ACHESON, Alberta, July 26, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- North American Construction Group Ltd. ("NACG") today announced results for the second quarter ended June 30, 2023. Unless otherwise indicated, financial figures are expressed in Canadian dollars, and comparisons are to the prior period ended June 30, 2022.
Second Quarter 2023 Highlights:
"The second quarter is always the most difficult to navigate from an operating perspective, but despite the rainy weather and fleet remobilization, the business posted historical high Q2 results in almost every fundamental metric we measure. These results further increase my confidence in the NACG team and our business continuing to meet or exceed expectations while advancing our overall corporate strategy. The Fargo-Moorhead project is hitting its stride and, as we surpass the 10% completion mark, this project will become a meaningful contributor for several years. The business remains focused on executing and I am excited about the second half of the year," said Joseph Lambert, President and CEO.
Consolidated Financial Highlights
Three months ended | Six months ended | |||||||||||||||
June 30, | June 30, | |||||||||||||||
(dollars in thousands, except per share amounts) | 2023 | 2022 | 2023 | 2022 | ||||||||||||
Revenue | $ | 193,573 | $ | 168,028 | $ | 436,178 | $ | 344,739 | ||||||||
Total combined revenue(i) | 276,953 | 227,954 | 597,570 | 464,540 | ||||||||||||
Gross profit | 21,531 | 12,440 | 62,450 | 34,391 | ||||||||||||
Gross profit margin(i) | 11.1 | % | 7.4 | % | 14.3 | % | 10.0 | % | ||||||||
Combined gross profit(i) | 36,194 | 21,839 | 91,932 | 54,347 | ||||||||||||
Combined gross profit margin(i)(ii) | 13.1 | % | 9.6 | % | 15.4 | % | 11.7 | % | ||||||||
Operating income | 10,270 | 6,301 | 35,797 | 21,943 | ||||||||||||
Adjusted EBITDA(i)(iii) | 51,833 | 41,649 | 136,456 | 99,389 | ||||||||||||
Adjusted EBITDA margin(i)(iii) | 18.7 | % | 18.3 | % | 22.8 | % | 21.4 | % | ||||||||
Net income | 12,262 | 7,514 | 34,108 | 21,071 | ||||||||||||
Adjusted net earnings(i) | 12,489 | 4,717 | 37,766 | 19,316 | ||||||||||||
Cash provided by operating activities | 40,185 | 35,485 | 72,009 | 59,670 | ||||||||||||
Cash provided by operating activities prior to change in working capital(i) | 27,145 | 33,373 | 92,980 | 78,227 | ||||||||||||
Free cash flow(i) | (4,282 | ) | 10,393 | (30,395 | ) | (928 | ) | |||||||||
Purchase of PPE | 38,419 | 27,121 | 74,915 | 52,386 | ||||||||||||
Sustaining capital additions(i) | 38,311 | 22,341 | 85,502 | 56,580 | ||||||||||||
Growth capital additions(i) | 2,748 | ? | 2,748 | ? | ||||||||||||
Basic net income per share | $ | 0.46 | $ | 0.27 | $ | 1.29 | $ | 0.75 | ||||||||
Adjusted EPS(i) | $ | 0.47 | $ | 0.17 | $ | 1.43 | $ | 0.69 |
(i)See "Non-GAAP Financial Measures".
(ii)Combined gross profit margin is calculated using combined gross profit over total combined revenue.
(iii)Adjusted EBITDA margin is calculated using adjusted EBITDA over total combined revenue.
Three months ended | Six months ended | |||||||||||||||
June 30, | June 30, | |||||||||||||||
(dollars in thousands) | 2023 | 2022 | 2023 | 2022 | ||||||||||||
Cash provided by operating activities | $ | 40,185 | $ | 35,485 | $ | 72,009 | $ | 59,670 | ||||||||
Cash used in investing activities | (39,236 | ) | (25,092 | ) | (80,153 | ) | (51,903 | ) | ||||||||
Capital additions financed by leases | (7,979 | ) | ? | (24,999 | ) | (8,695 | ) | |||||||||
Add back: | ||||||||||||||||
Growth capital additions(i) | 2,748 | ? | 2,748 | ? | ||||||||||||
Free cash flow(i) | $ | (4,282 | ) | $ | 10,393 | $ | (30,395 | ) | $ | (928 | ) |
(i)See "Non-GAAP Financial Measures".
Declaration of Quarterly Dividend
On July 25, 2023, the NACG Board of Directors declared a regular quarterly dividend (the "Dividend") of ten Canadian cents ($0.10) per common share, payable to common shareholders of record at the close of business on August 31, 2023. The Dividend will be paid on October 6, 2023, and is an eligible dividend for Canadian income tax purposes.
Financial Results for the Three Months Ended June 30, 2023
Revenue of $193.6 million represented a $25.5 million (or 15%) increase from Q2 2022. Revenue across all major sites in the oil sands region has continued to see year-over-year revenue growth with our heavy equipment fleet at Fort Hills driving the largest increase as the site continues to ramp up. Equipment utilization of 61% benefited from the strong momentum heading into the quarter, a quick spring break up in April, and continued steady demand for heavy equipment but was significantly impacted in June by unusually wet weather as well as a required fleet remobilization in the oil sands region. Maintenance headcount levels have remained consistent which continues to lower equipment repair backlog and increased mechanical availability. The purchase of ML Northern Services Ltd.'s ("ML Northern") fuel and lube fleet, which occurred on October 1, 2022, and DGI Trading had modest impacts on revenue increases with services and sales provided to external customers. Lastly, another ultra-class haul truck was sold to and commissioned by the Mikisew North American Limited Partnership ("MNALP"), bringing its haul truck fleet to sixteen.
Combined revenue of $277.0 million represented a $49.0 million (or 21%) increase from Q2 2022. Our share of revenue generated in Q2 2023 by joint ventures and affiliates was $83.4 million, compared to $59.9 million in Q2 2022 (an increase of 39%). Consistent with the prior year, top-line performance was driven by the Nuna Group of Companies ("Nuna"), as they continued their project execution at the gold mine in Northern Ontario. The other drivers of the revenue increases were the joint ventures dedicated to the Fargo-Moorhead flood diversion project, which posted solid top-line revenue as the project ramps up, and the aforementioned expanding revenue capacity from rebuilt ultra-class and 240-ton haul trucks directly owned by MNALP.
Adjusted EBITDA of $51.8 million represented an increase of $10.2 million (or 24%) from the Q2 2022 result of $41.6 million, consistent with increases in combined revenue. The adjusted EBITDA margin of 18.7% reflected normal impacts typically incurred in the second quarter during the transition from winter to spring at the mine sites, particularly in Fort McMurray. In addition, the difficult wet conditions in June had a significant impact on margin as low equipment utilization of less than 50% in the month resulted in fixed costs both at the operational sites and corporate facilities becoming a factor in impacting the overall EBITDA margins.
Depreciation of our equipment fleet was 12.6% of revenue in the quarter, compared to 15.7% in Q2 2022, benefiting from efficient and productive use of the equipment fleet. Our internal maintenance programs continue to produce low-cost and longer life components which is impacting depreciation rates. In addition to these factors, our lower capital intensive services continue to have noticeable impacts on the depreciation percentage when comparing to previous benchmarks.
General and administrative expenses (excluding stock-based compensation) were $7.2 million, or 3.7% of revenue, compared to $6.9 million, or 4.1% of revenue in Q2 2022. Consistent costs were incurred as increases from ML Northern and cost items impacted by inflation were mostly offset by cost discipline in discretionary areas and incremental G&A recoveries from our joint ventures.
Cash related interest expense (See "Non-GAAP Financial Measures".) for the quarter was $7.2 million at an average cost of debt of 6.9%, compared to 5.2% in Q2 2022, as rate increases posted by the Bank of Canada directly impact our Credit Facility and have a delayed impact on the rates for secured equipment-backed financing. Total interest expense was $7.5 million in the quarter, compared to $5.6 million in Q2 2022.
Adjusted EPS of $0.47 on adjusted net earnings of $12.5 million is up 176% from the prior year figure of $0.17 and is consistent with adjusted EBIT performance as tax and interest tracked fairly consistently with the prior year. Weighted-average common shares levels for the second quarters of 2023 and 2022 reflected a decrease at 26,409,357 and 27,968,510, respectively, net of shares classified as treasury shares, due to the share purchases and cancellations which occurred in the third quarter of 2022.
Free cash flow was a use of cash of $4.3 million and was primarily the result of adjusted EBITDA of $51.8 million, as detailed above, offset by sustaining capital additions ($38.3 million) and cash interest paid ($8.4 million). Free cash flow was also impacted by the cash settlement of certain deferred share units ($7.3 million). As stated in the previous disclosures regarding our annual capital spending, our program is front-loaded in the year and the first half spending is considered typical and consistent with the annual sustaining capital range provided.
BUSINESS UPDATES
2023 Strategic Focus Areas
Liquidity
Our current liquidity positions us well moving forward to fund organic growth and the required correlated working capital investments. Including equipment financing availability and factoring in the amended Credit Facility agreement, total available capital liquidity of $159.4 million includes total liquidity of $120.4 million and $27.3 million of unused finance lease borrowing availability as at June 30, 2023. Liquidity is primarily provided by the terms of our $300.0 million credit facility which allows for funds availability based on a trailing twelve-month EBITDA as defined in the agreement and is now scheduled to expire in October 2025.
June 30, 2023 | December 31, 2022 | |||||||
Credit Facility limit | $ | 300,000 | $ | 300,000 | ||||
Finance lease borrowing limit | 175,000 | 175,000 | ||||||
Other debt borrowing limit | 20,000 | 20,000 | ||||||
Total borrowing limit | $ | 495,000 | $ | 495,000 | ||||
Senior debt(i) | (257,421 | ) | (265,931 | ) | ||||
Letters of credit | (31,348 | ) | (32,030 | ) | ||||
Joint venture guarantees | (68,615 | ) | (53,744 | ) | ||||
Cash | 21,749 | 69,144 | ||||||
Total capital liquidity(i) | $ | 159,365 | $ | 212,439 |
(i)See "Non-GAAP Financial Measures".
NACG's Outlook
For information regarding management's outlook for 2023, please refer to the press release issued subsequent to the release of the Q2 2023 Report.
Conference Call and Webcast
Management will hold a conference call and webcast to discuss our financial results for the quarter ended June 30, 2023, tomorrow, Thursday, July 27, 2023, at 6:00 am Mountain Time (8:00 am Eastern Time).
The call can be accessed by dialing: |
Toll free: 1-888-886-7786 |
Conference ID: 47287641 |
A replay will be available through September 1, 2023, by dialing: |
Toll Free: 1-877-674-7070 |
Conference ID: 47287641 |
Playback Passcode: 287641 |
The Q2 2023 earnings presentation for the webcast will be available for download on the company's website at www.nacg.ca/presentations/
The live presentation and webcast can be accessed at:
https://viavid.webcasts.com/starthere.jsp?ei=1624616&tp_key=5ac36a78e5
A replay will be available until September 1, 2023, using the link provided.
Basis of Presentation
We have prepared our consolidated financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States ("US GAAP"). Unless otherwise specified, all dollar amounts discussed are in Canadian dollars. Please see the Management's Discussion and Analysis ("MD&A") for the quarter ended June 30, 2023, for further detail on the matters discussed in this release. In addition to the MD&A, please reference the dedicated Q2 2023 Results Presentation for more information on our results and projections which can be found on our website under Investors - Presentations.
Forward-Looking Information
The information provided in this release contains forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements include statements preceded by, followed by or that include the words "anticipate", "believe", "expect", "should" or similar expressions and include all information provided under the above heading "NACG's Outlook".
The material factors or assumptions used to develop the above forward-looking statements and the risks and uncertainties to which such forward-looking statements are subject, are highlighted in the MD&A for the three and six months ended June 30, 2023. Actual results could differ materially from those contemplated by such forward-looking statements because of any number of factors and uncertainties, many of which are beyond NACG's control. Undue reliance should not be placed upon forward-looking statements and NACG undertakes no obligation, other than those required by applicable law, to update or revise those statements. For more complete information about NACG, please read our disclosure documents filed with the SEC and the CSA. These free documents can be obtained by visiting EDGAR on the SEC website at www.sec.gov or on the CSA website at www.sedar.com.
Non-GAAP Financial Measures
This press release presents certain non-GAAP financial measures because management believes that they may be useful to investors in analyzing our business performance, leverage and liquidity. The non-GAAP financial measures we present include "adjusted EBIT", "adjusted EBITDA", "adjusted EPS", "adjusted net earnings", "cash provided by operating activities prior to change in working capital", "combined gross profit", "equity investment depreciation and amortization", "equity investment EBIT", "free cash flow", "growth capital", "margin", "net debt", "senior debt", "sustaining capital", "total capital liquidity", and "total combined revenue". A non-GAAP financial measure is defined by relevant regulatory authorities as a numerical measure of an issuer's historical or future financial performance, financial position or cash flow that is not specified, defined or determined under the issuer's GAAP and that is not presented in an issuer's financial statements. These non-GAAP measures do not have any standardized meaning and therefore are unlikely to be comparable to similar measures presented by other companies. They should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for measures of performance prepared in accordance with GAAP. Each non-GAAP financial measure used in this press release is defined and reconciled to its most directly comparable GAAP measure in the "Non-GAAP Financial Measures" section of our Management's Discussion and Analysis filed concurrently with this press release.
Reconciliation of total reported revenue to total combined revenue
Three months ended | Six months ended | |||||||||||||||
June 30, | June 30, | |||||||||||||||
(dollars in thousands) | 2023 | 2022 | 2023 | 2022 | ||||||||||||
Revenue from wholly-owned entities per financial statements | $ | 193,573 | $ | 168,028 | $ | 436,178 | $ | 344,739 | ||||||||
Share of revenue from investments in affiliates and joint ventures | 158,485 | 125,774 | 347,970 | 251,204 | ||||||||||||
Elimination of joint venture subcontract revenue | (75,105 | ) | (65,848 | ) | (186,578 | ) | (131,403 | ) | ||||||||
Total combined revenue(i) | $ | 276,953 | $ | 227,954 | $ | 597,570 | $ | 464,540 |
(i)See "Non-GAAP Financial Measures".
Reconciliation of reported gross profit to combined gross profit
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June 30, | June 30, | |||||||||||
(dollars in thousands) | 2023 | 2022 | 2023 | 2022 | ||||||||
Gross profit from wholly-owned entities per financial statements | $ | 21,531 | $ | 12,440 | $ | 62,450 | $ | 34,391 | ||||
Share of gross profit from investments in affiliates and joint ventures | 14,663 | 9,399 | 29,482 | 19,956 | ||||||||
Combined gross profit(i) | $ | 36,194 | $ | 21,839 | $ | 91,932 | $ | 54,347 |
(i)See "Non-GAAP Financial Measures".
Reconciliation of net income to adjusted net earnings, adjusted EBIT, and adjusted EBITDA
Three months ended | Six months ended | |||||||||||||||
June 30, | June 30, | |||||||||||||||
(dollars in thousands) | 2023 | 2022 | 2023 | 2022 | ||||||||||||
Net income | $ | 12,262 | $ | 7,514 | $ | 34,108 | $ | 21,071 | ||||||||
Adjustments: | ||||||||||||||||
(Gain) loss on disposal of property, plant and equipment | (713 | ) | 1,087 | 500 | 1,164 | |||||||||||
Stock-based compensation expense (benefit) | 4,804 | (1,843 | ) | 10,741 | (566 | ) | ||||||||||
Loss on equity investment customer bankruptcy claim settlement | 759 | ? | 759 | ? | ||||||||||||
Net realized and unrealized gain on derivative financial instruments | (1,852 | ) | ? | (4,361 | ) | ? | ||||||||||
Equity investment net realized and unrealized gain on derivative financial instruments | (1,655 | ) | (2,215 | ) | (1,221 | ) | (2,215 | ) | ||||||||
Tax effect of the above items | (1,116 | ) | 174 | (2,760 | ) | (138 | ) | |||||||||
Adjusted net earnings(i) | 12,489 | 4,717 | 37,766 | 19,316 | ||||||||||||
Adjustments: | ||||||||||||||||
Tax effect of the above items | 1,116 | (174 | ) | 2,760 | 138 | |||||||||||
Interest expense, net | 7,511 | 5,565 | 14,822 | 10,247 | ||||||||||||
Income tax expense | 1,757 | 1,557 | 10,159 | 5,201 | ||||||||||||
Equity earnings in affiliates and joint ventures | (9,408 | ) | (8,335 | ) | (18,931 | ) | (14,576 | ) | ||||||||
Equity investment EBIT(i) | 9,605 | 9,421 | 19,569 | 17,109 | ||||||||||||
Adjusted EBIT(i) | 23,070 | 12,751 | 66,145 | 37,435 | ||||||||||||
Adjustments: | ||||||||||||||||
Depreciation and amortization | 24,664 | 26,572 | 61,355 | 57,459 | ||||||||||||
Equity investment depreciation and amortization(i) | 4,099 | 2,326 | 8,956 | 4,495 | ||||||||||||
Adjusted EBITDA(i) | $ | 51,833 | $ | 41,649 | $ | 136,456 | $ | 99,389 |
(i)See "Non-GAAP Financial Measures".
Reconciliation of equity earnings in affiliates and joint ventures to equity investment EBIT
Three months ended | Six months ended | |||||||||||||
June 30, | June 30, | |||||||||||||
(dollars in thousands) | 2023 | 2022 | 2023 | 2022 | ||||||||||
Equity earnings in affiliates and joint ventures | $ | 9,408 | $ | 8,335 | $ | 18,931 | $ | 14,576 | ||||||
Adjustments: | ||||||||||||||
Interest (income) expense, net | (530 | ) | 555 | (173 | ) | 1,312 | ||||||||
Income tax expense | 722 | 480 | 846 | 1,170 | ||||||||||
Loss (gain) on disposal of property, plant and equipment | 5 | 51 | (35 | ) | 51 | |||||||||
Equity investment EBIT(i) | $ | 9,605 | $ | 9,421 | $ | 19,569 | $ | 17,109 | ||||||
Depreciation | $ | 3,919 | $ | 2,150 | $ | 8,596 | $ | 4,143 | ||||||
Amortization of intangible assets | 180 | 176 | 360 | 352 | ||||||||||
Equity investment depreciation and amortization(i) | $ | 4,099 | $ | 2,326 | $ | 8,956 | $ | 4,495 |
(i)See "Non-GAAP Financial Measures".
About the Company
North American Construction Group Ltd. is a premier provider of heavy civil construction and mining services in Canada, the U.S. and Australia. For 70 years, NACG has provided services to the mining, resource and infrastructure construction markets.
For further information contact:
Jason Veenstra
Chief Financial Officer
North American Construction Group Ltd.
(780) 960-7171
[email protected]
www.nacg.ca
Interim Consolidated Balance Sheets
(Expressed in thousands of Canadian Dollars)
(Unaudited)
June 30, 2023 | December 31, 2022 | ||||||||
Assets | |||||||||
Current assets | |||||||||
Cash | $ | 21,749 | $ | 69,144 | |||||
Accounts receivable | 78,916 | 83,811 | |||||||
Contract assets | 10,688 | 15,802 | |||||||
Inventories | 56,169 | 49,898 | |||||||
Prepaid expenses and deposits | 9,526 | 10,587 | |||||||
Assets held for sale | 869 | 1,117 | |||||||
177,917 | 230,359 | ||||||||
Property, plant and equipment, net of accumulated depreciation of $402,462 (December 31, 2022 ? $387,358) | 683,822 | 645,810 | |||||||
Operating lease right-of-use assets | 13,542 | 14,739 | |||||||
Investments in affiliates and joint ventures | 82,981 | 75,637 | |||||||
Other assets | 6,779 | 5,808 | |||||||
Intangible assets | 6,199 | 6,773 | |||||||
Deferred tax assets | 77 | 387 | |||||||
Total assets | $ | 971,317 | $ | 979,513 | |||||
Liabilities and shareholders' equity | |||||||||
Current liabilities | |||||||||
Accounts payable | $ | 80,946 | $ | 102,549 | |||||
Accrued liabilities | 23,234 | 43,784 | |||||||
Contract liabilities | ? | 1,411 | |||||||
Current portion of long-term debt | 42,319 | 42,089 | |||||||
Current portion of operating lease liabilities | 1,937 | 2,470 | |||||||
148,436 | 192,303 | ||||||||
Long-term debt | 369,735 | 378,452 | |||||||
Operating lease liabilities | 11,762 | 12,376 | |||||||
Other long-term obligations | 24,488 | 18,576 | |||||||
Deferred tax liabilities | 80,273 | 71,887 | |||||||
634,694 | 673,594 | ||||||||
Shareholders' equity | |||||||||
Common shares (authorized ? unlimited number of voting common shares; issued and outstanding ? June 30, 2023 - 27,827,282 (December 31, 2022 ? 27,827,282)) | 229,455 | 229,455 | |||||||
Treasury shares (June 30, 2023 - 1,418,362 (December 31, 2022 - 1,406,461)) | (16,701 | ) | (16,438 | ) | |||||
Additional paid-in capital | 24,578 | 22,095 | |||||||
Retained earnings | 99,347 | 70,501 | |||||||
Accumulated other comprehensive (loss) income | (56 | ) | 306 | ||||||
Shareholders' equity | 336,623 | 305,919 | |||||||
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity | $ | 971,317 | $ | 979,513 |
See accompanying notes to interim consolidated financial statements.
Interim Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income
(Expressed in thousands of Canadian Dollars, except per share amounts)
(Unaudited)
Three months ended | Six months ended | ||||||||||||||||
June 30, | June 30, | ||||||||||||||||
2023 | 2022 | 2023 | 2022 | ||||||||||||||
Revenue | $ | 193,573 | $ | 168,028 | $ | 436,178 | $ | 344,739 | |||||||||
Cost of sales | 147,690 | 129,248 | 312,991 | 253,316 | |||||||||||||
Depreciation | 24,352 | 26,340 | 60,737 | 57,032 | |||||||||||||
Gross profit | 21,531 | 12,440 | 62,450 | 34,391 | |||||||||||||
General and administrative expenses | 11,974 | 5,052 | 26,153 | 11,284 | |||||||||||||
(Gain) loss on disposal of property, plant and equipment | (713 | ) | 1,087 | 500 | 1,164 | ||||||||||||
Operating income | 10,270 | 6,301 | 35,797 | 21,943 | |||||||||||||
Interest expense, net | 7,511 | 5,565 | 14,822 | 10,247 | |||||||||||||
Equity earnings in affiliates and joint ventures | (9,408 | ) | (8,335 | ) | (18,931 | ) | (14,576 | ) | |||||||||
Net realized and unrealized gain on derivative financial instruments | (1,852 | ) | ? | (4,361 | ) | ? | |||||||||||
Income before income taxes | 14,019 | 9,071 | 44,267 | 26,272 | |||||||||||||
Current income tax expense | 567 | 335 | 1,703 | 497 | |||||||||||||
Deferred income tax expense | 1,190 | 1,222 | 8,456 | 4,704 | |||||||||||||
Net income | $ | 12,262 | $ | 7,514 | $ | 34,108 | $ | 21,071 | |||||||||
Other comprehensive income | |||||||||||||||||
Unrealized foreign currency translation loss (gain) | 417 | (25 | ) | 362 | (16 | ) | |||||||||||
Comprehensive income | $ | 11,845 | $ | 7,539 | $ | 33,746 | $ | 21,087 | |||||||||
Per share information | |||||||||||||||||
Basic net income per share | $ | 0.46 | $ | 0.27 | $ | 1.29 | $ | 0.75 | |||||||||
Diluted net income per share | $ | 0.42 | $ | 0.25 | $ | 1.12 | $ | 0.69 |
See accompanying notes to interim consolidated financial statements.
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