Renewable Energy Group Reports Third Quarter 2020 Financial Results

Q3 2020 Highlights

  • 176 million gallons of fuel sold
  • 137 million gallons of fuel produced
  • Revenues of $576 million
  • Net income from continuing operations available to common stockholders of $26 million, or $0.60 per diluted share ($102 million, or $2.38 per diluted share, for the nine months ended September 30, 2020)
  • Adjusted EBITDA of $58 million ($157 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2020)
  • Carbon reduction from fuels produced by REG in the quarter of over one million metric tons
  • Announced planned expansion of renewable diesel plant in Geismar, Louisiana to 340 million gallons per year
  • Built on board and executive talent with Walter Berger joining the REG Board of Directors, Trisha Conley joining as Vice President, People Development and Bob Kenyon joining as Vice President, Sales & Marketing

AMES, Iowa--()--Renewable Energy Group, Inc. (“REG” or the “Company”) (NASDAQ: REGI) today announced its financial results for the third quarter ended September 30, 2020.

Revenues for the third quarter were $576 million on 176 million gallons of fuel sold. Net income from continuing operations available to common stockholders was $26 million in the third quarter of 2020, compared to a net loss of $14 million in the third quarter of 2019. The net loss in the third quarter of 2019 does not include the Biodiesel Mixture Excise Tax Credit ("BTC") allocation, which was retroactively reinstated in December 2019. Adjusted EBITDA in the third quarter was $58 million, compared to $88 million in the third quarter of 2019, including the allocation of the BTC.

"We delivered a relatively strong third quarter and are on track for a strong full year. We are especially pleased with these results considering the price volatility and overall energy demand slowdown due to COVID-19," said Cynthia (CJ) Warner, President and Chief Executive Officer. "Demand for our low carbon fuels was resilient, which we believe further demonstrates that the renewable fuel industry is at an inflection point driven by customer demand."

Warner continued, "REG is positioned to lead and capitalize on this unique opportunity with strong ongoing production, and our focused downstream strategy to deliver value to our customers while expanding our margins. We are building upon this momentum with the planned Geismar expansion."

Third Quarter 2020 Highlights - GAAP

All figures refer to the quarter ended September 30, 2020, unless otherwise noted. All comparisons are to the quarter ended September 30, 2019, unless otherwise noted.

The table below summarizes REG’s financial results for the third quarter of 2020.

REG Q3 2020 Results

(dollars and gallons in thousands, except per gallon data)

 

Q3 2020

 

Q3 2019

 

Y/Y Change

 

 

 

 

 

 

Market Data

 

 

 

 

 

NYMEX ULSD average price per gallon

$

1.20

 

$

1.89

 

 

(36.5

)

%

D4 RIN average price per credit

$

0.67

 

$

0.46

 

 

45.7

 

%

CBOT Soybean oil average price per gallon

$

2.36

 

$

2.14

 

 

10.3

 

%

HOBO + 1.5xRIN average price per gallon (1)

$

0.85

 

$

1.44

 

 

(41.0

)

%

 

 

 

 

 

Gallons sold

176,219

 

187,531

 

 

(6.0

)

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

GAAP

 

 

 

 

 

Total revenues

$

576,052

 

$

584,372

 

 

(1.4

)

%

Operating income (loss)

$

27,335

 

$

(11,831

)

 

$

39,166

 

 

Net income (loss) from continuing operations available to common stockholders

$

26,339

 

$

(13,753

)

 

$

40,092

 

 

(1)

HOBO = HO NYMEX + 1 - ((CBOT SBO $/lb)/100 x 7.5)

 

HOBO + RINs = HOBO + 1.5 x D4 RIN as quoted by the Oil Price Information Service.

REG sold 176 million gallons of fuel, a decrease of 6% mostly attributable to the Company's continued focus on improvement in product mix. Lower margin petroleum diesel volumes and third party biodiesel volumes decreased by 12 million gallons and 5 million gallons, respectively. The Company’s sale of self-produced biodiesel increased by 6 million gallons. The Company’s sale of self-produced renewable diesel decreased by 2 million gallons due to timing of a vessel shipment.

REG produced an aggregate of 137 million gallons of biodiesel and renewable diesel during the quarter, essentially flat versus the corresponding quarter in the prior year. Production at the Company's Geismar, Louisiana renewable diesel plant increased 3% and European biodiesel production increased 4%. North American biodiesel production decreased 1% due primarily to the absence of production from the Company's New Boston, Texas plant, which was closed in July 2019.

Revenues of $576 million were essentially flat, negatively impacted by lower selling prices due primarily to significantly lower ULSD prices, which declined 37%. The price impact was mostly offset by an $83 million increase, due to the BTC being in effect in 2020, higher revenue in Europe mostly attributable to higher volumes there, and a 46% increase in average D4 RIN prices.

Gross profit was $78 million, or 13% of revenues, compared to gross profit of $24 million, or 4% of revenues. Gross profit as a percentage of revenue increased due primarily to the increase in European revenue, an increase in gross profit for separated RINs driven by higher average D4 RIN prices, a $4 million increase in risk management gains, and the BTC being in effect in 2020. The increases were partially offset by lower selling prices in North America and increased feedstock costs. Weighted average feedstock production costs increased $0.04 per gallon. While feedstock availability improved during the quarter compared to the second quarter of this year, relative prices were significantly different from the third quarter of 2019. In response, REG changed the feedstock mix to limit overall cost impacts, resulting in soybean oil usage increasing 26%, animal fat increasing 20%, distillers corn oil decreasing by 14%, and canola oil usage decreasing 26% year over year.

Operating income was $27 million compared to an operating loss of $12 million for the third quarter of 2019, driven by the same factors as those described above for gross profit. Note that the increase in operating income was reduced somewhat by an impairment charge and an increase in selling, general and administrative costs due to higher employee related compensation.

GAAP net income from continuing operations available to common stockholders was $26 million, or $0.60 per share on a fully diluted basis, compared to net loss of $14 million, or $0.35 per share on a fully diluted basis, in the third quarter of 2019. The differential drivers are the same as those described above for operating income.

At September 30, 2020, REG had cash and cash equivalents, restricted cash, and marketable securities of $285 million, an increase of $232 million from December 31, 2019. In addition, REG had $102 million in long-term marketable securities at the end of the quarter compared to none at December 31, 2019. These increases are mainly due to receipt of the 2018 and 2019 retroactive gross BTC claims and cash generated by operations, offset by funds used to fully pay down the Company's asset-backed line of credit, to make tax sharing payments owed in regards to our 2018 and 2019 BTC, to repurchase a portion of the 2036 convertible senior notes, and for capital expenditures.

At September 30, 2020, accounts receivable were $188 million, a decrease of $671 million from December 31, 2019. The decrease in accounts receivable was due primarily to receipt of the retroactive 2018 and 2019 BTC claims. At September 30, 2020, accounts payable were $135 million, a decrease of $234 million from December 31, 2019. The decrease in accounts payable is due primarily to tax sharing payments to customers related to the 2018 and 2019 BTC.

Third Quarter 2020 Highlights - Non-GAAP

All figures refer to the quarter ended September 30, 2020, unless otherwise noted. All comparisons are to the quarter ended September 30, 2019, unless otherwise noted. Adjusted amounts reflect the allocation of the BTC benefits for the period in which the gallons were sold (shown in the table above).

The table below summarizes REG’s financial results for the third quarter of 2020, as adjusted in order to reflect the allocation of the BTC benefits for the period in which associated gallons were sold.

REG Q3 2020 Results

(dollars and gallons in thousands)

 

Q3 2020

 

Q3 2019

 

Y/Y Change

 

 

 

 

 

 

Market Data

 

 

 

 

 

HOBO + 1.5xRIN average price per gallon

$

0.85

 

 

$

1.44

 

 

(41.0)

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

BTC Allocated to Period Earned - Non-GAAP (1)

 

 

 

 

 

Total revenues

$

576,052

 

 

$

661,621

 

 

(12.9)

%

Operating income (loss)

$

27,335

 

 

$

65,337

 

 

(58.2)

%

Net income from continuing operations available to common stockholders

$

26,339

 

 

$

62,136

 

 

(57.6)

%

Adjusted EBITDA

$

58,381

 

 

$

87,790

 

 

(33.5)

%

(1)

BTC benefits are allocated to the respective periods when associated gallons were sold for 2019.

Operating income as adjusted was $27 million, a decrease of $38 million resulting mainly from the decrease in margins, but also the increase in impairment charges, and higher selling, general and administrative expenses, partially offset by the increase in risk management gains, the increase in gross profit for separated RINs, and an increase in BTC benefit of $6 million.

Net income available to common stockholders as adjusted was $26 million compared to a net income of $62 million in 2019. Adjusted EBITDA was $58 million compared to $88 million in Q3 2019, all as a result of the same factors as those described above for operating income.

Reconciliation of Non - GAAP Measures

The Company uses earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization, adjusted for certain additional items identified in the table below, or Adjusted EBITDA, as a supplemental performance measure. Adjusted EBITDA is presented in order to assist investors in analyzing performance across reporting periods on a consistent basis by excluding items that are not believed to be indicative of core operating performance. Adjusted EBITDA is used by the Company to evaluate, assess and benchmark financial performance on a consistent and a comparable basis and as a factor in determining incentive compensation for Company executives.

The following table sets forth Adjusted EBITDA for the periods presented, as well as a reconciliation to net income (loss) from continuing operations determined in accordance with GAAP:

 

Three months
ended
September 30,
2020

 

Three months
ended
September 30,
2019

 

Nine months
ended
September 30,
2020

 

Nine months
ended
September 30,
2019

(In thousands)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net income (loss) from continuing operations

$

26,831

 

 

$

(13,753

)

 

$

104,532

 

 

$

(112,775

)

Adjustments:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Income tax (benefit) expense

1,046

 

 

(629

)

 

4,007

 

 

(1,149

)

Interest expense

1,070

 

 

2,866

 

 

4,732

 

 

10,822

 

Depreciation

9,388

 

 

9,107

 

 

27,425

 

 

27,349

 

Amortization of intangible assets

591

 

 

397

 

 

1,262

 

 

1,241

 

EBITDA

38,926

 

 

(2,012

)

 

141,958

 

 

(74,512

)

Gain on sale of assets

 

 

 

 

(187

)

 

 

Change in fair value of contingent consideration

 

 

(136

)

 

 

 

566

 

(Gain) loss on debt extinguishment

(18

)

 

 

 

(1,809

)

 

2

 

Gain on lease termination

 

 

 

 

(4,459

)

 

 

Other income, net

(1,594

)

 

(179

)

 

(3,505

)

 

(1,724

)

Impairment of assets

19,256

 

 

11,145

 

 

19,256

 

 

11,613

 

Stock compensation

1,811

 

 

1,804

 

 

5,789

 

 

4,981

 

Biodiesel tax credit 2019(1)

 

 

77,168

 

 

 

 

212,045

 

Adjusted EBITDA

$

58,381

 

 

$

87,790

 

 

$

157,043

 

 

$

152,971

 

(1) On December 20, 2019, the Biodiesel Mixture Excise Tax Credit ("BTC") was retroactively reinstated for the 2018 and 2019 calendar years. The retroactive credit for 2018 and 2019 resulted in a net benefit to us that was recognized in our GAAP financial statements for the quarter ending December 31, 2019. The portion of the credit related to 2019 was allocated to each of the four quarters based upon the portion of the BTC benefit that related to that quarter.

Adjusted EBITDA is a supplemental performance measure that is not required by, or presented in accordance with, generally accepted accounting principles, or GAAP. Adjusted EBITDA should not be considered as an alternative to net income or any other performance measure derived in accordance with GAAP, or as an alternative to cash flows from operating activities or a measure of liquidity or profitability. Adjusted EBITDA has limitations as an analytical tool, and should not be considered in isolation, or as a substitute for any of the results as reported under GAAP. Some of these limitations are:

  • Adjusted EBITDA does not reflect cash expenditures or the impact of certain cash charges that the Company considers not to be an indication of ongoing operations;
  • Adjusted EBITDA does not reflect changes in, or cash requirements for, working capital requirements;
  • Adjusted EBITDA does not reflect the interest expense, or the cash requirements necessary to service interest or principal payments, on indebtedness;
  • Although depreciation and amortization are non-cash charges, the assets being depreciated and amortized will often have to be replaced in the future, and Adjusted EBITDA does not reflect cash requirements for such replacements;
  • Stock-based compensation expense is an important element of the Company’s long term incentive compensation program, although the Company has excluded it as an expense when evaluating our operating performance; and
  • Other companies, including other companies in the same industry, may calculate these measures differently, limiting their usefulness as a comparative measure.

About Renewable Energy Group

Renewable Energy Group, Inc. (Nasdaq: REGI) is leading the energy industry's transition to sustainability by transforming renewable resources into high-quality, cleaner fuels. REG is an international producer of cleaner fuels and North America’s largest producer of biodiesel. REG solutions are alternatives for petroleum diesel and produce significantly lower carbon emissions. REG utilizes an integrated procurement, distribution and logistics network to operate 12 biorefineries in the U.S. and Europe. In 2019, REG produced 495 million gallons of cleaner fuel delivering over 4.2 million metric tons of carbon reduction. REG is meeting the growing global demand for lower-carbon fuels and leading the way to a more sustainable future.

Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains certain forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, as amended, including statements regarding our expectations for a strong full year, our business plans and strategy, customer demand, industry trends and the planned Geismar expansion. These forward-looking statements are based on current expectations, estimates, assumptions and projections that are subject to change, and actual results may differ materially from the forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially include, but are not limited to, the Company’s inability to obtain the capital needed to complete the expansion project, cost overruns and construction delays, the inability to obtain governmental permits and third party easements required or necessary to initiate or complete the expansion project, the potential impact of COVID-19 on our business and operations; the Company's financial performance, including revenues, cost of revenues and operating expenses; changes in governmental programs and policies requiring or encouraging the use of biofuels, including RFS2 in the United States, renewable fuel policies in Canada and Europe, and state level programs such as California's Low Carbon Fuel Standard; availability of federal and state governmental tax incentives and incentives for biomass-based diesel production; changes in the spread between biomass-based diesel prices and feedstock costs; the availability, future price, and volatility of feedstocks; the availability, future price and volatility of petroleum and products derived from petroleum; risks associated with fire, explosions, leaks and other natural disasters at our facilities; any disruption of operations at our Geismar renewable diesel refinery (which would have a disproportionately adverse effect on our profitability); the unexpected closure of any of our facilities; the effect of excess capacity in the biomass-based diesel industry and announced large plant expansions and potential co-processing of renewable diesel by petroleum refiners; unanticipated changes in the biomass-based diesel market from which we generate almost all of our revenues; seasonal fluctuations in our operating results; potential failure to comply with government regulations; competition in the markets in which we operate; our dependence on sales to a single customer; technological advances or new methods of biomass-based diesel production or the development of energy alternatives to biomass-based diesel; our ability to successfully implement our acquisition strategy; the Company's ability to retain and recruit key personnel; the Company's indebtedness and its compliance, or failure to comply, with restrictive and financial covenants in its various debt agreements; risk management transaction, and other risks and uncertainties described in REG's annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2019 and subsequently filed Form 10-Q and other periodic filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. All forward-looking statements are made as of the date of this press release and REG does not undertake to update any forward-looking statements based on new developments or changes in our expectations.

RENEWABLE ENERGY GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS (unaudited)

FOR THE THREE AND NINE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2020 AND 2019

(in thousands, except share and per share amounts)

 

 

Three months ended

 

Nine months ended

 

September 30, 2020

 

September 30, 2019

 

September 30, 2020

 

September 30, 2019

REVENUES:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Biomass-based diesel sales

$

492,769

 

 

$

583,676

 

 

$

1,350,496

 

 

$

1,620,960

 

Biomass-based diesel government incentives

83,178

 

 

512

 

 

245,471

 

 

1,510

 

 

575,947

 

 

584,188

 

 

1,595,967

 

 

1,622,470

 

Other revenue

105

 

 

184

 

 

718

 

 

754

 

 

576,052

 

 

584,372

 

 

1,596,685

 

 

1,623,224

 

COSTS OF GOODS SOLD:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Biomass-based diesel

498,362

 

 

560,288

 

 

1,386,996

 

 

1,638,701

 

Other costs of goods sold

40

 

 

8

 

 

151

 

 

11

 

 

498,402

 

 

560,296

 

 

1,387,147

 

 

1,638,712

 

GROSS PROFIT (LOSS)

77,650

 

 

24,076

 

 

209,538

 

 

(15,488

)

SELLING, GENERAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENSES

31,059

 

 

24,762

 

 

86,971

 

 

77,157

 

GAIN ON DISPOSAL OF PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT

 

 

 

 

(187

)

 

 

IMPAIRMENT OF PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT

19,256

 

 

11,145

 

 

19,256

 

 

11,613

 

INCOME (LOSS) FROM OPERATIONS

27,335

 

 

(11,831

)

 

103,498

 

 

(104,258

)

OTHER INCOME (EXPENSE), NET

542

 

 

(2,551

)

 

5,041

 

 

(9,666

)

INCOME (LOSS) FROM CONTINUING OPERATIONS BEFORE INCOME TAXES

27,877

 

 

(14,382

)

 

108,539

 

 

(113,924

)

INCOME TAX BENEFIT (EXPENSE)

(1,046

)

 

629

 

 

(4,007

)

 

1,149

 

NET INCOME (LOSS) FROM CONTINUING OPERATIONS

26,831

 

 

(13,753

)

 

104,532

 

 

(112,775

)

NET LOSS ON DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS

 

 

(2,193

)

 

 

 

(8,672

)

NET INCOME (LOSS)

$

26,831

 

 

$

(15,946

)

 

$

104,532

 

 

$

(121,447

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

NET INCOME (LOSS) FROM CONTINUING OPERATIONS AVAILABLE TO COMMON STOCKHOLDERS

$

26,339

 

 

$

(13,753

)

 

$

102,461

 

 

$

(112,775

)

NET LOSS FROM DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS AVAILABLE TO COMMON STOCKHOLDERS

$

 

 

$

(2,193

)

 

$

 

 

$

(8,672

)

Basic net income (loss) per share available to common stockholders:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Continuing operations

$

0.67

 

 

$

(0.35

)

 

$

2.62

 

 

$

(2.96

)

Discontinued operations

$

 

 

$

(0.06

)

 

$

 

 

$

(0.23

)

Net income (loss) per share

$

0.67

 

 

$

(0.41

)

 

$

2.62

 

 

$

(3.19

)

Diluted net income (loss) per share available to common stockholders

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Continuing operations

$

0.60

 

 

$

(0.35

)

 

$

2.38

 

 

$

(2.96

)

Discontinued operations

$

 

 

$

(0.06

)

 

$

 

 

$

(0.23

)

Net income (loss) per share

$

0.60

 

 

$

(0.41

)

 

$

2.38

 

 

$

(3.19

)

Weighted-average shares used to compute basic net income (loss) per share available to common stockholders:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Basic

39,306,263

 

 

38,959,606

 

 

39,154,788

 

 

38,060,782

 

Weighted-average shares used to compute diluted net income (loss) per share available to the common stockholders:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Diluted

43,624,340

 

 

38,959,606

 

 

43,107,989

 

 

38,060,782

 

 

RENEWABLE ENERGY GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (unaudited)

AS OF SEPTEMBER 30, 2020 AND DECEMBER 31, 2019

(in thousands, except share and per share amounts)

 

 

September 30, 2020

 

December 31, 2019

ASSETS

 

 

 

CURRENT ASSETS:

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents

$

97,187

 

 

$

50,436

 

Marketable securities

184,916

 

 

 

Accounts receivable, net

187,860

 

 

858,922

 

Inventories

145,998

 

 

161,429

 

Prepaid expenses and other assets

59,811

 

 

35,473

 

Restricted cash

3,000

 

 

3,000

 

Total current assets

678,772

 

 

1,109,260

 

Long-term marketable securities

101,584

 

 

 

Property, plant and equipment, net

592,317

 

 

584,577

 

Right of use assets

29,057

 

 

36,899

 

Goodwill

16,080

 

 

16,080

 

Intangible assets, net

11,018

 

 

12,018

 

Other assets

31,580

 

 

26,515

 

TOTAL ASSETS

$

1,460,408

 

 

$

1,785,349

 

LIABILITIES AND EQUITY

 

 

 

CURRENT LIABILITIES:

 

 

 

Lines of credit

$

 

 

$

76,990

 

Current maturities of long-term debt

49,906

 

 

77,131

 

Current maturities of operating lease obligations

14,457

 

 

15,690

 

Accounts payable

135,039

 

 

369,213

 

Accrued expenses and other liabilities

23,107

 

 

40,776

 

Deferred revenue

9,654

 

 

8,620

 

Total current liabilities

232,163

 

 

588,420

 

Deferred income taxes

6,977

 

 

6,975

 

Long-term debt (net of debt issuance costs of $1,767 and $2,783, respectively)

15,881

 

 

26,130

 

Long-term operating lease obligations

15,701

 

 

30,413

 

Other liabilities

5,448

 

 

1,505

 

Total liabilities

276,170

 

 

653,443

 

COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

 

 

 

TOTAL EQUITY

1,184,238

 

 

1,131,906

 

TOTAL LIABILITIES AND EQUITY

$

1,460,408

 

 

$

1,785,349

 

 

Contacts

Company:
Renewable Energy Group, Inc.
Todd Robinson
Treasurer
+1 (515) 239-8048
Todd.Robinson@regi.com

Release Summary

Renewable Energy Group Reports Third Quarter 2020 Financial Results

Contacts

Company:
Renewable Energy Group, Inc.
Todd Robinson
Treasurer
+1 (515) 239-8048
Todd.Robinson@regi.com