Handy & Harman Ltd. Reports Third Quarter Financial Results and Outlook for Full Year

WHITE PLAINS, N.Y.--()--Handy & Harman Ltd. (NASDAQ:HNH); ("HNH" or the "Company"), a diversified global industrial company, today announced operating results for the third quarter and nine months ended September 30, 2015, which are summarized in the following paragraphs. For a full discussion of the results, please see the Company's Form 10-Q, which can be found at www.handyharman.com.

HNH reported net sales of $181.1 million for the quarter, as compared to $164.5 million for the same period in 2014. Income from continuing operations before tax and equity investment was $14.8 million in the third quarter of 2015, as compared to $17.5 million in the 2014 period. Income from continuing operations, net of tax, for the third quarter of 2015 was $4.4 million, or $0.37 per basic and diluted common share, as compared to income of $9.6 million, or $0.77 per basic and diluted common share, for the same period in 2014. Results for the third quarter of 2015 include the operating results from our previously announced acquisition of JPS Industries, Inc. ("JPS"), which was completed on July 2, 2015.

For the nine months ended September 30, 2015, net sales were $485.6 million, as compared to $468.6 million for the same period in 2014. Income from continuing operations before tax and equity investment was $33.1 million, as compared to $36.7 million in the 2014 period. Income from continuing operations, net of tax, for the nine-month period was $14.0 million, or $1.26 per basic and diluted common share, as compared to income of $13.8 million, or $1.07 per basic and diluted common share, for the same period in 2014.

HNH generated Adjusted EBITDA of $27.0 million for the third quarter of 2015, as compared to $22.4 million for the same period in 2014, an increase of $4.6 million, or 20.6%. For the nine-month period, the Company generated Adjusted EBITDA of $60.1 million, as compared to $56.4 million for the same period in 2014, an increase of $3.7 million, or 6.5%. See "Note Regarding Use of Non-GAAP Financial Measurements" below for the definition of Adjusted EBITDA.

Based on current information, the Company currently anticipates full-year 2015 net sales and Adjusted EBITDA in the ranges of $630 million to $662 million, and $75 million to $78 million, respectively.

 

Financial Summary

          Three Months Ended     Nine Months Ended
(in thousands, except per share) September 30, September 30,
2015     2014 2015     2014
Net sales $ 181,139 $ 164,524 $ 485,596 $ 468,557
Gross profit 47,105 45,523 133,659 130,301
Gross profit margin 26.0 % 27.7 % 27.5 % 27.8 %
Operating income 15,969 18,640 36,628 41,579
Income from continuing operations before tax and equity investment 14,816 17,515 33,100 36,693
Tax provision 6,351 6,703 13,862 15,158
Loss from associated company, net of tax 4,047   1,242   5,286   7,783  
Income from continuing operations, net of tax 4,418 9,570 13,952 13,752
Net income from discontinued operations 195   2,290   90,133   8,814  
Net income $ 4,613   $ 11,860   $ 104,085   $ 22,566  
Basic and diluted income per share of common stock
Income from continuing operations, net of tax, per share $ 0.37 $ 0.77 $ 1.26 $ 1.07
Discontinued operations, net of tax, per share 0.02   0.18   8.12   0.69  
Net income per share $ 0.39   $ 0.95   $ 9.38   $ 1.76  
 

Segment Results

 
Income Statement Data           Three Months Ended     Nine Months Ended
(in thousands) September 30, September 30,
2015     2014 2015     2014
Net sales:
Joining Materials $ 45,360 $ 54,621 $ 144,094 $ 162,796
Tubing 19,382 19,768 61,330 61,834
Building Materials 73,475 75,734 207,841 200,568
Performance Materials 28,065 28,065
Kasco 14,857   14,401   44,266   43,359  
Total net sales $ 181,139   $ 164,524   $ 485,596   $ 468,557  
Segment operating income (loss):
Joining Materials $ 4,336 $ 6,147 $ 16,177 $ 18,046
Tubing 3,799 3,224 10,226 10,098
Building Materials 13,685 10,998 28,943 25,924
Performance Materials (2,400 ) (2,400 )
Kasco 1,364   1,082   3,062   2,468  
Total segment operating income 20,784   21,451   56,008   56,536  
Unallocated corporate expenses and non-operating units (3,222 ) (2,254 ) (13,783 ) (12,239 )
Unallocated pension expense (1,761 ) (595 ) (5,906 ) (2,805 )
Gain from asset dispositions 168   38   309   87  
Operating income 15,969   18,640   36,628   41,579  
Interest expense (1,208 ) (2,450 ) (3,483 ) (5,599 )
Realized and unrealized gain on derivatives 168 1,320 273 854
Other (expense) income (113 ) 5   (318 ) (141 )
Income from continuing operations before tax and equity investment $ 14,816   $ 17,515   $ 33,100   $ 36,693  
 

Supplemental Non-GAAP Disclosures

 
Adjusted EBITDA           Three Months Ended     Nine Months Ended
(in thousands) September 30, September 30,
2015     2014 2015     2014
Income from continuing operations, net of tax $ 4,418 $ 9,570 $ 13,952 $ 13,752
Add (Deduct):
Loss from associated company, net of tax 4,047 1,242 5,286 7,783
Tax provision 6,351 6,703 13,862 15,158
Interest expense 1,208 2,450 3,483 5,599
Non-cash derivative and hedge gain on precious metal contracts (168 ) (1,320 ) (273 ) (854 )
Non-cash adjustment to precious metal inventory valued at LIFO 186 2 (240 ) (234 )
Depreciation and amortization 5,897 3,038 12,547 9,724
Non-cash pension expense 1,761 595 5,906 2,805
Non-cash stock-based compensation 663 1,374 2,714 3,773
Amortization of fair value adjustments to acquisition-date inventories 3,347 3,599
Other items, net (744 ) (1,286 ) (752 ) (1,085 )
Adjusted EBITDA $ 26,966   $ 22,368   $ 60,084   $ 56,421  
 

Note Regarding Use of Non-GAAP Financial Measurements

The financial data contained in this press release includes certain non-GAAP financial measurements as defined by the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC"), including "Adjusted EBITDA." The Company is presenting Adjusted EBITDA because it believes that it provides useful information to investors about HNH, its business, and its financial condition. The Company defines Adjusted EBITDA as income or loss from continuing operations before the effects of gains or losses from investment in associated company, realized and unrealized gains or losses on derivatives, interest expense, taxes, depreciation and amortization, LIFO liquidation gains or losses, and non-cash pension expense, and excludes certain non-recurring and non-cash items. The Company believes Adjusted EBITDA is useful to investors because it is one of the measures used by the Company's Board of Directors and management to evaluate its business, including in internal management reporting, budgeting, and forecasting processes, in comparing operating results across the business, as an internal profitability measure, as a component in evaluating the ability and the desirability of making capital expenditures and significant acquisitions, and as an element in determining executive compensation.

However, Adjusted EBITDA is not a measure of financial performance under generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America ("U.S. GAAP"), and the items excluded from Adjusted EBITDA are significant components in understanding and assessing financial performance. Therefore, Adjusted EBITDA should not be considered a substitute for net income or cash flows from operating, investing, or financing activities. Because Adjusted EBITDA is calculated before recurring cash charges, including realized and unrealized losses on derivatives, interest expense, and taxes, and is not adjusted for capital expenditures or other recurring cash requirements of the business, it should not be considered as a measure of discretionary cash available to invest in the growth of the business. There are a number of material limitations to the use of Adjusted EBITDA as an analytical tool, including the following:

  • Adjusted EBITDA does not reflect gains or losses from the Company's investment in associated company;
  • Adjusted EBITDA does not reflect the Company's net realized and unrealized gains and losses on derivatives and any LIFO liquidations of its precious metal inventory;
  • Adjusted EBITDA does not reflect the Company's interest expense;
  • Adjusted EBITDA does not reflect the Company's tax provision or the cash requirements to pay its taxes;
  • Although depreciation and amortization are non-cash expenses in the period recorded, the assets being depreciated and amortized may have to be replaced in the future, and Adjusted EBITDA does not reflect the cash requirements for such replacement;
  • Adjusted EBITDA does not include non-cash charges for pension expense and stock-based compensation;
  • Adjusted EBITDA does not include discontinued operations; and
  • Adjusted EBITDA does not include certain other non-recurring and non-cash items.

The Company compensates for these limitations by relying primarily on its U.S. GAAP financial measures and by using Adjusted EBITDA only as supplemental information. The Company believes that consideration of Adjusted EBITDA, together with a careful review of its U.S. GAAP financial measures, is the most informed method of analyzing HNH.

The Company reconciles Adjusted EBITDA to income or loss from continuing operations, net of tax, and that reconciliation is set forth above. Because Adjusted EBITDA is not a measurement determined in accordance with U.S. GAAP and is susceptible to varying calculations, Adjusted EBITDA, as presented, may not be comparable to other similarly titled measures of other companies. Revenues and expenses are measured in accordance with the policies and procedures described in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2014.

About Handy & Harman Ltd.

Handy & Harman Ltd. is a diversified manufacturer of engineered niche industrial products with leading market positions in many of the markets it serves. Through its wholly-owned operating subsidiaries, HNH focuses on high margin products and innovative technology and serves customers across a wide range of end markets. HNH's diverse product offerings are marketed throughout the United States and internationally.

HNH's companies are organized into five businesses: Joining Materials, Tubing, Building Materials, Performance Materials, and Kasco. The Performance Materials segment is currently comprised solely of the operations of JPS.

The Company sells its products and services through direct sales forces, distributors, and manufacturer's representatives. HNH serves a diverse customer base, including the construction, electrical, electronics, transportation, utility, medical, oil and gas exploration, aerospace and defense, and food industries.

The Company’s business strategy is to enhance the growth and profitability of the HNH business units and to build upon their strengths through internal growth and strategic acquisitions. Management expects HNH to continue to focus on high margin products and innovative technology. Management has evaluated and will continue to evaluate, from time to time, potential strategic and opportunistic acquisition opportunities, as well as the potential sale of certain businesses and assets.

The Company is based in White Plains, N.Y., and its common stock is listed on the NASDAQ Capital Market under the symbol HNH. Website: www.handyharman.com

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains certain "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, that reflect HNH's current expectations and projections about its future results, performance, prospects, and opportunities. HNH has tried to identify these forward-looking statements by using words such as "may," "should," "expect," "hope," "anticipate," "believe," "intend," "plan," "estimate," and similar expressions. These forward-looking statements are based on information currently available to the Company and are subject to a number of risks, uncertainties, and other factors that could cause its actual results, performance, prospects, or opportunities in 2015 and beyond to differ materially from those expressed in, or implied by, these forward-looking statements. These factors include, without limitation, HNH's need for additional financing and the terms and conditions of any financing that is consummated, customers' acceptance of its new and existing products, the risk that the Company will not be able to compete successfully, the possible volatility of the Company's stock price, and the potential fluctuation in its operating results. Although HNH believes that the expectations reflected in these forward-looking statements are reasonable and achievable, such statements involve significant risks and uncertainties, and no assurance can be given that the actual results will be consistent with these forward-looking statements. Investors should read carefully the factors described in the "Risk Factors" section of the Company's filings with the SEC, including the Company's Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2014 and Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended September 30, 2015, for information regarding risk factors that could affect the Company's results. Except as otherwise required by Federal securities laws, HNH undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, changed circumstances, or any other reason.

Contacts

For Handy & Harman Ltd.
James F. McCabe, Jr., 212-520-2300
Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
JMcCabe@steelpartners.com

Contacts

For Handy & Harman Ltd.
James F. McCabe, Jr., 212-520-2300
Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
JMcCabe@steelpartners.com