Graham Corporation Reports Fiscal 2020 First Quarter Results

Graham Corporation (NYSE: GHM), a global business that designs, manufactures and sells critical equipment for the oil refining, petrochemical and defense industries, today reported financial results for its first quarter ended June 30, 2019 ("fiscal 2020”).

Net sales in the first quarter of fiscal 2020 were $20.6 million compared with $29.6 million in the first quarter of the fiscal year ended March 31, 2019 ("fiscal 2019”). Net income in the fiscal 2020 first quarter was $0.1 million, or $0.01 per diluted share. Excluding the loss on the sale and the operating loss of the commercial nuclear utility business, adjusted net income and adjusted EPS, both of which are non-GAAP measures, for the first quarter of fiscal 2020 were $1.0 million, and $0.10, respectively. Net income and earnings per share ("EPS”) in the fiscal 2019 first quarter were $2.3 million and $0.24, respectively. Adjusted net income and adjusted EPS in the first quarter of fiscal 2019, both of which are non-GAAP measures computed on the same basis as the fiscal 2020 non-GAAP measures (i.e. excluding Energy Steel), were $2.7 million and $0.28, respectively. The Company makes important disclosures regarding its use of non-GAAP measures on the following page of this release.

James R. Lines, Graham’s President and Chief Executive Officer, commented, "Our bidding pipeline remains strong and active. We expect an improvement in order activity during the second quarter and, importantly, we anticipate a book-to-bill ratio for the full year that exceeds 1x, which we believe bodes well for our outlook beyond this year.

"Nonetheless, on a near-term basis given project mix coming out of backlog, we anticipate softer profitability in our fiscal 2020 second quarter than our first quarter. However, fiscal 2020 second half revenue and profit are expected to be stronger than the first half, as evidenced by our guidance.”

He added, "We are pleased to have completed the successful divestiture of our commercial nuclear utility business, Energy Steel, during the quarter. We expect that this transaction will be accretive to our margins and earnings going forward.”

First Quarter Fiscal 2020 Sales Summary

(See accompanying financial tables for a breakdown of sales by industry and region)

Consolidated net sales decreased by $9.0 million, primarily due to a $12.3 million reduction in sales to the refining industry, partially offset by $4.1 million of higher sales to the Company’s chemical/petrochemical market.

From a geographic perspective, U.S. sales represented 70% of consolidated sales in the fiscal 2020 first quarter compared with 46% in the first quarter of fiscal 2019. International sales were 30% of consolidated sales in the fiscal 2020 quarter, compared with 54% in the prior-year comparable period. International sales decreased due to the inclusion of revenue from a large refining project in Canada in the fiscal 2019 quarter.

Fluctuations in Graham’s sales among geographic locations and industries can vary measurably from quarter-to-quarter based on the timing and magnitude of projects. Graham does not believe that such quarter-to-quarter fluctuations are indicative of business trends, which it believes are more apparent on a trailing twelve month basis.

First Quarter Fiscal 2020 Operating Performance Review

Refer to pages 9 and 10 of this press release for reconciliations to non-GAAP financial measures.

Graham believes that, when used in conjunction with measures prepared in accordance with GAAP, adjusted operating profit, adjusted operating margin (adjusted operating profit as a percentage of sales), adjusted net income, adjusted diluted EPS, adjusted EBITDA (defined as consolidated net income before net interest income, income taxes, depreciation and amortization, and the operating loss and loss on the sale of the commercial nuclear utility business) and adjusted EBITDA margin (adjusted EBITDA as a percentage of sales), which are non-GAAP measures, help in the understanding of its operating performance. Moreover, Graham’s credit facility also contains ratios based on EBITDA. See the attached tables for additional important disclosures regarding Graham’s use of adjusted operating profit, adjusted operating margin, adjusted net income, adjusted diluted EPS, adjusted EBITDA and adjusted EBITDA margin as well as reconciliations of operating (loss) profit to adjusted operating profit and reconciliations of net income to adjusted net income and adjusted EBITDA.

Given ongoing challenges in the nuclear industry, which challenges we believe are amplified for relatively small market participants, during the fourth quarter of fiscal 2019 the Company decided to divest its commercial nuclear utility business. This business was sold during the first quarter of fiscal 2020. Results of this business during the first quarter of fiscal 2020 as well as the loss on sale, included sales of $1.3 million, an operating loss of $1.1 million and a net loss of $0.9 million. During the first quarter of fiscal 2019, results of this business included sales of $2.9 million, an operating loss of $0.5 million and a net loss of $0.4 million.

Overall, adjusted net income and adjusted EBITDA were unfavorably impacted by lower sales compared with the prior-year first quarter. The measures calculated to exclude Energy Steel are not prepared in accordance with GAAP. The Company makes important disclosures regarding its use of non-GAAP measures above.

First quarter fiscal 2020 gross profit and margin were unfavorably impacted by lower sales. Excluding the commercial nuclear utility business, gross margin was 24% and 26% for the first quarters of fiscal 2020 and fiscal 2019, respectively.

Selling, general and administrative ("SG&A”) expenses were $4.6 million in the first quarters of both fiscal 2020 and 2019. SG&A as a percent of sales was approximately 22% and 16% in the first quarters of fiscal 2020 and fiscal 2019, respectively.

During the first quarters of both fiscal 2020 and fiscal 2019, Graham had an effective tax rate of 23%.

Balance Sheet Remains Strong

Cash, cash equivalents and investments at June 30, 2019 were $72.6 million, down from $77.8 million at March 31, 2019.

Cash used by operations in the first quarter of fiscal 2020 was $4.8 million, compared with nominal cash provided in the prior-year quarter. The decrease was primarily the result of lower net income and the timing of changes in working capital.

Capital expenditures were $0.3 million in the first quarter of fiscal 2020 compared with $0.2 million in the first quarter of fiscal 2019. The Company continues to expect capital expenditures for fiscal 2020 to be between $2.5 million and $2.8 million, the majority of which are expected to be used for productivity enhancements.

Dividend payments were $1.0 million and $0.9 million in the first quarter of fiscal 2020 and fiscal 2019, respectively.

Graham had neither borrowings under its credit facility, nor any long-term debt outstanding, at June 30, 2019.

Backlog and Orders Impacted by Timing

Backlog at the end of the first quarter of fiscal 2020 was $117.2 million, down from the near record level of $132.1 million at the end of the trailing quarter. The decrease includes $9.8 million of backlog for the Company’s commercial nuclear utility business which was sold during the quarter.

The Company believes that its backlog mix by industry highlights the success of its diversification strategy to increase sales to the U.S. Navy. Backlog by industry at June 30, 2019 was approximately:

• 54% for U.S. Navy projects
• 21% for refinery projects
• 21% for chemical/petrochemical projects
• 4% for power projects and other industrial applications

The expected timing for the Company’s backlog to convert to sales is as follows:

• Within next 12 months: 55% to 60%
• Within 12 to 24 months: 10% to 15%
• Beyond 24 months: 25% to 35%

Orders were $15.1 million in the first quarter of fiscal 2020, a decrease of $6.9 million from the prior-year first quarter, impacted by timing. In the fiscal 2020 first quarter, orders from U.S. customers were $11.2 million, or 74% of total orders, and orders from international markets were $3.9 million, or 26%. This compares with 89% from the U.S. and 11% from international markets in the first quarter of fiscal 2019.

Graham expects that the balance between domestic and international orders, as well as orders by industry, will continue to be variable between quarters.

Raising FY 2020 Guidance

Driven by its near-term order outlook, Graham is raising its fiscal 2020 guidance, as follows:

• Revenue anticipated to be between $100 million and $105 million, excluding the divested commercial nuclear utility business. For fiscal 2019, consolidated revenue excluding that business was $83.5 million.
• Gross margin expectations increased to between 24% and 26%
• SG&A expense expected to be between $17 million and $18 million
• Effective tax rate anticipated to be approximately 20%

Mr. Lines concluded, "Despite a weak start to our fiscal year, the activity in our bidding pipeline demonstrates what we believe are ongoing signs of recovery in the energy cycle as well as increased demand in our naval market. Accordingly, we are confident with our increased fiscal 2020 expectation of 20% to 26% revenue growth for our ongoing business. We also continue to be very active in the pursuit of complementary strategic opportunities.”

Webcast and Conference Call

Graham’s management will host a conference call and live webcast today at 11:00 a.m. Eastern Time to review its financial condition and operating results for the first quarter of fiscal 2020, as well as its strategy and outlook. The review will be accompanied by a slide presentation which will be made available immediately prior to the conference call on Graham’s website at www.graham-mfg.com under the heading "Investor Relations.” A question-and-answer session will follow the formal presentation.

Graham’s conference call can be accessed by calling (201) 689-8560. Alternatively, the webcast can be monitored on Graham’s website at www.graham-mfg.com under the heading "Investor Relations.”

A telephonic replay will be available from 2:00 p.m. ET today through Friday, August 2, 2019. To listen to the archived call, dial (412) 317-6671 and enter conference ID number 13691913. A transcript of the call will be placed on Graham’s website, once available.

ABOUT GRAHAM CORPORATION

Graham is a global business that designs, manufactures and sells critical equipment for the energy, defense and chemical/petrochemical industries. Energy markets include oil refining, cogeneration, and alternative power. For the defense industry, the Company’s equipment is used in nuclear propulsion power systems for the U.S. Navy. Graham’s global brand is built upon world-renowned engineering expertise in vacuum and heat transfer technology, responsive and flexible service and unsurpassed quality. Graham designs and manufactures custom-engineered ejectors, vacuum pumping systems, surface condensers and vacuum systems. Graham’s equipment can also be found in other diverse applications such as metal refining, pulp and paper processing, water heating, refrigeration, desalination, food processing, pharmaceutical, heating, ventilating and air conditioning. Graham’s reach spans the globe and its equipment is installed in facilities from North and South America to Europe, Asia, Africa and the Middle East.

Graham routinely posts news and other important information on its website, www.graham-mfg.com, where additional comprehensive information on Graham Corporation and its subsidiaries can be found.

Safe Harbor Regarding Forward Looking Statements

This news release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.

Forward-looking statements are subject to risks, uncertainties and assumptions and are identified by words such as "expects,” "estimates,” "confidence,” "projects,” "typically,” "outlook,” "anticipates,” "believes,” "appears,” "could,” "opportunities,” "seeking,” "plans,” "aim,” "pursuit,” "look towards” and other similar words. All statements addressing operating performance, events, or developments that Graham Corporation expects or anticipates will occur in the future, including but not limited to, expected expansion and growth opportunities within its domestic and international markets, anticipated revenue, the timing of conversion of backlog to sales, market presence, profit margins, tax rates, foreign sales operations, its ability to improve cost competitiveness, customer preferences, changes in market conditions in the industries in which it operates, the effect on its business of volatility in commodities prices, changes in general economic conditions and customer behavior, forecasts regarding the timing and scope of the economic recovery in its markets, its acquisition and growth strategy and its operations in China and other international locations, are forward-looking statements. Because they are forward-looking, they should be evaluated in light of important risk factors and uncertainties. These risk factors and uncertainties are more fully described in Graham Corporation’s most recent Annual Report filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, included under the heading entitled "Risk Factors.”

Should one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize, or should any of Graham Corporation’s underlying assumptions prove incorrect, actual results may vary materially from those currently anticipated. In addition, undue reliance should not be placed on Graham Corporation’s forward-looking statements. Except as required by law, Graham Corporation disclaims any obligation to update or publicly announce any revisions to any of the forward-looking statements contained in this news release.

FINANCIAL TABLES FOLLOW.

Non-GAAP Financial Measure:

Adjusted net income is defined as GAAP net income excluding the operating loss and loss on the sale of the commercial nuclear utility business. Adjusted net income is not a measure determined in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States, commonly known as GAAP. Nevertheless, Graham believes that providing non-GAAP information such as adjusted net income is important for investors and other readers of Graham's financial statements, as it is used as an analytical indicator by Graham's management to better understand operating performance. Because adjusted net income is a non-GAAP measure and is thus susceptible to varying calculations, adjusted net income, as presented, may not be directly comparable to other similarly titled measures used by other companies.

Non-GAAP Financial Measure:

Adjusted operating profit is defined as consolidated operating profit before the operating loss and loss on the sale of the commercial nuclear utility business. Adjusted operating margin is Adjusted operating profit divided by sales. Adjusted operating profit and Adjusted operating margin are not measures determined in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States, commonly known as GAAP. Nevertheless, Graham believes that providing non-GAAP information such as Adjusted operating profit and Adjusted operating margin are important for investors and other readers of Graham's financial statements, as they are used as analytical indicators by Graham's management to better understand operating performance. Because Adjusted operating profit and Adjusted operating margin are non-GAAP measures and are thus susceptible to varying calculations, Adjusted operating profit and Adjusted operating margin, as presented, may not be directly comparable to other similarly titled measures used by other companies.

Non-GAAP Financial Measure:

Adjusted EBITDA is defined as consolidated net income before interest expense and income, income taxes, depreciation and amortization, and the operating loss and loss on the sale of the commercial nuclear utility business. Adjusted EBITDA margin is adjusted EBITDA divided by sales. Adjusted EBITDA and adjusted EBITDA margin are not measures determined in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States, commonly known as GAAP. Nevertheless, Graham believes that providing non-GAAP information such as adjusted EBITDA and adjusted EBITDA margin are important for investors and other readers of Graham's financial statements, as they are used as analytical indicators by Graham's management to better understand operating performance. Graham’s credit facility also contains ratios based on EBITDA. Because adjusted EBITDA and adjusted EBITDA margin are non-GAAP measures and are thus susceptible to varying calculations, adjusted EBITDA and adjusted EBITDA margin, as presented, may not be directly comparable to other similarly titled measures used by other companies.

Graham Corporation
First Quarter Fiscal 2020
Additional Information - Unaudited

Graham Corporation
First Quarter Fiscal 2020
Additional Information - Unaudited
(Continued)

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20190726005021/en/