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Universal Stainless Posts Solid Third Quarter 2014 Results

Oct 29, 2014

  • Net Sales of $53.6 Million Increase 3% Sequentially and 11% from 2013 Third Quarter
  • Gross Margin at Two-Year High of 16.1% of Sales; Operating Income is $3.1 Million
  • Net Income Totals $1.4 Million, or $0.20 per Diluted Share
  • Third Quarter 2014 Backlog 52% Higher than Third Quarter 2013

BRIDGEVILLE, Pa., Oct. 29, 2014 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Universal Stainless & Alloy Products, Inc. (Nasdaq:USAP) today reported that net sales for the third quarter of 2014 were $53.6 million, an increase of 3% from the second quarter of 2014, and 11% higher than the third quarter of 2013. For the first nine months of 2014, net sales increased 9% to $152.6 million compared with net sales of $140.5 million in the same period of 2013, with premium alloy products accounting for 7% of total net sales.

Third quarter 2014 net sales were led by the aerospace market which grew by 6% sequentially over the second quarter of 2014 and by 11% over the third quarter of 2013. Aerospace represented 60% of total net sales. Compared to the third quarter of 2013, the Company's sales increased to all of its end markets with the exception of power generation. With a strong pick-up in order entry in September, the Company's backlog (before surcharges) was $61 million at the end of the third quarter of 2014, remaining level with the end of the 2014 second quarter, but 52% higher than at the end of the third quarter of 2013.   

The Company's gross margin for the third quarter of 2014 was $8.6 million, or 16.1% of sales, which is essentially the same as the second quarter of 2014, but substantially higher than the third quarter of 2013 when the gross margin was $2.4 million, or 5.0% of net sales. The improvement in the Company's third quarter 2014 gross margin compared to the same prior year period is primarily attributable to an improved product mix, management's initiatives to improve yields and lower scrap rates, and higher manufacturing activity.   

Operating income for the third quarter of 2014 was $3.1 million, or almost equal with the second quarter of 2014.  In the third quarter of 2013, the Company posted an operating loss of $2.0 million. Third quarter 2014 operating income included approximately $0.2 million in selling, general and administrative expenses related to placement fees as management continues to strengthen the organization for future growth.  

The Company reported net income of $1.4 million, or $0.20 per diluted share, for the third quarter of 2014, which matches the $1.4 million, or $0.20 per diluted share, reported in the second quarter of 2014. In the third quarter of 2013, the Company recorded a net loss of $1.7 million, or $0.25 per diluted share.  

Net income for the first nine months of 2014 increased to $2.3 million, or $0.33 per diluted share, compared to a net loss of $1.2 million, or $0.17 per diluted share, in the first nine months of 2013.  Included in the results for the first nine months of 2014 were state tax charges, which were primarily non-cash, of approximately $0.9 million that negatively impacted earnings per share by $0.12.                                  

For the third quarter of 2014, the Company generated cash from operations of $3.8 million.  At September 30, 2014, total debt was $91.1 million, or approximately the same level as the end of the second quarter of 2014.   Debt to total capitalization was 31.2% at the end of the 2014 third quarter.   

Chairman, President and CEO Dennis Oates commented: "Third quarter sales increased 3% sequentially reaching their highest level in two years and overcoming normal seasonal slowness. Our initiatives to manage product mix and improve yields were major positive contributors in maintaining a two-year-high gross profit margin of 16.1%. Overall order entry remains solid with September marking the second highest monthly level since early 2012.

"Overall, market conditions have been stronger this year than in 2013 and we are well positioned to participate in future growth. We are monitoring any short-term impacts from recent volatile global issues and the decline in commodity prices, although the outlook for the end markets we target, especially aerospace, continues to be positive. Additionally, our latest discussions with customers indicate that their optimism for further improvement in 2015 remains unchanged."

Webcast

The Company has scheduled a conference call for today, October 29, at 10:00 a.m. (Eastern) to discuss third quarter 2014 results. A simultaneous webcast will be available on the Company's website at www.univstainless.com, and thereafter archived on the website through the end of the fourth quarter of 2014.  

About Universal Stainless & Alloy Products, Inc.

Universal Stainless & Alloy Products, Inc., headquartered in Bridgeville, PA, manufactures and markets semi-finished and finished specialty steels, including stainless steel, nickel alloys, tool steel and certain other alloyed steels. The Company's products are used in a variety of industries, including aerospace, power generation, oil and gas, and heavy equipment manufacturing. Established in 1994, the Company, with its experience, technical expertise, and dedicated workforce, stands committed to providing the best quality, delivery, and service possible. More information is available at www.univstainless.com.

Forward-Looking Information Safe Harbor

Except for historical information contained herein, the statements in this release are forward-looking statements that are made pursuant to the "safe harbor" provision of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties that may cause the Company's actual results in future periods to differ materially from forecasted results. Those risks include, among others, the concentrated nature of the Company's customer base to date and the Company's dependence on its significant customers; the receipt, pricing and timing of future customer orders; changes in product mix; the limited number of raw material and energy suppliers and significant fluctuations that may occur in raw material and energy prices; risks related to property, plant and equipment,  including the Company's reliance on the continuing operation of critical manufacturing equipment; risks associated with labor matters; the Company's ongoing requirement for continued compliance with laws and regulations, including applicable safety and environmental regulations; the ultimate outcome of the Company's current and future litigation and matters; risks related to acquisitions that the Company may make; and the impact of various economic, credit and market risk uncertainties. Many of these factors are not within the Company's control and involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties that may cause the Company's actual results in future periods to be materially different from any future performance suggested herein. Any unfavorable change in the foregoing or other factors could have a material adverse effect on the Company's business, financial condition and results of operations. Further, the Company operates in an industry sector where securities values may be volatile and may be influenced by economic and other factors beyond the Company's control. Certain of these risks and other risks are described in the Company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) over the last 12 months, copies of which are available from the SEC or may be obtained upon request from the Company.

UNIVERSAL STAINLESS & ALLOY PRODUCTS, INC.
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS
(Dollars in Thousands, Except Per Share Information)
(Unaudited)
         
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
         
 Three months ended
September 30,
Nine months ended
September 30,
 2014201320142013
Net Sales        
Stainless steel $ 41,561  $ 38,133 $ 120,233  $ 105,803
High-strength low alloy steel  4,541   4,373  11,787   14,831
Tool steel  4,254   3,849  11,315   13,951
High-temperature alloy steel  1,555   1,168  4,570   3,243
Conversion services and other sales  1,715   937  4,697   2,654
         
Total net sales  53,626   48,460  152,602   140,482
         
Cost of products sold  44,983   46,022  129,489   128,090
         
Gross margin  8,643   2,438  23,113   12,392
         
Selling, general and administrative expenses  5,520   4,467  15,317   13,815
         
Operating income (loss)  3,123   (2,029)  7,796   (1,423)
         
Interest expense  (789)  (636)  (2,370)  (1,967)
Deferred financing amortization  (160)  (116)  (484)  (311)
Other (expense) income, net  (4)  418   (1)  481
         
Income (loss) before income taxes  2,170   (2,363)  4,941   (3,220)
         
Provision (benefit) for income taxes  775   (652)  2,596   (2,027)
         
Net income (loss) $ 1,395   $ (1,711) $ 2,345   $ (1,193)
         
Net income (loss) per common share - Basic $ 0.20   $ (0.25) $ 0.33   $ (0.17)
Net income (loss) per common share - Diluted * $ 0.20   $ (0.25) $ 0.33   $ (0.17)
         
Weighted average shares of common stock outstanding        
Basic  7,039,823   6,960,967   7,028,658   6,943,208 
Diluted  7,539,291   6,960,967   7,114,121   6,943,208 
         
* The three months ended September 30, 2014 diluted earnings per common share has been adjusted for interest expense on convertible notes.
 
 
MARKET SEGMENT INFORMATION
         
 Three months ended
September 30,
Nine months ended
September 30,
 2014201320142013
Net Sales        
Service centers  $ 36,897 $ 30,748  $ 100,659  $ 92,360 
Forgers   6,257  4,688   19,719   15,750 
Rerollers   5,405  8,577   16,257   19,657 
Original equipment manufacturers   3,352  3,510   11,270   10,061 
Conversion services and other sales  1,715  937   4,697   2,654 
         
Total net sales  $ 53,626 $ 48,460  $ 152,602  $ 140,482 
         
Tons shipped  10,216  9,843   29,461   28,027 
         
MELT TYPE INFORMATION
         
 Three months ended
September 30,
Nine months ended
September 30,
 2014201320142013
Net Sales        
Specialty alloys $ 48,608  $ 43,808  $ 137,648  $ 130,027 
Premium alloys *  3,303   3,715   10,257   7,801 
Conversion services and other sales  1,715   937   4,697   2,654 
         
Total net sales  $ 53,626  $ 48,460  $ 152,602  $ 140,482 
         
END MARKET INFORMATION **
         
 Three months ended
September 30,
Nine months ended
September 30,
 2014201320142013
Net Sales        
Aerospace $ 31,972  $ 28,723  $ 88,869  $ 79,448 
Power generation  5,710   6,378   17,677   16,668 
Oil & gas  5,121   5,045   14,776   15,821 
Heavy equipment  4,672   4,167   12,328   15,201 
General industrial, conversion services and other sales  6,151   4,147   18,952   13,344 
         
Total net sales  $ 53,626 $ 48,460  $ 152,602  $ 140,482 
         
         
*   Premium alloys represent all vacuum induction melted (VIM) products.
         
** The majority of our products are sold to service centers/processors rather than the ultimate end market customers. The end market information in this press release is our estimate based upon our knowledge of our customers and the grade of material sold to them, that they will in-turn sell to the ultimate end market customer.
 
 
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
     
 September 30,
2014
December 31,
2013
Assets    
     
Cash $ 705   $ 307  
Accounts receivable, net  33,526   21,447 
Inventory, net  93,871   82,593 
Deferred income taxes  6,843   13,042 
Other current assets  3,098   3,906 
     
Total current assets  138,043   121,295 
Property, plant and equipment, net  198,487   203,590 
Goodwill  20,268   20,268 
Other long-term assets  2,087   2,771 
     
Total assets $ 358,885  $ 347,924 
     
Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity    
     
Accounts payable $ 20,829  $ 14,288 
Accrued employment costs  5,707   3,430 
Current portion of long-term debt  3,000   3,000 
Other current liabilities  1,048   1,023 
     
Total current liabilities  30,584   21,741 
Long-term debt  88,091   86,796 
Deferred income taxes  38,643   42,532 
Other long-term liabilities  312   397 
     
Total liabilities  157,630   151,466 
Stockholders' equity  201,255   196,458 
     
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity $ 358,885  $ 347,924 
 
 
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOW
     
 Nine months ended
September 30,
 20142013
   
Operating activities:    
Net income (loss) $ 2,345  $ (1,193)
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash provided by operating activities:    
Depreciation and amortization   13,026   12,174 
Deferred income tax   2,310   (2,737)
Share-based compensation expense  1,564   1,363 
Changes in assets and liabilities:     
Accounts receivable, net   (12,079)  (4,712)
Inventory, net   (12,440)  12,212 
Accounts payable   6,541   1,435 
Accrued employment costs   2,277   (1,378)
Income taxes   246   552 
Other, net   482   4,252 
     
Net cash provided by operating activities  4,272   21,968 
     
Investing activity:    
Capital expenditures  (6,077)  (10,351)
     
Net cash used in investing activity  (6,077)  (10,351)
     
Financing activities:    
Borrowings under revolving credit facility  82,416   63,328 
Payments on revolving credit facility  (78,871)  (74,720)
Payments on term loan facility  (2,250)  (750)
Proceeds from the issuance of common stock   908   809 
Payment of deferred financing costs  --   (487)
Purchase of treasury stock  --   (38)
     
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities  2,203   (11,858)
     
Net increase (decrease) in cash  398   (241)
Cash at beginning of period   307   321 
     
Cash at end of period  $ 705  $ 80 
CONTACT: Dennis M. Oates

         Chairman,

         President and CEO

         (412) 257-7609

         

         Michael D. Bornak

         VP Finance, CFO

         and Treasurer

         (412) 257-7606

         

         June Filingeri

         President

         Comm-Partners LLC

         (203) 972-0186