AGX Argan Inc

Argan, Inc. (NYSE: AGX) today announced financial results for the three months and fiscal year ended January 31, 2015.

For the year ended January 31, 2015, revenues were $383.1 million compared to $227.5 million for the year ended January 31, 2014. Gemma Power Systems, LLC and affiliates (Gemma) contributed $376.7 million, or 98% of revenues in fiscal 2015, compared to $218.6 million, or 96% of revenues in fiscal 2014.

Argan reported consolidated EBITDA (Earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization) attributable to the stockholders of Argan, Inc. of $52.2 million for the year ended January 31, 2015 compared to $66.3 million for the prior fiscal year. Gemma reported $58.0 million in EBITDA attributable to the stockholders of Argan, Inc. for fiscal 2015 compared to $69.5 million for fiscal 2014.

Income from operations for fiscal 2015 was $64.1 million compared to income from operations for fiscal 2014 of $65.9 million.

Net income attributable to the stockholders of Argan, Inc. for fiscal 2015 was $30.4 million, or $2.05 per diluted share based on 14,823,000 diluted shares outstanding, compared to $40.1 million, or $2.78 per diluted share based on 14,427,000 diluted shares outstanding for fiscal 2014.

For the three months ended January 31, 2015, consolidated revenues were $102.3 million compared to $59.5 million for the three months ended January 31, 2014. Gemma contributed $100.8 million, or 98% of consolidated revenues for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2015, compared to $58.3 million, or 98% of consolidated revenues for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2014.

Argan reported consolidated EBITDA attributable to the stockholders of Argan, Inc. of $11.9 million for the three months ended January 31, 2015 compared to $15.8 million in the fourth quarter of last fiscal year. Gemma reported $13.7 million in EBITDA attributable to the stockholders of Argan, Inc. for the three months ended January 31, 2015 compared to $17.6 million for the three months ended January 31, 2014.

Income from operations for the three months ended January 31, 2015 was $15.5 million, compared to income from operations of $16.4 million for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2014.

For the three months ended January 31, 2015, Argan reported net income attributable to Argan, Inc. stockholders of $6.0 million, or $0.40 per diluted share based on 14,838,000 diluted shares outstanding, compared to net income of $9.2 million, or $0.63 per diluted share based on 14,581,000 diluted shares outstanding for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2014.

Argan had consolidated cash and cash equivalents of $333.7 million as of January 31, 2015. During the current fiscal year, Argan used cash of $10.2 million to pay a $0.70 dividend per share of common stock. Consolidated working capital increased during the current fiscal year to approximately $148.9 million as of January 31, 2015 from approximately $133.3 million as of January 31, 2014. Consolidated tangible net worth attributable to the stockholders of Argan, Inc. increased to $165.2 million at January 31, 2015 from $135.7 million at January 31, 2014.

Gemma’s backlog as of January 31, 2015 was $423 million compared to $790 million as of January 31, 2014. The decrease in backlog reflects the current year progress on the construction of the Panda Liberty and Panda Patriot power plants.

Commenting on Argan’s financial results, Rainer Bosselmann, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer stated, “Gemma’s continued execution in fiscal 2015 on the Panda Liberty and Panda Patriot projects contributed to record earnings during fiscal 2015. We appreciate the dedicated efforts of our Gemma associates.”

About Argan, Inc.

Argan’s primary business is designing and building energy plants through its Gemma Power Systems subsidiary. These energy plants include single and combined cycle natural gas-fired power plants as well as alternative energy facilities including biodiesel, ethanol, and those powered by renewable energy sources such as wind and solar. Argan also owns Southern Maryland Cable, Inc.

Certain matters discussed in this press release may constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of the federal securities laws and are subject to risks and uncertainties including, but not limited to: (1) the Company’s ability to achieve its business strategy while effectively managing costs and expenses; (2) the Company’s ability to successfully and profitably integrate acquisitions; and (3) the continued strong performance of our power industry services business. Actual results and the timing of certain events could differ materially from those projected in or contemplated by the forward-looking statements due to a number of factors detailed from time to time in Argan’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. In addition, reference is hereby made to cautionary statements with respect to risk factors set forth in the Company’s most recent reports on Form 10-K and 10-Q, and other SEC filings.

  ARGAN, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS       Three Months Ended January 31, Years Ended January 31, 2015   2014 2015   2014 (Unaudited)   REVENUES Power industry services   $ 100,774,000   $ 58,257,000   $ 376,676,000   $ 218,649,000 Telecommunications infrastructure services     1,551,000   1,234,000     6,434,000     8,806,000 Revenues     102,325,000   59,491,000     383,110,000     227,455,000 COST OF REVENUES Power industry services 79,469,000 37,745,000 294,643,000 141,807,000 Telecommunications infrastructure services     1,181,000   1,059,000     4,864,000     6,800,000 Cost of revenues     80,650,000   38,804,000     299,507,000     148,607,000 GROSS PROFIT 21,675,000 20,687,000 83,603,000 78,848,000 Selling, general and administrative expenses     6,137,000     4,329,000     19,470,000     12,918,000 INCOME FROM OPERATIONS 15,538,000 16,358,000 64,133,000 65,930,000 Gains on the deconsolidation of variable interest entities -- -- -- 2,444,000 Other income, net     72,000   134,000     234,000     961,000 INCOME BEFORE INCOME TAXES 15,610,000 16,492,000 64,367,000 69,335,000 Income tax expense     5,734,000     6,460,000     20,912,000     25,991,000 NET INCOME 9,876,000 10,032,000 43,455,000 43,344,000

NET INCOME ATTRIBUTABLE TO NONCONTROLLING INTERESTS

 

3,878,000

 

868,000

   

13,010,000

   

3,219,000

NET INCOME ATTRIBUTABLE TO THE STOCKHOLDERS OF ARGAN, INC.

  $ 5,998,000 $ 9,164,000   $ 30,445,000   $ 40,125,000  

EARNINGS PER SHARE ATTRIBUTABLE TO THE STOCKHOLDERS OF ARGAN, INC.

Basic   $ 0.41 $ 0.64   $ 2.11   $ 2.85 Diluted   $ 0.40 $ 0.63   $ 2.05   $ 2.78  

WEIGHTED AVERAGE NUMBER OF SHARES OUTSTANDING

Basic     14,561,000   14,219,000     14,433,000     14,072,000 Diluted     14,838,000   14,581,000     14,823,000     14,427,000     CASH DIVIDENDS PER COMMON SHARE   $ -- $ --   $ 0.70   $ 0.75     ARGAN, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES RECONCILIATIONS TO EBITDA (Unaudited) Consolidated Three Months Ended January 31, 2015   2014 Net income $ 9,876,000 $ 10,032,000 Less net income - noncontrolling interests (3,878,000 ) (868,000 ) Interest expense 30,000 -- Income tax expense 5,699,000 6,460,000 Depreciation 129,000 141,000 Amortization of purchased intangible assets   61,000     61,000  

EBITDA attributable to the stockholders of Argan, Inc.

$ 11,917,000 $ 15,826,000      

Power Industry Services

  Three Months Ended January 31, 2015   2014 Income before income taxes $ 17,486,000 $ 18,324,000 Less income before income taxes - noncontrolling interests (3,913,000 ) (868,000 ) Interest expense 30,000 -- Depreciation 85,000 97,000 Amortization of purchased intangible assets   61,000     61,000   EBITDA attributable to the stockholders of Argan, Inc. $ 13,749,000   $ 17,614,000    

Consolidated

  Years Ended January 31, 2015   2014 Net income $ 43,455,000 $ 43,344,000 Less net income - noncontrolling interests (13,010,000 ) (3,219,000 ) Interest expense 30,000 (161,000 ) Income tax expense 20,956,000 25,559,000 Depreciation 551,000 549,000 Amortization of purchased intangible assets   243,000     243,000   EBITDA attributable to the stockholders of Argan, Inc. $ 52,225,000   $ 66,315,000    

Power Industry Services

  Years Ended January 31, 2015   2014 Income before income taxes $ 70,334,000 $ 72,669,000 Less income before income taxes - noncontrolling interests (12,966,000 ) (3,651,000 ) Interest expense 30,000 (161,000 ) Depreciation 372,000 366,000 Amortization of purchased intangible assets   243,000     243,000   EBITDA attributable to the stockholders of Argan, Inc. $ 58,013,000   $ 69,466,000  

Management uses EBITDA, a non-GAAP financial measure, for planning purposes, including the preparation of operating budgets and to determine appropriate levels of operating and capital investments. Management believes that EBITDA provides additional insight for analysts and investors in evaluating the Company's financial and operational performance and in assisting investors in comparing the Company's financial performance to those of other companies in the Company's industry. However, EBITDA is not intended to be an alternative to financial measures prepared in accordance with GAAP and should not be considered in isolation from our GAAP results of operations. Pursuant to the requirements of SEC Regulation G, a reconciliation between the Company's GAAP and non-GAAP financial results is provided above and investors are advised to carefully review and consider this information as well as the GAAP financial results that are presented in the Company's SEC filings.

  ARGAN, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS JANUARY 31,     2015 2014 ASSETS

 

CURRENT ASSETS

Cash and cash equivalents $ 333,691,000 $ 272,209,000 Accounts receivable, net of allowance for doubtful accounts 27,330,000 23,687,000 Costs and estimated earnings in excess of billings 455,000 527,000 Prepaid expenses 1,092,000 1,754,000 Notes receivable and accrued interest 1,786,000 204,000 Deferred income tax assets   --     178,000   TOTAL CURRENT ASSETS 364,354,000 298,559,000

Property, plant and equipment, net of accumulated depreciation (including $2,658,000 in costs related to a variable interest entity as of January 31, 2015)

6,518,000 4,183,000 Goodwill 18,476,000 18,476,000 Intangible assets, net of accumulated amortization   1,845,000     2,088,000   TOTAL ASSETS $ 391,193,000   $ 323,306,000     LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY   CURRENT LIABILITIES Accounts payable $ 37,691,000 $ 22,589,000 Accrued expenses 15,976,000 7,912,000 Billings in excess of costs and estimated earnings 161,564,000 134,736,000 Deferred income tax liabilities   201,000     --   TOTAL CURRENT LIABILITIES 215,432,000 165,237,000 Deferred income tax liabilities   809,000     292,000   TOTAL LIABILITIES   216,241,000     165,529,000     COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES   STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

Preferred stock, par value $0.10 per share – 500,000 shares authorized; no shares issued and outstanding

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Common stock, par value $0.15 per share – 30,000,000 shares authorized; 14,634,434 and 14,289,134 shares issued at January 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively; 14,631,201 and 14,285,901 shares outstanding at January 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively

2,195,000

2,143,000

Additional paid-in capital 109,696,000 100,863,000 Retained earnings 73,614,000 53,335,000 Treasury stock, at cost – 3,233 shares at January 31, 2015 and 2014   (33,000 )   (33,000 ) TOTAL STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY 185,472,000 156,308,000 Noncontrolling interests   (10,520,000 )   1,469,000   TOTAL EQUITY   174,952,000     157,777,000   TOTAL LIABILITIES AND EQUITY $ 391,193,000   $ 323,306,000    

Argan, Inc.Company Contact:Rainer Bosselmann, 301-315-0027orInvestor Relations Contact:Cynthia Flanders, 301-315-0027