Bay Street News

Green Plains Reports Third Quarter 2018 Financial Results

OMAHA, Neb., Nov. 07, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Green Plains Inc. (NASDAQ:GPRE) today announced financial results for the third quarter of 2018. Net loss attributable to the company was $12.5 million, or $(0.31) per diluted share, for the third quarter of 2018 compared to net income of $34.4 million, or $0.74 per diluted share, for the same period in 2017. Revenues were $1.0 billion for the third quarter of 2018 compared with $901.2 million for the same period last year.

“I am pleased to say that the portfolio optimization plan we launched six months ago to strengthen our balance sheet and to reposition our assets for growth remains on track,” commented Todd Becker, president and chief executive officer. “We estimate that the cash proceeds from the asset sales, net of fees and taxes, will be approximately $645 million. This will allow the company to pay off the outstanding term loan B balance of $495 million and execute on the other points of our portfolio optimization plan once the sale transactions close.”

“We will be free of term debt on our assets for the first time in the company’s history,” added Becker, “We will continue to focus on enhancing our margin structure for our ethanol production segment by reducing controllable expenses, investing in high-protein feed technology, and focusing our efforts on growing our earnings across our entire business.”

Revenues attributable to the company were $3.0 billion for the nine-month period ended September 30, 2018, compared with $2.7 billion for the same period in 2017. Net loss for the nine-month period ended September 30, 2018, was $37.6 million, or $(0.94) per diluted share, compared with net income of $14.4 million, or $0.48 per diluted share, for the same period in 2017.

“In addition to our food and ingredients segment delivering results in line with our expectations, we were successful in generating a consolidated ethanol crush margin of $32.3 million, or approximately $0.11 per gallon in a challenging third quarter environment. Ethanol exports continue on their record pace of 1.6 billion gallons for 2018 and we believe exports should grow again in 2019,” commented Becker. “The expected approval of E15 next year, along with strong demand for our products worldwide, should start to clear the way for a fundamental improvement in the business going forward. While the current environment remains challenging, our balance sheet has never been stronger due in part to the execution of our portfolio optimization plan and our very strong cash and liquidity position.”

Third Quarter Highlights and Recent Developments

Results of Operations

Green Plains produced 304.8 million gallons of ethanol during the third quarter of 2018, compared with 313.6 million gallons for the same period in 2017. The consolidated ethanol crush margin was $32.3 million, or $0.11 per gallon, for the third quarter of 2018, compared with $47.3 million, or $0.15 per gallon, for the same period in 2017. The consolidated ethanol crush margin is the ethanol production segment’s operating income before depreciation and amortization, which includes corn oil, plus intercompany storage, transportation and other fees, net of related expenses.

Consolidated revenues increased $98.9 million for the third quarter of 2018, compared with the same period in 2017 as a result of the acquisitions of cattle feeding operations in 2018 and 2017, partially offset by a decrease in ethanol production and trading activity.

Operating income decreased $20.1 million and earnings before interest, income taxes, depreciation and amortization (EBITDA) decreased $18.3 million for the third quarter of 2018 compared with the same period last year primarily due to the compression of ethanol production margins. Interest expense decreased $8.5 million for the third quarter of 2018, compared with the same period in 2017, primarily due to higher expense associated with the termination of previous credit facilities during the third quarter of 2017. Income tax benefit was $14.7 million for the third quarter of 2018, compared with $48.8 million for the same period in 2017 due to the company’s recognition of tax benefits related to R&D Credits during the third quarter of 2017 for all open tax years.

Segment Information
The company reports the financial and operating performance for the following four operating segments: (1) ethanol production, which includes the production of ethanol and distillers grains, and recovery of corn oil, (2) agribusiness and energy services, which includes grain handling and storage, commodity marketing and merchant trading for company-produced and third-party ethanol, distillers grains, corn oil, natural gas and other commodities, (3) food and ingredients, which includes cattle feeding, vinegar production and food-grade corn oil operations and (4) partnership, which includes fuel storage and transportation services. Intercompany fees charged to the ethanol production segment for storage and logistics services, grain procurement and product sales are included in the partnership, and agribusiness and energy services segments and eliminated upon consolidation. Third party costs of grain consumed and revenues from product sales are reported directly in the ethanol production segment.

                                     
GREEN PLAINS INC.
SEGMENT OPERATIONS
(unaudited, in thousands)
                                     
    Three Months Ended
September 30,
  Nine Months Ended
September 30,
    2018   2017   % Var.   2018   2017   % Var.
Revenues:                                    
Ethanol production   $ 576,512     $ 623,759     (7.6 ) %   $ 1,735,703     $ 1,863,980     (6.9 ) %
Agribusiness and energy services     186,982       179,010     4.5         584,400       517,349     13.0    
Food and ingredients     251,151       114,788     118.8         755,227       329,545     129.2    
Partnership     25,770       26,449     (2.6 )       77,495       78,743     (1.6 )  
Intersegment eliminations     (40,315 )     (42,771 )   (5.7 )       (120,601 )     (114,435 )   5.4    
    $ 1,000,100     $ 901,235     11.0   %   $ 3,032,224     $ 2,675,182     13.3   %
Gross margin:                                    
Ethanol production   $ 15,793     $ 32,855     (51.9 ) %   $ 28,812     $ 61,292     (53.0 ) %
Agribusiness and energy services     7,550       10,275     (26.5 )       38,082       30,110     26.5    
Food and ingredients     15,001       15,934     (5.9 )       52,872       47,647     11.0    
Partnership     25,770       26,449     (2.6 )       77,495       78,743     (1.6 )  
Intersegment eliminations     (398 )     (65 )   512.3         (381 )     (312 )   22.1    
    $ 63,716     $ 85,448     (25.4 ) %   $ 196,880     $ 217,480     (9.5 ) %
Depreciation and amortization:                                    
Ethanol production   $ 24,289     $ 20,959     15.9   %   $ 65,284     $ 61,443     6.3   %
Agribusiness and energy services     675       1,457     (53.7 )       1,923       2,776     (30.7 )  
Food and ingredients     3,780       3,139     20.4         10,628       9,259     14.8    
Partnership     1,120       1,280     (12.5 )       3,406       3,781     (9.9 )  
Corporate activities     849       999     (15.0 )       2,769       2,846     (2.7 )  
    $ 30,713     $ 27,834     10.3   %   $ 84,010     $ 80,105     4.9   %
Operating income (loss):                                    
Ethanol production   $ (15,961 )   $ 3,107     *   %   $ (60,704 )   $ (25,950 )   (133.9 ) %
Agribusiness and energy services     2,851       3,686     (22.7 )       22,081       13,138     68.1    
Food and ingredients     8,324       10,132     (17.8 )       33,890       30,472     11.2    
Partnership     16,725       16,290     2.7         48,214       47,707     1.1    
Intersegment eliminations     (325 )     8     *         (113 )     (147 )   23.1    
Corporate activities     (10,965 )     (12,507 )   12.3         (34,879 )     (30,898 )   (12.9 )  
    $ 649     $ 20,716     (96.9 ) %   $ 8,489     $ 34,322     (75.3 ) %
EBITDA:                                    
Ethanol production   $ 8,475     $ 25,570     (66.9 ) %   $ 4,742     $ 38,521     (87.7 ) %
Agribusiness and energy services     3,537       5,150     (31.3 )       24,035       15,910     51.1    
Food and ingredients     12,151       13,272     (8.4 )       47,192       39,741     18.7    
Partnership     17,913       17,589     1.8         51,674       51,549     0.2    
Intersegment eliminations     (325 )     8     *         (113 )     (147 )   23.1    
Corporate activities     (9,716 )     (11,212 )   13.3         (30,533 )     (27,275 )   (11.9 )  
    $ 32,035     $ 50,377     (36.4 ) %   $ 96,997     $ 118,299     (18.0 ) %
                                     
* Percentage variance not considered meaningful.                        

                             
GREEN PLAINS INC.
SELECTED OPERATING DATA
(unaudited, in thousands)
                             
    Three Months Ended
September 30,
  Nine Months Ended
September 30,
    2018   2017   % Var.   2018   2017   % Var.
Ethanol production                            
Ethanol (gallons)   304,826   313,642   (2.8 ) %   881,518   915,607   (3.7 ) %
Distillers grains (equivalent dried tons)   811   817   (0.7 )     2,279   2,421   (5.9 )  
Corn oil (pounds)   78,304   75,440   3.8       222,994   216,482   3.0    
Corn consumed (bushels)   105,965   109,544   (3.3 )     306,395   318,709   (3.9 )  
                             
Agribusiness and energy services                            
Domestic ethanol sold (gallons)   317,708   345,038   (7.9 )     913,068   982,946   (7.1 )  
Export ethanol sold (gallons)   23,476   34,773   (32.5 )     162,295   137,412   18.1    
    341,184   379,811   (10.2 )     1,075,363   1,120,358   (4.0 )  
Food and ingredients                            
Cattle sold (head)   147   48   206.3       402   128   214.1    
                             
Partnership                            
Storage and throughput (gallons)   314,061   308,316   1.9       926,671   913,894   1.4    
                             
                         

                         
GREEN PLAINS INC.
CONSOLIDATED CRUSH MARGIN
(unaudited, in thousands except per gallon amounts)
                         
    Three Months Ended
September 30,
  Three Months Ended
September 30,
    2018   2017   2018   2017
        ($ per gallon produced)
                         
Ethanol production operating income (loss)   $ (15,961 )   $ 3,107   $ (0.05 )   $ 0.01
Depreciation and amortization     24,289       20,959     0.08       0.07
Total ethanol production     8,328       24,066     0.03       0.08
                         
Intercompany fees, net:                        
Storage and logistics (partnership)     16,647       16,205     0.06       0.05
Marketing and agribusiness fees
(agribusiness and energy services)
    7,372       7,047     0.02       0.02
Consolidated ethanol crush margin   $ 32,347     $ 47,318   $ 0.11     $ 0.15

Liquidity and Capital Resources
On September 30, 2018, Green Plains had $234.5 million in total cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash, and $491.6 million available under revolving credit agreements, some of which are subject to restrictions and other lending conditions. Total debt outstanding at September 30, 2018, was $1,389.4 million, including $556.6 million outstanding under working capital revolvers and other short-term borrowing arrangements for the agribusiness and energy services, and food and ingredients segments and $136.0 million of debt related to Green Plains Partners.

Conference Call Information
Green Plains Inc. and Green Plains Partners LP will host a joint conference call Thursday Nov. 8th at 11 a.m. Eastern time (10 a.m. Central time), to discuss third quarter 2018 financial and operating results for each company. Domestic and international participants can access the conference call by dialing 877.711.2374 and 281.542.4862, respectively, and referencing conference ID 1476588. The company advises participants to call at least 10 minutes prior to the start time. Alternatively, the conference call, transcript and presentation will be accessible on Green Plains’ website at http://investor.gpreinc.com/events.cfm.

Non-GAAP Financial Measures
Management uses earnings before interest, income taxes, depreciation and amortization, or EBITDA, segment EBITDA and consolidated ethanol crush margins to measure the company’s financial performance and to internally manage its businesses. Management believes these measures provide useful information to investors for comparison with peer and other companies. These measures should not be considered alternatives to net income or segment operating income, which are determined in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP). These non-GAAP calculations may vary from company to company. Accordingly, the company’s computation of EBITDA, segment EBITDA and consolidated ethanol crush margins may not be comparable with similarly titled measures of another company.

To supplement our condensed consolidated statements of operations presented in accordance with GAAP, the company has provided non-GAAP adjusted financial measures of operating results that excludes certain items. Basic and diluted earnings per share attributable to Green Plains are presented in the Reconciliation to Non-GAAP Adjusted Financial Measures as reported on a GAAP and non-GAAP basis related to the impact of the expenses for refinancing and expanding the company’s term loan and net R&D tax credits related to qualifying activities during fiscal year 2017. Management believes including these additional measures may enhance the investor’s overall understanding of the company’s ongoing operations. These measures should not be considered alternatives to net income or segment operating income, which are determined in accordance with GAAP.

About Green Plains Inc.
Green Plains Inc. (NASDAQ:GPRE) is a diversified commodity-processing business with operations related to ethanol production, grain handling and storage, cattle feeding, food ingredients, and commodity marketing and logistics services. The company is one of the leading producers of ethanol in the world and, through its adjacent businesses, is focused on the production of high-protein feed ingredients and export growth opportunities. Green Plains owns a 62.4% limited partner interest and a 2.0% general partner interest in Green Plains Partners. For more information about Green Plains, visit www.gpreinc.com.

About Green Plains Partners LP
Green Plains Partners LP (NASDAQ:GPP) is a fee-based Delaware limited partnership formed by Green Plains Inc. to provide fuel storage and transportation services by owning, operating, developing and acquiring ethanol and fuel storage tanks, terminals, transportation assets and other related assets and businesses. For more information about Green Plains Partners, visit www.greenplainspartners.com.

Forward-Looking Statements
This news release includes forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, as amended. Forward-looking statements reflect management’s current views, which are subject to risks and uncertainties including, but not limited to, anticipated financial and operating results, plans and objectives that are not historical in nature. These statements may be identified by words such as “believe,” “expect,” “may,” “should,” “will” and similar expressions. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied include: competition in the industries in which Green Plains operates; commodity market risks, financial market risks; counterparty risks; risks associated with changes to federal policy or regulation, including changes to tax laws; risks related to closing and achieving anticipated results from acquisitions. Other factors can include risks associated with the Green Plains’ ability to successfully complete the sale of assets related to the company’s announced portfolio optimization plan and other risks discussed in Green Plains’ reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Investors are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date of this news release. Green Plains assumes no obligation to update any such forward-looking statements, except as required by law.

Consolidated Financial Results

             
GREEN PLAINS INC.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(in thousands)
             
    September 30,
2018
  December 31,
2017
    (unaudited)      
ASSETS            
Current assets            
Cash and cash equivalents   $ 171,674   $ 266,651
Restricted cash     62,797     45,709
Accounts receivable, net     134,950     151,122
Income tax receivable     13,211     6,413
Inventories     765,198     711,878
Other current assets     39,783     24,698
Total current assets     1,187,613     1,206,471
Property and equipment, net     1,143,551     1,176,707
Other assets     353,670     401,472
Total assets   $ 2,684,834   $ 2,784,650
             
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY            
Current liabilities            
Accounts payable   $ 155,663   $ 205,479
Accrued and other liabilities     47,955     63,886
Derivative financial instruments     41,725     12,884
Income taxes payable         9,909
Short-term notes payable and other borrowings     556,566     526,180
Current maturities of long-term debt     65,614     67,923
Total current liabilities     867,523     886,261
Long-term debt     767,177     767,396
Deferred income taxes     21,764     56,801
Other liabilities     14,235     15,056
Total liabilities     1,670,699     1,725,514
             
Stockholders’ equity            
Total Green Plains stockholders’ equity     898,913     942,182
Noncontrolling interests     115,222     116,954
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity   $ 2,684,834   $ 2,784,650

                                           
GREEN PLAINS INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(unaudited, in thousands except per share amounts)
                                   
  Three Months Ended
September 30,
  Nine Months Ended
September 30,
  2018   2017   % Var.   2018   2017   % Var.
Revenues                                  
Product $  998,802      $  899,534       11.0  %   $  3,027,678      $  2,670,458       13.4 %
Services    1,298         1,701       (23.7)        4,546         4,724       (3.8)  
Total revenues    1,000,100         901,235       11.0         3,032,224         2,675,182       13.3  
Costs and expenses                                  
Cost of goods sold (excluding depreciation and amortization expenses reflected below)    936,384         815,787       14.8         2,835,344         2,457,702       15.4  
Operations and maintenance    7,271         8,309       (12.5)        23,564         25,107       (6.1)  
Selling, general and administrative    25,083         28,589       (12.3)        80,817         77,946       3.7  
Depreciation and amortization    30,713         27,834       10.3         84,010         80,105       4.9  
Total costs and expenses    999,451         880,519       13.5         3,023,735         2,640,860       14.5  
Operating income    649         20,716       (96.9)        8,489         34,322       (75.3)  
Other income (expense)                                  
Interest income    790         383       106.3         2,136         1,061       101.3  
Interest expense    (23,399 )      (31,889 )    26.6         (67,548 )      (69,815 )    3.2  
Other, net    (117 )      1,444      *        2,362         2,811       (16.0)  
Total other expense    (22,726 )      (30,062 )    (24.4)        (63,050 )      (65,943 )    (4.4)  
Loss before income taxes    (22,077 )      (9,346 )    (136.2)        (54,561 )      (31,621 )    (72.5)  
Income tax benefit    14,658         48,775       (69.9)        31,438         60,905       (48.4)  
Net income (loss)    (7,419 )      39,429      *        (23,123 )      29,284      *  
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest    5,050         5,035       0.3         14,457         14,853       (2.7)  
Net income (loss) attributable to Green Plains $  (12,469 )   $  34,394      * %   $  (37,580 )   $  14,431      * %
                                   
Earnings per share:                                  
Net income (loss) attributable to Green Plains – basic $  (0.31 )   $  0.83            $  (0.94 )   $  0.36         
Net Income (loss) attributable to Green Plains – diluted $  (0.31 )   $  0.74            $  (0.94 )   $  0.48         
                                   
Weighted average shares outstanding:                                  
Basic    40,229         41,348               40,189         40,008         
Diluted    40,229         50,647               40,189         50,693         
                                   

             
GREEN PLAINS INC.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(unaudited, in thousands)
             
    Nine Months Ended
September 30,
    2018   2017
Cash flows from operating activities:            
Net loss   $ (23,123 )   $ 29,284  
Noncash operating adjustments:            
Depreciation and amortization     84,010       80,105  
Deferred income taxes     (37,980 )     (88,565 )
Other     17,815       46,477  
Net change in working capital     43,666       (181,536 )
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities     84,388       (114,235 )
             
Cash flows from investing activities:            
Purchases of property and equipment, net     (31,114 )     (36,475 )
Acquisition of businesses, net of cash acquired     (124,407 )     (61,727 )
Investments in unconsolidated subsidiaries     (2,446 )     (12,033 )
Other investing activities     7,500        
Net cash used in investing activities     (150,467 )     (110,235 )
             
Cash flows from financing activities:            
Net proceeds (payments) – long-term debt     (3,837 )     64,050  
Net proceeds – short-term borrowings     29,974       166,283  
Other     (37,947 )     (66,000 )
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities     (11,810 )     164,333  
             
Net change in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash     (77,889 )     (60,137 )
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash, beginning of period     312,360       406,791  
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash, end of period   $ 234,471     $ 346,654  

             
      Nine Months Ended
September 30,
      2018   2017
             
Reconciliation of total cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash:            
Cash and cash equivalents   $  171,674   $  261,588
Restricted cash      62,797      85,066
Total cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash   $  234,471   $  346,654

GREEN PLAINS INC.
RECONCILIATIONS TO NON-GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES
(unaudited, in thousands)
                         
    Three Months Ended
September 30,
  Nine Months Ended
September 30,
    2018   2017   2018   2017
Net income (loss)   $ (7,419 )   $ 39,429     $ (23,123 )   $ 29,284  
Interest expense     23,399       31,889       67,548       69,815  
Income tax benefit     (14,658 )     (48,775 )     (31,438 )     (60,905 )
Depreciation and amortization     30,713       27,834       84,010       80,105  
EBITDA   $ 32,035     $ 50,377     $ 96,997     $ 118,299  

                         
GREEN PLAINS INC.
RECONCILIATIONS TO NON-GAAP ADJUSTED FINANCIAL MEASURES
(unaudited, in thousands except for per share amounts)
                         
    Three Months Ended September 30, 2018   Three Months Ended September 30, 2017
    GAAP Basis
as Reported
  GAAP Basis
as Reported
  Non-GAAP
Adjustment
Tax Credit &
Interest Exp.
  Non-GAAP
Basis as
Adjusted
Basic EPS:                        
Net income (loss) attributable to Green Plains   $ (12,469 )   $ 34,394   $ (41,816 )   $ (7,422 )
Weighted average shares outstanding – basic     40,229       41,348           41,348  
Earnings (loss) per share attributable to Green Plains – basic   $ (0.31 )   $ 0.83   $ (1.01 )   $ (0.18 )
                         
Diluted EPS:                        
Net income (loss) attributable to Green Plains   $ (12,469 )   $ 34,394   $ (41,816 )   $ (7,422 )
Interest and amortization on convertible debt, net of tax                        
3.25% convertible senior notes due 2018           840     (840 )      
4.125% convertible senior notes due 2022           2,050     (2,050 )      
Net income (loss) attributable to Green Plains – diluted   $ (12,469 )   $ 37,284   $ (44,706 )   $ (7,422 )
                         
Weighted average shares outstanding – basic     40,229       41,348           41,348  
Effect of dilutive 3.25% convertible senior notes due 2018           3,178     (3,178 )      
Effect of dilutive 4.125% convertible senior notes due 2022           6,071     (6,071 )      
Effect of dilutive stock compensation awards           50     (50 )      
Total potential shares outstanding     40,229       50,647     (9,299 )     41,348  
Earnings (loss) per share attributable to Green Plains – diluted   $ (0.31 )   $ 0.74   $ (0.92 )   $ (0.18 )
                         
                         
    Nine Months Ended September 30, 2018   Nine Months Ended September 30, 2017
    GAAP Basis
as Reported
  GAAP Basis
as Reported
  Non-GAAP
Adjustment
Tax Credit &
Interest Exp.
  Non-GAAP
Basis as
Adjusted
Basic EPS:                        
Net income (loss) attributable to Green Plains   $ (37,580 )   $ 14,431   $ (41,816 )   $ (27,385 )
Weighted average shares outstanding – basic     40,189       40,008           40,008  
Earnings (loss) per share attributable to Green Plains – basic   $ (0.94 )   $ 0.36   $ (1.04 )   $ (0.68 )
                         
Diluted EPS:                        
Net income (loss) attributable to Green Plains   $ (37,580 )   $ 14,431   $ (41,816 )   $ (27,385 )
Interest and amortization on convertible debt, net of tax                        
3.25% convertible senior notes due 2018           3,582     (3,582 )      
4.125% convertible senior notes due 2022           6,089     (6,089 )      
Net income (loss) attributable to Green Plains – diluted   $ (37,580 )   $ 24,102   $ (51,487 )   $ (27,385 )
                         
Weighted average shares outstanding – basic     40,189       40,008           40,008  
Effect of dilutive 3.25% convertible senior notes due 2018           4,551     (4,551 )      
Effect of dilutive 4.125% convertible senior notes due 2022           6,071     (6,071 )      
Effect of dilutive stock compensation awards           63     (63 )      
Total potential shares outstanding     40,189       50,693     (10,685 )     40,008  
Earnings (loss) per share attributable to Green Plains – diluted   $ (0.94 )   $ 0.48   $ (1.16 )   $ (0.68 )


Contact: Jim Stark | Vice President, Investor & Media Relations | 402.884.8700 | jim.stark@gpreinc.com