REX REX American Resources Corporation

REX American Resources Corporation (NYSE: REX) (“REX” or “the Company”) today reported financial results for its fiscal 2018 second quarter (“Q2 ‘18”) ended July 31, 2018. REX management will host a conference call and webcast today at 11:00 a.m. ET.

 

Conference Call:

     

(212) 231-2910

Webcast / Replay URL:

www.rexamerican.com/Corp/Page4.aspx

        The webcast will be available for replay for 30 days  

REX American Resources’ Q2 ‘18 results principally reflect its interests in six ethanol production facilities and its refined coal operation. One Earth Energy, LLC (“One Earth”) and NuGen Energy, LLC (“NuGen”) are consolidated, while those of its four other ethanol plants are reported as equity in income of unconsolidated ethanol affiliates. REX consolidates the refined coal entity acquired by the Company in fiscal 2017. The Company reports results for its two business segments as ethanol and by-products, and refined coal.

REX’s Q2 ‘18 net sales and revenue were $128.8 million, compared with $108.7 million in Q2 ‘17, primarily reflecting higher volumes of ethanol gallons sold as well as higher average selling prices for dried and modified distillers grains during the quarter, which more than offset lower average selling prices for ethanol. The Company’s Q2 ‘18 gross profit for its ethanol and by-products segment increased to $13.7 million, from $10.8 million in the comparable prior year period. In Q2 ’18, equity in income of unconsolidated ethanol affiliates rose to $0.9 million, from $0.1 million in Q2 ’17. As a result, the ethanol and by-products segment income before income taxes rose to $10.1 million in Q2 ‘18, compared to $7.3 million in Q2 ‘17. The Company’s refined coal operation incurred a $4.3 million gross loss and a $4.8 million loss before income taxes in Q2 ’18 (the Company did not own the refined coal entity in Q2’ 17). As a result, REX reported income from continuing operations before income taxes and non-controlling interests in Q2 ‘18 of $4.9 million, compared with $6.5 million in Q2 ‘17. While the refined coal operation impacted gross profit and income before income taxes, the Company recognized a lower effective tax rate related to its refined coal operation.

Net income attributable to REX shareholders in Q2 ‘18 rose more than three-fold to $9.2 million, from $2.9 million in Q2 ‘17, primarily reflecting the year-over-year profit improvement in the ethanol and by-products segment as well as lower tax rates related to the Company’s refined coal operation and the December 2017 passage of the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act. Q2 ‘18 basic and diluted net income per share attributable to REX common shareholders was $1.43 per share, compared to $0.45 per share in Q2 ‘17.

Per share results in Q2 ‘18 and Q2 ‘17 are based on 6,466,000 and 6,593,000 diluted weighted average shares outstanding, respectively.

 

Segment Income Statement Data:

       

Three Months Ended

   

Six MonthsEnded

($ in thousands) July 31, July 31, 2018     2017     2018     2017 Net sales and revenue:         Ethanol & By-Products (1) $ 128,491 $ 108,744 $ 249,171 $ 221,887 Refined coal (2) (3)   266     -     406     -   Total net sales and revenues $ 128,757   $ 108,744   $ 249,577   $ 221,887     Gross profit (loss): Ethanol & By-Products (1) $ 13,669 $ 10,781 $ 27,215 $ 23,270 Refined coal (2)   (4,270 )   -     (6,965 )   -   Total gross profit $ 9,399   $ 10,781   $ 20,250   $ 23,270     Income (loss) before income taxes: Ethanol & By-Products (1) $ 10,077 $ 7,330 $ 21,086 $ 16,253 Refined coal (2) (4,788 ) - (7,647 ) - Corporate and other   (430 )   (857 )   (931 )   (1,778 ) Total income (loss) before income taxes $ 4,859   $ 6,473   $ 12,508   $ 14,475     Benefit (provision) for income taxes: Ethanol & By-Products $ (2,029 ) $ (2,675 ) $ (3,449 ) $ (5,380 ) Refined coal 7,597 - 11,596 - Corporate and other   63     373     187     688   Total benefit (provision) for income taxes $ 5,631   $ (2,302 ) $ 8,334   $ (4,692 )   Segment profit (loss): Ethanol & By-Products $ 6,561 $ 3,419 $ 15,150 $ 8,561 Refined coal 3,018 - 4,289 - Corporate and other   (362 )   (478 )   (726 )   (1,076 ) Net income attributable to REX common shareholders $ 9,217   $ 2,941   $ 18,713   $ 7,485    

(1)

 

Includes results attributable to non-controlling interests of approximately 25% for One Earth and approximately 1% for NuGen.

(2)

Includes results attributable to non-controlling interests of approximately 5%.

(3)

Refined coal sales are reported net of the cost of coal.

 

REX American Resources’ Chief Executive Officer, Zafar Rizvi, commented, “Although challenging ethanol crush spread trends prevailed in the fiscal second quarter, we generated 18.2% year-over-year growth in net sales and revenue, a 26.8% rise in gross profit and a 37.5% increase in income before taxes from our ethanol and by-products segment. These gains reflect an increase in distillers grain pricing, the quality and efficiencies of our plants and people, and our investments in expanding the output of our consolidated plants which enabled us to increase the volume of ethanol sold by 18.6% over last year’s second quarter. The growth of our ethanol and by-products segment, combined with tax benefits related to our refined coal operations and the enactment of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, resulted in 213.4% growth in fiscal 2018 second quarter net income attributable to REX common shareholders and a 217.8% rise in EPS attributable to REX common shareholders.

“The fiscal second quarter again demonstrated the value of our ethanol operations and disciplined operating practices and we remain confident that our refined coal investment will continue to benefit our financial results. With our debt-free balance sheet and healthy liquidity position, including cash and short-term investments of $185.7 million, we allocated approximately $7.5 million to share repurchases during the quarter and we continue to evaluate other near- and long-term opportunities to enhance shareholder value.”

Balance Sheet and Share Repurchase Program

At July 31, 2018, REX had cash and cash equivalents and short-term investments of $185.7 million, $54.0 million of which was at the parent company, and $131.7 million of which was at its consolidated production facilities. This compares with cash and cash equivalents at January 31, 2018, of $191.0 million, $74.1 million of which was at the parent company, and $116.9 million of which was at its consolidated ethanol production facilities.

On March 20, 2018, REX’s Board of Directors approved an increase in the share repurchase plan providing the Company with the authority to repurchase up to an additional 500,000 shares of its common stock. During the second quarter of fiscal 2018, the Company purchased 102,012 shares at an average cost of $73.72. REX is now authorized to repurchase up to 427,181 shares of its common stock. The Company had 6,351,739 shares outstanding at July 31, 2018.

Repurchases by the Company will be subject to available liquidity, general market and economic conditions, alternate uses for the capital and other factors. Share repurchases may be made from time to time in open market transactions, block trades or in private transactions in accordance with applicable securities laws and regulations and other legal requirements. There is no minimum number of shares that the Company is required to repurchase and the repurchase program may be suspended or discontinued at any time without prior notice. All shares purchased will be held in the Company’s treasury for possible future use.

 

The following table summarizes select data related to theCompany’s consolidated alternative energy interests:

       

Three Months Ended

   

Six MonthsEnded

July 31, July 31,

2018

   

2017

2018

   

2017

Average selling price per gallon of ethanol $ 1.38 $ 1.45 $ 1.35 $ 1.45 Average selling price per ton of dried distillers grains $ 148.98 $ 95.39 $ 143.28 $ 97.81 Average selling price per pound of non-food

grade corn oil

$

0.24

$

0.29

$

0.24

$

0.28

Average selling price per ton of modified distillers grains $ 63.72 $ 41.00 $ 67.81 $ 41.47 Average cost per bushel of grain $ 3.60 $ 3.38 $ 3.55 $ 3.47 Average cost of natural gas (per mmbtu)       $ 2.86     $ 3.30     $ 3.16     $ 3.52    

Supplemental Data Related to REX’s Alternative Energy Interests:

  REX American Resources CorporationEthanol Ownership Interests/Effective Annual Gallons Shipped as of July 31, 2018

(gallons in millions)

Entity

   

Trailing TwelveMonths GallonsShipped

   

Current REXOwnershipInterest

   

REX’s Current Effective Ownership of Trailing Twelve Month Gallons Shipped

One Earth Energy, LLC(Gibson City, IL)

    134.8     75.1%     101.2

NuGen Energy, LLC(Marion, SD)

    138.4     99.5%     137.7

Big River Resources West Burlington, LLC(West Burlington, IA)

    108.6     10.3%     11.2

Big River Resources Galva, LLC (Galva, IL)

    128.5     10.3%     13.2

Big River United Energy, LLC (Dyersville, IA)

    129.8     5.7%     7.4

Big River Resources Boyceville, LLC(Boyceville, WI)

    57.3     10.3%     5.9 Total     697.4     n/a     276.6            

Second Quarter Conference Call

REX will host a conference call at 11:00 a.m. ET today. Senior management will discuss the financial results and host a question and answer session. The dial in number for the audio conference call is 212/231-2910 (domestic and international callers).

Participants can also listen to a live webcast of the call on the Company’s website, www.rexamerican.com/Corp/Page4.aspx. A webcast replay will be available for 30 days following the live event at www.rexamerican.com/Corp/Page4.aspx.

About REX American Resources Corporation

REX American Resources has interests in six ethanol production facilities, which in aggregate shipped approximately 697 million gallons of ethanol over the twelve month period ended July 31, 2018. REX’s effective ownership of the trailing twelve month gallons shipped (for the twelve months ended July 31, 2018) by the ethanol production facilities in which it has ownership interests was approximately 277 million gallons. In addition, the Company acquired a refined coal operation on August 10, 2017. Further information about REX is available at www.rexamerican.com.

This news announcement contains or may contain forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such statements can be identified by use of forward-looking terminology such as “may,” “expect,” “believe,” “estimate,” “anticipate” or “continue” or the negative thereof or other variations thereon or comparable terminology. Readers are cautioned that there are risks and uncertainties that could cause actual events or results to differ materially from those referred to in such forward-looking statements. These risks and uncertainties include the risk factors set forth from time to time in the Company’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission and include among other things: the impact of legislative changes, the price volatility and availability of corn, dried and modified distillers grains, ethanol, corn oil, gasoline and natural gas, ethanol and refined coal plants operating efficiently and according to forecasts and projections, changes in the international, national or regional economies, weather, results of income tax audits, changes in income tax laws or regulations and the effects of terrorism or acts of war. The Company does not intend to update publicly any forward-looking statements except as required by law.

- statements of operations follow -

 

REX AMERICAN RESOURCES CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIESConsolidated Statements of Operations(in thousands, except per share amounts)Unaudited

       

Three Months Ended

   

Six Months Ended

July 31, July 31,

2018

   

2017

2018

   

2017

Net sales and revenue $ 128,757 $ 108,744 $ 249,577 $ 221,887 Cost of sales   119,358     97,963     229,327     198,617   Gross profit 9,399 10,781 20,250 23,270 Selling, general and administrative expenses (6,110 ) (4,779 ) (10,663 ) (10,181 ) Equity in income of unconsolidated ethanol affiliates 874 137 1,571 837 Interest and other income   696     334     1,350     549   Income from continuing operations before income taxes and non-controlling interests

4,859

6,473

12,508

14,475

Benefit (provision) for income taxes   5,631     (2,302 )   8,334     (4,692 ) Net income including non-controlling interests 10,490 4,171 20,842 9,783 Net income attributable to non-controlling interests   (1,273 )   (1,230 )   (2,129 )   (2,298 ) Net income attributable to REX common shareholders $ 9,217   $ 2,941   $ 18,713   $ 7,485     Weighted average shares outstanding – basic and diluted   6,466     6,593     6,517     6,592     Basic and diluted net income per share attributable to REX common shareholders

$

1.43

 

$

0.45

 

$

2.87

 

$

1.14

   

- balance sheets follow -

 

REX AMERICAN RESOURCES CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIESConsolidated Balance Sheets(in thousands) Unaudited

        July 31,     Jan. 31, ASSETS: ASSETS

2018

2018

CURRENT ASSETS: Cash and cash equivalents $ 73,761 $ 190,988 Short-term investments 111,969 - Restricted cash 778 354 Accounts receivable 14,648 12,913 Inventory 25,171 20,755 Refundable income taxes 8,371 6,612 Prepaid expenses and other   7,716     7,412   Total current assets 242,414 239,034 Property and equipment-net 190,823 197,827 Other assets 7,816 7,454 Equity method investments   35,117     34,549   TOTAL ASSETS $ 476,170   $ 478,864   LIABILITIES AND EQUITY CURRENT LIABILITIES: Accounts payable – trade $ 11,595 $ 8,149 Accrued expenses and other current liabilities   10,555     13,716   Total current liabilities   22,150     21,865   LONG TERM LIABILITIES: Deferred taxes 13,768 21,706 Other long term liabilities   4,004     3,367   Total long term liabilities   17,772     25,073   COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES EQUITY: REX shareholders’ equity: Common stock, 45,000 shares authorized, 29,853 shares issued at par 299 299 Paid in capital 148,212 146,923 Retained earnings 566,626 547,913 Treasury stock, 23,502 and 23,287 shares, respectively   (329,999 )   (313,643 ) Total REX shareholders’ equity 385,138 381,492 Non-controlling interests   51,110     50,434   Total equity   436,248     431,926   TOTAL LIABILITIES AND EQUITY $ 476,170   $ 478,864    

- statements of cash flows follow -

 

REX AMERICAN RESOURCES CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIESConsolidated Statements of Cash Flows(in thousands) Unaudited

       

Six Months Ended July 31,

2018

   

2017

CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES: Net income $ 20,842 $ 9,783 Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities: Depreciation 12,033 9,955 Income from equity method investments (1,571 ) (837 ) Dividends received from equity method investments 1,003 2,005 Accrued interest income (815 ) - Deferred income tax (7,938 ) 537 Stock based compensation expense 443 350 Loss (gain) on disposal of property and equipment 104 (13 ) Loss on sale of investment - 13 Changes in assets and liabilities: Accounts receivable (1,735 ) 886 Inventory (4,416 ) (5,034 ) Other assets (2,443 ) (953 ) Accounts payable-trade 4,002 1,678 Other liabilities   (1,262 )   (4,828 ) Net cash provided by operating activities   18,247     13,542   CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES: Capital expenditures (5,813 ) (14,366 ) Purchase of short-term investments (111,154 ) - Other   18     219   Net cash used in investing activities   (116,949 )   (14,147 ) CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES: Treasury stock acquired (16,648 ) - Payments to non-controlling interests holders (1,699 ) (1,725 ) Capital contributions from minority investor   246     -   Net cash used in financing activities   (18,101 )   (1,725 ) NET DECREASE IN CASH, CASH EQUIVALENTS AND RESTRICTED CASH (116,803 ) (2,330 ) CASH, CASH EQUIVALENTS AND RESTRICTED CASH-Beginning of year   191,342     188,706   CASH, CASH EQUIVALENTS AND RESTRICTED CASH-End of year $ 74,539   $ 186,376   Non cash investing activities – Accrued capital expenditures $ 469   $ 744   Non cash financing activities – Stock awards accrued $ 335   $ 281   Non cash investing activities – Stock awards issued

$

1,473

  $ 1,195    

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For REX American Resources CorporationDouglas Bruggeman, 937-276-3931Chief Financial OfficerorJCIRJoseph Jaffoni, Norberto Aja, 212-835-8500rex@jcir.com