Vertex Energy, Inc. Announces Fourth Quarter and Full-Year 2017 Financial Results

 | Source: Vertex Companies Vertex Companies

Revenue Rose 48% Year-Over-Year; Gross Profit Margin was 15%

Conference call to be held today at 9:00 A.M. EST

HOUSTON, March 07, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Vertex Energy, Inc. (NASDAQ:VTNR), a specialty refiner of alternative feedstocks and marketer of high-purity petroleum products, announced today its 2017 financial results for the fourth quarter and twelve months ended December 31, 2017.

FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS FOR FOURTH QUARTER 2017

  • Consolidated revenue increased 33% to $41.3 million, compared to $31.1 million for the fourth quarter 2016.
  • Gross profit was up 61% to $8.5 million, while gross profit margin was 21%.
  • Total overall volume declined 1%.
  • Consolidated per barrel margin increased 62%.
  • Net loss available to common shareholders was $1.3 million, or a loss of $0.04 per share.

FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS FOR YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2017

  • Consolidated revenue increased to $145.5 million, compared to $98.1 million for the same period a year ago.
  • Gross profit increased to $22.1 million, while gross profit margin was 15%.
  • Overall volume increased 14%.
  • Consolidated per barrel margin increased 19%
  • The company collected approximately 26 million gallons, compared to 20 million gallons for the same period in 2016.
  • Production volume at operating facilities increased 17% over the prior year.
  • Net loss available to common shareholders was $11.8 million, or a loss of $0.36 per share.

Benjamin P. Cowart, Chairman and CEO of Vertex Energy, stated, "In 2017, our objectives were to penetrate the Marine Fuel markets, build a high purity base oil network throughout our Group III base oil import business, grow our collection volumes, and improve our production capacity. We achieved these objectives and are committed to driving further improvements and profitability through our business operations in 2018."

Mr. Cowart added, "We feel great about the overall state of our business and are optimistic about the company’s future. We made significant strides in our financial performance in 2017, with improved revenues, a strong gross profit margin, and reductions in net loss, that we believe will carry over into 2018.

Mr. Cowart concluded, "We have made capital improvements at our facilities throughout 2017 that will position us to benefit significantly going forward. We plan to fully leverage what has become an improved market through multiple opportunities, including the high-purity base oil markets and processing finished products that will meet the new IMO’s 2020 marine bunker fuel regulations. Additionally, we will continue to focus on the growth of our collection business, both organically and through opportunistic acquisitions while growing our Group III base oil import business and managing our third-party feedstock cost.”

FOURTH QUARTER AND FULL-YEAR 2017 FINANCIAL RESULTS CONFERENCE CALL DETAILS

Management will host a conference call today at 9 A.M. EST. Those who wish to participate in the conference call may telephone 1-877-869-3847 from the U.S. and International callers may telephone 1-201-689-8261, approximately 15 minutes before the call. A webcast will also be available under the Investor Relations section at www.vertexenergy.com.

A digital replay will be available by telephone approximately two hours after the completion of the call until May 31, 2018, and may be accessed by dialing 1-877-660-6853 from the U.S. or 1-201-612-7415 for international callers using conference ID #13676763.

ABOUT VERTEX ENERGY, INC.

Vertex Energy, Inc. (NASDAQ:VTNR) is a specialty refiner of alternative feedstocks and marketer of high-purity petroleum products. With its headquarters in Houston, Texas, Vertex is one of the largest processors of used motor oil in the U.S. and has processing capacity of over 115 million gallons annually with operations located in Houston and Port Arthur (TX), Marrero (LA), and Columbus (OH). Vertex also has a facility, Myrtle Grove, located on a 41 acre industrial complex along the Gulf Coast in Belle Chasse, LA, with existing hydroprocessing and plant infrastructure assets that includes nine million gallons of storage. Vertex has implemented a cost-effective strategy for building its feedstock supply by establishing a successful self-collection and aggregation system. The Company has built a reputation as a key supplier of Group II+ and Group III base oils to the lubricant manufacturing industry in North America. For more information on Vertex Energy please contact Porter, LeVay & Rose, Inc.'s investor relations representative Marlon Nurse, D.M. at 212-564-4700 or visit our website at www.vertexenergy.com.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release may contain forward-looking statements, including information about management’s view of Vertex Energy’s future expectations, plans and prospects, within the safe harbor provisions under The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 (the “Act”). In particular, when used in the preceding discussion, the words “believes,” “hopes,” “expects,” “intends,” “plans,” “anticipates,” or “may,” and similar conditional expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Act, and are subject to the safe harbor created by the Act. Any statements made in this news release other than those of historical fact, about an action, event or development, are forward-looking statements. These statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors, which may cause the results of Vertex Energy, its divisions and concepts to be materially different than those expressed or implied in such statements. These risk factors and others are included from time to time in documents Vertex Energy files with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including but not limited to, its Form 10-Ks, Form 10-Qs and Form 8-Ks. Other unknown or unpredictable factors also could have material adverse effects on Vertex Energy’s future results. The forward-looking statements included in this press release are made only as of the date hereof. Vertex Energy cannot guarantee future results, levels of activity, performance or achievements. Accordingly, you should not place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements. Finally, Vertex Energy undertakes no obligation to update these statements after the date of this release, except as required by law, and also takes no obligation to update or correct information prepared by third parties that are not paid for by Vertex Energy.


Vertex Energy, Inc.
Reconciliation of Net Income (Loss) attributable to Vertex Energy, Inc., to Earnings Before Interest, Taxes, Depreciation and Amortization (EBITDA) and Adjusted EBITDA*
      
    For the Three Months Ended December 31, 2017   For the Twelve Months Ended December 31, 2017
Net (loss) income     
attributable to Vertex Energy, Inc. $  (385,387) $  (8,433,233)
Add (deduct):     
Interest income  $  -    $  (5,748)
Interest expense  $  794,668   $  3,483,062  
Depreciation and amortization  $  1,700,413   $  6,643,324  
Tax expense (benefit)  $  (274,423) $  ( 274,423)
      
EBITDA*  $  1,835,271   $  1,412,982  
      
Add (deduct): Stock-Based compensation  $  145,971   $  606,446  
      
Adjusted EBITDA  $  1,981,242   $  2,019,428  

* EBITDA and adjusted EBITDA are non-GAAP financial measures. These measurements are not recognized in accordance
with GAAP and should not be viewed as an alternative to GAAP measures of performance.

EBITDA represents net income before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization. Adjusted EBITDA is defined as
EBITDA before unrealized losses (gains) on derivative contracts and stock-based compensation expense. EBITDA and adjusted EBITDA are presented because we believe they provide additional useful information to investors due to the various noncash items during the period. EBITDA and adjusted EBITDA have limitations as analytical tools, and you should not consider them in isolation, or as substitute for analysis of our operating results as reported under GAAP. Some of these limitations are:

  • EBITDA and adjusted EBITDA do not reflect cash expenditures, or future requirements for capital expenditures, or

contractual commitments;

  • EBITDA and adjusted EBITDA do not reflect changes in, or cash requirements for, working capital needs;
  • EBITDA and adjusted EBITDA do not reflect the significant interest expense, or the cash requirements necessary to service interest or principal payments, on debt or cash income tax payments;
  • Although depreciation and amortization are noncash charges, the assets being depreciated and amortized will often have to be replaced in the future, and EBITDA and adjusted EBITDA do not reflect any cash requirements for such replacements; and
  • Other companies in this industry may calculate EBITDA and adjusted EBITDA differently than Vertex Energy does, limiting its usefulness as a comparative measure.

VERTEX ENERGY, INC.
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
 December 31, 2017 December 31, 2016
ASSETS   
Current assets   
Cash and cash equivalents$1,105,787  $1,701,435 
Escrow - current restricted cash—  1,504,723 
Accounts receivable, net11,288,991  10,952,219 
Inventory6,304,842  4,357,958 
Prepaid expenses1,771,832  2,669,117 
Total current assets20,471,452  21,185,452 
    
    
Fixed assets, at cost65,237,652  62,316,808 
Less accumulated depreciation(16,617,824) (12,286,874)
Fixed assets, net48,619,828  50,029,934 
Goodwill and other intangible assets, net14,499,354  15,252,332 
Deferred tax asset274,423  — 
Other assets440,417  518,250 
TOTAL ASSETS$84,305,474  $86,985,968 
    
LIABILITIES, TEMPORARY EQUITY AND EQUITY   
Current liabilities   
Accounts payable and accrued expenses$10,318,738  $9,440,696 
Dividends payable420,713  504,474 
Capital leases—  133,153 
Current portion of long-term debt, net of unamortized finance costs1,616,926  9,649,282 
Revolving note4,591,527  2,726,039 
Total current liabilities16,947,904  22,453,644 
    
Long-term debt, net of unamortized finance costs13,531,179  1,848,111 
Contingent consideration236,680  — 
Derivative liability2,245,408  4,365,992 
Total liabilities32,961,171  28,667,747 
    
COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES (Note 4)—  — 
    
TEMPORARY EQUITY   
Series B preferred stock, $0.001 par value per share;
10,000,000 shares authorized, 3,427,597 and 3,229,409 shares issued
and outstanding at December 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively with liquidation preference of $10,625,551 and $10,011,168 at December 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively.		7,190,467  5,676,467 
    
Series B-1 preferred stock, $0.001 par value per share;
17,000,000 shares authorized, 13,151,989 and 12,282,638 shares issued
and outstanding at December 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively with liquidation preference of $20,517,103 and $19,160,915 at December 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively.		15,769,478  13,927,788 
      
Total Temporary Equity22,959,945  19,604,255 
      
EQUITY   
50,000,000 of total Preferred shares authorized:   
Series A Convertible Preferred stock, $0.001 par value;
5,000,000 shares authorized and 453,567 and 492,716 shares issued
and outstanding at December 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively, with a liquidation preference of $675,815and $734,147 at December 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016, respectively.		454  493 
    
Series C Convertible Preferred stock, $0.001 par value per share;
44,000 shares designated in 2016; 31,568 and 31,568
issued and outstanding at December 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively with a liquidation preference of $3,156,800 and $3,156,800 at December 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016, respectively.		32  32 
    
Common stock, $0.001 par value per share;
750,000,000 shares authorized; 32,658,176 and 33,151,391
issued and outstanding at December 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively, with zero and 1,108,928 shares held in escrow at December 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016, respectively		32,658  33,151 
Additional paid-in capital67,768,509  66,534,971 
Accumulated deficit(39,816,300) (27,958,578)
  Total Vertex Energy, Inc. stockholders' equity27,985,353  38,610,069 
Non-controlling interest399,005  103,897 
  Total Equity 28,384,358   38,713,966 
TOTAL LIABILITIES, TEMPORARY EQUITY AND EQUITY$84,305,474  $86,985,968 


VERTEX ENERGY, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2017 and 2016
 2017 2016
Revenues$145,499,092  $98,078,914 
Cost of revenues (exclusive of depreciation shown separately below)123,393,313  81,759,814 
Gross profit22,105,779  16,319,100 
    
Selling, general and administrative expenses21,685,542  20,154,399 
Depreciation and amortization6,643,324  6,277,215 
Total selling, general and administrative expenses28,328,866  26,431,614 
Loss from operations(6,223,087) (10,112,514 
Other income (expense):   
Other income5,748  5,974 
Gain on sale of assets445  9,631,712 
Gain on change in value of derivative liability2,120,584  49,876 
Realized loss on futures contracts(833,176) (548,380 
Interest expense(3,483,062) (3,094,956 
Total other income (expense)(2,189,461) 6,044,226 
Loss before income taxes(8,412,548) (4,068,288 
Income tax benefit274,423  117,646 
Net loss(8,138,125) (3,950,642 
Net income attributable to non-controlling interest295,108  2,179 
Net loss attributable to Vertex Energy, Inc.$(8,433,233) $(3,952,821 
    
Accretion of discount on series B and B-1 Preferred Stock(1,713,736) (1,762,378 
Accrual of dividends on series B and B-1 Preferred Stock and retirement of a portion of Series B and B-1 Preferred discount(1,677,633) (9,822,196 
Net loss available to common shareholders$(11,824,602) $(15,537,395 
    
Earnings per common share   
Basic$(0.36) $(0.51 
Diluted$(0.36) $(0.51 
Shares used in computing earnings per share   
Basic32,653,402  30,520,820 
Diluted32,653,402  30,520,820 


VERTEX ENERGY, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
FOR THE YEARS ENDING DECEMBER 31, 2017 AND 2016
 2017 2016
Cash flows from operating activities   
Net loss$(8,138,125) $(3,950,642)
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to cash used in operating activities:   
Stock-based compensation expense606,446  527,869 
Depreciation and amortization6,643,324  6,277,215 
Rent paid by common stock—  244,000 
Gain on sale of assets(445) (9,631,712)
Deferred financing costs write off715,112  1,390,727 
Deferred federal income tax(274,423) — 
Decrease in fair value of derivative liability(2,120,584) (49,876)
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:   
Accounts receivable(336,772) (4,636,805)
Inventory(1,910,884) (809,647)
Prepaid expenses897,285  (1,250,496)
Accounts payable and accrued expenses878,042  (1,893,370)
Deferred revenue—  (323,891)
Other assets77,833  (38,979)
      
Net cash used in operating activities(2,963,191) (14,145,607)
      
Cash flows from investing activities   
    
Acquisitions(1,999,580) — 
Proceeds from sale of Bango assets—  29,788,114 
Costs related to sale of Bango assets—  (10,792,446)
Proceeds from the sale of assets327,718  20,900 
Purchase of fixed assets(2,125,667) (1,628,859)
      
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities(3,797,529) 17,387,709 
      
Cash flows from financing activities   
Line of credit proceeds (payments), net1,865,488  981,918 
Proceeds from sale of Series C Preferred Stock—  4,000,000 
Purchase/buy back/sale/conversion Series B and B-1 Preferred Stock—  (11,189,849)
 Proceeds from issuance of Series B and B-1 Preferred Stock—  19,349,757 
Issuance costs of Series B and B-1 Preferred Stock—  (607,890)
Payment of debt issuance costs(1,718,090) — 
Proceeds from notes payable17,570,929  7,650,819 
Payments made on notes payable(13,057,978) (20,986,063)
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities4,660,349  (801,308)
Net change in cash and cash equivalents(2,100,371) 2,440,794 
Cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash at beginning of the period3,206,158  765,364 
        
Cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash at end of period$1,105,787  $3,206,158 
    
SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION   
Cash paid for interest during the year$1,952,719  $1,688,628 
Cash paid for income taxes during the year$—  $— 
    
NON-CASH INVESTING AND FINANCING TRANSACTIONS   
Conversion of Series A Preferred Stock into common stock$39  $120 
Conversion of Series B and B1 Preferred Stock into common stock$119,440  $5,104,881 
Dividends-in-Kind accrued on Series B and B-1 Preferred Stock$1,677,633  $9,822,196 
Conversion feature and fair value of warrants for Series B and B-1 Preferred Stock$—  $7,754,516 
Accretion of discount on Series B and B-1 Preferred Stock$1,713,736  $1,762,378 
Common shares issued as payment$—  $244,000 
Contingent consideration on Nickco acquisition$236,680  $— 
Common restricted shares for Nickco acquisition$474,000  $— 
Return of common shares for sale escrow$1,109  $— 



            











        

            

            
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