Quaker Chemical Announces First Quarter 2014 Results

CONSHOHOCKEN, Pa., April 29, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Quaker Chemical Corporation (NYSE: KWR) today announced a 3% increase in net sales of $181.7 million for the first quarter of 2014 compared to the first quarter of 2013 net sales of $176.2 million. Foreign exchange rate translation negatively impacted net sales by 2%.  Operating income increased 11% to $19.4 million in the first quarter of 2014 from $17.4 million in the first quarter of 2013.  Similarly, the Company's adjusted EBITDA increased 11% to $23.7 million in the first quarter of 2014 from $21.4 million in the first quarter of 2013.  The Company's earnings per diluted share for the first quarter of 2014 were $0.96 compared to $1.04 for the first quarter of 2013 and non-GAAP earnings per diluted share for the first quarter of 2014 were $0.95 compared to $0.96 for the first quarter of 2013.  Despite strong operating results, the Company's higher effective tax rate was the primary reason its earnings were down compared to the first quarter of 2013. 

Michael F. Barry, Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and President commented, "We are pleased with our first quarter results especially in light of a continuing uneven global economic environment as well as negative impacts due to foreign exchange and the severe U.S. weather conditions.  Our 11% growth in operating income and adjusted EBITDA is an indication that our business model and competitive positioning continue to serve us well.  We experienced good growth in Europe and China, modest growth in North America and a decline in South America, primarily due to exchange rates."

Mr. Barry continued, "Looking forward, we expect to see modest growth in most of our major markets, although some countries such as India and Brazil could continue to be challenging.  We are also beginning to experience an increase in some of our raw material costs.  However, we do believe our track record of increasing our market share and leveraging our recent acquisitions will continue and help offset the market issues we may experience.  Overall, I continue to remain confident in our future and expect 2014 to be another good year for Quaker as we strive to increase revenue and earnings for the fifth consecutive year."

First Quarter of 2014 Summary

Net sales for the first quarter of 2014 of $181.7 million increased approximately 3% from net sales of $176.2 million for the first quarter of 2013, including a decrease of approximately $2.7 million, or 2%, due to foreign exchange rate translation.  The increase in net sales from the first quarter of 2013 was primarily driven by 6% higher product volumes, including increases across most regions.

Gross profit increased approximately $2.5 million, or approximately 4%, from the first quarter of 2013, which was primarily driven by the increased sales volumes, noted above, on stable gross margins of 35.8% and 35.5% for the first quarters of 2014 and 2013, respectively.

Selling, general and administrative expenses ("SG&A") increased approximately $0.5 million from the first quarter of 2013, primarily driven by higher labor related costs and additional costs related to an amendment to the Company's pension plan in the United Kingdom ("U.K.").  The additional pension related costs are non-recurring.  Finally, these increases to SG&A were net of lower foreign currency exchange rate translation. 

The change from other income of $0.3 million in the first quarter of 2013 to other expense of $0.5 million in the first quarter of 2014 was primarily the result of approximately $0.8 million of net foreign exchange losses in the current quarter.

Interest expense was lower in the first quarter of 2014 compared to the first quarter of 2013, primarily due to decreases in average borrowings and interest rates.  Interest income was higher in the first quarter of 2014 compared to the first quarter of 2013, primarily due to an increase in the level of the Company's cash on hand.

The Company's effective tax rates for the first quarters of 2014 and 2013 were 34.8% and 24.1%, respectively.  The primary contributors to the increase in the current quarter's effective tax rate were lower changes in reserves related to uncertain tax positions and certain one-time items that increased the current quarter's effective tax rate.  Although the tax rate is inflated in the first quarter of 2014, we continue to estimate the full year 2014 effective tax rate to approximate 30%.

Equity in net income of associated companies ("equity income") was generally consistent between the first quarter of 2014 and the first quarter of 2013.  The primary component of equity income is the Company's interest in a captive insurance company, which was higher in the prior year, including an out-of-period adjustment.  Also, a first quarter of 2013 charge due to the devaluation of the Venezuelan Bolivar Fuerte affected the equity income comparison. 

Changes in foreign exchange rates negatively impacted the first quarter of 2014 net income by approximately $0.6 million, or $0.05 per diluted share.

Balance Sheet and Cash Flow Items

The Company had net operating cash outflows of approximately $1.8 million for the first quarter of 2014.  The net cash outflow relates to an increase in cash invested in the Company's working capital during the current quarter, which was primarily the result of increased sales at the end of the first quarter of 2014, reestablishing inventory safety stock levels that were low at year end 2013 and higher annual incentive compensation payouts related to an improvement in the Company's prior year performance.  Historically, the Company's first quarter cash flows are the weakest of the year, primarily due to the factors mentioned above.  Overall, the Company's liquidity remains strong, as its cash position continued to exceed its debt at March 31, 2014, with no borrowings outstanding on its credit facility, and, also, the Company's consolidated leverage ratio continued to be less than one times EBITDA. 

Non-GAAP Measures

Included in this public release are non-GAAP financial measures of non-GAAP earnings per diluted share and adjusted EBITDA.  The Company believes these non-GAAP financial measures provide meaningful supplemental information as they enhance a reader's understanding of the financial performance of the Company, are more indicative of future operating performance of the Company, and facilitate a better comparison among fiscal periods, as the non-GAAP financial measures exclude items that are not considered core to the Company's operations.  Non-GAAP results are presented for supplemental informational purposes only and should not be considered a substitute for the financial information presented in accordance with GAAP.  

The following are reconciliations between the non-GAAP (unaudited) financial measures of non-GAAP earnings per diluted share and adjusted EBITDA to their most directly comparable GAAP (unaudited) financial measures:

Forward-Looking Statements

This release contains "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.  These forward looking statements are subject to certain risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those projected in such statements.  A major risk is that the Company's demand is largely derived from the demand for its customers' products, which subjects the Company to downturns in a customer's business and unanticipated customer production shutdowns.  Other major risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, significant increases in raw material costs, customer financial stability, worldwide economic and political conditions, foreign currency fluctuations, future terrorist attacks and other acts of violence.  Other factors could also adversely affect us.  Therefore, we caution you not to place undue reliance on our forward-looking statements.  This discussion is provided as permitted by the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. 

Conference Call

As previously announced, Quaker Chemical's investor conference call to discuss the first quarter of 2014 results is scheduled for April 30, 2014 at 8:30 a.m. (ET).  A live webcast of the conference call, together with supplemental information, can be accessed through the Company's Investor Relations website at http://www.quakerchem.com.  You can also access the conference call by dialing 877-269-7756. 

About Quaker

Quaker Chemical is a leading global provider of process fluids, chemical specialties, and technical expertise to a wide range of industries, including steel, aluminum, automotive, mining, aerospace, tube and pipe, cans, and others.  For nearly 100 years, Quaker has helped customers around the world achieve production efficiency, improve product quality, and lower costs through a combination of innovative technology, process knowledge, and customized services. Headquartered in Conshohocken, Pennsylvania USA, Quaker serves businesses worldwide with a network of dedicated and experienced professionals whose mission is to make a difference.

SOURCE Quaker Chemical Corporation