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Universal Stainless Reports Record Sales and Earnings for Third Quarter 2006

Oct 19, 2006
Universal Stainless Reports Record Sales and Earnings for Third Quarter 2006

Universal Stainless Reports Record Sales and Earnings for Third Quarter 2006

EPS Reaches $0.86 on $55 Million in Sales

BRIDGEVILLE, Pa., Oct. 19, 2006 -- Universal Stainless & Alloy Products, Inc. (Nasdaq:USAP) reported today that net income for the third quarter of 2006 rose 73% to a record $5.7 million, or $0.86 per diluted share, on a 28% increase in sales, which reached a record $55.1 million. This compares with net income of $3.3 million, or $0.51 per diluted share, and sales of $43.1 million reported in the third quarter of 2005.

Third quarter 2006 results exceeded the Company's forecast of diluted EPS of $0.65 to $0.70 and sales of $45 to $50 million.

Net income for the nine-month period ended September 30, 2006 rose 50% to a record $14.2 million, or $2.15 per diluted share, on a 16% increase in sales, which reached a record $148.1 million. In the prior year period net income was $9.5 million, or $1.47 per diluted share, and sales were $128.0 million.

President and CEO Mac McAninch commented: "Continued robust aerospace demand, coupled with strong petrochemical and power generation markets, enabled us to achieve record results for the third quarter of 2006. Sales were further accelerated by the rapid increase in the cost of nickel, a major component of stainless steel, which increased the prices of our products due to the effect of the surcharge mechanism. Our Dunkirk operation also benefited from continued workforce additions, the timing of feedstock procurement and effective cost management. As a result, Dunkirk's sales reached $20 million and its operating margin rose to a record 19% of sales."

Mr. McAninch continued: "Our investment in a sixth vacuum-arc remelt (VAR) furnace and the addition of milling machines and a plate flattener in Bridgeville enabled us to take advantage of our market opportunity and work down some of our substantial backlog. We completed installation of a seventh VAR furnace ahead of schedule this summer and expect to see a full-quarter benefit in the first quarter of 2007."

Mr. McAninch concluded: "We remain optimistic about the balance of the year even though we expect to see the normal seasonal patterns come into play in December and have developed our forecast accordingly. We see favorable conditions in our end markets continuing into 2007 and beyond."

Segment Review

In the third quarter of 2006, the Universal Stainless & Alloy Products segment had record sales of $47.2 million and operating income of $4.0 million, yielding an operating margin of 9%. This compares with third quarter 2005 sales of $40.0 million and operating income of $4.0 million, or 10% of sales. In the second quarter of 2006, sales were $45.7 million and operating income was $5.8 million, or 13% of sales. The reduction in operating margin in the 2006 third quarter is primarily due to higher material costs incurred in comparison to prior quarters.

The 18% increase in sales from the 2005 third quarter reflects the contribution of the new vacuum-arc remelt furnace installed in December 2005 and additional milling machines and a plate flattener added in the 2006 first quarter. It also was due to higher product prices and a favorable product mix, including growth in shipments to forgers and of bar and plate products to service centers and OEMs. The 3% sales increase over the 2006 second quarter mainly reflected increased shipments of semi-finished product to rerollers and forgers and of bar products to service centers offset by lower shipments of tool steel plate to service centers.

The Dunkirk Specialty Steel segment reported record sales for the 2006 third quarter of $19.8 million and record operating income of $3.8 million, resulting in an operating margin of 19%. This compares with sales of $14.0 million and operating income of $1.8 million, or 13% of sales, in the third quarter of 2005. In the second quarter of 2006 sales were $16.2 million and operating income of $2.3 million, resulting in an operating margin of 14%.

Dunkirk's sales increased 42% over the 2005 third quarter and 23% over the 2006 second quarter. Operating income increased 117% from the prior year third quarter and rose 69% from the 2006 second quarter. The growth in sales and profitability was due to the previously mentioned factors, including the effect of the surcharge mechanism, workforce additions that helped increase throughput and effective cost management. In addition to increased sales to service centers and OEMs in the 2006 third quarter, Dunkirk's sales to redrawers rose substantially from the previous quarter due to a large shipment of rod product requiring special chemistry.

Business Outlook

The following statements are based on the Company's current expectations. These statements are forward-looking, and actual results may differ materially.

The Company estimates that fourth quarter 2006 sales will range from $45 to $50 million and that diluted EPS will range from $0.70 to $0.75. This compares with sales of $42.0 million and diluted EPS of $0.55 in the fourth quarter of 2005.

The following factors were considered in developing these estimates:
 -- The Company's total backlog at September 30, 2006 remained at high 
    levels, approximating $124 million compared to $128 million at 
    June 30, 2006.
 -- Despite continued strong end market demand, the Company expects 
    normal year-end plant closings and inventory adjustments by its 
    customers as well as trucking constraints to impact its sales 
    company-wide.  In line with this, sales from the Dunkirk Specialty 
    Steel segment are expected to approximate $17 million in the 
    fourth quarter of 2006.
Webcast

A simultaneous Webcast of the Company's conference call discussing the third quarter of 2006 and the fourth quarter outlook, scheduled at 10:00 a.m. (Eastern) today, will be available on the Company's website at www.univstainless.com, and thereafter archived on the website. A telephone replay of the conference call will be available beginning at 12:00 noon (Eastern) today and continuing through October 26th. It can be accessed by dialing 706-645-9291, passcode 7722080. This is a toll call.

About Universal Stainless & Alloy Products, Inc.

Universal Stainless & Alloy Products, Inc., headquartered in Bridgeville, Pa., manufactures and markets a broad line of semi-finished and finished specialty steels, including stainless steel, tool steel and certain other alloyed steels. The Company's products are sold to rerollers, forgers, service centers, original equipment manufacturers and wire redrawers.

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, risks associated with the receipt, pricing and timing of future customer orders, risks associated with significant fluctuations that may occur in raw material and energy prices, risks associated with the manufacturing process and production yields, risks related to property, plant and equipment and risks related to the ultimate outcome of the Company's current and future litigation and regulatory matters. 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 STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS

                      For the Quarter Ended  For the Nine-Months Ended
                           September 30,          September 30,
                        2006        2005        2006        2005
                        ----        ----        ----        ----
     Net Sales

 Stainless steel    $   41,726  $   35,573  $  110,159  $  103,397
 Tool steel              5,408       4,805      18,645      15,181
 High-strength low
  alloy steel            4,529       1,506      10,322       4,270
 High-temperature
  alloy steel            2,932         587       7,045       2,323
 Conversion services       461         569       1,694       2,533
 Other                      54          57         201         275
                    ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------
  Total net sales       55,110      43,097     148,066     127,979
 Cost of products
  sold                  42,912      35,692     116,924     106,299
 Selling and
  administrative
  expenses               3,038       2,043       8,173       6,335
                    ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------
  Operating income       9,160       5,362      22,969      15,345
 Interest expense         (275)       (223)       (810)       (595)
 Other income                2          --           6          63
                    ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------
  Income before 
   taxes                 8,887       5,139      22,165      14,813
 Income tax 
  provision              3,199       1,850       7,979       5,333
                    ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------
  Net income        $    5,688  $    3,289  $   14,186  $    9,480
                    ==========  ==========  ==========  ==========

 Earnings per share
  - Basic           $     0.88  $     0.52  $     2.21  $     1.49
                    ==========  ==========  ==========  ==========
 Earnings per share
  - Diluted         $     0.86  $     0.51  $     2.15  $     1.47
                    ==========  ==========  ==========  ==========

 Weighted average
  shares of
  Common Stock
  outstanding

  Basic              6,443,570   6,383,464   6,429,089   6,365,947
  Diluted            6,615,784   6,490,056   6,596,787   6,469,953


                                MARKET SEGMENT INFORMATION

                      For the Quarter Ended  For the Nine-Months Ended
                           September 30,          September 30,
                        2006        2005        2006        2005
                        ----        ----        ----        ----

     Net Sales

 Service centers    $   26,394  $   18,039  $   75,750  $   53,396
 Rerollers               9,856       9,762      25,080      33,040
 Forgers                10,614       8,572      25,035      22,742
 Original equipment
  manufacturers          4,421       3,148      13,976       8,070
 Wire redrawers          3,310       2,949       6,330       7,934
 Conversion services       461         569       1,694       2,533
 Other                      54          58         201         264
                    ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------
  Total net sales   $   55,110  $   43,097  $  148,066  $  127,979
                    ==========  ==========  ==========  ==========

 Tons shipped           13,636      11,952      38,421      40,565
                    ==========  ==========  ==========  ==========


                       BUSINESS SEGMENT RESULTS

 Universal Stainless & Alloy Products Segment

                      For the Quarter Ended  For the Nine-Months Ended
                          September 30,           September 30,
                         2006       2005         2006       2005
                         ----       ----         ----       ----
   Net Sales

 Stainless steel       $ 28,342   $ 23,551     $ 74,353   $ 68,864
 Tool steel               4,852      4,569       17,466     14,723
 High-strength low 
  alloy steel             2,107        574        5,036      1,887
 High-temperature alloy
  steel                     931        507        2,690      2,235
 Conversion services        321        466        1,243      2,122
 Other                       39         57          151        217
                       --------   --------     --------   --------
                         36,592     29,724      100,939     90,048
 Intersegment            10,599     10,248       31,089     25,506
                       --------   --------     --------   --------

  Total net sales        47,191     39,972      132,028    115,554
 Material cost of sales  24,055     20,876       61,809     59,156
 Operation cost of 
  sales                  16,965     13,651       49,700     41,734
 Selling and
  administrative 
  expenses                2,124      1,428        5,679      4,324
                       --------   --------     --------   --------

  Operating income     $  4,047   $  4,017     $ 14,840   $ 10,340
                       ========   ========     ========   ========

 Dunkirk Specialty Steel Segment

                      For the Quarter Ended  For the Nine-Months Ended
                          September 30,           September 30,
                         2006       2005         2006       2005
                         ----       ----         ----       ----
   Net Sales

 Stainless steel       $ 13,384   $ 12,022     $ 35,806   $ 34,533
 Tool steel                 556        236        1,179        458
 High-strength low
  alloy steel             2,422        932        5,286      2,383
 High-temperature alloy
  steel                   2,001         80        4,355         88
 Conversion services        140        103          451        411
 Other                       15         --           50         58
                       --------   --------     --------   --------
                         18,518     13,373       47,127     37,931
 Intersegment             1,317        617        2,874      2,098
                       --------   --------     --------   --------

  Total net sales        19,835     13,990       50,001     40,029
 Material cost of sales  10,847      8,190       27,756     21,746
 Operation cost of
  sales                   4,263      3,428       12,216     10,817
 Selling and
  administrative
  expenses                  914        615        2,494      2,011
                       --------   --------     --------   --------

  Operating income     $  3,811   $  1,757     $  7,535   $  5,455
                       ========   ========     ========   ========


                  CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET

                                     September 30,  December 31,
                                             2006          2005
                                             ----          ----
     Assets

 Cash                                    $    614      $    620
 Accounts receivable, net                  37,784        27,963
 Inventory                                 63,455        51,398
 Deferred taxes                             1,835         1,084
 Other current assets                       1,525         1,706
                                         --------      --------

  Total current assets                    105,213        82,771
 Property, plant & equipment, net          49,381        45,761
 Other assets                                 500           495
                                         --------      --------
  Total assets                           $155,094      $129,027
                                         ========      ========
  Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity

 Trade accounts payable                  $ 18,345      $ 12,579
 Accrued employment costs                   4,919         2,958
 Deferred revenue                           2,882           384
 Outstanding checks in excess of bank
  balance                                   2,547         3,101
 Current portion of long-term debt          2,414         1,555
 Other current liabilities                  2,037           530
                                         --------      --------

  Total current liabilities                33,144        21,107
 Bank revolver                              7,153         6,117
 Long-term debt                             9,427        11,200
 Deferred taxes                             9,486         9,600
                                         --------      --------
  Total liabilities                        59,210        48,024
 Stockholders' equity                      95,884        81,003
                                         --------      --------

  Total liabilities and stockholders'
   equity                                $155,094      $129,027
                                         ========      ========


               CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CASH FLOW DATA 
             For the Nine-Month Period Ended September 30,

                                                    2006        2005
                                                    ----        ---- 
 Cash flows provided by operating activities:

  Net income                                     $ 14,186    $  9,480
  Adjustments to reconcile to net cash
   provided by operating activities:
 Depreciation and amortization                      2,460       2,301
 Loss on retirement of fixed assets                    --         705
 Deferred tax (decrease) increase                    (879)        193
 Stock based compensation expense                     369          --
 Tax benefit from exercise of stock options            --         173
 Excess tax benefits from share-based payment
  arrangements                                       (179)         --
 Changes in assets and liabilities:
  Accounts receivable, net                         (9,821)     (4,530)
  Inventory                                       (12,057)    (12,889)
  Trade accounts payable                            5,766         (32)
  Deferred revenue                                  2,498         310
  Accrued employment costs                          1,961       1,466
  Other, net                                        1,204       1,483
                                                 --------    --------
 Cash flow provided by operating activities         5,508      (1,340)
                                                 --------    --------
 Cash flow used in investing activities:

  Capital expenditures                             (5,587)     (5,233)
                                                 --------    --------
 Cash flow used in investing activities            (5,587)     (5,233)
                                                 --------    --------
 Cash flows provided by financing activities:

  Revolving credit net borrowings                   1,036        (197)
  Proceeds from long-term debt                         --       8,050
  Deferred financing costs                             --         (48)
  Long-term debt repayments                          (914)       (755)
  Net change in outstanding checks in excess of
   bank balance                                      (554)        248
  Proceeds from issuance of common stock              326         554
  Excess tax benefits from share-based payment
   arrangements                                       179          --
                                                 --------    --------
 Cash flow provided by financing activities
                                                       73       7,852
                                                 --------    --------
 Net cash flow                                   $     (6)   $  1,279
                                                 ========    ========
CONTACT:  Universal Stainless & Alloy Products, Inc.
          Richard M. Ubinger, Vice President of Finance,
           Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer
          (412) 257-7606

          Comm-Partners LLC
          June Filingeri, President
          (203) 972-0186