Harsco Corporation Reports Fourth Quarter and Full-Year 2016 Results

• Q4 GAAP Operating Income of $24 Million
  
  
• Q4 Adjusted Operating Income of $28 Million Within Guidance Range; Strong Performance in Metals & Minerals and Lower Corporate Spending Supported Results Toward High-End of Range
   
• Net Cash Provided by Operating Activities Totaled $55 Million in Q4 and $160 Million for 2016
   
• Free Cash Flow Totaled $38 Million in Q4 and Reached $100 Million for the Full-Year
   
• Net Debt at Year-End Totaled $587 Million, Down More Than $230 Million in 2016; Liquidity Approximated $330 Million at Year-End
   
• 2017 GAAP and Adjusted Operating Income Expected Between $100 Million and $120 Million; Free Cash Flow Anticipated Within a Range of $60 Million to $80 Million

CAMP HILL, Pa., Feb. 24, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Harsco Corporation (NYSE:HSC) today reported fourth quarter and full-year 2016 results.  On a U.S. GAAP (“GAAP”) basis, fourth quarter 2016 diluted loss per share from continuing operations was $0.19, which included costs and charges related to the early extinguishment of debt and an adjustment to the forward loss provision related to the Company's railway maintenance contracts with SBB.  The forward loss provision of $5 million primarily relates to a refinement of certain cost estimates for the second contract with SBB as conceptual designs were finalized.  These costs relate to the life of the contract through 2020.  Excluding unusual items, adjusted diluted earnings per share from continuing operations in the fourth quarter of 2016 were $0.16.  These figures compare with a GAAP diluted loss per share from continuing operations of $0.08 and adjusted diluted earnings per share from continuing operations of $0.11 in the fourth quarter of 2015.

Operating income from continuing operations for the fourth quarter of 2016 was $24 million.  Excluding unusual items, operating income for the fourth quarter of 2016 was $28 million, which was within the guidance range of $20 million to $29 million previously provided by the Company.

“We ended the year with a strong quarter and I am very pleased with our accomplishments during the year,” said President and CEO Nick Grasberger.  “2016 proved to be a turning point for Harsco.  We exceeded the key financial targets established at the beginning of the year, despite persistent end-market weakness.  Much of our success can be attributed to Metals & Minerals, where we completed the major transformation actions contemplated in M&M.  Our M&M initiatives led to a meaningful improvement in performance during 2016 and enabled the business to achieve the targeted objectives we established nearly three years ago.  Also, our Corporate costs declined significantly compared with 2015, our free cash flow reached a multi-year high and our balance sheet is now the healthiest it has been in years.”

“As we enter 2017, economic conditions are more favorable in most relevant markets, and we currently expect our three businesses to see an improvement in underlying performance over the course of the year.  However, our expectations are tempered by the financial impacts of a stronger U.S. dollar and uncertainty regarding the timing and pace of potential improvements in select markets.  As a result, our 2017 operating income is anticipated to improve only modestly at the top-end of our guidance range.  We will maintain our operational and capital discipline and utilize our free cash flow to further strengthen our financial flexibility.  Lastly, we remain optimistic about the earnings and value potential of our businesses and will continue to focus on our strategies to improve returns."

Consolidated Fourth Quarter Operating Results

Total revenues were $360 million, with the decrease attributable to lower revenues in the Company’s Industrial and Metals & Minerals segments, as expected.  Foreign currency translation negatively impacted fourth quarter 2016 revenues by approximately $10 million.

GAAP operating income from continuing operations for the fourth quarter of 2016 was $24 million, while operating income from continuing operations excluding unusual items was $28 million in the fourth quarter of 2016.  These figures compare with GAAP operating income of $6 million and adjusted operating income of $26 million in the same quarter last year.  Adjusted operating income in Metals & Minerals improved in comparison with the prior-year quarter.  Adjusted operating income in the Rail segment was similar to the prior-year quarter, while operating income declined in the Industrial segment.  Meanwhile, Corporate costs declined versus the prior-year period.  Lastly, adjusted operating margin increased 120 basis points versus the adjusted operating margin in fourth quarter of 2015.

Consolidated 2016 Results

Total revenues were $1.5 billion in 2016, compared with $1.7 billion in 2015, with the decline primarily the result of lower revenues in the Company's Metals & Minerals and Industrial segments.  Metals & Minerals' revenues were negatively impacted by site exits and foreign exchange rate changes as well as reduced steel output and commodities pricing, while revenues in the Industrial segment decreased due to lower customer demand for both heat exchangers and industrial grating.  Foreign currency translation negatively impacted revenues by $51 million in 2016.

GAAP operating income from continuing operations was $63 million in 2016, while operating income from continuing operations excluding unusual items in 2016 was $116 million.  These figures compare with GAAP operating income of $89 million and adjusted operating income of $135 million in 2015.  During the year, adjusted operating income in Metals & Minerals improved mainly as a result of workforce reductions, a better mix of contracts and operating cost improvements.  Meanwhile, operating income in Industrial decreased compared with 2015 due lower customer demand for heat exchangers and industrial grating, while adjusted operating income in Rail also declined, partially given that the segment's 2015 operating income benefited from a foreign exchange gain on cash advances of $11 million.  Lastly, Corporate costs decreased significantly versus 2015.

On a GAAP basis, diluted loss per share from continuing operations in 2016 was $1.07, which included a site exit charge, Metals & Minerals Separation costs, debt refinancing costs and charges, a loss related to the selling of the Company's remaining interest in Brand Energy, and a forward loss provision related to the Company's railway maintenance equipment contracts with SBB.  Excluding unusual items, adjusted diluted earnings per share from continuing operations were $0.48 in 2016.  These figures compare with GAAP diluted earnings per share from continuing operations of $0.09 and adjusted diluted earnings per share from continuing operations of $0.56 in 2015.

Fourth Quarter Business Review

Revenues decreased 4 percent to $235 million, as the impacts from exiting certain contracts and foreign exchange translation offset higher steel output and service levels as well as increased nickel-related sales.  GAAP operating income totaled $20 million in comparison with GAAP operating income of less than $1 million in the prior-year quarter.  The recently completed quarter included a site exit adjustment while the prior-year quarter included Project Orion Phase 3 implementation costs and underperforming site exit charges.  Meanwhile, adjusted operating income increased 59 percent to $19 million mainly as a result of workforce reductions and operating cost improvements as well as increased steel production and nickel-related profits.  As a result, the segment's adjusted operating margin improved by 310 basis points to 7.9 percent versus last year’s fourth quarter.

Revenues declined 26 percent to $56 million, principally due to lower demand for industrial grating as well as heat exchangers from U.S. energy customers.  Operating income also declined due to these factors as well as product sales mix.  As a result, the segment’s operating margin decreased to 5.5 percent compared with 15.4 percent in the comparable quarter last year.

Revenues increased 1 percent to $70 million as an increase in after-market parts sales was offset by lower contract services.  GAAP operating income totaled $5 million including the SBB forward loss provision.  Excluding this item, adjusted operating income totaled $10 million and the adjusted operating margin was 14.2 percent, both of which are consistent with the prior-year period as a result of the above trends.

Cash Flow

Net cash provided by operating activities totaled $55 million in the fourth quarter of 2016, compared with $32 million in the prior-year period.  For the full-year, net cash provided by operating activities was $160 million, compared with $122 million in 2015.

Free cash flow was $38 million in the fourth quarter of 2016, compared with $6 million in the prior-year period.  For the full-year, free cash flow was $100 million, compared with $24 million in 2015.  The cash flow improvement for the fourth quarter and full-year resulted from increased net cash provided by operating activities, as detailed above, and reduced capital expenditures.

Financial Position

At the end of the fourth quarter, the Company maintained net debt of approximately $587 million, a modest decrease from the third quarter of 2016.  Meanwhile, the Company's Credit Agreement net debt to adjusted EBITDA ratio was 2.3x, as compared with a maximum leverage covenant of 4.0x under the Company's Credit Agreement.  The Company's borrowing capacity and available cash totaled approximately $330 million at the end of the year.

2017 Outlook

The Company’s 2017 Guidance reflects an overall mixed outlook across its services and products portfolio combined with the expected financial impacts from a stronger U.S. dollar against various currencies.  For Metals & Minerals, adjusted operating income is anticipated to be comparable with 2016 as operational savings, new sites and a modest increase in customer steel output and commodity prices are expected to be offset by foreign exchange impacts, services mix and lower nickel and Applied Products volumes.  Meanwhile, Industrial earnings are projected to slightly increase as improved demand for heat exchangers and commercial boilers are expected to offset a less favorable product mix and lower industrial grating demand, and in Rail, adjusted earnings are also expected to modestly increase as higher contributions from after-market parts, Intelligent Solutions offerings, and international equipment sales are only partially offset by weaker North American market demand and lower contract services contributions.  Both Industrial and Rail enter 2017 with modest backlogs and performance in each segment is projected to improve as relevant markets strengthen during the year.  Lastly, Corporate spending is projected to increase compared with 2016 as a result of pension and various investments.  Key highlights in the Outlook are included below.

Full Year 2017

• GAAP and adjusted operating income for the full year is expected to range from $100 million to $120 million; this compares with GAAP operating income of $63 million and adjusted operating income of $116 million in 2016.
• Free cash flow is expected in the range of $60 million to $80 million, including net capital expenditures of between $80 million and $90 million; compared with free cash flow of $100 million and net capital expenditures of $60 million in 2016.
• Net interest expense is forecasted to range from $45 million to $47 million.
• Effective tax rate is expected to range from 39 percent to 41 percent.
• GAAP and adjusted earnings per share for the full year are currently expected in the range of $0.32 to $0.50; this compares with GAAP loss per share of $1.07 and adjusted earnings per share of $0.48 per share in 2016.
• Adjusted return on invested capital is expected to range from 8.0 percent to 9.0 percent; compared with 6.9 percent in 2016.

Q1 2017

• Adjusted operating income of $15 million to $20 million; compared with $18 million in the prior-year quarter.
• Adjusted (loss) earnings per share of $(0.01) to $0.04; compared with $0.03 in the prior-year quarter.

Conference Call

The Company will hold a conference call today at 9:00 a.m. Eastern Time to discuss its results and respond to questions from the investment community.  The conference call will be broadcast live through the Harsco Corporation website at www.harsco.com.  The Company will refer to a slide presentation that accompanies its formal remarks.  The slide presentation will be available on the Company’s website.

The call can also be accessed by telephone by dialing (800) 611-4920, or (973) 200-3957 for international callers.  Enter Conference ID number 51879990.  Listeners are advised to dial in at least five minutes prior to the call.

Replays will be available via the Harsco website and also by telephone through March 10, 2017 by dialing (800) 585-8367, (855) 859-2056 or (404) 537-3406.

Forward-Looking Statements

The nature of the Company's business and the many countries in which it operates subject it to changing economic, competitive, regulatory and technological conditions, risks and uncertainties. In accordance with the "safe harbor" provisions of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Company provides the following cautionary remarks regarding important factors that, among others, could cause future results to differ materially from the results contemplated by forward-looking statements, including the expectations and assumptions expressed or implied herein. Forward-looking statements contained herein could include, among other things, statements about management's confidence in and strategies for performance; expectations for new and existing products, technologies and opportunities; and expectations regarding growth, sales, cash flows, and earnings. Forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of such terms as "may," "could," "expect," "anticipate," "intend," "believe," "likely," "estimate," "plan" or other comparable terms.

Factors that could cause actual results to differ, perhaps materially, from those implied by forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to: (1) changes in the worldwide business environment in which the Company operates, including general economic conditions; (2) changes in currency exchange rates, interest rates, commodity and fuel costs and capital costs; (3) changes in the performance of equity and bond markets that could affect, among other things, the valuation of the assets in the Company's pension plans and the accounting for pension assets, liabilities and expenses; (4) changes in governmental laws and regulations, including environmental, occupational health and safety, tax and import tariff standards; (5) market and competitive changes, including pricing pressures, market demand and acceptance for new products, services and technologies; (6) the Company's inability or failure to protect its intellectual property rights from infringement in one or more of the many countries in which the Company operates; (7) failure to effectively prevent, detect or recover from breaches in the Company's cybersecurity infrastructure; (8) unforeseen business disruptions in one or more of the many countries in which the Company operates due to political instability, civil disobedience, armed hostilities, public health issues or other calamities; (9) disruptions associated with labor disputes and increased operating costs associated with union organization; (10) the seasonal nature of the Company's business; (11) the Company's ability to successfully enter into new contracts and complete new acquisitions or strategic ventures in the time-frame contemplated, or at all; (12) the integration of the Company's strategic acquisitions; (13) the amount and timing of repurchases of the Company's common stock, if any; (14) the prolonged recovery in global financial and credit markets and economic conditions generally, which could result in the Company's customers curtailing development projects, construction, production and capital expenditures, which, in turn, could reduce the demand for the Company's products and services and, accordingly, the Company's revenues, margins and profitability; (15) the outcome of any disputes with customers, contractors and subcontractors; (16) the financial condition of the Company's customers, including the ability of customers (especially those that may be highly leveraged and those with inadequate liquidity) to maintain their credit availability; (17) the Company's ability to successfully implement and receive the expected benefits of cost-reduction and restructuring initiatives, including the achievement of expected cost savings in the expected time frame; (18) implementation of environmental remediation matters; (19) risk and uncertainty associated with intangible assets; (20) the impact of a transaction, if any, resulting from the Company's determination to explore strategic options for the separation of the Harsco Metals & Minerals Segment; and (21) other risk factors listed from time to time in the Company's SEC reports.  A further discussion of these, along with other potential risk factors, can be found in Part I, Item 1A, "Risk Factors," of the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2015 and Part II, Item 1A, Risk Factors of the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended September 30, 2016.  The Company cautions that these factors may not be exhaustive and that many of these factors are beyond the Company's ability to control or predict. Accordingly, forward-looking statements should not be relied upon as a prediction of actual results. The Company undertakes no duty to update forward-looking statements except as may be required by law.

About Harsco

Harsco Corporation serves key industries that are fundamental to worldwide economic development, including steel and metals production, railways and energy.  Harsco’s common stock is a component of the S&P SmallCap 600 Index and the Russell 2000 Index. Additional information can be found at www.harsco.com. 

The Company believes that the presentation of Net debt provides useful information to investors because management reviews Net debt as part of the management of the Company's overall liquidity, financial flexibility, capital structure and leverage.  Furthermore, certain debt rating agencies, creditors and credit analysts monitor the Company's Net debt as part of their assessments of the Company's business.

1. Loss on the dilution and sale of the Company's investment in Brand Energy & Infrastructure Services recorded at Corporate (Full year 2016 $53.8 million pre-tax).
2. Harsco Rail Segment forward contract loss provision related the Company's contracts with the federal railway system of Switzerland (Q4 2016 $5.0 million pre-tax; Full year 2016 $45.1 million pre-tax).
3. Loss on early extinguishment of debt recorded at Corporate (Q4 and Full year 2016 $35.3 million pre-tax).
4. Harsco Metals & Minerals Segment charges primarily attributable to site exit and underperforming contract costs (Full year 2016 $5.1 million pre-tax; Q4 2015 $6.4 million pre-tax; Full year 2015 $5.0 million pre-tax).
5. Costs associated with Harsco Metals & Minerals Segment separation recorded at Corporate (Full year 2016 $3.3 million pre-tax; Q4 2015 $8.2 million pre-tax; Full year $9.9 million pre-tax).
6. Expense of deferred financing costs associated with the Company's repayment of approximately $85 million on its Term Loan Facility recorded at Corporate (Full year 2016 $1.1 million pre-tax).
7. Harsco Metals & Minerals Segment gain related to the liquidation of cumulated translation adjustment related to an exited country (Q4 and Full year 2016 $1.2 million pre-tax).
8. Harsco Metals & Minerals Segment charges related to a contract terminations (Q4 2015 $0.3 pre-tax income; Full Year 2015 $13.5 million pre-tax loss).
9. Harsco Metals & Minerals Segment charges incurred in connection with the processing and disposal of salt cakes (Full year 2015 $7.0 million pre-tax). The Company's Bahrain operations are operated under a strategic venture for which its strategic venture partner has a 35% minority interest.  Accordingly, the net impact of the charge to the Company's Net income (loss) attributable to Harsco Corporation was $4.6 million.
10. Harsco Metals & Minerals Segment Project Orion restructuring charges (Q4 and Full year 2015 $5.1 million pre-tax).
11. Harsco Metals & Minerals Segment charges related to a settlement with a subcontractor (Full year 2015 $4.2 million pre-tax).
12. Harsco Metals & Minerals Segment charges related to a multi-employer pension plan (Full year 2015 $1.1 million pre-tax).
13. Loss resulting from the Harsco Infrastructure Transaction, which was consummated in the fourth quarter of 2013 (Full year 2015 $1.0 million pre-tax).
14. Unusual items are tax effected at the global effective tax rate, before discrete items, in effect at the time the unusual item is recorded except for unusual items from countries where no tax benefit can be realized, in which case a zero percent tax rate is used.
15. Does not total due to rounding.

The Company’s management believes Adjusted diluted earnings per share from continuing operations excluding unusual items, which is a non-U.S. GAAP financial measure, is useful to investors because it provides an overall understanding of the Company’s historical and future prospects.  Exclusion of unusual items permits evaluation and comparison of results for the Company’s core business operations, and it is on this basis that management internally assesses the Company’s performance. This measure should be considered in addition to, rather than as a substitute for, other information provided in accordance with U.S. GAAP.

1. Loss on the dilution of the Company's investment in Brand recorded at Corporate (Q1 2016 $10.3 million pre-tax).
2. Harsco Metals & Minerals Segment charges primarily attributable to site exit costs (Q1 2016 $5.1 million pre-tax).
3. Costs associated with Harsco Metals & Minerals Segment separation recorded at Corporate (Q1 2016 $3.3 million pre-tax).
4. Unusual items are tax effected at the global effective tax rate, before discrete items, in effect at the time the unusual item is recorded except for unusual items from countries where no tax benefit can be realized, in which case a zero percent tax rate is used.

The Company’s management believes Adjusted diluted earnings per share from continuing operations excluding unusual items, which is a non-U.S. GAAP financial measure, is useful to investors because it provides an overall understanding of the Company’s historical and future prospects.  Exclusion of unusual items permits evaluation and comparison of results for the Company’s core business operations, and it is on this basis that management internally assesses the Company’s performance. This measure should be considered in addition to, rather than as a substitute for, other information provided in accordance with U.S. GAAP.

The Company’s management believes Adjusted operating margin (%) excluding unusual items, which is a non-U.S. GAAP financial measure, is useful to investors because it provides an overall understanding of the Company’s historical and future prospects.  Exclusion of unusual items permits evaluation and comparison of results for the Company’s core business operations, and it is on this basis that management internally assesses the Company’s performance.  This measure should be considered in addition to, rather than as a substitute for, other information provided in accordance with U.S. GAAP.

The Company’s management believes Adjusted operating income (loss) excluding unusual items, which is a non-U.S. GAAP financial measure, is useful to investors because it provides an overall understanding of the Company’s historical and future prospects.  Exclusion of unusual items permits evaluation and comparison of results for the Company’s core business operations, and it is on this basis that management internally assesses the Company’s performance.  This measure should be considered in addition to, rather than as a substitute for, other information provided in accordance with U.S. GAAP.

The Company’s management believes Adjusted operating income (loss) excluding unusual items, which is a non-U.S. GAAP financial measure, is useful to investors because it provides an overall understanding of the Company’s historical and future prospects.  Exclusion of unusual items permits evaluation and comparison of results for the Company’s core business operations, and it is on this basis that management internally assesses the Company’s performance.  This measure should be considered in addition to, rather than as a substitute for, other information provided in accordance with U.S. GAAP.

The Company’s management believes Adjusted operating income (loss) excluding unusual items, which is a non-U.S. GAAP financial measure, is useful to investors because it provides an overall understanding of the Company’s historical and future prospects.  Exclusion of unusual items permits evaluation and comparison of results for the Company’s core business operations, and it is on this basis that management internally assesses the Company’s performance.  This measure should be considered in addition to, rather than as a substitute for, other information provided in accordance with U.S. GAAP.

1. Capital expenditures for strategic ventures represent the partner’s share of capital expenditures in certain ventures consolidated in the Company’s financial statements.
2. Asset sales are a normal part of the business model, primarily for the Harsco Metals & Minerals Segment.

The Company's management believes that Free cash flow, which is a non-U.S. GAAP financial measure, is meaningful to investors because management reviews cash flows generated from (used in) operations less capital expenditures net of asset sales proceeds.  It is important to note that free cash flow does not represent the total residual cash flow available for discretionary expenditures since other non-discretionary expenditures, such as mandatory debt service requirements, are not deducted from the measure. This measure should be considered in addition to, rather than as a substitute for, other information provided in accordance with U.S. GAAP.

The Company's management believes that free cash flow, which is a non-U.S. GAAP financial measure, is meaningful to investors because management reviews cash flows generated from operations less capital expenditures net of asset sales proceeds.  It is important to note that free cash flow does not represent the total residual cash flow available for discretionary expenditures since other non-discretionary expenditures, such as mandatory debt service requirements, are not deducted from the measure. This measure should be considered in addition to, rather than as a substitute for, other information provided in accordance with U.S. GAAP.

1. Return on invested capital excluding unusual items is net income (loss) from continuing operations excluding unusual items, and after-tax interest expense, divided by average capital for the year. The Company uses a trailing twelve month average for computing average capital.
2. Unusual items are tax effected at the global effective tax rate, before discrete items, in effect at the time the unusual item is recorded except for unusual items from countries where no tax benefit can be realized, in which case a zero percent tax rate is used.
3. The Company’s effective tax rate approximated 37% on an adjusted basis for both periods for interest expense.

The Company’s management believes Return on invested capital excluding unusual items, which is a non-U.S. GAAP financial measure, is meaningful in evaluating the efficiency and effectiveness of the capital invested in the Company’s business.  Exclusion of unusual items permits evaluation and comparison of results for the Company’s core business operations, and it is on this basis that management internally assesses the Company’s performance.  This measure should be considered in addition to, rather than as a substitute for, net income or other information provided in accordance with U.S. GAAP.

Investor Contact  David Martin 717.612.5628 damartin@harsco.com Media Contact Kenneth Julian 717.730.3683 kjulian@harsco.com