CVR Energy Reports 2017 First Quarter Results And Announces Cash Dividend of 50 Cents

SUGAR LAND, Texas, April 27, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- CVR Energy, Inc. (NYSE: CVI) today announced net income of $22.2 million, or 26 cents per diluted share, on net sales of $1,507.1 million for the first quarter of 2017, compared to a net loss of $16.2 million, or 19 cents per diluted share, on net sales of $905.5 million for the 2016 first quarter. First quarter 2017 adjusted EBITDA, a non-GAAP financial measure, was $80.4 million, compared to first quarter 2016 adjusted EBITDA of $36.2 million.

"For the 2017 first quarter, CVR Partners reported strong operational performance with high on-stream rates at both its Coffeyville, Kansas, and East Dubuque, Illinois, fertilizer facilities," said Jack Lipinski, CVR Energy's chief executive officer.

"CVR Refining's Coffeyville and Wynnewood, Oklahoma, refineries performed exceptionally well during the 2017 first quarter, posting a quarterly record for combined crude oil throughput of 214,369 barrels per day (bpd)," Lipinski said. "In addition, the joint venture between subsidiaries of CVR Refining and Velocity Midstream Partners recently completed construction of the crude oil pipeline connecting the Wynnewood refinery with the SCOOP play in central Oklahoma. The pipeline commenced operations in mid-April.

"As I mentioned in the CVR Refining first quarter news release, the Renewable Fuel Standard continues to be a disaster searching for a solution," he continued. "The wild volatility in the market for Renewable Identification Numbers (RINs) during the first quarter once again proves that RINs are not fundamentally priced but are in fact manipulated. The cost to produce a D-6 ethanol RIN is currently between 6 cents and 10 cents, yet it trades 40 cents higher. This is the price manipulation in the market that must stop and CVR Refining supports the efforts of the many refiners and independent gas station dealers to reform this misguided regulation."

Petroleum Business

The petroleum business, which is operated by CVR Refining and includes the Coffeyville and Wynnewood refineries, reported first quarter 2017 operating income of $66.0 million on net sales of $1,423.5 million, compared to an operating loss of $56.0 million on net sales of $834.0 million in the first quarter of 2016.

Refining margin adjusted for FIFO impact per crude oil throughput barrel, a non-GAAP financial measure, was $11.54 in the 2017 first quarter, compared to $7.19 during the same period in 2016. Direct operating expenses (exclusive of depreciation and amortization), including major scheduled turnaround expenses, per crude oil throughput barrel, for the 2017 first quarter were $5.29, compared to $7.02 in the first quarter of 2016.

First quarter 2017 throughputs of crude oil and all other feedstocks and blendstocks totaled 228,612 bpd, compared to first quarter 2016 throughputs of crude oil and all other feedstocks and blendstocks of 195,859 bpd.

Nitrogen Fertilizers Business

The fertilizer business, which is operated by CVR Partners and includes the Coffeyville and East Dubuque fertilizer facilities, reported first quarter 2017 operating income of $5.3 million on net sales of $85.3 million, compared to operating income of $19.7 million on net sales of $73.1 million for the first quarter of 2016.

For the first quarter of 2017, consolidated average realized gate prices for UAN and ammonia were $160 per ton and $308 per ton, respectively. Average realized gate prices for UAN and ammonia for the Coffeyville facility were $209 per ton and $367 per ton, respectively, for the same period in 2016.

CVR Partners' fertilizer facilities produced a combined 219,200 tons of ammonia during the first quarter of 2017, of which 80,000 net tons were available for sale while the rest was upgraded to other fertilizer products, including 341,900 tons of UAN. In the 2016 first quarter, the Coffeyville facility produced 113,700 tons of ammonia, of which 15,100 net tons were available for sale while the remainder was upgraded to 248,200 tons of UAN.

Cash, Debt and Dividend

Consolidated cash and cash equivalents was $803.6 million at March 31, 2017. Consolidated total debt was $1,165.2 million at March 31, 2017. The company had no debt exclusive of CVR Refining's and CVR Partners' debt.

CVR Energy also announced a first quarter 2017 cash dividend of 50 cents per share. The dividend, as declared by CVR Energy's Board of Directors, will be paid on May 15, 2017, to stockholders of record on May 8, 2017.

Today, CVR Partners announced a 2017 first quarter cash distribution of 2 cents per common unit. CVR Refining announced that it will not pay a cash distribution for the 2017 first quarter.

First Quarter 2017 Earnings Conference Call

CVR Energy previously announced that it will host its first quarter 2017 Earnings Conference Call for analysts and investors on Thursday, April 27, at 3 p.m. Eastern. The Earnings Conference Call may also include discussion of company developments, forward-looking information and other material information about business and financial matters.

The Earnings Conference Call will be broadcast live over the Internet at https://www.webcaster4.com/Webcast/Page/1003/20616. For investors or analysts who want to participate during the call, the dial-in number is (877) 407-8291.

For those unable to listen live, the Webcast will be archived and available for 14 days at https://www.webcaster4.com/Webcast/Page/1003/20616. A repeat of the conference call can be accessed by dialing (877) 660-6853, conference ID 13659740.

Forward-Looking Statements
This news release may contain forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. You can generally identify forward-looking statements by our use of forward-looking terminology such as "anticipate," "believe," "continue," "could," "estimate," "expect," "explore," "evaluate," "intend," "may," "might," "plan," "potential," "predict," "seek," "should," or "will," or the negative thereof or other variations thereon or comparable terminology. These forward-looking statements are only predictions and involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond our control. For a discussion of risk factors which may affect our results, please see the risk factors and other disclosures included in our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K, any subsequently filed Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and our other SEC filings. These risks may cause our actual results, performance or achievements to differ materially from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements. Given these risks and uncertainties, you are cautioned not to place undue reliance on such forward-looking statements. The forward-looking statements included in this press release are made only as of the date hereof. CVR Energy disclaims any intention or obligation to update publicly or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except to the extent required by law.

About CVR Energy, Inc.

Headquartered in Sugar Land, Texas, CVR Energy is a diversified holding company primarily engaged in the petroleum refining and nitrogen fertilizer manufacturing industries through its holdings in two limited partnerships, CVR Refining, LP and CVR Partners, LP. CVR Energy subsidiaries serve as the general partner and own 66 percent of the common units of CVR Refining and 34 percent of the common units of CVR Partners.

For further information, please contact:

Investor Contact:
Jay Finks
CVR Energy, Inc.
(281) 207-3588
[email protected]

Media Relations:
Brandee Stephens
CVR Energy, Inc.
(281) 207-3516
[email protected]

CVR Energy, Inc.

Financial and Operational Data (all information in this release is unaudited other than the balance sheet data as of December 31, 2016).

______________________________

Segment Information

Our operations are organized into two reportable segments, Petroleum and Nitrogen Fertilizer. Our operations that are not included in the Petroleum and Nitrogen Fertilizer segments are included in the Corporate and Other segment (along with elimination of intersegment transactions). The Petroleum segment is operated by CVR Refining, LP ("CVR Refining"), in which we own a majority interest as well as serve as the general partner. The Petroleum segment includes the operations of the Coffeyville, Kansas and Wynnewood, Oklahoma refineries along with the crude oil gathering and pipeline systems. Detailed operating results for the Petroleum segment for the three months ended March 31, 2017 are included in CVR Refining's press release dated April 27, 2017. The Nitrogen Fertilizer segment is operated by CVR Partners, LP ("CVR Partners"), in which we own approximately 34% of the common units as of March 31, 2017 and serve as the general partner. On April 1, 2016, CVR Partners completed the merger (the "East Dubuque Merger") whereby CVR Partners acquired a nitrogen fertilizer manufacturing facility located in East Dubuque, Illinois (the "East Dubuque Facility"). The Nitrogen Fertilizer segment consists of a nitrogen fertilizer manufacturing facility located in Coffeyville, Kansas, and the East Dubuque Facility beginning on April 1, 2016, the date of the closing of the acquisition. Detailed operating results for the Nitrogen Fertilizer segment for the three months ended March 31, 2017 are included in CVR Partners' press release dated April 27, 2017.

Petroleum Segment Operating Data

The following tables set forth information about our consolidated Petroleum segment operated by CVR Refining, of which we own a majority interest and serve as the general partner, and the Coffeyville and Wynnewood refineries. Reconciliations of certain non-GAAP financial measures are provided under "Use of Non-GAAP Financial Measures" below. Additional discussion of operating results for the Petroleum segment for three months ended March 31, 2017 are included in CVR Refining's press release dated April 27, 2017.

______________________________

______________________________

______________________________

______________________________

Nitrogen Fertilizer Segment Operating Data

The following tables set forth information about the Nitrogen Fertilizer segment operated by CVR Partners, of which we own approximately 34% of the common units as of March 31, 2017 and serve as the general partner. The financial and operational data include the results of the East Dubuque Facility beginning on April 1, 2016, the date of the closing of the acquisition. Reconciliations of certain non-GAAP financial measures are provided under "Use of Non-GAAP Financial Measures" below. Additional discussion of operating results for the Nitrogen Fertilizer segment for the three months ended March 31, 2017 are included in CVR Partners' press release dated April 27, 2017.

Use of Non-GAAP Financial Measures

To supplement the Company's actual results in accordance with GAAP for the applicable periods, the Company also uses the non-GAAP financial measures noted above, which are reconciled to our GAAP-based results below. These non-GAAP financial measures should not be considered an alternative for GAAP results. The adjustments are provided to enhance an overall understanding of the Company's financial performance for the applicable periods and are indicators management believes are relevant and useful for planning and forecasting future periods.

Adjusted net income (loss) is not a recognized term under GAAP and should not be substituted for net income (loss) as a measure of our performance but rather should be utilized as a supplemental measure of financial performance in evaluating our business. Management believes that adjusted net income (loss) provides relevant and useful information that enables external users of our financial statements, such as industry analysts, investors, lenders and rating agencies, to better understand and evaluate our ongoing operating results and allow for greater transparency in the review of our overall financial, operational and economic performance. Adjusted net income (loss) per diluted share represents adjusted net income (loss) divided by weighted-average diluted shares outstanding. Adjusted net income (loss) represents net income (loss), as adjusted, that is attributable to CVR Energy stockholders.

Refining margin per crude oil throughput barrel is a measurement calculated as the difference between the Petroleum segment's net sales and cost of materials and other. Refining margin is a non-GAAP measure that we believe is important to investors in evaluating the refineries' performance as a general indication of the amount above their cost of materials and other at which they are able to sell refined products. Each of the components used in this calculation (net sales and cost of materials and other) can be taken directly from our Petroleum segment's Statements of Operations. Our calculation of refining margin may differ from similar calculations of other companies in the industry, thereby limiting its usefulness as a comparative measure. In order to derive the refining margin per crude oil throughput barrel, we utilize the total dollar figures for refining margin as derived above and divide by the applicable number of crude oil throughput barrels for the period. We believe that refining margin is important to enable investors to better understand and evaluate the Petroleum segment's ongoing operating results and allow for greater transparency in the review of our overall financial, operational and economic performance.

Refining margin per crude oil throughput barrel adjusted for FIFO impact is a measurement calculated as the difference between the Petroleum segment's net sales and cost of materials and other adjusted for FIFO impact. Refining margin adjusted for FIFO impact is a non-GAAP measure that we believe is important to investors in evaluating the refineries' performance as a general indication of the amount above their cost of materials and other (taking into account the impact of the utilization of FIFO) at which they are able to sell refined products. Our calculation of refining margin adjusted for FIFO impact may differ from calculations of other companies in the industry, thereby limiting its usefulness as a comparative measure. Under the FIFO accounting method, changes in crude oil prices can cause fluctuations in the inventory valuation of crude oil, work in process and finished goods, thereby resulting in a favorable FIFO impact when crude oil prices increase and an unfavorable FIFO impact when crude oil prices decrease.

The calculation of refining margin and refining margin adjusted for FIFO impact (each a non-GAAP financial measure), including a reconciliation to the most directly comparable GAAP financial measure for the three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2016 is as follows:

The calculation of refining margin per crude oil throughput barrel and refining margin adjusted for FIFO impact per crude oil throughput barrel for the three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2016 is as follows:

EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA. EBITDA represents net income (loss) attributable to CVR Energy stockholders before consolidated (i) interest expense and other financing costs, net of interest income, (ii) income tax expense (benefit), and (iii) depreciation and amortization, less the portion of these adjustments attributable to non-controlling interest. Adjusted EBITDA represents EBITDA adjusted for, as applicable, consolidated (i) FIFO impact (favorable) unfavorable; (ii) loss on extinguishment of debt; (iii) major scheduled turnaround expenses (that many of our competitors capitalize and thereby exclude from their measures of EBITDA and adjusted EBITDA); (iv) (gain) loss on derivatives, net; (v) current period settlements on derivative contracts; (vi) business interruption insurance recovery and (vii) transaction expenses associated with the East Dubuque Merger, less the portion of these adjustments attributable to non-controlling interest. EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA are not recognized terms under GAAP and should not be substituted for net income (loss) or cash flow from operations. Management believes that EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA enable investors to better understand and evaluate our ongoing operating results and allow for greater transparency in reviewing our overall financial, operational and economic performance. EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA presented by other companies may not be comparable to our presentation, since each company may define these terms differently. EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA represent EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA that is attributable to CVR Energy stockholders.

A reconciliation of net income attributable to CVR Energy stockholders to EBITDA and EBITDA to Adjusted EBITDA for the three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2016 is as follows:

Petroleum and Nitrogen Fertilizer EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA. EBITDA by operating segment represents net income (loss) before (i) interest expense and other financing costs, net of interest income, (ii) income tax expense and (iii) depreciation and amortization. Adjusted EBITDA by operating segment represents EBITDA by operating segment adjusted for, as applicable (i) FIFO impact (favorable) unfavorable; (ii) loss on extinguishment of debt; (iii) major scheduled turnaround expenses (that many of our competitors capitalize and thereby exclude from their measures of EBITDA and adjusted EBITDA); (iv) (gain) loss on derivatives, net; (v) current period settlements on derivative contracts; (vi) transaction expenses associated with the East Dubuque Merger and (vii) business interruption insurance recovery, less the portion of these adjustments attributable to noncontrolling interest. We present Adjusted EBITDA by operating segment because it is the starting point for CVR Refining's and CVR Partners' calculation of available cash for distribution. EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA by operating segment are not recognized terms under GAAP and should not be substituted for net income (loss) as a measure of performance. Management believes that EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA by operating segment enable investors to better understand CVR Refining's and CVR Partners' ability to make distributions to their common unitholders, help investors evaluate our ongoing operating results and allow for greater transparency in reviewing our overall financial, operational and economic performance. EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA presented by other companies may not be comparable to our presentation, since each company may define these terms differently.

A reconciliation of net income (loss) to EBITDA and EBITDA to Adjusted EBITDA for the Petroleum and Nitrogen Fertilizer segments for the three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2016 is as follows:

SOURCE CVR Energy, Inc.