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Newpark Resources Reports 2009 First Quarter Results

April 30, 2009
THE WOODLANDS, Texas, April 30, 2009 /PRNewswire-FirstCall via COMTEX/ -- Newpark Resources, Inc. (NYSE: NR) today announced results for its first quarter ended March 31, 2009. Total revenues were $126.9 million for the first quarter of 2009 compared to $194.7 million for the first quarter of 2008. The Company reported a net loss of $12.0 million, or $0.14 loss per share, for the first quarter of 2009 compared to net income of $11.4 million, or $0.13 per diluted share, in the first quarter of 2008.

Operating results in the first quarter of 2009 included pre-tax employee termination and related charges of $2.6 million ($1.7 million after-tax) associated with North American workforce reductions. In addition, the effective tax rate for the first quarter 2009, which had a pre-tax loss of $14.5 million, was 17%, resulting in a benefit from income taxes of $2.5 million, compared to an effective tax rate of 33% in the first quarter of 2008. The low effective tax rate in the first quarter of 2009 is primarily due to the write-off of a previously recognized net operating loss carryforward tax asset in Canada, along with losses generated in certain foreign countries during the quarter, for which the recording of a tax benefit is not permitted.

Paul Howes, President and Chief Executive Officer of Newpark, stated, "Our first quarter results were negatively impacted by the sharp decline in North American drilling activity, driven by the decline in natural gas prices. In response to these lower levels of activity, we initiated further cost cutting programs during the first quarter of 2009 to reduce headcount and operating costs. Since the beginning of 2009, we have reduced our North American headcount by 28%. However, the benefits of the cost reduction initiatives had less impact on our first quarter results due to the timing of the actions, along with employee termination costs related to the headcount reductions. Having taken steps to right-size the business during this period, we believe our cost structure is now better aligned with current revenue levels. Internationally, our business performed better during the quarter and our business in Brazil, which is tied to deepwater offshore production, is expected to perform well in 2009.

"The first quarter loss was further negatively impacted by the unusually low tax rate, which served to increase our net loss by $0.03 per share. Despite the operational challenges, we were still able to reduce our total debt by $25 million during the quarter," concluded Howes.

Segment Results

The Fluids Systems and Engineering segment generated revenues of $106.6 million and an operating loss of $5.6 million in the first quarter of 2009 compared to revenues of $157.2 million and operating income of $21.1 million during the first quarter of 2008. The decline in revenues was due to a substantially lower U.S. rig count in the first quarter compared to the same period a year ago. North American revenues decreased 39% compared to the first quarter of 2008. Mediterranean revenues declined 11%, primarily due to the strengthening U.S. dollar as international revenue levels remained relatively stable in local currency terms. Revenues from Brazil increased in the first quarter due to the ramp-up in activity from 2008 contract agreements. The decline in operating income in this segment is primarily the result of the rapid decline in U.S. drilling activity and severe pricing pressures.

The Mats and Integrated Services segment generated revenues of $8.9 million and an operating loss of $3.4 million in the first quarter of 2009 compared to revenues of $21.3 million and an operating profit of $0.1 million in the first quarter of 2008. The decline in revenues is primarily attributable to weakness in the Gulf Coast region as revenues in the Rocky Mountain market remained relatively stable compared to the prior year quarter.

The Environmental Services segment, which is now back in continuing operations, generated revenues of $11.5 million and operating income of $1.2 million, reflecting a 10.1% operating margin, in the first quarter of 2009. This compares to revenues of $16.3 million and operating income of $4.2 million, reflecting a 26.0% operating margin in the first quarter of 2008. The decline in revenues in this segment is primarily due to the decline in Gulf Coast rig activity, somewhat offset by changes in sales mix and price increases.

CONFERENCE CALL

In conjunction with this release, Newpark has scheduled a conference call, which will be broadcast live over the Internet, on Friday, May 1, 2009 at 10:00 a.m. Eastern Time / 9:00 a.m. Central Time. To participate in the call, dial (303) 205-0033 and ask for the Newpark Resources conference call at least 10 minutes prior to the start time, or access it live over the Internet at www.newpark.com. For those who cannot listen to the live call, a replay will be available through May 8, 2009 and may be accessed by dialing (303) 590-3000 and using pass code 11129131#. Also, an archive of the webcast will be available shortly after the call at www.newpark.com for 90 days.

Newpark Resources, Inc. is a worldwide provider of drilling fluids, temporary worksites and access roads for oilfield and other commercial markets, and environmental waste treatment solutions. For more information, visit our website at www.newpark.com.

This news release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act that are based on management's current expectations, estimates and projections. All statements that address expectations or projections about the future, including Newpark's strategy for growth, product development, market position, expected expenditures and financial results are forward-looking statements. Some of the forward-looking statements may be identified by words like "expects," "anticipates," "plans," "intends," "projects," "indicates," and similar expressions. These statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve a number of risks, uncertainties and assumptions. Many factors, including those discussed more fully elsewhere in this release and in documents filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission by Newpark, particularly its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2008, as well as others, could cause results to differ materially from those stated. These factors include, but are not limited to, the instability and effect of the credit and capital markets on the economy in general and the oil and gas industry in particular; the access to the credit markets by both Newpark and Newpark's customers; the outlook for drilling activity in North America and the rest of the world; continued compliance with our debt covenants; the investigation of certain accounting matters by the Securities and Exchange Commission; changes in the laws, regulations, policies and economic conditions, including inflation, interest and foreign currency exchange rates, of countries in which Newpark does business; competitive pressures; successful integration of structural changes, including restructuring plans, acquisitions, divestitures and alliances; cost of raw materials, research and development of new products, including regulatory approval and market acceptance; and seasonality of sales of Newpark products and services. Newpark's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission can be obtained at no charge at www.sec.gov, as well as through our website at www.newpark.com.

    Contacts:
    James E. Braun, CFO
    Newpark Resources, Inc.
    281-362-6800

    Ken Dennard, Managing Partner
    Dennard Rupp Gray & Easterly, LLC
    ksdennard@drg-e.com
    713-529-6600

    Newpark Resources, Inc.
    Consolidated Statements of Operations
                                                         Three Months Ended
    (Unaudited)                                               March 31,
    -----------                                               ---------
    (In thousands, except per share data)                  2009      2008
    -------------------------------------                  ----      ----

      Revenues                                           $126,938  $194,736

      Cost of revenues                                    123,512   155,120
                                                          -------   -------
      Gross profit                                          3,426    39,616

      Selling, general and administrative expenses         16,230    19,191
      Other income, net                                       (25)     (189)
                                                              ---      ----

      Operating (loss) income                             (12,779)   20,614

      Foreign currency exchange loss                           29       296
      Interest expense, net                                 1,650     3,227
                                                            -----     -----

      (Loss) income from continuing operations before
       income taxes                                       (14,458)   17,091
      Provision for income taxes                           (2,454)    5,695
                                                           ------     -----

      (Loss) income from continuing operations            (12,004)   11,396
      Loss from discontinued operations, net of tax             -       (45)
                                                           ------   -------
      Net (loss) income                                  $(12,004)  $11,351
                                                         =========  =======


    Basic weighted average common shares outstanding       88,323    90,099
    Diluted weighted average common shares outstanding     88,323    90,332

     (Loss) income per common share - basic and diluted:
      (Loss) income from continuing operations             $(0.14)    $0.13
      Loss from discontinued operations                         -         -
                                                                -         -
      Net (loss) income per common share                   $(0.14)    $0.13
                                                           =======    =====



    Newpark Resources, Inc.
    Operating Segment Results

    (Unaudited)                                  Three Months Ended
    -----------                                  ------------------
                                        March 31,   December 31,    March 31,
    (In thousands)                       2009          2008          2008
    --------------                      ---------   ------------    ---------

    Revenues
      Fluids systems and engineering      $106,588      $190,968     $157,216
      Mats and integrated services           8,863        20,906       21,251
      Environmental services                11,487        15,059       16,269
                                            ------        ------       ------
        Total revenues                    $126,938      $226,933     $194,736
                                          ========      ========     ========

    Operating (loss) income
      Fluids systems and engineering       $(5,574)      $22,437      $21,107
      Mats and integrated services          (3,414)       (1,752)          51
      Environmental services                 1,157           427        4,237
      Corporate office                      (4,948)       (6,486)      (4,781)
                                            -------       -------      ------
        Operating (loss) income           $(12,779)      $14,626      $20,614
                                          =========      =======      =======

    Segment operating margin
      Fluids systems and engineering          (5.2%)        11.7%        13.4%
      Mats and integrated services           (38.5%)        (8.4%)        0.2%
      Environmental services                  10.1%          2.8%        26.0%



    Newpark Resources, Inc.
    Consolidated Balance Sheets

                                                     ---------   ------------
                                                      March 31,   December 31,
    (In thousands, except share data)                   2009          2008
    ---------------------                               ----          ----
                                                     (Unaudited)
    ASSETS
      Cash and cash equivalents                         $9,309        $8,252
      Receivables, net                                 134,310       211,366
      Inventories                                      142,423       149,304
      Deferred tax asset                                18,004        22,809
      Prepaid expenses and other current assets          9,074        11,062
                                                         -----        ------
        Total current assets                           313,120       402,793

      Property, plant and equipment, net               227,710       226,627
      Goodwill                                          59,614        60,268
      Deferred tax asset, net                              176           707
      Other intangible assets, net                      18,090        18,940
      Other assets                                       4,011         4,344
                                                         -----         -----
        Total assets                                  $622,721      $713,679
                                                      ========      ========

    LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
      Foreign bank lines of credit                      $8,775       $11,302
      Current maturities of long-term debt              10,513        10,391
      Accounts payable                                  57,639        89,018
      Accrued liabilities                               29,002        38,946
                                                        ------        ------
        Total current liabilities                      105,929       149,657

      Long-term debt, less current portion             143,967       166,461
      Deferred tax liability                             7,074        15,979
      Other noncurrent liabilities                       2,589         3,700
                                                         -----         -----
        Total liabilities                              259,559       335,797

      Common stock, $0.01 par value, 100,000,000
       shares authorized 91,387,536 and 91,139,966
       shares issued, respectively                         914           911
      Paid-in capital                                  457,540       457,012
      Accumulated other comprehensive (loss) income     (1,749)        1,296
      Retained deficit                                 (78,091)      (66,087)
      Treasury stock, at cost; 2,730,503 and
       2,646,409 shares, respectively                  (15,452)      (15,250)
                                                       -------       -------
        Total stockholders' equity                     363,162       377,882
                                                       -------       -------
      Total liabilities and stockholders' equity      $622,721      $713,679
                                                      ========      ========



    Newpark Resources, Inc.
    Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
                                                         Three Months Ended
    (Unaudited)                                              March 31,
    -----------                                              ---------
    (In thousands)                                         2009     2008
    --------------                                         ----     ----

    Cash flows from operating activities:
    Net (loss) income                                    $(12,004) $11,351
    Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss)
     to net cash provided by operations:
      Net loss from discontinued operations                     -       45
      Depreciation and amortization                         6,927    7,024
      Stock-based compensation expense                        427    1,656
      Provision for deferred income taxes                  (3,596)   4,808
      Provision for doubtful accounts                         587      660
      Gain on sale of assets                                 (224)     (16)
      Change in assets and liabilities:
        Decrease (increase) in receivables                 74,374  (27,024)
        Decrease (increase) in inventories                  5,520  (11,271)
        Decrease in other assets                            2,543    1,840
        Decrease in accounts payable                      (30,958)    (540)
        (Decrease) increase in accrued liabilities
         and other                                        (10,558)   1,961
                                                          -------    -----
      Net operating activities of continuing operations    33,038   (9,506)
      Net operating activities of discontinued
       operations                                               -    1,978
                                                           ------    -----
    Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities    33,038   (7,528)

    Cash flows from investing activities:
      Capital expenditures                                 (7,540)  (5,809)
      Proceeds from sale of property, plant and
       equipment                                              533       16
                                                            -----    -----
    Net cash used in investing activities                  (7,007)  (5,793)

    Cash flows from financing activities:
      Net (payments) borrowings  on lines of credit       (24,957)  22,401
      Principal payments on notes payable and long-term
       debt                                                   (96)    (592)
      Long-term borrowings                                    740        -
      Proceeds from employee stock plans                      103        -
      Purchase of treasury stock                             (202)  (3,197)
                                                             ----   ------
    Net financing activities of continuing operations     (24,412)  18,612
    Net financing activities of discontinued operations         -      (52)
                                                                -      ---
    Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities   (24,412)  18,560

    Effect of exchange rate changes on cash                  (562)  (2,230)
                                                             ----   ------

    Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents    1,057    3,009
    Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period        8,252    5,741
                                                            -----    -----
    Cash and cash equivalents at end of period             $9,309   $8,750
                                                           ======   ======


SOURCE Newpark Resources, Inc.

http://www.newpark.com