ROCKVILLE, Md.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Argan, Inc. (NYSE: AGX) (“Argan” or the “Company”) today announces financial results for its first quarter of fiscal year 2025 ended April 30, 2024. The Company will host an investor conference call today, June 6, 2024, at 5:00 p.m. ET.
Consolidated Financial Highlights
($s in thousands, except per share data)
|
|
April 30, |
|
|
||||||||
For the Quarter Ended: |
|
2024 |
2023 |
Change |
||||||||
Revenues |
|
$ |
157,682 |
|
$ |
103,675 |
|
$ |
54,007 |
|
||
Gross profit |
|
|
17,944 |
|
|
14,224 |
|
|
3,720 |
|
||
Gross margin % |
|
|
11.4 |
% |
|
13.7 |
% |
|
(2.3 |
)% |
||
Net income |
|
$ |
7,882 |
|
$ |
2,109 |
|
$ |
5,773 |
|
||
Diluted income per share |
|
|
0.58 |
|
|
0.16 |
|
|
0.42 |
|
||
EBITDA (earnings before interest expense, taxes, depreciation and amortization |
|
|
11,890 |
|
|
3,649 |
|
|
8,241 |
|
||
Cash dividends per share |
|
|
0.30 |
|
|
0.25 |
|
|
0.05 |
|
||
|
|
April 30, |
|
January 31, |
|
|
|
|
||||
As of: |
|
2024 |
|
2024 |
|
Change |
||||||
Cash, cash equivalents and investments |
|
$ |
416,356 |
|
$ |
412,405 |
|
$ |
3,951 |
|
||
Net liquidity (1) |
|
|
246,728 |
|
|
244,919 |
|
|
1,809 |
|
||
Share repurchase treasury stock, at cost |
|
|
97,728 |
|
|
97,528 |
|
|
200 |
|
||
Project backlog |
|
|
824,000 |
|
|
757,000 |
|
|
67,000 |
|
||
(1) |
|
Net liquidity, or working capital, is defined as total current assets less total current liabilities. |
David Watson, President and Chief Executive Officer of Argan, commented, “Fiscal 2025 is off to a solid start with consolidated revenues growth of 52% to $157.7 million, reflecting strong revenues performance at both Gemma Power Systems and The Roberts Company. We achieved net income of $7.9 million, or $0.58 per diluted share, and EBITDA increased by $8.2 million to $11.9 million, which represents a 225.8% increase for the quarter, despite a loss of $2.6 million incurred during the quarter associated with challenges we’ve previously detailed related to the Kilroot Power Station project in Northern Ireland.
“The Company closed the first quarter with backlog of $824 million, which includes over $300 million in renewable projects. Our project pipeline is robust, reflecting the growing urgency to bring additional energy resources online to meet the newly anticipated significant rise in power demand, that is being driven by the addition of high-demand data centers, the onshoring of manufacturing operations and the expansion of EV use. Argan’s expertise and capabilities support the construction of all types of energy facilities, and we are optimistic about the opportunities we’re seeing to participate in renewable projects as well as the natural gas facilities that can provide the 24/7 energy generation required to power the changing economy.”
“As we move through fiscal 2025, we remain intently focused on expanding our leadership role as a trusted partner in the construction and management of complex power facility projects. Our proven and comprehensive capabilities apply to both traditional and renewable energy sources, providing Argan a competitive advantage as the industry moves to fill the need for reliable energy sources in the face of unprecedented demand for power.”
First Quarter Results
Consolidated revenues for the quarter ended April 30, 2024 were $157.7 million, an increase of $54.0 million, or 52.1%, from consolidated revenues of $103.7 million reported for the comparable prior year quarter. The Company experienced increased revenues at several projects, including the Trumbull Energy Center, a large combined cycle, gas-fired power plant under construction near Lordstown, Ohio; the Midwest Solar and Battery Projects; and the Shannonbridge Power Project. Revenues from construction activities at the three ESB FlexGen Peaker Plants being built in Dublin, Ireland, remained steady between both periods. The overall increase in consolidated revenues between quarters was partially offset by decreased construction revenues associated with the Guernsey Power Station project and the Kilroot power facility, as those projects have concluded and have been exited, respectively.
For the quarter ended April 30, 2024, Argan’s consolidated gross profit was approximately $17.9 million, or 11.4% of consolidated revenues, reflecting positive profit contributions from all three reportable business segments. However, the consolidated gross profit for the quarter was adversely impacted by the loss related to the Kilroot project, and reflects the changing mix of projects and contract types. Consolidated gross profit for the quarter ended April 30, 2023 was $14.2 million, or 13.7% of consolidated revenues.
Selling, general and administrative expenses increased by $0.8 million, to $11.4 million for the quarter ended April 30, 2024, from $10.6 million in the comparable prior year quarter. However, as a percentage of revenues, these expenses declined to 7.2% from 10.2% between the same quarters.
Other income, net, for the three months ended April 30, 2024 was $4.8 million, which reflects income earned during the period on invested funds in the total amount of approximately $4.5 million. During the quarter ended April 30, 2024, the Company recorded income tax expense of $3.4 million primarily due to consolidated pre-tax book income of $11.3 million. For the comparable quarter last year, Argan recorded income tax expense of $0.9 million on consolidated pre-tax book income of $3.0 million.
For the quarter ended April 30, 2024, Argan achieved net income of $7.9 million, or $0.58 per diluted share, compared to $2.1 million, or $0.16 per diluted share, for last year’s comparable quarter. EBITDA for the quarter ended April 30, 2024 increased to $11.9 million compared to $3.6 million in the same quarter of last year.
Argan maintained a substantial total balance of cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments during the quarter. The total balances were $416.4 million and $412.4 million as of April 30 and January 31, 2024, respectively. Balance sheet net liquidity was $246.7 million at April 30, 2024 and $244.9 million at January 31, 2024; furthermore, the Company had no debt.
Conference Call and Webcast
Argan will host a conference call and webcast for investors today, June 6, 2024, at 5:00 p.m. ET.
Domestic stockholders and interested parties may participate in the conference call by dialing (888) 506-0062 and international participants should dial (973) 528-0011; all callers shall use access code: 882997.
The call and the accompanying slide deck will also be webcast at:
https://www.webcaster4.com/Webcast/Page/2961/50656
The conference call and slide deck may also be accessed via the Investor Center section of the Company’s website at https://arganinc.com/investor-center. Please allow extra time prior to the call to visit the site.
A replay of the teleconference will be available until June 20, 2024, and can be accessed by dialing 877-481-4010 (domestic) or 919-882-2331 (international). The replay access code is 50656. A replay of the webcast can be accessed until June 6, 2025.
About Argan
Argan’s primary business is providing a full range of construction and related services to the power industry. Argan’s service offerings focus on the engineering, procurement and construction of natural gas-fired power plants and renewable energy facilities, along with related commissioning, maintenance, project development and technical consulting services, through its Gemma Power Systems and Atlantic Projects Company operations. Argan also owns The Roberts Company, which is a fully integrated industrial construction, fabrication and plant services company, and SMC Infrastructure Solutions, which provides telecommunications infrastructure services.
Non-GAAP Financial Measures
The Company prepares its financial statements in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (“GAAP”). Within this press release, the Company may make reference to EBITDA, a non-GAAP financial measure. The Company believes that the non-GAAP financial measure described in this press release is important to management and investors because the measure supplements the understanding of Argan’s ongoing operating results, excluding the effects of capital structure, depreciation, amortization, and tax rates. The non-GAAP financial measure referred to above should be considered in conjunction with, and not as a substitute for, the GAAP financial information presented in this press release. Financial tables at the end of this press release provide a reconciliation of the non-GAAP financial measure to its comparable GAAP measure.
Safe Harbor Statement
Certain matters discussed in this press release may constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of the federal securities laws. Reference is hereby made to the cautionary statements made by the Company with respect to risk factors set forth in its most recent reports on Form 10-K, Forms 10-Q and other SEC filings. The Company’s future financial performance is subject to risks and uncertainties including, but not limited to, the successful addition of new contracts to project backlog, the receipt of corresponding notices to proceed with contract activities, the Company’s ability to successfully complete the projects that it obtains, and the Company’s effectiveness in mitigating future losses related to the Kilroot loss contract. Actual results and the timing of certain events could differ materially from those projected in or contemplated by the forward-looking statements due to the risk factors highlighted above and described regularly in the Company’s SEC filings.
ARGAN, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF EARNINGS (In thousands, except per share data) (Unaudited) |
||||||||
|
|
Three Months Ended |
||||||
|
|
April 30, |
||||||
|
|
2024 |
|
2023 |
||||
REVENUES |
|
$ |
157,682 |
|
|
$ |
103,675 |
|
Cost of revenues |
|
|
139,738 |
|
|
|
89,451 |
|
GROSS PROFIT |
|
|
17,944 |
|
|
|
14,224 |
|
Selling, general and administrative expenses |
|
|
11,425 |
|
|
|
10,591 |
|
INCOME FROM OPERATIONS |
|
|
6,519 |
|
|
|
3,633 |
|
Other income (loss), net |
|
|
4,794 |
|
|
|
(629 |
) |
INCOME BEFORE INCOME TAXES |
|
|
11,313 |
|
|
|
3,004 |
|
Income tax expense |
|
|
3,431 |
|
|
|
895 |
|
NET INCOME |
|
$ |
7,882 |
|
|
$ |
2,109 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME, NET OF TAXES |
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
Foreign currency translation adjustments |
|
|
(790 |
) |
|
|
440 |
|
Net unrealized losses on available-for-sale securities |
|
|
(969 |
) |
|
|
(37 |
) |
COMPREHENSIVE INCOME |
|
$ |
6,123 |
|
|
$ |
2,512 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
NET INCOME PER SHARE |
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
Basic |
|
$ |
0.59 |
|
|
$ |
0.16 |
|
Diluted |
|
$ |
0.58 |
|
|
$ |
0.16 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
WEIGHTED AVERAGE NUMBER OF SHARES OUTSTANDING |
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
Basic |
|
|
13,257 |
|
|
|
13,413 |
|
Diluted |
|
|
13,572 |
|
|
|
13,546 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
CASH DIVIDENDS PER SHARE |
|
$ |
0.30 |
|
|
$ |
0.25 |
|
ARGAN, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (Dollars in thousands, except per share data) |
||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
April 30, |
|
January 31, |
||
|
|
2024 |
|
2024 |
||
|
|
(Unaudited) |
|
|
|
|
ASSETS |
|
|
|
|
|
|
CURRENT ASSETS |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cash and cash equivalents |
|
$ |
207,738 |
|
$ |
197,032 |
Investments |
|
|
208,618 |
|
|
215,373 |
Accounts receivable, net |
|
|
59,960 |
|
|
47,326 |
Contract assets |
|
|
54,385 |
|
|
48,189 |
Other current assets |
|
|
43,625 |
|
|
39,259 |
TOTAL CURRENT ASSETS |
|
|
574,326 |
|
|
547,179 |
Property, plant and equipment, net |
|
|
10,825 |
|
|
11,021 |
Goodwill |
|
|
28,033 |
|
|
28,033 |
Intangible assets, net |
|
|
2,120 |
|
|
2,217 |
Deferred taxes, net |
|
|
2,305 |
|
|
2,259 |
Right-of-use and other assets |
|
|
6,799 |
|
|
7,520 |
TOTAL ASSETS |
|
$ |
624,408 |
|
$ |
598,229 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY |
|
|
|
|
|
|
CURRENT LIABILITIES |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Accounts payable |
|
$ |
66,448 |
|
$ |
39,485 |
Accrued expenses |
|
|
60,721 |
|
|
81,721 |
Contract liabilities |
|
|
200,429 |
|
|
181,054 |
TOTAL CURRENT LIABILITIES |
|
|
327,598 |
|
|
302,260 |
Noncurrent liabilities |
|
|
3,655 |
|
|
5,030 |
TOTAL LIABILITIES |
|
|
331,253 |
|
|
307,290 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Preferred stock, par value $0.10 per share – 500,000 shares authorized; no shares issued and outstanding |
|
|
— |
|
|
— |
Common stock, par value $0.15 per share – 30,000,000 shares authorized; 15,828,289 shares issued; 13,350,180 and 13,242,520 shares outstanding at April 30, 2024 and January 31, 2024, respectively |
|
|
2,374 |
|
|
2,374 |
Additional paid-in capital |
|
|
164,501 |
|
|
164,183 |
Retained earnings |
|
|
229,364 |
|
|
225,507 |
Less treasury stock, at cost – 2,478,109 and 2,585,769 shares at April 30, 2024 and January 31, 2024, respectively |
|
|
(97,728) |
|
|
(97,528) |
Accumulated other comprehensive loss |
|
|
(5,356) |
|
|
(3,597) |
TOTAL STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY |
|
|
293,155 |
|
|
290,939 |
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY |
|
$ |
624,408 |
|
$ |
598,229 |
ARGAN, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES RECONCILIATION TO EBITDA (In thousands) (Unaudited) |
||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Three Months Ended |
||||
|
|
April 30, |
||||
|
|
2024 |
|
2023 |
||
Net income, as reported |
|
$ |
7,882 |
|
$ |
2,109 |
Income tax expense |
|
|
3,431 |
|
|
895 |
Depreciation |
|
|
480 |
|
|
547 |
Amortization of intangible assets |
|
|
97 |
|
|
98 |
EBITDA |
|
$ |
11,890 |
|
$ |
3,649 |
