Yahoo Finance 
Macro Enterprises Inc. Announces 2015 First Quarter Results
FORT ST. JOHN, BRITISH COLUMBIA--(Marketwired - May 25, 2015) - Macro Enterprises Inc. (TSX VENTURE:MCR) -
Summary of financial results | ||||
Three months ended March 31 | ||||
2015 | 2014 | |||
(unaudited) | (unaudited) | |||
Revenues | $ | 30,238 | $ | 87,779 |
EBITDA(1) | 4,069 | 5,104 | ||
Net earnings | 1,430 | 2,153 | ||
Net earnings per share | $ | 0.05 | $ | 0.07 |
Weighted average common shares outstanding (thousands) - basic | 30,189 | 29,944 | ||
Note 1 - References to EBITDA are to net income from continuing operations before interest, taxes, amortization and impairment charge. EBITDA is not an earnings measure recognized by International Financial Reporting Standards ("IFRS") and does not have a standardized meaning prescribed by IFRS. Management believes that EBITDA is an appropriate measure in evaluating the Company's performance. Readers are cautioned that EBITDA should not be construed as an alternative to net income (as determined under IFRS) as an indicator of financial performance or to cash flow from operating activities (as determined under IFRS) as a measure of liquidity and cash flow. The Company's method of calculating EBITDA may differ from the methods used by other issuers and, accordingly, the Company's EBITDA may not be comparable to similar measures used by other issuers.
Highlights
The Company is reporting its fifteenth consecutive profitable quarter with a net income of $1.4 million and an EBITDA of $4.1 million despite depressed market conditions
The Company continues to build on and maintains a strong working capital position of $47.7 million as at March 31, 2015 as a result of positive operating results and prudent capital management
The Company is reporting shareholders' equity of $87.7 million or $2.89 per share based on common shares issued and outstanding as at March 31, 2015
Subsequent to quarter end the Company entered into a commitment letter for $115 million in new senior secured credit facilities with an option to increase the revolving facility by up to $20 million, bringing the total credit facilities to a maximum of $135 million
First quarter results
Three months ended March 31, 2015 vs. three months ended March 31, 2014
Macro Enterprises Inc. posted consolidated revenue of $30.2 million, a significant decrease over last year's first quarter record revenue results of $87.8 million. The significant decline in work performed during the quarter was expected due to depressed market conditions and weak commodity prices that resulted in a slowdown in industry activity and overall reduced or deferred capital spending. Revenue during the period ended March 31, 2015 consisted primarily of recurring integrity and maintenance work from its existing clients under master service agreements. In addition, the Company worked on a pipeline construction project with a former client in anticipation of entering into a new long term services arrangement. In prior year's first quarter, the Company worked on two material big inch pipeline projects near Fort McMurray, Alberta along with a higher than normal volume of maintenance and integrity work.
Operating expenses were 78.0% of revenue in the quarter compared to 91.4% in the same quarter last year. Operating expenses remained in-line with historical averages and were comparable to margins achieved in the second half of fiscal 2015. The Company has been successful at maintaining its operating margins thru safe, timely and efficient execution of work and will continue to tightly monitor all operating costs under its control in an effort to remain competitive during this period of depressed market conditions. Margins in prior year's first quarter were negatively impacted by unanticipated problems and higher than expected costs from a strategically bid large big pipeline project.
General and administrative expenses were $2.3 million, down $164,000 from the $2.5 million recorded prior year. The Company's general and administrative expenditures reflects costs incurred in connection with the bid processes, professional fees, corporate wages, burdens and various other overheads, including rents, insurance, travel and administrative supplies that are not charged directly to projects. Despite temporarily depressed market conditions, the Company will continue to invest in business development and strategic initiatives and anticipates its general and administrative costs to remain consistent going forward.
Depreciation of property, plant and equipment was $1.9 million and comparable to prior year's first quarter. Depreciation is calculated at various declining balance methods across the Company's multiple categories of property, plant and equipment and is used in guiding the annual capital expenditure estimates. Residual values, methods of amortization and useful lives of the assets are reviewed annually and adjusted if appropriate.
During the first quarter the Company recognized non-cash stock-based compensation charges of $301,000 relating to options granted prior year. The company anticipates recognizing an additional $1.0 million in stock-based compensation pertaining to the 2014 option grant over the next 5 quarters.
Finance costs of were down $76,000 from prior year's first quarter to $141,000. The decrease in finance costs were a result of lower levels of debt and better terms and conditions being realised.
Income tax expense in the quarter of $0.6 million was at an effective rate of 29.6% which is higher than the enacted tax rates of 26% after appropriate deductions. The increase over the enacted tax rates relates to both permanent and timing differences being recognized during the quarter.
Net income in the quarter was $1.4 million ($0.05 per share) compared to $2.2 million ($0.07 per share) recognized during the three months ended March 31, 2014. The decrease in net income was a result of significantly reduced levels of work activity offset by a material improvement to operating margins over prior year's first quarter. Results for the first quarter of 2015 were further impacted by a non-cash stock-based compensation charge recognized during the period.
Subsequent Event
On May 25, 2015, the Company announced that it had entered into a commitment letter with The Toronto-Dominion Bank ("TD Bank") for the provision of $115 million in new senior secured credit facilities. TD Bank has committed to structure, arrange and provide a portion of new credit facilities comprising a $65 million three-year revolving credit facility, of which up to $30 million will be provided by TD Bank, and a $50 million letter of credit facility.
TD Bank has committed to use commercially reasonable efforts, but without any obligation, to arrange a syndicate of lenders to provide the balance of the credit facilities. TD Bank will act as lead arranger, book runner and administrative agent. Its commitment is subject to customary terms and conditions, including the condition that the balance of the facilities are provided by the other participants in the syndicate.
After closing, the Company will have the right, subject to customary conditions, to increase the amount of the revolving facility by up to $20 million, bringing the total credit facilities to a maximum of $135 million, by securing increased commitments from one or more of the initial lenders or by securing one or more new lenders.
The Company's obligations under the new credit facilities will be secured by a first priority ranking security interest in all property and assets of the Company and of its material subsidiaries.
Outlook
As a result of the significant decline with commodity prices as experienced during the second half of fiscal 2014 and throughout the start of 2015, activity levels in the oil and gas industry have been materially impacted across Western Canada. Although the pricing uncertainty is affecting activity and many projects have been delayed, large oil and gas companies are continuing to request bids on significant projects, both LNG-related and not. With a solid balance sheet, strong liquidity and its industry leading health, safety and environmental practices, the Company is in excellent financial shape to address these uncertain times.
Macro will remain geographically focused and disciplined ensuring financial resilience. The Company will maintain its focus on working with blue chip pipeline owners and operators to carry out their construction and maintenance programs. However, primarily as a result of depressed market conditions and client project scheduling delays, the Company is anticipating revenues in the first half of fiscal 2015 to be significantly less than those recorded in the first half of fiscal 2014. Revenue for the second quarter should be relatively close to what was achieved during the three months ended March 31, 2015. This is less than the Company's previous revenue guidance.
As part of its overall strategy, the Company is seeking out pipeline and facilities construction contracts in connection with the Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) projects being planned on the west coast of British Columbia, an industry that is anticipated to bring substantial economic activity to British Columbia over the next 30 years. Macro has completed bid processes and has entered into discussions with the LNG project owners regarding future pipeline and facilities construction.
Macro has also been approached by a number of its clients to assist with budget and constructability estimates, on fee based recovery arrangements, for major pipeline and facility projects that are not LNG related. These projects are scheduled for approvals by mid to late 2015.
Macro's core business is providing pipeline and facilities construction and maintenance services to major companies in the oil and gas industry. The Company is based in Fort St. John, B.C. Its shares are listed on the TSX Venture Exchange under the symbol MCR. Information on the Company's principal operating unit, Macro Industries Inc., can be found at www.macroindustries.ca.
Conference call
The Company will host a conference call at 8 am PDT on Tuesday, May 26, 2015 to discuss the 2015 first quarter results. The conference call can be accessed by dialing 1-888-390-0546 and referencing conference ID 41931781.
Forward-Looking Statements
Certain statements in this news release regarding the expected terms, closing and intended use of the new credit facilities may include forward-looking information that involves various risks and uncertainties. These risks and uncertainties include the risk that by reason of oil prices, global economic conditions, government regulation of energy and resource companies, weather patterns, terrorist activity, the price and availability of alternative fuels, the availability of pipeline capacity, potential instability or armed conflict in oil-producing regions, material changes in the Company's affairs, the results of due diligence investigations or other circumstances leading to a lack of appetite for the provision of the credit facilities on the part of the prospective lenders, the announced credit facilities are reduced in scope or are not advanced. They also include the risk that the Company is not the successful bidder or is otherwise not able to realize on potential growth opportunities identified by it. These risks and uncertainties may cause actual results to differ from information contained herein, and there can be no assurance that such forward-looking statements will prove to be accurate. These statements are based on the commitment letter in place and the expectations of management on the dates they are made and are expressly qualified in their entirety by this notice. Except as required by law, the Company assumes no obligation to update forward-looking statements should circumstances or management's expectations change.
Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.
