-- Second quarter diluted EPS from continuing operations up 21 percent
to $0.75 vs. $0.62 in prior year
-- Sales up 15 percent to $618 million
-- Company refines its full-year guidance for diluted EPS from
continuing operations to $2.55-$2.65 from previous $2.50-$2.65
-- Company remains on target to achieve full-year objectives for cash
from operations of $280 million and growth-related capital
expenditures of $80-$100 million
HARRISBURG, Pa., July 27, 2004 (PRIMEZONE) -- Worldwide industrial services and products company Harsco Corporation (NYSE:HSC) today reported record diluted earnings per share from continuing operations of $0.75 in the second quarter of 2004, compared with $0.62 in the second quarter of 2003, an increase of 21 percent. Income from continuing operations was $31.0 million, compared with $25.5 million last year, an increase of 22 percent. Including discontinued operations, second quarter 2004 net income was $30.7 million, or $0.74 diluted earnings per share, compared with net income of $25.6 million, or $0.63 diluted earnings per share in the second quarter of 2003. Second quarter sales totaled $618 million, also a record, and up approximately 15 percent from sales of $536 million in the same period last year. Positive foreign currency translation contributed $20 million to this year's second quarter sales and $1.3 million to pre-tax income.
For the first six months of 2004, income from continuing operations was $47.8 million, or $1.15 diluted earnings per share, compared with income from continuing operations of $37.9 million, or $0.93 per share in the first six months of 2003, an increase in income and EPS of 26 percent and 24 percent, respectively. Including discontinued operations, net income was $47.7 million, or $1.15 diluted earnings per share, compared with net income of $38.1 million, or $0.94 diluted earnings per share in the first six months of 2003. Sales for the first six months of 2004 were $1.17 billion, an increase of approximately 15 percent from sales of $1.02 billion in the same period a year ago. Positive foreign currency translation contributed approximately $59 million to this year's first six months sales and $2.9 million to pre-tax income.
Commenting on the Company's results, Harsco Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer Derek C. Hathaway said, "We are very pleased with the broad-based improvements evidenced in our second quarter and first half results, which exceeded Harsco's internal expectations as well as the analysts' estimates. This positive momentum is a reflection of a combination of modestly strengthening U.S. domestic markets, the strategic success of our internal growth investment initiatives, and ongoing operational improvement programs.
"Cash flow from operations, a fundamental strength of Harsco, increased in both the second quarter and first half of this year, compared with the comparable periods last year. We are seeing significant growth investment opportunities for our higher levels of discretionary cash flows, as evidenced by the acceleration in new contract signings in our Mill Services Segment. We continue to reward Harsco stockholders through our long-standing history of cash dividends, having declared our 217th consecutive cash dividend during the second quarter. Further evidence of our commitment to stockholder value is seen in our Economic Value Added (EVA(r)) performance, where we have achieved positive improvement in each of the first two quarters."
Second Quarter Business Segment Review
Mill Services
Sales increased 19 percent to $242 million from $204 million in last year's second quarter. Organic growth and the Company's acquisition of the industrial services division of C. J. Langenfelder & Son in June 2003 were responsible for $28 million of the increase, or 14 percent, while positive foreign currency translation contributed $10 million, or 5 percent.
Operating income for the quarter decreased by 3 percent to $24.8 million, from $25.7 million in the same period last year. Operating margins declined to 10.3 percent, compared with 12.6 percent in last year's second quarter, which included the recovery of a bad-debt expense of approximately $1.7 million pre-tax and income of $0.8 million pre-tax from the termination of a post-retirement benefit plan. Without these items, operating income for this year's second quarter would have been up 7 percent over last year's quarter, while operating margins would have decreased by 111 basis points. This year's second quarter operating margins were negatively affected by higher general and administrative costs, in part due to Sarbanes-Oxley related expenditures, and the timing of higher maintenance costs at certain mill locations. Positive foreign currency translation increased operating income in the quarter by approximately $1.6 million.
The outlook for this segment continues to be favorable as worldwide steel demand and production, the principal drivers of this segment's operations, remain strong. This improved business climate is reflected in the Company's accelerated bidding activity and new contract signings for mill services. Through the first half of this year, the Company has announced new contracts in Belgium, France, Brazil and elsewhere for additional services within its existing customer base as well as from new mill locations. The Company expects to allocate a significant amount of its increasing cash flows to the continuing growth of its mill services business, the Company's most consistent and predictable segment.
Access Services
Second quarter sales increased 16 percent to $183 million from $158 million last year. Operating income in the second quarter increased 34 percent to $14.3 million, from $10.7 million in the second quarter of 2003. Positive foreign currency translation increased sales by approximately $10 million in the quarter, but had no material effect on operating income. Operating margins increased to 7.8 percent from 6.8 percent last year. This year's second quarter income and margins were favorably affected by $1.3 million of pre-tax income from the termination of a post-retirement benefit plan.
Continued improvement from the Company's SGB international operations, particularly in the Middle East market and from the capture of new contracts in Europe, more than offset the lingering softness in the U.S. non-residential construction market, where new project spending this year has not materialized as industry forecasts had expected. Analysts are now predicting a stronger recovery in 2005 of approximately 9 percent. The Company's Patent Construction Systems business is well-positioned to take advantage of any such rebound. The Company continues to focus on the implementation of margin-enhancing initiatives as well as the continuing international expansion of this segment.
Gas Technologies (formerly Gas and Fluid Control)
Sales in the second quarter were up 19 percent to $83 million from $70 million last year. Operating income was $5.3 million compared with $3.6 million last year, a 46 percent increase. Operating margins increased 110 basis points to 6.3 percent from 5.2 percent in the comparable period in 2003. The effect of foreign currency translation was not material.
This segment is beginning to benefit from improved economic and manufacturing activity in the U.S. and internationally, particularly Asia. Domestic sales of propane tanks remained strong during the quarter, although bookings have now slowed to more normal seasonal levels for this time of year. Increased cryogenic bulk tank sales, both in the U.S. and internationally, as well as increased demand for liquid and other cylinders added to the success of this segment in the second quarter.
Engineered Products and Services ("All Other") (formerly Other Infrastructure Products and Services)
Sales in the second quarter increased by 4 percent to $109 million, from $105 million last year. Operating income increased to $13.2 million, or 37 percent, from $9.6 million in the second quarter of 2003. Operating margins increased 291 basis points to 12.1 percent from 9.2 percent last year. Positive foreign currency translation increased sales by $0.1 million in the quarter and operating income by $0.6 million.
This group's positive results were led by the continued turnaround of the Company's IKG industrial grating products unit, which again achieved solid profitability for the quarter. This compares with a $2.7 million operating loss in last year's second quarter, which included a $2.1 million pre-tax charge from reorganization costs and an asset write-down. Increased operating results were also posted by the Company's Reed Minerals and Patterson-Kelley units. Results in the Air-X-Changers unit were down from last year due to higher insurance costs. While maintaining a strong order book, much of the present backlog in the Harsco Track Technologies (HTT) unit is expected to be delivered in the fourth quarter of 2004, which will represent the strongest quarter of the year for HTT.
General Corporate
Second quarter 2004 results improved by $0.6 million over the comparable period last year due to reduced corporate expenses in the quarter.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
Net cash provided by operating activities in the second quarter was $65 million, up 9 percent from $59 million in last year's second quarter. Net cash used by investing activities was $56 million, virtually even with last year's $55 million. However, this year's amount includes $53 million for capital expenditures compared with $33 million last year, an increase of 61 percent. Last year included $23 million for acquisitions, compared with $5 million this year. Much of the increase in this year's capital expenditures underpins the growth in new contracts in the Company's Mill Services Segment.
The Company decreased its debt by almost $9 million from the first quarter of 2004. As such, the Company's debt-to-capital ratio at the end of the second quarter declined by some 90 basis points to 44.1 percent, the same level as year-end 2003.
Further improvement in Economic Value Added (EVA(r) ) was again achieved in the second quarter. The improved EVA results of the first six months, during which seven of the Company's nine operating units have reported advances, confirm that the Company continues to be successful in its efforts to increase stockholder value.
Outlook
The improved results of the second quarter and first half of 2004 have given the Company a solid foundation for double digit EPS growth from continuing operations for the full year. With the timing of deliveries in the Harsco Track Technologies unit heavily weighted toward the final quarter of the year, and with the return to more normal buying patterns for the Gas Technologies Segment's propane tank product line after a robust first half, the Company expects third quarter earnings from continuing operations to be in the area of $0.68 to $0.70 per diluted share, which represents a 19 to 23 percent increase over last year. Furthermore, the Company is fine-tuning its full year guidance for earnings from continuing operations to $2.55 to $2.65 per diluted share from the previous range of $2.50 to $2.65 per diluted share. This guidance reflects growth from continuing operations of 20 to 25 percent over last year's $2.12 per diluted share level.
Forward-Looking Statements
The nature of the Company's business and the many countries in which it operates subject it to changing economic, competitive, regulatory, and technological conditions, risks, and uncertainties. In accordance with the "Safe Harbor" provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, the Company provides the following cautionary remarks regarding important factors which, among others, could cause future results to differ materially from the forward-looking statements, expectations and assumptions expressed or implied herein. Forward-looking statements include information about management's confidence and strategies for performance; expectations for new and existing products, technologies, and opportunities; and expectations regarding growth, sales, cash flows, earnings, and EVA. These statements are identified by the use of such terms as "may," "could," "expect," "anticipate," "intend," "believe," or other comparable terms.
Risk factors and uncertainties which could affect results include, but are not limited to: (1) changes in the worldwide business environment in which the Company operates, including general economic conditions; (2) changes in currency exchange rates, interest rates, and capital costs; (3) changes in the performance of stock and bond markets, particularly in the United States and United Kingdom; (4) changes in governmental laws and regulations, including taxes and import tariffs; (5) market and competitive changes, including pricing pressures, market demand, and acceptance for new products, services, and technologies; (6) unforeseen business disruptions in one or more of the over 40 countries in which the Company operates due to political instability, civil disobedience, armed hostilities or other calamities; and (7) other risk factors listed from time to time in the Company's SEC reports. The Company cautions that these factors may not be exhaustive and that many of these factors are beyond the Company's ability to control or predict. Accordingly, forward-looking statements should not be relied upon as a prediction of actual results. The Company undertakes no duty to update forward-looking statements.
Conference Call
As previously announced, the Company will hold a conference call today at 2:00 p.m. Eastern Time (ET) to discuss its results and respond to questions from the investment community. The conference call will be broadcast live through the Harsco Corporation website at www.harsco.com. The call can also be accessed by telephone by dialing (800) 611-4920, or (706) 634-5923 from outside the United States and Canada. Listeners are advised to dial in at least five minutes prior to the call. Replays will be available via the Harsco website, or by telephone beginning approximately 5:00 pm ET today. The telephone replay dial-in number is (800) 642-1687, or (706) 645-9291 from outside the United States and Canada. Enter Conference ID number 7868310.
About Harsco
Harsco Corporation is a diversified, worldwide industrial services and engineered products company with annual sales in excess of $2 billion. The company employs 18,000 people in more than 40 countries of operation. Harsco's market-leading businesses provide mill services, access services, gas containment and control technologies, and engineered products and services to customers worldwide. Additional information about Harsco can be found at www.harsco.com.
The Harsco Corporation logo is available at: http://media.primezone.com/prs/single/?pkgid=361
Harsco Corporation
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
(Unaudited)
(In thousands, except per share amounts)
Three Months Ended Six Months Ended
June 30 June 30
2004 2003 2004 2003
---------------------- -------- -------- ---------- ----------
Revenues from
continuing
operations:
Service sales $440,700 $374,119 $ 846,607 $ 721,722
Product sales 176,877 162,341 327,243 302,640
---------------------- -------- -------- ---------- ----------
Total revenues 617,577 536,460 1,173,850 1,024,362
====================== ======== ======== ========== ==========
Costs and expenses
from continuing
operations:
Cost of services sold 326,594 272,486 631,386 534,223
Cost of products sold 141,284 131,356 265,480 245,293
Selling, general and
administrative
expenses 89,455 81,453 177,459 161,965
Research and
development
expenses 676 800 1,381 1,672
Other expenses 1,953 1,399 3,573 2,337
---------------------- -------- -------- ---------- ----------
Total costs and
expenses 559,962 487,494 1,079,279 945,490
====================== ======== ======== ========== ==========
Operating income from
continuing
operations 57,615 48,966 94,571 78,872
Equity in income of
unconsolidated
entities, net 74 99 172 261
Interest income 488 379 1,201 1,076
Interest expense (10,038) (10,259) (20,320) (20,526)
---------------------- -------- -------- ---------- ----------
Income from
continuing
operations before
income taxes and
minority interest 48,139 39,185 75,624 59,683
Income tax expense (14,942) (12,135) (23,469) (18,485)
---------------------- -------- -------- ---------- ----------
Income from
continuing
operations before
minority interest 33,197 27,050 52,155 41,198
Minority interest in
net income (2,217) (1,596) (4,318) (3,274)
---------------------- -------- -------- ---------- ----------
Income from continuing
operations 30,980 25,454 47,837 37,924
---------------------- -------- -------- ---------- ----------
Discontinued
operations:
Income/(loss) from
operations of
discontinued
business (426) 3 (416) (209)
Gain/(loss) on
disposal of
discontinued
business 59 233 (88) 528
Income related to
discontinued defense
business -- -- 224 --
Income tax benefit
(expense) 132 (85) 112 (115)
---------------------- -------- -------- ---------- ----------
Income (loss) from
discontinued
operations (235) 151 (168) 204
---------------------- -------- -------- ---------- ----------
Net Income $ 30,745 $ 25,605 $ 47,669 $ 38,128
====================== ======== ======== ========== ==========
Average shares of
common stock
outstanding 41,080 40,615 41,009 40,579
Basic earnings per
common share:
Continuing operations $ 0.75 $ 0.63 $ 1.17 $ 0.93
Discontinued
operations (0.01) -- -- 0.01
---------------------- -------- -------- ---------- ----------
Basic earnings per
common share $ 0.75(a) $ 0.63 $ 1.16(a) $ 0.94
====================== ======== ======== ========== ==========
Diluted average shares
of common stock
outstanding 41,525 40,872 41,493 40,764
Diluted earnings per
common share:
Continuing
operations $ 0.75 $ 0.62 $ 1.15 $ 0.93
Discontinued
operations (0.01) 0.01 -- 0.01
---------------------- -------- -------- ---------- ----------
Diluted earnings per
common share $ 0.74 $ 0.63 $ 1.15 $ 0.94
====================== ======== ======== ========== ==========
(a) Does not total due to rounding.
Harsco Corporation
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(Unaudited)
(In thousands)
June 30 December 31
2004 2003(a)
--------------------------------------- ----------- -----------
ASSETS
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents $ 71,534 $ 80,210
Accounts receivable, net 499,376 446,875
Inventories 216,378 190,221
Other current assets 49,371 47,045
--------------------------------------- ----------- -----------
Total current assets 836,659 764,351
--------------------------------------- ----------- -----------
Property, plant and equipment, net 869,159 866,332
Goodwill, net 409,164 407,846
Other assets 96,921 97,483
Assets held for sale 1,563 2,023
--------------------------------------- ----------- -----------
Total assets $ 2,213,466 $ 2,138,035
======================================= =========== ===========
LIABILITIES
Current liabilities:
Short-term borrowings $ 16,452 $ 14,854
Current maturities of long-term debt 19,897 14,252
Accounts payable 199,385 188,430
Accrued compensation 47,416 46,034
Income taxes 43,489 45,116
Dividends payable 11,314 11,238
Other current liabilities 197,338 175,151
--------------------------------------- ----------- -----------
Total current liabilities 535,291 495,075
--------------------------------------- ----------- -----------
Long-term debt 593,972 584,425
Deferred income taxes 69,880 66,855
Insurance liabilities 48,709 47,897
Retirement plan liabilities 116,716 115,190
Other liabilities 49,782 50,707
Liabilities associated with assets held
for sale 589 898
--------------------------------------- ----------- -----------
Total liabilities 1,414,939 1,361,047
--------------------------------------- ----------- -----------
SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
Common stock 84,529 84,197
Additional paid-in capital 129,277 120,070
Accumulated other comprehensive expense (182,672) (169,427)
Retained earnings 1,370,864 1,345,787
Treasury stock (603,471) (603,639)
--------------------------------------- ----------- -----------
Total shareholders' equity 798,527 776,988
--------------------------------------- ----------- -----------
Total liabilities and
shareholders' equity $ 2,213,466 $ 2,138,035
======================================= =========== ===========
(a) As permitted by the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB)
Statement No. 144, "Accounting for the Impairment or Disposal of
Long-Lived Assets," 2003 information has been reclassified for
comparative purposes.
Harsco Corporation
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(Unaudited)
(In thousands)
Three Months Ended Six Months Ended
June 30 June 30
2004 2003 2004 2003
----------------------- -------- -------- --------- --------
Cash flows from
operating
activities:
Net income $ 30,745 $ 25,605 $ 47,669 $ 38,128
Adjustments to
reconcile net income
to net cash provided
(used) by operating
activities:
Depreciation 44,430 40,878 88,401 80,773
Amortization 637 345 1,189 718
Equity in income
of unconsolidated
entities, net (74) (100) (171) (262)
Dividends or
distributions from
unconsolidated
entities 88 1,335 544 1,335
Other, net 2,648 1,991 5,770 2,498
Changes in assets
and liabilities,
net of acquisi-
tions and
dispositions of
businesses:
Accounts
receivable (35,525) (14,836) (56,854) (36,460)
Inventories (11,096) 7,928 (26,686) 335
Accounts payable 15,030 (4,791) 11,606 (10,880)
Net disbursements
related to
discontinued
defense business (79) (200) (154) (434)
Other assets and
liabilities 17,778 997 25,644 14,577
----------------------- -------- -------- --------- --------
Net cash provided by
operating activities 64,582 59,152 96,958 90,328
----------------------- -------- -------- --------- --------
Cash flows from
investing activities:
Purchases of property,
plant and equipment (52,617) (32,608) (99,156) (62,789)
Purchase of businesses,
net of cash acquired (4,730) (23,486) (5,165) (23,486)
Proceeds from sales
of assets 930 673 2,748 12,957
----------------------- -------- -------- --------- --------
Net cash used by
investing activities (56,417) (55,421) (101,573) (73,318)
----------------------- -------- -------- --------- --------
Cash flows from
financing activities:
Short-term borrowings,
net 167 (4,428) 2,339 (10,968)
Current maturities
and long-term debt:
Additions 57,217 32,159 99,004 82,292
Reductions (61,439) (53,888) (85,910) (81,107)
Cash dividends paid
on common stock (11,271) (10,643) (22,518) (21,286)
Common stock issued-
options 4,482 3,857 7,975 4,047
Other financing
activities (2,511) (3,555) (2,596) (3,552)
----------------------- -------- -------- --------- --------
Net cash provided by
financing activities (13,355) (36,498) (1,706) (30,574)
----------------------- -------- -------- --------- --------
Effect of exchange
rate changes on cash (2,121) 6,532 (2,355) 7,407
----------------------- -------- -------- --------- --------
Net decrease in cash
and cash equivalents (7,311) (26,235) (8,676) (6,157)
Cash and cash
equivalents at
beginning of period 78,845 90,210 80,210 70,132
----------------------- -------- -------- --------- --------
Cash and cash
equivalents at
end of period $ 71,534 $ 63,975 $ 71,534 $ 63,975
======================= ======== ======== ========= ========
Harsco Corporation
REVIEW OF OPERATIONS BY SEGMENT
(Unaudited)
(In thousands)
Three Months Ended Three Months Ended
June 30, 2004 June 30, 2003
Operating
Operating Income
Sales (a) Income (b) Sales (a) (loss) (b)
------------------- -------- -------- -------- --------
Mill Services
Segment $242,249 $ 24,849 $203,770 $ 25,663
Access Services
Segment 183,127 14,322 157,902 10,726
Gas Technologies
Segment(c) 82,954 5,266 69,739 3,601
Engineered Products
& Services ("all
other") Category(c) 109,247 13,177 105,049 9,613
General Corporate -- 1 -- (637)
------------------- -------- -------- -------- --------
Consolidated Totals $617,577 $ 57,615 $536,460 $ 48,966
=================== ======== ======== ======== ========
Six Months Ended Six Months Ended
June 30, 2004 June 30, 2003
Operating
Income Operating
Sales (a) (loss) (b) Sales (a) Income (b)
------------------- -------- -------- -------- --------
Mill Services
Segment $478,542 $ 50,099 $392,016 $ 42,393
Access Services
Segment 340,934 17,722 305,306 15,353
Gas Technologies
Segment(c) 160,516 8,354 137,932 6,928
Engineered Products
& Services ("all
other") Category(c) 193,858 19,340 189,108 13,458
General Corporate -- (944) -- 740
------------------- -------- -------- -------- --------
Consolidated Totals $1,173,850 $ 94,571 $1,024,362 $ 78,872
=================== ======== ======== ======== ========
(a) Sales from continuing operations.
(b) Operating income (loss) from continuing operations.
(c) Segment information for prior periods has been reclassified to
conform with the current presentation. Due to management
changes, effective January 1, 2004, the Air-X-Changers division
is classified in the Engineered Products & Services ("all
other") category.