TULSA, Okla., Feb. 08, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Matrix Service Company (Nasdaq:MTRX), a leading contractor to the energy, power and industrial markets across North America, today reported financial results for its second quarter ended December 31, 2016.

Key highlights:

• Revenue was $312.7 million and fully diluted earnings per share were $0.20 for the quarter
  
• Backlog increased to $814.0 million on project awards in the quarter of $310.3 million
  
• Acquisition of Houston Interests elevates engineering expertise across multiple operating segments and immediately expands project opportunities
  
• Increased credit facility to $300.0 million to fund strategic growth objectives
  

“As reflected in our second quarter results, we are experiencing delays in the timing of awards, as well as ongoing conservative spending patterns by our customers caused by persistently challenging and uncertain market conditions. We expect these conditions to negatively impact our third quarter and, to a lesser degree, full year results," said Matrix Service Company President and Chief Executive Officer, John R. Hewitt.  "As a result, the Company is revising its fiscal 2017 guidance for revenue to between $1.20 billion and $1.30 billion and fully diluted earnings per share to between $0.75 and $1.05."

Hewitt added, "At the same time, we are seeing indicators that these uncertain market conditions are beginning to clear, with customer confidence improving. The opportunity pipeline is getting stronger as indicated by project awards of $310 million in the quarter - a book-to-bill of nearly one-to-one. Additionally, our diversified platform and financial strength, together with the engineering expertise and capacity we gained through Houston Interests, has opened up even more opportunities across our operating segments. We expect capital projects and maintenance spending to improve in fiscal 2018 and remain optimistic about the long term performance of the business.”

Second Quarter Fiscal 2017 Results

Consolidated revenue was $312.7 million for the three months ended December 31, 2016, compared to $323.5 million in the same period in the prior fiscal year.  The decrease resulted from lower volumes in the Industrial and Oil Gas & Chemical segments, which was partially offset by higher volumes in the Electrical Infrastructure and Storage Solutions segments.  The Company earned $5.3 million, or $0.20 per fully diluted share in the second quarter of fiscal 2017 compared to $5.4 million, or $0.20 per fully diluted share in the prior year.

Consolidated gross profit was $28.2 million in the three months ended December 31, 2016 compared to $30.0 million in the three months ended December 31, 2015.  The gross margin was 9.0% in the three months ended December 31, 2016 compared to 9.3% in the same period in the prior fiscal year.  The reduction in gross margin in fiscal 2017 is primarily attributable to lower direct margins and increased under recovery of construction overhead costs in the Oil Gas & Chemical and Industrial segments, which were partially offset by higher direct margins in the Storage Solutions and Electrical Infrastructure segments.

Consolidated SG&A expenses were $20.0 million in the three months ended December 31, 2016 compared to $25.1 million in the same period a year earlier.  The decrease in SG&A expense in fiscal 2017 was primarily attributable to a non-routine bad debt charge of $5.2 million from a client bankruptcy in fiscal 2016.  Fiscal 2017 SG&A expense included $0.7 million of acquisition and integration costs from the Houston Interests acquisition mentioned above.

Six Month Fiscal 2017 Results

Consolidated revenue was $654.4 million for the six months ended December 31, 2016, compared to $642.9 million in the same period in the prior fiscal year.  The increase resulted from higher volumes in the Storage Solutions and Electrical Infrastructure segments, which were partially offset by lower volumes in the Industrial and Oil Gas & Chemical segments.  The Company earned $14.6 million, or $0.54 per fully diluted share during the six months ended December 31, 2016 compared to $15.4 million, or $0.56 per fully diluted share in the prior year.

Consolidated gross profit decreased from $64.6 million in the six months ended December 31, 2015 to $60.5 million in the six months ended December 31, 2016.  Gross margin decreased to 9.2% in the six months ended December 31, 2016 compared to 10.0% in the same period in the prior fiscal year.  The reduction in gross margin in fiscal 2017 is primarily attributable to lower direct margins and increased under recovery of construction overhead costs in the Oil Gas & Chemical and Industrial segments, which were partially offset by higher direct margins in the Storage Solutions segment.

Consolidated SG&A expenses were $38.0 million in the six months ended December 31, 2016 compared to $44.6 million in the same period a year earlier.  The decrease in SG&A expense in fiscal 2017 was primarily attributable to a non-routine bad debt charge of $5.2 million from a client bankruptcy in fiscal 2016.  Fiscal 2017 SG&A expense included $0.7 million of acquisition and integration costs from the Houston Interests acquisition.

Backlog

Backlog at December 31, 2016 was $814.0 million compared to $786.6 million at September 30, 2016 on project awards of $310.3 million, an increase of $27.4 million over the previous quarter.

Financial Position

Availability under the Company's credit facility of $162.2 million along with the Company's cash balance of $66.2 million provided liquidity of $228.4 million at December 31, 2016, an increase of $55.2 million, or 31.9%, since September 30, 2016.  Subsequent to December 31, 2016, the Company executed a new five year credit agreement increasing its credit facility to $300.0 million to fund strategic growth objectives.

Conference Call / Webcast Details

In conjunction with the earnings release, Matrix Service Company will host a conference call / webcast with John R. Hewitt, President and CEO, and Kevin S. Cavanah, Vice President and CFO.  The call will take place at 10:30 a.m. (Eastern) / 9:30 a.m. (Central) on Thursday, February 9, 2017 and will be simultaneously broadcast live over the Internet which can be accessed at the Company’s website at matrixservicecompany.com on the Investors’ page under Conference Calls/Events.  Please allow extra time prior to the call to visit the site and download the streaming media software required to listen to the Internet broadcast.  The conference call will be recorded and will be available for replay within one hour of completion of the live call and can be accessed following the same link as the live call.

About Matrix Service Company

Matrix Service Company provides engineering, fabrication, construction and repair and maintenance services to the Electrical Infrastructure, Oil Gas & Chemical, Storage Solutions and Industrial markets.

The Company is headquartered in Tulsa, Oklahoma, with regional operating facilities throughout the United States, Canada and other international locations.

This release contains forward-looking statements that are made in reliance upon the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements are generally accompanied by words such as “anticipate,” “continues,” “expect,” “forecast,” “outlook,” “believe,” “estimate,” “should” and “will” and words of similar effect that convey future meaning, concerning the Company’s operations, economic performance and management’s best judgment as to what may occur in the future. Future events involve risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results to differ materially from those we currently anticipate. The actual results for the current and future periods and other corporate developments will depend upon a number of economic, competitive and other influences, including those factors discussed in the “Risk Factors” and “Forward Looking Statements” sections and elsewhere in the Company’s reports and filings made from time to time with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Many of these risks and uncertainties are beyond the control of the Company, and any one of which, or a combination of which, could materially and adversely affect the results of the Company's operations and its financial condition. We undertake no obligation to update information contained in this release, except as required by law.

Matrix Service Company
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income
(unaudited)
(In thousands, except per share data)
		Three Months Ended								Six Months Ended
		December 31,  2016				December 31,  2015				December 31,  2016				December 31,  2015
Revenues		$	312,655			$	323,529			$	654,436			$	642,860
Cost of revenues		284,443				293,524				593,946				578,271
Gross profit		28,212				30,005				60,490				64,589
Selling, general and administrative expenses		19,975				25,070				37,952				44,553
Operating income		8,237				4,935				22,538				20,036
Other income (expense):
Interest expense		(497		)		(252		)		(740		)		(515		)
Interest income		26				60				38				91
Other		47				(148		)		54				(202		)
Income before income tax expense		7,813				4,595				21,890				19,410
Provision for federal, state and foreign income taxes		2,563				1,477				7,298				6,553
Net income		$	5,250			$	3,118			14,592				12,857
Less: Net loss attributable to noncontrolling interest		—				(2,313		)		—				(2,515		)
Net income attributable to Matrix Service Company		$	5,250			$	5,431			$	14,592			$	15,372
Basic earnings per common share		$	0.20			$	0.20			$	0.55			$	0.58
Diluted earnings per common share		$	0.20			$	0.20			$	0.54			$	0.56
Weighted average common shares outstanding:
Basic		26,553				26,721				26,470				26,598
Diluted		26,832				27,248				26,842				27,229

Matrix Service Company
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets
(unaudited)
(In thousands)
	December 31,  2016				June 30,  2016
Assets
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$	66,230			$	71,656
Accounts receivable, less allowances (December 31, 2016— $8,313 and June 30, 2016—$8,403)	248,712				190,434
Costs and estimated earnings in excess of billings on uncompleted contracts	80,296				104,001
Inventories	4,194				3,935
Income taxes receivable	486				9
Other current assets	8,318				5,411
Total current assets	408,236				375,446
Property, plant and equipment at cost:
Land and buildings	39,348				39,224
Construction equipment	91,587				90,386
Transportation equipment	48,254				49,046
Office equipment and software	34,946				29,577
Construction in progress	4,563				7,475
Total property, plant and equipment - at cost	218,698				215,708
Accumulated depreciation	(137,414		)		(130,977		)
Property, plant and equipment - net	81,284				84,731
Goodwill	113,019				78,293
Other intangible assets	29,351				20,999
Deferred income taxes	2,512				3,719
Other assets	1,388				1,779
Total assets	$	635,790			$	564,967

Matrix Service Company
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (continued)
(unaudited)
(In thousands, except share data)
	December 31,  2016				June 30,  2016
Liabilities and stockholders’ equity
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable	$	108,260			$	141,445
Billings on uncompleted contracts in excess of costs and estimated earnings	74,858				58,327
Accrued wages and benefits	21,162				27,716
Accrued insurance	9,171				9,246
Income taxes payable	1,293				2,675
Other accrued expenses	15,539				6,621
Total current liabilities	230,283				246,030
Deferred income taxes	2,855				3,198
Borrowings under senior revolving credit facility	72,412				—
Other liabilities	411				173
Total liabilities	305,961				249,401
Commitments and contingencies
Stockholders’ equity:
Matrix Service Company stockholders' equity:
Common stock—$.01 par value; 60,000,000 shares authorized; 27,888,217 shares issued as of December 31, 2016, and June 30, 2016; 26,588,643 and 26,297,145 shares outstanding as of December 31, 2016 and June 30, 2016	279				279
Additional paid-in capital	124,659				127,058
Retained earnings	237,749				223,157
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	(8,842		)		(6,845		)
	353,845				343,649
Less: Treasury stock, at cost — 1,299,574 shares as of December 31, 2016, and 1,591,072 shares as of June 30, 2016	(22,840		)		(26,907		)
Total Matrix Service Company stockholders’ equity	331,005				316,742
Noncontrolling interest	(1,176		)		(1,176		)
Total stockholders' equity	329,829				315,566
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity	$	635,790			$	564,967

Matrix Service Company
Results of Operations
(unaudited)
(In thousands)
		Three Months Ended								Six Months Ended
		December 31,  2016				December 31,  2015				December 31,  2016				December 31,  2015
Gross revenues
Electrical Infrastructure		$	103,158			$	91,398			$	191,183			$	157,023
Oil Gas & Chemical		56,913				63,472				94,741				132,431
Storage Solutions		128,927				122,647				328,577				267,217
Industrial		25,026				48,390				47,753				89,725
Total gross revenues		$	314,024			$	325,907			$	662,254			$	646,396
Less: Inter-segment revenues
Oil Gas & Chemical		1,199				1,932				$	6,485			$	2,580
Storage Solutions		170				478				298				812
Industrial		—				(32		)		1,035				144
Total inter-segment revenues		$	1,369			$	2,378			$	7,818			$	3,536
Consolidated revenues
Electrical Infrastructure		$	103,158			$	91,398			$	191,183			$	157,023
Oil Gas & Chemical		55,714				61,540				88,256				129,851
Storage Solutions		128,757				122,169				328,279				266,405
Industrial		25,026				48,422				46,718				89,581
Total consolidated revenues		$	312,655			$	323,529			$	654,436			$	642,860
Gross profit
Electrical Infrastructure		$	7,225			$	4,021			$	12,475			$	8,729
Oil Gas & Chemical		2,431				5,971				2,432				11,654
Storage Solutions		17,071				14,426				43,524				34,658
Industrial		1,485				5,587				2,059				9,548
Total gross profit		$	28,212			$	30,005			$	60,490			$	64,589
Operating income (loss)
Electrical Infrastructure		$	2,164			$	(723	)		$	3,221			$	477
Oil Gas & Chemical		(1,950		)		(3,029		)		(4,855		)		(1,613		)
Storage Solutions		8,242				6,374				25,015				17,923
Industrial		(219		)		2,313				(843		)		3,249
Total operating income		$	8,237			$	4,935			$	22,538			$	20,036

Backlog

We define backlog as the total dollar amount of revenue that we expect to recognize as a result of performing work that has been awarded to us through a signed contract, notice to proceed or other type of assurance that we consider firm.  The following arrangements are considered firm:

 

• fixed-price awards;
  
• minimum customer commitments on cost plus arrangements; and
  
• certain time and material arrangements in which the estimated value is firm or can be estimated with a reasonable amount of certainty in both timing and amounts.
  

For long-term maintenance contracts and other established arrangements, we include only the amounts that we expect to recognize into revenue over the next 12 months.  For all other arrangements, we calculate backlog as the estimated contract amount less revenue recognized as of the reporting date.

The following table provides a summary of changes in our backlog for the three months ended December 31, 2016:

	Electrical Infrastructure				Oil Gas & Chemical				Storage Solutions				Industrial				Total
	(In thousands)
Backlog as of September 30, 2016	$	354,286			$	179,274			$	198,141			$	54,911			$	786,612
Project awards	87,285				59,443				116,107				47,501				310,336
Acquired backlog from Houston Interests	—				26,502				—				3,195				29,697
Revenue recognized	(103,158		)		(55,714		)		(128,757		)		(25,026		)		(312,655		)
Backlog as of December 31, 2016	$	338,413			$	209,505			$	185,491			$	80,581			$	813,990

The following table provides a summary of changes in our backlog for the six months ended December 31, 2016:

	Electrical Infrastructure				Oil Gas & Chemical				Storage Solutions				Industrial				Total
	(In thousands)
Backlog as of June 30, 2016	$	369,791			$	91,478			$	359,013			$	48,390			$	868,672
Project awards	159,805				179,781				154,757				75,714				570,057
Acquired backlog from Houston Interests	—				26,502				—				3,195				29,697
Revenue recognized	(191,183		)		(88,256		)		(328,279		)		(46,718		)		(654,436		)
Backlog as of December 31, 2016	$	338,413			$	209,505			$	185,491			$	80,581			$	813,990

 

For more information, please contact:

Matrix Service Company
Kevin S. Cavanah
Vice President and CFO
T: 918-838-8822
Email:kcavanah@matrixservicecompany.com