KEX Kirby Corporation

- 2007 second quarter earnings per share were $.56, a 27% increase compared with $.44 earned in the 2006 second quarter HOUSTON, July 25 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Kirby Corporation ("Kirby") (NYSE:KEX) today announced record net earnings for the second quarter ended June 30, 2007 of $30,137,000, or $.56 per share, compared with net earnings of $23,643,000, or $.44 per share, for the 2006 second quarter. Kirby's published earnings guidance range for the 2007 second quarter was $.48 to $.53 per share. Consolidated revenues for the 2007 second quarter were a record $288,008,000, an increase of 18% over $243,292,000 reported for the 2006 second quarter. Kirby reported record net earnings for the 2007 first six months of $54,559,000, or $1.02 per share, compared with $46,154,000, or $.87 per share, for the first six months of 2006. Consolidated revenues for the 2007 first six months were a record $562,219,000, a 20% increase compared with $468,195,000 for the first half of 2006. Marine transportation revenues and operating income for the 2007 second quarter increased 13% and 25%, respectively, compared with the second quarter of 2006. For the first six months of 2007, marine transportation revenues and operating income increased 12% and 18%, respectively, compared with the 2006 first six months. The higher results for both periods reflected continued strong petrochemical and black oil demand, fleet efficiency resulting from operating additional towboats, improvements in the current shortage of vessel personnel, and higher rates on contract renewals and spot market pricing. The 2007 second quarter also benefited from stronger seasonal agricultural chemical volumes. The marine transportation operating margin was a record 21.0% for 2007 second quarter compared with 18.9% for the 2006 second quarter. The diesel engine services revenues and operating income for the 2007 second quarter increased 49% and 59%, respectively, compared with the 2006 second quarter. For the first six months of 2007, diesel engine services revenues and operating income increased 65% compared with the 2006 first half. The results for both 2007 periods reflected the accretive acquisitions of Global Power Holding Company on June 7, 2006 and Marine Engine Specialists, Inc. on July 21, 2006, both high-speed diesel engine service providers. The medium-speed diesel engine sector reflected its normal seasonal softness during the 2007 second quarter compared with the 2007 first quarter, which benefited from seasonal winter work for Midwest and Great Lakes marine customers; however, in-house and in-field service activity and direct parts sales remained brisk. The high-speed sector also remained strong during the 2007 second quarter, with the activity in the Gulf Coast oil service industry returning to lower but more normal levels. Both the medium and high-speed sectors benefited from continued high labor utilization, and higher service rates and parts pricing implemented during 2006 and in the 2007 first half. The diesel engine services operating margin for the 2007 second quarter was 16.0% compared with 15.0% for the 2006 second quarter. On July 20, 2007, Kirby purchased substantially all of the assets of Saunders Engine and Equipment Company, Inc. ("Saunders") for approximately $13.2 million in cash. Saunders, a Gulf Coast high-speed diesel engine services provider, operated factory-authorized full service marine dealerships for Cummins and Detroit Diesel engines, and served as an authorized marine dealer for Caterpillar engines in Alabama. Financing of the acquisition was through Kirby's $250 million revolving credit facility. Joe Pyne, Kirby's President and Chief Executive Officer, commented, "Both our marine transportation and diesel engine services business fundamentals remained very strong in the 2007 first half. Our inland marine transportation segment remains essentially fully utilized, volumes remain strong, pricing continues to trend upward and we have made slow but steady progress in alleviating our towboat and vessel personnel shortage issues." Commenting on the 2007 third quarter market conditions and guidance, Mr. Pyne said, "We expect our marine transportation business levels to remain strong and anticipate contract and spot market rate increases consistent with the 2007 first half. We also expect our diesel engine services segment to remain strong, but we anticipate a summer slowdown that is typical for this segment. For the 2007 third quarter, our guidance is $.53 to $.58 per share, reflecting a 10% to 21% increase compared with $.48 per share reported for the 2006 third quarter. For the 2007 year, we are increasing our guidance to $2.05 to $2.15 per share, reflecting a 15% to 20% increase over the 2006 net earnings of $1.79 per share. We have increased our capital spending guidance for 2007 to $150 to $160 million, which includes approximately $75 million for the construction of 30 tank barges and seven towboats. Delivery is scheduled throughout 2007 and into early 2008." This earnings press release includes marine transportation performance measures for both the 2007 and 2006 second quarters and first six months. The performance measures include ton miles, revenue per ton mile, towboats operated and delay days. Comparable performance measures for the 2006 and 2005 years and quarters are available at Kirby's web site under the caption Performance Measurements in the Investor Relations section. Kirby's homepage can be accessed by visiting http://www.kirbycorp.com/. A conference call is scheduled at 10:00 a.m. central time tomorrow, Thursday, July 26, 2007, to discuss the 2007 second quarter and first six months, and the outlook for the 2007 third quarter and year. The conference call number is 888-328-2514 for domestic callers and 706-679-3262 for international callers. The leader's name is Steve Holcomb. An audio playback will be available at approximately 1:00 p.m. central time on Thursday, July 26, through 6:00 p.m. central time on Friday, August 24, 2007, by dialing 800-642-1687 for domestic callers and 706-645-9291 for international callers. The conference ID number is 7173233. The conference call can also be accessed by visiting Kirby's homepage at http://www.kirbycorp.com/ or at http://audioevent.mshow.com/334349/. A replay will be available on each of those web sites following the conference call. The financial and other information to be discussed in the conference call is available in this press release and in a Form 8-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. This press release and the Form 8-K include a non-GAAP financial measure, EBITDA, which Kirby defines as net earnings before interest expense, taxes on income, depreciation and amortization. A reconciliation of EBITDA for the 2007 and 2006 second quarters and first six months with GAAP net earnings for the same periods is included in the Condensed Consolidated Financial Information in this press release. Kirby Corporation, based in Houston, Texas, operates inland tank barges and towing vessels, transporting petrochemicals, black oil products, refined petroleum products and agricultural chemicals throughout the United States inland waterway system. Kirby also owns and operates four ocean-going barge and tug units transporting dry-bulk commodities in United States coastwise trade. Through the diesel engine services segment, Kirby provides after- market service for medium-speed and high-speed diesel engines and reduction gears used in marine, power generation and railroad applications. Statements contained in this press release with respect to the future are forward-looking statements. These statements reflect management's reasonable judgment with respect to future events. Forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties. Actual results could differ materially from those anticipated as a result of various factors, including cyclical or other downturns in demand, significant pricing competition, unanticipated additions to industry capacity, changes in the Jones Act or in U.S. maritime policy and practice, fuel costs, interest rates, weather conditions, and timing, magnitude and number of acquisitions made by Kirby. Forward-looking statements are based on currently available information and Kirby assumes no obligation to update any such statements. A list of additional risk factors can be found in Kirby's annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2006 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. CONFERENCE CALL INFORMATION Date: Thursday, July 26, 2007 Leader: Steve Holcomb Time: 10:00 a.m. central time Conf. ID: 7173233 U.S.: 888-328-2514 Int'l: 706-679-3262 Website: http://www.kirbycorp.com/ or http://audioevent.mshow.com/334349/ A summary of the results for the second quarter and first six months follows: CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF EARNINGS Second Quarter Six Months 2007 2006(1) 2007 2006(1) (unaudited, $ in thousands except per share amounts) Revenues: Marine transportation $229,745 $204,088 $438,810 $393,471 Diesel engine services 58,263 39,204 123,409 74,724 288,008 243,292 562,219 468,195 Costs and expenses: Costs of sales and operating expenses 180,608 157,094 356,207 301,584 Selling, general and administrative 29,468 26,518 59,974 50,279 Taxes, other than on income 3,255 3,403 6,389 6,590 Depreciation and amortization 20,280 15,515 39,867 30,605 Loss (gain) on disposition of assets 62 (785) 561 (942) 233,673 201,745 462,998 388,116 Operating income 54,335 41,547 99,221 80,079 Equity in earnings of marine affiliates 105 87 203 553 Other expense (160) (134) (408) (68) Interest expense (5,436) (3,304) (10,590) (6,002) Earnings before taxes on income 48,844 38,196 88,426 74,562 Provision for taxes on income (18,707) (14,553) (33,867) (28,408) Net earnings $30,137 $23,643 $54,559 $46,154 Net earnings per share of common stock: Basic $.57 $.45 $1.03 $.88 Diluted $.56 $.44 $1.02 $.87 Common stock outstanding (in thousands): Basic 52,849 52,450 52,802 52,268 Diluted 53,731 53,411 53,662 53,208 CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL INFORMATION Second Quarter Six Months 2007 2006(1) 2007 2006 (1) (unaudited, $ in thousands except per share amounts) EBITDA: (2) Net earnings $30,137 $23,643 $54,559 $46,154 Interest expense 5,436 3,304 10,590 6,002 Provision for taxes on income 18,707 14,553 33,867 28,408 Depreciation and amortization 20,280 15,515 39,867 30,605 $74,560 $57,015 $138,883 $111,169 Capital expenditures $41,923 $42,760 $95,572 $64,386 Acquisitions of businesses and marine equipment $2,075 $100,533 $49,392 $116,773 June 30, 2007 2006 (unaudited, $ in thousands) Long-term debt, including current portion $383,653 $285,434 Stockholders' equity $695,521 $606,288 Debt to capitalization ratio 35.6% 32.0% MARINE TRANSPORTATION STATEMENTS OF EARNINGS Second Quarter Six Months 2007 2006 (1) 2007 2006(1) (unaudited, $ in thousands) Marine transportation revenues $229,745 $204,088 $438,810 $393,471 Costs and expenses: Costs of sales and operating expenses 139,237 129,006 268,067 248,089 Selling, general and 20,391 18,777 40,871 36,939 administrative Taxes, other than on income 3,003 3,133 5,881 6,144 Depreciation and amortization 18,945 14,673 37,261 28,971 181,576 165,589 352,080 320,143 Operating income $48,169 $38,499 $86,730 $73,328 Operating margins 21.0% 18.9% 19.8% 18.6% DIESEL ENGINE SERVICES STATEMENTS OF EARNINGS Second Quarter Six Months 2007 2006 2007 2006 (unaudited, $ in thousands) Diesel engine services revenues $58,263 $39,204 $123,409 $74,724 Costs and expenses: Costs of sales and operating expenses 41,371 28,078 88,140 53,485 Selling, general and administrative 6,412 4,640 13,722 8,562 Taxes, other than income 191 136 435 223 Depreciation and amortization 965 475 1,891 814 48,939 33,329 104,188 63,084 Operating income $9,324 $5,875 $19,221 $11,640 Operating margins 16.0% 15.0% 15.6% 15.6% OTHER COSTS AND EXPENSES Second Quarter Six Months 2007 2006 2007 2006 (unaudited, $ in thousands) General corporate expenses $3,096 $3,612 $6,169 $5,831 Loss (gain) on disposition of assets $62 $(785) $561 $(942) MARINE TRANSPORTATION PERFORMANCE MEASUREMENTS Second Quarter Six Months 2007 2006 2007 2006 Ton Miles (in millions)(3) 4,380 4,096 8,157 7,891 Revenue/Ton Mile (cents/tm)(4) 5.0 4.7 5.1 4.8 Towboats operated (average)(5) 252 241 250 240 Delay Days (6)(5) 1,802 1,378 4,402 3,849 Average cost per gallon of fuel consumed $1.95 $1.99 $1.83 $1.92 Tank barges: Active 915 897 Inactive 50 62 Barrel capacities (in millions): Active 17.4 16.7 Inactive .9 1.2 (1) In the 2007 first quarter, Kirby adopted Financial Accounting Standards Board Staff Position No. AUG AIR-1, "Accounting for Planned Major Maintenance Activities." The guidance prohibits the use of the accrue-in-advance method of accounting for planned major maintenance activities in interim and annual financial reporting periods because an obligation has not occurred and therefore a liability should not be recognized. The adoption resulted in the recast of Kirby's prior years' quarterly results, reducing the 2006 first quarter net earnings by $69,000, increasing the 2006 second quarter by $310,000 and increasing the 2006 first six months by $241,000. The recast reduced the 2006 first quarter diluted earnings per share by $.01 to $.42, had no impact on the 2006 second quarter diluted earnings per share and increased the 2006 first six months diluted earning per share by $.01 to $.87. The adoption had no impact on Kirby's annual financial statements. (2) Kirby has historically evaluated its operating performance using numerous measures, one of which is EBITDA, a non-GAAP financial measure. Kirby defines EBITDA as net earnings before interest expense, taxes on income, depreciation and amortization. EBITDA is presented because of its wide acceptance as a financial indicator. EBITDA is one of the performance measures used in Kirby's incentive bonus plan. EBITDA is also used by rating agencies in determining Kirby's credit rating and by analysts publishing research reports on Kirby, as well as by investors and investment bankers generally in valuing companies. EBITDA is not a calculation based on generally accepted accounting principles and should not be considered as an alternative to, but should only be considered in conjunction with, Kirby's GAAP financial information. (3) Ton miles indicate fleet productivity by measuring the distance (in miles) a loaded tank barge is moved. Example: A typical 30,000 barrel tank barge loaded with 3,300 tons of liquid cargo is moved 100 miles, thus generating 330,000 ton miles. (4) Inland marine transportation revenues divided by ton miles. Example: Second quarter 2007 inland marine revenues of $218,151,000 divided by 4,380,000,000 marine transportation ton miles = 5.0 cents. (5) Towboats operated are the average number of owned and chartered towboats operated during the period. (6) Delay days measures the lost time incurred by a tow (towboat and one or more tank barges) during transit. The measure includes transit delays caused by weather, lock congestion and other navigational factors. DATASOURCE: Kirby Corporation CONTACT: Steve Holcomb of Kirby Corporation, +1-713-435-1135 Web site: http://www.kirbycorp.com/

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