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Newpark Resources Reports Fourth Quarter and Year-End 2006 Results

March 8, 2007

Company Also Announces Growth Strategy and is Exploring Strategic Alternatives for Environmental Services Business

THE WOODLANDS, Texas, March 8 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Newpark Resources, Inc. (NYSE: NR) today announced results for the fourth quarter and year ended December 31, 2006. The fourth quarter results include a pretax charge of $72.6 million related to the impairment of certain goodwill, tangible and intangible assets of the Environmental Services business. As a result, the Company reported a net loss of $42.1 million, or $0.47 per share, for the fourth quarter of 2006. The Company also announced that as a part of its newly developed strategic plan, it is exploring alternatives for its Environmental Services business, including its potential sale.

Paul Howes, President and Chief Executive Officer of Newpark, stated, "We are pleased to report adjusted income from continuing operations of $8.8 million, or $0.10 per share, for the fourth quarter of 2006. Our core Fluid Systems and Engineering segment performed well during the quarter, with revenues and operating margins improving sequentially over the third quarter of 2006. We also experienced notable strength in our international operations during the quarter. For the full year, we generated total revenue growth of over 20% and experienced a strong improvement in our drilling fluids operating margins. While we have seen a slight slowdown of rig activity in recent months in some markets, we believe that 2007 will see overall higher drilling activity when compared to 2006.

"After a thorough strategic planning process, we are now pleased to begin clarifying our corporate strategy to drive improved performance and position Newpark for growth. Our strategy has two primary elements.

"The first element in our strategy is to grow Drilling Fluids, which is currently approximately 70% of our revenues, and deliver improved performance over the drilling cycle through continued investment in technology, acquisition, international expansion and diversification into oil producing areas which will complement our current domestic natural gas focus. We believe that these actions, implemented over time, should provide us with more balanced earnings growth for the future.

"Our second element in the strategy consists of our previously announced plan to combine the five separate Mats and Integrated Services business units into one unit. In doing so, we plan to eliminate operational cost redundancies and leverage our market position in Mats to facilitate a long- term plan of growing this business and becoming a broad based provider of drilling site services. In short, we do not want to let the moniker 'Mats' constrain our scope of service and geography. Rather, we will seek to enhance our Mats service offerings to become a complete provider for an operator's critical drilling infrastructure needs. This is an important strategic change in the Company's focus that we believe will open up new opportunities and help drive growth.

Howes continued, "Finally, while the Environmental Services business maintains a leadership position in its core Gulf Coast region, we have concluded that it no longer fits our long-term goals for growing the Company. As a result, we are exploring our alternatives with this segment, including a potential sale of this business. We believe this decision will allow us to focus more on our core Fluids and Mats businesses, as well as deploy capital more effectively.

"We look forward to the execution of our growth strategy over the next several years and communicating significant developments as they occur," concluded Howes.

FOURTH QUARTER 2006 RESULTS

Beginning in the fourth quarter of 2006, Newpark began reporting Newpark Environmental Water Solutions (NEWS) as a discontinued operation; consequently its results for historical periods have been removed from continuing operations.

Newpark reported revenues totaling $167.3 million for the fourth quarter of 2006 compared to revenues of $144.9 million for the fourth quarter of 2005 and compared to revenues of $169.9 million for the 2006 third quarter. Newpark reported a loss from continuing operations of $42.0 million, or $0.47 per share, for the fourth quarter of 2006 compared to income from continuing operations of $7.0 million, or $0.08 per diluted share, in the fourth quarter of 2005 and compared to income from continuing operations of $10.3 million, or $0.11 per diluted share, for the 2006 third quarter. The fourth quarter 2006 results include a pretax charge of $72.6 million related to the impairment of certain goodwill, tangible and intangible assets of the Environmental Services business. Additionally, the fourth quarter of 2006 includes $1.3 million of legal and investigation costs associated with the 2005 accounting restatement and resulting litigation. Exclusive of the impairment and legal costs, 2006 fourth quarter earnings from continuing operations are $8.8 million, or $0.10 per diluted share, as set forth on the attached Reconciliation of non-GAAP Earnings.

2006 RESULTS

Newpark reported revenues totaling $668.2 million for 2006 compared to revenues of $553.6 million for 2005, an increase of 20.7%. Newpark reported a loss from continuing operations of $18.4 million, or $0.21 per share, for 2006 compared to income from continuing operations (after preferred stock dividends) of $22.5 million, or $0.26 per diluted share, in 2005. Net loss for 2006 was $32.3 million, or $0.36 per share, which includes a loss on discontinued operations of $13.9 million, or $0.15 per share. Income from continuing operations adjusted for the fourth quarter 2006 impairment charge and other items, as set forth on the attached Reconciliation of non-GAAP Earnings, was $30.1 million, or $0.34 per diluted share.

CONFERENCE CALL

In conjunction with this release, Newpark has scheduled a conference call, which will be broadcast live over the Internet, for Friday, March 9, 2007 at 9:30 a.m. Eastern Time / 8:30 a.m. Central Time. To participate in the call, dial (303) 262-2143 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 http://www.newpark.com . For those who cannot listen to the live call, a replay will be available through March 16, 2007 and may be accessed by dialing (303) 590-3000 and using pass code 11082391#. Also, an archive of the webcast will be available shortly after the call at http://www.newpark.com for 90 days.

Newpark Resources, Inc. is a worldwide provider of drilling fluids, environmental waste treatment solutions, and temporary worksites and access roads for oilfield and other commercial markets. For more information, visit our website at http://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 statements about 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 Amendment No. 2 to its Annual Report on Form 10-K/A for the year ended December 31, 2005, and its Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q for the first, second and third quarters of 2006,, as well as others, could cause results to differ materially from those stated. These factors include, but are not limited to, the results of several class action and derivative lawsuits against Newpark and certain of our current and former directors and former officers; the results of the internal investigation into accounting matters by Newpark's Audit Committee; 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. Newpark's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission can be obtained at no charge at http://www.sec.gov , as well as through our website at http://www.newpark.com .

                               Tables to follow



    Newpark Resources, Inc.
    Consolidated Income Statement
    ($000s, except per share data)

    (Unaudited)                 Quarter Ended              Year Ended
    (In thousands, except        December 31,              December 31,
      per share data)         2006         2005         2006         2005

    Revenues                $167,332     $144,879     $668,199     $553,632
    Cost of revenues         142,437      127,824      577,514      493,275
                              24,895       17,055       90,685       60,357

    General and
     administrative expenses   6,180        2,359       20,022        9,545
    Provision for
     uncollectible accounts      659          302        1,733          843
    Impairment of
     long-lived assets        72,636          ---       72,636          ---
    Operating (loss) income  (54,580)      14,394       (3,706)      49,969

    Foreign currency
     exchange loss (gain)        579         (184)         392         (527)
    Interest and other
     (income) expense           (134)          92         (402)        (158)
    Interest expense           4,748        3,757       19,975       16,155
    (Loss) income from
     continuing operations
     before income taxes     (59,773)      10,729      (23,671)      34,499
    (Benefit) provision for
     income taxes            (17,790)       3,726       (5,246)      11,450
    (Loss) income from
     continuing operations   (41,983)       7,003      (18,425)      23,049
    (Loss) income from
     discontinued operations,
     net of taxes               (140)           2      (13,856)        (268)
    Net (loss) income        (42,123)       7,005      (32,281)      22,781
    Less:
      Preferred stock
       dividends                 ---          ---          ---          509
    Net (loss) income
     applicable to
     common shares          $(42,123)      $7,005     $(32,281)     $22,272

    Weighted average common
     shares outstanding
     (basic and diluted)      89,333       88,966       89,488       86,454

    Net (loss) income
     per common share
     (basic and diluted):
      Continuing operations   $(0.47)       $0.08       $(0.21)       $0.27
      Discontinued operations  (0.00)        0.00        (0.15)       (0.00)
      Preferred stock
       dividends                0.00         0.00         0.00         0.01
      (Loss) income applicable
       to common shares       $(0.47)       $0.08       $(0.36)       $0.26



    Newpark Resources, Inc.
    Segment Comparison
    ($000s)
                                                   Quarter Ended
                                        12/31/2006  9/30/2006    12/31/2005
    Segment revenues
        Fluids systems and engineering    $129,091   $125,130     $101,648
        Mat and integrated services         21,704     26,451       27,239
        Environmental services              16,537     18,324       15,992
           Total Segment Revenues         $167,332   $169,905     $144,879

    Segment operating income
        Fluids systems and engineering     $20,877    $20,454 [a]  $11,597 [b]
        Mat and integrated services          2,306      4,378        2,439
        Environmental services               1,712      2,181 [d]    3,019 [e]
           Total Segment Operating Income  $24,895    $27,013      $17,055

    Segment operating margin
        Fluids systems and engineering       16.2%      16.3% [a]    11.4% [b]
        Mat and integrated services          10.6%      16.6%         9.0%
        Environmental services               10.4%      11.9% [d]    18.9% [e]
           Total Segment Operating Margin    14.9%      15.9%        11.8%



    Newpark Resources, Inc.
    Segment Comparison
    ($000s)
                                               Year Ended December 31,
                                           2006                    2005
    Segment revenues
        Fluids systems and engineering   $481,378                $384,208
        Mat and integrated services       116,898                 109,525
        Environmental services             69,923                  59,899
           Total Segment Revenues        $668,199                $553,632

    Segment operating income
        Fluids systems and engineering    $67,765 [c]             $40,589 [b]
        Mat and integrated services        14,623                  12,963
        Environmental services              8,297 [f]               6,805 [e]
           Total Segment Operating
            Income                        $90,685                 $60,357

    Segment operating margin
        Fluids systems and engineering      14.1% [c]                10.6% [b]
        Mat and integrated services         12.5%                    11.8%
        Environmental services              11.9% [f]                11.4% [e]
           Total Segment Operating Margin   13.6%                    10.9%

    [a] Includes $3.5 million of hurricane-related insurance gains.  Excluding
        insurance gains, Fluids Systems and Engineering operating margins
        would be 13.5%.

    [b] Includes $0.6 million of hurricane-related insurance gains.  Excluding
        insurance gains, Fluids Systems and Engineering operating margins
        would be 10.8% and 10.4% for the quarter and year ended, respectively.

    [c] Includes $4.3 million of hurricane-related insurance gains.  Excluding
        insurance gains, Fluids Systems and Engineering operating margins
        would be 13.2%.

    [d] Includes $0.7 million of hurricane-related insurance gains.  Excluding
        insurance gains, Environmental Services operating margins would be
        8.1%.

    [e] Includes $0.9 million of hurricane-related insurance gains.  Excluding
        insurance gains, Environmental Services operating margins would be
        13.5% and 9.9% for the quarter and year ended, respectively.

    [f] Includes $0.8 million of hurricane-related insurance gains.  Excluding
        insurance gains, Environmental Services operating margins would be
        10.7%.



    Newpark Resources, Inc.
    Consolidated Balance Sheets
    ($000s)

                                                 December 31,     December 31,
    (Unaudited)                                     2006               2005
    ASSETS
        Current assets:
        Cash and cash equivalents                  $13,218            $7,956
        Trade accounts receivable, less
         allowances                                153,481           136,798
        Notes and other receivables                  2,740            12,572
        Inventories                                111,740            88,722
        Deferred tax asset                          22,970            16,231
        Prepaid expenses and other
         current assets                             13,014            13,413
        Assets of discontinued operations            2,555            16,545
        Total current assets                       319,718           292,237

        Property, plant and equipment, net         227,962           224,247
        Goodwill                                    55,143           116,841
        Deferred tax asset                           6,119               ---
        Other intangible assets, net of
         accumulated amortization                   11,623            12,809
        Other assets                                 7,875             5,160
                                                  $628,440          $651,294
    LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
        Foreign bank lines of credit               $10,938           $10,890
        Current maturities of long-term debt         4,208            12,696
        Accounts payable                            43,859            46,565
        Accrued liabilities                         42,809            40,646
        Liabilities of discontinued operations         181               891
        Total current liabilities                  101,995           111,688

        Long-term debt, less current portion       198,186           185,933
        Deferred tax liability                         771             4,211
        Other noncurrent liabilities                 4,345             2,737

        Common Stock                                   897               884
        Paid-in capital                            444,763           436,636
        Unearned restricted stock compensation         ---              (235)
        Accumulated other comprehensive income       7,940             7,616
        Retained deficit                          (130,457)          (98,176)
        Total stockholders' equity                 323,143           346,725
                                                  $628,440          $651,294



    Newpark Resources, Inc.
    Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Earnings
    ($000s)

                                                 Year Ended      Quarter Ended
    (Unaudited)                                  12/31/2006        12/31/2006

    Loss from continuing operations
     before taxes (as reported)                   $(23,671)          $(59,773)

       Goodwill & long lived asset impairment       72,636             72,636

       Business insurance proceeds                  (5,174)               ---

       Debt repayment fees                           1,207                ---

       Legal & accounting expenses                   3,275              1,259

       Income from continuing operations
        (adjusted)                                  48,273             14,122

       Tax effect                                   18,151              5,310

       Income from continuing operations
        after tax (adjusted)                        30,122              8,812

       Diluted shares outstanding [a]               89,871             89,961

    Non-GAAP Earnings per Share                      $0.34              $0.10

    [a] Newpark is in a net loss position for the quarter and year ended
        December 31, 2006.  When calculating EPS under the treasury stock
        method, dilutive shares are considered anti-dilutive when a company is
        a net loss position.  For the purposes of the Reconciliation of non-
        GAAP Earnings, Newpark has considered those shares to be dilutive as
        the company is reconciling to an adjusted income position.


     Contacts:  James E. Braun, CFO
                Newpark Resources, Inc.
                281-465-6800

                Ken Dennard, Managing Partner
                Karen Roan, Sr. VP
                Dennard Rupp Gray & Easterly, LLC
                713-529-6600

SOURCE Newpark Resources, Inc.

/CONTACT: James E. Braun, CFO of Newpark Resources, Inc., +1-281-465-6800; or Ken Dennard, Managing Partner, or Karen Roan, Sr. VP, both of Dennard Rupp Gray & Easterly, LLC, +1-713-529-6600, for Newpark Resources, Inc./

/Web site: http://www.newpark.com /