts; liability related to the use of Exterran’s products and services; changes in political or economic conditions in key operating markets, including international markets; changes in current exchange rates, including the risk of currency devaluations by foreign governments, and restrictions on currency repatriation; risks associated with Exterran’s operations, such as equipment defects, equipment malfunctions and natural disasters; any non-performance by third parties of their contractual obligations, including the financial condition of our customers; changes in safety, health, environmental and other regulations; the effectiveness of Exterran’s internal controls going forward, including the existence of any control deficiencies identified in the future; the results of governmental actions relating to pending investigations, including Exterran’s pending Securities and Exchange Commission investigation; the results of any shareholder actions relating to the restatement of Exterran’s financial statements; the effect of the agreements related to Exterran’s spin-off, and the anticipated effects of restructuring its business; and Exterran’s indebtedness and its ability to fund its operations, capital commitments and other contractual cash obligations, including our debt obligations.

These forward-looking statements are also affected by the risk factors, forward-looking statements and challenges and uncertainties described in Exterran’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2017, and other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission available on the Securities and Exchange Commission’s website www.sec.gov. A discussion of these risks is expressly incorporated by reference into this release. Except as required by law, Exterran expressly disclaims any intention or obligation to revise or update any forward-looking statements whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

 
EXTERRAN CORPORATION
UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(In thousands, except per share amounts)
       
  Three Months Ended
  March 31, December 31, March 31,
  2018 2017 2017
Revenues:      
Contract operations $96,493  $95,322  $92,045 
Aftermarket services 26,371  30,496  22,524 
Product sales 227,519  211,871  130,856 
  350,383  337,689  245,425 
Costs and expenses:      
Cost of sales (excluding depreciation and amortization expense):      
Contract operations 35,385  34,251  30,798 
Aftermarket services 18,897  22,428  16,612 
Product sales 200,336  187,372  119,537 
Selling, general and administrative 44,242  44,463  44,411 
Depreciation and amortization 31,029  29,714  24,752 
Long-lived asset impairment 1,804  5,700   
Restatement related charges 621  408  2,172 
Restructuring and other charges   154  2,308 
Interest expense 7,219  7,497  7,087 
Other (income) expense, net 1,420  537  (1,819)
  340,953  332,524  245,858 
Income (loss) before income taxes 9,430  5,165  (433)
Provision for income taxes 5,492  3,082  11,890 
Income (loss) from continuing operations 3,938  2,083  (12,323)
Income from discontinued operations, net of tax 1,399  4,579  32,644 
Net income $5,337  $6,662  $20,321 
       
Basic net income per common share:      
Income (loss) from continuing operations per common share $0.11  $0.06  $(0.35)
Income from discontinued operations per common share 0.04  0.12  0.93 
Net income per common share $0.15  $0.18  $0.58 
       
Diluted net income per common share:      
Income (loss) from continuing operations per common share $0.11  $0.06  $(0.35)
Income from discontinued operations per common share 0.04  0.12  0.93 
Net income per common share $0.15  $0.18  $0.58 
       
Weighted average common shares outstanding used in net income per common share:      
Basic 35,301  35,101  34,850 
Diluted 35,373  35,179  34,850 
          


EXTERRAN CORPORATION
UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(In thousands)
    
 March 31, 2018 December 31, 2017
ASSETS   
    
Current assets:   
Cash and cash equivalents$17,336  $49,145 
Restricted cash546  546 
Accounts receivable, net237,211  266,052 
Inventory, net141,219  107,909 
Costs and estimated earnings in excess of billings on uncompleted contracts  40,695 
Contract assets78,941   
Other current assets33,058  38,707 
Current assets held for sale16,604  15,761 
Current assets associated with discontinued operations17,781  23,751 
Total current assets542,696  542,566 
Property, plant and equipment, net837,528  822,279 
Deferred income taxes13,175  10,550 
Intangible and other assets, net98,118  76,980 
Long-term assets held for sale4,422  4,732 
Long-term assets associated with discontinued operations3,648  3,700 
Total assets$1,499,587  $1,460,807 
    
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY   
    
Current liabilities:   
Accounts payable, trade$177,718  $148,744 
Accrued liabilities108,632  114,336 
Deferred revenue  23,902 
Billings on uncompleted contracts in excess of costs and estimated earnings  89,565 
Contract liabilities107,447   
Current liabilities associated with discontinued operations21,511  31,971 
Total current liabilities415,308  408,518 
Long-term debt386,580  368,472 
Deferred income taxes8,928  9,746 
Long-term deferred revenue  92,485 
Long-term contract liabilities87,596   
Other long-term liabilities42,965  20,272 
Long-term liabilities associated with discontinued operations6,759  6,528 
Total liabilities948,136  906,021 
Total stockholders’ equity551,451  554,786 
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity$1,499,587  $1,460,807 
        


EXTERRAN CORPORATION
UNAUDITED SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION
(In thousands, except percentages)
       
  Three Months Ended
  March 31, December 31, March 31,
  2018 2017 2017
Revenues:      
Contract operations $96,493  $95,322  $92,045 
Aftermarket services 26,371  30,496  22,524 
Product sales 227,519  211,871  130,856 
  $350,383  $337,689  $245,425 
       
Gross margin:      
Contract operations $61,108  $61,071  $61,247 
Aftermarket services 7,474  8,068  5,912 
Product sales 27,183  24,499  11,319 
Total $95,765  $93,638  $78,478 
       
Gross margin percentage:      
Contract operations 63% 64% 67%
Aftermarket services 28% 26% 26%
Product sales 12% 12% 9%
Total 27% 28% 32%
             
Selling, general and administrative $44,242  $44,463  $44,411 
% of revenue 13% 13% 18%
             
EBITDA, as adjusted $50,733  $50,501  $34,535 
% of revenue 14% 15% 14%
       
Capital expenditures $49,219  $52,551  $20,590 
Less: Proceeds from sale of PP&E (2,260) (1,557) (2,584)
Net Capital expenditures $46,959  $50,994  $18,006 
       
  March 31, December 31, March 31,
  2018 2017 2017
       
Product Sales Backlog:      
Compression equipment $206,252  $254,745  $221,994 
Processing and treating equipment 199,122  178,814  143,562 
Production equipment 9,481  14,138  36,126 
Other product sales 12,041  13,349  22,872 
Total product sales backlog $426,896  $461,046  $424,554 
             


EXTERRAN CORPORATION
UNAUDITED NON-GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES
(In thousands, except per share amounts)
       
  Three Months Ended
  March 31, December 31, March 31,
  2018 2017 2017
Non-GAAP Financial Information—Reconciliation of Income (loss) before income taxes to Total gross margin:      
Income (loss) before income taxes $9,430  $5,165  $(433)
Selling, general and administrative 44,242  44,463  44,411 
Depreciation and amortization 31,029  29,714  24,752 
Long-lived asset impairment 1,804  5,700   
Restatement related charges 621  408  2,172 
Restructuring and other charges   154  2,308 
Interest expense 7,219  7,497  7,087 
Other (income) expense, net 1,420  537  (1,819)
Total gross margin (1) $95,765  $93,638  $78,478 
       
Non-GAAP Financial Information—Reconciliation of Net income to EBITDA, as adjusted:      
Net income $5,337  $6,662  $20,321 
Income from discontinued operations, net of tax (1,399) (4,579) (32,644)
Depreciation and amortization 31,029  29,714  24,752 
Long-lived asset impairment 1,804  5,700   
Restatement related charges 621  408  2,172 
Restructuring and other charges   154  2,308 
Interest expense 7,219  7,497  7,087 
(Gain) loss on currency exchange rate remeasurement of intercompany balances 630  1,957  (1,462)
Loss on sale of business     111 
Penalties from Brazilian tax programs   (94)  
Provision for income taxes 5,492  3,082  11,890 
EBITDA, as adjusted (2) $50,733  $50,501  $34,535 
       
Non-GAAP Financial Information—Reconciliation of Net income to Adjusted net income (loss) from continuing operations:      
Net income $5,337  $6,662  $20,321 
Income from discontinued operations, net of tax (1,399) (4,579) (32,644)
Income (loss) from continuing operations 3,938  2,083  (12,323)
Adjustment for items:      
Long-lived asset impairment 1,804  5,700   
Restatement related charges 621  408  2,172 
Restructuring and other charges   154  2,308 
Loss on sale of business     111 
Penalties from Brazilian tax programs   (94)  
Interest expense from Brazilian tax programs   (47)  
Tax impact of adjustments (3)   22  (104)
Income tax benefit from Brazilian tax programs   (400)  
Income tax benefit from U.S. and Argentina tax reforms   (8,708)  
Adjusted net income (loss) from continuing operations (4) $6,363  $(882) $(7,836)
       
Diluted income (loss) from continuing operations per common share $0.11  $0.06  $(0.35)
Adjustment for items, after-tax, per diluted common share 0.07  (0.09) 0.13 
Diluted adjusted net income (loss) from continuing operations per common share (4) (5) $0.18  $(0.03) $(0.22)
       
(1) Management evaluates the performance of each of the Company’s segments based on gross margin. Total gross margin, a non-GAAP measure, is included as a supplemental disclosure because it is a primary measure used by our management to evaluate the results of revenue and cost of sales (excluding depreciation and amortization expense), which are key components of our operations. Management believes total gross margin is important supplemental information for investors because it focuses on the current performance of our operations and excludes the impact of the prior historical costs of the assets acquired or constructed that are utilized in those operations, the indirect costs associated with our SG&A activities, the impact of our financing methods, restatement related charges, restructuring and other charges and income taxes. In addition, the inclusion of depreciation and amortization expense may not accurately reflect the costs required to maintain and replenish the operational usage of our assets and therefore may not portray the costs from current operating activity.
 
(2) Management believes EBITDA, as adjusted, is an important measure of operating performance because it allows management, investors and others to evaluate and compare our core operating results from period to period by removing the impact of our capital structure (interest expense from outstanding debt), asset base (depreciation and amortization), our subsidiaries’ capital structure (non-cash gains or losses from foreign currency exchange rate changes on intercompany obligations), tax consequences, impairment charges, restatement related charges, restructuring and other charges, expensed acquisition costs and other items. Management uses EBITDA, as adjusted, as supplemental measures to review current period operating performance, comparability measures and performance measures for period to period comparisons. In addition, the Company's compensation committee has used EBITDA, as adjusted, in evaluating the performance of the Company and management and in evaluating certain components of executive compensation, including performance-based annual incentive programs.
       
(3) The tax impacts of adjustments were based on the Company’s statutory tax rates applicable to each item in the appropriate taxing jurisdictions. Using statutory tax rates for presentation of the non-GAAP measures allows a consistent basis for investors to understand financial performance of the Company across historical periods. The overall effective tax rate on adjustments was impacted by the inability to recognize tax benefits from charges in jurisdictions that are in cumulative-loss positions.
       
(4) Management believes adjusted net income (loss) from continuing operations and diluted adjusted net income (loss) from continuing operations per common share provide useful information to investors because it allows management, investors and others to evaluate and compare our core operating results from period to period by removing the impact of impairment charges, restructuring and other charges, restatement related charges, expensed acquisition costs and other items not appropriately reflective of our core business.
       
(5) Diluted adjusted net income (loss) from continuing operations per common share, was computed using the two-class method to determine the net income (loss) per share for each class of common stock and participating security (restricted stock and certain of our stock settled restricted stock units) according to participation rights in undistributed earnings. Accordingly, we have excluded adjusted net income from continuing operations attributable to participating securities of $0.2 million for the three months ended March 31, 2018 from our calculation of diluted adjusted net income from continuing operations per common share.