FutureFuel Releases Third Quarter and Nine-Month 2020 Results

FutureFuel Third Quarter Net Income of $6.9 Million

Reports Net Income of $6.9 Million or $0.16 per Diluted Share, and Adjusted EBITDA of $5.6 Million

CLAYTON, Mo., Nov. 09, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — FutureFuel Corp. (NYSE:FF) (“FutureFuel”), a manufacturer of custom and performance chemicals and biofuels, today announced financial results for the third quarter and the nine months ended September 30, 2020.

Third quarter 2020 Financial Highlights (all comparisons are with the third quarter of 2019)

Revenues were $54.1 million, down 17.6% from $65.7 million
Adjusted EBITDA was $5.6 million, down 18.4% from $6.8 million
Net income increased to $6.9 million, or $0.16 per diluted share, from $6.6 million, or $0.15 per diluted share.

Nine-month 2020 Financial Highlights (all comparisons are with the first nine months of 2019)

Revenues were $154.6 million, down 16.4% from $185.0 million
Adjusted EBITDA was $18.4 million, up 17.7% from $15.6 million
Net income increased to $41.1 million, or $0.94 per diluted share, from $15.8 million, or $0.36 per diluted share.

“The COVID-19 pandemic continues to dominate our business environment. We have witnessed reduced demand for all consumer and energy products in our Chemicals segment and in response, we have tailored our operation to match this lower level of activity and manage costs. We are well positioned to ramp up production when demand returns and, in the meantime, we will actively pursue new opportunities that arise in a post-COVID-19 marketplace.

Our Biodiesel operation continues to operate at record-breaking production rates and with positive margins, demonstrating once again the benefit of this diversity within our business.” said Tom McKinlay, Chief Operating Officer for FutureFuel Corp.

2020 Cash Dividends

FutureFuel paid a regular quarterly cash dividend in the amount of $0.06 per share on our common stock in the third quarter of 2020. In addition to the normal quarterly cash dividend of $0.06 per share paid in the first, second, and third quarters of 2020, we also declared a special cash dividend of $3.00 per share paid in April. The remaining quarterly dividend of $0.06 per share will be paid in December.

Financial Overview and Key Operating Metrics

Financial and operating metrics, which include non-GAAP financial measures, include dollars in thousands, except per share amounts:

FutureFuel Corp.
Certain Financial and Operating Metrics
(Unaudited)
 
  Three Months Ended September 30,
              Dollar     %
  2020   2019   Change     Change
Revenue $ 54,138   $ 65,684   $ (11,546 )   (17.6 %)
Income from operations $ 3,804   $ 3,275   $ 529     16.2 %
Net income $ 6,890   $ 6,622   $ 268     4.0 %
Earnings per common share:                      
Basic $ 0.16   $ 0.15   $ 0.01     6.7 %
Diluted $ 0.16   $ 0.15   $ 0.01     6.7 %
Capital expenditures (net of customer reimbursements) $ 758   $ 572   $ 186     32.5 %
Adjusted EBITDA $ 5,575   $ 6,834   $ (1,259 )   (18.4 %)
                       
  Nine Months Ended September 30,
              Dollar     %
  2020   2019   Change     Change
Revenue $ 154,642   $ 185,049   $ (30,407 )   (16.4 %)
Income from operations $ 16,644   $ 5,671   $ 10,973     193.5 %
Net income $ 41,092   $ 15,808   $ 25,284     159.9 %
Earnings per common share:                      
Basic $ 0.94   $ 0.36   $ 0.58     161.1 %
Diluted $ 0.94   $ 0.36   $ 0.58     161.1 %
Capital expenditures (net of customer reimbursements) $ 1,891   $ 1,446   $ 445     30.8 %
Adjusted EBITDA $ 18,404   $ 15,633   $ 2,771     17.7 %

Financial and Business Summary

Consolidated revenue in the three and nine months ended September 30, 2020, decreased $11,546 and $30,407, compared to the three and nine months ended September 30, 2019. This decrease primarily resulted from lower sales volumes in the chemicals segment and lower biofuel selling prices driven by the COVID-19 pandemic along with the absence of an agrochemical product we no longer make. Partially offsetting this decline in the three and nine-month period was increased biofuels sales volumes.

Gross profit in the three and nine months ended September 30, 2020 increased $984 and $11,762 compared to the three and nine months ended September 30, 2019. This increase was primarily from: i) the blenders’ tax credit (“BTC”) being in effect for the current period and not in effect in the prior year; ii) increased sales volumes of biofuels; and iii) the change in the unrealized and realized activity in derivative instruments. The change in derivatives was a gain of $867 and $322 in the three months ended September 30, 2020 and 2019, respectively. The change in derivatives had a greater impact in the nine-month comparison period with a gain of $6,789 in the nine months ended September 30, 2020 and a loss of $711 in the nine months ended September 30, 2019. Partially offsetting these increases in gross profit was the reduction in chemical sales volumes as described above.

Also impacting gross profit in both the three and nine months ended September 30, 2020 and 2019 was the adjustment in the carrying value of our inventory as determined utilizing the LIFO method of inventory accounting. In the three months ended September 30, 2020 this adjustment decreased gross profit $628 and increased gross profit $557 in the three months ended September 30, 2019. In the nine months ended September 30, 2020 and 2019, this adjustment increased gross profit $2,266 and $2,480, respectively.

Net Income

Net income for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2020 increased $268 and $25,284, respectively, as compared to the same periods in 2019. This increase resulted primarily from biodiesel tax credits and incentives that were in effect in the three and nine months ended September 30, 2020 that were not in effect for 2019 (see Note 2 to our consolidated financial statements) and tax law changes in the first nine months of 2020 not in effect for 2019. In the three and nine months ended September 30, 2020, income was also benefited by other income from the resolution of a prior year contractual matter. Partially offsetting this increase in the nine-month period was net unrealized losses on equity securities.

Capital Expenditures

Capital expenditures were $3,717 in the first nine months of 2020, compared with $6,139 in the same period in 2019. FutureFuel was reimbursed for a portion of these expenditures by certain customers as summarized in the following table.

  Nine Months Ended September 30,  
  2020     2019  
Cash paid for capital expenditures $ 3,717     $ 6,139  
Cash received from customers as reimbursement of capital expenditures $ (1,826 )   $ (4,693 )
Cash paid for capital expenditures, net of reimbursements $ 1,891     $ 1,446  

Cash and Cash Equivalents and Marketable Securities

Cash and cash equivalents and marketable securities totaled $243,647 as of September 30, 2020, compared with $316,951 as of December 31, 2019.

About FutureFuel

FutureFuel is a leading manufacturer of diversified chemical products, specialty chemical products, and biofuel products. In its chemicals business, FutureFuel manufactures specialty chemicals for specific customers (“custom chemicals”) as well as multi-customer specialty chemicals (“performance chemicals”). FutureFuel’s custom chemicals product portfolio includes proprietary herbicide and intermediates for major life sciences companies, and chlorinated polyolefin adhesion promoters and antioxidant precursors for a major chemical company. FutureFuel’s performance chemicals product portfolio includes polymer (nylon) modifiers and several small-volume specialty chemicals for diverse applications. FutureFuel’s biofuels segment primarily produces and sells biodiesel to its customers. Please visit www.futurefuelcorporation.com for more information.

Forward-Looking Statements

This document contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements deal with FutureFuel’s current plans, intentions, beliefs, and expectations, and statements of future economic performance. Statements containing such terms as “believe,” “do not believe,” “plan,” “expect,” “intend,” “estimate,” “anticipate,” and other phrases of similar meaning are considered to contain uncertainty and are forward-looking statements. In addition, from time to time FutureFuel or its representatives have made or will make forward-looking statements orally or in writing. Furthermore, such forward-looking statements may be included in various filings that the company makes with United States Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”), in press releases, or in oral statements made by or with the approval of one of FutureFuel’s authorized executive officers.

These forward-looking statements are subject to certain known and unknown risks and uncertainties, including, but not limited to the COVID-19 pandemic and the response thereto, as well as assumptions that could cause actual results to differ materially from those reflected in these forward-looking statements. Factors that might cause actual results to differ include, but are not limited to, those set forth under the headings “Risk Factors” and “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” in FutureFuel’s Form 10-K Annual Report for the year ended December 31, 2019 and in its future filings made with the SEC. An investor should not place undue reliance on any forward-looking statements contained in this document, which reflect FutureFuel management’s opinions only as of their respective dates. Except as required by law, the company undertakes no obligation to revise or publicly release the results of any revisions to forward-looking statements. The risks and uncertainties described in this document and in current and future filings with the SEC are not the only ones faced by FutureFuel. New factors emerge from time to time, and it is not possible for the company to predict which will arise. There may be additional risks not presently known to the company or that the company currently believes are immaterial to its business. In addition, FutureFuel cannot assess the impact of each factor on its business or the extent to which any factor, or combination of factors, may cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statements. If any such risks occur, FutureFuel’s business, operating results, liquidity, and financial condition could be materially affected in an adverse manner. An investor should consult any additional disclosures FutureFuel has made or will make in its reports to the SEC on Forms 10-K, 10-Q, and 8-K, and any amendments thereto. All subsequent written and oral forward-looking statements attributable to FutureFuel or persons acting on its behalf are expressly qualified in their entirety by the cautionary statements contained in this document.  

 Non-GAAP Financial Measures

In this press release, FutureFuel used adjusted EBITDA as a key operating metric to measure both performance and liquidity. Adjusted EBITDA is a non-GAAP financial measure. Adjusted EBITDA is not a substitute for operating income, net income, or cash flow from operating activities (each as determined in accordance with GAAP), as a measure of performance or liquidity. Adjusted EBITDA has limitations as an analytical tool, and should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for analysis of results as reported under GAAP. FutureFuel defines adjusted EBITDA as net income before interest, income taxes, depreciation, and amortization expenses, excluding, when applicable, non-cash share-based compensation expense, public offering expenses, acquisition-related transaction costs, purchase accounting adjustments, loss on disposal of property and equipment, gains or losses on derivative instruments, other non-operating income or expense. Information relating to adjusted EBITDA is provided so that investors have the same data that management employs in assessing the overall operation and liquidity of FutureFuel’s business. FutureFuel’s calculation of adjusted EBITDA may be different from similarly titled measures used by other companies; therefore, the results of its calculation are not necessarily comparable to the results of other companies.

Adjusted EBITDA allows FutureFuel’s chief operating decision makers to assess the performance and liquidity of FutureFuel’s business on a consolidated basis to assess the ability of its operating segments to produce operating cash flow to fund working capital needs, to fund capital expenditures, and to pay dividends. In particular, FutureFuel management believes that adjusted EBITDA permits a comparative assessment of FutureFuel’s operating performance and liquidity, relative to a performance and liquidity based on GAAP results, while isolating the effects of depreciation and amortization, which may vary among its operating segments without any correlation to their underlying operating performance, and of non-cash stock-based compensation expense, which is a non-cash expense that varies widely among similar companies, and gains and losses on derivative instruments, whose immediate recognition can cause net income to be volatile from quarter to quarter due to the timing of the valuation change in the derivative instruments relative to the sale of biofuel.

A table included in this earnings release reconciles adjusted EBITDA with net income, the most directly comparable GAAP performance financial measure, and a table reconciles adjusted EBITDA with cash flows from operations, the most directly comparable GAAP liquidity financial measure.

FutureFuel Corp.
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets
(Dollars in thousands)
 
  (Unaudited)        
  September 30, 2020   December 31, 2019
Assets            
Cash and cash equivalents $ 180,171   $ 243,331  
Accounts receivable, inclusive of the blenders’ tax credit of $25,253 and
$97,295 at September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019, respectively, and
net of allowances for bad debt of $43 and $0 at September 30, 2020 and
December 31, 2019, respectively
  38,595     114,866  
Inventory   29,087     37,573  
Marketable securities   63,476     73,620  
Other current assets   24,530     11,499  
Total current assets   335,859     480,889  
Property, plant and equipment, net   93,598     98,597  
Other assets   7,326     7,019  
Total noncurrent assets   100,924     105,616  
Total Assets $ 436,783   $ 586,505  
Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity            
Accounts payable, inclusive of the blenders’ tax credit rebates due customers
of $1,365 and $39,423
$ 10,393   $ 62,554  
Dividends payable   2,625     10,498  
Other current liabilities   10,482     9,711  
Total current liabilities   23,500     82,763  
Deferred revenue – long-term   22,139     21,291  
Other noncurrent liabilities   14,317     15,353  
Total noncurrent liabilities   36,456     36,644  
Total liabilities   59,956     119,407  
Preferred stock, $0.0001 par value, 5,000,000 shares authorized, none issued
and outstanding
       
Common stock, $0.0001 par value, 75,000,000 shares authorized,
43,743,243, issued and outstanding at September 30, 2020 and December
31, 2019
  4     4  
Accumulated other comprehensive income   126     296  
Additional paid in capital   282,215     282,166  
Retained earnings   94,482     184,632  
Total Stockholders’ Equity   376,827     467,098  
Total Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity $ 436,783   $ 586,505  

FutureFuel Corp.  
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations   
and Comprehensive Income  
(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)  
(Unaudited)  
   
  Three Months Ended
September 30,
  Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 
  2020     2019   2020     2019  
Revenue $ 54,138     $ 65,684   $ 154,642     $ 185,049  
Cost of goods sold and distribution   47,692       60,222     130,886       173,055  
Gross profit   6,446       5,462     23,756       11,994  
Selling, general, and administrative expenses   1,851       1,354     4,718       3,996  
Research and development expenses   791       833     2,394       2,327  
    2,642       2,187     7,112       6,323  
Income from operations   3,804       3,275     16,644       5,671  
Other income and expense, net   2,256       4,361     5,517       13,026  
Income before income taxes   6,060       7,636     22,161       18,697  
Income tax (benefit) provision   (830 )     1,014     (18,931 )     2,889  
Net income $ 6,890     $ 6,622   $ 41,092     $ 15,808  
                             
Earnings per common share                            
Basic $ 0.16     $ 0.15   $ 0.94     $ 0.36  
Diluted $ 0.16     $ 0.15   $ 0.94     $ 0.36  
Weighted average shares outstanding                            
Basic   43,743,243       43,743,243     43,743,243       43,743,243  
Diluted   43,745,339       43,743,243     43,744,107       43,745,153  
                             
Comprehensive Income                            
Net income $ 6,890     $ 6,622   $ 41,092     $ 15,808  
Other comprehensive (loss) income from unrealized net
(losses) gains on available-for-sale debt securities
  (8 )     1     (215 )     279  
Income tax effect   1           45       (59 )
Total other comprehensive (loss) income, net of tax   (7 )     1     (170 )     220  
Comprehensive income $ 6,883     $ 6,623   $ 40,922     $ 16,028  

  

  

FutureFuel Corp.  
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows  
For the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2020 and 2019  
(Dollars in thousands)  
(Unaudited)  
  Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 
  2020     2019  
Cash flows from operating activities              
Net income $ 41,092     $ 15,808  
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash from operating activities:              
Depreciation   8,554       9,092  
Amortization of deferred financing costs   84       108  
Change in deferred income taxes, net   (951 )     (273 )
Change in fair value of equity securities   5,445       (6,621 )
Change in fair value of derivative instruments   (757 )     (357 )
Loss on the sale of investments   1,828       1,444  
Stock based compensation   49       21  
Gain on disposal of property and equipment   (51 )     (11 )
Noncash interest expense   35       22  
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:              
Accounts receivable   73,041       (4,526 )
Accounts receivable – related parties   3,218       1,822  
Inventory   8,486       (3,493 )
Income tax receivable   (14,379 )     6,491  
Prepaid expenses   1,349       1,257  
Other assets   483       221  
Accounts payable   (51,711 )     5,951  
Accounts payable – related parties   (341 )     (717 )
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities   2,295       1,904  
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities – related parties   (64 )      
Deferred revenue   (793 )     (274 )
Other noncurrent liabilities   (336 )     (3,511 )
Net cash provided by operating activities   76,576       24,358  
Cash flows from investing activities              
Collateralization of derivative instruments   801       852  
Purchase of marketable securities   (5,073 )     (19,200 )
Proceeds from the sale of marketable securities   7,729       28,962  
Proceeds from the sale of property and equipment   104       13  
Capital expenditures   (3,717 )     (6,139 )
Net cash (used in) provided by investing activities   (156 )     4,488  
Cash flows from financing activities              
Loan proceeds   8,180        
Payment on loan   (8,180 )      
Deferred financing costs   (477 )      
Payment of dividends   (139,103 )     (7,873 )
Net cash used in financing activities   (139,580 )     (7,873 )
Net change in cash and cash equivalents   (63,160 )     20,973  
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period   243,331       214,972  
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period $ 180,171     $ 235,945  
               
Cash paid for interest $ 2     $  
Cash paid for income taxes $ 660     $ 1,076  
Noncash investing and financing activities:              
Noncash capital expenditures $ 98     $ 42  
Noncash operating leases $ 442     $ 432  

FutureFuel Corp.  
Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Financial Measure to Financial Measure  
(Dollars in thousands)  
(Unaudited)  
   
Reconciliation of Net Income to Adjusted EBITDA  
   
  Three Months Ended September 30,     Nine Months Ended September 30,  
  2020     2019     2020     2019  
Net income $ 6,890     $ 6,622     $ 41,092     $ 15,808  
Depreciation   2,692       3,620       8,554       9,092  
Non-cash stock-based compensation         21       49       21  
Interest and dividend income   (1,076 )     (2,718 )     (4,562 )     (7,830 )
Non-cash interest expense and amortization of deferred financing costs   32       43       119       130  
Gain on disposal of property and equipment   (53 )     (22 )     (51 )     (11 )
(Gain) loss on derivative instruments   (867 )     (322 )     (6,789 )     711  
(Gain) loss on marketable securities   (1,213 )     (1,424 )     7,273       (5,177 )
Other non-operating income               (8,350 )      
Income tax (benefit) provision   (830 )     1,014       (18,931 )     2,889  
Adjusted EBITDA $ 5,575     $ 6,834     $ 18,404     $ 15,633  

Reconciliation of Net Cash Provided by Operating Activities to Adjusted EBITDA

  Nine Months Ended September 30,
  2020     2019  
Net cash provided by operating activities $ 76,576     $ 24,358  
Benefit for deferred income taxes   951       273  
Interest and dividend income   (4,562 )     (7,830 )
Income tax (benefit) provision   (18,931 )     2,889  
(Gain) loss on derivative instruments   (6,789 )     711  
Change in fair value of derivative instruments   757       357  
Change in operating assets and liabilities, net   (21,248 )     (5,125 )
Other income non-operating income   (8,350 )      
Adjusted EBITDA $ 18,404     $ 15,633  

FutureFuel Corp.
Condensed Consolidated Segment Income
(Dollars in thousands)
(Unaudited)
 
  Three Months Ended
September 30,
    Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 
  2020   2019     2020   2019  
Revenue                          
     Custom chemicals $ 10,328   $ 25,270     $ 52,129   $ 70,935  
     Performance chemicals   2,409     3,376       11,139     10,922  
        Chemicals revenue $ 12,737   $ 28,646     $ 63,268   $ 81,857  
        Biofuels revenue   41,401     37,038       91,374     103,192  
Total Revenue $ 54,138   $ 65,684     $ 154,642   $ 185,049  
                           
Segment gross profit (loss)                          
     Chemicals $ 4,754   $ 8,488     $ 20,345   $ 22,978  
     Biofuels   1,692     (3,026 )     3,411     (10,984 )
Total gross profit $ 6,446   $ 5,462     $ 23,756   $ 11,994  

Depreciation is allocated to segment cost of goods sold based on plant usage. The total assets and capital expenditures of FutureFuel have not been allocated to individual segments as large portions of these assets are shared to varying degrees by each segment, causing such an allocation to be of little value.

COMPANY CONTACT

FutureFuel Corp.
Tom McKinlay
(314)854-8352
www.futurefuelcorporation.com 

 

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