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Green Plains Reports Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2016 Financial Results

GPRE

Results for the Fourth Quarter of 2016

  • Net income of $18.7 million, or $0.47 per diluted share
  • Record ethanol production of 334.2 million gallons
  • EBITDA of $83.5 million

Results for the Full Year of 2016

  • Net income of $10.7 million, or $0.28 per diluted share
  • Company produced 1.1 billion gallons, a 21% increase over 2015
  • EBITDA of $174.4 million

OMAHA, Neb., Feb. 08, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Green Plains Inc. (NASDAQ:GPRE) today announced financial results for the fourth quarter of 2016. Net income attributable to the company was $18.7 million, or $0.47 per diluted share, for the fourth quarter of 2016 compared with net loss of $(3.6) million, or $(0.09) per diluted share, for the same period in 2015. Revenues were $932.1 million for the fourth quarter of 2016 compared with $739.9 million for the same period last year.

“Green Plains finished 2016 on a strong note, generating $74.3 million of segment operating income in the fourth quarter as we successfully integrated the acquisitions of three ethanol plants and Fleischmann’s Vinegar Company into our platform,” said Todd Becker, president and chief executive officer. “Each of our business units performed well during the quarter and the year, delivering strong results by continuing to focus on executing our long term strategy of diversification and achieving scale in all of our businesses.”

With the addition of Fleischmann’s Vinegar Company in the fourth quarter of 2016, Green Plains restructured its operating segments. The four segments include: ethanol production, agribusiness and energy services, food and food ingredients and partnership. Please see segment information below for more detail.

During the fourth quarter, Green Plains produced 334.2 million gallons of ethanol compared with 260.8 million gallons for the same period in 2015. The consolidated ethanol crush margin was $81.6 million, or $0.24 per gallon, for the fourth quarter of 2016 compared with $28.9 million, or $0.11 per gallon, for the same period in 2015. The consolidated ethanol crush margin is the ethanol production segment’s operating income before depreciation and amortization, which includes corn oil production, plus intercompany storage, transportation and other fees, net of related expenses.

Revenues were $3.4 billion for the year ended Dec. 31, 2016, compared with $3.0 billion for the same period in 2015. Net income attributable to the company for the year ended Dec. 31, 2016, was $10.7 million, or $0.28 per diluted share, compared with net income of $7.1 million, or $0.18 per diluted share, for the same period in 2015.

“U.S. ethanol demand was strong in 2016 and we expect that to continue in 2017. In addition, exports were the strongest we have seen in 5 years. U.S. ethanol remains competitively priced and export demand could be even stronger this year,” Becker added. “We expect to see solid infrastructure growth in support of E15 with new locations and more retailers expanding demand for the product. In all, we believe gasoline demand will continue to grow, leading to an improved ethanol margin environment as we approach the beginning of summer driving season in April.

“We invested over $550 million of growth capital in 2016, which we believe positions us to deliver stronger results in the future. We continue to evaluate additional growth opportunities across all of our segments and we look forward to the completion of the Jefferson Energy Terminal joint venture in the second half of this year,” stated Becker.

Full Year Highlights

  • On Jan. 1, 2016, Green Plains sold the storage and transportation assets of the Hopewell and Hereford ethanol production facilities to Green Plains Partners for $62.3 million.

  • On June 14, 2016, Green Plains Inc. and Jefferson Gulf Coast Energy Partners, a subsidiary of Fortress Transportation and Infrastructure Investors LLC, announced the formation of a 50/50 joint venture to construct and operate an intermodal export and import fuels terminal at Jefferson’s existing Beaumont, Texas terminal. Green Plains will offer its interest in the joint venture to the partnership once commercial development is complete, which is expected during the second half of 2017.

  • In Aug. 2016, Green Plains completed a private offering of $170 million aggregate principal amount of 4.125% convertible senior notes that will mature on Sept. 1, 2022. The net proceeds from the offering were used to finance the recent acquisitions.

  • On Sept. 23, 2016, Green Plains acquired three ethanol plants located in Madison, Ill., Mount Vernon, Ind. and York. Neb. for approximately $235 million in cash plus certain working capital adjustments. Concurrently, the ethanol storage assets were sold to Green Plains Partners LP for $90 million. The plants added 230 million gallons per year of ethanol production capacity.

  • On Oct. 3, 2016, Green Plains acquired SCI Ingredients Holdings, Inc. and its wholly owned subsidiary, Fleischmann’s Vinegar Company, Inc., for approximately $258 million, financing the transaction with $135 million of debt and the balance with cash on hand. Fleischmann’s Vinegar Company operates as a standalone business.

Results of Operations
Consolidated revenues increased $192.2 million for the three months ended Dec. 31, 2016, compared with the same period in 2015. Revenues were impacted by an increase in ethanol volumes sold and a higher average price realized for ethanol along with an increase in volumes of cattle sold, plus the addition of Fleischmann’s Vinegar in the quarter. The increase in revenues were partially offset by lower volumes and average realized prices for grain sold.

Operating income increased $43.3 million for the three months ended Dec. 31, 2016, compared with the same period last year primarily due to increased margins on ethanol production.  Interest expense increased $8.3 million for the three months ended Dec. 31, 2016, compared with the same period last year primarily due to higher average debt outstanding. Income tax expense was $12.2 million for the three months ended Dec. 31, 2016, compared with $4.1 million for the same period in 2015.

Earnings before interest, income taxes, depreciation and amortization (EBITDA) for the fourth quarter of 2016 was $83.5 million compared with $32.5 million for the same period last year.

Segment Information
Management implemented organizational changes during the fourth quarter of 2016 as a result of acquisitions during the year and now reviews financial and operating performance for four operating segments: (1) ethanol production, which includes the production of ethanol, distillers grains and corn oil, (2) agribusiness and energy services, which includes grain handling and storage, commodity marketing and merchant trading, (3) food and food ingredients, which includes the vinegar operations and cattle feedlot operations and (4) partnership, which includes fuel storage and transportation services. Intercompany fees charged to the ethanol production segment for storage and logistics services, grain procurement and product sales are included in the partnership, and agribusiness and energy services segments and eliminated upon consolidation. Third party cost of grain consumed and revenues from product sales are reported directly in the ethanol production segment. Prior periods have been reclassified to conform to the revised segment presentation.


GREEN PLAINS INC.
SEGMENT OPERATIONS
(unaudited, in thousands)
                           
  Three Months Ended
December 31,
  Twelve Months Ended
December 31,
   
    2016       2015     % Var.     2016       2015     % Var.
Revenues:                          
Ethanol production $   704,539     $   522,932       34.7   %   $   2,454,896     $   2,029,359       21.0   %
Agribusiness and energy services     147,606         171,029       (13.7 )         664,113         732,646       (9.4 )  
Food and food ingredients     87,257         50,897       71.4           318,181         219,385       45.0    
Partnership     28,285         22,686       24.7           103,772         50,937       103.7    
Intersegment eliminations     (35,589 )       (27,630 )     28.8           (130,081 )       (66,738 )     94.9    
      932,098         739,914       26.0           3,410,881         2,965,589       15.0    
Gross margin:                          
Ethanol production     67,354         17,392       287.3           128,197         123,349       3.9    
Agribusiness and energy services     21,124         18,232       15.9           59,368         59,362       -    
Food and food ingredients     11,947         653      *           23,785         2,724      *    
Partnership     28,285         22,686       24.7           103,772         50,937       103.7    
Intersegment eliminations     403         (38 )    *           (320 )       (150 )     113.3    
      129,113         58,925       119.1           314,802         236,222       33.3    
Operating income (loss):                          
Ethanol production     35,798         (3,398 )    *           28,125         43,266       (35.0 )  
Agribusiness and energy services     13,295         12,142       9.5           34,039         37,253       (8.6 )  
Food and food ingredients     6,842         (470 )    *           16,436         (952 )    *    
Partnership     17,945         12,185       47.3           60,903         12,990       368.8    
Intersegment eliminations     442         -       *           (170 )       -        *    
Segment operating income     74,322         20,459       263.3           139,333         92,557       50.5    
Corporate activities     (18,252 )       (7,721 )     136.4           (47,645 )       (31,480 )     51.4    
  $   56,070     $   12,738       340.2   %   $   91,688     $   61,077       50.1   %
                           
* Percentage variance not considered meaningful.                    


GREEN PLAINS INC.
OPERATING DATA BY PRODUCT
(unaudited, in thousands)
                           
  Three Months Ended
December 31,
  Twelve Months Ended
December 31,
   
  2016   2015   % Var.   2016   2015   % Var.
Ethanol production                          
Ethanol sold (gallons)   334,166     260,767     28.1  %    1,147,630     947,557     21.1  %
Distillers grains sold (tons)   894     703     27.2       3,064     2,540     20.6  
Corn oil sold (pounds)   77,370     68,072     13.7       273,901     244,047     12.2  
Corn consumed (bushels)   116,783     90,669     28.8       401,065     332,417     20.7  
                           
Agribusiness and energy services                          
Domestic ethanol sold (gallons)   341,833     255,489     33.8      1,244,764    1,016,742     22.4  
Export ethanol sold (gallons)   37,266     35,213     5.8       152,141     143,949     5.7  
    379,099     290,702     30.4      1,396,905    1,160,691     20.4  
                           
Partnership                          
Storage and throughput (gallons)(1)   334,166     248,862     34.3      1,147,630     464,422   *  
                           
* Percentage variance not considered meaningful.                      
(1) Results include volumes under the storage and throughput agreement.

 

GREEN PLAINS INC.
CONSOLIDATED CRUSH MARGIN
(unaudited, in thousands except per gallon amounts)
               
  Three Months Ended
December 31,
  Three Months Ended
December 31,
   
    2016     2015       2016     2015  
  ($ in thousands)   ($ per gallon produced)
               
Ethanol production operating income $   35,798   $   (3,398 )   $   0.11   $   (0.01 )
Depreciation and amortization     22,091       14,397         0.06       0.05  
Total ethanol production     57,889       10,999         0.17       0.04  
               
Intercompany fees, net:              
Storage and logistics (partnership)     17,783       13,112         0.05       0.05  
Marketing and agribusiness fees (agribusiness and energy services)     5,965       4,772         0.02       0.02  
Consolidated crush margin $   81,637   $   28,883     $   0.24   $   0.11  
               


Liquidity and Capital Resources   
On Dec. 31, 2016, Green Plains had $356.2 million in total cash and cash equivalents, and $120.8 million available under revolving credit agreements, some of which are subject to restrictions and other lending conditions. Total debt outstanding was $1,108.9 million, including $291.2 million outstanding under working capital revolvers and other short-term borrowing arrangements for the agribusiness and energy services, and the food and food ingredients segments at Dec. 31, 2016.

Conference Call Information
On Feb. 9, 2017, Green Plains Inc. and Green Plains Partners LP will host a joint conference call at 11 a.m. Eastern time (10 a.m. Central time) to discuss fourth quarter 2016 financial and operating results for each company. Domestic and international participants can access the conference call by dialing 888.778.9065 and 913.312.0719, respectively. Participants are advised to call at least 10 minutes prior to the start time. Alternatively, the conference call and presentation can be accessed on Green Plains’ website at http://investor.gpreinc.com/events.cfm. A transcript of the conference call will also be made available on the company’s website as soon as practicable.

Non-GAAP Financial Measures
Management uses earnings before interest, income taxes, depreciation and amortization, or EBITDA, and consolidated ethanol crush margin to measure the company’s financial performance and to internally manage its businesses. Management believes these measures provide useful information to investors for comparison with peer and other companies. These measures should not be considered an alternative to net income or segment operating income, which are determined in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. EBITDA calculations may vary from company to company. Accordingly, the company’s computation of EBITDA may not be comparable with a similarly-titled measure of another company.

About Green Plains Inc.
Green Plains Inc. (NASDAQ:GPRE) is a diversified commodity-processing business with operations related to ethanol, distillers grains and corn oil production; grain handling and storage; a cattle feedlot; and commodity marketing and distribution services. The company is the second largest consolidated owner of ethanol production facilities in the world, with 17 dry mill plants, producing nearly 1.5 billion gallons of ethanol at full capacity. Green Plains, through its wholly owned subsidiary Fleischmann’s Vinegar Company, provides specialized ingredient solutions for leading food and feed manufacturers. Green Plains owns a 62.5% limited partner interest and a 2.0% general partner interest in Green Plains Partners. For more information about Green Plains, visit www.gpreinc.com.

About Green Plains Partners LP
Green Plains Partners LP (NASDAQ:GPP) is a fee-based Delaware limited partnership formed by Green Plains Inc. to provide fuel storage and transportation services by owning, operating, developing and acquiring ethanol and fuel storage tanks, terminals, transportation assets and other related assets and businesses. For more information about Green Plains Partners, visit www.greenplainspartners.com.

Forward-Looking Statements
This news release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, as amended. Forward-looking statements include words such as “anticipates,” “believes,” “estimates,” “expects,” “goal,” “intends,” “plans,” “potential,” “predicts,” “should,” “will,” and other words with similar meanings in connection with future operating or financial performance. Such statements are based on management’s current expectations, which are subject to various factors, risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results, outcomes, timing and performance to differ materially from those expressed or implied. Green Plains may experience significant fluctuations in future operating results due to a number of economic conditions, including competition in the industries in which Green Plains operates; commodity market risks, including those resulting from current weather conditions; financial market risks; counterparty risks; risks associated with changes to federal policy or regulation; risks related to closing and achieving anticipated results from acquisitions; risks associated with the joint venture to commercialize algae production and growth potential of the algal biomass industry; risks associated with the recent acquisitions of three ethanol plants and Fleischmann’s Vinegar; and other risks detailed in Green Plains’ reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including its annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended Dec. 31, 2015, and subsequent filings with the SEC. Green Plains is not obligated nor intends to update its forward-looking statements at any time unless it is required by applicable securities laws. Unpredictable or unknown factors not discussed in this release could also have material adverse effects on forward-looking statements.


Consolidated Financial Results
 
GREEN PLAINS INC.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(unaudited, in thousands)
       
  December 31,
2016
  December 31,
2015
   
ASSETS      
Current assets      
Cash and cash equivalents $   304,211   $   384,867
Restricted cash     51,979       27,018
Accounts receivable, net     147,495       96,150
Inventories     422,181       353,957
Other current assets     74,710       50,585
Total current assets     1,000,576       912,577
Property and equipment, net     1,178,706       922,070
Other assets     327,210       83,273
Total assets $   2,506,492   $   1,917,920
       
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY      
Current liabilities      
Accounts payable $   192,275   $   166,963
Accrued and other liabilities     67,473       32,026
Short-term notes payable and other borrowings     291,223       226,928
Current maturities of long-term debt     35,059       4,507
Other current liabilities     8,916       8,245
Current liabilities     594,946       438,669
Long-term debt     782,610       432,139
Other liabilities     149,745       88,203
Total liabilities     1,527,301       959,011
       
Stockholders’ equity      
Total Green Plains stockholders’ equity     862,507       797,830
Noncontrolling interests     116,684       161,079
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity $   2,506,492   $   1,917,920
       



GREEN PLAINS INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(unaudited, in thousands except per share amounts)
                           
  Three Months Ended
December 31,
  Twelve Months Ended
December 31,
   
    2016       2015     % Var.     2016       2015     % Var.
Revenues                          
Product $   929,838     $   737,882       26.0   %   $   3,402,579     $   2,957,201       15.1   %
Service     2,260         2,032       11.2           8,302         8,388       (1.0 )  
Total revenues     932,098         739,914       26.0           3,410,881         2,965,589       15.0    
Costs and expenses                          
Cost of goods sold     802,985         680,989       17.9           3,096,079         2,729,367       13.4    
Operations and maintenance     8,498         7,750       9.7           34,211         29,601       15.6    
General and administrative     36,451         21,121       72.6           104,677         79,594       31.5    
Depreciation and amortization     28,094         17,316       62.2           84,226         65,950       27.7    
Total costs and expenses     876,028         727,176       20.5           3,319,193         2,904,512       14.3    
    Operating income     56,070         12,738       340.2           91,688         61,077       50.1    
Other income (expense)                          
Interest income     278         462       (39.8 )         1,541         1,211       27.3    
Interest expense     (18,735 )       (10,448 )     79.3           (51,851 )       (40,366 )     28.5    
Other, net     (976 )       2,027       (148.1 )         (3,027 )       (457 )     562.4    
Total other expense     (19,433 )       (7,959 )     144.2           (53,337 )       (39,612 )     34.6    
Income before income taxes     36,637         4,779       666.6           38,351         21,465       78.7    
Income tax expense     12,199         4,066       200.0           7,860         6,237       26.0    
Net income     24,438         713      *           30,491         15,228       100.2    
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests     5,756         4,302       33.8           19,828         8,164       142.9    
Net income (loss) attributable to Green Plains $   18,682     $   (3,589 )    *    %   $   10,663     $   7,064       50.9   %
                           
Earnings per share:                          
Net income (loss) attributable to Green Plains - basic $   0.49     $   (0.09 )         $   0.28     $   0.19        
Net income (loss) attributable to Green Plains - diluted $   0.47     $    (0.09 )         $   0.28     $   0.18        
                           
Weighted average shares outstanding:                          
Basic     38,367         37,890               38,318         37,947        
Diluted     39,845         37,890               38,573         39,028        
                           
* Percentage variance not considered meaningful.                        
                           


GREEN PLAINS INC.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS
(unaudited, in thousands)
       
  Twelve Months Ended
December 31,
 
    2016       2015  
Cash flows from operating activities:      
Net income $   30,491     $   15,228  
Noncash operating adjustments:      
Depreciation and amortization     84,226         65,950  
Deferred income taxes     4,910         (27,513 )
Other     21,828         14,480  
Net change in working capital     (58,468 )       (57,919 )
    Net cash provided by operating activities     82,987         10,226  
       
Cash flows from investing activities:      
Purchases of property and equipment     (58,171 )       (63,418 )
Acquisition of businesses, net of cash acquired     (508,143 )       (116,796 )
Proceeds on disposal of assets, net     58         68  
Investments in unconsolidated subsidiaries     (6,342 )       (3,055 )
    Net cash used by investing activities     (572,598 )       (183,201 )
       
Cash flows from financing activities:      
Net proceeds (payments) - long-term debt     417,197         (17,410 )
Net proceeds (payments) - short-term borrowings     63,978         17,911  
Other     (72,220 )       131,831  
    Net cash provided by financing activities     408,955         132,332  
       
Net change in cash and cash equivalents     (80,656 )       (40,643 )
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period     384,867         425,510  
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period $   304,211     $   384,867  
       


GREEN PLAINS INC.
RECONCILIATIONS TO NON-GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES
(unaudited, in thousands)
               
  Three Months Ended
December 31,
  Twelve Months Ended
December 31,
   
    2016     2015     2016     2015
Net income $   24,438   $   713   $   30,491   $   15,228
Interest expense     18,735       10,448       51,851       40,366
Income taxes     12,199       4,066       7,860       6,237
Depreciation and amortization     28,094       17,316       84,226       65,950
EBITDA $   83,466   $   32,543   $   174,428   $   127,781
               
Jim Stark Vice President - Investor and Media Relations Green Plains Inc. (402) 884-8700

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