BioFuel Energy Reports First Quarter 2011 Results

DENVER, May 11, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- BIOFUEL ENERGY CORP. (NASDAQ: BIOF), an ethanol production company, today announced its first quarter 2011 results.  For the quarter ended March 31, 2011, the net loss was $9.0 million on revenues of $158.0 million, compared with a net loss of $10.4 million on revenues of $100.9 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2010.  For the quarter ended March 31, 2011, the net loss attributable to common stockholders was $7.7 million, or $.11 per share, compared to a net loss attributable to common stockholders of $8.2 million, or $.32 per share for the same period in 2010.

For the quarter ended March 31, 2011, the Company's operating loss was $4.8 million, which resulted from $160.2 million in cost of goods sold, including $129.4 million for corn, and $2.7 million in general and administrative expenses.  During the first quarter of 2011 the Company also had $4.2 million in interest expense which resulted in a net loss of $9.0 million. For the same period of 2010, our operating loss was $7.7 million, which resulted from $105.6 million in cost of goods sold, including $70.5 million for corn, and $3.0 million in general and administrative expenses.  The Company also had $2.7 million of interest expense in the first quarter of 2010, which resulted in a net loss of $10.4 million.  

Scott H. Pearce, the Company's President and Chief Executive Officer, stated: "We remain focused on reducing our unit production costs.  As we saw at the very end of last year, margins remained narrow throughout the quarter.  Corn prices remain high relative to the price of ethanol despite what appears to be a tightening supply and demand balance for ethanol and a widening discount between ethanol and RBOB."

At March 31, 2011, the Company had $186.2 million in term loans outstanding under its senior debt facility.  At March 31, 2011, the Company held $7.4 million of cash and cash equivalents and equity totaled $100.1 million, including $5.9 million of noncontrolling interest.  As previously announced, the Company completed its rights offering and concurrent LLC private placement on February 4, 2011, which generated aggregate gross proceeds of $46.0 million.  The Company used the proceeds to repay in full its bridge loan facility and subordinated debt facility and to make certain other payments.

The Company plans to host a conference call on Thursday, May 12, 2011 beginning at 1:00 p.m. (EDT) to discuss the results.  To participate, please dial (800) 944-8766.  The participant code for the call is 47229.  Approximately 90 minutes following the call, a phone playback will be available for 30 days by dialing (866) 281-6782.  The access code for the replay is 166647.

This release contains certain forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Federal securities laws.  Such statements are based on management's current expectations, estimates and projections, which are subject to a wide range of uncertainties and business risks.  Forward-looking statements should not be read as a guarantee of future performance or results, and will not necessarily be accurate indications of whether, or the times by which, our performance or results may be achieved.  Factors that could cause actual results to differ from those anticipated are discussed in our Exchange Act filings and our Annual Report on Form 10-K.

BioFuel Energy currently has two 110 million gallons per year ethanol plants in the Midwestern corn belt.  The Company's goal is to become a leading ethanol producer in the United States by acquiring, developing, owning and operating ethanol production facilities.

SOURCE BioFuel Energy Corp.