Primoris Services Corporation Announces 2009 Fourth Quarter and Year End Financial Results

Q4 2009 Financial Highlights 

Revenues of $117.2 million compared to $142.2 million in Q4 2008

Gross margin rose to 17.2% of revenues from 12.8% of revenues in Q4 2008

Operating margin increased to 6.7% of revenues from 5.8% of revenues in Q4 2008

Primoris entered into an agreement to sell its Ecuador operations, resulting in loss from discontinued operations of $3.0 million, or $0.08 per diluted share; in Q4 2008, the discontinued operations were at breakeven

Income from continuing operations of $6.8 million, or $0.18 per diluted share compared to Q4 2008 income from continuing operations of $7.8 million, or $0.23 per diluted share and compared to Q4 2008 pro forma income from continuing operations of $6.3 million, or $0.19 per diluted share

$120.1 million in cash and short-term investments at December 31, 2009

Primoris Services Corporation (Nasdaq:PRIM) (Nasdaq:PRIMU) (Nasdaq:PRIMW) ("Primoris" or "Company"), one of the largest specialty contractors and engineering companies in the United States, today announced financial results for its fourth quarter and year ended December 31, 2009. Results for the 2009 and 2008 periods include the effect of discontinued operations from the Company's activities in Ecuador.

The Company also announced that its Board of Directors has declared a $0.025 per share cash dividend to stockholders of record as of March 31, 2010, payable on or about April 15, 2010.

Brian Pratt, Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer of Primoris, commented, "During 2009 we focused on improving our basic business, including strengthening our relations with our clients and suppliers; securing better margined projects; managing and collecting cash; and evaluating acquisition opportunities as we sought to mitigate the impact of a lower volume year and capitalize on the opportunities that more difficult economic environments can present. With the acquisitions of James Construction Group and Cravens Partners, we nearly doubled the size of Primoris and broadened both our geographic and services reach. We also expanded our presence in the alternative energy space with the formation of Primoris Renewables.  During the 2009 fourth quarter, we signed contracts totaling approximately $150 million that represented additional work in virtually all of our business lines.  At the end of the year, we had built our cash position to $120.1 million, or approximately $3.67 per outstanding share, an increase of $32 million during the year."

Mr. Pratt concluded, "Although some of the issues that affected our markets and operating results during 2009 are expected to persist in the first half of 2010, we are optimistic that our greater size and resources have positioned us to capitalize on, what we believe, will be a more robust operating environment in the second half of this year and into 2011."

Q4 2009 Financial Results Overview

Consolidated revenues for the fourth quarter of 2009 decreased by $25.0 million, or 17.6% to $117.2 million from the fourth quarter of 2008. This decrease was due primarily to reductions in our California industrial business of $30.0 million, a decrease in Florida water and sewer construction of $9.0 million, a $7.8 million decrease in underground and a decrease of $4.1 million in our engineering segment, partially offset by increased revenues of $9.4 million from our cable and conduit business and $16.8 million from our two new acquisitions.

Gross profit for the fourth quarter of 2009 was $20.2 million compared to $18.3 million in the fourth quarter of 2008, primarily attributable to increased revenues and improved margins in the cable and conduit sector and contributions from our recent acquisitions. Profit margins in engineering were at higher than historical levels in the fourth quarter of 2009 as compared to the same period 2008 as we benefited from the completion of a large process project. Gross profit as a percentage of revenues for the fourth quarter of 2009 increased to 17.2% from 12.8% for the same period in 2008, due to the successful close out of projects and the benefit of more profitable fixed unit price and time and material contracts. 

Revenues and gross profit for the fourth quarter of 2009 and 2008 for Primoris's two reportable segments were as follows:

 

 

 

Three Months Ended December 31,

 

 

 

($ in 000's – Unaudited)

 

 

 

2009

2008

 

 

 

Amount

Percentage of

Revenue

Amount

Percentage of

Revenue

Construction Services

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Revenue

 

 

$103,443

 

$124,324

 

Gross profit

 

 

$18,366

17.8%

$17,402

14.0%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Engineering

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Revenue

 

 

$13,796

 

$17,874

 

Gross profit

 

 

$1,806

13.1%

$860

4.8%

A significant portion of the $20.9 million decline in Construction Services segment revenues was the result of a $10.5 million decrease in work performed at the Chevron Corporation Richmond Refinery project located in California.  A state judge halted work on the project due to environmental issues in July 2009. That ruling is currently under appeal. The remaining revenue decline was a result of the substantial completion of underground and water and wastewater construction projects in 2008 which were not replaced with new projects in 2009 as customers delayed capital spending due to a slowdown in the general economy. The revenue decreases were partially offset by higher revenues in the cable and conduit sector, as well as the revenue contribution from the James Construction Group and Cravens Partners acquisitions.  Revenues for the Engineering segment decreased by 22.8%, due primarily to completion this year of several large 2008 projects.

Selling, general and administrative expenses of $12.3 million for the fourth quarter of 2009 increased $2.3 million, or 23%, from $10.0 million in the same period last year. The change was primarily due to decreased SG&A allocations to cost of goods sold of $1.1 million as a result of lower engineering segment activity and transaction costs of $1.2 million associated with the acquisition of James Construction Group.

Operating income for the 2009 fourth quarter decreased to $7.8 million, or 6.7% of total revenues, compared to $8.3 million, or 5.8% of total revenues, for the same period last year. 

During December 2009, the Company determined to discontinue all operations in Ecuador and a plan was put in place to sell the stock ownership of the Ecuador company.  Primoris recorded a loss from discontinued operations of $3.0 million in the fourth quarter of 2009 compared to breakeven in the fourth quarter of 2008. In February 2010, the Company entered into an agreement for the sale of the Ecuador business, the consummation of which did not have a material impact to the Company's operations.

Net other income for the fourth quarter of 2009 was $3.2 million compared to $2.2 million for the fourth quarter of 2008. Other income included $3.4 million income from non-consolidated entities, $0.3 million in foreign exchange gain and $0.1 million in interest income. Other income was reduced by $0.5 million in interest expense.

Income from continuing operations before provision for income taxes for the fourth quarter of 2009 increased to $11.1 million, or 9.4% of revenues, from $10.4 million, or 7.3% of revenues, in the fourth quarter of 2008.

The provision for income taxes increased to $4.3 million for the fourth quarter of 2009 for an effective tax rate of 38.6% compared to a rate of 25.1% in the prior year quarter. The increase was the result of a change in tax status from that of Subchapter S of the Internal Revenue Code to that of Subchapter C of the Code associated with the July 2008 merger of Rhapsody Acquisition Corp. and Primoris Corporation.  If the Company had been taxed for the entire fourth quarter of 2008 as a C-Corporation, on a pro forma basis, the 2008 tax provision would have been $4.2 million for an effective tax rate of 39.8%. 

Net income for the fourth quarter of 2009 was $3.7 million, or $0.10 per share (reflecting a tax rate of 38.6%), compared to net income of $7.8 million, or $0.23 per share (reflecting a tax rate of 25.1%), in the same period in 2008. On a pro forma basis net income for the fourth quarter of 2008 would have been $6.3 million, or $0.19 per diluted share (reflecting a pro forma tax rate of 39.8%). The Company believes that pro forma net income for prior periods is a better indicator of performance for comparison purposes. Fully diluted shares outstanding for the fourth quarter 2009 were approximately 38.1 million compared to 33.3 million for the prior year fourth quarter, an increase of 14.3%.

Other Financial Information

Primoris's balance sheet at December 31, 2009 reported cash and cash equivalents of $90.0 million, short-term investments of $30.1 million, working capital of $43.3 million, total long-term debt secured by equipment of $34.1 million, long-term subordinated acquisition debt of $43.9 million and stockholders' equity of $144.0 million. Additionally, the balance sheet included a $9.3 million liability representing the estimated fair value for earn-out payments relating to the 2009 acquisitions.

Backlog

Total backlog at December 31, 2009 was $795.4 million, an increase of $444.4 million, or 126.6%, from $351.0 million at December 31, 2008, excluding Ecuador's discontinued operations. The December 31, 2009 amount includes $546.9 million added by the acquisitions of James Construction Group and Cravens Partners. In addition, the total backlog amount at December 31, 2009 included approximately $40.0 million, compared to $88.0 million at December 31, 2008, related to the previously disclosed demobilization at Chevron Corp's Richmond Refinery project located in California.  Excluding any work for the Chevron project, Primoris expects that approximately 60% of the total backlog at December 31, 2009, will be recognized as revenue during 2010. 

Backlog should not be considered a comprehensive indicator of future revenues, as a significant portion of Primoris' revenues are derived from projects that are not part of a backlog calculation. During 2009, approximately $135.3 million of revenue - $78.9 million attributable to Primoris and $56.4 million attributable to James Construction Group – was generated by projects completed under master service agreements, time and material contracts, and fixed unit price contracts.         

Conference Call

Brian Pratt, Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer, and Peter J. Moerbeek, Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer will host a conference call on Wednesday, March 10, 2010 at 11:30 am Eastern Time / 8:30 am Pacific Time to discuss the results. Interested parties may participate in the call by dialing [phone] (Domestic) or [phone] (International). The conference call will also be broadcast live via the Investor Relations section of Primoris's website at www.primoriscorp.com. Once at the Investor Relations section, please click on "Events & Presentations". If you are unable to participate in the live call, the conference call will be archived and can be accessed for approximately 90 days.

About Primoris

Primoris, through various subsidiaries, is one of the largest specialty contractors and engineering companies in the United States.  Primoris provides a wide range of construction, fabrication, maintenance and replacement services, as well as engineering services to major public utilities, petrochemical companies, energy companies, municipalities and other customers. With the addition of the James Construction Group, Primoris has a significant presence in the Gulf States region where it provides heavy civil construction services. Primoris is also a leading water and wastewater contractor in the state of Florida, and a specialist in designing and constructing complex commercial and industrial concrete structures in California. For additional information on Primoris, please visit www.primoriscorp.com.

The Primoris Services Corporation logo is available at http://www.globenewswire.com/newsroom/prs/?pkgid=5527

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains certain forward-looking statements, including with regard to the Company's future performance. Words such as "estimated," "believes," "expects," "projects," and "future" or similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements inherently involve risks and uncertainties, including without limitation, those described in this press release and those detailed in the "Risk Factors" section and other portions of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2008 and other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including the Company's Form 10-K to be filed on or before March 12, 2010. Primoris does not undertake any obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as may be required under applicable securities laws.

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME

(in thousands except per share amounts)

 

 

 

Three Months Ended

Twelve Months Ended

 

December 31, 2009

December 31, 2008

December 31, 2009

December 31, 2008

 

 

 

 

 

Revenues

$117,239

$142,198

$467,010

$597,822

Cost of revenues

97,067

123,936

391,435

527,380

Gross profit

20,172

18,262

75,575

70,442

Selling, general and administrative expenses

11,956

9,616

34,781

30,544

Merger related stock expense

390

375

390

4,050

Operating income

7,826

8,271

40,404

35,848

Other income (expense):

 

 

 

 

Income from non-consolidated entities

3,411

1,564

8,753

6,065

Foreign exchange gain (loss)

260

788

293

855

Interest income 

86

361

640

1,710

Interest expense 

(516)

(543)

(1,979)

(2,250)

Income from continuing operations before provision for income taxes

11,067

10,441

48,111

42,228

Provision for income taxes

(4,273)

(2,625)

(18,350)

(4,926)

 Income from continuing operations

6,794

7,816

29,761

37,302

Loss on discontinued operations, net of income taxes

(3,048)

(20)

(3,849)

(869)

Net income

$3,745

$7,796

$25,912

$36,433

 

 

 

 

 

Earnings (loss) per share:

 

 

 

 

Basic:

 

 

 

 

Income from continuing operations

$0.21

$0.26

$0.93

$1.42

(Loss) on discontinued operations

$(0.10)

$0.00

$(0.12)

$(0.03)

Net income

$0.11

$0.26

$(0.81)

$1.39

 

 

 

 

 

Diluted:

Income from continuing operations

$0.18

$0.23

$0.86

$1.32

(Loss) on discontinued operations

$(0.08)

$0.00

$(0.11)

$(0.03)

Net income

$0.10

$0.23

$0.75

$1.29

Weighted average common shares outstanding

 

 

 

 

Basic

32,644

29,977

31,937

26,258

Diluted

38,113

33,344

34,418

28,156

 

 

 

 

 

Pro forma net income data – Unaudited 2008:

Income from continuing operations, before provision for income tax, as reported

 

$10,441

 

$42,228

 Pro forma provision for income tax

 

(4,161)

 

(16,797)

 Pro forma income from continuing operations 

 

$6,280

 

$25,431

 Pro forma income (loss) on discontinued operations 

 

2

 

(592)

 Pro forma net income

 

$6,282

 

$24,839

Pro forma earnings per share 

 

 

 

 

 Basic – income from continuing operations

 

$0.21

 

$0.97

 Basic – (loss) on discontinued operations

 

$0.00

 

($0.02)

 Basic – net income 

 

$0.21

 

$0.95

 Diluted - income from continuing operations

 

$0.19

 

$0.90

 Diluted - (loss) on discontinued operations

 

$0.00

 

($0.02)

 Diluted - net income 

 

$0.19

 

$0.88

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET

(in thousands)

 

 

 

 

December 31,

2009

December 31,

2008

ASSETS

 

 

 

 

 

Current assets:

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents

$90,004

$72,848

Short-term investments

30,058

15,036

Restricted cash

6,845

8,556

Accounts receivable, net

108,492

90,622

Costs and estimated earnings in excess of billings

11,378

19,793

Inventory

22,275

2,349

Deferred income taxes

5,630

5,591

Prepaid expenses and other current assets

5,501

798

Current assets from discontinued operations

5,304

6,862

Total current assets

285,487

222,455

 

 

 

Property and equipment, net

92,568

24,820

Other assets

 --

139

Investment in non-consolidated ventures

5,599

500

Other intangible assets, net 

32,695

52

Goodwill

59,678

2,842

Non-current assets of discontinued operations

 --

1,404

Total assets

$476,027

$252,212

 

 

 

 

 

 

LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY

 

 

 

 

 

Current liabilities:

 

 

Accounts payable

$62,568

$50,991

Billings in excess of costs and estimated earnings

114,035

71,193

Accrued expenses and other current liabilities

34,992

25,171

Distributions and dividends payable

2,987

5,696

Current portion of capital leases

4,220

2,198

Current portion of long-term debt

6,482

5,679

Current portion of subordinated debt 

10,397

 --

Current liabilities of discontinued operations

6,511

7,464

Total current liabilities

242,192

168,392

 

 

 

Long-term debt, net of current portion

26,368

26,624

Long-term capital leases, net of current portion

7,734

341

Long-term subordinated debt, net of current portion

43,853

 --

Deferred tax liabilities

2,643

1,425

Other long-term liabilities

9,278

--

Total liabilities

332,068

196,782

 

 

 

Commitments and contingencies

 

 

Stockholders' equity

 

 

Common stock

3

3

Additional paid-in capital

100,644

34,796

Retained earnings

42,982

20,528

Accumulated other comprehensive income

330

103

Total stockholders' equity

143,959

55,430

Total liabilities and stockholders' equity

$476,027

$252,212

CONTACT: Primoris Services Corporation

Peter J. Moerbeek, Executive Vice President,

Chief Financial Officer

[phone]

[e-mail]

The Equity Group Inc.

Devin Sullivan, Senior Vice President

[phone]

[e-mail]

Gerrard Lobo, Senior Account Executive

[phone]

[e-mail]