Argan, Inc. Reports Third Quarter Earnings

Argan, Inc. (NYSE: AGX) today announced financial results for the three and nine months ended October 31, 2014.

For the quarter ended October 31, 2014, revenues were $127.6 million compared to $63.5 million for the quarter ended October 31, 2013. Gemma Power Systems LLC and affiliates (Gemma) contributed $125.7 million, or 99% of revenues in the third quarter of fiscal 2015, compared to $61.1 million, or 96% of revenues in the third quarter of fiscal 2014.

For the nine months ended October 31, 2014, revenues were $280.8 million compared to $168.0 million during the nine months ended October 31, 2013. Gemma contributed $275.9 million, or 98% of revenues in the first nine months of fiscal 2015, compared to $160.4 million, or 95% of revenues in the first nine months of fiscal 2014.

Argan reported consolidated EBITDA (Earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization) attributable to the stockholders of Argan, Inc. of $20.9 million for the quarter ended October 31, 2014 compared to $20.3 million for the same prior year period. Gemma recorded $22.3 million in EBITDA for the third quarter of fiscal 2015 compared to $21.2 million for the third quarter of fiscal 2014. Argan reported EBITDA attributable to the stockholders of Argan, Inc. of $40.3 million for the nine months ended October 31, 2014 compared to $50.5 million for the same prior year period. Gemma, for its segment, recorded $44.3 million in EBITDA for the first nine months of fiscal 2015 compared to $51.9 million for the first nine months of fiscal 2014.

In the third quarter of fiscal 2015, the Company reported income before income taxes of $24.9 million compared to income before income taxes of $20.6 million in the third quarter of fiscal 2014.

For the first nine months of fiscal 2015, the Company reported income before income taxes of $48.8 million compared to income before income taxes of $52.8 million for the first nine months of fiscal 2014.

Net income attributable to the stockholders of Argan for the quarter ended October 31, 2014 was $12.4 million, or $0.84 per diluted share based on 14,795,000 diluted shares outstanding, compared to net income attributable to the stockholders of Argan of $11.9 million, or $0.83 per diluted share based on 14,365,000 diluted shares outstanding, for the quarter ended October 31, 2013.

Net income attributable to the stockholders of Argan for the nine months ended October 31, 2014 was $24.4 million, or $1.66 per diluted share based on 14,761,000 diluted shares outstanding, compared to net income attributable to the stockholders of Argan of $31.0 million, or $2.16 per diluted share based on 14,302,000 diluted shares outstanding, for the nine months ended October 31, 2013.

Argan had consolidated cash of $361.0 million as of October 31, 2014 and was debt free. Consolidated working capital increased during the current fiscal year to date to approximately $162.0 million as of October 31, 2014 and consolidated tangible net worth increased to $156.6 million in the same period.

Gemma’s backlog as of October 31, 2014 was $520 million compared to $832 million as of October 31, 2013. The October 31, 2014 backlog includes primarily the combined cycle gas fired power plants for Panda Liberty and Panda Patriot.

Commenting on Argan’s financial results, Rainer Bosselmann, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer stated, “We are pleased with the operational performance of Gemma which is in the middle of constructing the Panda Liberty and Panda Patriot power plants. In comparing both the fiscal 2015 third quarter and year to date results to the same periods in the prior year, Gemma has excelled in construction activities in the current year while last fiscal year results included substantial development fees which are not recurring in fiscal 2015.”

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 the determination of 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 the Company’s GAAP results of operations. Pursuant to the requirements of SEC Regulation G, reconciliations between the Company's GAAP and non-GAAP financial results are included in the presentations 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.

Note 1 – The condensed consolidated balance sheet as of January 31, 2014 has been derived from audited consolidated financial statements.