Operating income was $2.7 million for the quarter versus $0.6 million last year

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 2018 first quarter, ended June 30, 2017.

Quarter Ended June 30, 2017 Versus Quarter Ended June 30, 2016 Financial Results

• Freight and related revenue generated from Company-operated vessels (which excludes fuel and other surcharges) decreased $2.8 million, or 8.5%, to $30.3 million compared to $33.1 million during the prior year period.
• Total Sailing Days were 1,005 compared to 969 in the prior year period. 
• Delay Days increased to 101 from 61. Weather and vessel delays accounted for the majority of the increase. Delay Days as a percentage of total Sailing Days was 10.0% compared to 6.3% in the same period last year.
• Freight and related revenue per Sailing Day decreased $4,035, or 11.8%, to $30,129 compared to $34,164 during the prior year period.
• Vessel operating expenses increased $0.1 million, or 0.8%, to approximately $18.9 million compared to $18.8 million during the prior year period. Vessel operating expenses per Sailing Day decreased $554, or 2.8%, to $18,891 from $19,445. 
• Vessel margin per day decreased $1,855 from $14,438 last year to $12,582 this year.
• Adjusted EBITDA, before lender fees, decreased $1.0 million to $10.2 million, from $11.2 million during the prior year period.  A reconciliation of operating income to Adjusted EBITDA is attached to this release.

Management Comments

“Our results for the first quarter were consistent with our expectations,” commented Ed Levy, President and Chief Executive Officer of Rand. “Our Canadian flagged vessels experienced a 15.8% quarter over quarter increase in Sailing Days. Compared to the same quarter last year, in local currency, our Canadian fleet experienced a 17% increase in vessel margin primarily due to the increase in Sailing Days. Vessel margin per day increased by approximately 1%. In US dollars, vessel margin per day from our Canadian flagged vessels decreased by 3%.  We experienced a 15.6% decrease in US flagged vessel Sailing Days on a comparable quarter basis, which along with increased vessel delays resulted in a decline in vessel margin. As previously disclosed, planned vessel life extension projects completed after April 1, 2017 on certain of our US flagged self-unloading vessels resulted in a delayed start to the sailing season. These vessel projects are expected to extend the useful life of the fleet. We were pleased with our operating performance once the entire fleet was deployed. Specifically, May and June 2017 EBITDA, before one-time financing charges, increased by approximately 9% versus the same period last year.”

Mr. Levy continued, “Demand for our services is improved versus this time last year, and our contractual revenue backlog for the remainder of the sailing season is strong. We expect to sail 14 of our 15 vessels for the remainder of the season. Based on our improved scheduling technology, we have been able to add approximately 18% of additional spot business, boosting our percent of time in revenue loaded condition. We are also encouraged by the nearly 5.4% increase in the value of the Canadian dollar versus the US dollar since the start of our fiscal year. Each $0.01 increase in the value of the Canadian dollar versus the US dollar results in an approximately $275,000 increase in our US dollar reported EBITDA.”

Mr. Levy concluded, “The Company with the help of its advisors remains actively engaged in discussions regarding a recapitalization transaction. There is no assurance that such a transaction will occur.”

Conference Call

Management will host a conference call to discuss the results at 8:30 a.m. EDT on Tuesday, August 15, 2017. Interested parties may participate in the conference call by dialing 1-888-438-5524 (1-719-325-2161 for international callers) and using Conference ID# 4391719.  The conference call will be webcast simultaneously on the Rand Logistics, Inc. website at www.randlogisticsinc.com/presentations.html.

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 September 15, 2017 by dialing 1-844-512-2921 (1-412-317-6671 for international callers), and using Conference ID# 4391719.   

Non-GAAP Financial Measures/Financial TablesThis press release contains certain non-GAAP financial measures. Reconciliations of these and other non-GAAP measures to the comparable GAAP measures are included in the attached financial tables.

Forward-Looking StatementsThis 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 regain or remain in compliance with its debt covenants and consummate a recapitalization transaction, acquisition and divestiture opportunities, 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 our debt covenants, including our ability to consummate a recapitalization transaction; 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 July 6, 2017 and in Rand’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on August 14, 2017.

About Rand LogisticsRand 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.

― 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
			June 30, 2017		June 30, 2016
REVENUE
	Freight and related revenue	$	30,280		33,105
	Fuel and other surcharges		2,062		712
TOTAL REVENUE			32,342		33,817
EXPENSES
	Vessel operating expenses		18,985		18,842
	Repairs and maintenance		712		985
	General and administrative		4,703		3,875
	Depreciation		5,334		5,298
	Amortization of drydock costs		758		853
	Amortization of intangibles		246		253
	(Gain) on foreign exchange, net		(1,081	)	(1,123	)
	Restructuring charges		—		2,375
	Impairment charges on retired asset		—		1,872
TOTAL EXPENSES			29,657		33,230
OPERATING INCOME			2,685		587
OTHER (INCOME) AND EXPENSES
	Interest expense		8,007		3,620
	Interest and other income		—		(2	)
Total Other Income and Expenses			8,007		3,618
LOSS BEFORE INCOME TAXES			(5,322	)	(3,031	)
RECOVERY  FOR INCOME TAXES
	Deferred		(209	)	(449	)
Recovery of  Income Taxes			(209	)	(449	)
NET LOSS BEFORE PREFERRED STOCK DIVIDENDS			(5,113	)	(2,582	)
PREFERRED STOCK DIVIDENDS			470		386
LOSS APPLICABLE TO COMMON STOCKHOLDERS		$	(5,583	)	(2,968	)
Net loss  income per share basic and diluted		$	(0.30	)	(0.16	)
Weighted average shares basic and diluted			18,527,475		18,320,051

 

RAND LOGISTICS, INC.
Consolidated Balance Sheets (Unaudited)
(U.S. Dollars 000’s except for Shares and Per Share data)
			June 30, 2017			March 31, 2017
ASSETS
CURRENT
	Cash and cash equivalents	$	1,036		$	335
	Accounts receivable, net		15,729			4,101
	Income taxes receivable		46			46
	Prepaid expenses and other current assets		6,696			6,209
Total current assets			23,507			10,691
PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT, NET			222,838			214,046
OTHER ASSETS			29			41
DEFERRED DRYDOCK COSTS, NET			11,607			8,802
INTANGIBLE ASSETS, NET			4,647			4,827
GOODWILL			10,193			10,193
Total assets		$	272,821		$	248,600
LIABILITIES
CURRENT
	Accounts payable		11,841			9,070
	Accrued liabilities		13,223			15,220
	Other current liability		412			404
	Long term debt, classified as current		143,756			119,702
	Subordinated debt, classified as current		85,632			80,577
Total current liabilities			254,864			224,973
DEFERRED INCOME TAXES			4,283			4,367
Total liabilities			259,147			229,340
COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
	Preferred stock, $.0001 par value,
	Authorized 1,000,000 shares, Issued and outstanding 295,480 shares atJune 30, 2017 and at March 31, 2017		14,674			14,674
	Common stock, $.0001 par value,
	Authorized 50,000,000 shares, Issuable and outstanding 18,633,149shares at June 30, 2017 and March 31, 2017		1			1
	Additional paid-in capital		91,357			91,348
	Accumulated deficit		(81,991	)		(76,408	)
	Accumulated other comprehensive loss		(10,367	)		(10,355	)
Total stockholders’ equity			13,674			19,260
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity		$	272,821		$	248,600

 

FX Impact Summary
RAND LOGISTICS, INC
Non-GAAP Financial Measures / Financial Tables		FY2018 - Q1
(U.S. Dollars 000's except for Shares and Per Share data)
		FY2017 Actual		FY2016Actual		Increase/(Decrease)				FX Impact(Unfavorable)/Favorable		Constant CurrencyIncrease/(Decrease) 1
						Change $		Change %		Change $		Change $		Change %
Average Fx Rate			0.744		0.776
Sailing Days			1,005		969		36	3.7	%
Financial Highlights (US$ '000s)
Freight and Related Revenue		$30,280		$33,105		-$2,825		-8.5	%	-$809		-$2,016		-6.1	%
Fuel and Other Surcharges		$2,062		$712		$1,350		189.5	%	-$109		$1,459		204.9	%
Total Revenue		$32,342		$33,817		-$1,475		-4.4	%	-$918		-$557		-1.6	%
Total Operation Expenses		$18,985		$18,842		$142		0.8	%	-$538		$680		3.6	%
Vessel Margin		$12,645		$13,990		-$1,345		-9.6	%	-$368		-$977		-7.0	%
General & Admin Expense		$4,702		$3,875		$828		21.4	%	-$52		$880		22.7	%
Gain on foreign exchange		-$1,081		-$1,123		$42		-3.7	%	$24		$18		-1.6	%
Adjusted EBITDA after gain on foreign exchange & before Lender and Legal Fees		$10,174		$11,238		-$1,064		-9.5	%	$810		-$1,874		-16.7	%
Per Day Statistics
Marine Freight Revenue/Day		$30,129		$34,164		-$4,035		-11.8	%	-$805		-$3,230		-9.5	%
Total Revenue/Day		$32,181		$34,899		-$2,718		-7.8	%	-$914		-$1,805		-5.2	%
Vessel Margin/Day		$12,582		$14,438		-$1,855		-12.9	%	-$366		-$1,489		-10.3	%
Non-GAAP Reconciliation (US$ '000s)
Vessel margin		$12,645		$13,990
General & Admin Expense		$4,702		$3,875
Adjusted EBITDA 3		$7,943		$10,115
Gain on foreign exchange 2		-$1,081		-$1,123
Lender & Legal Fees		$1,150		$0
Adjusted EBITDA after gain on foreign exchange & before Lender and Legal Fees		$10,174		$11,238
Impairment Charges on Assets held for Sale		$0		$1,872
Restructuring Charges		$0		$2,375
Lender & Legal Fees		$1,150		$0
Depreciation, Amortization of Dry-dock & Intangibles		$6,339		$6,404
Operating Income		$2,685		$588
Note:
1. The constant currency information presented is calculated by translating current period results using prior period foreign currency exchange rates.
2. Gain on foreign exchange during the three month period ended June 30, 2017 includes a non-cash loss on translation of approximately $43.7 million USD denominated debt incurred in March 2014 and carried on thebalance sheet of the Canadian subsidiary.
3. Adjusted EBITDA is defined as operating income plus depreciation, amortization of drydock costs, amortization of intangibles, gain on foreign exchange, restructuring charges and impairment charges on retiredvessel.

 

CONTACT:  
            
Rand Logistics, Inc.                                                             

Annemarie Dobler, Corporate Communications Director
(212) 863-9429
annemarie.dobler@randlog.com