Newpark Resources Reports Net Income of $0.22 per Diluted Share for the Fourth Quarter 2011

THE WOODLANDS, Texas, Feb. 16, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Newpark Resources, Inc. (NYSE: NR) today announced results for its fourth quarter ended December 31, 2011.  Total revenues were $263.5 million for the fourth quarter of 2011 compared to $261.2 million for the third quarter of 2011 and $194.5 million for the fourth quarter of 2010.  Net income for the fourth quarter of 2011 was $21.9 million, or $0.22 per diluted share, compared to net income for the third quarter of 2011 of $23.0 million, or $0.23 per diluted share, and net income for the fourth quarter of 2010 of $14.8 million, or $0.15 per diluted share.  

For the full year 2011, total revenues were $958.2 million compared to $716.0 million for 2010.  Net income for 2011 was $80.0 million, or $0.80 per diluted share, compared to net income of $41.6 million, or $0.46 per diluted share, in 2010.

The fourth quarter 2011 results included a $1.6 million ($1.1 million after-tax) increase in spending for supplemental resources, employee training, and I.T. system support, following an October 2011 ERP system conversion in the U.S. operations, along with a $0.7 million ($0.5 million after-tax) non-cash charge for the write-off of an abandoned disposal well in the Environmental Services segment.  In addition, the full year 2011 tax rate declined to 35.0%, resulting in a 30.4% tax rate for the fourth quarter of 2011.

Paul Howes, Newpark's President and Chief Executive Officer, stated, "We are pleased to report a solid fourth quarter and record results for 2011. Growth in our Fluids Systems and Engineering segment was driven by an exceptionally strong performance in our Canadian operations, reflecting continued market share gains, and a seasonal increase in market activity.  Meanwhile, our Evolution™ drilling fluid system continues to gain traction, with revenues increasing to $22 million from $17 million in the prior quarter.  In the Mats & Integrated Services segment, we completed the re-deployment of our U.S. mat rental fleet during the fourth quarter, which provides greater diversification within this business.  

"Looking at our full year results, we achieved record levels in terms of total revenues, operating income and earnings per share.  We are extremely pleased with our 2011 accomplishments, which reflect the hard work and dedication of our employees," concluded Howes.

SEGMENT RESULTS

The Fluids Systems and Engineering segment generated revenues of $221.1 million in the fourth quarter of 2011 compared to $216.2 million in the third quarter of 2011 and $162.8 million in the fourth quarter of 2010.  North American revenues increased 4% sequentially in the fourth quarter of 2011, driven by a 75% improvement in Canada, while U.S. revenues were down 3%, primarily due to softness in the Company's completion services and equipment rental business.  Compared to the fourth quarter of 2010, North American revenues increased 52%.  International revenues decreased by 2% sequentially, but increased 5% from the fourth quarter of 2010. Segment operating income was $25.0 million (11.3% margin) in the fourth quarter of 2011, which included the elevated costs associated with the ERP system conversion described above, compared to $25.6 million (11.9% margin) in the third quarter of 2011 and $16.8 million (10.3% margin) in the fourth quarter of 2010.

The Mats and Integrated Services segment generated revenues of $29.4 million in the fourth quarter of 2011 compared to $30.2 million in the third quarter of 2011 and $20.6 million in the fourth quarter of 2010.  The 3% sequential decrease in revenues was driven by a $2.3 million decline in composite mat sales, after achieving a record sales level in the third quarter.  Revenues from mat rentals and related services increased by $1.5 million sequentially, as a $4.0 million decline in rental revenues in the Northeast, was more than offset by increased mat rentals and service revenues in other regions.  Compared to the fourth quarter of 2010, segment revenues were up 43%.  Segment operating income was $11.7 million (39.7% margin) in the fourth quarter of 2011 compared to operating income of $14.5 million (48.1% margin) in the third quarter of 2011 and $10.3 million (50.2% margin) in the fourth quarter of 2010.  

The Environmental Services segment generated revenues of $13.0 million in the fourth quarter of 2011 compared to $14.9 million in the third quarter of 2011 and $11.1 million in the fourth quarter of 2010.  The third quarter of 2011 benefitted from $2.2 million of revenues from a few large disposal projects, contributing to the sequential decrease in revenues.  Compared to the fourth quarter of 2010, segment revenues were up 17%.  Segment operating income was $2.4 million (18.1% margin) in the fourth quarter of 2011, which included a $0.7 million non-cash charge for the abandonment of a disposal well asset, compared to operating income of $5.0 million (33.4 % margin) in the third quarter of 2011 and $2.6 million (23.4% margin) in the fourth quarter of 2010.

BALANCE SHEET AND LIQUIDITY

Cash balances declined by $37.7 million during the fourth quarter of 2011, while borrowings under Newpark's revolving credit facility increased by $17.0 million.  The drawdown of cash and borrowing was required to fund an increase in receivables during the quarter, including a $40 million increase resulting from the fourth quarter ERP system conversion described above.  Following the system conversion, inherent process inefficiencies associated with the change in systems and business processes resulted in a short-term slow-down in customer invoicing, resulting in the elevated receivables balance as of December 31, 2011.

SHARE REPURCHASE PROGRAM

The Company announced that the Board of Directors has approved a share repurchase program that authorizes the Company to purchase up to $50 million of its outstanding shares of Newpark common stock.  These purchases will be funded with a combination of cash generated from operations and borrowings under the Company's revolving credit facility, and the repurchase program has no specific term.  The Company may repurchase shares in the open market or as otherwise determined by management, subject to market conditions, business opportunities and other factors.  The Company's management has been authorized to establish trading plans under Rule 10b5-1 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, which the Company intends to establish as soon as practicable, as part of the share repurchase program.  

CONFERENCE CALL

Newpark has scheduled a conference call to discuss fourth quarter 2011 results, which will be broadcast live over the Internet, on Friday, February 17, 2012 at 10:00 a.m. Eastern Time / 9:00 a.m. Central Time.  To participate in the call, dial 480-629-9771 and ask for the Newpark Resources conference call at least 10 minutes prior to the start time, or access it live over the Internet at www.newpark.com.  For those who cannot listen to the live call, a replay will be available through February 24, 2012 and may be accessed by dialing (303) 590-3030 and using pass code 4503222#.  Also, an archive of the webcast will be available shortly after the call at www.newpark.com for 90 days.

Newpark Resources, Inc. is a worldwide provider of drilling fluids, temporary worksites and access roads for oilfield and other commercial markets, and environmental waste treatment solutions.  For more information, visit our website at www.newpark.com.

This news release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act that are based on management's current expectations, estimates and projections. All statements that address expectations or projections about the future, including Newpark's strategy for growth, product development, market position, expected expenditures and financial results are forward-looking statements. Some of the forward-looking statements may be identified by words like "expects," "anticipates," "plans," "intends," "projects," "indicates," and similar expressions. These statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve a number of risks, uncertainties and assumptions. Many factors, including those discussed more fully elsewhere in this release and in documents filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission by Newpark, particularly its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2010, as well as others, could cause results to differ materially from those stated. These risk factors include, but are not limited to, our ability to successfully integrate the business acquired from Rheochem and to realize the anticipated benefits from the acquisition, the impact of restrictions on offshore drilling activity in the Gulf of Mexico, our customer concentration and cyclical nature of our industry, the availability of raw materials and skilled personnel, our market competition, the cost and continued availability of borrowed funds, our international operations, legal and regulatory matters, including environmental regulations, inherent limitations in insurance coverage, potential impairments of long-lived intangible assets, technological developments in our industry, and the impact of severe weather, particularly in the U.S. Gulf Coast.  Newpark's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission can be obtained at no charge at www.sec.gov, as well as through our website at www.newpark.com.

SOURCE Newpark Resources, Inc.