Handy & Harman Ltd. Reports First Quarter Financial Results and Outlook for 2016

WHITE PLAINS, N.Y.--()--Handy & Harman Ltd. (NASDAQ:HNH); ("HNH" or the "Company"), a diversified global industrial company, today announced operating results for the quarter ended March 31, 2016, which are summarized in the following paragraphs. For a full discussion of the results, please see the Company's Form 10-Q, which can be found at www.handyharman.com.

HNH reported net sales of $160.8 million for the quarter, as compared to $138.0 million for the same period in 2015. Income from continuing operations before tax and equity investment was $8.9 million in the first quarter of 2016, as compared to $4.0 million in the 2015 period. Income from continuing operations, net of tax, for the first quarter of 2016 was $0.5 million, or $0.04 per basic and diluted common share, as compared to income of $3.3 million, or $0.30 per basic and diluted common share, for the same period in 2015.

HNH generated Adjusted EBITDA of $19.1 million for the first quarter of 2016, as compared to $10.7 million for the same period in 2015, an increase of $8.4 million, or 78.7%. See "Note Regarding Use of Non-GAAP Financial Measurements" below for the definition of Adjusted EBITDA.

"Our improved operational performance is a direct result of our strategy to profitably grow our core business units both internally and through strategic acquisitions," said Warren Lichtenstein, Chairman of HNH. "We expect future benefits as we continue to implement the Steel Business System to drive continuous improvement throughout the HNH business units."

Based on current information, the Company anticipates full-year 2016 net sales and Adjusted EBITDA in the ranges of $668 million to $780 million, and $86 million to $101 million, respectively. The Company's outlook for the second quarter of 2016 is for net sales between $175 million and $214 million and Adjusted EBITDA between $24 million and $30 million.

Financial Summary

       
Three Months Ended
(in thousands, except per share) March 31,
2016   2015
Net sales $ 160,797 $ 137,982
Gross profit 43,717 38,379
Gross profit margin 27.2 % 27.8 %
Operating income 10,282 5,446
Income from continuing operations before tax and equity investment 8,944 3,979
Tax provision 3,860 1,643
Loss (gain) from associated company, net of tax 4,628   (922 )
Income from continuing operations, net of tax 456 3,258
Net income from discontinued operations   90,086  
Net income $ 456   $ 93,344  
Basic and diluted income per share of common stock
Income from continuing operations, net of tax, per share $ 0.04 $ 0.30
Discontinued operations, net of tax, per share   8.36  
Net income per share $ 0.04   $ 8.66  
 

Segment Results

       
Income Statement Data Three Months Ended
(in thousands) March 31,
2016   2015
Net sales:
Joining Materials $ 42,671 $ 47,793
Tubing 20,270 21,080
Building Materials 58,302 54,989
Performance Materials 24,783
Kasco 14,771   14,120  
Total net sales $ 160,797   $ 137,982  
Segment operating income:
Joining Materials $ 4,415 $ 6,247
Tubing 4,211 3,080
Building Materials 7,353 3,233
Performance Materials 293
Kasco 980   863  
Total segment operating income 17,252   13,423  
Unallocated corporate expenses and non-operating units (4,983 ) (5,960 )
Unallocated pension expense (2,151 ) (2,072 )
Gain from asset dispositions 164   55  
Operating income 10,282   5,446  
Interest expense (1,070 ) (1,167 )
Realized and unrealized loss on derivatives (123 ) (207 )
Other expense (145 ) (93 )
Income from continuing operations before tax and equity investment $ 8,944   $ 3,979  
 

Supplemental Non-GAAP Disclosures

       
Adjusted EBITDA Three Months Ended
(in thousands) March 31,
2016   2015
Income from continuing operations, net of tax $ 456 $ 3,258
Add (Deduct):
Loss (gain) from associated company, net of tax 4,628 (922 )
Tax provision 3,860 1,643
Interest expense 1,070 1,167
Non-cash derivative and hedge loss on precious metal contracts 123 207
Non-cash adjustment to precious metal inventory valued at LIFO 380 (508 )
Depreciation and amortization 5,686 3,250
Non-cash pension expense 2,151 2,072
Non-cash stock-based compensation 672 1,345
Other items, net 27   (850 )
Adjusted EBITDA $ 19,053   $ 10,662  
 

Note Regarding Use of Non-GAAP Financial Measurements

The financial data contained in this press release includes certain non-GAAP financial measurements as defined by the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC"), including "Adjusted EBITDA." The Company is presenting Adjusted EBITDA because it believes that it provides useful information to investors about HNH, its business, and its financial condition. The Company defines Adjusted EBITDA as income or loss from continuing operations before the effects of gains or losses from investment in associated company, realized and unrealized gains or losses on derivatives, interest expense, taxes, depreciation and amortization, LIFO liquidation gains or losses, and non-cash pension expense, and excludes certain non-recurring and non-cash items. The Company believes Adjusted EBITDA is useful to investors because it is one of the measures used by the Company's Board of Directors and management to evaluate its business, including in internal management reporting, budgeting, and forecasting processes, in comparing operating results across the business, as an internal profitability measure, as a component in evaluating the ability and the desirability of making capital expenditures and significant acquisitions, and as an element in determining executive compensation.

However, Adjusted EBITDA is not a measure of financial performance under generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America ("U.S. GAAP"), and the items excluded from Adjusted EBITDA are significant components in understanding and assessing financial performance. Therefore, Adjusted EBITDA should not be considered a substitute for net income or cash flows from operating, investing, or financing activities. Because Adjusted EBITDA is calculated before recurring cash charges, including realized and unrealized losses on derivatives, interest expense, and taxes, and is not adjusted for capital expenditures or other recurring cash requirements of the business, it should not be considered as a measure of discretionary cash available to invest in the growth of the business. There are a number of material limitations to the use of Adjusted EBITDA as an analytical tool, including the following:

  • Adjusted EBITDA does not reflect gains or losses from the Company's investment in associated company;
  • Adjusted EBITDA does not reflect the Company's net realized and unrealized gains and losses on derivatives and any LIFO liquidations of its precious metal inventory;
  • Adjusted EBITDA does not reflect the Company's interest expense;
  • Adjusted EBITDA does not reflect the Company's tax provision or the cash requirements to pay its taxes;
  • Although depreciation and amortization are non-cash expenses in the period recorded, the assets being depreciated and amortized may have to be replaced in the future, and Adjusted EBITDA does not reflect the cash requirements for such replacement;
  • Adjusted EBITDA does not include non-cash charges for pension expense and stock-based compensation;
  • Adjusted EBITDA does not include discontinued operations; and
  • Adjusted EBITDA does not include certain other non-recurring and non-cash items.

The Company compensates for these limitations by relying primarily on its U.S. GAAP financial measures and by using Adjusted EBITDA only as supplemental information. The Company believes that consideration of Adjusted EBITDA, together with a careful review of its U.S. GAAP financial measures, is the most informed method of analyzing HNH.

The Company reconciles Adjusted EBITDA to income or loss from continuing operations, net of tax, and that reconciliation is set forth above. Because Adjusted EBITDA is not a measurement determined in accordance with U.S. GAAP and is susceptible to varying calculations, Adjusted EBITDA, as presented, may not be comparable to other similarly titled measures of other companies. Revenues and expenses are measured in accordance with the policies and procedures described in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2015.

About Handy & Harman Ltd.

Handy & Harman Ltd. is a diversified manufacturer of engineered niche industrial products with leading market positions in many of the markets it serves. Through its wholly-owned operating subsidiaries, HNH focuses on high margin products and innovative technology and serves customers across a wide range of end markets. HNH's diverse product offerings are marketed throughout the United States and internationally.

HNH's companies are organized into five businesses: Joining Materials, Tubing, Building Materials, Performance Materials, and Kasco.

The Company sells its products and services through direct sales forces, distributors, and manufacturer's representatives. HNH serves a diverse customer base, including the construction, electrical, electronics, transportation, utility, medical, oil and gas exploration, aerospace and defense, and food industries.

The Company’s business strategy is to enhance the growth and profitability of the HNH business units and to build upon their strengths through internal growth, the Steel Business System, and strategic acquisitions. Management expects HNH to continue to focus on high margin products and innovative technology. Management has evaluated and will continue to evaluate, from time to time, potential strategic and opportunistic acquisition opportunities, as well as the potential sale of certain businesses and assets.

The Company is based in White Plains, N.Y., and its common stock is listed on the NASDAQ Capital Market under the symbol HNH. Website: www.handyharman.com

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains certain "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, that reflect HNH's current expectations and projections about its future results, performance, prospects, and opportunities. HNH has tried to identify these forward-looking statements by using words such as "may," "should," "expect," "hope," "anticipate," "believe," "intend," "plan," "estimate," and similar expressions. These forward-looking statements are based on information currently available to the Company and are subject to a number of risks, uncertainties, and other factors that could cause its actual results, performance, prospects, or opportunities in 2016 and beyond to differ materially from those expressed in, or implied by, these forward-looking statements. These factors include, without limitation, HNH's need for additional financing and the terms and conditions of any financing that is consummated, customers' acceptance of its new and existing products, the risk that the Company will not be able to compete successfully, the possible volatility of the Company's stock price, and the potential fluctuation in its operating results. Although HNH believes that the expectations reflected in these forward-looking statements are reasonable and achievable, such statements involve significant risks and uncertainties, and no assurance can be given that the actual results will be consistent with these forward-looking statements. Investors should read carefully the factors described in the "Risk Factors" section of the Company's filings with the SEC, including the Company's Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2015, for information regarding risk factors that could affect the Company's results. Except as otherwise required by Federal securities laws, HNH undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, changed circumstances, or any other reason.

Contacts

For Handy & Harman Ltd.
James F. McCabe, Jr., 212-520-2300
Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
JMcCabe@steelpartners.com

Contacts

For Handy & Harman Ltd.
James F. McCabe, Jr., 212-520-2300
Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
JMcCabe@steelpartners.com