Kirby Corporation Announces 2016 First Quarter Results

HOUSTON, April 27, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Kirby Corporation ("Kirby") (NYSE: KEX) today announced net earnings attributable to Kirby for the first quarter ended March 31, 2016 of $38.1 million, or $0.71 per share, compared with $61.1 million, or $1.09 per share, for the 2015 first quarter.  Consolidated revenues for the 2016 first quarter were $458.7 million compared with $587.7 million reported for the 2015 first quarter.  A reduction in force executed in February 2016 resulted in pre-tax expenses of $5.6 million, or approximately $0.06 per share, which impacted both of Kirby's reportable business segments.

David Grzebinski, Kirby's President and Chief Executive Officer, commented, "Trends in both the inland and coastal marine transportation markets during the quarter were largely unchanged from the fourth quarter of 2015.  For our inland marine transportation market, utilization was in the 90% to 95% range throughout the quarter.  There were also some signs of improvement in the inland spot market in April.  In the coastal marine transportation market, utilization during the quarter was in the high-80% to low-90% range.  Overall, coastal market supply and demand remained roughly in balance throughout the quarter, although we continue to have more spot exposure."

Mr. Grzebinski continued, "Within our diesel engine services segment, market conditions deteriorated further from 2015 levels in the land-based market where we received no inbound orders for new or remanufactured pressure pumping units.  Additionally, the expected demand for engines, transmissions and parts used by our major land-based customers to service their own equipment declined sharply.  In our marine diesel engine service markets, weakness persisted in the Gulf of Mexico offshore oilfield services market.  In addition, we experienced customer deferrals of major maintenance and engine overhauls across marine markets in most of the regions where we operate, which was largely due to a depressed dry cargo barge market."

Mr. Grzebinski further added, "In February, we implemented a reduction in force across our businesses in order to reduce costs in light of challenging market conditions.  While this reduction was the most visible cost-cutting action during the quarter, we have been actively reducing costs across all facets of the company.  As conditions across our markets improve, our organization will be better positioned for improved profitability."

Segment Results – Marine Transportation
Marine transportation revenues for the 2016 first quarter were $378.3 million compared with $419.9 million for the 2015 first quarter.  Operating income for the 2016 first quarter was $69.8 million compared with $96.3 million for the 2015 first quarter.

Demand for inland barge transportation of petrochemicals and refined petroleum products was stable, while demand for black oil was weaker on both a year over year and sequential basis.  Kirby's inland tank barge utilization remained in the 90% to 95% range, but pricing pressure persisted on both contract renewals and in the spot market.  However, there were signs of an improvement in the spot market in April.  Operating conditions during the quarter were challenging due to periodic high wind and heavy fog along the Gulf Coast.  Additionally, high water on the Mississippi River System led to tow size restrictions and added horsepower requirements, as well as slower transit times for most of the quarter. 

On April 15, 2016 Kirby closed the previously announced acquisition of the inland tank barge fleet of SEACOR Holdings Inc. for $88 million in cash and transfer to SEACOR of a Florida-based ship docking tugboat.  The asset purchase consisted of 27 inland 30,000 barrel tank barges and 13 inland towboats, plus one 30,000 barrel tank barge and one towboat currently under construction.  The cost of the vessels under construction is included in the purchase price and the vessels are expected to be delivered prior to the end of the 2016 second quarter.

In the coastal marine transportation market, demand for the transportation of refined petroleum products, black oil, and petrochemicals was stable, although distillate demand in the Northeast was relatively weak due to warmer than average winter temperatures.  Also contributing to the year over year decline in revenues and operating income was an increase in the amount of equipment trading in the spot market which led to increased idle time and voyage costs.  Utilization for the coastal tank barge fleet remained in the high-80% to low-90% range and pricing on contract renewals improved on a year over year basis.  Operating conditions in the coastal markets were seasonally normal during the first quarter.

The marine transportation segment's 2016 first quarter operating margin was 18.4% compared with 22.9% for the first quarter of 2015. 

Segment Results – Diesel Engine Services
Diesel engine services revenues for the 2016 first quarter were $80.4 million with a $0.8 million operating loss, compared with 2015 first quarter revenues of $167.8 million and operating income of $8.8 million.

The lower revenues and operating loss as compared to the first quarter of 2015 were primarily due to a lack of pressure pumping unit manufacturing, service and remanufacturing, as well as weaker than anticipated sales of engines, transmissions and parts in the land-based diesel engine services market.  In addition, customer deferrals of major maintenance projects in the marine diesel engine services market and a continued weak Gulf of Mexico oilfield services market contributed to the year over year decline in revenues and operating income.  Demand in the power generation market was relatively stable during the quarter.

The diesel engine services operating margin was (1.0)% for the 2016 first quarter compared with 5.3% for the 2015 first quarter. 

Cash Generation
EBITDA of $113.8 million for the 2016 first quarter contributed to Kirby's cash flow from operations during the quarter, which compares with EBITDA of $148.6 million for the 2015 first quarter.  Cash flow was used, in part, to fund capital expenditures of $50.5 million, including $2.7 million for new inland tank barge and towboat construction, $24.3 million for progress payments on the construction of three new coastal articulated tank barge and tugboat units ("ATBs") and two 4900 horsepower coastal tugboats and $23.5 million primarily for upgrades to existing inland and coastal fleets.  Kirby also purchased approximately 35,000 shares of its common stock at an average price of $52.53 per share during the quarter.  Total debt as of March 31, 2016 was $712.2 million and Kirby's debt-to-capitalization ratio was 23.5%.

Outlook
Commenting on the 2016 second quarter and full year market outlook and guidance, Mr.  Grzebinski said, "Our earnings guidance for the 2016 second quarter is $0.65 to $0.75 per share compared with $1.04 per share in the 2015 second quarter.  We are narrowing and lowering our full year 2016 guidance to $2.80 to $3.20 per share.  The change in our 2016 full year guidance reflects results for the first quarter, including the approximately $0.06 per share in severance expenses, and our expectation for continued challenging conditions in the oilfield services markets within our diesel engine services businesses.  In our marine markets, our guidance for the second quarter largely reflects a continuation of the pricing and utilization trends we experienced during the 2016 first quarter.  Inland marine tank barge spot market pricing has improved in April, although there remains general market and economic uncertainty.  In our coastal marine transportation market, we expect utilization to be in the mid-80% to low-90% range."

Mr. Grzebinski continued, "In our land-based diesel engine services business, although oil prices have improved somewhat, it has not yet translated to an improved outlook.  The improvement may come in the second half, but with the lower spending levels seen in the first quarter, we felt it prudent to adjust this portion of our quarterly and full year guidance.  We will continue to evaluate market conditions and adjust the cost structure as necessary to meet current and projected levels of demand, but must balance the lack of volume in today's market with the outlook for a market recovery as oil prices continue to increase.  In our marine diesel engine business, we expect the Gulf of Mexico oilfield services market to remain depressed.  In our other marine diesel engine services markets, the major maintenance project deferrals experienced in the first quarter could drive better results in the second half of the year.  However, our assumption in our guidance is that these projects will not occur this year without a better dry cargo and offshore supply vessel market." 

Kirby expects 2016 capital spending to be in the $230 to $250 million range, an increase of $10 million from earlier capital spending guidance, as a result of plans to construct an additional four inland tank barges.  Capital spending guidance includes approximately $10 million for the construction of seven inland tank barges and one inland towboat to be delivered in 2016.  The capital spending guidance range also includes approximately $100 million in progress payments on new coastal equipment, including one 185,000 barrel coastal ATB, two 155,000 barrel ATBs, two 4900 horsepower coastal tugboats, and a new coastal petrochemical tank barge.  The balance of $120 to $140 million is primarily for capital upgrades and improvements to existing inland and coastal marine equipment and facilities, as well as diesel engine services facilities.

Conference Call
A conference call is scheduled for 7:30 a.m. central time tomorrow, Thursday, April 28, 2016, to discuss the 2016 first quarter performance as well as the outlook for the 2016 second quarter and full year.  The conference call number is 888-317-6003 for domestic callers and 412-317-6061 for international callers.  The confirmation number is 8298696.  An audio playback will be available at 1:00 p.m. central time on Thursday, April 28, 2016, through 5:00 p.m. central time on Thursday, May 5, 2016, by dialing 877-344-7529 for domestic callers and 412-317-0088 for international callers.  The replay access code is 10083894.  A live audio webcast of the conference call will be available to the public and a replay available after the call by visiting Kirby's website at http://www.kirbycorp.com/. 

GAAP to Non-GAAP Financial Measures
The financial and other information to be discussed in the conference call is available in this press release and in a Form 8-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.  This press release and the Form 8-K include a non-GAAP financial measure, EBITDA, which Kirby defines as net earnings attributable to Kirby before interest expense, taxes on income, depreciation and amortization.  A reconciliation of EBITDA with GAAP net earnings attributable to Kirby is included in this press release.  This earnings press release includes marine transportation performance measures, consisting of ton miles, revenue per ton mile, towboats operated and delay days.  Comparable performance measures for the 2015 year and quarters are available at Kirby's website, http://www.kirbycorp.com/, under the caption Performance Measurements in the Investor Relations section. 

Forward-Looking Statements
Statements contained in this press release with respect to the future are forward-looking statements.  These statements reflect management's reasonable judgment with respect to future events.  Forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties.  Actual results could differ materially from those anticipated as a result of various factors, including cyclical or other downturns in demand, significant pricing competition, unanticipated additions to industry capacity, changes in the Jones Act or in U.S.  maritime policy and practice, fuel costs, interest rates, weather conditions and timing, magnitude and number of acquisitions made by Kirby.  Forward-looking statements are based on currently available information and Kirby assumes no obligation to update any such statements.  A list of additional risk factors can be found in Kirby's annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2015 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. 

About Kirby Corporation
Kirby Corporation, based in Houston, Texas, is the nation's largest domestic tank barge operator transporting bulk liquid products throughout the Mississippi River System, on the Gulf Intracoastal Waterway, coastwise along all three United States coasts, and in Alaska and Hawaii.  Kirby transports petrochemicals, black oil, refined petroleum products and agricultural chemicals by tank barge.  Kirby also operates offshore dry-bulk barge and tugboat units engaged in the offshore transportation of dry-bulk cargoes in the United States coastal trade.  Through the diesel engine services segment, Kirby provides after-market service for medium-speed and high-speed diesel engines and reduction gears used in marine and power generation applications.  Kirby also distributes and services diesel engines, transmissions and pumps, and manufactures and remanufactures oilfield service equipment, including pressure pumping units, for land-based oilfield service and oil and gas operator and producer markets.

SOURCE Kirby Corporation