Argan, Inc. Reports Fourth Quarter and Year End Results

Argan, Inc. (NYSE MKT: AGX) today announced financial results for the three months and fiscal year ended January 31, 2013.

For the year ended January 31, 2013, net revenues were $278.6 million compared to $141.9 million for the year ended January 31, 2012. Gemma Power Systems LLC and affiliates (Gemma) contributed $261.3 million or 94% of net revenues in fiscal 2013, compared to $132.5 million, or 93% of net revenues in fiscal 2012.

Argan reported consolidated EBITDA (Earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization) from continuing operations of $36.6 million for the year ended January 31, 2013 compared to $12.8 million for the prior fiscal year. Gemma recorded $39.1 million in EBITDA for fiscal 2013 compared to $15.7 million for fiscal 2012.

Income from continuing operations for fiscal 2013 was $22.1 million, or $1.57 per diluted share based on 14,116,000 diluted shares outstanding, compared to income from continuing operations for fiscal 2012 of $7.4 million, or $0.54 per diluted share based on 13,792,000 diluted shares outstanding.

Net income attributable to Argan, Inc. shareholders for fiscal 2013 was $23.3 million, or $1.65 per diluted share, compared to $9.3 million, or $0.67 per diluted share for fiscal 2012

For the three months ended January 31, 2013 consolidated net revenues were $57.8 million compared to $55.9 million for the three months ended January 31, 2012. Gemma contributed $55.0 million or 95% of consolidated net revenues for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2013, compared to $52.8 million, or 95% of consolidated net revenues for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2012.

Argan reported consolidated EBITDA (Earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization) from continuing operations of $10.0 million for the three months ended January 31, 2013 compared to $4.9 million in the fourth quarter of last fiscal year. Gemma recorded $11.2 million in EBITDA for the three months ended January 31, 2013 compared to $5.2 million for the three months ended January 31, 2012.

Income from continuing operations for the three months ended January 31, 2013 was $5.9 million, or $0.41 per diluted share based on 14,186,000 diluted shares outstanding, compared to income from continuing operations of $2.8 million, or $0.20 per diluted share based on 13,905,000 diluted shares outstanding for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2012.

For the three months ended January 31, 2013, Argan reported net income attributable to Argan, Inc. stockholders of $6.6 million, or $0.46 per diluted share, compared to a net income of $4.6 million or $0.33 per diluted share for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2012.

Argan had consolidated cash of $175.1 million as of January 31, 2013. During the current fiscal year, Argan used cash of $8.4 million to pay for a $0.60 dividend per share of common stock. Consolidated working capital increased during the current fiscal year to approximately $88.6 million as of January 31, 2013 from approximately $76.3 million as of January 31, 2012. Consolidated tangible net worth increased to $100.1 million at January 31, 2013 from $80.2 million at January 31, 2012.

Gemma’s backlog as of January 31, 2013 was $180 million compared to $415 million as of January 31, 2012. On April 1, 2013, Argan announced that Moxie Liberty LLC, for which Gemma has been providing cash funding for the development of a 825 MW power plant had entered into an agreement to be sold to an investor subject to the investor consummating permanent financing for the construction of the project. Should the third party investor consummate the Moxie Liberty purchase, Gemma would design and build the power plant under an EPC agreement. Gemma is also providing working capital to Moxie Patriot LLC for the development of an additional 825 MW power plant.

Commenting on Argan’s financial results, Rainer Bosselmann, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer stated, “Argan had record revenues and earnings during fiscal year 2013. Gemma’s execution on projects in fiscal 2013 laid the foundation for strong future performance on large scale projects. We are optimistic that construction activity on the Moxie Liberty project will fully proceed in the current fiscal year.”

About Argan, Inc.

Argan’s primary business is designing and building energy plants through its Gemma Power Systems subsidiary. These energy plants include traditional gas as well as alternative energy including biodiesel, ethanol, and renewable energy sources such as wind power. Argan also owns Southern Maryland Cable, Inc.

Certain matters discussed in this press release may constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of the federal securities laws and are subject to risks and uncertainties including, but not limited to: (1) the Company’s ability to achieve its business strategy while effectively managing costs and expenses; (2) the Company’s ability to successfully and profitably integrate acquisitions; and (3) the continued strong performance of the energy sector. Actual results and the timing of certain events could differ materially from those projected in or contemplated by the forward-looking statements due to a number of factors detailed from time to time in Argan’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. In addition, reference is hereby made to cautionary statements with respect to risk factors set forth in the Company’s most recent reports on Form 10-K and 10-Q, and other SEC filings.

Management uses EBITDA, a non-GAAP financial measure, for planning purposes, including the preparation of operating budgets and to determine appropriate levels of operating and capital investments. Management believes that EBITDA provides additional insight for analysts and investors in evaluating the Company's financial and operational performance and in assisting investors in comparing the Company's financial performance to those of other companies in the Company's industry. However, EBITDA is not intended to be an alternative to financial measures prepared in accordance with GAAP and should not be considered in isolation from our GAAP results of operations. Pursuant to the requirements of SEC Regulation G, a reconciliation between the Company's GAAP and non-GAAP financial results is provided above and investors are advised to carefully review and consider this information as well as the GAAP financial results that are presented in the Company's SEC filings.