HOUSTON, TX — (Marketwired) — 08/09/16 — Houston Wire & Cable Company (NASDAQ: HWCC) (the “Company”) announced operating results for the second quarter ended June 30, 2016.
Selected quarterly results were:
Sales of $62.5 million
Net loss from operations of $2.6 million
Adjusted net loss (non-GAAP) of $0.7 million, excluding the impairment charge
Cash flow from operations of $5.5 million
Declared a dividend of $0.03 per share on August 9, 2016
Jim Pokluda, President and Chief Executive Officer commented, “The weak levels of industrial demand and the depressed oil and gas market experienced in the first quarter continued into the second quarter. While transactional activity increased in the early part of the quarter, indicative of a possible sales rebound, we closed the period with a return to more sluggish demand levels. Overall transactional activity, as measured by invoice count, increased by only 0.5% over the prior year period. While activity was slightly up over the first quarter, the sales shortfall was particularly impacted by the decrease in project activity. Sales decreased 19.9% or approximately 11% on a metals adjusted basis from the second quarter of 2015. We estimate that Maintenance, Repair and Operations (MRO) sales decreased 14% or approximately 5% on a metals adjusted basis, while project sales decreased 35% or approximately 26% on a metals adjusted basis.”
Gross margin at 19.9% decreased 180 basis points from the second quarter of 2015, as lower industrial demand and extremely competitive market conditions collectively drove prices down. Operating expenses decreased $1.7 million or 9.8% to $15.5 million from $17.2 million in 2015. Excluding the impairments in both periods, operating expenses fell $1.1 million or 7.5% to $13.1 million in 2016 from $14.2 million in 2015. As market conditions remain depressed, cost reductions and judicious expense management are the primary areas of emphasis to ensure maximum operating leverage and efficiency.
Interest expense of $0.1 million was down 31.3% from $0.2 million in the prior year period. Average debt levels decreased by 28.9% from $45.1 million in 2015 to $32.0 million in 2016, while the effective interest rate decreased from 2.0% in 2015 to 1.7% in 2016.
The results of operations produced a net loss of $2.6 million, as compared to a net loss of $0.6 million in 2015. Excluding the impairments in both periods, the second quarter of 2016 produced a net loss of $0.7 million, compared to net income of $1.5 million in the prior year period.
Mr. Pokluda further commented “The sales reduction continues to heavily impact our operating results. While we have continued to cut our operating expenses, we cannot make up for the current lower sales operating margin contribution. We are experiencing sales successes through our commercial product line expansions; however, these sales channels, while a helpful revenue addition, cannot compensate for the reduced level of industrial demand, including project, oil and gas and MRO activity.”
Pokluda continued, “Although our operating results were disappointing, I was pleased with our ability to efficiently manage our working capital investment and the resulting $5.5 million in operating cash flow that was generated. This allowed us to reduce our debt and purchase an additional 104,000 shares of stock. The Company considers its performance, stock price, dividend yield and financial position in deciding the best way to return value to our shareholders. In order to allow the Company to continue to invest in its business, including through its stock repurchase program, given the recent financial performance and the continuing difficult industrial market, the upcoming dividend will be paid at the rate of $0.03 per share.”
Sales for the six month period were down 20.3% versus the prior year period and down approximately 12% on a metals adjusted basis. We estimate that MRO sales decreased 7%, and project sales decreased 22%, in each case on a metals adjusted basis.
Gross margin at 20.3% was down from the 21.7% level of the 2015 period. “Heavy market pricing pressure continued in light of the depressed level of industrial demand including the overall lackluster level of activity in the oil and gas arena,” said Mr. Pokluda. Gross profit dollars decreased $8.8 million or 25.5%, primarily due to the decrease in sales.
Operating expenses decreased $2.2 million or 7.2% to $28.9 million from $31.2 million. Excluding the impairment charges from both periods, operating expenses decreased $1.6 million or 5.8%.
Interest expense of $0.3 million decreased 32.8% from $0.5 million. Average debt levels decreased 27.0% to $34.4 million in 2016, from $47.1 million in 2015, while interest rates fell to 1.7% from 2.0% in 2015.
The results of operations produced a net loss of $2.7 million, as compared to net income of $1.6 million in 2015. Excluding the impairments in both periods, the net loss for 2016 was $0.9 million, compared to a net income of $3.7 million in the prior year period.
The Company will host a conference call to discuss second quarter results on Tuesday, August 9, 2016 at 10:00 a.m., C.T. Hosting the call will be James Pokluda, President and Chief Executive Officer, and Nicol Graham, Vice President and Chief Financial Officer.
A live audio web cast of the call will be available on the Investor Relations section of the Company–s website .
Approximately two hours after the completion of the live call, a telephone replay will be available until August 16, 2016.
Replay, Toll-Free #: 855-859-2056
Replay, Toll #: 404-537-3406
Conference ID # 52903287
With over 40 years– experience in the industry, Houston Wire & Cable Company is one of the largest providers of wire and cable in the U.S. market. Headquartered in Houston, Texas, the Company has sales and distribution facilities strategically located throughout the nation.
Standard stock items available for immediate delivery include continuous and interlocked armor cable; instrumentation cable; medium voltage cable; high temperature wire; portable cord; power cables; primary and secondary aluminum distribution cables; private branded products, including LifeGuard, a low-smoke, zero-halogen cable; mechanical wire and cable and related hardware, including wire rope, lifting products and synthetic rope and slings.
Comprehensive value-added services include same-day shipping, knowledgeable sales staff, inventory management programs, just-in-time delivery, logistics support, customized online ordering capabilities and 24/7/365 service.
This release contains comments concerning management–s view of the Company–s future expectations, plans and prospects that constitute forward-looking statements for purposes of the safe harbor provisions under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Investors are cautioned that forward-looking statements are inherently uncertain and projections about future events may, and often do, vary materially from actual results.
Other risk factors that may cause actual results to differ materially from statements made in this press release can be found in the Company–s Annual Report on Form 10-K and other documents filed with the SEC. These documents are available under the Investor Relations section of the Company–s website at .
Any forward-looking statements speak only as of the date of this press release and the Company undertakes no obligation to publicly update such statements
While the Company reports financial results in accordance with U.S. GAAP, this press release includes non-GAAP measures. We use the non-GAAP measures to evaluate and manage our operations and provide the information to assist investors in performing financial analysis that is consistent with financial models developed by research analysts. Investors should consider non-GAAP measures in addition to, not as a substitute for, or as superior to, measures of financial performance prepared in accordance with GAAP.
CONTACT:
Nicol G. Graham
Chief Financial Officer
Direct: 713.609.2125
Fax: 713.609.2168
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